The Battle of Gog and Magog

Dr. Mark Hitchcock

Frustratedat their inability to profit from Israel's fortune and determined to dominateand occupy the Holy Land, the Russians had launched an attack against Israel inthe middle of the night. The assault became known as the Russian Pearl Harbor .. . The number of aircraft and warheads made it clear their mission wasannihilation. . . .

Miraculously,not one casualty was reported in all of Israel. Otherwise Buck might havebelieved some mysterious malfunction had caused missile and plane to destroyeach other. But witnesses reported that I had been a firestorm, along with rainand hail and an earthquake, that consumed the entire offensive effort. . . .

Editorsand readers had their own explanations for the phenomenon, but Buck admitted,if only to himself, that he became a believer in God that day. Jewish scholarspointed out passages from the Bible that talked about God destroying Israel'senemies with a firestorm, earthquake, hail, and rain. Buck was stunned when heread Ezekiel 38 and 39 about a great enemy from the north invading Israel withthe help of Persia, Libya, and Ethiopia.[1]

The Left Behind series commences with the fulfillment of thebattle of Gog and Magog in Ezek 38-39. The prominence this battle is given inthe Left Behind series is fitting because undoubtedly the battle of Gog andMagog in Ezek 39-39 is one of the most dramatic prophecies in the Bible. Takenliterally, it predicts an eschatological invasion of Israel from every directionby a vast horde of nations, and God's direct, supernatural intervention toannihilate the invaders.

The primary purpose of this paper is to examine currentevents or signs of the times that point toward this future battle. In order toachieve this purpose, the text of Ezek 38-39 must first be briefly considered.Any examination of current events in light of Bible prophecy should begin withthe Biblical text and then move to how events in our world seem to be settingthe stage for those events. Beginning with the biblical text is a safeguardagainst the temptation to twist the headlines to fit the Bible. To accomplishthis purpose, Ezek 38-39 will be examined using the six standard questions ofjournalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Before considering the details of these chapters it isimportant at the outset to place them in their larger literary and historicalsetting. This basic overview of Ezekiel reveals that Ezek 38-39 appear in therestoration section of the book.

Ezek1-24 Judgmenton Judah

Ezek 25-32 Judgmenton Judah's Near Enemies

Ammon,Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt

Ezek 33-48 Restorationof Judah

Chapter33 is the transitional chapter. Ezekiel receives news that Jerusalem hasfallen. Ezekiel is re-commissioned with a message of restoration and hope thathe delivers in 34-48. Ezek 36-37 prophesy the physical restoration andspiritual regeneration of Israel. Ezek 38-39 focus on God's eschatologicaljudgment of Israel's far enemies.

The prophecy of Ezek 38-39 can bedivided into two main sections: the defeat of Gog (ch. 38) and the disposal ofGog (ch. 39).[2]

The prophecy of the battle of Gog and Magog begins with alist of ten proper names in 38:1-7. The name Gog, which occurs eleven times inEzek 38-39, is a name or title of the leader of the invasion. It is clear thatGog is an individual since he is directly addressed several times by God(38:14; 39:1) and since he is called a prince (38:2; 39:1). Many modernscholars have identified Gog with Gyges (Gugu) who was a seventh century B.C.Lydian king mentioned in six inscriptions of the Assyrian monarch Ashurbanipal. [3]Since the setting of Ezek 38-39 is eschatological, Gyges, who reigned a centurybefore Ezekiel, cannot be the fulfillment of this prophecy. Moreover, Gygesnever led an invasion into Israel. Nevertheless, it is possible that Ezekielused Gyges as an archetype or symbol of the great eschatological invader.

The other nine proper names in Ezek 38:1-7 are specific geographicallocations: Magog, Rosh, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, andBeth-togarmah. All nine of these locations are found in the Table of theNations in Gen 10:2-7. The only one that is questionable is Rosh, but it islikely that the name Rosh is actually derived from the name Tiras in Gen 10:2.Clyde Billington notes the Akkadian tendency to drop or to change an intial "t"sound in a name especially if the initial "t" was followed by an "r" sound. Ifyou drop the initial "T" from Tiras you are left with "ras."[4]It makes sense for Ras or Rosh to listed in Gen 10 since all the other nationsin Ezek 38:1-7 are also listed there.

None of the place names in Ezek 38:1-7 exist on any modernmap. Ezekiel used ancient place names that were familiar to the people of hisday. While the names of these geographical locations have changed many timesthroughout history and may change again, the geographical territory remains thesame. Regardless of what names they may carry at the time of this invasion, itis these specific geographical areas that will be involved.[5]Each of these ancient geographical locations from Ezekiel's day will be brieflyexamined, and the modern counterpart will be identified.

According to Josephus, the ancient Scythians inhabited theland of Magog.[6] TheScythians were northern nomadic tribes who inhabited territory from CentralAsia across the southern steppes of modern Russia. Magog today probablyrepresents the former underbelly of the Soviet Union: Kazakhstan, Kirghizia,Uzebekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. Afghanistan could also be part ofthis territory. All of these nations are dominated by Islam with a combinedtotal population in excess of sixty million.

Modernprophecy teachers have often identified Rosh with Russia. However, many havebegun to question this identification. There are two key issues that must beresolved to properly interpret Rosh in Ezek 38-39: 1) is Rosh a common noun ora name? and 2) does Rosh have any relation to Russia?

Thefirst point that must be considered is whether the word Rosh in Ezek 38:2, 3and 39:1 is a proper name or simply a common noun. The word rosh in Hebrewsimply means head, top, summit, or chief. It is a very common word and is usedin all Semitic languages. It occurs over six hundred times in the OldTestament.

Many translations render Rosh as a common noun and translate it as the word "chief." The KingJames Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New AmericanBible and the New International Version all adopt this translation. However,the Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, and New American Standard Bible alltranslate Rosh as a proper name indicating a geographical location.

The weight of evidence favors taking Rosh as a proper name in Ezek 38-39. There are fivearguments that favor this view. First, the eminent Hebrew scholars C. F. Keiland Wilhelm Gesenius both hold that the better translation of Rosh in Ezek38:2-3 and 39:1 is as a proper noun referring to a specific geographicallocation.[7]

Second, the Septuaginttranslates Rosh as the propername Ros (Rwj). This is especially significantsince the Septuagint was translated onlythree centuries after Ezekiel was written (obviously much closer to theoriginal than any modern translation). The ancient Greek translations ofSymmachus and Theodotian also translated Rosh in Ezekiel 38-39 as a propernoun. [8]The mistranslation of Rosh in many modern translations as an adjective can betraced to the Latin Vulgate of Jerome.[9]

Third, many Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, in theirarticles on Rosh, support taking it as a proper name in Ezek 38. Here are a fewexamples: New Bible Dictionary, Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, and InternationalStandard Bible Encyclopedia.

Fourth, Rosh is mentioned the first time in Ezek 38:2 andthen repeated in Ezek 38:3 and 39:1. If Rosh were simply a title, it wouldprobably dropped in these two places because in Hebrew when titles are repeatedthey are generally abbreviated.

