The Battle of Gog and Magog

[Jacinth]

There are a few reasons to say these are not the same wars.

One being, the Ezekiel war is about Russia wanting Israel's "spoils." That is not what the last war is about when Satan is loosed one more time. It is simply about rebellion.

Also, there will be people from many nations, all over the world who gather with Satan for the last war. Not so with Ezekiel.

[S&T]

In the Revelation series that is posted on the internet, it looks like John MacArthur is saying that the passage in Ezekiel and the passage in Revelation 20 are referring to the same event. However, in the book I have, it now appears that he is saying they are not the same event, so it does look like he has changed his mind since the Revelation sermons were recorded.

I meant to post about this when I first heard the account on John's website last week, since this was something that I had never even thought of--that the Ezekiel account and the Revelation account could possibly be the same event. Actually, all I had figured when it came to the Ezekiel passage is that I really wasn't sure WHEN exactly that would take place, that maybe it would have to be one of those things I wouldn't fully understand until I see it actually happening, and that would have to be enough. And then I heard this recording of John's and went :thinking

It does look like John has changed his thinking on this, however. Goes to show we all need to check things, eh?

[harvest]

In the Revelation series that is posted on the internet, it looks like John MacArthur is saying that the passage in Ezekiel and the passage in Revelation 20 are referring to the same event. However, in the book I have, it now appears that he is saying they are not the same event, so it does look like he has changed his mind since the Revelation sermons were recorded.

I meant to post about this when I first heard the account on John's website last week, since this was something that I had never even thought of--that the Ezekiel account and the Revelation account could possibly be the same event. Actually, all I had figured when it came to the Ezekiel passage is that I really wasn't sure WHEN exactly that would take place, that maybe it would have to be one of those things I wouldn't fully understand until I see it actually happening, and that would have to be enough. And then I heard this recording of John's and went :thinking

It does look like John has changed his thinking on this, however. Goes to show we all need to check things, eh?

Reminds us to keep searching the scriptures. :thumb

[acceptedintheBeloved]

It's sounds to me like he must have changed his views on it. :thumb

[savedatlast]

McArthur is a very good teacher but I think what happened is he was not really into end times study until recently. In his study Bible he cinnects the two together but in his newer writtings he has them seperated.

[pegmo]

You can write him and ask him. He might want to post a note on his site for others who come across the same contradiction.

[S&T]

Oops, I meant to respond to this sooner. Yesterday was one of those days where I couldn't decide if I was the bug or the windshield. :frust:bash:runaway:bricks:mazy:fear

Well, today's a better day, thankfully. :)


McArthur is a very good teacher but I think what happened is he was not really into end times study until recently. In his study Bible he cinnects the two together but in his newer writtings he has them seperated.

I am SO grateful to have learned about his website and that so much of his material is now available. I am not attending any church (although I would love to), so he's the closest thing to a pastor that I have.

I think the series on Revelation that I've been listening to was likely recorded at least 10 years ago, if not more. I've been looking for more recent sermons on prophecy but I haven't come across anything just yet.

I have purchased a few of his books--"The Glory of Heaven", "The Gospel According to Jesus", "The Gospel According to the Apostles", "The Second Coming", and "Ephesians" as well as "Because the Time is Near". I gave a leather bound version of his study Bible to my husband for a birthday gift. I have my own version of the study Bible, and that will be one I'll be writing notes in. I got the Student Study Bible for my son. Unfortunately, I have spent a good part of my son's childhood not being a Christian so he has little to no background in Christianity and now at the age of 16 he figures he maybe doesn't believe in God. I've had some opportunities to tell him about the Bible and I use any opportunity I can to point out prophecy fulfillment (as he actually IS interested in that)...I thought this student Bible would be good for him to help him study on his own when (I'm an optimist, so I won't say "if") the time comes.

Ah, I'm getting off track here, going on and on. :)

Speaking of the study Bible, I checked mine, and it did indicate that John sees the Gog/Magog battles in Revelation and Ezekiel as being 2 different events.


You can write him and ask him. He might want to post a note on his site for others who come across the same contradiction.

That is an excellent idea. :)

[JJW81867]

I find fault in this.

1- The Jews will take 7 months to bury the dead. At the end of the millenium there will be a new Heaven and Earth.

2- The Jews will burn weapons for 7 years after Gog-Magog. See above.

3- The countries involved in the coalition against Isreal are mainly Muslim nations. That makes perfect sense as to why the attack on Isreal is to take place. Those countries named in the Bible are mainly Muslim or Atheists. In the Millenium I just can't see there being such a thing as "countries" or lands with borders or Islam. I could be wrong but it doesn't make sense.

I think, when you clearly read Ezekial 38 and 39, the perfect conclusion is that Gog-Magog must take place at least 3 and a half years before the Tribulation begins. I see no way that the Jews could burn weapons for 7 years with the persecution they will be facing in the last half of the tribulation.

I will admit that I could be wrong but I think the scriptures support this view.

[resurrection torchlight]

Actually Gog and Magog are defined in Revelation- and it is a different definition than what Ezekiel gives- Ezekiel describes Gog as the prince of certain nations that reside north of Israel, while Revelation describes Gog and Magog as the nations of all the earth. Ezekiel talks about the nations that come against Israel during the tribulation or before it as some believe, while Revelation talks about the descendants of the survivors that went against Jerusalem. Those who will repopulate the earth during the 1000 year reign of Christ. So there is a difference one is pre-millennial one is post.


Ezekiel 38:2

2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him


Ezekiel 38:15-16

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;

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.”


Zechariah 14:16

16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.


Revelation 20:7-9

7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,

8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.


RT

[Nightelf]

I think the (John MacArthur) series on Revelation that I've been listening to was likely recorded at least 10 years ago, if not more.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if he has changed his position since his first writing on this subject. He is a great expositor of the scriptures, but not necessarily an expert on end times eschatology. However, his approach to the book of Revelations is the same way he approaches the rest of scripture, which is literally. He does much to show that Revelations CAN be understood, (versus those who say we can't understand it, or that it's an allegory, etc.) since we can approach it the same way we approach the rest of scripture. He has helped to open wide the door for the average reader, to confidently plumb the amazing riches of this portion of scripture.

As time marches on, it does not surprise me that any of the teachers of end times prophecy adjust their thinking and stance on certain things. After all, we "see through a glass darkly" and many things are open to some interpretation, and therefore, differing opinions. As the time comes nearer, God sharpens the focus for us as we see prophecies being fulfilled, and our understanding becomes clearer.