What Are Some of the Main Differences Between the Battle of Gog and Magog... (Dispensational Caucus)

BibleProphecyBlog.com ^ | September 1, 2011 | Dr. Ed Hindson

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Q. What are some of the main differences between the Battle of Gog and Magog, and the Battle of Armageddon?

A. This is a vital question to answer, because many people equate the two, or include the first as part of the second. But there are many differences that make these conclusions quite improbable. First there is the time element involved. While no time is specified for the Battle of Gog and Magog, most evangelical, premillennial, pre-Tribulational scholars place it at or near the beginning of the Tribulation. The Battle of Armageddon takes place at the end of the Tribulation (Revelation 16:16; 19:11-21).

Second, the participants of the conflicts are different. In the Battle of Gog and Magog, a great power to the north (possibly Russia or one or more former “southern-tier” Islamic Soviet republics) will move against Israel, along with specific nations, mostly Islamic and in the Middle East or northern Africa (Ezekiel 38:1-6). The Battle of Armageddon will include representative armies from all nations of the world (Joel 3:2; Zechariah 14:2).

Third is the direction of the attack. Since the Battle of Gog and Magog is led by a great power to the north of Israel, and some of its allies are from that direction as well, the attack will come primarily from the north (Ezekiel 38:15). Since the Battle of Armageddon involves all the nations of the world, they will come from all four directions.

Fourth, there is the purpose for the attack. The Battle of Magog’s objective is “To take a spoil, and to take a prey” (Ezekiel 38:12). Perhaps some of the attackers, several of which are virtually landlocked, will seek a warm-water port in Israel. Others may seek some of Israel’s mineral deposits, such as are purported to be in the Dead Sea. At Armageddon, the intent is to totally eliminate Israel once and for all (Zechariah 12:2-3) and later, to oppose Christ Himself who returns to fight on behalf of Israel (Revelation 19:19).

Fifth, the leaders of the attack are also different. At Gog and Magog, the leader will be Russia or another former Soviet republic (Ezekiel 38:3). At Armageddon, it will be the Antichrist, who, by that time, will be the undisputed world leader (Revelation 19:19).

Finally, the casualties will be disposed of differently. At Gog and Magog, the dead will be buried (Ezekiel 39:12-15). At Armageddon, the dead will be left on the field of battle, to become food for birds of prey (Revelation 19:17-21).

However, despite all of these differences, we should point out one similarity, and that is the outcome. In both cases, God will win and will gain victory on behalf of His people, Israel. After the great victory at Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 39:1-7), one would think that the unregenerate world would get the message. But only a few years later, on an even larger scale, the world will again gather its forces against Israel and against the Lord at Armageddon. The old adage will be proven again: the one thing people learn from history, is that they don’t learn from history.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Exactly!!! Very well said! Israel has to be in a position where she feels secure enough to take the walls down and in a position where she has something that the people spoken of in Exekiel 38/39 want badly enough to attempt to invade the nation. As we all know, there are enormous gas reserves in Israeli waters, and the Psalm 83 war will probably put to bed the protests by some of her immediate neighbors that the gas actually belongs to them. The Psalm 83 war will most likely bring Israel to the conditions they need to be in for the Ezekiel prophecy to be fulfilled.

I also believe that Islamic rage at the results of the Psalm 83 war will play a big part in their participation in the Ezekiel campaign.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Jumper, I apologize.

I had a cup of coffee and re-read your post and now see that the "Eagle" is a reference to America, which, of course is exactly correct and is in the process of happening.

Thank you for the reminder that the entire world will turn against Israel, including the greatest friend she has had since God re-established her as a nation. It's further proof that we are in the home stretch for the return of Christ.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Yes, "Gog" is referred to as "chief prince", indicating that he is some type of "person", which also could mean that "Gog" is a fallen angel since the Bible refers to fallen angels as "princes" who rule over nations.

Good point! Thank you!

