In our last post, we talked about how Elijah and Moses are archetypes of those who will enter Christ’s future Promised Kingdom. If you haven’t read it, you can access it here: The Hope Given Us Through Moses.

In that post, I raised two important questions: (1) Why are these examples important? and (2) Why were these acts achievable by these and not by others?

While I guess there are many proposed answers one could give, I think there are four that we should consider so we can understand this better.

1.      God had to overcome what mankind thought was the natural order of things.

Experience is not always the test of how things are supposed to be. People were living under a system they did not know was not the intended system for them. They had come to accept the world system for how they experienced it.

2.      But the world was not as it was supposed to be. Something changed.

Mankind was now operating under Satan’s rule and not under Adam’s. God had originally offered Adam a theocracy: an earthly rule with God leading Adam in his rule. Why was that not what was being experienced?

3.       God had to get mankind’s attention.

God needed to provide examples for mankind to ponder so they would recognize how their proper relationship was to be with Him. When things go against the norm, it makes one pause and ponder. Was it just a fluke, an abnormality, or is there something greater, something deeper, to consider?

4.      They reveal that the power of God is needed to restore what was lost.

These examples match with other scriptures to what God had planned for mankind’s future. As stated previously, these were examples of hope and as time went on, God provided more Scripture that further supported and substantiated what he had demonstrated through these examples.

So, if the world was not as it was to be, what caused it to change? For that, we need to go back to the beginning. In Genesis chapter 3, we find that Adam disobeyed God. Yet, the implication is that the act was more than just disobedience. Scripture tells us Adam actually rebelled against God. How do we know this? Consider these two verses:

As at Adam, they [Israel] have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there (Ho 6:7, NIV). God was saying Israel had rebelled against him just as Adam had rebelled.

And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner (1Ti 2:14). Some say this puts the responsibility of mankind’s consequences on Eve, but actually, Paul is implying just the opposite. He is saying Eve was deceived but Adam was not. He was there and did not stop her. He was in rebellion.

What was the consequence of rebellion brought onto the kingdom Adam was to receive? It seems mankind lost its dominion and power to Satan because Adam turned his dominion over to Satan by his act of rebellion. How do we know this? Consider the following Scripture references:

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only,’” (Mt 4:8-10, NIV). Christ did not tell Satan he did not have that authority. If he did not have that authority, it is very likely Christ would have called him out on that fact. So, for Christ not to do that, it means Satan really had the authority to offer this to Christ.

In addition, if Satan did not have this authority, then this would not have been a temptation to Christ. Satan was telling Christ he did not need to go to the cross and suffer so horrifically. He had the solution: he would give these earthly kingdoms to Christ and he could rule right then and there. Would that have been something to ponder? No suffering but still get an earthly kingdom. Christ did not even ponder this offer because it would mean utter ruin as Christ, the second person of the Godhead, would be subservient to Satan, a created being! No, that would never have worked and achieved what Christ came to accomplish. So, Christ’s answer was appropriate. Satan would not get worshipped. Christ is the one whom Satan should worship.

We then have this somewhat strange conversation in Job chapter 1: Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied, ”Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has in in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord (Jb 1:8-19, NIV).

It was only God’s hedge of protection that prevented Satan from doing as he pleased. What did Satan now have the power to do?

1.           Satan had the Sabeans attack and steal Job’s donkeys and oxen.

2.           Satan had fires destroy Job’s sheep and servants.

3.           Satan had the Chaldeans steal Job’s camels and kill his servants.

4.           Satan had a mighty wind collapse the house on Job’s sons and daughters where they were banqueting together.

This would indicate that Satan had the power to kill and destroy like any monarch of a kingdom would have the power to do. This lets us know Adam gave up quite a lot by his act of rebellion.

So, was all hope now gone? Oh, no. Of course not. That is not how God is or how he operates. In the midst of gloom, he always provides hope. Join me next week when we will see what amazing hope God provided. Until then. God bless.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

We have been talking about the hope that God gave to both Old Testament and New Testament believers through four strange verses. We have covered Enoch, the Ark of Noah, and Elijah. Today, I want us to take a look at Moses.

Before we get to Moses, though, we need to first go back to the beginning. Genesis tells us: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Gn 1:26-28, NIV).

Mankind is not like any other creature, is above and over all creatures on this earth, and has dominion over the animal and plant kingdoms yet with a responsibility to take care of and nurture these kingdoms. Humans are stewards of them but not equal with them.

In addition, as God is triune, so are we: body, soul, and spirit.

Body: our physical makeup

Soul: that which makes us as we are – our personality

Spirit: that which connects us with God on a spiritual level

Our body decays when we die, but that is not the end to our body. If that was not the case, then Christ would not need to return for his bride and bring those who have died back to receive their body and then glorify it. Paul tells us: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first (1Th 4:16, NIV).

He also tells us: But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable, it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. And just as we have borne the image of the earthy man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man (1Co 15:20, 42-44, 49, NIV).

So, somehow, our body is fused with our spiritual body for us to become glorified for our eternal existence. This then ties us back to our puzzling verses about Moses: And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is (Dt 34:5, 6, NIV).

And the verse we read before: But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Ju 9, NIV)

This begs the question: why did Satan argue with God over the body of Moses?

Some say God buried him so a shrine could not be erected and worshiped. That may well be true as mankind has fallen too often worshipping shrines. Yet, this verse seems to imply more. The dispute was likely over God resurrecting Moses, and Satan claiming he had to remain in Sheol. Why do I say that? As we have already shown, the physical body is needed for glorification. Also, remember what Moses was symbolic of. Here are two verses to remind us:

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [Moses] from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him (Dt 18:15, NIV).

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel (Dt 34:10-12, NIV).

The following were characteristics of Moses: Deliverer / Lawgiver / Prophet / Mediator / Performed signs & Miracles. Christ also did these same things but by his own power. Moses was therefore a type of Christ in life and in death. He is an archetype of all those who will enter Christ’s kingdom after they have died and have been resurrected into their glorified bodies.

Let’s not forget what Solomon told us: What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun (Ec 1:9).

Paul also tells us in 1Co 10:14 that the happenings in the Old Testament are examples and warnings for us. While Moses’ resurrection is not equal with that of Christ by any means, it is an archetype for us to consider and ponder.

Why was Moses needed to be glorified before the death of Christ? Well, we find this verse in Matthew’s gospel: There he [Jesus] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus (Mt 17:2, 3, NIV).

Jesus likely met with only Moses and Elijah (and not Enoch) on the Mount of Transfiguration because his death is what would usher in his Church, his Bride, of whom they both represented:

Moses: those who died and will be resurrected and glorified and then enter his Promised Kingdom.

Elijah: those who will be translated and glorified and then enter his Promised Kingdom.

This then raises two important questions: (1) Why are these examples important? and (2) Why were these acts achievable by these and not by others?

We will explore the answers to these questions next time. I hope you join me for an understanding of these very important questions. Until next time. God bless.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Elijah was a prophet for about 35 years during the reign of the wicked kings Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram of Israel, and we have most of what he did in the books of first and second Kings. He prophesied a drought in their land which lasted for three years, confronted the priests of Baal and destroyed them, prayed and the rain returned, prophesied accurately the deaths of both Ahab and his wife Jezebel, as well as the accurate death of their son, and later king, Azariah.

In addition, Elijah was translated to heaven without dying by being taking to heaven in a chariot of fire in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11). This was not by his own will, but by the aid of God. Elijah was translated by God even when God’s work in Israel was not complete and at the height of his ministry. If his ministry lasted for 35 years as stated above, this would likely have made him about 65 or 70 years of age at this time. This event parallels the future time when our work (i.e., that of the Church) will be complete even though God’s work on this earth is not.

Elijah serves as an archetype of how God will provide a way from future judgment for his followers from the Tribulation via the Receiving of his Bride, the Church (also called the Rapture, meaning “caught up”) for those alive at his coming.

Paul tells us of this: We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them [the dead in Christ] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1Th 4:17, NIV).

These are those who will become part of his future Promised Kingdom in which they will receive glorified bodies without having to experience physical death. Paul describes this as being changed in the twinkling of an eye (1Co 15:52).

Isn’t it wonderful how God has thought of everything and every contingency for us? We can always rest in his faithfulness (La 3:23).

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In our last post, I talked about four strange versus of hope. In that post, we looked at what the Bible said about Enoch. Today, I want us to look at what God did for Noah: I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you (Gn 6:17, 18, NIV).

God provided a way for Noah and his family to escape the consequence of his flood judgment. Yet, this was not a type of judgment like we think. It was actually him expressing his love for mankind, his creation. Satan was trying to reshape mankind into his image rather than remaining in God’s image. Genesis chapter 6 alludes to this with how the Nephilim were created and infiltrated the human genome. Only Noah and his family maintained a pure genome during this time (Gn 6:9). Without God instituting the flood, humankind would have ceased to exist. God was not going to allow that.

However, God did not judge quickly. He gave time for repentance. He could have restored them into perfect health if they had believed. Yet, they did not repent despite Noah speaking to them to do so for 120 years (Gn 6:3). God started over with Noah because of his faithfulness to him.

So the ark Noah built is an archetype of how God will provide a way from future judgment via the Receiving of his Bride, the Church (also called the Rapture [caught up], 1Th 4:16, 17.). Even this future judgment is not a normal judgment as its main purpose is to drive Jews and Israelites back to their homeland (Jr 23:3).

