Because these events are still to come and seem to involve several nations in the world, there are differences of opinion as to the interpretation of the Bible concerning this topic. This page is meant to serve as a collection point of some comments thought to be worthwhile in considering this area of End-Time Prophecy.
The Antichrist is Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of rush, meshech and tubal (Ezek. 38:2).(1)
In the beginning of the Messianic Era will occur the war of Gog and Magog.(2)
Prior to the war of Gog and Magog a prophet will arise to correct Israel and to prepare their hearts, as it is said, "Behold, I am sending you the prophet Elijah (Before the coming of the Great and awesome day of God." (Malachi 3:23 Jewish Bible) (Yerushalmi, Shabbat 1:3, Shekalim 3:3).(2)
Revelation 20: 7-10 does speak of a war of Gog and Magog that occurs at the end of time. This war occurs after things such as the one-thousand year reign of our Messiah on earth. This is however a second war between Gog and Magog, not the war referred to by Ezekiel 38 – 39. We know this for several reasons.(3)
First, Ezekiel’s war is described as concurring relatively soon after the rebirth of the State of Israel and the ingathering of the Jewish people from around the world (Ezekiel 36-37). The war in Revelation by contrast, occurs after Jesus has reigned on earth for a thousand years.(3)
Second, Ezekiel’s war involves a fearsome but limited coalition of countries that surround Israel, as we learned in earlier chapters. The war in Revelation involves all the nations from every corner of the earth” coming to attack Israel (Revelation 20:8).(3)
Third, after Ezekiel’s war, life continues. Bodies are gathered and buried for seven months, weaponry is gathered and burned for seven years, and Ezekiel 40-48 describes the Temple that will be built. By contrast, the war in Revelation is followed immediately and literally by the end of the world. Satan and his followers are judged and thrown into the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10). The heavens and earth are destroyed. A completely new heaven and a new earth are created, and followers of Christ will live on this new earth for the rest of eternity.(3)
Gog-Magog Video: www.torahohr.net/gogumagog/
There is an authoritative tradition from the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov which states that the extraordinary length of the present galut (exile from Israel) has already made up for the troubles of the battle of Gog and Magog so it will no longer occur.(4)
1). John MacArthur Commentary on the New Testament 1&2 Thessalonians p.264
2). Mashiach: The Principle of Mashiach and the Messianic Era in Jewish Law and Tradition by Jacob Immanuel Schochet p.77 (Quoting Avodah Zara 3b.)
3). Epicenter by Joel C. Rosenberg p.253-254.
4). Mashiach: The Principle of Mashiach and the Messianic Era in Jewish Law and Tradition by Jacob Immanuel Schochet p.94 (Quoting R. Shemuel of Sochachev, Shem MiShumuel, Vayigash, 5677 s.v. venireh od, p.298bf).
