Posted on 09/13/2009 11:48:38 AM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
(This is an update of a study I first posted in Nov. 2003)
Those who labor to understand the nuances of the battle described in Ezekiel 38-39 quickly identify two major puzzles. One is the timing of the battle and the other is the identity of Gog, from Magog. Suffice it to say here that almost no scholar, certainly none Im aware of, believes the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 has already taken place. Some believe it will occur just before the beginning of Daniels 70th Week, while others believe Ezekiel is actually describing the Battle of Armageddon, which would put it at the end of the Great Tribulation. But all place it sometime in our future.
In my opinion, there are several reasons why Ezekiel 38 cant be part of the Armageddon scenario. First, only some nations are involved in Ezekiel 38. For example, Saudi Arabia and Western Europe are said to be on the sidelines observing and others you would expect to see, like Egypt and Jordan, are not mentioned at all, although both appear later on. But Zechariah 12:3 says that in preparation for the Battle of Armageddon all the nations of the Earth will come against Jerusalem.
Second, how is Israel going to burn the left over weapons for 7 years as Ezekiel 39:9 indicates unless there are 7 years left in which to burn them? Rev. 21:24. says the nations will walk by the light of the New Jerusalem in the Millennium, so they wont need fuel for energy then. And then you have Ezekiel 38:11 telling us that Israel will be a peaceful and unsuspecting people when the Moslem coalition strikes. Could that be possible near the end of the Great Tribulation when all the nations are gathering to attack? I dont think so.
But most importantly, Daniels 70th week cant start until Israel is back in covenant with God and the battle of Ezekiel 38 is what causes the covenant to be re-instated. (Ezek. 39:22) Armageddon comes at the end of Daniels 70th week, not the beginning.
As for Gog and Magog, the first thing to note is that while Magog is listed in Genesis 10, Gog is not. The list of 70 names in Genesis 10 is often called the Table of Nations because each of the men named there was the original ancestor of an ethnic group that grew to become a nation of people. For instance, Magog was the 2nd son of Japeth, one of Noahs three sons, and bore the children who in time became known to the ancient world as the Scythians. They lived in central Asia and are believed to be the forefathers of todays Russians. Many historical references support this view. For example, Josephus Flavius wrote Magog founded the Magogians, thus named after him, but who were by the Greeks called Scythians. And in some ancient Arabic documents, the Great Wall of China is called the Ramparts of Gog and Magog. It was built to keep the Scythians out of China.
So while the Russian people of today are likely descended from Magog, there is no such biological connection for Gog to either Magog or any other ethnic group. There is an unrelated mention of a man named Gog, a grandson of Reuben, in 1 Chronicles 5:4 but there doesnt seem to be any connection between him and the land of Magog either. Clearly, while Magog refers to the millions of his descendants in todays Russia, Gog remains a single individual.
Some say hes a king or leader, and in a real sense I think thats true but I dont believe hes of the human variety. The time spanned by his three appearances in scripture make that impossible.
The first one is in the first verse of Amos 7, but you have to be reading Amos from the Septuigent translation to see it. There, Gog is identified as a king, but of a swarm of locusts. To further shroud him in mystery Proverbs 30:27 states that locusts have no king, and observers of locust swarms agree that no obvious leader directs them, as a queen would direct a hive of bees for example. The swarm of locusts led by Gog in Amos 7:1-2 was symbolic of a judgment that was to come upon the Northern Kingdom, but the Lord relented because of Amos intercession.
(This hint also lends insight to another appearance of locusts, by the way. Im referring to the one in Revelation 9, where a swarm of locusts comes out of the Abyss to afflict those on Earth who lack the seal of God on their foreheads. These locusts have a king named Abaddon in the Hebrew or Appolyon in the Greek. Here again, the Proverbs passage would indicate that these locusts are of supernatural origin like the ones in Amos 7, not ordinary locusts.)
The next time Gogs mentioned is in Ezekiel 38:1, where he is called by name as the leader of a coalition of what are now primarily Moslem nations attacking Israel. His final mention comes from the Book of Revelation where he again leads the people from Magog against the Lords army at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:8).