Fifth, the most impressive evidence in favor of taking Roshas a proper name is simply that this translation is the most accurate. G. A.Cooke translates Ezek 38:2, "the chief of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal." He callsthis "the most natural way of rendering the Hebrew."[10]Daniel Block says, "The issue revolves around whether ro's is the name of an ethnic group or a common noun.Both LXX avv,rconta Rwj and theconstruct pointing of the Masoretes argue for the former."[11]Having established that Rosh should be taken as a proper name of a geographicalarea, the next task is to determine what geographical location is in view.

Many scholars totally dismiss anynotion that the word Rosh in Ezek 38-39 could have any possible connection tomodern Russia. [12] Oneargument against identifying Rosh with Russia is that it is "impossiblyanachronistic" since the name Russia did not appear until the Middle Ages.[13]Others maintain that those who identify Rosh as Russia base the connection onlyon the similarity in sound between the two words. On a Bible Answer Man radio broadcast in October 2002, Hank Hannegraafasked Gary DeMar what he thought about Tim LaHaye identifying Rosh as Russia,since the two words sound so much alike. DeMar responded, "The idea that youcan take a word in Hebrew that sounds like the English word, and then go withthat and to create an entire eschatological position based upon that is . . .it's nonsense." But DeMar's argument is a straw man. All competent scholarswould agree that one should not equate an English word with a Hebrew word justbecause the two words sound alike.

There are two reasons foridentifying ancient Rosh with modern Russia. First, Wilhelm Gesenius, who diedin 1842 and is considered by modern Hebrew scholars as one of the greatestscholars of the Hebrew language, unquestionably believed that Rosh in Ezekielwas a proper noun identifying Russia. Gesenius says that Rosh in Ezek 38:2, 3;39:1 is a, "pr. n. of a northern nation, mentioned with Meshech and Tubal;undoubtedly the Russians, who are mentionedby the Byzantine writers of the tenth century, under the name the Ros,dwelling to the north of Taurus . . . as dwelling on the river Rha (Wolga)."[14]This identification by Gesenius cannot be passed over lightly. As far as weknow, Gesenius had no eschatological ax to grind. Yet, objectively, he sayswithout hesitation that Rosh in Ezek 38-39 is Russia.[15]In his original Latin version of the lexicon titled Thesaurus LinguaeHebraeae et Chaldaeae Veteris Testamenti,Gesenius has nearly one page of notes dealing with the word Rosh and the Roshpeople mentioned in Ezek 38-39. This page of notes does not appear in any ofthe English translations of Gesenius' Lexicon. Those who disagree with Geseniushave failed to refute his sizable body of convincing evidence identifying Roshwith Russia.

Second, there is considerablehistorical evidence that a place known as Rosh was very familiar in the ancientworld. While the word has a variety of forms and spellings, it is clear thatthe same people are in view. Rosh (Rash)is identified as a place that existed as early as 2600 B.C. in Egyptianinscriptions. There is a later Egyptian inscription from about 1500 B.C thatrefers to a land called Reshuthat was located to the north of Egypt.[16]

The place name Rosh (or its equivalent in the respective languages) isfound at least twenty times in other ancient documents. It is found three timesin the Septuagint (LXX), ten times in Sargon's inscriptions, once inAssurbanipal's cylinder, once in Sennacherib's annals, and five times inUgaritic tablets.[17] Rosh wasapparently a well-known place in Ezekiel's day. In the sixth century B.C., whenEzekiel wrote his prophecy, several bands of the Rosh people lived in an areato the north of the Black Sea.

Afterproviding extensive evidence of the origin and early history of the Roshpeople, and then tracing them through the centuries, Clyde Billingtonconcludes:

Historical, ethnological, andarchaeological evidence all favor the conclusion that the Rosh people ofEzekiel 38-39 were the ancestors of the Rus/Ros people of Europe and Asia. . .. The Rosh people who are mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39 were well-known to ancientand medieval writers by a variety of names which all derived from the names ofTiras and Rosh. . . . Those Rosh people who lived to the north of the Black Seain ancient and medieval times were called the Rus/Ros/Rox/Aorsi from very earlytimes. . . . From this mixture with Slavs and with the Varangian Rus in the 9^thcentury, the Rosh people of the area north of the Black Sea formed the peopleknown today as the Russians.[18]

Edwin Yamauchi is often quoted,especially by preterists, as the conclusive authority that Rosh cannot beRussia. He says that the name Rus, which the modern name Russia is based upon,"was brought into the region of Kiev, north of the Black Sea, by the Vikingsonly in the Middle Ages."[19]However, while Yamauchi is a respected scholar, his conclusion stands in directopposition to the substantial historical evidence presented by WilhelmGesenius, James Price, and Clyde Billington.

Meshech and Tubal are normally mentioned together inScripture. In his notes in The ScofieldStudy Bible at Ezek 38:2, C. I. Scofieldidentified Meshech and Tubal as the Russian cities of Moscow and Tobolsk.Scofield wrote, "That the primary reference is to the northern (European)powers, headed up by Russia, all agree. . . . The reference to Meshech andTubal (Moscow and Tobolsk) is a clear mark of identification."

While the names do sound alike, this is not a proper methodof identification. Meshech and Tubal are mentioned two other times in Ezekiel.In Ezek 27:13 they are mentioned as trading partners with ancient Tyre. In Ezek32:26 their recent defeat is recorded. It is highly unlikely that ancient Tyre(modern Lebanon) was trading with Moscow and the Siberian city of Tobolsk. Thepreferred identification is that Meshech and Tubal are the ancient Moschoi andTibarenoi in Greek writings or Tabal and Musku in Assyrian inscriptions.[20]The ancient locations are in modern Turkey

The words "Persia," "Persian," or "Persians" are found 35times in the Old Testament. The ancient land of Persia became the modern nationof Iran in March 1935, and then the name was changed to the Islamic Republic ofIran in 1979. Iran's present population is 68 million.

The Hebrew word Cush in Ezek 38:5 is often translated"Ethiopia" in modern versions. According to The NewBrown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon, ancient Cush was the "land and people of southern Nile-vally, orUpper Egypt, extending from Syene indefinitely to the south."[21]Ancient Cush was called Kusu bythe Assyrians and Babylonians, Kosor Kas by the Egyptians, and Nubia by the Greeks.[22]Secular history locates Cush directly south of ancient Egypt extending downpast the modern city of Khartoum, which is the capital of modern Sudan.[23]Thus, modern Sudan inhabits the ancient land of Cush. Sudan is a hard-lineIslamic nation that supported Iraq in the Gulf War and harbored Osama bin Ladenfrom 1991 to 1996.

It is clear from ancient sources that Put or Phutwas a North African nation (Jer 46:9; Ezek 27:10; 30:5; Nah 3:9). From the BabylonChronicle it appears that Putu was the "distant" land to the west of Egypt, whichwould be modern day Libya.[24]The Septuagint renders the word Putas Libues. TheBrown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon also identifiesPut with Libya.[25] ModernLibya, which is an Islamic nation, has been under the rule of Colonel Mu'ammaral-Gadhafi since 1969.

