From the Rapture to The Ezekiel 38-39 War
Chronology (not timing) of the Near-Horizon End Times Events
Excerpt from End Times in Chronological Order By Ron Rhodes
Introduction
This is a short two-chapter excerpt from the book “The End Times in Chronological Order” by Ron Rhodes published in 2011 by Harvest House Publishers. It is encapsulated here as a presentation of sequenced events that are on the near-term horizon and that are likely of interest to faithful dependent believers in Christ Jesus. The sequencing assembled by Ron Rhodes is based on a pre-tribulation dispensationalist view of the Biblical references.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
All believers will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ (the bema) (Romans 14:8-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 9:24-27). At that time each believer's life will be examined in regard to deeds done while in the body. Personal motives and intents of the heart will also be weighed.
The idea of a judgment seat goes back to the athletic games of Paul's day. After the games concluded, a dignitary took his seat on an elevated throne in the arena. One by one the winning athletes came up to the throne to receive a reward-usually a wreath of leaves, a victor's crown. In the case of Christians, each of us will stand before Christ the Judge and receive (or lose) rewards.
Christ's judgment of us will not be in a corporate setting like a big class being praised or scolded by a teacher. Rather, it will be individual and personal. "We will all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Romans 14:10). Each of us will be judged on an individual basis.
This judgment has nothing to do with whether the Christian will remain saved. Those who have placed faith in Christ are saved, and nothing threatens that. Believers are eternally secure in their salvation (John 10:28-30; Romans 8:29-39; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Hebrews 7:25).
This judgment rather has to do with the reception or loss of rewards. First Corinthians 3:12-15 describes this judgment this way:
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Notice Paul lists the materials according to their combustibility.nPrecious metals and stones do not burn. Wood does, and hay and straw even more so.
This is also the order of their usefulness for building. A house constructed with solid materials such as stones and metals will stand and last a long time. But a house made of hay or straw could easily topple or burn.
What do these building materials represent? Gold, silver, and costly stones may refer to things we accomplish by the power of the Holy Spirit, things we do with Christ-honoring motives and godly obedience. Wood, hay, and straw, however, refer to perishable things and may represent carnal attitudes, sinful motives, pride-filled actions, and selfish ambition.
Fire in Scripture often symbolizes the holiness of God (Leviticus 1:8; Hebrews 12:29) and His judgment upon that which His holiness has condemned (Genesis 19:24; Mark 9:43-48). At the judgment seat, God will examine our works and test them against the fire of His holi-ness. If our works are built with good materials precious metals and stones- our works will stand. But if our works are built with less valuable materials wood, hay, or straw—they will burn up.
Perhaps the figure is intended to communicate that those works performed with a view to glorifying God are the works that will stand.
Those works performed with a view to glorifying self, performed in the flesh, are those that will be burned up.
The Possibility of Shame
Some believers at the judgment seat of Christ may experience a sense of deprivation and suffer some degree of forfeiture and shame.
Indeed, certain rewards may be forfeited that otherwise might have been received, and this will involve a sense of loss. Second John 8 thus warns us, "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward" (compare with 1 John 2:28).
We must keep all this in perspective, however. Christ's coming for us at the rapture and the prospect of living eternally with Him is something that should give each of us joy. And our joy will last for all eternity. Some people will fare better than others at the judgment seat of Christ, but all of us will be in heaven, and we will all dwell face-to-face with Christ forever!
The Scope of the Judgment
The Christian's judgment will focus on his personal stewardship of the gifts, talents, opportunities, and responsibilities given to him in this life. The very character of each Christian's life and service will be laid bare under the unerring and omniscient vision of Christ, whose eyes are like a flame of fire (Revelation 1:14).
Actions. Numerous Scripture verses reveal that each of our actions will be judged before the Lord. The psalmist said to the Lord, "You will render to a man according to his work" (Psalm 62:12; see also Matthew 16:27). In Ephesians 6:7-8 we read that "whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord."
Thoughts. At Christ's judgment seat, He will scrutinize more than just our actions. He will also judge our thoughts. In Jeremiah 17:10 God said, "I the LoRD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." The Lord "will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart" (1 Corinthians 4:5). The Lord is the one "who searches mind and heart" (Revelation 2:23).
Words. Finally, the scope of the believer's judgment will include all the words he has spoken. Christ said that "people will give account for every careless word they speak" (Matthew 12:35-37). This is an important aspect of judgment, for tremendous damage can be done through the human tongue (see James 3:1-12).