Even if youre among those who place the battle of Ezekiel 38 at the end of the Great Tribulation, the span of time between Gogs last two biblical appearances is at least 1000 years, and while I believe that some born in that era will have long life spans, there isnt any indication that natural humans born before the Millennium begins will live to see its end. This is especially true of Gods enemies, since all surviving unbelievers are removed from Earth at the beginning of our Lords reign.
So Ive come to the conclusion that Gog is a supernatural figure. The Bible clearly states that behind the human seats of government stand supernatural figures manipulating the thoughts and actions of the worlds leaders. These figures are in Satans employ, helping in his effort to wrest ownership of Planet Earth from its Creator. Gog is at least the supernatural figure behind the throne of Russia, and perhaps is even Satans counterpart to the Archangel Michael, who commands the Lords armies.
In Daniel 10:13 Michael is identified as one of the Lords chief princes who in 536 BC came to Daniels aid in a supernatural struggle with the Prince of Persia, a nation barely emerging on the world scene having conquered Babylon just three years earlier. At its conclusion Michael told Daniel that hed soon be battling the Prince of Greece, a nation that didnt even exist at the time. In Daniel 12:1 were told hell protect Israel at the end of the age. And in Rev 12:7 hes seen leading the angelic host in a great battle in heaven when Satan is defeated there and cast down to Earth at the outset of the Great Tribulation. Michael is clearly a supernatural warrior leaping across the pages of history in defense of the Lords interests. It makes sense that Satan would have a military commander leading his forces as well, since everything he does seems to mirror the actions of his Creator. With his multiple mentions in Scripture and the long span of time between appearances, Gog could easily be this commander.
Only time will tell if this view is correct. But one of the great advantages of living in our day is that we wont have long to wait till we find out. You can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah. 09-12-09
I gather that’s the hat you picked out for hubby?
Defend and Proclaim the Faith Home page scroll down a bit to get to some good reading.
Witness of Water and Blood This is about Ezekiels temple and the sacrifices - more can be found at the homepage link listed first.
This is the home page for the above linked blog. If you scroll down almost to the bottom he has a post about the eclipses.
Interesting.
Thx.
Taking my ailing body back to bed.
Blessings,
I hope you feel better soon. Praying for you.
Clip:
Amnesty International today revealed that the United States has sent a massive new shipment of arms to Israel about 14,000 tons worth despite evidence that U.S. weapons were misused against civilians in the Gaza attacks. The unloading of the shipment in Israel was confirmed by the Pentagon. The human rights organization called on President Obama to suspend future arms shipments to Israel until there is no longer substantial risk of human rights violations.
Amnesty International said the Wehr Elbe, a German cargo ship, which was chartered and controlled by the U.S Military Sealift Command, docked and unloaded its cargo on March 22 at the Israeli port of Ashdod, about 25 miles north of Gaza.
The Pentagon confirmed the successful unloading of the ship, which left the United States for Israel last December 20, a week before the start of Israels attacks on Gaza. Reportedly, the ship carried 989 containers of munitions, each of them 20 feet long with a total estimated net weight of 14,000 tons
Asked about the Wehr Elbe, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to Amnesty International that the unloading of the entire U.S. munitions shipment was successfully completed at Ashdod [Israel] on March 22. The spokesperson said that the shipment was destined for a U.S. pre-positioned ammunition stockpile in Israel.
The spokesperson said that the shipment was destined for a U.S. pre-positioned ammunition stockpile in Israel.
Ergo: Gogs weapons are already there! 14,000 tons, thats 28 million pounds!!! That ought to burn for a while ya think?
http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/06/us-delivers-massive-new-weapons-shipment-to-israel/
Not enough for you? Well a friend sent this one to me!
Obama - Gog hint in Yechezkel 38
http://yehudiyerushalmi.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-gog-hint-in-yechezkel-38.html
Can you say Ka-boom?
As always theres lots more!
M
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