There are two individuals that fit into this archetype of the ark. These are Moses and Elijah. These we will discuss next time. I hope you join me. Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun (Ec 1:9), and Paul tells us that what things occurred in the Old Testament were for examples and warnings to us (1Co 10:11).

God is so great by giving us examples of hope that can increase our faith and increase our hope because we know what he tells us will come to pass. So, be encouraged. We have a wonderful future to look forward to if we trust in him. I hope you have. If not, there is no time like the present. Until next time. God bless.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

The Bible contains many non-straight-forward passages. I would like for us to look at four of these and see what we can glean from them. All passages in this post are from the New International Version of the Bible.

So what are these verses?

1.      Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away (Gn 5:24).

2.      I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you (Gn 6:17, 18).

3.      As they [Elijah and Elisha] were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11).

4.      But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Ju 9)

While these seem diverse, there is, I think, a common denominator to them. What do they have in common?

Hope.

These actions of God provided hope to Old Testament saints because if their hope was in their coming Messiah then Sheol would not be their final destiny. Also, these actions of God also provide hope to New Testament saints because, as believers, our ultimate destiny will be with Christ in glorified bodies.

Let’s investigate and see how this is the case.

Part of what I will say here has been provided in another post: What was Special about Enoch, Moses, and Elijah? Yet, the point being made there is somewhat different.

In that post, I stated that perhaps these individuals (Enoch, Elijah, and Moses) were given as archetypes of who will become part of Christ’s future Promised Kingdom. Let’s review some of the previous points made and add some additional information.

We’ll look at each of these individually. The first to look at in this post is Enoch.

The book of Jude tells us Enoch was a prophet in an evil society and prophesied about how God would one day come and judge them for their wickedness (Ju 14, 15). Yet, he remained pure to God despite this evil corruption around him and God rewarded him by taking him (Gn 5:22).

While Scripture does not explicitly say he was taken to heaven rather than to Sheol, the Hebrew words used in these verses seem to imply that God himself received Enoch – therefore, he likely did not go to Sheol but was taken to heaven. As a corollary, say you went to the school where your child attended and decided to retrieve him or her as a surprise. Would it make sense for you to then take him or her to a place he or she would have no contact with you? That would be counterproductive to why you took them out of school in the first place, wouldn’t it?

Others say this act would contradict scripture which states only Christ ascended to heaven (Jn 3:13). To ascend implies volitional will and ability. Enoch did not ascend on his own but was taken by God himself. So, this incident does not violate other scriptures.

It would then seem that Enoch could be an archetype representing how saints who survive the Tribulation will be received by Christ into his Promised Kingdom without having to die.

Enoch was received by God during a period when Satan tried to establish his rule on earth by remaking mankind in his image (Gn 6:1-9). Also, while not scripture, the apocryphal book, Book of Enoch, adds additional details to this aspect of what these Genesis scriptures allude toward. This act of Satan and his angels parallels the future time when he will again attempt the same during the Tribulation Period and try to set up his own earthly kingdom.

I have previously posted that the first Fall feast, Rosh Hashanah or Feast of Trumpets, represents God remembering his covenant with Israel: Fall Jewish Holidays - Part 1: Rosh Hashanah. Its prophetic fulfillment will occur sometime after the Receiving of Christ’s Bride, the Church (also called the Rapture, meaning “caught up”; 1Th 4:16, 17) at which time the restraining power of the Holy Spirit (Gn 6:3) is removed (2Th 2:7). That means Satan and his demons will have more authority to do as they please, but it doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit will not still draw people to Christ (Rv 7:14).

God’s action with Enoch helped those in Old Testament times reason that Sheol, the place everyone went when they died, would not have to be their final resting place. It gives us hope today that God has a plan for us which will lead to the ultimate victory of us being with him forever. Now, that’s a great hope, isn’t it. Are you preparing for it? It will be here sooner than you think.

Next time, we’ll continue with the other examples. Stay turned.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

 Numb.

How else do I describe how I feel?

After three days of tears, nightmares, and incoherent thoughts, I’m surprised I can even do this. After experiencing all I did, I’m still expected to celebrate Pesach, Matzah, and Bikkurim? Impossible. I wasn’t hungry. No one was hungry. It was all perfunctory. It should have had meaning, but, no, it had none. My loss—our loss—is too great.

Feasts are to bring one closer to HaShem. Yet wasn’t I already close to him? He was here. Physical. Tangible. But now? After what happened, my Jewishness failed me. I do not feel “passed over.” I feel like I received a direct hit. When the Pascal shofar blew, he said, “It is finished.” My heart melted at that very moment. I have not recovered.

It’s now just after sunrise on the first day of the week. The Romans never had a knack on timing. Or, maybe they did. Didn’t this act create the greatest suffering for all involved? Not only for him. Oh, most definitely for him. It was hard for me to watch, to bear, to endure. I can’t even imagine how he did. Again, Rome exacted the harshest punishment on us. My Jewishness, rather than helping, hindered. No time to pay my respects to this one who had done so much for me. I owe my very life to him. He brought me from the very depths of Sheol into the light—his light. I owe him more than forcefully having to ignore him at such a critical moment. Rome had no concern for our suffering. They had the crucifixion on Pesach and the day of preparation for Matzah, a day we treat as a special Sabbath. This forced our hand to not care for the body of the one who had taken care of us. Then came the weekly Sabbath. Again, our Jewishness left us in despair and away from performing our desire to honor this one who deserves our honor more than anyone. My respect to this one who gave me more respect than anyone else on earth has been delayed for three days. I am heartbroken, tired, weary, and worn. But this day, I will fulfil my duty, my obligation, my honor.

Other women are with me. No one can be more grieved than Mary, his mother. I know how broken my heart is. I can’t imagine hers. It must be inconsolable. I know mine is. I walk behind the others carrying an armload of spices. I know Joseph had spices and used them, but I need to show honor to him as well. The other women with me feel the same. Yet, I also dread doing this after three days. To add spices, some of the linen will have to be loosened to add them—not to mention the odor of decay. I saw how bloody his body was. The linen Joseph and Nicodemus used will likely be stuck to his body, unyielding to be released from the spots where blood oozed from his body, which were many. So many. I will be strong. I must be strong. I will pay honor to this one who loved me so.

We are all still grieving. Yet, I no longer weep. I can’t weep even though my heart feels like it is broken and seeping. Three days of weeping has exhausted my tears, but not my grief. The grief has only intensified even though my tears have dried up. No one is talking, except for Salome who is trying to comfort mother Mary. She was not only the mother to our Messiah alone, but to us all. She treated all his followers as her children. Indeed, she is most precious. Seeing her heart breaking continues to break mine.

One of the women in front of me stops suddenly and I almost walk into her. “The stone!” she exclaims. “How will we roll the stone away? All the men stayed in the city.”

I place my hand on her shoulder. “We will just convince one of the guards to roll the stone away for us,” I say.

Her eyes widen. “Speak to a Roman! I . . . I can’t.”

“Oh, I can,” I tell her. “I’ve done it before.” My cheeks redden. “Too many times, I’m afraid,” I say in almost a whisper.

As only she can, Mother Mary says, “HaShem will help us.”

Her words suffice everyone, and we continue on. Yet, I really didn’t want to speak to a Roman soldier. Remembrance of their touch I had received before almost put me in a panicked state. Mother’s words calm me. Yes, HaShem will be with us. After all, HaShem would want us to honor this one who honored Him as well.

Talk again subsides and I get lost in my thoughts until, again, I almost run into those in front of me. I look up and gasp. The stone is not just rolled away, but off its track! We all stand there, looking at each other in astonishment.

It then strikes me. The soldiers. They are nowhere to be seen. It is almost like each one of us wait for the other to make the first move. I take a deep breath and step forward. “I’ll investigate,” I say.

I slowly walk toward the tomb. I can feel my heart begin to pound and begin to hear my heartrate in my ears. I force myself to breathe. Once I get to where the stone lay off its track, I lay the spices in my arms down at that spot, stand, and straighten my clothes, biding time, and force my nerves to allow me to enter. The only thing I can think of is that someone stole his body. I can barely fathom such an act. If so, how can I ever show my respects?

I slowly enter. It takes time for my eyes to adjust. Before I even get all the way in, I see his body gone! I gasp as my hand goes to my mouth. But his shroud is still there. The blood stains are undeniable. I stiffen in fear and panic. I cannot force myself to go farther. I turn and run out of the tomb and into the garden.

I know my actions surprise my friends, but I am so overcome, I cannot stop and say anything. I don’t even observe what the other women do. I know they enter, but I become so enwrapped in my own sorrow, it doesn’t even occur to me to think of theirs. Very selfish, I know. But I am so overwhelmed.

I rest my hands on a nearby stone to steady myself. The beauty of this garden is undeniable, but its beauty seems to mock my sorrow. This is supposed to be a place of contemplative remembrance, but now, even that is stolen from me. I see a gardener tending to some of the flowers. He does not seem to notice me, and I am relieved as I just want to be alone. In the distance, I can still see three crosses erect and vacant. A flood of horrific memories flood over me: the jeering crowds, the taunting by the supposedly “righteous” priests, and his blood dripping from his body onto the ground. So many wounds; so much blood. I close my eyes and sob. I still can’t form tears. They are still dried up, but not my sorrow. The event, the timing, his burial—all at inconvenient times that seem to mock me. Now, the ultimate mocking. His body itself is gone so I cannot pay any respect at all. It is almost too much. I sink to my knees. My legs can no longer sustain me.

