Could Ezekiel 37, 38 and 39 all be post millennial?

[Hiddenthings]

I think it is referring to all types of birds and wild animals that are carnivores.

You need to discern their symbol to interpret correctly.

 

[TribulationSigns]

You try and act like there are no such thing as man-made weapons in the 21st century. Therefore, man-made weapons are not meant anywhere in Ezekiel 39 since it is absurd that that are man-made weapons of war existing in the 21st century. Except you apparently can't comprehend that Ezekiel is using imagery he is familiar with in his day and time in order to describe these man-made weapons that are clearly present in the 21st century. And since Ezekiel 38-39 is involving the 21st century, then no matter how you look at it, the 21st century has everything to do with nations possessing weapons of mass destruction.

LOL. You did not answer my question, "Do you know what eating the flesh spiritually means in Scripture?". You avoided answer this question and talk about modern day weapons?

Rev 19:17-18
(17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
(18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

What did the Lord talk about here really? A bloody feast of flesh?

 

[TribulationSigns]

In Ezekiel 39 not only does it mention an X amount of years, it also mentions an X amount of months. But why if neither are involving a literal amount of time specified as years, and specified as months? Why not be consistent if one is God? By saying the burning of the weapons and the cleansing of the land involves 7 years. Or that both involve 7 months. Why would it matter if neither is meaning a literal amount of time to begin with? Not only that, Ezekiel 39 would be the only place in the Bible, where a cardinal number, such as 7, followed by years, isn't literally meaning the amount of years specified. Wow, Ezekiel 39 is the exception even though everywhere else 7 years are mentioned, it literally means 7 years. Who cares about patterns? Right?

Once again, you are speaking without understanding the nature of apocalyptic language. Have you considered what the seven horns, seven eyes, and seven Spirits of God mean in Revelation 5:6? Do you believe Christ literally has seven physical horns and seven eyeballs? Of course not. The text itself says the seven eyes are “the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” That is symbolism — fullness and perfection of the Spirit and seeing all (cf. Isaiah 11:2).

What about the seven heads and seven crowns in Revelation 12:3? Are those literal anatomical features? Revelation 17:9 tells you plainly: “The seven heads are seven mountains.” Scripture interprets Scripture. These are symbolic realities, not biological monsters.

The seven stars and seven candlesticks in Revelation 1–2? The Lord Himself explains them: “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks… are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). Again, symbolic representation - a totality (or all) of churches.

What about the “seven devils” cast out of Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2)? Was that a literal count for dramatic effect, or does seven signify completeness — total spiritual bondage from which she was fully delivered? Throughout Scripture, seven consistently represents completeness, fullness, or totality (Genesis 2:2–3; Leviticus 25:8; Proverbs 24:16).

Even the “seven thunders” in Revelation 10:3 are not seven literal weather events lined up on a calendar. They signify a complete, divinely ordained message that John was commanded to seal.

So when prophetic language speaks of seven, the burden of proof is on anyone claiming crude literalism. Apocalyptic literature is saturated with symbols. To suddenly abandon that pattern and insist on a strictly literal seven-year bonfire of man-made weapons in the Middle East is inconsistent interpretation.

Seven in prophetic language speaks of completeness — the fullness of a period determined by God. It is not teaching a stopwatch countdown to geopolitical events. Revelation is not a modern military forecast; it is a spiritual unveiling of Christ’s victory and the total defeat of His enemies.

If we ignore the symbolic nature of the book, we do not honor Scripture — we distort it. Selah!

 

[Hiddenthings]

@Zao is life

You need to look at verse 4 for context

"And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” is equivalent to saying that they lived again (verse 5). The Greek reads, “and they lived, and they reigned with the Anointed One,” implying a resurrection to eternal life, followed by a period of reigning with Christ throughout the millennium (Rev 5:9–10).

Verse 5 cannot apply to those who died before Christ’s coming, for vast multitudes of them will never rise from the grave (Ps. 49:19–20; 88:5; Isa. 26:14; Eph. 2:12). Yet the passage teaches that a specific class will rise from the dead at the conclusion of Christ’s thousand-year reign.

Nor can it refer to the responsible wicked, since they will rise together with the righteous to judgment at Christ’s coming (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 13:49–50; 26:64; Luke 12:8–9; 13:24–30; Rom. 2:6–12, 16). The “dead” mentioned in this verse must therefore relate to those who die after Christ’s return, during his millennial reign. Death will still occur throughout the Millennium (Isa. 65:20; Ezek. 44:22).

