Ezekiel 38:1-39:16 Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; pages 106-109, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

Exposition of the Passage

Ezekiel 38:1-39:16 describes an invasion of Israel from the north and the subsequent destruction of the invading forces once they reach the area of the mountains of Israel. It will first be necessary to look at the details of this invasion and then deal with the controversial question as to when this invasion will take place. The passage will be approached with the question of who, where, why, what, how, and when?

The Alliance–Ezekiel 38:1-6

Concerning who, in Ezekiel 38:1-6 the prophet named the peoples involved in this invasion:

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. 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.

In verses 1-4, attention is centered on Gog, leader of the land of Magog. He is the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. Who Gog will be can only be determined at the time of the invasion, for “Gog” is not a proper name but a title for the ruler of Magog, just as the terms “pharaoh,” “kaiser,” and “czar” were titles for rulers and not proper names. Whoever is ruling this alliance at the time of the invasion will be Ezekiel’s Gog. The identification of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is to be determined from the fact that these tribes of the ancient world occupied the areas of modern-day Russia. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were between the Black and Caspian Seas, which today is southern Russia. It also includes part of Iran and Turkey. According to some, the tribes of Meshech and Tubal later gave names to cities that today bear the names of Moscow, the capital, and Tobolsk, a major city in the Urals in Siberia. Rosh was in what is now norther Russia. The name Rosh is the basis for the modern name Russia. These names, then, cover the modern territories of northern and southern Russia in Europe and Siberia to the east in Asia. The modern nation of Russia encompasses all these areas of Ezekiel. As if to avoid any further possible doubt, verse six adds that these come from the uttermost parts of the north. This is repeated in 38:15 and 39:2. From Israel the uttermost parts of the north is Russia, with Moscow being almost a straight line due north from Jerusalem. Hence, Russia is the leader of the norther confederacy, with Gog as the leader of Russia. This has also been the rabbinic view. The Artscroll Commentary on Ezekiel states:

The Gaonim had a tradition that these controls were indeed located in Russia... One tradition passed down from the Vilna Gaon states: When the Russian navy passes through the Bospores (that is, on the way to Dardanelles), it will be time to put on Sabbath clothes (in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah).

But Russia is not alone in the invasion of Israel. She is part of a confederacy and the leader of it. Other nations involved are listed in verses 5-6. Involved in the confederacy is Persia, or present-day Iran. Once Iran was generally pro-western and pro-Israel; after the Khomeini Islamic revolution Iran became anti-western and anti-Israel and ore within the Russian sphere of influence. At the time of this revision, Israel considers Iran as its most dangerous enemy. Another nation involved is called Cush. There were two places that had that name. One was in Mesopotamia (Gen 2:13). But all other usages of this word refer to Ethiopia. While looking at current events, it is tempting to identify it with the Mesopotamia countries of Syria and Iraq, consistency with usage of the word “Cush” elsewhere in the Scriptures demands its identification with Ethiopia. Current events must never be the means of interpreting the Scriptures, but the Scriptures must interpret current events.

Put is mentioned next, which is not Libya (for which the name Lub would be used), but Somaliland or Somalia. Somalia borders Ethiopia. This is followed by Gomer, located in present-day Germany. This too was the rabbinic view. The Midrash calls Gomer Germania and that is also the way the Talmud refers to Gomer. The last name is Togarmah, which is present-day Armenia. Verse six adds the phrase, even many peoples with you. This phrase may simply define the numbers of the nations already mentioned, or it may include other nations not mentioned. In all probability, it is the former that is meant. In answer as to who is involved in this confederacy, it is Russia and the allied states of Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany, and Armenia.

One interesting observation is that not a single Arab nation participates in this invasion. While some of the nations listed here are Moslem, they are not Arab. Another observation is that these nations are geographically located both north and south of Israel, but is is Russia that is the controlling nation and allied with Moslem, but non-Arab, states. The invasion itself is from the north. A common error made in previous interpretations of this passage has been the assumption that this was a communist invasion. The fall of communism in Eastern Europe has caused many to abandon the “Russian” interpretation of this passage. But there is no need to do so. It should be noted that the text never describes the type of government when this invasion occurs. It does not indicate whether it is a monarchy, socialistic, communistic, democratic, or dictatorial government. The focus is on the geography, not the type of government. While the names of these geographical areas have changed over the centuries (e.g., Persia to Iran), and may change again, the geography itself remains intact. Regardless of what names they may carry at the time of this invasion, it is these very geographical areas that are involved. Although the leading nation may have once been called the Soviet Union, and more recently the Commonwealth of Independent States, and traditionally Russia, it is this territory–by whatever name is may be called at that time–that will lead this invasion. The Orthodox Jewish commentary Artscroll on Ezekiel 38:2 makes this observation:

“Yerushalayim Megillah 3:9, which renders Magog as Gutiya (or Gutya,...) The Goths, a group of nomadic tribes who destroyed the Scythians and made their home in Scythian territory.

