WORLD AT WAR: 7.6.24 - ALL OUT WAR

 All-Out War - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2024/06/29/all-out-war-by-daymond-duck/ On June 17, 2024, Pres. Biden’s special U.S. envoy met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Gallant to try to prevent an all-out war between Israel and the Lebanon-based,Iranian-backed group called Hezbollah. On social media, Israel’s Foreign Minister said: •We are getting very close to the moment of deciding to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon. •In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon severely beaten. On June 18, 2024, Biden’s special envoy met with 3 high-ranking Lebanese officials (Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Parliamentary Speaker, and Military Commander) with the same goal in mind (preventionof an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah in the nation of Lebanon). Biden sent his special envoy to meet with these Lebanese officials in an effort to avoid a “greater war” in the Middle East, but it still sounded like an all-out war is on the horizon (thedestruction of Lebanon, great damage in northern Israel, multitudes made homeless in both nations, many killed, etc.). The UN, EU, U.S., and others have tried to produce peace in the Middle East for almost 80 years, but they have always failed because they refuse to believe that many Muslims don’t want peace.(Many want the destruction of Israel, not peace.) The UN, EU, U.S., and others have worked out agreements that they expect (and try to force) Israel to keep, but they don’t expect (or try to force) radical Muslims to keep them. In the last 8 months, Hezbollah has fired about 5,000 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel, driven about 80,000 Israelis out of their homes, killed about 25 Israeli soldiers and citizens,damaged or destroyed almost 1,000 structures, and burned about 20,000 acres of Israeli land. Israel has had enough of UN, EU, and U.S. worthless phony-baloney ceasefires and peace agreements. Unless something unexpected happens, we could soon see an all-out war and possibly the fulfillment of several prophesied wars in the Middle East. Because some readers may not agree with the above, I want to point out that Hezbollah’s ally Yahya Sinwar (Hamas’ military leader) recently rejected Pres. Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposalthat several U.S. officials called “extraordinarily generous.” Among other things, Sinwar said: •The deaths of Palestinians and civilians in other places are “necessary sacrifices” (in Hamas’ effort to destroy Israel). •We have to move forward on the same path we started. (The Israeli-Hamas war started with the seizure, murder, rape, and enslavement of Jewish men, women, and children.) Some call Sinwar a psychopathic killer or a genocidal maniac. He spent 22 years in an Israeli prison for murder before being released in a prisoner swap. In 2018, he told a reporter: We make the headlines only with blood. No blood, no news. Hezbollah is launching rockets, missiles, and drones into Israel almost every day, and Hezbollah says: We will not stop attacking Israel until Israel ends its war with Hamas. As I see it, a lasting peace treaty with Hezbollah and the murderer who heads up the Hamas military and controls the Palestinian people is not possible. Hamas has even said they will regroup and keep attacking Israel. On June 14, 2024, it was reported that: Iran warned Israel not to launch a war with Hezbollah and notified the U.S. that Iran will join the war if one breaks out. Considering what the Bible says; what Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran are saying; what is happening; the fact that the UN, EU, U.S., and others have not required the radical Muslims to keep theiragreements; and that God will not allow Israel to be destroyed; it is my belief that an all-out war is on the horizon (and when the smoke and dust settles, Israel will still be on the map, more Jews will believe in Jehovah, and Allah will be greatly embarrassed). (More: On June 20, 2024,expert prophecy teacher Amir Tsarfati wrote, “War is not a matter of if, but when.”) (More: On June 20, 2024,it was reported that Israel has started moving troops from Gaza to its northern border in preparation for war with Hezbollah.) (More: On June 22, 2024,it was reported that senior U.S. officials assured Israel that the U.S. will back Israel if there is an all-out war with Lebanon.) (More: On June 22, 2024,Joel Rosenberg of All Israel News said, “We are facing an apocalyptic war.” God is shaking Israel. God is sovereignly letting it happen to humble us as Jews, as Israelis, and even with America beginning to waffle, that is telling us we have to turn to Godand His Son and His word, or we don’t have hope.”) (More: On June 23, 2024,Hezbollah launched several explosive-laden drones at Israel.) (More: On June 23, 2024,it was reported that Canada is preparing to evacuate about 45,000 