Assuming that Satan and his minions have read the Bible, couldn’t they just decide not to participate in the Battle of Ezekiel 38-39 and thereby prevent Israel’s redemption? Without that battle, Israel would not come back to God and Daniel’s 70th Week wouldn’t happen. Israel would not be refined. There wouldn’t be a third Temple or a subsequent Kingdom Age. I guess what I’m asking is, what compels Satan and company to follow the script, so-to-speak?
Ezekiel gave us insight into the real motivating force behind Ezekiel’s battle. It’s God Himself. The spiritual and human forces arrayed against Israel won’t have the option of declining to participate.
“I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army–your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords” (Ezekiel 38:4)
“I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel” (Ezekiel 39:2)
He will do this to create the opportunity to reveal himself to Israel as their protector. Ezekiel 39:28 shows God saying of Israel, “Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.” This is what will bring Israel back into their covenant relationship and set the stage for Daniel’s 70th Week and all that follows.