Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CONFUSED (07/29/21)
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TITLE: Are we this close? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
08/04/21 -
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“Well, let’s see if I can unstuck you, David. What’s on your mind?”
“The Gog and Magog war, for a start. Is it before the tribulation, after the tribulation, or at the end of the millennium? It looks like there are three wars, or is it actually the same war the Bible is talking about?”
“Definitely three different wars. Gog is a person, the leader of Magog, which could be a country like Russia. The war spoken of in Ezekiel 38 is a regional war that will primarily involve Iran, Syria and Turkey backed by Russia. God says He will put hooks in Gog’s jaw and draw him into the war. If we look at the current situation in the Middle East I believe this war could be imminent.”
“But what about the war when Jesus returns on a white horse? Why can’t that be the Gog and Magog war?”
“Because the situation is entirely different. The war spoken of in Ezekiel 38 is a regional war and the aim of the invading armies is to take plunder. Russia wants the resources of Israel, especially the rich oil and gas reserves discovered off the coast. Iran wants to destroy Israel and win back Jerusalem. With the might of their combined armies, including Russia, they see Israel as easy game. The war at the end of the tribulation, known as the war of Armageddon will, according to Revelation 19, involve 'the kings of the earth'. The whole world will be involved.”
“Will any country come to assist Israel? What about America, I’m sure we could take on Russia in any war?”
“I’m afraid Israel will be on its own. Other countries may make political protestations, but God has assured us that it is He who will destroy the enemy.”
“And the war at the end of the millennium, how does that come about?”
“The Gog and Magog war described in Revelation 20 is caused by Satan after he is released from the abyss. He recruits His army from the four corners of the earth and deceives them into joining him in an effort to overthrow Jesus’ righteous government. We know, of course, that Jesus defeats Satan and his cronies and they all get cast into the lake of fire. What else is worrying you?”
“My other concern is the rapture. My friend Luke at school says he believes the rapture will take place at the end of the tribulation, but that doesn’t make sense to me. Does Jesus really want us, whom he calls his bride, to suffer terribly for seven years then take us up to a marriage feast. What bridegroom would do that?”
“Actually you are both correct. There will be a rapture at the end of the tribulation, but that is for the group of people known as the ‘tribulation saints’—people who come to know the Lord during the tribulation, many of whom will be executed by the Antichrist. Any believer, whether still alive or long passed on, will be raptured before the tribulation starts. God has assured believers, in 1 Thessalonian 5:9, that ‘we are not appointed to suffer wrath’. So we believers need not concern ourselves with the tribulation—we won’t be there!”
“That’s good to know, Grandpa, but when do you think we’ll be raptured?”
“We can’t set dates, but for many reasons I believe it will be sooner than most people think.”
“Reasons such as…?”
“The key sign is the birth of the state of Israel in 1948. In Matthew 24 Jesus mentions many things about to occur and says the generation alive at this time will see His return. Now Psalm 90 defines a generation to be 80 years maximum, and this will bring us to…?”
“My maths is good—that will be 2028.”
“Good, now subtract seven years of tribulation. Hey wait, why are you phoning while we’re still talking; that’s rather rude.”
“Sorry Grandpa, but I’ve got to tell Luke about all this. He’s just met a new girl he likes and he might want her to join him in the rapture. It seems like time’s running out.”
“Well David, hope we have ‘unstuck’ you a bit.”
“Yeah thanks—but I’ll be back with more questions—got to keep old Gramps’ brain ticking over.”
“Be off with you, young Smart Alec, before I…!”
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