Ezek 38

EZEKIEL 38 - Lord's great victory over nations

OVERVIEW

• The world will be having a very, very tough time in the Tribulation post-Rapture

• People will be dying by the tens of millions per month from the New World Leader’s world war (Rev 6:2)

• In the latter years, Israel will be restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations, and they will be living securely – all of them (Ezek 38:8)

• The world will be quite envious of Israel, for she will not only be living in safety but have coveted resources and riches such as water, food and energy (all produced from inside her own borders) along with massive gold and silver from Solomon’s treasures

• Israel will be like a safe island in the midst of a storm

• Israel will feel secure trusting their peace treaty and wealth

• But Israel's heart will remain far from God despite her blessings during the first half of the Tribulation (Isa 2:7-8) <P168>

• The good times in Israel come to a screeching halt

• Midway through the Tribulation the New World Leader breaks the peace treaty, surrounds Jerusalem, and attempts to kill all of the Jews

• It’s a massacre beyond description, when two-thirds of the Jews in Jerusalem are murdered by the Antichrist’s army in one day

• The one-third that heeded the scriptural warnings will escape the hand of the Antichrist by immediately dropping everything and running for their lives (Matt 24:15-18) <P168>

INVASION

• The Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 is a major prophetic marker to consider

• Ezekiel 38:1-39:20, contains forty-three verses of some of the most consolidated and descriptive prophetic information found anywhere within the entire Bible

• The reader of these passages doesn’t need to be a bible scholar, rocket scientist, or even a believer to glean a relatively detailed understanding of this forthcoming prophecy <S198>

• Ezekiel 38-39 contains one of the greatest prophecies in the Bible; it describes a massive invasion of Israel in the last days by a colossal confederation of nations

• The Rapture will bring on chaos and instantly remove America as a world power and greatly limit its ability to defend Israel <B26>

• There will come a time when Israel's immediate neighbors won't be a threat to them; for instance Iran will be neutralized, Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Gaza's Hamas and Yemen's Houthis will be taken care of

• Israel will enjoy a peaceful existence until a surprise attack by countries further afield in the Gog Magog coalition, including Russia, Iran and Turkey come against her <S188>

• Russia won’t be able to stand seeing tiny little Israel doing so well and God easily entices her to lead a massive multi-nation invasion of Israel (Ezek 38:4) to capture the gold and silver treasures and the food surpluses (Ezek 38:12)

• The Gog Magog War will not be an ideological war, such as Muslims fighting in the name of Allah, but an economic war where invading countries want the goods that Israel offers <K110>

• With God’s divine intervention that includes a gigantic worldwide earthquake (Ezek 38:18-22), the massive invasion will fail and Israel will repel the invaders with a shocking victory

• Iran will continue in its demonic plans to attack Israel until the God of Israel brings it to a decisive end, as we read in Ezek 38-39

• The truth is that the Iranian regime’s days are numbered, and they ought to tremble before the God of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps

• The Iranian regime is on a collision course with God, and they will lose; not only them but all those who come against God’s chosen people

• That has been the case in the past, and it will be true in the future -- why? -- because God has made promises to Israel that will be fulfilled with 100% accuracy

• God is indeed taking note, and judgment will come one day soon <G7995>

• The leader of the final invasion is identified as 'Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal' (38:2)

• We know 'Gog' is an individual because he

1. Is addressed directly by God (38:14; 39:1)

2. Is called a prince (38:2; 39:1), and

3. Is referred to repeatedly by the use of personal pronouns

• Also, he is 'of the land of Magog' indicating he is a person; the word 'Gog' is not the leader’s name but, rather, a title, like pharaoh, president, or czar <H89>

• Yahweh draws Gog to attack Israel

• There is no other Old Testament description of or connection with Gog

• Gog seems to be a wholly new and strange enemy of Israel <E59>

• At the end of Ezekiel 38:6, the prophet added, 'many people are with you' that refers to the nearby nations surrounding Israel that Ezekiel did not mention specifically

• The nations listed in Ezekiel 38:1–6 are distant, remote enemies of Israel in every direction. Ezekiel’s addition of the words many people are with you includes Israel’s neighboring enemies who live within the outer circle of far enemies <H89>

• The Psalm 83 war sets the stage for the Ezekiel (Gog Magog) Invasion because the Psalm 83 nations are not mentioned in the Ezekiel War

• All nations mentioned in Ezek 38-39 are also mentioned in Genesis 10 that records where Noah's descendants settled after the flood <W213>

• The prophet Ezekiel described the confederation of nations led by “Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (Ezek 38:2)

• Some terminology used in Ezekiel 38 is seen in the table of nations (Gen 10)

• Magog, Tubal, and Meshech are descendants of Japheth (Ezek 38:2)

• Some argue that the Indo-European race descended from Japheth, and the three regions mentioned in Ezekiel 38 (Magog, Tubal, and Meshech) refer to the territories of today’s southern Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey <H89>

• Magog and Rosh, likely the same territory of southern Russia, are elevated to leadership in their charge against Israel

• The main attack will come from a remote nation in the North (Ezek 38:6; 39:2, 15) and there is no more remote nation north of Israel than Russia <R1794>

• This planned invasion will take place in the “last days when I will bring you against My land” (Ezek 38:18)

• It is the LORD who initiates the idea of invasion in the minds of Israel’s enemies (Psalm 83) in order that He will not only destroy them but also show that He is the God of Israel and the One and True God over all

• This invasion will happen at the final time of history in preparation for the establishment of the Messianic kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ

• So putting together all of the pieces of the prophetic puzzle, we can conclude that the events written of in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 take place during the first half of the Tribulation after the true church of Jesus Christ has been raptured to heaven (John 14:1-3; 1Cor 15:51-58; 1Thess 4:13-18; Rev 3:10)

