FUTURE SEQUENTIAL PRE-TRIBULATIONAL EVENTS (1)

D. The Invasion by the Northern Alliance—Ezekiel 38:1–39:16

1. The Exposition of the Passage

Ezekiel 38:1–39:16 describes an invasion of Israel from the north and then the destruction of the invading armies once they reach the area of the mountains of Israel. We are going to glance at details of this invasion, but remember, we are going to focus on the controversial question as to when this invasion will take place.

a. The Alliance—Ezekiel 38:1–6

In Ezekiel 38, the prophet named the peoples involved in this invasion . In verses 2–4, attention is centered on Gog, leader of the land of Magog.

Ezekiel 38:2–4 NLT

2 “Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! 4 I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army—your horses and charioteers in full armor and a great horde armed with shields and swords.

He is the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. Who this person, Gog, can only be determined at the time of the invasion, because “Gog” is not a name but a title for the ruler of Magog, just like “pharaoh,” “kaiser,” and “czar” were titles for rulers, not names.

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.4051641,29.027191,3.91z?hl=en&authuser=0

Whoever is ruling this group of nations at the time of the invasion will be this one known as Gog. Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal are tribes that 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. Rosh was in what is now northern Russia. The name Rosh is the basis for the modern name Russia. These names, then, cover the modern territories for northern and southern Russia in Europe and Siberia to the east in Asia. The modern nation of Russia encompasses all these areas of Ezekiel. To avoid any further possible doubt, verse 6...

Ezekiel 38:6 NLT

6 Gomer and all its armies will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north, and many others.

… adds that these come from the uttermost parts of the north. This is repeated in chapter 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. So, Russia is the leader of the aligned group of nations, with Gog as the leader of Russia.

Verses 5–6 list other nations involved in the confederacy. Persia, which is present-day Iran is involved. Another nation involved is called Cush (Ethiopia). Put is mentioned next; and rather than referring to our modern day Libya, this country, Put is Somalia. Somalia borders Ethiopia. This is followed by Gomer in v. 6, located in present-day Germany. The last name is Togarmah (Beth-togarmah), which is present-day Armenia. Verse 6 adds the phrase even many peoples with you. So, according to what is written here, the answer as to “who” is involved, it is Russia and the allied states of Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany, and Armenia.

One interesting observation is that these nations are geographically located both north and south of Israel, but it is Russia that is the controlling nation. The invasion itself is from the north.

God’s judgment here is on Russia. It is God who is in control; it is He who is bringing the invasion about. So, while studying this passage, we 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 even to this day.

b. The Object of the Invasion—Ezekiel 38:7–9

The next section talks about where the invasion takes place.

Ezekiel 38:8 NLT

8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel.

In verse 8, the specific place where the invasion takes place is stated to be the Land of Israel, more specifically in the mountains of Israel.

Ezekiel 38:9 NLT

9 You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.

Then verse 9 describes the magnitude of the invasion, picturing it as a storm cloud that covers the entire Land. This is another passage that shows that we need a Jewish State and also a regathering in unbelief. Israel has to be a state before this invasion could occur. 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 of the nineteenth century, culminating with statehood in 1948. Since then, the waste places have been rebuilt and resettled on a more massive scale.

c. Gog’s Goal—Ezekiel 38:10–13

The next section talks about why this invasion takes place on the part of Russia.

Ezekiel 38:12 NLT

12 I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!’

The key reason for the Russian invasion, according to verses 12, is the matter of spoil. Exactly what Israel has that Russia would want is not spelled out in the text. The text simply mentions cattle and goods in verse 12 and

Ezekiel 38:13 NLT

13 But Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish will ask, ‘Do you really think the armies you have gathered can rob them of silver and gold? Do you think you can drive away their livestock and seize their goods and carry off plunder?’

silver and gold in verse 13, but these are general Old Testament references for spoils of war. A lot of guessing has been involved in what it is that Israel has that Russia would want. One of the more popular reasons given is the Dead Sea, which contains forty-five billion tons of sodium, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromide. But Russia could also obtain the Dead Sea by invading Jordan. But, another reason centers on oil, 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 this foothold without overly upsetting the Arabs, since the Arabs 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 favorably on a Russian occupation force in the Middle East. Whatever the publicly stated reasons for this invasion may be, the actual reason will be Russia’s own self-interest.

d. God’s Goal—Ezekiel 38:14–16

In Ezekiel 38:14–16, the invasion is seen as having begun and further goes into why, but this time it is seen from God’s viewpoint.

God’s reason is that He might be sanctified in the eyes of the nations in light of what is about to occur.

e. The Destruction of the Invaders—Ezekiel 38:17–23

With this 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, in verses 17–18, He moves out in judgment to destroy the invading army. This is followed by “how” the invading army is destroyed. Several causes are listed: earthquake in verses 19–20; civil war breaking out among the invading soldiers themselves in verse 21; pestilence, blood, floods, hailstones, fire, and brimstone in verse 22. These things totally destroy the invading army without the aid of other nations, so, God’s purpose is seen as succeeding in its objective. In verse 23, God is indeed sanctified in the eyes of many people.

f. The Place of the Destruction—Ezekiel 39:1–6

There are four basic rules of interpretation as formulated by Dr. David L. Cooper, the late founder and director of the Biblical Research society. First, The Golden Rule of Interpretation basically states that a verse can only mean what it means in its context and must not be taken out of its context.

