sign in sign up
<<
Home , Gog and Magog, Meshech, Tubal

The Revelation of Christ “Gog and ” Revelation 20:7-10; 38 & 39

Introduction Revelation 20:1-6 presents the reality of Jesus Christ reigning over all the for 1000 years while is locked up in the Abyss. In Revelation 20:7-10, John records the vision where Satan is released from the Abyss at the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ. Satan is then able to gather an army of rebels from all nations (“”) to come against Christ in . This battle is referred to as the “Battle of Gog and Magog”. But there is also a battle of “Gog and Magog” mentioned in & 39. Are these two battles the same? The Scripture makes it clear that there are two separate battles which carry the reference to “Gog and Magog”. Consideration of these battles will powerfully demonstrate that sinful men continue in their sinful rebellion against , even after His glorious 1000-year reign of peace and prosperity. It is not surprising that God will judge those who reject His salvation through Jesus.

I. The Historical Roots of Gog and Magog Gen. 10:2; Ez. 38:2,15; 39:3-9 A. Magog was a grandson of (Genesis 10:2)

B. The descendants of Magog settled in Europe and northern Asia (Ez. 38:2) referred to as "northern barbarians"

C. The people of Magog were skilled warriors (Ezekiel 38:15; 39:3-9)

II. Two Separate Battles of Gog and Magog Ez. 38 & 39; Rev. 20:7-10 A. The Battle of Gog and Magog as Described in Ezekiel 38 & 39 1. Gog will be the leader of a great army that attacks the land of 2. Gog is described as “of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, , and ” (Ezekiel 38:2-3). Many believe Rosh to be “”. Meshech and Tubal were sons of , one of the three sons of Noah (Gen. 10:1– 2). The region of Meshech is possibly southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of , and Tubal is possibly to be understood as central . 3. Meshech is reference in Psalm 120:5,6 as “those who hate peace”. 4. The first battle of Gog and Magog occurs in the tribulation period, either just prior to the , or very early in the first half of the 7-year “Tribulation” (also referred to as the 70th Week of Daniel). 5. Gog and Magog will attack when Israel is at peace Ezekiel 38:8, 11 6. Israel will be at peace during the early part of the 70th Week of Daniel, but is it possible that peace will be experienced in Israel before the 70th Week? 7. Gog and Magog will be defeated by God on the mountains of Israel 8. It will take 7 months to bury the soldiers of Gog and Magog :11-12

B. The Other Battle of Gog and Magog as Described in Revelation 20:7-10 1. The reason the names “Gog and Magog” are used is to highlight the character of men who rebel against God just like those in Ezekiel 38 & 39. 2. The vision of John uses Ezekiel’s prophecy about Magog to give the picture of a final attack from Satan at the end of the 1000-year reign Revelation 20:8-9 3. A pillar of fire destroys the army Satan has gathered 4. Satan will find his final place in the Revelation 20:10

III. The Differences Between the Ezekiel’s Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38 & 39) and John’s Battle of Gog and Magog Rev. 20:7-10 A. In Ezekiel’s “Gog and Magog”, the armies come from the north which involve only a few nations. In John’s “Gog and Magog”, the armies come from all directions from every nation of the earth.

B. Satan is not mentioned in Ezekiel’s “Gog and Magog”, but in John’s “Gog and Magog”, Satan is the main instigator and leader.

C. In Ezekiel’s “Gog and Magog”, it will take 7-months to bury the dead. 1. If the battles were the same, there would be no time or reason to bury the dead since the Great White Throne Judgment occurs immediately after John’s “Gog and Magog”. 2. After the Great White Throne Judgment, heaven and earth are destroyed, replaced by a new heaven and earth Revelation 21:1

D. Ezekiel’s Battle of Gog and Magog is used by God to bring Israel back to Him (Ezekiel 39:21-29) , but John’s “Gog and Magog” sees Israel as having been faithful to God for 1000 years, while the rebellious men gathered into an army by Satan are from other nations.