Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 14

The Message of Salvation to All

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:14

How then shall... Questions 65-69. Next, Rom. 10:18.

Seven Steps in Gospel Faith:

1. The gospel was given by Christ (Rom. 10:14).

2. The gospel must be preached (Rom. 10:14).

3. A preacher is necessary (Rom. 10:14).

4. The preacher must be sent (Rom. 10:15).

5. The gospel must be heard (Rom. 10:14-15).

6. The gospel must be believed (Rom. 10:16).

7. The gospel must be obeyed (Rom. 10:9-17).

In presenting the universal proclamation of the gospel, Paul presents the reasons why a universal proclamation is necessary. First, because the call must be preceded by faith and second, because faith must be preceded by hearing. This shows that knowledge is essential to belief. Faith must have a valid content.

Third, because hearing requires a preacher, and fourth, because preaching requires being sent. The One who sends is God. Salvation is completely from God.

After proclaiming God’s gracious offer in Christ, Paul confronted the natural questions that arise, each additional question building on the key verb from the preceding question. God’s promise of salvation to “everyone who calls” on Him (Rom. 10:13) begins the process. How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? Previously, to call on the Lord was equated with trusting Him or believing in Him (cf. Rom. 10:11 and Rom. 10:13), but here it follows the believing. When one believes in Christ, he “calls” on Him. Believing, in turn, is based on hearing, and hearing is based on someone preaching.

 

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 15

Prophecy Against Gog

And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: Eze. 38:15




the north parts... Gog or Antichrist will come from Syria, and by this time he will have conquered the countries north and east of this ten-kingdom empire, and will lead them all against Israel at Armageddon (Eze. 38:14-15; Dan. 11:44; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:19).

many people with... By the time this is fulfilled Antichrist will have become ruler of one of the ten kingdoms inside the revised Roman Empire; will have conquered three others of the ten kingdoms (Dan. 7:8-9, 7:21-25); will have gained control of the other six of the ten kingdoms without war (Rev. 17:9-17); will have conquered Russia and the countries north and east of the ten kingdoms (Dan. 11:44); and will have gathered many other nations through the ministry of the three unclean spirits of Rev. 16:13-16. All these nations will make the many people be under him at the Battle of Armageddon when Christ comes (Zec. 14:1-5; Rev. 19:11-21).

The strangest thing about this is the fact, they are riding upon horses. One thing we must remember is that in Ezekiel's day there were no motorized vehicles. He is giving this prophecy in his own terminology.

Some see horses and weapons here being used symbolically to represent meaning which would be easy to grasp in Ezekiel’s day, but which would be fulfilled in the future time with different war forms suitable to the time.




Gog’s attack against Israel will come from all sides. Gog will come from the far north. With him will come his allies from the east (Persia = Iran), the south (Cush = Sudan, southern Egypt, and northern Ethiopia), and the west (Put = Libya).
Again God states and is plain...Gog or Antichrist will come from Syria, and by this time will have conquered the countries north and east of this 10 kingdom empire, and will lead them all against Israel at Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:19).

 

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 13

The Message of Salvation to All

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom 10:13

whosoever shall call... Quoted from Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21. Believing on Christ and calling upon Him are in effect the same thing (Rom. 10:9-13). Calling upon God presupposes faith in Him, and if one has faith he will call upon God in all times of need.

Paul uses the Greek: Kurios, for the Hebrew Jehovah of Joel 2:32, proving that Jesus of Rom. 10:9 is called Jehovah. Thus there was more than one Jehovah in the Old Testament (Gen. 19:24). Compare Psm. 110:1 with Mat. 22:44; Acts 2:34 where the same Greek word is used of both God and Christ in the Septuagint and the New Testament. It is translated "Lord" 667 times as the equivalent of the Old Testament Jehovah.

Paul here quotes (Joel 2:32), to further emphasize that salvation is available for people of all nations and races.

This familiar Old Testament expression does not refer to some desperate cry to just any deity but to the one true God as He has revealed Himself. A revelation which now includes recognition of Jesus as Lord and of the One who raised up Jesus from the dead.

As chapter 9 stressed divine sovereignty in salvation, this passage stresses human responsibility. Scripture does not view these two principles as paradoxical or contradictory, but as mutually compatible truths.

shall be saved... Is speaking of salvation which is the most common biblical expression used to identify the subjective changes in people’s lives, when by faith they have received the benefit of Christ’s death and resurrection. The term implies deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness. It occurs in three phases. First, the Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin. Second, the Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin in this life. Finally, when the Lord returns, the Christian will be saved from all the physical results of sin and of God’s curse on the world.

In these verses Paul stated the content of that message concerning faith. Confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord is mentioned first to conform to the order of the quotation from Deut. 30:14 in Rom. 10:8. 

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 14

 Prophecy Against Gog

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know [it]? Eze. 38:14

prophesy and say... It appears that Gog has been watching and waiting for an opportunity to come against Israel. The people like Iran, Ethiopia, and Libya are all as opposed to Israel, as Russia is. When they feel the opportune time is here, they will attack Israel as stated above after having been conquered by the Antichrist at the end of the tribulation period or Daniel's 70th week he the Antichrist and the 3 unclean spirits will invade Israel only to be stopped by Christ our savior at the battle of Armageddon.




Gog’s attack against Israel will come from all sides. Gog will come from the far north. With him will come his allies from the east (Persia = Iran), the south (Cush = Sudan, southern Egypt, and northern Ethiopia), and the west (Put = Libya).

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 12

 

The Message of Salvation to All

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom 10:12

no difference between... All people are equal in Christ (1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). A parenthetical comment explaining that God can bestow His righteousness on all who believe, Jew or Gentile, because all men, without distinction, fail miserably to live up to the divine standard.

Just as all who sin will be judged, so all who believe will be saved and richly blessed.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 13

 Prophecy Against Gog

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? To carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Eze. 38:13




Sheba, and Dedan... Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish were all traders among the nations on land and sea. Here they merely anticipated and expressed the true motive of Gog to fall upon Israel, and that is all that is meant by the verse. Nothing is said here to give us the idea of two sets of nations opposing each other—one helping Israel and the other invading her, as taught by some. Such questions could be asked by anyone, without even partaking in the war referred to. Sheba is an Arabian country. Dedan has to do with caravan merchants. Tarshish were merchant traders thought to be from Southern Spain. In fact, the three just mentioned would benefit by trading with Israel.

the young lions... The young lions referred to were the rulers of these trading nations.

