by Neema Joshua | 14 December 2019 08:46 am12
Zechariah 12:3 — “On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves, and all the nations of the earth will gather against it.”
God declares that He will make Jerusalem a burden and a stumbling block to all nations. This prophecy points toward the events that will ignite two major end-time wars, which Scripture foretells will take place in the future.
The first is the War of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38–39.
The second is the Battle of Armageddon described in Revelation 16:15–16 and Revelation 19:11–21, in which God Himself will intervene.
A third and final rebellion will occur after the thousand-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7–9), again involving Gog and Magog—but we will not focus on that one today.
1. The War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38–39)
In Ezekiel’s vision, a “king of the north” will descend against Israel, leading a coalition of nations. Their mission will be clear: to wipe Israel off the map. The “king of the north” geographically points to Russia (Gog and Magog), which lies directly north of Israel and holds military dominance in that region.
In the future, this alliance will invade Israel, but they will utterly fail. God will personally destroy them.
Ezekiel 39:12–14 describes the aftermath:
“For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and it will be to their renown on the day that I show My glory, declares the Lord GOD. They will set apart men to travel through the land regularly and bury those remaining on the face of the land, so as to cleanse it…”
The bodies will be so numerous that it will take seven months to bury them, and their abandoned weapons will be used as fuel for seven years. This victory will mark the end of Russia’s existence as a power.
2. The Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16 & 19)
This second major conflict will involve nations “from the east, where the sun rises” (Revelation 16:12), likely pointing to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, along with many others. This time it will not be a few nations—it will be all remaining nations on earth united against Israel.
Why such hatred toward a small country the size of a city like Dar es Salaam?
Israel, unlike other world powers, does not interfere in the politics of other nations. Yet it is hated globally. This hatred is not political—it is spiritual.
Even now, when most Jews have not yet turned to Christ, they are still despised. When the time comes that Israel receives their Messiah, this hatred will multiply a hundredfold.
God Himself will stir the nations, orchestrating events to unite them against Jerusalem so that His Word is fulfilled:
Zechariah 12:2–3
“Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples… On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.”
This gathering will lead to the final judgment of the nations.
3. Christ’s Intervention
At Armageddon, Israel will already have believed in Jesus as their Messiah and will cry out for His deliverance. As the armies surround Jerusalem, the Son of Man will descend from heaven with His saints—those who were previously raptured—bringing judgment.
Revelation 19:11–16
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war… His name is called The Word of God… From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations… On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
At His appearing, the armies will be destroyed instantly, fulfilling the prophecy that the nations will be slain “by the sword that comes from His mouth” (Revelation 19:21).
4. The Nearness of These Events
We can already see the stage being set in the Middle East. More nations and religions are opposing Israel. This is not random—it is God’s pressure on the world to fulfill His prophetic Word.
But before these wars take place, the rapture of the Church must happen. The trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise. Those alive in Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
After the rapture, the door of grace will close for the Gentile nations and open uniquely to the Jewish remnant. That’s why today is the day of salvation:
1 Thessalonians 5:2–3
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
A Final Appeal
Do not delay repentance. Accept Christ now, for the Gospel in this final hour is no longer about comfortable words—it is the season where “let the righteous still be righteous, and let the holy still be holy; let the filthy still be filthy” (Revelation 22:11).
The harvest is near. My prayer is that you and I will be found among those who purify themselves and are ready for the Lord’s appearing.
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you steadfast until that glorious day. Amen.
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