In the prophecy against Gog, Ezekiel foresees a future in which Israel is restored from exile and lives in peace. But unknowingly to them, a military threat is brewing. It’s a treacherous plan to invade Israel by Gog of Magog, a leader and nation located north of Israel, along with a host of allies. Many believe that the countries in the coalition will be mostly Muslim. Gog will lead this military alliance with the goal of destroying Israel.

This event will occur in the last days, a distant future. (Ezekiel 38:8, 16-17) Some of Ezekiel’s prophetic details seem to place it near the beginning to the middle of the Tribulation. However, Bible scholars differ on the exact timing. Some eschatologists believe Ezekiel’s prophecy will be fulfilled before the Tribulation; others think it could happen after the Millennium, when “Gog and Magog” will play a role again. (Rev. 20:8). Ultimately, only God knows.

Isaiah 46:10 (NLT) Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Yahweh is the first and the last. (Isaiah 41:4) He knows the beginning and the end. He has called forth all generations into His overall plan; He has revealed the big picture in advance.  Believers will praise Him now and in the future for making us aware of a significant portion of His intentions.[1] (Notably, 27% of the Bible is prophecy.[2])

By seeking to understand what Yahweh is doing in this age, we will value His greatness even more in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Our hindsight will be 20/20, inspiring us to praise Him as we reflect on His foresight regarding developments and progress in humanity’s timeline. Yahweh gives us a glimpse into the future so that we will believe Him when the events actually happen.

John 14:29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

In your walk with Jesus, don’t let your faith weaken because of differing opinions about timing. Although there are various views on when this battle will occur, many Bible scholars agree it will happen. We can expect future events to unfold as predicted.

“You and I can trust every single prophetic statement found in the pages of Scripture. We can be confident that God’s words about the future are reliable and true.”[3] – Ron Rhodes

Yahweh’s Plan and Purpose

The prophecy against Gog depicts Yahweh actually encouraging a large alliance or horde of nations to invade Israel.

Ezekiel 38:7-9 “Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. 8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel. 9 You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.

Why did Yahweh inspire Ezekiel to taunt future nations into attacking the Jews? Why is He encouraging a horde of nations to strike Israel?

Read on, and we’ll gain answers to those questions. It’s intriguing to see how He will use this significant military action, often called the Battle of Gog and Magog.

Not only will we find those answers, but we’ll also identify some potential nations that Gog will lead as allies. Hold on to your hat for the final details of the prophecy against Gog.

We will magnify Him when we fathom His vigilance toward the nations throughout the world’s history. Nothing slips by the Lord. In other words, He’s been watching, and He will judge the culprits who have made life difficult on Earth.

The Tribulation is a time when God will dole out justice and fair dealings to all people, good and evil. This is the primary purpose of the Tribulation. Jesus will settle accounts after thousands of years of grievances, injustices, atrocities, and violations against God and His beloved humans.

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.

Revelation 22:12-13 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

First, let’s step back and focus on the chapter just before the Gog of Magog prophecy. There, we will see a metaphor that conveys Yahweh’s faithfulness and power to rebuild, protect, and bring Israel back to life.

Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)

Before Gog was revealed to Ezekiel, the Spirit of the Lord carried him to the center of a valley filled with dry bones. There, God spoke to him.

Ezekiel 37:5-6 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Was God suggesting He would make Ezekiel live again? Actually, the dry bones in the valley represent the whole house of Israel, as confirmed below.

Ezekiel 37:11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’

Yes, about 2,600 years ago, God revealed to Ezekiel that He would restore Israel from captivity and their spiritual unbelief. That’s a long-term plan! One commentary on these verses states: “The vision was to encourage the desponding Jews; to predict both their restoration after the captivity, and also their recovery from their present and long-continued dispersion.”[4]

As we’ve gathered in my blog, Israel’s End Time Restoration, the recovery of Israel as a nation is a significant sign of the times. It symbolizes God giving Israel flesh, muscles, and skin. In the future, God intends to breathe His Spirit into them. This will result from the invasion of Gog and Magog.

In another past blog, Rapture or Wrath? we discussed the Rapture, or the resurrection of Christians. Yahweh will also prepare the Jews for resurrection, for when He opens their graves. He will put His Spirit in them, speaking them into spiritual vitality and newness of life.

Ezekiel 37:12-14 Therefore, prophesy to them and say, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!

