The Shadow of Ezekiel
Are Prophetic Events Unfolding in the Middle East?
Over the last few weeks, the world anxiously watched as the nation of Israel extraordinarily executed the largest targeted military campaign in the country’s history since its reestablishment in 1948. Following months of failed negotiations between the United States and Iran to broker a new deal intended to curtail Iranian aspirations to acquire weapons grade enriched uranium, Israel took the initiative to decisively eliminate the Iranian nuclear program. Throughout an intensive and concentrated campaign that lasted twelve days, Israel engaged in precision strikes on nuclear enrichment facilities, destroyed ballistic missile launchers, eliminated scientists, top-ranking military officials, and other assets related to Iran’s nuclear program. In partnership and coordination with Israel, the final blow to Iranian aspirations for an atomic weapon was dealt by the United States, decimating the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan uranium enrichment facilities using bunker busting bombs capable of eradicating fortified facilities deep underground.
Heralded as a “spectacular military success” by U.S. President Trump and an “historic victory” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the two leaders stand in agreement that the existential threat of nuclear annihilation for the nation of Israel has been successfully neutralized, paving the way for peace. Yet in the aftermath of such a devastating defeat for Iran, many Christians find themselves asking how this military operation should be viewed, if a lasting peace is truly possible, and wondering what, if any, are the prophetic implications for what has taken place.
Is This the Fulfillment of Ezekiel 38?
Many believers acquainted with Biblical eschatology, that is, the study of “last things,” are looking towards the prophecy found in Ezekiel 38, often referred to as “the War of Gog and Magog” and questioning whether we are starting to see its fulfillment, and for good reason.
Following the prophetic vision of the “Valley of Dry Bones” shown by God to the prophet Ezekiel which predicted the then future restoration of a unified nation of Israel in their ancestral homelands, and being fulfilled on May 14, 1948 with the establishment of the modern State of Israel, Ezekiel was given another prophecy directed against an entity known as “Gog” from a land called “Magog” (Eze. 38:1-23). The identity of Gog and the location of Magog is debated among prophecy scholars; however, for those asserting this prophecy remains unfulfilled and the events described therein have yet to occur, Ezekiel 38 casts an ominous shadow upon the assessment of events currently unfolding and determining what implications they may hold for the Church, Israel, the Middle East, and even the global population. And why is this?
Understanding the Gog and Magog Prophecy
Ezekiel’s prophecy predicts that in the “latter years” a coalition of nations will be prompted to launch a coordinated attack against the regathered and restored nation of Israel (Eze. 38:7-9). Listed by their ancient geographical names used in Ezekiel’s day, this alliance is to be led by the nation presently called Russia (Rosh, Meschech, & Tubal [Magog]) and accompanied by nations currently known as Iran (Persia), Ethiopia (Kush), Libya (Put), and Turkey (Gomer & Togarmah) (Eze. 38:2-6). Motivated by a goal of capturing spoil and seizing plunder such as silver, gold, and livestock, the attack will occur at a time when Israel is dwelling securely in their land, being characterized as a nation at rest whose citizens reside securely in unwalled villages having neither bars nor gates (Eze. 38:8, 11).
Has the Gog and Magog War Begun?
With this prophetic foundation laid, we return our attention to back to the current environment in the Middle East in the aftermath of Israel’s war with Iran to inquire if and how it may coincide with Ezekiel’s prophecy. One of the foremost observations from recent events is that the “war” of Gog and Magog did not and has not begun yet. Given Israel’s role as the aggressor in this recent conflagration as opposed to a coalition of nations besieging it, the parameters of Ezekiel’s prophecy regarding the Gog/Magog War itself remain unfulfilled. This is not to say that there aren’t any connections to events predicted by Ezekiel, nor does it imply an absence of implications foreshadowing circumstances yet to come.