Art thou come... To take a spoil? Hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? ... shalt thou not know it? Questions 75-78. Next, Eze. 38:17.

Israel’s importance geographically, politically, and economically will be noticed. She will be a strategic target for any power wanting to control commerce between Asia and Africa.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 11

 

The Message of Salvation to All

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Rom 10:11

Whosoever believeth on... Quoted from Isa. 28:16; 49:23.

Let me read this scripture from Isaiah and tell me who it is talking about and how it relates to (Rom: 10:11).

Isa. 28:16 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

shall not be... Haste means disturbed. The Hebrew word is hurry. The Greek Old Testament interprets this Hebrew hasten for “hurry” in the sense of “put to shame”, furnishing the basis of the New Testament citations of this verse.

Isa. 49:23 “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.”

Of course this speaks of our Cornerstone, Jesus.

1Pet. 2:6 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

If you have really made Jesus the Lord of your life, you want to tell everybody you see. Christians are the bride of Christ. Have you ever seen a new bride that can keep quiet about her groom?

Zion or Sion are terms that most often designate the Land of Israel and its capital, Jerusalem.

Paul then (Rom. 10:11) supported his position by re-quoting part of Isa. 28:16 (cf. Rom. 9:33), adding the Greek word translated everyone. God responds with the gift of provided righteousness to each individual who believes. Then Paul reminded his readers of God’s impartiality, as he did when discussing human sinfulness (Rom. 3:22). Just as all who sin will be judged, so all who believe will be saved and richly blessed.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 12

 Prophecy Against Gog

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places [that are now] inhabited, and upon the people [that are] gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Eze. 38:12

take a spoil... Israel has become an affluent land, because the blessings of God are upon her. Their land has plenty of food, and has a warm port to the Mediterranean Sea. This would all be a blessing to them. There is famine in some of these countries today.

She (Israel) will be a strategic target for any power wanting to control commerce between Asia and Africa.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 10

 

The Message of Salvation to All

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:10

Confession is made... One is not saved by his mouth’s conversation, (meaning many, who by their head knowledge say they are saved, but really are not), but rather, the mouth testifies readily of the grace of God in Christ which has been received by faith (for those who have been truly saved and their words are coming from their heart).

Confession is the Greek word which basically means to say the same thing, or to agree with someone. The person who confesses Jesus as Lord, agrees with the Father’s declaration that Jesus is Savior and Lord.

The true order is given here in Rom. 10:10 : For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (lit., “it is believed unto righteousness”), and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (lit., “it is confessed unto salvation”). Yet these are not two separate steps to salvation. They are chronologically together. Salvation comes through acknowledging to God that Christ is God and believing in Him.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 11

 Prophecy Against Gog

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, Eze. 38:11




that dwell safely... They are such a small nation, and without walls and gates to hold the conquerors back. They should be an easy prey. This is the evil thought they are thinking.




Israel’s importance geographically, politically, and economically will be noticed.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 9

 

The Message of Salvation to All

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:9

That if thou... A simple guarantee of salvation.

This verse does not mean a simple acknowledgment that He is God and the Lord of the universe, since even demons acknowledge that to be true.

This is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is that person’s own master or sovereign. This phrase includes repenting from sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation and submitting to Him as Lord.

This is the volitional element of faith.

We studied this in the first chapter which I’ll repeat again here:

and shalt believe... To trust, rely on, or have faith in. When used of salvation, this word usually occurs in the present tense “is believing” which stresses that faith is not simply a one-time event, but an ongoing condition. True saving faith is supernatural, a gracious gift of God that He produces in the heart and is the only means by which a person can appropriate true righteousness.

Saving faith consists of 3 elements.

1. Mental: the mind understands the gospel and the truth about Christ

2. Emotional: one embraces the truthfulness of those facts with sorrow over sin and joy over God’s mercy and grace

3. Volitional: the sinner submits his will to Christ and trust in Him alone as the only hope of salvation.

Genuine faith always produces authentic obedience.

God hath raised... Christ’s resurrection was the supreme validation of His ministry. Belief in it is necessary for salvation because it proved that Christ is who He claimed to be and that the Father had accepted His sacrifice in the place of sinners. Without the resurrection, there is no salvation.

This leaves absolutely no doubt at all what we must do to be saved.

In these verses Paul stated the content of that message concerning faith. Confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord is mentioned first to conform to the order of the quotation from Deut. 30:14 in Rom. 10:8. The confession is an acknowledgement that God has been incarnated in Jesus (cf. Rom. 10:6), that Jesus Christ is God. Also essential is heart-faith that God raised Him from the dead (cf. Rom. 10:7). The result is salvation.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 10

 Prophecy Against Gog

Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, [that] at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: Eze. 38:10

an evil thought... The evil thought of Gog will be that of going up against the Jews who dwell safely and are at rest in their own land, "to take a spoil" (Eze. 38:11-13). This evil thought comes from an evil heart. We must remember, that God is using Gog's evil thoughts to pull him to this battle the same as he did with the Pharaoh of Egypt.




Gog’s purpose in the attack will be to plunder and loot unwalled and unsuspecting Israel, which will be rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 8

 

The Message of Salvation to All

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Rom 10:8

The word is... The gospel is now plain and easy to obey. The doctrine of the death and resurrection of Christ is fully effective to save. It is near you. It is easy to be confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart if you want to be saved (Rom. 10:8-13). It is the word of faith, and if acted upon (as in Rom. 10:9-10), you shall be saved. This quote from (Deuteronomy 30:14), which was quoted in the previous scripture. The journey of (verses 6 and 7), is unnecessary because God has clearly revealed the way of salvation: it is by faith. The Word of faith is the message of faith and that is the way to God.

Mat. 10:32-33 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

We can clearly see the importance of the things we say from all of this. Faith, we know is believing in things we cannot see. If you can see something, it takes no faith to believe. Jesus Himself said, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.

John 20:29 “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.”

The message of righteousness by faith in Paul’s day was “near” his readers (available to them) and this was “the word” (rhēma, “saying”) of faith he was proclaiming (rhēma, “the spoken word” is also used in Eph. 5:26; 6:17; 1Pet. 1:25). Thus the gospel, “the word of faith,” is available and accessible.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 9

 Prophecy Against Gog

Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Eze. 38:9

Thou shalt ascend... This will be a massive army of all of the above mentioned nations, coming to attack the little land of Israel. There will be so many of them they will stir up dust, and it will look like a cloud covering the land.




