Sarmatians:

As with the Cimmerians and with the Scythians, so with the Sarmatians, their past comes to us sealed in a shroud of murkiness. Some light is shed on that past however, as they are first mentioned in first century AD Roman literature (referred to there as Alans?). Old Roman maps point to them and the areas of their occupation interchangeably as either Alans (Josephus 7.4.3; 7.7.4) or Geloni (Herodotus). Ptolemaic maps are said to reference those same areas as Sarmatia. Another source document detailing something of the presence and reach of this people is an ancient Parthian manuscript known as the Vologeses Inscription, while one of the richest sources of knowledge is the many graves, found and unearthed in the regions they inhabited.

It is generally thought and accepted that the Sarmatians were nomads of Iranian blood who undertook migration from Central Asia between the sixth and the fourth centuries BC, arriving eventually at the Ural Mountains (apparently following an ideology and strategy, or a route plan similar to that of the Scythian, several centuries earlier, and who in some sense, are near relatives of theirs). By the fifth century BC, control of the plains between the Don River and Urals was their domain (there were at least three separate groups, each of which while maintaining some form of unity, developed independently along the steppe between the Ural Mountains in the east and the Danube River in the west). The fourth century saw them attempt expansion of that domain as one of their several groups, the Alans or Alani (some say), crossed over the Don, to challenge and discomfit the now settled (and, maybe, complacent, less threatening and, unsuspecting) Scythians, virtually wiping them out according to one source (over two hundred years), thereby establishing themselves as the rulers of southern Russia, by the second century—this in spite of the Scythian superior numbers. In the first century, they formed an alliance with the tribes of Germany, which was formidable enough to be a threat to the mighty Roman Empire. The reality that says “all good things must come to and end”, however, began to set in, when, after almost three hundred years (apparently having turned on their German allies), the Sarmatians sought yet again to expand in the third century AD, only to invade Romania (then Dacia) and the lower Danube River region to be overwhelmed by the Goths. Many of them went on to join the Goth invasion of Western Europe, while their homeland was sacked in 370 AD, demolished by an influx of Huns from the east. By the sixth century, history had lost track of its third consecutive group of savage plundering, ravaging warmongers.

Who were they, in antiquity?

Thus far then, we now know that “Magog” finds its roost today in all of the land mass known as, and now occupied by, modern Russia. Likewise we also know that Russia—as it relates to and falls within the grand scheme and plan of God—consists of two major parts or, sections separated by the Ural Mountains: 1) Western or European Russia and, 2) Siberia. That leaves open the question, who were these people during the Bible days of Ezekiel? Who were they prior to his day, during and across the two thousand years following the birth and life of the Christ? What did they ever do to provoke God’s ire?

European Russia

Playground for murderers and marauders; wild and untamed; haven to pillagers and plunder seekers, more savage than the climate itself: ruled apparently for millennia by no one codified, written law, or civilized authority, such was this, and in reality, the rest of the world of humanity, where thoughts and knowledge of God had failed to grace the minds of men; although the writing cultures appear to have managed a much greater sense of civility and stability. This section of the land of Magog refers to the western 25% of the old Soviet Union (one might say their early “old west” makes the American version look “sissy”). Specifically, it is that part of Soviet Russia (known since the Soviet breakup in 1991 as the Russian Federation), which lies west of the Ural Mountains, but more precisely between the Caspian Sea on the east and the Baltic in the west, having as its southern border the Black Sea, whereas the White is its northernmost boundary. Its actual westernmost boundary or border has varied widely throughout history, dependent on who had the biggest sword, and who could muster and manage the most living bodies after appeasement of the sacrificial demands and bite of one senseless battle after the other to enforce a shift. At no point along a timeline spanning millennia, has any one group ever peacefully peopled that region for any significantly long duration of time (apparently!). The historical record suggests that—in a span reaching back as far as 4000 years B.C. to the relatively recent mid-800s A.D.—Europe’s portion of today’s Russia has been inundated repeatedly by floods of many different tribes of people, many, if not most, from Central Asia. Its steppes (great plains), said to be relatively infertile and part of a roughly 5000-mile stretch, reaching from the Ukraine to China, hosts an environment known for climatic contrasts which are extreme, and are able to support only small bands of horsemen over huge allotments thereof. All of this begs the question: what then served as the virtual magnets, attracting and luring these bands of murderous, marauding thugs, who either forced out whatever group happened to be in occupation upon their arrival or, simply killed them off, outright—making this area a veritable slaughter house, or, more aptly, a killing field? Whatever the reason, it might well be said that this segment of the land of the realm of Gog in its entirety was hardly what God had in mind in terms of the “unknown”, given that it was in fact quite well known to the outside world (one group of nomads is known for positioning itself in the area of well-worn trade routes, some of which—like the “Silk Routes”—traversed this area). Thus—not to in any way minimize its shear brutality, gore, and gruesomeness—we see that Hitler’s Final Solution was not by any means the beginning of man’s inhumanity to man.

