Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 38
Theme : End Times War
It is amazing how accurate God’s prophecies are. In v. 8, God prophesized Israel would be restored and then be attacked again after the return to Babylon. In fact, Israel has been attacked and restored twice so far in history. The first exile and restoration of Israel occurred during the Babylonian captivity. The second occurred when Rome destroyed the temple in 70 A.D. The nation was restored in 1948.
In the end times, Israel will be attacked again and be defeated. This time by the prince of Meshech and his cohorts. This prince is also known as the anti-christ in Revelation and has been prophesized often in the OT (v.17). The location of Meshech, Gog, Magog, and Tubal are in modern Turkey. The prince’s cohorts are nations in the Middle East. Chapters 38-39 are referring to the war that will occur before the millennial kingdom, not after the millennial (Rev. 20:7-9), because many details in chapters 38-39 fit the details of Revelation 19. The purpose for all these horrendous judgements is for the whole world to repent from idols and worship God (v.23). Unbelievers will finally understand their foolish ways and correct themselves by worshipping God.
Praying the Scripture
For the believer, the experience of divine grace is a humbling experience. Far from feeding egotistical ambitions and a misguided thirst for self-esteem, or from blinding one to one’s sinful past, it evokes in the recipient intense feelings of unworthiness. If it were not for God’s grace, we would all gladly be deceived by satan and join others in rebellion against God. Be thankful and humble for your salvation.
经文：以西结书38
主题：末日之战
神预言的精确度实在令人震撼。在第八节中，神预言以色列从巴比伦归回后会得复兴，然后再次受到攻击。实际上，以色列从古至今已被攻击、复兴了两回。她首次的流放与归回是与巴比伦的掳掠有关。第二次则是当罗马在主后70年毁灭圣殿的时候，而以色列在1948年复兴。
末日时，以色列要再度受到攻击且被打败，而这次的敌人是米设与他所联盟的。这个王也在启示录里被称是敌基督，并多次出现在旧约预言中（17节）。米设、玛各、歌革和土巴位于现代的土耳其；与这王联盟的国家位于中东。第38至39节记载的是千禧年之前将爆发的战争，不是千禧年之后的（启20:7-9），因为这两篇经文的许多细节与启示录19吻合。神之所以施行众多令人战兢的审判，是要全世界从偶像崇拜中悔改，敬拜真神（23节）。非信徒最终会领悟他们的行为是愚昧的，并改正过来，敬拜真神。
用经文祷告
对信徒而言，经历神的恩典确实让人谦卑。这种经历不会使人狂傲自大，也不会使人高举自己，更不会是人无视自己罪恶的过去；它激发的是蒙恩之人自觉深切不配的情感。若没有神的恩典，我们都会甘心乐意受到撒旦的欺哄，并与他人联盟对抗神。要为你的救恩感恩、谦卑。
