The Battle of Gog and Magog

[savedatlast]

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.

I agree 100%. I like and trust any pastor that can say he was wrong in the past and adjust his thinking based on new understanding of scripture. I also agree that he views scripture literly which is why I have just bought my second McArthurs Bible. and to the mom of the 16 year old son. Keep working on your son and a good McA. study Bible is good because it helps the kids understand scripture. I used my first McA. Bible with my Bible clubs and all the children learned a lot to the point my poor Bible finally fell apart because the kids always wanted to use my Bible. Just remember the commentaries at the bottom of the pages are written by man and are not the actual scripture so be decerning.

[S&T]

I agree 100%. I like and trust any pastor that can say he was wrong in the past and adjust his thinking based on new understanding of scripture. I also agree that he views scripture literly which is why I have just bought my second McArthurs Bible. and to the mom of the 16 year old son. Keep working on your son and a good McA. study Bible is good because it helps the kids understand scripture. I used my first McA. Bible with my Bible clubs and all the children learned a lot to the point my poor Bible finally fell apart because the kids always wanted to use my Bible. Just remember the commentaries at the bottom of the pages are written by man and are not the actual scripture so be decerning.

The Student Bible is different from the Study Bible, as the commentary is more basic and I think will be good for my son. My son has NO background in reading the Bible at all. Just quickly looking through the Student Bible, I think it will be a good start for him. Provided he ever opens it. It's going to take a miracle of God for that to happen, but God is more than capable of that. :) I spent my son's childhood flitting from one new age/pagan/occult thing to another, I'm ashamed to say (:loco :nope), and I don't think anything I say on the subject of spirituality has any credibility with him at all. Although...prophecy is one thing I can point to and say, "See, look at this..." :glasses:readbible

[Perpetua]

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.

I'm currently listening to the MP3s of MacArthur's Revelation series, almost up to that message (now in the earlier verses of Revelation 20), though previously I found the specific transcript about Gog and Magog referenced here. Yes, he preached that series some time ago -- the Rev. 20 messages in 1994. I've listened to many other eschatology messages from him, and have noticed other places where he changed his views over time. In a series from the early 1970s, he tended to consider political places and events as fitting in to the end times scenario -- such as the idea that, in Rev. 12, the woman (Israel) given the wings of an eagle to flee could mean airplanes. In his Revelation series (early 1990s) he had moderated some, and instead referenced scripture passages from the OT about the wings of an eagle and a deeper spiritual meaning, not just that it's referring to an airplane rescue operation.

I've only been studying and understanding disp. premill and eschatology for not quite a year now, and MacArthur's view about Rev. 20 and Ezekiel (from 1994) was one of the first views I heard, and I was confused about which time period Ezekiel 38-39 is referring to. Later I heard S. Lewis Johnson in his eschatology series, with a better explanation of the differences between Rev. 20 "Gog and Magog" and Ezekiel "Gog of the land of Magog."

[rstrats]

Nightelf,

re: “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...”


Any particular reason for adding an “s” at the end of Revelation?

[Nightelf]

Nightelf,

re: “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...”


Any particular reason for adding an “s” at the end of Revelation?

Nope. Just a typo - it should not have an "s". Thanks for pointing that out. :hat

[tfcrew]

http://www.gotquestions.org/Gog-Magog.html

http://www.lasthour.com/GOG-MAGOG.htm

[Dav1d]

This war is supposed to start before the 7 years?
I know that at the end of the millenium kingdom armies will fight in the land of Gog and Magog but that is not the same as the one that will be soon right?

[ATYCLB]

http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=57052 :)

[MROD]

I was reading today in Revelation and in Chapter 19 it describes an event that seems to be very similar to another event described in the Bible.

Please review the following scriptures;

Ezekiel 39:17-20
"Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: 'Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls—all of them fattened animals from Bashan. At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares the Sovereign LORD.

Revelation 19:17-18
And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."


So, are both of these descriptions of the same event? If so, wouldnt that mean that the Gog/Magog scenario takes place at the end of Tribulation?

[Marie_M]

There are two Gog/Magog wars (the one in Ezekiel and the one in Revelation). If you look closely, you can see the differences in the two.

1. Ezekiel's war occurs soon after the rebirth of Israel and ingathering of Jews around the world (Read Ezekiel 36 & Ezekiel 37).

2. Ezekiel's war involves a limited group of countries that attack Israel. The Revelation war involves pretty much all nations from every corner attacking Israel.

3. Life continues after Ezekiel's war. Bodies are buried for 7 months, weapons are burned for 7 years and if you read in Ezekiel 40 to Ezekiel 48, it describes the Temple being built. On the other hand, the Revelation war ends with the end of the world and Satan and his followers being thrown into the lake of fire. The new heaven and earth is then created.