Considering that the Goths were a Germanic people, the identification of Magog’s descendants as the Goths in accord with Targum Yonasan to Genesis 10:2, which renders Magog as Geramemia, which in Bereshit Rabbah 37:1 is given as Germanya.”

The cup of iniquity of Russia is almost full. With this invasion it will overflow, and this will precipitate God’s judgment on Russia. It is God Who is in control; it is He who is bringing the invasion about. Thus, while studying this passage, one should note the sovereignty of God in this invasion. This will be the means by which God will punish Russia for her sins. The key sin is her long history of anti-Semitism, a problem that persists in Russia to this day.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; pages 109-110, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

The Object of the Invasion–Ezekiel 38:7-9

The next section of this passage, Ezekiel 38:7-9, answers the question as to where the invasion takes place:

“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. 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.”

This passage continues to address Gog as the leader of this confederacy (v. 7) In verse eight, the specific place where the invasion take place is stated to be the Land of Israel, more specifically in the mountains of Israel. Then verse nine describes the massiveness of the invasion, picturing it as a storm cloud that covers the entire Land. This is another passage that shows the necessity of the establishment of the Jewish State and also a regathering in unbelief. Israel has to be a state before this invasion can occur. Regardless of one’s viewpoint as to when this invasion occurs, each viewpoint does require the pre-existence of the Jewish State. Furthermore, Israel in this passage is regathered in unbelief, for only after the invasion do many in Israel turn to the Lord. So yet another passage demands a restored Jewish State in unbelief. Verse eight describes this Jewish State as being first, a land brought back from the sword; second, a land that is gathered out of many peoples; third, a land with mountains that have been a continual waste; and fourth, a land that is brought forth out of the peoples. Ezekiel is not describing an Israel that ever existed in ancient times, but all these statements are true of present-day Israel. This began occurring toward the end fo the nineteenth century, culminating with statehood in 1948. Since then, the waste places have been rebuilt and resettled on a more massive scale.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; pages 110-112, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

Gog’s Goal–Ezekiel 38:10-13

The next section, in Ezekiel 38:10-13, answers the question as to why this invasion takes place on the part of Russia:

‘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.’ 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?’”’

The key reason for the Russian invasion is the matter of spoil (vv. 10-12). Exactly what Israel has that Russia would want is not spelled out in the text. The text simply mentions cattle and goods and silver and gold, but these are general Old Testament references for spoils of war. Much speculation has been involved in what it is that Israel has that Russia would want. One of the more popular reasons given is that of the Dead Sea, which contains 45 billion tons of sodium, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromide. But Russia could also obtain the Dead Sea by invading Jordan. Another reason centers on the oil crisis, with the abundance of oil in the Middle East. The purpose of the invasion might be to gain a solid foothold in the Middle East. A Russian takeover of Israel would give Russia such a foothold without overly upsetting the Arabs, since they would be in favor of the destruction of Israel even if it means a Russian army in the area. However, while it may be true that the Arabs would like to see Israel destroyed, it is not true they would look favorable on a Russian occupation force in the Middle East. There have been other suggestions; however, the text itself is silent as to the content of the spoils. But for the spoils Russia invades. Whatever the publicly stated reason for this invasion may be, the actual reason will be Russia’s own self interest. It is stated in verse ten that the invasion is premeditated by the Russians, for they devise an evil device and resolve to invade for the purpose of spoils (vv.11-12).

In verse 13, a second group of nations are listed as protesting this invasion, for they recognize it to be an invasion for spoil and for nothing else. Sheba and Dedan are countries in northern Arabia, which shows that at least some of the Arab states will not favor the Russian presence in the Middle East. Another nation named is Tarshish, followed by the phrase with all the young lions thereof. This phrase is a Hebrew idiom meaning nations that have come out of Tarshish. The Revised Standard Version translates the idiom as all its villages and it is close to the mark. But while the idiom is clear, the real issue is the identity of Tarshish from which the other nations come out. Three such places are known in history. One was located on the east coast of Africa, but the location is unknown. Nor has the particular area spawned other nations. The second place was in Spain, founded by the city of Tyre. If this is the Tarshish of of Ezekiel, the nations spawned would include those of Central and South America, except for Brazil. The third location was in England, and if this is what was meant by Tarshish, it would include the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other present-day western democracies. It might include the British Commonwealth of Nations. If any conclusion can be reached on Ezekiel’s usage elsewhere, the identification would have to be Spain and the Spanish-speaking world of the western hemisphere. Hence Spain was somewhat involved in settling and discovering the North American coastline, it could include the United States. But historically, Spain cannot really be credited with the United States as England can. Regardless of the exact identity of Tarshish, it is this group that issues a protest. However, it does not go beyond the protest stage. Russia succeeds in invading, and then the invading army is disposed of with no help from the protestors.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; pages 112-113, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

God’s Goal–Ezekiel 38:14-16

In Ezekiel 38:14-16, the invasion is seen as having begun and further answers the question as to why, but this time it is seen from God’s viewpoint:

“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.”

