Gog of Magog is mentioned in Eze 38:1–39:20. Gog of Magog will be the leader of a great army that attacks the land of Israel. Magog may be Russia, as it's said to be the furthest north (Eze 38:6, 15, 39:2), but we can't be sure. Other nations will also follow Gog (Eze 38:5): Persia (Iran), Cush (Sudan) (see the video
The Black Pharaohs: The Kingdoms of Kush), Put (Libya, North Africa),
Gomer, and Togamah (Turkey).
The Black Pharaohs: The Kingdoms of Kush), Put (Libya, North Africa),
Gomer, and Togamah (Turkey).
The Lord will force Gog to start the war even if it's done reluctantly by Gog
(Eze 38:4a, 39:2). Gog will be motivated by his own evil plans (Eze 38:10) but the attack will be in line with God's will. One reason for Gog's attack may be to capture natural resources or large possessions from Israel (Eze 38:12–13).
(Eze 38:4a, 39:2). Gog will be motivated by his own evil plans (Eze 38:10) but the attack will be in line with God's will. One reason for Gog's attack may be to capture natural resources or large possessions from Israel (Eze 38:12–13).
The attack will happen at "the latter years" (Eze 38:8a), that is, at the end times.
The attack comes when Israel is at peace with its neighbors (Eze 38:8b, 11, 14).
Israel may have peace when Israel's covenant with surrounding nations is signed at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (also known as the 7-year Tribulation period
(Dan 9:27a)), see Visions and Dreams by Prophet Daniel. This war will likely begin close before Israel's covenant with surrounding nations is signed, see
What is Babylon in the Book of Revelation?
The attack comes when Israel is at peace with its neighbors (Eze 38:8b, 11, 14).
Israel may have peace when Israel's covenant with surrounding nations is signed at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (also known as the 7-year Tribulation period
(Dan 9:27a)), see Visions and Dreams by Prophet Daniel. This war will likely begin close before Israel's covenant with surrounding nations is signed, see
What is Babylon in the Book of Revelation?
In a supernatural way, the Lord takes hold and rains fire and brimstone on Gog's soldiers and on the many people who follow him (Eze 38:22, 39:6). Gog will be defeated by God himself on the mountains of Israel (Eze 39:4). The slaughter will be so great it will take seven months to bury all the dead (Eze 39:11–12).
For seven years, Israel will be able to use Gog's weapons and war materials as fuel and energy sources (Eze 39:9). The Tribulation period is for seven years and then
Jesus returns, and it's most likely that the use of Gog's weapons and war materials won't extend past the time of the Tribulation period.
For seven years, Israel will be able to use Gog's weapons and war materials as fuel and energy sources (Eze 39:9). The Tribulation period is for seven years and then
Jesus returns, and it's most likely that the use of Gog's weapons and war materials won't extend past the time of the Tribulation period.
The Gog war isn't the same as the Antichrist's war against Israel at the end of the Tribulation period (Zechariah 14:2). Gog isn't the same person as the End Time Antichrist, see Who is the End Time Antichrist? The reasons are as follows:
- The Gog war consists of an alliance of states while the Antichrist attack comes from all the nations of the world.
- When the Gog war takes place, Israel is said to dwell in safety and prosperity (Eze 38:8b, 11, 14). It hardly seems possible at the end of the Great Tribulation period when Antichrist murders all who don't want to take the mark of the beast and catastrophic judgments fall from heaven, see The Horses in the Book of Revelation.
- Gog's motive is strategy and wealth while Antichrist's motive is a "holy/spiritual" war.
- Gog is buried in Israel (Hes 39:11) while Antichrist is thrown alive into the Lake of Fire, see Lake of Fire in What Does the Bible Say about Hell?
- Gog reluctantly goes against Israel. Antichrist attacks fully for the extermination of Israel and the Jews.
Gog and Magog are also mentioned in Rev 20:7–9, but that passage doesn't refer
to the same people and events mentioned in The Book of Ezekiel. The names Gog and
Magog in The Book of Revelation are used to figuratively describe God's enemies. It's used to show that
these people will show the same rebellion against God as those in The Book of Ezekiel, but
it's not the same war.
Reasons why Eze 38:1–39:20 and the war at the end of the millennial kingdom
(Rev 20:7–9) refer to different people and battles are as follows:
(Rev 20:7–9) refer to different people and battles are as follows:
- In the battle of Eze 38:1–39:20, the armies come mainly from the north and involve only a few nations on Earth (Eze 38:2–6, 15, 39:2). The battle of Rev 20:7–9 will involve all nations, meaning armies will come from all directions, not just from the north.
- There is no mention of Satan in the context of Eze 38–39. In Rev 20:7 the context clearly places the battle at the end of the millennial kingdom with Satan as the protagonist.
- Eze 39:11–12 states that the dead will be buried for seven months (Eze 39:12). Since Rev 20:8–9 is immediately followed by the Great White Throne judgement (Rev 20:11–15), it can’t be the same event.
See also The Book of Ezekiel.
