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Ezekiel

THE FUTURE BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG Ezekiel 38-39

Date:June 22, 2025
Author: Wayne J. Edwards

Introduction:

The prophecy of Gog and Magog, which is found in the Book of Ezekiel (chapters 38-39), describes a future battle where a coalition of nations, led by Gog, from the land of Magog, will rise against Israel. This invasion, which will commence just before the Time of Tribulation, will be decisively rebuffed by God’s divine intervention, which will lead to a brief period of global peace.

Since Iran (Persia) is included in that coalition of nations, many have wrongly concluded that we are witnessing the beginning of the Ezekiel 38-39 – “Gog-Magog War.” However, this is not the case, and I will explain why in great detail on Sunday at 6:00 PM, as we look at “The Future War of Gog-Magog.

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THE FUTURE BATTLE
OF GOG AND MAGOG
Ezekiel 38-39

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

 

   According to Biblical Prophecy, there will be three attempts to destroy the nation of Israel at the end of the age: 

  • The Psalm 83 war – an “inner circle” of Arab nations who will come against Israel, primarily out of vengeance, to annihilate the Jews from the earth.
  • The Isaiah 17 war – because of Syria’s threat against Israel, Israel destroys the ancient city of Damascus in one day.
  • The Gog-Magog war – Russia will lead a new coalition of Arab nations to come against Israel, not only to exterminate the Jews but to capture the newly discovered oil reserves.

1. Who are Gog and Magog? – Ezekiel 38:1-6

  • “Gog” – the name of a military and political leader.
  • “Magog” – the land from which the leader originates. Jewish historians identify that land as Russia.
  • Conclusion – near the end of this age, a Russian dictator will build a diplomatic and military coalition to come against the nation of Israel.
  • “Rosh” – Russia
  • “Mesheck/Tubal” – Moscow and Tobolsk – former capital of Siberia
  • “Persia” – Iran
  • “Cush” – Ethiopia – Sudan
  • “Put” – Libya and Algeria
  • “Gomer” – Turkey
  • “Beth Togarmah” – the “stans” of the former Soviet Union.

Nations taken by surprise at “Gog’s” action against Israel:

  • “Sheba and Dedan” – Saudi Arabia
  • “Merchants of Tarshish” – Great Britain
  • “Young Lions” – America, Australia, Canada

2. When is the Gog-Magog War? Ezekiel 38:16

  • 16 – “It shall be in the latter days” – the last days of this age, but before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
  • 8 – when the Jews are “gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate!” Israel lay desolate from AD 70 to 1948. Since then, more than 3 million Jews have returned to Israel. 
  • 8 – when Israel has been “brought back from the sword” and “dwells in safety!”
  • 11 – when Israel is a “land of unwalled villages” – possibly after the Psalm 83 war, and Isaiah 17 wars.
  • Ezekiel 39:9-12 – since the Jews will be evicted from Israel midway of the Tribulation, the “Gog-Magog” war must start at least 3 ½ years before the beginning of the Tribulation for them to be burning the implements of war for 7-years.

3. What is the purpose of the Gog-Magog War? Ezekiel 38

  • The contemporary threat against Israel is Russia –
    • They have funded every war against Israel since 1948.
    • They have supplied weapons for Israel’s enemies.
    • They loaded Iran’s nuclear reactors, and have drastically modernized their weapons of war.
  • The “Russians” descended from the tribe of Magog through the Scythians –who have always been against Israel.
  • God is going to allow “Gog” to come against Israel, but in reality, “Gog” will be facing “God”!

“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!”
Ezekiel 38:23 –

4. Who wins the Gog-Magog War? Ezekiel 38:18ff

  • An earthquake will occur so strong that “all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence!”
  • An “overflowing rain” of hailstones will fall, followed by balls of fire – burning sulfur and brimstone.
  • Great Confusion will fall upon the armies of Israel so much that they will turn upon themselves or run from the battle.
  • God will send the same fires upon “Magog,” – meaning the nations from where the armies came.

