“Epicenter” by Joel Rosenberg deals with what is happening in the Middle East and how it relates to Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 and the Tribulation Period/End Times.
Gog and Magog
Gog is probably not actually a personal name, but more likely a title. Gog is a political leader from a country due north of Israel. Magog is a geographic territory in the remote parts of the north.
Rosh, Meshech, Tubal
A study of ancient Hebrew, ancient history and modern-day geography points us to Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk (in Siberia). Most Bible scholars are convinced that Rosh is Russia.
Russia and the Former Soviet Union
Based on the textual, linguistic, and historical evidence, we can, therefore, conclude with a high degree of confidence that Ezekiel is speaking of Russia and the former Soviet Union in chapters 38 and 39. we can also be confident that the figure known as Gog will be a powerful political leader.
Countries that will join Russia’s anti-Israel coalition during the Tribulation Period
A careful study of Ezekiel 38 (verses 8, 10, 12, 14, 18) and Ezekiel 39:2 makes it clear that a Russian leader will one day mount an attack against Israel — but not alone. Ezekiel gives a detailed list of countries that will join Russia’s anti-Israel coalition in the last days. Nearly all of these are nations that are either predominantly Islamic or have a high percentage of Muslim citizens.
Persia — now called Iran
Cush — Ethopia
Put — Libya
Gomer — Turkey or Germany
Beth-togarmah — Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajiikistan
Sheba and Dedan — refers to the people of the Arabian peninsula including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates
The merchants of Tarshish and all their young lions — southern Spain, also used in ancient times to describe the westernmost part of human civilization (market-based economies of western Europe and perhaps the United States).
Tribulation Period – Ground Zero In the War of Gog and Magog
The mountains of Israel known as the Golan Heights will eventually become ground zero in the war of Gog and Magog.
Ezekiel 38:8- 17 — the “you” is Russia
Ezekiel 38:18 through Ezekiel 39:6 — Ezekiel warns that certain leaders of certain nations will face an unprecedented and cataclysmic judgment in the last days. That is what the war of Gog and Magog is all about.
Nowhere does Ezekiel indicate that any nation will come to Israel’s side to defend her against such a massive slaughter.
Ezekiel’s war is not the end of global trauma. The Bible states that it is only the beginning. But the devastation will be so immense that Ezekiel 39:12 tells us it will take seven full months for Israel to bury all the bodies.
Several verses in the biblical text indicate that a great, global spiritual awakening will result from this unprecedented day of judgment.
Iraq
Iraq is described by the Hebrew prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, as well as by the apostle John in the book of Revelation, as a center of unprecedented wealth and power in the last days before the return of Christ. From the book of Revelation we learn that Iraq will eventually become a center of great evil as well and will one day face a judgment similar to the war of Gog and Magog. But the Scriptures are clear, before that, Iraq will be rich and powerful. Scriptures are also clear that Iraq will one day be the headquarters for the Antichrist.
Before Christ returns the earth will suffer – Tribulation Period
“for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” (Matthew 23:39 NKJV) — In other words, until Jewish people turn to Him in dramatic numbers, and get excited about His second coming, Jesus said He would delay His return.
Tribulation Period/End Times — “The Final Act”
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