Gomer has often been identified as Germany, or moreparticularly East Germany before the fall of communism. Gomer is probably areference to the ancient Cimmerians or Kimmerioi. Ancient history identifies biblical Gomer with the Akkadian Gi-mir-ra-a and the Armenian Gamir. The Cambridge Ancient History states that the Assyrian Gimirai is the Hebrew Gomer.[26]Beginning in the eighth century B.C. the Cimmerians occupied territory inAnatolia, which is modern Turkey.[27]Josephus noted that the Gomerites were identified with the Galatians whoinhabited what today is central Turkey.[28]

The Hebrew word "beth" means "house," so Beth-togarmah meansthe "house of Togarmah." Beth-togarmah is mentioned in Ezek 27:14 as a nationthat traded horses and mules with ancient Tyre. Ezek 38:6 states thatBeth-togarmah comes from "the remote parts of the north with all itstroops."Ancient Togarmah was also known as Til-garamu (Assyrian) orTegarma (Hittite) and itsterritory is in modern Turkey, which is north of Israel.

Withthese identifications in mind, all the nations that will participate in thebattle of Gog and Magog can be seen in the following chart.

Rosh(Rashu, Rasapu, Ros, and Rus) Russia

Magog (Scythians) CentralAsia and possibly Afghanistan

Meshech(Muschki and Musku) Turkey

Tubal (Tubalu) Turkey

Persia Iran

Ethiopia (Cush) Sudan

Libya (Put orPhut) Libya

Gomer(Cimmerians) Turkey

Beth-togarmah (Til-garimmu or Tegarma) Turkey

Based on these identifications, Ezek 38-39 predicts aninvasion of the land of Israel in the last days by a vast confederation ofnations from north of the Black and Caspian Seas, extending down to modern Iranin the east, as far as modern Libya to the west, and down to Sudan in thesouth. Therefore, Russia will have at least five key allies: Turkey, Iran,Libya, Sudan, and the nations of Central Asia. Amazingly, all of these nationsare Muslim nations and Iran, Libya, and Sudan are three of Israel's most ardentopponents. Iran is one of the "axis of evil" nations that is trying desperatelyto attain nuclear weapons. Many of these nations are hotbeds of militant Islamand are either forming or strengthening their ties as these words are beingwritten. This list of nations reads like the Who's Who of this week'snewspaper. It does not require a very active imagination to envision thesenations conspiring together to invade Israel in the near future.

There appears to be a general consensus concerning the basiccomposition of the invading army and the course of events in the battle of Gogand Magog. By far, the most controversial issue in Ezek 39-39 is the setting ortiming of the invasion. Concerning this issue one would be wise to follow theadvice of Clarence E. Mason. "One thing is certain; no teacher should speakdogmatically on a prophecy like that of Gog and Magog in Ezek 39-39. So manydifferent views have been offered that it is difficult to sift, discard, andretain. . . . It is the details, particularly as to the time of the action,regarding which there is disagreement."[29]There are seven main views of the timing of the invasion. Each of these viewswill be briefly presented and critiqued.

Preteristscontend that the events in Ezek 38-39 have already occurred. Gary DeMar arguesstrenuously for a "literal" interpretation of Ezek 38-39, and repeatedlycriticizes Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins for interpreting these chapterssymbolically, thereby, spiritualizing the text. DeMar insists that Ezek 38-39was "literally" fulfilled by the events described in Esth 9 occurring in about473 B.C. in the days of Queen Esther of Persia.[30]DeMar states that the parallels between the battles in Ezek 38-39 and Estherare "unmistakeable."[31]

DeMar,however, fails to account for several clear differences between Ezek 38-39 andEsth 9. A simple reading of the two passages reveals that they cannot possiblybe describing the same event. Here are five of the more apparent andproblematic inconsistencies.

Theenemies fall on the mountains throughoutthe Persian

of Israel (39:4). Gog, the leader of the empireand defend

invasion, is buried in Israel (39:11) themselves(9:2). The enemies die throughout the Persian empire.

The Jews bury the dead bodies over Noneed to cleanse the land

a period of seven months to cleanse the becausethe bodies are not in

land of Israel (39:12) theland of Israel.

The invaders are destroyed by a Attackersare killed by the

massive earthquake in the land of Israel, Jewishpeople themselves

infighting, plagues, and fire from heaven assistedby local government

(38:19-22). God destroys the enemies leaders(9:3-5)

supernaturally.

Invaders are from as far west as ThePersian empire never

ancient Put (modern Libya) includedthese areas. It only

(Ezek 38:5) and as far north as Magog, extendedas far west as Cush

the land of the Scythians. (modernSudan) (Esth 8:9) and as far north as the southern part of the Black andCaspian Seas.

God sends fire upon Magog and those Thereis nothing even close

who inhabit the coastlands (39:6) tothis in Esth 9.

Oneimportant question we might ask at this point is-if Ezek 38-39 was fulfilled inthe events of Esth 9, why did this escape the notice of everyone in Esther'sday? Why is there no mention in Esther of this great fulfillment of Ezekiel'sprophecy? And why are there no Jewish scholars in that day or subsequently whorecognized this fulfillment? The answer seems quite clear. Esth 9 did notfulfill Ezek 38-39.

An important Jewish holiday known as Purim developed out ofthe Esther event (9:20-32). This is a joyous annual holiday to celebrate God'sdeliverance of Israel from the hand of her enemies. Purim's celebrationincludes the public reading of the book of Esther, but no tradition hasdeveloped or even been heard of in which the Jews read Ezek 38-39 in connectionwith this observance. If Ezek 38-39 had been a fulfillment of Esther, then nodoubt a tradition of reading that passage would have arisen in conjunction withthe celebration.

Fortunately,Ezekiel states in general terms when this invasion will occur. In Ezek 38:8, hesays specifically that this invasion will occur in the "latter years." This isthe only occurrence of this exact phrase in the Old Testament.

Another similar phrase occurs a fewverses later in Ezek 38:16. "It will come about in the last days that I shall bring you against My land" (italicsadded). This phrase is used in the Old Testament in reference to Israel's finaltime of distress or to Israel's final restoration to the Messianic kingdom (Isa2:2; Jer 23:20; 30:24; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1). Likewise, in Ezek 38:16, the phrase"in the last days" is a technical term that refers to the end times.[32]Therefore, Ezekiel is telling us that this invasion will occur in the finaltime of history in preparation for the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom ofChrist.

Another very simple reason we can know that this invasion isstill future is that nothing even remotely similar to the events in Ezek 38-39has ever occurred in the past. When has Israel ever been invaded by all thesenations listed in Ezek 38:1-6? Or when did God ever destroy an invading armylike this with fire and brimstone from heaven, plagues, earthquakes, andinfighting among the invaders (Ezek 38:19-22). The answer? Never. That isbecause Ezekiel is describing an invasion that is still future even in ourday.

The other seven views of the timing of this invasion areheld by futurists. The first of these views is the pre-tribulation view. Thisview is held by Tim LaHaye, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Tommy Ice, and Randall Price.It is the view expressed in the Left Behind series where the Gog and Magoginvasion occurs before the rapture. Those who hold this view believe that theinvasion will occur before the tribulation begins, and possibly even before therapture. However, in keeping with the imminency of the rapture, they carefullyavoid saying that it must occur beforethe rapture.