Commander sees 'World War III'

“By NBC News Wire Services”

Updated at 4:46 a.m. ET (09/25/2012): Iran could launch a pre-emptive strike on Israel if it was sure the Jewish state were preparing to attack it, a senior commander of its elite Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, made the comments to Iran's state-run Arabic language Al-Alam television, according to a report on the network's website.

"Iran will not start any war but it could launch a pre-emptive attack if it was sure that the enemies are putting the final touches to attack it," Al-Alam said, paraphrasing the military commander.

Hajizadeh, who heads the Guard's aerospace division, said any attack on Iranian soil could trigger "World War III."

"We cannot imagine the Zionist regime starting a war without America's support. Therefore, in case of a war, we will get into a war with both of them and we will certainly get into a conflict with American bases," he said. "In that case, unpredictable and unmanageable things would happen and it could turn into a World War III."

'Bases are equal to U.S. soil' U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Qatar and Afghanistan would be targeted, he added.

"There will be no neutral country in the region," Hajizadeh was quoted as saying. "To us, these bases are equal to U.S. soil."

……..

The U.S. Fifth fleet is based in Bahrain and the U.S. has a heavy military presence in Afghanistan.

U.S. officials reportedly suspect Iran is behind a string of recent cyber-attacks that were aimed at major U.S. banks. Jim Finkle of Reuters has more on the story.

The Iranian warning appears to be an attempt to reinforce the potential wider consequences of an attack by Israel. The message is not only intended for Washington, but to its Gulf Arab allies that are fearful of a regional conflict that could disrupt oil shipment and cripple business hubs in places such as Dubai and Qatar's capital Doha.

Case of the missing Church (The Rapture)

(1 Thessalonians 4)

It is difficult at best to say with any real certainty when or where in the eschatological timetable God will remove the church. It is not hard to imagine, however, that probably what few there are in America who remain alive will be evacuated before God signals the destruction of Babylon the Great, along with all others in a global “snatching up” of the deceased and the living. At any rate, remove it He will, be it immediately before the Apocalypse, before the Russians attack Israel, or before the collapse of Babylon the Great, which will doubtless fall before God utterly pulverizes the Russo/EU/Muslim confederacy.

During the days of the interlude–whether it is for seven years or, for seven years plus (one would think 10.5 years minimum)—unquestionably, tensions will mount, a thirst for revenge will reign until finally tempers will flair as the world vies for what it will likely view as a final desperate bid to rid itself of any vestige of the influence of Almighty God—Jew and Christians (protestants) being its primary focus. Why do the heathen rage, as they (the pagans) imagine vain or worthless things; taking council together (as they do) against the Almighty and His Messiah, the Psalmist queries in Psalm 2? God has already made Himself real in their thinking by the now defunct Russo-Arab alliance. However, but for the lingering scars of that reality, the only tangible, visible sign of that Presence is the Christian and, of course, the Jew. Behind the scenes the Lord will stoke the fires of doubt, so as to coax a yet God hating, Christ rejecting world to still another banqueting table and feast, set for the birds and wild animals, upon which they (the gentiles of the world) are the main entree. As bad as the Russo-Arab defeat was, the adage some folks never learn, will now take on new meaning, as all hell is about to break loose within the confines of this bubble housing our terra firma. Before this can take place, however, God has other plans, special plans, for His church. Actually, it is not clear, so that one cannot be absolutely certain whether this, the Rapture, will take place after the fall of the Russian/Arab coalition, or before. The reality is, the rapture could (and most likely will) very well take place prior to God’s toppling of Babylon the Great, which must fall before the Russians feel confident that they can launch their incursion into Israel without significant interference from other foreign powers (Rev. 18). The 4.65 million Ashkenazim here in the U.S. now, having significant ties in all areas of government and business, could pretty much preclude any such occurrence (a Russian incursion into Israel), for the time being.

