Simeon Western
The Rise of Russia Part 1
An introduction to the study of the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy
Russia. Just say the word and all sorts of images begin to flash into the mind. Missiles, military parades in Red Square with masses of marching soldiers and military hardware, bombed out Ukrainian buildings, the blood-stained faces of women, children and wounded soldiers and the face of the delusional and deranged dictator Vladimir Putin to name a few. We see it all over the daily news these days as the horrors of war are broadcast on smartphones, tablets and TV’s. Perhaps for some the name “Russia” also conjures up memories of stories from Russian history of Jewish pogroms and the vicious persecution of Bible believers under the Soviet Union.
Whatever thoughts may enter your mind at the mention of Russia, we all know that Russia is a significant player on the world stage in our time and that her rise to prominence and power is no surprise in light of what the Bible predicts about her future activities in the tribulation period. This brings us to the study of Ezekiel 38-39 and the Russian led coalition of Islamic nations that will invade Israel during the tribulation period. In this next series of articles, we will endeavour to provide an exposition and overview of these two important chapters of Bible prophecy. In this first article our purpose will be to set a Biblical framework for a fruitful study of these passages by covering several important introductory points.
Please note: This series of articles is not intended as a general smear of all the Russian people. There are godly Christians in Russia who do not approve of what their nation is doing. However, we do need to be clear on the evil being perpetrated by the Russian dictatorship and seek to understand what God’s Word has to say about the future of the Russian regime and the role it will play in the end times.
Now to those introductory points:
1. Where this battle fits within the framework of Ezekiel’s prophecy: This section of Ezekiel deals with future prophecies yet to be revealed. The previous chapter (37) deals with the re-gathering of Israel to the land which is revealed in Ezekiel’s famous valley of dry bones prophecy. We see Israel regathered first without spiritual life. That is the stage where we are at right now. Israel is back in the land but she has not yet been regenerated nationally which will occur in the future (Romans 11:25-26).
2. When this battle occurs within the timeline and framework of Bible prophecy: There are several clues within Ezekiel 38 that help us to pinpoint the timing of this battle.
Firstly, the chapter reveals it occurs in the last days/end times – “the latter years” (Vs. 8); “the latter days” (Vs. 16). The word translated ‘latter’ literally means ‘end’ or “end times” (Sorenson). This is a general time reference that tells us the battle described in these chapters will occur in the end times which places it somewhere in the tribulation period. We will narrow this down further below. That means this battle has not yet occurred. This is a critical point. The current conflict we see in Ukraine, though heart breaking and terrible to watch, is not the Ezekiel 38-39 conflict. Nor do any of Russia’s wars in the past qualify. This is a future, end times battle.
Secondly, we note that this battle occurs when Israel is back in the land – “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.” (Ez. 38:8) “This is of tremendous importance because it is only in our generation that the people of Israel have gone back to their ancient land. Israel was scattered from A.D. 70 and only recognized as a nation again in May, 1948 shortly after the second world war. Ezekiel’s prophecy obviously could not have been fulfilled prior to 1945, for the nation of Israel was not regathered to their ancient land.” (J Walvoord, The King of the North Article 27/8/2007, https://walvoord.com/book/export/html/301 – Viewed 17/3/22, p. 4.)
Thirdly, it occurs when the desolate places are inhabited and Israel has riches (Vs. 12-13). This certainly describes Israel today. Israel has done an amazing job of turning desolate land into fruitful farmland. She is also a wealthy nation, leading the world in the research sciences and other areas of wealth generation.
Fourthly, this battle occurs when Israel feels safe and has disarmed (Vs. 8, 11, 14). This is another key point that helps us to narrow down when this battle occurs during the 7-year tribulation period.
➢ “…they shall dwell safely all of them.” (Vs. 8);
➢ “And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,” (Vs. 11)
➢ “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?” (Vs. 14)
Israel certainly does not feel safe at the present time, being surrounded by hostile, Islamic neighbors who continually call for her utter annihilation (e.g., Iran). Nor has Israel in any way disarmed as yet. Though a tiny nation, Israel has one of the best militaries in the world and is also a nuclear power. It is Israel’s military might that acts as a major deterrent to her neighbors from attacking her.
Israel also will not feel safe during the second half of the tribulation period as she will be fleeing the persecution of the Antichrist. Israel is exhorted by Christ in the Olivet Discourse to “flee into the mountains” upon seeing the abomination of desolation at the half way point (See Matt. 24:15-26; Mk. 13:14-23). This event is also described in Revelation 12:13-17 where Israel is pictured as a woman who is provided two wings of a great eagle to fly into the wilderness (possibly a description of an airlift of some sort) for the remaining 3.5 years of the tribulation.
Israel will feel safe in the Millennium but the battle cannot happen then as one of the features of the Millennium is that there is no war (See Is. 2:4).
That leaves us with one remaining time slot within the 7-year tribulation period which we believe represents the correct view of the battle’s timing. Israel will possess this false sense of safety and security with the signing of the peace treaty with Antichrist for seven years. For the first 3 ½ years she will feel safe until Antichrist breaks the peace agreement at the half way point, revealing his true colors and turning on Israel in Satanic rage. It also appears that disarmament will be a requirement of the treaty that is struck between Antichrist and Israel. Israel will believe that peace has finally arrived and will disarm and sign the treaty with Antichrist. Therefore, we believe that this battle will occur in the first half of the tribulation period, possibly close to the midpoint. Perhaps Israel’s conversion will contribute to Antichrist’s rage against her.
Finally, this battle occurs in connection with Israel’s conversion. Ezekiel 39:22 reads, “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.” This doesn’t appear to be in the second half of the tribulation as there we have a godly Jewish remnant being protected by God in the wilderness from Antichrist.
3. With that background in mind, we will break Ezekiel 38 up into five segments for our forthcoming studies:
I. The Invaders in this Battle (Vs. 1-6)
II. The Invasion of this Battle (Vs. 7-9)
III. The Intention in this Battle (Vs. 10-13)
IV. The Interrogation about this Battle (Vs. 14-17)
V. The Intervention in this Battle (Vs. 18-23)
May the Lord use this series to not just equip us to better know the truth ourselves but also to reach out to the lost with the message of Bible prophecy in these days when many are thinking seriously about world events.