by
Tim LaHaye
The
unbelievable upheaval in the Soviet Union that has already toppled that
government has caused many to ask, "Will God still destroy Russia on the
mountains
of
Israel the Way the prophet Ezekiel described in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39.
Since
that prophecy has never been fulfilled, you can be sure that as long as there
is a God in heaven who always keeps His Word, it will come to Pass some
day.
The fact that the Arab "hordes," even after the war in the Persian
Gulf of 1991, are still allies of Russia indicates it may be sooner than most
people
think.
If,
as biblical prophecy predicts, Russia is going to lead an attack on Israel and
be destroyed by God in the process, that nation had better get with it
or
they will no longer be a world power. At the rate they are collapsing
internally, Russia will be a fifth-rate nation by the twenty- first century.
To
help you put all these events in perspective, read Ezekiel 38 and 39 before
proceeding with this chapter.
Why
Single Out Russia?
Next
to His Son, human beings are dearest to the heart of God. He seems to love them
even more than He does the angels, for He sent His only begotten Son
to
die for human beings. Only mankind can sin against God yet be forgiven and
granted eternal life through belief in His Son.
In
two chapters of the Book of Ezekiel, however, God establishes that He is
against the nation of Russia. That is most unusual because history shows that
God
is for mankind. There must be some compelling reason why God, who loves us so
much that He gave His Son for us, would turn so aggressively against
an
entire nation.
The
key, I believe, is the satanic presence that indwelt many of the Russian
leaders for so many years. In several Old Testament prophecies, God's proclamation
of
judgment went far beyond the immediate kingdom to the spirit of Satan that
controlled the rulers.
The
power of government to oppress billions of people was never lost on Satan.
Early in human history he learned to give special attention to world leaders
-
as he will to the Antichrist world dictator during the Tribulation period. For
if Satan controls the dictator, king, or leader of a country, he can ultimately
tyrannize
that country.
In
Daniels day the supreme example was Nebuchadnezzar. Satan exercised dominion
over both king and country; thus God opposed both the nation of Babylon,
because
of its unrighteous ways, and the spirit of Satan, which indwelt the king
So
it has been with Russia since 1917. God not only abhors the philosophy of the
former Soviet system but the source of power behind it, Satan himself.
Consider
these prophecies from a loving God who declares He is against Russia, her
leader, her capital city, and one of her major provinces.
And
the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against
Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy
against
him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, 0 Gog, the
chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezek. 38:1-3).
Therefore,
thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God;
Behold, I am against thee, 0 Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
And
I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause
thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains
of
Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine
arrows to fall out of thy right hand (Ezek. 39:1-3).
God
not only opposes Russia but vividly describes her coming destruction, vowing,
"I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild
animals"
(Ezek. 39:4;NIV). This is similar to our Lord's prediction concerning the
armies of the Antichrist. (See Matt. 24:28 and Rev. 19:17-21.) Such
graphic
prophecies are reserved not just for Stalin-like dictators who brutalize their
subjects but the satanic spirit that indwells them. This judgment
is
really aimed at the satanic power within "Gog," the chief ruler of
the Russians.
Ever
since the Bolshevik Revolution, Satan has ostensibly made his anti-human
headquarters the city of Moscow and his personal dwelling such leaders as
Lenin,
Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Andropov, and for six and one-half years,
Gorbachev, who was more subtle than all of them. Under satanic influence,
they
incited communism's anti-human governmental systems to enslave upward of 1.5
billion people and thus incurred the wrath of God for three reasons:
1.
They propagated an atheistic religion.
The
most heinous sin in God's eyes is to deceive people by teaching a religion
other than the gospel of Christ.
Our
Lord revealed the attitude of God in every deed. He always had time for
repentant sinners and showered mercy upon them. He reserved His severest
strictures
not
for adulterers, tax collectors, or other sinners but for the religious leaders
of His day. Why? They had deceived people about God.
The
doctrine of atheism is such an integral part of communism that wherever the
philosophy has gone - either in a totalitarian takeover of a country or
in
the infiltration of the universities of the free world - its teachers have
always taught materialism and atheism, the fundamental doctrines of Karl
Marx
and his disciples. They have appealed to the masses with their philosophy of
economic socialism because it attracts votes.
An
irony of history is that the precepts of communism have never worked
successfully. Never has communism raised the standard of living in any country.
In
addition, every country that has voted Communists into power in a free election
has always voted them out of power at the first opportunity. Witness
the
dissolution of the USSR.
Since
its inception, communism has consistently fostered a rejection of God,
supplanting Him with a belief in "man's potential, not God's.'' It is safe
to
say that no other philosophy of life has created more skeptics, agnostics, and
unbelievers, and it would never have had the worldwide impact it has
had
without the power of the former Soviet Union behind it.
Communism
has been effective in polluting the minds of young people in the Western world
because it is so close to secular humanism. This philosophy of
life,
to one degree or another, is held by most of those who occupy chairs of
philosophy, law, or education in the major universities and other educational
institutions
of the West. As I have explained in my four books on secular humanism, not all
secular humanists are Communists, but all Communists are secular
humanists.'
Therefore, it would be easy for Communists to infiltrate educational
institutions in any country, even in the free world.
Posing
as secular humanists, these Marxist professors teach their anti- God,
anti-morality, anti-free enterprise, and anti-Christianity philosophy. Many
Communists
have used this subterfuge to earn their living at taxpayers' expense in our
educational institutions, spending their entire lifetimes polluting
the
faith of as many of the thirteen million college students in America as they
can. Despite recent events, they continue to pursue the same ends throughout
the
rest of the Western world.
