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Gog and East Europe? |
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Question: Is Ukraine mentioned in the Bible?
There is the possibility that Magog of Ezek. 38 and 39 may refer to Ukraine as part of Gog!
There is much confusion and misinformation about the subject of Gog and Magog. Well known authors who may not be sincere in their writings regarding the Biblical comments, and therefore the actual truth regarding this subject, may well only be interested in sensation and reputation!
That said, even very sincere men have written with difficulty on this subject, as to some commentators the Bible comments seem to conflict; but, as always, that is because of incomplete knowledge, or lack of spiritual sincerity!
The facts (Biblical), make statements that can be trusted, even if not understood. The statements made are future (at this date, 2012 & 2019), and are related to the end Age dealings of Almighty God with certain specific Nations relative to His Chosen People, Israel; but also to the Nations of the world known as Gentiles.
A good starting point will be to examine the Bible references to Gog and Magog, and try to understand relevance to the Prophecies of the “End of the Age”, and which “Age” or time is referred to.
Before that, it should be said that there are so many ideas as to whom these entities are, that the following extract from Wikipedia gives a quick resume'.
Gog and Magog are names that appear primarily in various Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, as well as numerous subsequent references in other works. Their context can be either genealogical (as Magog in Genesis 10:2) or eschatological and apocalyptic, as in Ezekiel and Revelation.
They are sometimes individuals, sometimes peoples, and sometimes geographic regions. The passages from Ezekiel and Revelation in particular have attracted attention due to their prophetic descriptions of conflicts said to occur near the "End times".
As can be seen from the above brief description, it is imperative to place the Scriptural statements and events in context, as is the case with all the Bible (Miles Coverdale).
Before dealing with the main references in Ezekiel and Revelation, it is worth mentioning that one well known writer (deceased), was/is of the opinion that especially the Revelation references are supernatural beings. The theory is based on the translation of Agag (king of the Amalekites) to Gog in the Septuagint, as Agag was supposedly related to Nephilim. The idea is based on Exodus 17:16, which is a definite statement re. God’s continuing warfare with those peoples. It is further underpinned by the 1Samuel 15 references to Agag, and Samuel’s destruction of him in verse 33; which as Jehovah’s Anointed Prophet, may precursor the Victory of God’s Anointed Son Christ Jesus at Armageddon.
The first major reference to Gog, Magog is in Ezekiel 38:2-8, which describes the fact that God will “put hooks into thy jaws”, making it inevitable that these peoples will be drawn to Armageddon! Dr. Bullinger describes well these Nations and their origins in his notes in the Companion Bible. Gog, Magog, Meshech and Tubal; are all lands and peoples North (including modern day Turkey and possibly Ukraine) and North East of Israel, including the Caucasus, and are all descended from Japheth (Gen. 10:2). Dr. Bullinger makes the point that the “chief prince” is the leader of Rosh, (Heb. Ro’sh), “which may point to Russia”; which at present is relating strongly with Turkey on many commercial and other subjects relating to strategic and defence issues. This puts Russia (Rosh) in a strong background support and guiding position, as political situations develop in the Mid-East (Dec. 2013, 2019 & 2022-24).
These peoples are apparently to be joined in this effort against Israel by; (vs. 5-6), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer (north of Turkey), Togarmah, (Armenia). These are the named peoples, whose efforts are at the end of the Great Tribulation period (Jacob’s Trouble, Jer. 30:7) and www.revelationsmessage.co.uk. Ezek. 38 and 39 give the full account. The attack by these hordes is ended by the return of Christ Jesus, in great power (Dan. 2:45; Ezek.38:23; & Zech.12:10); and His destruction of these armies, otherwise the “remnant of Israel” would be destroyed, and Satan would be in the ascendency!
After this, Christ Jesus will set up His Earthly Kingdom in Jerusalem, and will Rule the world with a “rod of iron” for 1000 years. This Rule will not be easy for men and women who still refuse to acknowledge God and His Christ, as fallen human nature is being exposed and judged, with Satan bound for 1000 years (Rev. 20:2). (See: Millennial Purpose).
Satan will be released at the end of the 1000 years, to “again deceive the Nations” (Rev. 20:7), and the amazing fact is that he will gather again many followers!
Rev. 20:7-9 describes this event:
V.7: When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
V.8: And shall go out to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
V.9: And they went up on the breadth of the Earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of Heaven, and devoured them.
This time the people/armies are drawn from “the four quarters of the Earth”. This seems certain to mean all over the world. As a 1000 years earlier the Gog, Magog reference was to specific lands, this time (the last), the peoples of Gog, Magog have spread all over the world, as is easy to envisage. That approx. 84% of the original Gog, Magog were killed (Ezek. 39:2), (this is disputed by some translations; see Strongs number 8338!) the remaining 16% have had 1000 years to multiply to all parts of the world. As life is apparently much longer during this period (Isa. 65:20), that again makes such a possibility easy.
The question of the location of Gog, Magog, Mesheck, Tubal etc., is still in dispute. Some say Turkey, Caucuses etc., others South Eastern Europe, Southern Russia etc. However; as the Caucuses are a definite participant against Israel eventually; and as Russia is Politically heavily involved with them, and now Syria (old Babylonia); the location of the above Countries is almost certain.
Ezekiel 38:2-11
“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say", ‘Thus says the Lord God', “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. 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 splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords"; read more.
Revelation 20:8
Verse Concepts:
and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the Earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.
Genesis 10:2
The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.
Ezekiel 38:2
Verse Concepts:
“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him".
Ezekiel 38:15
Verse Concepts:
You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army;
Ezekiel 39:3-9
"I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken”, declares the Lord God. Read more.
Revelation 20:7-8
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the Earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.
Ezekiel 38:2-3
“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophecy against him and say", ‘Thus says the Lord God', “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal".
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Gog-And-Magog
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