The Bible does not explicitly state the exact day that Jesus will rapture the Church or return to reign over His eternal Kingdom but gives us signs that indicate that the day of our Lord is close. As many events, especially the end times conflicts, revolve around Israel, whenever there is conflict, many tend to associate it with end times. Although there is no single indicator of the soon arrival of the end times, the war between Israel and its neighboring enemies is undoubtedly a prophetic mark.
We know from the Bible that in the end times the devil will fight two final battles: the battle of Armageddon waged against the nation of Israel at the end of the tribulation and the battle of Gog and Magog waged against God’s people at the end of the Millennium. Israel-Hamas attack is neither of these! However, a closer look at the prophecy in Ezekiel 38-39 calls for considering an important pretribulation event.
Ezekiel 38-39 prophesied an attack on Israel led by Gog from the land of Magog, which would take place in the last days. The use of this designation “Gog ang Magog” also appears in Revelation 20:7–9 , but a closer examination of the two passages reveals that they do not refer to the same events. In fact, the prophecy of Revelation clearly refers to the post-millennial battle of Gog and Magog, while the prophecy of Ezekiel concerns the pre-millennial [even pretribulation] battle where Gog from the land of Magog is the leader of a great army that attacks the peaceful and unsuspecting land of Israel, after Israel’s restoration and regathering of Jews in their homeland (Ezekiel 38:8,11). The identities of Gog and Magog are the key to fully understanding the prophecy.
Historically speaking, Magog was a grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2; 1Chronicles 1:5). Magog's descendants are described as skilled warriors who settled in the far north of Israel, probably in Europe and northern Asia (Ezekiel 38:2, 15). As for Gog, he is identified as the grandson of the prophet Joel (1 Chronicles 5:4) and associated with the distant Magog line as ruler of the land of Magog, extending into the land of Magog’s siblings: Tubal and Meshek (some translations add “Rosh” to the list). The prophecy makes it clear that Gog's attack on Israel must be carried out in cooperation with a confederation of other nations: Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Beth Togarmah (Ezekiel 38:2–6).
Considering historical changes, it is important to identify the current geographic location of this confederacy for a clear understanding of this Battle. Most commentators and Bible scholars identify “Magog” as present-day Russia, while "Meshek" refers to either Moscow or the people north of the Black Sea (the region of southern Russia and Ukraine), and “Tubal”, a Siberian city or region in central Turkey. The nations aligned with Russia (Magog) for this military endeavour are Persia (present-day Iran), Put (present-day Libya), Cush (present-day Sudan), Gomer (part of present-day Turkey), and Beth Togarmah (present-day Armenia). In a broad view, Gog and Magog were assimilated with the Magyars in the 10th century and with the entire Muslim world, led by Mohammed and Saladin, in the Middle Ages ( Matt,nd). Regardless of the exact locations of Magog, Tubal, and Meshek, there is no doubt that the general area includes portions of Russia and the former Soviet Union, and some Arab countries. Russia's recent efforts to restore its dominance and strong alignment with several Muslim countries in opposition to Israel could be a testament to this.
According to Ezekiel 38:13, when Gog brings his armies along with their above allies against Israel, some nations will protest. It is Sheba and Dedan who are associated with the regions of North Africa. Tarshish could refer to Spain (which colonized much of South America), or Britain (which colonized the United States and some East African nations). In other words, just as Gog and Magog form a coalition of Islamic militant states against Israel, another group of a few nations will prevail in support of Israel. It is an aggressive invasion indeed! However, whatever the Magog’s coalition, the Lord God is against him and will defeat him soundly (Ezekiel 38:4, 19-23; 39:3-5).
After discussing the context, it is now important to dissect the timing of this battle to find its place in history. While some scholars tend to confuse this with the Battle of Armageddon where Israel will be at peace assumed by the Antichrist at the start of the tribulation (Daniel 9:27a), Ezekiel makes it clear that the people of Israel will burn the enemy’s weapons for seven years and will spend over seven months burying the dead (Ezekiel 39:9–10, 12–16). This period clearly requires the battle to be fought before the tribulation. Ezekiel involves only a limited number of nations led by Gog who attacks from the north, whereas the final battle at Armageddon will involve "the kings of the whole world" orchestrated by Antichrist, who is the final ruler of the Roman Empire (EU) (Revelation 16:14; Joel 3:1-2). Additionally, the invaders in Ezekiel's context will be driven into Siberia, "a barren and desolate land whose face is toward the eastern sea" (Joel 2:20), while those who survive Armageddon will be gathered to Jerusalem for the final judgment as “sheep” or “goats” (Matthew 25:31-46). The evidence shows that this battle is distinct from the Battle of Armageddon, which will take place at the end of the tribulation. Rather, it is one of the events leading up to the beginning of the tribulation.
So where can we place Hamas' attack on Israel? Well, not every conflict over or around Israel can qualify as Gog's battle. However, there are elements that require closer attention to Hamas' attack on Israel before we can buckle up. The Bible tells us in the end times that Israel would be scattered and regathered. This has happened and Israel become a nation again in 1948, and this really was the sign that set the prophetic clock ticking. Ezekiel's prophecy places Gog's attack after the regathering of Israel on their land (Ezekiel 38:8) and it should take place in the last days (Ezekiel 38:16). As we soon anticipate the Rapture of the Church, the timing is satisfied, but given the history of Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, further evidence would be required, particularly the military alliance of Gog, as preciously described.
Russia (Magog) has never formed a military alliance with Persia (Iran) and its avowed Islamic allies against Israel since it became a nation. Rather, these states developed a special connection, e.g., Russia signed billion-dollar contracts to sell missiles to Iran, and the Iranians helped the Russians by providing them with drones, armed drones for use in the Ukraine war. Their military cooperation with Hamas is not yet clear, but we can hear speculation that Hamas is already finding support from Iran, Turkey, and some other Muslim allies. The fact that Hamas is among the leagues of Islamic groups dedicated to seizing Israel's lands qualifies it as the possible trigger for the confederate battle. However, the Hamas attack is not yet conclusive until much is revealed. The involvement of Gog or his described allies would be a decisive trumpet to fasten our belts for something that could pave the way for the arrival of a new world leader who will rise to promise world peace, the Antichrist!
In all whichever way Gog uses to invade Israel to case more turmoil and engage the world into an end-time battle, it appears that the battle opposes a coalition of Islamic militants and a few states arising to support Israel. The satanically motivated hatred towards Israel from all its surrounding Neighbours (Hamas, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, etc.) is just a preview of the end-time agenda. What is more certain is that the prince of the world is preparing the ground for the Antichrist to come to power through a peace treaty in which Israel will participate (Daniel 9:27). As for the Church, we are told to be ready for the rapture when these things begin to happen (Luke 21:28).
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Further Resources
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