Chapter 38-39 detail a coming war where Russia and her allies will launch an all out attack on Israel. Anti-Semitism is on the rise throughout the world
2 “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. Zechariah 12:2-3
If you watch the news you see that Iran is trying to create a nuclear weapon and her main goal is to destroy Israel. Where is she getting the technology to create a nuclear weapon? From Russia, which leads us right into the prophecy of Ezekiel 38.
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh,[a] 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. 5 Persia, Ethiopia,[b] and Libya[c] are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. Ezekiel 38:1-6
Now let's identify the nations that are mentioned here. After the flood, Noah's descendants dispersed throughout the world. Magog was the son of Japheth, one of Noah's sons. Magog settled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, according to many ancient writers these people became known as the Scythians who lived in what is now southern Russia. Gog is identified as being the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Rosh would stand for Russia, in Ezekiel 39 Rosh is identified as being from the far north
“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh,[a] Meshech, and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. Ezekiel 39:1-2
Meshech and Tubal are the fifth and sixth sons of Japheth who settled south of the black sea and also a part of Russia. Now the other nations that are allied with Russia are Persia, which would include Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Ethiopia which would include Sudan, Libya, Gomer which includes eastern Europe and Germany, Togarmah which would include Turkey, and any other nations that are allied with Russia.
Magog Russia
Meschech Russia
Tubal Russia
Persia Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan
Ethiopia Ethiopia, Sudan
Libya Libya
Gomer Austria, Germany, Eastern Europe
Togramah Turkey
7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. 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. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”
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: 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’— 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. 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?’”’
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?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. 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.” 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? Ezekiel 38:7-17
This is a prophecy to Gog that in the latter years, after Israel is returned to her homeland, they would lead an attack on her. We can surmise that we are living in the latter years. Israel is returned to her homeland and there is nothing in Biblical prophecy that needs to happen before this event takes place. Russia and her allies will coordinate a strike on Israel in order to destroy her. Sheba, Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and their young lions will not act to save Israel but will use diplomacy which will not work. Sheba and Dedan relate to Saudi Arabia. Tarshish which is represented by a lion is Great Britain, and all the young lions are her former colonies of which the United States is one.
Russia will ignore the protests of the other nations since they are not backed by any kind of military threat. You may be confused and say has the United States not always backed Israel, are we not her friend and protector. At one time we were, but even here in the U. S. anti-semiticism is rising. Another reason is our economy, we don't have the money to spend on another war, especially one against so many countries. We are also a people that is tired of war. Since 2001 we have been involved in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and we are tired of fighting wars that we can't win and losing so many of our soldiers. Another large reason that we will probably stay out of the war is oil. If we are threatened with having our oil cut off, we will not be quick to jump into any wars that would lead to that; economically we could not afford to lose our oil. Since there will be no one that will realistically stand against them, they will see this as the perfect opportunity to destroy Israel.
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. 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, 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.’ 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. 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. 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 theLord.”’Ezekiel 38:18-23
When Russia and her allies launch their attack against Israel, God will be furious and He will supernaturally protect Israel. There will be a huge worldwide earthquake, God will rain down torrential rains, hailstones and fire. The world will see God supernaturally protect Israel, and many people that are skeptics will finally believe in the true God.
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: 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’— 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. 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?’”’
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?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. 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.” 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? Ezekiel 38:7-17
This is a prophecy to Gog that in the latter years, after Israel is returned to her homeland, they would lead an attack on her. We can surmise that we are living in the latter years. Israel is returned to her homeland and there is nothing in Biblical prophecy that needs to happen before this event takes place. Russia and her allies will coordinate a strike on Israel in order to destroy her. Sheba, Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and their young lions will not act to save Israel but will use diplomacy which will not work. Sheba and Dedan relate to Saudi Arabia. Tarshish which is represented by a lion is Great Britain, and all the young lions are her former colonies of which the United States is one.