The Judgment Follows the Rapture
Scripture reveals that this judgment will take place immediately after Christ meets the saints in the air (at the rapture) and takes them back to heaven. No Bible verse explicitly states this, but a number of factors lead us to this conclusion.
First, many biblical scholars believe that the 24 elders in heaven that are mentioned in Revelation 4:4,10 represent believers. They are portrayed as already having received their crowns in heaven at the very start of the tribulation period (see 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10). The fact that they are dressed in white may be significant, for these same words were previously used of believers in the churches (see Revelation 3:5,18). All this would seem to indicate that the judgment of believers has already taken place sometime following the rapture.
In keeping with this, Scripture often describes the rewards Christians receive at the judgment as crowns that we wear. In fact, there are a number of different crowns that symbolize the various spheres of achievement and award in the Christian life.
The crown of life is given to those who persevere under trial and especially to those who suffer to the point of death (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
The crown of glory is given to those who faithfully and sacrificially minister God's Word to the flock (1 Peter 5:4).
The imperishable crown is given to those who win the race of temperance and self-control (1 Corinthians 9:25).
The crown of righteousness is given to those who long for the second coming of Christ (2 Timothy 4:8).
Revelation 4:10 informs us that the 24 elders (apparently representing believers in heaven) cast their crowns before the throne of God in an act of worship and adoration. It seems clear that this heavenly scene cakes place sometime after the rapture.
Moreover, when the bride of Christ (the corporate body of Christians) returns to earth with Christ at the second coming, she is adorned in "fine linen, bright and pure," which we are told represents "the righteous deeds of the saints" (Revelation 19:8). Clearly believers in the body of Christ have already been judged, which lends credence to the idea that the judgment seat of Christ follows the rapture.
The Marriage of the Lamb
Scripture describes the relationship between Christ and the church as a marriage. Christ is the Bridegroom, and the church is the bride. Jesus Christ, the Lamb, frequently referred to Himself as a bridegroom (see Matthew 9:15; 22:2-14; 25:1-13; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35; 14:15-24; John 3:29). The church is regarded as a virgin bride awaiting the coming of her heavenly bridegroom (2 Corinthians 11:2). While she waits, she keeps herself pure, unstained from the world.
"Let us rejoice and exalt and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" —for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God" (Revelation 19:7-9).
Three aspects of Hebrew weddings are relevant to this discussion: The bride is betrothed to the bridegroom, the bridegroom comes to claim his bride, and the marriage feast is celebrated. All three of these aspects are seen in Christ's relationship to the church, the bride of Christ.
1. As individuals living during the church age come to salvation, they become a part of the church, the bride of Christ, which is betrothed to Christ, the Bridegroom. If you trust in Christ anytime during the church age, you are in!
2. The Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) then comes to claim His bride at the rapture, at which time He takes His bride to heaven, the Father's house, where He has prepared a place to live John 14:1-3). The actual marriage takes place in heaven sometime after the church has been raptured and prior to the second coming (Revelation 19:11-16). Arnold Fruchtenbaum, in his book The Footsteps of the Messiah, suggests that the marriage ceremony necessarily takes place after the judgment seat of Christ.
The marriage ceremony takes place in heaven and involves the church. That it must take place after the judgment seat of Messiah is evident from [Revelation 19:8], for the bride is viewed as being dressed in white linen, which is the righteous acts of the saints. This means that all the wood, hay, and stubble has been burned away and all the gold, silver, and precious stones have been purified. Thus, following the rapture of the church in which the Bridegroom brings the bride with Him to His home, and following the judgment seat of Messiah which results in the bride having the white linen garments, the wedding ceremony takes place.
The bride is dressed beautifully. As Bible expositor Thomas Constable notes, "God graciously enabled her to clothe herself in fine linen.. "Bright indicates divine glory, and clean' reflects purity... This is dress appropriate for God's presence? John MacArthur adds, "Such dazzling garments were worn earlier in Revelation by angels (15:6), and will be the clothing of the armies of heaven (made up of both angels and the redeemed saints) that accompany Christ when He returns to earth (v. 14).”
3. The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place on earth sometime later, apparently during the 75-day interval between the end of the tribulation period and the beginning of the millennial kingdom. (More on this later in the book.)
