Ezekiel 38

Future Invasion

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Intro

√ Future invasion

Chapters 38 & 39 are some of the most studied portions of scripture in all of Bible prophecy.

The reason is that Bible students see strong evidence that the invaders described in these chapters closely match the current geo-political alliances of our time.

Furthermore, the existence of Israel as a nation with a powerful enemy to her “far north” is unique to the time that we live.

And, there are no historical events like those described in these chapters which indicates that it is a yet future battle.

So, Bible students study these chapters in great detail against the daily news for signs and conclude that these events could come to pass in the very near future.

Ap. Be wise

With such strong evidence that the events herein described could come to pass in our own life time places us at the very end of the prophetic calendar!

That is, we find ourselves standing at the edge of eternity!

That the rule of Man over the earth is coming quickly to a close and that the Rapture of the Church, followed by the Tribulation and the Return of the King is right around the corner!

An encouragement to live each day for Jesus!

The Invaders (vs. 1-7)

Ez. 38:1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ez. 38:2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

Ez. 38:3 and say, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.

Ez. 38:4 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.

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

Ez. 38:6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.

Ez. 38:7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.

√ The invaders

In chapter 38-39 God calls Ezekiel to prophecy against a group of nations that will one day coordinate an attempted invasion of Israel.

The invaders are named as…

Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal ~ vs. 2 & 3

Persia ~ vs. 5

Ethiopia ~ vs. 5

Libya ~ vs. 5

Gomer ~ vs. 6

Togarmah ~ vs. 6

Some of the names are familiar to us as they correspond to modern-day nations, while others are strange to those who have not studied Bible prophecy.

That’s because many of the names used here are the names of the progenitors of nations as listed in the so-called “Table of Nations” in Genesis 10.

The reason God uses them here is that over the centuries since Ezekiel first uttered this prophecy the names of many nations and kingdoms have changed…

…but the geographic locations where the progenitors settled remains the same which allows us to identify the modern countries that will be involved.

Ap. What are the modern nations?

There is some debate about the exact identification of these nations but a general consensus among Bible students suggests the following…

Gog (of the land of Magog) = Russia

Meshech & Tubal Ukraine, Kazakhstan,

Georgia, perhaps

other Muslim nations

of the old USSR

Rosh = Not a nation, a title

meaning “chief”

Gomer = Turkey

Togarmah = Turkey

Persia = Iran

Ethiopia (Cush) = Sudan

Libya (Put) = Libya

The name “Rosh” has caused a lot of confusion, even among Bible translators as it can be translated as either a proper noun (the name of a nation) or as an adjective (a title).

Ex. NKJV vs. NLT

NKJV (and NASB)

Ez. 38:2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

NLT (and NIV)

Ez. 38:2 “Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal.

I’ve heard good arguments for both positions but it seems that the evidence points toward interpreting it as a title rather than a nation because there…

Rosh is not named in the Table of Nations

Rosh is not mentioned as a nation anywhere in Scripture while all the other nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 are.

Regardless as to whether or not Rosh is a title (“prince”) or a nation, the rest of the invaders are clearly listed so that we can understand who these allies will be.

√ Today’s allies

Taking what we know we can look at the political alignment of nations today and see that what Ezekiel saw as a far distant alliance exists currently!

Russia, Iran and Libya have already entered into extensive economic and military treaties.

Sudan is strongly anti-Christian and aligned with radical Islamic groups such as Al Quida.

Just this last month Turkey and Iran entered into a treaty to fight their common enemy the Kurdish rebels in the mountains of Iraq.

Vladimir Putin has stated publicly that Muslim have no better friend in the world than Russia!

He is actively courting all the nations mentioned in Ezekiel’s prophecy to form a coalition to oppose the interests of the West.

Additionally we have recent precedent in which Russia actively led and promoted an attack against Israel by her Muslim neighbors!

Ex. “Foxbats over Dimona” by Isabella Ginor and Gideon Remez

Provides first-hand interviews with Soviet pilots, and extensive declassified information from the Soviet air force that proves that the six-Day War was the result of a joint Soviet-Arab gambit to provoke Israel into a preemptive attack.

The USSR had trained and armed Israel’s Muslim neighbors and were sure that they could destroy Israel.

Further information reveals that the Soviets had originally planned to participate in the mop up operations once world opinion swung from Israel to her Muslim neighbors.

What they didn’t count on was the overwhelming success of the Israeli preemptive strike that the Soviet’s provoked!

So, the Soviet’s never stepped in to save Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

The point is that the 1967 Six-Day War was in one sense a dress rehearsal for the attempted invasion of Israel detailed in Ezekiel 38-39!

Ap. The prophecy is sure!

People who question whether or not this invasion will take place have only to look at the Six-Day War to find evidence that another similar invasion is plausible.

The difference the next time is that Russia will be fully committed.

Perhaps in part they will be dragged into the fray because they abandoned their allies in 1967.

The Arab nations aren’t soon to attack Israel without greater assurances from Putin and others that they can count on the Russians this time around.

