Tag: prophesy

Who Are Gog and Magog? The Ancient Names That Echo Through Eternity

Here, we must pause and speak clearly. The temptation to identify modern nations in ancient symbols is strong. Russia, China, and Iran—it’s as if the Bible becomes a cosmic puzzle that today’s newspaper must solve.

Brent Pollard

“You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.” —Ezekiel 38.16 (ESV)

Specific names stand out from the vast library of Scripture like distant thunder—mysterious, powerful, stirring something deep within the soul. Gog and Magog are such names. For generations, these ancient words have captured people’s imaginations, sparked debates, and fueled the very speculation that obscures their true glory.

Imagine the exile sitting by Babylon’s rivers, scroll unfurled, reading Ezekiel’s vision for the first time. What did the names mean to him? What do they mean for us? And here is where we must tread carefully, because the path of truth leads to wonder, whereas the path of speculation leads only to shadows.

When Heaven Writes History in Advance

Enter Ezekiel’s world for a moment. The prophet describes Gog, “of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.” Sounds like they have weight, don’t they? But here something magnificent happens. This is not a typical historical account. This is heaven, writing poetry using the names of nations.

Consider this astonishing fact: no man named Gog has ever walked the earth. Yet, he is attributed as the leader of a coalition comprising Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Togarmah, Persia, Cush, and Put—groups that have never historically formed such an alliance. These descendants, mentioned in Genesis 10, are scattered across the globe and are now gathered by divine artistry rather than human ambition.

Do you see it? Ezekiel paints with a cosmic brush, creating a vision that transcends time and geography. This is not tomorrow’s newspaper, written in ancient ink; it is eternity speaking in symbols that every generation can comprehend.

The War That Reveals God’s Heart

But what about the battle itself? Here is a mystery wrapped in majesty. Gog arrives with armies as massive as the stars, ready to descend like storm clouds on God’s people. The earth shakes with anticipation. Swords gleam. Banners break in the wind.

And then, before a single blow is thrown, the Author of All Stories takes the stage.

Earthquake. Pestilence. Heaven rains hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Ezekiel 38.22). The language itself echoes back in time to Sodom’s destruction and forward to judgment’s final hour. This isn’t about military genius or political strategy. This is about a God who fights for His children.

Classical commentators have long recognized that the vision magnifies God’s power in delivering His people and destroying their enemies. Gog represents not just one man’s ambition, but every force that has ever raised its fist against the Almighty’s chosen.

Do you feel your heart racing? Hopefully, it does. This is your story as well.

The Comfort Hidden in Symbols

Why this vision? Why now? Consider the first readers—God’s chosen people, dispersed like seeds in Babylon’s soil. Jerusalem lay in ruins. The temple stood as a collection of broken stones. Has their God forgotten them? Was He defeated by pagan gods and foreign armies?

The answer thunders from heaven: never.

The Lord provides centuries-long comfort through Ezekiel’s pen: “Every force that rises against you—every Gog that emerges from every Magog—will crumble before My power. Not because you are powerful, but because the I AM is your defender.”

Biblical interpreters understood this when they pointed out that Gog represents Christ’s enemies throughout history, serving as a timeless symbol of opposition to God’s people. For centuries, God’s people saw in these words not fear, but fierce hope. Only when speculative systems emerged in recent centuries did this comfort become clouded by confusion.

When the Final Curtain Falls

Turn the pages to Revelation 20, and the names appear again, like an echo across the corridors of time. “Gog and Magog.” But look at how John uses them! Satan, freed for his final act, gathers “the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth” for one last desperate charge against “the camp of the saints.”

Once again, no battle occurs. Fire descended from heaven. The end arrives not with a clash of armies, but with the whisper of divine judgment.

Gog and Magog represent not two nations, but all of God’s enemies. These names act as symbolic bookends to the eternal conflict between good and evil, representing all rebellion against divine authority.

Do you see the comfort here? Every enemy that has ever threatened God’s people, every force that has ever made you tremble in the night, has been gathered under these two ancient names, and they all face the same fate: swift, inevitable defeat by heaven’s own fire.

The Danger of Reading Tomorrow’s Headlines

Here, we must pause and speak clearly. The temptation to identify modern nations in ancient symbols is strong. Russia, China, and Iran—it’s as if the Bible becomes a cosmic puzzle that today’s newspaper must solve.

But this path leads away from comfort, not towards it. It breeds fear where God intended peace and speculation where He promised certainty. Gog and Magog represent something far greater than any single nation or alliance—the eternal principle that the world will always fight against God’s people, but God will always triumph.