• Israel will be living under the false peace of the covenant she has made with the Antichrist, who appears for the moment to be Israel’s Promised Messiah

• We know that these nations will attempt an invasion of Israel at that time

• When Russia puts together this last-days strike force, it looks as if Israel will be finished

• However, God is in total control of the situation, mounting up in HIs fury to destroy these godless invaders (Ezek 39:18)

• The eyes of many will be opened to the fact that what had happened was the benevolent act of God on behalf of His people

• In the midst of this wrath, God uses it to bring numerous Jews and Gentiles to salvation (Ezek 38:16, 23; 39:6-7, 21-22; Rev 7:9-14) <W2205>

INTERPRETATION

• Scholars have differing views on the timing of the Ezekiel 38 War because it is not tethered to another eschatological event; we know it will happen, just not exactly when

Some believe the Ezek 38 War starts:

a) Shortly after the Rapture & before the start of the Tribulation -- Russia & Iran would be out of the way (since God will obliterate them in the Ezekiel War) making room for a revived Roman Empire and the Antichrist to come on the scene for the Tribulation <K110>

b) Sometime around the Rapture <S187>

c) After the Rapture during a gap period before the Tribulation -- there should be at least a 3.5 year 'ministry period' after the Ezekiel War that leads to the Abomination of Desolation <G70>

d) Around the time of the 2nd seal judgment - this judgment brings about war; its end is recorded in Ezek 39 at the end of the Tribulation, preparing for the Millennial kingdom <W213>

Some will reason:

• Gog and Magog will probably not take place during the first half of the Tribulation Period because it will take seven years to burn the weapons (Ezek 39:9), but the Jews can’t be burning weapons in Israel during the last half of the Tribulation Period for fear of the Antichrist

• Gog and Magog will probably occur before the Antichrist rises to power because it is not likely that Russia etc will attack Israel if Israel is under the covenant with the Antichrist

• Gog and Magog will occur before the Tribulation Period because the defeat of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and their Islamic allies will remove a lot of the opposition to the rise of the Antichrist over a world government. Russia, Iran, Turkey, and their Islamic allies are not likely to surrender to a European leader unless something major has greatly weakened them <D41>

TIMELINE OF ESCHATOLOGICAL EVENTS

1. Rapture (2 Thess 2:3) — Doctrine of Imminency; there are no more signs needed for God to call His followers to Him; it can happen at any moment

2. Revealing of the Antichrist — Believers in Christ should not look for the Antichrist because he will be identified as the one with the 7 year peace agreement after they are raptured

3. Antichrist Confirms 7 year Peace Agreement (Daniel 9:27) — The Antichrist will confirm a peace agreement that starts the 7 year Tribulation

• The Tribulation (or time of Jacob’s / Israel’s Trouble) is primarily meant to bring God’s chosen people to salvation

• A number of events can occur before the covenant is signed — such as gradual acceptance of the Antichrist, seals being broken (with raptured believers watching from Heaven), God starting to deal with Israel, Gog Magog War, etc

• In other words, the Tribulation doesn’t have to begin immediately after the Rapture

4. Rebuilding of the Third Temple (2 Thess 2:4, Daniel 9:27) — Building of the Temple, that can happen in 90 days, will most likely occur near the beginning of the Tribulation because it must be ready for the Antichrist to perform the Abomination midway through the Tribulation

5. Abomination of Desolation (2 Thess 2:4, Daniel 9:27) — Those who remain for the Tribulation will be told (forced) to worship the Antichrist who will claim to be the Messiah

6. Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:15-18) — An identifying mark proving allegiance to the Antichrist could alter the genetic makeup of humans who agree to take it; recipients can no longer align with Christ to be saved after receiving the mark

7. Jews flee (Rev 12:6, Matt 24:16-20) — At the midpoint of Tribulation, the Jews will realize they accepted the Antichrist and flee to Petra where they will hide from being annihilated

8. Timeline of Wars — Battle of Magog is at the start of Tribulation, while the Battle of Armageddon is at the end of the Tribulation when Christ returns (Rev 16:16, Ezek 38); Magog War could start before the Rapture? <S187>

NEEDED FOR EZEK 38/39 WAR

• Ezekiel 37 predicts Israel’s amazing return in the latter days (Ezek 38:8a) to her God-given homeland after being dispersed for some 2000 years (Hos 6:1-2)

• It also mentions Israel will have a strong army (Ezek 37:10b)

• The Bible predicts Damascus will be decimated to the point of being uninhabitable

• Damascus is not just any city -- it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world; for over 5,000 years, it has survived conquest, empire, and war

• Even today, despite years of civil war and devastation, Damascus remains a functioning city (Jul 2025)

• And yet, Isaiah prophesied its utter and total destruction -- a complete ceasing of habitation <P1701>

• Widening out from the city itself, we can also see that Syria, which has been a bitter enemy of Israel since 1948, isn’t mentioned among the nations in the future war of Gog from the land of Magog described in Ezekiel 38

• Ultimately, what we learn relating to the nation to Israel’s north is that Damascus must fall

• This will contribute to Israel being strong, safe, and prosperous, and is then that the enemy will attack from the north <T203>

• Ezekiel 38 says that Israel will be living securely (Ezek 38:8d); currently Israel is not living securely in her land but comes with the post-Rapture covenant with the New World Leader (Jun 2025)

• Ezekiel 38 discusses several nations led by Russia who will invade Israel to gain her gold and silver riches (Ezek 38:11-13)

• Ezekiel 39 describes what the land is like after what appears to be some type of nuclear event (Ezek 39:12,14-16; Zech 14:12)

