The last article dealt with the earlier history of the three world power-blocs seen in the world today which developed out of,the Roman Empire known to John. Today they are identified as:
- DRAGON – The Soviet Empire
- BEAST – The E.E.C.
- FALSE PROPHET – The Islamic States
Only one or two European and Middle Eastern nations are not aligned with one of these three – notable among the non-aligned is the State of Israel. Revelation 16:16 declares,
“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
This battle of Armageddon is described later in the book of Revelation:
“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army” (Rev.19:19).
With the beast was the false prophet (V.20) and presumably the dragon, too, for although he was not taken and destroyed in the lake of fire like the other two, he was taken captive (Rev.20:1-3).
Call to the Birds
This battle of Armageddon is preceded by a call to the birds of heaven to be ready to devour those slain in the forthcoming conflict (Rev.19:17,18). The terms of this call are similar to those spoken by the prophet Ezekiel to call the birds to the sacrifice of the armies of Gog on the mountains of Israel (Ezek.39:17-20).
Since the after-events of the two conflicts are described in almost exactly similar language, could it be that the two battles themselves are really only one battle – do Ezekiel 39 and Rev.19 refer to the same conflict? I believe that the two events are indeed one and the same, as the relationship between the two passages would suggest.
The Three Groups with Gog
If I am right, then the people assembled with Gog in Ezek.38 must fall into three groups, identified with the dragon, beast and false prophet of Revelation 16 and 19 & 20. It seems to me that they do indeed fall naturally into these three groups. These are shown as:
1. Gog, the land of Magog, the chief (Rosh) prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezek.38:2).
There is little need to go into the reasons for believing that these terms refer to the Soviet peoples – the evidence is generally accepted amongst us. This group of peoples, then, must form the DRAGON.
2. Persia, Ethiopia and Libya (v.5).
These are all Islamic states. They are not the inner ring of Islamic states surrounding Israel, but the outer ring. It is notable that Persia is specifically mentioned; before the recent revolution she was western-orientated, in spite of being Islamic, and was prepared to supply Israel with oil. She has now become intensely pro-Islamic and anti-western, and is seeking links with extreme Islamic movements like the PLO, which is also Marxist. This is all part of the process of “gathering” (Revelation) or “assembling” (Ezekiel). The three states represent the False Prophet.
3. Gomer, and all his bands: the house of Togarmah of the north guarters…(v.6).
Gomer may be traced quite readily in history as the precursor of the Celtic people, who form one of the great families out of which the races of Europe were formed. I suggest that “Togarmah” is the Bible name of the Goths, that other dominant race which formed part of the heritage of most Europeans. Together with the other “bands” mentioned, they form the SEA BEAST.
A Gathering together
There are many fascinating possibilities arising out of the correlation of the two passages in Ezekiel and Revelation. But we are only concerned for the moment with the false prophet. Seen against the background suggested here, the events of the past months will be seen as a clear indication of the hand of God moving in the earth to bring about a situation prophesied long ago in both Old and New Testaments. The dragon, beast and false prophet must gather together, and the actions of the Ayatollah Khomeini are bringing yet closer the time when Russia will assume leadership of all three groups.
As a side comment, it may also be said that the actions of Pope John Paul in the west and in the east are playing a notable part in gathering into a unity the peoples of the west, and also helping forward the link between east and west. And the new Primate of the Church of England, Dr. Runcie, is seen by commentators as a man likely to promote the unity of the Church of England with the Roman Catholic Church.
I believe that Ezekiel 38 and 39 deal with the final rebellion of man against God from a Jewish viewpoint, while Revelation deals with the same rebellion from the point of view of the saints. The climax in Ezekiel is the regathering of the whole house of Israel, knowing that Yahweh is their Elohim from that day and forward. The climax in Revelation is seen as the marriage of the Lamb, and God tabernacling with men.
By one great defeat of the kingdom of men – one blow to the feet of the image in Daniel 2 – and all Israel are saved!
This ends the main part of this thesis. Discussion on the subject, or different explanations of the nature of the false prophet, will be welcome.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One