GotQuestions.com states, “A resurrection awaits everyone—either a resurrection to eternal life or a resurrection to ‘shame and everlasting contempt’ (Daniel 12:2). The Bible states that New Testament saints who have died will be resurrected at the event we call the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The Bible is less clear about when the Old Testament saints will be resurrected. It is our view that Old Testament believers will be joined to their resurrected bodies at the end of the tribulation period when Jesus returns to earth to set up His millennial kingdom (Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14).”[5]

Believers in Christ will be raptured and receive their resurrected bodies first (including Messianic Jews, in my opinion). Then, at the end of the Tribulation, the Jews will be resurrected.

Might the parable of the Vineyard Workers in Matthew illustrate this situation? Jesus said the last will be first, and the first will be last. Among other insights, might He have been referring to the different resurrection timings between the Church and the Israelites?

Matthew 20:16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

Since the time of Abraham, it is apparent that the Israelites were the first to know Yahweh, to live and die for him. But God’s people in Israel will be the last to be resurrected. The Church (God’s redeemed through Christ) came to know Yahweh in later centuries of history, and died last.

Ezekiel’s Prophecy Against Gog                                                                               

The Bible predicts that Gog of the land of Magog will swoop down from the north and invade the Jews in the Last Days. Gog will coordinate their invasion with allies from the south, east, and west, leading all the armies to attack Israel.

Little do they know, God will be waiting for their invasion so that He can demonstrate His might, as He did in the ancient past.

For instance, when Israel escaped from slavery in Egypt, Yahweh led the Israelites to the Red Sea, where they seemed to be trapped in a corner, so to speak. God’s positioning drew the Egyptians in, allowing their hatred of the Jews to lead them to destruction. He supernaturally parted the sea for the Jews. Then He caused the waters to recede, destroying the Egyptians who intended to massacre His people. In that case, He wanted Israel, the Egyptians, and the whole world to know His power.

In a similar fashion, the Lord will put hooks into the jaws of Gog’s hordes – Magog, Meshech, Tubal, and the allied nations Gog will lead.[6] Like the Egyptian saga, His great power will be displayed when He draws them in, then miraculously destroys Gog and his troops. The parting of the Red Sea was not only for Sunday School teaching.[7] Yahweh’s glory shone then, and will again, proving to the Israelis that He is living. That’s when they will come alive in their faith toward Him.

Ezekiel 38 depicts a sharp conflict between Yahweh and Gog.

Ezekiel 38:2-4 (NLT) “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! 4 I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army—your horses and charioteers in full armor and a great horde armed with shields and swords.

Mark Hitchcock states, “One of the most dramatic events of the end times is an invasion of Israel by a vast horde of nations from every direction. This coalition of invading nations will be motivated by a seething desire to eradicate Israel, enrich themselves, and entangle Israel’s allies in the war. The West, led by the group of ten and the Antichrist, will be tied to Israel by the covenant in Daniel 9:27; thus, any attack against Israel will be an attack against the Western confederacy.”[8]

As shown in the paragraph above, many scholars believe the Gog of Magog Battle in Ezekiel 38-39 is not part of the campaign of Armageddon (the Hill of Megiddo). The Gog of Magog Invasion of Israel will supposedly include fewer countries, but they say Armageddon will include all nations of the world.

Also, eschatologists expect the Gog of Magog battle to be fought on a northern mountain in Israel, for just a brief period. In contrast, Megiddo overlooks the Jezreel Valley, where the extended campaign of Armageddon will conclude after spanning the entire Holy Land.[9] Still others believe Armageddon will include both events.

True, not every scholar agrees on the various facets of foreknowledge. But again, don’t let differing opinions diminish your faith, because it will be apparent in the end. Many are studying the Scriptures to figure out exactly what God is doing. And that’s a solid activity that pleases Him.

Primitive Weapons and Past Battles

It’s intriguing to note that various passages in Ezekiel mention ancient weapons to be used in the Gog of Magog conflict.

Ezekiel 38:4b-5 I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them magnificently dressed, a great contingent with shield and buckler, all of them wielding swords; 5 Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with buckler and helmet;

Ezekiel 38:15 You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army,

Scripture describes the Gog of Magog battle as involving swords, bucklers, shields, cavalry, and horsemen at war. Some wonder if these antiquated descriptions may be inappropriate for the Last Days. Modern nations don’t go to war with horses, shields, and swords.

