BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG 

The Battle of Gog and Magog is a famous battle recorded in Ezekiel 38-39 and which is still yet future.  In short this battle pictures the forces from the north that will swoop down on Israel unexpectedly to seize their land and assets.  But God will defend Israel and slay her enemies. It is so exciting to study because we see events of today lining up in preparation for it.  So let’s study this prophecy because it will prove that time is short and Jesus is coming soon! 

WHO WILL ATTACK ISRAEL?:  Ezekiel was describing a battle that will involve Israel’s remotest neighbors. The nations involved in the attack seem to include the Soviet Union, Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Libya. (38:1-6).  It is interesting to note most of these nations today would have no problem attacking Israel.   

WHEN WILL THE ATTACK BE?:  Israel will be attacked in the latter years and during a time when they are a peaceful people who dwell safely.  That surely can’t mean today because Israel is vulnerable to attack by her enemies.   It appears to be during the end times and during the first half of the Tribulation when the Antichrist will broker peace with Israel. (38:8, 11)  (Note: The battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium is a different attack – see Rev 20:7-9.  In that battle Gog and Magog symbolize all the forces of evil that band together to battle God.) 

WHY WILL ISRAEL BE ATTACKED?:  This attack will be based on greed and control of the Middle East. Israel has a warm water entrance to the waterways of the world, is close to oil deposits, and possesses valuable mineral deposits. (38:12)  God will use this attack to bring glory to Himself among the Gentiles and to bring Israel into a relationship with Himself. (39:21-29)  

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ISRAEL’S ATTACKERS?:  God will knock the bow out of their left hand and cause arrows to fall out their right hand (39:3).  God will bring down judgments and the marauding coalition will begin fighting against itself.  It will take seven months to bury the bodies of the soldiers and seven years to burn the leftover weapons. (39:1-16)   

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US TODAY?:  The Bible teaches that the Rapture will happen first before the Tribulation (2 Thes 2:1-12).  Today we also see Russia (the “far north” of Eze 38:6) trying to regain its former glory and be a superpower again.  They have shown themselves to be land grabbers and to act independently from other nations in so doing.   These are signs of the times.  The coming of the Lord is closer than we think and it’s time to live for Him! (1 John 3:3) 

But the real battle is in our hearts.  (James 4:1) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  Are you fighting against the Lord?  (2 Chr 13:12)…do not fight against the Lord God…for you shall not prosper!”   Surrender today to the Lord and let God’s peace rule your life! (Col 3:15)  

Louie

NAMES OF GOD

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

NAMES OF GOD

In the English language we basically have one name for God.  But in Hebrew there are many names for the one God.  In an English translation a particular Hebrew name for God may lose its basic meaning by just being translated God.  I would say it’s like the difference between black and white and color TV with the full splendor of the image being represented by color.  (Dan 2:20) Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God…  Happy study of God’s names! 

- YAHWEH - The name Yahweh (or Jehovah) means “I am that I am” and means God is self-existent in His nature and Being . . . always was and always will be.  In the Old Testament Yahweh occurs 6,519 times.  This would be the covenant name of God for His people.  (Exo 3:14-15) And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”  15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever…

- ELOHIM - The plural form of EL, meaning “strong one.” This name occurs 2,570 times in the Old Testament.  It is a plural of majesty and intimates the Trinity. It is especially used of God’s sovereignty, His creative work, and His mighty work for Israel - (Gen 1:1)  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

- ADONAI - Translated “Lord” in our English Bibles.  In the Old Testament Adonai occurs 434 times. The first use of Adonai is in . . . (Gen 15:2)  But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"   

- EL SHADDAI - God Almighty or "God All Sufficient." Used 48 times in the OT.  (Gen 17:1)  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 

- EL ELYON - “The Most High God.” Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy. - (Gen 14:19) And he (Melchizedek) blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 

- EL OLAM - "Everlasting" God. This is a seldom used name, however, it indicates that God exists for all eternity. He is the God of all ages. (Gen 21:33) Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 

- EL ROI - “The God who sees me” – Hagar’s name for God when He saw her affliction - (Gen 16:13) Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, "Have I also here seen Him who sees me?" 

Louie

BIBLICAL FASTING

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

BIBLICAL FASTING 

In the Bible we read about how the Israelites enjoyed the feasts of the Lord in the Old Testament.  The gospels also reveal how Jesus ate often in fellowship with others.  But when we have a serious concern on our heart or if we as a body have a corporate concern, then it’s time to seek the Lord with fasting.  Fasting is a very rewarding experience.  May the Lord direct us to fast as the Spirit leads.  And I pray the following Bible study will give you insight on scriptural fasting: 

Definition - “To go without food for the purpose of seeking God”. 

CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT FASTING: 

·               For guidance (Judges 20:26-28) 

·               Victory over temptation (Matthew 4:1-2) 

·               National repentance (1 Samuel 7:5-6) 

·               Burdened for others (Nehemiah 1:3-4) 

·               Personal concerns (1 Samuel 1:7, 10) 

·               Direction for ministry (Acts 13:1-3)

 PITFALLS TO AVOID 

·               Pride (Nehemiah 9:1-2; Joel 2:12; Matthew 6:16-18) 

·               Empty ritualism (Zechariah 7:5-7) 

·               Forgetting true spirituality (Isaiah 58:4-6) 

KINDS OF FASTS 

·                      Supernatural fast - No food and no water (Exodus 34:28).  Not a normal fast and usually never lasted more than three days (Ezra 10:6-8; Esther 4:16).   

·                      Normal fast - No food but liquids okay and for a time that the Spirit would lead (most common in the Bible). 

·                      Partial fast - Eating lightly (blander food) while abstaining from rich and sweet foods.  This is good if you have to keep up your busy and strenuous schedule as Daniel evidently did.  Fasting doesn’t have to be all or nothing.  (Daniel 10:1-5) 

*Please check with your doctor if you have special needs. 

How blessed we are to enjoy the food God has graciously and abundantly given to us.  And what a blessing it is to go without food for a time when we feel directed to seek the will of the Lord for our lives. 

Louie

 

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

(Heb 6:10) For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

When a person has a long term illness your heart really goes out to them.  You do what you can to help them and for sure you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  But for every person that has an ongoing sickness or disability there is at least one or more persons that takes care of him or her.  They serve ongoing and so often without a break.  They serve willingly and they serve modestly and without recognition.  For these we need to turn our attention to how we may care for the caregiver.  And if you are a caregiver you need some encouragement because what you do is amazing and will one day be rewarded by the Lord Himself (Mat 25:21).   

There are different types of caregiving in terms of who a person takes care of.  It could be an elderly mother or father, a person with a disability, someone on hospice, etc.  But one thing is common…a caregiver serves day in and day out.  They rarely have any time off.  Their whole life is devoted to the care of their loved one, friend, or person they are caring for.  They are depended on, and if they weren’t there then the ailing person would suffer for it.  The caregiver maintains the life and dignity of the person they serve.  They have learned every intricate detail that could never be written down in full for someone else.  These are unsung heroes who need: 

1) ENCOURAGEMENT:  Just a word of appreciation for their work goes a long way to boost their spirits and to keep them inspired in the work they do.  God is not unjust to forget their labors and neither should we be neglectful to recognize their undying devotion.     

2) REST:  The caregiver gives constantly but to avoid burnout they need a break now and then.  (Gal 6:2) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  We can do this by offering help so they can finally get to the things they need to do for themselves.  

3) GOD’S COMMENDATION:  Some scripture verses are in order so the caregiver will realize how much the Lord appreciates what they are doing:  (John 15:13) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends…(Mat 25:40) And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’…(Isa 40:31) But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 

Our society has it all wrong.  We celebrate the celebrities and bypass those who are the real superstars.  For those who give care we applaud what you are doing for others.  You are an inspiration more than you know by your selfless service so we may serve more nobly for Christ.   

Louie

THE GAP THEORY

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

THE GAP THEORY 

(Gen 1:1-2) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 

According to the Gap Theory, creation can be explained as follows: In Genesis 1:1, God created the heavens and the earth, complete with dinosaurs and other prehistoric life that we see in fossil records. Then a catastrophic event took place such as a flood (indicated by the "deep waters" in verse 2) brought on by Lucifer's rebellion and fall from heaven to the earth. Consequently the earth was ruined or destroyed, reducing it to the "formless and empty" state of Genesis 1:2. In verse 3, God began the process of restoring life. 

The Gap Theory was first introduced in 1814 by Scottish theologian Thomas Chalmers in an attempt to unite the six-day biblical creation account with the newly defined geologic ages being proposed by leading geologists of that time.  The gap theory became quite popular among evangelical Christians in the early part of the 20th century, largely because it was included in the study notes of the Scofield Reference Bible published in the 1917 edition.   

There are many overwhelming gaps in the Gap Theory. The idea that the geological ages took place in between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 is prohibited by the plain Biblical statement in the Ten Commandments, where God said, ‘In six days, the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is’ (Exodus 20:11). That is, He was telling man that he must work six days and rest one day because God worked six days and then rested one day. The context goes on to say that everything in heaven and earth and in the sea was made in six days.  

The geologic column (which is the “bedrock” of the evolutionary theory) shows every evidence of having been deposited quickly by Noah’s Flood and not over long periods of time as proposed by the Gap Theory.     

If the fossil record is to be explained by the millions of years in the gap, that means death, pain, and disease were common many ages before Adam fell. But the Bible tells us that it was Adam’s sin that introduced suffering to the world: “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12).  

As you can see there are gaps in the Gap Theory, but it is no deal breaker when it comes to fellowship in Christ.  But the reason for this writing is to encourage Bible believing Christians to: Be…rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)  And also to heed the apostolic warning:  (1 Tim 6:20) O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called. 

Louie