“I will set My glory among the heathen, and
all the heathen shall see My judgment that I have executed,
and My hand that I have laid upon them!”
Ezekiel 39:21

  • Ezekiel 38-39 describes the end of Radical Islam.
  • Millions of Muslims will abandon the religion of Islam and express their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

“So the house of Israel shall know that I am the
Lord their God from that day and forward!”
Ezekiel 39:22

  • The phrase – “Then they will know that I am the Lord,” is repeated 60 times in Ezekiel.
  • On that day, when God pours out His Spirit on the people of Israel, the surviving millions will be “saved in one day”!
  • The “Gog-Magog” War starts the Time of Tribulation and triggers the introduction of the Antichrist.
  • Since the rapture of the church must occur before the Antichrist can be revealed, how close are we to the end of this age?
  • If the rapture of the Church occurred today, would those you love, who will be left behind, know why you are missing?

TEN REASONS WHY THE ISRAEL-IRAN WAR IS NOT
THE WAR OF GOG AND MAGOG

  1. Russia Has Not Yet Taken the Helm – While Russia has voiced its condemnation of Israel’s attack on Iran and warned the United States of any direct intervention, and while Russia is considering helping Iran with advanced weapon systems, so far, Russia has not taken any direct action toward Israel. In Ezekiel 38, Gog leads a coalition of nations against Israel.
  2. The Attack Didn’t Come from the North – Ezekiel is specific: the Gog-Magog war will emanate from the “North Parts.” The bulk of the aggression against Israel is coming from the East – through Iran and its proxies – through missiles, drones, and covert strikes. So far, there has been no ground invasion of tanks or troops.
  3. Israel Is Not Living in Peace – Ezekiel said when the Gog-Magog war begins, Israel will be “dwelling securely” – not even suspecting an attack. It is this false peace that makes the sudden invasion so shocking and dramatic. Certainly, Israel is not “at peace” today.
  4. The Motivation Is Not Plunder – Ezekiel said the invaders will come “to take a spoil…to take a prey…to seize wealth and resources.” Undoubtedly, they will want Israel’s untapped oil and natural gas reserves, but considering the plight of Russia’s food reserves, they may want Israel’s fertile lands for the production of food. Today’s conflict between Israel and Iran is ideological and theological – Iran’s goal is annihilation and Irael’s goal is purely defensive.
  5. God’s Supernatural Judgment Hasn’t Occurred – While there have been reports of minor earthquakes, so far, there hasn’t been any supernatural activity, such as fire falling from heaven, hailstones, and unexplained confusion of Iran’s armies. Ezekiel’s war ends with a clear and direct act of God that glorifies Him. When the dust settles on this war, the Israeli Defense Forces will be one of the most respected military forces in the world.
  6. There Is No Massive Ground Army – Ezekiel said the armies that come against Israel in the Gog-Magog war are so massive they “cover the land like a cloud.” Columns of soldiers, columns of tanks and other military armaments advancing through Israel. This current war has been technological, surgical, and asymmetric. Ezekiel saw something much larger and far more terrifying that the war we are observing.
  7. The Prophetic Timing Still Doesn’t Fit – While some believe the Gog-Magog war takes place just before the Tribulation, as I do, others believe it takes place during the Tribulation, shortly after Israel signs a peace treaty with the Antichrist. There is still another similar-named conflict described in Revelation 20, but a careful reading will reveal that the participants and events of this final war are much different. The global conditions described in Ezekiel’s war are much different from our world today.
  8. The Required Coalition Is Absent – Ezekiel not only named the instigator of the Gog-Magog war, but he also listed a coalition of nations that will join with Russia, including Persia, (Iran) Cush (Sudan), Put (Libya), Gomer and Togarmah (Turkey). While they all have a level of hatred against Israel, they are not united in their common desire to take Israel’s spoils at this time. However, we must keep our eyes on Russia and Turkey.
  9. Israel Is Highly Prepared, Not Naïve – Ezekiel portrays Israel as being caught off guard. He said Israel would be “without walls, bars, or gates.” Today, Israel remains ready to defend itself against all enemies, especially after the October 7, 2023 surprise attack.
  10. The Role of Sheba and Dedan Has Not Emerged – One of the most overlooked but fascinating elements of Ezekiel 38 is the protest from the sidelines. Sheba and Dedan–generally identified as modern-day Saudi Arabia and Gulf states–along with the merchants of Tarshish, (which may include the United States) question the invasion. They don’t fight–but they challenge the motives: “Have you come to take spoil?”

Adapted from an article posted on https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/