The pre-tribulation view has two main strengths. First, itfits well with the seven years for burning the weapons and seven months to burythe dead in Ezek 39:9-12. Under this view, the seven years in Ezek 39:9corresponds with the seventieth week of Dan 9:27. Second, this view provides areasonable explanation for how the Jewish people will be able to construct atemple on the temple mount in Jerusalem. If the armies of many of the majorIslamic nations are decimated in Israel before the tribulation begins, therebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem could be accomplished with much lessMuslim resistance.

This view has two main weaknesses. First, according to Ezek38:8 and 16 the invasion will occur in the "latter years" or "last days." Asnoted above, these expressions appear to refer to the final time of Israel'sdistress and restoration, or the end-times. These chronological indicatorspoint to a time period after the beginning of the tribulation rather than atime within the church age or during the time between the rapture and thebeginning of the tribulation.

Second, the invasion will occur at a time when Israel is "atrest," "living securely," and dwelling in "unwalled villages." Fruchtenbaummaintains that the Hebrew root batachwhich appears in Ezek 38:8 and 11 simply means "security." He says, "This isnot a security due to a state of peace, but a security due to confidence intheir own strength. This, too, is a good description of Israel today. TheIsraeli army has fought four major wars since its founding and won them swiftlyeach time. Today Israel is secure, confident that her army can repel anyinvasion from the Arab states. Hence, Israel is dwelling securely"[33]

It is true that the inhabitants of modern Israel live inunwalled villages and have some degree of security due to their military might.However, they are not "at rest" as required by Ezek 38:11. The Hebrew wordtranslated "at rest" (jqv)means "be quiet, undisturbed."[34]This hardly describes Israel today. The nation is one huge armed camp.[35]The people are disturbed on a regular basis by threats and homicide bombings.Since 1948, Israel has lived under the constant threat of terrorist attacks andinvasion by her neighbors. The terminology in Ezek 38 fits much better with thefirst half of the seventieth week of Daniel when Israel will enjoy theprotection of her covenant with Antichrist and will temporarily let down herguard (Dan 9:27).

Another common view is that the invasion will occur duringthe first half of the tribulation. Most who hold this view place it closer tothe midpoint of the tribulation. This view is held by John Walvoord, J. DwightPentecost, Charles Ryrie, and Herman Hoyt. There are two main strengths of thisview. First, it provides an excellent explanation for Israel's peace andsecurity described in Ezek 38:8 and 11.

As John Walvoord states,

One of the principal questionsone could ask about this battle is, When is the battle going to occur? . . .Unfortunately, varying opinions have been offered by capable Bible scholars onthis point, and there has been considerable disagreement. . . . It will not bepossible to consider all these view in detail, but there are some hints thatprovide a good clue as to when this battle will take place. One of the hintsgiven is that the battle takes place at a time when Israel has been regatheredinto their ancient land, and is dwelling securely and at rest. There are nottoo many times when Israel is at rest in God's prophetic program. They havebeen scattered and persecuted over the face of the earth, and not even in thefuture will Israel have many periods of rest. Certainly, Israel is not at rest today.Israel is an armed camp. . . . There is only one period in the future thatclearly fits this description of Ezekiel, and this is the first half ofDaniel's seventieth week of God's program for Israel (Dan 9:27).[36]

After discussing the coming rulerwho will arise from the ten-nation confederacy after the rapture and make aseven-year covenant with Israel, Walvoord concludes: "Under that covenant,Israel will be able to relax, for their Gentile enemies will have become theirfriends, apparently guaranteeing their borders and promised them freedom.During that first three and one-half years, we have the one time whenregathered Israel is at rest and secure. Apparently Russia will invade the landof Israel during that period, possibly toward its close, and the Scripture willthen be fulfilled."[37]

Second, this view provides a reasonable scenario for theAntichrist's ascent to world domination at the mid-point of the tribulation. Ifthe armies of Russia and her Islamic allies are wiped out in Israel some time beforethe mid-point of the tribulation, this would create a massive power vacuum anda dramatic shift in the balance of power that would allow the Antichrist toascend to world domination as predicted in Rev 13.

The primary weakness of this view is that it does not dealvery well with the seven months of burying the dead and the seven years ofburning the weapons. However, if the invasion occurs at least one year beforethe mid-point of the tribulation, then it is possible for the dead bodies to be buried before theAntichrist invades Israel and begins his reign of terror. The burning of theweapons could continue into the beginning of the millennial kingdom.

Several well-known commentators and prophecy teachers viewthe battle of Gog and Magog in conjunction with the campaign of Armageddon atthe end of the tribulation. There are two main strengths of this view. First,the invitation in Ezek 39:4 and 39:17-20 for the birds and beasts to feed onthe carnage after the battle of Gog and Magog seems to parallel the descriptionof the great supper after Armageddon in Rev 19:17-18. Second, this viewdovetails nicely with the statements about Israel's salvation after theinvasion since according to Zech 12:10 Israel will turn to the Lord en masse atthe end of the tribulation. Ezek 39:22 and 29 say, "And the house of Israel will know that I am the Lord theirGod from that day onward. . . . And I will no longer hide My face from them anylonger, for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,' declaresthe Lord."

There are four main obstacles to this view. First, Ezek 38names specific allies, whereas Armageddon involves all the nations of theearth. Second, in Ezek 39 the destruction is on the mountains of Israel whileat Armageddon it stretches from Megiddo in the north to Petra in the south.Third, in Ezekiel the armies are destroyed by convulsions of nature, but atArmageddon they are destroyed by the personal appearance of Christ. Fourth, andmost importantly, at the end of the tribulation Israel will not be "at rest" or"living securely." Many will have fled into the wilderness and the rest of theJewish people will have endured three and a half years of persecution by theAntichrist. The end of the tribulation will be one time when Israel will not be"at rest" or "living securely."

Another view, that is not very commonly held today, is thatthe invasion will be part of the judgment of the nations after the SecondComing of Christ. Arno Gaebelein, the main proponent of this view, used twomain arguments to support his position. First, he argued that the restorationand rest language in Ezek 38:8 points to a time "when the Lord has brought backHis people and resumed His relationship with the remnant of Israel."[38]Second, Gaebelein believed that the judgment of the living nations in Matt25:31-46 will cover a considerable period of time and that the Gog and Magoginvasion will be the climax of that judgment. Gaebelein described his view of theearly part of the millennial kingdom. "There is first the Davidic aspect. Hewill begin to reign first as David did; His people are with Him and blessed,but all their enemies are not yet subdued or overcome. He will have to rulefirst with a rod of iron. And then when this final enemy is dealt with, Hebegins to reign as Prince of Peace, foreshadowed in the Solomonic reign. Gogand Magog, etc., complete and end the judgment of the nations. They are thelast enemies to disappear."[39]

There are several problems with this view, but the mainobstacle is that it is after thisinvasion that Israel returns to the Lord according to Ezek 38:23; 39:6-7,25-29. Adopting this view would place the repentance of Israel at the end ofthe 75-day transition period between Christ's second advent and the officialbeginning of the millennium.

Harold Hoehner contends that Ezek 38-39 will be fulfilled intwo phases.[40] He believesthat Ezek 38 will be fulfilled early in the tribulation and that Ezek 39 willbe fulfilled at the end of the tribulation. The strength of this view is thatit harmonizes the text well with other related texts such as Rev 19. However,the main weakness of this view is that Ezek 38 and 39 appear to be describingthe same invasion and its aftermath not two distinct phases separated byseveral years.

