Gog and Magog Prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39
Weird Stuff and Weekly Wrap Up 5-9-2025
Today’s Verse and Thought
“I will magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they shall know that I am the Lord.” ( Ezekiel 38:23)
How did Gog and Magog come to be the idols of London? “According to legends…the mythical King Brutus, first King of Britain, set up his palace on the site where Guildhall now stands. Two giants named Gog and Magog used to live there before Brutus set up home, and upon arrival he defeated them, tamed them, and shackled them outside his palace, to become guardians of his estate.” (source) (image Commons)
In the Beginning…
God created a perfect world - uncorrupted and pure. The heavens declared God’s glory, the earth declared His wonders. In Eden, humanity walked with God in a relationship of innocence and harmony. “Let Us make man in Our image,” God said (Genesis 1:26). Adam and Eve were created for dominion and communion. Humans are God’s image bearers.
But a supernatural serpent slithered in, speaking tempting words - “you will not surely die - you will be like God.” Humans listened to their own evil desires and chose deception.
Sin entered into the world and Death followed. The creation groaned, and humanity was exiled from God’s presence. Yet even in judgment, God declared hope: “The seed of the woman shall crush the serpent’s head” (Genesis 3:15). The Seed War was a promise of redemption.
As we’ve been looking at the prophecies that may soon be on the horizon, it’s important to keep in mind the reasons for all of the predicted destruction. It has always been about God restoring everything back to the state of Eden when God’s throne was among us, and we were in unhindered fellowship with Him.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”(Revelation 21:3)
In past studies we talked about the Golden Age of man. Every religious system has its version of a supernatural war between their gods and heroes. Each one claims a time of peace and prosperity. Even those who think that “space aliens” are our creators believe that they will return to “help” us restore the planet.
You and I believe in the Words of God in the Bible. We believe that Yahweh, The Most High, Creator of all things, has a restorative plan in place. All of the prophecies in Scripture drive the story of humanity on this narrow road that takes us back to our rightful inheritance and restores our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”(Psalms 25:1)
As we look at the various prophetic passages, we encounter interpretations that may not align with each other. All we humans can do is study and do our best to understand as we diligently watch for Jesus to return, and ask God to guide us.
All prophecy in the Bible points to the reign of Christ and the restoration of the earth. That is an agreed upon point across the entire Christian world so ultimately we stand on that.
A Future Storm - The War of Gog and Magog
The war that is taking place is a supernatural one. It is the ancient Seed War between God’s kingdom and the kingdom of darkness filled with evil characters - Satan, the Dragon, Death, Sin, Belzebub, the Devil, Chaos, the Serpent, Leviathan, Fallen Watchers, Nephilim…all wrapped up in the evil coalition, under the banner “Satan,” that uses humans to carry out their deeds.
What we witness on earth is human, but what we can’t see is the puppet masters of the evil realm controlling these humans. It’s why we are told that our battle is never with flesh and blood. This is a critical point to embrace as we study prophecy.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”(Ephesians 6:12)
As we look at this next prophecy - the war of Gog and Magog - we will keep in mind that there’s probably more to it than we think.
In the distant horizon a storm brews in the north, beyond the mountains and across the plains where ancient empires once rose and fell. In the shadows, an alliance is forming.
A powerful leader named Gog, from the mysterious land of Magog, eyes Israel with cold calculation. He is the “chief prince of Meshech and Tubal”, regions thought to possibly align with modern Russia or Turkey. Some scholars think this character, Gog, is a supernatural being rather than a human leader.
There is a third possibility, however.
If we think about all the conflicts and wars that have taken place throughout all time, there is a supernatural component to all of them. So as we briefly look at the common teaching of the war in Ezekiel 38, Gog and the North may not only be referring to actual identifiable places, but also to its supernatural underpinnings, since that is the nexus of our struggles.
We know for a fact that “many people” will be part of this war but there will be spiritual aspects to it as well. Will they be disguised as aliens? Will they be giants? Will they be other dark forces of some kind of monsterous entities?
“You [Gog] shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured..”(Ezekiel 39:4)
Time will reveal the true identity of this mysterious horde and this Gog character, as well as his place “from the uttermost parts of the north” so we don’t need to get too hung up on that. For now, we will look at what traditionally has been its interpretation from a human standpoint.
Dr. Bill Salus, The Prophecy Depot
Gog and His Coalition
Gog marches with the armies of Persia (Iran), Cush (Sudan), Put (Libya), and others from across the Middle East and North Africa. Together, they are a coalition united not by borders, culture, or ideology, but by one common goal: the destruction and plunder of Israel.
They ride south like a dark cloud over the land, taking advantage of Israel in a vulnerable state. As we looked at the destruction of Damascus prophesied in Isaiah 17, we read that this event will bring Israel to its knees and possibly set up this weakened state of God’s elect.
“And in that day the glory of Jacob will be brought low, and the fat of his flesh will grow lean. And it shall be as when the reaper gathers standing grain and his arm harvests the ears, and as when one gleans the ears of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. Gleanings will be left in it, as when an olive tree is beaten—two or three berries in the top of the highest bough, four or five on the branches of a fruit tree, declares the Lord God of Israel.”(Isaiah 17:4-6)
The world watches - some in horror, others in apathy, but there will be those that celebrate Israel’s plight. There will be no human hope for deliverance and Israel stands alone.
