Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about Gog and Magog. I've often wondered what is mean by this. In the Institute manuel it says: The terms God and Magog are often joined together, as for example in the phrase the "battle of God and Magog." Thus, many people assume the terms refer to two people by those names. However, Ezekiel shows clearly that Gog is a name of a person and Magog the land from which he comes. Technically, "Gog OF Magog" is the correct way to say it. Over the centuries, however, the names have come to mean the combination of nations that will fight against Israel in the last days. Ezekiel specifically told his readers where God, the great military and political leader or leaders of the last days, would come from and with whom he would be allied in the war against Israel. He used names that were current in Old Testament times, though many of these names are not familiar to modern readers. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were in northern Asia Minor. Persia was in eastern Asia Minor, and Ethiopia and Libya (Cush and Phut) were in Africa. Gomer and Togarmah have been associated with peoples in Asia Minor and Europe. That these nations would come from north and south, east and west, represents the teaching that all nations will fight against Israel. Ezek. 38: 1-6 "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee."


In the D&C I read that those who will come forth in the resurrection of the just will be those who received the testimony of Jesus Christ and were baptized by immersion, being buried in the water in His name. They were washed clean of all their sins and then kept the commandments. They were full of faith and sealed by the Holy Sspirit of promise. D&C 76: 50-53 "And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just— They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true."

A verse in a thought booklet tells us that Christ is the Light of the world and if we follow Him, we won't walk in darkness. Imagine trying to walk on an unfamiliar path in darkness, but someone else who is familiar with the path has a flashlight. If we follow their flashlight, we won't lose our way. This is like following Jesus through life--He is the Light. If we follow Him, we won't lose our way. John 8: 12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."



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