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Seventh in a Series of Prophetic Messages
By Louis T. Talbot, D.D.
I N these studies* we have covered Ezekiel 36-38. In chapter 37 of this prophecy, we saw foretold the disper sion and restoration of the nation of Israel and her coming period of glory. In chapter 38 we got a glimpse of the snarling wrath of the coming dictator of Russia against God’s chosen people, his yet future expedition of hate into the land of promise, and God’s sovereign judgment upon him. We ended our study of this chapter with an outline of the manner in which God will one day de feat and overwhelm the legions of Gog, in order to rescue His people, Israel. Now we are to study chapter 39 to note the details of the defeat of Gog’s army, in that coming day, when God’s ultimate triumph will bring about the full con version of the nation of Israel. A Brief Review of Ezekiel 38 Let us go back for a brief review of the thirty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel, so closely linked with chapter thirty-nine. Gog, you will remember, is the mighty prince of the great northern confedera cy, which will embrace not only the far- flung Soviet Empire, but also Germany, the northern European states and some southern allies. This monster combina tion is to be opposed in world politics by the revived Roman Empire with the dictator of Rome at its head; and by the vast and almost innumerable hordes of the kings of the East, which probably will include Japan, China, and India. Palestine, it would seem, at this time will enjoy a period of semi-independ ence, with a large group of the world’s wandering Jews back in the land origi nally given by God to Abraham. This measure of independence will be guar anteed by a pact between the leaders of the Jews and the head of the Roman Empire. With this impetus of semi autonomy, the land of the Jews will blossom forth into fabulous wealth, in cluding the raising of agricultural and botanical treasures, as well as the un covering of mineral and chemical stores. Into the mind of the dictator of the great northern confederacy will come a thought of swift conquest with incal culable booty and spoil. With incredible swiftness he will send his legions south ward toward “ the glorious land.” Thou sands upon thousands of infantry, jug gernaut, fire-belching tanks w i t h o u t number, armored air - birds darkening the sky—all these will swoop down on the land which will have erected no de fenses because of the joint pledge of the nations of the world to respect her terri torial integrity. No doubt poison gas, Page Eight
germ warfare and atom bombs will also be utilized. Protests will doubtless be lodged as this demoniacal crusade gets under way. The world’s press, in all probability, will point out the reason for the expedition as one of thievery and rape. Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and
sibly Great Britain and Italy, each aligned with four sm aller, more de pendent nations. Certainly Italy and Great Britain cover part of the terri tory occupied by the old Roman Empire, and will be in the revived confederacy ruled over by the Antichrist in that coming day. “ Sheba” and “ Dedan” rep resent the peoples south of Palestine, doubtless in the Arabian peninsula. And if “ Tarshish” represents Great Britain, as many believe, then in all probability Egypt, backed by England, will join forces with Sheba and Dedan in oppos ing Gog when he enters “the glorious land,” in order “ to take a spoil” (Ezek. 38:13). This widespread protest to the inva sion of Palestine by Gog and his mil lions will apparently fail to stem the tide of the raid for spoil. But there is One who will not only be righteously in dignant against this rapacious dictator, but who will do something about it! God will speak, and terrifying atmospheric elements of hail, lightning, and wind will war against the Russian thieves. God will speak, and the earth will trem ble as mountains tumble into valleys, and as cities are razed to the ground, burying alive the despoilers of Israel. God will speak, and the livid spectre of pestilence will steal health and even life from the invaders, covering the ground with pale corpses. Thus, in and through this answer of Jehovah to Gog’s threat of extermination of Israel, the name of God will be magnified, and the nations of the world will be led to realize that Israel’s God lives! The Destiny of the Vast Army of Gog Chapter 39 continues to unfold the prophecy of chapter 38, adding many details concerning God’s victory over the satanically - inspired forces of Gog. The whole scene is one of unspeakable so lemnity, and brings us to a realization of how terrible this time of the end will be. Let us note that the chapter begins as does chapter 38; we read verse 1 from the Revised Version: And thou, son of man, p r o p h e s y against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, 0 Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. In our former studies in this series, which are now in print, we showed that “ Rosh” is “ Russia,” and that “Meshech” and “ Tubal” are clearly “Moscow” and “ Tobolsk.” The prophecy goes on in verses 2-6, to reveal the destiny of the vast army of Gog: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
Dome of the Rock Jerusalem, Palestine
a group called the “young lions there of” (verse 13) will condemn the pro ceedings ; but apparently the protest will be but a verbal one, not backed with armed intervention. Many have wondered who “ Tarshish” and “the young lions thereof” are. While we cannot be dogmatic, it seems that this combination of nations best de scribes Great Britain with her coterie of colonies. Some Bible students have come to this conclusion, after a careful comparison of all the Old Testament references to “ Tarshish.” The picture of the revived Roman Empire given us in Daniel’s prophecy is under the symbol of the two feet of the great image. That this empire is to be the one of the latter days is made sure, because the stone “ cut out without hands” indubitably refers to the return of the Lord Jesus, when He will smite the feet of the image. Apparently there will be in this revived Roman Empire two divisions with five kingdoms lining up on each side, yet confederated into one. This is suggested’ by the five toes on each foot. And if we press the sym bol a little further, we see that, as there is one great toe on each foot, with four smaller ones, so there may well be, in this confederacy, two great nations, pos
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