The Battle of Gog and Magog

The Battle of Gog and Magog

“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.” Ezekiel 38:8 (NKJV)

            Why is this scripture from the Old Testament times so important to Christians today?  We are now living in a day that God told us was coming and it has happened. When Israel was taken over by other rulers and scattered among the nations of the world, he promised there would come a day that Israel would once again become a nation.   In 1948 the Jews fought and won the land and it was declared the Nation of Israel. Since that time thousands of Jews have returned to Israel from all different nations and Israel has thrived.

            Today, all eyes are on Israel and it has become the most important country in the world and everyone wants to own it.  It is surrounded by those who want to destroy it and by those who want its rich resources. So what is its future?  Let’s go back to Ezekiel 38:15-16 (NLT), “You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army, and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the LORD.” (To understand the complete picture, I would urge you to read Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 in the Bible.) 

            Gog and Magog are referenced as Russia today and among those are Persia (Iran), Ethiopia and Libya to name a few. This is what brings about the “War of God and Magog.”  As most of you know, Iran wants to kill all the Jews and claim Jerusalem as its capital.  It looks as though all these countries are poised to attack, but only God knows when.  I’ve no doubt it will happen in His time.

            Now on to the rest of the story in Ezekiel 39:4-6 “You and your army and your allies will all die on the mountains. I will feed you to the vultures and wild animals. You will fall in the open fields, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign LORD.  And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”  This great mass of people will be miraculously destroyed by God who keeps watch over Israel.  We don’t know how it will happen, but we know there are enough weapons to burn for 7 years. 

            The ending scripture of Chapter 38, verse 29 is to be noted. “And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”  This is verification of Chapter 37:22, “I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule them all; no longer will they be divided into two nations or into two kingdoms.”  This is why we should give little worry to those who claim Israel will be destroyed. It’s not going to happen!

            I recently heard this statement in a clinical study “a helicopter dad”, which means they hover over their child.  What a great statement, we have a helicopter Father in heaven who hovers over his children.  Where would we be without Him; where would Israel be without Him?  Israel is the ‘apple of his eye’ and will remain that until the end of time as we know it.

            The Holy Spirit of God also watches over us personally; nothing happens to us that he doesn’t know about.  Some day we will realize he was there all the time and we went through times that we thought our prayers were not answered.  A time will come when you will see that it was part of God’s plan.  Just like Israel and all they went through over thousands of years, but in the end God gave them what he promised. 

            As for now, what exciting times we live in.  We hate seeing what is happening around the world, but we see and know it is part of God’s plan.  This is how we know the beginning and the end.  We are written on the palms of God’s hand so he will always remember us.

            Yes, wars may come and go, but God is in charge.  The War of Gog and Magog is probably the next war to come and it will take place before the Battle of Armageddon.  Prophesy is like watching “Coming Attractions’ except we don’t know when it’s coming.  However, we can be assured it will happen!