Pete's note: Congratulations to Randy on completing his 200th article! That is a notable feat so thank you for your dedication and edification!
As with most prophecies and significant events in the Bible regarding Israel, Jerusalem, and the Jews, the timing of such is usually a point of contention or debate. Some examples are the year of Jesus’ birth, the year of Jesus’s death, the year of the start of Daniel’s seventy-week prophecy, and the year of the end of Daniel’s sixty-ninth week. The Gog-Magog War prophecy in Ezekiel 38-39, a significant and often debated topic, is no exception. This article will explore the various theories surrounding its timing.
Prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock notes: “By far, the most controversial issue is the setting or timing of the invasion. The specific time of the invasion in Ezekiel 38 is difficult to determine.” {1} Dr. Thomas Ice, another prophecy expert, agrees. ”There is no doubt that this is the greatest problem to overcome in our understanding of this passage. In fact, the various positions are labeled according to one’s view concerning when these events will be fulfilled.
Among those who believe that the Gog-led invasion is historical, some believe that it has already occurred. For example, (partial) preterist Gary DeMar says, “The battle in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is clearly an ancient one.” When does he believe that this battle took place? Amazingly, DeMar and only a handful of commentators insist that Ezekiel 39-39 was fulfilled by the events described in Esther 9, occurring in about 473 BC in the days of Queen Esther of Persia. The other views that take this invasion as a historical event place its occurrence in a time future to our day.” {2}
This is very flawed reasoning. If you go to Esther 9, you can clearly determine that this non-military conflict differs from the Gog-Magog War in about every conceivable way. In the book of Esther, Israel’s enemies do not even invade the land of Israel, and the Jews defend themselves to defeat the Persian agitators without supernatural assistance. Partial Preterist David Lowman agrees with DeMar on this issue. They both believe the battles of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20 are not the same event. For a comparison between the Gog-Magog War and the Esther 9 conflict see Ezekiel 38 & 39 (Part 12) - by Thomas Ice - The Pre-Trib Research Center.
Another partial preterist, Kenneth Gentry, believes that Christ’s coming from heaven to wage war in Revelation 19 represents His judgment coming on Israel when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. He believes it reflects the theme of the book found in Revelation 1:7, where He comes against the ones who pierced Him (the Jews). Thus, Revelation 20“presents the consequence of Christ’s judgment of Israel, Christianity’s first major enemy: the binding of Satan, the vindication of the martyrs, and the spiritual rule of believers with Christ in the present age.” {3}
Kenneth Gentry’s position is that Ezekiel 38-39 was likely fulfilled in the second century BC, and John uses its imagery to foreshadow the events of Revelation 19:11-21 and Revelation 20:8-10. For this position, the battles of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20 are not one and the same (nor are the battles of Rev. 19 and Rev. 20).
Most full preterists believe that Ezekiel’s prophecy was fulfilled in the 2nd century B.C. at the defeat of the Greek/Syrian invaders of Palestine by Judas Maccabeus. At least this view has the invaders actually ascending upon the land of Israel, as noted in Ezekiel’s prophecy. However, very few similarities exist between this invasion and the one prophesied in Ezekiel. Most preterists have to rely heavily on allegorical interpretation of scripture for a past fulfillment of the Gog-Magog War. Watch Preterism: The Eschatology of Unbelief (rev310.net) by Pete Garcia for a detailed study of Preterism and its beliefs.
There are three prevalent theories for dispensational premillennialists on the timing of the Gog-Magog war found in Ezekiel 38-39: 1) Before the Tribulation, 2) During the Tribulation, and 3) At the end of the Tribulation. It is the same war as the Armageddon campaign.
The last theory, and least likely in my opinion, is that the Gog-Magog war is the same as the Armageddon campaign and will conclude at the end of the Tribulation when Christ returns to the Earth. In this scenario, Russia and its allies are merely part of a worldwide coalition that comes against Israel at the end of days. However, there are several problems with this view. According to Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum and other Bible scholars, many objections exist to this timing of the Gog-Magog war.