Along these same lines, Ralph Alexander contends that Ezek38-39 have a double fulfillment in Rev 19:17-21 at the end of the tribulationand in Rev 20:8 at the end of the millennium with the former fulfillmentprefiguring the latter.[41]Although prefiguring, foreshadowing, and typology are present in the OT, Ireject the notion of double fulfillment or double meaning in prophecy. Neitherthe text nor the context of Ezek 38-39 provides any indication that it will befulfilled on two occasions.

The final view of the timing of Ezek 38-39 is at the end ofthe millennium. The strength of this view is that a battle of Gog and Magog ismentioned in Rev 20:7-10 after the millennial kingdom in conjunction with therelease of Satan from the abyss. Although the mention of Gog and Magog in bothtexts makes this view initially attractive, there are four reasons forrejecting it. First, Gog and Magog in Ezek 38-39 is before the millennium which is described in Ezek 40-48;whereas, in Rev 20:7-10 the battle of Gog and Magog is after the millennium described in Rev 20:1-6. Second, inEzek 39 the bodies of Gog and his troops are buried for seven months and theweapons are burned for seven years after the battle, yet in Rev 20-21 the GreatWhite Throne, new heaven and new earth, and eternal state immediately followthe battle of Gog and Magog. The post-millennial view would require the buryingand burning to continue into the eternal state.

Therefore, the mention of Gog and Magog in Rev 20:7 is notthe fulfillment of Ezek 38-39. These two events are separated by over onethousand years. The words Gog and Magog in Rev 20:8 are probably used assomeone today would apply the word "Waterloo" as a shorthand way to signal acrushing military defeat.[42]During the millennium, the defeat of Gog and Magog in Ezek 38-39 willapparently become legendary among the nations. John applies this overwhelmingdefeat to a new historical situation. Satan will lead this final invasion andwill meet his "Waterloo"-his "Gog and Magog."[43]

While no view of the timing of Ezek 38-39 is withoutdifficulty, the best view is that the invasion will occur during the first halfof the tribulation when Israel has her guard down due to her covenant withAntichrist (Dan 9:27).

The fourth key issue that is addressed in Ezek 38-39 is thepurpose of this invasion. Both the human and the divine purpose for theinvasion are given. The invading force will have four main goals: 1) to acquiremore territory (38:8), 2) to amass wealth (38:12), 3) to totally destroy thepeople of Israel (38:10, 16), and 4) to directly confront and challenge theAntichrist or the West who will be Israel's ally as a result of the covenant inDan 9:27 (This fourth purpose is only valid if one adopts the first half of thetribulation as the setting for the invasion). The divine purpose in allowingthis invasion is expressed in 38:14-16b. Through the attack God will be sanctifiedin the eyes of the nations.

Beginning in Ezek 38:13 and continuing through Ezek 39:20the text focuses on the invasion, the fate of the invaders, and the aftermathof the invasion. When these nations invade the land of Israel, it will looklike the biggest mismatch in history. It will make the invasions of Israel in1967 and 1973 by the Arab nations pale in comparison. When Russia assemblesthis last days strike force, it will look like Israel is finished. But God isin control of the entire situation. He will mount up in His fury to destroythese godless invaders. "It will come about on that day, when Gog comes againstthe land of Israel, declares the Lord God, that my fury will mount up in Myanger. In my zeal and in My blazing wrath" (Ezek. 39:18-19a).

God will intervene to rescue his helpless people and willuse four means to destroy Russia and her allies. The four means of destructionare listed in Ezek 38:19-22: 1) a great earthquake, 2) infighting among thetroops of the various nations (in the chaos after the powerful earthquake, thearmies of each of the nations represented will turn against each other. Thiswill be the largest case of death by friendly fire in human history), 3) disease,and 4) torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulphur. The famous SixDay war occurred in Israel in June, 1967. This will be the "One Day War" oreven the "One Hour War" when God supernaturally destroys this Russian-Islamichorde.

There are four key events that occur in the aftermath ofthis invasion.

1. TheBirds and the Beasts (Ezek. 39:4-5,17-20; cf. Rev. 19:17-18) The carnage that results from this slaughter will provide a great feastfor the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. God refers to the carnageas "My sacrifice" and "My table" to which He invites the birds and the beastsas His guests.

2. The Burying of the Dead for 7 Months(Ezek. 39:11-12, 14-16) Clean-up squads will be assembled to go through the land. They will setup markers wherever they see a human bone. When the gravediggers come behindthem they will see the markers and take the remains to the Valley of Gog'sHordes for burial. The cleansing will be so extensive that a town will beestablished in the valley at the gravesites to aid those who are cleansing theland. The name of the town will be Hamonah(horde).

3. TheBurning of the Weapons for 7 Years (Ezek. 39:9-10)

4. TheBlessing of Salvation (39:22) Inthe midst of His wrath and fury, God will also pour out His grace and mercy.God will use the awesome display of His power against Russia and her allies tobring many to salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. Many of those who turn tothe true God as a result of this demonstration of His power will undoubtedly beamong the vast group of the redeemed in Rev 7:9-14.

One issue that must be considered in any discussion of Ezek38-39 is the nature of the weapons and the means of transportation. The weaponsmentioned in Ezek 38-39 are ancient weapons that are made out of wood such asbows, arrows, shields, war clubs, and spears (39:9), and the means oftransportation for the invaders is horses (38:15). How do we account for theseancient weapons if this invasion is in the end times?

There are two main views among futurists. First, it ispossible that due to some form of disarmament the nations will resort toprimitive weapons that can be constructed secretly and easily if a surpriseattack were to be successfully achieved.[44]Second, the ancient weapons mentioned could be understood as their moderncounterparts. While no view of the nature of the weapons is without problems,this is probably the best view. Ezekiel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spoke inlanguage that the people of that day could understand. If he had spoken ofplanes, missiles, tanks, and rifles this text would have been nonsensical toeveryone until the twentieth century. Moreover, the main point of Ezekiel'sgreat prophecy is that a specific group of nations will attack Israel intent oncompletely destroying her. The focus clearly is not the specific weapons thatwill be used by these invaders. Ezekiel communicates in the only way that hecan the powerful and well-equipped nature of the invaders.[45]Preterist Gary DeMar seizes this opportunity to argue that if the weapons arenot bows, arrows, and shields, then futurists do not interpret this section ofEzekiel literally.[46]

However, this"modernizing" of the weapons is not spiritualizing the text but ratherunderstanding God's Word in its historical context in light of the originalaudience. The Holy Spirit speaks to people in their own context and culture inways that communicate God's truth in a meaningful, understandable way.Furthermore, DeMar's notion that Ezek 38-39 was fulfilled in the events of Esth9 creates far more problems than how to interpret the weapons.

As noted earlier, nine specific ancient nations are mentionedin Ezek 38:1-6. Just as with the weapons, these exact nations, under thesespecific ancient names, will not attack Israel because they no longer existunder the names in Ezek 38. Obviously, there is no Rosh, Gomer, Magog, Meshech,Togarmah, or Put today on any world map. The names of some of these areas havechanged numerous times through the millennia. But the modern nations thatinhabit the same geographical territory as the ancient nations will invadeIsrael. Again, the Holy Spirit speaks to people in language they can grasp. Heused the ancient names of these places going all the way back to Gen 10 toclearly identify the geographical areas that will invade Israel in the endtimes.

