The Assyrian
(Part 5)
With this fifth installment, Mr. Allan M. Ure of North Bay, Ont., concludes his series of prophetic studies on “The Assyrian.”
We are sincerely grateful for the insights he has provided on the difficult subject.
EZEKIEL’S OUTLINE CONTINUED: The prophecy against Gog (Ezek. 39) continues, “I will turn thee back.” This is a repetition from chapter 38:4. Gog is to come from the remote parts of the north (NASB). The action is all on the part of the Lord. Gog will be rendered helpless and will fall on the mountains of Israel about 90 miles north of Jerusalem. The slain shall be the prey of beasts (vv. 1-5). The expression, “Leave but the sixth part of thee” (v. 2) in the Hebrew is obscure and omitted in modern translations.
God will also deal with the people and the land of Magog and the far remote regions of the earth. His holy name will be no more polluted. He again asserts, “All men shall know that I am the Lord” (vv. 6-7).
It will take Israel seven years to cleanse their land after God’s destruction of Gog (v. 9). From a careful reading of this passage it is obvious that this will be subsequent to the 70th week of Daniel. This is a scene of cessation. from war; not a scene of the Great Tribulation Seven months will be required to bury the dead (v. 12). Special men, appointed for the purpose, will seek out the unburied remains of the destroyed after the seven-month period has expired. The land must be purged from all defilement (vv. 13-16). God will set His glory among the heathen; He shall make the wrath of man to praise Him (v. 21), and again He declares, “Israel shall know that I ant the Lord their God” (v. 22).
The rest of this chapter is a recapitulation of God’s dealings with Israel over the millenniums that have passed.. The nations shall eventually know that the entire history of Israel was ordered by the Lord. His dealings with the people He had chosen, dealings which have resulted in complete restoration to Himself and to a peaceful dwelling in Palestine, shall cause Israel to know that He is the Lord their God (v. 28). None of the twelve tribes shall be left among the nations any more. “I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord God (v. 29, NASB).
The remaining nine chapters are detailed descriptions of the restoration of the temple, the priestly and levitical offices, and the location of all Israel throughout the land of Palestine.
In setting forth these suggestions in regard to the future events, there is no thought on the writer’s part of dogmatism. The prophetic student is not a prophet. We would not be so bold as to intimate the possible identification of Gog and the Assyrian, nor to mention the time period as subsequent to the 70th week of Daniel, had we not found similar interpretations of most of these details in the writings of such diligent students of the past as William Kelly, Dr. W. T. P. Wolston, Edward Dennett, William Trotter and John Bloor. It is our fervent prayer that this outline will be one of some help to fellow students of prophecy. Acceptance or disagreement on the part of the reader is a matter to be settled by the whole counsel of God. The Holy Scriptures must be the final arbiter.
FOR THE STUDENT: In the preparation of these notes these different translations of the Holy Scriptures have been used.
The Authorized Version: AV
New American Standard Bible: NASB
Revised Standard Version: RSV
In this study four prophetic portions have been impressed upon us; these seem to give very strong indications of the chronology of future events. Furthermore, the order presented in all four has a remarkable chronological relationship. The following outlines are submitted suggestively:
The Probable Chronology of Isaiah 49
Verses 1-4: The song of the Lord Jesus, called here, Israel, My Servant.”
Verses 5-7: The song continued. Christ is the Redeemer of Israel and a light to the Gentiles.
Verses 8-13: The song of Jehovah: the conquest of the Lord Jesus.
Verse 14: Zion laments.
Verses 15-21: Jehovah comforts despairing Israel, after she has lost her children through unbelief. A complete redeemed generation shall overflow the land.
Verse 22-23: The Gentiles shall bring Israel to her home and bow before her in subjection.
Verses 24-26: Israel’s oppressors are to be punished: “I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
The Probable Chronology of Isaiah 66
Verses 1-4: Israel’s apostasy and idolatry. Blessings are only for those of a poor and contrite spirit.
Verse 5: The faithful remnant hated by their fellow Israelites.
Verse 6: A warning of judgment upon apostasy.
Verse 7: The first phase of the advent of the Lord Jesus, prior to the day of Jacob’s trouble.
Verse 8-9: Immediately after Zion’s travail (Daniel’s 79th week), a nation, the remnant of Judah, is born in a day (Zech. 12:10-13).
Verses 10-14: Jerusalem is to be blessed and made a blessing to the Gentiles, who will then love her.
Verses 15-16: The second phase of the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ in power (Rev. 19:11-18). Idolatry and infidelity will be consumed.
Verse 18: The gathering of the sheep of Matthew 25.
Verses 19-10: The redeemed of Judah sent to evangelize the nations (some of whom are included in the armies of Gog) (Ezek. 38). All Israel (the ten lost tribes) shall be brought home to Palestine.
Verses 21-23: Great Millennial blessings; the temple and priesthood shall be reinstated.
Verse 24: The final judgment of the wicked.
The Probable Chronology of Joel 2
Verses 1-10: Future enemy assault upon Zion and Jerusalem.
Verse 11: The intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ. See also Chapter 3:16.
Verses 12-17: A call upon Judah (already in the land) for repentance.
Verses 18-20): The promise of deliverance and blessing. The northern army and its fate compares well with the King of the North of Daniel 11:45, and could include Gog, the Assyrian of Ezekiel 38-39.
Verses 21-27: The people, the beasts and the land of Palestine permanently blessed.
Verses 28-32: The new birth and spiritual revival upon all flesh.
The Probable Chronology of Zechariah 11 to 13
Chapter 11:12-13: The rejection of Christ and His betrayal of Judas.
Chapter 11:16-17: The idol Shepherd, the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18) .
Chapter 12:2-3: The seige of Jerusalem by the nations.
Chapter 12:3-8: The deliverance of Jerusalem by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 12:9: The destruction of the nations who will invade Jerusalem.
Chapter 12:10-13:1: The repentance of the House of David and Jerusalem, and Christ acknowledged. A recapitulation follows.
Chapter 13:7: A backward look. God’s fellow, the Shepherd, smitten at the cross.
Chapter 13:8-9: A remnant preserved through the Great Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th week).
Chapter 14:1-2: Jerusalem again occupied by Israel’s enemies (possibly the King of the North). God here deals with the followers of the False Prophet.
Chapter 14:3-4: The descent of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Mount of Olives with all His saints (v. 5).
Chapter 14:5-9: The deliverance of the faithful remnant of Judah.
Chapter 14:10-11: Great millennial topographical changes. God’s people dwelling in peace.
Chapter 14:12-15: The Lord through Judah will destroy all of Israel’s enemies.
Chapter 14:16-19: The sheep of the nations (Matt. 25:31-40) shall be brought into the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom.
Chapter 14:20-21: There shall be widespread blessing over Judah and Jerusalem and all shall be “Holiness unto the Lord.”