Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): Rr ch. 17 paras. 9-14.
9. What similarities are there between what happens to Gog of Magog and what happens to “the kings of all the inhabited earth”?
There are many similarities, for example: "The kings of the earth" are defeated in the battle of Armageddon. They are defeated after attacking Jehovah's people. Almost similar happens to Gog de Magog.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
They are attacks with the same objective, the people of God. Unable to reach the heavens, these rebels attack God's people on Earth. And the result of both attacks will also be the same, its destruction.
The Bible also talks about "the Assyrian" today, who will try to exterminate the people of God. Apparently, the four predicted attacks against God's people refer to the same event, but under different names: the attack of Gog of Magog, that of the king of the north, that of the kings of the earth, and that of the Assyrian.
10. What conclusions can we reach about the identity of Gog de Magog?
One of the conclusions that we can reach is that Gog de Magog is not a spirit. He represents the nations that will attack God's people shortly. As is known, these nations will become allies. And they will attack together.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The conclusions that we reach about their identity is that they are human beings who will join forces to be able to fight against the people of God throughout the earth in the form of a coalition of nations, since it is the only possible way to attack them. Whose mastermind behind all this coordinated attack is Satan and who will not achieve his goal.
First of all, that Gog is not a spirit. And secondly, that Gog represents the nations that will attack God's people shortly.
The mastermind behind this evil attack will actually be Satan. He has been influencing nations for many years to oppose true worship.
What does “the earth” represent?
11. How does Ezekiel's prophecy describe “the land” that Gog will invade?
In the prophecy it says that Gog will invade "the land of a people that has been restored" and "gathered from among the nations." In the prophecy he also speaks of the inhabitants of that land, those who worship Jehovah. He says that "they live safe, in defenseless populations, without walls or bars or doors."
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Ezekiel's prophecy refers to this land as a very valuable one for Jehovah where his faithful servants are treasuring great spiritual riches. They live safe, but in defenseless populations since they do not have physical defenses such as walls or others of this style. Rather, it is the land of a restored and reunited people from among the nations.
There it says that Gog will invade "the land of a people that has been restored" and "gathered from among the nations." We note that it also speaks of the inhabitants of that land, those who worship Jehovah. He says that "they live safely in defenseless populations, without walls or bars or doors" and that they are a people "that is accumulating wealth." This is the land on which those who give pure worship to Jehovah live all over the planet.
12. What restoration took place in the land of Israel in Biblical times?
At the time the Israelites were unfaithful, Ezekiel predicted that the land of Israel would be razed and desolate. He also predicted thanks to Jehovah's blessing, the land of Israel would be transformed and flourish.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
After being devastated and desolate by the unfaithful Israelites… later it would be restored by the exiled repentant Jews to the point that pure worship would return and be completely transformed until it flourished as in the garden of Eden. This restoration began in AD 537.
Jehovah predicted through Ezekiel that his land would be laid waste and desolate. But he also predicted that a group of repentant Jews would return from exile in Babylon and restore pure worship in that land. Thanks to Jehovah's blessing, the land of Israel would be transformed and flourished “like the garden of Eden”
13, 14. a) What is the spiritual land?
The spiritual land is a spiritual paradise, it is a spiritually prosperous and secure situation, where we worship the true God. In this "land" we live together in safety and there is much peace and harmony. There is much spiritual food on this earth.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The spiritual land is where we find ourselves now when we are faithful to God and dedicate our lives to pure worship. It is a spiritually prosperous and secure situation within this world, where we meet with our dear faithful brothers in faith and proclaim together the good news of the Kingdom of God. This spiritual land is our spiritual paradise, a safe environment to worship Jehovah.
To spiritual paradise: a spiritually prosperous and secure situation, an environment where we worship the true God by performing various spiritual activities. On this "land" we live together in safety and enjoy peace and harmony. We receive a lot of spiritual food and we have a job that we love: proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
b) Why is this land so valuable to Jehovah?
Because the inhabitants of this earth give pure adoration to God and give themselves completely to his service; They do it in ways that honor you and show their love for you. For Jehovah they are like “the valuable things of all nations”; they are the people he has brought to pure worship.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It is very valuable to Jehovah because in it he sees faithful people who have decided to separate themselves from the world with the consequences that this entails for them to worship him. A land where we strive to live up to the high qualities of the new Christian personality and where we give ourselves completely to the service of his Word with our pure worship in all our facets and spiritual realms.
Jehovah greatly values this spiritual land. Because he sees its inhabitants as "the valuable things of all nations"; they are the people he has brought to pure worship. They do their best to put on the new personality, the personality that reflects the high qualities of God. They give pure worship to God and give themselves completely to his service; They do it in ways that honor you and show their love for you.
ILLUSTRATION:
Images of Jehovah's servants: 1. Witnesses conversing in a Kingdom Hall. 2. Witnesses working on the maintenance of a Kingdom Hall. 3. A Witness praying in a prison cell. 4. A married couple visiting a very ill Witness in the hospital.
No matter where we live, we will be on spiritual land as long as we wholeheartedly support pure worship. (See paragraphs 13 and 14.)
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