The contemporary counterparts that inhabit these samegeographical areas in the end times will come against Israel. Likewise, Ezekielused ancient weapons that were familiar to his audience to describe a futurebattle in which modern weapons will be employed. This brief chart demonstrateshow Ezekiel used ancient weapons and places that people in his own day couldunderstand and that can still be applied 2,500 years later.

Ancientweapons that are Modernweapons that correspond

nolonger used by civilized nations. tothe ancient weapons.

Ancient nations that no longer exist Contemporarycounterparts in the

under the namesin Ezekiel. samegeographical locations

Having briefly examined some of the key issues related to Ezek38-39, the final question to consider is how the world stage today is being setfor the fulfillment of this incredible prophecy. What are the prerequisites forthis invasion? What recent or current developments correspond with Ezekiel'sprophecy? Eight major events in the last sixty years point toward thefulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy.

First, for the events of Ezek 38-39 to be fulfilled Israelmust be regathered to her land in unbelief. Ezek 38 follows the famous dry bonesvision in Ezek 37 that pictures the physical restoration of Judah and Israel tothe land followed by her spiritual restoration to the Lord. In Ezek 37 therestoration occurs in stages. It begins with restoration to the land inunbelief. Israel's initial regathering in unbelief is further confirmed by thefact that only after the battle of Gog and Magog do many in Israel turn to theLord (Ezek 39:22).

Israel's regathering in unbelief has occurred dramaticallyin stages beginning in 1871 and continuing up to the present day. It isprojected that in 2006 for the first time in about 1,900 years Israel willbecome home to the largest Jewish community in the world, surpassing the Jewishpopulation in the United States. A report from the Jewish People Policy PlanningInstitute says that the Jewish population of Israel is about 5.24 million whilethe Jewish population in the U.S. is about 5.28 million. However, the balanceis quickly shifting and is expected to tip in favor of Israel sometime in 2006.The report from the thinktank also predicted the Jewish population of Israelwill grow to 6.23 million by 2020 from 650,000 when the Jewish state wasfounded in 1948. Thus, what we see happening before our eyes, the restoredJewish state in unbelief, is a necessary precondition for Ezekiel's prophecy tobe fulfilled.

Second, according to Ezek 39:2, 4, Israel must possess the"mountains of Israel" when this invasion occurs. Ezek 39:2, 4 says, "and Ishall turn you around, drive you on, take you up from the remotest parts of thenorth, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. . . You shall fall on themountains of Israel, you and all your troops, and the peoples who are with you;I shall give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of thefield."

Arnold Fruchtenbaum notes the significance of moderndevelopments in Israel to set the stage for this event. "Here is anotherexample of where the Six Day War has set the stage for the fulfillment of thisprophecy. Up to the Six Day War in 1967 all of the mountains of Israel, exceptfor a small corridor of West Jerusalem, were entirely in the hands of theJordanian Arabs. Only since 1967 have the mountains of Israel been in Israel, thus setting the stage for the fulfillment of this prophecy."[47]

Third,Israel must be "at rest" and "living securely" when this invasion occurs. Thedrive for peace in the Middle East has consumed Western diplomats and dominatesworld news. From the Oslo Accords to the Roadmap for Peace, brokering a peaceagreement between Israel and her neighbors is one of the major internationalpriorities. A peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis is integrallylinked to stability in the Middle East and Persian Gulf. The ongoing quest for MiddleEast peace points toward the peace treaty in Dan 9:27 and the period ofsecurity in Ezek 38.

Some have recently noted the construction of the securityfence or wall in Israel and its relevance to the statement in Ezekiel thatIsrael must be a land of "unwalled villages" for the Gog invasion to occur. Thesecurity fence in Israel is a separation barrier between Israel and territoryoccupied by the Palestinians to prevent the infiltration of terrorists. It isnot a wall around a particular village or city. Moreover, 97% of the planned400-mile security barrier will be chain link fence. Only about ten miles of thewall is constructed of pre-fabricated concrete. While it is possible that thebarrier will be removed at some point in the future as a result of a peaceagreement, this is not necessary for Ezek 38-39 to be fulfilled since the fencedoes not encircle any city or village.

Fourth, Russia has risen to world prominence, which is anecessary prerequisite for this invasion. Along with the United States, Russia(previously the Soviet Union) has been the world's great military power.Although some hopeful signs of democracy appeared in Russia after thedissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, there are growing fears that Russiatoday is regressing back to her old totalitarian, autocratic ways. Russianpresident Vladimir Putin and all of the key leaders in his government come fromthe upper ranks of the KGB. Putin has made numerous moves in recent months tocentralize authority. Experts maintain the Russia's oil wealth is allowingPutin to take the country back toward autocracy without any public outcry.Russia has a vital interest in the Middle East and Persian Gulf. Some controlover this area is vital to Russia's national security. For Russia, an invasionof Israel with an Islamic coalition would be an opportunity for her to reclaimher lost glory and assert control over the Middle East.

Fifth, the rise of pandemic Islamic fundamentalism with itsvirulent anti-Semitism and a hatred of the restored Jewish state provides apowerful motivation for this invasion. While Islam is and always has been areligion of violence and terror, the modern rise of the Islamic, terroriststate began in 1979 in Iran when the Shah was ousted by the Ayatollah Khomeini.Iran has exported this terror movement to neighboring Islamic nations. Ofcourse, Ezekiel does not mention Islam or terrorism as a driving force behindthis invasion since Islam did not exist until the seventh century A.D. However,the geographical areas he identified as participant in this invasion are allidentifiable Islamic nations today with the exception of Russia (Central Asia,Libya, Sudan, Iran, and Turkey). This sets the stage for the final jihad intoIsrael depicted in Ezekiel's prophecy. For these Islamic allies the Gog andMagog invasion will be an opening to drive Israel into the sea and lure theWest into a final clash of civilizations since Israel will be protected by hercovenant with Antichrist.

Ironically, Islam has its own version of the Battle of Gogand Magog called the War of Yajuj and Majuj. In two places the Koranspecifically mentions "Gog and Magog" (Yajuj and Majuj) by name (18:96; 21:96).Islamic eschatology teaches that there are ten major signs that signal theapproach of the end and the day of resurrection. There are various opinionsabout the order of these signs, but in at least one list Gog and Magog is thenumber four sign. According to Islamic teaching, Gog and Magog are two groupsof Turks that were spreading corruption through the earth during the time ofAbraham. Finally, to keep them in check they were enclosed behind a greatbarrier. They tried in vain to climb over it and have been trying to dig underthe wall for centuries, but they will not be able to get out until Allahdecrees that they can be released. Then, the barrier will collapse, and Gog andMagog will pour out in all directions rushing into the land of Israel to attackthe Muslims there. When Jesus prays against Gog and Magog, Allah will wipe themout by means of some kind of disease or plague that he will send upon them. Thedisease is described as either infectious, lethal boils, or a disease that eatsthe flesh from their bones. If that sounds familiar, it should. It was evidentlytaken by Mohammed straight from Ezek 38 with a few convenient changes to fithis own ends. Ezek 38:22 specifically says that God will destroy the invaderswith disease and with blood. Therefore, while Muslims believe in the prophecyof Gog and Magog, they appear to be totally ignorant of the fact that all thenations in Ezek 38 that will be destroyed by God are Muslim nations today, withthe exception of Russia. One of their ten great signs of the end will actuallybe fulfilled by them when they attack Israel in the last days.