Again, Gog and his allies will go against Israel in massive strength, advancing like a storm and a cloud (cf. Eze. 38:16).

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 7

 

The Message of Salvation to All

Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) Rom 10:7

into the deep?... Greek: abussos, bottomless, unbounded by any definite known limits. See Rev. 20:3. Christ did descend into the lower parts of the earth to liberate the righteous dead and take them to heaven with Him when He ascended on high (Mat. 12:40; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 2:14-15).

His point is that the righteousness of faith does not require some impossible odyssey through the universe to find Christ.

Deut. 30:11-14 “For this commandment which I command thee this day, it [is] not hidden from thee, neither [is] it far off.” “It [is] not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it” “Neither [is] it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?” “But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

In effect, Paul indicated that the same truth applied to his generation, with the added fact that Christ had come in the flesh (John 1:14) and had been resurrected. Therefore there was no need for anyone to ask to bring Christ down (in His Incarnation) or to bring Christ up from the dead; He had already come and had been resurrected.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 8

 Prophecy Against Gog

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land [that is] brought back from the sword, [and is] gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Eze. 38:8





After many days... Pointing to a future time when Israel will have been partially gathered, but not fully restored. It is called the latter years here and the latter days when the gathered Jews will dwell safely (Eze. 38:8, 38:16).

In the context of Israel’s restoration (Ezek. 34-39), the invader will make its final bid for the Land.

brought back from... Refers to Israelites who have been returned to their land, after the sword had killed or scattered many of their people. The Hebrew word used for “brought back” means “to return” or “restore.

gathered out of... Gathered is a word also frequently referring to God’s final regathering of Israel. It has begun historically and will continue until the latter days. In the final millennial kingdom, there will occur the full and spiritual regathering, when all Israel is saved to enter their promised kingdom.

shall dwell safely... Dwell safely means the Israelites’ blessed estate after God has brought them back to their land before the Antichrist breaks his covenant with them 3 ½ years into the tribulation period or Daniel's 70th week.



Gog and his allies will go against Israel in massive strength, advancing like a storm and a cloud (cf. Eze. 38:16).

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 6

 

The Message of Salvation to All

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Rom 10:6

But the righteousness... Law righteousness demanded perfect obedience; faith righteousness asks only confession of sins and surrender to God who, by the Holy Spirit, sets free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2), transforms the nature and life (2Cor. 5:17-18; 1Cor. 6:11), fulfills in man the righteousness of the law (Rom. 8:3), and makes man righteous in Christ (1Cor. 1:30; 2Cor. 5:21; Rom. 4:1-25; 10:6-13).

Who shall ascend... Questions 63-65. Next, Rom. 10:14. Quoted from Deut. 30:12-14. Paul here simply shows that people do not have to search for Christ or the Word of the gospel, for it is near them and only needs to be acted upon. It is like the law in Deut. 30:12-14: they did not have to search for it; they already had it if they would recognize it. So people have the gospel that will save their souls if they will accept it.

Paul speaks of the righteousness based on faith as if it were a person and puts in its mouth a quotation from Deuteronomy. His point is that the righteousness of faith does not require some impossible odyssey through the universe to find Christ.

Deut. 9:4 “Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.”

When the people then finally do turn to God in faith, He will restore them to blessing, prosperity, and prominence among the nations (Deut. 30:1-10). The point of Moses’ exhortation (Deut. 30:11) is that the generation to whom he was speaking had the message (it was very near you and in your mouth, Deut. 30:14) and could respond by faith (in your heart, Deut. 30:14) and walk with God in obedience. Since the Israelites in Moses’ day had the message, they did not need to ask that it be brought down from heaven or that someone “cross the sea to get it” (Deut. 30:13). Instead, the word (Moses’ instructions) was “near” them (Deut. 30:14).

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 7

 Prophecy Against Gog

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. Eze. 38:7

This is still speaking to Gog. He is to prepare for war. "Guard", in the Scripture above, means leader.

This is the great time of Israel’s cleansing, salvation and spiritual life, getting them ready for Messiah’s return and kingdom.




This attack will be against Israel, whose people will be gathered from many nations and will be living in safety.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 5

 

The Message of Salvation to All

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Rom 10:5

That the man... Quoted from Lev. 18:5. Perfect obedience was required by the law. Since no man could accomplish this, all people were condemned by the law and cursed by it (Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10-13; Rom. 3:19-20). This shows the impossibility of being saved by the law, and the fact that all can be saved by the gospel (Rom. 10:6-13).

For Christ is the end of the law, although the Greek word translated “end” can mean either “fulfillment” or “termination.” This is not a reference to Christ’s having perfectly fulfilled the law through His teaching or through His sinless life.

Paul means that belief in Christ as Lord and Savior ends the sinner’s futile quest for righteousness through his imperfect attempts to save himself by efforts to obey the law.

Mat. 5:17-18 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

God’s Gracious Offer

In presenting God’s gracious offer of salvation in Christ and the provision of righteousness by faith, Paul first stated the contrast of the by-works approach to achieving righteousness. He wrote, Moses describes (lit., “writes”) the righteousness that is by the Law. Then Paul quoted Lev. 18:5, The man who does these things will live by them. If a Jew were to receive righteousness by keeping the demands of the Law, that would be human achievement; it would not be from God. However, a Jew would need to keep the entire Law perfectly all his life — an impossible task (Jas. 2:10).

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 6

 Prophecy Against Gog

Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee. Eze. 38:6




Gomer, and all... Today the area called Gomer is Armenia, which also was known as Cappadocia, having a people called Gomer in Assyrian inscriptions. Togarmah is eastern Turkey today.



God will use Gog and all his allies as pawns in His larger plans for Israel. Yet the idea for attacking Israel also will originate with Gog. Gog will act freely to accomplish his own evil goals. He “will devise an evil scheme,” Eze. 38:10.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 4

Israel's Unbelief

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom 10:4

For Christ is... The law ends in Christ who fulfilled it by being the real sacrifice of which the law sacrifices were merely typical (Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 8:5; 10:1). The law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ and was added because of transgression until Christ should come (Gal. 3:19-25; Rom. 5:20; Heb. 9:10). It cannot save, but condemns, making the sinner realize his need of salvation. Christ is the end of the law of sacrifices, types, rituals, and outward religion which foreshadowed Him and the spiritual realities of the New Testament

Lev. 18:5 “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.”