• Despite Russia and Iran recently signing agreements to work together, it's clear the Ezekiel 38 nations don’t invade Israel until after the Rapture, at the earthquake that happens during the 6th Seal

• And today, Israel has gold and silver treasures to capture (such as Solomon's $100 trillion treasure trove), they just don’t know where it is

• But Israel WILL locate those long lost treasures eventually because this will be a hook for Russia to invade; archaeological digs will commence in Oct 2025 <P168> (Jun 2025)

• Remember: Most Jews in Israel who follow Judaism do not recognize Jesus of the New Testament or any eschatological event mentioned in it

• For them, Zech 12-14 are part of the Ezek 38-39 war final events when God miraculously saves them from their enemies

• As New Testament saints, we know the Antichrist will claim to be Israel's Messiah and deceive them into following him

• We also realize the Gog Magog (Ezek 38-39, Zech 12-24) war is not the final chapter, for the Tribulation, Christ's return, Israel's acknowledgment of Christ, and the Millennial kingdom will follow the Gog Magog War

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** So God Himself will go fishing at exactly the right time for this voracious would-be destroyer of God’s chosen nation, Israel. He will 'hook' this barracuda-like leader of Rosh (Russia) in his jaw. The Lord will jerk Gog back into the direction He wants this Satan-spawned leader to go. The Lord will be in total control at all times during this attack on Israel–just as He is always totally in control. <J100>

Ezekiel 38:1-5 NIV

** The Ezekiel 38-39 War will be ushered in shortly after God deals with Elam (an area in Iran) and Israel starts to relax in the safety of their unwalled cities <M1501> (Oct 2024)

• God (via Israel) will remove Iran's proxies that surround Israel -- namely Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and the enemy countries east of Israel

• Now that the country of Syria has fallen and can no longer provide aid/access to other countries who want to destroy Israel, Iran’s axis of evil has crumbled <T203> (Dec 2024)

• Also, Israel will need to take out Iran's weapons of mass destruction, located in the region of Elam

• Israel will experience a sense of relief when its enemies are rendered powerless and rest (as prophesied) in its "unwalled villages"

• When Iran and her proxies are hindered so Israel can feel safe, Iran will be forced to look further afield to alliance nations for help to attack Israel

• The Ezek 38-39 War will be ushered in once the powerful nations of Iran, Russia and Turkey invade Israel

• God will miraculously save Israel from this coalition of invaders as outlined in Scripture

Jeremiah 49:35-37 NIV

[35] This is what the Lord Almighty says: “See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. [36] I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go. [37] I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them; I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger,” declares the Lord. “I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them.

Ezekiel 38:1-6 NIV

[1] The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him [3] and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. [4] I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army---your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. [5] Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, [6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you.

Ezekiel 38:11 NIV

[11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.

** Many scholars and theologians identify Turkey as a key participant in this coalition, associating biblical place names like Meshech, Tubal, and Gomer with regions in modern-day Turkey <E60>

• Turkey is the only country in prophecy referred to with four names : Meshech, Tubal, Gomer and Togarmah <W213>

• Meshech and Tubal are often identified as ancient Anatolian regions, corresponding to areas in modern Turkey

• Some scholars associate Meshech with the Mushki people near the Black Sea and Tubal with the Tabal region in central Turkey; these areas were part of the Hittite and later Phrygian territories, now within Turkey’s borders

• These identifications are not universally accepted, as some scholars propose alternative locations (ex Meshech and Tubal as regions in Russia)

• However, the Turkey-centric interpretation is prevalent in evangelical eschatology

• Ezekiel 38 lists several other nations that join Gog’s coalition: Persia (Iran), Cush (Sudan or Ethiopia), Put (Libya), Gomer, and Beth-Togarmah, among others

Ezekiel 38:2 NIV

[2] “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him

Ezekiel 38:5-6 NIV

[5] Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, [6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you.

** Where is the land of Magog?

• According to the Bible, Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth

• Japheth had seven sons, and one of Japheth’s seven sons was named Magog

• And the Land of Magog is the Land where Noah’s grandson Magog settled

• The Lord called it the land of Magog in Ezekiel’s day, but we call it Russia today <D41>

Ezekiel 38:2 NIV

[2] “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him

** Not all countries approve of a global government, such as Russia and other countries involved in the Ezekiel War; there will be forces from the north and south that oppose the future Antichrist's global government and attack Israel <H86>

Ezekiel 38:3,5-8 NIV

[3] and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. [5] Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, [6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you. [7] “ 'Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. [8] After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.

Ezekiel 38:10-13 NIV

[10] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ” [13] Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder? ” '

** Many believe Petra Jordan is the place of escape for the Jews in the Tribulation <P168>

Where is Jordan?

• Notably absent from that group of the Gog-Magog invaders is Jordan

• This is interesting because a year or two into the war when Israel will flee to the mountains from the hand of the Antichrist, one third of Israel's population who do not die will find their way to the ancient area of Edom/Bozrah (Petra), Jordan

• Here they will spend 3.5 years being re-taught scripture by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists

Ezekiel 38:3-6 NIV

[3] and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. [4] I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army---your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. [5] Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, [6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you.

What is Petra?

• Petra means 'rock', so the verse could read 'Go into Petra'; the Jews will go into caves, holes in the ground, and caverns

• Well, it just so happens that the Nabeteans who built Petra around the time of Christ carved most of the city's buildings INTO the soft sandstone walls in the area

• When they started the Treasury building, it was just a flat wall

• All the columns and rooms were carved into the stone; the doorway is about 25 feet high and the room inside goes about 60 feet

• But the Nabateans also carved both their houses and tombs into the miles of sandstone walls

Isaiah 2:10 NIV

[10] Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!

Isaiah 2:19-21 NIV

[19] People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth. [20] In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship. [21] They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.