After a time, I realize that I need to tell the others. Strength comes back to my legs, and I run. My sorrow fuels my strength. Before I get very far, I see Peter and John running toward me. They stop and take my arms.

“Mary,” Peter says. “What did you see?”

I can only shake my head and barely get the words out, “They have taken him. I don’t know where he is.”

Both nod and then run on. I debate to go on or return. I decide to return to see what Peter and John will do. Yet, my running is over. I walk. By the time I arrive back, Peter and John are gone. I also know I must keep my commitment and go into the tomb. I had told Mother Mary I would, so I need to keep my word. I know they, Peter, and John have already entered, but while perfunctory, I must keep my commitment. As I slowly enter, I become overwhelmed with emotion all over again and begin to sob. This time, tears come. Yet, seeing two people dressed in white startles me at first, but their voices are so kind. “Why are you crying?” they ask.

I put my hands over my face and weep. “They have taken him away and I don’t know where.” My mind is so frazzled I don’t even question why two individuals are inside the tomb.

I then hear someone behind me outside the tomb speak. “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

I assume this to be the gardener I had seen before. He evidently finally noticed that I am here. I step out of the tomb. My eyes are so wet with tears now, I can’t really focus. “Please, sir. If you have moved his body, please tell me.”

I then hear him speak my name: “Mary.” My heart stops. It’s him! Even without being able to focus my eyes due to the tears, I know this voice. I would know this voice anywhere. He said my name so many times before. I am so overcome I fall to my knees. I wipe my eyes and reach out my hands. “My Lord,” I say. I see him before me. How is this possible? I don’t know and at this moment, I don’t care. He is here!

“Do not touch me yet,” he says. “Go tell my disciples I am ascending to my Father, their Father and God as well.”

At once I run to do his bidding. I had come to respect and honor him. Rather than anointing his body, I am doing his bidding instead. This is how I honor him: by doing his bidding. Three days of sorrow has turned into joy. Suddenly, the day looks bright and vibrant. My heart is again about to burst, but this time with joy—pure joy. The one I had grown to know and love and who knew and loved me back was with me again. For us again. I can’t wait to tell the others.

Their three days of morning are over.

Resurrection day has come!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Are you, like me, a science fiction buff? I still remember when Star Trek first aired on television. I looked so forward each week for the next episode. Then came Space 1999, then Star Wars, then Dune, and then Battlestar Galactica. Next came the litany of Star Trek and Star Wars movies. Needless to say, I loved them all. There are so many others I could name, but I think I’ve already dated myself. You get the picture though, right?

Of course, I wanted to write a science fiction series. Yet, the question came as to how I would do that when I don’t really believe there are aliens or other occupied worlds because I don’t see that being supported in the Bible. But there is always that inkling in the back of my mind of a what if possibility. One evening when dining with friends, I let that what if hypothesis go forth in my brain and imagination. Our ideas went far and wide and even verged on the ridiculous. Yet, one thing came to light which I agreed with wholeheartedly: if there are aliens and God is the God of the universe, then they, too, would serve the same God as we do.

That became the genesis of my science fiction series the Erabon Prophecy Trilogy. The story is, of course, set into the distant future. In the first book Myeem, an astronaut is flung into the far reaches of the universe due to an interstellar gate accident. He then finds himself on a foreign planet with no hope of getting home. As he tries to understand this new culture, and their anatomical differences being so different from his own, he finds other strange things that shock him. One is that several of their words seem to sound very similar to Hebrew, and second, to his greatest surprise, he is somehow touted to be the prophet these people are expecting to arrive before their deity, Erabon, returns to them.

He then discovers that those in this solar system used to be united on a single planet, but due to a civil war they became divided across six different planets with a moratorium on space travel. Yet, the prophecy indicates that a prophet would come and unite them all once again and usher in the return of Erabon.

Each planet challenges him in many ways and often puts his life in jeopardy. He and the friends he gathers on each planet travel to each subsequent planet to help them know what their deity, Erabon, has left for them and how he wants them all to reunite and usher in his return.

The first book, Myeem is about his experiences on Myeem, a water planet, and on Eremia, a desert planet, where he undergoes several exploits to get individuals on each planet to unite and understand the message their deity, Erabon, has left for them.

The second book, Sharab, is about his travel to Sharab, the fire planet, and to Ramah, the mountainous planet, where he again undergoes many trials to help those individuals unite and understand what Erabon wants from them.

The third, and final book, Qerach, is about he and several of his friends traveling to Qerach, the ice planet, and then to Aphia, the air planet. Again, he must convince those on these planets to also unite so they can prepare themselves for Erabon’s return.

He completes his mission and Erabon does return and sets up a utopian-type planet where they can all live in harmony and unity. The theme of unity through diversity is throughout. While, I feel, this trilogy is a fast-paced, fun-to-read story, there is more to it as well. Just like these followers of Erabon became fractionated, so have the followers of Christ become fractionated as well. Perhaps we need to take a lesson and understand how we can unite in Christ once more like they were in the early church in the book of Acts.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

There seems to be so much division in our world today with many trying to find ways to make us all against each other rather than us finding common ground so we can build a relationship with each other. Yet, what does the Bible say about this? You will find that the God of the universe wants a personal relationship with everyone. How amazing is that?

Now the Bible does make distinctions between us as citizens of the world. Yet, it seems to only look at people in two ways: Jews and Gentiles. Is that significant?

It seems this is very significant because while the Bible provides these distinctions, it really is a way for God to provide inclusion rather than exclusion. I did several blog posts on this point of inclusion. We find that God cares for both sets of people. While, yes, he chose Jews as “his chosen people” (Ex 19:5; Dt 14:2), this phrase means something different than most tout. It wasn’t that Jews were more special, but that Jews had a greater responsibility to point the world to their God, Yahweh. You see, God had a plan from the very beginning of the world for inclusion of all people on Earth into His plan.

My book Why is a Gentile World Tied to a Jewish Timeline? covers this topic and helps you to see that the Bible has a plot just like any other book. Really? you may be asking. There’s a plot? Yes, there really is. But there is a lot of “stuff” in there you may be thinking. And, yes. Yes, there is. But isn’t there “stuff” in your life also? What does this “stuff” do? It distracts us from what is truly important. We often need to look through the “stuff” to find the truly important things in life. So, if you get to “stuff” in your reading and that bogs you down, just plow through because something amazing is on the other side of it.

You will find that the Bible is really a unique book. It has mystery, intrigue, subterfuge, action, adventure, and peril. You can even find what almost seems like science fiction. It presents a plan that incorporates all these elements into a timeline that, although Jewish in nature, incorporates everyone on Earth into it. You see, God is way more inclusive than most give him credit. So, give the book a try. It’s a little more scholarly than my other books, but is written in a very conversational style, so you will find it easy to read. You may just find something about God and the Bible that will reveal a fact you likely haven’t yet realized. So, give it a try and read what a great future can await you.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

When you have something good, you want to pass it on, right? That’s how God feels. As we saw in the previous post, God wanted Israel to be separate from the world but not exclude the world: i.e., he wanted Israel to pass it on. Israel was to be the example for all to follow. To demonstrate this to them, he gave them an example immediately after they entered the Promised Land.

Before they entered the land of Canaan, Joshua had two spies go into Jericho and check things out (Js 2:1). A woman by the name of Rahab hid them at one point to help ensure they were not found out (Js 2:4). These spies reported back to Joshua that the people of Jericho feared the Israelites and now was the appropriate time to take the land as their own (Js 2:24).

The people of Israel first had to cross the Jordan River. Joshua used this as a faith-building exercise. If God could get them safely across the river which was swollen due to the Spring rains, then surely he could deliver Jericho into their hands (Js 3:10). As soon as the feet of the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant touched the water of the river, it parted, and everyone entered Canaan on dry land (Js 3:13-17). After crossing the river, they all encamped at Gilgal (Js 3:19), approximately ten miles from Jericho. When the people of Canaan heard how God parted the Jordan River for them to cross, they all feared the Israelites (Js 5:1). This gave Joshua the opportunity to stop and renew their covenant with God by having all the males circumcised (Js 5:2-9). This was around the tenth day of the first month.

On the fourteenth day of the first month, they held Pesach (Passover; Js 5:10). The next day (Matzah or Feast of Unleavened Bread), they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from their new land (Js 5:11). The next day, the manna which God had fed them for forty years ceased and they ate the produce from their new land (Js 5:12). This would have represented their first Bikkurim (or Feast of Firstfruit). Joshua then had to let the men completely heal, get them battle ready, and have all the people travel the ten miles to Jericho. It is likely it would have taken the men approximately two weeks to recover from the pain and soreness of their circumcision. Then it is likely it would have taken about a month to group and train the men to prepare for battle and go over battle strategy.

While it is true they expected God to fight their battle for them as he had said (Js 6:2), I’m sure Joshua wanted to have a regimen of fighting men that would be under his strict authority—just in case. Then, it is likely it would have taken a few days to get all the people—close to two million of them—to travel the ten miles, get camped and ready for what God was going to do for them. They then marched around the city once a day for seven days and then seven times on the seventh day (Js 6:4, 12-15). Adding up all this time of preparation, it is not hard to imagine it took them approximately 50 days after their first Bikkurim until the walls of Jericho fell. That would place this time of the conquering of Jericho around Shavuot (Pentecost). As we stated previously, this is the feast of inclusion and that is what happened here.

