7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. 8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”
10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’— 12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ” ’
14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” 17 Thus says the Lord God: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them? Ezekiel 38: 7-17
Ezekiel 38: 7-17 Gog in the Latter Days
7-9 Prepare yourself and be ready - Frightening words, God telling the enemy of Israel to prepare himself for war, as noted before, He drew him out with a hook, though Gog thinks he comes of his own clever scheming. This is a level of sovereignty that racks the mind, that what you intend for evil, God can use for good. God needs no one to believe in Him, it is but grace when men do.
…26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28But no one at the table knew why Jesus had said this to him.… John 13: 26-28
After many days -
After many days "alludes to the nearly identical phrase "end of days," which designates the time of the messianic kingdom (Gen 49:1-days to come; Isa 2:2-last days; Jer 23:20-last days; Jer 30:24-note- latter days; Hos 3:5-last days; Mic 4:1-last days)." (HCSB)
In the latter years - I believe this to be during the Tribulation, the first half of which Israel is at peace because of a treaty made with the Antichrist. Gog's army only represents the armies of the north, who also align with the Arab armies of the south, as discussed in the last blog. Gog and Magog There will also be the armies of Antichrist (revived Roman Empire), and a massive army from the east numbering 200 million at the very end of the Great Tribulation, the last 3.5 years of the 7 year Tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble. Right now we live in the time between the 69th week and the start of the 70th week.
MacArthur feels these events will occur at "the end of the future tribulation period of 7 years. Israel will have been under a false peace in treaty with the Antichrist (Da 9:27; 11:22, 24), before he turns on them in the “abomination of desolation” (Mt 24:15; cf. Da 9:27). The false peace will end in hostility lasting to the completion of the 7 years (Zec 14:1-3). When this final war occurs (cf. Rev 16:12-16), Christ will ultimately conquer the beast, the false prophet, and all the ungodly forces (Rev 19:11-21) in order to establish His millennial kingdom (Rev 20:1-10). - Precept Austin
…24Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
…26Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. 27And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.” Daniel 9: 24-27
14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 15So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.… Matthew 24: 14-16
Now all of them dwell safely - So, when Israel comes back from Babylon, one of the things they do is fortify the walls. They have not dwelt in self governance in the land till recent times, and they have never dwelt safely, so they put up walls because their neighbors are still at odds with them. This looks to the time of "peace" under a false Christ.
And many people with you - Gog is coming with Persia, Cush and others that want a piece of Israel.
Like a storm (cp parallel description in Ezek 38:16) - Suddenly, ferociously the anti-Semitic confederacy will come against the Promised Land. The invasion is most likely a "surprise attack" for it occurs at a time when Israel is dwelling securely (Ezek 38:11, cp Ezek 34:27, 28, 38:8, 14, 39:26). - Precept Austin
10-13 Thoughts will arise in your mind - Men cannot do good in any acceptable form to God, or thought or work as unto salvation, for his nature is evil. Yet, God can work all these things together for the good of those who love Him. It is beyond my mind, the wisdom of God. The wisdom of man starts in the heart, one separated from God, dead in trespasses and sins, a slave to a fallen nature. So are the the thoughts of this Gog of Magog.
27You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.… Matthew 5: 27-29
…5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. 6And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”… Genesis 6: 5-7
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 13When tempted, no one should say, “ God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.… James 1: 12-14
Peter Naylor - In this section the God of Israel informs Gog that although it is predetermined that he shall attack Israel, the tyrant nevertheless does so willingly. Divine sovereignty ordains, predicts—and will harness—human villainy, yet the villain in question remains solely accountable for his evil machinations. Because he, and he alone, aspires to annihilate the people of God, Gog will be no automaton, a nerveless puppet on a string: ‘in that day … matters will arise in your heart and you will devise an evil scheme’ (Ezek 38:10).
I will go up against a land of unwalled villages - Israel is in what they think is a time of peace, lasting peace, at least 7 years worth, yet the power of this antichrist is limited. Those that hate and envy Israel will see a people sleeping, not worried about attack, which these predators take as opportunity. Jerusalem has only been without walls in modern times, yet they have yet to be in a time of real peace. They have never had the full allotment of land that God promised, and these other armies, this northern army of Gog, with Iran and others, I think will be the first to test the strength of the Antichrist, which will eventually lead to all the armies of the world converging on this little nation, Armageddon.
