Prophecy of the Battle of Gog and Magog, part 1

Battle of Gog and Magog – Ezekiel 38 39

Ezekiel’s “Prophecy of the Battle of Gog and Magog” in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is an extremely popular prophecy. The account is shrouded in some mystery. So many people want to know the identity of Gog and Magog and when the battle will occur and what will happen. Our study is about the battle of Gog and Magog. It is from Ezekiel 38:1-23. There are three major questions that we will explore in this study. The first question is, “Who will be involved in the battle?” The next question is, “Why will the battle occur?” The last question is, “When will the battle of Gog and Magog occur?” We will start to answer these questions in this study and continue to do so in the following study.

Gog and His Great Army

Our first question is, “Who will be involved in the battle of Gog and Magog?” The answer will be given to us in the first section of Ezekiel 38, verses 1-6. It is titled “Gog and His Great Army.” Verses 1-3 say,

And the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”‘” Ezekiel 38:1-3 (NASB)

Here we are told that Ezekiel was commanded to face Gog and speak to him. It is important to notice that Gog is a person, but Magog is not for we are told that Magog is the name of a land. Magog is the country or territory in which Gog will be born. An important question that we must ask is where is Magog located today? This is a serious question because no nation today goes by the name of Magog.

The first place to begin to identify Magog is Genesis 10:2. There we are told that Magog is listed in the table of nations. He was the son of Japheth. Originally, Magog was a real person. Then Genesis 11:9 tells us that the “LORD confused the language of the whole earth” at the tower of Babel and scattered the people over the face of the earth. That means the descendants of Magog were scattered around the world. This suggests that the land of Magog once existed, but now no nation is named Magog. So, to which countries did Magog’s descendants scatter? The ancient records of Flavius Josephus help us because he said Magog’s descendants were the Scythians. The church father Jerome said that “Magog was a general term for the Scythians who lived beyond the Caucasus and Lake Maeotis near the Caspian Sea, and then spread out even onward to India.” That is, the Scythians were located in the southern part of ancient Russia. Herodotus adds that the Scythians occupied the territory known as the Eurasian Steppes. This means the ancient territory of Magog was located at least in the territory of modern-day Russia.

Eurasian Steppes — Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

Bill Cooper and Bodie Hodge conducted significant research that traced the migration of Magog’s descendants. They reported that Magog’s descendants spread to the southern part of Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and most likely to Europe and even to China.

It is also important to notice that Ezekiel 38:14-15 tells us that Yahweh will call Gog from the remote part of the north. In Ezekiel 39:2, we are told again that Gog is in the remote part of the north. All of this strongly reveals that Magog will be located north of Israel and above the Caspian Sea. Also, Ezekiel 38:15 says that Gog will come with a mighty army. The mighty army will include soldiers from the Eurasian Steppes territory and most likely even China.

Now when we read Ezekiel 38:2, we are told that Gog will be the prince over Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. This reveals Rosh, Meshech and Tubal are in the north. They will be part of modern-day Russia. But the exact territory of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is uncertain. So, “Who will be involved in the battle of Gog and Magog?” First, Gog will be in the battle. Second, soldiers from Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal from the Eurasian Steppes territory will be involved. That is, most likely Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal are ancient names for territories in modern-day Russia. Next, verse 3 announces that Yahweh is against Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.

Then verses 4-6 reveal some more nations which will partner with Gog to form this great army. Here are verses 4-6,

“I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops — many peoples with you. Ezekiel 38:4-6 (NASB)

Now we are told that Gog and his great army will be splendidly dressed and have great weapons. At this point I think we need to understand that if Ezekiel had said that the army would be supplied with tanks, missiles, machine guns, and other modern weapons, this prophecy would not have been understood by the people of Ezekiel’s day. But they would have understood horses, horsemen, bucklers, shields, and swords. It is also possible the soldiers will come with horses if they do not have fuel or power for weapons of war. It is reported that as of 2023, China has 4.3 million horses and Russia has 1.3 million horses. The message is that Gog’s great army will be well armed and ready for war.