There were literally hundreds of the Levitical laws that had to be kept to be righteous in the law. There was absolutely no way that a person could even keep up with them, much less keep them. Jesus came and fulfilled them for us that we might live by the grace of God.

To hope for a righteousness based on obedience to the law requires perfect conformity in every detail, which is an utter impossibility.

The Law did not and could not of itself provide righteousness before God for individuals (cf. Rom. 3:20; 7:7). But Christ fulfilled the Law (Mat. 5:17-18) by keeping it perfectly during His sinless life (cf. John 8:46) and then gave His life in payment for the penalty of sin and the broken Law (cf. Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:13-14). The Law then pointed to Him as the Source of the God-provided righteousness it could not supply (Gal. 3:24). A godly Jew who trusted Yahweh and followed the Levitical system, including the sin offering and the trespass offering, would most likely be inclined to respond to Christ by faith and would receive God’s righteousness (i.e., be justified; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:24; 4:3, 4:5). He then could meet the requirements of the Law by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:4). Conversely, a Jew who sought by works to establish his own righteousness would not recognize Christ as “the end of the Law” and would stumble over Him. 

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 5

 Prophecy Against Gog

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Eze. 38:5





Persia, Ethiopia, and... Persia and modern Iran are the same. Ethiopia is another hostile country to Christianity. Ethiopia is an African country located south of Egypt. Libya is in North Africa and joins Egypt on the west side. All of these countries are opposed to Christianity. Notice, they are prepared for war. They seem to come from every direction; north, south, east, and west.

On whether the horses and weapons are literal, see Eze. 39:9. God will use Gog and all his allies as pawns in His larger plans for Israel. Yet the idea for attacking Israel also will originate with Gog. Gog will act freely to accomplish his own evil goals. He “will devise an evil scheme,” Eze. 38:10.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 3

Israel's Unbelief

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Rom 10:3

ignorant of God’s... This means they were ignorant both of God’s inherent righteousness revealed in the law and the rest of the Old Testament (which should have shown the Jew their own unrighteousness), and of the righteousness which comes from Him on the basis of faith.

We see from the following Scriptures, the self-righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and how it displeased God.

Luke 18:9-14 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.” “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

God loves the humble in heart that are looking to Jesus Christ for their righteousness.

their own righteousness... This means their beliefs were based on their conformity to God’s law which was often the less demanding standards of their own traditions.

have not submitted... This shows their rebellion to the end.

Even though they should have known from their own Scriptures (cf. Gen. 15:6; Psm. 32:1-2). But here preferably the righteousness in view is the righteousness God requires for people to be accepted by Him, which is God’s own infinite righteousness. The Jews did not really understand God’s own infinite righteousness, which is why they were continuing to seek to establish their own (cf. Isa. 64:6). Little wonder then that they did not submit to (“place themselves under”) God’s righteousness, that is, the righteousness God provides through Christ by faith. 

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 4

 Prophecy Against Gog

Ezekiel 38:4 "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:"

Two invasions of Israel by Gog:


The first will be in the middle of the tribulation of Daniel's 70th week, and only 10 kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire will be with him (Dan. 11:35-45; Rev. 11:1-2). Between this war and the fulfillment of Eze. 38-39 the combined nations of the north and east of the 10 kingdoms will make war on Gog and these kingdoms. He will leave Israel and his capital (Jerusalem at this time), to go forth against these new enemies until they are defeated in the last 3 ½ years of Daniel's 70th week (Dan. 11:44).


The second invasion of Israel by Gog will be at the end of the last 3 ½ years of Daniel's 70th week, after he has conquered the countries north and east of his 10 kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire boundary lines. By then he will have conquered Russia, and the many countries with her, becoming their ruler as well as being the ruler of the 10 kingdoms and the countries of the north and east. Gog will then lead all these to battle, and many other nations whom he has not yet conquered, but who will cooperate with him through the ministry of the 3 unclean spirits of Rev. 16:13-16. These vast armies being mobilized will converge on Israel in an effort to destroy Israel completely (Zech. 14:1-15) and stop Christ from setting up His kingdom on earth (Rev. 19:11-21). At this time all of Eze. 38-39 will be fulfilled. Then after this battle of Armageddon Christ will set up His kingdom on earth as predicted.

The only time Russia will invade Palestine in fulfillment of Scripture will be as one of many conquered nations under Gog or Antichrist, when he and his armies will fight against Israel and Christ at Armageddon—at the time of the second coming. Russia will not be under Antichrist at the time of his first invasion of Palestine when he takes over Jerusalem and the Jewish temple as his capital; but she will be with him in the second conquest. The second will be necessary because of the Jews gaining control of Jerusalem again while Antichrist is away fighting against Russia and her allies in the north and east of the 10 kingdoms. Thus, after conquering these nations Gog will come back down into Palestine, surround the city, take half of it, and then be suddenly defeated in one day’s battle (Armageddon) by Christ and the heavenly armies (Zec. 14:1-15).

turn thee back,... This very first statement of God dealing with Gog proves that when these chapters (Eze. 38-39) are fulfilled he will be turned back from taking Jerusalem and be destroyed. In this first invasion of Israel some three and a half years before this he will take the whole city of Jerusalem and make it his capital city and the temple his capital building, placing the abomination of desolation in the temple to remain for about three and a half years (Dan. 9:27; 11:40-45; 2Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 11:1-2). At the second and last invasion of Israel, after he has conquered Russia and her allies north and east of his ten kingdoms, he will surround Jerusalem to take it again but will not succeed; he will be turned back, being able to take only half of the city before Christ suddenly comes with the armies of heaven to stop him from taking the rest of it (Zec. 14:1-15; Rev. 19:11-21).

thine army, horses... Here the army of Gog or Antichrist is predicted as consisting of a great company of horses and horsemen with all sorts of weapons and armor. Ancient weapons are mentioned as they were the only kind known and understood at that time. It is to be expected that the future Antichrist will equip his men with all kinds of modern weapons—all sorts as stated here.

great company with... Sixteen statements—Gog’s army:

