A future confederation of nations, believed by many to be led by Russia, will invade Israel.

Ezekiel 38-39

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Many speculate about the identity of the nations and the timing of the events described in Ezekiel 38-39. With the current global climate, especially the “drone war” and even surprising military tactics like Russia utilizing horses, some might jump to conclusions. However, as we examine the text, we will see that identifying “Rosh,” “Meshech,” and “Tubal” with modern-day Russia and its cities, while popular, relies heavily on pronunciation and lacks strong historical and linguistic support. We seek to approach this Bible study with careful consideration, acknowledging the complexities and avoiding dogmatic interpretations, as even respected scholars like Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum highlight the difficulty of these passages.

Our aim is to un-dogmatically explore the indications within Ezekiel 38-39 that suggest this conflict may align with events at the very end of the Millennial Kingdom, just before the New Heaven and New Earth. We will carefully read and discuss verses 1-6, identifying the possible locations of “Magog,” “Persia,” “Ethiopia,” “Libya,” “Gomer,” and “Togarmah,” and why connecting “Rosh” to Russia is more speculative than some assume.

Beyond the geographical and timing debates, this sermon and Bible study will also take a devotional pause to consider the powerful concept of God putting “hooks in the jaws” of invaders, drawing them to Israel for His glory. We’ll draw parallels to the story of Job and Satan, revealing how God uses seemingly adverse situations to showcase His faithfulness through His servants. This section offers a moment of inspiration for those grappling with burdens, reminding us that even in difficult circumstances, God is at work.

We will then return to the text, examining Ezekiel 38:7-12, where Israel is depicted dwelling safely in “unwalled villages” during “latter years,” having been “brought back from many people.” This peaceful setting, which goes beyond modern defense systems like the Iron Dome, strongly suggests a post-Tribulation, Millennium context. We’ll also consider Ezekiel 38:13-23, noting the global scale of God’s judgment and the “era-ending” effects described.

A crucial point of discussion will be Ezekiel 39:9-10, which describes the burning of ancient weapons like “bows and arrows” for seven years. This seemingly anachronistic detail, often ridiculed by critics, may in fact be key to understanding the “when” of this prophecy. We will contrast this with the prophecy in Isaiah about beating swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4) and Joel’s description of beating plowshares into swords (Joel 3:10), offering insights into the type of weaponry present at this future time.

Finally, we will connect Ezekiel 38-39 with Revelation chapter 20, where John also speaks of “Gog and Magog” being released at the end of the Millennium for a final battle. We’ll explore how these two accounts, from different biblical authors, may describe the same event from different perspectives, supporting a literal interpretation. This Calvary Chapel style Bible study humbly seeks to present a cohesive understanding of these challenging yet encouraging Bible prophecies. As we conclude, we remember that these chapters were originally given to encourage a scattered people, reminding us that Christians have a hope that comes from the future.