May be the “hooks” God mentions in vs. 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.“

That is, the Russians may find themselves “hooked” into an invasion that they would rather have not been directly involved in.

Ex. Possible scenario

A preemptive strike by Israel against Iran’s nuclear production facilities.

The Timing of the Invasion (vs. 8-9)

Ez. 38:8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.

Ez. 38:9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”

√ The timing of the invasion

There are a number of clues that will help us to understand the timing of this invasion.

Firstly God specifies the timing of the invasion as coming in…

“In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.”

Vs. 8

Note that the timing of the invasion is the “latter years” a common phrase for the Last Days.

Secondly, we’re told that the invasion will come after the Jews have been re-gathered to Israel, another clue that this attack comes in the Last Days.

Finally, the placement of the prophecy in the book of Ezekiel would suggest that it will occur…

…after Israel has been restored to her land as one nation (chapter 37), but before the Millennial Kingdom (chapters 40-48)

Ap. When?

Many wonder when on the prophetic calendar will this invasion take place.

Before Tribulation?

1^st half of the Tribulation?

Before the Rapture?

After the Rapture?

There are only a few clues that help pinpoint the place on the prophetic calendar…

…but none is certain!

Ex. During the 1^st half of the Tribulation

Those that hold this position point to vs. 8 as evidence to support their interpretation.

“In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.”

They argue that the people of Israel do not now live in safety.

But, that after the false-peace brought by the Antichrist is achieved then they will live in peace.

The problem I have with that position is that when you read vs. 8 in context that the people in Israel do now dwell safely…

…as compared to where they lived before coming to Israel.

Ex. Hitler’s “Final Solution” proved to the Jewish people that the only place they would ever dwell safely would be Israel.

Furthermore, I think the invasion described here is the perfect setup to bring Israel and her Arab neighbors to the negotiating table where the Antichrist will induce them to sign a 7-year peace treaty (ref. Daniel 9:27).

The Motive for the Invasion (vs. 10-13)

Ez. 38:10 “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan:

Ez. 38:11 You will say, “I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—

Ez. 38:12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.

√ The motive for the invasion

The motive for Gog to lead this invasion against Israel is simple…

To take the wealth of Israel for themselves!

That ought not be surprising as that has often been the motivation for war throughout history.

What does Israel have that Russia and her allies might want? We’re not told specifically, only that they want “booty” (sounds Pirate-ish!). Perhaps it is…

Command of the land bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa (just like all the armies of history).

Control of the modern ports of Israel on the Mediterranean.

Access to the rich agriculture.

Whatever it is they want Gog and her allies see Israel as easy pickings.

The Observers (vs. 13)

Ez. 38:13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, “Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ” ’

√ The observers

This verse is filled with intrigue and mystery and may be the one verse in the whole Bible that makes reference to the United States!

We’re told that a number of nations will observe the invasion forces of God and her allies moving on Israel…

…will express concern, but will do nothing to stop it.

The nations are identified as…

Sheba

Dedan

Tarshish

All three are named in Genesis 10’s Table of the Nations, two of which we are able to identify…

Sheba = Saudi’s

Dedan = Saudi’s

However, Tarshish isn’t so clear.

There are however many references to Tarshish throughout the Old Testament which predominantly list it as a seafaring island people who gain their riches through their vast merchant navy.

Leading some to suggest that Tarshish speaks of England, thus her “young lions” would be the nations that were born out her.

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US.

While we can’t be too dogmatic about that interpretation it’s seems more than a coincidence that those nations are all friendly with, and have economic and military ties to Saudi Arabia!

The Invasion (vs. 14-23)

Ez. 38:14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?

Ez. 38:15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.

Ez. 38:16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.”

Ez. 38:17 Thus says the Lord GOD: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?

Ez. 38:18 “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.

Ez. 38:19 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,

Ez. 38:20 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.’

Ez. 38:21 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.

Ez. 38:22 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.

Ez. 38:23 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.” ’

√ The invasion

The attempted invasion of Israel by Gog and her allies will be a multi-pronged attack.

Gog will lead one prong of the attack coming from the “far north” (vs. 15), another indication that Gog and Magog is in fact Russia.

They will lead the other troops coming from the North, those of Turkey and Iran.

Another group will attack from the West consisting of the armies from Sudan and Libya.

The army is described as powerful (“mighty” ~ vs. 15), well equipped (chapter 39:9) and large (“covered the land like a cloud” ~ vs. 16).

The point being that from a human perspective the tiny nation of Israel doesn’t have a chance!

Probably why Sheba, Dedan, Tarshish and her young lions didn’t want to get involved!

But, as it turns out that’s exactly the kind of odds that God wants!

√ God’s defense

The details of how God defends Israel and how He will destroy the army of Gog is detailed in chapter 39.

However, He gives us a preview in the closing verses of chapter 38.

He tells us that He will…

Bring a massive earthquake ~ vs. 19 & 20

Cause the allies to fight against each other ~ vs. 21

Rain hail, fire and brimstone on them ~ vs. 22

The destruction will be so great and so awesome that the world will recognize that God Himself fought to protect Israel.

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