June 27, 2010 Wordlisteners Ezekiel 37-39

We had 7 for Wordlisteners tonight, and the topic of discussion was Ezekiel 37-39. We also had more homemade ice cream. All was good. Chapter 37 is very rapture like in description, 38 and 39 describe the opening acts of the tribulation period. Come quickly Lord Jesus, all the things described in the book can happen at anytime. God is in control.

Our next meeting is scheduled for July 11th, 2010


Ezekiel 37

The Lord took him in spirit to a valley of dry bones. It is interesting that in the message edition Assyria and Babylon are said to have eaten Israel, and spit out bones. In Jeremiah 7:32-8:2 and in Jeremiah 50:17 the references to the destruction of Israel and then Judah are clear.
At the valley he is told to prophesy over the bones, and when he does the bones come together and flesh becomes attached. These bodies are not breathing until he is told to prophecy breath into them. Then they are fully alive. This is an example of the dead in Christ coming to life.
The next section explains what we just read. The bones are the "whole" house of Israel. Does this include the Christians? Christians do become part of the house of Israel. There is also the statement that God will make graves open (rapture like), and He will bring them into the land of Israel. The opening of the graves, and resurrection of the dead will show those resurrected and others that He is Lord.
At this point I'm reminded of the NT story of the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus heard he was sick, and could have gone to heal him, but instead waited until he had died to act. In the story there was greater awe over a resurrection than there would have been over a healing. The raising of the dead will be an awe inspiring event that gets people's attention.
I think the breath in the bones that reformed bodies is the spirit of God. God will put His spirit in them and place them in their land (Israel- literal? Rapture?). The Lord does this and people know He is God. Since this is somewhat unbelievable in the natural we are reminded that what the Lord speaks He will do, it will happen.
I think this is more than Cyrus releasing the exiles from Babylon, and sending them home. God certainly brought that about as well, but there are things (if meant literally) that hasn't happened yet.
Verse 15 two sticks. Judah and Ephraim joined together one nation. One people after Babylonian exile, but not a nation until 1948. Was 1948 an act of God? an act of man trying to force God's hand? God made it happen, or He allowed it. God is sovereign. God will restore Israel and David will be their king, that description hasn't happened yet. The people will also follow His statutes and ordinances. Looking those up they run from Leviticus 18 to the end.
These are listed after sin and atonement offerings. Hebrews 9:23 states Jesus was the perfect sin offering allowing us back into right relationship with God. The following of His statutes by His restored people is mentioned plenty. These statutes involve sacrifices. Ezekiel describes a temple that hasn't been built yet (clearly, and may be the one of the 1000 year reign), but it has tables where animal sacrifices are prepared. Literal or figurative? Consider the following:
1. Our giving of money or tithing could be considered a sacrifice. It is an active sign of our acknowledgement of who God is. In that time (Ezekiel's) animals were capital (money). Since we still give tithes and offerings, after Jesus, it is plausible that some sacrifices will happen in the millennial reign. As described by Ezekiel in Chapter 40 and beyond.
2. In Leviticus the sin offering and atonement is first, then the following of the statutes and ordinances. Some of the sacrifices were clearly to support our fellow men, the priests, the poor, etc. In the 1000 year reign we will very gladly serve each other putting the needs of others first.
Back to Ezekiel, a few promises -Israel will live in the land given to Jacob with Jesus as Prince forever. God will place them there (after period in heaven?, or instantly in the process of restoring His people?) He will multiply them, and set His sanctuary in their midst (described later). God will dwell with them (in Israel) and nations will know God is Lord when His sanctuary is in their midst forever. Jerusalem a light to the world.
Now IF and I underline IF this happens just prior to the tribulation period, then imagine Jesus (or David) on the throne, His spirit poured out, the dead resurrected and brought forth to live there also.
Would city defenses be necessary?
Would the nation seem to be at peace and seemingly defenseless?