Your comfort comes not from avoiding geopolitical turmoil, but from knowing that behind every earthly conflict is a heavenly King who has never lost a battle and never will.

The Names That Mean “Never Alone”

So, what do Gog and Magog mean to you right now, as you grapple with ancient and modern fears? They tell that you are not alone.

When the headlines make you tremble, remember that every enemy is already named in God’s book, and their defeat is predetermined. When things seem hopeless, remember that the same God who scatters all rebellion with heaven’s fire is the God who walks with you today.

This isn’t about charts or theories. This is about a Father fighting for his children. This is about a King whose victory is so sure that Scripture declares all opposition defeated.

The most incredible truth of all? The story concludes not with your defeat, but with your King’s eternal glory shining over a universe at peace.

“So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” —Ezekiel 38.23 (ESV)

And in that day , every knee will bow—not in terror, but in awe of the One who has always been, is now, and will always be your magnificent Defender.

The Judas Kiss

t’s a gesture that’s supposed to mean friendship but instead marks Jesus for arrest. It’s an account packed with practical lessons about loyalty, choices, and God’s bigger plan, and it’s worth unpacking for anyone trying to make sense of life’s problems. 

Carl Pollard

The kiss of Judas, described in Matthew 26:47-50, Mark 14:43-45, and Luke 22:47-48, is one of those Bible moments that many are familiar with. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ inner circle, betrays him with a kiss. It’s a gesture that’s supposed to mean friendship but instead marks Jesus for arrest. It’s an account packed with practical lessons about loyalty, choices, and God’s bigger plan, and it’s worth unpacking for anyone trying to make sense of life’s problems. 

In the time of Jesus, a kiss was like giving a handshake or a hug, something you’d share with someone you cared about. So when Judas uses it to sell Jesus out to the authorities, it makes his betrayal that more messed up. The Bible uses a Greek word, phileo, meaning an affectionate kiss, which makes it sting even more. Judas was close to Jesus, one of the twelve, and he twists that bond into betrayal. It’s like a friend smiling to your face while stabbing you in the back. We’ve all felt versions of that. Someone you trusted letting you down when you needed them most. 

But regardless of what Judas did, and how he did it, this moment fits into God’s plan. Jesus knew it was coming (John 13:26-27), yet Judas still had a choice. In Luke 22:48, Jesus calls him out mid-betrayal: “Judas, you’re betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” This is more than a question, it’s Jesus highlighting the irony and heartbreak. Judas chose greed (30 pieces of silver) over loyalty, but God used that choice to set up the crucifixion and resurrection, the cornerstone of Christianity. It’s a reminder that even our worst moments can be part of something bigger.

The kiss also echoes the Old Testament, like Proverbs 27:6: “The kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Judas’ act is a textbook example, but Jesus doesn’t lash out. He calls Judas “friend” (Matthew 26:50), showing love even in betrayal. What a powerful example. 

For us, the kiss of Judas is a mirror. It asks: Are we honest with the people in our lives? Do our actions match our words? It’s easy to point fingers at Judas, but we’ve all got moments where we’ve let someone down or acted hypocritical. Yet the story also offers hope, God can take our flawed human decisions and weave them into something to His glory. Judas’ kiss led to the cross, where love conquered death. That’s a truth worth holding onto.

A Pre-Written Obituary

Neal Pollard

On July 18, 1969, as the world waited for Apollo 11 to land on the moon, presidential speechwriter William Safire had an unpleasant task. He had to write a contingency speech for Richard Nixon to read in the event the astronauts became stranded on the moon. It began, “Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.” Can you imagine anyone being willing to go on a mission so dangerous that they write your obituary before you leave?

But it happened 2700 years earlier when Isaiah wrote the obituary of Jesus of Nazareth. “Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:1-3). 

You have to think that a prophecy so important to Jewish hope and expectation would have been read frequently in the temple and the synagogues, so how many times did Jesus hear it read? The theme of Isaiah 53 often seems to be on His mind, though He doesn’t directly quote it in the gospels. In Matthew 9:15, He tells His disciples that He would be taken away from them and Isaiah 53:8 says, “He was taken and cut off.” In Matthew 17:12, the disciples bring up Elijah and Jesus connects him to His own suffering. Repeatedly in the gospels, when Jesus connects His coming suffering and death, He is appealing to an aspect of Messianic Prophecy highlighted by Isaiah that was unmistakeable if unpopular. 

