Morning Message: Prophecy Update - Glory Among the Heathen - Pt. 4

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Glory Among the Heathen"

Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Ezekiel 39’s first half of the chapter left us a with clear understanding of the strong devastation coming as God’s Judgment falls upon the armies of Gog and her allies as they invade the Holy Land. These armies, mentioned in the previous chapter, represent much of the political power in a Christ-rejecting world. The whole world will feel the impact, but geographically, the battle takes place in tiny Israel.

Readers must remember that Bible Prophecy is about Christ and His enemies in both the spiritual realm and the physical realm. Gog, Russia today, has pockets of believers, but their leaders are godless men who have designed a government to replace God. Persia (Iran & Iraq), Ethiopia, Libya, Turkey, and others represent much of the Muslim world, which worship a god and his false prophet, who was reported by many to be an illiterate farmer who could neither read, nor write.

The current war between Russia and the Ukraine has a similar Spiritual component to it that no news media is taking about. The Ukraine is filled with believers who follow the Eastern Orthodox version of the Christian Church. For Gog and her allies, this mass of Israeli invaders worship either no god, like Russia, or a false god according to the Jewish and Christian texts of the Bible. These texts pre-date the Quran and its alleged author by more than 500 years. They conveniently acknowledge Jesus’s teachings because they cannot be ignored, but they view our Lord as a holy man and a prophet, rejecting His own words about Deity, the Father, and Himself.

The Jews await a Godly leader to relieve them of foreign occupation and provide for peace in Israel. The Russians look for control over resources, while Muslims await “another” Savior/Redeemer. They look for the arrival of their “Mahdi,” who will give them Jewish and western lands and purge the Earth of every religion but their own. Hence, I have chosen our reading today for the beginning of this teaching: Under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul wrote Colossians 1:12-19.

God’s defeat of these unbelieving armies will mean a clean-up must be undertaken to purge Israel of the death and destruction of all those that fight against God. Jesus, God-with-us, will be glorified among all mankind as the Father glorifies Himself. We come to the aftermath of this great battle.

“And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet…” - Zechariah 14:12

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Ezekiel 39:14-29 - "Glory Among the Heathen" - Part 4

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

We live in an age where science thinks that is has done away with God. In fact, for many people, science has become their God. It is the source of all truth (apparently). We live in an age where mankind is self-focused and self-exalted. In the Western world especially, humanism is in. God... well not so much. We live in an age where Islam again seeks to dominate on the world scene. It has lofty goals of imposing sharia law across all nations. And yet it has a thorn in its side that it hasn't been able to remove... those pesky little Jews living in their backyard in that tiny land called Israel! To those under all of these things (and more), the true God, who has been hidden to so many, will make His name known. For some it will lead to repentance and salvation. For others, a further hardening of their heart (as it did to Pharaoh when the God of Israel revealed Himself through judgments upon the land). But either way, mankind will be given proof. There will be no excuse. And God will do it through the tiny nation of Israel. He has said it and will bring it to pass. Strap yourselves in!

This week, Ezekiel 39:14-29 details the aftermath of God’s decisive defeat of Gog, focusing on the extensive, months-long cleansing of the land and the ultimate, permanent restoration of Israel. God vows to display His holiness, gather all His people from exile, and never again hide His face from them, pouring out His Spirit.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Hamon Gog (39:16) - Hamon-Gog (Valley of the Multitude of Gog) refers to a prophetic location in the Bible (Ezekiel 39:11-15) east of the Dead Sea, designated for burying the vast armies of Gog, a powerful northern leader who will invade Israel, symbolizing God's ultimate victory over evil forces and the cleansing/restoration of the land. In verse 16, a city in the area will be named Hamonah, "multitude" (cf. a similar idea in Joel 3:14).

Speak Unto . . . Fowl . . . Beast (39:17-20) - This phrase is primarily found in Ezekiel 39:17, representing a vivid, apocalyptic image of God’s victory over His enemies. God's word summons carrion birds and carnivorous animals to consume the fallen flesh as described in Revelation 19:21.

My Sacrificial Meal (39:17) - Since God describes the feast by the imagery of a sacrificial meal, the warriors who fell (v. 19) are described figuratively in words such as rams and other animals used in sacrifice.

