Introduction
Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39)
- I Chronicles :4; Genesis 10:2; Revelation 20:8
- Ezekiel 38:4-6 – Gog is the leader of the army.
- The army is going to attack Israel while they are living securely in unwalled villages – Ezekiel 38:11, 14-16
- God will utterly defeat Gog – Ezekiel 38:18-20, 22; 39:3-4, 7-8
- It will take seven years to burn all the weapons – Ezekiel 39:9
- It will take seven months to bury all the dead – Ezekiel 39:12
- All the birds and animals will eat the dead bodies – Ezekiel 39:17
- God’s reputation will be upheld – Ezekiel 39:21-24
- There will be hope for Israel – Ezekiel 39:25-29
Many think Ezekiel 38-39 is talking about modern-day Israel
- Ezekiel 38:2
- Rosh – Russia?
- Meshech – Moscow?
- Tubal – Tobolsk?
- Luke 21:28-32 – This was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem.
- Start with eh facts you know and build from there.
Biblically, here’s what we know for sure …
Promises regarding physical Israel have already been fulfilled.
New Covenant Christians are the “Israel” of today.
God is not planning a physical battle.
Spiritual struggles are often pictured figuratively as physical fighting.
We don’t know when the world will end.
Jesus will not return to earth.
So, what is Ezekiel 38-39 about?
- This is a vivid, figurative picture of God’s spiritual victory in the New Covenant – all enemies are defeated and God wins!
- Why do I think it’s figurative?
- It would fit the context of Ezekiel.
- Ezekiel 34 – shepherds
- Ezekiel 37 – bones, sticks, “David”
- Ezekiel 40-48 – temple
- It explains why no one knows of Gog leading this battle any time in history.
- It matches the imagery of the New Covenant.
- It makes sense with Revelation 20.
- It would fit the context of Ezekiel.
What does all of this mean for us now?
- The events in the news have nothing to do with Bible prophecies or indications that the world is about to end.
- Pray for Israel (and everyone else in the world involved in wars and tragedies)!