In verses 14-16a, the invasion begins and the confederate army covers the land like a storm cloud in massive swarms. Hence, there is initial success on the part of Russia. In verse 16b, God’s reason is given for allowing this invasion to occur, as over against Russia’ reasons given in the preceding verses: that He might be sanctified in the eyes of the nations in light of what is about to occur.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; pages 113-114, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

The Destruction of the Invaders–Ezekiel 38:17-23

Having described God’s purpose, the answer to the questions of what and how are answered in Ezekiel 38:17-23:

‘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? 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. 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.”’

As to the question of what, with the Russian invasion of Israel, the cup of iniquity is full, for the apple of God’s eye is touched, and the Wife of Jehovah is violated, arousing God’s anger so that He moves out in judgment (vv. 17-18) to destroy the invading army. This is followed by the answer to the question of how the invading army is disposed of and destroyed. Several causes are listed: earthquake (vv. 19-20); civil war breaking out among the invading soldiers themselves (v.21); pestilence,, blood, flood hailstones, fire, and brimstone (v. 22). Since these things totally destroy the invading army without the aid of other nations, God’s purpose is seen as succeeding in its objective. God is indeed sanctified in the eyes of many people (v. 23).

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; pages 114-115, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

The Place of the Destruction–Ezekiel 39:1-6

Ezekiel 39:1-16 follows the law of recurrence (see Chapter 1), giving further details to the information found in chapter 38. In 39:1-5 there is a further description of the invasion and its subsequent destruction:

“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal; and I will turn you around, drive you on, take you up from the remotest parts of the north and bring you against the mountains of Israel. I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord God.

The new information added is found in verses two and four, where the armies are said to fall specifically on the mountains of Israel. They extend the length of the center of the country, beginning at the southern point of the Valley of Jezreel at the town of Jenin in Galilee (biblical Ein Ganim), and continuing south until they peter out at a point north of Beersheba in the Negev. These mountains contain the famous biblical cities of Dothan, Shechem, Samaria, Shiloh, Bethel, Ai, Ramah, Bethlehem, Hebron, Debir, and most importantly, Jerusalem, which seems to be the goal of this invading army.

Here is another example where the Six Day War has set the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy. Up to the Six Day War in 1967 all of the mountains of Israel, except for a small corridor of West Jerusalem, were entirely in the hands of the Jordanian Arabs. Only since 1967 have the mountains of Israel been in Israel, thus setting the stage for the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Another thing to notice is the mistranslation found in the King James Version of verse two. The King James version indicates that one-sixth of the invading army is left alive. This is not found in the Hebrew text and has not been translated that way by subsequent translations. It is not true that one-sixth of the invading army will be left alive. The entire invading army will be destroyed when they invade Israel and nothing will remain, not even one-sixth.

In Ezekiel 39:6 another dimension is added to the Russian invasion:

“And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coast-lands in safety; and they will know that I am the Lord.

Not only is the Russian and allied army destroyed in Israel, but the land of Russia itself is devastated by the raining of brimstone, causing much destruction in the nation itself. It will cause Russia to cease being a political force world affairs.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 115, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

The Sanctification of God’s Name–Ezekiel 39:7-8

Ezekiel 39:7-8 adds that not only will God’s name be sanctified among the Gentile nations, but in Israel as well:

“My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming and it shall be done,” declares the Lord God. “That is the day of which I have spoken.

Thus, a revival occurs in Israel, causing many Jews too turn to the Lord.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 115-116, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

The Seven Years of Burning–Ezekiel 39:9-10

The rest of the section provides the grand finale of the invasion. In Ezekiel 39:9-10 it states that it will take seven years to dismantle all the military equipment left behind, which in turn will be used for fuel:

“Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them, both shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears, and for seven years they will make fires of them. They will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, for they will make fires with the weapons; and they will take the spoil of those who despoiled them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them,” declares the Lord God.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 116-117, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

Scripture taken from NASB1995

The Seven Months of Burial–Ezekiel 39:11-16

Finally, in Ezekiel 39:11-16 there is a description of the burying of the dead for seven months:

“On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea, and it will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with all his horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog. For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. Even all the people of the land will bury them; and it will be to their renown on the day that I glorify Myself,” declares the Lord God. “They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man’s bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog. And even the name of the city will be Hamonah. So they will cleanse the land.”’

The burial place will be in one of the valleys east of the Mediterranean Sea (v. 11), which would put it in the Jordan Valley above the Dead Sea, and will be renamed accordingly. It will take seven months to accomplish the job (vv. 12-13). Since the armies are destroyed in the mountains of Israel, many of the bodies will fall in crevices where they will not be easily found, and so special details will be employed by the government for the seven months to search out these bodies for burial in the special valley (vv. 14-15). Overlooking the cemetery a new city will be built and named Hamonah, which means “multitude.” (v. 16).

