This Article: (7 Pages)
1) Introducing the Prophecy of Ezekiel
Ezekiel, written during the Babylonian captivity, parallels Revelation. It revealed the future of the Jews, giving visions of their destiny, desolation, dispersal, regathering and the future glory of a revived Israel. Ezekiel is relevant today as it climaxes in a vision of the last days and the vision of a Temple built for all nations.
Revelation is a kaleidoscope of visions of periods of history after 96AD, such as the Roman Empire and its decline, the Muslim era, the rise of Napoleon, and destiny of the Christians and the nations. In every period the faithful recognised the era in which they lived. Isaac Newton recognised that the end of man’s rule on earth was near, but a powerful nation had to arise in northern Europe, which was Russia. Ezekiel and Revelation revealed to the faithful remnant of Jews and Faithful Gentiles the future of the nations and their subjection to the power of the God of Israel, through righteous worldwide government established by his son Y’shua (Jesus).
Consider Luke:
For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day... As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:24-30)
The Jews are the witnesses, the sign to the world, of Yahweh’s plan with the earth. Luke continues to record the prophecy given by Y’shua. The Jews would return as a revived nation to their homeland, which would become waste and desolate. When Jerusalem was no longer trodden down by the Gentiles and Jerusalem freed from Gentile domination has to be Israel’s miraculous victory in the Seven Day War in 1967.
They shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.Then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke21:24-27)
There is no ambiguity. The statements are clear. There is now a time of trouble, beginning. The world is filled with violence, immorality and rejection of the Creator and his power.
Ezekiel, Daniel and Jeremiah
These three men are contemporaries and each contribute to aspects of the prophecy. Daniel and Ezekiel were both taken captive to Babtylon as young men. Daniel lived in Babylon where by Divine Revelation and wisdom he revealed to the King and people the destiny of the kingdom of Babylon, its decline and the Kingdoms of the nations that would follow. Daniel’s prophecies were relevant to the gentile powers also and to us today, as we see the world in increasing chaos.
Daniel prophesied:
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: (Daniel 12:1)
Ezekiel, taken captive in the third of the six deportations of captives to Babylon in the reign of king Jehoiachin, lived in Tel-Abib North-West of Babylon. He was a ‘man of sign’ who was appointed to reveal the destiny of the nation of Israel to those in captivity. Jeremiah was in Jerusalem, where he was divinely appointed to warn the Jews that Jerusalem would be destroyed. He battled against false prophets in Jerusalem who were proclaiming that Jerusalem would not be destroyed and those who remained there were favoured in contrast to those in captivity. Jeremiah suffered severe persecution. The message of this false philosophy also reached those in Babylon. Hananiah, a false prophet in Jerusalem prophesied that the captives would return in two years. Hananiah’s death was predicted by Jeremiah and this gave him a measure of vindication in Jerusalem, and together with the prophecies of Ezekiel and Daniel, and the deportation of more Jewish captives to Babylon, the hope of the return to Jerusalem of the captives faded .
2) Summary chapters 1-14
Ezekiel Called the ‘Son of Man’, His Commission and Responssibility
The book of Ezekiel begins with Ezekiel’s call to speak to the rebellious children of Israel
In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, The word of Yahweh came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there upon him. (Ezekiel 1:2-3 )
Ezekiel saw a vision of “the likeness of the glory of Yahweh”. (Eze 1:28) and told:
Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. ..the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, I heard him that spake unto me... Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. (Ezekiel 2:1-5 , 3: 10-11)
Ezekiel’s name is significant with El meaning (God) will strengthen and with the title “Son of Man” added (ch 2:1). Ezekiel is addressed by this title almost one hundred times and links him to Y’shua, who was given the same title in the gospel records. In this prophecy the theme “they shall know that I am Yahweh”, that is, He will be mighty ones, is repeated at least seventy times. A chosen people would manifest his purpose in the earth. In Ezekiel, Yahweh proclaimed it when predicting punishment on Jerusalem, prophesying judgments on the gentile nations, the restoration of Israel and blessings to come.
Ezekiel’s responsibility as a Watchman
Ezekiel has great responsibility, strict instructions and warnings if he fails in his commission.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
And also:
When a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand…. if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 3:17-21)
Ezekiel has to give a Sign of the Impending Invasion of Jerusalem
He has to act out a visual representation of the seige that is to come upon Jerusalem and to show the years of iniquity of the people.
Son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel. Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity... Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity... three hundred and ninety days: (Ezekiel 4:-5])
For more detail on Why Ezekiel lay on his side 430 days.