But then, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob responds.
Without a single Israeli missile fired or a soldier deployed, God acts. The earth trembles with a colossal earthquake. Confusion grips the invading armies—they turn on each other in chaos. Fire and hail fall from the sky. Pestilence spreads among them. The devastation is so complete, the fields are littered with human bodies, and it takes Israel seven months to bury the dead.
“For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day that I show my glory, declares the Lord God. They will set apart men to travel through the land regularly and bury those travelers remaining on the face of the land, so as to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make their search. And when these travel through the land and anyone sees a human bone, then he shall set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog. (Hamonah is also the name of the city.) Thus shall they cleanse the land.”(Ezekiel 39:12-16)
And through it all, the nations realize - this was no ordinary war. This was not geopolitical maneuvering. This was divine intervention.
“I will magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they shall know that I am the Lord.” – Ezekiel 38:23
The Bigger Picture
Some say this devastating war of Ezekiel 38-39 marks the beginning of the end. With the world shaken and power structures crumbling, the world stage will be set and conditions just right for a charismatic global leader - the Antichrist - to rise up and fill the void.
He promises peace, security, and unity. He makes a covenant of peace with the remnant of Israel.
Behind the scenes, however, he is a deceiver, the embodiment of rebellion against God. His rise leads into the Tribulation, the seven-year period of great deception, persecution, and judgment foretold by the prophets and by Jesus Himself.
“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”(1 John 2:18)
Others believe the war of Ezekiel 38-39 happens after the Rapture, Imagine what chaos will ensue when millions of people all over the world disappear. The world will be stunned and vulnerable. The absence of the Church makes Israel more exposed, and Gog sees an opportunity - but God uses the war to awaken Israel and to demonstrate His power once again.
“So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”(Ezekiel 38:23)
Revelation 20 also speaks of Gog and Magog rising once more in rebellion. This will be the very final battle after the 1000 year reign of Christ according to the text. When this final war comes, this will be a supernatural war of complete destruction of all evil.
“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them…”
A God Who Defends
Regardless of the timeline, the message is clear: God always defends His loyal people. He alone defeats the enemies that rise against them - not through military strength, but through His might and sovereignty. It’s just as we read about in all the stories of old like Gideon, Samson, David, and Joshua. God is the same throughout.
The war of Gog and Magog reminds us that history is not spinning out of control, but moving toward a moment when every nation will know the Lord and a time will come when all that was planned from the very beginning of time will finally be revealed to us.
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”(1 Corinthians 2:6-10)
Proposed Sequence of End-Times Events
The rapture of the church is “imminent.” This means that none of these prophecies are required to take place before God brings us home. We can go home at any time.
So no matter where the Rapture is on the timeline, we don’t have to worry. We do know for absolute certainty that we won’t experience God’s wrath nor take part in the Beast System.
All these things are part of God’s redemptive plan.
Isaiah 17 – Destruction of Damascus
Damascus becomes “a heap of ruins.”
Possibly results from a sudden war or Israeli strike on Syria.
May trigger wider conflict.
Psalm 83 – War with the Inner Ring of Arab Nations
A confederacy of Israel’s bordering neighbors (Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza, etc.) attack.
Israel defeats them and expands or solidifies territory.
Ezekiel 38–39 – Gog and Magog War - a coalition of the Outer Ring
Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others invade Israel.
God supernaturally defeats them.
This war reshapes global power dynamics.
Israel Living in Safety
After victories in Psalm 83 and Gog/Magog, the remnant of Israel appears secure.
May create the illusion of peace, inviting the next phase.
Arrival of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2, Revelation 6)
A charismatic global leader rises amidst chaos.
Offers solutions, including peace in the Middle East.
Signing of a Peace Agreement with Israel (Daniel 9:27)
Antichrist confirms or brokers a 7-year covenant with Israel.
This starts the Tribulation clock.
The Tribulation Begins (7 Years)
A period of divine judgments, deception, and persecution.
Divided into two halves:
First 3.5 years: relative peace, setup.
Last 3.5 years: Great Tribulation (intense wrath and suffering).
The Mark of the Beast Introduced (Revelation 13)
Mandatory allegiance to Antichrist through a mark (economic control).
Happens around the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 19)
Jesus returns physically to earth at the end of the Tribulation.
Defeats the Antichrist and his armies at Armageddon.
Today’s Question
Today’s Prayer
Father I pray that you help each of us to keep the events in the world in perspective. Help us to see those things that are playing out in humanity as signposts to the events of the supernatural realm and give us understanding to what they mean to us today. Help us to have eyes to see. Give us a heart of wisdom and help us make the most of the time we have been given on earth. The idea of “the last days” is both ominous and exciting. It’s hard to think about the suffering that will take place. But it fills us with great hope that a new world is coming. Give us a sound mind, and a heart of compassion and courage. Keep our minds focused on your will. Give us insight into your kingdom plans. And keep us on your narrow road today. May all praise and honor be yours. Amen❤️