Gog, The King Of The North Is Rising.

Dearest friends and readers,

Peace and grace to each of you and your families.

WOW, can you believe the headlines recently? Just when many of us thought the world might fall apart, we begin to realize that it really is happening. Right now, before our very eyes.

You might guess from my article title that we are going to discuss the coming war of Gog of the land of Magog. Honestly when doing so, I must acknowledge that all Biblical scholars are not in agreement regarding the events spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39. These events are things that will someday affect Israel and all the surrounding countries not to mention everyone still alive on the planet as these events begin to occur.

Arguments have sprouted by every generation of Biblical students ever since the events of these chapters were penned by Ezekiel roughly estimated in the 6th century B.C. Arguments range from "this already happened centuries ago" to "Gog and Magog happen at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ on this earth"

In reality there are two events in the Bible identified as Gog and Magog. The first was written about by Ezekiel as a future event that I believe happens after the coming rapture of the church but before the battle of Armageddon.  the second one absolutely will happen at the end of the millennial reign of Christ.

So, how do we know they are two different occurrences? In Ezekiel, chapter 38 in verse 4 GOD is speaking and He says this; "I (God) will turn you (Gog) around, put a hook in your jaws, and lead you out----(to make war against Israel---my emphasis added but clearly stated in chapter 39 verse 2).

In chapter 20 of the book of Revelation (long after the battle of Armageddon---about 1000 years after), satan is released from his prison one last time. Verse 8 "and (he-satan) will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, GOG and MAGOG, to gather them together to battle, who's numbers is as the sand of the sea" Verses 9 and 10 go on to tell us that satan will take his army to fight against the saints of God and His beloved city (Jerusalem) and that God will devour this army with fire from above. satan is then once and for all cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Two events separated by 1000 years. The first instigated by God, the second by satan.

NOTE: You may notice that all references and names of God in the Bible are capitalized. In case you are wondering why I never capitalize the words "satan or lucifer" it is because  I will not give him that courtesy.

So, as we go on from here, a brief note about Biblical prophecy; The book of AMOS, chapter 3 verse 7 says "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets". By this we know (and elsewhere in the Bible) that the Biblical prophets were writing under inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God.

Why would God want to tell the human race anything in advance that will happen in the future? Well for one thing, advance notification by God of some future event, proves His very existence and in the process He is glorified when that event actually happens. An example of this is something that happened on May14, 1948.

Mankind, including many pastors and scholars within the church looked back nearly 2000 years at the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and virtually most of ancient Israel. Their thoughts? Since Israel no longer physically exists, the church must now be a form of spiritual Israel. This false belief later became known as "replacement theology." Other names for this are "SUPERSESSIONISM" or "FULFILLMENT THEOLOGY". In other words the belief that the church now replaces Israel in the mind and heart of God.

A casual study of Romans chapter 11 will completely dispel this false narrative. However unfortunately large portions within the church today (mainly some denominations) still believe this folly even though anyone looking back at May 14, 1948, simply cannot deny that MANY prophecies were exactly fulfilled when after nearly 2000 years, the Nation of Israel once again breathed into physical existence IN ONE DAY!!! That is extremely important because that specific timing was exactly prophesied as were the Jewish people creating a large army, once again naming their cities as they were in ancient times and once again utilizing the Shekel as their monetary exchange. Not to mention several other prophecies being exactly fulfilled in this one single event.

Wouldn't you think that proponents of Supersessionism would have stopped dead in their theological tracks and said "whoops"! Maybe we should rethink this. But no, rather than accept what God is doing they would rather continue down the path of self deception and in the process label the modern day Nation of Israel illegitimate. Decrying the Biblical fact that ancient Israel and modern day Israel are in fact one and the same.

However, I digress.

Although the prophecies of Ezekiel are well established, I must make one final note regarding this particular prophets writings. Unlike some of the other Biblical prophets, Ezekiel wrote in chronological order. In other words, one prophesied event was a sort of foundation for the next in line of occurrence.

An example is chapter 36 which speaks of the restoration of Israel to the Holy Land (May 14, 1948).