In addition, we are now told that Persia, Ethiopia, and Put will be part of Gog’s great army. Ancient Persia now includes the territories of modern-day Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. Ethiopia refers to a nation south of Egypt, and Put is the land of Libya. Gomer is modern–day Armenia, which lies just north of Turkey. Beth-togarmah is in modern–day Turkey. So this reveals the answer to the question, “Who will be involved in the battle of Gog and Magog?” The answer is they will be parts of Europe, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Libya, countries south of Egypt, and possibly China. That is the answer to the first question.

Map of the Mediterranean

Gog Will Be Urged to Prepare for War

The second question is, “Why will the battle occur?” The answer is given to us in the second and third sections. The second section is verses 7-9. It is titled “Gog Must Prepare For War.” Here are verses 7-8,

“Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.” Ezekiel 38:7-8 (NASB)

In verse 7 Yahweh warns Gog and his great army to prepare for war. If Gog is alive today, I hope he is listening because Yahweh warns him to protect his troops. The Hebrew word for “guard” is mismar. It has the idea to guard or to protect. This is a warning to Gog to protect his troops. Then in verse 8, Gog is told that after many days he and his great army will be summoned. The summons will occur in the latter days or “the last days.” Yahweh warns Gog that he will be summoned. So, he had better be prepared.

If we look ahead to verse 16, we discover that it repeats the news again that this prophecy will be fulfilled in the last days. Since Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that Jesus came in the last days, that helps us understand that this prophecy was not fulfilled in Ezekiel’s time. Also, Galatians 4:4 says Jesus came in the fullness of time. 2 Peter 3:3 and Jude 18 reveal the last days will extend into the distant future. That is, we are living in the last days and Gog (Russia and her allies) could be summoned at any time.

Now notice that verse 8 is building to a climax. Yahweh announced that Gog and his great army are going to invade a nation that has been restored after it had been destroyed and the people have been regathered. You might think that the land is Israel. If so, you are correct for the verses say that the nation is Israel and the people will be living securely. That is, Gog will invade Israel in the last days of the earth. That has not yet happened.

Then in verse 9 we are told that Gog will invade the land like a cloud that covers the entire land.

“You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.” Ezekiel 38:9 (NASB)

The cloud will be a massive number of troops coming from the north, east, and the south. This is an amazing prophecy. Gog is warned to prepare for war against Israel because Yahweh will put a hook in his jaw and drag him down to Israel. Gog will be greatly motivated to invade Israel. But Yahweh warns Gog that he and his enormous army are marching to trouble.

Gog Will Want to Plunder Israel

The third section of the chapter begins in verse 10 and ends in verse 13. It is titled “Gog Will Desire To Plunder Israel.” Verses 10-12 reveal the reason Gog will want to invade Israel.

Thus says the Lord GOD, “It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan, and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.’” Ezekiel 38:10-12 (NASB)

Here Yahweh reveals why Gog and his great army will devise an evil plan in the last days. They will see a perfect opportunity to invade and plunder the land. Gog wants the spoils of conquest. Here Israel is described as a nation at peace once again. The expressions, “unwalled villages”, “those at rest”, “live securely”, and “having no bars or gates”, all communicate that Israel will be at peace. Israel will not expect that this massive invasion is coming. Now remember this for our next study.

Then verse 13 adds,

“Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?’”’ ” Ezekiel 38:13 (NASB)

The ancient nation of Sheba was located where Yemen exists today. Dedan was located along the northwestern coast of modern-day Saudi Arabia, but the location of ancient Tarhish is a mystery. Some speculate that Tarhish was near Italy, the southern coast of Spain, or Great Britian. The message of this verse is that Yahweh asks if these nations have come to plunder Israel too. The answer is yes! So, the answer to our second question, “Why will the battle occur?” is that all of these nations will invade Israel to gain wealth or some precious commodity.

Israel has many resources that other nations might want. But the most important resources are the minerals in the Dead Sea and a major natural gas discovery in 2020. Yahweh has given Israel very valuable resources.

Gog Invades Israel

The answer to the third question, “When will the battle of Gog and Magog occur?” begins to be revealed in the fourth section. The answer will continue into chapter 39. The fourth section of Ezekiel 38 is verse 14 to 16. It is titled “Gog Invades Israel.” Here are verses 14-16,

“Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.” Ezekiel 38:14-16 (NASB)

Verses 14-15 now describe what will happen during the invasion in the last days. In verse 14, Yahweh tells Gog that he will know Israel is vulnerable. In verse 15 Gog is told that he will come from the remote parts of the north. Notice that he comes from remote parts. The word “parts” is plural. That is consistent with the ancient migration records. Magog had migrated to various parts of the Eurasian Steppes.

