Hamas is standing down due to President Donald Trump’s “New Peace in the Middle East,” and the October 7th hostages have finally been released. Praise the Lord! But, now what?
Students of Bible prophecy have been examining current events from every angle to discern if there’s any prophetic implication surrounding Israel’s war with Hamas. Some wonder if this peace deal is the prophesied Antichrist’s peace covenant found in Daniel 9:27. It is not, as there is no seven-year requirement. Others wonder if this subjugation of Israel’s remaining hostile neighbors is the fulfillment of the Psalm 83 War. Possibly, as this end-time war may not have to happen in one titanic battle but has actually been the culmination of Israel’s wars for survival since 1948. Some question if Middle East leaders signing this peace deal and returning to the Abraham Accords marks the temporary time of peace Israel will enjoy, though unsuspecting, while the greater Islamic world plans the horrific Gog-Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38-39. I believe we can count on that.
Regardless, we are indeed living in exciting times as we are witnessing Bible prophecy being fulfilled right before our very eyes! In the past century, we have seen the Jewish people being regathered in unbelief from the four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:11-12). The state of Israel was re-established on May 14, 1948 (Isaiah 66:7-8; Ezekiel 37:21-22). The land of Israel has been reclaimed from its desolation, becoming once again a land of agricultural abundance (Ezekiel 36:34-35). The Hebrew language has been revived from the dead (Zephaniah 3:9). The Jews once again reoccupy the city of Jerusalem and have made it their capital (Zechariah 8:4-8). And all the nations of the world have come together against Israel over the issue of who controls Jerusalem and the Holy Land (Zechariah 12:1-3).
We have witnessed the Arab nations of the world attacking Israel repeatedly in a coordinated effort to annihilate the state and always failing. Those who “have taken crafty counsel against Your people” are “put to shame and perish,” “that they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83; Zechariah 12:6). Israel has proven it will not, nor never will be, removed from its promised land (Amos 9:15). And now we will wait and see if Israel has truly gained a temporary peace for the nation to dwell in a state of security and prosperity, though unexpecting of a larger Russian-Islamic attack (Ezekiel 38:11).
Prophecies Still to Be Fulfilled
While we can only speculate on whether Israel’s war with Hamas was prophetic, we can know with surety what biblical prophecies lie ahead for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.
1. Gog-Magog Invasion of Israel
A Russian coalition consisting mainly of Muslim nations led by Russia will invade Israel.
“After many days you [Israel] will be visited. In the latter years you [Gog] will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” (Ezekiel 38-39)
2. Destruction of Russia and Islam
The Russian-Islamic coalition will be destroyed supernaturally by God.
“You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured… And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38-39)
3. God Reveals Himself to the World
God’s supernatural defeat of the Gog and Magog invaders makes Him known to the world and turns Israel’s heart back to Him, though not yet His Son.
“So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. ‘Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord God. ‘This is the day of which I have spoken.’ “ (Ezekiel 38-39)
4. Antichrist Makes a Peace Covenant with Israel
The Antichrist will intervene and guarantee the security of Israel, possibly enabling the Jews to rebuild their Temple.
“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week…” (Daniel 9:27)
5. Antichrist Desecrates the Third Temple
At the end of three and a half years, the Antichrist will enter the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be God.
“…but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)
“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…” (Matthew 24:15-18)
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
6. The Second Holocaust
The Jews will reject the Antichrist, and he will respond with an attempt to annihilate them, killing two-thirds of them in the process.
“Now when the dragon [Satan] saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman [Israel] who gave birth to the male Child [Jesus]… And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:13-17)
“‘And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ says the Lord, ‘That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “This is My people”; and each one will say, “The Lord is my God.” ‘ “‘ (Zechariah 13:8-9)
7. Remnant Delivered by the Messiah
At the end of the Tribulation, as the Jews face their extinction, they will call out to Jesus their Messiah.
“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’ “ (Romans 11:25-27)
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10)
“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” (Romans 9:27-28)
8. Messiah Blesses the Believing Jewish Remnant
Jesus will return and regather all believing Jews to Israel.
“…the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live… You will again obey the voice of the Lord and do all His commandments which I command you today… The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers.” (Deuteronomy 30:1-9)
9. Messiah Rules From Jerusalem
Israel will be established as the prime nation in the world.