1. Rosh (Septuagint in Eze. 38:2; 39:1)

2. Meshech (Sons of Japheth.)

3. Tubal (Sons of Japheth.)

4. Persia (Eze. 38:5; 27:10; 2Ch. 36:20-23; Ezr. 1:1-8; Est. 1:3, 1:14, 1:18; 10:2; Dan. 11:43)

5. Ethiopia (Eze. 38:5; 29:10; 30:4-5)

6. Libya (Eze. 38:5; 30:5; Dan. 11:43)

7. Gomer (Sons of Japheth.)

8. Togarmah (Sons of Japheth.)

9. Many people (Eze. 38:6, 38:9)

10. Ten kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:12-17)

11. Many countries (Dan. 11:41)

12. Countries east and north of the 10 kingdoms (Dan. 11:44)

13. All the heathen ... Multitudes, multitudes (Joel 3:11-14)

14. All nations (Zec. 14:1-5)

15. The kings of the earth and their armies (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:19-21)

16. The whole world (Rev. 16:13-16)

Just as God used Assyria and Babylon as human invaders for His judgments, He aims to use this army. In this case, He brings the invader to Israel so that He may visit judgment on the invader itself. He thus uses the language of hooks in the jaws, as in judging Egypt. From the aggressor’s perspective, they think that it is their plan only to seize the spoil which draws them to Israel.

The invasion by Gog 

On the identification of the proper names in these verses see the preceding paragraphs under “6. The Attack by Gog Repulsed (chaps. 38-39).” Gog’s attack on Israel will actually be orchestrated by God. The Lord said, I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with your whole army — your horses… horsemen… a great horde with… shields and swords.

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 2

 

Israel's Unbelief

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Rom 10:2

zeal of God,... Zealous but stubbornly ignorant (Rom. 10:2-3).

It is so strange to me that the people who were supposed to know the Word of God the best did not truly understand what that Word was saying, and they rejected their promised Messiah. The Scripture above says that it was for lack of knowledge. Perhaps, it was for lack of understanding what they were reading.

Hos. 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

The Jews indeed had “zeal of God” which was demonstrated by their legalistic conformity to the law and their fierce opposition to Judaism’s opponents.

Perhaps with his own experience in mind (cf. Acts 26:11; Gal. 1:13-14; Phlp. 3:4-6) Paul affirmed, For I can testify (pres. tense, “I testify, bear witness”) about them that they are zealous for God. Israel was called “the God-intoxicated people.” Paul had to acknowledge, however, that their zeal is not based on (lit., “according to”) knowledge (epignōsin, “intensive, full knowledge”). The Jews obviously had knowledge of God but not full knowledge. Otherwise they would not have stumbled over Christ by seeking to gain righteousness on the basis of works.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 3

 Prophecy Against Gog

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Eze. 38:3



chief prince of... Two Modern Fallacies About Russia


1. That Gog will come from Russia. This is certainly not stated here in Ezekiel 38-39; even if Gog has been plainly declared as the leader of Russia, it would not necessarily mean that he would come from there.


Three Proofs Gog Not From Russia:

(1) If Gog is the same as the future Antichrist (and he is, as proved below), he cannot possibly come from Russia, for Scripture reveals that he will come from inside the old Roman Empire territory. Dan. 7:8, 7:19-25 plainly shows that he will come from among ten kingdoms inside that territory; and since Russia was never a part of the Roman Empire and will not be one of these from which Antichrist must come, then it is definite that he will not come from Russia. In fact, Dan. 7:8, 7:23-24 not only proves that he will come from inside the Roman Empire territory, but that Russia must be defeated in order that the ten kingdoms may be formed. At the present time (1962) Russia controls Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and other parts of the old Roman Empire territory; and these must be liberated from her for the 10 kingdoms to be formed.

(2) In Dan. 8:9, Dan. 8:20-25 we have proof that Gog, or the future Antichrist, will come from one of the four original divisions of the old Grecian Empire which itself became a part of the Roman Empire; that is, from Greece, Turkey, Syria, or Egypt. Since Russia never was a part of the old Grecian Empire we see again that the Antichrist or Gog could not come from that country.

(3) Dan. 11:35-45 reveals that Gog, or the future Antichrist, will come from the Syrian division of the four sections of the former Grecian Empire. See Dan. 7:1-28, 8:1-27, 11:1-45. This also proves that he cannot come from Russia.

2. That Russia will invade Israel before Armageddon. There is not the slightest proof of this in Ezekiel 38-39, which passages deal exclusively with Gog leading many nations, including Russia, down from the north into Israel at the battle of Armageddon. Antichrist, not Russia, will make an invasion before this. If Russia ever does invade Israel before Armageddon, it will not be in fulfillment of any particular prophecy, especially not these two chapters—Ezekiel 38-39.

Fourteen Proofs Armageddon Is Referred to Here:

(1) Not one statement in these two chapters mention a war in Israel before Armageddon.

(2) The battle of Armageddon is the only war predicted by the prophets that could possibly be referred to in these chapters (Eze. 38:17). Armageddon is mentioned many times by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and other prophets before the days of Ezekiel (Isa. 1:25-31; 3:25-26; 13:1-16; 24:21; 63:1-6; Jer. 25:30-33; 30:11, 30:20-24; Joel 2-3; Oba. 1:15-21; Mic. 1:3-4; 2:12-13; 5:5-15; etc.).

(3) The destruction of Gog and his armies (Eze. 38:18-23; 39:1-6, 39:17-20) compares with similar statements about Armageddon in Joel 3:1-21; Zec. 14:1-21; Rev. 19:11-21.

(4) Gog will not fall upon the open field until Armageddon (Eze. 39:3-5; Rev. 19:11-21).

(5) The great supper for the fowls and beasts will only be at Armageddon (Eze. 39:4, 39:17-20 with Mat. 24:27-28; Rev. 19:17-21).

(6) The presence of God (as pictured in Eze. 38:18-21; 39:1-6, 39:17-24) will not be until Armageddon (Isa. 63:1-6; Zec. 14:1-5; Rev. 19:11-21).

(7) The supernatural destruction of Gog and his armies (as described in Eze. 38:21-23) will not be until Armageddon (Isa. 63:1-6; Joel 2-3; Zec. 14:1-21; Rev. 19:11-21).

(8) God will not magnify and sanctify Himself and set His glory among the heathen (as stated in Eze. 38:23; 39:21-24) until He comes at the second coming of Christ—at Armageddon (Zec. 14:1-21; Mat. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-21).