Once the walls fell on the seventh day of their marching, the Israelites took the city and killed everyone in the city, except for Rahab and her household (Js 6:17, 21-22). Rahab and her family were spared just as the spies had stated. Therefore, Rahab who was a Canaanite, a Gentile, was allowed to live as an Israelite. She married Salmon who was of the tribe of Judah. She and Salmon had a son named Boaz (Mt 1:5) who also became an instrument of inclusion which God used to show this pattern of inclusion again. We’ll discuss that next time.

Don’t you find it interesting that this story in the Bible, which became a most notorious story of all the Biblical stories, fell on Shavuot which God had instituted as a feast to represent inclusion and a feast where paradigm shifts occurred? God doesn’t shove it in their faces and say, “Look, I’m showing you what this feast is about.” No, he lets the realization of what he is doing seep in subtly. Not everyone would get it, but those who paid attention would. While others were screaming, we are God’s chosen people, keep others at bay, God was saying, no, see, I’m giving you examples for you to follow. Follow my lead and be the example, the banner, the ambassador I want you to be for the world. God is still the God of Inclusion. Are you acting that way or are you also trying to keep others at bay. Your future is sure and that is all that matters. But is it supposed to be that way? What if others before you did that? Would you have a relationship with God now if they had that same attitude. God was saying to the Israelites to pass on what he had taught them. He’s still saying the same thing today.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Many people want to believe in God and heaven but have a difficult time believing there is a devil and a hell. My series of four books, The Adversary Chronicles, deals with this topic. It takes several Bible stories and gives the reader a glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak. The biblical stories are told from the perspective of the archangel Mikael. We often read Bible stories like they are just that: stories. We often don’t really see the spiritual side and spiritual significance of what occurred behind the scenes of these biblical stories. My desire was to take the reader behind the scenes and let them see through spiritual eyes. The goal is to give the reader a new and renewed perspective of biblical stories they may have heard many times, but likely not in this way.

The first book of the series, whose title, Rebellion in the Stones of Fire, is a reference to Ezekiel 28:14: “you who walked among the fiery stones.” It covers Lucifer’s rebellion, God’s creation of Adam and Eve, as well as the time of Noah with the Nephilim and the Flood from the archangel Mikael’s point of view. These are stories most Christians have heard, but likely not in the way the book presents them. I think this novel will help people have a new and unique perspective of the God we serve.

The second book of this series, The Holy Grail of Babylon, is presented in a very unique way. While it is based upon the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, it is presented in the backdrop of a very science fiction storyline. I think many will be surprised by the story presented. The storyline is definitely fiction but fits into the story of Nimrod (which some have identified as Gilgamesh) and what his plan was for humanity as he was under the direction of the Adversary, Satan.

The next book, The Defining Curse, tells of the curse the prophet Jeremiah declared on the Judean king Jehoiachin and what that meant for the prophecy of the coming Jewish Messiah. It presents a scenario of what the prophet Daniel likely did not only for Jehoiachin and his family as well as for the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s proposed actions also explain many parts of the Christmas story regarding the Magi and who they were and why they traveled to Bethlehem. This story has a tremendous spiritual significance to it.

The fourth book, The Luciferian Plague, is not necessarily a biblical story as it is about modern times, but the spiritual aspect of the story is still there and ties it to the other biblically based stories. We are up against spiritual forces today just as much as people were in biblical times. This story helps to emphasize the scripture Ephesian 6:12 which states we do not struggle against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Yet, it is presented in a redeeming way.

All of these stories were written to help readers have a better appreciation and understanding of God and his love for them. I trust these stories will accomplish this for you.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Everyone wants to feel included, don’t they? Don’t you? Remember those elementary school games where sides were chosen. One by one the teams were formed. Always the best athletic ones were chosen first. The rest of us were chosen last. Even worse was when there was an odd number and the captains had to decide who would take the last one. That one had to hear the reasons why he shouldn’t be on each team and then one reluctantly allows this, now deflated and ego-broken soul, on their team. Those were the good ole days, right?

Did things really get better as you got older? Sometimes. But, often, the ways of exclusion get subtler and more sophisticated, but the exclusion was still there and still hurt just as much. Why is this? And why does it bleed into every area of one’s life, including religion?

Yet, this was not God’s plan. Believe it or not, God had a plan of inclusion from the very beginning. Does that surprise you? Maybe your thinking about Israel being God’s chosen people. That sounds exclusionary, doesn’t it? Yet, it isn’t. Or, rather, wasn’t supposed to be that way. Let’s discuss these steps of inclusion that God wanted from the beginning.

As you’ve noticed, if you have read many of my posts, a lot of them center around the Jewish feasts. Why is that? Because they are the secret to God’s word and gives us an insight into God’s heart. This time, we’re focusing on Shavuot. This occurred fifty days after Bikkurim, or the feast of Firstfruit. In the land of Israel, this was around the time of the wheat harvest. Yet, the very first Shavuot occurred out in the desert, around Mt. Sinai. Why? Because it set the whole stage of not only what God wanted to do for Israel, but with Israel as well.

How do we know this was the first Shavuot? Recall that the first Pesach (Passover) occurred as the children of Israel made a mass exodus from Egypt. Here is the order of events over the next fifty days:

—  Left Egypt: 15th day of 1st month (Nu 33:3 – 1st day of Unleavened Bread)

—  Day 1: 16th day of 1st month (First Fruit)

—  Day 46: Arrived at Sinai 1st day of 3rd month (Ex 19:1)

—  Days 46-47: 2 days of consecration of people (Ex 19:10-11)

—  Day 48: God appeared as thunder, lightning, smoke and fire on the mountain, the mountain shook, and God spoke in thunder (Ex 19:16-20). God called Moses up to the mountain, gave him the 10 commandments and other laws; Aaron, his sons and 70 elders of Israel also on mountain worshipped at a distance (Ex 19:20 – 24:3)

—  Day 49: Moses wrote down all the words God had given him (Ex 24:4)

—  Day 50: Moses read the Book of the Covenant to them, they agreed to it and Moses offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, consecrated the people with “the blood of the covenant.” Moses, Aaron, his sons, and 70 elders of Israel ate with God (likely the Pre-Incarnate Christ) (Ex 24: 4-11)

What’s that you say? Starting to sound exclusionary? Before any agency can help everyone, it must be set up by a select few. This is sort of what was happening here. Yes, God did call them his “chosen people” (Ex 19:5). But, we need to understand why he said that. This was not a statement of exclusion, but a statement of responsibility. They were chosen to be priests to the world (Ex 19:6). That is, they were to be the standard for all other nations to follow. They had been created as a nation here at Mt. Sinai to be the model for other to follow. Starting to sound more inclusionary? Let’s not forget that inclusion does not come without requirements, consequences, and change, but it also comes with many blessings and rewards.

So, this is why Israel was created. Israel was the standard, the banner of God to the world. This was the first step of God’s inclusion for everyone. Did it work? Well, it could have. It could have been glorious. But, no, it failed. Why? Pride. Pride is always exclusionary and never inclusionary. The words “chosen people” became a battle cry rather than an invitation. Consequences occurred.

Yet, God did not give up. He continued to use Shavuot as an example of inclusion. We’ll look at one of those examples next time. Let’s remember that just because God expects change, he is not being exclusionary, but is offering a way of inclusion into something he has for us that will be even more glorious. And that requires faith. Faith is the key. Faith is the pride destroyer.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Many people want to understand what happens in the future—especially their future. Believe it or not, the Bible gives us some pretty good clues as to what will occur. It doesn’t necessary give us the ‘when’ but does give us some of the ‘how.’ Interested?

I know there is a lot of controversy about how we get to Christ’s second coming, but I think the Bible is somewhat clear to many of the details of his reign. Yet, there are some things that seem to confuse, like the differences between the reigning Messiah, the identity of the Prince mentioned in the book of Ezekiel, and the future reign of king David which God promised to him during his earthly reign. Are these three different individuals? This is one of the reasons I wrote my series Stele Prophecy Pentalogy.

Although the series of five books are fiction from a storyline perspective, I feel they are really grounded in Scripture. The series provides a rationale as to how these three individuals I mentioned above are distinct in identity and purpose.

The first book of the series, Mercy of the Iron Scepter, starts out toward the end of Christ’s reign and goes on through the release of Satan back into the world. While we read of such in the book of Revelation, it seems almost too sensational to really be true. Yet, I present a scenario that shows how possible it is that all could happen as stated without having to subtract anything the Bible reveals, or any details provided. The book also shows how faith will still be needed to accept the Messiah as the hope for their future (just as we must do today). Although we get the Holy Spirit to guide as once we place our faith in him, my book reveals that this conduit of the Holy Spirit to our spirit will then become much more direct and profound. Our experience today is only a deposit of what we can expect once we are in Christ’s earthly kingdom (2Co 1:22). The next four books are prequels to this first book

The second book of the series, Promised Kingdom (and first prequel to Mercy of the Iron Scepter), tells how Christ’s Promised Kingdom comes about. The trigger is when the Messiah comes for his bride, the Church, which sets the stage for the Tribulation Period which brings all sorts of atrocities on this earth. While these atrocities affect everyone, it is mainly geared to drive all Israelites and Jews back to Israel since they are today living in almost every country of the world. This is the prophetic meaning to the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) as it was originally designed to remind God to remember his covenant with the nation of Israel. The reason for this is that the day of judgment (Yom Kippur) is fast approaching. The Israelites knew they had no righteous standing before a holy God except for the covenant he had made with them with Abraham and with them on Mount Sinai.