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it… For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:1-4)
“So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever.” (Micah 4:1-7)
10. Israel Receives Her Inheritance
The Lord will bless the Jewish remnant by fulfilling all the promises He has made to Israel.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you… and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising…” (Isaiah 60:1-62:7)
” ‘…At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes,’ says the Lord.” (Zephaniah 3:17-20)
“Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers; they shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” (Isaiah 49:22-23)
11. World Blessed by the Jewish People
The blessings of God will flow out to all the nations through the Jewish people during the millennial rule of Jesus Christ.
“Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord… In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ “ (Zechariah 8:22-23)
God’s Warning
Finally, whether you love or hate the nation of Israel, or even the Jewish people, regardless of what we mere mortals think, Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. God’s will will be done, and there’s just no stopping it. After all, who could ever stand against the living God and expect to win?
In response to the rabid Antisemitism spreading across the globe, here’s God’s warning to all those—both unbelievers and Christians—who continue to stand against God’s work through Israel. As Hebrews 10:31 reveals, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” You have been warned!
Very interesting and informative article! Thank you!
I personally believe there will still be a Psalm 83 War – too many war prophecies are yet unfulfilled. Regardless, I think there is a logical inconsistency in your prophecy list. You note that the Gog-Magog War results in the destruction of Russia and Islam, yet say that when Antichrist comes along, he will facilitate the building of the Third Temple. If Islam is previously destroyed – which I agree will happen because of both Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 – it would seem there is nothing to prevent Israel rebuilding the temple prior to the A/C covenant agreement. In fact, I think there is a real possibility that the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque could be destroyed in one of those wars, either by missiles or God’s hand. As such, the A/C covenant could very likely be with a player other than Islam and have nothing to do with the rebuilding of the temple.
Agreed. I only brought up the possibility that the Antichrist’s covenant grants Israel the freedom to rebuild the Temple. More than likely, after God has revealed Himself to the world through His victory in the Gog-Magog War, the Antichrist’s covenant is more about protecting him from God so that he can go out and conquer the world.
Dear Nathan,
Amen and Amen to your articles. I believe whole heatedly in what you wrote. I believe with all my heart. Yes there are so-called Christians who hate Israel and believe in Replacement theology. I love the Lord. Come back Yeshua come back.
Excellent synopsis, Nathan. One thing I’m observing is the high level of hero worship being given to President Trump by Israel and not much credit or glory given to God. This is understandable because Israel is still in veiled unbelief. But it makes me think how they’re being prepared to accept the greatest Middle East peacemaker of all time—the antichrist—until he isn’t.
I do not believe Hamas was defeated they are still a threat. What no one is talking about is the coming judgement to America because we are giving the land of Israel to make a peace treaty that is acceptable to the middle east countries. I support Trump but he is in error to work out that deal
Agreed, Israel’s proclamation of defeating Hamas is a temporary victory in Satan’s long war against the Jewish people. As long as Hamas exists to kill Jews, Israel’s war with them will never be over.
I commend your passion and your knowledge, Nathan. A lot of food for thought.
However, the sequence you’ve presented is illogical. For example, in point 3 you posit that after Gog’s War, Israel will embrace God but not Jesus.
That is absolutely impossible, inasmuch as Jesus IS God (“I and the Father are one,” “He who has seen me has seen the Father,” “He who does not have me, does not have the Father,” etc.)
Consequently, when Ezekiel says the Jews and Gentiles will finally know God at the end of Gog’s War, he is necessarily saying they will finally know Jesus. Which, in turn, means Ezekiel must be speaking about Armageddon and the Second Coming, in these verses.
Indeed, the text affirms this viewpoint, saying God will be physically present “in” Israel at that time, everyone will tremble at God’s “presence,” and God’s name will never be blasphemed from that point forward. These statements make sense if Gog’s War is Armageddon. But they don’t make sense in the your scenario where the worst blasphemy of God’s name is still to come.
Many other problems with the sequence could be cited. But the point is this: the War of Gog is the final battle of the Tribulation, not some conflict that erupts when the Tribulation starts (or just before it starts.)
Still, I very much enjoyed your article and I appreciate the discussion that it generates. I look forward to further installments.
Charles, timing-wise, I believe the most biblical evidence places the Gog-Magog War after the Rapture but before or at the very onset of the Tribulation. For the timing arguments surrounding the Gog-Magog War, check out http://www.lamblion.com/articles/articles_tribulation2.php and http://www.lamblion.com/articles/articles_tribulation1.php.
Nathan, I have come back to comment with self control and focus and not get caught up in the insignificant (like my dumb rants over the word convergence) which is why I took a hiatus.
