GOG IN THE LAND OF MAGOG
In connection with the latest events in Israel, many are wondering whether this is the time of the fulfillment of the prophecies of the prophet Ezekiel, described in chapters 38–39. What draws even more interest are the mysterious names, Gog and Magog.
If one carefully studies Ezekiel’s prophecies, an important detail stands out: in the events described, not a single country comes to Israel’s aid — neither the European Union, nor Canada, nor the UN, nor even the United States. At first glance, this may seem strange, as it does not exactly match what we see today. However, the prerequisites for this are already emerging.
Unfortunately, in our time it is very easy to influence the masses through the media. The reported casualties in the military conflict between Israel and Hamas (Palestine) are often exaggerated, since the information provided to the world community is controlled by this terrorist organization. As a result, a negative attitude toward Israel is fostered, portraying the country as an aggressor. Few mention that, for many years, Hamas has been indoctrinating its younger generation from childhood — not only against the existence of the state of Israel, but also against Europe as a whole.
This organization controls most Palestinian media outlets, where, for several years, children’s programs taught youngsters to behead teddy bears as if they were Jews, while also encouraging hatred toward the European world.
According to the latest voting data from the UN Security Council, we see the world turning increasingly away from Israel. The time will come when even America will turn its back. Why? I believe the Lord will allow this to happen so that they will no longer rely on any fleshly means, but on God, who will reveal His glory. And He will! Afterwards, Israel will mourn for their once-rejected Messiah and come to recognize God’s faithfulness across generations — a faithfulness that will ultimately be revealed in the last days.
In the book of the prophet Ezekiel, it is written: ”Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshek and Tubal, and prophesy against him, Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: Thus says the Lord God: On that day when My people of Israel dwell safely, shall you not know it? And you shall come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. And you shall come up against My people of Israel as a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the latter days that I will bring you against My land so that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes. And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in My anger. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. Thus I will magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:2, 14-16, 18-19, 23)
Who is Gog from the land of Magog? One thing is certain: he will appear “out of the far north.” Although some theologians believe that Gog and Magog personify Satan and his horde opposing God in the last days, it is clear that the text refers to a specific event involving nations taking up arms against Israel under the leadership of this mysterious country.
In 1 Chronicles 5:4, Gog is mentioned as a descendant of the prophet Joel. Some modern theologians identify Gog with Gyges, the king of Lydia in the 7th century BC, as well as with the Akkadian god Gaga. They also suggest that the name Magog comes from an Akkadian word meaning “land of Gyges.”
The name Magog itself appears among the descendants of Japheth in Genesis 10:1–2:
“Now these are the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah. And sons were born to them after the flood. The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.”
Two other key names also appear here: Meshech and Tubal. Since Japheth is considered the progenitor of modern European nations, we can conclude that these names are associated with Europe, rather than with the Arab or Muslim world, which lies to the south rather than the north.
There are several more interesting facts. The ancient historian Josephus calls Magog, the son of Japheth, the progenitor of the Scythians — the tribes living north of the Black Sea, corresponding to modern Ukraine and Russia. According to him, the Greeks referred to Scythia as Magogia.
Jordanes’ Getica (551) also mentions Magog as the ancestor of the Goths (modern Germans), as does the Historia Brittonum. Johannes Magnus (1488–1544) claimed that Magog migrated to Scandinavia (through Finland) 88 years after the Flood, and that his five sons were Suenno (ancestor of the Swedes), Getar (or Gog, ancestor of the Goths), Ubbo (who later ruled the Swedes), Thor, and Herman. Queen Christina of Sweden considered herself number 249 in the line of monarchs tracing back to Magog.
Magnus also influenced several later historians, including Daniel Juslenius (1676–1752), who traced the roots of the Finns to Magog.
According to several medieval Irish chronicles, the Irish people are a mixture that includes descendants of Japheth’s son Magog from Scythia. Baat mac Magog (Boath), Joovath, and Fatohta are named as the three sons of Magog. Fenius Farsaid, Partholon, Nemed, Fir Bolg, Tuatha de Danann, and the Milesians are also counted among Magog’s descendants. It was further supposed that Magog had a grandson named Heber, whose descendants spread throughout the Mediterranean.
A medieval Hungarian legend similarly asserts that the Huns, like the Magyars, descend from twin brothers named Hunor and Magor, who lived near the Sea of Azov in the years following the Flood and took wives from the Alans. The 14th-century Chronicon Pictum version of this legend identifies Magor as a descendant of Magog, son of Japheth.
According to Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (19th century), Magog refers to the Mongols. He cites an Arab writer who refers to the Great Wall of China as “Magog.”
As for the names Meshech and Tubal, the region of Meshech is often identified as lying north of the Black Sea — encompassing southern Russia, Ukraine, and possibly the Republic of Georgia — while Tubal is associated with an area in central Turkey.
As can be seen above, various sources present different versions. I cannot say how accurate they are, but it appears that the alliance could involve either the European Union united with Turkey or Iran, China, or Russia among some of these nations.
It is difficult to be certain, but time will tell. One thing is already clear: the nations are turning away from Israel.
God will manifest Himself in power in the last days, just as He clearly did in Old Testament times. For us, let this serve as an incentive to straighten our lamps, preparing ourselves as the wise virgins.
The time is coming when the Lord Jesus Christ will return, whether people believe it or not.
“Do not marvel at this. For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28–29)
”Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. “To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, I will give authority over the nations …” (Revelation 2:10, 26)
Friend, don’t give up! Let us remain faithful to Him until the end!
Max Volkov in Christ
