heralding the Gospel message while there is yet time. God faithfully warns us of the coming judgments upon a rebellious world, saying unto us, “ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness . . .?” (2 Peter 3:11). The end of this present age draws nigh, and still God is beseech ing men and women to turn to the Lamb of Calvary. Many have not yet heard the Gospel story. Many others have not heard it clearly. It is our task and our privilege to go with the blessed story of the grace of God to those who are hope lessly lost in darkness and sin. I do not know, my friends, just how much longer I shall be allowed to preach this message. Perhaps one of these morn ings the trump of God shall sound; the dead in Christ shall be raised; and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air! (See 1 Thess. 4:13-18.) What a wonderful prospect for us, to be sure! But how terrible to think that millions will be left to go through the tribulation. My friend, are you safe in Christ? If not, turn to Him without delay. Are your loved ones saved? If not, in God’s name, do not sleep until they, too, come to know Him, whom to know is life eternal. Then there are your friends, your associates, your acquaintances—have you not some influence with them? Will you not be seech them to become reconciled to God? May our gracious Heavenly Father grant unto each and every one of us the privilege of working for Him during the time which still remains. May God bless you as you testify for Him in the name of our gracious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God. For the Lord will not hide His face from His people, hut will dwell among them and pour out His Spirit upon them. Gog's W ar against Israel— Not Armageddon Now, lest some should think that, fol lowing the defeat of the armies of Gog, the period of blessing will immediately come to pass, we need to remember that the battle discussed in this chapter is not the battle, or the war, of Armageddon. That is an altogether different war. The Roman prince, and not Gog of Russia, is the leader of the enemies of God at Armageddon. Moreover, the decision at Armageddon will not be accomplished by atmospheric and seismical upheavals, but by the personal appearance of the Son of God, followed by the armies of heaven. And the Antichrist will not be buried on the hills of Palestine, but, with the false prophet, will be cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone. The time element between these two great battles of Gog and Armageddon is thoughf by most Bible students to be about the time |of “ the great tribula tion,” but again we do not want to be dogmatic. However, we are sure that there are many distinguishing features between these events. Our Responsibility in This Day of Grace With this study we conclude this series of lessons on “the signs of the times” of the end of Gentile dominion, the com ing world dictator, and the prophecies of Ezekiel 36-39 inclusive. These are search ing and solemn themes that we have been considering. And as this day of grace seems to be drawing to a close, we are impressed with our own responsibility of
land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the hoiCse of Israel, saAth the Lord God. We need to remember that, whenever God speaks of any trial into which His people are to go, the recital of the trial or judgment is always accompanied by some note of the glory which is to follow. Here in Ezekiel 39 we have the record of one of the greatest trials which God’s ancient people will ever be called upon to endure, but here also is the note of ultimate victory. First, God’s decision to call the scat tered nation of Israel back to her own land is reiterated in verse 25. This is amplified and repeated many, many times in the Old Testament, as we have often observed. This is the central theme of Israel’s glory in the prophetic por tions of the Old Testament, the regath ering of the Jew to his homeland for God’s blessing. Furthermore, God is going to regather “the whole house of Israel,” not merely some of the tribes. All twelve of the tribes are to be included. How utterly foolish is the modern cult which would divide Israel and give only a portion of the nation the glory which God has promised ! All Israel is guilty of the sins of disobedience and rejection of the Messiah. All Israel has wandered and suffered throughout the centuries. Even so, all Israel will be regathered to enjoy the time of great happiness that is to come. In that day all Israel shall know that the years of her captivity were permitted for her own chastening; and, what is more, all Israel shall know the true character of Jehovah who is her
A Jewish family at home in Moshav Ovdim, Nahalal Colony, Palestine.
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