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Israel at Peace in the Land
Some 2600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel prophesied that the Jews would be regathered from many nations to the land of Israel in the end times (Ezekiel 36-37). He then predicted an all-out invasion of Israel by a massive northern assault force composed of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Sudan, Libya, and others. The goal of the assault force will be to utterly obliterate the Jews. With the sheer size of this assault force, Israel will have virtually no chance of defending itself.
Before I address this invasion in detail, I want to emphasize that a precondition for this end-times invasion is that Israel must be living in security and at rest. Ezekiel makes this quite clear in his prophecy about the invaders.
After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them (Ezekiel 38:8).
We are also told that this invasion force will move against Israel, a "land of unwalled villages... the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates" (38:11). This invasion by the northern military coalition simply cannot take place until this state of security exists for Israel. But what brings about this sense of security? There are at least two possible interpretive scenarios.
A Present Reality
Some prophecy scholars and teachers believe that Israel is already in a state of relative security. Joel Rosenberg, for example, believes that Israel's present level of security is based on multiple factors, including the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, the death of Yasser Arafat, Israel's peace treaties with some nations in the Middle East, the withdrawal of the Syrians from Lebanon, and Israel's well-equipped army, first-rate air force, effective missile-defense system, strong economy, and strong relationship with the United States.
Note the Hebrew prophet does not go so far as to say there will be a comprehensive peace treaty between Israel and all of her neighbors, or that all or even most hostilities in the Middle East will have ceased. But he does make it clear that in "the last days" (Ezekiel 38:16 NASB) before the Russian-Iranian attack, the Jewish people are "living securely" in "the land that is restored from the sword" (Ezekiel 38:8 NASB).
Rosenberg thus feels that present conditions in Israel fulfill the spirit of Ezekiel's prophecy. This view is also held by prophecy scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum.
This is not a security due to a state of peace, but a security due to confidence in their own strength. This...is a good description of Israel today. The Israeli army has fought four major wars since its founding and won them swiftly each time. Today Israel is secure, confident that her army can repel any invasion from the Arab states. Hence, Israel is dwelling securely.
A Future Reality
Other Christians take a different view. They say that since Israel became a nation in 1948, it has had to stay on high alert because of the danger from all its Arab and Muslim neighbors. Israel has never been able to let her guard down. Because of the constant conflict and tension in the Middle East, one Western leader after another has tried to broker a peace deal for the region. Stability in the oil-producing Mid-die East and Persian Gulf area is a high priority for the entire world.
In view of this, some believe that Israel will experience true security only when the leader of a revived Roman Empire—a European superstate—signs a peace pact or covenant with Israel, an event that will officially begin the tribulation period (Daniel 9:27). This leader— the antichrist—will seemingly accomplish the impossible, solving the Middle East peace puzzle. These Bible interpreters suggest that from the moment of the signing of the covenant on through the next three and a half years, Israel will enjoy a heightened sense of security, and this security will be backed by the military might of the most powerful political leader in the world.
Chronological Options
Both of these views are entirely possible, and both sides of the debate are supported by good Bible scholars. In terms of the chronology of end-times biblical prophecy, these scenarios unfold a bit differently.
In the first scenario, Israel is presently in a state of security, and this sense of security does not depend on the antichrist's signing of the covenant with Israel. Seen in this light, the invasion of the northern military coalition could take place at any time before the tribulation period begins.
In the second scenario, however, Israel's state of security depends on the antichrist's signing of the covenant with Israel. This means that the invasion cannot take place until the tribulation period begins-per-haps right after the tribulation period begins.
Personal Assessment
Israel is already in a state of relative security and that the invasion will likely take place sometime after the rapture but before the beginning of the tribulation period. Prophecy scholar Thomas Ice agrees and suggests that the invasion "will be during the interval of days, weeks, months, or years between the rapture and the start of the seven-year tribulation."' Here are five arguments that support this view.
1. The world will likely be in a state of chaos following the rapture. The rapture will have a devastating effect on the United States, which has a heavy population of Christians. Russia and her Muslim allies may well seize the moment, considering this the ideal time to launch a massive attack against Israel, which had been protected by the United States.
2. Once God destroys the Russian and Muslim invaders prior to the tribulation period, the door may be open for the rise of the antichrist as the leader of a European superstate-the revived Roman Empire.