I
debated one secular humanist who has been a philosophy professor in a major
educational institution on the West Coast for forty years. He proudly testified
that
he had changed the faith of many of his students who came from
"fundamentalist Christian homes." I do not know whether the man is a
Communist, but
it
really doesn't matter. The shocking effects on his students are the same
whether he is or isn't
The
great tragedy in all of this is that young people do not become unbelievers
because of lack of evidence. God has supplied overwhelming testimony in
the
Bible regarding His existence, His supernaturalness, and the supernaturalness
of Jesus Christ. I have had the joy of leading many people to Christ
after
they have thoroughly investigated the logical reasons for accepting the bodily
resurrection of Jesus as historical fact.
Why,
then, in the face of persuasive evidence, do so many young people become
unbelievers in our secular institutions? It is simply that the evidence is
not
taught in those institutions. Consequently, young people become atheists or
agnostics after examining only one side of the issue - the infidels side.
Most
college professors believe that their anti-God position is the only one
entitled to exposure in the halls of acafemia. When one contemplates the
infiltrated
universities
of the West- world, and the many other places that Communists and humanist
sympathizers have penetrated with their educational missionary
work,
it is probably safe to say that Russia has damned as many souls intellectually
as she has destroyed physically. No wonder God says, "I am against
you,
0 Gog."
2.
Russia has violated more biblical principles than any other nation.
The
former Soviet Union continually taught people to act as she did. It is one
thing to blatantly teach atheism; it is another to infuse a lifestyle that
is
diametrically opposed to the purposes of God.
The
Bible makes it clear that happiness is the result of obeying God's principles
(Luke 11:28). We are seeing this vividly illustrated in the social and
family
scene in the United States today. The Christian families who practice biblical
principles enjoy harmony and love in an openly anti-Christian culture.
By
contrast, those who follow the philosophy of secular humanism and communism -
man as the center of all things, and self-indulgence, self-actualization,
and
self- realization as his primary purpose - seriously compound their
difficulties.
It
is one of the long-standing tactics of Communists to pollute the morals of a
nation they have targeted for takeover. They successfully assaulted the
morals
of Great Britain before and during World War 11, then came to Canada and
America to duplicate the process during the past three decades.
For
example, who has advocated "free love," permissive sex,"
"abortion on demand," "homosexual rights," "the free
distribution of pornography," and "the
removal
of laws against non-prescriptive drugs and marijuana?" It has not been
parents, church leaders, construction workers, or family-oriented people.
These
radical social activities have been consistently advocated from the halls of
our prestigious universities and colleges, where secular humanist and
Communist
teachings are welcomed with open arms.
If
Jesus were on earth today, He would say of the Communists what He said of the
Pharisees in Matthew 23:15-16;NIV: "You travel over land and sea to win
a
single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of
hell as you are. Woe to you, blind guides ... !"
God
is against Russia because of its soul-damning philosophy of atheism.
3.
Russia has persecuted the Jews.
Everyone
knows that Karl Marx was a Jew, and most people realize that both Lenin and
Stalin were partially Jewish. But, many do not realize that the majority
of
the leading fifty men who seized control of Russia in the Bolshevik Revolution
were also Jews.
Since
then, however, there has been a systematic purge of Jewish leadership within
the Communist party in Russia, primarily instigated by Stalin. He authorized
the
extermination of many Jewish leaders in the party as well as ordinary Jewish
citizens.
We
cannot identify with certainty the reasons for this deep-rooted antagonism
between Communist leaders and the Jews. It could be nationalism - that is,
Russian
Communists do not trust non-Russians. Consequently, they might have used the
Jews to foment revolution early in the century then have them systematically
removed
from positions of power. But quite possibly the Communists felt intimidated by
the intellectual gifts of their Jewish comrades.
Not
content just to silence Jewish opposition in Russia, the Communists were
unwilling to permit the large Jewish population of the nation to emigrate to
Israel
until forced to do so by the refusal of our government to grant them "Most
Favored Nation" trading status. Even when they have begrudgingly permitted
them
to emigrate, it has been accomplished by difficulty and disagreement.
God
made it very clear in His Word that He would bless the nations that are good to
the Jews and curse those that persecute them. In all history there has
never
been a case where a nation that has mistreated the Jews has conquered a nation
that was benevolent to them. As we will see later, America's policy
of
defending Israel is probably our greatest line of national defense. By
contrast, Russia's policy of persecution will prove to be her death knell.
It
appears now that the days of the Soviet empire are over. But be sure of this,
Russia will come out of all the present turmoil in charge. Why is that?
She
already has control of the thirty thousand missiles and the military capability
of the country. A new and more ruthless men could emerge and consolidate
the
empire and still maintain good relations with the Arab allies.
No
rational person takes pleasure in the destruction of an entire nation, not even
when that destruction is an act of judgment by a righteous, sovereign
God.
However, we must recognize that Z500 years ago the Hebrew prophets, under
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, made such a prediction, and world conditions
seem
to indicate that the coming destruction cannot be far off. Russia is
unquestionably the nation identified in the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39.
It
is not sufficient just to say that Bible scholars for several hundred years
have interpreted Ezekiel 38 and 39 as referring to Russia. We must be more
explicit
than that, for the proper identity of "Gog" and "Magog" is
essential to the interpretation of this passage. Therefore, I suggest three
reasons
that
confirm the identity of that nation, which is also predicted to invade Israel
in the last days.