A further description of the invasion and its subsequent destruction is given in Ezekiel 39:1–5.

Again in verses 2 and 4 the armies are said to fall specifically on the mountains of Israel with Jerusalem being the goal of this invading army.

One thing to notice is the mistranslation of verse 2 found in the King James Version.

Ezekiel 39:2 KJV 1900

2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

This is not found in the Hebrew text and has not been translated that way by subsequent translations.

Ezekiel 39:2 LHB

2 וְשֹׁבַבְתִּ֙יךָ֙ וְשִׁשֵּׁאתִ֔יךָ וְהַעֲלִיתִ֖יךָ מִיַּרְכְּתֵ֣י צָפ֑וֹן וַהֲבִאוֹתִ֖ךָ עַל־הָרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

The King James Version indicates that one-sixth of the invading army is left alive. The truth is that entire army will be destroyed when they invade Israel and nothing will remain, not even one-sixth.

Ezekiel 39:2 NLT

2 I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north.

Another dimension is added to the Russian invasion in Ezekiel 39:6.

Ezekiel 39:6 NLT

6 And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Then 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 in world affairs.

g. The Sanctification of God’s Name—Ezekiel 39:7–8

These verses add that not only will God’s Name be sanctified (blessed or made holy) among the Gentile nations, but in Israel as well.

So we will see a revival occurs in Israel, causing many Jews to turn to the Lord.

h. The Seven Years of Burning Ezekiel 39:9–10

The rest of Ezekiel 39:9–16 provides the grand finale of the invasion. Verses 9–10 state that it will take seven years to dismantle all the military equipment left behind, which in turn will be used for fuel.

i. The Seven Months of Burial—Ezekiel 39:11–16

Finally, there is a description of the burying of the dead for seven months in verses 11–16.

In verse 11...

Ezekiel 39:11 NLT

11 “And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his hordes in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea. It will block the way of those who travel there, and they will change the name of the place to the Valley of Gog’s Hordes.

...the burial place will be in the Jordan Valley above the Dead Sea, and will be renamed to Hamon Gog (Lit. The Multitude of Gog). Verse 12 state that...

Ezekiel 39:12 NLT

12 It will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury the bodies and cleanse the land.

...it will take seven months to accomplish the job. Since the armies are destroyed in the mountains of Israel, many of the bodies will fall into crevices where they will not be easily found, and so, according to verses 14–15, special details will be employed by the government for the seven months to search out these bodies for burial in the special valley. In verse 16...

Ezekiel 39:16 NLT

16 (There will be a town there named Hamonah, which means ‘horde.’) And so the land will finally be cleansed.

...overlooking the cemetery, a new city will be built and named Hamonah, which means “multitude or horde.”

Now, these seven months of burying and seven years of burning are crucial in determining when this invasion occurs. To correctly determine the time of this event, it must satisfy the requirements of these “seven months and seven years.”

2. The Timing of the Invasion

a. Basic Observations

In determining the issue of when this takes place, certain clues are to be found in the text. In Ezekiel 38:8, 11–12, 14, the invasion takes place: first, when Israel is a state again.

Ezekiel 38:8 (NLT)

8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel.

Secondly, when the waste places of past centuries are again inhabited.

Ezekiel 38:11–12 NLT

11 You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence! 12 I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!’

Thirdly, when Israel is dwelling in unwalled villages, a good description of present-day kibbutzim (A collective farm or settlement owned by its members in modern Israel); and fourthly, when Israel is dwelling securely.

Show the Hebrew Interlinear in the NLT.

Ezekiel 38:14 NLT

14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: When my people are living in peace in their land, then you will rouse yourself.

Now, the word peace in Hebrew is [betach /beh·takh/] and is the word for security. 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 a state of war or peace.

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.

Then, there is the reference of the seven years and the seven months, which must be taken into account in resolving the issue of “when.”

Remember first, Israel is established before the Tribulation and is dwelling securely. Secondly, the Russian confederacy invades Israel during this time of security before the Tribulation. Thirdly, the confederacy is destroyed in Israel before the Tribulation.

This invasion must take place at least 3½ years or more before the Tribulation begins (1/2 of the seven years of burning) because at the midpoint of the seven year tribulation, the Jews are attacked by the anti-christ and his hordes and flee to the mountains (Petra). So, there is plenty of time for the seven months of burial and the seven years of clean up also create are no problem since it would begin before the Tribulation and can extend as far as the middle of the Tribulation, if at all necessary.

FRUCHTENBAUM, ARNOLD G.: The Messianic Bible Study Collection. vol. 38. Tustin, CA : Ariel Ministries, 1983