Canadian citizens from Lebanon.) (More: Approximately 100,000Lebanese citizens have left the country.) (More: On June 24, 2024,Netanyahu said Hezbollah will have to be removed from the border, and Israel will have to do it.) (More: On June 24, 2024,the U.S. warned Hezbollah and Lebanon that it will not be able to reign in Israel if they get into a war.) Here are some recent current events that seem to relate to Bible prophecy: One, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on June 19, 2024, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatenedto attack Cyprus if it continues to allow Israel to use its airports and bases for military exercises. Two, concerning wars and rumors of wars: earlier this year, the U.S. started supplying Ukraine withlong-range missiles called ATACMs that can hit targets about 190 miles away. On June 24, 2024, it was reported that Ukraine launched a U.S.-made ATACM that was shot down by Russia over a beach in occupied Crimea (Ukrainian territory that Russia seized). Falling shrapnel killed 4 people (two were Russian children) and wounded 150. Russia summoned the U.S. ambassador, accused the U.S. of being involved in the attack, said the U.S. will not go unpunished, and said retaliatory measures will definitely follow. Three, concerning world government: on June 20, 2024, Meryl Nass, MD for Door to Freedom, sent outa very long but excellent article on the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recent attempt to gain partial sovereignty over all nations on earth with a new International Pandemic Treaty (IPT) and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHRs). Here is a link to what I received: https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/6/messages/115572 Here is a link to their analysis: https://merylnass.substack.com/p/complete-article-by-article-analysis Dr. Nass said, Attempts to water down both documents were made during the final days before and even during the meeting, but no general agreement could be obtained. Finally, at the eleventh hour (as oftenhappens), an agreement was reached to give the Pandemic Treaty negotiations another year, with some new negotiators to be brought in. A set of amendments to the International Health Regulations were passed, but the heart of the document had been defanged:while the WHO Director-General would be allowed to declare public health emergencies, he would not accrue special powers as a result; he would not be able to order nations to pass laws; he could not issue lockdowns, mandates, etc. This was a major victory for those who oppose the coming satanic world government (New World Order, Great Reset, etc.), but the globalists are not happy, and they are not giving up. They have already issued a new report “charting a path forward.” I have decided not to go into detail on Dr. Nass’s analysis of the new IPT and amendments to the IHRs because it is so long and detailed, but it is an excellent resource for those who arelooking for information on this issue. Four, concerning a falling away in the Church and the coming one-world satanic religion: Roman CatholicArchbishop Carlo Maria Vigano was summoned to appear at the Vatican on June 20 to face the beginning of a trial on charges that he has committed schism (promoted discord; caused dissent or conflict) and denied the legitimacy of Pope Francis. Here is a link to an article on the announcement of his summons: (ClickHere) Here is a link to Vigano’s response to the charges: (ClickHere) His response is long, so here is a small part of what he said. Those who are interested can go to the link for his full response. •Bergoglio (Pope Francis) promotes uncontrolled immigration and calls for the integration of cultures and religions. •Bergoglio authorizes the blessing of same-sex couples and imposes on the faithful the acceptance of homosexualism while covering up the scandals of his protégés and promoting them to thehighest positions of responsibility. •Bergoglio… supports Agenda 2030 (the coming satanic world government) and attacks those who question the theory of man-made global warming. •He has mandated the use of experimental gene serums, which caused very serious damage, death and sterility, calling them “an act of love,” in exchange for funding from pharmaceutical companiesand philanthropic foundations. •Bergoglio is to the Church what other world leaders are to their nations: traitors, subversives, and final liquidators of traditional society who are certain of impunity. •I am honored not to have – and indeed, I do not want – any ecclesial communion with them: theirs is a lobby that conceals its complicity with the masters of the world in order to deceivemany souls and prevent any resistance against the establishment of the Kingdom of the Antichrist. (My opinion: It is betterto obey God than man. We are not only witnessing an all-out shooting war shaping up in the Middle East, but we are also witnessing an all-out spiritual war against