Gog’s Return

 

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How many times does he show up, and who is he?

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I have heard many discussions about Gog and Magog, and how it might apply to the Battle of Armageddon.

Is it the same war, or different?

And can we narrow down who Gog might be today?

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How Gog is mentioned in prophecy.

Eze 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, (of) the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

Gog is from Magog, a land named after a descendent of Japeth.

Gen 10:2 ¶ The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

Gen 10:3   And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

Gen 10:4   And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

Gen 10:5   By these were the isles (coastlands, lands) of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations

Here is a map of where Japheth’s descendents settled:

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Notice that Japheth is the land of the north mentioned in prophecy, the area that attacks Israel in the end times.

Notice that modern Turkey and Iran (area east of Tigris River) are included in the “north” region.

Here is another map of Japheth:

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What hint does the bible give as to who Gog, is from this north area?

1. he is a Turk, since he is from Meshech and Tubal, in the land of Magog, which is in modern Turkey. That is a start, but that is not all there is about him.

Eze 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

2. he dies in a war against Israel

Eze 39:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the [noses] of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call [it] The valley of Hamongog.

3. He comes back after 1000 years

Rev 20:7 ¶ And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison /

Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea. //

Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city (Jerusalem): and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. //

4. Gog was the prince of Magog 1000 years earlier. If he is still around 1000 years later, then he is Satan himself.

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Confirmation by Jesus:

Rev 2:12 ¶ And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Rev 2:13   I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan’s seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

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Pergamos is the same location on the map as Magog:

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Seat of Satan – Pergamous in Turkey

 

The Great Altar of Pergamon, a massive stone podium about one hundred feet long and thirty-five feet high, was originally built in the 2nd century BC in the Ancient Greek city of Pergamon (modern day Bergama in Turkey) in north-western Anatolia, 25.74 kilometers (16 miles) from the Aegean Sea.

It has long been assumed that the magnificently- scaled and opulently decorated open-air altar (it is not a temple) was dedicated to Zeus.

You see, that is why in Revelation chapter 2 Jesus said that Satan’s throne was there. It was this gigantic altar of Zeus that He likely was referring to.

The Altar was removed from the Ancient Greek city of Perg­amon (now Bergama, in modern-day Turkey) and its subsequent placement in Berlin had been a precursor to both of the 20th century’s world wars – and that its sinister influence will soon bring about the next.

At 46m long and 11m high, its stone mass reduces the spectator to insect-like obscurity.

While the altar has been transferred to Berlin, Germany, the official seat is in Turkey.

In 1998 and again in 2001 the Turkish Minister of Culture, Istemihan Talay, demanded the return of the altar and other artifacts. The altar has not been returned.

It is interesting that Gomer (Germany), implying his descendents, will accompany Gog from Magog (Turkey).

Eze 38:6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee [Gog].

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Magog and the Ottoman Empire

Contributed by Edda

The Revived Ottoman Empire? – Article by Jack Kelley – www.gracethrufaith.com

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Notice the Ottoman Empire map, with Magog at its center.

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History of the Ottomans

The Ottoman Empire existed from 1299 until 1922. It was in many respects the Islamic successor to the Eastern leg of the Roman Empire and like the Romans had its headquarters in Constantinople (Istanbul).

The Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War 1 after aligning with Germany.

Its dissolution at the end of the war led to the formation of 40 new nations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, many of them on land once claimed by the Romans.

Suleiman The Magnificent

The Empire’s greatest days occurred under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent who reigned from 1520-1566.

Suleiman was a powerful conqueror for Islam. His armies pushed the boundaries of the Empire nearly to Vienna and his powerful navies controlled the Mediterranean.

Suleiman’s father had wrested control of what is now Israel from Egypt in 1517 and Suleiman fell in love with Jerusalem, ordering its walls rebuilt in 1535.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Turkey is the surviving remnant of the Ottoman Empire. Following their defeat in WW1 the Empire was divided up by the victorious Western powers. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had been a high ranking Ottoman officer and led the effort to found the Republic of Turkey.

He set about to make it a secular nation in the style of western democracies. While endorsing Islam, he limited it to the status of a religion instead of allowing it to be the political force it had been.

He saw to the suspension of the Ottoman Caliphate/successor of Mohammed and Sultanate/Ruler of Mohamedan countries, clearing the way for the newly formed National Parliament to assume ultimate power. Among the many changes he enforced were the institution of a new language and alphabet, the adoption of western style of dress and mandatory 2nd names for men, and the granting of full political rights to women.

From that day to this, Turkey has been viewed as a western nation. With membership in NATO and more than a dozen military and commercial treaties with Israel, Turkey has been an important western ally in the Middle East.

In fact, many students of prophecy have seen Turkey’s alignment with the west as a major obstacle to an early fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Lately there’s been a major shift in Turkish politics in what could be a dramatic step toward the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38.

After stalling for years, the EU has put Turkey’s application for membership on the back burner and as of now a majority of EU ministers oppose Turkey’s admission to the Union.

Perhaps as a result of this Turkey has begun to look to the East, and current Prime Minister Erdogan is fast becoming a regional Muslim leader by criticizing Israel—particularly after the Gaza war. His clout is spreading from the streets of Gaza to Beirut, Damascus, and Cairo—the traditional strongholds of Arab nationalism.

The Turkish military has also been a powerful force in maintaining the country’s western leaning secular nature.

In the past it has unilaterally dissolved national governments for becoming too religious, and has outlawed several religiously oriented political parties.

But according to the Associated Press, Turkish police arrested 52 current and former military commanders last week for their part in “allegedly planning to blow up mosques in order to trigger a military takeover and overthrow the Islamic-oriented government” in 2003. It appears the balance of power has shifted.