I have always thought that one of the strengths of this view is the way in which it could set the stage for the biblical scenario of the tribulation. If the tribulation is closely preceded by a failed regional invasion of Israel (by Russia and her Muslim allies), then this would remove much of the Russian and Muslim influence currently in the world today and allow a Euro-centric orientation to arise.
3. With the Muslim invaders having already been destroyed prior to the beginning of the tribulation period, the antichrist could easily sign a peace pact with Israel (Daniel 9:27), guaranteeing that Israel will be protected. In other words, Israel will be easier to protect if the Muslim forces are already out of the picture.
4. This scenario may account for Israel's ability to construct the Jewish temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem. With Muslim forces destroyed, Muslim resistance will be greatly minimized.
5. If the invasion takes place after the rapture, and the rapture takes place at least three and a half years prior to the beginning of the tribulation period, the weapons used in the invasion could be completely burned for seven years (Ezekiel 39:9-10) prior to the midpoint of the tribulation, when Israel takes flight from Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15-21). Therefore, a significant lapse of time may separate the rapture from the beginning of the tribulation.
Israel Invaded by a Northern Military Coalition
Now we turn to the invasion itself, prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39. The goal of the northern assault force will be to utterly obliterate the Jews. These are the nations that will be included in the invasion:
Rosh, which likely refers to modern Russia, to the uttermost north of Israel.
Magog, which probably includes the former southern Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and possibly even northern parts of modern Afghanistan.
Meshech and Tubal, which refer to the area south of the Black and Caspian Seas-modern Turkey.
Persia, which became Iran in 1935 and the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979.
Ethiopia, or modern-day Sudan.
Put, or modern-day Libya. The term may also include Algeria and Tunisia.
Gomer, which apparently refers to part of modern-day Turkey.
Beth-togarmah, which also apparently refers to modern-day Turkey, though it may also include Azerbaijan and Armenia.
This unique alignment of nations has never occurred in the past but is occurring today, which lends credence to the idea that we are living in the end times.
An alliance between many of these nations may not necessarily have made good sense in Ezekiel's day because they are not even located near each other and because Islam did not yet exist. However, such an alliance makes great sense today because the nations that make up the coalition are predominantly Muslim. That in itself is more than enough reason for them to unify in attacking Israel— especially considering current Islamic hatred for Israel.
When Does the Invasion Occur?
In the previous chapter, I pointed out that Israel must be living in a state of security when this invasion occurs (Ezekiel 38:8,11). I suggested that such a state now exists and that the invasion will likely take place sometime after the rapture but prior to the beginning of the tribulation period — perhaps even three and a half years prior to the beginning of the tribulation period (see Ezekiel 39:9-10).
Some scholars claim that Ezekiel 38-39 may refer to an invasion that has already taken place. Here are six reasons why I believe this view is wrong.
1. Israel has never been invaded on the scale of what is described in Ezekiel 38-39. Nor has an invasion into Israel involved the specific nations mentioned in the passage. This prophecy has not been fulfilled yet, so its fulfillment must yet be future.
2. Ezekiel was clear that the things of which he spoke would be fulfilled "in the latter years" (Ezekiel 38:8) and "in the latter days" (verse
16). Such phrases point to the end times.
3. The unique alignment of nations as described in Ezekiel 38-39 has never occurred in the past but is apparently occurring today.
4. Ezekiel affirmed that the invasion would occur after Israel was regathered from all around the earth— "gathered from many peoples" (Ezekiel 38:8,12)— to a land that had been a wasteland. Certainly there were occasions in Israel's history where the Jews were held in bondage. For example, they were held in bondage in Egypt. They went into captivity in Assyria, as well as in Babylon. But in each of these cases, their deliverance involved being set free from a single nation, not many nations around the world. The only regathering of Jews from "many peoples" around the world in Israel's history is that which is occurring in modern days (especially since 1948, when Israel achieved statehood).
5. Since chapters 36-37 are apparently being literally fulfilled (a regathering from "many peoples"), we can reasonably and consistently assume that chapters 38-39 will likewise be literally fulfilled. This is in keeping with the well-established precedent of biblical prophecies throughout the Old Testament being literally fulfilled.
6. In view of such factors, it is both reasonable and consistent with the rest of biblical prophecy to hold that this passage refers to a yet-future invasion into Israel that will take place when Israel is in a state of security, likely after the rapture but before the tribulation period.
