Beginning in verse 9 Ezekiel describes the cleanup of the aftermath of this battle in the land of Israel. These verses are very interesting in light of today’s technology and weaponry. I have heard interesting commentary from Hal Lindsey regarding the use of Lignostone and found the following information at www.spreadinglight.com/prophecy/gog.html.
In the time that Ezekiel wrote this, burning weapons made perfect sense because they were made of wood. What of today’s weapons however? How do you burn warplanes and other metals? Amazingly, Russia has been using Lignostone in the production of its weapons. Lignostone “is a special kind of wood used for ‘coke breakers.’ It is stronger than steel, is very elastic… and it burns better than coal.” (90 LaHaye Are We Living in the End Times?) You can read more about Lignostone on its website at www.lignostone.com.
Another interesting fact in these verses is that these weapons are going to supply fuel for Israel for seven years. One can’t help but try to make a connection with the 7 years being mentioned and the 7 years of Daniel’s 70th week known as the tribulation. I’ve always reasoned that this would put this war before or near the beginning of that tribulation period, but there is no clarification in this prophecy in that regard. People living on planet earth are still going to need fuel during the millennium, so I don’t think one can be dogmatic. Another reason I tend to place it at the beginning of the tribulation period is because I don’t see Israel living in a time of security (true or false) and rest until the 7-year covenant brokered by the Antichrist.
Point is also made that the Jewish people will gain from the spoil taken from Gog’s armies. This is another example of reaping what you have sown. Gog and his armies had intended to spoil and rob the Jewish people; instead they would provide spoil to the people of Israel.
The prophet goes on to declare that it will take seven months for Israel to bury all the dead that are in the land. The process described is specific and is very interesting in consideration of today’s nuclear capabilities. Jack Kelly at www.gracethrufaith.com had this to say about this section of scripture.
"It will require the combined efforts of all Israeli citizens for 7 months to bury the enemy dead. After that they'll hire professionals, some to decontaminate the land and some to search for any bodies the people may have missed. They won't touch any bones they find, but will set up markers and call the professionals to come take them away. This approach fits modern Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare decontamination procedures to a tee."
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3 comments:
Russia is not making weapons from Lignostone. This claim goes back to a letter written to the Soviet foreign minister by a complete loon in 1974 and has been repeated unquestioningly, and with no attempt to check facts, by biblical literalists ever since. I have challenged literally hundreds of people to name ONE Russian weapon system that includes Lignostone parts, and have received no answers. By continuing to spread this claim you just make yourselves look like fools.
Why hide behind Anonymous---You are right. I assumed that the respected sources I used were correct in their assertions, but I could find no further backup for this claim other than Christian sources. It really doesn't matter, because the truth of scripture will stand; and scripture states that the weapons will provide fuel for Israel for 7 years. I am out of town with little spare time right now, but I will address this in a future blog post when I return home. Thanks for correcting me; I am doing my best to be as truthful as possible.
Apology and correction to appear on 6/20/11 posting.
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