Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we continue the study of the Book of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
Gog and Magog (see 1 Chronicles 1:5) have not been identified with certainty. Magog was the son of Japheth, and the grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2). Some have connected Gog with a Lydian king in western Anatolia named Gyges, and Magog with the Anatolian Scythians. There has been no end of suggestions as to the identity of Gog and Magog throughout the history of the church (especially Tartars and Turks). The fact that all of the peoples and nations mentioned here lay north of Israel harmonizes well with the uniform predictions of the prophets that in eschatological times enemy forces from the north will descend upon God's people and land. Many contemporary Bible scholars identify the source of that future attack as Russia.
The precise time of that invasion has been variously understood as: (1) toward the end of the present age; (2) during the Tribulation period; (3)after Christ's return but before the Millennium; or (4) after the millennial reign of Christ.
Regarding the last view of Gog and Magog are mentioned as combatants in a war at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:7-9), many have identified the two battles in Ezekiel and Revelation as one and the same. However, the events following the battles are quite different, as are the events preceding each battle. In Ezekiel's prophecy, the battle of Gog and Magog is used by God to draw Israel to Himself; in Revelation the battle of Gog and Magog comes after God has drawn His people to Himself for one thousand years of blessing during the Millennium. Therefore, it seems best to place Ezekiel's battle in the Great Tribulation. See the notes on Daniel 9:26, 27; 11:36 and 1:40-45.
Magog's allies are listed a Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, and the tribes of Turkey and Armenia: Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah. The battle itself is described in some detail, including the defeat of Gog (38:17-39:8), the physical aftereffects of the war (39:9-20), and the spiritual results of the war (39:21-29).
The last mentioned effect is twofold; the heathen shall see my [God's] judgment (39:21), and the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward (39:22).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
I do apologize for the error regarding the ministry website the correct link is:
http://www.discoveredbeingministryinc.com/
May God Bless you.
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
38:1-39:29 These two chapters must be taken as unit but can be divided into two main sections: the invasion of God and Magog (38:1-16) and the judgment on Gog and Magog (38:17-39:29). Several uncertainties surround the translation identification of the key words in verse 2. The Hebrew word rosh is usually translated "head" and accordingly is rendered here adjectivally, chief (i.e., chief prince). Some expositors have taken this word as a reference to a country known as Rashu (or Reshu), and ancient land along the Tigris River often mentioned in the Assyrian Annals. Others have identified rosh with a people known as the Rus who were connected with the Scythians and lived in the region of the Taurus Mountains in what is present-day Turkey. Some have associated the word with Russia, but this is accomplished only through resemblances in spelling or sound. In accordance with know naming practices in the ancient Near East, the word might also be treated as a part of a compound name Rose Meshech--although no historical confirmation of such a place currently exists.
Meshech and Tubal are generally connected with people who were known to have lived in ancient Anatolia, modern Turkey. Thus, Tabal (Tubal) lay north of Cilicia in eastern Anatolia and Meshech names the ancient Mushki who lived in Central Anatolia. Both kingdoms are known to have opposed the Assyrian forces of the eighth century B.C. The king of the Mushki, Mita, has been linked with the famous King Midas, whose touch turned everything into gold.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapter 36.
36:1-38 This chapter gives the opposite side to the judgment pronounced on Israel's enemies in the preceding chapter. While her enemies will be wiped out, Israel will receive the blessings of God. Her mountains will prosper (verses 1-15) and her people will be regathered to this newly blessed land (verses 16-38). This will be a miraculous regathering by God of all Israel to their land: I will...gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land (verse 24). It will also be a regathering in belief: Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you...I will also save you (verses 25-29). The restoration here prophesied then will be both physical and spiritual (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The prophecy indicates that Israel will be regathered in the land before she is reborn spiritually.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapters 34 and 35.
34:1-31 After explaining the sins of Israel's shepherds, or leaders (verses 1-6), he pronounces judgment on them (verses 7-10) and promises the care of God Himself as the true Shepherd of Israel (verses 11-31). God will also appoint David as a shepherd (verse 24), a reference to David's role during the Millennium. The covenant of peace (verse 25; the note on Jeremiah 31:31-34) is God's promise of blessing during this period.
