– The Aggressors of the War of Gog and Magog – Ezekiel 38:1-4

According to Ezekiel, an alliance of enemies will attack Israel in the End Times. The
leader will be Gog of the land of Magog, who is the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. He is
assisted by Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, Beth Togarmah, and other nations. Most of these names
are listed in the genealogies of Genesis 10. Gog is not listed in Genesis 10, but he is evidently
the head of the land of Magog, who is mentioned as a son of Japheth, one of Noah‘s sons. It is
known that Japheth traveled north from Mt. Ararat after the flood.
Hesoid, a Greek writer of the 7th century BC, and contemporary of Ezekiel, identified
Magog with the Scythians and southern Russia. Flavius Josephus, a 1st century Jewish historian
said that Magogians were called “Scythians” by the Greeks. Philo, a 1st century Greek identified
Magog with southern Russia.89
Commentators from the turn of this century and before have generally identified Gog and
Magog with Russia even though, at the time, they could not explain why Russia would turn
against God’s people. They conjectured that perhaps the time would come when there would be
animosity between Russia and Israel.
Rosh (“head”, “chief”) sounds like Russia. Meshech sounds like Moscow or Mushkovi,
the old name for Russia. Tubal sounds like Tobolsk.

– The Target: Israel – Ezekiel 38:2-12
This is the only time in history that this could be said of Israel, that they were brought
back from many nations. It is true that they were brought back from Babylon and Persia in the
Old Testament, but it is only since the Zionist movement, which began in the late 1800’s, that
Jewish people have returned from nations all over the world. They had been scattered abroad
even in New Testament times. On the Day of Pentecost, for example, the various languages
spoken by the Apostles, when the Holy Spirit came upon them, represented the many lands
where they had settled. But they had not returned to stay. This really never happened until the
amazing events that led to the rebirth of Israel in 1948. What thoughts would come into Russia’s
mind to make them want to attack Israel? A consideration of Russia’s instability and the plans of
some of their leaders for expansion throughout the Mediterranean area is given below. Israel has
always been a key land bridge between Russia’s allies and is presently an enemy of some of
those allies. Any number of scenarios in the always-volatile Middle East politics could lead to a
Russian attack in the future.

– Russia’s Allies – Ezekiel 38:5-6
Persia is now known as Iran, and there is an amazingly close relationship now between
Russia and Iran. Cush is Ethiopia, Put is Libya, Gomer and Beth Togarmah may well be Turkey
and/or other Islamic nations like those once part of the Soviet Union.
It is interesting that Mizraim, the forefather of Egypt is apparently missing from this
lineup. This, of course, fits the current world scene, with Egypt being the first Arab nation to
make peace with Israel.

– Israel’s Allies – Ezekiel 38:13
Israel’s allies appear to be few and feeble. Some of Saudi Arabia was populated by Sheba
and Dedan. The merchants of Tarshish could be England and English colonies. In that case, The
United States could even be included since we were once an English colony. These allies ask
why Russia and its allies are coming, but do not appear to deter them.

The Outcome – Ezekiel 38:22
The quick end of this future war will be with God‘s judgment. It could be God‘s personal
power, raining literal fire and brimstone, as in the days of Sodom, or it could be God using
nation against nation, as he often did in the Old Testament, to precipitate a nuclear exchange.
And with pestilence and with blood I shall enter into judgment with him; and I shall rain on him,
and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones,
fire, and brimstone. – Ezekiel 38:22
The next chapter of Ezekiel continues to give details of this great conflict. Again, it is a
scene of utter destruction.
“And I shall strike your bow from your left hand, and dash down your arrows from your right
hand. 4 “You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops, and the peoples who
are with you; I shall give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. 5
“You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord GOD. 6 “And I
shall send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know
that I am the LORD.” – Ezekiel 39:3-6