Gog And Magog Prophecy In The Book Of Revelation

David Tee - AncientPages.com - People like to know what is going to happen.

That is why they study the future and ancient prophecies. The key to the future is to study the past. With Ezekiel, written roughly 2,500 to 3,000 years ago, and the Book of Revelation written 2,000 years ago, there are two ancient prophecies talking about the modern future.

Gog and Magog besiege the City of Saints. Their depiction with the hooked noses was noted by Paul Meyer. Credit: Public Domain

Ancient biblical prophecies should not be dismissed as the mere rants of ancient religious zealots who had nothing better to do with their time. Ezekiel 36 to 37 are full of prophecies that have been fulfilled in the 20^th century.

Who Are Gog and Magog

There is a lot of debate as to which countries those identities refer to. Obviously, there are no modern nations or regions that use those two names today. The scholarly world is also divided over who the two names refer to. Some agree with Howard Vos who in 2003 said the term Gog refers to a Lydian King named Gyges.

Others side with RK Harrison who identified Gaga or Gago, a king of the city-state Sabi who was mentioned in the Amarna letters. A third faction applies the identification to the Seleucids of Northern Syria.

Then because the name Moscow comes from the word Meshech, and Tubal is similar to Tobol, some scholars pinpoint modern-day Russia as Gog of Magog. These scholars could be correct, or they may have missed the correct identification for it may be as simple as a group of people living in those areas.

The Gog and Magog people were walled off by Alexander's forces.–Jean Wauquelin's Book of Alexander. Bruges, Belgium, 15th century. Credit: Public Domain

For example, there are Muslims who are living in China. If a prophecy says the people of China will attack, etc. That prophecy may not mean the nation of China but that particular group of people who live in the country yet identify as Muslim.

Also, there is the theory that the term Gog may refer to a specific person holding a specific title. The prophecy says Gog, of the land Magog, PRINCE of… Gog may be the leader of a group of people.

When Will This Battle Take Place?

The prophet of Ezekiel is not specific as to when this great battle will take place. But the Apostle John has written in the book of revelation that Gog and Magog make their appearance after the 1,000-year reign of Christ. See chapter 20 in the Book of Revelation.

The prophecy concerning Gog and Magog seems to be different from the one mentioned in Rev. 19. The latter talks about the overthrow and punishment of the false prophet and the beast. Two people who have led the world astray and into sin.

Satan is only imprisoned at this time, see Chapter 20 verse 1ff. For some reason, which we are not privy to, Satan is to be released after the 1,000-year reign and is allowed to deceive once again.

At this point, Gog and Magog gather people from many different nations and converge for one final battle on this earth. It will not be much of a battle as Satan and his armies are defeated and Satan is thrown in the lake of fire joining the beast and the false prophet.

Providing Hope

Prophecies do not exist merely to tell people what is going to happen in the future. Part of their purpose is to bring hope to those people who believe and give them the strength to endure. God will win in the end even though all things look dark and very hopeless.

Land of "Gog i Magog", its king mounted on a horse, followed by a procession (lower half); Alexander's Gate, showing Alexander, Antichrist, and mechanical trumpeters (upper left).Catalan Atlas (1375), Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale. Credit: Public Domain

Paul’s words to us at the end of 1^st Thess. and the beginning of 2^nd Thess., is for all believers to not stop their working for the Lord. Looking for the end is okay, but it is not the focal point of the believer’s life. There is still much work to be done to achieve God’s desire that all men must be saved.

It will probably be fruitless to try and identify who is who when it comes to prophesy. Many attempts to do so have backfired. Henry Kissinger among others has been named as a possible candidate as the Anti-Christ.

Most are dead now. It is best to just wait and see who is the one referred to as Gog, and Magog, The Beast, the Anti-Christ, and so on.

Written by – David Tee - AncientPages.com 

Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com

Expand for references