It begs the question: With the use of archaic words for weapons, is the prophecy truly about the End Times? Did this battle already occur in history? The quick answer is, it’s a valid concern, but one that’s easy to address. Historians agree that no invasion involving similar circumstances, and many allied nations against Israel, has ever taken place before.[10] [11]

Ezekiel described the weapons of war used in his era. So, the prophecy employs old-fashioned words to depict the armies’ weapons. Perhaps, these old-world terms are placeholders for modern equipment, such as all-terrain vehicles, tanks, guns, artillery, and possibly even aircraft and bombs.

It’s possible that a large horde armed with shields might represent modern, temporary defensive structures, such as sandbag bunkers, trenches, and fortified positions, that can be quickly constructed.[12] And their swords could symbolize offensive weapons, like jets and missiles.

However, another perspective is worth considering.

A literal interpretation of the verse could suggest the use of actual ancient weapons for modern warfare. Maybe, in the future, Gog will literally assemble an army of horses and fully armored charioteers, as written. Fears of an Armageddon-style holocaust in modern times could lead to worldwide agreements to dismantle modern weaponry.

For instance, Albert Einstein reportedly said, “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” Time will tell, as they say, whether the ancient weapons will be used literally rather than figuratively.

The archaic versus modern weapons don’t diminish the validity or importance of the event, nor do they affect whether it will happen. Types of weapons also don’t dictate what God will do for Israel or to the invaders, as we will see.

Prince or Rosh?

Before proceeding, I would like to make a necessary notation. That is, some versions of the Bible include another name among the attackers in Ezekiel 38:2-4. The other name is Rosh—and it warrants discussion.

Ezekiel 38:2-4 (NKJV) “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh [13], Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.

Some believe Rosh should be in verses 2 and 3, while others disagree. Here is an explanation: “The word translated to ‘chief’ may be either a common noun or a proper noun. If it is a common noun, it ought to be translated ‘prince.’ If it is a proper noun, it ought to be translated to ‘Rosh.’” [14]

Eschatologists who view Rosh as a proper noun typically believe it refers to the nation of Russia. One author wrote, “the identification of Rosh as modern Russia would seem to be well authenticated and generally accepted.”[15] If “chief” is a proper noun, the root consonants in “Rosh” seem to connect with the modern nation name, “Russia.”

The word Rosh supports the popular view that Russia is the northern nation Ezekiel identified. It’s true that Moscow is directly north of Israel. But some contest whether Rosh should be included. And if so, does Rosh really translate to Russia?[16] Russia could be in the mix, but it’s another unknown that will be clear in the end.

Ancient Nation Names to Modern Ones

Since the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy was written around 600 BC, the names of nations have a similar issue as the distinction between ancient and modern weaponry. Most of the nations mentioned in Ezekiel’s account have evolved into modern countries with different names. Which modern nations will Gog lead to attack Israel?

I did some digging and found that accurately transposing the names is difficult at best. Attempting to align Ezekiel’s ancient country names with modern ones would be a profound study in the history of nations. How can we determine which nations will be involved in the attack?

Ezekiel would have been accurately familiar with the locations and names of the nations in his day. He would also have been informed about the Table of Nations in Genesis chapters 10 and 11.[17] We can identify what he knew by studying the genealogy of Noah’s sons in Genesis. Therefore, we can make some generalizations about the ancient families, tribes, and nations involved.

Genesis 10:1 Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood.

Below, I’ve emboldened and underlined the names of Noah’s sons (Japheth, Ham, and Shem) and his grandsons that appear in Ezekiel 38:2-4 and 38:5-6.

Genesis 10:2-4 The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

Genesis 10:6 The sons of Ham were Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan.

Genesis 10:22 The sons of Shem were Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram.

Gog will lead some descendants of Japheth. Not all, because some will also align with the Western Confederacy led by the Antichrist. However, at least some of the descendants of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah will be involved. They all lived north of Israel. It’s generally cited that those families became tribes and nations in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Gog will also influence and garner some allies from the descendants of Ham and Shem.

Allies of Gog

The descendants of Ham and Shem involved in the battle will be Cush, Put, and Elam. All these descendants will be with Gog or become his allies. They will all form a vast horde. Many people will be united against Israel in the Gog-led cartel.

Ezekiel 38:5-6 (NASB) Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with buckler and helmet; 6 Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.

Genesis 10:22 identifies Elam as a son of Shem. In Scripture, Elam often refers to Persia.[18] And, Persia is typically referred to as the modern Islamic Republic of Iran.