the Church.) (My opinion: I, too, believePope Francis is on the wrong side of the spiritual war. I also believe Vigano loves the Roman Catholic Church; he is grieved by what Francis is doing, and he is urging Roman Catholics to stick to their traditional understanding of the issues. I admire Viganofor risking his job and reputation to stand up for what he believes the Bible teaches.) (More: On June 20, 2024,expert prophecy teacher Amir Tsarfati wrote, “You can either take part in the globalist agenda or do your part to stand up against it.”) Five, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of theage: on June 23, 2024, it was reported that more than 1,400 temperature records were broken on Earth in the past week. Some so-called experts have blamed it on global warming or climate change. I believe God is telling us the end of the age has arrived and the lost are running out of time to get saved. (More: At the time I amwriting this on June 23, 2024, there is record-breaking heat in the U.S. West and mid-Atlantic; flooding in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota; and a tornado watch in several New England states.) Six, concerning a peace agreement with Hamas and Hezbollah: on June 24, 2024, an Israeli officialsaid: •We have had a litany of agreements concluded between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. And now we know very well that each agreement concluded with Hezbollah and with Hamas have been only meansto enhance their destructive capabilities. In my words, he said, history shows that Hezbollah and Hamas do not keep their agreements. Seven, concerning world government: at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Dalian, China,on June 25, 2024, Klaus Schwab said, “To drive future economic growth, we must embrace innovation and force the collaboration across sectors, regions, nations, and cultures to create a more peaceful, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future.” According to the article, Klaus argues that “economic growth” and a more “peaceful” future will come from reducing population numbers and embracing innovation, such as artificial intelligence(AI) while using the green agenda to advance policy change. Notice that, among other things, Schwab wants to: •Force all regions, nations, and cultures to collaborate with the agenda of unelected globalists. •Reduce population numbers. •Force everyone to go by the green agenda. (My opinion: MAGA goesagainst forcing all nations to collaborate. Corrupt elections are about empowering people to collaborate. Controlling everyone will culminate in tracking all buying and selling and the beheading of all who do not collaborate. Abortion, LGBTQ, euthanasia, etc.,are all about reducing population numbers, and the green agenda is about controlling people.) Eight, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog: on June 25, 2024, Israel’s Defense Min. (Gallant)met with the U.S. Sec. of Defense (Austin). Gallant told Austin: •The greatest threat to the future of the world is Iran. •Time is running out. •Now is the time to materialize the commitment of American Administrations over the years – the promise to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war: Thursday, June 20, 2024 (Day 259): The two-hundred-and-third day of the resumed war. Day 45 of the attack on Rafah. •Hezbollah is vowing to fight a war without rules if it gets into a war with Israel. •Israel vowed to put an end to Hezbollah’s daily attacks on northern Israel. •Hezbollah threatened to target Israel’s oil rigs in the Mediterranean Sea. •Israel’s Defense Min. said his nation has powerful weapons that it will use if necessary. •The U.S. said Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system may be overwhelmed by the great number of rockets Hezbollah fires at Israel at the same time. •S. and Israeli intelligence said there may be as few as 50 (out of 116 remaining) hostages still alive. Friday, June 21, 2024 (Day 260): The two-hundred-and-fourth day of the resumed war. Day 46 of the attack on Rafah. •Netanyahu said the flow of U.S. arms to Israel will be critical in a war with Hamas. •Israel has stepped up its attacks in Rafah and other parts of Gaza. There has been fierce, non-stop fighting for two days. •UN Sec. Gen. Guterres expressed profound concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Guterres said, “One rash move — one miscalculation — could trigger a catastrophethat goes far beyond the border and, frankly, beyond imagination.” •UN Sec. Gen. Guterres said there is total lawlessness and chaos in Gaza, and most of the humanitarian aid is looted. •S. efforts to stop an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah are going nowhere. •UN efforts to disarm Hezbollah and push them back from Israel’s border have been a total failure. Saturday, June 22, 2024 (Day 261): The two-hundred-and-fifth day of the resumed war. Day 47 of the attack on Rafah. •Israel assassinated the man who