Isaiah describes His suffering, but the crux of His story is salvation. But just as that word crux means “cross,” it’s difficult to separate the victory from the viciousness. Yet, because Jesus was willing to accept His deadly mission, we can have eternal life! 

Defining Love

Carl Pollard

“Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy or boast.” Many of us know exactly where this verse is found. 1 Corinthians 13, which is quite possibly the most well-known chapter in the entire Bible. When many people hear “love is patient, love is kind,” they start hearing wedding bells and think of a white dress. This profound chapter is all about defining true love, and Paul isn’t talking about the feeling you have when you want to marry someone. There is so much depth to this chapter and that is what we are going to dig into in this article.

True love is increasingly harder to find and practiced by few. So many are chasing a feeling that comes and goes with each moment. The love that Paul is talking about is agape love. This chapter is all about explaining why TRUE, sacrificial love is the greatest. Before we get into this chapter we need to understand why Paul is writing about love. The main reason for this letter is because the church at Corinth was an absolute mess. 

This congregation was filled with all kinds of sinful behavior, drama, and misunderstandings. Their behavior was a negative influence on others, and it was unacceptable before God. Chapter 13 was written so that these Christian’s would correct their behavior by practicing true agape love. 

The Corinthians were obsessed with spiritual gifts, especially the gift of speaking in other languages. Paul spends chapter 12 dealing with spiritual gifts in the church. They have a purpose, and ultimately they are for unity and glorifying God. God gave these gifts to help strengthen the church in its beginning stages. They were abusing their gifts, they were bragging about their abilities and acting like children. “Oh you only have the gift of wisdom? I have the gift of prophecy!” Some were bragging, others were trying to use gifts they didn’t even have! Like fake prophesying just to seem cool. Chapter 12 ends with Paul saying, “you can strive towards greater gifts, but there is a more excellent way.” That better way is having the gift of love. 

This is something EVERYONE can have. The love that Paul is speaking about is not the love of romance and warm fuzzy feelings. Paul is using the Greek word “Agape” which means self-sacrificing love. Agape love is behind all actions that put others before self. This is the love with which God loved us when He sent His Son (John 3:16). A love that does what’s difficult, because it is a choice. We are called to imitate this love. 

As Paul begins to describe love in chapter 13, he tells us that love is essential. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1-3). These gifts that the Corinthians were obsessed with were meaningless if they didn’t have love. If you are speaking without love, it’s empty noise! Have you ever pulled a trailer that was empty? As you’re going down the road every bump and pothole sends it banging up and down. It makes a whole bunch of noise because it’s empty. No matter what our words contain, if they are said without love it’s just a load of nothing. 

It was the same for any other gift they had! Whether it’s prophecy, wisdom, or even faith, if there is no love they are irrelevant. This is why love is essential! The Corinthians failed to see the true purpose of the gifts. They didn’t use them out of love. Paul quotes Jesus when he says “faith to move mountains” (cf. Matt. 17:20). You could have faith to do the impossible, but again if you have no love it won’t do you any good. A faith to move mountains is great, but if you don’t have love your faith won’t do you any good. Faith, wisdom, or any other gift isn’t a sign that you’re a Christian, it’s LOVE!

If we’re not willing to deny ourselves for the sake of others, our religion is worthless. You could give everything you own to the poor, you could even be martyred for Christ, but again if you do it without love you’ve sacrificed for no reason. Everything that Paul mentions in verses 1-3 are good things! Tongues were good for the church at the time. Prophecy, knowledge, faith, all wonderful things. Sacrifice is good, but love is SO valuable, SO important, that apart from it every other good thing is useless. 

As Christians, we need to remember that love is essential. No matter what good thing you may do, if you don’t have love you might as well not do it. Agape love is hard to find, so be the one to sacrifice for others. Make choices out of love, speak with love, and live imitating the agape love of God!

The Profound Context of Matthew 16:24

Brent Pollard

The Pitfalls of Proof-texting

Are you occasionally guilty of proof-texting? Proof-texting is the practice of using specific passages from the Bible to justify a larger body of doctrine or belief. For example, teaching that a simple prayer is all required to obtain salvation is incorrect when someone uses a verse like Romans 10:13. However, we may occasionally engage in sloppy proof-texting. It might become a standard practice to pull a verse out of context and use it to teach a specific lesson, especially when delivering a sermon on a timely topic.