Sixth, Iran (Persia) is a key player on the world scenetoday as required by Ezek 38:5.

Clearly, Iran is public enemy #1today for the world. As home to radical jihadists and a supporter of terrorgroups around the world Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Thisis unthinkable. Therefore, we can expect a great deal of focus on Iran in thenear future. And all of this is greatly exacerbated and complicated by the factthat Iran has about 10% of the world's proven oil reserves. Uncertainty overthe situation in Iran is part of the reason that oil prices reached an all-timehigh every day during the week of August 8-12, closing at over $65 a barrel.

To make matters even worse, in August, 2005 the Iranian peopleelected the hardliner, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as their new president. The47-year-old President of Iran is the former mayor of Tehran and formerRepublican Guard commander. On October 26, 2005 when he said flat out thatIsrael should be "wiped off the map," and said that "anyone who signs a treatywith Israel means he has signed the surrender of the Muslim world." He furthercalled for Iranians "to riot against Zionists (Israel) and unbelievers" in anationwide demonstration on Friday, October 27, 2005 during al-Quds-orJerusalem-Day. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad participated in the demonstration himselfalong with about one million others who backed his call for the destruction ofthe Jewish State. The marchers carried placards that read, "Death to Israel,death to America." All of this comes at a time when the United Nations iscautiously dealing with Iran about sanctions over its nuclear program. Needlessto say, tensions in the region are mounting. Iran is awash in oil money and isearnestly seeking nuclear weapons.

Seventh, for the battle of Gog and Magog to occur Turkeymust be willing to join the coalition of nations against Israel. In recentyears Turkey has made every attempt to become part of the European Union. Forthis reason Turkey's participation in the Gog alliance against Israel appearedhighly unlikely. However, it now appears certain that the EU will rejectTurkey's bid for admission. On October 3, 2005, with great fanfare the EuropeanUnion launched formal negotiations in Brussels to discuss Turkey's admittanceto membership in the European club. Several months earlier European leaders haddecided to open talks to consider Turkey's admission to the EU. Even thepossibility of this merger was hailed as the meeting of East and West. But itis generally agreed at this point that Turkey basically has no hope of joiningthe EU. Both France and the Netherlands rejected the proposed EU constitution,and one of their main objections was the notion of enlargement, especiallyadmitting Turkey to the EU. Support for Turkish accession among the 15 EUcountries that have been members the longest is only at 32%. However, the EUdoes not want to alienate the Turks; thus, the EU appears to be stringingTurkey along for geopolitics. There are five key reasons the EU will rejectTurkey:

1. Itis a Muslim country. Islam phobia is on the rise in Europe. This feeling willbe heightened in light of the recent insurrection in France.

2. Itis too big. With 70 million people, Turkey would be the second largest EUnation behind Germany.

3. Itis agrarian. The EU supports farmers with huge subsidies.

4. Itis poor. Turkey's gross domestic product per capita is only 27% of the nationalaverage.

5. Ithas enemies. Turkey faces two historic enemies within the EU: Greece and Cyprus.[48]

These developments are interesting since the Bible predictsin Ezek 38 that Turkey will be part of a massive Russian-led invasion of Israelin the end times. The main countries that will participate in this invasion areRussia, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Central Asian nations, and Turkey. At present thegovernment of Vladimir Putin in Russia is gaining greater control and appearsto be moving back toward the days of communist dictatorship. Iran, Libya,Sudan, and the nations of Central Asia are all predominantly Islamic, and it isnot too difficult to see them all joining in for one last jihad against Israel.But as Turkey moved more and more toward the west it appeared highly unlikelythat she would ally herself with a Russian-Islamic coalition against Israel.But that seems to be changing. Turkey's admission to the EU is hopeless at thispoint. And when Turkey is rejected by the West, she will have to look elsewhereto bolster her strategic ambitions.

The AKP (Justice and Development party) of Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip Erdogan is an avowedly Islamic party that poses a difficultchallenge to Turkey's 80-year-old secularism founded by Ataturk. It seems clearthat the AKP wants to move the country and its foreign policy in a more Islamicdirection. In recent months, Erdogan has reached out to some very unsavorycharacters in Turkey's neighborhood. He visited President Bashar Assad in Syriaearlier this year and traveled to Iran to meet with the Iranian mullahs.[49]

Erdogan's chief adviser, Ahmet Davutoglu, is the drivingforce behind Turkey's foreign policy changes. He is now contending that Turkeyhas a historic opportunity to be a leader in the Muslim world. He also believesthat her geographic position requires improved relations with Russia. Earlierthis year, overcoming decades of enmity, Turkey signed a trade pact withRussia. At the same time Turkey is begin rebuffed by Europe and is warmingrelations with Russia, anti-Semitism in Turkey has been growing in the last fewyears. According to a recent article in The Weekly Standard (8/29/05), "At any bookstore in Istanbul or Ankarayou will find prominently displayed Adolph Hitler's Mein Kampf, a popular seller these days."

While there may be many twists and turns in Turkey and othernations of the world before the rapture occurs, what is occurring there rightnow appears to be moving Turkey back toward Russia and the Muslim world just asone would expect if the battle of Gog and Magog is near.

Eighth, Ezek 38:13 mentions "Sheba and Dedan, and themerchants of Tarshish, with all its villages" as lodging a lame protest againstthe Gog and Magog invasion of Israel. There is general agreement that Sheba andDedan inhabited northern Arabia, or what today is Saudi Arabia.

The phrase "with all its villages" or "all the young lionsthereof" (KJV) after the name Tarshish is a Hebrew idiom referring to thenations that come out of Tarshish.[50]The question is-where was ancient Tarshish? Some maintain that Tarshish was inwhat today is England. If this location is accepted, then "all its villages"would include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.[51]Ancient Tarshish is probably the Phoenician colony in what today is Spain.Tarshish is also mentioned in Ezek 27:12. If this identification is accepted,"all its villages" could be a reference to the nations of Central and SouthAmerica and could possibly include America since Spain was involved indiscovering North America and ruling over parts of it for a time.[52]Or, it is possible that Tarshish, which was the farthest known land to the westof Israel, could denote all the nations of Western Europe.

Whichever view one adopts, Ezek 38:13 indicates that SaudiArabia and at least some part of Western Europe and the nations that have comefrom it will object to this invasion by Russia and an Islamic horde. AlthoughSaudi Arabia is no great friend of the west, she is the one Islamic nation thatconsistently serves her own self-interest by conveniently allying herself withwestern nations. Thus, the mention of a protest by Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshishcorresponds with current developments.

Events in our world today strikingly foreshadow the prophecyof the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezek 38-39. All of the necessary antecedentsfor the fulfillment of this prophecy are in place or are moving in thatdirection. The Jewish people have been regathered to their land in unbelief,the Middle East peace process is front and center in international diplomacy,and the invaders in Ezek 38 are identifiable nations who have both the desireand the potential to fulfill the Gog prophecy.

