In an attempt to pinpoint the exact timeframe for the occurrence of Ezekiel’s prophecy in chapters 38 and 39 concerning the Gog-Magog invasion of Israel, we looked at the pros and cons of arguments made in relation to before the 7-year Tribulation, during the Tribulation, and during the Millennium. Each argument has its valid points and certain weaknesses, though some have more weaknesses than others.
After studying the prophetic texts, the various timing arguments, and looking at the overall big picture of Bible prophecy, I’ll lay out when I think the Gog-Magog Battle will occur in relation to the order of upcoming prophetic events.
- Rapture of the Church (Jn. 14:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thes. 4:13-18)
- Israel subjugates their surrounding neighbors (Ps. 83/Isa. 17)
- The Gog-Magog Battle (Ezek. 38-39)
- Tribulation, ending with Armageddon (Rev. 6-19)
- Sheep/Goat Judgment (Matt. 25:31-46)
- Millennial Kingdom, ending with the 2nd Gog-Magog Battle (Rev. 20:1-10)
- Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15)
- Eternity (Rev. 21-22)
I believe that the first thing we will witness (and participate in) is the Rapture of the Church. The signs of the time point to the fact that Jesus is returning very, very soon. In the above timing list, this could be number two or three (and some would argue four), but due to the direct supernatural and wrathful nature of the Gog-Magog Battle and Tribulation, they do not fit within the behavior of the Church Age.
The second event would be Israel subjugating their surrounding hostile neighbors in a Psalm 83/Isaiah 17 scenario. The surrounding nations — Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria — are not players in attacking Israel during the Gog-Magog invasion, and so must be dealt with beforehand. Israel this very day must do something about all those missiles pointing at them from Lebanon and Syria, and so the prophetic fulfillment of this scenario could very well be fulfilled even by the next war that Israel wages.
Next, when Israel is feeling secure over their hostile neighbors and holds the world at bay with their wealth and trade, the Gog-Magog Battle will happen. Russia, Iran, Turkey and its allies will attack Israel in great hordes to plunder Israel, but will be supernaturally defeated by God Himself. In reacting personally like this, God shows the world in no uncertain terms that He is intimately involved in human affairs and is defending Israel.
The Antichrist will make a peace covenant as Daniel 9:27 foretells, and the horrific Tribulation will begin, ending with the battle to end all battles — Armageddon.
Jesus will then use 75 days after His Second Coming and victory at Armageddon to judge those that survived the Tribulation, called the Sheep-Goat Judgment. Satan will be cast into a pit, the Antichrist and False Prophet and most likely the demons will be sent to Hell, and the unbelievers to Torments in Hades. Surviving believers will be the sheep, living on in their earthly bodies.
Next, saved humanity will enter into a thousand years of Jesus ruling and reigning in peace and righteousness right here on Earth. The Millennial Kingdom will end with Satan being released and leading those born who never accepted Jesus against Him. Jesus easily wipes the Second Gog-Magog Battle invaders out.
After the Millennial Kingdom, God orders the final Great White Throne Judgment. The unbelieving dead are resurrected, and finding their works are not good enough to get them into Heaven, they will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire.
Believers move on into the eternal state and a rejuvenated Earth with its capital city — the New Jerusalem. What life is like during the eternal state and if there are any new ages, God has yet to reveal. An eternity is a long time, and God loves to create, so it won’t be a life of dull and never-ending repetition.
And, that is the order in which it will all come down, as I see it.
We can learn a lot about God through the Gog-Magog story. In the last part of this “Impending Invasion of Israel” series I’ll list twelve attributes of God that my study of Ezekiel 38-39 has yielded.
Nathan,
In your opinion, will the war predicted to happen this summer fulfill Ps. 83?
a coupla things 1)afyer Gog/magog comes the ten nations, then rise of anti-christ THEN the tribulation. i`m in total agreement with the timing og Gog/magog but not psalm 83.
the only 2 points that i question (not disagree necessarily)is i wonder if the goats are actually the 1st inhabitants of the lake of fire after the beast and false prophet. jesus`description in matt 25 matches the lake of fire NOT hades. (just a thought) and concerning psalm 83, i think that occurs before the rapture with Gog magog AFTER the rapture. the purpose of the rapture is the marriage supper of the lamb (7yrs), judgement seat of christ and to deliver us from the wrath.
since his judgement begins with Gog/magog that leads me to believe 1)the rapture occurs VERY shortly before Gog/magog and 2)we have AT LEAST 2 years til the rapture since after psalm 83 there needs to be time for 1)isreal to become a vast army 2)to recover from war and dwell securely and 3)Gogs alliances to coordinate an attack so i think we have at least 2 years left but prolly no more than 4 or 5.
finally as a disclaimer its possible the Gog/magog armies are ALREADY preparing and isreal will dwell safely, recover from war almost immediately due to their wealth thus shortening the gap to a few months and the rapture COULD come prior to psalm 83. thanks for bearing with me.
