Ezekiel chapters thirty-eight and thirty-nine, which foretell the “battle” of Gog and Magog, today are on the minds of most prophecy watchers. The reason is obvious as we currently live in a hateful, insane world that causes us to think that the Day of the Lord must be near. The term “battle” is not really correct, for it will be a great slaughter orchestrated by the Lord.
“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.” – Ezekiel 38:21This occurred before when the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites came to attack Jerusalem at the time of King Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 20:15). The Lord told the king that the battle was His battle. When the people of Jerusalem came to the site of the battle, there were all these dead bodies. The armies had fought against each other instead of their intended target, Jerusalem. It will happen again with Gog and Magog.
To my knowledge, this “battle” is the only Old Testament event that parallels the final Battle of Armageddon found in the Revelation. But many Christians and Jewish rabbis believe this will occur before the great and final battle of the Bible.
One reason for this belief is the account of the people of Israel gathering the weapons of the fallen armies and burning them as fuel for seven years (Ezekiel 39:9). Therefore, it is thought that this is a pre-Tribulation event. Generally, armies at war do not destroy enemy weapons. They use them against the enemy. If Israel is entering the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), they will not destroy weapons that may be needed. Because of this, I do not believe this “battle” will occur before the Tribulation.
Another reason for not considering this event to be the final battle of the Bible is because only certain neighboring nations are named; Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya and Gomer. The final battle will involve all nations (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 16:14) so it is reasoned that this is not the final battle of the Bible. However, the Lord notes that there will be “many people” with Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:6, 38:9, 38:15).
Further, the Lord includes “them that dwell carelessly in the isles” (Ezekiel 39:6). The Hebrew word for “carelessly” is betah (Strong’s H983), which means safety and security. The Hebrew word for “isles” is iy (Strong’s H339) and is defined as a habitable land. So the Lord is including far-away lands where the people feel safe and secure. This event will include all people.
This will be a unique and unprecedented event. There will be a great earthquake unlike any before. Every person on the face of the earth will feel it! Mountains will be thrown down! Every wall will fall to the ground! (Ezekiel 38:19-20)
Even more important are the statements of the Lord. The Lord says that “this is the day I have spoken of” (Ezekiel 39:8). The purpose of this “battle” will be to demonstrate that He is the Lord of all (Ezekiel 39:6).
“Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” – Ezekiel 38:23
“And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment …” – Ezekiel 39:21The Battle of Gog and Magog will be a unique event. The Lord says so. The Prophet Zechariah says the final battle will occur on a day unlike any other (Zechariah 14:6-7). I believe the Battle of Gog and Magog and the Battle of Armageddon are both the same event. One is an Old Testament description, the other a New Testament description.
The Old Testament prophecies of this event are to show Israel that the Lord is God. The parallel New Testament prophecies are to show the rest of the world that the Lord is God. May His name be honored, adored, revered and praised forever!