Where the world at large is concerned, nothing much can or will happen—in the course of everyday living—to change his mind with regard to the Apocalypse, whether or not it will occur; its proximity. They simply do not believe, and/or could not care less. The clearest warning bell will be sounded, however, when they awaken one sweet morning to find that the hated Christian, and many a Jew, is no more; vanished and that without a trace! Although there will be Christians during the Apocalypse period, these will actually be saved after this period of hell on earth begins. No Christian living prior will enter that time of testing (one uses the term Christian here with reference to those who actually are such, not to nominal Christians who, being religious, are so chiefly in name and by church affiliation only).

The Victor has the Spoils

For Israel, the future at least for a time, looks bright. If one’s interpretation of 39:10 is at least marginally accurate, it looks as if Israel will not only be marvelously benefited beyond any hurt inflicted by the advance of their mortal enemies, but, in addition to quite literally “making hay” (fuel) of all the flammable remains of weapons farmed from the aftermath of the war, they will (or may) also have free access to, and, control of all their energy resources and reserves, as well. This could only mean, or suggest at the very least, one thing: the fifteen minutes of fame handed to them by the Hand of the Almighty in this their most recent victory, could easily escalate to thirty minutes or more as they—one of, if not the, smallest nation on earth (actually, Vatican City, is the smallest nation)—would now conceivably be in a unique position so as to dominate and control the world. For seven years at least, maybe more, the vast majority of the Russian and Arab crude (said to be the most traded commodity in the world) needed to lube and grease the Jewish and the global economies would be under Jew thumb and fingertips, where it will remain until Shiloh comes. All of Russia’s vast coal reserves will be Israel’s to hoard. “Say it ain’t so, Elmo!” ya’ say? That certainly does appear to be the shape of the future and of things to come, particularly in light of the grip and the hold that crude has on virtually everything on the planet, today.

How will the Jews know where to find Russian coal and oil reserves, as well as all its other buried natural resources, which will be of immense value to its survival, so as to capitalize and make full use thereof, within seven years (maybe a little longer)? Since most is located in Siberia, under perma-frosted ground, which makes it difficult for even the Russians to access, how will the Jews defeat the elements where they have failed?

There were Jews in Russia, running the government (or, in high places thereof, for sure) during the days of the communists, there are Jews there today (informed and enlighten men who know the country), so likewise there will be Jews there when the country falls by the design, by the hand and by the will of Almighty God (much of the obsolete Soviet owned businesses, including oil companies, that Boris Yeltsin sold off cheaply before leaving office is said to have fallen into the hands of so-called oligarchs, who got filthy rich thereby, overnight—many of whom are supposedly Jewish.). No matter how many leave in the meantime, whether they are in or out of the country, there will always be those who know that land and its valuables. They know what its wealth is, where and how to find it.

Adonai Jehovah instructs His servant, the prophet, to issue a terse reminder to Gog, the head of the chiefs of the states of Meshech and Tubal:  he is to expect to be induced into conflict with His people, within the confines of Israel, after he has been lured out of the comforts of his own home in the uttermost quarters; he is to expect a crushing humiliation, and, a devastating defeat at the hands of the Almighty Himself (as Israel will not have a friend upon whom to lean), as all his weapons are rendered useless upon the mountains of Eretz Israel; following his drubbing, the small birds (and vultures) and wild animals will feast upon what is left of the carcasses and blood of all his armies, of which only 1/6 will survive.  No specific numbers are given, or, suggested.  One can imagine, however, that—in light of the staggering commitment of troops by the roughly five or so nations involved, possibly in the high hundreds of thousands, or into the millions—five sixths of the total of everything and everyone—men, livestock, equipment—all will be utterly destroyed by an act of God, on behalf of His helpless, hapless (although they are most fortunate to have Him on their side), and beleaguered people.  No doubt, to a degree, the few who survive this beating in the mountains of Israel will be the catalysts by means of whose testimonies and eye witness accounts many others (among their people groups, in their various homelands), military and civilians, will be brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus, who is the Christ. 

