The Ezekiel 38-39 War
The prophecy of Ezekiel shows the birth of Israel and the coming Ezekiel 38-39 War. Yet will this war happen before or after the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus?
Ezekiel 38 39 War — But first “Israel”
Jesus said:
Matthew 13:14-15
[14] In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'You WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; [15] For THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'
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So with that background let us explore the passages in Ezekiel 37-39 to see what God’s Word reveals. We begin with this passage and reference to an area that is full of “bones”… and “dry bones” specifically. We note that God Commands a “prophecy” toward these “dry bones”… This is a prophecy that proclaims how they may “come to life” In passage 37:2 we note a reference to being “very dry.” This pictures the dead nation lifeless, scattered, and bleached, just as a dry tree pictures a dead nation, to which only God can give life.
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Ezekiel 37:1-2
[1] The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. [2] He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.
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But can these bones really “live”? What does verse 37:3 say? In verse 37:3 we encounter the statement “can these bones live?” The many dry bones (v. 2) picture the nation Israel (v. 11) as apparently dead in their dispersion, and waiting for national resurrection. Again, this is not individual but a resurrection at a “national” level. The people of that day certainly knew about the doctrine of individual resurrection, otherwise this prophecy would have had no meaning (cf. 1Ki 17; 2Ki 4; 13:21; Is 25:8; 26:19; Da 12:2; Hos 13:14).
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Ezekiel 37:3
[3] He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."
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The next passages (37:4–6) show the prophesy over these bones. Ezekiel is to proclaim God’s pledge to reassemble Israelites from the world and restore the nation of Israel to life (v. 5) and give them His Spirit (v. 14) in true salvation and spiritual life. Clearly, God is promising the resurrection of the nation of Israel and its spiritual regeneration (cf. 36:25–27).
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Ezekiel 37:4-5
[4] Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.' [5] Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.
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This is a work that will happen in stages but it begins with an abrupt “birth” of the nation. The regathering of Israel that took place abruptly when on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation on the same day. In verses 37:7–10 In the vision, Ezekiel did as he was told and the dead bones became a living nation (v. 10).
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Ezekiel 37:6
[6] I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.'"
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Early steps of the process…
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Ezekiel 37:7-8
[7] So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. [8] And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.
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Next steps…
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Ezekiel 37:9-10
[9] Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" [10] So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
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In stages - first a “regathering” of Israel. In verses 37:11–13 we see that this is the key to the interpretation of the vision. It is the resurrection and the salvation of national Israel.
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Ezekiel 37:11-13
[11] Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.' [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.
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Pay attention the intentional effort by the Spirit of God in verse 14 as we see God’s Spirit will come within them and they will “come to life” (in Christ Jesus…) This is specifically referenced in 37:14 I will put My Spirit within you.
God’s reputation is at stake in the restoration and in the regeneration of Israel into the Land. He must do what He promised so all will know that He is Lord.
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Ezekiel 37:14
[14] I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD.'"
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— THE COMING WAR —
Within the sequences of passages from verse 38:1 to verse 39:29 we see these chapters telling of a coming northern confederacy of nations who will invade the Promised Land.
This is the final world uprising against Jerusalem, its people and Messiah King.
This attack comes not just from the north but the four corners of the world, as a world of sinners at the end of the 1,000 year kingdom come to fight the saints in the “beloved city” of Jerusalem.
On that occasion, there is only one weapon used—divine fire. This is the climax to the last battle with Satan and his armies, whose eternal destiny is set. It is followed by the final judgment of all the ungodly before the Lord (Rev 20:11–15) and the creation of the eternal, sinless state (Rev 21:1).
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In verse 38:8 in the latter years, we note the context of Israel’s restoration (Eze 34–39), the invader will make its final bid for the Land. The passage “restored from the sword” refers to Israelites who have been returned to their land, after the sword had killed or scattered many of their people.
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Ezekiel 38:8
[8] After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.
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The Hebrew word for “restored” means “to return” (Ge 40:13; 41:13). gathered. This word also frequently refers to God’s final regathering of Israel (37:21; Is 11:12; 43:5; Jer 32:37). This restoration or return or regathering has begun historically and will continue until the latter days. In the final millennial kingdom, there will occur the full and spiritual regathering, when all Israel is saved to enter their promised kingdom (cf. Zec 12–14; Ro 11:25–27). living securely. This term occurs in several contexts devoted to the Israelites’ blessed estate after God has brought them back to their land (28:26; 34:25, 28; 39:26; Jer 32:37; Zec 14:11).
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In verse 38:9 You will go up. The time of the invasion is best understood as the end of the future tribulation period of 7 years. Israel will have been under a false peace in treaty with the Antichrist (Da 9:27; 11:22, 24), before he turns on them in the “abomination of desolation” (Mt 24:15; cf. Da 9:27).
