What is the Ezekiel 38 War?
The Ezekiel 38 war is a prophecy described in the book of Ezekiel, chapter 38 and 39, in the Old Testament of the Bible. The prophecy speaks about a future war that will take place in the end times, where a group of nations will gather together to attack Israel. This war is believed by many to be a precursor to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world.
Summary of the Prophecy
The prophecy describes a massive invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations from the north, led by Gog, the ruler of Magog (Ezekiel 38:2-3). The coalition will include several nations, including:
• Persia (modern-day Iran)
• Ethiopia (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea)
• Libya (modern-day Libya)
• Gomer (modern-day Ukraine and southern Russia)
• Tarshish (believed to be modern-day Turkey)
• Young lions (believed to be modern-day Israel)
• Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal (believed to be modern-day Russia and eastern Europe)
Motivations for the War
According to the prophecy, the motivations for the war are:
• Israel’s wealth (Ezekiel 38:12-13) – The coalition nations will be attracted to Israel’s wealth and resources, including its natural gas fields and agricultural land.
• Israel’s pride (Ezekiel 38:14-15) – The coalition nations will be motivated by a desire to bring Israel low and destroy its pride and independence.
The Attack
The prophecy describes a sudden and unexpected attack by the coalition nations on Israel (Ezekiel 38:9-12). The attack will come without warning, and will be accompanied by a great earthquake (Ezekiel 38:19-20) that will cause widespread destruction.
The Consequences
The consequences of the war will be devastating for Israel and the world. One-third of Israel’s people will die (Ezekiel 39:21-22), and the country will be left in ruins. The prophecy also describes a period of seven years of war and bloodshed, which will culminate in the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world.
Modern-Day Implications
The Ezekiel 38 war has modern-day implications that are widely debated among prophecy scholars. Some believe that the prophecy is yet to be fulfilled, while others believe that it has already been fulfilled in part.
Iran’s Aggression
Iran, which is mentioned as one of the nations involved in the war, has been increasing its aggression towards Israel in recent years. In 2019, Iran launched a missile attack on an Iraqi base used by US troops, which was seen as a major escalation of its conflict with the US.
Russia’s Involvement
Russia, which is also mentioned as one of the nations involved in the war, has been increasing its military presence in the Middle East in recent years. In 2015, Russia launched a military intervention in Syria on behalf of the government, which has led to widespread criticism from the international community.
The Role of the US
The United States is not mentioned in the prophecy as one of the nations involved in the war. However, it is widely believed that the US will play a major role in the conflict. Some prophecy scholars believe that the US will be forced to intervene in the conflict to protect its interests and allies in the region.
Conclusion
The Ezekiel 38 war is a prophecy that has significant implications for Israel, the Middle East, and the world. While some believe that the prophecy is yet to be fulfilled, others believe that it has already been fulfilled in part. Regardless, the war is believed to be a precursor to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world.
Table: The Nations Involved in the War
Nation | Location |
---|---|
Gog | Magog (modern-day Russia) |
Persia | Modern-day Iran |
Ethiopia | Modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea |
Libya | Modern-day Libya |
Gomer | Modern-day Ukraine and southern Russia |
Tarshish | Modern-day Turkey |
Young lions | Modern-day Israel |
Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal | Modern-day Russia and eastern Europe |
Timeline of Major Events
- 2015: Russia launches military intervention in Syria on behalf of the government
- 2019: Iran launches missile attack on Iraqi base used by US troops
- Future Event: The Ezekiel 38 war, which will lead to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world