(9) Gog will not bring the many armies of the nations into Israel to be destroyed until the time of the second coming of Christ, at Armageddon, as referred to in Eze. 38:18-23; Eze. 39:1-7 and proved in Zec. 14:1-5; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21.

(10) The great earthquake of Eze. 38:20 will not take place until the seventh vial and the second coming (Zec. 14:1-5; Rev. 16:17-21; 19:11-21).

(11) God’s presence will not destroy Gog and his army until the second coming, at Armageddon (Eze. 38:20; 39:2-7 with Zec. 14:1-5; Rev. 19:11-21).

(12) Gog and his army cannot be destroyed in a war in Israel before the second coming, at Armageddon, to fulfill Eze. 38:18-23; 39:1-7, 39:17-20, and then be destroyed again at Armageddon to fulfill Isa. 63:1-19; Joel 2-3; Zec. 14:1-21. We must therefore recognize all these passages as referring to the same destruction—at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21).

(13) The burial of Gog and all his armies destroyed in the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39 will be at the second coming of Christ (Eze. 39:11-16 with Dan. 7:11; 2Th. 2:8-12; Rev. 19:11-21).

(14) It is at the second coming of Christ that God’s glory will be set among the heathen and Israel will be completely gathered and blessed (Eze. 39:21-29; Zec. 14:1-21; Mat. 24:29-31; Rom. 11:24-29; Rev. 19:11-21).

This statement is easily understood. God is against them, because they have been against God.

“Meshech and Tubal”: Two peoples were recognized in ancient Assyrian monuments: one called Mushki (Mushku), and the other Tubali (Tabal). Both were in Asia Minor, the area of Magog, modern day Turkey. Summing up, a chief prince, who is the enemy of God’s people, will lead a coalition of nations against Jerusalem. The details of the enemy force and its destruction are given by Ezekiel (in the rest of chapters 38 and 39).



If the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 is not at the end of the Millennium, could it be at the beginning of the Millennium? This also seems extremely doubtful. Everyone who enters the Millennium will be a believer (John 3:3), and will have demonstrated his faith by protecting God’s Chosen People (cf. comments on Mat. 25:31-46). At the beginning of the Millennium all weapons of war will be destroyed (Mic. 4:1-4). Thus it seems difficult to see a war occurring when the unsaved warriors have been eliminated and their weapons destroyed.

It seems best to place Ezekiel’s battle of Gog and Magog in the Tribulation period. Other internal markers indicate that it should be placed in the first three and one-half years of the seven-year period. The attack will come when Israel is at peace (Eze. 38:8, 38:11). When Israel’s covenant with the Antichrist is in effect at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week (Dan. 9:27), she will be at peace. But after the covenant is broken at the middle of the seven-year period, the nation will suffer tremendous persecution (Dan. 9:27; Mat. 24:15-22). This will provide the time needed to bury the dead (Eze. 39:12-13) and to burn the weapons of war (Eze. 39:9-10). So the battle described by Ezekiel may take place sometime during the first three and one-half years of the seven-year period before Christ’s second coming. Possibly the battle will occur just before the midpoint of the seven-year period (see the “Outline of End-Time Events Predicted in the Bible,” between Ezek. and Dan., point I.D.).

Ezekiel was describing a battle that will involve Israel’s remotest neighbors. They will sense their opportunity to attack when Israel feels secure under the false protection of her covenant with the Antichrist sometime at the beginning of the seven-year period. The nations involved in the attack will include the Soviet Union, Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Libya. Ezekiel first pictured the invasion by Gog and his allies (Eze. 38:1-16), and then described the judgment of Gog and his allies (38:17-39:29).

Romans Chapter 10 Vs. 1

 

Israel's Unbelief

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Rom 10:1

that they might... Paul knew that God was still willing to forgive if they would only repent.

We have been saying over and over in these lessons how important it was to Paul that the Jewish people would accept Jesus as their Savior. God actually called Paul to the Gentiles, but he could not help but desire his own people to come to Jesus Christ. We see that the Lord Jesus desired them to be saved as well as Paul, but they would not.

Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!”

Paul’s calling as an apostle to the Gentiles did not diminish his continual entreaties to God for Israel to be saved, or his own evangelistic efforts toward Jews.

Having stated the fact of Israel’s stumbling in the preceding verses, Paul now explained the reason for that stumbling. But first, in words reminiscent of the opening verses of Rom. 9:1-33, the apostle expressed his deep personal spiritual burden for the salvation of the people of Israel.

Ezekiel Chapter 38 Vs. 2

Prophecy Against Gog 

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, Eze. 38:2

Son of man,... The 64th prophecy in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38:1-39:29, unfulfilled). Next, Eze. 40:5.

The 64th Prophecy in Ezekiel

Eighty Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. I am against you, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Eze. 38:3).

2. I will turn you back (Eze. 38:4).

3. I will put hooks in your jaws.

4. I will bring you forth, and all your army, a great company.

5. Your army will consist of horses, and horsemen clothed with all sorts of weapons.

6. Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and all his bands, the house of Togarmah and all his bands, and many people will be in the army (Eze. 38:6).

7. After many days you will be visited (Eze. 38:8).

8. In the latter years you will come into the land of Israel that is brought back from the sword, and gathered out of many people.

9. You will come against the mountains of Israel, a people brought forth out of the nation and that dwell safely in their own land.

10. You will ascend and come like a storm, and like a cloud to cover the whole land—you and all your bands, and many people with you (Eze. 38:9).

11. At that time things will come into your mind, and you will think an evil thought (Eze. 38:10).

12. You will say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages that are at rest and that dwell safely, to take a spoil and a prey from the Jews that are gathered and are prosperous in their land (Eze. 38:12).

13. Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof will say to you, Are you come with a great company to take a spoil? to take a prey? to carry away silver, gold, cattle, goods, and a great spoil? (Eze. 38:13).

14. In that day when My people of Israel dwell safely, you will come from your place in the north parts with many people riding horses, a mighty army (Eze. 38:14-15).

15. You will come up against My people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land (Eze. 38:16).

16. It will be in the latter days.

17. I will bring you against My land, that the heathen may know Me, when I will be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes.

