Eze.38:1-23, God's Sovereignty and Final Victory

Eze.38:1-23, God's Sovereignty and Final Victory

 Ch.38 is a prophecy about the end times. It says that the evil force opposing God, 'Gog', will invade Israel, but will eventually be destroyed by God's judgment. It gives us spiritual lessons today.

1. The terrible Gog and Magog war(1-9): In the last days(8), 'after many days, in the last years’(Jesus’ second coming) (10,17,Rev.20:7-10), 'Gog, the king of Magog'(2) will invade 'God's people Israel'(14,16) with a strong(4,15) and enormous North-South alliance force(2-3,5-6,9). However, their appearance and movements are under God's control(3-4,6). Even evil forces are ruled by God. *What are the forces like 'Gog and Magog' that we see around us today?

2. Why do they invade to Israel?(10-13)
 The motive for Gog's alliance to invade is material greed(10). V.13. They want to conquer easily. V.16. *Have you ever experienced God revealing His glory through your foolishness or the evil circumstances around you?

3. God’s judgment(14-23)
 1) God will win an overwhelming victory over the invasion of the Magog allied forces with “fierce wrath”(18-19). The ultimate purpose of this judgment is to glorify God’s name(Prov.16:1,9). *What comfort and assurance does this chapter give me?
 2) Recognize and trust God’s sovereignty(Prov.3:5-6) Do you trust God’s good plan and sovereignty even in the midst of suffering or unjust circumstances that you cannot understand?
 3) Live for God’s glory(16,23) Am I revealing God’s glory through my life?
 4) Hope for the final victory(“at that time, on that day,” 17-19, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel Micah, Zephaniah, etc.) This chapter ultimately promises protection and final victory for God’s people. Jesus' death disarmed his enemies and won the victory on the cross(Col.2:15). *How can we keep our faith firm in the midst of difficulties and temptations?

4. Prayer: God, the Sovereign of the world, through today's word, we realize once again that all of world history is under Your sovereignty and rule. Please put on the full armor of God and cling tightly to Jesus, so that we may always be strong and victorious. No matter how strong the evil forces such as 'Gog and Magog' may seem, I believe that they will eventually be destroyed under God's judgment and only God's glory will be revealed to the whole world. Please give me courage in this truth and let me live as a precious person who shows the greatness and holiness of God through my life. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.