• The entire area, when fully excavated, is estimated to be able to hold up to 5 million people

• That's an interesting number because there are about 15 million Jews in the world today (Nov 2024) and in the middle of the Tribulation 2/3s are murdered in one day, causing the other 1/3 to flee for their lives to the mountains adjoining Israel's border -- Petra

Zechariah 13:8 NIV

[8] In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.

• From the most northern hill in Petra, the Jews will be able to see the Antichrist's army moving through the flat lands of Israel southwest of the Dead Sea

• Realizing their only hope is a miracle, the Jews will cry out to God, and Jesus, who they crucified some 2000 years earlier, will come in the sky to save them

• This is the infamous Second Coming of Christ

Isaiah 35:3-4 NIV

[3] Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; [4] say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

** The Gog-Magog War will be a clarion call for all Muslims from across the globe to come against Israel in the early days of the Tribulation <G70>

• Satan has been using the Islamic faith to stir up his agenda and reach into all regions of the world

• The militant Islamic threat would be removed from the world as a result of the Gog-Magog War, thus enabling the remaining religions to join forces in a globally unified religion

• All false religions except the orthodox Jews in Israel, who are tethered to the one and only God, will join the global religious effort

• Absence of Islam will create a vacuum for the Antichrist to rise to power from the EU Roman Empire, allowing the restructuring of the world into 10 regions, whether economic or otherwise

Ezekiel 38:4-6 NIV

[4] I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army---your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. [5] Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, [6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you.

** Four of the places mentioned are in modern-day Turkey, including: <H89>

• Meshech

• Tubal

• Togarmah, and

• Gomer

Ezekiel 38:4-6 NIV

** Some think that Syria, perhaps in conjunction with Isaiah 17's destruction of Damascus, will be the staging area for nations in the Gog Magog War <H86> <K110>

Ezekiel 38:7 NIV

[7] “ 'Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them.

** God is going to use the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy to demonstrably demonstrate to the world that He is a covenant-keeping God who is in control of end time events <S198>

God will bring (via hooks in the jaw to obtain booty) an alliance of powerful nations to war against Israel; this will be the most formidable opponent force ever assembled in the Middle East, including:

• Russia and southern steppes

• Turkey

• Iran

• Sudan

• Somalia

• Libya

• Algeria

• Morocco

• Tunisia

But God will supernaturally intervene for His name sake and then we see the aftermath in chapter 39,

such as

• Burning weapons for 7 years

• Turning weapons into energy/fuel

• Burying the dead at a burial ground called Hamon Gog (located east of a sea)

Ezekiel 39:7 NIV

[7] “ 'I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.

** Israel will be on her own as many nations come down to attack her in what is known as the Gog Magog War (including Turkey, Russia and Iran) while others stand by and look on without helping her (including Saudi Arabia and America)

• The Rapture will bring on chaos and instantly remove America as a world power and greatly limit its ability to defend Israel <B26>

• God will miraculously protect Israel against this onslaught so the whole world will know that God came to Israel's aid

Ezekiel 38:8-9 NIV

[8] After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. [9] You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

Ezekiel 38:13 NIV

[13] Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder? ” '

Ezekiel 38:16 NIV

[16] You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

** Prophecy says that Israel will be invaded in the last days and the stated purpose of the invasion will be to capture great spoil such as silver, gold, and cattle (KJV) or livestock (NIV).

The first items on the list were likely part of the yet-to-be-rediscovered Solomon’s hidden treasure worth over $100 trillion. But why would “cattle” also be listed as part of something important to be captured? If we take “silver and gold” to be literal, we also have to take “cattle” literally. But cattle?

...

Because Israel has had to learn to be totally independent on literally everything due to her surrounding neighbors trying to annihilate her, she has had to find new ways to grow food and survive within her borders.

...

in the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation, when literally 1/2 of the world's population is dying from war, starvation and drugs, we know Israel will be the envy of the rest of the world as she sits fat and happy under a 7-year peace treaty that’s enforced by 10 nations. And the New World Leader, the Antichrist, will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (seven years).

Think about what's going on at that point in time: Post-Rapture, the world is in a horrible mess with world war and world starvation while Israel is protected from war and has an abundance of food and water. Not to mention she has an over $100 trillion treasure of gold and silver. Because Israel will be swimming in her food, water and money, it’ll make the other nations hugely envious. <P168>

Ezekiel 38:10-13 NIV

Ezekiel 38:13 KJV

[13] 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?

** The Gog Magog War will catch Israel and the world by surprise <S198>

• Israel will think it is living in peaceful times with 'unwalled villages' when the invasion happens

• This suggests a state of perceived security and peace in Israel, due to a lack of immediate threats or strong defenses, which will be exploited by Gog and his forces

• The security described by Ezekiel is not a vague spiritual condition -- it is a national state of being that sets the stage for surprise

• It is this false peace that makes the sudden invasion so shocking and dramatic <P1701>

Ezekiel 38:11 NIV

[11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.

Ezekiel 28:25-26 NIV

[25] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. [26] They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God. ' ”

Zechariah 12:2 NIV [surprise invasion]

[2] “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.

** Current day Israel has amazing riches that will entice surrounding nations to invade, as is foretold in the Ezekiel 38-39 War <H87>

Israel has riches and resources enabling it to control the world if wanted:

• Oil and gas reserves; recent findings offshore can easily supply Europe and other nations

• Desalinization to utilize sea water by removing its salt; no need to find other water resources

• Unprecedented amount of minerals in the Dead Sea are not available anywhere else in the world making it a ‘cash cow’

• Recent discoveries in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (Jul 2023)

• God has blessed this small nation that is only the size of the state of NJ

• As predicted in Scripture, the world is focused on Israel and surrounding nations desire their riches <P163>

Ezekiel 38:12-13 NIV

[12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ” [13] Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder? ” '

Isaiah 60:3,5 NIV

[3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. [5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

• What prompts the Ezekiel war?

