Ezekiel 38:14-16 - "Therefore,
son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In
that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you
not take notice of it? You will come
from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you,
all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You
will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers
the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my
land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy
through you before their eyes.
It is one of the most confusing words from God that Ezekiel
must have heard. Just after he had been
told to tell the people to look forward to a time of restoration….he was told
to prophecy against the nation that would someday attach them again. The evil
Gog and Magog would be destroyed in the end…but would be used one more time to
bring judgment on people that just couldn’t seem to stop good times from
puffing them up and wandering away from God time after time.
It is discussed again in just a few verses of revelation
20. Verses 7-10 say… “ When the thousand
years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like
the sand on the seashore. They marched
across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the
city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown
into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false
prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night
for ever and ever.
Perhaps it was just God’s way of giving us a glimpse of the
big picture…the ending. I like to think that Satan will be tricked into a false
confidence…and rally one last time before God places him in his permanent domain
forever. Then no evil will ever be allowed to control any of God’s created
Earth…peace will reign forever.
For me…it is a reminder that until that time…satan will roam
and try to trick as many of us as he can into joining his side. We must constantly be wary of falling too far
away from God as the Israelites did so many times. Only the ones that stay committed and accept
the hardships and persecution that sometimes comes with following him will last
till the end. I sure needed the reminder...and will need it again because the
flesh in our bodies is drawn toward what satan makes look like the easy way
naturally.
Father…thank you for the reminder that evil is always out
there looking for a way into my heart.
Forgive me for the times that I allow my flesh to win out…and let satan
trick me. Help me to lift my face towards your love and sweet mercy and call
out for new strength to be more committed to your commands. Help me be strong and recognize when satan is
trying to trick me so I can tell him to take a hike the next time. Amen.
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