 Then comes chapter 37 speaking of the DRY BONES prophecy which restores the people of Israel to their land (still being fulfilled to this very day). Note; Many prophecies overlap in terms of timing.

Next comes chapters 38 and 39 (future prophecies) regarding a humongous war against Israel long before the battle of Armageddon.

Next are the dimensions of the Millennial Temple in chapter 40 and on through chapter 47:12  which describes Millennial worship.

Then Ezekiel finishes up with chapters 47:12- 48:35 which tells us about the division of land during the  Millennium age as Christ physically rules the earth from His throne in Jerusalem.

If you want to know the order of things to come, start with Ezekiel.

It would take several writings to analyze chapters 38 and 39 but that is not my immediate purpose.

So, for some brief history. The Russians and the Persians (modern day Iran) have never been kissing cousins. In fact during most of recorded history these two people groups have been mortal enemies.

Ezekiel chapter 38 gives us a glimpse into who the players are in this massive war. Bearing in mind once again that if any two theologians are in a room together there will most likely be at least three opinions about who these people really are.

Now, for one man's opinion---mine.

Chapter 38 verse 15 says that (Gog) "will come from your place out of the far north". There are those today who claim that Magog is Turkey because of the vast numbers of Muslims in that area and because it is north of Israel. But Turkey is not the far north in terms of what? In terms of Israel (Chapter 39 verse 2) and specifically Jerusalem.   Any modern day globe of the earth will demonstrate that EXACTLY farthest north of Jerusalem is MOSCOW.

I believe along with many other scholars that Gog is the present day ruler of Magog which is modern day Russia. Verses 5 and 6 state that the leader of this army will bring it--his army which includes PERSIA (modern day Iran), Ethiopia (different than Ethiopia of old), Libia---exactly the same as ancient and modern day Libia.

Along with them are Gomer, the house of Togarmah (again from the far North). While once again theologians may disagree, it is generally thought that these other people represent groups currently living in and around modern day Turkey and immediately north. One thing that all these groups have in common including many current residents of Russia are that they are Muslims a great many of whom have threatened in recent years to wipe Israel off the face of the map.

And oh yes, I know full well that all Muslim people by virtue of their faith are not bad people but what many do have in common is an innate hate for all things Israel. Not all, I will grant you.

Now regardless of where these people of Gogs army may be from (really only God knows for certain), one thing is abundantly clear. While it is foolhardy for any humans to try and set dates for future prophecy to be fulfilled, Jesus Himself said in Chapter 16:3 of the book of Matthew that we should be able to discern  "the signs of the times". In other words we should be able to look around us at what is happening on a world wide scale and at least be able to connect the dots about things that may or may not be leading up to certain Biblical events. Not that we are always right but we can certainly begin getting glimpses through  the prism of open and understanding eyes.

Think of the current news from the Middle east. The old Soviet Union finally destroyed itself from within but now ancient Russia is once again on the march for world wide domination and is in very close league with Iran (ancient Persia) and are fighting a brutal civil war in Syria the capital of which (ancient Damascus) is only about 50 miles north east of the Golan Heights which is a buffer zone between Syria and Israel---specifically the Sea of Galilee area.

On the norther border of Syria is ancient and modern day Turkey possible encompassing old nations named in Ezekiel 38 and 39. All of these nations with the exception of Russia borders the Mediterranean sea as does Israel. Also Russia is now developing massive naval power on the Mediterranean sea head quartered in a Syrian naval port.

Literally every single nation led by Gog is now directly within striking distance of Israels northern boarder including Libia who is within a short sea cruise on the Med.

Could it be that God has already put hooks in the jaws of Gog from the land of Magog? Could it be possible that the exact peoples amassed as Gogs army including Persia are already on the march? Could it be that the prophetic stage is being set at this very moment in time?

Speculation to be sure. But pretty difficult not to see some Biblical correlations to coming future events.

