The Gog/Magog Invasion

Some questions surround the nature, timing and outcome of the battle described in Ezekiel chs. 38 & 39.

Preface: The Gog/Magog invasions of Israel are pivotal moments in God's prophetic timeline. However every time there is an uptick in the Middle East cries of 'Gog/Magog' run through the international community of believing Christians. Many (the majority?) of speculative voices appear to speak from a scant understanding of the respective chapters.

While thousands of words and many maps have been dedicated to the precise identity of the attacking hordes, the vital questions relate to the timing and subsequent outcome.

The following is an extract from 'A Fresh Look at Ezekiel 38 and 39' by Ralph H. Alexander.

>>>quote>>>

IN approaching this [Gog/Magog] issue basic guidelines must be established.

First, the primary data for identifying the time for the invasion of Gog must come from the principal passage of Ezekiel 38 and 39.
Second, the details of any time period set forth as the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39 must be in complete harmony with the particulars found in the Ezekiel account.
Third, any explicit reference or allusion to Ezekiel 38 and 39 located elsewhere in Scripture must be examined carefully in order to explain why that correlation exists.
Fourth, normal grammatical, historical, cultural hermeneutics should be followed.
Fifth, hypotheses should be kept to a minimum and should not provide the major bases for an explanation.

>>>end quote<<<

The following questions are an attempt to focus in on the key issues. A recording by Tony Pearce of The Bridge Christian Fellowship speaking on the subject is given below.

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QUESTIONS

Notes:
(i) The context of the passage starts at Ezek.33:21
(ii) To respond to these questions, the two chapters need to read through in their entirety as the answer to any one question can appear in more than one place.
(iii) The questions are based on the assumption that when the Jesus returns he will establish an earthly reign i.e. the overall eschatological view is pre-millennial.
(iv) The related material in the left hand column is offered but not necessarily endorsed.
(v) Ten years ago David Dolan wrote concerning a different prophecy relating to the fall of Damascus writing: "I have long felt that Isaiah 17 is most likely the next major end-time biblical prophecy that will unfold in the turbulent Middle East."

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1. Is this Gog/Magog battle the same as the one in Rev. 20:8?

2. Is G/M initially of a mind to attack Israel?

3. Who or what changes his mind?

4. How do you understand the ‘hooks in your jaws’ in terms of the fate of Gog?

5. At the time of the attack is Israel feeling anxious or secure?

6. What are the motives behind the attack?

7. When (in the Lord’s prophetic time line) does the attack occur?

8. Of what nature are the concomitant physical/seismic upheavals?

9. What do the uninvolved nations say about the situation?

10. What (if any) part does Israel play in the defeat of the G/M army?

11. What is the nature of the defeat of the G/M army?

12. What is God’s ultimate aim?

13. How does He achieve it?

14. Who will it impact and how?

15. What does Ezekiel say will follow on from the G/M war?

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Recording of address by Tony Pearce of The Bridge Christian Fellowship.

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Notes:
1. Visitors to this page are welcome to leave any answers/comments/observations in the Response facility below. These can relate to what Tony said on the recording or to the questions posed above. The diagram below is an illustration of the nations which will be most likely involved.
2. Tony Pearce produces a newsletter 'Light for the Last Days'. It can be supplied on request and contact details can be found here.
3. During the QnA session of Tony's talk, a question related to the attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Arni Klein has written and spoken on the subject.
4. The graphic below illustrates the possible identities of the countries mentioned in Ezek. 38/39. However, identifying the nations involved is largely dependent on when - in the continuum of biblical eschatology - these prophecies are set.

Gog Magog nations

Feedback:

	Geoff Barnard	21/08/2024 06:34
Tony is a Dispensationalist and maintains that the Church will be raptured perhaps seven years before the return of Jesus. In previous talks, he has suggested that the last seven years of great tribulation is to be equated to “the time of Jacob’s trouble”. In this talk, he has given us an accurate overview of the war of Gog and Magog. At this war’s conclusion, the invading armies of Gog are destroyed and the Holy Spirit falls on the nation of Israel. In fact, the Lord will no longer hide his face from them (Ezekiel 39:29). There follows seven years of physical cleansing of the land with the burial of the dead bodies in the valley of Hamon Gog (Ezekiel 39:15). I believe this physical cleansing is paralleled by the spiritual cleansing suggested in Zechariah 13:1 which occurs after the outpouring of the Spirit (Zechariah 12:10). For Tony, reconciling all of this with his dispensational theology is complex if not impossible. This is reflected in the time of questions. ------------- Ed. note: Dispensational theology is - like others - an interpretational framework which fundamentally shapes how one understands prophetic end-time passages. The understanding of Daniel's 70th week is another example of this scenario. As there are differing views on these things it is useful (essential even) to understand which 'framework' any speaker/author is 'speaking through' in terms of his/her understanding. Refs: Covenant Theology/Dispensationalism - https://christianstogether.net/Articles/365816/Covenant_Theology_and.aspx Daniel's 70th week - https://christianstogether.net/Articles/693435/Daniels_70th_week.aspx
	Philip Wren	21/08/2024 12:23
I will throw into the mix another interpretation for the timing of Ezekiel 38 & 39. There will be a dual fulfillment. The first fulfillment will close the present age. The second will close the millennial reign of Christ. There are clear references back to Ezekiel 38,39 in Revelation 19 & 20. God will allow both these rebellions to demonstrate His justice and show why He can no longer show mercy. Despite having lived in the restored world of the Millennium, which is ruled in righteousness and love, mankind will have none of it. They will join Satan in his rebellion. Mankind will have no excuse. Their hatred of God will be exposed. God will be seen as completely just in condemning all, who will not submit to His rule, to destruction in Hell. To read an academic paper by Ralph H Alexander, supporting a dual fulfillment of these prophecies, go to: https://www.trumpetsounds.net/library/ralph-h-alexander/. Accepting a dual fulfillment resolves many of the questions surrounding the interpretation of Ezekiel 38,39. ---------------------- Ed. note: Thanks Philip. Another fine reference is 'The Prophecy That is Shaping History by Jon Mark Ruthven with Ihab Griess. https://christianstogether.net/Publisher/file.aspx?id=358322
	Editor	21/08/2024 15:55
Ed. Note: I have just added a new file 'The Two Wars of Gog/Magog'. See left-hand margin at top of page.
	Peter Sammons (Guest)	23/08/2024 14:31
Just to say I find the 'dual fulfillment' as stated by Philip Wren a compelling argument and one I had already reflected upon. Praise God in the midst of these serious and sometimes troubling and uncomfortable questions.