Sometimes, I’m like the Ethiopian official of Acts 8, unable to understand independently and needing a Phillip to guide me in applying Scripture. On other occasions, I’ve not been as diligent in my Bible reading and study. As an illustration, consider Matthew 16.24:

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me…’” (NASB)

Unpacking Matthew 16.24

So, what is the deeper meaning behind this verse? At a cursory glance, it advocates living a selfless, Christ-centered life. Can that be the correct point of view but an incomplete answer? Have you ever pondered on Jesus’ motivation for this statement? Considering the verses around it highlights the importance of this particular verse even more.

Foretelling His Death

Before Matthew 16.24, Jesus reveals His impending suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem to His disciples. Matthew elaborates on this detail in verse 21. Following Peter’s rebuke, Jesus retorts, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.” (Matthew 16.23 NASB) This rebuke paves the way for His subsequent proclamation.

Cost of Discipleship

When Jesus asked His disciples to “take up their crosses,” He wasn’t merely alluding to inconveniencing themselves. In the Roman context, the cross symbolized a horrific death. Jesus propounds a radical form of discipleship, which might entail severe hardships, even to the extent of death.

Identity of Jesus

The backdrop of Matthew 16.13–20, where Peter acknowledges Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” intensifies the narrative. Their recognition of His identity as the Messiah profoundly impacts His call to discipleship and the prophecy of His demise.

Theme of the Kingdom

Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, the theme of the Kingdom is prevalent. Jesus paints a picture of a Kingdom that defies worldly conventions—where the last shall be first, the meek inherit the earth, and true leaders serve. The call to bear one’s cross redefines power, leadership, and sacrifice within this framework.

Post Matthew 16:24’s Context

After 16.24, in verses 25–28, Jesus revisits the essence of radical discipleship. He challenges established ideas about life, pointing towards a deeper spiritual understanding.

Broader Interpretation

Many correctly perceive Jesus’ words in Matthew 16.24 as a directive to lead a Christ-focused life. But its genuine gravitas emerges when contextualized. After foretelling His sufferings and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus presents discipleship not as mere renunciation but potentially a path encompassing suffering, even death. Peter’s affirmation and the recurring Kingdom theme in Matthew magnify this verse’s impact. To fully grasp its true meaning, one must look at the larger narrative and how it fits the Gospel’s overarching theme: the Kingdom’s reversal of societal norms and values. This comprehensive viewpoint adds depth and richness to the essence of Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.

The Psalm About The Son

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

There are several “Messianic Psalms,” psalms which contain predictive prophesy about our Savior. Psalm two is the first of these. The psalm itself is a “royal” psalm (one of nearly 20 of them), a psalm referring to kingship or reign. Some of these are about David and his rule (or that of his descendants), but some, like Psalm 2, are about King Jesus. As we walk through this short psalm (it has 12 verses), let us notice the various qualities of this “Son.”

HE IS ANOINTED (1-5)

The Hebrew word for “anointed” is “Messiah” and has a wide range of meaning. It is dual-fulfillment, meaning that it would refer to David but the New Testament makes clear its ultimate fulfillment is Christ (more on that in a moment). He is chosen for an office or work. He is depicted as amused by the kings and rulers efforts to resist Him (1-4), but also angry and furious that they would try (5). God in heaven (4) has a plan He will execute through His anointed.

HE IS KING (6)

Obviously, this attribute is connected with the first one. Kings are anointed. That word means “poured out” (TWOT 562). While anointing has a royal connection, it also has a worship connection. The drink offering was a part of Old Testament worship, done by the priest to pay homage to God. Jesus, the water of life, was poured out on the alter as a sacrifice for our sins. In Psalm 2:6, the Father installs this King. Indeed, Jesus is The King (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16). 

HE IS GOD’S SON (7-12)

This passage is repeatedly cited by New Testament writers and applied to Jesus (Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5). This indicates intimate connection to the Father (7). They share nature or essence. In other words, this “Son” is Deity. There is also reference to “inheritance,” conveyed from Father to Son. What is inherited? “The nations” and “very ends of the earth.” That idea is not developed here, but elsewhere we find that we, those obedient to Christ, are His treasure (read Eph. 1:3-14). There is one more dimension to this Sonship. He is invincible, omnipotent in power. He breaks and shatters with His power, deserving deference from kings and judges.

HE IS LORD (11-12)

Truly, it is difficult to decipher the exact meaning of the last two verses. “Lord,” in verse 7, definitely refers to the Father. But, notice the parallelism (a connection of meaning by an echo of form) of verse 11-12.  “Worship the Lord” (11) is parallel to “do homage to the Son.” The heart of the psalm refers to Jesus as “God’s Son.” He certainly is Master or Ruler and elsewhere in psalms is called “Lord” (110:1). 

