End-Time Prophecy & the War in Israel

Understanding Ezekiel 38 in Light of the Hamas attack on Israel

By Lou Comunale
October 14, 2023
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Properly Understanding Ezekiel 38

Many Christians believe that the events going on in the Middle East today are a fulfillment of Ezekiel 38. They also believe that the events pictured in Ez 38 will occur BEFORE the return of Jesus. BUT….

If we look carefully at the chapter, we see that this could NOT be talking about the modern state of Israel today. Note what it says:

Ezek 38:2 shows that this prophecy is addressed to countries to the North of Israel, “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” [Many believe that this is talking about Russia. For arguments sake, let’s presume this is Russia.]
Vs 4-7 refers to the various nations that align with ‘Russia’
Vs 8 says “After a long time you will be summoned. In the LAST YEARS you will enter a land that HAS BEEN RESTORED FROM WAR and regathered from many peoples to the mountains of Israel, which had long been a ruin. They were brought out from the peoples, and ALL OF THEM NOW LIVE SECURELY” (CSB).

Questions about Vs 8: Is Israel presently RESTORED from war? Or are wars constantly going on there? Is Israel presently LIVING SECURELY? Or are they constantly under siege? The answers to these questions will bring us to the TIMING of this prophecy.

Vs 9-11 speak about this confederation of nations attacking Isael.
Vs 11 says “And thou shalt say, I will go up to the LAND OF UNWALLED VILLAGES; I will go to them that ARE AT REST, that DWELL SAFELY, all of them DWELLING WITHOUT WALLS, and HAVING NEITHER BARS NOR GATES” (KJV).

Questions about Vs 11: Where in Israel today do we possibly see a land of UNWALLED VILLAGES? Is not Israel today constantly aware of imminent attacks? Where in Israel do we see them AT REST? That they DWELL SAFELY? Without WALLS OR GATES? Does that describe Israel today? Or is it a fact that Israel’s entire existence today is built upon a strong defense against attacks?

Vs 14 says, “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of ISRAEL DWELLETH SAFELY, shalt thou not know it?”

Questions about Vs 14: Do we see that Israel is DWELLING SAFELY TODAY? Or are they constantly in between wars?

Vs 15-16 speaks about the invasion from the north.
Vs 19 talks about the vengeance of God, “For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel.”
Vs 22 continues about the vengeance of God, “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, FIRE AND BRIMSTONE.”
Ezek 39:6 Continues the theme: “And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the Lord.” The next verses speak of the final doom of these invaders of Israel.

Notice the theme of FIRE as retribution in the previous three verses.

Now let’s make the case that Ez 38-39 CANNOT be talking about today or anytime BEFORE Christ’s return. We’ve already seen that this prophecy has two main points.

Israel is dwelling safely with unwalled villages and unprotected borders at which point they are attacked.
God intervenes with Fire to stop the invaders.

Now notice how these same two points are also prophesied in the New Testament, but it’s SPECIFICALLY saying it will occur during the time of the Millennial Reign of Christ – the thousand-year period.

In Rev 20:7-9 we read:

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”

The comparisons between Ezek 38-39 & Rev 20 are evident. Both speak about Gog and Magog leading a rebellion against Israel. After which God pours out FIRE upon them as punishment.

Today Israel is an armed camp. In no way can Israel be called “living in safety,” “dwelling without walls or borders.” But ONLY in the Millennial reign of Christ will that be the case.

On top of that, to further prove Ezek 38 is referring to the Millenium, please note the previous chapter, Ezekial 37. This chapter is already prophesying about the Millennial reign of Christ when the whole House of Israel is restored (i.e., the dry bones resurrection).

Ezek 37:15-22 we read that both Israel & Judah are united together.
Vs 24 we read that King David is also resurrected to be King over Israel (under Christ)
Vs 27 God’s tabernacle is again in Israel because Jesus Christ is ruling from Jerusalem.

Therefore we submit that Ezek 38-39 is for a time yet in the far future (in the LAST YEARS) and should NOT be associated with events that are going on in Israel today.

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Hamas, Israel