“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ‘Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, Thus saith the Lord, behold, I am against thee, 0 Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: and I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords : Persia, Ethiopia and Libya with them ; all of them with shield and helmet : Gomer, and all his bands: the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands : and many people with thee.” (Ezekiel 38 :1 -6) .
This scripture foretells of a great combat that is to take place some time in the future between the Son of Man (God’s forces) and this vast confederacy of nations from the north parts. Identification of the Son of Man is relatively simple, for most Bible students are agreed that it typifies Christ in his roll as Israel’s Messiah. But whom is he to meet in this great conflict? The term translated “chief prince” originally was intended to convey a proper noun, and should have been translated from the Hebrew as “the prince of Ros.” This fact has been securely established through tireless research into the original Hebrew language, and thus makes identification of Messiah’s opponent possible. Due to the diligent searching of learned historians, the fact has been established that Ros is the most ancient form by which Russia is mentioned.
This prince, Ezekiel declares, is to have dominion over the land Meshech and Tubal. Meshech is the most ancient name by which Moscow has been known, while in Tubal can be seen the name of the city of Tobolski, the metropolis of the extensive region of Siberia. Collectively, then, the three, Ros, Meshech and Tubal represent the United Kingdom of Soviet Russia.
From what the prophet declares concerning this invader, it is evident that this kingdom from the north will have under its dominion several of the Balkan nations, as well as Ethiopia and Libya. This will further establish the identity of the confederacy, headed by “the prince.” The prophet then goes on to describe the movements of Russia as this great conflict is brought about : “After many days thou shalt be visited : in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against The Mountains of Israel, which have always been waste but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely, all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou and all thy bands, and many people with thee” (Ezek. 38:8-9).
The land into which the invader comes is none other than the ancient land of Israel. It is described as a land that is brought back from the sword, one that has always been waste, until the time of this prophecy. Its people have been gathered out of many people, and have been brought back from the sword, positively establishing the fact that this is indeed Israel.
For centuries, the land of Palestine has been trodden under foot by Gentile nations. Only recently, racial persecution has driven many of the Jews out of the nations of the world, and caused them to turn to the only country that could promise them peace and safety. Jesus, in Luke 21 :24 foretold the long period of time that would elapse, during which Israel would be persecuted among the Gentile nations, while her land, the land of Palestine, would fall under Gentile rule.
The return of some of this land would mark the end of Gentile times. Thus is supplied us the reason for Israel’s occupancy in the latter days. Ezekiel reveals the absolute necessity of Israel, in the land again before the appearance of Israel’s Messiah, and the Ecclesia’s Saviour.
As yet, Russia has made no direct move to come down into Israel in fulfilment of this prophecy. However, very often one or two verses of prophecy may cover a period of several years. Many small details may not be specifically dealt with, but which, collectively, form the fulfilment of Bible prophecy. The political network being formed in that area of the world is slowly framing, before our eyes, the picture painted for us by Ezekiel.
Communistic influence in the Arab countries surrounding Israel is building up a situation that all agree might prove disastrous to the infant nation. Early in February the proclamation went forth to all the world announcing the merging of two independent Arab states, Egypt and Syria. The 24 millions in Egypt added to the four million in Syria form the greatest number of Arabs (over one-half in the Middle East) under one flag. As this paper goes to press, there is a meeting scheduled for next week at Cairo, at which a presidential candidate will be nominated. It appears likely that Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser will be assigned the trust of ruling over this new republic. The new president will take office before the close of March, and appoint a governor over Syria.
What bearing does all this have on the events described by Ezekiel that are to take place in the latter days ? First of all, it is of no little significance that both Egypt and Syria are bitter enemies of Israel. This common hatred of the smaller nation has undoubtedly had much to do with the decision to merge. Israel now finds herself separating (a distance of 150 miles) the two countries, and, in case of war, will have to spread her defence forces over a greater area. Both Egypt and Syria have been pro-Russian in the past, although in Egypt, the Communist Party has been forced underground. What will happen to that party in Syria remains to be seen.
Some newspaper columnists have predicted that the next move of the new republic will be to take Jordan and then Israel. It is already recognised that the small state of Israel is being positioned into what might be the most precarious crisis of her short history. On the north she is faced with Russian armed Syria, and on the south Egyptian armies, eager for retaliatory measures because of the recent Sinai incident. Should Jordan, her closest neighbour, become involved in a fight for her survival, it is almost certain that Israel will intervene. She could not chance the possibility of being almost completely surrounded with confederated enemies. If Israel does engage in this conflict, it might very well prove the means of her straightening out her borders.
In Daniel’s prophecy of this latter day conflict, we are told that the king of the north is to enter into the glorious land (Palestine), and after taking the city of Jerusalem, continue her downward trek all the way to Egypt. “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt : and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his step” (Dan. 12:42-43).
Can the uniting of Egypt and Syria, both of whom are strongly influenced by Russia, pave the way for Russian occupancy of Egypt ? At the present time the military might of the new state depends almost completely on Russian supplied arms. In the event of war, the Arabs would assuredly accept any help that might be offered them, as has been experienced in the past.
Be this as it may, the time is surely coming when the great kingdom to the north of Palestine will fulfill her roll, as outlined in Ezekiel and Zech., resulting in her complete destruction at the forces of God. “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood ; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, (and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself : and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38 :22-23).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One