In his commentary on Ezekiel, published in 1987, W. A.Criswell wrote these timely words concerning the prophecy of Ezek 38-39. "Theprophet Ezekiel lived 2,500 years ago, and yet he writes as though he were acorrespondent for the daily newspapers of the earth. What he says is sopertinent this moment that it is as though he lived in the places where historyis unfolding before our very eyes."[53]The remarkable correspondence between world events and what Ezekiel predictedis another indication that the coming of the Lord could be very soon.

[1] LeftBehind, 9-10, 13-15.

[2] Daniel I.Block, The Book of Ezekiel25-48, NICOT, ed. Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998), 431-32.

[3] John B.Taylor, Ezekiel, Tyndale Old TestamentCommentaries, gen. ed. D. J. Wiseman (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press,1969), 244.

[4] Clyde E.Billington Jr., "The Rosh People in History and Prophecy (Part Two)," MichiganTheological Journal 3 (1992): 66-67.

[5] Arnold G.Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah,rev. ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Press, 2003), 108.

[6] Josephus Antiquities 1.6.1.

[7] C.F. Keil, Ezekiel,Daniel, Commentary on the Old Testament,trans. James Martin (Reprint; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982),159. Wilhelm Gesenius, Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the OldTestament (Reprint, Grand Rapids: EerdmansPublishing Comany, 1949), 752.

[8] Clyde E.Billington Jr. "The Rosh People inHistory and Prophecy (Part One), Michigan Theological Journal 3 (1992): 59.

[9] Billington,"Rosh People (Part Two)," 54-61.

[10] G. A.Cooke, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Ezekiel, ICC, ed. S. R. Driver, A. Plummer, and C. A. Briggs(Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1936), 408-9. John Taylor agrees. He says, "If aplace-name Rosh could be vouchedfor, RV's prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal would be the best translation" John B. Taylor, Ezekiel:An Introduction & Commentary, TyndaleOld Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. J. Wiseman (Downers Grove, IL:Inter-varsity Press, 1969), 244. Since it appears that there was a place in Ezekiel's day known as Rosh,this is the superior translation. For an extensive, thorough presentation ofthe grammatical and philological support for taking Rosh as a place name, seeJames D. Price "Rosh: An AncientLand Known to Ezekiel," Grace Theological Journal 6 (1985): 67-89.

[11] Block, Ezekiel25-48, 434. While Block believes this isthe best translation based on the LXX and Masoretic pointing, he adopts thecommon noun view for Rosh based on the Hebrew grammar and the fact that noancient nation named Rosh can be identified (ibid., 434-35).

[12] Concerningthe possibility of a Russian/Islamic invasion of Israel in the end times, C.Marvin Pate and J. Daniel Hays say categorically, "The biblical term rosh hasnothing to do with Russia." C. Marvin Pate and J. Daniel Hays, Iraq-Babylonof the End Times? (Grand Rapids: Baker Books,2003), 69. And later they state dogmatically, "These positions are notbiblical. . . . A world government is not coming to Babylon, and a Russian-ledMuslim invasion of Israel is not about to take place" (ibid., 136).

[13] Block, Ezekiel25-48, 434.

[14] Gesenius,752.

[15] Billington,"Rosh People (Part One)," 62-63.

[16] Billington,"Rosh People (Part Two)," 145-46.

[17] James D.Price, "Rosh: An Ancient Land Known to Ezekiel," Grace Theological Journal 6 (1985): 71-73.

[18] Clyde E.Billington Jr., "The Rosh People in History and Prophecy (Part Three)," MichiganTheological Journal 4 (1993), 59, 61.

[19] Edwin M.Yamauchi, Foes from the Northern Frontier(Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1982), 20.

[20] Ibid.,24-27.

[21] The NewBrown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1979), 469.

[22]T. G. Pinches, "Cush," in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 4 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Compnay,1939), 2:768.

[23] "TheKingdom of Kush," National Geographic,November 1990, 98-104.

[24] James B.Pritchard, ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 3d ed. (Princeton: Princeton University Press,1969), 308. Fruchtenbaum identifies Put as modern Somalia (Footstepsof the Messiah, 108).

[25] Brown-Driver-Briggs, 806.

[26] TheCambridge Ancient History, 3:510.

[27] Yamauchi, Foesfrom the Northern Frontier, 49-52.

[28] Josephus Antiquities 1.6.1.

[29] Clarence E.Mason Jr., "Gog and Magog, Who and When?" in Prophecy in the Seventies, ed. Charles Lee Feinberg (Chicago: Moody Press,1971), 221.

[30] Gary DeMar,End Times Fiction (Nashville, TN: ThomasNelson Publishers, 2001), 12-15.

[31] Ibid., 13

[32] The Hebrewword 'acharith (end, last, or latter)when used in reference to time means "latter part" or "close." The standardHebrew lexicon says, "in the end of the days, a prophetic phrase denoting the final period of the history sofar as the speaker's perspective reaches . . . it often equals the ideal orMessianic future." Brown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius, 31.Horst Seebass says that the Hebrew term "last days" or "end of the days" ('acharithhayyamim) is a technical term in Dan 2:28;10:14; Hos 3:5, and Ezek 38:16 not just for the future in general but for theend of time. He says it refers to "how history will culminate, thus itsoutcome." Horst Seabass, Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, ed. G.Johannes Botterweck and Helmer Ringgren, trans. John T. Willis (Grand Rapids:Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), 211-12.

[33]Fruchtenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah,121-22.

[34]Brown-Driver-Briggs, 1052-53.

[35] ManfredKober, "What is 'Gog and Magog' in Regard to Biblical Prophecy?" in TheGathering Storm, ed. Mal Couch(Springfield, MO: 21^st Century Press, 2005), 174.

[36] John F.Walvoord, The Nations in Prophecy (GrandRapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1967), 113-15.

[37] Ibid., 115.

[38] Arno C.Gaebelein, The Prophet Ezekiel (Reprint,Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1972), 252-53.

[39] Ibid., 256.

[40] As far as Iknow Dr. Hoehner has not written on this topic, but he expressed his view ofEzek 38-39 in a Ph.D. seminar at Dallas Seminary.

[41] Ralph H.Alexander, Ezekiel (Chicago: MoodyPress, 1976), 127-29

.

[42] John F.Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ(Chicago: Moody Press, 1966), 303.

[43] David J.MacLeod, "The Fifth 'Last Thing': The Release of Satan and Man's FinalRebellion (Rev. 20:7-10)," BSac 157(2000): 209.

[44] Walvoord, Nationsin Prophecy, 116.

[45] Jon MarkRuthven, The Prophecy That is Shaping History: New Research on Ezekiel'sVision of the End (Fairfax: VA: Xulon Press, 2003), 33.

[46] DeMar, EndTimes Fiction, 11.

[47]Fruchtenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah,114.

[48] EnhancedGlobal Intelligence Brief, 9/30/2005.

[49] TheWeekly Standard (8/9/05), 35.

[50]Fruchtenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah,111.

[51] Ibid., 112.

[52] Ibid.

[53] W.A.Criswell, Expository Sermons on the Book of Ezekiel (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1987),212.