How Do We Live?

"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... Persia, Ethiopia and Libya are with them... Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops..." Ezekiel 38:2-3,5-6

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." Matthew 24:9

Today I learned of some news on two different but somewhat related fronts. On one front, though it was not a complete surprise, it was reported that Iran finally had the uranium enrichment they had desired. Though Iran's leaders deny it, nuclear capabilities are a logical pursuit for them as a result. Mahmoud Ahmadenijad even told his nation that Iran was now a nuclear state. On the second front, and about 2 weeks later than it should have, it was revealed that 2 street preachers in Florida were gunned down by an 18 year old young man. They were both shot in the head, and one of them in an execution style fashion.(Go to www.mnnonline.org for the story)

So what do these 2 seemingly unrelated news events have in common? Each of these news items remind us of this --- It is getting late, and it is getting serious.

Why so you may ask? Let's look at the first news item -- Iran's potential nuclear buildup. The prophecy in Ezekiel involves a confederacy of nations that one day will seek to come against the nation of Israel in order to virtually wipe it off of the map. Instead, this confederacy itself will be violently destroyed due to the wrath of God, as the Holy One of Israel defends His promised land. In fact, in the aftermath, Gog's confederation of dead troops will become food for the birds of prey and carnivorous beasts as these animals feast on the troops' dead flesh(see Ezekiel chapter 38 through chapter 39:16 for the rest of the story).

This blog has not been written to debate the timing of this event. But we do know a few things about this prophecy. It has not yet taken place, and it was prophesied as sometime in the distant future from Ezekiel's day. We know that Gog's confederation of troops consist of several nations. Real quick now and without going into depth and also knowing that the Bible uses some different names, these nations represent Russia, several former USSR republics, Libya, Turkey, Ethiopia, Persia and perhaps Egypt. The Bible names Persia as a member of the confederation, but at present that nation is known as Iran. Under their present leadership, Iran has made their hatred for Israel and the Jews (and the USA) well known as perhaps the most militant Muslim nation in the world. Though the date cannot be predicted of this confederation of Gog's demise, it will take place in the latter days. Some feel it is prior to Jesus' return, and some believe it is during the Millenium. But here is the point: That time is drawing nearer day by day. And with Iran's intentional proliferation of weapons and its venomous hatred of Jews, the type of scenario as played out in Ezekiel is coming on the world scene.

The second news item stated above was a cold blooded murder. There is no other way to explain it. It actually sounds more like a scene played out in a Middle Eastern Muslim nation where Christians are routinely mistreated and sometimes killed. But this happened on American soil! Why were these street preachers murdered as they were? They were guilty of sharing the gospel with a teenager when this 18 year old abruptly turned on them and started shooting. They were killed for "His Name's sake." When Jesus spoke the above words in Matthew 24:9, He was pointing to a time prior to His return, as He responded to His disciples' questions: "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). Many Christians have been lulled into thinking this kind of persecution cannot happen in America. They wrongly believe that it only takes place abroad in pagan, militant and Christian hating nations. Well, we have just been given a news flash. It can happen in America, and it just did!

The title of this blog is: "How Do We Live?" In other words, in light of these contemporary truths, how should we live? Here are a few tips for all of us to pursue with diligence as believers in Christ.

1. Pursue holiness and godliness --- II Peter 3:11 makes it clear that in light of the prophesied "end time" events, holiness and godliness should be our target. It is what we should strive for. Prayer, God's word and the Holy Spirit's work are essential keys for us.

2. Walk by faith and not by sight --- II Corinthians 5:7 exhorts and challenges us to do so. As the day begins to look darker and darker and evil doers succeed in doing worse and worse, we will likely see many more wicked and horrible things before Jesus' approaching day. Our eyesight will cause us to waver and falter if we let it, but faith sees beyond the present into a hopeful future that is guaranteed on God's promises. Amen.

3. Trust God --- Psalm 47:7 & 8 declare that God is King of the earth, reigns over the nations and is seated on His holy throne. His word promises that one day the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9). In His Kingdom, Jesus will reign forever and righteousness and justice will be upheld by Him (Isaiah 9:6-7). Hallelujah! We must trust Him!

4. Be about discipleship --- Matthew 28:18-20 tells us to go and make disciples -- and that includes all nations. The tense of the verbs in these verses suggests that we should be all about making disciples as we are going -- wherever we go. How many of us are doing that? How many of us are either being discipled or spending time discipling someone else? This truly is our "great" commission. Commitment to this command should be one of our greatest pursuits. We should pray for harvesters to be sent into God's harvest in lands all over the world, but particularly those in Gog's future confederacy. Few in those nations mentioned know the Lord.

In reality, we don't need dramatic news stories like the ones I have mentioned to prompt us all to be doing what we are supposed to be doing as believers anyway. The 4"How Do We Live" items listed above are how we are to live and breathe for Christ no matter the kind of days in which we find ourselves living. Amen.

But it is getting late, and it is getting serious!

Enjoy the song below and listen to the words. May His Kingdom come!