[Cronos]

which also could mean that "Gog" is a fallen angel since the Bible refers to fallen angels as "princes" who rule over nations.

interesting point to ponder on. Thank you for sharing that.

[marbren]

Thank You GiovannaNicoletta!, Psalm 83 is also an interesting part of the mix. IMHO, We may see Psalm 83 but we will not be here for Gog Magog.

[marbren]

A very possible scenario! Here is another one a demon pretends to be The Lord Jesus Christ and arrives on a UFO and says he is from another planet. I do not know but, Thank God, God knows

[Quix]

INDEED!

[Seven_0]

Do you see any connection between the battle of Gog and Magog in Rev. 20 with Ezekiel 38,39? It is not looking like Israel will dwell in peace anytime soon.

[marbren]

Do you see any connection between the battle of Gog and Magog in Rev. 20 with Ezekiel 38,39?

Good Question. Why are they called the same 1007 years apart?

[GiovannaNicoletta]

What makes it even more intriguing is that Gog appears again in Revelation 20:7-8, leading another nation or nations into battle one last time again God, after Jesus' Millennial reign. If the original Gog of Ezekiel 38-39 is a human, he is killed at the time of the Russian invasion of Israel. How can he be seen again after the Millennial reign leading nations again?

Makes you wonder just who he is...or what he is....

[GiovannaNicoletta]

We may see Psalm 83 but we will not be here for Gog Magog.

I agree, marbren. I really don't believe we'll be here to see Ezekiel 38/39.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

I don't know if that campaign at the end of the 1000 year reign is actually called that - I know that the rebellion will originate with Satan who will be loosed for a "short time", according to Christ at the end of the Mlllennial Reign.

I don't see any connection between the two. The invasion as described in Ezekiel 38/39 is led by Russia, with the Islamic nations which are not Israel's immediate neighbors going along and participating. They come to "take a spoil", which is not what Satan's campaign at the end of the thousand-year kingdom is about. The rebellion that Satan instigates is about a final attempt to conquer Jesus Christ, and a final, futile attempt to depose Him and take His throne.

The Ezekiel battle occurs at the beginning of the Tribulation, because Scripture tells us that the Jews will be burning the weapons of war for seven years and there is no mention of any weapons being burned during the Millennial Reign, and the other occurs after the Millennial Reign.

It doesn't appear right now as though Israel will be in a "peaceful" condition anytime soon, but the Psalm 83 war, which, as it is described in Scripture is ready to start right now, will put Israel in the "peaceful" situation it needs to be in for the Ezekiel 38/39 war to take place. This war could very well break out in September if the UN decides to "declare" that half of Israel is a "Palestinian state".

[GiovannaNicoletta]

marbren, I meant to ping you in on this.

[Lera]

Yes, "Gog" is referred to as "chief prince", indicating that he is some type of "person", which also could mean that "Gog" is a fallen angel since the Bible refers to fallen angels as "princes" who rule over nations.
Good point! Thank you!

Gog is not human he is is one of the locust in Amos 7 It's not clear in the English translation but if you read the Septuagint it is clear

Chuck Misler did a very interesting study on this and you can find it here

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/66-40/player/the-magog-invasion-an-alternate-view-part-1-100395.html
He starts talking about it right around the 6 minute mark
If you want to listen to the rest of the talk you can find it by clicking archives and looking under April 2010 (it's a 5 part talk , long but really worth listening to)

[Seven_0]

I don't see any connection between the two.

The two passages are connected by the use of the words Gog and Magog.

The Ezekiel battle occurs at the beginning of the Tribulation, because Scripture tells us that the Jews will be burning the weapons of war for seven years and there is no mention of any weapons being burned during the Millennial Reign

In order for this to be true, the burning of the weapons would have to begin at the beginning of the tribulation or before and they would be burning the weapons in the time of war.

Scripture speaks of ruling with a rod of iron. When does this happen? I do not believe that it is happening now nor do I believe that God intends to rule heaven in this way. I submit that the rod of iron is reserved for the millennium. Remember the days are shortened to preserve the flesh and by preserving the flesh, you also preserve the war between the spirit and the flesh.