Having played a major role in healing the rift between Saudi Arabia and Syria, and forming strategic alliances with Russia, Syria, and Iran, he’s gaining regional popularity as well.

He single handedly brought Syria out of Arab isolation, helped facilitate the long delayed formation of the new Lebanese government, and has brokered trade agreements with Russia that exceeded $38 billion in 2008 and have a five year target of $100 billion annually.

Recently Erdogan offered to come to Iran’s assistance should there be any attempt to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities.

He’s become convinced that instead of relying on outside powers to bring peace to the Middle East the Ottoman Empire should be re-born to take the lead.

He’s recently been quoted as saying, “Turkey’s goal is to live in peace with all countries and restore the might of the Ottoman Empire.”

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There are opposing views as to whether the Gog war is the same as Armadeggon.

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Similarities between Gog-Magog and Armageddon

Credit: Alan Brooks, END TIME SECRETS REVEALED

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* Both Gog and Antichrist come at a time of peace and security (Dan 11:24, Ezekiel 38:12-13)

* Both Gog and Antichrist are kings that come from the North (Dan 11:40-42, Joel 2:19-20; Ezekiel 38:14-16; Ezekiel 39:1-3)

* Both Gog and Antichrist have the same coalition of nations (Dan 11:43, Zech 14:14, Joel 3:11-12; Ezekiel 38:5-6)

* Both Gog and Antichrist take spoil, loot and plunder (Isa 10:5-7, Dan 11:24; Ezekiel 38:10-13)

* Both Gog and Antichrist are temporary leaders that are destroyed at the end of the battle (Ezekiel 39:11; Daniel 7:11)

* In both the Gog/Magog and Armageddon battles, the armies are confused and attack each other (Ezekiel 38:21-22; Zech 14:12-13)

* Both Gog/Magog and Armageddon end with a great earthquake (Ezekiel 38:19-20; Rev 16:18-20)

* Both Gog/Magog and Armageddon experience great hailstones (Rev 16:16-21, Ezekiel 38:22)

* Both Gog/Magog and Armageddon are followed by “The Feast Of God” (Ezekiel 39:17-20; Rev 19:17)

* At the end of both battles Christ is physically present in Israel (Ezekiel 39:7, Zech 12:9-10)

* After both battles God’s name will no longer be profaned (Ezekiel 39:22, Ezekiel 39:7-8, Zechariah 12:9-10, Ezekiel 38:23)

* After both battles God pours out His Spirit upon Israel (Ezekiel 39:29; Zechariah 12:10)

* After both battles weapons of war are destroyed (Ezekiel 39:9; Isaiah 2:4)

* After both battles God declares “It is done” (Ezekiel 39:8; Revelation 16:17)

Armageddon itself is more of a focused or zoomed-in view of how the Gog-Magog battle ends with the return of Christ.

First part of the war is an invasion if Israel at peace….2nd part is Armageddon…..My point is that Israel will not be at peace near Armageddon, for the antichrist will have invaded her 3 1/2 years before…

So, we are left with 2 possibilities:

1-  The Antichrist (A/C) invades and rules for 3 1/2 years, and then makes Israel peaceful for Gog to invade (not likely)

2- Alan’s scenario: The A/C is Gog who invades an Israel at peace, and then he rules for 3 1/2 years from Israel, then Armageddon takes place

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Gog War as being different from Armageddon

1. According to Ezekiel, Gog is defeated as soon as it tries to invade across the northern mountain ranges (most likely Golan Heights).

Eze 38:8   After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land [that is] brought back from the sword, [and is] gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

So, I do not see how Gog can enter, remain in Israel for 3 ½ years without a problem, and then initiate the abomination, causing chaos for the next 3 ½ years, ending in a second battle.

2. Also, Gog is buried “by the sea” which is the sea of Galilee (Kinneret). The sea is just west of the Golan Heights.

This is 60 miles from Jerusalem, where the Battle of Armageddon takes place. So Gog never makes it to Jerusalem.

Eze 39:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the [noses] of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call [it] The valley of Hamongog.

*** The Kinneret is situated deep in the Jordan Great Rift Valley, the valley caused by the separation of the African and Arabian Plates. Consequently the area is subject to earthquakes and, in the past, volcanic activity. I think God will use this to his advantage.

See: How does Gog and Magog relate to Armageddon?

https://heavenawaits.wordpress.com/how-does-gog-and-magog-relate-to-armageddon/

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The Jewish view of 2 Gog wars

Common Jewish interpretation of Ezekiel 38 as one war, and Ezekiel 39 as a second war is intriguing.

1. Gog enters with Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and is destroyed in or near the mountains.

Eze 38:21   And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother.

2. There is a second attack, later, after being turned back / destroyed,  and only a sixth part remains of the original attacking force. Gog is still Gog, and so crosses the mountains a second time.

Eze 39:2   And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

This time Gog becomes bird food, and Magog is burned up by God, so there is no place to return to. The remaining invaders die on the mountains of Israel, just like the first time.

Eze 39:17 ¶ And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

It takes 7 years to burn all the weapons

Eze 39:9 ¶ And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

It takes 7 months to bury the dead.

Eze 39:12   And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.

So, how do these 2 Gog wars relate to Armageddon now?

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Adding up the Gog wars – there appears to be at least 2 of them

There are certain possibilities:

1. Gog as a battle before Armageddon. Then a second Gog war after the Millenium.

2. Gog as Armageddon. Then a second Gog war after the Millenium.

3. Gog as a battle before Armageddon. Armageddon as a separate event. Then a second Gog war after the Millenium.