This is an excellent article. I wish all Bible teachings by pastors and others were like this. The vast majority is the actual Word of God. The commentary is concise and on point. Speculation is always going to be a part of discussions because we don’t and can’t know everything and our understanding is limited by our human capacity.
I was thinking about whether this could be Psalm 83 though I think your thought of looking at this as part of a bigger picture is likely the accurate conclusion.
It is interesting and gratifying that you did not mention the Rapture anywhere in the article as no one would be able to place it in the exact timeframe of events except God. We only know it will happen and is imminent sometime in our near future.
Is this the time of temporary peace? Maybe. If so then Russia is going to be the focus of attention before the upcoming war. They do not know they are creating their own destruction. The concern for the U.S. for me is are we the ones who live in security in the coastlands. Will this be judgment day for the U.S., too? Will Russia nuke us before the war to take us out of the fight? I can’t say for sure but I think it is likely as this nation deserves it. I pray that the Rapture will occur prior to this happening, if it does, and the judgment is for those who rejected God and Christ. Lot and his family were saved from such a destruction and I hope so it shall be for us.
Wendy Dietrich commented on Trump being given a high level of hero worship which is true. Trump has always been an enigma to me. He says he is a Christian but often does not act like one. He can be a mean, vile person and doesn’t care. If you love and praise him he eats it up but if you say just one thing against him he will devour you. He is joyous like a pig in a mud hole as he wallows in compliments and praise and like Wendy said, hero worship. Is his goal peace for the Middle East or a prize for his mantle? The self proclaimed Christian, Trump, implies this may be a way to buy his way into Heaven and yet doubts it (correct) but also says he doesn’t think he is going to Heaven (which no true Christian whose faith is in Christ would doubt).
I honestly had mild speculative inquisitive thoughts as to Trump being the antichrist though I know he isn’t based on what I have read about that evil being. Trump = Enigma.
Which is why one should only place their hope, faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only one worthy of it.
Billy, good assessment, especially your closing conclusion!
So glad we have joined Lamb & Lion. The truth prevails over all evil and wickedness. It’s nice to understand the meaning of prophecy..events unfolding, and things to come.
Psalm 83 really expresses the plot of Satan to destroy Israel. Psalm 83 is Israel’s prayer for God to crush his enemies, when the whole world is arrayed against it.
Read the prayer to understand the years of plots to destroy Israel. It is such a powerful moving prayer.
Psalm 83. A psalm of Asaph.
O God, do not keep silent, be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads.
With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.
Come, they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you…the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrities, Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot. Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who perished at Endor and became like refuse on the ground. Make their nobles like Oreo and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.”
Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze so pursue then with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name O Lord.
May they ever be ashamed and dismayed, may the perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord…(that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.)
A lot of the invasions that happened to Israel happened to Judah, and continued to this day, especially October 7. We see that things are coming to a climactic conclusion in our world today.
I am not able to email to people who need to know, yet, there is a provision for such. Please advise. T.Y. Are you saying, do you believe, that the Gog-Magog War occurs before the Harpazo, or after? I, personally, think that the Psalm 83 war(s) is with Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Morph into Ezekiel War. Russia, Iran, and Turkey are right now poised to do so, after the “spoil” because of their financial state. Carry on.
Timing-wise, I believe the most biblical evidence places the Gog-Magog War after the Rapture but before or at the very onset of the Tribulation. For the details about the Gog-Magog Battle, check out http://www.lamblion.com/articles/articles_tribulation2.php and http://www.lamblion.com/articles/articles_tribulation1.php.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 represent two separate battles which are given backwards by the Holy Spirit. Chapter 38 has nothing to do with the invasion of Israel before or during the tribulation. Verse 22 is the key to the passage: it clearly marks Gog as the one who attacks Jerusalem in Revelation 20:7-9. Therefore, Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 can’t describe the same battle.
Denny, I agree that the Gog-Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39 is a different war than the satanic rebellion that occurs at the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:7-10).
1. Ezekiel’s chapters would be chronologically out of order with this view. Ezekiel 33-39 covers the national restoration of Israel and is followed by chapters 40-48 which describe Israel’s spiritual restoration entering into and enduring throughout the Millennial Kingdom.
2. Revelation 20’s chronology does not harmonize with Ezekiel’s chronology. Revelation 20 describes the Millennial Kingdom, which is immediately followed by chapter 21 concerning the Eternal State.
