Prophetic Placement Using Scripture

There are three common variations of the Ezekiel 38 war with Gog and Magog but only one can be right. Scripture itself will identify the accurate timeline rather than these interpretations. It is imperative that we keep this in mind moving forward. When looking at commentaries you will receive a different answer from almost each one. Thus Scripture itself will become its own commentary.

In order to establish this timeline we need two approaches. Due to the varied interpretations this must be dealt with and will aid in determining accuracy. An improper view will reveal itself against the passages. Additionally we need to investigate the who, what, where more than the when. The When of this event will be determined by the core three W’s.

Three Common Views Of Ezekiel 38

There are three views which prevail in the Christian community concerning this war. I will list each of them as follows:

1. Post Rapture but Pre Tribulation Event
2. Mid Tribulation Event
3. Event at the end of the Millennial Kingdom

Evidence To Who

At the opening of Ezekiel 38 we find a reference to Gog and Magog. I wish to not deal with this term directly just yet. Rather let’s get to nations we can identify with more modern clarity. The nations given are referencing a more ancient geographical boundary nevertheless we still can recognize them easily.

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are the easiest to recognize initially. We also have Gomer and its identification has been debated. Generally speaking it is commonly accepted that this nation surrounds Turkey, perhaps some present day Caucus States, and possibly even Greece. There is a reason for this collective grouping.

As the passage continues smaller entities are mentioned such as the house of Togarmah of the north quarters. It would appear that boundaries of ancient times encompass fewer nations or family tribal entities in our modern world. Due to this I will simply compare Gomer to Turkey while we accept its boundary could also include Greece.

I will also refer to the house of Togarmah in this same context in reference to the Caucasus as we know the general region is what this speaks to. There is one additional component we must add to this in one moment.

Let’s bring into focus Gog and Magog chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. If we look at a more honest translation the word “ראשׁ (rô’sh)” is to be translated as head, top, or as chief. Thus the translation chief prince. Some like to use Rosh as a way to define Russia. This cannot be accurate in the words consistent use within Scripture. So is Russia involved?

In order to establish this we need Scripture not assumption of language. We go to Genesis 46:21 and Numbers 26:38 to establish genealogical lines as this national reference goes back that far. Rosh is a son of Jacob born from Rachel. We must now shift to some historical knowledge from archeology.

The Araxes people were called the Rhos. The term Araxes is a geographical location being a river which flows between Turkey and Iran. It was named Araxes by the Greeks and its modern Armenian name is Arax or Araks.

It is this region in the Caucasus where the descendants of Rosh settled and later expanded. The expansion would include the more northern regions as well as what is modern Russia. It is for this reason of genealogical record and history we gain a better understanding.

Meshech and Tubal along with the house of Togarmah is speaking to these Caucus states including that of Russia. The use of the word Rosh is not speaking to a nation but rather the captain or leader of these peoples. Therefore within recent modern history those who remember the Soviet Union would recognize these borders with great ease.

While today these States may be separate they all are family when one goes back far enough. Furthermore they are all very distinctly Russian. They may hold to their own heritage yet the Russian influence from history cannot be erased.

We arrive at a very specific list of nations yet this may not be totally inclusive. Nevertheless these are the largest and major players involved in this war:

1. Turkey
2. The Caucasus
3. Russia
4. Iran (Persia)
5. Ethiopia
6. Libya

Gog and Magog Parallel In Revelation

Revelation 20 gives us a parallel use of the name Gog and Magog. We must identify the Who in this passage. It simply states:

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Revelation 20:8

There is no descriptive list. Rather this army is comprised of the nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth. When compared geographically to that of Ezekiel 38 we have problems. Yet this problem becomes compounded as its leader is not termed as Rosh but rather as Satan himself. In Ezekiel it is a man who is leading whereas in Revelation it is Lucifer.

We must deal with one additional Who. We must know not only who is attacking but who is defending or is being attacked.

Who Is Defending In Ezekiel 38

Verse 8 of Ezekiel 38 gives great description as to who this people are that is being attacked. They are defined as a people which has been brought back from the sword. It also defines them as being brought out of many nations. In verse 14 we obtain a confirmed and named identity being the nation of Israel.