supplies weapons to Hamas in Lebanon. •Israel struck the director of the Hamas media office in Gaza (his condition is unknown). •Israel criticized the UN for disseminating misleading or false information on the war in Gaza. Sunday, June 23, 2024 (Day 262): The two-hundred-and-sixth day of the resumed war. Day 48 of the attack on Rafah. •Thousands of Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East have offered to fight shoulder to shoulder with Hezbollah if it gets into an all-out war with Israel. •Whistleblowers say Hezbollah is storing huge quantities of Iranian rockets, missiles, explosives, etc., at Lebanon’s main civilian airport. If Israel targets those weapons, innocent civilianswill probably be killed. •Israel shot down a drone that was coming from Iraq (a Psa. 83 enemy of Israel, as is Lebanon and Egypt). •Netanyahu repeated his claim that the U.S. is delaying some (not all) weapon shipments to Israel. Biden denies it. Israel’s defense min. has arrived in the U.S. to try to get delayed weaponsshipments speeded up. •Israel destroyed a terrorist training camp in Rafah. •Netanyahu said the Israel-Hamas war will not end until Hamas is destroyed. Monday, June 24, 2024 (Day 263): The two-hundred-and-seventh day of the resumed war. Day 49 of the attack on Rafah. •An all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah could be the most destructive war either side has ever been involved in. Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (Day 264): The two-hundred-and-eighth day of the resumed war. Day 50 of the attack on Rafah. •PA sources said an Israeli attack in Gaza killed 10 members of Ismail Haniyeh’s family. Haniyeh is the political leader of Hamas. •Hamas wants Israel and Hezbollah to get into an all-out war because Hamas believes another war will take the Israeli pressure off Hamas. •Some of the Israeli hostages are suing the UNWRA for $1 billion for using UN money to help Hamas buy, smuggle, and store weapons and explosives. Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (Day 265): The two-hundred-and-nineth day of the resumed war. Day 51 of the attack on Rafah. •Hamas has held 5 U.S. citizens hostage for almost 9 months. FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go toHell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6). Finally, are you Rapture Ready? If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus isthe virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this. ---------------------------------- 10 Signs That Global War Is Rapidly Approaching - by Michael Snyder - https://endoftheamericandream.com/10-signs-that-global-war-is-rapidly-approaching/ Are we on the verge of an apocalyptic global war in which billions of people could die? Very few people anticipated that World War I would erupt, but it happened anyway. And very few peopleanticipated that World War II would erupt, but it happened anyway. All throughout human history, there have been wars. Ever since the very beginning, it has just been a matter of time before major powers collide. Unfortunately, even though very alarming warningsignals are flashing all around us, most of the population of the western world seems absolutely clueless about what is really going on out there. Leaders all over the planet seem to have come down with a really bad case of “war fever”, and preparations forapocalyptic showdowns are being made. The following are 10 signs that global war is rapidly approaching… #1 Politico is reporting that Israel and Hezbollah have both “drafted battle plans”, and the Bidenadministration is convinced that “intense fighting is likely to break out”… Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah have drafted battle plans and are in the process of trying to procure additional weapons, according to two senior U.S. officials briefedon the intelligence. Both sides have publicly said they do not want to go to war, but senior Biden officials increasingly believe that intense fighting is likely to break out despite efforts to try and preventit. The risk is higher now than at any other point in recent weeks, according to another senior U.S. official, who, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitiveintelligence. #2 Iran is warning that there will be an “obliterating war” if the IDF enters southern Lebanon… Israel will face an “obliterating war” if it embarks on “full-scale military aggression” against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN warned on Friday. The announcement was made on Twitter. “Albeit Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon, should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war willensue. All options, incl. the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table,” the post reads. By “all Resistance Fronts,” Iran means not just Hezbollah and Hamas, but also the Houthi rebels in Yemen as well as other groups in Syria and Iraq. #3 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convinced that