The redeemed are described as “firstfruits” (James 1:18), indicating that they constitute only a portion of the complete harvest. The remainder will be gathered during Christ’s reign on the earth. The force of the statement, then, appears to be that there will be no further admission to immortality until “the thousand years are finished.” The “rest of the dead,” therefore, refers to those who die during the Millennium.

 

[TribulationSigns]

You try and act like there are no such thing as man-made weapons in the 21st century. Therefore, man-made weapons are not meant anywhere in Ezekiel 39 since it is absurd that that are man-made weapons of war existing in the 21st century. Except you apparently can't comprehend that Ezekiel is using imagery he is familiar with in his day and time in order to describe these man-made weapons that are clearly present in the 21st century. And since Ezekiel 38-39 is involving the 21st century, then no matter how you look at it, the 21st century has everything to do with nations possessing weapons of mass destruction.

LOL. I am still waiting for your answer to my question I asked you. You avoided answer it by bringing up the subject about the modern weapons which has nothing to do with my question.

"Do you know what eating the flesh spiritually means in Scripture?"

 

[Hiddenthings]

I don’t think you—or many others—have fully considered what I wrote earlier elsewhere regarding how the children of the congregation have turned their plowshares and pruning hooks back into swords. In Ezekiel 39, the weapons mentioned signify a spiritual conflict against God and His Faithful Saints rather than a merely physical battle.

The prophecy says these weapons will be burned for seven years. God did not talk about seven literal years as you think. In Scripture, the number seven often represents completeness or totality—something brought to its full and final conclusion.

Therefore, the meaning is that this spiritual conflict against God will be completely and permanently brought to an end. The burning of the weapons symbolizes the total destruction of rebellion. In God’s eternal Kingdom, there will be no more warfare, no more resistance, and no more learning of conflict—because it will be finished once and for all.

Selah!

I agree. However, peoples will rise up in rebellion at the end of Christ’s reign, though we are told very little about that period. It’s interesting that SDAs believe Ezekiel 38 and Zechariah 14 describe events occurring at the end of the Millennial reign. That view is difficult to sustain, given the timeframes and the sequence of events required to bring about that period of peace.

 

[Hiddenthings]

LOL. I am still waiting for your answer to my question I asked you. You avoided answer it by bringing up the subject about the modern weapons which has nothing to do with my question.

"Do you know what eating the flesh spiritually means in Scripture?"

If you are speaking of Revelation 19:18 then this language implies a sacrificial feast of the kind associated with the establishment of a covenant. In such ceremonies, the two contracting parties were united as one. A special ritual was observed, as described in Jeremiah 34:18–19: the sacrificial animal was divided into two parts, and after declaring the terms of the agreement, the parties “passed between the pieces,” after which they shared in the sacrificial meal.

“the flesh of kings” symbolises the nations ruled by them (look at verse 19) that will be overthrown by the judgments of Christ, while the “fowls” represent those peoples who submit to his rule. These are invited, figuratively, to “eat the flesh of kings” in the sense of acknowledging the justice of the judgments Christ pours out upon the nations. By doing so, they vindicate his name.

Recognising that these judgments are right and that Christ’s rule is desirable, such peoples will be incorporated into Christ’s realm as mortal nations.

If you are speaking to Ezekiel 39:17 it's speaking the same message - there will be no continued existence for the Nations of the earth once Christ establishes his rule.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” John 6:53.

Understanding the end game so to speak is important when looking at Ezek 39 and Rev 19.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Gog/Magog in Ezekiel 38: 5 references what would be considered specific nations.

But, that isn't what the reference to "Gog, and Magog" refers to in Revelation 20:8. It refers to "nations" (Greek: ethnos) that number "as the sand of the sea" from "the four quarters of the earth" (all around the world).

 

[Douggg]

But, that isn't what the reference to "Gog, and Magog" refers to in Revelation 20:8. It refers to "nations" (Greek: ethnos) that number "as the sand of the sea" from "the four quarters of the earth" (all around the world).

The final attack on Israel and Jerusalem will be by an exceeding great multitude of people, as numerous as the grains of sand of the sea, from all the nations around the world, including from the former Gog-Magog nations.

 

[Hiddenthings]

The final attack on Israel and Jerusalem will be by an exceeding great multitude of people, as numerous as the grains of sand of the sea, from all the nations around the world, including from the former Gog-Magog nations.