I will Set My Glory (39:21-29) - refers to a divine intention to reveal God's majesty, power, and character to all nations. Rooted in texts like Ezekiel 39:21 and Isaiah 43, this phrase signifies bringing God's character and worthiness into plain view through acts of salvation, judgment, and the transformation of His people. Specifically, God vanquishes Israel's foes to show His glory so that His enemies and Israel will all know that He is the Lord (vv. 6, 22).  This is Israel's salvation spoken of in Zechariah 12:10-13:9; Romans 11:25-27.

Bring Again (39:25) - The Lord would answer their prayer, by returning the Jews to their land, cf. Daniel’s example and God’s response (Daniel 9:4–27). Fulfillment would occur in the era of Ezra and Nehemiah, and beyond this in even fuller measure after the Second Coming of their Messiah (cf. Daniel 2:35, 45; 7:13, 14, 27; 12:1–3, 13).

Poured Out My Spirit (39:29) - God's provision of His Spirit at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ complements the regathering (cf. 36:27; 47:14; Joel 2:28). Ezekiel 39:29 marks the end of the Gog-Magog prophecy, promising that after punishing Israel's enemies and restoring His people, God will permanently pour out His Holy Spirit upon them. This signifies a final, intimate covenant reconciliation, ending divine distance (hiding His face) and replacing it with inward transformation and lifelong, intimate communion.

Morning Message: Prophecy Update - The Judgment of Gog - Pt. 3

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "The Judgment of Gog"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The 3rd week of our Prophecy Update Series opens with Ezekiel 39. It opens with an almost identical verse as the previous chapter. The only difference is that in Chapter 38, it is Jehovah directing the Son of Man (Christ) what to speak to Gog, and Magog, that nation north of the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

In Ezekiel 39:1, it is the Son of Man speaking those words, “I am against thee…” just as the Father had said. There can be no question about how Jehovah (Lord) and Jesus, the Son of Man (Lord) feel about that nation and the one who is their leader. Gog is the nation and Magog is their leader.

The Father is making good on His promise made to Abraham and his descendants, Israel. “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him who curseth thee.” (Genesis 12:3). To find one’s self in a adversarial position against the God of the Universe, is an unenviable position. God does not speak unless He intends to follow through with His prophetic word.

And hence, Gog and Magog will face judgment at the right time in the future. Ezekiel 39 is a direct description of this judgment against the nation that is modern-day Russia, and we are witnessing the alignment of Israel’s enemies today. We are also witnessing the strength of Israel increasing militarily, and economically, and at least one former enemy is enlisting Israeli defense methods, vis-à-vis Israeli’s Iron Dome defense initiative.

At some point in the future, however, Israel will be isolated to face a coalition of nations that are her enemies, and God’s. And we may be surprised by their names.

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” - 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Prophecy Update: Ezekiel 39: 1-13 - "The Judgment of Gog" - Pt. 3

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

We saw in the first two studies of the Gog and Magog invasion that the Bible predicts an end-time alliance between Russia, Iran and Turkey (along with other countries) that will come against Israel in the last days leading up to the return of Jesus. As they cover the land like a storm it will look like a sure thing win for the invading forces. A sure thing, that is until God steps in! We saw in the first study that God will not allow this invading force to prevail but will supernaturally wipe them out on the mountains of Israel in an event that will literally leave an unbelieving world gasping! It will, the Bible says, be an event that will be used by God to make His name known again to both Israel and the nations of the world.

Ezekiel 39:1-13 describes God's judgment against Gog, a northern invader, foretelling his total defeat by Israel, his vast army's weapons providing seven years of fuel, and a massive, seven-month burial process in the Valley of Hamon-Gog, culminating in the purification of the land and recognition of God's power by all nations.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Behold, I Am Against Thee, O Gog (39:1) - Repeated from Ezekiel 38:3, which is for the confirmation of it, and to inject terror into him. How horrifying to have God against any you. This scene of the army's ruin adds detail to Ezekiel 38:18-23 such as: the disarming of soldiers (v. 3); their fall in death (vv. 4, 5); the gorging of birds and beasts on the corpses (v. 4); fire sent also on others besides the army (v.6); and the burning of weapons by Israelites (vv. 9, 10).