35:1-15 A prophecy against mount Seir (verse 2), or Edom, is unexpected here in the midst of predictions of Israel's future blessings. However, Edom is, no doubt, to be taken here as a representative of all of Israel's enemies. As in the earlier prophecy against Edom (25:12-14), her role as collaborator with the Babylonians is cited as a chief sin. If God will deal justly with this ancient foe of Israel, then certainly all enemies will be judged.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
As an ambassador of Christ, I have been given an assignment to bring to the attention of those who reside in this country, that there is a need for change, and for this country to return to its first love (Love of God).
Historians has stated that the United States was founded upon Christian beliefs, but yet, it seems to me that we have forgotten what those beliefs are. "To love one another and to do unto others as we would have others do unto us." Wars have been fought for the land that was owned by the Native Americans. Wars were fought against Spain for the land which is now New Mexico, Texas, etc.
I wonder how many families and cultures and traditions have been wiped out because of greed, or for the sake of this sovereign nation. I wrote an article entitled Christians be Limber, Christians be Quick, Christians Jump Over the Enemy's Tricks. This article was met with disdain and animosity. I ask myself why. History is a part of life, and recalls events that took place whether they were Godly or ungodly. The things that I wrote about is history and is continuing to be a part of our society today.
Hatred, discrimination, sexual abuse, physical abuse, crime, murder, lying, and other activities are still prevalent in our society. Justice is no longer in the courts, if you do not have any money, you will not receive any justice in the courts. If you do not have any political backing, you have no say in congress. So why was my article so humiliating to those that read it?
Is it because you are a participant in those practices that I mentioned, and that the Word of God is now convicting you and I? Or is it because you feel it does not concern me because I didn't hang anyone of a different race, I didn't steal anyone's property, I didn't formulate the courts, I do not discriminate against anyone because of color, race, religion, handicap, or familial status. So why should it concern me?
All nations are comprised of people, and in order for there to be changes, whether the change be Godly or ungodly, people must change one person at a time. Laws has to be enforced by the people that wrote them. I am saying to everyone that reads this article, life and prosperity is the concern of every man, woman, boy, or girl that grows up into a society.
We are our brother's keeper, God said so. We can no longer turn our heads and look the other way when civil rights are being violated, home intrusions are tolerated, guns are being brought into our schools, rapes are being conducted by individuals and some are committed by officers in the police department, discrimination is taking place in the housing markets, yet, we say "As long as it doesn't concern me."
As a Christian, life here on earth and eternal life is our concern.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapters 32 and 33.
32:1-16 The sixth oracle against Egypt comes in the form of a funeral dirge or lament. It is dated in 585 B.C., shortly after the fall of Jerusalem. The defeat of Egypt is so certain now that Ezekiel can confidently recite a satirical lament for her.
32:17-32 The final oracle against Egypt is also a dirge, but it is directed to Pharaoh and all the Egyptians, who will now go unto the nether parts of the earth (verse 18). It is a morbid description of death, though Ezekiel probably did not intend to be a literal picture of the afterlife.
33:1 Ezekiel did not dwell exclusively on the subject of Israel's sin and judgment. Like all Old Testament prophets, he included a happy prediction of the time when Israel would be restored to her land and to the blessings of God. Chapters 33-39 could be described simply as "the rebirth of Israel."
33:7 I have set thee a watchman: Ezekiel here receives a recommissioning as a "watchman." His initial commission (3:16-27) concerned judgment, but this second commission concerned restoration and blessing. This reappointment with a new message came at an appropriate time, in 585 B.C., when news of Jerusalem fall reached Babylon (verse 21).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapters 30 and 31.
30:1-19 This oracle, the only one of the seven that is undated, is a general prediction that Egypt and all of her allies would be destroyed (verse 5). From the tower of Syene (verse 6) may be retranslated "from Migdol to Syene" or Aswan. These two locations represented the northern and southern boundaries of Egypt. It is a way of saying that the entire country would fall.
