Russia Invades Ukraine

Let’s first consider the time sequence. In chapter 36, God laments the wasteland that has become the landscape of Israel, following their dispersal due to rebellion. God promises to restore Israel, repopulate the entire region and give them the Holy Spirit. The next chapter, Ezekiel 37, continues on the same vein. The Lord describes the Valley of Dry Bones, which pictures the restoration of the children of all 12 tribes of Israel coming back to Israel after Christ returns in the Kingdom of God (vss 11, 21). The latter part of the chapter describes the Two Sticks being rejoined, which pictures the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel coming together again. Then we see King David being resurrected to be King over Israel once again (vs 24), but this time under Jesus, the King of Kings.

This could only be talking about the Kingdom of God established in Israel after Christ’s return.

The chapter concludes by affirming that this is, indeed, talking about the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ: Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore (Eze 37:26-28 KJV).

Now in chapter 38, Ezekiel receives a word from the Lord describing an invasion of the land of Israel by what we know today as Russia (vs 2, Gog and Magog).

So many seem to misdate this Russian invasion. Many attribute it to modern-day events before the return of Jesus. But always check the context of Scriptures. We’ve already seen that in the previous chapters the time frame is the return of Christ and the Millennium. But there are more clues to come.  

Speaking to Russia, God says:

A LONG TIME FROM NOW you will be called into action. IN THE DISTANT FUTURE you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be ENJOYING PEACE after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel. You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud (Ezek 38:8-9, NLT).

When this chapter speaks of “a long time from now” and “in the distant future,” it’s referring to the time after Christ had returned to earth. If they meant this prophecy will occur in the “last days,” they would have said the “last days.” Instead, they project to a time beyond the last days — into the Millennium.

We’ve already seen in the previous chapter that Israel is “enjoying peace after recovering from war” and after “its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel.”

Some misconstrue the reference of Israel returning to its land as a reference to the creation of Modern Israel, after the Jews returned to form their homeland in 1948. That may be a type of what is to come, but consider this: Has Israel ever enjoyed peace after recovering from war at any time since 1948? They are constantly at a heightened sense of alert for any type of attack at any time.

The other aspect to suggest that this scripture is not referring to Modern Israel is that Ezekiel 37 talks about all 12 tribes of Israel returning. We’re not going explain more on this topic at this time, except to say that the Jews that formed Modern Israel were from the tribes of Judah, Levi and Benjamin – essentially the southern tribes of Judah. The ten tribes of Israel were dispersed into the world after their conquest in 721 BC and they never returned to the Middle East, having formed other nations in the world, among them America and Great Britain. We’ll save that for another time.

Let’s continue on in chapter 38, as this next piece of evidence proves that the time frame given here is the Millennial rule of Christ.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme.

You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence! I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!’

“Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: When my people are living in peace in their land, then you will rouse yourself.

You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army, and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the LORD (Ezek 38:10-12, 14-16 KJV).

Now answer these questions and you’ll confirm the timeframe for this prophecy.

Is Israel today an “unprotected land?” Is she filled with “unwalled villages?” Is Israel today “living in peace?” Of course not! Anyone going there today will see that Israel is always bracing for the next attack.

Does the “whole world revolve around Israel today?” No, but in the Millennium they will be because Jesus Christ will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords in Jerusalem.

Indeed, what we’ve just read was a prophecy for the DISTANT FUTURE. It is not speaking of the time now.