Ezekiel 38 and Revelation 20

Q

I read an article about two different wars of Ezekiel 38-39.

I also read your commentary on the Book of Revelation, “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth – Gog and Magog – to gather them for battle” (Rev. 20:8)

These two articles, yours and the other, agree that the “Gog and Magog” war, will be at the end of the 1000 years.

Then I read another article writing the opposite. This is quite confusing, to read different scenarios, all on trustworthy websites.

I have previously believed the Gog/Magog war will be before Armageddon, but now after reading for the first time, that it might be at the end of the 1000 year reign,  I am quite baffled.

Please explain in more detail. Thank you for taking time to make things clearer.

A

First, your opinion that I believe the Gog/Magog war will happen at the end of the Millennium is incorrect. I believe this war will take place before Daniel’s 70th Week begins, so I do not agree with the end of the Millennium view nor do I agree with the Armageddon view.

The reason I believe Ezekiel 38-39 will precede Daniel’s 70th week is that I believe that it will be the event that results in Israel reaffirming their national covenant with God.  This will allow the 70th week to begin. (Ezekiel 39:22)

If you compare references to Gog/Magog in Ezekiel 38 with those in Revelation 20, you’ll see that John is using the term to define a much different group of people than Ezekiel did. Don’t let the similarity of the term confuse you.