Tuesday, October 22, 2019

"It Is Done" *

 
Ezekiel chapters 36-39 prophesy events that we see beginning to be fulfilled now in these end times. Let us look at some of those events.
Ezekiel was told by God of the return of the dispersed people of Israel back to the land:
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you back into your own land... Ezek. 36:24
In 1948, we saw the restoration of Israel as a nation, and the continuing return to the land of Jews from all the nations. The LORD also prophesied abundant crops on land that had been desolate and waste (Ezek. 36:29-30, 35-36), and Israel has certainly made the desert to bloom with all of the produce that they grow in such abundance that it is not only enough for their own consumption, but enough also for export to other nations as well.
Concerning Israel as a nation, the LORD gave His word to the prophet that there are miraculous events still to come, of which we have not yet seen the complete fulfillment, but we do now see the foundation set, and ongoing fulfillment. The LORD speaks of the cleansing of sins, and a sovereign spiritual revival in the people by a work of His Spirit after the nation has been restored (Ezek. 36:25-28).
The LORD also speaks of a unification of "two sticks", that represent Judah and Ephraim (the half-Gentile son of the patriarch, Joseph), into one stick in the prophet's hand. This is not only speaking about a unification of what had been a divided nation of northern and southern kingdoms, but perhaps an even greater unification between Jew and Gentile in Messiah. We are beginning to see the evidence of this kind of unification even now. Messiah has a prominent role in the spiritual and natural restoration of Israel, according to the prophecies of Ezekiel. The spiritually cleansed, reunified nation will be under the rule of  one king, even David ("Beloved"). For us, we know that this king is the Son of David, Jesus the Messiah. We are also seeing the beginning of this prophetic fulfillment among the Jewish people now, with the existence of many Messianic congregations, proclaiming Jesus as Savior, Atonement and King:
"And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them...and my servant David shall be their prince for ever."  excerpt from Ezek. 37:22-28
In another identification with Jesus the Messiah, the LORD identifies Israel with the resurrection of the dead:
"And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD."  Ezek. 37:13-14
In a very disturbing account in Ezekiel, we see today's headlines come to life. The LORD names specific nations whom He will compel to attack Israel, for the purpose of coming into the LORD's judgment. Though this league of nations will come onto the land of Israel, they will be completely defeated. In Ezek. 38:1-7, the prophet is told to "set thy face against" the following nations: Gog, chief prince of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, all of which are associated with the nation of Russia. Persia, which is Iran, Ethiopia, and Libya, Gomer (southern Russia/Eastern Europe), and Togarmah (the nation of Turkey), and "northern parts" (Ezek. 39:1-2) are also part of this invading alliance. The LORD connected this invading alliance of nations with "the latter years". He prophesies to these nations:
"After many days thou (referring to the above mentioned nations) shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them."      Ezek. 38:8 
The LORD describes His fury of judgment against these nations as coming in the form of a shaking of all creation, even with devastating earthquakes (Ezek. 38:19-20), sword (v. 21). pestilence, blood, overflowing rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone (v. 22). These nations shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, and upon the open fields, and the isles (Ezek. 39:2-6). These nations may come for spoil, but they will meet their fate in the LORD, instead. The LORD concludes by saying to His prophet:
"Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the LORD God; this is the day whereof I have spoken."  Ezek. 39:8
We see the fulfillment of this prophetic word given to Ezekiel in Revelation in the gathering of the kings of the earth to the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14). They are gathered in a place called "Armageddon" (v. 16). Again, as in Ezekiel, a great voice from the throne of heaven declares, "It is done." (v. 17). Earthquakes, hail and exceedingly great plagues are released, as Ezekiel prophesied (v. 18-21). So great is the cataclysm, that the first heaven and the first earth are passed away, and a new heaven and earth are revealed, as well as the new Jerusalem, coming down like a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:1-2). As Ezekiel prophesied the tabernacle of God among His people (Ezek. 37:26-28), we see the fulfillment of the promise in Revelation:
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."  Rev. 21:3
Just s Ezekiel wrote of Israel as the land of the resurrection of the dead, God says, "...there shall be no more death" (Rev. 21:4).
The assurance that "It is done" is once more given:
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athrist of the fountain of the water of life freely."  Rev. 21:5-6
As we see the ongoing fulfillment of the prophesies of Ezekiel in our headlines, it is time to prepare ourselves, and shout the warning to others. Even as Ezekiel was shown things that must have overwhelmed him, things that were for a time far beyond the time in which he lived, he was told to prophesy, and "to say". In God, these things are already done. In Jesus, these things are already done. For those who heed the completed work of God, the Lord says:
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I shall be his God, and he shall be my son."
                                                                                                                    Rev. 21:7
 

*The above is based upon the 10/20/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
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Waco, TX  76705

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To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
 
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling  

 

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