The third book of the series, Hope Renewed, is about the beginning of the Promised Kingdom and why sacrifices become a major part of this time of our future history. The storyline is about a priest, Ya’akov, who comes of age and must make a decision whether he will serve the Messiah is the capacity of the first priest born into the Messiah’s Promised Kingdom. He must decide if the destiny that the Messiah has ordained for him is what he believes is best for him. Ya’akov must go through the same mental journey that each of us must face: do we believe God has the best in store for us or do we believe our life is lacking something he has not provided for us.

The next book, Darkness in the Light, occurs about five hundred years later into the Promised Kingdom. This book deals with the Prince who Ezekiel mentions in his prophetic book. This individual is to lead the world into how to worship the Messiah. The story evolves into a love story between the Prince’s daughter, Me’ira, and someone not of royal birth. Both the Prince and Me’ira have tough decisions to make. Sometimes happiness doesn’t occur without heartache being involved in the process. This story will help readers understand who the Prince is in comparison to the Messiah and to King David. This story also helps us see that our Messiah cares for everyone equally.

The final book in this series, Iron in the Scepter, occurs just before the beginning of Mercy of the Iron Scepter. It tells of the story of Janet, one of the characters introduced in the first book, and helps readers understand the choices she made to cause her to be in the place we find her in the first book. She, like we, are the consequence of our choices and our view and acceptance of the Messiah. The Adversary uses our pride as a weapon against us. Some people lose that war while others can see the truth Scripture is trying to tell us. Janet’s journey is the journey of all of us. See if you can see glimpses of yourself in this story.

I hope you enjoy the Stele Prophecy Pentalogy. Hopefully, it will provide some clarity to what Scripture is telling us about this time of our future and its chronology. Plus, I feel the series provides some exciting, fast-paced stories for your enjoyment. I think you will find that these characters, even though they live in a time we all long for, are still people and must make many of the decisions that we today also must make. It’s still a story of decision and how our loving God wishes the best for us and encourages us to make the right decisions for our lives.

Even as the author, I still find these stories amazing and helpful as they remind me that we serve a loving God, and we will be able to serve him for all eternity. Isn’t that a hope to hold onto?

May God bless you richly.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Have you ever made plans to go somewhere, and even though you heard about it, everything you had heard paled in comparison to what you actually observed once you arrived? This was Ezekiel’s plight—and will be our future plight. When something is beyond words, you don’t want to miss out on it.

We’ve already talked a lot about what Ezekiel saw. Yet, the wonders seem to go on and on. We discussed the temple complex and how large it is (about three football fields square). Yet, that is set in a complex that is roughly 8 miles square! This is called the Holy Portion which is further divided into three rectangles. The top rectangle, a little more than 3 miles by 8 miles, is for the Levites. These are those individuals who help in all aspects of temple worship, except for offering sacrifices. The same size rectangle below this one, and in which the temple is located, is for the priests. These are those individuals who are allowed to offer sacrifices at the temple. Although these sections of land are devoted to the priests and Levites, this doesn’t mean it will be devoid of others, and businesses and restaurants. These will be very busy places as people from around the world will come here to offer sacrifices and see their King.

The rectangle below these two, a little over 1.5 miles by 8 miles, completing the larger square, is where the city of Jerusalem will be located. It will be a square in the center of this rectangle with farming to support the city population occurring on both sides. This is likely where king David and the Prince will reside.

As already stated, a stream will flow out from the Holy of Holies of the temple and flow east. This stream becomes deeper and deeper every one-third mile and turns into a river. Some have denoted this as “the Ezekiel River” since this was part of the vision God gave to Ezekiel. Along both sides of this river is a grove of trees. At some point, the river flows over the escarpment which has plunged the city to be high above the surrounding land. Once the river goes over the escarpment, it flows between the two Mounts of Olive (which split in two at the Messiah’s return), and then flows into the Jordan River in the distance and into what is today called the Dead Sea. Yet, this sea will now team with live fish and fresh water.

On both sides of this larger square where the priests, Levites, city of Jerusalem, and temple reside is more farmland which will be owned by the Prince. From the Prince’s fields will come the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offering for festivals, new moon celebrations, and Sabbaths. In addition, those who live within the land of Israel will, in essence, tithe to the Prince of their abundance. They will donate approximately 15% of their wheat and barley, approximately 1% of their olive oil, and 0.5 percent of their sheep. The Prince will use these for fellowship offerings and grain offerings for the people.

This Holy Portion is the inheritance for the Prince and his children. Above and below this Holy Portion is the inheritance given to each of the tribes of Israel. This Holy Portion will lie between the inheritance given to Judah and Benjamin.

So, as you can see, God gave Ezekiel an overwhelming vision—something both he, and even we today, can look forward to. Ezekiel was concerned about his people and their beloved temple and if both would be lost to them forever. God gave Ezekiel an emphatic ‘no’! Not only would it return but be so much grander than anyone could ever imagine. I’m sure Ezekiel was blown away. I’m sure he was overcome with joy in how exceedingly generous God is with us despite our selfishness. We may lose heart and faith, but God is always faithful and never forgets his promises. So, come on and join in his promises. Our future is a grand one: a future beyond our imagination. Don’t you want to experience that? Of course, you do. It only takes a little faith and for you to admit your future cannot be on your on merit, but only through the merit of the one who will give us all we want and more—beyond our imagination!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Of all the remarkable things in the book of Ezekiel, probably the term “Prince” has to be one of the more interesting and controversial. Let’s take a look at this.

Who is this Prince? Some have stated it is referring to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, himself. Others say it is the Old Testament King David now serving as the Messiah’s, the King of kings’, viceroy. Others have proposed someone else entirely. So, why the confusion? For one, these passages of scripture are not very specific. Secondly, we expect certain things based upon what other scriptures tell us, and we try to make it all fit. But, should we? I think if we take a step back, we can put some of the clues given in Ezekiel with these other passages of scripture about God’s promises to David and formulate a scenario which makes it all fit seamlessly without having to put a round peg in a square hole, so to speak.

I think it is fairly easy to eliminate the first assertion above, that this Prince could be Jesus Christ. After all, if Jesus is the King of kings and has his throne in the Holy of Holies, and is the object of everyone’s worship, then this could not be Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the King of kings. After all, this Prince is the one leading everyone in worship of the King of kings (Ek 45:17, 22). Therefore, it would make sense it would be someone different from him.

What about this Prince being King David? I think the confusion for this comes in because of the passage in Ezekiel which states, “I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken” (Ek 34:24). I think the term “prince” in this passage is showing the hierarchy in David’s relationship with God, the ultimate ruler. He will be of authority, but not ultimate authority. In addition, although subtle, there is no definite article with the use of this term “prince.” Therefore, I think this gives additional credence that this is a term of hierarchy than position. In addition, the Prince will be mortal and have children (Ek 46:16-17). David will be part of the first resurrection, have a glorified body, and will not marry and have children (Mt 22:30).

David, will, however, also be a king and rule over Israel (Ek 27:24). If Jesus Christ is to be the King of kings during this time, this would imply there will be many kings and Jesus will be the King over all other kings (Rv 19:16). There will be many nations during Christ’s kingdom (Is 62:2; Zc 14:16; Rv 20:3). So, just as there will be other kings over other territories, David will be the king over Israel during this time (Ek 37:24).

So, if Christ is the King of kings, and David is one of the many kings who will reign under the direction of Christ in his Kingdom, who is this Prince? From passages in Ezekiel, it suggests that this Prince will lead the people of the world in the worship of the Messiah, the King of kings, Jesus Christ. He will offer sacrifice for himself and for the people (Ek 45:22), he will be able to have children (Ek 46:17-18), and he will receive an inheritance of land like the tribes of Israel (Ek 45:7.18). From these passages, we gather this Prince is an Israelite and is mortal, as he will not have a glorified body. That would mean he had to come out of the Tribulation as a believer. This would give him a unique perspective for the people as he would understand the horrors of the world prior to Christ establishing his Kingdom, understand the importance of the people’s need to accept their King as the hope for their future, and will understand the importance of the sacrifices and what they mean for the people, and be able to teach them these things.

Because he came out of the Tribulation as a mortal, it would mean God had this plan for this one before Christ’s Kingdom was ever set up. That would at least suggest this one may have been one of the 144,000 prophets (Rv 7:4) who evangelize the world during the Tribulation as their lives would be protected (Rv 7:2-4) and would be assured to survive into the Promised Kingdom. This is not a guarantee of this, but, I think, is suggestive. Therefore, it would be plausible this one who becomes the Prince is from the tribe of Judah, where Jerusalem is located, and is one of these prophets the Lord raises up to evangelize the world before his return.

So, here is the hierarchy: Christ sets up his Promised Kingdom and reigns as the King of kings in Jerusalem. David reigns in his glorified state as the king of Israel during this time, just as other glorified ones will reign as king of other nations at this time. The Prince, non-glorified, will also live in Jerusalem, as he is an Israelite who will lead the people of the world in the worship of the King of kings and help the people of the world realize that Christ is not only their King, but also their Savior and their future hope for eternal life. While one-thousand years is a long time, it is still finite. Those born during this time must still chose Christ as their Savior and their hope, just as we do today, and this Prince will be instrumental in helping them see this need for their eternal future.