Close - Catholic Europe will be behind the attack along with Russia and minor Arab nations. It will not be all the world as the King of the South (pro Israel nations) will not be involved.

 

[Douggg]

Close - Catholic Europe will be behind the attack along with Russia and minor Arab nations. It will not be all the world as the King of the South (pro Israel nations) will not be involved.

I don't think there will be denominations during the millennium.

The term four quarters of the earth in Revelation 20:8, simply means from all around the world, north, south, east, west, of Israel and Jerusalem.

 

[Hiddenthings]

I don't think there will be denominations during the millennium.

The term four quarters of the earth in Revelation 20:8, simply means from all around the world, north, south, east, west, of Israel and Jerusalem.

You are conflating the events of Ezekiel 38 with entirely different circumstances described in Revelation 20.

Doug, you must allow yourself to be guided by the Word rather than imposing your own understanding onto it.

Rev 20 reveals the relaxing of restraints, human nature will once again assert itself. People will find they can indulge their desires without limitation, so that even “in the land of uprightness” they will begin to act unrighteously (Isa. 26:10). In their folly, leaders among men will imagine they can successfully challenge the Almighty, for sin is a deceiver (Rom. 7:11). Humanity will begin to assert itself, and peoples will be deluded and seduced by their own pretensions, much as Israel was in the days of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

The language of the verse suggests a national development of this kind in all parts of the earth. The reference to the “four quarters of the earth” indicates that these circumstances are distinct from those of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38, where the invasion comes only from the “north.” Moreover, Gog in Ezekiel 38 attacks self-confident Israelites who have been humbled (cf. Ezek. 38:11 with 39:26), not the “camp of the saints.”

 

[Hiddenthings]

@Douggg, it would be encouraging to see some acknowledgment from you, rather than moving past the truth in order to present your own views.

 

[Hiddenthings]

@Douggg, before posting, it would be wise to practice careful reading, because the Word of God distinguishes the true saints from those who are easily misled. There are many in this forum who think they understand, but when tested, fall short, and rarely admit it.

 

[Davidpt]

LOL. I am still waiting for your answer to my question I asked you. You avoided answer it by bringing up the subject about the modern weapons which has nothing to do with my question.

"Do you know what eating the flesh spiritually means in Scripture?"

It wouldn't mean the same thing when it is being applied to the lost as it would mean if applying it to Christ. What is your point then, since none of this has anything to do with eating the flesh of anyone saintly, in any sense?

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

The final attack on Israel and Jerusalem will be by an exceeding great multitude of people, as numerous as the grains of sand of the sea, from all the nations around the world, including from the former Gog-Magog nations.

So, is it your belief that Ezekiel 38-39 is referring to all the nations from around the world as well? You said before that the same nations referenced in Ezekiel 38-39 are the nations referenced in Revelation 20:7-9. Now, you're saying the nations in Revelation 20:7-9 include "the former Gog-Magog nations", but also every other nation around the world.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

@Douggg, before posting, it would be wise to practice careful reading, because the Word of God distinguishes the true saints from those who are easily misled. There are many in this forum who think they understand, but when tested, fall short, and rarely admit it.

Yes, you are a good example of that.

 

[Davy]

What if Chapter 37 is about the second resurrection and the Gog/Magog war in Revelation 20 is the same as 38 and 39?

The idea of resurrection in Ezekiel 37 can only be a future pointer on the day of Christ's future coming. Does not mean it happened in Ezekiel's day. This should be easy to recognize because God is giving that Ezekiel 37 example ONLY to the "house of Israel" that was in captivity by the Assyrians just north of Babylon where Ezekiel was. And God ties that prophecy to the gathering of all the house of Israel back to the holy land, which only will happen on the day of Christ's future return.

Ezek 37:11-14
11 Then He said unto me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts."

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves,
14 And shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD."
KJV

God telling Ezekiel to label two sticks showing the joining back together of the two separate 'houses' is another pointer to the last day when Jesus returns. And Ezekiel 37:24-28 also defines that timing after Christ's future return, for Jesus is that "one shepherd" Who will be over them.

Then Ezekiel 40 forward begins about Christ's future Millennial reign, the "thousand years" of Revelation 20.

 

[Hiddenthings]

Yes, you are a good example of that.

Thank you

 

[Hiddenthings]

God's teaches us all to carefully read His Word as He hides wisdom for those who are His. Deut 29:29