Ezekiel's Prophecy of Gog and Magog

There are several prophecies in the Bible that haven't been fulfilled. Most have to do with the 7 year tribulation, Christ's second coming and of course Israel. One of my favorite prophecies to study is found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. In these chapters we read about an attack on Israel led by countries known as Gog and Magog. In the following post, I will discuss this prophecy. The following information is from the Bible, various commentaries, dictionaries and other sources that will be sited at the end.

Beginning with chapter 38, Ezekiel names several nations that will join forces to attack Israel. These include: Gog, Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer and Beth Togarmah "from the far north". Of the above nine names, only one is not a geographical location - Gog. Instead it is a title like President or King. Gog will lead this invasion against Israel. From the New International Bible Commentary (F.F. Bruce) we read that "the chief prince" mentioned in verse 3 is "preferable to 'prince of Rosh' which adds another name to our geographical list.

Each of these countries was easily identified in Ezekiel's day, but most of the above names seem foriegn to us. Once you identify what countries inhabit these ancient lands, though, it is easier to piece together.

Rosh (ancient Sarmatians) was also known as Rashu, Rasapu, Ros and Rus. Today we call her Russia.

Magog (ancient Scythians) is present day Central Asia. "Islamic southern republics of the former Soviet Union with a population of 60 million Muslims. This territory could include modern Afghanistan." (M. Hitchcock)

Meshech included ancient Muschki and Musku in Cilicia and Capadocia. Tubal was in ancient Cappadocia. Today both are known as Turkey along with southern Russia and Iran.

Libya, the easiest, known as ancient Put and west of Egypt is known today as...Libya.

Persia is probably the second easiest of the list. Persia changed it's name to Iran in 1935.

Ethiopia in ancient Cush, south of Egypt is present day Sudan.


Finally, both Gomer and Beth-togarmah, both of which are present day Turkey.

So our list of key players will be Russia, Iran, Turkey, Sudan, Libya as well as numerous several Islamic countries in Central Asia. Each will bring all of their military strength to the table for this attack. Led probably by either Russia or Iran, these countries will have one goal in mind: the complete and utter annihilation of Israel.


We know their target is Israel from verse 8 which states, "...In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety." Israel regathered "from many nations" and returned from a very long absence and became a nation in 1948.

An interesting side note - God has promised Israel that she will never again be removed from her land (Amos 9:14-15). Prior to the prophecy of Gog and Magog, Ezekiel 37:15-28 tells us that Israel will be one nation, no longer split into two (Israel and Judah). Despite all these nations (and others) who wish to destroy Israel, it will never happen.

Verses 8, 11 and 14 of Ezekiel 38 give hints as to when this attack may occur. All state that Israel will be "living securely". There is a chance that Israel could enter a brief time of peace, possibly reaching some type of agreement with Iran in the near future. No doubt this would be a false security, but it is possible. The other possibility is during the 7 year tribulation.

The tribulation will take place after the rapture of the church. Officially it will not begin until the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel and all of her neighbors that is to last 7 years. However prophecy teaches that the 7 years of peace will only last 3 1/2 years before The Antichrist decides to destroy Israel.

There are some that assume that it is when The Antichrist retracts his peace agreement the attacks of Gog and Magog occur leading to the Great Tribulation (the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation). Others believe that this will be World War III and/or Armageddon. Others believe this to be inaccurate for several reasons (one being that Armageddon doesn't take place in Jerusalem, but Megiddo) but we'll focus on the strongest argument.

"Ezekiel 39:9-10 indicates that for seven winters the people of Israel will burn the leftover implements of [the] war" with Gog and Magog. "Since the Jews will be persecuted by the Antichrist for the last three and a half years of the Tribulation, that may suggest that Russia and her Arab allies will be destroyed at least three and a half years prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. It could, of course, be more." (Lahaye) Therefore, this attack is most likely to occur anytime between now and shortly before the signing of the seven year treaty (at the latest). Also, Armageddon occurs at the end of the Tribulation, so Israel wouldn't be living in peace as Scripture states, but in hiding.

It is not difficult to pick a reason on why this attack will take place. Iran has already stated that it would destroy Israel. Russia and Iran are close allies. All of the other nations listed above hate Israel. Ezekiel tells us that this attack will occur "so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes." It is sobering to think about the possible revival this will bring about across the globe, especially if it happens prior to the rapure.


With the exception of the final battles of the tribulation, this attack on Israel will be the largest in it's history. Verse 16 states, "You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land." In all likelyhood, Israel will stand alone when it occurs. In a recent post, FOX News reported that the U.S. denied Israel any help in the form of weapons to make a pre-emptive strike on Iran. Russia is also off everyones nice list after their attack on Georgia and refusal to leave. It wouldn't have any hinderance on attacking Israel. No one is quite sure what to do with Russia because of its recent actions. Throw in a war-weary United States and it all helps set the stage nicely.

UPDATE (August 20): MSNBC is reporting that Russia is "freezing" it's military ties with NATO and allied countries. This could also play into/set the stage futher for an attack on Israel. Click here for the article.

So how will little Israel withstand such a massive invasion? "This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Soverign Lord. In my zeal and fiery wrah I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beast of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountians will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountians, declares the Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute poor judgement upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones, and burning sulfur on him and his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord." (Ezekiel 38:18-23)

Ezekiel goes on to tell us that all the attacking troops will be destroyed and given over to animals to feast on them. There will be so much carnage that it will take Israel seven months to bury the dead and then "they will begin their search" (39:14). The cleanup will be so extensive that a town (Hamanoh meaning Horde) will be established in the valley at the gravesites to aid the cleanup crews. Fire will upon the actual attacking nations. Some believe this means that those nations coming against Israel will be completely destroyed. It is interesting to think that in our lifetime Russia, Iran and almost all (if not all) Islamic countries will cease to exist.

At the end of chapter 39, God once again states his purpose for this attack: "From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God." Ezekiel 39:22

There you have it, a quick run-down of Ezekiel 38-39. An attack led by Russia and Iran along with Turkey, Sudan, Libya as well as numerous several Islamic countries will come upon Israel (more than likely) before the rapture or shortly there after. Though the odds will be greatly agaisnt her, God will supernaturally protect Israel -destroying her enemies. Then there will be a revival among Jews and Gentiles as they see that the Lord is God.

I hope this is informative. Some of you may disagree with it and that is fine. If nothing else, I wanted to write it so whenever it does occur there will be one more place for people look back and find it. In that way I hope it brings others to the Lord.

Forgive any scattered-brain(ness). It was not the easiest topic to write while chasing my 8 month old around the house. Soon I will work on my Antichrist post. May not be until next week though.


Zondervan. The Holy Bible, New International Version. 1996.

Lahaye, Tim. Revelation Unveiled. Zondervan Publishing House. 1999.

Butler, Trent ed. Holman Bible Dictionary.Holman Bible Publishers. 1991.

Bruce, F.F. ed. New International Bible Commentary. Zondervan. 1979.

Lahaye, Tim & Ed Hindson ed. The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy. Harvest House Pupblishers. 2004.