It’s interesting that God always seems to manifest and work in a triune manner. He is Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the city of Jerusalem becomes three sections during his Kingdom (Rv 16:19), and the spiritual authority is also triune: Christ, the King of kings is the object of worship, David is the king of Israel, the nation leading the other nations in the worship of Christ, and the Prince is the one who can identify with the mortals of this time and lead them in the specific worship of Christ, their King, and their Messiah.

What about you? Are you going to be around to be part of all of this and witness it first-hand? Do you want to? Then take a note from Ezekiel and yield to this One who is now and forever the King of kings, the Messiah, and the Hope of your eternal future.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Prior to June, 2017, I only had a dream of being a published author. On the first of September, 2108, The Coded Message Trilogy became complete and available to everyone. What a thrill that was! This was something I had thought about for a long time, and it finally occurred. Not only did that generate a feeling of pride, but also of responsibility. Why? Well, this process and experience has never been totally about the story. It has also been about the readers. In some ways, that’s true for every author. After all, without readers, the story is really meaningless. Sort of like the often-asked question, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it really make a noise?” A story for an audience of one is not what most authors envision. All authors dream of success. Yet, success doesn’t come in just one size.

In this process of being an author, I have a dual purpose for the stories I write. As most authors, I certainly want readers to find the story of The Coded Message Trilogy to be engaging, enjoyable, and addictive to the reader so the story propels them forward wanting to find out what happens next. That’s where some authors stop. They write to make exciting stories which whisks the reader away to another time, another fantasy, to an escape for a period of time, and then allow them to come back to their own reality. They come back to the exact same place they left.

Then, there are other authors, like me, who want their readers to come back to their reality, but not to the same place they left. I want my readers to come back to their reality with a new perspective. A better perspective. A better perspective of their own life and their relationship with God. Now, I am a realist and I’m not proclaiming my books will “save” those who read them. After all, it is the word of God which does that. Yet, I want them to at least have a new, or revitalized, view of God. Maybe learn something about him they had not thought of before, or perhaps had lost sight of. I want their journey here on this earth to be one of a different perspective. Hopefully, they will come back to their reality with a renewed purpose which will then become contagious and make them “pass it on,” so to speak.

So, what about The Coded Message Trilogy can do this, or has the potential to do this? First, there is the story itself. It has a little something for everyone and allows most to identify with at least one of the characters. There is just a touch of science fiction, or perhaps a better statement is a futuristic bent to the story line. It is set in the future. Many want to think about what our future will be like. This story does that, although it is not necessarily a pretty picture, but one I think most can potentially envision in some form or fashion. There is a lot of mystery—the element which drives the story forward and keeps one’s interest. Then, there is a love interest. One follows the growth of the relationship between Luke and Sarah. Will they every get together? And, I think, many will be thinking, “Oh just go ahead and propose already!”

Then, there is the spiritual side. I know some don’t want that aspect to a story. Yet, this is done in a subtle way. The reader is not preached at but goes through the thought process that the characters are going through. At least, that is what I hope they are doing. How do I do that? Well, just as we must do, we first must realize we have a problem. How do we know we need a solution if we don’t know there is a problem that needs a solution? Why else even look? The first book of the trilogy, T-H-B, sets up the problem. Luke’s world is not as he thought it was. He thought it was pretty great. After all, he has a fantastic job, likes what he does, has a girlfriend—or the potential to have one. But then . . . his world is turned upside down in the matter of an afternoon. He goes to work happy, and leaves being arrested and accused of being a terrorist. Luke is then set on a course to discover the flaws in his world. Yet, he is plunged into finding the solution to his world’s problems. Although he doesn’t know it at the time, it is really a spiritual journey. But isn’t that like it is for us as well. We begin to see that our world is not as great as we had envisioned. It is really flawed. We want a solution, but don’t realize it is really a spiritual solution which we are really pursing.

Second, we must decide if God is to be in our picture or not. Does he even exist? How can we know? If he does exist, what does that mean for me? What do I have to change? These are the same questions Luke, Sarah, and their friends must come to grips with in the second book of the trilogy: F-S-H-S. The evidence, even scientific evidence, seems to support the premise that God exists. Are they going to believe that? Hopefully the reader goes through the same thought process these characters go through.

Third, once they make their decision about God, are they going to keep that to themselves or share it with others? That’s a big decision because it makes them vulnerable. After all, God is not just a taboo subject for Luke and Sarah, but an outlawed subject. While many of us don’t have to face that every day, there are some in our world who do. Yet, Luke and Sarah’s consequences are different than ours. If caught, we find in T-U-L-E they will be sent on a one-way ticket to Mars. Sound preposterous? Mankind has always desired technology to enable such things. Remember when the British Empire sent prisoners to Australia? It was a place as far away as they could imagine at the time. This thought process by those in power in this trilogy is no different: take them away and make them subservient to those favored. Remember, people are people no matter in what age they live. Yet, as we also find, God is God in no matter the age mankind lives. And God does something amazing for Luke, Sarah, and others who have responded to him.

So, I hope you enjoy the story of The Coded Message Trilogy. And I hope you share it with others. Maybe you know someone who needs to make that important decision and don’t know how to reach them. Impacting them nonthreateningly is usually a good strategy. Maybe, just maybe, they get interested in the storyline of T-H-B, which then propels them into the rest of the trilogy and they follow the decisions of Luke and Sarah, and at least think about why these characters made the decisions they did. Maybe that will impact them. Will it impact them enough to make that fateful decision? I can’t say that it will. Yet, it will certainly provide a backdrop for some important discussions you can have with them. After all, isn’t that what a good book does: opens up a world of discovery to its readers?

Even as the author, Luke and Sarah have taught me. They help me realize that if I’m seeking, God will find me and answer my questions in bigger ways than I ever thought possible. Isn’t God good?

May God bless each of your richly. I pray this trilogy does as well.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

It seems it always helps when you experience something new to also have something familiar with which to reference. This is what Ezekiel experienced. In previous posts we discovered that his thoughts were on the temple since he was in captivity in Babylon. God gave him a vision of a new temple that would be established in the future. While many things were new and different, it had a feeling of familiarity at the same time.

The size of the temple complex is something to consider. If you take a football field and put three end-to-end both in width and length, that would be about the size of it. That’s quite the size, isn’t it? However, the size of the temple itself didn’t change much from that of previous temples. The size of the entire tabernacle could almost fit inside the temple structure of Solomon’s temple, although the entire complex was much larger. Yet, the size of Solomon’s temple was basically equivalent to that of Herod’s temple and of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision. The size of the entire complex of each temple did increase with each successive temple.

The tabernacle, Solomon’s temple, and Herod’s temple had a bronze altar, a laver, a menorah, a table of shewbread, and an altar of incense. Herod’s temple did not have the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat as those were lost in Ezekiel’s day when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple. The temple in Ezekiel’s vision had only the bronze altar and the altar of incense. We discussed this briefly previously. All the other elements had been fulfilled by Christ: the laver represents the word of God which cleanses from sin (Ep 5:26). Christ is the living word of God (Jn 1:1) and is physically present. The menorah represents Christ as the light of the world (Jn 9:5), the table of shewbread represents Christ as the bread of life (Jn 6:35), the ark of the covenant represents Christ’s glory dwelling in the Holy of Holies (Ek 43:7), and the mercy seat represents Christ as the propitiation for sin and is already completed (1Jn 2:2). The bronze altar represents that atonement is still needed for those born, and the altar of incense represents the prayers of thanksgiving by those who have accepted Christ’s atonement for one’s sins and who is the hope of their future.

The bronze altar is arranged in a tier fashion and has steps leading up its eastern side. It is interesting that in Solomon’s temple this was a ramp instead of steps and was located on the southern side of the altar. This altar is quite large, being 10.5 feet high with its top being 21 ft sq. It would seem the priests will have to be quite strong to carry these sacrifices up these steps and get them close to the center of the altar.

It seems that the same sacrifices as previously made will now continue: burnt offerings, peace (fellowship) offerings, sin offerings, trespass (guilt) offerings, grain (meat) offerings. Why is this? Sacrifices are now needed for three basic reasons: (1) because a theocracy is re-established where sin must be dealt with when part of the sinless Trinity is physically present, (2) it seems death no longer occurs as there is no additional resurrection of the righteous dead mentioned in scripture, (3) sacrifices were always symbolic for they never took away sin and faith has always been required. All of these reasons help those born during this time to see their need for accepting Christ their King as their Savior and the Hope for their future.

It also seems that four of the seven feasts typically celebrated each year (Lv 23) will still be celebrated during this time: Pesach (Passover), Matzah (Unleavened Bread), Bikkurim (Firstfruit), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). While these have been fulfilled, these are still needed because these feasts represent the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, as well as his literal dwelling with his people. The other three are already fulfilled and are not needed: Shavuot (Pentecost) – the giving of the Holy Spirit; Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets) – God remembering his covenant with Israel (Tribulation Period), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – God forgiving Israel of their sins (at Christ’s return).

As you can see, there will be many similar things that have been reshaped and slightly different. What is familiar has been reshaped for the needs of the new age. These things will help those who are already bound to their Messiah, their King, a new way to celebrate and worship him. These things will help those who need to make a decision about their King a way to understand their need to accept him. What is new will also be familiar.