1.
Russia's Philosophy
We
have already seen in the Bible that God is against "Magog" (the
country) and "Gog" (the chief prince of the country). Why would a
loving God who has
always
been fir mankind be against this nation? Because the nation is against Him.
As
the preceding section showed, "Magog" exhibits her antagonism toward
God by opposing humanity, the special object of God's love, defying God's Word;
and
above all, antagonizing His people, the nation of Israel. Philosophically and
religiously, the nation of Russia qualifies in every way. It is anti-God,
anti-human,
anti-Bible, and anti-Israel. But there is another reason for recognizing
"Magog" as Russia.
2.
Russia's Geographical Location
Another
significant reason for identifying Russia as Magog is her geographical
location. The Bible usually describes geography in relation to Israel. For
example,
"south" means south of Israel; "north" signifies north of
Israel.
The
only likely exception would come in this instance, in that Ezekiel was in
Babylon when he spoke the prophecy. A case could be made that he may have
meant
"north of Babylon" when he said, "You will come from your place
in the far north" (38:15;NIV), or, "I will bring you from the far
north and send
you
against the mountains of Israel" (39:2;NIV).
The
following map shows that it doesn't matter whether one starts in Israel or
Babylon; north in either case leads to the broad expanse of the former Soviet
Union.
Unquestionably, the invading forces that will march against the nation Israel,
recalled from the nations of the world and established in her own
land,
come from none other than Russia.
3.
The Study of Etymology
Etymology
is the study of linguistic changes and the history of words. We will
investigate the etymology of the names of nations. As we will see,
"Magog"
is
an ancient name for the nation now known as Russia. "Gog" merely
means "the chief prince of Magog," or more literally, the chief
prince of Meshech and
Tubal
(38:2-3; 39:1).
Genesis
10 helps to establish the identity of these people. Magog was the second son of
Japheth who, according to Josephus, the great Jewish historian,
settled
north of the Black Sea. Tubal and Meshech were the fifth and sixth sons of
Japheth, and their descendants settled south of the Black Sea. It is
believed
that these people intermarried and became known as Magog, the dominant tribe.
The
name "Moscow" derives from the tribal name "Meshech," and
"Tobolsk," the name of the principal state, from "'Tubal."
The noun "Gog" is from the original
tribal
name "Magog," which gradually became "Rosh," then
"Russ," and today is known as "Russia."
In
The Late Great Planet Earth, Hal Lindsey offers a helpful discussion on the
identity of these nations.
It
is necessary on the next few pages to establish some documentation from ancient
history. Some people find this subject "a little dull," to say the
least.
If
this is your case, you may wish to skim over the high points. For others, it
will prove to be rewarding to check carefully the grounds upon which the
historical
case is built.
Herodotus,
the fifth century B.C. Greek philosopher, is quoted as mentioning Meshech and
Tubal. He identified them with a people named the Samaritans and
Muschovites,
who lived at that time in the ancient province of Pontus in northern Asia
Minor.
Josephus,
a Jewish historian of the first century, says that the people of his day known
as the Moschevi and Thobelites were founded by Meshech and Tubal,
respectively.
He said, "... Magog is called the Scythians by the Greeks." He
continued by saying that these people lived in the northern regions above
the
Caucasus Mountains.
Pliny,
a noted Roman writer of early Christian times, said, "Hierapolis, taken by
the Scythians, was afterward called Magog." In this he shows that the
dreaded
barbaric people called the Scythians were identified with their ancient tribal
name. Any good history book of ancient times traces the Scythians
to
be a principal part of the people who make up modem Russia.
Wilhehn
Gesenius, a great Hebrew scholar of the early nineteenth century, discusses
these words in his unsurpassed Hebrew Lexicon. "Meshech," he says,
"was
founder
of the Moschi, a barbarous people, who dwelt in the Moschian mountains.
This
scholar went onto say that the Greek name, "Moschi," derived from the
Hebrew name Meshech is the source of the name for the city of Moscow In
discussing
Tubal
he said, "Tubal is the son of Rapheth, founder of the Tibereni, a people
dwelling on the Black Sea to the west of the Moschi."
Gesenius
concludes by saying that these people undoubtedly make up the modem Russian
people.
There
is one more name to consider in this line of evidence. It is the Hebrew word,
"Rosh," translated "chief" in Ezekiel 38:2-3 of the King
James and Revised
Standard
Versions. The word literally means in Hebrew the "top" or
"head" of something. According to most scholars, this word is used in
the sense of a
proper
name, not as a descriptive noun qualifying the word "prince."
The
German scholar, Dr. Keil, says, after a careful grammatical analysis, that it
should be translated as a proper name, i.e., Rosh. He says, "The Byzantine
and
Arabic writers frequently mention a people called Ros and Rus, dwelling in the
country of Taurus, and reckoned among the Scythian tribes."
Dr.
Gesenius in his Hebrew Lexicon says, "... Rosh was a designation for the
tribes then north of the Taurus Mountains, dwelling in the neighborhood of
the
Volga." He concluded that in this name and tribe we have the first
historical trace of the Russ or Russian nation .
In
1857, Rev. F. E. Pitts delivered two sermons on prophecy before a joint session
of the houses of the United States Congress. His was one of the most
respected
prophetic voices of his day. Sixty years before the Communist conquest of
Russia, he had the boldness to warn the United States government of
the
coming day when Russia would be a dominant world power. Obviously he had
insight, unpopular in his day, derived from Ezekiel 38 and 39.