These seven months of burying and seven years of burning are crucial in determining when this invasion occurs. For any view to be correct, it must satisfy the requirements of these seven months and seven years.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 117, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion

The most controversial question is when; when in the chronology of prophecy will this event occur? It is obvious from where the event is placed in this work that the author views the Russian invasion as taking place some time before Tribulation.

Basic Observations

In determining the issue of when, certain clues are to be found in the text. In 38:8, 11-12, and 14, the invasion takes place when, first Israel is a state again; second, the waste places of past centuries are again inhabited; third, Israel is dwelling in unwalled villages, and good description of present-day kibbutzim; and fourth, Israel is dwelling securely. As will be shown later, nowhere in the entire text does it speak of Israel as living in peace. Rather, Israel is merely living in security, which means “confidence,” regardless of whether it is during the state of war or peace.

There is nothing in the various descriptions of Israel given in this passage that is not true of Israel today. So, as far as where Israel stands today, she completely fulfills all the requirements given in the description of Israel in this passage. From this standpoint, the invasion can occur at any time, including some time before the Tribulation.

Furthermore, there is the problem of the seven years and the seven months which must be taken into account in resolving the issue of when.

There are four major views as to when the invasion will occur. The opposing views will be looked at first along with their bases, followed by the objections against their views. Then, in conclusion, reasons will be given as to why the invasion would best be viewed as occurring before the Tribulation period. Objections to this view will be answered.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 118-119, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion - The Midtribulation View

The first view held by some key prophetic Bible teachers pits this invasion in the middle of the Tribulation period. There is a twofold basis for this position. First, the dwelling securely is said to refer to a time of peace resulting from Israel’s covenant with the antichrist in Daniel 9:27. Second this invasion is viewed as being the same as that of the king of the north in Daniel 11:40.

However, there are two objections to this view. First, the term to dwell securely, as will be shown later, does not necessarily have to indicate peace. Second, it is hard to see why God would intervene at this point on Israel’s behalf and then immediately allow the events of the second half of the Tribulation to commence, doing a great amount of damage to Israel. Third, it is agreed with those holding this position that the events described in Daniel 11:40 take place in the middle of the Tribulation. But it is wrong to identify the king of the north of Daniel 11:40 with Gog of Ezekiel 38:1-39:16. Throughout the Book of Daniel references are made to the king of the south and the king of the north. Consistently, the former is applied to Egypt, including the reference in verse 40. The latter is consistently applied to Syria, except when the exponents of this view come to verse 40; then they ascribe the reference to Russia and so identify it with Ezekiel 38 and 39. However, context and consistency would demand that the reference apply to Syria. The invasion of Daniel 11:40 is distinct from the Ezekiel 38 and 39 invasion. It is inconsistent and faulty exegesis to make the king of the north throughout the Book of Daniel refer to Syria and yet make 11:40 be the one exception in order to connect it with the Russian invasion and put the latter at the middle of the Tribulation. Fourth, this view fails to solve the problem of the seven months and seven years. This view would require that the seven months of burying take place during the second half of Tribulation, a time when the Jews are in flight and are not able to bury their own dead, let alone those of the Russians. In the chapter dealing with the events of the middle of Tribulation, the Jewish situation will be discussed in greater detail. The state of the Jews in the middle of the Tribulation will not permit seven months of burial and building a new city, too. Regarding the seven years of burning, this view would require the Jews to be burning weapons during the second half of Tribulation, when Jews are fleeing out of the Land. The would also have to continue burning them for 3 ½ years into the Millennium, which is inconsistent with Messiah’s cleansing of the Land and the renovation which results. The problems the Jews will face during the second half of the Tribulation would cause them to try to preserve and salvage these weapons rather than to burn them.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 119, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion - The Posttribulation/Armageddon View

A second major view is that this invasion will take place at the end of the Tribulation period. The key basis of this position is identifying this invasion as the Campaign of Armageddon. Since the Campaign of Armageddon does indeed take place at the end of the Tribulation, and since Ezekiel 38 and 39 are viewed as being part of it by those who hold this view, they have concluded that the Russian invasion will occur at the end of the Tribulation.

However, there are a number of problems with this view. The key objection lies in the clear distinction between the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion and Armageddon. First, In Ezekiel there are definite allies mentioned and they are limited in number, while other nations stand in opposition. In the Campaign of Armageddon, all nations are allied together against Jerusalem without exception. Second, the Ezekiel invasion comes from the north, but the Armageddon invasion comes from the whole earth. Third, the purpose of the Russian invasion is to take the spoil; the purpose of the Armageddon Campaign is to destroy all the Jews. Fourth, in the Ezekiel invasion, there is a protest against the invasion; in the Armageddon Campaign, there is no protest because all the nations are involved. Fifth, the Ezekiel invasion is destroyed through convulsions of nature; the Armageddon invasion is destroyed by the personal Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah. Sixth, the Ezekiel invasion is destroyed on the mountains of Israel; the Armageddon Campaign is destroyed in the area between Petra and Jerusalem. Seventh, the Russian invasion takes place while Israel is living securely in the Land; the Armageddon Campaign takes place while Israel is in flight and in hiding.