• Definitely, the resources in Israel would be a factor but also struggles within other countries, such as drought, collapsing economies, hatred for Israel, religious rivalry, etc

• Motivation will likely be a combo of reasons

• Notice the prophet says there will be HOOKS (plural) that draw other nations to invade Israel <H88>

Ezekiel 38:4 NIV

** Don't only look for military aggression ramping up against Israel as an indicator of the Ezekiel War but look for signs of peace <K110>

• Israel is already beginning to have a reputation for being 'the answer' to neighboring countries' problems

• Israel as the answer for the energy problem in Europe, for Russia backing down, holding Iran at bay, helping protect Saudi Arabia against Iran

Ezekiel 38:1-4,10-12 NIV

[1] The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him [3] and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. [4] I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army---your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. [10] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ”

** One day the 'evil thought' of Ezekiel 38:10 will come to a Russian leader’s mind and all hell will break loose in the most volatile region on earth <J100> (Jan 2025)

Ezekiel 38:10-12 NIV

Ezekiel 38:18-23 NIV

[18] This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. [19] In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. [20] The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. [21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. [23] And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. '

** The alliance of nations from the north (primarily Russia, Turkey, Iran) will attack Israel, a land of "unwalled villages" <H86>

• While Israel is surrounded by enemies, they are militarily safe, according to the Hebrew interpretation of 'safe' (vs 11)

• Israel is currently wealthy with booty and with inhabitants gathered from the nations (vs 12)

• Russia would collapse economically if Israel is allowed to flood the market with gas and oil, which is a prime motivation for the Gog Magog War

• Sheba, Dedan (Saudi Arabia) and Tarshish (Spain or Western Europe) with young lions (nations birthed from Western Europe such as US, Canada, Australia, etc) only observe and question the invasion (vs 13)

• Most of the world doesn't like Israel currently so this scenario is foreseeable as a pre-tribulation event, even though this prophecy was written 2500 years ago (Sep 2023)

Ezekiel 38:10-13 NIV

** Scholars have varying views on the country representing Tarshish in the end times

• Some believe Tarshish is America -- if that is the case then all America does is protest the invasion of Israel <F61>

• Some identify Spain as Tarshish -- the merchants include Morocco since they have a strong trade relationship <W213>

Ezekiel 38:13 NIV

** Russia is lining up behind Iran diplomatically. Despite being a part of NATO, Islamic Turkey has been drifting into Russia's orbit for years and every year gets a little closer as it feels rejection from the European Union and diplomatic disputes with the US. Each of these developments are significant in the world of Bible Prophecy.

Six centuries before the crucifixion of Jesus, Ezekiel foretold of a future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). He said it will occur in the last days (Ezekiel 38:16). It will come from north of Israel (Ezekiel 38:15; Ezekiel 39:2), and it will involve a coalition of nations led by Russia (Ezekiel 38:2). The nations Ezekiel cited include:

• Rosh = Russia from the north

• Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan

• Persia = Iran

• Cush = Sudan

• Put = Libya

(Cush & Put grandsons of Noah, sons of Ham)

• Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey

For years an alliance between Russia, Shiite Iran and a Sunni Turkey seemed very unlikely - but that has all changed in recent days. Is this a mere coincidence? Never in history have these three nations formed an alliance. Now, all three have troops stationed directly to Israel's north just over the border in Syria. (Jul 2022)

Not once in the past 2,500 years has Russia formed a military alliance with Iran, but they have now signed a billion-dollar accord for the sale of missiles, and the Iranians have helped the Russians by providing them with weaponized drones to use in the Ukraine war (Oct 2023)

Ezekiel 38:14-16 NIV

[14] “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? [15] You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. [16] You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

** It’s interesting that Yemen, where the Houthis are located today, is likely the area referred to in the Bible as “Sheba.”

The first time that Sheba is addressed in the Bible is back in Genesis chapter 10, with the table of the nations that were scattered from Babel. The last time she was mentioned in the Old Testament is in Ezekiel 38:13, as part of this Gog Magog war.

Ezekiel 38 says that when these Gog Magog nations—Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan—invade Israel in the end times, there are some nations that are going to sit on the sidelines and issue a kind of lame protest to what’s happening. Those nations are identified as Sheba, Dedan, and the young lions of Tarshish.

Dedan is likely Saudi Arabia and the other more moderate Arab and Gulf states. The young lions of Tarshish are presumably the nations of Western Europe. Sheba could be part of Saudi Arabia, but it’s probably Yemen. <H89>

Ezekiel 38:13 NIV

** The Daniel 2 image shows 5 nations are from the western Europe leg and 5 nations are from the eastern leg, which we call the Middle East

• Five from Europe (iron) and five from the Middle East (clay)

• This may be why the countries have a hard time working together

These nations are basically forced to make peace with Israel because after Israel soundly defeats the post-Rapture invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran, Turkey, etc (Ezek 38-39 War), the world will see God is with Israel <P168>

Daniel 2:41-42 NIV

[41] Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. [42] As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

Ezekiel 38:16 NIV

** Twelve Biblical prophecies that are recognized and understood today, confirming the Bible’s validity: <S188> (Mar 2023)

1. The entire world will witness prophesied events happening in Jerusalem in real time; not exactly understood before satellite technology came along! (Rev 11:7-10)

2. All financial transactions worldwide will be able to be monitored; now possible with central banks monitoring digital currency (Rev 13:11-16)

3. Nation of Israel will be in the world’s spotlight; the fact that they still exist after thousands of years and have their own country as of 1948 is amazing, both not known at the time of writing (Zech 12:3)

4. There will be continued persecution of Jews and Christians; witnessed by an increase of global persecution in latter years (Zech 12:3-4)

5. Ezekiel 38-39 coalition of nations (Russia, Iran & Turkey) will wage war against Israel; first alliance of these nations in history and only 50 years ago Israel was friends with Iran & Turkey — friends today becoming enemies tomorrow!

