“And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: “Assemble yourselves and come; Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you, A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, That you may eat flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, Drink the blood of the princes of the earth, Of rams and lambs, Of goats and bulls, All of them fatlings of Bashan. Ezekiel 39:17-18 NKJV
I suppose it would be fair to say that the majority of those believers who choose to be watchmen are without a doubt watching closely for the prophesied war of Ezekiel 38-39 which is also known as the Gog Magog War. While many may be familiar with what the Word has to say about it, I’m willing to bet that while most know it takes place in ”the mountains of Israel”, what they may not know is where those mountains are. The key is found when God describes the bodies left over from the slaughter as a “sacrificial meal” and then as the “fatlings of Bashan”. You see, the bodies’ litter the ground at Bashan, which today in Israel is known as the Golan Heights.
With that in mind, it caught my attention this past week when I came across the following article which reported that Russian troops are moving closer to the Golan Heights.
Russian Forces Move Closer To The Mountains Of Israel
https://harbingersdaily.com/russian-forces-move-closer-to-the-mountains-of-israel/
While there is no reference to the number or makeup of these troops, the simple fact that they are present should be a wake up call to any watcher. Magog and Persia are poised in Syria, awaiting the time they attempt to invade Israel for spoil. Sheba and Dedan along with the merchants of Tarshish are talking peace. As we see these things happening in that part of the world is it any wonder so many watchers believe the time of the Church’s deliverance is imminent?
Any conflict with Syria could easily escalate to the point where the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 could take place. Assad of Syria and Nasrallah of Hizballah have made it perfectly clear that they would like nothing better than to see a world without Israel or the Jewish people. As we watch the conflict between Hizballah in Lebanon and the nation of Israel escalating one has to wonder what lies in the immediate future. An attack on the nation of Israel which threatens their existence would provoke an overwhelming response, thus putting into motion the evil plan of Gog by giving him the excuse he needs. I believe too, that when it does occur (and we know it will), in hindsight it will be seen to be the beginning of the “labor” we are watching for.
“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. “For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, ‘so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ “I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. “And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ Ezekiel 38:18-23 NKJV
If you are a student of biblical prophecy, I’m sure you have either heard or read that the most asked question concerning the end times is “Where is America?” in all of this? What I have always believed is that if the United States were relevant, it would be mentioned in scripture. The fact that it seems to be absent lends weight to the idea that for one reason or another, America as we know it is rendered irrelevant. Many have taught that one reason might be found in the passage from Ezekiel which describes what some believe could be a future nuclear attack. The following is an excerpt from an article by Chuck Missler of Koinonia House.
“The ultimate invasion of the Middle East by "Gog and Magog" is well known to most Biblically informed observers The invading forces of Magog - recognized as referring to Russia by most authorities - are wiped out by "hailstones of fire" from the heavens, which also cause an earthquake felt around the world. A disturbing aspect of this encounter is that similar "hailstones of fire" also appear to fall on those "who dwell securely in the isles" or coastlands. Some suspect that this could be a hint of an intercontinental nuclear exchange as part of the confrontation with Magog and its allies.”
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2001/344/
The most important idea in this observation, as well as what is described in the passage from Ezekiel, is the fact that what we are told occurs is quite possibly an “exchange” of nuclear missiles. Ezekiel makes it clear that the “fire” falls on both Magog and the coastlands. The word used here translated “coastlands” is the Hebrew word “iy”, which is translated to mean, coast, island, shore, region. Many Bible scholars have voiced the opinion that this is most likely the word that one would use at the time the book of Ezekiel was written to describe an unknown land far away.
If we accept that premise then one must ask the question, what nation would fit that description which also possesses nuclear weapons? The simple answer is only one. While we can discuss at length all of the reasons and provocations which might result in a nuclear exchange between Russia and the United States, the one point which should never be ignored or forgotten is that this passage tells us that it is God Himself who brings this all to pass. Notice that we are told that “I will send fire”. While there may be reasons why the decision is made by earthly leaders to push the button, it is God’s decision to bring it to pass, and as we have seen in previous studies, the use of “fire” is a strong indication of God’s judgment upon both Magog and the “coastlands”.
“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.” Isaiah 46:9-13 NKJV
While this judgment by fire falls on two different nations, it is important to remember that Magog receives this judgment as they attempt to invade Israel through the Golan Heights. Yet although this occurs in such close proximity to the nation of Israel, God protects them from any harm or “fallout” from His judgment. The reason for this miracle is made clear as we are told that this is the time where God will reveal Himself to not only Israel, but the entire world in such a way as that there is no mistake as to who is in charge.
“So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.” Ezekiel 39:7 NKJV
If all of this sounds just a little farfetched to some, I would simply point out that while the possibility that this passage describes the use of nuclear missiles is purely conjecture, the fact remains that there will be a battle that affects both Magog and another land, and it is at this time that God will somehow make it clear to the entire world that He not only exists, but has His protective hand upon the nation of Israel.
“Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord GOD. “This is the day of which I have spoken.” Ezekiel 39:8 NKJV
This will happen, and if current events are any indication, it is going to happen very soon. The rising tensions between Russia and the United States over US support for the Ukraine has resulted in threats by Russia to use nuclear weapons given the right provocation. You can take them with a grain of salt but never forget that God has spoken and His plan is going to go forward until its’ completion.
“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!” Mark 13:29 NKJV
If you have never taken the step of asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart and save you from eternity without Him, I encourage you to do that right now. Simply tell Him you are sorry for your sin, ask Him to forgive you and accept the sacrifice He made to die for your sin, and He has promised not only to forgive you but to make you one of His own and come into your life and provide all the help you need to begin to live for Him.
Keep watching.