Ezekiel 38

Gog a nation from the North, Nations described include present day Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, and Turkey- all non arabic. Arabic nations will have an anti-christ peace treaty so Israel will feel secure. God will use them to demonstrate He is God.
Verse 8 is interesting- Israel is a land restored from the sword. Can be interpreted a couple ways. restored from the sword = war torn (1948), or restored from the sword = a land where wars don't happen anymore, the people truly follow God, worshiping and relying on Him.
The invaders coming- are they more likely to attack an armed Israel or one that is following the Lord at peace? Kind of hard to imagine, but the power of God is greater than we can imagine. Large numbers are indicated, interestingly it is our new military tactic- overwhelm the enemy. This can mean an attack expecting resistance. The statement that people are living securely- probably has never described current Israel.
The enemy will come like a cloud against a peaceable people living without bars or gates- trying to overwhelm God? Back in 36 the waste cities of Israel will be inhabited and fortified, yet will be without bars and gates? Their intent isn't stated to be annihilation but rather to plunder and spoil- from the affects of famine? Back in Chapter 36 the Lord states in vs 29 and 30 that when Israel is restored He will not allow the disgrace of famine. When the Lord turned His back to Jerusalem in Jeremiah famine soon followed. If restoring Israel and making the statement He is God then famine to the north could occur, while Israel has plenty, making them a clear plunder and spoil target.
It will be a day of plunder when Israel is living securely, and Gog knows it (vs 14)- peace treaty? This invasion has been prophesied for many years by the prophets of Israel (vs 17). Gog will be used to sanctify or set apart God. He will set Himself apart and call attention to Himself through their act of invasion and His response.
His response is said to be earthquakes in Israel (worldwide?- all the people of the earth will feel it). Mountains flattened. The invaders will turn on each other in panic, and fire and brimstone will rain down. This will magnify God, set Him apart, and make Him known in the sight of many nations. This will be the first part of the tribulation period, the first horse of the four in Revelation.

Ezekiel 39

Invasion of the blessed mountains of Israel. Invaders coming to plunder looking for food and cattle. They will fall on the mountains of Israel. The earthquake happens and they turn on each other. Fire falls on the parts their countries where people who didn't come as part of the invasion are. This is a demonstration that the Lord is God, not men with their supposed reasoning and military might. Israel will know He is the Lord- the point they turn to Christ?
The fallen invaders will become plunder for Israel. Interesting - God blesses His people Israel after restoring them, others become jealous and seek to plunder them but in fact end up giving up what they have (that God gave) to Israel. Its all God's - He'll redistribute it as He sees fit. James 4:2 is appropriate here. Instead of deciding to take from Israel they could have repented and asked God to bless them.
It will take 7 months to bury the dead and the plunder will last 7 years. So many dead the birds will eat. Interestingly it is called the Lord's sacrifice for the birds. Remember, He created these men, He desired something better for them, but their choices caused them to have to be sacrificed. So it is a cost of sorts to the Lord that they are slain (His creation destroyed). The sacrifice will be His table that He set for His birds, men don't have to do anything to bring it about.
All nations will see His action and His judgment. The house of Israel will know He is God from that day on.
The nations will realize that even though the history of the Jewish people involved hardship and exile, they are still His people.
God blesses the obedient, although truly obedient people aren't after worldly blessings.
God protects His chosen (not blesses), if they aren't obedient to Him then there is no blessing- He may look away. He allowed Israel to be punished. He punished those invaders on the mountains of Israel and will punish all who don't follow His ways. The only argument you can make about following or not following God is not that His ways are bad, none of them are. Its about wanting things our way even if others have to suffer for our choices.
Israel is restored then saved. They will forget their disgrace and live in the land. No one will cause them fear- knowing and truly receiving God and His love will cast out all fear (1 John 4:18).
When He gathers His people He will be sanctified or set apart in the sight of many nations (Jerusalem a light unto the world). Israel will know He is God (be saved), why they went into exile (disobedience). They are all gathered (including those that have died). He is present with them, and His spirit is poured out.
Show yourself Holy Lord.