18. At the same time when Gog comes against Israel, My fury will come up in My face (Eze. 38:18).

19. In that day there will be a great shaking in the land of Israel (Eze. 38:19).

20. All men and beasts in the land will shake at My presence (Eze. 38:20).

21. The mountains will be thrown down.

22. The steep places will fall.

23. Every wall will fall to the ground.

24. I will call for a sword against him (Gog) throughout all My mountains (Eze. 38:21).

25. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

26. I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood (Eze. 38:22).

27. I will rain upon him, and the many band with him, an overflowing rain.

28. I will rain on him great hailstones.

29. I will rain on him fire and brimstone.

30. I will magnify Myself (Eze. 38:23).

31. I will sanctify Myself.

32. I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they will know that I am Jehovah.

33. I am against you, O Gog, and I will turn you back (Eze. 39:1-2).

34. I will leave but a sixth part of you.

35. I will cause you to come up from the north parts.

36. I will bring you against the mountains of Israel.

37. I will smite your bow out of your left hand (Eze. 39:3).

38. I will smite your arrows out of your right hand.

39. You will fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your bands (Eze. 39:4).

40. I will give you unto the ravenous birds of every sort.

41. I will give you to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

42. You will fall upon the open field (Eze. 39:5).

43. I will send a fire on Magog (Eze. 39:6).

44. I will send a fire among them that dwell carelessly in the isles.

45. They will know that I am Jehovah.

46. I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel (Eze. 39:7).

47. I will not let them pollute My holy name anymore.

48. The heathen will know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel.

49. The judgment will be completed on Gog and his allies (Eze. 39:8).

50. They that dwell in the cities of Israel will go forth and gather the weapons of war for firewood (Eze. 39:9).

51. They will have enough fuel, so that they will take no wood from the field for seven years (Eze. 39:9-10).

52. They will spoil those that spoiled them.

53. They will rob those that robbed them.

54. In that day I will give Gog a place of graves in Israel, the valley of passengers on the east of the sea (Eze. 39:11).

55. It will stop the noses of passengers.

56. There they will bury Gog and all his multitude.

57. They will call it The Valley of Hamon-gog.

58. For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, that they may cleanse the land (Eze. 39:12).

59. All the people of the land will bury (Eze. 39:13).

60. It will be to them a day of renown, the day that I shall be glorified.

61. They will give men continual employment to pass through the land to bury those that remain upon the face of the earth to cleanse it (Eze. 39:14).

62. At the end of seven months the burial program will be ended.

63. During the seven months, if travelers see a bone they will set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog (Eze. 39:15).

64. The name of the city will be Hamonah. Thus they shall cleanse the land (Eze. 39:16).

65. Speak to every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to My sacrifices that I make for you upon the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh, and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of the mighty (Eze. 39:17-18).

66. You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth (Eze. 39:18).

67. You will eat the flesh and drink the blood of rams, lambs, goats, and bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.

68. You will eat fat till you be full (Eze. 39:19).

69. You will drink blood till you be drunken.

70. You will be filled at My table with horses, mighty men, and all men of war (Eze. 39:20).

71. I will set My glory among the heathen (Eze. 39:21).

72. All the heathen will see My judgment that I have executed upon Gog and all his mighty armies, and My hand that is laid upon them.

73. The house of Israel will know that I am Jehovah their God from that day and forward (Eze. 39:22).

74. The heathen will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their sins against Me, and that I hid My face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies to fall by the sword (Eze. 39:23).

75. The heathen will know that I judged Israel according to their sins (Eze. 39:24).

76. Now (after this battle of Armageddon is over and the judgment upon Gog and his armies is complete) I will bring again the captivity of Jacob (Eze. 39:25).

77. I will have mercy on the whole house of Israel.

78. I will be jealous for My holy name.

79. After they have borne their shame and all their trespasses, when they dwell safely in their land with none making them afraid, when I have gathered them from all nations and have sanctified them in the sight of many nations, then will they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led away into captivity among the heathen: but have gathered every one of them again from the nations to their own land (Eze. 39:26-28).

80. I will never hide My face from them again, for I will pour out My Spirit upon the house of Israel (Eze. 39:29).

face against Gog... Gog means roof or mountain. It is found 11 times: once of a Reubenite (1Ch. 5:4); once in Rev. 20:8 with Magog which is representative of the nations from the four quarters of the earth that will rebel against Christ at the end of the Millennium; and 9 times of the chief prince of Mechech and Tubal (Eze. 38:2-3, 38:14-16; 39:1, 39:11).

Fourteen Proofs Gog Here Is a Person:

1. He is a chief prince of Mechech and Tubal (Eze. 38:2-3; 39:1).

2. Personal pronouns are used of him (Eze. 38:2-4; 6:11, 6:13-17,21-22; 39:1-7).

3. He is leader of the great army that will fight at Armageddon (Eze. 38:4-9, 38:11-23; 39:1-7).

4. He has a mind and thinks thoughts and makes decisions (Eze. 38:10-12).

5. He goes from place to place like other persons (Eze. 38:8-9, 38:11, 38:15-16,18-39:7).

6. He has power of speech (Eze. 38:11-12).

7. Others recognize him as a person (Eze. 38:13).

8. Prophets predicted many things of him (Eze. 38:17).

9. He is covetous as others (Eze. 38:12-13).

10. He uses ordinary weapons (Eze. 39:3).

11. He will fall in battle like others (Eze. 39:4-5).

12. He is a local prince (Eze. 38:2-3; 39:1).

13. He is spoken of as being clothed, having weapons, riding a horse, and doing many other things common to a person (Eze. 38:4, 38:10-13, 38:15; 39:3-7, 39:11-12).

14. He will be buried like others (Eze. 39:11).

Gog is the same as the "little horn" of Dan. 7:1-28 and Dan. 8:1-27; "the prince that shall come" of Dan. 9:1-27; "the king of the north" of Dan. 11:1-45; the "man of sin," "the son of perdition," and "that wicked" of 2Th. 2:1-17; the "king of Babylon" of Isaiah 13-14; "the Assyrian" of Mic. 5:1-15; the "Antichrist" of 1Jn. 2:1-29; and "the beast" of Rev. 13:1-18. This is clear from a comparison of these passages with Ezekiel 38-39. All these scriptures speak of a man who will come in the last days.

land of Magog... Magog, Mechech, and Tubal were sons of Japheth from whom came the Scythians, Russians, Muscovites, Tibareni, Cappadocians, and other people who predominate in modern northern Europe and Asia. For the time of the Armageddon: The Septuagint adds Rosh to this list, which is followed by Young, Rotherham, Moffatt and some others who claim that Russia is referred to thus. Be that as it may, even if Russia is mentioned in particular along with these other people who will be under Gog, it does not prove that Russia will be the predominating power in the last days, that Antichrist or Gog will come from Russia, or that Russia will fulfill the many prophecies of the last days, as some teach. All it could prove is that Russia is merely one of many nations which will be conquered by Gog and be under him at the battle of Armageddon.