a major with Iran is inevitable becausehe believes that the Iranians have plans to conquer the entire Middle East… Netanyahu emphasized that the fight against Iran’s terror proxies is critical for other nations in the Middle East, as Iran aims to dominate the rest of the region, including Sunni Muslimnations. “We also have to deter the other elements of the Iran terror axis. But we have to deal with the axis,” Netanyahu explained. “The axis doesn’t threaten only us. It threatens you. It’s on themarch to conquer the Middle East.” “That means, actually, conquer. Conquer Saudi Arabia, conquer the Arabian Peninsula. It’s just a question of time,” he warned. #4 According to NBC News, the U.S. is moving military assets into position so that they can be “readyto evacuate Americans” once an all-out war erupts between Israel and Hezbollah… The Pentagon is moving U.S. military assets closer to Israel and Lebanon to be ready to evacuate Americans as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, according to three U.S. defenseofficials and a former U.S. official familiar with the plans. The USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, and Marines from the 24th Expeditionary Unit, which is special operations capable, moved into the Mediterranean on Wednesday to join the dock landingship USS Oak Hill and another ship in their amphibious ready group, according to the Marine Corps. The Wasp will operate in the eastern Mediterranean to be ready for a Military Assisted Departure and other missions, the officials said. #5 On Thursday, Hezbollah sent approximately 40 rockets into northern Israel… Hezbollah launched a barrage of some 40 rockets at northern Israel on Thursday afternoon, in what the terror group said was a response to recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, including thekilling of one of its operatives earlier in the day. #6 On Saturday, Israeli aircraft bombed several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon… On Saturday afternoon Israeli fighter jets struck a building in southern Lebanon’s Houla where a group of Hezbollah operatives were gathered, the military said. The IDF said the operativeswere spotted by troops of the 869th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit, and a short while later the airstrike was carried out. Another building used by Hezbollah in Houla was also struck, the IDF added. It published footage of the strikes. #7 I know that I wrote about this last week, but I couldn’t leave this particular item out of thisarticle. Apparently Joe Biden is thinking about approving a plan that would “allow US military contractors to deploy to Ukraine”… President Joe Biden’s administration is moving toward a plan that would allow US military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for the first time in a limited capacity, CNN reported. Four US officials familiar with the matter told the outlet that a policy is being worked on to allow the Pentagon to issue private contracts to send troops for the maintenance and repair ofUS-supplied systems in Ukraine. #8 Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly interested in developing a coalition of nationsthat would “rival the West and NATO”… Rhetoric from Vladimir Putin about a Eurasian security coalition is part of a Kremlin plan to create a group of Moscow-friendly countries to rival the West and NATO, the Institute for theStudy of War (ISW) has said. The assessment by the Washington, DC think tank follows Putin’s visit to North Korea which, one international security expert told Newsweek, has “deepened an already intensifying relationshipof convenience” between Moscow and Pyongyang. #9 Putin is also warning that Russia will need to begin production of intermediate-range nuclearweapons systems… Russia must respond to the actions of the United States and it seems that it is necessary for the country to start the production of intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) strike systems,Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. “We need to respond to this and make decisions about what we will have to do in this direction next. Apparently, we need to start manufacturing these systems and then, based on the actualsituation, make decisions about where – if necessary to ensure our safety – to deploy them,” Putin said at an operational meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council. Of course the Russians already have more tactical nuclear weapons than anyone else in the world by a large margin, and they have developed brand new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missileswhich are so advanced that they aren’t even worth comparing to the Minuteman missiles that the U.S. is depending on which first went into service in the 1970s. #10 A very influential figure in Russian foreign policy circles is suggesting that the Russiansshould actually detonate a nuclear device in order to show the world how serious they are… Dmitry