Gog and company in the field, having suffered a sore discomfiture, Adonai Jehovah will then turn His attention to Magog, venting His wrath and anger upon the homeland of Gog.  Not only so, but, those in faraway lands, those who could (maybe) have come to the aid of the Jew but chose not to, thinking themselves to be secure from the dangers of this latest in middle eastern conflicts, will find, however, that they are not exempt from God’s judgment.  All who live free from concern in the isles (no doubt a reference to the over five continents, as opposed to tiny, otherwise insignificant, individual little islands, exclusively) will be visited so that they too might know firsthand and feel the wrath of their Maker, who they all are guilty of rejecting.  Having issued His proclamation, and spoken His plan for judgment, the certainty of it all is such that, it is as good as done in the mind, the eyes and heart of Adonai Jehovah. 

The Nose-ring of (in-)Security

Without specifying why, ’70s theological and prophetic rumor-mill had it that communist Russia had been eying Israel, for some time, as a strategic point from which they could control the world.  This thought, too, is most compelling when one considers that it has been said that the most convenient route for the flow of oil out of the Middle East to the rest of the world is through the land of the Jews.  With two-thirds of global supplies stored in that area, assuming the foregoing is true, control of God’s country would indeed place the holder (like Russia) in a unique position of considerable “clout”.  If she can knock Israel off, Jordan would not be a problem, and all the other Arab nations, for the time being, are in Russia’s corner.  Others like the Chinese—as well as Great Britain, and the Germans—will be eying with ambition this same piece of prime real estate, realizing its value, but, she will have the high ground, as it were—the high ground being in this case Israel.  From that vantage point she can practically dictate the terms of war with any detractors, insofar as she and the Arab world will control the lion’s share of all the world’s crude, and natural gas (the top three producers of crude are all in that general part of the world:  the Saudis, the Iranians and the Russians, in that order.).  No nation today can wage war without adequate supplies of petroleum, and its derivatives.  For reasons to be covered later, no one will be able to match her military might, built around her nuke arsenal (even as she languishes; though weak and, apparently, suffering the pangs of many setbacks, she is still nevertheless, as she is quick to point out, a force to be reckoned with; this, no one is likely to question); no nation will have her resources; it will therefore, be in the best interests of all to stand with her (if current interpretations and understandings surrounding what is knowable of the history of “Gomer” hold any water at all, then, certain if not all the ‘key’ factions of the “Celtic” peoples including the Germans, will be confederate with the Russo/Islamic federation.  That is, “Gomer” is in all likelihood a reference to all of Western Europe, particularly those areas once peopled and dominated by the Celts.  Thus, it appears Russia will come, having gotten this point across already).  With the Jews gone, and a beachhead in Palestine, Russia, it will think, can buy a moment’s peace of mind, and a bit of security from the enemy most likely and most capable of exploitation in her time of weakness.  Given the aforementioned nose-rings, it cannot be, but that, the security (of knowing she does not have to contend with the presence of the self-styled Jew any longer) will be a prime motivator driving her against the people of God, into the arms of a hellish destruction.  Realistically, but for these reasons, there does not appear on the surface to be any other good, solid nose-ring on earth as to why a nation 876.2 times bigger than Israel would ever want to bypass must larger lands, only to invest heavily in the conquest of something so small—except as it be, as we have been told, for the hand of Almighty God!

Verse 10, “this is what the Lord-like-no-other, The Self-Existent One, Who exists forever (Adonai Jehovah) has to say, ‘at the time of your attack, you will proceed according to a preconceived, mischievous plan, diabolical in nature; you will talk to yourself about how you will militarily harass a land defenseless, living safely and at peace, unable to match and fend against your own military might, for the purpose of pillaging, openly robbing and plundering…’” Verse 14, “for this reason, son of man, (you are My mouthpiece) speak and tell Gog, this is what the Lord of all lords, Who is Self-Existing eternally, has to say, ‘in the day when My people are living securely, will you not be fully aware (knowing well their vulnerability)’”?

Still tough to envision, is it not?  And yet, why should it be, knowing the diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries?  How a nation like Russia could ever be so foolish as to consider war with a nation like Israel, for the purpose of taking a…a “what”(!)?  Both nations are cash strapped and economically challenged, so what does a tiny, virtually insignificant little country like Israel possibly have that would ever satisfy the virtually unquenchable thirst of one as large as Russia’s?  One would think that just the shear cost of an assault on a scale akin to the one portrayed here, might far outweigh negatively anything or, any benefit that might be gained from such a venture; particularly given the financial straits the Jews face right now.  At six million, five hundred, sixty-two thousand square miles, what could a nation the size of Russia, with its vast resources, ever see in a nation like Israel, measuring only around 7.849 thousand square miles (indications are such that, or, they suggest that, Russia has far greater resources at its disposal, than Israel has space to live!)? 