Furthermore, this view fails to solve the problem of the seven months and seven years, since both would have to continue into the Millennium to be accomplished. Again, this is inconsistent with other revelation regarding the Kingdom, which starts out with a thoroughly cleansed earth.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 120, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion - The Interlude View

A third major view is to put this invasion in the interlude between the Tribulation and the Millennium. The basis of this position is the assumption that there is to be a period of time after the Second Coming and after Israel is restored but before the actual Kingdom is set up.

But there are objections to this view. First, this view is based on the assumption of a period of time between the Second Coming and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. The fact that there will be an interlude is easily accepted, since there are a number of things which need to be accomplished before the actual institution of the Millennium, such as the judgment of the Gentiles, the resurrection of the Old Testament and Tribulation saints, etc. There will, indeed, be an interlude. But the problem is that if this view is to be consistent, it must make this interlude seven years long. However, Daniel 12:12 limits the interlude to just 75 days. The second half of the Tribulation is declared to be 42 months or 1,260 days long, which is the same as saying 3½ years. Daniel 12:7 refers to it as a time, times, and time and a half. Daniel 12:11 states that there will be a total of 1,290 days during which time the Temple will be desecrated. In other words, the Temple’s desecration will extend 30 days beyond the 3½ year period. However in Daniel 12:12 those who manage to make it to the 1,335th day (an additional 45 days) are promised a unique blessing which could hardly be anything else but the Millennium. That many will not make it to this day is clear from other Scriptures, since they are killed in the interlude. But the interlude is limited to 75 days only, and this is not enough time for all the events of Ezekiel to transpire. Second, the main problem with this view is that it fails to give a satisfactory answer to the problem of the seven months and seven years. Seven months of burial is a total of 210 days. This would mean that the burial would continue for at least 135 days into the Millennium depending on when during the interlude the invasion takes place. This is not consistent with the mass of Scripture describing the Millennium and Israel. Added to this are the seen years of the burning of the weapons which make this view impossible.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 120-121, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion - End of Millennium View

A fourth major view puts it at the end of the Millennium. The key basis of this view is to identify this invasion as the same as that mentioned in Revelation 20:7-9.

But there are two key objections to this view. First, the Ezekiel invasion comes from the north; the Revelation invasion comes from all over the world. Second, this view also fails to answer the problem of the seven months and the seven years. This earth is done away with soon after the invasion mentioned in Revelation, not allowing any time (or place!) For seven months of burial or seven years of burning. It would require the burying and burning to continue into the Eternal Order.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 121-124, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion - The Pretribulation View

The fifth major view, which is the view of this author, is that the Russian invasion will occur before the Tribulation actually begins. From the text of Ezekiel 38:1-39:16, this view arrives at certain conclusions. First, Israel is established before the Tribulation and is dwelling securely. Second, the Russian confederacy invades Israel during this time of security before the Tribulation. Third, the confederacy is destroyed in Israel before the Tribulation.

Support

There are several points supporting this view. First, the description of Israel found in this passage fits well with the nation as she is now, established before the Tribulation. Israel is a land brought back from the sword (38:8). After 1900 years, 46 invasions, an the War of Independence, the Land is Jewish again and free from foreign domination. This nation is gathered from many nations and peoples (38:8,12). The Jews in Israel today come from 80-90 different nations. The continual waste places are now inhabited (38:8'12). The Israelis today are rebuilding the ancient places and turning them into modern towns and cities. They dwell securely (38:11, 14). This has often been misconstrued as meaning a state of peace, but this is not the meaning of the Hebrew root batach. The nominal form of this root means “security.” This is not the security due to a state of peace, but a security due to confidence in their own strength. This, too, is a good description of Israel today. The Israeli army has fought four major wars since its founding and won them swiftly each time. Today Israel is secure, confident that her army can repel any invasion from Arab states. Hence, Israel is dwelling securely. Israel is dwelling in unwalled villages (38:11). This is very descriptive of the present-day kibbutzim in Israel.

Second, Russia today, in spite of the fall of communism, is still a major world power before the Tribulation. Her rise to this position coincided with the reestablishment of Israel following world War II.

