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Ezekiel 38:17-19 Our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe - Day 278

Friends,

As we have mentioned before, prophetic can drift between specific and symbolic.  And it is hard to really know when it has happened.  I hope these thoughts are encouraging

Blessings

Jeff

Chapters 38 & 39 are prophecies against Gog.

From Reformation Study Bible notes:

Rather than add to speculation about future history, modern readers should understand that Ezekiel himself uses these nations as symbolic references to all powers arrayed against God’s people. Ezekiel contains many oracles against foreign nations (Eze 29), but there is none specifically against Babylon, where he and the exiles were held in captivity. Some have suggested that Magog, Meshech, and Tubal are veiled references to Babylon, the immediate enemy. Gog and Magog recur in John’s apocalyptic description of future conflict between good and evil (Rev 20:8). Ezekiel 38:2

I thought v17 to 19 were interesting for a couple of reasons.

1. my wrath will be roused in my anger. For in my jealousy and in my blazing wrath...   OK, I get it already God is very angry with Gog.  

2. Are you he of whom I spoke in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel, who in those days prophesied for years that I would bring you against them?  Why is God asking a question that He obviously knows the answer to.  God knows that previous prophets spoke about an unnamed nation from the north.  God knows that this previously unnamed nation would invade Israel

3.  Gog, Magog and the great earthquake reappear in Revelation.

So if I accept the symbolic reference to all powers arrayed against God's people, how should I think about this?  As I prepare for sermon on "lead us not into temptation..", I can't help but think of the world, the flesh and the devil as the powers arrayed against individual believers and the Church.  God knows about them, He has told us that they will seem invincible to us but that He will utterly defeat them.  The rule and reign and dominion of sin has been broken.  As I seek to "let not sin reign in your mortal body" I am fighting a defeated enemy who can mount serious counter attack.  But ultimate victory is assured 

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