Thus far, we now have at the very least a much better idea of “where” Magog is and “who” its people are (those of Meshech and Tubal).  Though we have no specific identity in today’s terms, we know that in terms of role and function, this person identified and singled out by God as “Gog” is or, serves as none other than the ‘head’ or ‘first’ over the ‘princes’ and ‘chiefs’, or ‘leaders’ of the states, (sections or regions) of the land of Magog known as Meshech and Tubal.

It is worthy of note, in addition, that, no specific charge is brought against any specific ancient people (as in, those in occupation of the land, before its present occupants), for any specific ancient wrongs, perpetrated by this ancient people against the Jew.  The chief reason for that in all likelihood is because at the time that God sent Ezekiel out to make the proclamation, there was no such people in existence, although some portion of the land of Magog has been inhabited, throughout millennia, by one (or more) nomadic, warring, marauding group or the other.  There appear to be no reliable records, and nothing else in the Bible alludes to that region or its people.  At any rate, whatever the case may be, these (strictly speaking) are not the people of His focus.  There appears to be no record of any encounter of any kind (biblical or extra-biblical) between the Jews and anyone of that land, up to the time of Christ (except for maybe the Scythians?).  The prophecy itself then was long term, meant and tailored for a people who as such did not even exist, yet.

Side Note

[This is not at all inconsistent with the Word of God, where He describes Himself (per Isaiah 46:9, 10) as One able to speak of things non-existent as though they were:  “Mark (for recognition) the first or former things from the vanishing point (into eternity past):  for I Am the Almighty, and there is none other; Elohim (God in multiple persons), and there is no one else like Me, exposing the last from out of the beginning, and from out of the front (of time) that which is yet to be done, saying, ‘My plan will stand, I will do all that I desire:’…”].   

This chapter or section commences with Yahweh’s bid for the attention of His mouthpiece (Jehovah:  the Self-Existent, Eternal One):  Son of man, Ezekiel, is called, set your face prophetically against one named Gog, who lives in a land of Magog. 

This passage is somewhat problematic, due in part perhaps to translation problems experienced by the original translators.  Thus, perhaps, the best route to any potentially accurate interpretation may be a careful defining of terms. 

The word Gog simply means “mountain”.  It is used only 10 times throughout the Old Testament:  1 in 1 Chronicles, 7 times here in Ezekiel.  It occurs 1 time in the Book of the Revelation.  It is not immediately clear (by its use in :2) whether the reference is to an individual, or, to a region.  What is clear, is that, the symbolism here points to stature or status, as it relates to others around it or him.  Therefore, whether it refers to a person, or a geographical location, this one is one who is the most prominent of all.  It might best be interpreted as a “title”, more so than an actual name—although, as will be shown, to further distinguish this one and to accentuate his prominence, this name does in fact carry a separate and distinct ‘title’. 

“…land of…” is a translation of the Hebrew word “erets”.  It is used over 2500 times in the OT, and is translated variously, but quite often as “land”, “region” or “territory”. 

Adding to the confusion or, more specifically, to the riddle is the apparent mistranslation or mishandling of the term “Magog” (by the KJV workers).  In the OT, it is used only 4 times:  1 in Genesis 10, 1 in 1 Chronicles 1, and 1 in Ezekiel.  It, like the term Gog, also appears in the Book of the Revelation.  We know from the Table of Nations found in Genesis 10 and in 1 Chronicles 1 that Magog was one of the descendants of Noah, following dissipation of the Flood Waters.  Thus, it is the name of a person.  However, the term itself literally means “land of Gog”—hereby, implying the past existence of a descendant of Noah, whose name being “Gog” (no doubt, a predecessor to Magog), was applied to a smaller geographical area within the broader context of ‘erets’ or “the land of” (in which case it was rendered the “land of Gog” or, Magog—which was in turn applied as a formal name to a prominent descendant of Noah). 

Magog is used to refer to the place or region where the descendants of Magog settled, between the mountains of Cappadocia and Media.  Thus, insofar as the expression “…chief prince…” modifies Gog—not Magog—that appears to be the best sense of its usage here.  Therefore, God’s address ultimately is to a “mountain” (Gog), in the midst of a region led by or subordinate to the “mountain” (Magog, as in, a capital state), which is itself a sub-region of a broader geographical area (retz, or, “land of”, or, nation).