Now to be clear, a careful read through Ezekiel 38-39 will tell you that this war against Israel will not take place tomorrow. But if I were a betting man (which I am not), I would put a cup of coffee on the line that says Russia, now entrenched in Syria, will never again leave nor will Persia. I believe they are there to stay. Currently there is no power on earth including a severally weakened United States that could dislodge those nations.

Also there is the prophecy to consider in Isaiah chapter 17 which states that the time is coming for the total and complete destruction of the city of Damascus. You may recall the name of this city from the book of Genesis chapter 15. The servant of Abraham named Eleizer came from Damascus which makes Damascus the oldest continually occupied city on earth. Right now as I type this, the Syrian civil war has been responsible for destruction of entire areas of this great city.

How will it be completely destroyed in the future? Well, I can think of several ways that could be accomplished but once again that would only be speculation.

So what is in the future for the Middle East? Well, that is the question is it not? While I do not profess to know the exact answers, future articles on this blog will delve into possible (probable?) scenarios and if nothing else what we see happening with the worldwide changes in balances of immense power today are fascinating to behold.

So, get out your Bibles folks, because it is the only document on earth that can and does accurately predict the future.

God bless you all in Jesus Name,
Pastor Rance.
P.S. the keys to understanding the book of Revelation are contained in the writings of the ancient Biblical prophets.

PRO CHOICE? PC or the Bible!

Greetings friends and readers,

I would like to speak to you today about the subject of Pro Choice. At this point I am certain most of you will think that I am about to launch into the subject of abortion. Not so, in fact there is a subject that is transcendent among every single moral, logical or even legal topic that mankind grapples with every single day of our lives.

If you are reading this article you will know that I am a Christian and as such---for the record, I detest abortion of helpless babies in any form at any time.  However, since that is not my subject today I will not belabor the point.

No, no, the subject I am thinking of is the current trend toward political correctness, (PC) and for many folks, this has lead away from a solid Biblical standard.

You simply cannot have it both ways.  PC or the Bible, take your pick!

On the PC side, I do not want anyone to think that I do not care about respect for other people, cultures or colors because I do. In fact there are people in this world who are color blind, and I am one of those.  Like anything else, we do need to take other folk's feelings into consideration anytime we act or speak.

The problem is that what started as a good and lofty goal has gone too far.  Way too far!

I well remember back in the late 1960's when the first hints of PC began to thread it's way into everyday life.  Those were the heady days of Woodstock, free sex, and women's liberation.  The counter culture of sex, drugs and rock and role.  We turned on T.V. to witness thousands of otherwise normal women attending huge outdoor meetings where the order of the day was screaming, shaking fists and burning their bras.

Then someone came up with the idea to change the title of garbage collectors to "sanitation engineers".  We though that was funny.  Things have spiraled out of control ever since.

Then someone came up with the brilliant idea of eliminating the centuries old "before Christ" (BC) from the Gregorian calendar and making it "before common era".  Also "Anno Domini" (AD) to "Common Era".  Thus, the first moves toward getting God out of our cultures.

Fast forward to today's version of political correctness; suddenly it is an insult of to call a sports team anything having to do with American Indian culture.  Black Americans are not really black Americans they are "African Americans".   And we have Japanese Americans, German Americans, and Polish Americans when what we should have is just plain AMERICANS for all those who are citizens of the good ole U.S. of A.  And we wonder why there is still so much racial and cultural division remaining in our society?

Frankly I long for the days that a man's hand shake meant something.  A woman was treated as a lady unless she proved differently.  People abhorred free handouts and it was honorable to work for a living.  Grandma's word was law, people went to church on Sunday, tattoos were for the sailor man, children had fathers in the home and respected their parents. A real man never ever beat up a woman, abused children and no one EVER hit a horse or kicked a puppy!  Ah for the long gone days of Grandma, apple pie and Ole Glory!  Speaking of that, you best not ever get caught defiling an American flag.

Then came PC!

We no longer have MRS., but "MS".  Men wear "man buns",  Merry Christmas  might offend someone, Santa can no longer say "Ho Ho Ho" because those terms are also sometimes used while speaking of prostitutes, brainstorming is now "thought showers" and  in the UK, a time honored English desert called "spotted dick" might offend someones sensibilities so it is now called "spotted Richard".