Gog (39:1) - “Gog” is the mysterious leader introduced in the previous chapter (Ezekiel 38:2). The prophecy is “against” him, signaling judgment rather than blessing (Ezekiel 25:2; Amos 1:3). The scope is international; God’s concern extends beyond Israel’s borders to global powers (Psalm 2:1-6; Revelation 20:8). The Gog and Magog assault in Revelation 20:7-9 at the end of the Millennium is another assault on Jerusalem patterned after certain images of the invasion here (chapters 38, 39), but it is a distinct event one thousand years after the Millennial kingdom begins.

Burn the Weapons (39:9, 10) - God promised to “break the bow and shatter the spear” (Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:4), and here He does so literally. Every category of ancient weapon becomes fuel, symbolizing total disarmament of hostile nations (Micah 4:3). The list is comprehensive, leaving no threat un-neutralized. As shocking as it sounds, there will be enough equipment to provide fuel for seven years. 

Seven Years (39:9) - Seven in Scripture often marks completeness (Genesis 2:2-3; Revelation 1:20). Here it indicates a definite, measurable period during which the refuse of war meets Israel’s domestic needs. The duration suggests both the vast quantity of weapons and the sustained peace that follows God’s intervention (Ezekiel 37:26). A vast army (cf. "many," 38:15) would have much weaponry, requiring seven years to burn.  Since this likely occurs at the end of the time of Tribulation, synonymous with the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 19:19-21), the burials would extend into the millennial kingdom.

Give Unto Gog a Place There of Graves (39:11-16) - Israelites moving east from the Mediterranean Sea, with the sea to their backs and the Jezreel Valley before them, bury bodies.  Further, people in the whole land help in the massive interment, which takes seven months.  The description fits the time after Christ's Second Coming extending into the millennial era as those who go into His kingdom do the work (cf. Revelation 20:1-10).

Hamon-Gog (39:11, 16) - Hamon-Gog (Valley of the Multitude of Gog) refers to a prophetic location in the Bible (Ezekiel 39:11-15) east of the Dead Sea, designated for burying the vast armies of Gog, a powerful northern leader who will invade Israel, symbolizing God's ultimate victory over evil forces and the cleansing/restoration of the land. In verse 16, a city in the area will be named Hamonah, "multitude" (cf. a similar idea in Joel 3:14).

Morning Message: Prophecy Update - Dress Rehearsal - Pt. 2

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Dress Rehearsal"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Now that we have undertaken a Prophecy Update Series, things are heating up around the world. Venezuela, Switzerland, and Iran are in the news this week. Scour the news sites to stay abreast of current events, and more so, current events that will impact our faith and understanding of Bible Prophesy. Our faith might be challenged at times.

The world events impact the overall role of Almighty God in the lives of His Creation. He will remain faithful to all generations, but it might require specific changes to keep mankind within His will. And if changes occur, they will always be part of God’s will. Just because we didn’t see something coming, does not mean that He didn’t either. He is all-knowing; we are not.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13: 32). Others think those days are far off in the distance. And some even think we are in the midst of them. Jesus taught that the Father knows His own timetable, and not even the Son knows. What that means might seem confusing, but the Father is truly the mind of God; the Son of the Father is that second person of the Trinity, the Word of God, who also acts out the word of God in the physical realm, and the Holy Spirit is Him Who acts to motivate the Son to the will of the Father. This third person of the Trinity also indwells the heart of every believer. This is the cohesiveness of our great Triune God: Three Persons all acting in union with one another, to perform His will.

I speak in terms of God’s consistency, and of His flexibility to be able to accomplish great things. The Virgin Birth itself is a prime example of this. Keep your eye on Jesus; His plan is the Father’s, and Jesus remains flexible to it.

~ John 14: 20 ~

“At that day, ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” - John 14:20

“That they all may be as one; as Thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world might believe that Thou hast sent Me.” - John 17:21

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Prophecy Update: Ezekiel 38:17-23 - "Dress Rehearsal" - Pt. 2

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In this Prophecy Update Series, we are looking at what Ezekiel saw for Israel and the nations in the last days, we've seen that God has some pretty big events in store! God will make His name known in the last days to the nation of Israel and the nations of the world. Now that is pretty exciting! The Western nations especially live in a post-modern, post-Christian world. The thought of God is often mocked, ignored or not seen as relevant in this day. Yet God has events in store where He will, on a global stage, make His name known again.