According to Fruchtenbaum, there are at least seven problems with this view. “First, in Ezekiel, definite allies are mentioned, and they are limited in number, while other nations stand in opposition. In the campaign of Armageddon, all nations are allied together against Jerusalem without exception.”
This author’s note: At Armageddon, the Lord "will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle" (Zechariah 14:2). The Gog Magog War is more of a regional war, while the campaign of Armageddon involves all the nations of the world (that are still in existence at this time).
“Second, the Ezekiel invasion comes from the north, but the Armageddon invasion comes from the whole earth.” This author’s note: The Armageddon campaign will begin with the sixth Bowl Judgment, as recorded in Revelation 16:12-16. The Euphrates River will be dried up, making it easy for the kings of the east (and all their armies) to cross over with their forces to gather in the Valley of Megiddo (which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon – the mountain of Megiddo) to destroy the Jews once and for all. This will only be a gathering place, for the major battles will be fought in Jerusalem and around Bozrah/Petra.
“Third, the purpose of the Russian confederacy invasion is to take spoil or plunder; the purpose of the Armageddon campaign is to destroy all the Jews. Fourth, in the Ezekiel invasion, there is a protest against the invasion; in the Armageddon invasion, there is no protest because all the nations are involved. Fifth, the Armageddon invasion is destroyed by the personal second coming of Jesus the Messiah.”
This author’s note: Let me reiterate the fifth point of Mr. Fruchtenbaum. Gog and allies will meet their demise by natural and supernatural means: a great earthquake, fighting amongst themselves, pestilence and bloodshed, flooding rain and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. The Armageddon forces will meet their demise by supernatural means as well, but it will be on a personal level as Jesus Christ, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, defeats them in person with no outside help.
“And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords” (Revelation 19:15-16).
“For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth” (Isaiah 63:4-6).
“Sixth, the Ezekiel invasion is destroyed on the mountains of Israel; the Armageddon invasion is destroyed in the area between Jerusalem and Petra. Seventh, the Russian invasion takes place while Israel is living securely in the Land; the Armageddon campaign takes place while Israel is in flight and hiding.” {4}
Map IMG Source: Skywatch
Dr. Thomas Ice observes, ”If these two campaigns are one and the same, then there is not any time for Israel to bury the dead (7 months) or burn the instruments of war (7 years), according to Ezekiel 39:9,12. Scripture implies that seventy-five days after Christ’s return, the thousand-year kingdom will commence and that it will begin a cleansing of the judgment from the tribulation (Isaiah 2:1-4; 65:17-25; Daniel 12:11-12).
Ron Rhodes observes another difference between the two battles as follows: At Armageddon, the Beast is the head of the invasion campaign (Revelation 19:19), whereas Gog is the head of the invading force in Ezekiel’s prophecy (Ezekiel 38:7). The more one contemplates the differences between the two events the more one realizes that they cannot be the same. The details of the two events just do not match up.” {5}
Ezekiel 38:8 identifies the general timing of the confederacy invasion. “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have always been waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.”
It is clear from this verse that the invasion will occur at the end of the ages (latter years) before Jesus’ second advent. This verse does not refer to the return to Judah after the Babylonian exile but rather the diaspora of the Jews after 70 and 135 AD. It refers to a time after the Jews returned (out of the nations) to their homeland and established the modern state of Israel in 1948. Due to the power of their armed forces, the Jews dwell safely in their land once again (relatively speaking).
Due to the soon-coming Rapture and Daniel’s 70th week hot on its heels, I don’t see the Gog-Magog War occurring before the Rapture. I do believe it will happen before the Tribulation, however. Some who hold this view include Chuck Smith, Chuck Missler, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Randall Price, Tim LaHaye, and Joel Rosenberg.
