The Last Days Invasion of Israel

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The Last Days Invasion of Israel

 

 

A.   INTRODUCTION:

1. Study Ezekiel 38:1-17.

2. Background Information from Chapter 37...

a) God promised that he would return the Jews to their land and that they would not be divided into two nations (Judah and Israel) but will be one again.

b) This is being fulfilled today (1948 to present).

c) God also promised that they would be in their land forever and that they would again know Him and be His people.

3. The text refers to an even that has yet to occur. It is about an invasion of the Nation of Israel in the last days (Ezekiel 38:8)

B.   WHO ARE THESE INVADERS?

1. We can easily identify some of these invading nations today: -

a) Persia is Iran since Iran was called Persia for over two millennia up until 1935.

b) Ethiopia. (Note: Hebrew word used is Cush which can also include Sudan).

c) Libya (also called Phut).

2. Some nations required a more detailed analysis to identify: -

a) Magog (Russia) 

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    • Magog, Meshech & Tubal were sons of Japheth (Noah's son).
    • Historically, the descendants of these sons intermarried and settled in the areas north of the Caspian Sea.
    • Verse 15 says that they are from the North (of Israel).
    • They were called Magogians, the Greeks called them Scythians and finally they were called by the name we know today - Russians.

b) Gomer (Ukraine) 

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    • Gomer was also a son of Japheth. (Genesis 10)
    • His descendants (Cimmerians) originally settled in the lands that are today called Ukraine, Southern Russia & Turkey before migrating westwards.
    • A few Bible scholars believe Gomer to be the Germany.

c) Togarmah (Turkey) 

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    • Togarmah was a son of Gomer.
    • His descendants settled southeast of the Black Sea.
    • This area is today eastern Turkey.

3. Some nations are not named. Verse 6 adds "many people with you."

4. The leader of this armada is a man identified only as "Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal". Most Biblical scholars conclude that he will be a Moscovite or Russian.

C.   HOW WILL THEY ATTACK?

1. They will be fully equipped in weaponry (vs 4).

2. Verse 9: "Thou shall ascend and come like a storm; thou shall be like a cloud to cover the land..."

a) "ascend" - the attack will be from a height or aerial.

b) "come like a storm" - the attack will be thunderous and quick.

c) "like a cloud" - the attack will cover the sky with weaponry!

3. They will use the element of surprise to catch Israel and her allies (Dedan, Sheba, Tarshish and the young lions) unprepared.

D.   WHY WILL THEY ATTACK?

1. Verse 12 gives two motives for an attack: "to take a spoil, and to take a prey..."

2. They attack "to take a spoil."

a) They want to plunder Israel for her wealth.  

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    • Israel is a very wealthy nation with a GDP per capita at approximately US$26250 (2009) the highest in that region.
    • The mineral wealth of the Dead Sea is worth trillions of dollars.
    • Israel is now the world's third-largest fruit exporter! (Isaiah 27:6)
    • They also found a potentially-massive oil reserve south of the Dead Sea.
    • Israel is ranked first in the world in graduating PHD's.

b) Russia is a very cash poor nation today. 

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    • Her economy is on a downgrade with a GDP per capita at US$ 8650 (2009).
    • The USSR had to dismantle because of socio-political unrest.
    • Although she spent billions in the arms race she is no longer a Super Power nation and therefore has lost her pride.

3. They attack "to take a prey."

a) This phrase means "to kill or destroy".

b) Some nations in this coalition only want to see Israel destroyed. 

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    • Many of them are Islamic extremist nations.
    • The Libyan led oil embargo in 1973 was to protest the US protection of Israel.
    • Iran has publicly stated its hatred for Israel and constantly supports terrorist groups like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
    • Ethiopia and Turkey are also anti-Semitic in their outlook.

c) Note that anti-US & anti-Semitic sentiments are on the rise across the World and especially in Europe.

E. WILL THERE BE OPPOSITION TO THIS INVASION?

1. Verse 13 says that "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with the young lions thereof..." will ask the invading forces to explain their action in a diplomatic way.

2. These are not necessarily allies of Israel as they will not intervene at this time to help her.

3. Who are these nations today?

a) Sheba and Dedan 

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    • Archaeologists W. F. Albright and Wendell Phillips say that Sheba was at the southwestern edge of the Arabian Peninsula.
    • The Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon (2 Chronicles 9).
    • The ancient capital of Saudi Arabia is still called Dedan in some old maps today.
    • Sheba & Dedan are therefore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

b) Tarshish and the lions thereof 

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    • Tarshish is mentioned 24 times in the Old Testament.
    • The term "fleet of Tarshish" is generally used to describe an ocean-going navy.
    • History tells us that the Phoenicians had naval superiority in the Old Testament era and that they lived along the maritime regions of Spain from about 1000 B.C.
    • The Bible also tells us that in the last days the exile Jews will return to their land via the ships of Tarshish (Isaiah 60:9).
    • In this context Tarshish may be England (whose national symbol is the lion) and "the lions" her former colonies or offspring including the USA.

4. Note: These nations form part of the coalition which invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam Hosein's regime! Who would have thought that Saudi Arabia would be an ally of the US?

F. WHEN WILL THIS INVASION OCCUR?

1. This event is to occur "in the latter years" (Verse 8)

2. The invasion occurs after Israel has been re-gathered from the "nations upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste". (Verses 8 & 12)

a) The Jews have already begun to re-gather. Israel has become a nation again since May, 1948 after 2500 years of exile!

b) In 1967 they took control of the Golan Heights which had been a continual waste as described in Isaiah 35:1 but now "blossom and put forth shoots, and fill the whole world with fruit" (Isaiah 27:6).

3. It will occur before the Tribulation as the first half will be one of peace in Israel. Israel will flee under persecution in the 2nd half. (Mark 13:14)

4. Note that this prophecy comes after the vision of the Valley of dry bones which deals with the re-gathering of the Jews (Ezekiel 37).

G. WHAT WILL THE OUTCOME BE?

1. Read Ezekiel 38:18-23 and 39:1-14

2. God will cause a great earthquake to occur. (verse 19)

3. He will confuse the armies so they fight each other. (verse 21)

4. He will cause hail, fire and brimstone to rain on the armies from above (verse 22) and on their lands (Ezekiel 39:6)

5. The armies will "fall upon the mountains...the fields" (Ezekiel 39:4-5)

6. It will take 7 months to bury the dead (verse 12) and Israel will burn the weapons as fuel for 7 years (verse 9, 10).

a) How do you burn steel? You don't!

b) The Russians are using Lignostone to make their weapons of war.

c) Lignostone is a type of wood which is stronger than steel, is very elastic and burns better than coal!

H. WHY WILL ISRAEL BE ALONE?

1. The text does not say why Israel will be isolated.

2. The biggest allies of the Jews today are Great Britain and the US - "the merchants of Tarshish and the lions thereof."

3. Why then will they not intervene?

a) Maybe they will not be allies at that time. This is unlikely.

b) Maybe they will not be able to intervene. 

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    • Could the invasion of Iraq give Russia an excuse for invading Israel since the US will not listen to the UN?
    • Is it possible that the US will lose its military might before this?
    • Since the text says that this invasion will use the element of surprise will Russia invade Israel while the US is busy in other military matters?

c) We will not know until the time comes!

I. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CHURCH?

1. Maranatha! Christ is coming soon!

2. This invasion of Israel could occur very soon because all the pieces are in place. It is a sign of the 2nd Coming of Christ.

3. The Rapture is imminent! It can occur at anytime! Are you ready?

4. It's time for the Church to "look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!" Luke 21:18

5. Are you ready to go?

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord!"