The blood moon tetrad of 2014-2015 is significant because the first two blood moons of each year fell on the Feast of Passover, and the second two of each year fell on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. If the last two similar tetrads (1948-49 and 1967-68) are any indication, this current tetrad just past should usher in a war involving Israel. I take the position that it will be the Gog war of Ezekiel 38 and 39, when a Russian-led coalition of enemies invades Israel. The reason I say this is because the 1948-49 war secured the land of Israel; the 1967 war captured the city of Jerusalem; so it could be that the next war associated with the blood moon tetrad will make possible the building of the Temple. The twentieth century wars and associated tetrads left Israel with more land and leverage. There is reason to believe that the current tetrad will result in the same thing. The Gog war ends with the direct intervention of Yahweh himself, so Israel will be regarded as a superpower among nations, enough so that the world will negotiate a treaty with her. As is her propensity, Israel will sign the treaty to secure peace with her enemies, but Isaiah reported this from the Lord: “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves” (28:15). We cannot know for sure if this is how events will materialize, but we can be pretty sure that the tetrad of 2014-15 will involve Israel in an existential war. This may be a good segue for a brief look at the Gog war.
The age of the Ecclesia ends before the final seven years of Israel’s final seven begins, but before the end of that age there is an extremely important event that must be accounted for, and that is the reestablishment of Israel in its own land (Ezekiel 36 and 37); and the Gog war prophesied by Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39.
Ezekiel quotes Yahweh speaking against Gog in 38:8:
After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.
“In the latter years” is at the end of the age of the Ecclesia, before the final seven years of Israel’s tribulation begin. In the two preceding chapters (36 and 37), the prophet tells of the end of the defilement of the Land.
But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come. For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. (36:8-11).
He also tells of the greatest regathering of any people in the history of the world:
For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. (36:24).
After over 1900 years of being scattered to the far ends of the Earth, Yahweh gathered up His people to live in His Land once again. To have a people dislocated from their country and city and dispersed into the heathen world for nearly two millennia; to have that people maintain their religion and language; and to have that people drawn back to their land that had been overrun by Gentile dominators, is the most miraculous social phenomenon ever witnessed in the history of humankind. Not only were the Jews marginalized and demonized through pogroms, through exiles, and through merciless discriminations and persecutions, but also they were nearly annihilated by the Holocaust in Europe during World War II. But however the enemy of Israel tried to destroy the Lord’s people, he failed. They returned to the land and, in 1948, for the first time since the Hasmonean Dynasty (142-63 BCE), the children of Israel took jurisdiction over the land. Ezekiel said it well in 36:33-38:
‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”
‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’
Anyone who has spent time in Israel can vouch for the veracity of the prophet’s words. The land is an incredible testament to Yahweh’s blessing upon an ingenious and hardworking and, most important of all, chosen people.
In chapter 37 Ezekiel gives us the famous narrative about the valley full of very dry bones. After centuries of wandering homeless in the Earth, the Jews became dry for lack of spirit. They had no land, no city, no Temple, no hope. But the Lord did not forget them, but drew them back to their place where they could live again.
Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the [a]breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and [b]breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”
(37:9-14).
This was the purpose of the 20th century. All the wars and economic woes and upheavals were that Israel could become a nation again in her own land. There is no history like that of the Jewish people. They are truly Yahweh’s people, though as yet, they are mainly unbelieving and secular. That will change. They will become spiritually restored at their Messiah’s return when they receive the breath of life, but not before some colossal events take place, and not before a miserable time of tribulation.
This is the backdrop for the next two chapters – 38 and 39 – and this is what concerns us now. Israel is restored as a people in their land. They have had to fight for everything they’ve accomplished, and this has been Yahweh’s blessing upon them. But there is a coming invasion of the Pleasant Land upon a returned Israel that precedes her national repentance and conversion when her Messiah comes a second time. This invasion upon the unbelieving Israel ushers in a time of tribulation and preparation for the nation to repent and turn to their Lord. The full recognition of Him and remorse for their sins will happen at the end of the great tribulation period when Messiah returns to miraculously deliver them.
Who are the players in this great invasion, the first of three massive end time wars – the Gog war, the war of Armageddon at the end of the seven-year tribulation, and Satan’s final rebellion at the end of the millennial kingdom? Ezekiel makes it clear:
“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. (38:2-6).
