The Prophecy Against GogThe Prophecy Against Gog

Ezekiel 38 & 39Ezekiel 38 & 39

““A Battle in the War of A Battle in the War of Armageddon”Armageddon”

© 2006 Brian H. Wagner© 2006 Brian H. Wagnerbwagner@vbc.edubwagner@vbc.edu

Receive one who is weak Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful disputes over doubtful things.things. Romans 14:1 Romans 14:1

This presentation may be freely used and This presentation may be freely used and altered, as long as the motivation is glory altered, as long as the motivation is glory

to God and not financial gain. to God and not financial gain.

““When will the Northern When will the Northern Confederacy Attack the Land of Confederacy Attack the Land of

Israel” Israel”

BEFORE THE TRIBULATION?BEFORE THE TRIBULATION? ““. . . the Russian invasion . . . . . . the Russian invasion . . .

taking place some time before taking place some time before the Tribulation.” the Tribulation.” FruchtenbaumFruchtenbaum

““It must be located before the It must be located before the tribulation. . . .” tribulation. . . .” CooperCooper

Others – Others – Ice, LaHaye, Ice, LaHaye,

and Rosenbergand Rosenberg

““When will the Northern When will the Northern Confederacy Attack the Land of Confederacy Attack the Land of

Israel” Israel”

DURING THE TRIBULATION?DURING THE TRIBULATION? ““. . . to prevent the rebuilding . . . to prevent the rebuilding

of the Jewish temple.” of the Jewish temple.” WiersbeWiersbe ““. . . our reasons for locating . . . our reasons for locating

this prophecy in the middle of this prophecy in the middle of the week seem sufficient. . . .” the week seem sufficient. . . .” PentecostPentecost

Part of Armageddon War –Part of Armageddon War –

Ryrie, MacArthur, Hunt, Ryrie, MacArthur, Hunt,

““When will the Northern When will the Northern Confederacy Attack the Land of Confederacy Attack the Land of

Israel” Israel”

AFTER THE TRIBULATION?AFTER THE TRIBULATION? ““. . . the next event in a possible . . . the next event in a possible

transition period between the transition period between the conclusion of the Tribulation and conclusion of the Tribulation and the Millennium. . . .” the Millennium. . . .” GaebeleinGaebelein

““. . . a final rebellion of world-. . . a final rebellion of world-wide extent after the millennial wide extent after the millennial

period.” period.” BuswellBuswell

Greatest Strength & Weakness Greatest Strength & Weakness of the of the

AFTER TRIBULATIONAFTER TRIBULATION Position Position Strength: Strength: The explicit The explicit

reference to an invasion of Gog reference to an invasion of Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:7 and Magog in Revelation 20:7 after the Millennium.after the Millennium.

Weakness: Weakness: “So the house of “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day LORD their God from that day forward.” Ezekiel 39:22forward.” Ezekiel 39:22

Greatest Strength & Weakness Greatest Strength & Weakness of the of the

BEFORE TRIBULATIONBEFORE TRIBULATION Position Position Strength: Strength: “Israel will go out “Israel will go out

and set on fire and burn the and set on fire and burn the weapons . . . for seven years.” weapons . . . for seven years.” Ezekiel 39:9Ezekiel 39:9

Weakness: Weakness: “So the house of “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day LORD their God from that day forward.” Ezekiel 39:22forward.” Ezekiel 39:22

Greatest Strengths:Greatest Strengths:DURING TRIBULATIONDURING TRIBULATION Position Position

The Universal Recognition of God by The Universal Recognition of God by Israel and the nations.Israel and the nations.

The Northern King and Army mentioned The Northern King and Army mentioned in cross-referenced contexts – Joel 2 & in cross-referenced contexts – Joel 2 & Daniel 11Daniel 11

The Description of Destruction compared The Description of Destruction compared with texts relating to the with texts relating to the Tribulation Period:Tribulation Period:Great EarthquakeGreat EarthquakeGreat Hailstones Great Hailstones Heavenly FireHeavenly FireFeasting BirdsFeasting Birds

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 1. Description of the Destruction1. Description of the Destruction

»““Surely in that day there shall be a Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of great earthquake in the land of Israel.” 38:19Israel.” 38:19

»The ENDTIMES EARTHQUAKE in Israel:The ENDTIMES EARTHQUAKE in Israel:

Isaiah 29:6 & Zechariah 14:4Isaiah 29:6 & Zechariah 14:4

““Great Earthquake” Great Earthquake”

Revelation 6:12, 11:13, 16:18Revelation 6:12, 11:13, 16:18

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 1. Description of the Destruction1. Description of the Destruction

»““I will rain down on him, on his I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many people . . . troops, and on the many people . . . great hailstones.” 38:22great hailstones.” 38:22

»The ENDTIMES HAILSTONESThe ENDTIMES HAILSTONES “And great hail from heaven “And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight hailstone about the weight of one talent.” Rev. 16:22 of one talent.” Rev. 16:22

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 1. Description of the Destruction1. Description of the Destruction

»““I will rain down on him, on his I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many people . . . troops, and on the many people . . . fire” 38:22fire” 38:22

»The ENDTIMES FIRE upon the The ENDTIMES FIRE upon the nationsnations Zephaniah 1:18, 3:8 Zephaniah 1:18, 3:8

Joel 2:30 Joel 2:30 Revelation 16:8 Revelation 16:8

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 1. Description of the Destruction1. Description of the Destruction

»““I will give you to birds of prey of I will give you to birds of prey of every sort . . . to be devoured.” every sort . . . to be devoured.” 39:4 (17-20) 39:4 (17-20)

»The ENDTIMES FEASTThe ENDTIMES FEAST “he cried with a loud voice, saying “he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds . . . to all the birds . . .