Did I fail to mention that even though throughout the entire Bible, God refers to Himself in the masculine form, major publishers are trying desperately to "PC" the Bible and go gender neutral?

So, now God the Father is an "IT"?  I don't think so.

When societies begin to legislate free speech, we are in big trouble.  Of course with free speech some people can and frequently do demonstrate their ignorance.  Still they do have a righty to do so and it is high time we all grew up and stopped being so thin skinned about name calling.

In a prior career,  I was a Police Officer.  We would tell ladies who were victims of lewd telephone calls not to scream, yell and react with the idiot on the phone.  Simply hang up.  Do that a couple of times and the lewd caller will find someone else to pick on.  People generally cannot stand being ignored and lewd phone calls just like racial slurs are encouraged all the more when people react in a negative way.  That is not to say that anyone likes being called a name and they should not be disrespected in that or any other way. However the cure is not to display a negative reaction but to simply ignore the idiot making the comment.

Do you remember what we used to say in 3rd grade? "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me".  Maybe it is time we all remember the innocence of youth.

Regarding the Bible, there are sins listed that are now called  a violation of PC. Things like abortion, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, lying, robbery, rape, murder and the list goes on and on.  God wrote those things into His Holy Word because violating them brings injury to others and frequently self destruction.  Talking about things that can injure or bring about self destruction is now called "HATE" when in reality it is an expression of love.

Having said that it will surprise many of my Christian friends to see me clearly write that people practicing these things do have a right to do so.  Not legally of course for things like rape and murder but a certain fuzziness has crowded the cultural scene when it comes to moral issues and that is mainly because of PC.

In fact God gave them that right. Not that He agree with their actions nor do I, but He did give them the right to decide their own destiny.

Very early in the Bible, Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 19 (God speaking to man), "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live"! Back in verse 14 God provides the basis for this verse about choosing life or death. "But the word (of God---my emphasis added) is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it"!

Of course there are very many today who do not believe that the Bible is something inspired by God. In fact there are more and more who decry the very existence of God in any form. I say that this deadly infection of the human soul is growing  by leaps and bounds via the very PC that is espoused to be a fix all for all human problems.  PC is a lie on the very face of it's existence.

So lets just end our discussion today by reviewing some facts about the Bible; And then YOU choose.

1). Most people who claim to disbelieve the Bible have never read it.
2). The beginnings of scripture were recorded nearly 6 thousand years ago.
3). The Bible contains nearly 750,000 words.
4). Currently worldwide about 50 Bibles are sold each and every minute.
5). The Bible Society records that between the years 1816 and 1975, the production of Bibles exceeded 2 and 1/2 Billion.
6). Up to and including 1992 that figure jumps to 6 Billion.
7). The entire Bible is now available in over 426 languages and the New Testament in over 1,115 languages.
8). So many people want a Bible that it is now listed as the number one shop lifted book in the world.

PC or Bible? Take your pick.  Life or death, take your pick!

You cannot have both. Respect your fellow man, respect the law, do good to all and bring peace wherever it is possible for you to do so.

PC does not say those things, the Bible does.
Choose wisely.

God bless,
Pastor Rance.

A NEW DAY IS DAWNING...

Dearest friends and readers,

Peace and grace to you all in Jesus name!

My last post was some time ago because I have been rebuilding another ministry with the Lords help. Praise God the task is now complete and I am officially retired from that ministry for the second time!

When I say retired, I mean from a specific ministry, not from the Lord's work.  NEVER! I continue to pastor my little flock of Simcha Fellowship and now have time to get back to writing. You might remember that although I write on a variety of subjects, my passion is Biblical prophecy.  Some folks whose church or pastor do not teach things like fulfilled Biblical prophecy, sometimes are confused by that terminology.

I have been asked "Does that mean you teach people how to prophecy"?  And of course the answer to that is no.  Only the Holy Spirit of God can give utterance through His chosen vessels and when those few very anointed people speak it is extremely wise to listen.  No, my choice of Biblical subjects often run to prophecies uttered by men and in some cases women of God more that 3,000 years ago.