30:20-26 The defeat of Egypt by Babylon is explained here from the divine perspective: God gave Pharaoh into the hands of the Babylonians. God ultimately sets up kings and brings them down.
31:1-18 In the fifth oracle Egypt is compared with Assyria, its former ally. Assyria is said to have been a cedar in Lebanon (verse 3). However, God cut him off (verse 12), a reference to Assyria's destruction at the hands of Nabopolassar, Nebuchadrezzar's father, in 612 B.C. The implication for Egypt was clear: like Assyria, God says, yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden (verse 18).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapter 29.
29:1 The final prophecy against a foreign power consists of seven oracles directed against Egypt and Pharaoh. Each oracle begins with the expression the word of the Lord came unto me. All seven oracles are in chronological order, except 29:17-21, which is placed out of order due to its close, logical connection with the oracle preceding its present placement. One, oracle, 30:1-19, is undated.
29:1-16 The date of the prophecy is important. Its was given in 587 B.C. while the siege of Jerusalem was in progress. Hophra, the Pharaoh of Egypt at the time, had promised military assistance to Judah. Egypt failed to provide and lasting help (Jeremiah 37:1-5), but this is only one of the reasons singled out for their judgment (verses 6-9). Egypt would also be judged because her Pharaoh had made himself a god, even claiming to have created the Nile River (verse 3)! God gives His opinion of Pharaoh when He calls him the great dragon, by using a word that Israel's pagan neighbors utilized to refer to a mystical sea monster.
29:17-21 This oracle is the only one of the seven against Egypt that is placed out of chronological order. The motivation for this misplacement seems to be that it logically explains who will be the instrument of the judgment against Egypt, which has just been prophesied in the first oracle. Written in 572 B.C., the oracle was given at the approximate time of Nebuchadrezzar's victory over Tyre (verse 18). Because of the lengthy 13-year siege of Tyre, however, there were few spoils of war available to Nebuchadrezzar's army. Therefore, God would cause them to invade Egypt (verses 19, 20; see the note on Jeremiah 43:10, 11).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel chapter 28.
28:1-10 The third oracle is directed against the prince of Tyre, who at this time was Ethbaal III (591/90-573/72 B.C.). His sin was his claim to be divine. He said, I am a God; but God said thou art a man (verse 2). Because of his presumption, the prince would be killed by his enemies, thus proving his mortality (verses 8, 9).
28:11-19 The change of addressee from the prince of Tyre to the king of Tyre in verse 12 has prompted much discussion. However, there seems little doubt that satan is in view in these verses as the real power behind the wicked society and government of Tyre. This is evident from several consideration: (1) He is called the anointed cherub (verse 14). The word cherub is used in the Old Testament only to refer to angelic creatures. (2) The name of one of the chief god of Tyre was Melcart, which means "King of the City." It would have been clear to all of Ezekiel's listeners that the diety supposed to exist behind the earthly ruler was in mind. (3) The change of addressee from the prince of Tyre to king of Tyre indicates that someone other than the earthly ruler is in view. (4) Finally, Paul seems to have this passage in mind when, in listing the qualifications for an elder, he stipulates that the elder "be not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into condemnation of the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6). As a descriptive passage on Satan, the content reveals more about his fall than any other. He served near the presence of God (verse 14), was perfect (verse 15), became guilty of the sin of pride (verse 17), began to deal in iniquitous trade (verse 18), and is therefore destined for judgment (verses 16, 18, 19). The statement Thou was perfect...till iniquity was found in thee (verse 15) is the closest that the Bible ever comes to explaining the origin of sin. It began when one of God's previously perfect creatures rebelled against Him.
28:20-26 Sidon, another Phoenician city, was 20 miles north of Tyre. Sidon's sins were much the same as those of Tyre, and therefore are not enumerated. However, God promises judgment on them in the form of pestilence and sword (verse 23).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