3. The Gog-Magog invaders would no longer have bodies that require Israel to bury over seven months, as the Revelation account records the invaders being incinerated by fire coming down from the heavens (Ezek. 39:12; Revelation 20:9).
4. Israel would have no reason to need seven months to bury the dead invaders if God is just going to resurrect them at the end of the Millennium, judge them at the Great White Throne Judgment, and then throw them into the Lake of Fire (Ezekiel 39:12; Revelation 20:11-15).
5. Israel would have no reason to burn the invaders’ weapons into the perfect Eternal State.
6. Ezekiel’s and Revelation’s descriptions of the invading armies do not match. Ezekiel describes a coalition of Russia and Muslim nations attacking Israel. Revelation describes a much larger scope, with the invaders coming out of the “nations which are in the four corners of the earth” (Revelation 20:8 NKJV).
7. Ezekiel’s and Revelation’s descriptions of the battlefields do not match. Ezekiel describes the Gog-Magog Battle taking place on the “mountains of Israel,” while Revelation’s account states the battle takes place “on the broad plain of the earth” (Ezekiel 38:8; Revelation 20:9 NASB).
8. Ezekiel’s and Revelation’s descriptions of Israel’s rulers do not match. Ezekiel 38-39 follows chapters 36-37 which describe the rebirth of Israel, a nation not yet in belief in God nor having accepted Jesus as Messiah. The Revelation 20 account has Jesus already ruling from Jerusalem for a thousand years.
9. Ezekiel’s and Revelation’s descriptions of the invader’s leaders do not match. Gog is in control of the coalition against Israel in Ezekiel’s account, whereas Satan is in control of the coalition against Jesus in Revelation’s account. While Satan is clearly mentioned in Revelation’s account, it is unknown if Gog is possessed by Satan or is a man possessed by Satan.
10. Ezekiel’s and Revelation’s descriptions of Israel’s faith do not match. In Ezekiel 38-39, God uses the Gog-Magog Battle to make Himself known to Israel and the world. In Revelation 20, Israel has already long acknowledged Yahweh as God and King going on a thousand years.
11. The unbelieving children of the Tribulation saints who have survived to live into the Millennial Kingdom will be the ones who wage war against God at the end of the thousand years, as opposed to the children from the age of the “time of the Gentiles” who wage war in Ezekiel and Jesus’ accounts (Luke 21:24 NKJV).
12. John’s use of “Gog and Magog” in Revelation 20:8 is more likely to draw a comparison between Ezekiel’s Gog-Magog Battle and the one John is describing at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. In other words, the labeling acts as a kind of shorthand saying, “It’s going to be Gog and Magog all over again.”
A possible sequence. First the rapture takes place, in the ensuing chaos Russia Turkye and Iran with Sudan and Lybia attack Israel for bounty Ez:38, God intervenes and gives Israel victory. Israel on a roll gains more territory, the antichrist rises and confirm the covenent ( maybe the one initiated and signed lately ) thus the 7 years tribulation starts and ends with the last war when the Christ returns to establish the millenium.
That’s right Nathan. The Timing clue is that it must be in the “latter years or “last days” when the invasion occurs. It says that in Ezekiel 38:16. The timing of the Battle of Gog and Magog war during the “latter years” or “last days” also tells us that it will occur after the rapture of the church to heaven. Mark Hitchcock said this is the time of Israel’s future tribulation and restoration, since the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation begins, then this indicates that the Gog-Magog war will occur after the rapture of all believers in Christ to heaven. The other clue is that Israel must be regathered to her land when this invasion occurs. Ezekiel 38:8 “whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel.”
Another important detail to narrow down the time says Israel will be regathered to her land, but at rest when it takes place. Ezekiel 38:8, “But its people were brought from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.” Those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls, and have no bars or gates. Ezekiel 38:11.
Its good to know that God’s mighty hand is going to bring about Peace.
Isaiah 2:4 He, (the Lord) shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall NOT lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
5. O house of Jacobs come; let us walk in the light of the Lord.
We were Reading what Dr. Walvoord said, that this invasion will occur near the close of the first half of the Tribulation. That means that the Battle of Gog and Magog will occur at least three and a half years before World War III, at the end of the Tribulation. The Battle of Gog and Magog will probably be the first Great War of the tribulation period. Within the next few years it is estimated that over half of the Jews worldwide will be back in the land of Israel. The regathering is happening before our eyes.