The prophecy concerning the Gog and Magog Invasion of Israel was discussed in detail in a previous post – “End Times Prophecy – Happening Now” (dated August 14, 2018). In just four and a half months since that post was written, events are developing at an increasingly rapid pace. This post is titled “Update 1” for a reason. Events contained in this prophecy are now happening almost daily and more updates are sure to follow.
In summary, the Gog and Magog invasion (described in Ezekiel 38 and 39) involves the countries of Russia, Turkey and Iran, along with a coalition of smaller Muslim nations (the “–stans”), forming a northern alliance to invade Israel from the north. They will be joined by several African Muslim nations. Israel will stand alone. Other nations will protest, but no one will intervene. God will destroy the invading forces supernaturally. No one will doubt that God has saved Israel.
“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. -- Ezekiel 39:7 (ESV)
“And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God, from that day forward. – Ezekiel 39:21-22 (ESV)
The three main nations in this prophecy, Russia, Turkey and Iran have never had a cooperative alliance in all of recorded history, but they do now. A prophecy from 2600 years ago is being fulfilled as we watch.
Current Events Related to Ezekiel 38 and 39
U.S. Withdrawal of Troops from Syria
The presence of U.S. troops in Syria was the only military barrier blocking an invasion of Israel from the north. On December 19, 2018, President Trump announced the complete withdrawal of US troops from Syria. The official reason given was that the threat from ISIS has been contained. Unofficially, the President has a great many problems to deal with domestically including, but not limited to; the Russia investigation, the Mexican border wall issues and government shut down.
Regardless of how you feel about President Trump, the things that are happening in the Middle East are lining up for a rapid-fire fulfillment of several Bible prophecies. Whether you love him or hate him, he is being used by God. This has been true throughout history. God uses kings and rulers for His purposes, whether they are good or flawed.
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. -- Daniel 2:20-22 (ESV)
Events Lining Up in April
It is predicted to take 4 months for the U.S. to completely withdraw from Syria. Counting from December 19, 2018, the operation will be completed in mid-April. This lines up perfectly with the Israeli election on April 9, 2019 which will determine whether Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party remain in power.
President Trump has been promising to unveil his “ultimate” peace deal for the Middle East. There have been numerous delays and it is now likely that he will wait until after the Israeli election. President Emanuel Macron of France also has a Mid-East peace plan to present. One of these could be the reason that Israel relaxes and “dwells securely” as described in this prophecy:
In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. -- Ezekiel 38:8
This is only one theory, there are other possibilities. Only time will tell what may lead up to Israel feeling secure, and the following northern invasion.
Turkey Moves Troops into Syria / Northern Coalition Strengthens
Immediately after President Trump announced the withdrawal of troops from Syria, Turkish President Erdogan stated his intention to move his troops to the eastern side of the Euphrates River and into Syria. Russia has a strong presence in the area and this will be increasing in the coming months. With the U.S. out of the way, Iran will also have easier access to Syria. All the largest nations in the Ezekiel 39 - 39 prophecies are concentrating their attention and their troops on the northern border of Israel.
Prophecy teacher J.D. Farag points out that this prophecy has a “shelf life”. He means that it is nearly impossible for this coalition to hold together for any length of time. Russia, Iran and Turkey are too fractious and too busy dealing with their own domestic problems. When you add in the smaller nations of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and the other “-stans”, the probability is even smaller for any lasting cohesion.
African Nations Joining Northern Coalition
On December 16, 2018, the president of Sudan, Omar al-Bachir visited Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus for the first time since 2008. Sudan is one of the nations described as Cush and Put in the prophecy. Russia and Iran have backed Bashar Al Assad in the Syrian civil war.
Libya continues to be an ally of Russia and is also included in the nations of Cush and Put. Russia is assisting Libya in developing its nuclear capabilities and military.
Israel Bombs Iranian Targets in Syria
On December 26, 2018, Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria. Israel claimed that Iranian forces were operating less than 50 miles from the border. Tensions between Israel and Iranian forces backed by Russia are growing.
Near Future – Events to Watch For
- More African Muslim nations to join the northern coalition (specifically Ethiopia, Algeria and Tunisia)
- Ties to strengthen between Russia, Turkey, Iran and the smaller Muslim nations directly to the north of Israel
- Increasing tensions between Israel and the Iranians in Syria
- Growing distractions in Saudi Arabia that will prevent it from intervening in the future invasion
- Growing distractions for the U.S. that will make it impossible to intervene when Israel is attacked
There are many possibilities of what may distract the U.S. including political unrest, financial collapse, enemy attacks and natural disasters. The list could go on and on. This distraction will likely involve a combination of several of these issues.
Some believe that the rapture could be the distraction that takes the U.S. out of the picture. The U.S. has the largest population of born-again Christians per capita in the world. Millions of people suddenly disappearing would cause complete chaos.
Timing
After God wins the battle and destroys the northern coalition, Israel will be burning weapons for seven years. (Ezekiel 39:9-10). Since the tribulation period described in the book of Revelation will last for seven years, the Gog and Magog invasion, and the beginning of the tribulation must be very close. Since the second half of the tribulation period, or the last 3 ½ years, will involve the believing Jews of Israel fleeing from the Anti-Christ (and presumably not around to burn weapons), the fulfillment of the prophecy at any moment becomes clear.
God gave us these prophecies for a reason. He wants us to know the times and the seasons when these things will take place. He did not give us this information to terrify us. His purpose is to make sure we are prepared for whatever is coming. Whether the rapture happens now, or in the coming years, He wants us to be ready.
“Bible prophecy is not to scare, it’s to prepare. If you’re scared, you’re not prepared.”
- Amir Tsarfati
There is only one way to be prepared and that is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. (To find out how, go to the “Salvation” tab on this webpage.)