Third, this view best answers the problem of the seven months and seven years. Putting this invasion in the beginning of the Tribulation presents no real problem with the seven months, but is does have problems with the seven years. This would put it at a time when Israel would be in flight and would not have time to finish the burning of the weapons. The middle of the Tribulation view has problems with both the seven months and the seven years. The seven months would extend into the second half of the Tribulation, a time when Israel has to worry about her own dead, let alone the Russians. The seven years would extend throughout the rest of the Tribulation and 3 ½ years into the Millennium, making it inconsistent with the biblical view of the Millennium. Furthermore, Israel would need s=these weapons in the second half of the Tribulation. The end of the Tribulation view has problems with both the seven months and the seven years, since both would extend into the Millennium. The interlude view or beginning of the Millennium view has problems with both the seven months and the seven years, since both would extend into the Millennium due to the fact that the interlude is only 75 days. The end of the Millennium view has problems with both seven months and the seven years. The seven months of burial seem pointless when there is a resurrection after the invasion. The seven years would have to extend into the Eternal Order, an impossibility since there is a whole new earth created. Therefore, the before the Tribulation view is the only one which has no problems with either the seven months or the seven years. The Jews continue to dwell in the land after this invasion and remain there until the middle of the Tribulation. Hence, the seven months of burial is no problem. The seven years also create no problem since they would begin before the Tribulation can extend as far as the middle of the Tribulation if at all necessary. According to this view, this invasion must take place at least 3½ years or more before the Tribulation starts.

These are the strengths of this particular view. However, there are objections raised to this particular view, and these will now have to be answered.

Objections

One objection states that the Ezekiel 38-39 passage is in the restoration section of Ezekiel. The answer is that this is true, but which restoration? The partial in unbelief? or the final in faith? It would seem to be the partial one in unbelief. Faith begins in Israel only after this invasion. The chronology of the Book of Ezekiel would hardly be a problem for this view. The restoration in faith is covered by Ezekiel 40-48.

A second objection, and the one most commonly used, is that “dwelling safely” or “securely” as used int eh Old Testament always refers to millennial peace and security–something that Israel will not receive before the Tribulation. However, this is an overstatement. While it is true that the term “dwell securely” is used of life in the Millennium, this is true only of the minority of cases and not at all true of the majority. A list of references where this is not true includes: Leviticus 25:18, 19; 16:5; Deuteronomy 12:10; 1 Samuel 12:11, 1 Kings 4:25; Psalm 4:8; 16:9; Proverbs 1:33; 3:23, 29; Isaiah 47:8; Jeremiah 49:31; and Zephaniah 2:15. The Jeremiah reference is particularly significant since it uses the very same phrases that are found in Ezekiel 38:11. This phrase is used more in non-millennial contexts than in millennial ones.

A third objection states that this contradicts the doctrine of imminency. However, stating that something must precede the Tribulation is not the same as stating that it must precede the Rapture unless it is further stated that the Rapture begins the Tribulation. However, the act that begins the Tribulation is not the Rapture, but the signing of the seven-year covenant and nothing else. The pretribulation view assert that the invasion will occur before the signing of the seven-year covenant. This does not destroy any argument of imminency, because the Rapture may still come even before this. This view does not state that this invasion will occur before the Rapture; it only asserts that this invasion will occur before the Tribulation. The Rapture is both imminent and pretribulational. All this means is that the Rapture can occur at any time between now and the signing of the seven-year covenant. It does not mean that the Rapture begins the Tribulation. So then, to say that the invasion takes place before the Tribulation does not negate imminency since it is not the Rapture which begins the Tribulation. Another way of showing this is to use these questions: Could the Rapture have come before 1948? The answer is “yes,” because the Rapture is imminent. However, could the Tribulation have come before 1948? The answer is “no,” because there was no Jewish State and government to sign the covenant which would begin the Tribulation.

A fourth objection states: How could Israel apostatize so soon again after the nation has had a revival? But the real problem is why this should even be a problem. This was often true in Old Testament history. There was speedy apostasy of Israel following the various miracles of the Exodus and the recognition of God at Sinai. There was speedy apostasy after the revivals of Hezekiah and Josiah. There was a speedy apostasy at Ninevah after the city repented under Jonah. This has happened before, and there is no problem with it happening again.

A fifth objection states that this event happens in the latter days and years. But these terms simply apply to the whole period of the end times when prophecy is again being fulfilled, and so it can very easily apply to the closing days of the Church Age as well. However, this objection is really based on the faulty assumption that this view holds to a pre-Rapture position, which is not true. This is a position of a pretribulation invasion, but not a pre-Rapture invasion.

A sixth and final objection states that Israel will not gain any title to the Land nor have the right to return till she signs the covenant with the antichrist. Building on this statement, those who hold this opinion goes on to state that this view would have to say that the covenant is signed before the Rapture. The latter is still based on the confusion as to what this view actually states. It has already been shown that this view does not state that the invasion comes before the Rapture. Actually this objection is a little ridiculous. In what possible way could the covenant with the antichrist give the Jews the right to return that the United Nations did not? Israel already possesses the title of the Land and has possessed it since God made Hid covenant with Abraham. Furthermore, the United Nations recognized Israel in 1948, and Jews have had the right to return since then. And Jews are returning. Israel’s right to return will not be based on her covenant with the antichrist any more than it is based on the full recognition by the United Nations. Israel’s title to the Land is based on the Abrahamic Covenant. The Scriptures predict a regathering before the Tribulation in unbelief in preparation for judgment. It is God Who is doing the moving, and it is God Who is bringing the Jews back in the Land, and this is enough for Israel’s right to the Land. A covenant with the antichrist will hardly give Israel the right to return. Israel is back in the Land before the Tribulation, and hence, this invasion could take place before the Tribulation.