Regarding Cush and Put, newer Bible versions, such as the New Living Translation and the New King James Version, translate Cush as Ethiopia and Put as Libya. Libya is 97% Muslim, and Ethiopia has a population split between Islam and Christianity. [19]

Ezekiel 38:5-6 (NKJV) Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. ⁶ Gomer and all its armies will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north, and many others.

In both versions of the passage above, “many peoples” or “many others” confirm that other allies will join Gog’s leadership. The fact that there are numerous other allies in the Gog of Magog Invasion is not typically discussed or highlighted among many eschatologists. The alliance against Israel will be broader than some think. It will be a full cross-section of descendants of Noah’s sons.

Summarizing, the nations of Magog, Meshech, Rosh, and Tubal, as well as Gomer and Beth-togarmah are all from the family of Japheth and will be united. The family of Japheth nations will form alliances with Iran [Persia], from the family of Shem (Israel’s lineage too), as well as with Ethiopia [Cush] and Libya [Put] from the family of Ham. All three of Noah’s sons are represented in this horde of armies against God’s chosen nation of Israel.

All of this shows the invasion is not a conflict of just one family of nations against Israel. From my point of view, “Gog of Magog” represents all of Noah’s sons. It’s probable these are nations with a bent against Yahweh and His ways. It may be why God is resolved against Gog of Magog and their allies. But is this any different than the other nations? No, all the nations have raged against God over the millennia.

Why Do the Nations Rage?

If a parent observes their child being victimized or bullied by a whole group, it would be a deeply grievous situation. Similarly, the Gog cartel’s intention to destroy God’s child (Israel) must be grievous for Him. It may be why Yahweh is so opposed to this confederacy of various nations.

Again, although the Lord is totally aware of Gog’s wicked endeavor, Yahweh nonetheless provokes Gog to attack Israel.

Ezekiel 38:7 Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them.

The Biblical narrative reveals that the striking nations harbor a deep-seated animosity towards Israel. Typically, the Muslims and other contrasting ideologies have scorn and contempt for the Jews. Truly, Gog of Magog will have a death wish for Israel. Gog’s entire military force will likely pose a challenge to the group of ten (the rebirthed Roman Empire) if Yahweh does not intervene.

Little does Gog of Magog realize, Yahweh will be ready at that time to chastise him and the invaders he has assembled.

Israel may be in a peaceful situation, but it will be a false front. Perhaps the peace will be created by the Antichrist’s treaty with Israel. Their peace could rest on the strength of the Federated States of Europe, the Future Western (Roman) Empire of Daniel 2, controlled by the Antichrist.

Note that the military action against Israel will most likely be a surprise for the Jews. At least that seems to be the picture Scripture paints, with Gog swooping down on peaceful Israel.

Ezekiel 38:8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel.

Gog’s strategy will be to attack Israel without an inkling of the Jews’ knowledge, like one of Hitler’s blitzkriegs, storming in hard and fast, when their enemy least expects it. Israel will be the pinpoint of anger for the nations in this battle.

Ezekiel 38:9-11 You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you. 10 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. 11 You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!

Psalm 2 focuses on the rebellion of nations against God and His anointed, Jesus Christ, the King. It’s not just Gog of Magog. This Psalm emphasizes that all the nations are in opposition to Yahweh in light of His sovereignty. He laughs at their intentions toward Him.

I’m not saying this Psalm is a specific prophecy. However, it captures all the angst among the nations leading to the Tribulation, the temperament of the Gog of Magog Invasion, and the Campaign of Armageddon, all rolled into one.

Psalm 2:1-5 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.

Hordes of people will hate the Israelis. Gog and his allies will think…

Ezekiel 38:12 I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!”

There’s plenty of bottled-up emotion and motivation for Gog’s hordes and allies to lash out.

Little do they know that Yahweh has a contrasting purpose for allowing this great gathering of armies against His people. Just as He allowed the Egyptians to do in the Jews’ exodus. God will act with a similar supernatural fury against this invasion. Then, the nations will see God’s glory.

Ezekiel 39:21-22 In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. 22 And from that time on the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God.

The passage above contains the answers to the earlier questions we posed. Why did Yahweh inspire Ezekiel to taunt the (angry) nations into attacking the Jews? Why is He encouraging a horde of (angry) nations to strike Israel?