If one wishes further confirmation on this matter verse 16 names them as “my people Israel”. Verse 17 is referencing the prophets which spoke of this future battle involving Israel. Essentially Ezekiel is referencing himself here from a future viewpoint. If desired further geographical location can be found in chapter 39 verse 11 referencing graves in Israel in the valley of Hamongog.

It is clear through historical descriptors as Israel is now returned to her land brought back from the sword since 1948 and being specifically named as the Who. It is indeed Israel the Nation State which is attacked. This is not a metaphor nor is it symbolic in any way.

Defining The Who In Revelation 20

There is no geographical location given yet based upon other passages we know where Christ will make His headquarters. It is within Israel. So why is this different from Ezekiel? It comes back to the Who. Here a people is named specifically even though the geographical location is assumed in context relevant to other passages.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Revelation 20:9

It is clearly the “camp of the Saints”. In other words it is not an old world nation state. Rather this is all those who are saved and are with Christ at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. It is easy to recognize this within its context and should not be mistaken.

Who Supports Israel?

This is an interesting note for in Revelation 20 there is no support for the people called the Saints. It is simply a massive enemy which moves on the camp of the Saints. God then destroys them. This is not the story of Ezekiel.

In response to this invasion the world apparently makes a statement against it within Ezekiel 38:

13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Ezekiel 38:13

Traditionally Sheba and Dedan have been associated by many with Saudia Arabia and Egypt. The merchants of Tarshish have typically been associated with Western cultures. No matter this point the greater impact is clear. This conflict comes and the world is concerned about it. They give a stern verbal response yet take no action.

There is a clear difference in the accounts of Revelation to Ezekiel.

Elimination Within The Timeline

Based upon the present evidence in both passages the reference to Gog and Magog is used in two ways. First in each respective passage it is speaking to a specific leader and its people within their time. Secondly it is used in a dual form speaking to a more broad spirit of hell and sin itself in the rejection of Christ.

Clearly the evidence cannot be drawn to conclude that these two events are the same. There are far too many differences than similarities. In order to make them the same requires one to place assumptions on every point rather than accept the Scripture as it is written.

From this Revelation 20 is eliminated from being a possible explanation of the Ezekiel 38 war.

Mid Tribulation Invasion Of Israel

Those who know Scripture will instantly know the Who that is involved. It is possible that one could use the Who do draw a conclusion that these events are the same. Yet there are two other qualifiers which must be matched. We need to know the What and Where. In other words, what happens within the battle and where do the affected people go?

Here is where misrepresentation of Scripture will affect us. If one is a Preterist there is not much I can do to help you. I accept Scripture as it is written in its literal way. I do not use replacement theology.

We turn to the words of Jesus in Matthew 24. Jesus gave us the What and Where concerning this Mid Tribulation battle in His own words. In verses 15-21 He gives us the entire story in a play by play description. The Antichrist will move into Jerusalem, take the Temple and set himself up as god. As a result the Jews will flee into the mountains.

A correlation to this can be found in Revelation 12:6 where Israel will flee into the wilderness. The passage goes further to detail that God will provide for them for a thousand two hundred and threescore days. This is 3.5 years. In other words it is the last half of the Tribulation after the Antichrist steals the Temple.

I will advise those who read Revelation 12 to take caution. It has been misrepresented far too much by too many people. It must work with other Scripture to be understood in its core theme.

Here the What and Where is clear. What happens is the children of Israel will flee and where they go is into the wilderness to hide.

What And Where In Ezekiel

In order to understand the What and Where in Ezekiel we must look at the end of this war. To do this we turn to Ezekiel 39. Verses 1 to 6 identifies what will happen. God will intervene. He will smite the bow from their hands. It states that the enemies of Israel will fall in the open fields where the birds and beasts of the field will eat their flesh. He will also send fire down upon Magog so that they will know that He is God.

If this were to be the mid point of the Tribulation it doesn’t look like the Antichrist would make it past the front gate of Jerusalem much less to the Temple. Yet first we need to define Where these different people are after the battle.