Suslov, a top figure at the Moscow-based Council for Foreign and Defence Policy, has put forward the idea of Russia carrying out a “demonstrative” nuclear detonation, a move that couldprompt the start of World War 3. This alarming suggestion arises as tensions with the West intensify due to Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weaponry against Russian forces. Suslov’s think tank, known to occasionally sway government policy, made this proposal public shortly after President Vladimir Putin delivered a grave warning to NATO countries. Putin warnedthat if Ukraine were to employ Western arms for attacks on Russian soil, it could spark a worldwide crisis, reinforcing his point with threats of severe repercussions. Unfortunately, all of this is happening at a time when 72 percent of U.S. voters believe that the guy with his finger on the nuclear button does not have “the mental or cognitive health toserve as president”… A sweeping section of registered voters do not believe President Joe Biden has the mental and cognitive health to serve a second term as president after his unsteady debate performance lastweek, according to a new poll. The CBS/You Gov national survey conducted in the days after the debate found that 72% of voters do not believe Biden has the mental or cognitive health to serve as president, as well as nearlyhalf of his own party. That’s up seven points from the beginning of June. We are in far more trouble than most people realize. And it is far later than most people think that it is. I just wish that we could get more people to wake up. We are literally stumbling into an apocalyptic global war, and once we are in the middle of it there will not be any way to go back andget a second chance to do things over. ----------------------------- Gog of Magog: Who Is the Russian Leader at The Center of The Ezekiel 38 Prophecy? – By Mark Hitchcock - https://harbingersdaily.com/gog-of-magog-who-is-the-russian-leader-at-the-center-of-the-ezekiel-38-prophecy/ Ezekiel 38—39 contains one of the greatest prophecies in the Bible. It describes a massive invasion of Israel in the last days by a colossal confederation of nations. Today’s events in the Middle East, though not direct fulfillments of Ezekiel’s prophecies, strikingly foreshadow them; and a survey of Ezekiel 38 in its context reveals that the events Ezekieldescribed may be on the horizon. The Context The Jewish prophet Ezekiel prophesied from 593 to 570 BC, during the time of the Babylonian invasions of Judah, as well as the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BC. The book ofEzekiel divides into three main sections: Chapters 1—24: Retribution on Judah at the hands of Babylon Chapters 25—32: Ruin of Judah’s nearby neighbors Chapters 33—48: Restoration of Israel and Judah Ezekiel 38—39 falls into the restoration section immediately after the prophecy of Israel’s regathering to its ancient homeland in the end-times (chap. 37). This prophecy was fulfilled beginningin 1948 with the birth of the modern State of Israel, and the fulfillment continues today as more Jewish people return to Israel. This physical regathering of the Jewish people to their land sets the stage for the events in Ezekiel 38—39. The broader biblical context for this invasion is found in Revelation 20:8, the only other place the words Gog and Magog occur together. Some scholars equate this biblical reference to theGog and Magog in Ezekiel. While this view is attractive in connecting the biblical dots, the different settings for these two passages reveal they are two separate events: Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38: •The Period — Before the Tribulation •The Participants — Specific list of nations Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8: •The Period — After Christ’s 1,000-year reign (Rev. 20:1-6) •The Participants — Worldwide enemies of Christ The only element these battles have in common is the terminology Gog and Magog. But, if we view these two events as distinct, a question arises: How do we explain the identical names usedfor them? One common explanation is that the apostle John simply used “Gog and Magog” in Revelation as a type of shorthand, like we might use the word Waterloo to describe the final battle in Revelation20. Rather than giving all the details of what will happen, John employed a well-known biblical allusion to communicate that nations will invade Israel and be wiped out by God, just like what happened in Ezekiel 38—39. John was telling us in the briefest way possible that the circumstance will be another Gog and Magog, even though the two events are separated by more than 1,000 years. In the same way thatwe speak of World War I and World War II, this will be Gog and Magog I (Ezek. 38) and Gog and Magog II (Rev. 20:8). The Commander In Ezekiel 38:1–6, 10 proper names identify the invading forces. Nine of them describe geographical locations. The word Gog is the lone exception. It occurs 12 