Russia will ignore the protests of the other nations since they are not backed by any kind of military threat. You may be confused and say has the United States not always backed Israel, are we not her friend and protector. At one time we were, but even here in the U. S. anti-semiticism is rising. Another reason is our economy, we don't have the money to spend on another war, especially one against so many countries. We are also a people that is tired of war. Since 2001 we have been involved in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and we are tired of fighting wars that we can't win and losing so many of our soldiers. Another large reason that we will probably stay out of the war is oil. If we are threatened with having our oil cut off, we will not be quick to jump into any wars that would lead to that; economically we could not afford to lose our oil. Since there will be no one that will realistically stand against them, they will see this as the perfect opportunity to destroy Israel.
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. 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, 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.’ 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. 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. 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 theLord.”’Ezekiel 38:18-23
When Russia and her allies launch their attack against Israel, God will be furious and He will supernaturally protect Israel. There will be a huge worldwide earthquake, God will rain down torrential rains, hailstones and fire. The world will see God supernaturally protect Israel, and many people that are skeptics will finally believe in the true God.
“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh,[a] Meshech, and Tubal; 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. 3 Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand. 4 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. 5 You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken,” says the Lord God. 6 “And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. 7 So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. 8 Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord God. “This is the day of which I have spoken.
9 “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years.10 They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them,” says the LordGod. Ezekiel 39:1-10
Ezekiel continues his prophecy on Gog. God will bring Gog against Israel, and then He will knock the weapons out of his hand and send him to fall on Israel with all his allies. God will supernaturally destroy the armies of Russia and her allies, none of their weapons will be viable against Israel. All the armies will be destroyed and the birds will eat their flesh and the animals will eat their remains. God will also punish the lands where these armies came from, living securely at home. God will send fire down on them to destroy them. Israel and the nations around the world will see God in action and will not be able to deny Him. Those in Israel will burn their weapons for seven years. Some people say that Russia is using lignostone to manufacture their weapons, with lignostone being a wood that is harder than steel. I don't know if this is true since their are conflicting reports about this. This passage could merely mean that Israel uses the fuel that is in the crashed weapons and that there is enough for seven years. We won't really know until the aftermath of the battle.
11 “It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog.[b] 12 For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. 13 Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified,” says the Lord God. 14 “They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party,[c] to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. 15 The search party will pass through the land; and when anyone sees a man’s bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. 16 Thename of the city will also be Hamonah. Thus they shall cleanse the land.”’ Ezekiel 39:11-16
The bodies of all the armies will be buried in a mass grave that will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog, and it will take seven months for Israel to finish this grisly burial. There will be so many dead bodies that Israel will have to hire people for the express purpose of searching for and burying all the bodies that will be strewn across the land.
17 “And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field:
“Assemble yourselves and come;
Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you,
A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel,
That you may eat flesh and drink blood.
18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty,
Drink the blood of the princes of the earth,
Of rams and lambs,
Of goats and bulls,
All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19 You shall eat fat till you are full,
And drink blood till you are drunk,
At My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you.
20 You shall be filled at My table
With horses and riders,
With mighty men
And with all the men of war,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 39:17-20
Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you,
A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel,
That you may eat flesh and drink blood.
18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty,
Drink the blood of the princes of the earth,
Of rams and lambs,
Of goats and bulls,
All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19 You shall eat fat till you are full,
And drink blood till you are drunk,
At My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you.
20 You shall be filled at My table
With horses and riders,
With mighty men
And with all the men of war,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 39:17-20
Now God calls all the animals and birds to come and feast on the mighty men and princes and all others. There will be so many bodies that the scavengers will be well fed.
21 “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.22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day forward. 23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them.”’
25 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name— 26 after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. 27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28 then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 29 And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 39:21-29
All the world will see this supernatural protection of Israel from the hoardes attacking her. Israel will finally turn back and believe in God again.
25 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name— 26 after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. 27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28 then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 29 And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 39:21-29
All the world will see this supernatural protection of Israel from the hoardes attacking her. Israel will finally turn back and believe in God again.
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