Is Gog & Magog Russia & Why Does She Attack Israel?

3. Is Gog & Magog Russia & Why Does She Attack Israel?
Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29

Question: I have heard that Gog and Magog have something to do with prophecy concerning the nation of Israel? Why do they attack Israel?

Answer: Due to the myriads of questions about Russia's place in prophecy and the interest shown, we will cover this topic with a series, as covered in Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29. Who is Russia? In Ezekiel 38:2 we read,

"Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him ". The Bible Encyclopedia says they are the furthermost, northern nations dwelling in the regions of the Caucasus Mountains and the Volga River in Russia. The great Jewish historian, Josephus, in Book One, Chapter Six, says the Scythians were called "Magog". The word "chief" in Verse 2 is the Hebrew "rosh," which is also the Swedish name for Russia.

"Meshech" is identified as present day Moscow, repre- senting the western part of Russia."Tubal" is present day Tobolsk, one of the chief cities representing the eastern part of Russia.

Ezekiel 38:15; Ezekiel 39:2 tell us that Russia will come from the "north parts" to invade Israel. In Bible prophecy, the directions north, south, east, and west are figured from Palestine and Jerusalem as the center. This is biblically speaking. Check your world map and you will find the latitude line runs almost directly north from Jerusalem to Moscow. No one could have known 2,600 years ago that the mighty nation of Russia would be existing today, except the omniscient, almighty God. Ezekiel was only "the pen" which wrote the mind of God concerning the future for "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God." (i.e. God-breathed). (2 Timothy 3:16).

God has also prophesied the future of all mankind in John 3:36.

"...He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of' God abideth on him. "