I write to inquire about the passage found in Ezekiel 38:16. In particular, the second sentence of the NIV, which reads: “In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.”
If God has chosen this event to demonstrate His holiness to the nations, does it necessarily follow that this event must precede the catching up of the church? Otherwise, God would be showing Himself holy through the removal of His church. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
The way God has chosen to demonstrate His holiness to the unbelieving world is through Israel. The Church is the way He chose to demonstrate His Love (John 13:34-35). Specifically, God’s Holiness requires that He fulfill His promise to Israel and that’s what’s being demonstrated in Ezekiel 38. This is explained in greater detail in Ezekiel 36:16- 23.