“…A czar of Russia will be both Emperor of Germany and Autocrat of All the Russia’s…and when the Autocrat invades the Holy Land for the purpose of spoiling the Jews…” (Elpis Israel, 1903 ed. pg. 394). Bro. John Thomas then continues in his exposition which has become the “traditional” basis of Christadelphian approach to latter-day prophecy.
The tradition perpetuated
“Russia Will Invade the Middle East!” “Israel to be Overrun by Russia,” etc. have been lecture titles that have caught the public eye and have attracted visitors.
Our general presentation has included the partial return of the Jews to the Holy Land and the need for their humiliation by an overwhelming defeat that will finally bring them to call upon God for help. We then customarily explain how God will answer their cry through the intervention of Christ and the saints. The dramatic outcome of the events is the Jewish acceptance of Jesus as Messiah and the recognition by the Gentiles of an awesome display of supernatural power.
We normally clarify that Christ first comes to judge the responsible and that his deliverance of Israel from the Gogian invader is the beginning of his kingdom over all nations.
Now Arabs instead of Russia
In recent years, however, some brethren have contended that the great invader of Israel is not Russia but a coalition of Arab nations. Normally, in presenting this scenario, everything else stays the same except that an Arab coalition is substituted for a Russian one. In addition, Ezekiel 38-39 is placed as being after Christ is enthroned in Jerusalem and less familiar scriptures are emphasized regarding the time of the end because they include references to descendants of Ishmael, Esau and Lot.
Why bother with the difference?
Since the key points in the presentation of the gospel are not affected by the new prophetic approach — the return of Christ, resurrection, judgment, repentance of Israel, God’s vanquishing of the nations, the setting up of the Kingdom — why not live with some brethren saying Russia is the desolater and others saying it is a coalition of Arabs?
If you have had the two different views presented from your platform, you will know the confusion that results and the wholly different approach that is taken to current events. World trends that used to generate a united excitement in the ecclesia now are viewed as confusing. Furthermore, an ecclesia becomes hesitant to use the catchy lecture titles that always draw listeners.
Yet if the “Arabs defeat Israel” view is right, or at least a reasonable alternative, maybe we should modify our approach accordingly and be less assertive about Russia’s role in the future. After all, Bible prophecy is not given to make us prophets but to encourage us that, when we see these things come to pass, we are reassured that God is still at work bringing His plan to fulfillment. Maybe we have been overstepping ourselves in our firm declarations about coming events!
The traditional view is sound
After carefully examining the relevant passages, we are fully convinced that the traditional view is solidly based on scripture. On the other hand, every passage put forth proving “the Arabs will be the final desolater of Israel” fails to hold up under close examination.
We do not feel, however, the difference of opinion is a matter of fellowship. Our community thrives on vigorous Bible discussion within the agreed-upon understanding of the first principles. Thus, we see no harm in talking out the Arab/Russia point. We do feel, however, that our public witness is hurt when brethren publicly declare two different points of view on a matter of such public interest.
Furthermore, we do not feel our interpretation of scripture should be based on trends in current events. As we have seen, changes can occur on the world scene with startling rapidity. Let us understand the scripture and keep on proclaiming what it says whether current events seem to support it or not.
The key scriptures
We feel the key Bible passages firmly establishing the traditional approach are Ezekiel 38-39; Joel 2 and Zechariah 14.
Ezk. 38 does not describe an Arab host. Magog, Meshech, Tubal and Gomer were all sons of Japheth and Togarmah was a grandson of Japheth (Ezk. 38:2,6; Gen. 10:2,3). The Arabs are Semitic peoples descended from Shem primarily through Ishmael, Esau (Edom) and Lot (Moab and Ammon). Some Arabs may be included in the Gogian host in Libya, Ethiopia and Persia (Ezk. 38:5), but they are clearly not the primary force.
Links of Magog, etc. to Russia and Europe are presented in Elpis Israel and many of our pamphlets. The proof is not absolute but it is pretty good. Certainly, in Ezekiel, God is alluding to nations inhabited by descendants of Japheth which would place them north and west of Israel. And the fact that the names rarely occur as having association with Israel indicates they were beyond the familiar lands of Assyria (Iraq) and Grecia (Greece), so the traditional line-up has to be basically correct.