6. The state of Israel will be strong before the Ezek 38-39 invasion; noticed by everything from restoring the land, vast resources, people returning, etc and living in relative tranquility

7. Russia’s dominant leadership in the Middle East, such as increased military and communication with surrounding countries today (Ezek 38:1-3)

8. Continuing decline of the US; review plans of WEF for destruction of US along with other globalist organizations and current decline of the US from within (Ezek 38:10-12)

9. Plans to build third temple; how did those who prophesied thousands of years ago know Israel would be around, let alone have room/resources for a third temple — plans are currently complete and ready for construction!

10. Move toward a one-world political and economic global system; there are major efforts today toward its fulfillment in 2030, complete with move to 10 regions and global legislation for pandemics and climate change

11. In the last days, people will depart from the faith and follow doctrines of demons; observe the redefining relationships and eliminating family units in today’s world (1 Tim 4:3)

12. People will call ‘good evil’ and hate that which is good; the level of insanity is off the charts and evident daily (Isa 5:20-21, 2 Tim 3:3)

Revelation 11:7-10 NIV

[7] Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. [8] Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city---which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt---where also their Lord was crucified. [9] For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. [10] The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

Revelation 13:14-16 NIV

[14] Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [15] The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. [16] It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,

Zechariah 12:2-4 NIV

[2] “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. [3] On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. [4] On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.

Ezekiel 38:1-3 NIV

Ezekiel 38:10-12 NIV

1 Timothy 4:3 NIV

[3] They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

Isaiah 5:20-21 NIV

[20] Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. [21] Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

2 Timothy 3:1-3 NIV

** Some prophecy teachers say Tarshish is America in end times; if that is the case then all America does is protest the invasion of Israel <F61>

Ezekiel 38:13 NIV

** What unites the countries in Magog? — all the ‘stan’ nations far from Israel’s doorstep — is the Islamic religion that was developed in the 7-8th century; they all want to wipe Israel off the map because they used to have control of that region and they believe that land belongs to Allah

The weapons left behind in Afghanistan (August 2021) will most likely be part of the weapons the Israelis will burn for seven years during the Tribulation; there are wooden components in these weapons that will be used as fuel because everything else has been burnt up by that point <R171>

** There are two Gog (Russia) & Magog wars in Scripture

1. Ezekiel 38-39 — actual physical restoration of Israel and His followers

2. Revelation 20 — spiritual restoration <T203>

• Two different leaders ending in two different ways is proof that the Battle of Gog/Magog and the Battle of Armageddon are two different wars.

• Another difference between the two wars is that The Battle of Gog and Magog is a 10-nation attack on Israel, but the Battle of Armageddon is a global army under the Antichrist. <D41>

EZEKIEL 38-39

• God gathers the Israelites in their land and then God will cleanse them from their filthiness

• armies primarily come from the north and involve only a few nations

• no mention of Satan

• the dead will be buried

• used by God to bring Israel back to Him

• followers of Christ will be gone for this first war

Ezekiel 36:24-25 NIV

[24] “ 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. [25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.

Ezekiel 38:6 NIV

[6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you.

Ezekiel 38:15 NIV

[15] You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.

Ezekiel 39:2 NIV

[2] I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.

Ezekiel 39:21-29 NIV

[21] “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them. [22] From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. [23] And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. [24] I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them. [25] “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. [26] They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. [27] When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. [28] Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. [29] I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. ”

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

[10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

REVELATION 20

• involves all nations coming from all directions

• Satan is the primary character at the end of the millennium

• no need to bury the dead because after this battle is the Great White Throne Judgment with the current heaven and earth destroyed & replaced

• Israel has been faithful to God for 1000 years; the rebellious are destroyed

• followers of Christ will return with Him for this battle

Revelation 20:7-10 NIV

[7] When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison [8] and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth---Gog and Magog---and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. [9] They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. [10] And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:11-15 NIV

[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

** [At the time of this writing] the Ezekiel coalition has been formed for the first time in history, and God has made sure that Russia, Iran and Turkey are in desperate need of resources to survive. Then, there sits tiny Israel with all those natural gas and oil reserves, and they appear ripe for the picking. The “big three,” and some lesser nations that will join them, are having the “hook” set, just as God said it would be.

Ezekiel 38:4 NIV

This will be the attack on Israel by what would appear to be overwhelming forces that, under normal circumstances, would be able to wipe Israel out in no time at all. However, the Heavenly Father has other plans, and when the dust settles, it will be obvious that He, not Israel, defeated the masses that attacked them. Ezekiel 39 describes the destruction, and at the end of the conflict, all Israel will know that the Lord God Jehovah protected them. The tribulation will still take place, and before it’s over, the Jews will be severely persecuted. However, the surviving remnant will enter the Millennial reign under the guidance of Jesus Himself. <H91>

** There are hooks that will entice surrounding nations to attack Israel in the Ezekiel 38-39 War <C36> (Mar 2022)

Ezekiel 38:4 NIV

1. Israel’s LAND MASS (Gen 12:1-5) — location is hotly contested piece of real estate today that connects three continents (Asia, Africa & Europe) and is strategically placed in the center of nations, needed to control the world (Ezek 5:5) — as seen in the Assyrian Empire (746-609 BC), Babylonian Empire (609-539 BC), Persian Empire (550-330 BC) and Macedonian Empire (336-323 BC), Roman Empire (during the time of Christ), Ottoman Empire