To take plunder and to take booty - Ah, the thoughts of his heart exposed, and he thinks is this what he is going to do. Today, people want the same, yet they cry for equality when they really want special treatment. They hate rich people, call them greedy, but it's envy, they want what that person has, and they don't care whether it was earned by hard labor, genius or by theft and oppression. In the end they will always claim it was the latter and that will be justification for them to take it by violence, by theft and oppression.
…2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.… Philippians 2: 2-4
…14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.… James 3: 14-16
Have you come to take plunder - Both of the questions from the surrounding nations are wonderful, because this is part of the intent, but what man intends for evil, God can overrule. He will use this to not only display His glory, but in doing so He will use this opportunity to close out the time of the gentiles and fulfill His covenant with Abraham. Some of the nations that are asking this may want a piece of the action, but also consider this a holy sight for Islam as well. There is a lot at stake here.
Sheba - Eastern Arabia
Dedan - Arabia
Modern computer studies have shown that Jerusalem is, indeed, very near the geographical center of all the earth's land areas and, therefore, the "center of the nations". Here in Ezekiel (Ezek 38:14) refers to those who live at Jerusalem as those "who live at the center (navel) of the world." Why does God make this geographical point? God had called Israel to be a light to the nations and placed her strategically in their midst to facilitate the fulfillment of her calling. Yet she rebelled and rejected her "yoke" of responsibility. In Deuteronomy God had instructed Israel to "Faithfully obey these laws. This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight. When they hear about all these laws, they will say, "What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!" (New Living Translation) (Dt 4:6) Believers are given a similar charge by Jesus who reminds us that our purpose is to be "the salt of the earth but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Mt 5:13-16) Are you redeeming the time, letting your light shine? Or have you lost your savor like Israel and in danger of being thrown out and trampled under foot by men? As MacDonald says "We as Christians have even higher privileges than the Jews. May the Lord give us grace not to misuse them and thus bring about our own temporal judgment and loss of eternal rewards! " - Precept Austin
14-17 Out of the far north - Gog isn't described as just north of Israel, a northern neighbor, but "far north". He comes with a lot of peoples too, so he could and most likely will have their closer neighbors of Syria and Turkey, and Syria has been an ally of Russia, along with Egypt and Iran in modern times.
Remote parts of the north (cf Ezek 38:6; 39:2) - On a modern map, the closest countries directly to the North of Israel are Lebanon, Syria (slightly to the east), Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Russia being the most remotely north. Israel has been attacked from the north by Assyria, Babylon, and the Hittites.
Remote (uttermost - ESV, remotest - HCSB) (03411)(yarkah) means a remote are, the far end, something distant, far away (eg, Jdg 19:1, 18, 2Ki 19:23)
It will be in the latter days - These kings and princes, earthly rulers, will come to Israel with a thought in their head, wicked intentions, but God will use this most extreme and seemingly packed, almost rushed time in history, to make His glory known in the world and establish Christ's reign on earth. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess in that day.
So that the nations may know Me
…13However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.” 15While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless.… Daniel 10: 13-15
1 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. 2And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.… Micah 4: 1-2
Are you he - This is God speaking to Gog. Wow, it was prophesied that they would be taken into captivity for their sins, which happened more than once, and they have been under more than one pagan ruler, Assyria we know, Babylon we know, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome, and at the time of Ezekiel, Assyria had taken the northern kingdom already, Ezekiel was in Babylon, but Isaiah had already prophesied the coming of Cyrus with the Medo-Persian empire. This looks past all this to the end of days, a ruler in the north. God will bring him against Israel to show His power to all, and Israel will finally see the One Whom they despised and rejected, and there will be an outpouring of God's spirit.
1Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: 3“Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”… Psalm 2: 1-3
“In any case we must somehow link this chapter with Joel 3 and Zechariah 14, which also describe a great attack on Jerusalem, during which the Lord appears to overthrow the enemy.” (Wright)
ii. “Notice that twice it is stated (Ezekiel 38:17; 39:8) that former prophets foretold this invasion (Psalm 2:1-3; Isaiah 29:1-8; Joel 2:20; 3:9-21; Zechariah 12:1 ff.; 14:2-3).” (Feinberg)
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