times in chapters 38—39 andis a name or title for the leader of the invasion. He is identified as “Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (38:2). We know Gog is an individual because he (1) is addressed directly by God (v. 14; 39:1), (2)is called a prince (38:2; 39:1), and (3) is referred to repeatedly by the use of personal pronouns. Also, he is “of the land of Magog,” indicating he is a person. The word Gog is not the leader’s name but, rather, a title, like pharaoh, president, or czar. In the Old Testament, the word Gog appears only once outside Ezekiel 38—39 (cf. 1 Chr. 5:4) and clearly references a different person. Gog may mean “high, supreme,” or “a height,” possiblyemphasizing this leader’s elevated position and pride. It may come from a Sumerian word (gug) meaning “darkness.” Bible scholar Dr. Thomas Constable said Ezekiel may have “referred to this unnamed future enemy of Israel as a dark figure (unknown and evil)calling him ‘Dark’ much as we might refer to such a person as a new Hitler.” In light of the actions of current Russian President Vladimir Putin, many have wondered if he could be the Russian leader known as Gog. While it is possible, we must always avoid irresponsibleattempts to identify a world leader today with an end-times figure. Author and journalist Joel Rosenberg gave his assessment about any connection between Putin and Gog: Over the years, people have asked me if Putin might be the Russian dictator referred to as “Gog” in the Biblical prophecies of “Gog and Magog” in Ezekiel 38—39. . . . Here’s my quick answer:It’s too soon to draw such a conclusion. There’s much more that would have to happen to indicate that Putin was the “Gog” of Bible prophecy. But there’s no question in my mind that Putin is Gog-esque. He is dangerous, and both Israel and the West should keepa close and wary eye on him, especially given all that Putin has done to build a strategic alliance between Russia and Iran and the other countries mentioned in the “Gog and Magog” prophecies. Time will tell. What we can say is that Putin cannot definitively be identified as Gog nor conclusively ruled out. He may be setting the stage for another leader who is waiting in the wings.But Putin is at least a faint foreshadow of what’s coming. The Coalition The name Gog is followed by nine ancient names of places. These names have changed many times over the millennia and may change again before this prophecy is fulfilled. Nevertheless, theyindicate the geographical locations that will be part of this massive incursion into Israel in the last days: Rosh: Russia Magog: Central Asia (possibly including Ukraine and Russia) Meshech, Tubal, Togarmah, Gomer: Turkey Ethiopia/Cush: Sudan Put: Libya (See “TheInvaders“) At the end of Ezekiel 38:6, the prophet added, “many people are with you.” I believe this general statement refers to the nearby nations surrounding Israel that Ezekiel did not mention specifically.The nations listed in Ezekiel 38:1–6 are distant, remote enemies of Israel in every direction. Ezekiel’s addition of the words many people are with you includes Israel’s neighboring enemies who live within the outer circle of far enemies. Bible scholar WalterKaiser supports this view: “There seems also to be many other nations not mentioned, but who are fully allied with Gog (Ezek. 38:6) as well.” The Carnage Gog’s coalition invasion of Israel in the end-times will look like the biggest mismatch in history. It will make the Arab invasions of Israel in 1967 and 1973 pale in comparison. When Gog assembles this strike force, it will look like Israel is finished. But God is in control of the entire situation. He will mount up in His fury to destroy these godless invaders: Ezekiel 38:18-1 KJV – “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousyand in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;” God will come to rescue His helpless people, employing four means to destroy the invading horde: 1. A great earthquake (Ez. 38:19–20) 2. Infighting among the troops of the various nations (Ez. 38:21) 3. Disease (Ez. 38:22) 4. Torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur (Ez. 38:22). The destruction will be complete and catastrophic. The power vacuum left behind by the annihilation will certainly be filled by the Antichrist as he consolidates his power. The Conclusion The pieces of Ezekiel’s prophecy are moving into place. The Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, served as a type of prophetic shift of gears. Iran has unleashed its proxies known as the Axisof Resistance. Russia’s relations with Israel have sunk to an all-time low as Russia has sided with Hamas. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is an outspoken supporter of Hamas and has instituted economicmeasures against Israel. We already see signs of this invasion, which will occur after the Lord removes His true church via the Rapture. So the Rapture may be very near. ----------------------------------