We can trace the origin of most of these named in Genesis 10.
“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. (10:2-5).
Gog is the leader of this huge coalition of nations, the Prince of Meshech and Tubal, and Magog is his land. These sons of Japheth went north from the area of Israel after the flood and settled in what is now the area of the former Soviet Union and Turkey, also known as the Scythian Kingdom. The Scythians were listed with the Barbarians in Colossians 3:1. Gog is the “chief prince of Rosh,” undoubtedly Russia. Meshech and Tubal could be Moscow and Tobolsk, cities in Russia, but more likely they belong to Turkey. Gomer is the ancient Cimmerians of Turkey, as is Togarmah, or ancient Armenia, mostly in Turkey today.
Three times in chapter 38 and 39 Gog is mentioned as coming from the far north.
“. . . the far north with all its troops—many people are with you” (38:6); “You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army” (38:15);
and
and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. (39:2).
North of Israel is Lebanon, Turkey, and Russia, so it is obvious the leader of Russia, Gog, will lead a coalition of countries into Israel. This never could have been true prior to World War II when Russia became a world power. The other countries mentioned are Cush, which is probably Sudan; Put, which is Libya; Gomer and Togarmah, which is Turkey. Except for Turkey, all these countries are Muslim and rabidly anti-Israel. Turkey is in the process of becoming strictly Muslim and, with that metamorphosis, against Israel. Persia is today’s Iran, notable for its aggressive lust for nuclear weapons and for hatred of Israel. The “many people with thee” are the rest of the Muslim nations surrounding Israel, like Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza, and Afghanistan. The major players will be Russia, Turkey, and Iran, but the minor players should not be minimized in this hellacious coalition.
The attack will be against the land of Israel. Speaking to the leader of the confederacy, the Lord says this:
After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” (Ez. 38:8-9).
No other country to the north of Israel can spearhead a coalition of this magnitude, except Russia. And only modern Israel answers to the descriptions of a people brought back from the sword and “gathered out of many people” in the land of Israel. Her nineteen hundred year Diaspora reached around the globe – “many people” – whereas previous exiles were to one or few people, viz., Babylon, making Ezekiel’s prophecy for today. The invasion is imminent. Russia, a brutal, antisemitic superpower to the north, is poised to lead a coalition of Islamic countries lusting for the destruction of Israel – a people settled in her own land; whereas Russia is motivated differently.
The volatile nature of the world economy will damage Russia’s fragile business climate to the point that she will be urged, even driven, to move against Israel for her wealth. Note:
You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’— to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. (38:11-12). Countries of the West will look on questioningly, but will not prevent Gog’s intentions. Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ” (38:13)? Russia has an ancillary motive for attacking Israel, for success would ensure control over that vital, oil-rich region at the center of the world. From this vantage point Russia could dominate the world, because Israel, the only democratic country in the Middle East, and the West’s most valuable ally, would be crushed into oblivion. But even though Israel is the West’s only ally, they will not help her, and Russia knows this. The West is too weak to oppose because of the moral decadence of its people and their governments. The biggest weapon the West possesses is rhetoric, and the Russian bear and Islamic jihadists sneer at the demise of “the arsenal of democracy.” The Gog conspiracy will move into Israel with impunity. These factors constitute the “hooks” in the jaws of the mighty confederation, and will inexorably move them into place for the outpouring of the Lord’s wrath. Though the Lord is sovereign in arranging this event, it is the volition of those involved that cause it to happen. The Lord executes His purposes on the shoulders of the human will.
This prophecy of the coming invasion is not hard to figure out, especially with an elementary knowledge of the current geopolitical climate in the world. Ezekiel could hardly be more explicit.
“Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (38:14-16).
Israel will dwell safely, rather “securely,” when the attack comes. Israelis have come to rely upon the superiority of their military in order to live in security. Never in their history has this been the case, proving once again that this prophecy concerns this time in history. But as competent as Israel’s military is, it cannot possibly blunt an attack coming from all sides, especially one led by the sophisticated Russian juggernaut. They cannot prevent the hordes of enemies from crossing the borders into the land from the air (clouds) and on land (horses). When they do, verse 18 will materialize.
