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).