What Is the Prophecy in Ezekiel 38–39? Is It a Russian Invasion?

What is the prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38–39? Is it a Russian invasion of Israel? The battle described in Ezekiel 38–39 occurs at a time when Israel is back in the land, apparently living in peace and safety. From the day Ezekiel penned these words until today, there has never been an attack against Israel by the coalition of nations pictured in this prophecy. Though the names of the nations listed by Ezekiel aren’t found on modern maps, they were real countries in Ezekiel’s day. The leader is an empire builder named Gog. The name harkens back to a ruthless king named Gyges who ruled in what is today western Turkey, less than a century before Ezekiel. Gyges was associated with tyranny and conquest, which is why Ezekiel uses his name to picture this future ruler. It would be similar to someone today describing a future ruler as the next “Hitler.”

Lest someone wonder where this future Gog is actually from, Ezekiel says he will rule over Magog, Meshech, and Tubal (38:2). These areas extended from north of the Black Sea into northeastern Anatolia. Ezekiel also says he will be from “the remote parts of the north” ( 38:15). His empire will extend from above the Black Sea down into the area between the Black and Caspian Seas.

Ezekiel says this ruler will also have several allies. He identifies them as Persia, Cush, and Put (38:5). Persia is modern-day Iran, Cush is the region south of Egypt that includes Sudan, and Put was the area west of Egypt—today known as Libya. Ezekiel also lists two other countries in this alliance—Gomer and Beth-togarmah (38:6). Both groups began in the region around the Black and Caspian Seas and migrated into modern Turkey.

Overlaying these ancient nations and groups on a contemporary map leads to an interesting discovery: all the allies of Gog match up with areas that today are either dominated by Islamic fundamentalism or are struggling with it. Iran became an Islamic state under Ayatollah Khomeini. The northern half of Sudan harbored bin Laden for a time, and the country served as an arms transport base funneling weapons from Iran to Hamas. Libya has disintegrated into warring factions, with some groups supplying fighters and weapons to ISIS and to Islamic forces in Egypt and Gaza. Although Turkey is officially a secular Muslim country, the party in power has its roots in Islamic fundamentalism, and harbors visions of Turkish imperialism and a revived Ottoman Empire.

These countries aren’t natural allies, but two factors enable them to overcome their differences: a common hatred for Israel and an overwhelming desire for material gain. The leader from the north will forge together a coalition sharing these mutual interests and goals.

God announces in advance that these invaders will be defeated in a way that demonstrates to Israel that God is in control. “‘It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ declares the Lord God, ‘that My fury will mount up in My anger. In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will certainly be a great earthquake in the land of Israel’” (38:18–19). The ultimate “act of God”—a devastating earthquake at the precise time these invaders reach Israel—stops the armies in their tracks. But God isn’t done.

In the confusion caused by the earthquake, “Every man’s sword will be against his brother” (38:21). The confusion caused by the earthquake is multiplied by the babble of languages from the different invading forces, leading the panicked allies to begin fighting one another. And yet God still isn’t done. “With plague and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone” (v. 22). Plague decimates the troops; hailstones rain down—and because of the earthquake, there is no shelter under which to hide. “Brimstone” might describe a volcanic eruption. The Golan Heights, which are the natural entry point for this northern army, are dotted with extinct volcanoes. God seems to choose this precise moment in time to awaken those mountains from their slumber.

God concludes: “So I will prove Myself great, show Myself holy, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord” (v. 23). The effects of the battle will have international repercussions.

These countries invade at a time when Israel is at peace. This fits well with the first half of the still-future tribulation period, but not the second half. Ezekiel also says one key outcome of the battle is that Israel will come to know her God. At the very beginning of the tribulation Israel makes an agreement with the Antichrist. But by the middle of the seven-year period Israel refuses to accept him as god. It’s this battle that marks the change. God uses this invasion—and His destruction of the invaders—to begin turning Israel’s heart toward Him in national repentance.