This prophecy is addressed to a man given the designation “Gog”,v.2Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:2 meaning “autocrat”. In the original scriptures this verse reads (as can be seen in the Revised Version): “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him”. Rosh is the ancient name of Russia, and Meshech can be identified with Moscow and Tubal with Tobolski in Siberia. From this chapter, people have long known that Russia would invade Israel after some of the Jews returned to the land and we can now watch the final build-up to the situation described. Russia will be joined with many other countries in the invasion of Israel: Persia (Iran), Ethiopia and Libya,v.5Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:5 Magog (Germany),v.2Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:2 Gomer (France),v.6Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:6 and Togarmah (the region of the Caucasus, northeast of Israel i.e. “of the north quarters”).v.6Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:6
The autocrat of Russia will think an evil thought, i.e. to attack Israel, v.10-11Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:10-11 and he will be joined in this enterprise by these nations. Some other countries, however, will protest at the invasion: “Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?”.v.13Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:13 The merchants of Tarshish have long been identified with Britain whose national emblem is the lion, and the young lions are the members of the Commonwealth of which there are more than fifty. These countries, together with those in southeast Arabia, Sheba and Dedan, where Britain has influence and forces, will protest against the invaders, but without effect. It will not be men who save Israel, but God.
With the knowledge provided by this prophecy, we can watch developments among the nations with great interest. One of the marvels of recent history is the transformation of the British Empire into the Commonwealth. While the empires of other European nations - Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland - have disappeared from the earth, the British Empire survives in another form. The nations of the Empire have developed from “lion whelps” into “young lions” and will join with Britain in protesting against the Russian confederacy. We can also observe with interest the relationship between Britain and the other countries of the European Union because she will take a different line from Germany (Magog v.2)Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:2 and France (Gomer v.6)Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:6 who will ally themselves with Russia. Likewise, Israel will survive any attack made upon her by the Arabs who may yet attempt to annihilate her so she ceases to be a nation in the earth. Psalm 83:4Waiting for response for Psalm 83:4
The stage is rapidly being set for the open intervention of the LORD in the affairs of the world when all people will learn, not only that there is a God, but that he is the God of Israel v.23.Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:23 We should not wait for this to happen before we are convinced because prior to the Russian invasion of Israel Jesus will return, raise the dead, judge the responsible, and give eternal life to the faithful who will work with him in saving Israel and convincing the world that the God of Israel must be obeyed. Now is the time to save ourselves. Therefore we should believe, be baptised, and obey, before it is too late.
This chapter contains a prophecy of great interest to us today for it is about to be fulfilled and result in all nations acknowledging the supremacy of the LORD. The prophecy looked forward to “the latter years” when some of the Jews, having returned to the land desolate for centuries,v.8Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:8 are settled, secure and prosperous.vs.11-12Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:11-12 We have seen this occur in recent years with the return of the Jews and the establishment of the State of Israel. God’s says, when this situation exists, he will bring a nation against the land from the north v.15Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:15 and overthrow Israel. At this very moment God will intervene openly on Israel’s behalf,v.18Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:18 defeat the invading armies, magnify himself, and make himself known to many nations.v.23Waiting for response for Ezekiel 38:23 And the stage is now virtually set!