As pointed out in last month’s article, rightly interpreting Ezk. 38 and 39 is critical to this discussion. In the first article we noted that:
- The bulk of the Gogian host is European, not Arabic,as the primary peoples involved are descendants of Japheth while the Arabs are of Shem.
- The Gogian invader desolates the land as proven by:
- The obvious sense of the language of Ezk. 38 and 39.
- The correlation of Ezk. 38,39 with Joel 2 and Zech. 14, both of which portray Israel being desolated by an invading force at the end time.
Such a desolation would be unthinkable if Christ were already enthroned in Jerusalem as the deliverer of Israel.
Thus Ezk. 38,39 describe Israel’s last defeat and conclusively prove it comes at the hand of Russia and her allies, not by an Arab coalition.
At the end of last month’s article, we had begun to discuss the phrase “dwell safely” which is raised as the major objection to Ezk. 38 applying to any time prior to Christ’s enthronement in Jerusalem.
Dwell safely (continued)
The phrase “dwell safely” is used often enough in Scripture that we know it must be interpreted by its context. It is used of Israel’s condition in the wilderness and under some judges (Psa. 78:53; I Sam. 12:11; Lev. 25:18; 26:5), of David at times in his life (Psa. 4:8), of Israel under Solomon (I Kgs. 4:25), of nations having a false sense of safety (Ezk. 39:6 “carelessly”; 30:9, etc) and of Israel in the millennium (Jer. 23:6; Ezk. 28:26, etc).
God causes the condition
When applied to Israel at any time, whether in the wilderness, the time of the judges, the kings or in the kingdom, Israel’s safety is always said to be supplied by God. Likewise, Israel’s conditions now are a result of divine action whether they realize it or not (Ezk. 37:12).
Thus the phrase is not unique to the kingdom era and could have application in this present dispensation. Furthermore, the phrase does not exist by itself but is part of a description of a general condition of security and prosperity that will exist in Israel prior to the Gogian invasion (Ezk. 38:8,11-14). As we have indicated, however, such conditions do not exist in Israel today. Could they come about before Christ manifests himself to the nation?
Most definitely yes! The treaty with Egypt, the weakness of Lebanon and the destruction of Iraq’s military capabilities all are heading in that direction. Syria, Jordan and the PLO are still a problem, but we have seen how quickly events can turn around on the world stage. Furthermore, recent developments in high technology research by Israeli firms and the on-going influx of highly educated Russian Jews bode well for Israel’s future prosperity.
Is Christ’s coming years away?
Does this mean Christ’s coming is still years in the future? Not at all. He first must come to gather the responsible, judge them, instruct the faithful and enjoy some period of fellowship with them before manifesting himself and the glorified ones to the world. The process could take months; it could take years.
Conditions are sufficiently in place in the prophetic timetable so that we are fully warned to be ready to be called to the judgment seat.
The “peace and safety” cry
The apostle speaks of a time “when they shall say, Peace and safety.” Such a general condition is to occur and harmonizes with Israel dwelling in safety before the Gogian invasion. “But ye, brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief…therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (I Thess. 5:3,4,6). This warning agrees with that of the Master, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 24:44). If anything, the most likely time for Christ to call us away is not when there is war in the Middle Fast but when everything seems to have quieted down.
An interesting translation
Another point that should be noted comes from the King James Version translation of Ezk. 39:25-26: “…Now will I…have mercy upon the whole house of Israel…after that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.” This phrasing clearly alludes to the pre-Gogian condition of Israel described in Ezk. 38:8,11-13 and fits with the generally atheistic, self-confident condition now prevalent in Israel.
We recognize, however, not all translations convey the same idea as the KJV. The NIV does, but the RSV and others do not. We, therefore, draw attention to the passage as a point of interest but would not insist on it as a proof text.
However, we feel a consideration of the “dwell safely” point allows for its fulfillment in this dispensation and negates the assertion it could only be true of the period after Christ has returned to the nation.
Passages Used to Prove the Arabs Will Defeat Israel
Psalm 83
Key points on this scripture have already been advanced on pages 340 and 372 of the “Tidings” for Nov., and Dec., 1990. They are:
- The Psalm does not describe an invasion of Israel but only threats against it, exactly like the PLO has been doing for years.
- The nations listed do not include Syria and Egypt which are large, vital Arab nations and would surely be involved in any defeat of Israel by an Arab coalition.
- There is no evidence that the
Psalm has particular reference to the latter days. Vs. 16-18, which supposedly identify the Psalm as a latter-day prophecy, express the same sentiments as God’s word to Pharaoh: “…to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth…that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (Exo. 8:22; 9:16). To that end, many of the sons of Egypt were “confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish” (Psa. 83:17). And consider the prophecy against Tyre and Zidon: “her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD…I will be glorified in the midst of thee [Zidon]; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her…” (Ezk. 26:6; 28:22). To the historian, Tyre and Zidon were destroyed by the rapacious armies of Babylon and Greece. To the believer, they were destroyed by an outpouring of divine power by the instrumentation of Babylon and Greece.
As we have argued earlier, Psalm 83 is totally irrelevant as a proof text that the Arabs will defeat Israel in the latter days.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One