GOD IS HOLY
Ezekiel 38; 39

Introduction:     This section of Ezekiel is part of the end-time calendar (expound Millennial Kingdom – conditions much like the Garden of Eden; a perfect King ruling perfectly; Satan. Bound for 1,000 years; loosed afterwards and able to incite a rebellion against God and His people from the four corners of the earth (Gog and Magog); Israel , living in millennial peace will be defenseless except for God). Because He is holy, He will defend His people. Not much is revealed here about the identity of Gog and Magog, but much is revealed about their character. We may question the identity of the opponents of God, but we have repeated truth about our God; He is Holy! (Define holiness – “distinction,” “apartness” or “separateness.” God is entirely and uniquely pure in His nature. He is totally good and evil does not pertain to Him. His holiness is part of His nature. For everything else, including mankind, holiness is derived. It is not part of their being, but is a gift from God.

To understand holiness we must understand the Biblical difference between sacred and common. God is holy. That is part of His nature. “Things” however, are not holy by nature. They are holy because of their use (consecrated for the divine service of God). The Lord has commanded us to be holy (Lev 19:2) "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel , and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy." (1 Pet 1:16) "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." Just as God is set apart to His purposes, we are to be set apart to His purposes. What set us apart (unique) is our desire to accomplish His design His way. Holiness, then leads to a desire for righteousness, which in turn produces purity. A HOLY PERSON IS ONE WHO HAS DETERMINED TO BECOME SACRED, SET APART FOR USE BY GOD.

Gog’s major problem was that they ignored the holiness of God. Because God is holy, He will do what he promises in the exact way he promises. When God keeps His Word, He is proving His holiness.

I.          HOLINESS GENERATES A TESTIMONY (38:16; 39:27)

“Sanctified” = shown to be holy. Used also in (Ezek 38:23) "Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD."

A.           God Can And Does Show His Holiness Through People.

The Jewish people will demonstrate His holiness in their lives.

            B.         Church-Age Saints Are To Display His Holiness

Having our lives marked by His work in us. We can be holy, but only by His work in us! When our testimony is clean and pure, we affirm God’s holiness.

II.         HOLINESS REVEALS PREEMINENCE (38:23)

This final assault will raise God’s fierce anger and prompt Him to display His preeminent holiness.

A.        He Will Bring An Earthquake (38:19)

B.         The Terrors Of God’s Judgment Reveal That He Is The True Master Of The World (38:22)

C.        When God Shows His Holiness, They Will Recognize Him For Who He Is. (38:23).

III.       HOLINESS SPONSORS FELLOWSHIP (39:7; 25)

A.                 God Promises To Make His Name Known Among His People (39:7)

“Name” = character and reputation. When God’s name is polluted or taken in vain and profaned, He is demeaned. Those who show Him disrespect cannot fellowship with Him. It is impossible to fellowship with one you do not respect.

B.                 Grace In Action (39:25-26)

God loves and cares for His people in spite of their sin.

Conclusion:       After God purifies the nation, she will enjoy His fellowship again. His holy character will be a part of her life and His holy presence, the source of her joy.