Did you know that many of those prophecies are being fulfilled EXACTLY AS SPOKEN right now in our life time?

But another short clarification before we head down the prophetic path.  Unfortunately, there are those in today's church who teach that all the prophets of God ceased to exist by the ending chapters of the Old Testament.

NOT SO!

Jesus Himself prophesied regarding the future destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and you can find that in Matthew chapter 27 verse 2.  You will also find it in Matthew chapter 17 verse 11 which was during His transfiguration. He was speaking of Elijah coming in the future and restoring all things. In Acts chapter  21 verses 8-9 we see reference to Philip the evangelist who had 4 virgin daughters who prophesied.

Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 tells us that "He Himself---Jesus Christ (my emphasis added), gave some to be Apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers". So who did He give these offices to? The church.

And what was their purpose? "For the equipping of the saints and for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ".

Now I fully realize that some of you may have been taught that all those grandiose gifts and titles passed away with the last Apostles in the first century.

But have you ever seen the Bible say that? No.

Then there are those who say all the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians chapter 12 and Romans chapter 12 ) also passed away and are no longer needed in todays church.

But have you ever seen the Bible say that? No.

Or how about those who claim that the only way God speaks to His people is through the written Word? Well, that is true but is it the only way? No.

The problem is that Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 27 "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me"! Hmmm, "hear my voice"? What does that mean exactly?  FUTURE ARTICLE.

Or how about people who identify themnselves  as Christian, who hate the Jewish people because they killed Jesus?

Well we cannot get around what Jesus Himself said in John chapter 10 verse 17-18 "Therefore my Father loves me because I lay down My life that I may take it again. NO ONE TAKES IT FROM ME, but I lay it down of Myself". Perhaps we should fact check what we hear with God's Word.

I titled this article, "a new day is dawning".  But what does that mean?

Well a question first? Would you agree with me that today's world is a "class A mess ' and getting worse by the day? The Middle East is melting down. ISIS is threatening the world. Unparalleled  drug addictions, violence on every quarter, beheadings, bombings, weird weather issues, old killer diseases recurring after eons of non existence, refugees by the hundreds of thousands, stock markets crashing worldwide and moral corruption becoming not only accepted but worshipped and celebrated even in some quarters of the church.

Do you remember the week after September 11th,  2001 when terrorists flew jet liners into the World Trade Center?  Instantly the churches of the Western nations were crammed full of people looking for answers. Two weeks later those same churches were as empty as before disaster had struck.

Today is different. Today does not represent one horrific act of senseless violence. Today no one can get away from awful circumstances that were once thought to be impossible for civilized people in civilized nations.

A REALLY new day is dawning in which folks are getting Grandma's dusty old Bible out of the attic and beginning to look for real answers.  As a pastor, I am seeing more and more of this and it is about time! It is time for people to awaken and begin to realize that the only hope they really have is in a Creator who gave Himself to be crucified on the cross of Calvary and who offered ALL OF MANKIND unconditional grace and Salvation for those who choose to repent for their sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord.

But here is a newsflash for you: You will never find the truth as long as you listen to people (pastors not withstanding) who try and allegorize the word of God. If you want the truth then read the Word of God with this thought in mind: "God said what He meant and He meant what He said" Period!

And as far as Biblical prophecy is concerned?  Did you know that Jesus fulfilled over 100 Biblical prophecies at His first coming?  And at least 23 of those were written in the Psalms in King Davids time?

Did you know that the prophet Amos said in chapter 3 verse 7 "Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets"?

Did you know that a common estimate among pastors and scholars is that nearly 40% of the entire Bible is forward looking in nature? God definitely wants His people to understand what is about to engulf this old tired out world before Jesus returns for His people.

Remember this; Having a personal relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords does not guarantee a carefree life. What is does however, is bring an inner peace to those who believe.

Ephesians 2:14 "FOR HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE-----"!

Looking forward to catching up with you with many more articles to come...

God bless
Pastor Rance.