The false peace will end in hostility lasting to the completion of the 7 years (Zec 14:1–3). When this final war occurs (cf. Rev 16:12–16), Christ will ultimately conquer the beast, the false prophet, and all the ungodly forces (Rev 19:11–21) in order to establish His millennial kingdom (Rev 20:1–10).
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Ezekiel 38:9
[9] You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you."
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In verse 38:10–13 This describes the peace in Israel during the period of Antichrist’s short-lived treaty with them (Da 9:27) in the first half of Daniel’s 70th week. The references to “unwalled villages,” refer to that period of 3 1/2 when Israel is secure under the protection of the world-ruling “prince that shall come,” called Antichrist (cf. Da 9:27).
After the Antichrist turns on Israel, there is an escalation of hostility until the end of the 7 year time when this great force comes to plunder Jerusalem and the Promised Land (v. 12).
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Ezekiel 38:10-13
[10] 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan, [11] and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, [12] to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.' [13] Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"'
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In verse 38:12 to capture spoil … plunder is a reference to what happens after the Antichrist takes over the world for his own power and possession. The wealth of his empire is described in Rev 18.
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Ezekiel 38:12
[12] to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.'
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In verse 38:13 we see reference to Dedan … Tarshish. We can compare to what we note in Jonah 1:3. Let’s take a look at that passage and explain the significance of that locational reference.
Jonah 1:3
[3] But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
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Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish. This is the only recorded instance of a prophet refusing God’s commission (cf. Jer 20:7–9). The location of Tarshish, known for its wealth (Ps 72:10; Jer 10:9; Eze 27:12, 25), is uncertain. The Greek historian Herodotus identified it with Tartessus, a merchant city in southern Spain. We can note that the prophet went as far west in the opposite direction as possible, showing his reluctance to bring salvation blessing to Gentiles (specifically the people of Nineveh). The next phrase is relevant from the presence of the LORD. While no one can actually escape from the Lord’s omnipresence (Ps 139:7–12), it is thought that the prophet was attempting to flee His manifest presence in the temple at Jerusalem (cf. Ge 4:16; Jon 2:4).
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Ezekiel 38:13
[13] Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"'
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In verse 38:15 riding on horses. These could be actual horses used in war, if tribulation judgments (seals, trumpets, vials) in Rev 6–16 have dealt drastic blows to industries producing war vehicles and weaponry. Some however see horses and weapons here (39:3, 9) being used symbolically to represent meaning which would be easy to grasp in Ezekiel’s day, but which would be fulfilled in the future time with different war forms suitable to that time.
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Ezekiel 38:14-15
[14] "Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? [15] You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army;
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In verse 38:16 we note the reference: that the nations may know Me. The phrase, frequent in Ezekiel, is part of the theme to glorify God and show His sovereign power. God is the victor, who will be “sanctified” by fire (cf. v. 19).
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Ezekiel 38:16
[16] and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog."
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In verse 38:17 Are you the one … ? This refers to the general references to this time and the participants (cf. Joel 3:9–17; Am 5:11, 12; Zep 3:8). Even Daniel (Da 2:41–44) referred to this time at least 3 decades prior to Eze 38. The nature of the question presupposes that the previous generalities are now being particularized in the person of Gog.
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Ezekiel 38:17
[17] 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them?
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In verse 38:18–23 My fury will mount up. God’s patience will be exhausted with the repeated attempts to annihilate Israel since the “abomination” by Antichrist (Da 9:27; Mt 24:15), and He will employ a great earthquake in Israel; panic will seize the invading soldiers (v. 21) who will turn and use their weapons against one another (cf. 2Ch 20:22, 23). He will further decimate the ranks by pestilence, a deluge of rain, large hailstones, plus fire and brimstone. The descriptions here are identical to that of the last half of the 7-year tribulation in Rev 6:12–17; 11:19; 16:17–21; 19:11–21.
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Ezekiel 38:18-23
[18] It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," declares the Lord GOD, "that My fury will mount up in My anger. [19] In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. [20] The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground. [21] I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains," declares the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother. [22] With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. [23] I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD."'
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NOTE: My personal sense is that the world is headed toward an irreversible outcome. There is an overwhelming corruption throughout governments around the world and here within the US. The undeniable evil at play which manifests as a self-serving attitude is observable worldwide.
Christ Jesus is the only hope and yet as we study His revealed word, we are constantly reminded that the conditions on this side of eternity are going to get horrific for the generations that appear poised to enter into this most difficult time of tribulation. A level of human suffering that shall be greater than has ever been or shall ever be.
My personal focus and attention is weighted heavily toward sharing the truth of Christ. So as truth is shared these days it softens the hearts of some while hardening the hearts of others.