Conclusion

So from all these facts, this author concludes that the pretribulational view is by far the best view. The Russian invasion is another birth pang that will occur before the Tribulation begins.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I've compiled this list of published Believers showing their thoughts on who the Eze 38-39 invaders are. As you'll see there isn't perfect agreement on that question. I wish I'd included reference to the specific books/articles that I took this info from, but when I first started compiling the list I wasn't smart enough to do that. It's possible that some could have changed their opinions since I collected the information:

Joel Rosenberg

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia and former Soviet Republics
Persia - Iran
Cush - Sudan, Ethiopia, and possibly Eritrea
Put - Libya, Algeria, Tunisia
Gomer - Turkey and possibly Germany and Austria
Bethtogarmah - Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkic-speaking peoples of Asia Minor and Central Asia
Countries with mountanous borders with Israel - Syria, Lebanon, and northern Jordan
Many Peoples with you - Possible additional Islamic Allies
[Sbeba and Dedan] - [Saudia Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the Gulf States]

Mark Hitchcock

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia, Central Asia, and possibly Afghanistan, Turkey
Persia - Iran
Cush - Sudan
Put - Libya
Gomer - Turkey
Bethtogarmah - Turkey

Arnold Fruchtenbaum

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - Ethiopia
Put - Somalia (and definitely not Libya)
Gomer - Germany
Bethtogarmah - Armenia
Many Peoples with you - May or may not mean additional countries

John Hagee

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - Ethiopia
Put - Libya

Tim LaHaye

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - Sudan
Put - Lybia
Gomer - Turkey
Bethtogarmah - Turkey

Jimmy DeYoung

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia, Turkey
Persia - Iran, Pakistan, Afganistan
Cush - Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan
Put - Libya

John Walvoord

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - East of Egypt and West of Red Sea (But Uncertain)
Put - South of Cush in Africa (But Uncertain)
Gomer - Asia Minor and others in Eastern Europe
Bethtogarmah - Armenia
[Sbeba and Dedan] - [Southwestern and Southern Arabia]

Jack Kelley

Magog - Russia
Meshech and Tubal - Eastern Turkey
Persia - Iran
Cush and Put
Cush - Ethiopia
Put - Libya
Gomer - Eastern Europe
Beth Togarmah - Armenia and Turkey (not Kurds)
Sheba and Dedan - Nations of the Arabian Peninsula to include Saudi Arabia

Grant Jeffries

The land of Magog --- Russia
Meshech and Tubal --- Somewhere in Russia
Persia --- Iran. Iraq & Afghanistan
Ethiopia --- Ethiopia and Sudan
Libya --- Libya
Ashkenaz --- Austria and Germany
Gomer --- Eastern Europe
Togarmah --- Southeastern Europe - Turkey
"Many peoples with thee" ---- Various other nations allied to Russia

Britt Gillette

Rosh = Russia
Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan
Persia = Iran
Cush = Sudan
Put = Libya
Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey

Nathan Jones

Rosh = Russia
Magog= Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan
Persia = Iran
Cush = Ethiopia, Sudan
Put = Libya, and possibly Tunisia and Algeria
Meshech, Tubal, Beth-togarmah = Turkey, and possibly Azerbaijan, Armenia
Gomer = Gimirrai of the Assyrians, or Cimmerians, who lived in the Black Sea area adjacent to Turkey

 

[Growing in Grace]

Thanks for posting all of this TT! I love how Dr. Fruchtenbaum writes.

This really puzzles me:

One interesting observation is that not a single Arab nation participates in this invasion. While some of the nations listed here are Moslem, they are not Arab.

 

[Growing in Grace]

From Nathan Jones with the Lion and Lamb Ministries: Is the Battle Between Israel and Hamas a Prophetic War?

"Another Piece of the Puzzle

Psalm 83 may only be a prophetic theory, but it explains missing countries not listed as participating in the Gog-Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39—a gap that has long puzzled students of Bible prophecy. The defeat of Israel’s near-by enemies in the Psalm 83 War could provide the peaceful precondition to the Gog-Magog War. It would also lead the outer ring of Muslim nations to fear Israel’s power in the region and covet its control of even more natural resources than their underwater gas fields, hence Gog’s desire to plunder Israel.

Therefore, I can only conclude that Israel’s war with Hamas is not the prophetic War of Gog and Magog because the combatant nations just do not match. I also cannot claim at this time that the ongoing conflict reflects the prophetic Psalm 83 War either. Now, should the conflict with Hamas escalate into Israel fighting all their hostile bordering neighbors, and particularly should Israel suddenly obliterate Damascus, then yes, we could well be witnessing the runup to the first of these prophetic wars—the Psalm 83 War."