“And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.”
This is indeed a dire prediction for Gog and his armies. I can think of no other Scripture that says the Lord’s fury will come up in His face. That must be a true indication of anger directed against those who come against His people without His sanction. Gog will come into the Pleasant Land with plunder on his mind, not because the Lord sends him to judge Israel for her rebellion, as He did with Nebuchadnezzar, but because of Gog’s thirst for wealth and land. This is an unprovoked and rapacious invasion that will change the world order.
How does the fury that comes up in the Lord’s face manifest itself?
For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, (38:19).
Few things throw fear into a person like unstable ground. Having ridden out a moderate earthquake, I know the feeling of helplessness that comes when what had been solid and stable all my life suddenly felt like a canoe on a windswept lake. But Ezekiel describes this earthquake in Israel as “a great shaking.” No moderate quake this. In fact, it is so violent
so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ (38:20).
Every person on Earth will know of, if not feel, this mighty tremor. Whether the countries involved in the attack on the chosen people will suffer the damage, or if all people everywhere will undergo the cataclysm, we are not told; however, it seems that those who lift their hand against Israel will find their cities and villages in rubble.
The ensuing confusion will cause the assailants to turn on one another.
I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord God. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. (38:21).
The carnage of the earthquake and internecine killing will breed lethal disease in the attacking army.
And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; (38:22).
Nature itself responds to the Lord’s command to punish the invader.
And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (38:22).
Flooding, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Sodom and Gomorrah) combine to wreak havoc with Gog’s army. There is no way his army can advance through this immobilizing tumult. We find nothing in the record that indicates any military response from Israel. It seems that this entire invasion is blunted and destroyed by the Lord Himself through the earthquake, infighting, disease, flooding, hailstones, fire, and brimstone (burning sulfur). This sevenfold judgment on Gog apparently happens in one day – the absolute greatest destruction of any army in the history of the world.
The reason that the Lord intervenes directly is that He loves every inhabitant on Earth, and He wants them to know who He is.
Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” (38:23).
This obvious divine intervention will open the eyes of the blind as to who the Lord is – the God of Israel. The gospel should prevail upon the Earth as the hearts of the people are made aware of the awful power of the Almighty. Hopefully that awareness will translate into repentance and acceptance of the Savior before the door closes on this age. Without question this event is not strictly judgment on the brazen horde coming against Israel, but it is meant to enlighten and enliven unbelievers from every nation.
Ezekiel 39 reiterates and further elucidates chapter 38. Still speaking to Gog through the prophet, the Lord says:
and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. (39:2).
Israel is a country full of hills, stretching from the northern border with Lebanon near Mt. Hermon, through Galilee, forming the eastern boundary of the Jezreel Valley. The Mt. Carmel range comes off the Mediterranean west of the Sea of Galilee, and forms the western boundary of the Jezreel Valley. The central spine of mountains stretches from the southern end of the Jezreel Valley all the way to the Negev Desert, picking up many of the biblical places, including especially Jerusalem. It is hard to believe that Gog’s army will be clustered in these hills and mountains right in the heart of Israel. This is a deep intrusion, and it provokes the Lord to action.
Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand. You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken,” says the Lord God. “And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. (39:3-6).
The army will fall in one day, apparently, on the mountains of Israel; and the countries conspiring in the attack will be devastated by fire, probably directly from the Lord’ hand or by a nuclear exchange. It is not inconceivable that a nuclear exchange could occur between Russia and America (whose population lives mostly on the coasts) – on Russia for attacking Israel; on America for not defending Israel. Whatever the case, Russia and its Muslim allies will cease to exist as players on the geopolitical stage. This will, of course, create a power vacuum that the Coming Prince will fill to usher in the seventieth seven – the final seven years of Israel’s history.
The Lord’s purpose in this devastating war is the spiritual renewal of the Bride of Christ Israel and the softening of the hearts of the unbelieving nations.
So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord God. “This is the day of which I have spoken. (39:7-8).
During the Diaspora, the Lord’s name was slimed by the oppressors of the Jews, but no longer. They are now Israelis occupying the Promised Land, and after this stunning intervention, no one can doubt that Israel’s God is the Almighty Yahweh. Atheism will be dealt a fatal blow. We can only hope that apathy’s stranglehold on the hearts of people will also break away. And lest any Christian reading this should take exception to the truth that Israel is the Bride, let Isaiah’s words speak profoundly and conclusively:
For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame for you will forget the shame of your youth and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.
(54:3-5).
Even a cursory reading of the Song of Solomon will confirm this word. That intimate book of two lovers was NOT written to any but Israel. Let the Christian Ecclesia cease its theft of what belongs to the chosen nation.
The aftermath of the devastation places the timing of this war outside the seventieth seven.
Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord God. “This is the day of which I have spoken. “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years. They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them,” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 39:8-10).
It could be that the war would usher in the seventieth seven, because the nation could then burn the weapons for those seven years; but I rather believe it will take some time and political manipulations before the Coming Prince makes his move to secure his power and position as ruler of the world. Israel, fearing another invasion, will foolishly negotiate a treaty (which Isaiah twice calls “a covenant with death, and with hell” – 28:15, 18) with this Prince to secure peace.
We will see that Gog’s war could not be the war of Armageddon because the seven years of burning weapons would then extend into the millennial kingdom. That is not feasible. Furthermore, the details of each war – Gog’s war in Ezekiel, and the Beast’s war in Revelation – do not match. Israel is dwelling securely before Gog attacks. No one is dwelling securely when the Beast mobilizes his army at the end of the great tribulation. The scope of Ezekiel’s vision of Gog’s army is limited to Russia and the Islamic nations, but the scope of John’s vision of the Beast’s army is the entire Earth. Gog comes from the north, but the Antichrist comes from the territory of one of Alexander’s generals north of Israel. Gog’s invaders die on the mountains of Israel, but the Beast’s army dies in the valley that stretches from Megiddo to Petra. Messiah is not mentioned in Gog’s war, but is central in the Beast’s war.
Nor could it be the final war at the end of the millennial kingdom when Satan is released from the Abyss to gather an army from among the nations. The seven years of burning weapons would intrude upon eternity and the New Jerusalem and the new Earth. That cannot happen. In Satan’s final war he gathers an army from all the nations, especially the more remote ones – “in the four quarters of the Earth” (Rev. 20:8) – but Gog’s war originates in the north country alone and gathers allies of Israel’s enemies.
This leaves us with the present and near future as the timing for the event, and with all the players in place right now, it could happen anytime. A rogue tyrant – Vladimir Putin – leads Russia, and rabid imams calling for Israel’s annihilation lead the Muslim nations. Once they confederate, the events will move quickly to their prophetic conclusion.
Gog and his army seek plunder in Israel, and end up filling a multitude of graves instead. “It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog. (39:11).
But this graveyard will not be completed for seven months, for it takes that long for the people of Israel to find the bodies and dispose of them and cleanse the land. Gog intends to bury Israel, but Yahweh and His people will bury him and his army.
“For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified,” says the Lord God. “They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party, to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. (39:12-14).
The spiritual atmosphere in Israel will improve dramatically because of Yahweh’s intervention, so it makes sense that it takes as long as it does to cleanse the land of dead bodies. The people return to the Law for guidance regarding the handling and disposal of the dead soldiers.
The seven-year burning of weapons, and the seven-month burial of bodies eliminate any past event in Israel’s history. It must be as Ezekiel states clearly: “in the latter years” (38:8); and “. . . it shall be in the latter days” (38:16). These are the days and years we are living right now, so the invasion is imminent. It can only happen at the beginning of the seventieth seven, which gives Israel seven years to burn Gog’s weapons; or it can happen well before the beginning of the seven years. The fact that we don’t know, and, perhaps, can’t know, should make us all the more resolute to be prepared for what is to come in chapter four. However, if it were to happen at the beginning of the seventieth seven, there would be the sounding of the trumpet, for that is the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets, the fifth of seven. But Ezekiel does not mention a trumpet, nor does he imply any connection to a feast day. This makes me lean toward a war preceding the seventieth seven by at least seven years, enough time for Israel to burn up all the weapons, enough time to allow the takeover of the world by the Coming Prince, and enough time for the excitement of Yahweh’s intervention to abate in Israel, setting the stage for the disastrous treaty.