Pitts
had access to prophetic literature that is no longer available - literature
showing that more than a hundred years ago it was popular to identify
"Rosh"
as Russia.
The
very name of the ancient patriarches of the Russian dominions determine their
location and nationality. "Gog" signifies a prince, or head, of many
countries.
Magog,
Gomer, Meshech, and Tubal are four of the seven sons of Japheth. (See Gen. 10
and 1 Chron. 1.) These patriarches, according to Calmet, Brown, Bochart,
and
others, settled within the bounds of what is now the Russian dominions.
"Magog,"
says Josephus, "founded the Magogue, whom the Greeks call Sythee."
The Scyth form almost one-fourth of the Russian population. They extended from
Hungary,
Transylvania, and Wallachia, on the west, to the River Dan on the east. The
Russian territory of this people embraces a large portion both of
Europe
and Asia.
Meshech,
the sixth son of Japheth, settled in the northeastern portion of Asia Minor.
His posterity extended from the shores of the Euxine [Black] Sea along
to
the south of the Caucasus. He was the father of the Rossi and Moschi, who
dispersed their colonies over a vast portion of Russian territory. And their
names
are preserved in the names of Russians and Muscovites to this day. The
Septuagint version of the Old Testament renders the term "Meshech" by
the
words
"Mosch" and "Rosch;" while "Moscovy" is a common
name for Russia, and the city of Moscow is one of her principal cities.
Tubal,
or Tobal, the fifth son of Japheth, settled beyond the Caspian and Black Seas
in the eastern possessions of Russia, embracing a very large portion
of
these dominions. The name of this patriarch is still preserved in the river
Tobal, which waters an immense tract of Russian territory; and the city
of
Tobalski in Russia is still a monument to this son of Japheth.
All
these facts make it certain that, as Magog, Meshech, and Tubal compose the
present possessions of Russia, the sovereignty of that empire is the chief
prince
addressed in the prophetic message.
We
must look to Russia, then, as the colossal giant of reconstructed monarchy,
embodying the show of autocracy in the last grand organization - embracing
all
the principles foreshadowed in the metallic symbol of the vision "whose
brightness was excellent, and the form thereof terrible." In fact, the
emperor
of
all the Russians still bears the royal cognomen of the golden-headed monarchs
of ancient Babylon.
Who
is the present emperor of Russia? Alexander the Czar. And who are found among
the monarchs of Assyria? Nobonazar, Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar. These
were
not accidental terminations of their respective names but were doubtless terms
of Assyrian royalty. So also the Roman Caesars, which scarcely vary
from
the true pronunciation of the czars. We behold in Russia the original trunk of
autocracy.
In
the time of Catharine, she arose in august magnitude and entered into the
European state system about the time of the rise of our great country. We see
rising
on the one hand and on the other, the two great powers that represent,
respectively, their opposing principles of government that will come in
collision
in
the last dreadful fray.
In
the light of the evidence that is available, we are not surprised that students
of prophecy foresaw Russia's role as a world power years ago - long before
her
country showed any signs of greatness. Bishop Lowth of England wrote in 1710,
"Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel signifies the inhabitants of
Scythia,
from whom the modem Russians derive their name." It should be remembered
that most of these quotations were written many years before the Bolshevik
Revolution
and the rise of Russia to power. Bible scholars anticipated Russia becoming a
dominant power in the end time while she was literally a nonentity
as
a nation. Early in this century, she was still a second-rate influence in the
affairs of nations; in 1905 little Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese
War.
During
the past sixty years, Russian diplomats and foreign policy strategists have
proved that they are much smarter than their Western counterparts. Every
time
our diplomats engage them in conference, we lose land, friends, people, or
rights.
What
would make a superpower like Russia, at the end time, abandon the path of
diplomacy and attack the little nation of Israel? There are four possible
reasons.
1.
Russia's Long-Standing Hatred of the Jews
It
is clear from history that the Jews cannot be intimidated by the Russians or
anyone else. We can be certain that the Russians are not pleased with Israel's
four
military victories since 1949.
It
is highly possible that the Russians will finally decide that they cannot
defeat the Israelis through their Arab allies without personally engaging them
on
the field of combat. This decision could be the one that summons them to march
against Israel.
2.
Plunder, Spoil, and Wealth In Ezekiel 38:12-13;NIV we read,
I
will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the
people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the
center
of the land. Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages
will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your
hordes
to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to
seize much plunder?"
These
verses seem to suggest two important possibilities. One is that the economic
conditions of Israel are destined to improve and those of the former
Soviet
Union deteriorate. We have already seen that, as a result of the peace treaties
made between the Jews and the Arabs, Israel will experience a time
of
phenomenal material blessing, making her an object of greed on the part of
those who will again inevitably be the Russian dictators.
As
we see from daily news accounts, the future is not so bright for Russia. One
way in which God has manifested His displeasure with Russia as a nation
during
the past six decades, lies in her total economic failure under communism. The
Crimea was known under the czars as "the breadbasket of the world."
The
wheat harvested there was bountiful and more than sufficient for the needs of
the Russian people; large quantities were exported to other nations of
Europe.
Since
the Russian Revolution, however, the severe weather of the Soviet Union has
worsened, producing some of the harshest winters on record. Russia has
become
notorious for poor wheat crops - partly because of the weather and partly
because of the lack of motivation among the Russian workers under communism.