The answer is, He wants all the nations to see His glory. He is our God! And, He must influence the Israelis to know and acknowledge Him. He is their God! As He told Ezekiel in chapter 37, He will put breath into the Jews, and they will come to life!

A Moment for the Big Picture

Dear friends in the faith, all humans among the nations who hate God and rage against Him will bring about the Tribulation. Humans will have terrible experiences because of their selfishness and persistence against God. For us to learn His ways and for God to lead us out of this present age is the overall scope of what prophecy foretells.

After the Tribulation, the Millennial Reign of Christ will come, and then humanity will enter eternity. We’ll be living in the New Heaven and New Earth, where God will be with us, giving us counsel to exercise the gifts and abilities He’s given us. We will enjoy God and other humans as we manage the new world He’ll create for us.

Without our present experiences, the knowledge we will gain from them, and our realization of God’s glory, eternity would be unsustainable. For humans to embrace that realization is God’s purpose for this whole age. Ever since Adam and Eve in the Garden, God has had us on this track. It will be the consummation (completion and fulfillment) of the age.

Is God for Us? Or Against Us?

Keep in mind, if a Pre-Trib Rapture is God’s plan, which I’ve become more convinced of, the church will be resurrected and suffer no wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NIV) For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

While that is true, the nations of remaining people will be subject to God’s wrath. Yes, some will actually make it through to the Millennial Reign of Christ. However, when God is against rebellious humanity, it will be a terrifying position for them.

As Christians, we learn that if God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) For the rebels against Yahweh, His angry enemies, the opposite could be said as, if God is against us, who can be for us?

First, to cherish and savor the position of having God for us, let’s examine the verses Paul used to convey this thought. (Romans 8:31)

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

So if we love God, He causes everything to work together for our good. He predestined us to live according to His purpose. Eventually, we’ll become like His Son, who Himself lived in accordance with God’s purpose. He called us to be justified not by works but by grace, and because our ultimate goal is to love God, we’ll be glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us?

I love to tell of the goodness of God. Living according to His ways and purposes brings about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. Those conditions are the opposite of God being against us.

But He’s against Gog and his hordes. The people who are with Gog and allied to him will not be living according to God’s purposes. (If the believers in those countries are raptured, they’ll be gone.) He will not justify or glorify those who did not repent and forgive others.

Yahweh Will be Known to All the Nations

With what I’m about to say, I don’t intend to sound cavalier, pompous, or indifferent to human life. But at that time in the Last Days, Yahweh will annihilate Gog of Magog and his allies.

I dislike being the bearer of unfortunate or bad news. Despite that, this is one of those times when the truth cannot be diminished or doctored. The Bible confronts humanity with the realization that any of us could be in the hands of an angry God if we don’t allow Him to be Lord. The whole Bible story confirms that He has a right to be angry.

Yahweh is good, right, and just, offering all of us numerous opportunities to repent and make amends in our lives. And, He doesn’t hold our mistakes against us. Throughout the Scriptures, Yahweh has warned that He’ll punish some of humankind with the consequences of rebellion if they don’t repent and forgive others. That punishment is sure to arrive in the Tribulation.

Gog of the land of Magog, and all his allies, will NOT overcome Israel. Rather, the assault will rouse the Lord. Their attack will be a trigger that angers the Lord to a point of fury so that God will supernaturally destroy them. It will happen in real time, not just through the revelation of Scripture. Yahweh will take action to reveal that He is the Lord of heaven and earth.

Ezekiel 38:16 …and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the Lord.

Finally, after centuries and thousands of years of holding back wrath from His enemies, the living God will show Himself to the world, and they will quake in terror at His presence.

Ezekiel 38:18-20 But this is what the Sovereign Lord says: When Gog invades the land of Israel, my fury will boil over! 19 In my jealousy and blazing anger, I promise a mighty shaking in the land of Israel on that day. 20 All living things—the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth.

There are not many times in the history of the world that our loving, kind, and patient God shows His anger and wrath so blatantly. Similar to other occasions with Israel, God will set Himself against their enemies. Yahweh will reveal to humans that there really is a God who controls heaven and earth!

Ezekiel 38:21-23 I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your men will turn their swords against each other. 22 I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur! 23 In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

Because of the relationship Yahweh has had with Israel for millennia, and the promises He’s given them during that relationship, this is “an event God will use to bring [Israel], who are physically alive but spiritually dead, to a knowledge of Himself.”[20]

Ezekiel 39:29 And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!

