Morning Message: Prophecy Update - The Judgment of Gog

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "The Judgment of Gog"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The 3rd week of our Prophecy Update Series opens with Ezekiel 39. It opens with an almost identical verse as the previous chapter. The only difference is that in Chapter 38, it is Jehovah directing the Son of Man (Christ) what to speak to Gog, and Magog, that nation north of the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

In Ezekiel 39:1, it is the Son of Man speaking those words, “I am against thee…” just as the Father had said. There can be no question about how Jehovah (Lord) and Jesus, the Son of Man (Lord) feel about that nation and the one who is their leader. Gog is the nation and Magog is their leader.

The Father is making good on His promise made to Abraham and his descendants, Israel. “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him who curseth thee.” (Genesis 12:3). To find one’s self in a adversarial position against the God of the Universe, is an unenviable position. God does not speak unless He intends to follow through with His prophetic word.

And hence, Gog and Magog will face judgment at the right time in the future. Ezekiel 39 is a direct description of this judgment against the nation that is modern-day Russia, and we are witnessing the alignment of Israel’s enemies today. We are also witnessing the strength of Israel increasing militarily, and economically, and at least one former enemy is enlisting Israeli defense methods, vis-à-vis Israeli’s Iron Dome defense initiative.

At some point in the future, however, Israel will be isolated to face a coalition of nations that are her enemies, and God’s. And we may be surprised by their names.

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” - 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Prophecy Update: Ezekiel 39: 1-13 - "The Judgment of Gog"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

We saw in the first two studies of the Gog and Magog invasion that the Bible predicts an end-time alliance between Russia, Iran and Turkey (along with other countries) that will come against Israel in the last days leading up to the return of Jesus. As they cover the land like a storm it will look like a sure thing win for the invading forces. A sure thing, that is until God steps in! We saw in the first study that God will not allow this invading force to prevail but will supernaturally wipe them out on the mountains of Israel in an event that will literally leave an unbelieving world gasping! It will, the Bible says, be an event that will be used by God to make His name known again to both Israel and the nations of the world.

Ezekiel 39:1-13 describes God's judgment against Gog, a northern invader, foretelling his total defeat by Israel, his vast army's weapons providing seven years of fuel, and a massive, seven-month burial process in the Valley of Hamon-Gog, culminating in the purification of the land and recognition of God's power by all nations.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  Upcoming Soon!

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Behold, I Am Against Thee, O Gog (39:1) - Repeated from Ezekiel 38:3, which is for the confirmation of it, and to inject terror into him. How horrifying to have God against any you. This scene of the army's ruin adds detail to Ezekiel 38:18-23 such as: the disarming of soldiers (v. 3); their fall in death (vv. 4, 5); the gorging of birds and beasts on the corpses (v. 4); fire sent also on others besides the army (v.6); and the burning of weapons by Israelites (vv. 9, 10).

Gog (39:1) - “Gog” is the mysterious leader introduced in the previous chapter (Ezekiel 38:2). The prophecy is “against” him, signaling judgment rather than blessing (Ezekiel 25:2; Amos 1:3). The scope is international; God’s concern extends beyond Israel’s borders to global powers (Psalm 2:1-6; Revelation 20:8). The Gog and Magog assault in Revelation 20:7-9 at the end of the Millennium is another assault on Jerusalem patterned after certain images of the invasion here (chapters 38, 39), but it is a distinct event one thousand years after the Millennial kingdom begins.

Burn the Weapons (39:9, 10) - God promised to “break the bow and shatter the spear” (Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:4), and here He does so literally. Every category of ancient weapon becomes fuel, symbolizing total disarmament of hostile nations (Micah 4:3). The list is comprehensive, leaving no threat un-neutralized. As shocking as it sounds, there will be enough equipment to provide fuel for seven years. 

Seven Years (39:9) - Seven in Scripture often marks completeness (Genesis 2:2-3; Revelation 1:20). Here it indicates a definite, measurable period during which the refuse of war meets Israel’s domestic needs. The duration suggests both the vast quantity of weapons and the sustained peace that follows God’s intervention (Ezekiel 37:26). A vast army (cf. "many," 38:15) would have much weaponry, requiring seven years to burn.  Since this likely occurs at the end of the time of Tribulation, synonymous with the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 19:19-21), the burials would extend into the millennial kingdom.

Give Unto Gog a Place There of Graves (39:11-16) - Israelites moving east from the Mediterranean Sea, with the sea to their backs and the Jezreel Valley before them, bury bodies.  Further, people in the whole land help in the massive interment, which takes seven months.  The description fits the time after Christ's Second Coming extending into the millennial era as those who go into His kingdom do the work (cf. Revelation 20:1-10).

Hamon-Gog (39:11, 16) - Hamon-Gog (Valley of the Multitude of Gog) refers to a prophetic location in the Bible (Ezekiel 39:11-15) east of the Dead Sea, designated for burying the vast armies of Gog, a powerful northern leader who will invade Israel, symbolizing God's ultimate victory over evil forces and the cleansing/restoration of the land. In verse 16, a city in the area will be named Hamonah, "multitude" (cf. a similar idea in Joel 3:14).