2. Israel’s recent discoveries of GAS & OIL at Golan Heights and Leviathan drill site in the Mediterranean Sea, discovered for such a time as today; Israel is now energy independent for 100 years but is threatening Russia’s economy; in response, Russia is building their military presence in Syria and the Mediterranean

3. Israel’s WATER supply — they are masters of water conservation and systems like desalination plants that transforms salt water to drinkable water; currently Israel produces 20% more water than it consumes, enticing other nations

4. Israel’s MINERALS — Israel is sitting on the world’s greatest strategic mineral deposit known as the Dead Sea and “nature’s greatest spa”; there are enough chemicals to supply the world’s fertilizer and explosives needed to subdue enemies

** God will come against Iran (Persia) and its allies to demonstrate His power; later in Ezekiel 38 God mentions the disaster awaiting Gog & Magog and “the many nations with him”

Most postulate that Gog refers to Russia who is north of Israel and will come down after an agreement is signed with the Anti-Christ during the Tribulation

Every nation that will come against Israel will understand the credible threat that God poses against them; this threat includes environmental catastrophes, creature awareness, temporal nature of man’s built environment, declaration of war including plague and judgment <T203>

Ezekiel 38:3-6 NIV

Ezekiel 38:19-22 NIV

[19] In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. [20] The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. [21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

** There are continued signs of movement toward the last days Ezekiel War <S187> (Jun 2023)

• The alignment of the major players of the war including Turkey, Russia, Iran, Sudan and Libya and most likely ‘many’ others like Lebanon (Ezek 38:4-6)) that will come against Israel

• Ever-increasing discoveries and developments of energy products in Israel that will entice the major players to invade

• Europe’s need for energy and Israel’s ability to provide

• Other Arab countries surrounding Israel desiring good relations with Israel, mostly via the Abraham Accords

Ezekiel 38:4-6 NIV

** God will bring about His justice to all anti-Christian forces/nations who oppose Him; they will not have a choice in facing reality

Ezekiel 38:4 NIV

** Ezekiel 38:6 identifies current-day Turkey as a future aggressor against Israel in the Gog and Magog War along with Russia, Iran, Sudan & Libya, while 38:13 mentions other countries that will protest the invasion like current-day Saudi Arabia

Ezekiel 38:6 NIV

[6] also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops---the many nations with you.

Ezekiel 38:13 NIV

** Asking the fox to guard the henhouse, is like Biden asking Russia to look after the civil war in Libya (when Russia is on one side of the war) and also work with Iran <K110> (Jun 2021)

Ezekiel 38:7 NIV

[7] “ 'Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them.

** Russia controls events in Syria and promises (at least right now) to guard Israel, exactly as is outlined in God’s word <H87>

Ezekiel 38:7 KJV

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

Ezekiel 38:7 NKJV

[7] "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.

** God describes the arrogance of Israel's enemies and the results of them thinking they can go against the Lord

Ezekiel 38:9-12,16 NIV

[9] You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. [10] “ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ” [16] You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 38:18-23 NIV

[18] This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. [19] In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. [20] The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. [21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. [23] And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. ’

Psalm 2:1-4 NIV

[1] Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, [3] “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” [4] The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

** When reports surfaced this month that Russia is training assault units on horseback, it sounded more like a scene from the Book of Ezekiel than a modern 21st century war report <P1701> (Oct 2025)

• According to Russian military sources and footage verified by multiple outlets, commanders in the Donetsk region of Ukraine are forming horse-mounted assault teams

• Two soldiers per horse -- one riding, one firing -- practicing under drone cover, training animals to stay calm amid explosions and gunfire

• So Russia is resorting to tactics older than the tank and students of Bible prophecy are wondering if this is what Ezekiel foresaw nearly 2,600 years ago?

• For centuries, interpreters puzzled over those horses

• Why would a modern invasion -- one involving a superpower like Russia -- use horsemen?

• Skeptics dismissed it as ancient imagery., while others said Ezekiel was using symbols his audience could understand

• Yet others argued the text should be taken literally -- that in some future scenario, the armies of the north might indeed revert to horses, whether by necessity or by the collapse of technology

• And now, curiously, Russia is reviving horse-mounted forces

Ezekiel 38:15 NIV

[15] You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.

** God will continue to use the prophet’s writings to convey His message; for example, God will address Gog by saying they were forewarned through Ezekiel’s writings <T203>

Ezekiel 38:17 NIV

[17] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.

** One of the many signs — perhaps the most significant — is Israel becoming a nation again and the Jews returning to make it productive; Israel became a nation in 1948 and is the 8th most powerful country in the world today!

Ezekiel 38:8 NIV

** In Ezekiel's day, Israel had not existed for 150 years and there would not be a place named "Israel" for another 2520 years; when the Jewish people returned to their land, they were ruled by Rome and the land was called Palestine

Ezekiel's prophetic writing, however, speaks of a future land of Israel, where "the people [would be] gathered from the nations” (vs12)

Ezekiel 38:12 NIV

[12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.