Ezekiel then has to give another sign depicting the result of this invasion
There would be three outcomes from the invasion. Many Jews would be slain, many who flee would be pursued and slain by the sword and a remnant would be dispersed among the nations.
Thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber’s razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair. Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them. Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts. Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel...This is Jerusalem: (Ezekiel 5:1-5) and
Yahweh declared the judgments would be seen by the surrouding nations.(Ezekiel 5:8-9)
The Sword to come on those that escape
The sins of the nation become clear. Their idols and worship of images is an abomination. However a remnant of Jews would survive and be scattered among the nations. The idolatry that had angered Yahweh Elohim is revealed to Ezekiel.
And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places. And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. (Ezekiel 6: 3-4)
Yahweh then speaks of a remnant that would survive and escape the sword in remembrance of the promises made to the Patriarchs, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
A remnant... shall escape the sword among the nations,...They that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed. (Ezekiel 6:8-9)
The Remnant had to learn that “Yahweh was He that Smiteth”
The people had to learn that the Almighty and powerful Creator, Yahweh, had a purpose with his people and mankind, as revealed in his name. He expected obedience and reverence.
Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations…. ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth. ...I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.(Ezekiel 7:8-9, 21-22)
For more on Ezekiel 7 - Go to 21.30 mark on You Tube for start of talk
Ezekiel is shown the Abominations committed and the desecration of the House of Yahweh
Ezekiel sees a vision of elders at the entrance to the House of Yahweh worshipping the image of Jealousy. At the gate women weep for the Mesopotamian god of fertility, and men worship the sun to the east. These are the corrupt elders of priests and people.
Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry...Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. (Ezekiel 8:5-6 )
And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, Yahweh seeth us not; Yahweh hath forsaken the earth. (Ezekiel 8:11-12)
Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. ... Hast thou seen this, O son of man?... thou shalt see greater abominations than these. He brought me into the inner court of Yahweh’s house...at the door of the temple of Yahweh, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of Yahweh, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. (Ezekiel 8:14-16)
For more on Ezekiel 8 - Go to 5.30 mark on You Tube site
Ezekiel was told that he must not pity those who were to be smitten
Ezekiel is given a vision of a man who places a mark upon the foreheads of the few that sigh and cry for all the abominations in the city. Compare the following quotations in Ezekiel to the reference to the redeemed in Revelation (Rev 14:1) The “Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads”
Ezekiel is shown that some would escape the coming destruction.
He cried also in mine ears... Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. And Yahweh said unto him,... Go through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: (Ezekiel 9:1-5 )
Ezekiel sees a Vision of the Cherubim the sign of Yahweh’s Glory departing from the city
Ezekiel describes the vision of the glory of Yahweh that he sees as he was by the river of Chebar.
And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. Then the glory of Yahweh departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. (Ezekiel 16-18,20-21)
Ezekiel then has to pronounce Yahweh’s judgment on the princes
The princes would be slain for their wickedness.
The spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of Yahweh's house,... and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel... Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it. (Ezekiel 11:1-2, 11:7-8)
Those people who survive the seige are given a ray of hope.
A remnant of Jews returned to their land at the end of their 70 year captivity in Babylon with the decree of Cyrus and repaired the Temple.. There would be a remnant of Jews again dispersed world wide after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD70. From the remaining remnant of those Jews, some started returning, at the end of the 19th century, as a result of persecution in Europe and in Russia, to their homeland, which had been left a desolate wasteland.
The prophecy affirms that the promise to Abraham will be fulfilled through a faithful remnant
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come... I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel…. and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (Ezekiel 11:16-19)
Ezekiel has to demonstate the reality of the escape from Jerusalem from the Babylonians
Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou? Say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them. Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity. And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: ...My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon. (Ezekiel 12:9-15)
The punishment of false prophets is given.
And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 13:9)
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, [13] Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? [22] Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth .(Ezekiel 14:12-14, 21-22 )
3) Chapters 15 to 24
The word of Yahweh came to Ezekiel in a number of parables :
A number of parables are given to further impress upon them the urgency and need to repent and turn to Yahweh as the desolation of Jerusalem was near. Israel was often described as a flourishing vine but was now likened to fuel only suitable for a fire. They would go from one fire, and another fire would devour them. They would then know “that I am the LORD”. (Ezekiel 15:7)
The Patriarchs of Israel were taken from the idolatry of Canaan .Abraham’s seed were adopted to become a great nation, a people ‘for his name’.