What are some reasons that support this view? First, Fruchtenbaum describes the pretribulation view as follows: the Russian invasion will occur before the Tribulation begins. This view arrives at certain conclusions from the text of Ezekiel 38:1–39:16. First, Israel is established before the Tribulation and is dwelling securely. Second, the Russian confederacy invades Israel during this time of security before the Tribulation. Third, the confederacy is destroyed in Israel before the Tribulation.
Perhaps the strongest argument for this view relates to the fact that if this event is pretribulation, then there would be time for the seven months to bury the dead (Ezek. 39:12) and the seven years to burn the implements of war (Ezek. 39:9). I use to believe that due to the Antichrist’s persecution of the Jews at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week (when he commits the abomination of desolation in the newly built third temple in Jerusalem), as per Matthew 24:15-21, that the Jews wouldn’t be able to burn the weapons of war for seven years because they would be on the run until they reached the mountain fortress of Petra, Jordan for the remainder of the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation. I have since changed my opinion on this and believe it could be possible to burn the weapons for seven years (and before the Millennium Kingdom begins).
Suppose the Jews take Jesus’ advice (In Matthew 24). In that case, they won’t take anything with them once they witness the abomination of desolation by the A.C., including clothes or any household items, much less those of war that could be used for burning to keep warm. The only way any weapons/fuel could be gathered to Petra would be if they had foreseen this moment (by reading their Bible ?) and carried their cache there beforehand. Also, I believe there will still be people in the land of Israel and Jerusalem during the Great Tribulation (last 3.5 years) who will be burning these spoils of war. We know there will be Jews in Jerusalem during the Armageddon campaign wars, according to Zechariah 14:2 and other O.T. scripture.
I agree with Mr. Fruchtenbaum that there will be no burying of the dead or burning of weapons during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth. The Gog-Magog war must start before Daniel’s 70th Week and is not a part of the Armageddon war (IMO).
I believe that the next biblical event to occur is the rapture of the Church. This will significantly speed up the end-time birth pains mentioned in Matthew 24, including war. After the Rapture (and maybe even before), the United States of America will no longer be a dominant world power.
As I wrote about in Now What's Next? (rev310.net), I believe the prophecy of Isaiah 17 regarding the destruction of Damascus by Israel will be one of the early birth pains, as well as the prophecy of Jeremiah 49:35-37 regarding disastrous ruin to Elam (part of modern-day Iran).
Russia will continue exerting its military might (as it is doing now) in reclaiming lost territory that was part of the old Soviet Union until God puts hooks in the jaws of Gog and turns him and his host around towards Israel. “I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army” (Ezekiel 38:4). No country, including America, will come to the aid of Israel.
I believe this war will begin relatively soon, as Russia needs this ‘spoil’ (gas, minerals, cattle) to finance its wars, and the Muslim nations allied with Russia will not be able to contain their demonic hatred of the Jews much longer without making good on their promise to annihilate them. Of course, they are in for a rude awakening. “For we know Him who said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:30-31,37).
Many scholars, including Grant R. Jeffrey, believe the Gog/Magog war will start on Kislev 24 of the Jewish calendar. Haggai describes this war similarly to Ezekiel's Gog/Magog war, with a massive earthquake and the various peoples/nations fighting amongst themselves. Haggai even gives the date, the 24th day of the ninth month (Kislev). Compare Haggai 2:18-22 with Ezekiel 38:18-22 (they even have the same numbered verses – 18-22).
“Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid – consider it: Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you. And again the word of the Lord came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother” (Haggai 2:18-22).
Regarding where this invasion originates from, God tells Ezekiel to prophesy and say to Gog, “Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you” (Ezekiel 38:15). However, the American Bible Revised Edition Version says, “leaving your base in the recesses of Zaphon, you and many nations with you.”
Also, in chapter 39, the word/name Zaphon is substituted for the far north. “I will turn you around, even though I urged you on and brought you up from the recesses of Zaphon and let you attack the mountains of Israel.” The word Zaphon is used ten times in the Old Testament by the American Bible Revised Edition Version.