Israel Stands Alone
Israel will stand alone when attacked by the massive northern military coalition. Some nations-"Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish" (apparently Saudi Arabia and some Western nations) —will diplomatically ask the invaders, "Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder?" (Ezekiel 38:13). But their words are not followed by action. Israel stands utterly alone.
This means that the odds of Israel's survival, from a human perspective, will be nil. Israel will be vastly and overwhelmingly outnumbered. If this were merely a human battle, the outcome would be easy to predict. Israel will appear weak and alone in the face of this Goliath intruder, but God is strong! Ezekiel 38-39 reveals that the invading force will be annihilated by God before any damage falls upon Israel.
God Is Israel's Protector
God is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17). He has the power to do all that He desires and wills. Some 56 times Scripture declares that God is almighty (see Revelation 19:6, for example). God is abundant in strength (Psalm 147:5 NASB) and has incomparably great power (2 Chronicles 20:6; Ephesians 1:19-21). No one can hold back His hand (Daniel 4:35), reverse His actions (Isaiah 43:13), or thwart Him (Isaiah 14:27 NIv). Nothing is impossible with Him (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37), and nothing is too difficult for Him (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17,27). The Almighty reigns (Revelation 19:6). Scripture reveals that this all-powerful God will utterly thwart the invasion of the northern military coalition.
Scripture also reveals that God is always watchful-"Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4)—and He will be Israel's defender. The invaders may think their success is all but guaranteed, but God sees all, and Israel's attackers stand no chance of success.
Recall that God had earlier promised His people that "no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed" (Isaiah 54:17). We often witness God fulfilling this promise in the Old Testament, playing the definitive role in battling against Israel's enemies (see, for example, Exodus 15:3 and Psalm 24:8). God is even sometimes described in military terms-the "LORD of hosts" (2 Samuel 6:2,18).
Ezekiel 38:18-19 mentions God's wrath and anger toward the northern military invaders. These words express the intensity of God's vengeance against those who attack His people.
God's multifaceted defeat of the northern military coalition, described for us in Ezekiel 38:17-39:8, will include a fourfold judgment.
1. An earthquake (Ezekiel 38:19-20). The devastating earthquake described by Ezekiel, in which "the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground," will cause many troops to die. Transportation will be utterly disrupted, and apparently the armies of the multinational forces will be thrown into utter chaos.
2. Infighting (Ezekiel 38:21). God sovereignly induces the armies of the various nations in the invading force to turn on each other and kill each other. This may be at least partially due to the confusion and chaos that results following the massive earthquake. John F. Walvoord offered this explanation: "In the pandemonium, communication between the invading armies will break down and they will begin attacking each other. Every man's sword will be against his brother (Ezek. 38:21). Fear and panic will sweep through the forces so each army will shoot indiscriminately at the others.”
The armies of the various nations will also speak different languages including Russian, Farsi, Arabic, and Tur-kic-making communication difficult and adding to the confusion. The Russians and Muslim nations may also turn on each other. Perhaps in the midst of the chaos, they will suspect they are being double-crossed and will respond by opening fire on each other. In any event, there will be countless casualties.
3. Disease (Ezekiel 38:22). The earthquake and infighting will leave countless dead bodies in their wake. Transportation will be disrupted, hindering or preventing the transfer of wounded people, medicine, food and water, and other supplies. Meanwhile, birds and other predatory animals will feast on the unburied flesh. All this is a recipe for the outbreak of pandemic disease, which according to Ezekiel, will take many more lives.
4. Torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur (Ezekiel 38:22). The fourth and final phase of God's execution of enemy forces will involve torrential rain (with heavy flooding), hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur pouring down on the invading troops. The powerful earthquake may trigger volcanoes in the region, thrusting into the atmosphere a hail of molten rock and burning sulfur (volca-nic ash) that would fall on the invading troops, utterly destroying them.
What a turn of events all this will be. The invading troops will come with the intention of killing, but they themselves will be killed. They will believe their power is overwhelming, but they will be overwhelmed by the greater power of God. They will come to take over a new land (Israel) but instead will be buried in the land.
