Reference Scripture Revelation
20:7-10
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God has hidden clues throughout the Bible to help us piece things together. The words "Gog and Magog" are a perfect example of this. Do you see how they are just there, kind of like they don't really belong. They are found only in this section of Revelation and Ezekiel 38 & 39.
This section in Revelation tells us when this event takes place relative to the events around it. We can see in it that this last act of rebellion happens at the end of the Millennial Kingdom age, and just before the Day of Judgment.
This event is covered in great detail in Ezekiel 38:1 through Ezekiel 39:29.
- Who are the people that are attacked?
- HINT: Ezekiel 38:8, 16
- Why do the nations attack Israel?
- HINT: Ezekiel 36:29-30, 35-38 - physical reasons
- HINT: Revelation 20:7 - spiritual reason
- HINT: Ezekiel 38:10-13
- Who fights to defend Israel?
- HINT: Revelation 20:9
- HINT: Ezekiel 38:18-23 Wow- don't mess with God's holy people!
- Why does this take place?
- HINT: Ezekiel 39:23
- HINT: Ezekiel 38:23
- HINT: Ezekiel 39:22, 27-28
- There is a reason for everything God does. They are always for the good of those that love God.
- Let us examine this event to see what it means. I believe that this is a very important story.
- What is the significance of the name, "land of unwalled villages"? And "I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people--all of them living without walls and without gates and bars."
- The Children of Israel, during the Millennial Kingdom, will totally trust in the Lord. They will have returned to God with their whole hearts, souls, minds, and bodies, in fulfillment of the prophecy made by Moses in Deuteronomy 30:1-10.
- The reference to "unwalled villages" means that they have no standing military. They have made no provision for defense. They are trusting in God to watch over them and protect them.
- If you read the account carefully in Ezekiel 38 & 39 you will see no mention of Israel putting up any defense whatsoever.
- Something else of importance here is that this post-apocalyptic invading army is riding on horses and using equipment made of wood. After the current world order, "Babylon", is thrown to the ground--never to rise again, (see Revelation 18:21), the world does not return to a high-tech world.
- It would take time to round up this "great horde, a mighty army" without the aid of high-tech machinery. This means that Israel will have plenty of time to prepare for the invasion but they do nothing. Ah, but they trust in God.
- What happens when you don't fight, but trust in God? Well, God then
fights your battle for you. This is what God has wanted from Israel from
the beginning, the Lord wants us to love him, and to trust in him, even
when we see that the enemy means to harm us.
Please Read Genesis 31:1-13
- When did God first tell Jacob to leave that land at once?
- HINT: Genesis 31:10, 13
- Did Jacob obey the word of God back in breeding season?
- What finally motivated Jacob to leave?
- HINT: Genesis 31:1-2
- Jacob waited until his enemies were almost at the door. Had he immediately obeyed the Lord and trusted in him, he probably would not have had to flee at all.
- Jacob's father Isaac, and his grandfather Abraham, both obeyed God
immediately and were spared Jacob's problems. This has been the story
of Jacob and his descendants to this day.
Please Read Genesis 32:22- 31
- Jacob was a man who had a relationship with God, but it was a difficult relationship, because he had to be forced into obedience through attacks of the enemy. God changed his name to Israel, which means, "he struggles with God"
- A relationship with God need not be a struggle. We should be eager to obey. God loves us, and all of his instructions and directions are designed to lead us into peace.
- The story of Gog and Magog is about how Israel finally learned the lesson. All of the pain and trouble Israel went through was because of rebellion.