Zaphon is a mountain on the Syrian-Turkish border near what used to be the port city of Ugarit. It is now called Mount Aqraa or Jabal al-Aqraa, and Mount Cassius to the Greeks. The Canaanites in the region believed it was where the storm god Baal-Hadad lived. Zaphon became a metonym and the word for the direction of ‘north’ in Hebrew.
The port city of Ugarit was initially located near (what is now) Latakia, Syria. Latakia has been the target of many Israeli air raids in recent years. Russia deploys large troops to this vital port city on the Mediterranean Sea. It would undoubtedly enrage Russia if Israel were to kill Russian soldiers through an airstrike in Latakia, Syria.
“Currently, Damascus and Homs are being protected by Hezbollah and other Shiite militias. Holding this territory is essential for the regime, Hezbollah, and their Iranian backers. Meanwhile, Latakia represents less of a strategic interest for Iran than Russia, which wants to maintain a presence along the coast more than in Damascus or the Golan Heights. As for the influx of Russian troops, they are needed to protect the city, given the present weakness of Syrian forces. Russia is also fortifying its position along the southern Turkish border, with the ultimate goal of preventing Sunni Syrian forces from gaining access to the sea.” {6}
Latakia, Syria, could be the location from where Russia will amass its coalition and “hook up” with Turkish, Iranian, and other nations’ military forces. Gog will then lead them to their ill-fated journey south toward Israel to start the Gog-Magog war. They will have to skirt around the destroyed city of Damascus, probably to the west, possibly entering Lebanon and then entering Israel by way of the Judean mountains. Due to the rugged terrain, cavalry forces will be deployed in large numbers. In the mountains of Israel, they will meet their fate. “You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured” (Ezekiel 39:4).
This invasion to take booty or spoil will not work out precisely as Gog envisions, as it will go horribly awry. On that day of destiny, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will fight for the children of Israel when no other nation will. Of course, no one else is needed when God fights for you.
“And it will come to pass at the same time when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord God, that My fury will show in My face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: Surely in that day, there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
“I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains, says the Lord God. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 38:18-23).
The defeat of the military might of Russia, Turkey, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, and the other nations of Ezekiel 38-39 will leave a power vacuum amongst the world’s nations. The Ten Kings’ Kingdom of Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12 will immediately fill this power vacuum and fill the void, becoming the dominant world power. Even China will become a part of this one-world order. The anti-Christ will emerge soon after this and will confirm a covenant with Israel and others, which will begin the seven-year Tribulation, aka Daniel’s 70th Week. I believe all of these end-time events could occur within a few years.
God’s prophecies always come true. It’s only a matter of when and not if. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3).
Because of the supernatural means of destruction in the Gog-Magog war, it will be evident to the Jews that God intervened for Israel to save them. “I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day forward” (Ezekiel 39:21). They will, at this point, attempt to renew their old covenant (the Law) with God and make preparations to rebuild their third temple in Jerusalem. They will not, however, at this time, accept Jesus as their Messiah.
I believe Ezekiel 39:25-29 is a continuation of Ezekiel 37:22-28 and is referring to the Millennial Kingdom of God after Jesus Christ returns to the earth when He will gather all 12 tribes of the children of Israel back to the Promised Land after Jacob’s Trouble (Tribulation). Israel will then have fulfilled all the objectives of Daniel’s 70 Weeks/Sevens prophecy. This will only happen at the end of the Tribulation when Israel (remnant Jews) finally recognize Jesus as the Messiah and confess their national sin, fulfilling the prophecy of Hosea 5:15. “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction, they will seek me early.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Randy Nettles
End Notes:
{1} Mark Hitchcock, Iran The Coming Crisis: Radical Islam, Oil, And The Nuclear Threat (Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2006), p. 178
{3} Kenneth Gentry, Recapitulation v Progress
{4} Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, Rev. ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003), p. 119
{6} www.washingtoninstitute.org – Latakia is Assad’s Achilles Heel by Fabrice Balanche