This is going to be an amazing time. I hope you are making plans to not miss it. Something so wonderful should not be missed.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Good things usually take work; sort of a prelude to wonderment, if you will. God was showing Ezekiel the finished product when he was taken to the future Jerusalem. In our last post, we looked at some of the physical changes that had to occur before the temple Ezekiel saw was put into place. Today, let’s look at other preparations needed for this temple.

The prophet Daniel gives us one clue to when the preparation for this temple and the Promised Kingdom in which it will be utilized will occur. He seems to state that from the end of what is called The Tribulation Period to the beginning of this Promised Kingdom is a period of 45 days (Dn 12:11-13). There has been much speculation what this is supposed to mean, but it would make sense that there is a need for a time of preparation, or a prelude as I called it earlier. So, what will occur during this 45-day period. A lot actually:

·       The angels will be judged (1Co 6:3; Mt 25:41)

·       The survivors will be judged (Mt 25:31-46)

·       Assignments for the saints will be set in motion (Dn 12:13; Jr 30:9; Mt 19:28)

·       Nations, property, and laws will be established for the next 1000 years (Zc 14:17-21)

·       The temple is built (Ek 43:6-7; Zc 6:12-13).

The first question is whether 45 days is enough time to do all of that? Well, the simple answer is God can do anything. Some may think that a lame answer. Yet, it is true. However, let’s think about this. The number of people assisting are numerous, plus you will have angels helping as well. All these things will likely occur simultaneously. So, yes, I think even with our limited reasoning and understanding, 45 days is enough time to get all these things accomplished.

Who all will be part of the Millennium and experience all these wonderful things? The beginning of the Millennium will be almost like the antithesis of the earth after The Receiving (also called the Rapture). At this time, all those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior are removed. Two groups then enter the Millennium. One group is composed of those who were alive at the time of Christ’s return and who had accepted him as the hope for their future by placing their faith in him. They enter the Millennium in their current human bodies.

The other group is composed of those who are part of what is known as the first resurrection. These enter the Millennium in glorified bodies and will consist of the following: (1) those who returned with Christ when he came to destroy the Antichrist and bind Satan (Rv 19:14); these are considered the church, i.e., those from Christ’s resurrection until The Receiving who put their faith in him; (2) those who put their faith in Christ, their Messiah, prior to his resurrection (Dn 12:1-1); these are resurrected after Christ’s return and before the start of his reign (Rv 20:4); (3) those martyred for their faith during the Tribulation period; these also are resurrected after Christ’s return and before the start of his reign (Rv 20:4).

Can we know for sure that this will be a literal temple and Ezekiel’s vision not just allegory? I think there are at least two reasons we need to consider before we just dismiss this and ignore it.

1.      The detail provided about the temple is so great. It sort of reminds us of the detail God gave to Moses about the tabernacle. We know that was a real structure. Why give such detail if the whole thing is just allegory? Detail seems to imply actuality.

2.      The reason for this vision of the temple implies actuality. Remember, Ezekiel’s thoughts at this time were about the temple in Jerusalem, the sacrifices no longer being performed, and what all of that meant for himself and his people going forward. God is showing Ezekiel the future to give him hope. Hope gives purpose and resolve. Hope must be something tangible. Allegory can never provide hope because it is not tangible. God was giving Ezekiel hope. Therefore, the temple was something tangible.

Now, if this is tangible and real, the next question is why. Why would there need to be a temple with sacrifices? After all, didn’t Christ abolish the need for this? We have covered this previously, but I think it is worth repeating here. The sacrificial system will be a demonstration of what death means and how it creates separation. In one sense it is a visual aid—a very graphic one—and will show the seriousness of the consequence of one’s disobedience. As we stated above, the first resurrection brought those dead, and who had put their faith in Christ their Messiah, back to life. There is no record of another resurrection of the righteous, so death of the righteous is likely abolished during this time. A theocracy is re-established. Since Christ will be physically present, there is a need for cleansing for worship of a holy God. The sacrificial system demonstrates this need for holiness and purity in the presence of someone holy (Ek 43:26; Zc 13:1). This will also fulfil God’s promise to Israel that they as a nation will lead the world in worship of the one true God.

This temple is also different from what the Jews had up until this time. I’m sure this was not lost on Ezekiel who had trained to be a priest, but who never served because of his captivity. Also, certain Jewish feasts are observed, but not all. Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Matzah), and Firstfruit (Bikkurim) will be held to represent the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, now their King. The altar for sacrifices in front of the temple is still present to help the people see what their King did for them by taking their sins onto himself and accepting their punishment, i.e., death. They will have a visual representation of this. Passover will also be a celebration, not of God gathering them from Egypt into their Promised Land, but from gathering Jew and Israeli from all countries of the globe back to Israel and into his Promised Kingdom.

Inside the temple there is only the altar of incense, which represents the prayers of the people going up to their King. Coals from the altar of judgment are placed on the altar of incense to represent prayers of thanksgiving to their King for the payment he made in their place. The laver is gone, because their King is the one who purifies and is present with them. The menorah is gone, because their King is the light of the world and is present with them. The table of shewbread is gone, because their King is the bread of life and is present with them. The ark of the covenant and mercy seat are gone because their King now dwells in the Holy of Holies and is physically present with them. Celebrating the feast of tabernacles, or Sukkot, will be a celebration of their Messiah, their King, now physically dwelling with them. So, you see, there are many similarities to what the Jews once had, but also key significant differences. These differences are what is key and the answer to our question of why.

Does this get you excited? I hope it does. It will be a wonderful time—a time more wonderful than any current words can express. Prepare yourself. Put your faith in the one who will be the only one who can accomplish such things for us, the one who will become the King of kings, and still be the hope of our future.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Seen a good movie lately? Don’t they all show how bad something gets before things turn around and become wonderful, setting the stage for good out of the chaos? There was prelude which occurred right before the vision God gave to Ezekiel (Ek 40-48). We see this prelude through the eyes of other prophets. Let’s explore that today.

The vision given to Ezekiel occurred in the twenty-fifth year of his captivity and the fourteenth year since the fall of Jerusalem (Ek 40:1). Therefore, enough time had passed which allowed Ezekiel to really think about his peoples’ future and what was possibly in store for them. God answered his thoughts by giving him a vision of a future temple which will be much different from any previous temple Ezekiel was familiar with. It is also interesting that this occurred in a month that would have had Ezekiel thinking about the temple in Jerusalem. This verse tells us his vision occurred on the tenth day of the first month of the year. This was either the first month of the Jewish calendar which would represent the day the lamb would be set aside for Passover to ensure it was without blemish and acceptable (Ex 12:1-6). Or, it would have been the seventh month of the Jewish calendar (and first month of the Babylonian calendar) and represent the normal Day of Atonement when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies of the temple to appease for the sins of the people (Lv 16; 23:27). Either of these circumstances would have Ezekiel thinking about the temple.

Yet, when God first brought him to Jerusalem to see the temple, Ezekiel did not recognize where he was (Ek 40:2). He was on a high mountain which was unfamiliar to him. The vision and purpose of this high mountain had been given to Micah and Isaiah, where they state that in the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains and will be exalted above the hills and all nations will stream to it (Mi 4:1: Is 2:2). Isaiah further stated that every valley would be raised up and every mountain and hill would be made low, the rough ground will become level, and the rugged places made into a plain (Is 40:4). John the Baptist stated that this reference referred to the time of their coming Messiah (Lk 3:5). It is likely this will occur when the Great Earthquake happens as Christ touches down on the Mount of Olives (Zc 14:4-5; Rv 16:18).

There are three tectonic plates surrounding Jerusalem: Arabian plate, Sinai plate, and Gaza plate. In addition, there are three major plates which meet at the Afar Triangle in Somalia: the African plate, the Indian plate, and the Arabian plate. Then, there is a rift which travels from the Afar Triangle, up the Red Sea, through the Sea of Aqaba and up the Jordan basin. Then the Palmyra fold belt extends from the upper Jordan basin to the Euphrates River. The great earthquake which occurs will then release the tension from between all these junctures and create multiple, and huge, land transformations. The Mount of Olives will split in two (Zc 14:4), Jerusalem will split into three parts (Rv 16:19), and likely the Euphrates River will be channeled into the Jordan River making the waters of Dead Sea viable as it receives more fresh water into it and a channel is made for water to exit the Dead Sea into the Sea of Aqaba. In addition, water will flow out from Jerusalem (where the temple will be built) into the Dead Sea and around an escarpment into the Mediterranean Sea (Zc 14:8). This escarpment will form due to the earthquake which will push the area of Jerusalem and westward up and make a plain eastward. This escarpment will be from Geba, about five miles north of Jerusalem, to Rimmon, about thirty-five miles south of Jerusalem.

It is, therefore, understandable why Ezekiel did not recognize this mountain. God was showing him the future when God’s Millennial Kingdom will be formed, and Jerusalem will be situated on the highest mountain on the planet (Zc 14:10; Is 2:2; Mi 4:1). So, our coming Messiah will reign on high, both literally and figuratively. He will reign from the highest point on the planet and be King of kings—sovereign overall. This is going to be a glorious time. Don’t miss it!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Some say we’re going backwards if we take Ezekiel’s last vision (Ek 40-48) which God gave to him literally. After all, if Christ came and abolished the Law, then why would God say he would go back to a temple with a sacrificial system? Yet, if we look at this more closely, I think we will better understand the why and the need.