The Fallout of Iran’s Defeat
For decades now, the radical leadership of the regime in Iran has been the single greatest threat to Israel’s existence and has jeopardized stability in the Middle East. The Iranian oil industry has been leveraged by the governing Ayatollahs in Iran to fund extremist groups serving as proxies to terrorize Israel, along with financing a nuclear program having the ambition of producing atomic weapons, all while the extremist leaders have consistently proclaimed, “death to Israel” and “death to America.” Being only days away from their goal of having enough material to produce fifteen nuclear weapons according to an IDF post on X, Israel chose to act. Knowing that a single strike from an atomic bomb in a major city would kill hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens, Israel saw no choice but to definitively dismantle all aspects of Iran’s nuclear capabilities in defense of their own self-preservation.
Israel’s Position in a Changing Middle East
The geopolitical and economic landscape in the Middle East has been fundamentally changed, notably beginning to resemble the environment described by Ezekiel. Preceding Israel’s suppression of Iran’s military capabilities, the terrorist organizations known as Hamas and Hezbollah residing in Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, were obliterated by the Israeli Defense Force. Coupled with the recent change of governance in Syria, Israel now stands positioned to dwell securely in their land in a newfound sense of relative peace and stability due to the curtailment of military might of extremist governments in neighboring lands. What’s more, through these recent developments, Israel has shown itself to be a formidable military and economic power in the region. Their recent campaigns have proven Israel’s ability to simultaneously engage three separate hostile regimes, nullifying their capacities to inflict harm and sufficiently hamper their economies to avert the funding of terrorism and future hostilities.
Beyond the neutralization of its enemies, Israel stands to gain increased peace and stability through the likely addition of neighboring countries positioned for inclusion in the Abraham Accords, designed to normalize relations between Israel and various Arab states.
Could Current Events Be a Prophetic Shadow?
Could it be that the conditions emerging in the Middle East are beginning to resemble those described by Ezekiel just prior to the forthcoming war? Are we starting to see a prophetic shadow being cast in our generation alluding to the quickly approaching proximity of the Gog/Magog conflict? It’s certainly possible.
While Israel did what any good and responsible government does in protecting the right of its citizens to simply exist, the reverberations of their actions are sure to continue in the days ahead. Though weakened, the Ayatollah regime leading the government in Iran has endured and maintains its steadfast hatred of both Israel and the US. This contempt is likely to serve as a catalyst for the regime to call upon allies like Russia for economic support, military defense, and provision of weapons to defend their interests. Already, a glimmer of such a hostile alliance towards Israel between Iran (Persia), Russia (Rosh, Meschech, & Tubal [Magog]), and other nations has been hinted at in recent days. In a remark from former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, on the social media platform, Telegram, he asserted that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.” Such a statement is remarkable when considering its alignment with that which has been predicted in God’s Word through Ezekiel.
Watch for These Key Signs in the Days Ahead
In the aftermath of all that has taken place and in view of the predictions found in Scripture foreshadowing coming events, Christians should remain watchful in the days ahead to discern whether current affairs continue their mounting continuity with those prophesied by Ezekiel. Specifically, believers should remain watchful for ongoing hostility from Iran and a strengthening of their cooperation with Russia. With this, a diminishment in the primacy of Iran’s adversarial role toward Israel is to be anticipated, increasingly being replaced by growing tensions with the Russian Federation. Likewise, the Russian economy should be monitored for potential reasons that would compel the nation to come against Israel with ambitions of pilfering its assets. Conversely, the Israeli economy should be observed with an expectation of increased resources, productivity, and prosperity making it a desirable target for its adversaries. Beyond their economic stability, increased political stability and security in the Middle East should also be anticipated for Israel in the days ahead giving rise to their confident reassurance of geopolitical consistency. Yet, North African nations including Ethiopia and Libya, nor the countries like Turkey should not be overlooked for growing animosity toward Israel and endorsement of Russia and Iran.
A Call to Anticipate Christ’s Return
Ultimately, as the growing shadow of Ezekiel 38 continues extending upon the circumstances of our day, it should serve as a reminder heralding the nearness of our Lord’s return. I pray that Ezekiel’s words would not be met with fear as believers try to discern the prophetic implications of current events but rather cause them to look ahead with eager anticipation for the return of our Savior. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!