I'm who believes the prophetic sequence will run 2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Of course the Harpazo could occur at any moment, but I veiw these coming wars and the literal Biblical fulfillment as made-to-order witnessing tools for the Bride of Christ.
Im my opinion the "rumor of war" erupting in the Levant this summer rates a high probability/high risk of becoming the literal fulfillment of Psalm 83/Isaiah 17.
Laura, Israel's had a long string of life-or-death wars, but the one brewing now has differences.
Israel is now utterly friendless. For the US, Hillary says the US will defend the pre-1967 borders, meaning we'll allow them to be attacked and step in at a point. Israel also faces nuclear annihation, or at least rockets falling in every square inch of Israeli land. Their very existence is in dire straights.
Israel is also about to become the newest wealthy nation on the block with their gas find, giving them the means to no longer depend on others for their survival. This new wealth is a HUGE threat to the Arabs.
The Israeli government seems wishy-washy on decisive action, but we know that 1) when shoved into a corner Israel acts, and 2) they prophetically won't cease to be a nation, even when many have to relocate during the mid-point of the Tribulation.
This all adds up to a Psalm 83 or Isaiah 17 or both type of scenario. Hillary was right about one thing, the current pressure has to reach a breaking point. The tenuous peace cannot be maintained indefinitely. Israel must either disband or take control of their enemies. We know prophetically they won't disband, so the latter is the only solution.
We'll have to wait and see how this war will play out, but it won't be long in coming.
Another thought: WHEN Israel stomps a mud hole (as we say in TX) in the Muslim nations, how do you think our lovely Muslim-in-Chief will respond?
A. By back-peddling and sucking up
B. By becoming more angry at Jews and Christians
C. By snubbing Israel despite the fact that she'll have control of the oil reserves we so depend on
D. __________ (you fill in the blank)
I am going to sound like such a newbie but I thought the Rapture would have to wait until the 3rd Temple was built? What do you think?
Maybe I missed something but…
If Israel destroys the Arab threat and God destroys the Russian alliance threat then why would Israel need to sign a peace treaty with the antichrist?
What would be the point?
Billy, to protect the Antichrist's bacon, buy him more time, and allow him the rights to conquer the rest of the world. It's all him-centered (verses other-centered which is Christ-like).
Cathy, the Rapture's only requirement is that there's a Church to take to Heaven. The Third Temple is a separate Jewish thing for during the Tribulation.
Nathan,
At first I didn't understand what you meant but after I thought it over it makes sense to me now.
Thanks.
Nathan…thanks so much. I really enjoy reading your blog!
The Bible only a covenant as far as I know. Does it anywhere describe what kind of covenant?
Thunder,
Could you elaborate a little more on your question? I'm not sure what you're asking.
As far as I can tell, the Bible doesn't specifically say AC's covenant is a peace peace covenant or a covenant of protection for Israel, does it?
Could it not be a covenant for oil or natural gas or food (Israel is the breadbasket of the Middle East and provides much fruit to Europe) which includes, maybe, military protection (much like Iran and Russia have)?
Sounds like this coming Saturday, Monday at the latest.
thunder,
My sentiments exactly.
With Israel in a secure position of economic and military power after Ps83-Is17, and with the region in a general power vacuum after the Gog-Magog defeat, since now the only 2 remaining mil-powers are Israel and the EU, AC will seek a "mutual" peace accord to protect his power base [and allow him time to build it up further]. This treaty will also includes economic "assurances" that Israel will not squeeze the EU like Russia did with their gas shut down, and also to continue to supply food and other goods.
A "covenant" for most intents and purposes is simply a contract, pact or agreement.
It has only just occured to me that the 'spoil' Gog comes for could be to take back from Israel what she may have won (land?) after defeating the armies described in Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17re Damascus?
Isn't this the same reason why the Muslim nations today are demanding the borders be returned to the former boundaries before (I think) the six day war?
Please excuse me if this has already been said, these day's my little grey cells merely limp into action!
EI
A thought that disturbed me was that whether there will be just one Gog-Magog war or two?
I too believed that there will be three wars:
1) The Gog-Magog Battle
2) Armageddon
3) 2nd Gog-Magog Battle
And so thanks to you Nathan…you too have stated the same. I feel this is probably the way it may be.
All glory to God!