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite... For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant. Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. (Ezekiel 16:3-4,59-62)
Yahweh had made a Covenant with the Patriarchs of Israel and despite the nation’s rebelliousness and , Jerusalem would be destroyed but a remnant would again return to the land. In fact there were two returns of remnants to the land. The first was under Ezra and Nehemiah and the second in the twentieth Century AD as we witness today. In 1967 Jerusalem returned to the Jews and we have seen President Donald Trump declaring that Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel. Ezekiel depicts the nation of Israel as being like a branch of the cedar which would be planted in the land and flourish again.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. [24] And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it. (Ezekiel 17:22-24 )
The pleas of earlier chapters to repent and to return to Yahweh their Elohim are repeated.
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 18:30-31)
There was promised a future restoration of a faithful remnant on the the mountains of Israel, which we will see.
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: ...For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. (Ezekiel 20:38-40) This would follow the purging of the nation.
I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering: (Ezekiel 21:27-28)
Chapter 22 reiterates the sins and abominations of Israel. Samaria and Jerusalem are likened to harlots
And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah. And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours, they will bear the sins of their idols ye shall know that I am Yahweh (Ezekiel 23:4-5)
4) Chapters 25 to 32
The nations, Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre and Egypt that mocked Israel would not escape and were also to be judged.
5) Chapters 33 to 39
The prophecies of the regathering of the remnant, the restoration of the nation of Israel and the transformed land are given. These are relevant to both Jews and the Gentiles today.
The Resurrection of the Dried Bones Ezekiel 37
One of the most notable Prophecies of the Bible to be fulfilled in the Modern World.
Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. (Ezekiel 37:11-12)
After about 85 generations since the prophecy was written, and about 77 generations of 'dry bones' since the wandering Jews of no nation had any nationhood, it began to be fulfilled in the 1880s with the rise of Zionism. Zionism was political in nature with many of the proponents being socialists with no intent to fulfill the Bible! In 1948 the first half of the chapter was fulfilled as the long lost hope and dream of nationhood was finally real.
The prophecy is commemorated in cartoons by Yaakov Kirschen published since 1973 in the Jerusalem Post, that capture aspects of living in a politically Jewish nation of Israel.
The second part of Ezekiel 37 speaks of the prophecy of the two sticks, the two ancient half kingdoms beign re-united, with king David as king. It is tagged onto the other prophecy of the bones as it must occur after the revival of the nation. The Bible often gives a prophecy for one era then fast forwards to some relevat conneted detail of the final Plan of the Kingdom, then backtracks.
The details of an invasion of Israel from a northern host is given to us and detailed in many places on this web site. After this invasion of Yahweh’s Land, all flesh will be humbled and Yahweh will be exalted and Y’shua his son the Messiah will reign in power and glory.
6) Ezekiel 38-39
What do Ezekiel 38, Daniel and Revelation have in common?
In the sixth century BC Daniel, rising to prominence, lived through the years of the Babylonian Captivity and Ezekiel, an Israeli Priest, was a captive of Babylon. Both were given prophecies related to the destiny of the nation of Israel. Daniel’s prophecy was concerned with the rise of the nations that would follow the prophesied fall of Babylon, and, Ezekiel’s was specifically related to the nation of Israel and its destiny. Both prophecies culminate in the “time of the end” when “many shall run to and fro” and “knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4) and “a time of trouble such as never was” (Dan 12:2) and in “the latter years when Israel is brought back from the sword and gathered out of many nations and dwell on the mountains of Israel”. (Ezek 38:8)
It is at that time a confederacy of nations from the north would arise to invade Israel and there it would be destroyed on the mountains of Israel.
Daniel prophesied of the emergence of the nations that would follow the Babylonian Empire: Medo-Persia, Greece and then the iron power of Rome. These would be followed by the drying up of the Euphrates, which was symbolically the Ottoman Empire. Ezekiel’s prophecy goes beyond the fall of the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire. We see migration today from where there are wars, but there has been the constant movement of tribes throughout the world for thousands of years as a result of conflicts, popuation growth, tribal wars and the search for land. Ezekiel’s prophecy specifically relates to the developments in northern Europe that followed the decline of the Roman Empire after 400AD.
The nations of Ezekiel 38
Ezekiel 38 names nations which were unknown in the time in which the prophet was writing.