Rom 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Even though Christ will sit on the throne, sin will still be very much in view up to the end. God’s school continues through the millennial dispensation. As I read Ezekiel 38 and 39, I see that parts of it could happen during the millennium and I think that Revelation 20 supports this view.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

The two passages are connected by the use of the words Gog and Magog.

The word "trumpets" is used several times in Scripture to describe different events, but that does not mean the events are connected to each other by use of the word "trumpets". Just because the same words may be used more than one time in the Bible, doesn't mean they are connected or are the same event.

The fact that God and Magog are shown as being involved in two different wars, at least one thousand years apart, simply gives more credence to the possibility that they are something other than human.

In order for this to be true, the burning of the weapons would have to begin at the beginning of the tribulation or before and they would be burning the weapons in the time of war.

It could very well be true that Israel will burn the weapons beginning while the war is still going on. We know from God that they will be burning the weapons for seven years. Now, that could also mean that this war takes place before the seven-year Tribulation period begins, and that the seven-year "peace" covenant will be confirmed by the Antichrist at the end of the war, thereby starting the Tribulation, which would mean that Israel would have a full seven years to burn the weapons.

Even though Christ will sit on the throne, sin will still be very much in view up to the end. God’s school continues through the millennial dispensation. As I read Ezekiel 38 and 39, I see that parts of it could happen during the millennium and I think that Revelation 20 supports this view.

There will be sin during the Millennium, but it will be small, private sin, nothing like there is now, and sin will be dealt with immediately and severely by Christ.

I don't believe that Scripture supports the idea of the Ezekiel war continuing on into the Millennium because God puts an end to it by destroying five sixths of the armies that come against Israel. I don't see any support for the Ezekiel campaign in Revelation 20; Revelation 20 is about Christ's literal return to earth, Satan being bound for a thousand years, and the details of Satan's final rebellion. The Ezekiel war is over with long before Satan is released and has his rebellion against Christ.

They are two different events not connected at all.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Thank you Lera! I’ll check it out!

[Seven_0]

It could very well be true that Israel will burn the weapons beginning while the war is still going on. We know from God that they will be burning the weapons for seven years. Now, that could also mean that this war takes place before the seven-year Tribulation period begins, and that the seven-year "peace" covenant will be confirmed by the Antichrist at the end of the war, thereby starting the Tribulation, which would mean that Israel would have a full seven years to burn the weapons.

If Israel must finish this before the Millennium begins then they must start it before the Rapture. Where are the wooden weapons today? The Rapture cannot be imminent unless the Tribulation is imminent.

There will be sin during the Millennium, but it will be small, private sin, nothing like there is now, and sin will be dealt with immediately and severely by Christ.

Sin will not be taken away, only the deception will be gone. The small private sins are just as deadly as the big sins. The wages of sin is death and death is the only penalty given. If it were judged immediately, there would be no one left for the battle at the end of the Millennium

[GiovannaNicoletta]

If Israel must finish this before the Millennium begins then they must start it before the Rapture. Where are the wooden weapons today? The Rapture cannot be imminent unless the Tribulation is imminent.

I agree that the Ezekiel 38/39 war has to happen before the Tribulation because it is very likely that is will be this war that produces the conditions for the Antichrist to come on the scene peaceably, with his seven-year "peace" contract confirmation, and it is this that begins the Tribulation.

Sin will not be taken away, only the deception will be gone. The small private sins are just as deadly as the big sins. The wages of sin is death and death is the only penalty given. If it were judged immediately, there would be no one left for the battle at the end of the Millennium.

The deception of Satan will not be there, however men will still be born on this earth with their sin nature and will have to accept Christ to go into eternity. There will be sin that is judged by Christ:

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Micah 4:3)

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 5:5,6)

So Christ will judge sin, and there will also be death:

No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; for the youth will die at the age of one hundred and the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed. (Isaiah 65:20-25)