Gog is a desolator
In our opinion, an unbiased reading of Ezk. 38-39 leaves no doubt that the Gogian invader desolates Israel. This has been challenged on the basis that the passage does not explicitly state the damage done to Jerusalem or the land. The whole case for the Arabs as the last desolater of Israel hinges on this point. Supporters of that view must contend that the Gogian host does not desolate Israel because Christ is already reigning there as king. Here is where the links to Joel 2 and Zechariah 14 are helpful in establishing the traditional view.
Note how the description of the invader is strikingly similar in Ezk. 38 and in Joel 2.
- In both places the size and strength of the force is emphasized: “a great company:” “many people:” “a great people and a strong” (Ezk. 38:4,6,9,15; Joel 2:2,5,7).
- In both chapters, the invader is likened to a great storm covering the land: “Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land…;” “a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness” (Ezk. 38:9,16; Joel 2:2).
- Both prophets stress horses in their descriptions: “all of them riding upon horses;” “…as horsemen, so shall they run” (Ezk. 38:4,15; Joel 2:4,5).
- Both term the invader a northern army: (Ezk. 38:6,15; Joel 2:20).
- In both cases, the invader is deliberately drawn by God to the area: “I will bring thee against my land:” “for he [the invader] is strong that executeth his [God’s] word” (Ezk. 38:16; Joel 2:11).
- Both chapters describe the invader as being destroyed in the wilderness parts of Israel with the carcasses causing a great stench: “seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them…;” “…his stink shall come up…” (Ezk. 39:12; Joel 2:20).
Other notable similarities exist as well:
- In both chapters, God’s motive for acting is specifically stated to be His jealousy: “In my ..;” “then will the LORD be jealous…” (Ezk. 38:19; Joel 2:18).
- Both chapters describe their subject matter as the great climax in Israel’s history following which perpetual blessings ensue: “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more…Behold it is come and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken;” “And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed” (Ezk. 39:7,8; Joel 2:27).
The linkage between Ezk. 38-39 and Joel 2 is so strong that we have no doubt the same events are being described. And Joel is perfectly clear that the invader he describes desolates Israel: “the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness” (2:3). This obviously would not be done if Christ were already reigning in Jerusalem.
Ezekiel and Zechariah 14
The powerful points of linkage in this case are the similar descriptions in both prophecies of the divine weaponry used to defeat Israel’s enemy. Both refer to:
- “every man’s sword shall be against his brother:” “his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbors” (Ezk. 38:21; Zech. 14:13).
- “I will plead against him with ..;” “…and so shall be the plague” (Ezk. 38:22; Zech. 14:12,15).
- An earthquake shakes the land of Israel and “all the men that are upon the face of the earth…and every wall shall fall to the ground:” “and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof…and there shall be a very great valley” (Ezk. 38:19-20; Zech. 14:4). If Zechariah’s earthquake preceded Ezekiel’s, there would be no walls left to fall to the ground. The damage would already have been done. Furthermore, if Ezekiel’s earthquake occurs after Christ is enthroned in Jerusalem, any work Christ had initiated would be destroyed. These must be two descriptions of the same event.
And Zechariah is clear that the invader of Israel desolates it: “…the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled…” (14:2). This could not possibly happen if the Lord had already begun his reign.
Therefore, we feel that the linkage between Ezekiel 38-39 and Joel 2 and Zechariah 14 establishes that the traditional view of Ezekiel is correct.
A Gogian-led host will invade Israel prior to the appearance of Christ to the nations. This host is primarily not Arabic but “northern” and European and is the last invader who will desolate Israel.
Dwell safely
Here is the major stumbling block to the traditional view of Ezk. 38-39.
For many years, one would hear lecturing brethren explain the phrase to mean “dwelling confidently” which has been true of the Israeli attitude since 1948. As has been rightly pointed out, however, the phrase does not stand alone. It forms part of a description of economic prosperity and military security that exists in fact and not just in one’s attitude (Ezk. 38:8, 11-13).
Those visiting Israel can see for themselves that such a condition does not exist in fact. Israel is an armed camp and is often classified economically as only an emerging third-world country.
How then could we say that all the conditions are right for the Gogian invasion?
They are not. But they will be! How? We can not be sure! Brethren have hoped for discovery of oil in Israel or of great wealth to be extracted from the Dead Sea. Recent reports speak of a “silicon coast” stretching from Haifa to Tel Aviv as many high-tech industries develop in that area. Syria has just declared herself in favor of recognizing Israel and helping her dwell securely.
But accurate interpretation of prophecy does not depend on the latest current event. Israel will dwell safely before Christ reigns from Jerusalem.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One