‘Come and gather to ‘Come and gather to the the great supper of great supper of God.’”God.’” Revelation 19:17Revelation 19:17

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 2. Cross references to King from the 2. Cross references to King from the

North.North.»““Then you will come from your Then you will come from your place out of the far north. . . .” place out of the far north. . . .” 38:1538:15

»Joel 2:20 “But I will remove far from Joel 2:20 “But I will remove far from you the northern army you the northern army

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 2. Cross references to King from the 2. Cross references to King from the

North.North.»““Then you will come from your place Then you will come from your place out of the far north. . . .” 38:15out of the far north. . . .” 38:15

»Daniel 11:40 – “news from the east Daniel 11:40 – “news from the east and the north shall trouble him, and the north shall trouble him, therefore he shall go out with great therefore he shall go out with great fury fury to destroy and to destroy and annihilate many.”annihilate many.”

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 3. Universal Recognition of God by 3. Universal Recognition of God by

IsraelIsrael»““So the house of Israel shall know So the house of Israel shall know that I that I amam the LORD their God from the LORD their God from that day forward” 39:22that day forward” 39:22

»““Then they shall know that I am the Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God . . . . And I LORD their God . . . . And I will not hide My face from will not hide My face from them anymore.” 39:28-29 them anymore.” 39:28-29

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 3. Universal Recognition of God by the 3. Universal Recognition of God by the

nations of the earthnations of the earth»““I will be known in the eyes of many I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” 38:23am the LORD.” 38:23

»““Then the nations shall Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.” 39:7 the Holy One in Israel.” 39:7

The Invasion The Invasion of the Northern Confederacy of the Northern Confederacy

at the at the ENDEND OF THE TRIBULATIONOF THE TRIBULATION

What Evidence?What Evidence?– 3. Universal Recognition of God 3. Universal Recognition of God

presence.presence.»““I will set my glory among the I will set my glory among the nations; 39:21nations; 39:21

»““I am hallowed in them [Israel] in I am hallowed in them [Israel] in the sight of many nations.”the sight of many nations.”

39:2739:27

Main Objections by Main Objections by EARLY & MID TRIBULATIONEARLY & MID TRIBULATION

PositionsPositions

Armageddon includes “all” nations, Armageddon includes “all” nations, the the Battle of Gog does not.Battle of Gog does not.

»““the kings of the earth and their the kings of the earth and their armies” Revelation 19:19 armies” Revelation 19:19 John’s John’s description of Armageddon does not description of Armageddon does not say all.say all.

»““against Him who sat on the horse and against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.” Revelation 19:19 against His army.” Revelation 19:19 The Battle against Gog may be the first The Battle against Gog may be the first of the battles in the War of of the battles in the War of Armageddon, inspiring war against Armageddon, inspiring war against Christ Jesus.Christ Jesus.

Main Objections by Main Objections by EARLY & MID TRIBULATIONEARLY & MID TRIBULATION

PositionsPositions

Israel is dwelling in safety when Gog Israel is dwelling in safety when Gog attacks but not so in the second 3 ½ attacks but not so in the second 3 ½ years of Tribulation.years of Tribulation.

»““. . . who dwell safely all of them . . . who dwell safely all of them dwelling without walls” 38:11 dwelling without walls” 38:11 It It will take time to for the Antichrist will take time to for the Antichrist to establish security.to establish security.

»““two-thirds in it shall be cut off and two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die” Zechariah 13:8 die” Zechariah 13:8 Most of Israel Most of Israel will side with the Antichrist.will side with the Antichrist.

Greatest Strengths:Greatest Strengths:DURING TRIBULATIONDURING TRIBULATION Position Position

The Universal Recognition of God by The Universal Recognition of God by Israel and the nations.Israel and the nations.

The Northern King and Army mentioned The Northern King and Army mentioned in cross-referenced contexts – Joel 2 & in cross-referenced contexts – Joel 2 & Daniel 11Daniel 11

The Description of Destruction compared The Description of Destruction compared with texts relating to the with texts relating to the Tribulation Period:Tribulation Period:Great EarthquakeGreat EarthquakeGreat Hailstones Great Hailstones Heavenly FireHeavenly FireFeasting BirdsFeasting Birds

Context is KingContext is King Ezekiel 34-48: Ezekiel 34-48: “After Jerusalem’s fall, “After Jerusalem’s fall,

Ezekiel’s message centered on Ezekiel’s message centered on Judah’s future restoration.” Judah’s future restoration.” Bible Bible Know. Com.Know. Com.

Ezekiel 40 Ezekiel 40 “Chapter 37 deals with the “Chapter 37 deals with the restoration of the nation of Israel to restoration of the nation of Israel to her land. . . . Chapter 40 carries us on her land. . . . Chapter 40 carries us on to the millennial age. Thus the to the millennial age. Thus the movements of Gog and Magog are movements of Gog and Magog are seen, in the context, to transpire seen, in the context, to transpire between the time of the beginning of between the time of the beginning of the restoration of Israel to the land the restoration of Israel to the land and the millennial age.” and the millennial age.” PentecostPentecost

Context is KingContext is King

Ezekiel’s Message: Ezekiel’s Message: The intent of The intent of the message concerning the Battle the message concerning the Battle against Gog is against Gog is notnot to reveal its to reveal its exact timing but to inspire hope in exact timing but to inspire hope in God’s mercy and justice.God’s mercy and justice.

The “Exact” time of the Battle: The “Exact” time of the Battle: ““In the latter years” 38:8In the latter years” 38:8 ““In the latter days” 38:16In the latter days” 38:16

Even So Come QuicklyEven So Come Quickly

Lord Jesus!Lord Jesus!