As if all this weren't enough, God also promises, "I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands" (Ezekiel 39:6. The term Magog seems to refer to the southern part of the former Soviet Union-perhaps including the former southern Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and possibly even northern parts of modern Afghanistan. We are told in this prophetic verse that God will rain fire down upon this area of the world and on Magog's allies "who dwell securely in the coastlands." These sobering words have led Joel Rosenberg to make this comment:
This suggests that targets throughout Russia and the former Soviet Union, as well as Russias allies, will be supernaturally struck on this day of judgment and partially or completely consumed. These could be limited to nuclear missile silos, military bases, radar installations, defense ministries, intelligence headquarters, and other government buildings of various kinds. But such targets could very well also include religious centers, such as mosques, madrassas, Islamic schools and universities, and other facilities that preach hatred against Jews and Christians and call for the destruction of Israel. Either way, we will have to expect extensive collateral damage, and many civilians will be at severe risk.
This judgment will serve to nullify any possible reprisal or future attempts at invasion. No further attack against Israel by these evil forces will be possible!
The Burial of Enemy Bodies
Normally, when many are slain in a major battle and the battle is over, the invaders bury their own dead. In the present case, however, all the invaders will be dead, so the task of burial must fall to the house of Israel.
Scripture reveals that the burial of these bodies will begin immediately after God destroys the northern military alliance. The number of slain invaders will be so vast, so innumerable, that nothing but a deep valley—the Valley of Hamon-gog—will suffice for their corpses (Ezekiel 39:11). And it will take a full seven months to accomplish the task of burial in this valley. Keep in mind that the invaders come not from a single nation, but rather from a coalition of nations, including Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya, and a number of other Muslim nations.
Following the seven-month period, a secondary burial crew will traverse the land and search for any bones that were missed. This is all part of the concerted effort to cleanse the land perfectly from all unclean-ness arising from the bones of the dead (see Numbers 19:11-22; Deuteronomy 21:1-9). Markers will be placed wherever bones are found, and grave diggers will take the bones to the burial site.
The Gathering and Burning of Enemy Weapons
Following God's destruction of the northern military coalition, the Israelites will gather and burn enemy weapons for a period of seven years. If seven years is required to burn them all, that means a formidable arsenal will be collected.
Those interested in the precise chronology of biblical prophecy will note a problem here. If the seven years of burning weapons is parallel to the seven-year tribulation period, how can Israel take flight from Jerusalem in the middle of the tribulation? In Matthew 24, Jesus urges the Jews living in Jerusalem to take flight when the antichrist sets up his headquarters there in the middle of the tribulation. So the problem is this: How will the Jews be able to continue the task of burning weapons if they have to take flight from Jerusalem in the middle of the tribulation?
The problem can be avoided by not making the seven years of burning weapons parallel to the seven-year tribulation period. If the Ezekiel invasion takes place at least three and a half years prior to the beginning of the tribulation period (as I suggested earlier), the burning of weapons will be completed by the midpoint of the tribulation period.
Keep in mind that the tribulation does not begin directly after the rapture. Nothing in Scripture negates the possibility of a number of cars passing between the rapture and the tribulation. The signal for the beginning of the tribulation is not the rapture, but rather the antichrist signing a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:26-27).
The Conversion of Multitudes
In Ezekiel 38-39, God gives a mighty testimony of His power and glory in the midst of His destruction of the northern military coalition against Israel.
"I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LorD" (Ezekiel 38:23).
"My holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned any-more. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel" (Ezekiel 39:7).
"I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day forward" (Ezekiel 39:21-22).
Clearly, God's destruction of the northern invaders will be a powerful testimony that no one can ignore. Indeed, the whole world will witness God's destruction of the invaders and recognize His greatness, holiness, and glory (38:23; 39:13,21). Moreover, Israel will be utterly awed at God's intervention on its behalf. God's stunning defeat of Gog and his military machine will force Israel to acknowledge His unfathomable power and justice (see Ezekiel 39:28-29).
A Shift in the Balance of Power
When God destroys the massive northern military coalition, the balance of political and religious power in the world will shift. This will make things much easier for the antichrist.
More specifically, the destruction of the northern invaders will pave the way for the antichrist to rise to power. With both Russia and a number of oil-wealthy Muslim nations out of the way, far fewer nations will have the political clout to challenge his authority when he comes into power early in the tribulation period. Arnold Fruchtenbaum makes this note: "The eastern balance of power will collapse with the fall of Russian forces and her Muslim allies in Israel and the destruction of Russia itself. With the eastern power destroyed, this will open the way for a one world government."