** No weapon forged (by a blacksmith) against us will prevail when we have God on our side!

Isaiah 54:17 NIV

[17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

[God talking to those who plan to go against Israel in the last days]

Ezekiel 38:9-12 NIV

[9] You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. [10] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ”

[God’s response to those attacking]

Ezekiel 38:21-23 NIV

[21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. [23] And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. '

** If you want to find reference to America in the end times, the best bet is Ezekiel 38:13 where the prophet mentions the “merchants of Tarshish” or British colonies who object to the War of Gog & Magog

Another reason for America not mentioned in the end times may be a result of the Rapture when millions of Christians are removed from every level of society <H89>

Young lions = western countries that have become weak, they will object to the invasion but not do anything about it; some identify England or Spain (former empires) as the location of Tarshish because they western countries were birthed from them

Ezekiel 38:13 NIV

** Every one of the 100+ prophecies in the Bible needed to usher in the Pre-Trib rapture are happening today; their fulfillment will be IN the Seven Year Tribulation! <F60> (May 2022)

1. Hyperinflation and world-wide famine (Rev 6:5-8, Luke 21:11)

Revelation 6:5-8 NIV

[5] When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. [6] Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day's wages, and six pounds of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” [7] When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” [8] I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Luke 21:11 NIV

[11] There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

2. Global economy and bio-digital mark without which no one can buy or sell (Rev 13:15-18)

Revelation 13:15-18 NIV

[15] The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. [16] It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, [17] so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. [18] This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

3. The world’s intoxicating obsession with the dividing of Jerusalem (Zech 12:1-3)

Zechariah 12:1-3 NIV

[1] A prophecy: The word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: [2] “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. [3] On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.

4. An Insatiable quest for “peace and security” (1Thess 5:3)

1 Thessalonians 5:3 NIV

[3] While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

5. Striving for and enforcing of a 7 year peace agreement with Israel & other nations (Dan 9:27)

Daniel 9:27 NIV

[27] He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. ”

6. The Jews will have a rebuilt temple that the Antichrist will defile (2Thess 2:4, Dan 9:27)

• We hear they have already started building the temple today

2 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

[4] He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Daniel 9:27 NIV

7. An alliance of nations will invade Israel whom God prospers abundantly (Ezek 38)

Ezekiel 38:14-16 NIV

8. Damascus Syria will be destroyed and uninhabitable (Isa 17:1, Jer 49:23-27)

• All nations for Ezek 38 war are in Damascus today

Isaiah 17:1 NIV

[1] A prophecy against Damascus: “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.

Jeremiah 49:23-27 NIV

[23] Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are dismayed, for they have heard bad news. They are disheartened, troubled like the restless sea. [24] Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor. [25] Why has the city of renown not been abandoned, the town in which I delight? [26] Surely, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,” declares the Lord Almighty. [27] “I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad. ”

9. Great earthquakes would increase in frequency and intensity

• Earth’s natural activity is ‘off the chart’ today since recording (Matt 24:4-8)

10. Wars and threats of wars with racial uprisings will increase in frequency and intensity (Matt 24:4-8)

Matthew 24:4-8 NIV

[4] Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. [6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.

11. Signs in sun-moon-stars distressing nations perplexed by the sea roaring waves (Luk 21:25)

• Waves are referring to tsunamis caused by earthquakes

Luke 21:25 NIV

[25] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

12. False teachers and false prophets will abound deceiving the masses (2Pet 2:1-3)

• Similar to Jeremiah’s day when false teachers declared “peace” which is what the people wanted to hear

2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

[1] But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them---bringing swift destruction on themselves. [2] Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. [3] In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

13. Increasing mocking and ridiculing of Christians believing in Christ’s return, not just the rapture (2Per 3:3-7)

2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV

[3] Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, “Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” [5] But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. [6] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. [7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

14. People won’t tolerate sound doctrine but gravitate to what they want to hear (2Tim 4:3-5)

• False teachers say everything’s ok even though everything is falling apart around them

2 Timothy 4:3-5 NIV

[3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [5] But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

15. Perilous times will come and people will be violent treacherous lovers of self (2Tim 3:1-5 where 19 qualities are listed)

2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV

[1] But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

16. Some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving doctrines of demons (1Tim 4:1)

• Like Satan’s doctrine of deception perpetrated by NAR’s seven mountain mandate that Christians are to take control of the earth to usher in Christ’s return

• Fits with the aim of building a kingdom on earth

• The Titanic is sinking… don’t try to save it!

1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

17. God will send a powerful delusion to those perishing that they should believe the lie (2Thess 2:10-11)

• These are people who already made the choice of rejecting The Truth so God gives them over to their desires

2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 NIV

[10] and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie

18. All the nations on earth will be deceived by ‘sorcery’ which means pharmaceutical (Rev 18:23)

• The light will not shine in men in all nations because of the sorcery

• Ugly festering sores will break out on those who have the mark of the beast (Rev 16:1-2)

• Can we think of a recent Big Pharma ‘solution’ to a global crisis that is known to alter DNA?

• Distraction is always wrapped around deception and we have a lot of distractions these days!

Revelation 18:23 NIV

[23] The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.

Revelation 16:1-2 NIV

[1] Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth.” [2] The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

** We read of the antiquated classical weapons from centuries gone by to be used in the Gog Magog War, such as horses, bows, and arrows <B23>

• Based on how language is used over time, we see how words can stay literal even though their meaning expands

• For instance, when studying the Hebrew word for 'missile' it has been used down through the centuries to refer to all different types of projectiles -- from rocks launched from a catapult and arrows from a bow, to modern day rockets

• We can trace the use of other military terms in a similar way, used regardless of the literal change of weaponry on the battlefield

• From this understanding, we can expect the use of modern day weaponry in the end time wars as prophesied

Ezekiel 38:15 NIV

[15] You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.

** God will bring victory to Israel during the Gog and Magog War

• The Gog Magog War will be an event where both factions of the Muslim community – Sunnis (Turkey) and Shia (Iran) – come together against Israel and both will be annihilated according to the Bible <T203>

• The world will stand amazed at God's victory but still decide to follow the Antichrist in its anti-Israel stance <S198>

• There you have it: God supernaturally will intervene, and God, true to His Word, will defend His chosen people <G7995>

Ezekiel 38:18-23 NIV

Ezek 38.

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