We need to understand the following: (1) what Adam’s rebellion caused; (2) the purpose of the Law; and (3) what opportunity Israel failed to fulfill. Understanding these three things help us to understand the need for a Millennium here on this earth, and why a sacrificial system would be re-established. Let’s look at each of these three points.

Did Adam really rebel? Is eating some fruit really that bad? Well, to be honest, any sin is an act of rebellion. What is rebellion anyway? It is knowing what is expected and then doing the opposite. Isn’t that what Adam and Eve did? God only had one rule for them: do not eat of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the middle of the garden (Gn 2:17). Yet, they disobeyed. After hearing the half-truths from the serpent, who was influenced by Satan himself, they believed these lies and doubted God. They doubted that God wanted the best for them and would supply the best for them. Isn’t that at the core of all sin. If we go against what God has told us, then we are really saying we don’t believe he has the best for us in his mind. He’s holding back, and we must take matters into our own hands. That’s what Adam and Eve did. They doubted, which lead to a change in their belief about God and his goodness, which led to actions against God’s will.

So what did Adam lose? Everything. God had established a theocratic kingdom with Adam ruling under God’s leadership. He had given Adam dominion over all the earth and its creatures, had told him and Eve to have many children, and asked them to lead the earth’s inhabitants with God as their ultimate authority. This was lost. Adam turned it over to Satan. How do we know this? We are told that Satan today is the prince of the power of the air (Ep 2:2), and when he tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered all the kingdoms of the earth to Christ if he would only worship him. If these kingdoms were not his to give, he could not have offered them, and Christ would not have taken his offer so seriously.

So, what was the purpose of the Law? It was to show the wickedness of man. To help mankind understand they were not good on their own. It wasn’t about the sacrifices. God often stated he valued obedience over sacrifice (1Sa 15:22; Ho 6:6). He was always about the heart and not the sacrifice. The sacrifice did not forgive sin. It represented the horror of sin and what it ultimately causes, i.e., death (Ro 6:23). It has always been about faith – not sacrifice. Abraham believed, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Gn 15:6). This was the way before the Law was ever given. Even the prophet Habakkuk stated it had always been about faith (Hk 2:4). The Law pointed to the need of a Savior. It all pointed to Christ. He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill the law (Mt 5:17). Sacrifice also pointed to the fact that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Mt 26:28; Hb 10:18). Sin leads to death. Mankind needed a Savior.

When God created Israel as a nation at the base of Mt. Sinai, he told them they were to be a kingdom of priests to the world (Ex 19:6). They were to lead the world in the worship of God. Yet, they failed in his. They took the meaning of being God’s chosen people to make them feel superior to other peoples and not that they were chosen to be God’s ambassadors to the world. While many did do this, they did not as a nation. They missed a great opportunity.

God’s plans will never fail and nothing mankind does can ever thwart his plans. He has something to prove before he makes Satan and sin disappear forever. He will remove the curse that Satan and the rebellious act of Adam and Eve caused upon the earth and all mankind (Ac 3:19-21). While the earth will become a utopian-type society under his rule, there will still be people born into the kingdom who will be unsaved. While Satan will be removed from the earth for this period of time, man’s propensity to sin will not be removed. This will demonstrate man cannot blame his acts of rebellion on Satan’s influence alone. Therefore, they will need to understand their need for a Savior just like we do today. Why does this mean a sacrificial system will be needed to do this? This utopian society, with the curse lifted, will occur after what is called the first resurrection (where all the righteous will be resurrected from the dead; Rv 20:4-6). There is nothing recorded in Scripture that another resurrection of the righteous will occur. Therefore, it would seem that death has also been abolished, although those who rebel will be removed from the earth. It is not clear if others will actually see them die. So, the sacrificial system will be a demonstration of what death means and how it creates separation. In one sense it is a visual aid—a very graphic one—and will show the seriousness of the consequence of their disobedience. Since Christ will be physically present, there is a need for cleansing for worship of a holy God. The sacrificial system demonstrates this need for holiness and purity in the presence of someone holy (Ek 43:26; Zc 13:1). This will also fulfil God’s promise to Israel that they as a nation will lead the world in worship of the one true God.

And, why will it last for one-thousand years (Rv 20:3)? No one knows for sure, but could it be a way to demonstrate to Satan that Christ can build a kingdom which lasts longer than mankind can last on their own? Because of Satan and his influence, the world had to be destroyed with a flood to restore it (Gn 6:11-13). Adam lived for 930 years (Gn 5:5). Methuselah lived for 969 years (Gn 5:27). By Christ’s kingdom lasting one-thousand years, it shows his kingdom is superior to all that has come before. No sin, no disobedience, no acts of rebellion will be able to thwart God’s plan. God will rule forever. He has given us a chance to be a part of all of this. Are you going to accept what he offers?

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Have you noticed in reading Scripture that when God prophesies so much destruction, he incorporates hope and a positive outcome in the end? Ever wonder why? Before we answer this question, let’s look at two of the stranger chapters in the Bible: Ezekiel 38 & 39.

Yet, it’s only strange when we take it out of context. Many biblical scholars discuss this chapter as it relates to future “end time” events. While, that is likely true, it doesn’t “just appear” out of the blue. If you recall what we discussed in the previous post, God had just prophesied much prosperity to Israel. Here, God is backtracking a little to show how they will get to that point, and how he will protect them and ensure them of the future he just promised them.

So, what did God say would happen?

God gives Ezekiel a prophecy of a future time when a league of nations led by a ruler whom he calls Gog, will come against the unified nation of Israel (Ek 38:2). Gog lives in the land of Magog, which seems to be a territory between and above the Caspian and Black Seas. Gog is also called the Prince of Meshech and Tubal, which are likely parts of southern Russia and Georgia. It seems Ezekiel is stating that Gog will form an alliance with Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia), Put (Libya), and Gomer and Togarmah (northern Turkey and Armenia). Opposing these will be Sheba and Dedan (Arabia), and Tarshish (Western Europe).

Let’s take a pause here. Where did all these strange names originate? We can final almost all of them in the genealogy of Noah (Gn 10), who had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Gomer, Magog, Tubal, and Meshech were sons of Japheth. Togarmah and Tarshish were both grandsons of Japheth through Gomer and Javan, respectively. Persia included both Medes (descendants of Madai, son of Japheth) and Elam (son of Shem). Sheba and Dedan were great grandsons of Ham through his son Cush. Therefore, by following the genetic clues of how the population expanded, we get the likely locations of today’s nations from these ancient people. And, believe it or not, it all seems to fit into today’s scenario.

Ezekiel states that Israel will be attacked from the north, south, and east. Those attacking will have a four-fold agenda (Ek 38:11-12): (1) to obtain the wealth of Israel; (2) to control the Middle East; (3) to destroy Israel; and (4) to challenge the authority of the Antichrist. This attack likely occurs in the early reign of the Antichrist after he negotiates a treaty with Israel. It’s likely not later in his rule, because half-way through the Tribulation, the Antichrist himself turns against Israel. When this attack occurs against Israel, the Antichrist, Sheba and Dedan (southern Arabia), and Tarshish (western Europe) will be against the invasion.

It is interesting to note that scripture suggests that this Antichrist will have a ten-territorial kingdom and he will then take over three of them and rule them himself. I bring this up here because it seems to tie very well into what Ezekiel is prophesying here. It seems our United Nations has already had discussions of how to divide our world into ten socio-economic regions. Therefore, without too much imagination, one could envision how such a one could take advantage of this previous work to divide the world into such areas and set up someone to rule these areas under his ultimate control. It is also interesting that the nations mentioned here in Ezekiel all originate from three of the identified territories. So, it would seem very likely that the invasion mentioned here in Ezekiel is the reason these three territories then go under his direct rule (Dn 7:24) as he would have to depose these three leaders of these territories to make himself appear to be a man of peace, even though he is not. Why would he have to do this? Let’s follow on in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel prophesies that God will use several natural disasters to hinder these nations from invading Israel (Ek 38:19-22): (1) a great earthquake; (2) infighting among the troops of these nations doing the invading; (3) disease; and (4) torrential rain, hailstones, and fire with burning sulfur. He then prophesies of four key events as an outcome of the demise of these nations (Ek 39:4-29): (1) birds and beasts are called to gorge on the dead bodies; (2) burying of the dead takes seven months to complete; (3) the weapons left from the invasion of the dead army provide enough fuel to last seven years; and (4) blessings, restoration, and salvation is provided to Israel.

Although it is God Himself who actually saves Israel (Ek 38:21-23), the Antichrist will likely claim credit and get further respect from the other nations of the world who will then see him as one dedicated to peace. This will endear their devotion to him even more. In addition, this information also supports the invasion occurring very early in his reign since the weapons become fuel for seven years and the whole Tribulation period will last for seven years.

We can now go back to the first question asked in this post. God provides hope when he provides doom because he is after the hearts of people and nations. He is showing that his ultimate plan will prevail despite our suffering and what he has to do to get our attention. Through these prophecies, he has given us knowledge, choice, and hope. He gives us the knowledge to see what will be coming, the choice to decide if we are going to believe it and change our perspective, and he gives us hope so that if we do the first two, we will have a blessed future. Don’t you want a blessed future? It’s just a matter of faith. It has always been a matter of faith: in Ezekiel’s time as well as in ours. What do you say? Are you willing to learn from what has been given to us in scripture, choose to believe and put your faith in the only one who has paid our debt of sin to provide us a wonderful future, and receive the hope that is then tangible and so real it is almost palpable? Are you ready?

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens