This War Is Inevitable. But Is It Happening Now?
The short answer is "Not yet". Could the current Russia-Ukraine war lead to Magog Invasion? Yes, absolutely. It's only a matter of time before this war begins. And it could be sooner than later!
What Is Magog Invasion?
The Magog Invasion is the name of a specific war that has yet to happen. We're told numerous details about this war in the Bible, specifically in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
These chapters are a letter from God to the current leader (at the time this Invasion occurs) of Russia. How do we know? Let's take a look...
“And the word of the LORD came to me (Ezekiel, the prophet) saying, Son of man, set your face toward Gog (the leader) of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” - Ezekiel 38:1-3
Here, we see this is a "thus says the Lord" text. Meaning there's no debating about who's speaking or that this is a person's opinion, this is God speaking. Therefore we know these things WILL come to pass. Nothing will prevent this from occurring. It's just a matter of when.
Here, God is addressing his statements to a leader named "Gog", who, God tells us, is the leader of the land of Magog, this leader is also know as the prince over Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. As a prince over these other areas, he likely has some sway over, or an alliance with them.
While the names of nations have changed over the centuries, the names of the ancestors who established them, and the locations where they began doesn't change. The Bible uses these references that date all the way back to Genesis. Noah had a son named Japheth, and Japheth had a son named Magog.
As Noah's sons, grandsons, and future generations arrived, they needed to spread out in order to have enough land to feed their families. They each went in different directions. Japheth, Magog, and their families settled North of Israel.
It isn't difficult to trace the Magog lineage to the Scythians - who were a powerful empire of great warriors, and who settled in the area we now know primarily as Russia. They were particularly known for their bow and arrow marksmanship, and especially the ability to fire behind them while riding horseback.
Speaking of the Scythians, an interesting side note... in May of 2021, Sergei Shoigu, the Defense Minster of Russia, brought forth their plan to re-animate the Scythians through cloning, by using DNA from 3,000 year-old Scythian warriors (that were recently uncovered) and bring them back to life. Yes, really.
It's also worth noting that as we near the Tribulation, Jesus tells us (in Matthew 24) that it will be "just like in the day of Noah". At that time there were entities who carried the Nephilim (half-human, half-fallen-angel) bloodline and brought satanic rituals and demonic practices to humans. The Scythians were also known for their pharmakeia, demonic invitation through trances, and divination. Perhaps it's these same bloodlines that are being re-animated today.
How Does Magog Invasion Begin?
God tells us, as He addresses Gog (the current leader of Russia), that Russia and its leader will not want to participate in this war, but that they will be pulled into this war unwillingly. Like a fish pulled by a hook, and drawn out from its water, Russia be turned around and forced to face this war. So they'll armor up and bring their forces.
“I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords;” - Ezekiel 38:4
Interesting that the horse and horsemen are specifically mentioned here, as that's what the Schythian warriors were known for, along with their detailed wardrobe.
Over the last few months we've seen the current leader of Russia tell us repeatedly that he doesn't want war. But if pushed into a corner, they will be forced to act. That's exactly what the Bible tells us, and exactly how this current war began today. The parallels are interesting, at the very least. But this alone certainly doesn't make this Magog Invasion... yet.
When Will Magog Invasion Occur?
Anytime. All events and prophecy that needed to happen before this particular war, have all been fulfilled. There's nothing preventing this war from occurring today.
Doesn't The Rapture Happen First?
The Bible doesn't tell us which will occur first, the rapture or Magog Invasion. One doesn't require the other to happen first, and either can happen today.
Magog Invasion seems to occur before the Tribulation but we don't know how long before. It could be weeks, months, or years. Personally, it makes sense that Magog Invasion may be used as a springboard toward more people accepting the One World Government, that will be established through the Antichrist, as the seven-year Tribulation begins. Things will get exponentially worse as we approach the Tribulation, and it makes sense that the momentum from Magog Invasion will lead directly into the uprising of the Antichrist. My guess is somewhere between a few months to perhaps two years or so - between Magog Invasion and the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation. I also believe the rapture is most likely to happen between these two events, but closer to the beginning of the Tribulation.
So for those banking on the rapture before things get "really bad", you might be in for a harsh reality. This won't go down easy. God's followers won't be raptured while everything is fabulous, so that the bad things can finally begin. Nope. God tells us that the upcoming events will be like labor pains - each one getting closer together and more powerful than the last. Whatever we've already seen is about to get so much worse - in every way.
We don't know how long we'll be here before the rapture, but we know that God tells us these things so we'll be prepared and not panic.
God told Noah to build an ark, not to sit around playing video games. There is much work to do. We must do what we can to provide for our families, and be in the world but not of it as best we can. The less we rely on the world, the less impact it will have on our ability to survive and be as comfortable as possible during these very rocky roads ahead.
But Doesn't This Happen During The Great Tribulation?
Some believe Magog Invasion is the same war that's described at the end of the Tribulation, as the Battle of Armageddon. But a deeper study seems to reveal that these are probably two different wars. Not only are they named differently, but that have several key differences that appear to separate the two.
Magog Invasion vs Battle Of Armageddon
Many confuse the Magog Invasion war (in Ezekiel 38 & 39) with the war in the book of Revelation, that takes place at a place called Armageddon. While both wars are still to come, and both take place in, around, and against Israel, I'm not convinced they're the same war. How dow we know? Let's take a look...
As we study both of these future wars in the Bible, we see distinct differences between them. For example, during the Magog Invasion in the book of Ezekiel, Israel is attacked by a few specifically named nations, but during the Armageddon war, described in the book of Revelation, Israel is attacked by all nations ("the whole world").
"O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal." "Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmahfrom the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.” - Ezekiel 38:3, 5 & 6 (Magog Invasion)
"to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.” - Revelation 26:16 (Armageddon)
Not only are the enemies different but their motives are different as well. In Magog Invasion these specific nations are there to "take spoils and plunder", while in the battle at Armageddon, all the nations of the world are there with two reasons, to kill Israel as a nation, so it no longer exists, and more importantly, to make war against Jesus (and His followers).
"Thus says the Lord GOD, “It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind (Gog) and you will devise an evil plan, and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages... to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world (Israel).’Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?” - Ezekiel 38:12-13 (Magog Invasion)
"They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You (Jesus) they make a covenant: - Psalm 83:4 (Armageddon)
”These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast (Satan). These will wage war against the Lamb (Jesus), and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” - Revelation 17:13-14 (Armageddon)
While both wars seem to include nuclear attacks, the outcome of those events are radically different. The clean up after the Magog Invasion is greatly detailed, with what seems like professionals with hazmat suits on to deal with the aftermath. And this clean up continues for seven years or more. But for the battle at Armageddon, there is no clean up, and the battle isn't completed, because it's interrupted by Jesus' return (and the return of His followers as well).
“Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them ... and for seven years they will make fires of them. For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man’s bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.” - Ezekiel 39:9,12,14-15 (Magog Invasion)
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness (Jesus) He judges and wages war. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God (Jesus). And the armies which are in heaven (believes raptured before or killed during the Tribulation), clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations... And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Jesus). And I saw the beast (Antichrist) and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast (Antichrist) was seized, and with him the false prophet (the leader of the One World Religion) who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.” - Revelation 19:11, 13-16, 20-21 (Armageddon)
Here's an overview of Magog Invasion vs. Armageddon:
Magog Invasion (Ezekiel) Armageddon (Revelation)
Attacked by: Specifically named nations All nations
Goal: To take spoils and plunder To kill nation of Israel & war against Jesus
Clean up: Detailed with 7+ year process Battle is interrupted by Christ's return
A Bear Robbed Of Her Cubs
In both Magog Invasion and Armageddon, we see Russia attacking. Russia plays a large role in both wars. Throughout the Old and New Testament we see a theme of a nation, know as the Bear, who is forced to attack because she is robbed of her cubs. That sounds familiar.
To establish who this Bear nation is, we must first comprehend that prophetic passages in the Bible hold two (and occasionally three) applications, the historical and the prophetic. For example, the historical beginnings of the Seven Biblical Feasts also line up perfectly (to the exact day) for future Biblical events. The Seven Biblical Temples have both historical and prophetic fulfillments as well. This these is seen throughout the Bible, and we see it here as well.
In the book of Daniel we learn of the four beasts that represent nations (and events that that will take place during the seven year Tribulation). The second beast is described as a bear.
"And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’.” - Daniel 7:5
Historically, we know this nation as the Medo-Persia empire. Prophetically, it's not difficult to imagine that it could be the nation of Russia. Not only is Russia known for the symbol of the bear, they're also known as the motherland. And the Bible's description of a bear is almost always of a female bear, and specifically a mother bear fighting to regain her cubs who were stolen from her.
"... like a bear robbed of her cubs” - Hosea 13:8
"You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare, " 2 Samuel 17:8
What better description of a nation not wanting to engage in battle, but being forced into it than a mother bear whose fighting for her cubs? It doesn't take much history to know that many of the nations that surround Russia were once part of her - like a mother and her cubs. For some, on each side, there has been a longing to reunite. But this comes with resistance. It's easy to see Russia as the mother bear fighting to regain the land/nation (cubs) that she once held.
Let's take a second look at the passage in Daniel,
"And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side (stood up), and three ribs (sides) were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’.” - Daniel 7:5
The words used here can be translated as "raised up", "to arise or stand", or interestingly, "to be made to stand". It's also interesting that ribs come from the side (as noted in Genesis - regarding Adam's side). Perhaps these ribs are in reference to the side of the bear, or the adjacent nations on the side of her current borders (that were once part of her). And they're instructed to devour (destroy) meat, (flesh).
As we look to Revelation 13, we see the bear once again.
"And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.” - Revelation 13:2
More importantly than just the mention, we see that the destruction the bear leaves behind, is considered residue. Perhaps referring to the almost nothing left (in a specific area) from a nuclear weapon.
While Revelation 13 refers to the period within the seven-year Tribulation (that hasn't started yet), we know these events will come like birth pains - with reduced time between them and with increased intensity. Like so many patterns in the Bible, birth pains don't change from one thing to another. Therefore, it's likely that we'll see smaller waves of similar wars (like Magog Invasion) before the Tribulation.
How Will We Know This Is Magog - And Not Just Another War?
Today, this isn't the Magog Invasion... yet. Because God tells us that Israel plays a huge part in Magog Invasion. So it's Israel we need to watch closely, to know if this indeed will be the Biblical war of Magog Invasion.
Two weeks ago, Israel wasn't part of this Russia-Ukraine war. But this is changing quickly. Just last week Israel set themselves in the middle of this conflict. Why? Because they're friendly with both Russia and Ukraine, so they're attempting to broker a peace treaty. This gets interesting (in the Magog sense) on several fronts.
Ultimately, we'll know this is Magog Invasion when Russia attacks Israel. There will be more details to confirm this particular conflict, but that is the biggest one.
“When Russia Invades Israel.”
At this moment Russia and Israel seem to be friendly, but I imagine (as we're already seeing with other counties), that all it would take is the appearance of Israel to be "siding" against Russia in any way, and perhaps Israel would suddenly be on the attack list. But let's look closer, and specifically with reasons for the Magog Invasion...
Motive - What Does Israel Have That Russia Wants?
Several years ago the largest reserve of natural gas was discovered off the coast of Israel. With more than 16 trillion cubic feet, it's valued at more than 95 billion U.S. dollars.
In December of 2019 Israel began signing agreements for an enormous pipeline, with the intention to sell to Europe. This makes Israel a major energy exporter. A title, and role that Russia held for decades.
Marine boundaries are disputed as to who actually owns this, but this could be a point of contention and a strong motive for attack by the other nations listed in Ezekiel 38 & 39.
Interestingly, since this Russia-Ukraine war began, Russia is reducing or eliminating their natural gas pipelines into counties like Germany (who rely on this to heat their homes etc.) but who have given supplies as support to Ukraine. This opened the opportunity for Israel to offer their services of natural gas to these countries. Serving as a double motive for Russia to prevent this from happening.
The Attack
During Magog Invasion we see the reversal of the dispersement was saw in Genesis. The same nations descend on, and attack, the tiny nation of Israel.
If this were a fictional book, this would be the moment in the plot where "all seems lost". How can such a tiny nation survive against such superpowers and astronomical odds? The answer to that is the same reason that Israel even exists today... God. Israel is God's chosen land and God's chosen people. This, like all our wars is a physical manifestation of what's actually happening here - the underlying spiritual war.
Thankfully, We Know How This Ends
God tells us not only how Magog Invasion begins but also how it ends.
“And you, son of man (Ezekiel, the prophet), prophesy against Gog (the leader of Russia) and say,‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal; and I will turn you around, drive you on, take you up from the remotest parts of the north (Russia and Moscow are almost directly due North of Israel) and bring you against the mountains of Israel." - Ezekiel 39:1-2
“I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field.You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 39:3-4
"And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the LORD. 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 will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel." - Ezekiel 39:5-7
The physical manifestation of this spiritual battle is miraculously won by the tiny nation of Israel.
The Reason
God tells us exactly why this occurs, and it's the same reason it's been since the beginning of creation. God loves us enough to give us free will, so we can choose to either love or to hate. God desires that all of us choose love. But He loves us enough to let us decide for ourselves. Yet when hatred goes unchecked for so long, humans show a repeating pattern of attempting to destroy the human race. (See my blog post about this chart).
God steps in to prevent humans from going extinct and each time He does, He tells us why... so we will know that He is God. So many people ask for a sign, or question that if God is here, why doesn't He show himself? He does. God's fingerprints (also known as fractals) are intricate designs seen throughout all of creation (including in our own physical design), and it's in front of us to see and experience every moment of every day.
God also chooses these moments to show Himself to us once again, to give us yet one more chance to choose love. Here, He provides a miracle. The miracle once again of one of the tiniest nations in the world, being brutally attacked by a group of some the largest nations in the world, and yet this tiny nation of Israel wins this battle. Only God can provide those kinds of miracles.
The Clean Up
I believe the Bible describes Magog Invasion as a nuclear war. But you can read it and decide for yourself.
“After many days you (Gog, the leader of Russia) will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel ... " - Ezekiel 38:8
‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you (Gog, the leader of Russia) will devise an evil plan, " - Ezekiel 38:10
"Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them, both shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears, and for seven years they will make fires of them. They will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, for they will make fires with the weapons; and they (Israel) will take the spoil of those who despoiled them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them,” declares the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 39:9-10
Interestingly, the half-life of a nuclear explosion is seven years. Here we see also the roles reversed. The invading nations that planned to take from Israel, were defeated, and Israel ends up taking from those who attacked them.
"On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea, and it will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with all his horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog." - Ezekiel 39:11
I believe this refers to the area east of the Dead Sea. Certainly a nuclear wasteland would "block off those who pass by". Everyone would be forced to take a wide path around it to avoid the radiation.
The name "Hamon-Gog" means "multitude of Gog", or "Gog's multitude", referring to the massive number of troops and allies who aligned with and fought alongside Gog (the leader of Russia). And this location is where many of them are buried after the war.
"For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land." - Ezekiel 39:12
Notice that not only do the bodies get buried, but the land needs to be cleansed as well.
While we see the description of skin falling off bones in other passage, I find the clean up process here particularly fascinating - the way we would describe a hazmat team in a nuclear fallout area.
They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search." - Ezekiel 39:13
As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man’s bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog. - Ezekiel 39:14
This could certainly describe professionals in hazmat suits in a nuclear wasteland. Taking the time to bury every radioactive bone that's left on the surface, to reduce the wind contamination and to clean the environment. I can picture others leaving radioactive flags anywhere that a bone protrudes from the ground, so it can be buried by the crew in charge of that process.
And even the name of the city will be Hamonah. So they will cleanse the land.” - Ezekiel 39:15
Hamonah is the feminine word meaning "multitude". The name serves as a commemorative celebration of the miraculous defeat over Gog and his allies.
World War Three?
With nuclear explosions and mass death, could Magog Invasion be World War Three? Sure, I don't see why it can't hold both titles. As long as Magog Invasion includes enough countries from enough locations, then I believe it's considered a World War. And yes, we could be a breath away from these events happening today.
In any case, Magog Invasion, Armageddon, or World War Three, we know that nuclear war is going to happen. No country in all of history has owned a weapon that they didn't eventually use. Personally, I believe a nuclear strike is far more imminent than most people realize. Curious about a Biblical timeline? Check out my blog post "When Will Jesus Return?".
Prepare
God doesn't tell us these things ahead of time so we can fear, but for us to be prepared, and as evidence of Himself as God, by knowing all these details and having people write them down thousands of years before they happen.
Want to see the Biblical Timeline? Check out my "End Times Charts" for an overview of where Magog Invasion fits into the upcoming events. Also see my blog posts "Satan's Repeating Pattern" , "In The Days of Noah" and "When Will Jesus Return?" for more details.
We know how this will go down. We know who wins this war and who loses. We also know what follows, and that things will get significantly worse from here. But thankfully, we can place our faith in the never-ending love of God. He's telling us these things ahead of time so we'll know Him. When we know God, we can know peace. Learn how, here. You are loved far more than you may realize.
I tell you these things, not to convince you, but to spark curiosity and encourage you to dig deep and explore these issues for yourself.
As always, don't take my word for it.
Examine the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are true.
"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica,
for they received the word with eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."
- Acts 17:11
Written by Lori Grimmett, a student of Biblical studies for more than 40 years,
and of Biblical theology and eschatology for more than 25 years.
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