EZEKIEL 37, 38, 39

"THE COMING WAR"

Intro: Prophesy is history spelled out in advance. Ezekiel wrote these
       things 2,558  years ago.

I. THE TIME OF THEIR FULFILLMENT.
        A. Vs.8 - Latter years.
        B. Vs.l6 - Latter days.
        C. What is meant by these terms? 
                1. The disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His
                   coming, and the end of the world - "aionios".
                2. End of man's attempt to govern self.
        D. Many prophesies deal with last days. 
                1. Knowledge increased world travel.
                2. Spirit poured out on all flesh. 
                3. Israel brought back into land.
                        a. Jesus said when this happens it is the sign of
                           the last generation.
        E. Israel back into the land - signals the time for the
           fulfillment of this prophecy.

II. RUSSIA AND HER ALLIES.
        A. Land of Magog - Herodotus vast boundaries lying north of the
           Black and Caspian Seas and Caucasus Mts.
        B. Prince of Rosh, Mescheck, Tubal.
                1. Rosh "chief".
                2. Mesheck  "Muscovi" Moscow.
                3. Tubal - Josephus calls the children of Tubal the
                   Mosachoi.
                        a. Also they are linked in Assyrian records.
                           "Tobali" and "Muski" lived in vast land north
                           of the Black Sea.
        C. Vs. 5 - Persia, Ethiopia and Libya, Gomer, Togarmah.
                1. Persia (Iran).
                2. Ethiopia "Cush" Black African Nations.
                3. Libya "Put" Libya - Algeria.
                4. "Gomer"- Balkan States including Poland and East
                   Germany.
                        East of Danube.
                5. Togarmah - Armenia.

III. MOTIVATION BEHIND INVASION - vs.l2.
        A. To take a spoil.
                1. Thus far Israel has spoiled.
                2. Geographical location of Israel. 
                3. Russia desires to reopen Suez.

IV. OUTCOME OF INVASION.
        A. ( Vs. l8-23 ) - God's intervention - "I"
        B. ( 39:1,2 ) - leave but a sixth part.
        C. ( Vs.9 ) - Burning last seven years.
        D. ( Vs.12 ) - Seven months burying dead.

V. WHERE WILL THE CHURCH BE?
        A. Vs.29 -  "I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of
                    Israel."