Back in the early 1960’s the world was at the brink of nuclear exchange. The USA had nuclear missiles planted on our good friend Turkey’s soil pointed at key cities in the USSR. The USSR in turn was planting nuclear weapons in Cuba pointed at key cities in the USA. Thank God the situation was resolved. Then in 1975 I went to US Military schools with Iranian soldiers from our great ally Iran. Then from 1989 to 1991, the Iron Curtain was dissolved and Russia’s satellites that made up the USSR were freed. I remember in 1991 many Bible Prophecy Scholars said that there was only a window of time before Russia (Mother Hen) will try to gather its satellite countries (Chicks) once again. In the 1990’s, the US was king of the hill. The USSR was broken up and China was just emerging from its seclusion. Oh how these things have truly changed since the dates I pointed out.
Now we see that the exact alignment of nations predicted in Ezekiel 38 is in place today. The USA, Western Europe (Tarshish), the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia (Sheba and Dedan) are allied today, just as portrayed in the Prophecy, while Russia, Iran, Turkey, Sudan, Libya, and most of the other nations of the Middle East and Persian Gulf are aligned against the West, again just as prophesied in Ezekiel 38. What is of great significance is the fact that the United States right now is being greatly weakened and falling from within. Israel can no longer rely on the USA to come to their aid. But God will (see Ezekiel 39:1-22). Note that even though Saudi Arabia did not sign the Abraham Accords, Israel and Saudi Arabia both share the same bitter enemy, which is Iran. Why do you think the Demonic Prince of the Kindom of Persia tried to thwart Michael, the Angel of God, from bringing the message of the End Times concerning Israel to Daniel in Daniel 10:14? What is also very interesting is the fact that even though Turkey has aligned itself with Russia, they are not too keen about Russia taking over Ukraine since it would put Russia at their very own doorstep.
God says this attack against Israel will be in the latter days and the leader of this attack will come from the remotest parts of the north. Remember that Ezekiel was from Israel and it is his perspective of what North is. Russia is going to lead this invasion against Israel and that Russia will be allied with several Islamic nations who hate Israel with a passion.
Sheba and Dedan (see Abraham Accords) and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you (Gog), “Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?”(Ezekiel 38:13 ESV)
The following are just some of the spoils, which would set the hook in Gog’s jaw. This is beside the great hatred for Israel and the rise of anti-semitism. Israel’s standard of living is significantly higher than all of the other countries in the region and equal to Western European countries, and is comparable to that of other highly developed countries. It is considered a high-income country by the World Bank. Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with cut diamonds, high-technology equipment and pharmaceuticals among its major exports. The country is very highly developed in terms of life expectancy, education, per capita income and other human development index indicators. Recently Israel has become rich in natural gas and has proven reserves equivalent to 17.6 times its annual consumption.
The following is a breakdown of the ancient peoples and regions mentioned in Ezekiel 38 who will come against Israel and an explanation of who they are today:
GOG- Leader of Magog and hordes
MAGOG- Russia, uttermost parts of the North
PERSIA- present day Iran
CUSH (ancient Ethiopia)- present day Sudan
PUT- present day Libya
GOMER- present day Central Turkey
TOGARMAH- present day Eastern Turkey
The region of MESHECH is often identified as being north of the Black Sea (southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia), and TUBAL as an area in central Turkey. The rich dark soil and the vast fields of wheat and other food products have earned Ukraine the nickname “bread basket of Europe”. Ukraine produces 25% of all agricultural output in the former Soviet Union. Ezekiel 38 tells us that Meshech and Tubal are ruled by Gog, a prince over those territories.
Now this leads us to what is headlining the news right now, and that is the build-up of Russian troops on the Ukraine border. It is a piece of the Ezekiel 38 puzzle that is coming together. Look at Ukraine on the world map. See that it is just north of Turkey across the Black Sea and thus, just above Israel. Very very strategic. Whether Russia takes back Ukraine at this time or is only testing the waters, the inevitable will eventually occur. Their devised evil scheme is advancing forward:
Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And 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 clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords. After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you. “Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme.” (Ezekiel 38:3-4, 8-10 ESV)
Please read for yourself Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39. Most Biblical Scholars believe that this ‘Ezekiel 38 War’ is what will plunge us into the Tribulation. Are you ready to be Raptured?
Here it is a little over a month after I wrote this article. I would like to add this Bible verse and along with it the chilling news article that is apropos to it:
Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind (Gog- leadership of Russia) and you will make an evil plan. (Ezekiel 38:10 NKJV)
3/17/22 News: The assault on Mariupol, Ukraine with relentless bombing of innocent civilians has revealed the full extent of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s determination to take Ukraine as he claims that his country will undergo a natural and necessary “self-purification” of “traitors.” “The Russian people will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and simply spit them out like a fly that accidentally flew into their mouths,” Putin said Wednesday. “I am convinced that such a natural and necessary self-purification of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to respond to any challenges.” Putin compared the West to Nazi Germany and accused Russians who opposed the war of having a “slave-like” mentality, The New York Times reported. He labeled the conflict “a struggle for our sovereignty, for the future of our country and our children.”
Annointing 