Latest Prophecy Commentary
Reader: Questions About Timing Of Psalm 83 War & Gog & Magog War
Question
I have questions concerning
the Psalm 83 war and the Battle of Gog & Magog.
I was thinking that the Gog-Magog war in all likelihood ought to be the war that will bring about the revealing of the Antichrist and hence the 7-year peace covenant. But I’m struggling to reconcile with what Ezekiel also says about the people of Israel being peaceful and dwelling in safety in a land of unwalled villages BEFORE the Gog-Magog war (Ezekiel 38:8, 11). I don’t see how such an environment is possible as long as the Iranian nuclear threat in particular and the existence of the hostile surrounding nations remain. One possibility is that the Psalm 83 war, which many believe is prophesied to take place but has yet been fulfilled, would settle the issue of Israel’s hostile neighbors and this war will take place before the Gog-Magog war. But even so, I still cannot see how the conclusion of a Psalm 83 war would lead to the situation whereby the people of Israel can be dwelling in safety and also the land being unwalled. It seems a puzzle that has no clear understanding that can be gleaned from Scripture. What are your thoughts on it?
Answer
I see a very clear scenario. I don't
believe a Psalm 83 war scenario or the Battle of Gog & Magog will take
place on this side of the rapture of the church. Once the rapture takes
place, I believe the Antichrist will come on the scene (it could be days,
months or years after the rapture) and make peace between Israel
and many (Daniel 9:27). It will include Israel's neighbors, the
Palestinians, and I believe Iran. This delusional agreement will put a
halt to Iran's nuclear program. I'm sure many would say that could never
happen, and under normal circumstances, I would agree. But you have to
remember, this Antichrist leader will be far greater than any earthly leader
the world has ever known...by far. He will be seen as a savior both in
foreign policy and global finance. He will be supernaturally endowed and
very gifted. I can't tell you how he will bring peace, but he will and
God will allow it.
The
seven-year peace accord he will bring I believe will be the timeframe for which
Israel and the Palestinians must create a state and ultimately divide
Jerusalem. Dividing Jerusalem will be the crowning jewel for the Islamic
world. In fact, I believe Iran and the Islamic world will agree to this
peace accord for the sole purpose of dividing Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-3).
Of course, it will only be a false peace. But for as long as it does
last, Israel will truly believe they have finally achieved peace. The
Antichrist, although we can't explain it, will actually fool the world (and
Israel) into believing a lasting world peace can and has been achieved.
With Iran abandoning it's nuclear program (at least temporarily), and Israel's
neighbors making peace and normalizing relations with Israel, the world will
finally believe they have truly achieved real peace.
But shortly after Israel makes peace with the Islamic world, Russia will lead
an attack against Israel with the purpose of taking a spoil (likely oil).
The Book of Ezekiel doesn't say what the spoil will be, but the attraction will
be so great they will be unable to resist its allure.
Russia's plan will be a dream come true for the Islamic world and they will gleefully take part in the attack. They will think, surely with the great power of Russia, the Islamic world will finally be able to destroy Israel once and for all. They will finally achieve the great victory they have longed for. But God will have other plans (Ezekiel 38 & 39). When this attack commences, God will intervene with great and awesome power and the invading armies will be completely destroyed in shocking fashion.
It
is very possible this attack could spark the beginning of the Apocalypse
described in Revelation 6:3-8. This world war will take the lives of
one-quarter of the world's population. It is very likely that a Psalm 83
war scenario could take place at this time. I have to believe, once this great
world war begins to unfold, Israel's neighbors will have no choice but to
attack or perish. In the end, whole nations will cease to exist (wiped
out) and much of the surrounding land will be uninhabitable. Israel may gain
territory but I believe much of it will be contaminated by nuclear fallout.
Now to your second question. I can certainly see why you have a hard time grasping
a Psalm 83 war prior to the Ezekiel 38 war. Even if a Psalm 83 war
scenario does take place prior to the Gog & Magog war it still won't
satisfy the requirement for Israel to be living in a time of peace and safety
just before the Ezekiel 38 war commences. The problem is, Iran, Israel's
most dangerous enemy, will still be lurking in the shadows with the goal of
creating a nuclear weapon. As long as Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon,
whatever happens to Israel's neighbors will mean nothing. Israel can
destroy all their neighbors, take much of their land, but that solves nothing
as far as Iran's nuclear weapons goal is concerned. As long as Iran
stands as a major threat, peace and safety for Israel can never be a reality.
This is why I believe that peace through the Antichrist will likely come before a Psalm 83 war scenario or the Battle of Gog & Magog. Many think the nations surrounding Israel need to be named in order for them to take part, but they could easily be accounted for in the passage "and all his bands: and many people with thee (Ezekiel 38:6b)."
Lastly, you referenced the concept of the land being unwalled. Actually, the passage states that Israel would be a land of unwalled villages or cities. That is the case right now. There are virtually no walled cities in Israel today except for the cities that border Palestinian cities. Many of these cities have a 25 foot concrete barrier wall protecting them from Palestinian sniper fire and suicide bombers. All other cities and villages are unwalled. Frankly, I take this to be a symbol of a time of unguarded peace and safety.
This
is what I believe will be the future prophetic direction to come.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
Want to know more about becoming a Christian click here.
If you have been left behind, click on this link, print it out and accept Jesus Christ as Lord. It's not too late!
If you haven't had a chance to take a look at my book "Revelation Revealed", I encourage you to go to my website and explore what this book has to offer. I believe it will give you a clear understanding of the end times and the order in which it may come. Pick up a copy today for yourself or a loved one who does not know the Lord. I know it will be a spiritual blessing to you and will help support this ministry. To order a copy of Revelation Revealed please click here.