As we have seen, this will also enable the antichrist to sign a peace pact with Israel (Daniel 9:27), guaranteeing that Israel will be protected. Muslim forces will no longer be a threat. As well, this likely explains why Israel is able to build its temple early in the tribulation period. After all, if the Muslims were still in power in the early part of the tribulation period and in control of the temple mount in Jerusalem, Israel would not be able to build its temple there. But if all the Muslim armies are largely destroyed by God prior to the beginning of the tribulation, this major obstacle to Israel's rebuilding of the temple is removed.
Discerning Between Ez 38—39 and in Rev 20:7–8
Gog and Magog appear in Ezekiel 38—39 and in Revelation 20:7–8. While these two passages use the same names, a close study of Scripture clearly demonstrates they do not refer to the same people and events. The events are separated by at least 1,000 years. In Ezekiel’s prophecy, Gog will be the leader of a great army that attacks the land of Israel, which is “peaceful and unsuspecting” at the time (Ezekiel 38:11). Gog is described as “of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2–3). When will Ezekiel’s battle of Gog and Magog occur? There are two theories:
Before the tribulation begins. This view points to the fact that, after the battle, the people of Israel will be burning the enemy’s weapons for seven years and spend over seven months burying the dead (Ezekiel 39:9–10, 12–16). That length of time most likely requires the battle to be fought before the tribulation, and possibly even before the rapture of the church.
During the first part of the seven-year tribulation. This view hinges on the fact that Israel is at peace when the attack begins (Ezekiel 38:8, 11). The security Israel enjoys is assumed to be the result of Israel’s covenant with the Antichrist at the beginning of the tribulation, Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 9:27a).
According to Ezekiel, Magog will not win. God will intervene to preserve Israel. “There shall be a great earthquake” (Ezekiel 38:19), “every man’s sword will be against his brother” (verse 21), and God “will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on [Gog] and on his troops and on the many nations with him” (verse 22). The result is that the nations will see God’s greatness and holiness (verse 23).
Gog and Magog are mentioned again in Revelation 20:7-8. The duplicated use of the names Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8-9 is to show that these people demonstrate the same rebellion against God and antagonism toward God as those in Ezekiel 38-39. It is similar to someone today calling a person "the devil" because he or she is sinful and evil. We know that person is not really Satan, but because that person shares similar characteristics, he or she might be referred to as "the devil."
The book of Revelation uses Ezekiel’s prophecy about Magog to portray a final end-times attack on the nation of Israel (Revelation 20:8-9). The result of this battle is that all are destroyed, and Satan will find his final place in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
It is important to recognize that the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38-39 is quite different from the one in Revelation 20:7-8. Below are some of the more obvious reasons why these refer to different people and battles.
1. In the battle of Ezekiel 38-39, the armies come primarily from the north and involve only a few nations of the earth (Ezekiel 38:6, 15; 39:2). The battle in Revelation 20:7-9 will involve all nations, so armies will come from all directions, not just from the north.
2. There is no mention of Satan in the context of Ezekiel 38-39. In Revelation 20:7 the context clearly places the battle at the end of the millennium with Satan as the primary character.
3. Ezekiel 39:11–12 states that the dead will be buried for seven months. There would be no need to bury the dead if the battle in Ezekiel 38—39 is the one described in Revelation 20:8–9, for immediately following Revelation 20:8–9 is the Great White Throne judgment (20:11–15) and then the present heaven and earth are destroyed, replaced by a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). There obviously will be a need to bury the dead if the battle takes place before or in the early part of the tribulation, for the land of Israel will be occupied for another 1,000 years, the length of the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4–6).
4. The battle in Ezekiel 38-39 is used by God to bring Israel back to Him (Ezekiel 39:21-29). In Revelation 20, Israel has been faithful to God for 1,000 years (the millennial kingdom). Those in Revelation 20:7-10 who are rebellious are destroyed without any more opportunity for repentance.
Summarized end-times events order that the Bible reveals:
1. The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too. From our perspective today, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent; no other biblical prophecy needs to be fulfilled before the rapture happens.
2. The rise of the Antichrist. After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20).
3. The tribulation. A period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The Antichrist’s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven. It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6–10).
4. The Battle of Gog and Magog. In the first part of the tribulation, a great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God’s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38–39). (Some commentators place this battle just before the start of the tribulation.)
5. The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17).
6. The Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus returns with the armies of heaven (Mark 14:62). He saves Jerusalem from annihilation and defeats the armies of the nations fighting under the banner of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
7. The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell.
8. The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).
9. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).
10. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.
11. The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.
12. The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him (Revelation 21–22).
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