Reports
from Russia that scientists have desperately tried to manipulate the weather
are probably fraudulent; if they are true, they give evidence that
the
scientific endeavors have not worked or have even made the situation worse.
Economic
judgment from God is destined to continue, bringing the need to purchase
increasing quantities of foreign grain. Again, daily news accounts tell
of
their plight. It appears critical.
3.
God's Sovereign Will
The
primary reason Russia will invade Israel is that God has decreed it. Ezekiel
38:3-4,8;NIV declares:
This
is what the Sovereign Lord says ... I will turn you around, put hooks in your
jaws and bring you out with your whole army - your horses, your horsemen
fully
armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing
their swords.
After
many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land
that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations
to
the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought
out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.
Ezekiel
39:2;NIV adds: "I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring
you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel."
Why?
"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into
your mind and you will devise an evil scheme" (Ezek. 38:10;NIV).
The
attack on Israel is conceived and mobilized by almighty God. This implies that
God will stir the Russians' greedy plan, fulfilling Ezekiel 38:4;NIV:
"I
will ... put hooks in your jaws and bring you out ......
In
studying these two chapters of Ezekiel, I sense that God will pour out His
wrath upon Russia not only to demonstrate His power but also to heap judgment
on
those who have persecuted human beings, especially Israel.
When
will this happen? The prophetic scenario is plain: at a time when Russia does
not have Israel as her primary target. Russia's major objective has admittedly
been
world conquest. One way in which the Communists were consistent for the last
seventy-four years was in their implacable movement toward that primary
objective.
God
has proclaimed that He raises up whom He win and puts down whom He will. (See
Ezek. 21:26 and Dan. 4:24-25.) Even at the end time, when Russia reigns
as
a superpower, God will still be in control for He is able to "put hooks in
her jaw" and lead her to obey His will.
4.
A Matter of Safety
We
have said that Israel is the third most powerful nation in the world,
particularly if we limit that assessment to nations within a thousand miles of
her
homeland. Apart from world conquest, what was the chief objective of the former
Soviet Union? To conquer the United States of America. Who is to say
that
quest was lost in the recent changes - or if it was, that it won't be returned
in a short time?
At
present, no one really knows whether the United States military forces are more
powerful than Russian's or whether our government leaders will have the
moral
courage and national will to oppose Russia when these climactic events occur.
Many knowledgeable people believe that the mood in this country is
so
anti- war as to be anti-self-defense. Our nation may prefer to capitulate even
to Communist domination rather than to fight.
My
point, however, is that no one - not even the Russians - really knows whether
they would be victorious in a first strike attack against the United States,
particularly
after the incredibly accurate, pinpoint bombing and the use of "smart
weapons" during the attack on Saddam Hussein, who was using Soviet-built
equipment.
Therefore, before attacking the United States, they would surely attempt to
nullify military assistance from any other source on earth.
The
government of Israel is pragmatic enough to know that if Russia attacks the
United States, Israel herself would be the next target. Therefore, the
Commonwealth
of
Independent States' military leadership, headed by Russia, may theorize that an
invasion of Israel must precede a frontal assault on the leader of the
Western
world. Consequently, an invasion of Israel may be just one more step in the
fulfillment of their objective of world conquest.
The
only war that Russia has ever fought alone, they lost - against Afghanistan. We
can be certain that the Russians will not invade Israel alone. The prophet
Ezekiel
stipulates that they will bring "many nations with you .... hordes
gathered about you..." (Ezek. 38:6-7;NIV) But, he also notes that Russia
will
be
in command (38:7).
1.
Persia, or Iran
Russia's
confederates, as disclosed in Ezekiel 38:5-6, are among her current friends.
Those not in her orbit of friends at present are being cultivated
either
secretly or openly. Hal Lindsey offers interesting suggestions as to the
identity of Russia's allies.
All
authorities agree on who Persia is today. It is modem Iran. This is significant
because it is being wooed to join the United Arab Republic in its hostility
against
Israel. The Russians are at this moment seeking to gain footholds in Iran by
various overtures of aid.
Secret
information coming out of Iran indicates the government is shaky and could
easily be toppled replacing it with a ruler favorable to Russia and the
eventual
leaders. It would not be surprising to see Russia invade Iran if it seemed
necessary to achieve her ends, particularly now that Iran is weakened
militarily
and economically through her long war with Iraq.
Lindsey
continues, In order to mount the large-scale invasion predicted by Ezekiel,
Russia would need Iran as an ally. It would be much more difficult to
move
a large land army across the Caucasus Mountains that border Turkey, than the
Elburz Mountains that border Iran. Iran's general terrain is also much
easier
to cross than Turkey's. Transportation, however, will be needed through both
countries.
2.
Ethiopia or Cush (Black African Nations)
Ethiopia
is a translation of the Hebrew word, "Cush." Cush was the first son
of Ham, one of the sons of Noah. Moses mentions "the land of Cush" as
originally
being
adjacent to an area near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Gen. 2:13).
After
examining many authorities on the subject, the writer discovered once again why
Dr. Gesenius is recognized as one of the great scholars of history.
Gesenius
summarized all of the evidence as follows: (1) The Cushites were black men. (2)
They migrated first to the Arabian peninsula and then across the
Red
Sea to the area south of Egypt. (3) All the black people of Africa are
descended from Cush.