Personally I haven't considered Psalm 83 as a prophecy until today.

This map is from Jones' article:

 

[Andiamo]

I've compiled this list of published Believers showing their thoughts on who the Eze 38-39 invaders are. As you'll see there isn't perfect agreement on that question. I wish I'd included reference to the specific books/articles that I took this info from, but when I first started compiling the list I wasn't smart enough to do that. It's possible that some could have changed their opinions since I collected the information:

Joel Rosenberg

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia and former Soviet Republics
Persia - Iran
Cush - Sudan, Ethiopia, and possibly Eritrea
Put - Libya, Algeria, Tunisia
Gomer - Turkey and possibly Germany and Austria
Bethtogarmah - Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkic-speaking peoples of Asia Minor and Central Asia
Countries with mountanous borders with Israel - Syria, Lebanon, and northern Jordan
Many Peoples with you - Possible additional Islamic Allies
[Sbeba and Dedan] - [Saudia Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the Gulf States]

Mark Hitchcock

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia, Central Asia, and possibly Afghanistan, Turkey
Persia - Iran
Cush - Sudan
Put - Libya
Gomer - Turkey
Bethtogarmah - Turkey

Arnold Fruchtenbaum

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - Ethiopia
Put - Somalia (and definitely not Libya)
Gomer - Germany
Bethtogarmah - Armenia
Many Peoples with you - May or may not mean additional countries

John Hagee

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - Ethiopia
Put - Libya

Tim LaHaye

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - Sudan
Put - Lybia
Gomer - Turkey
Bethtogarmah - Turkey

Jimmy DeYoung

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia, Turkey
Persia - Iran, Pakistan, Afganistan
Cush - Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan
Put - Libya

John Walvoord

Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal - Russia
Persia - Iran
Cush - East of Egypt and West of Red Sea (But Uncertain)
Put - South of Cush in Africa (But Uncertain)
Gomer - Asia Minor and others in Eastern Europe
Bethtogarmah - Armenia
[Sbeba and Dedan] - [Southwestern and Southern Arabia]

Jack Kelley

Magog - Russia
Meshech and Tubal - Eastern Turkey
Persia - Iran
Cush and Put
Cush - Ethiopia
Put - Libya
Gomer - Eastern Europe
Beth Togarmah - Armenia and Turkey (not Kurds)
Sheba and Dedan - Nations of the Arabian Peninsula to include Saudi Arabia

Grant Jeffries

The land of Magog --- Russia
Meshech and Tubal --- Somewhere in Russia
Persia --- Iran. Iraq & Afghanistan
Ethiopia --- Ethiopia and Sudan
Libya --- Libya
Ashkenaz --- Austria and Germany
Gomer --- Eastern Europe
Togarmah --- Southeastern Europe - Turkey
"Many peoples with thee" ---- Various other nations allied to Russia

Britt Gillette

Rosh = Russia
Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan
Persia = Iran
Cush = Sudan
Put = Libya
Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey

Nathan Jones

Rosh = Russia
Magog= Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan
Persia = Iran
Cush = Ethiopia, Sudan
Put = Libya, and possibly Tunisia and Algeria
Meshech, Tubal, Beth-togarmah = Turkey, and possibly Azerbaijan, Armenia
Gomer = Gimirrai of the Assyrians, or Cimmerians, who lived in the Black Sea area adjacent to Turkey

Thanks for this list. So interesting.
About Arnold, I think it’s pretty obvious that Turkey will be in the alliance. But haven’t ruled out Germany, ever since I spoke to a German at my church, who was telling me about how vastly different the thinking is in East Germany compared to West Germany. Basically he was saying they will go along with anything. Makes me wonder if there will be a split or splinter of some sort there. And maybe their forces will glob on with Turkey’s.

 

[Andiamo]

Fruchtenbaum, A, Footsteps of the Messiah (2nd Ed.), The Northern Alliance Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38:1-39:16; page 120-121, Tustin, CA:Ariel Ministries

The Timing of the Invasion - End of Millennium View

A fourth major view puts it at the end of the Millennium. The key basis of this view is to identify this invasion as the same as that mentioned in Revelation 20:7-9.

But there are two key objections to this view. First, the Ezekiel invasion comes from the north; the Revelation invasion comes from all over the world. Second, this view also fails to answer the problem of the seven months and the seven years. This earth is done away with soon after the invasion mentioned in Revelation, not allowing any time (or place!) For seven months of burial or seven years of burning. It would require the burying and burning to continue into the Eternal Order.

Not sure about this anymore. Ever since I read that other article on here, that explained that the Eziekel war could be—not the same as, but simultaneous with—Rev 20. As for the burning of the weapons, if they are burned for fuel, then what’s the big deal? Clean energy. Haha. The burial, I don’t know, except for carrion birds helping the process. Eating the flesh so it doesn’t rot, so there is no stench, just bones? We can’t know exactly how the details will work out in the Millenium but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen that way.