From verse 11 forward to the end of the chapter is a lengthy description of where these people go. The enemies of Israel are buried in a valley within Israel. The Jews will spend 7 months gathering the dead placing them in this valley. The project is so extensive that they will hire men for employment to do this job.

Israel remains within Israel. They are not displaced as depicted by Jesus in Matthew nor as within Revelation. They do not flee. Rather God showcases them to the world. It is as a result of this battle that they come to the realization that God is with them. Whether or not they recognize Christ yet at this point is in question.

Some have misread verse 22 to mean that this event must be the event which they come to know Christ within the Tribulation. Yet keep in mind it is Ezekiel writing this passage. I am reminded of the story with Elisha and the men with leprosy who found the Syrian camp empty. Likewise another battle where the Assyrians were found dead outside the city walls.

There is no indication that Israel would interpret this event any differently from historical events where God protected them. In recent wars from the 20^th century there were great miracles where a few men held off an entire army which were attacking them. Later they discovered the enemy saw an ancient Hebrew warrior like a giant standing over them so the enemy fled.

Elimination Of Mid Tribulation Event

In reading the text it is clear. Based upon the What and Where the events surrounding Ezekiel and Matthew 24 with its Revelation 12 correlation do not add up to the same event. Again here one would have to alter the entire context in order to arrive at any other conclusion.

If Jesus says that Israel will flee then they will flee. They cannot also stay and bury the dead. Clearly when the Antichrist invades he is the victor of that battle rather than laying dead in a field somewhere on the mountains of Israel. We cannot so easily combine events simply for them sounding similar.

When Does The War Of Ezekiel 38 And 39 Take Place?

We arrive at a problem for clearly this event is future driven. It is a prophecy which has as of yet to be fulfilled. Due to this predicting can be next to impossible and Ezekiel offers little in terms of other timing. Yet there is ONE piece that Ezekiel does offer which allows us to work from a known point.

In interpretation we must always work from Scripture at a known point to arrive anywhere. What we do know is that at the mid point of the Tribulation the Jews will be displaced. As they will not be within Israel this event must happen before that point in time.

We turn to

9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

10 So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 39:9-10

The answer, or rather the clue, is there in that text. Can you see it? God states that Israel will take the spoils of war for themselves and it will sustain them for 7 years. This little small passage throws the final monkey wrench into all other previous theories in their timeline.

If at the end of the Millennial Kingdom this is impossible. Why? God destroys the Earth with fire and makes a new Heaven and Earth. There is absolutely no room for this 7 year period. The scene is so different that it cannot be argued as the same.

If this battle were to be at the mid point of the Tribulation we have a similar issue. For Israel to take the spoils of war for 7 years would place them 3.5 years into the Millennial Kingdom. No one rationally would believe that they would need these spoils once Christ Himself has set foot on this Earth once again. It cannot fit here as it is impossible.

We are left with one last marker. If we were to measure backwards from the mid point of the Tribulation to at least 3.5 years BEFORE the start of the Tribulation it will fit perfectly. This does not mean that it takes place 3.5 years before. Yet this would be its minimum qualification for time which is allowed.

I have always believed that this Ezekiel War would take place after the Rapture. My reason for this is due to how God intervenes is very Old Testament not fitting the present Church Age dispensation. This though is my assumption based upon the historical record of how God has consistently worked across time.

I do not believe that God would give an event such as this for the Church to see for we are to believe by faith not by sight. This event is clearly by sight which has always been the way in which He worked with Israel. From Moses to the life of Christ Himself it was always miracles which brought them to belief.

It is my belief that the Rapture will take place removing the Church. Within an unknown time gap from that event to the start of the Tribulation as outlined by Daniel 9:27 this Ezekiel war will unfold. For many Fundamentalist this will require some rethinking to their views of these events as they are often driven by popular culture rather than Scriptural facts.

To reach this realization one would need to know first that the Rapture cannot be known by time. Additionally one would also be forced to accept the words of Daniel in how the Tribulation begins. For too long many have recited the creed of once the Rapture happens the Tribulation begins. This is not what Daniel said. Since Jesus told the disciples to reference Daniel, I think I will do the same.