Cush
is translated "Ethiopia" twenty-one times in the King James Version,
which is somewhat misleading. It is certain that the ancient Ethiopians (modem
Abyssinia)
are made up of Cushites, but they do not represent all of them, according to
history.
The
sobering conclusion is this: many of the African nations will be united and
allied with the Russians in the invasion of Israel. This is in accord with
Daniels
graphic description of this invasion (Dan. 11:36-45).
The
Russian force is called "the King of the North" and the sphere of
power that the African (Cush) will be a part of is called "the King of the
South."
One
of the most active areas for the Communist "gospel" is in Africa. As
we see further developments in this area in the future, we realize that many
African
nations
will become converted to communism.
3.
Libya or Put (Arabic African Nations)
Libya
is the translation of the original Hebrew word, "Put." We have the
same problem pinpointing these people as with Cush. Put was the third son of
Ham
(Gen.
10:6). The descendants of Put migrated to the land west of Egypt and became the
source of the North African Arab nations, such as Libya, Algeria,
Tunisia,
and Morocco. The first settlement of Put was called Libya by the ancient
historians, Josephus and Pliny. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old
Testament,
called the Septuagint, translates Put as Libya in about 165 B.C.
The
conclusion is that Russia's ally, Put, certainly included more than what is now
called Libya. Once again, there are current events to show the beginning
of
this alliance. The territory of Northern Africa is becoming solidly pro-Soviet.
Algeria appears to be already Communist and allied with Russia.
As
we watch this area in the next few years, we will see indications that it is
destined to join the southern sphere of power that will attack Israel along
with
the "King of the North."
4.
Gomer and All Its Hordes (Iron Curtain Countries)
Gomer
was the eldest son of Japheth and the father of Ashkenaz, Riphath, and
Togarmah. These people make up an extremely important part of the future
Russian
invasion
force.
Dr.
Young, citing the best of the most recent archaeological finds, says of Gomer
and his hordes, "They settled on the north of the Black Sea, and then
spread
themselves southward and westward to the extremities of Europe."
Gesenius
speaks of part of Gomez's "hordes" as being Ashkenaz ". . . the
proper name of a region and a nation in northern Asia, sprung from the Cimmerians
who
are the ancient people of Gomer. The modem Jews understand it to be Germany,
and call that country by this Hebrew name - - . ."
Josephus
called the sons of Ashkenaz' "the Rheginians," and a map of the
ancient Roman Empire places them in the area of modem Poland, Czechoslovakia,
and
East
Germany to the banks of the Danube River. The modem Jewish Talmud confirms the
same geographical picture.
The
conclusion is that Gomer and its hordes are a part of the vast area of modem
Eastern Europe that was totally behind the Iron Curtain. This includes
East
Germany and the Slovak countries.
5.
Togarmah and All Its Hordes (Southern Russia and the Cossacks)
In
Ezekiel 38:6;Amp. "the house of Togarmah... and all his hordes" are
specifically pointed out as being from "the uttermost parts of the north
and all
his
hordes." Dr. Bauman traces evidence of some of the sons of Togarmah to the
Turkoman tribes in central Asia. This would explain the statement, "of the
north
quarters, and all his bands."
The
conclusion is that Togarmah is part of modem South-Russia and is probably the
origin of the Cossacks and other people of the Eastern part of Russia.
It
is interesting to note that the Cossacks have always loved horses and have been
recognized as producing the finest army of cavalry in the world. Today,
they
are reported to have several divisions of cavalry.
It
is believed by some military men that cavalry will actually be used in the
invasion of the Middle East just as Ezekiel and other prophets literally
predicted.
During
the Korean War, the Red Chinese proved that in rugged mountainous terrain,
horses are still the fastest means of moving a large attacking force
into
battle zones. Isn't it a coincidence that such terrain stands between Russia
and Israel?
6.
Many People Are With You
Ezekiel
indicates that he hasn't given a complete list of allies. Enough is given,
however, to make this writer amazed by the number of people and nations
that
will be involved.
Ezekiel,
prophetically addressing the Russian ruler, commands him to "be prepared;
yes, prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled
about
you, and you be a guard and commander for them" (Ezek. 38:7;Amp.).
In
other words, the Russian ruler is to equip his confederates with arms and to
assume command. If you have doubts about all that has been said in this
chapter,
isn't it a bit unnerving to note that almost all of the countries predicted as
part of this great army are already armed with weapons created
and
manufactured in Russia or her satellite nations?
We
have seen that Russia will arm and equip a vast confederacy. This powerful
group of allies will lead an attack on restored Israel. Russia and her
confederates,
however,
will be destroyed completely by an act that Israel will acknowledge as being
from their God. This act will bring many in Israel to believe in
their
true Messiah (Ezek. 38:16).
Additional
insight is found in the address delivered by the Rev. F. E. Pitts before the
U.S. Congress more than 135 years ago.
"Gomer,
and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his
bands: and many people with thee" (Ezek. 38:6).
"Gomer,"
another son of Japheth, settled farther down westward in Europe; and has left
his name entailed in Hungary, in a city and country both known to
this
day as the city and country of Gomer. "Togarmah," the son of Gomer,
according to Cicero and Strabo not only peopled a large portion of Western
Europe
but
sent settlements into Turcomania and Scythia in Russia.
Russia,
then, according to the Scriptures, is the headship or leading power around
which the multitudinous armies of allied monarchy shall be gathered together.
"Persia,
Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet" (Ezek.
38:5).