Gog and Magog in the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation also describes a rebellion by Gog and Magog, which most eschatologists believe will occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

Revelation 20:8 (TLB) [Satan] will go out to deceive the nations of the world and gather them together, with Gog and Magog, for battle—a mighty host, numberless as sand along the shore.

Many scholars believe that both battles will happen. The attack from Gog and Magog upon Israel will take place as described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. But there will be another Gog and Magog-style battle when Satan is released after the 1,000-year reign of Christ, as told in Revelation 20:8.

I don’t doubt that the nations of the world (all Noah’s sons) will gather together again for a final Gog of Magog battle at the end of the Millennium. The Gog and Magog standoff in Revelation somewhat resembles the invasion described in Ezekiel.

Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8 borrows the same names to describe Satan leading unbelieving humans at the end of the Millennium. Dissenting people are in both battles, and each has an organizer or leader of their army (Gog or Satan). In both, the people involved will fight against Yahweh’s purposes.

It could be said that Gog and Magog represent “the aggregate military might of the forces opposed to God, especially in a mighty battle of the end times.” [21]

Yahweh is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End

I’ve shown that there is a divergence among various eschatologists regarding the chronology and details of the Last Days events.[22] That’s why I tend not to be aggressive in my opinions. There could easily be more discussion on Ezekiel 37-39. The Gog of Magog prophecy has much more that I do not have space to share.

Although Yahweh has given us prophecy, it’s not for us to know all the details right now. That’s why it is cryptic, with parts unknown, especially the exact timing of events. God reveals only portions, allowing differing opinions, so that when we meet Him, we’ll realize His amazing sovereignty. Then we will believe. Then we will know absolutely that He is God, and we’ll believe.

John 14:29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

It’s staggering to the human mind that He tells us the future from the beginning, and yet we each have our own free will.

Isaiah 46:10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Jesus was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2), He’ll be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20), and He’s coming soon! (Revelation 22:20) He’s the first and the last!

Revelation 22:12-13 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Thanks for subscribing and reading. All the best to you,

Glenn

[1] ¼ of the Bible’s content reveals God’s prophetic plan. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-prophecy.html (Accessed 2025-08-24)

[2] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) p. 4

[3] Ron Rhodes, The End Times in Chronological Order (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2012) p. 12

[4] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ezekiel/37-6.htm (Accessed 2025-10-12)

[5] https://www.gotquestions.org/Old-Testament-believers.html (Accessed 2025-08-26)

[6] John F. Walvoord, The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990) p. 191

[7] Strong hurricane winds caused Tampa Bay to become temporarily dry showing how the Red Sea could turn dry. https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2024/10/10/reverse-storm-surge-spared-tampa-dried-up-bay-heres-how-it-works/75603251007/ (Accessed 2025-11-09)

[8] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) p. 293

[9] John F. Walvoord, The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990) p. 190-191

[10] Mark Hitchcock, The End (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2012) p. 302

[11] Ron Rhodes, The Complete Reference Guide to Bible Prophecy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2024) p. 215

[12] https://duckduckgo.com/?q=modern+military+fortifications+for+defense+in+the+field&atb=v314-1&ia=web&assist=true (Accessed 2025-11-02)

[13] Various versions of the Bible are not in sync that “prince of Rosh” is accurate. The Targum, Vulgate, and Aquila read “chief prince of” (also in verse 3) Ray Comfort, The Evidence Study Bible (Newberry, FL: Bridge-Logos, Inc., 2011) p. 1181

[14] J. Dwight Pentecost, Prophecy for Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers/RBC Ministries, 1989) p. 121-122

[15] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come (Copyright 1958 by Dunham; Published in Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1^st in 1964) p. 328

[16] John F. Walvoord, The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990) p. 191

[17] joelstrumpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Location-of-Magog-Meshech-and-Tubal-1.pdf (Accessed 2025-10-12)

[18] https://bibletruthpublishers.com/elam/ljm15867 (Accessed 2025-10-19)

[19] https://ethiopiaandlibya.weebly.com/religion.html (Accessed 2025-10-19)

[20] J. Dwight Pentecost, Prophecy for Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers/RBC Ministries, 1989) p. 121

[21] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2038&version=TLB, Footnotes, (Accessed 2025-08-03)

[22] J. Dwight Pentecost, Prophecy for Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers/RBC Ministries, 1989) p. 344