Ezekiel 38 and 39 are well-studied chapters amongst Bible prophecy students. Ezekiel foretells of a supernatural war that is coming. It will be one that threatens the very existence of Israel as a nation. Even before drilling down into some of the details it is interesting to note the placement of these Gog and Magog chapters. Chapter 37 speaks of Israel being regathered from their 'graves' in the nations and becoming a nation again in their own land. It was the famous 'dry bones' chapter, and its fulfillment began with Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. Ezekiel 40-48 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus shall rule and reign from Jerusalem after His return. But squeezed in between these two book ends are Ezekiel 38 and 39. The position of these chapters show us the timing of these events - The Gog and Magog war will occur somewhere between Israel becoming a nation again and the return of Jesus. And, as we have already seen in our study last week, the players involved in this war are seriously moving into position in our day.

To sum up, Ezekiel 38 and 39 speaks of a coming alliance of Russia, Turkey, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and possibly Germany. Russia and Turkey will descend upon Israel from the north. Iran will come from the east. Libya from the southwest. Sudan and Somalia will rush from the south. Israel will be entirely circled by some of the greatest threats and military powers that the world currently knows.

The main players being Russia, Iran and Turkey... It is VERY interesting that these countries are coming together today, strengthening military and financial alliances at the current time. The war in Syria over the last few years have seen Russia and Iran draw closer in a joint effort to control the Middle East. Turkey, while a NATO member and supposedly aligned with the West, has in recent years been moving in the other direction. Under the near dictatorship of President Erdogan, Turkey has been moving from a secular society to an Islamic one. Their alliance with the West has been waning while its ties to Russia deepen.

Now we don't interpret Bible prophecy by current events for things can move quickly and in unexpected directions. But it is interesting to see this Russian - Iranian - Turkish alliance as the Bible predicts. The other nations mentioned such as Libya, Somalia and Sudan are certainly no friends of Israel today either. They are all hotbeds of Islamic fundamentalism and strongly anti-Israel.

In verses 10-16, Ezekiel explained why these nations are going to come against Israel. Given the increasing anti-Semitism in the world today, it is not hard to see these nations wanting to destroy Israel. Iran especially is famous for its constant decrees and threats of destroying the Jewish nation and driving them into the sea. We have seen this 'everlasting hatred' mentioned in previous chapters of Ezekiel. But hatred ISN'T the primary reason given for this invasion. It is something less spiritual and far more material... MONEY! Ezekiel prophesied that thoughts would come into Gog's mind and he will device an evil plan. The reason for the invasion is to 'capture spoil' and 'seize plunder'. What are those spoils? Perhaps the vast oil supply that was found, or the abundant wealth from the minerals of the dead sea. Wherever the riches come from, it will be a strong enough hook in the jaw of Gog that will draw him out of his own country to invade, destroy and plunder another sovereign nation. There is of course one small problem... The nation that Gog has decided to invade, Israel, will be under the protection of the God of Israel!

This week we will be looking at Ezekiel 38:17-23. What will God do? With the coalition army surrounding Israel, and with no hope in sight for the nation of Israel, Yahweh, the God of Israel will act. Though the enemy will cover the land like a storm, and with certain victory within their grasp, they shall come to the same fate that the Egyptians experienced when the closed in on Israel at the Red Sea. As the scripture says, "Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever." - Psalms 121:4-8

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Are you he? (38:17) - God's foreknowledge. This verse is a prophetic question from God in the Bible, asking an enemy leader (Gog) "Are you the one I spoke about in former times through my servants, the prophets of Israel, who for years prophesied that I would bring you against them?". This refers to the general references to this time and the participants (cf. Joel 3:9-17; Amos 5:11, 23; Zephaniah 3:8).  Even Daniel (Daniel 2:41;44) referred to this time at least three decades prior to Ezekiel 38.  The nature of the question presupposes that the previous generalities are now being particularized in the person of Gog.

My fury will show (38:18-23) - God's patience will be exhausted with the repeated attempts to annihilate Israel since the "abomination" by Antichrist (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15), and He will employ a great earthquake in Israel; panic will seize the invading soldiers (verse 21), who will turn and use their weapons against one another (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:22, 23).  He will further decimate the invading ranks by pestilence, a deluge of rain, large hailstones, plus fire and brimstone.  The descriptions here are identical to that of the last half of the seven-year Tribulation in Revelation 6:12-17; 11:19; 16:17-21; 19:11-21.