I have some opinions on Ezekiel 38 and 39 which almost nobody shares.  If anyone else agrees with me, let me know because it would be the first time anyone has.  I believe that the Gog/Magog prophecies have been sensationalized almost to the extent of the rapture prophecies.  Most prophecy students believe it’s a fact that the land dubbed Magog is the land of Russia.  A majority of articles I read also believe that the Gog invasion will occur prior to Daniel’s seventieth week in order to set up a scenario for a seven year peace treaty, or will occur after a seven year peace treaty has been established resulting in peaceful living in the land of Israel.

   It is true that this figure named Gog comes out of the north parts.  To put this in relation to Israel is good hermeneutics.  But just how far north are we talking about?  Look at some of the countries that are aligned with Gog, Ezekiel 38:5-6.  We have Persia which was east of Israel in modern day Iran.  Ethiopia and Libya are in Africa, which is sort of south of Israel.  The Mediterranean Sea is west of Israel.  Gomer and Togarmah are usually identified with portions of modern day Turkey and part of the Ukraine, which of course is north of Israel.  It’s like Ezekiel used terminology to convey a conglomerate of military forces from all sides of Israel.  From the south, east, and north, they will gather against you headed up by this figure from the north.

   So is Magog actually Russia?  It could be.  It seems very likely considering our current scenario.  But I don’t have it written in stone as some prophecy scholars do.  We need to keep our eyes on the development of leagues and treaties to see which nations will be confederate against Israel.  Russia could ally itself with China to become part of the kings of the east instead of the Gog/Magog conglomerate from the north.  Turkey could very well be at the heart of this Gog/Magog prophecy and we just don’t know it yet.  My options are open on this.

   One thing I am not very open minded on is timing.  Here is the portion where I can’t find anybody to agree with me.  My previous two posts show that I am Millennarian.  Ezekiel 38-39 has language that clearly identifies itself with Armageddon which is a PreMillennial event occurring at the very end of Daniel’s 70^th week.  Yet Revelation 20:7-9 explain Gog/Magog to be a PostMillennial event.  Solution:  By examining the original prophecy, we can clearly see a division which shows a portion of Gog/Magog to be fulfilled before the Millennium and a portion to be fulfilled after the Millennium (after many days).

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   In Revelation, we read about the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21) which occurs before the Millennial Kingdom which matches up with Ezekiel 38:1-7 and Ezekiel 39. We also read about Gog and Magog coming against the beloved city after the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:7-9) which matches up with Ezekiel 38:8-23.  Ezekiel saw both events but they can be distinguished.  They are quite similar but separated by at least a millennium. This is the ultimate end of mankind without God; to be forever in rebellion against Him, even after His glory has been demonstrated by ruling in person for 1000 years.

   Jeremiah 23:5-6, mentioned above, has a parallel passage in Jeremiah 33:15-17.  You can compare with Jeremiah 32:37-41 linking safe dwelling with the everlasting covenant.  Isaiah 32:15-18 portrays the pouring out of the spirit occurring with the secure dwelling of God’s people in a peaceable habitation.  Ezekiel’s own use of the word confirms my view.  Ezekiel 28:25-26 but especially 34:24-31 show a picture of God restoring His relationship with the nation of Israel and giving them complete safety.  Note Ezekiel 39:26 which places the dwelling in safety after God has slaughtered the forces of PreMil Gog at the battle of Armageddon.