Then in verse 16, we read that Yahweh once again explains that He will drag Gog south down to Israel. The hook in Gog’s jaw will be his greed for plunder. A more accurate title of this prophecy would be the “Prophecy of the Battle Between Gog and God”, and Gog will be defeated. So, Yahweh warned Gog to protect himself and his troops. At the end of verse 16, Yahweh explains that when Gog invades Israel, Yahweh will make Himself holy. He does not explain how He will do this here, but He does in the next verses.

How God Will Punish Gog and His Army

Verse 17 continues to answer the question about the timing of the battle of Gog and Magog, but it also explains how God will punish Gog and his massive army. Verses 17-23 is the fifth section of Ezekiel 38.

Thus says the Lord GOD, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them?” Ezekiel 38:17 (NASB)

Immediately, Yahweh asks the question, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days?” That is, did I speak through the prophets of Israel that you, Gog and your allies, would invade Israel? The answer is yes. But you might wonder which prophecies spoke of Gog and his allies invading Israel. One answer is in Joel 3:9-14. Now someone may object and say that Ezekiel occurs first in the order of the books of the Old Testament. That is, it appears that Ezekiel was written first. But the major and minor prophets are not arranged chronologically. For example, Joel was written in 835-796 B.C. and Ezekiel was written almost 200 years later in 590-570 B.C. Therefore, Joel was written first. So, I want to read Joel 3:11-14 so that we will understand to what Yahweh referred.

Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations,
And gather yourselves there.
Bring down, O LORD, Your mighty ones.
Let the nations be aroused
And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat,
For there I will sit to judge
All the surrounding nations.
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread, for the wine press is full.
The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Joel 3:11-14 (NASB)

Joel 3:11-14 describes the battle of Armageddon. Verses 11-12 prophecy that Israel will be invaded by a great army from the surrounding nations. That will be true of Gog and his great army. In verse 12 we are told the battle will occur in the valley of Jehoshaphat. While we do not know the exact location of this valley, we know the battle of Armageddon will also include this valley since this massive army will surround Jerusalem. Verse 13 describes the slaughter of Gog and his army. Then in verse 14, we are told the slaughter will involve many multitudes of soldiers in the valley of decision. Think of the battle of Armageddon.

Zephaniah 3:12-20 is another passage about Yahweh defending Israel in the last days. It was written about forty years before Ezekiel in 635-625 B.C. So Yahweh also prophesied through Zephaniah of this future battle.

Next, Ezekiel 38:18-22 tells us what God will do as this great army of Gog approaches Israel.

“It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD, “that My fury will mount up in My anger. In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground. I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains,” declares the Lord GOD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. Ezekiel 38:18-22 (NASB)

The punishment that Gog and his great army will suffer are also described in Revelation 6:3-17. Revelation 6:3-17 is an overview of the horrors of the last half of the tribulation. The first half of the tribulation will begin with peace. That is what was described earlier in verses 8-12. Daniel 9:27 tells us that the tribulation begins with peace. But then after 3.5 years, the horrors of the tribulation will begin. Revelation 7-19 gives us the details of the horrors.

Gog and Magog will suffer the horrors of war, famine, death, and terror. In Revelation 6:17, we are told that God’s wrath will be poured out. Ezekiel 38:19 also says God will pour out His wrath on Gog and Magog. In Ezekiel 38:20, Yahweh describes other horrors that will occur upon the fish, birds, animals, and humans as He punishes Gog and his massive army. Those same horrors about the battle of Armageddon are described in Revelation 6-19. As this invasion force moves against Israel, God will rain down plagues upon Gog and his great army which will include other nations described in Daniel 11:40-45.

Ezekiel 38:23 ends the chapter but not the prophecy about the Battle of Gog and Magog. Yahweh said,

“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.”’ Ezekiel 38:23 (NASB)

The world will know that Yahweh is God because they will know that Israel could not have saved itself. Everyone will know that Yahweh is a holy God.