Dan. 11:44 plainly predicts the defeat of Russia and other northern and eastern nations outside the Roman Empire, and it can be only then that Russia will have a part under the Antichrist to fulfill Ezekiel 38-39.

The invading hordes will be led by Gog who seems to be the leader in Magog which is the land North of Israel around and above the Caspian and Black seas.

Again this begins a new prophecy. We must look at this from the standpoint of future prophecy, because the things mentioned in the following verses have not happened yet. This prophecy is for the day of the Lord. Some call it the time of the end. This prophecy is primarily spoken against Gog in the land of Magog.

The invading hordes will be led by Gog who seems to be the leader in Magog which is the land North of Israel around and above the Caspian and Black seas.

“The chief prince” is a reference to Rosh (Rosh meaning chief that is mentioned over 600 times in the Hebrew Old Testament), often in reference to chief priest.

Gog was used to render names such as Agag (Num. 24:7 and Deut. 3:1), possibly showing that though it was a proper name, it came to be used as a general title for an enemy of God’s people. “Gog” most likely carries the idea “high” or “supreme one”, based on the comparison (in Num. 24:7).

The Attack by Gog Repulsed (Chaps. 38-39)

the chief prince... It refers to a person, described as a “prince” from the land of Magog, who is the final leader of the northern enemies of Israel. These titles are used their symbolically of the world uprising against Jerusalem, its people and Messiah King by Gog. This attack comes not just from the North but from its allies, as a world of sinners at the beginning or at least during the first 3.5 years of the tribulation come to fight the saints in the “beloved city” of Jerusalem.

Besides those place names another possible name must be considered. The NIV translates the word rō’š in Eze. 38:2 as “chief.” However, other translations have taken the word as a proper noun and translated it “Rosh.” Should the Hebrew word, which means “head,” be taken as an adjective (“head prince,” i.e., “chief prince”) or as a proper noun (“Rosh”)? The evidence seems to favor taking it as an adjective. “Rosh” never appears as a nation in any other biblical list of place names while all the other names are well attested (cf. Gen. 10:1-7; 1Ch. 1:5-7; Eze. 27:13-24; 32:26). One possible exception might be Isa. 66:19 2 (NASB) but this is doubtful (see NIV).

Should these names be connected with the Soviet Union? One must first identify the areas against which Ezekiel prophesied and then determine the countries that occupy those land areas today. Ezekiel’s rō’š does not point to “Russia” merely because the words sound similar. Neither should one identify “Meshech” with “Moscow” or “Tubal” with “Tobolsk.” Ezekiel had historical places in mind (not modern-day names) and these areas must be located in Ezekiel’s time. However, while one must avoid dogmatic assertions, three reasons suggest including the Soviet Union within Ezekiel’s prophecy: (1) Some of the countries named by Ezekiel were located in what is now Russia. (2) The armies are said to come “from the far north” (Eze. 38:6, 38:15; 39:2). This probably includes the land bridge between the Black and Caspian Seas, now part of the Soviet Union. (3) Ezekiel spoke of a coalition of several nations, many of whom are today aligned with or under the influence of the Soviet Union. These include Iran (“Persia”), Sudan and northern Ethiopia (“Cush”), Libya (“Put”), and Turkey (“Meshech,” “Tubal,” “Gomer,” and “Beth Togarmah”). All these nations (see Eze. 38:2-3, 38:5-6), possibly led by the Soviet Union, will unite to attack Israel.

When will this prophecy be fulfilled? No past historical events match this prophecy, so it still awaits a future fulfillment. Some think this attack on Israel should be identified with the attack of Gog and Magog at the end of Christ’s millennial reign (Rev. 20:7-9), but this identification has several flaws: (1) The results of Ezekiel’s battle. do not coincide with the events that follow the battle in Rev. 20:1-15. Why bury the dead for seven months after the battle (Eze. 39:12-13) when the next prophetic event is the resurrection of the unsaved dead? (Rev. 20:11-13) Why would the people remain on earth after the battle to burn the weapons of war for seven years (Eze. 39:9-10) instead of entering immediately into eternity? (Rev. 21:1-4) The events after each battle are so different that two separate battles must be assumed (see Rev. 20:7-9). (2) The effect on the people is different. In Ezekiel the battle is the catalyst God will use to draw Israel to Himself (cf. Eze. 39:7, 39:22-29) and to end her captivity. But the battle in Rev. 20:1-15 will occur after Israel has been faithful to her God and has enjoyed His blessings for 1,000 years.

If the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 is not at the end of the Millennium, could it be at the beginning of the Millennium? This also seems extremely doubtful. Everyone who enters the Millennium will be a believer (John 3:3), and will have demonstrated his faith by protecting God’s Chosen People (cf. Mat. 25:31-46). At the beginning of the Millennium all weapons of war will be destroyed (Mic. 4:1-4). Thus it seems difficult to see a war occurring when the unsaved warriors have been eliminated and their weapons destroyed.

It seems best to place Ezekiel’s battle of Gog and Magog in the Tribulation period. Other internal markers indicate that it should be placed in the first three and one-half years of the seven-year period. The attack will come when Israel is at peace (Eze. 38:8, 38:11). When Israel’s covenant with the Antichrist is in effect at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week (Dan. 9:27), she will be at peace. But after the covenant is broken at the middle of the seven-year period, the nation will suffer tremendous persecution (Dan. 9:27; Mat. 24:15-22). This will provide the time needed to bury the dead (Eze. 39:12-13) and to burn the weapons of war (Eze. 39:9-10). So the battle described by Ezekiel may take place sometime during the first three and one-half years of the seven-year period before Christ’s second coming. Possibly the battle will occur just before the midpoint of the seven-year period.

Ezekiel was describing a battle that will involve Israel’s remotest neighbors. They will sense their opportunity to attack when Israel feels secure under the false protection of her covenant with the Antichrist sometime at the beginning of the seven-year period. The nations involved in the attack will include the Soviet Union, Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Libya. Ezekiel first pictured the invasion by Gog and his allies (Eze. 38:1-16), and then described the judgment of Gog and his allies (Eze. 38:17-39:29).