Bible Question:
Will the battle of Gog and Magog occur at the beginning of the tribulation?
Bible Answer:
There are various opinions as to when the battle of Gog and Magog will occur. The article “Gog and Magog — Which countries are ancient Gog and Magog?” explains the identities of Gog and Magog. The article “Does the battle of Gog and Magog occur after the Second Coming of Christ? — Ezekiel 38-39” discusses the possibilities that the battle of Gog and Magog will occur in the middle of the tribulation, at the battle of Armageddon, or after the millennial kingdom. Another article answers in more depth the question, “Will the battle of Gog and Magog occur before Armageddon? — Ezekiel 38-39.” This article answers a new question, “Will the battle of Gog and Magog occur at the beginning of the tribulation?”
Pros for the Battle at the Beginning of the Tribulation
The following provides some positive reasons why the Battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38-39 will occur at the beginning of the tribulation.
1) First, the advocates state that the the seven-year period described in Ezekiel 39:9 matches the seven-year tribulation timeline (Daniel 9:27). They believe the seven year period is a time for burying the dead from the Battle of Gog and Magog.
2) The second reason for this view is that the period of peace described in Ezekiel 38:10-14 would seem to match the first half (3.5 years) of the tribulation which will be a time of peace (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 6:1-2). This peace would be the result of the antichrist’s peace treaty established at the beginning of the tribulation (Daniel 9:27).
Cons Against the Battle at the Beginning of The Tribulation
The following provides some reasons why the Battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38-39 will not occur at the beginning of the tribulation.
1) If the seven year period required to bury the dead bodies after the Battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 39:9 corresponds to the seven-year tribulation (Daniel 9:27), then burials of dead bodies would still be taking place in the same valley in which the battle of Armageddon will occur. That indicates the events would be overlapping in time. That implies they are the same event.
2) The Battle of Gog and Magog and the battle of Armageddon will occur in the same valley — valley of Hamon-gog according to Ezekiel 39:11, 15 which is also called the plain of Hadadrimmon (Zechariah 12:11), or the place of Har-Magedon (Revelation 16:16). Since the two battles take place in the same geographical location, that strongly suggests the two battles simply describe different military maneuvers in the same war.
3) The security that Israel will enjoy in Ezekiel 38:10-14 does correspond to the first 3.5 years of peace at the beginning of the tribulation. But verse 10 announces God’s plan at that point in time for Israel. Verse 16 clearly communicates God’s plan will be fulfilled in the last days. In the last days, the nations will invade Israel. Therefore, the plan is described in the first half of the tribulation, and the plan is fulfilled in the last half.
4) At the battle of Armageddon, the nations of the world will invade Israel and wage war on Jerusalem (Joel 3:1-2, 12; Zechariah 12:1-2, 9; 14:2-3; Revelation 20:7-9). Daniel 11:40-44 prophesies the military maneuvers of the northern kingdom at the Battle of Armageddon that was once part of Alexander the Great’s empire. That northern kingdom corresponds to all of the northern nations described in Ezekiel 38-39 (Ezekiel 38:1-2, 6, 15; 39:1-2). Daniel 11:40-44 only describes the military maneuvers of the nations that comprise the northern kingdom. Other nations from around the world will also be part of the Battle of Armageddon. The battle in Revelation 20:7-9 will involve all of these nations. They will come from all directions, not just from the north. So, the Battle of Gog and Magog nations are only a subset of all the nations involved at Armageddon.
5) Ezekiel 39:17-22 describes events that will occur after the Battle of Gog and Magog. The description includes a wonderful time of peace. This time of peace corresponds to the millennial kingdom that will follow the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 19:11-21). Especially note Revelation 19:17-18. So, the time of peace at the beginning of the Battle of Gog and Magog is best viewed as the first half of the tribulation, then the battle occurs, and the millennial kingdom follows. That means the Battle of Gog and Magog is a part of the battle of Armageddon.
6) Further, Ezekiel 39:17-22 describes a time of peace, and not the horrors of the tribulation and another battle called the battle of Armageddon. Therefore, if the Battle of Gog and Magog occurred at the beginning of the tribulation, peace must follow – not the horror of the last half of the tribulation, including the Battle of Armageddon.
Conclusion:
Therefore, we must conclude that the Battle of Gog and Magog will not occur at the beginning of the tribulation. The suggested links below consider other views as to the timing of the Battle of Gog and Magog.
Suggested Links:
Does the battle of Gog and Magog occur after the Second Coming of Christ? — Ezekiel 38-39Will the battle of Gog and Magog occur before Armageddon? — Ezekiel 38-39
Gog and Magog — Which countries are ancient Gog and Magog?
Afghanistan – Another Step To Armageddon
What is the Battle of Armageddon? Which nations will be there?
Bible Prophecy About Russia and Ukraine in the End Times