“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, “and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. “I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.” Ezekiel 38:2-4 NKJV
This past week the nation of Israel has been celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. While this time of celebration is occurring on time according to the current Jewish calendar, there are many who believe the calendar is off by one month depending on how you interpret what the scripture says about reckoning when it begins. After much thought, I find myself leaning towards the conclusion that it is, indeed, one month off and Hanukkah is being celebrated one month early. What I want to share with you today, however, are some of my thoughts about this holiday, and what it might mean prophetically to us as the Church.
Hanukkah comes with some very interesting facts which many believers may not be familiar with. In fact, there is a distinct possibility that we are told in the scriptures that it will play a very important role as a signpost for the fulfillment of one of the most interesting prophecies of the end times, and one which many believe is about to occur. That belief is evident in the number of times the subject of this invasion has been mentioned recently in the news, especially tin the Middle East and Israel. The following is an excerpt from an article written by Dr. Steve Elwart.
"The above passage describes an invasion of Israel from the north. Later verses describe its destruction once they reach the area of the mountains of Israel. To fully understand the prophecy, one needs to identify the major players in this divine drama.
In verses 1–4, Gog is first mentioned. He is described as the leader of the land of Magog. He is the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. This leader was as unknown to Ezekiel as he is to us today. We do know “Gog” is not a proper name but a title for the ruler of Magog, just as the terms “pharaoh,” “kaiser,” and “czar” were titles for rulers and not proper names.
The tribes identified as Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal can be identified by Scripture and other ancient writings as peoples who once occupied the areas of modern-day Russia. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were between the Black and Caspian Seas, which today include parts of Iran, Turkey and southern Russia.”
Russia; Looking for Spoil by Dr. Steve Elwart
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2016/1256/
I think that any believer familiar with Biblical prophecy can see and understand the times in which we find ourselves today. The signs are all around us that point to the fulfillment of prophecy in our immediate future, including the rapture of the Church that we have all been waiting for. While it may be disappointing to see certain dates come and go without hearing the trumpet blow and the voice calling us upwards, we still have God’s promise that it will be done. How I personally deal with disappointment is to continually read the promises we have in His words to us that while we may not know the day, He has said it will be done.
There are, however, prophetic events which sound scholarship can apply dates to with a reasonable chance for accuracy. One of these is the Gog Magog War. This conflict is believed by many to occur before the tribulation period begins, in essence laying the groundwork for the enforced peace between Israel and its enemies that the antichrist proposes. While many have tried to set dates for the possible rapture of the Church, I believe this is the event that we all should be watching for as it appears that the rapture precedes it, and as Chuck Missler was fond of saying, “when you see the Christmas decorations going up, you know that Thanksgiving is near.
Many of you are familiar with the name Grant Jeffrery. He wrote many wonderful books before his passing a few years ago, and one of my favorite was Armegeddon; Appointment with Destiny. In this book, he spends some time discussing this conflict and one of the more fascinating conclusions he comes to concerns when he believes the Bible tells us this war will occur. If he is right, then the current moves we see happening today in Syria above the Golan, along with Russia positioning itself in the Middle East and Iran making it's threats to attack, should be a warning sign no one should ignore. What does all of this have to do with Hanukkah? This is what Grant Jefferey wrote;
“Although Scripture does not indicate the year in which this future invasion and defeat of Russia will occur, the prophet Haggai gives us a strong indication of what the actual day may be. Haggai reveals that on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (Chisleu) of the Jewish calendar, the day before Hanukkah, God will deliver Israel as He did twice before on this day: (1) the defeat of the Syrian army and recapture of the Temple in 165 b.c. and (2) the British capture of Jerusalem from the Turks in 1917 during the closing battles of WWI.
The prophet Haggai declares:
"The Word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month [Chisleu], saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother" (Haggai 2:20-22).
This description by Haggai, and the exact language of his prophecy, is uncannily like the language of Ezekiel 38 and 39 that describes Russia's defeat. The interesting point is that Haggai names the exact day of the year on which this will occur. Since so many other prophecies have been so precisely fulfilled to the day, there is a strong probability that this prophetic event will also occur on its appointed anniversary date of the biblical calendar. "Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken" (Ezekiel 39:8). God's appointment with Russia is set; it will not be postponed.”
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’ ” Isaiah 44:6-8 NKJV
Many have noticed and wondered about the massing of Russian troops on the border of the Ukraine, and the possibility this is a prelude to an invasion as well as having implications regarding the state of Israel and this future prophecy. Only time will tell but it certainly appears events are falling into place which portend the soon removal of the Church in the rapture we are so desperately looking for.
Every week we are treated to more and more signs that our deliverance is close at hand. While this Hanukkah might not be the one where we will see this prophecy fulfilled, it would certainly appear that we will very soon, and let's not forget that many believe the rapture of the church will occur before it does. If you have never made the decision to accept the gift of eternal life offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ I urge you to do it today. Simply tell God you accept His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and turn your life over to His control.
Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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