A Biblical Worldview: Ezekiel 38 Prophecy - When Will Russia Attack Israel?

[Rick Shabi] For those who study the Bible and are interested in prophecy, Ezekiel 38 is an intriguing chapter, with all that is going on with all the conflict with Israel and in the Middle East. And the prophecy does speak of things that seem to be happening today.

Many believe that Gog and Magog, featured in this Ezekiel prophecy, represent the eastern areas of the world, specifically Russia and that eastern alliance that is forming out theretoday with China and North Korea.

So, the question is, Will Russia invade Israel? Is that what this prophecy is telling us? And will that happen in today’s world as part of the conflict that seems to continually surround Israel?

That this is a prophecy for today is the speculation by several mainstream, well-known YouTube and televangelists, including David Jeremiah and Jack Hibbs. They claim this invasion is a pre-millennial, pre- return of Christ prophecy.

But are we seeing that begin to happen today? Does the Bible support that interpretation?

No, it does not. Make no mistake about it. This prophecy will definitely come to pass. Every prophecy in the Bible is sure and sure to come to pass. But when is the question.

Now is not the time for a Russian invasion of Israel.

Let me explain why, directly from the pages of your Bible.

In Ezekiel 38:16, God does say that in the latter days the great hordes of Gog and Magog will come up against His people Israel. Notice what it says:

“You [speaking of Gog and Magog] 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.”

There’s a lot in that verse. First, Israel, the Jews, are God’s people, descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—Judah being one of the twelves tribes of Israel which God calls His people.

This one tribe of Israel is identifiable as the Jews today, but there are also the “lost ten tribes of Israel.” They are still in the world today, and God knows where they are—exactly where they are. The little nation of Israel in the Middle East is called Israel, but today it is a home for the Jews—just one of the 12 tribes.

Yes, it is true that this one tribe of Israel has, to a limited extent, resettled in this area of the world which is part of the land God promised to His servants Abraham and Jacob. But there are 12 tribes of Israel, and after Christ returns, He will bring ALL twelve tribes—which have been scattered throughout the world—back into that land.

We know this because of other passages in the Bible. Just one chapter back, in Ezekiel 37, we read of this gathering of the 12 tribes of Israel from all over the world, where they had become scattered.

Ezekiel 37:21-22

“Thus says the Lord God: ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.’”

So, God says He will bring all those tribes, both houses of Israel back to the land He promised to Abraham.

That hasn’t happened yet. It will happen after Christ returns to earth. Let’s look at some other verses in that chapter that let us know the timing of this prophecy is not now.

Look at Ezekiel chapter 38 verse 8, for instance.

“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.”

This is describing a time when all of Israel has been brought back (all twelve tribes of Israel) and they dwell safely.

Be honest. Does Israel dwell safely now? Even with their Iron Dome, great military and an alliance with America? No, the October 7 attack showed they don’t dwell safely. The fighting going on for the last several months shows they’re not dwelling safely. Even in a ceasefire they don’t dwell safely. This prophecy is in the future. It will only happen once Jesus Christ returns and establishes Israel as a nation and He watches over and protects them. He is the King of Peace, and His people will dwell safely. He promises it. Isaiah 32:16-18

“Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

Those verses clearly are for the time after Christ returns and He pours out His Spirit on all mankind. Then the earth will begin the process of rebuilding from a terrible time of tribulation and war, when there will be devastation everywhere, even in the lands of America and Britain.

Let’s go back to Ezekiel 38 verse 11.

“You [Gog] 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.’”

Is Israel today a place without walls, bars and gates? With no security around their homes and cities at all?

Is there any place on earth like this—no security systems, no locks on doors? That’s for a time after Christ returns, not now.

The prophecy is sure, but it is speaking of a later time, not now.

Verse 12 goes on to say that Gog and Magog will come to take plunder—that’s always one of the reasons for war or attacks—but notice it says they will stretch out their hands “against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods…”

Waste places that are again inhabited.

Remember the words of Jesus Christ when He was on earth at His first coming? He read from Isaiah 61, and He spoke of the timebut stopped short of reading the entire passage. Look at what comes next:

Isaiah 61:4

“And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.”

Clearly, all this desolation will have occurred during the great tribulation and the wars that lead to Christ’s return.

Now, after His return and under His leadership, the ruins will be rebuilt and people will live there in peace and prosperity.

It’s a beautiful sight and a beautiful vision of what will be. It’s this rebuilt, peaceful cityland that Gog and Magog decide to invade—after Jesus has established God’s Kingdom on earth.

We can discover more about what Christ’s time on earth will be like from this and surrounding chapters, but that’s not the purpose of this video now.

You can learn much more about this prophecy at ucg.org/gog where you will find many resources including a full-length sermon on this chapter that will explain far more than we can explain here.

So Gog and Magog will invade a land that is dwelling safely, without walls, and where the desolate places have been rebuilt. Does that sound anything like today?

No, it is clearly speaking of the time after Jesus Christ returns when He brings peace and order to the world.

In that day, they will go up to the mountain of the Lord, in Jerusalem to that Millennial temple we read about in Ezekiel 40, which also will be built when Christ returns.

The prophecy of Ezekiel 38 is clear. It is true, and it will come to pass, but not until after Jesus Christ returns and all 12 tribes of Israel dwell in the promised land.

Do we have you thinking and wondering how much more you don’t know about the Bible? What does God say about our time now, about Christ’s return to earth, and what that time will be like? Do you wonder what the Bible says about the end times and what events lead to the return of Christ?

Do you have questions about where those lost 10 tribes of Israel are, and what will be taught in the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ, what will happen during that time, and how life will be?

How does it all tie together, all the things that are happening on earth and in the quickly changing world order?

You can know. You can know Jesus Christ and you can understand the Bible and these prophecies we are beginning to see unfold today.

And you can learn why you are here; what God is doing and what His plan is for all mankind. The truth—the real truths—will settle you and inspire you like nothing you have ever heard before.

There is a lot to learn. The truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ is the most amazing, life-changing truth you will ever encounter.

Go to ucg.org/gog where we have accumulated several resources including a sermon and Bible Commentary on Ezekiel 38 which will describe in more detail what we have only been able to scratch the surface of today. Go there, dedicate yourself to learning the truth of God, the true gospel and the way to a life of hope, joy and peace that will settle you forever.

And be sure to share this page with others who may be seeking the truth as you are.