Persia
here represents the swarming hosts from the Asiatic possessions; Ethiopia,
Libya, and the armies of Africa.
"Thou
shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the
land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee" (Ezek. 38:9).
The
invasion is here announced by an armament such as the world never saw. For the
millions that are to assemble under Gog or Russia embrace nearly all
of
Europe, as well as a large portion of Asia and Africa. This army is drafted
from three continents to invade a fourth. It rises dismal as a cloud, and
dreadful
as a storm.
From
all this we learn that a dominant leader, called Go& described as the
"chief prince of Rosh," is going to arise and lead Russia into a vast
northeastern
confederation
of nations including Iran, Ethiopia, and other African nations, Germany,
Armenia, possibly Turkey, conceivably some Orientals, and whoever
else
can be included with the statement, "And many peoples with thee."
This group of nations, headed by Russia, will advance against Israel in the
last
days.
Some.
2,500 years ago the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel described in considerable detail the
circumstances under which God-rejecting Russia and her hordes of anti-Semitic
nations
would attempt to invade the little nation of Israel.
I
will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole
army - your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large
and
small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.
After
many days you will be called to arms In future years you will invade a land
that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations
to
the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought
out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. You and all your
troops
and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be
like a cloud covering the land.
You
will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all
of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You win advance
against
my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, 0 Gog, I
will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when
I
show myself holy through you before their eyes (Ezek. 38:4,8-9,15-16;NIV).
There
are two legitimate ways to interpret the kind of weapons used in this prophecy
- literally and symbolically. Bible-believing scholars can be found
on
either side.
A
literal interpretation of the passage suggests that modem methods of warfare
may someday become obsolete, and man will return to primitive weapons. That
is
not as far-fetched as it may appear at first. For years, electronic scientists
have reportedly been working on heat- ray devices that would have the
capacity
from many miles distant to render metallic surfaces so hot they could not be
touched.
If
such an invention were produced by the West, Russia could not invade Israel
with tanks, bazookas, and modem weaponry. They would have to resort to horses.
Metal
weapons would be replaced with wooden; these would not be wooden swords and
spears as used in ancient days, but implements fashioned with enormous
strength
out of basic wood materials seasoned with resin or lignostone, or other
chemically treated woods that already are used industrially and have an
amazingly
long bum life.
If,
on the other hand, the passage is to be taken symbolically, the prophet Ezekiel
is merely describing implements of war in terms meaningful to his contemporary
audience.
We must always remember that the Bible was written to specific people at a
specific time and must therefore be meaningful to them. If the prophet
Z500
years ago had addressed himself to tanks, half-tracks, aircraft carriers, and
airplanes, no one would have understood what he meant.
Regardless
which approach we take in interpreting this passage of Scripture, Russia will
mount a massive military attack on Israel, and only God will be
Israel's
defense. God's supernatural intervention will save her.
Russia
almost never does anything alone. We have already seen that when they pursue a
goal unilaterally, as in Afghanistan, they get bogged down in an endless
war.
That is usually not Russia's style. Instead, she prefers to supply the military
technology and money to her satraps, such as the Palestine Liberation
Organization,
Cuba, Syria, or Egypt. Consequently, when Russia comes down to invade Israel,
she will use Middle East hatred of the Jews to her advantage
and
inveigle these nation to help her in the fighting.
This
will probably be the most massive invasion army assembled in the history of the
world - all in opposition to Israel, a nation of less than four million
people.
For the first time since World War IL Israel’s friends will betray her.
I
am convinced, for two reasons, that the invasion described by Ezekiel is not
the Battle of Armageddon - warfare between Jesus Christ and the nations -
described
in Revelation 16.
First,
at this time there will be two leagues of nations: the northeastern
confederation that invades with Russia, and the western confederation that has
befriended
Israel in the past.
Second,
in Ezekiel's account only a certain number from the armies of the world will
march against the Jews. In the Battle of Armageddon, am-des will come
from
all the countries of the world against Christ - not Israel. Yet, while this
warfare will not be the real Battle of Armageddon, to the participants
it
will seem like it.
We
have already identified some of the nations that will join Russia. Actually,
five countries will constitute the northeastern confederation:
1.
Russia, the instigator and leader;
2.
Persia (Iran), if the former Soviets can somehow repair the breach between Iraq
and Iran, Iraq may also be included;
3.
Ethiopia (Cush), which could involve Libya and representatives from many other
African nations;
4.
Gomer (Germany) "and its hordes," now that Germany has been unified,
this is even more plausible;
5.
Togarmah "and its hordes" - Armenia, which may well involve Turkey
and other nations or peoples remaining from the Turkish Empire. Some diplomatic
efforts
are
needed here, but remember, those allies have a common religion.
The
western confederation of nations also appears in Ezekiel's prophecy. Sheba and
Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to
you,
"Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry
off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much
plunder?"
(Ezek. 38:13;NIV).
Who
are these nations that greet force with diplomacy? There is little doubt that
the western confederation comprises the democracies of the West, principally
the
United States, Great Britain, and Canada. "Sheba and Dedan and the
merchants of Tarshish" were the seafaring Phoenicians, many of whom
migrated to
Europe,
particularly the British Isles and Spain. These countries, the colonizers of
the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, provide the only vigorous
anti-Communist
spirit in the world today.
The
American Standard Version renders "Tarshish and her villages" in
verse 13 as "Tarshish and her young lions [or strong lions]." For
this reason, many
Bible
scholars identify America, Canada, Australia, and other western democracies as
the "cubs" of Great Britain and Spain, the colonizers of the West.
