Has the War of Gog and Magog Started?

At the beginning of the 20th century, many would have scoffed at the idea of Russia becoming a world power. That happened after World War II when Soviet forces occupied Eastern European countries. Differences between the United States and the Eastern bloc nations resulted in the Cold War. Since the collapse of communism in 1991, the U. S. and Russia had better relations. That changed a few days ago when Russian troops invaded the Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has talked of reestablishing the former Soviet Union.

I’m not blindly accepting everything reported by the mainstream media. While I don’t condone the war, other things are happening behind the scenes. While seeking information from alternative news sources, I learned targets taken out by Russian forces include bio-labs funded by the United States Department of Defense. What if Russia set up bio-labs in Canada or Mexico? The U. S. government would likely take swift action like what happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. 


Some Bible prophecy buffs believe this invasion is the start of a war mentioned in Ezekiel 38... 


1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 

2 Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 

3 and say, "Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I am against you…

4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 

5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you…


Gog is a person who rules over the area of Magog that includes modern day Russia. Rosh is another name for Russia. Meshech is Moscow while Tubal is the Russian city Tobolsk. Persia is now Iran. Gomer includes modern day Germany. Togarmah is in Armenia and Turkey.


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.”


Why will Russia and its allies attempt to takeover Israel? Verse 12 says “to take plunder and to take booty.” Because communism damaged the Russia economy, they have struggled to feed their own people. Meanwhile, Israel has prospered since it’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 (a fulfillment of Matthew 24:32-35). The Lord will supernaturally protect Israel like He did in the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War… 


21 "I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains," says the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother. 

22 And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 

23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”’


There are differing opinions on whether this war will happen before or during the seven-year tribulation. I believe it will occur before the Antichrist is in power. One reason is Ezekiel 39:9 says, “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons…for seven years.” That won’t be needed when Jesus returns to set up His millennial kingdom. Also, the supernatural outcome of this war could trigger a great end-time harvest of souls before the rapture of the church. 


The Russian invasion of Ukraine could eventually set up a coalition of nations that will attempt to invade Israel. Regardless of when that happens, Christians need to keep their eyes on Jesus and continue sharing the gospel. Let’s also pray for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. Their nation has the highest percentage of evangelicals in the former U.S.S.R. and continental Europe. Many missionaries from Ukraine are fulfilling the Great Commission in different countries.


“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

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