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Indestructible Kingdom - Ezekiel 38 39
Indestructible Kingdom - Ezekiel 38 39
Judah was completely destroyed by Babylon. In the vision of the valley of dry bones, we have a picture of God doing the impossible: He restores the nation. He then sets up ‘David’ to be their king and gives them a new covenant. He again takes them as His people and proclaims that He was Their God. This all point to Jesus, the New Testament, the holy kingdom of Christ.
BUT, what IF someone, say, someone greater than Babylon, should come against this new kingdom, could the kingdom stand? God gives another vision to show that this kingdom under Jesus will not be destroyed (cp. Dan. 2:44).
There is a ruler, Gog, out of the land of Magog, and rules over many peoples. He raises an army of unimaginable number and brings them against this new kingdom. It is all pictured in typical warfare of the time of Ezekiel: un-walled villages, horses, bows and arrows, etc. How can the kingdom stand? Because God will protect it.
What we do not read of is God’s people going to war with material, physical weapons! Instead God brings great earthquake (19-20), causes the enemy to war against itself (21), and brings pestilence upon them. There is no war as such, just God’s judgment upon them (23).
Chapter 39 continues the description of this overthrow of the enemy of God’s people. It is God that is against him. It is God that strikes down his bow and arrows. God will make known His Holy name and God’s people will ‘know that He is LORD, the Holy One in Israel” (7). What do God’s people have to do with this enemy? Bury them! The wood from the weapons (shields, bucklers, bows, arrows, war clubs, and spears – vs. 9) will make for fires to burn for 7 years! The people of God will take 7 months to bury the bodies. God will call for the birds and wild animals to come an ‘feast upon the dead people’.
This picture gives absolute encouragement and hope to God’s people today. Though attacked, we will endure. Since God is with us, who can effectively be against us? (cp. Rom. 8:37-39). Under Jesus our King, we will be victorious over all. Are you part of this kingdom?
Hugh DeLong
Notes: I understand Ezek. 37 to point to the spiritual kingdom of Jesus that believers are part of today. Thus, the enemy (whatever enemy you wish), is coming against not ancient Israel and the land of Israel (a small 60 by 90 miles area), but against those people over whom the new David rules.
· David: Jesus, the son of David (Matt. 1:1), the king of kings (Rev. 17:14), over heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18-19).
· Kingdom: it now comprises people of ALL NATIONS. (Matt. 28:18-19)
· Temple: the people of God, built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22).
· New Covenant: that which Jesus established, by which we are saved, of which the fruit of the vine for the Lord’s Supper represent. (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 8; 10:9-12).
· High Priest: Jesus. He mediates not on earth, but in the very presence of God the Father. (Heb. 8:1-2).
· Priests: all of God’s people make up a holy priesthood, a kingdom of priests (1Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6, 9).
· Sacrifice: the atonement for sin is the once-for-all-time, never to be repeated sacrifice of Jesus (Heb. 10:10-12).
· The church is the people of God and He is their God.