Certainly,
that is historically valid. Therefore, this probably does identify the nations
of the prophecy. If the invasion were to take place in the decade
of
the nineties, the western democracies would qualify.
It
stands to reason that Russia does not take the entire world with her against
Israel. At a time when two confederations of nations exist - basically still
Communist
versus anti-Communist - Israel is allied with the anti-Communists, as it is
today.
Unfortunately
for Israel, instead of meeting the gathering invasion horde with force, the
western democracies will confront it with diplomacy. This historically
represents
the weak response of the democracies in both the world wars and in almost every
conflict since. Instead of sending help at the moment when Israel
needs
the support of her allies, they will send a diplomatic note (perhaps through
the United Nations) that essentially inquires of Russia and her hordes,
"What
are you going to do in little Israel - loot and carry away silver and gold,
take away livestock and goods, and seize many riches?"
This
may be the most breathtaking, dramatic moment in the history of modem Israel.
Until this time, Israel could depend at least on the United States of
America.
I
well recall an incident that occurred as I jogged along a Mediterranean beach
during one of my trips to Israel. A young English-speaking college student
-
an Israeli - began to jog with me, and we started a conversation. As we
discussed Israel's victory in the Six-Day War, I asked if it ever occurred to
him
that Russia might someday invade Israel herself instead of sending the Arab
nations.
Pointing
through the evening fog that was settling on the waters of the Mediterranean
Sea (where the U.S. Seventh Fleet sailed in military splendor), he
responded,
"Oh, we're not worried about that; we know America would come to our
rescue!" He was right for it was our Patriot Missiles that saved Israel
from
Saddam Hussein's Scud Missiles in the Persian Gulf War.
According
to Ezekiel's prophecy, the day will come when Israel's friends will not always
come to her aid. When Russia's invasion forces rattle their spears,
the
western democracies, including America, will use the impotent instrument of
diplomacy instead of the one power that all terrorists, murderers, dictators,
and
lawless individuals or nations understand: force.
In
the history of the world, no nation except Switzerland has ever enjoyed peace
through weakness, and her peace was only an accommodation by the militaristic
nations
of the world wars to maintain free access to the exchange of money. All other
nations have found that peace comes exclusively through strength.
The
use of diplomacy, at this strategic time in prophetic history, would indicate
that the Western democracies will continue to dissipate their strength
and
military might while Russia builds her power base, probably through unfair
trading policies that permit Russia to rape the technology of the West.
Nevertheless,
when she finds herself confronted by her enemies and betrayed by her allies,
the little nation of Israel, who has not set her heart toward
God
since returning to the Promised Land, will turn to Him in desperation - and in
that moment find Him a ready deliverer.
How
God Delivers Israel
The
scenario that develops at this point in our prophetic story is exciting.
Confronted by overwhelming forces from Russia and forsaken by her friends,
Israel
will turn to God, and He will do for modem Israel what He did for ancient
Israel. As the God over all forces, He will deliver Israel from the hands
of
the oppressor. As certain as it is that Russia and her Middle East hordes will
come down against Israel, so certain is it that God will destroy the
invading
forces and deliver Israel supernaturally.
The
prophet does not leave us in doubt as to the methods that God will use in this
destruction. It is noteworthy that this is not the first time they will
have
been used by the Almighty, for all of them have precedence in the Old
Testament.
1.
A Mighty Earthquake
In
my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great
earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
the
beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the
people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains
will
be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground
(Ezek. 38:19- 20;NIV).
Evidently,
God permits the Russians and their hordes to begin an airborne invasion while
the infantry launches aground assault. But at a strategic moment,
He
generates a powerful and destructive earthquake that causes people to
"tremble" at His presence. This catastrophe will manifest the power
of a supernatural
God.
Earthquakes
were, of course, used by God in ancient days; Amos 1:1 and Zechariah 14:5
recount the terrible earthquake that rocked the land of Palestine
in
the days of Uzziah, king of Judah. It was no doubt a special intervention of
God that caused that earthquake.
Jesus
predicted that earthquakes would be one of the signs of His return and the end
of the age (Matt. 24:7-8). The record shows that we have experienced
an
alarming increase in earthquakes during the past fifty years. One seismologist
has stated that in each of the past five decades, the number and severity
of
earthquakes have surpassed the preceding decade. We should also remember that
the Book of Revelation predicts that during the first quarter of the
Tribulation,
a
mighty earthquake will create havoc throughout the entire world (Rev. 6:12-17).
Another earthquake in the middle of the Tribulation will rock the city
of
Jerusalem (Rev. 11:13), and still another at the end of the Tribulation could
well be the mightiest earthquake ever to shake the earth (Rev.16:17-21).
Consequently,
it is not unlike God to use His power to create earthquakes in defense of
Israel when Russia's armies come against her.
2.
The Sword of the Lord
I
will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign
Lord. Every mares sword will be against his brother (Ezek. 38:21;NIV).
Nothing
shakes man from his independence and false sense of security like an
earthquake, particularly one having the magnitude that God will provide for
Israel's
deliverance. And because Israel is no match for the invading hordes of military
personnel about to devour her, the Lord will confuse her enemies,
and
they will do battle with each other. If they are using tanks, they will train
them on each other. If they are using airplanes, they will dogfight against
their own planes. Or if, as already indicated, they have reverted t