The word of Yahweh came to me saying, Son of man set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal and prophesy against him. (Ezek 38:2) (NASB)
There has been much controversy concerning the nations referred to in these opening verses, but the prophecy clearly gives the time period. One Bible student in 1848 declared that “no portion of scripture has been more mangled”. A primary source that clarifies the text in the Hebrew comes from the Jews who were appointed by Ptolemy Philadelphus, King of Egypt to translate the OT into Greek. The original Hebrew was rendered as “Gogue, Prince of Ros, Mesoch and Thobal, with Ros being a proper name and the phrase is “prince of Ros” and not “chief prince” as in the KJV.
In the sixth century BC these nations did not exist but the prophecy requires these nations to be established by the time designated and appointed by the prophecy. Daniel calls it the “time of the end” (Dan11:40) and Ezekiel calls it the “latter years” and when Israel is “dwelling safely on the mountains”. (Ezel 38:11) (Compare Ezekiel 36: 1,4,6,8-9)
Analysis of verses 1-6 of Ezekiel 38
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: and I will turn you around, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;
Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many peoples with you. (Ezekiel 38:1-6 [WEB])
Gog
This is a puzzling name as it is not to be found in Hebrew. It is thus then a Gentile word and is a name, an appellation. In the context it is representing a proper noun
The land of Magog
Magogue and Gomer are the names of two sons of Japheth. Josephus records, by the repute of the Jews, that these two sons retained their names and migrated from the mountains of Taurus to Asia and the River Tanais (ie Don) and from there entered Europe and migrated as far as the Straits of Gibralter and into uninhabited lands. Magog then refers to the vast land mass of northern Europe in which the tribes descending from these two men settled. We are looking at a time period of almost two thousand years in which the tribes grew in number and size.
Gomer
Retaining his name Gomer founded the Gomari,whom the Greeks called Galatae, and, Magog founded the Magogae, whom the Greeks callrd Scythae. The scythians were also called Getae or Gothi, who subdued the Roman Empire after 400AD and settled from Hungary to the Rivers Don and Danube, the region we recognise as Germanic, the region of Germany. Gomer also includes France which was overrun by the Franks and their name of Gaul was superseded by that of France.
Ros
Ros is the most ancient name for Russia in History/. The Danish dictionary gives Russia as “Rusland” the Greeks earliest historians stated that the Ros are a Scythian nation bordering on the Taurus and derived their name from a valiant man, who saved them from their tyrants.
Meshech (Mesoch)
The ancient names of Russian cities, Mosc or Musc are discernable in Moscwa or Moscow.
Tubal
In Tobl, Tubl or Thobel can be discerned the River Tobol and the city of Tobolium or Tobolski, which is the region of Siberia.
We go into more detail Why Ezekiel 38 refers to the nation Rosh /Ros
A defence of why Rosh is Russia
The other nations of the confederacy (Ezekiel 38:5-6)
With the force of Gog are also the following nations:
Persia: Modern day Iran, Ethiopia (Cush and Put WEB), and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer is France and Germany, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah, a son of Gomer, who did not go west as the other descendants of Gomer but spread themselves over the north quarters, north of Israel. It is Russian and independent Tartary that supplied millions of horses for the Turcoman cavalry and is most likely the eastern areas of Russia (Georgia and north of Turkey). and all his bands: and many people with thee. This is supported in Ezekiel 27 in relation to the traders with Tyre.
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy (Tyre’s) fairs with horses and horsemen and mules. (Ezekiel 27:4 [KJV])
Isaac Newton witnesses the emerging Tsarist Regime in the 1600’s
Isaac Newton (1642-1727) saw the Ottoman Empire at its height in his day and further north a struggling Tsarist Empire only becoming identifiable in the 1700’s under Peter the Great. In the 1800’s it was among the powers of the age. He refers in his writings to the end of the 6th Trumpet in Revelation which states “there should be “time no longer”. He believed that Daniel’s prophecies were sealed in his day, but he saw the beginning of the “last times”as in Rev: 10:6.
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: Rev10:5-6
Isaac Newton believed that the time period for the end of man’s rule on earth was beginning.
The next greatest event of the prophecy of Revelation was the symbolic earthquake of the French Revolution, which opened the gateway to the three “spirits of liberty, equality and fraternity” that produced the cry for “human rights” ie Humanism, which is causing great tension in our world. We are now seeing the last stage of man’s rule on earth since 1789, a time period of 230 years in which mankind has embraced the immorality of Sodom and of violence like the age of Noah.
In Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation there is prophecy related to ‘the last times’, ‘ time of the end’ and ‘time no longer’. With so much scripture devoted to a period of time presented in these terms it, would seem that serious attention should be given to a consideration of these prophets. It’s clear that it has relevance to us today considering that 230 years have passed since the French Revolution when it’s stated there would be ‘time no longer.’ Time left for what? Despite the increase of knowledge man is creating a world which is destroying the beauty of Yahweh’s creation, obsessed with man’s pride, his inventions and disobedience of the precepts of Yahweh.
Ezekiel and the latter years
Ezekiel’s confederation of nations is identifiable today and will be formed in the near future as we see the EU in a state of weakness. We also see Russia becoming more powerful, aggressive and interferring in other nations such as Syria and Ukraine. It is displaying its military might and countries such as Poland are fearful. Her submarines are freely exploring the coasts of the north and it is alleged she has a secret militia engaged in conflicts in other nations. We might suggest that Russia is the most likely nation to take the place of US and UK in the affairs of Europe.
The nations listed in Ezekiel 38 :1-6 are predominately those of Europe with some Muslim countries. Their target is the land brought back from desolation and a remnant of their people from dispersion and persecution over 2000 years. This land is of course Israel, which is the land south of Russia. Why would they want to invade Israel which is dwelling safely on the mountains?
“Prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled ... After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.” (Ezekiel 38:7-8)
This is a very clear description of the confederacy’s preparation for war and their target. There is little doubt that this is Israel which was supported by the USA under President Trump.
And Gog shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; ... to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, ... To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Ezekiel 38:11-12
We may wonder what the spoil may be, but Israel has a lot of gas, intellectual expertise and the thing that these European nations represent are the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, which have had dialogue recently for the first time in 1000 years and have a desire to obtain sites in Israel and covet Jerusalem as the property of the church. Putin has relations with and supports the churches.
There is another confederacy in the south, which is also identifiable in our modern world.
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tashish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? Ezek 38 13-14
These nations that will challenge the northern confederacy are also identifiable to day. Sheba and Dedan signify Arabs and the Merchants of Tarshish are British as they were the great traders and colonisers for several centuries and established colonies known as the young lions. Britain is similar to the ancient trading nation of Tyre and known as the Lion nation. The young lions are the USA (as their first colonies were British), Australia, Canada and NZ. It is significant today that Britain is attempting to leave the EU. This will happen and allow a strong alliance between the USA and the UK. Britain is struggling to leave, possibly because of her treatment of the Jews and her failure to abide by the terms of the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate since 1922. She can yet redeem herself in an alliance with President Trump and return as a trading nation again.
Gog’s Destiny?
The concluding section of Ezekiel describes the invasion and its aftermath and needs little comment.
It is a great army from the north against Israel, in the Latter Days. Why?
That the heathen might know Yahweh and his great power.
Thou shalt come from thy place out of the northparts, ...a mighty army: ... And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Ezekiel:15-16
The role of the Prophets of Israel
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them? Ezekiel 38:17
The fury, wrath and jealousy of Yahweh displayed and a great shaking of the land, earthquake.
And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. Ezekiel 38:18-20
The violence against the army with rain, hail and fire
And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. ] And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (Ezekiel 38:21-22)
Ezekiel 39 continues with the destruction that comes upon Gog and there is the warning
And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. (Ezekiel 39:6-7)
If the words of a prophet come to pass then we know that he was indeed a prophet
The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. (Jeremiah 28:9)
We have seen the prophets prophesying of things that have come to pass:
The fall of Babylon
The rise of the nations that would follow
The rise of European nations
A time of trouble such as never was
The scattering of Jews and their persecution
Their regathering into their homeland
And that they will dwell on the mountains of Israel in safety starting under Trump
The nation of Britain will again be a trading nation
Knowledge increased
Many shall run to and fro
From the Messiah, who is greater than the prophets, we have the prophecy in Luke 21
And they (the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
(This was fulfilled in 1967 when Jerusalem was once again restored to the Jews from the ravages of waves of invaders who left the land a desolation.)
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;
and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:24-26)
So much prophecy has been fulfilled, that the prophecy related to Gog deserves our close attention.
7) Chapters 40 to 48
This section contains details of the House of Prayer that is to established for all nations and the cleansing of Israel. Glory will return to Israel and the King, the Messiah will be established in beauty and power and there will living waters that will flow from Jerusalem.
Just as the Revelation ends with a vision of the Temple, Ezekiel is given a very detailed description of that Temple which will be built: the House of prayer for all nations.
For more detail on the Temple of Ezekiel's prophecy compared to the Temple vision of Revelation.
The detail of the Palm Trees of Sukkot and Ezekiel.
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