Ezekiel 36
God promises to bring His people back into their own land, make them a nation again, and pour out His Spirit on them.
Chuck Smith discusses the prophetic significance of Ezekiel 36 in relation to the current Mid-East crisis, emphasizing God's promise to regather His people from among the nations and restore them to their homeland. He highlights the transformation of Israel from a divided kingdom to a unified nation, recounting the struggles of Jewish refugees and the miraculous airlift back to Israel. Smith also warns of a coming invasion by nations symbolized by Gog and Magog, detailing the geographical implications and the eventual divine judgment that will ensue. Ultimately, he assures that God's Spirit will be poured out upon His people once again, signifying hope and restoration.
Text
"THE CURRENT MID-EAST CRISIS"
I. GOD FIRST OF ALL PROMISED TO BRING HIS PEOPLE FROM AMONG THE HEATHEN
AND BACK INTO THEIR OWN LAND.
A. Great agricultural projects.
B. Great rebuilding.
II. HE PROMISED TO MAKE THEM A NATION AGAIN.
A. No longer a divided kingdom - but one nation.
1. The Jews in Yemen were a persecuted miserable lot -
through the years of hardship they had become primitive
and small. The average adult male weighed between 75
and 80 pounds when they finally migrated back to
Israel.
2. When the Israeli govt. heard of the refugee camps in
Aiden - where they had begun to gather to return home -
they started an airlift.
III. THE TIME OF THIS RE-GATHERING.
A. 38:8 - "After many days"... "In the latter years" - translated
in Greek: "In the last days" - The last days before the great
day of the Lord.
IV. THE COMING INVASION BY RUSSIA.
Magog - Ancient Scythians.
Herodotus said: "the Scythians are savages." Scythia is a region
of vast boundaries lying north of the Black Sea and the Caspian
Sea - also north of the Caucasus Mts.
Meshech - His descendants were called "Mosche", then later
"Muscovites" - present day "Moschev".
Tubal - Josephus calls the children of Tubal the "Muschoi". The
ancient Assyrian records state that the "Tobali" and the "Muski"
lived in the vast land of mountains north of the Black Sea.
Gomer - Balkan states - including Poland.
Togarmah - The area belonging to Armenia.
Rosh -
Persia - Iran.
Ethiopia - Cush - So. Africa.
Libya - Put directly west of Egypt - paralleling the coast.
IV. GOD'S JUDGMENT - MOUNTAINS AND CLIFFS WILL BEGIN TO FALL AND TRAP
THEM, THEN TREMENDOUS CLOUD BURSTS FLOODING THE VALLEYS, GREAT
HAILSTONES PLUMMETING THOSE TRYING TO FLEE, FIRE AND BRIMSTONE --
IN THE CONFUSION OF IT ALL THEY WILL START SHOOTING EACH OTHER.
5/6 of invading force destroyed. Supplies to last for seven years.
Seven months to bury the dead.
V. THE END RESULT - GOD WILL AGAIN POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT ON THEM.
Sermon Outline
- God's Promise to Bring His People Back points: - Great agricultural projects and rebuilding - A nation again, no longer divided
- The Time of Re-Gathering points: - In the latter years, or the last days before the great day of the Lord
- The Coming Invasion by Russia points: - Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Togarmah, Rosh, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya
- God's Judgment points: - Mountains and cliffs falling, cloud bursts, hailstones, fire and brimstone
- The End Result points: - God will again pour out His Spirit on them
Key Quotes
“Mountains and cliffs will begin to fall and trap them, then tremendous cloud bursts flooding the valleys, great hailstones plummeting those trying to flee, fire and brimstone -- in the confusion of it all they will start shooting each other.” — Chuck Smith
“The Jews in Yemen were a persecuted miserable lot - through the years of hardship they had become primitive and small. The average adult male weighed between 75 and 80 pounds when they finally migrated back to Israel.” — Chuck Smith
“In the latter years, or the last days before the great day of the Lord.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- God is faithful to His promises and will bring His people back into their own land.
- We should be aware of the signs of the times and the coming judgment.
- God's judgment will ultimately lead to the pouring out of His Spirit on the people.