The Jews definitely saw this as Messianic, even if they rejected Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of it. Spirit-guided New Testament writers leave no doubt that this Psalm refers to Him and finds fulfillment of Him. Look at what a Savior we have!  Chosen by God, sovereign, and divine. Oh what a Savior!

Our first sunset in Israel, looking out at the Mediterranean Sea from Ashkelon (July 4, 2017).

“One Will Go Forth”

Neal Pollard

In Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus, the writer quotes the prophet Micah. This prophet, whose ministry was to both the northern and southern kingdoms (1:1), writes much to warn these divided kingdoms united in sin and rebellion against God. But, he also extends hope for the future. He speaks of One to come, who would come from the same little village the great king David called home (1 Sam. 16:4ff). This coming king would be characterized in several ways, which Micah writes about in Micah 5:

  • From an unlikely place (2)–This coming one would defy men’s expectations. 
  • From the Lord (2)–This coming one would be given from God. 
  • From the days of eternity (2)–This coming one would be God Himself
  • For the purpose of ruling (2)–This coming one would come with authority.
  • For the shepherding of His flock (4)–This coming one would come to lead men.
  • For our peace (5)–This coming one would come for our good. 
  • For deliverance (5-6)–This coming one would come for our salvation. 

As Jesus conducted His earthly ministry, His works and teaching fulfilled over 300 prophesies written down in every major division of the Old Testament books. But there are prophesies, like Micah 5:1-6, which He fulfilled simply by being born and pursuing His ministry. These aspects of His work had to be hopeful and comforting to those with hearts of faith who lived during that time. But, as we look back over two millennia, it still has relevance to us today.  He still defies our expectations, exceeding them. He still is God’s gift for us. He still bears the same nature. He still must be Lord of our lives. He still must be the leader of our lives. He still gives peace. He still delivers. 

As you count your blessings today, look beyond the earthly and material. If there are things going poorly for you right now, be reminded of the greatest blessing of all. Because God loves and cares for us, He sent One forth for us. He accomplished His work and now has returned to the Father’s right hand. At His appointed time, God will send Him forth to judge. Those who have embraced and followed Him will enjoy eternal deliverance. For that, be thankful!

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Is It A “Sign”?

Neal Pollard

I read about the discovery of World War I shells found in the Sea of Galilee, likely dumped by fleeing Turkish ships lightening their load to escape the pursuit of the British. There is a bigger story, though, than a 100-year-old wartime artifact being found in an unlikely place. The shell was uncovered through an unprecedented drought that has left exposed an island in the middle of that sea. Some religious Jews think it presages their long-awaited Messiah, their conviction based on their view of Psalm 66:6, Zechariah 14:8, and Isaiah 15:9. Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces and freelance writer, cites various rabbis who say that the present weather anomaly and its consequences are prophesied signs. Yosef Berger, the rabbi of David’s tomb in Jerusalem, says, “Just like in prayer, which is a dialogue with God, our thoughts are taken into account in Heaven, and can bring the desired prophecy into existence… By people believing that the Galilee drying up is part of the prophecy, it will help the Messiah come” (Breaking Israel News).

I appreciate any people who believe in the truth of the Messiah, and I see any such looking and longing of a transparent sincerity. However, these well-meaning Jews are 2000 years too late. The kind of Messiah they seek is not clearly stated, but their forefathers rejected the kind of Messiah Jesus Christ was and is. The Old Testament prophesies of His birth, ancestry, forerunner, earthly ministry, opposition, crucifixion, resurrection, and church were fulfilled in the time of Jesus. The New Testament often looks back at prophesies and show how Jesus fulfilled them.

The Jews of Jesus day stopped their ears and shut their eyes to the signs and miracles He did, repeatedly proving to the open-minded observer that what such revered men as Moses, David, Isaiah, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi, and others wrote concerning the Messiah was fulfilled by the nature, birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Luke 24:44-47; John 20:30-31). Their lack of faith cost them at Jerusalem in A.D. 70. It will cost them eternally, if they do not believe in the Christ who has already come.

The drought-stricken waters of Galilee are a sign of a lack of sufficient rain, but nothing more. Those still awaiting the One who already came should instead learn of Him and follow Him. Because His second coming will be without signs (cf. Mat. 24:36ff). May we all be ready for that day!

sea_of_galilee_bw_21