Get Ready

I read two great books on my way to and from India. The first was The Ezekiel Option by Joel Rosenburg. The other was Epicenter by the same author. The novel The Ezekiel Option places in real time events the scenario of Ezekiel 38 and 39. Epicenter gives the scriptural and current event headlines behind the Ezekiel Option novel. Listen to the first few verses of Ezekiel 38:

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you. (Ezekiel 38:1-6).

Here are the countries mentioned above. Russia and the former Soviet republics; Iran; Sudan, Ethiopia, and maybe Eritrea; Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia; Turkey, and perhaps Germany, and maybe Austria; Lebanon, Syria, and part of Jordan; many of the gulf states.

In Ezekiel 38, Russia forms an alliance with Iran and the above mentioned countries and attacks Israel. God supernaturally intervenes and causes a great earthquake which decimates Russia’s military might and delivers Israel from annihilation.

The groundwork for this invasion of Israel from the north is in process right now. This event could take place before the rapture of the church. No one is really sure. What we are sure of is that current living conditions worldwide are going to change abruptly one day. We’re watching the preparation for Ezekiel 38 and 39 right before our eyes. Today’s headlines are paralleling the scriptures in breathtaking ways.

Our response should be consecration to God and obedience to what He is saying to us in the Word and by the Holy Spirit. Resist passivity. The world is changing. People are marching toward hell, and only the gospel will save them from eternal torment. Many people that we see everyday may miss the rapture and plunge headlong into the tribulation, a time of unprecedented trouble, war, hardship, and suffering.

We are God’s army in the earth right now. Stir yourself to obedience. Deny your flesh. Purpose to do the will of God. The rewards are eternal! Get ready to leave this place!