This prophecy is addressed to a man given the designation “Gog”,v.2Ezekiel 38:2XWaiting for response 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.5Ezekiel 38:5XWaiting for response Magog (Germany),v.2Ezekiel 38:2XWaiting for response Gomer (France),v.6Ezekiel 38:6XWaiting for response and Togarmah (the region of the Caucasus, northeast of Israel i.e. “of the north quarters”).v.6Ezekiel 38:6XWaiting for response
The autocrat of Russia will think an evil thought, i.e. to attack Israel, v.10-11Ezekiel 38:10-11XWaiting for response 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.13Ezekiel 38:13XWaiting for response 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)Ezekiel 38:2XWaiting for response and France (Gomer v.6)Ezekiel 38:6XWaiting for response 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 83:4Psalm 83:4XWaiting for response
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.Ezekiel 38:23XWaiting for response 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.8Ezekiel 38:8XWaiting for response are settled, secure and prosperous.vs.11-12Ezekiel 38:11-12XWaiting for response 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.15Ezekiel 38:15XWaiting for response and overthrow Israel. At this very moment God will intervene openly on Israel’s behalf,v.18Ezekiel 38:18XWaiting for response defeat the invading armies, magnify himself, and make himself known to many nations.v.23Ezekiel 38:23XWaiting for response And the stage is now virtually set!