Ezekiel 38:1-23

38:1-6 | Chapters 38 & 39 detail a coming attack on Israel by a confederation of peoples. Ezekiel’s prophecy begins with a list of proper names. Many of these identify certain grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Noah who were the fathers of nations that for a time bore their names (Gen. 10). These nations, which today no longer have those original names, will ultimately form a coalition that will march against Israel.

38:4-13 | Gog, the leader of a massive confederation of pagan forces, sees Israel as a great, undefended treasure to be taken by force. He thinks the invasion is his own idea, but in fact he acts according to the purposes of God, who will use Gog’s arrogance and defeat to glorify His own name in front of the whole world, much as He did with the Pharoah of the Exodus (Ex. 7:1-5; 14:4, 17-18).

38:14 | The prophet tells us that the invasion of Israel will take place at a time when Israel is dwelling safely and in peace and not involved in conflict with other nations. When will there be such a time? The only period in Israel’s life likely to meet this requirement comes immediately following the Rapture of the church when the Antichrist makes a treaty with Israel to guarantee her peace and security.

38:18-23 | God Himself will defeat the enemy with fire, earthquake, hailstones, and disease. The victory will be so complete, overwhelming, and so obviously supernatural that the remaining nations of the earth will recognize that God’s sovereign, omnipotent hand rests upon Israel for her blessing and protection.