Are there biblically prophetic implications to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—could it trigger War of Gog & Magog found in Ezekiel 38-39?

The decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch an illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine has dominated global headlines and social media for the last week.

It has also generated a wave of questions about Bible prophecy and the End of Days.

I’m receiving questions from Christian pastors and lay people — and from Jewish rabbis and scholars, as well as journalists — all over the world. While there are many variations, they generally fall into two main categories.

First, are there biblically prophetic implications to this horrible new war in Ukraine and fears throughout Europe that Putin may invade other countries as well?

Second, could this war in Europe trigger the End Times scenario that the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel described as the “War of Gog & Magog” in chapters 38 and 39 of the Book of Ezekiel?

NEW PODCAST EPISODE FOCUSES ON EZEKIEL 38 & 39

Amidst surging interest in the End Times and also much confusion, my colleague Carl Moeller and I recently recorded a new episode of our podcast — “Inside the Epicenter” — to walk people through the prophecies of the War of Gog & Magog step by step. 

The episode just posted a few days ago on all major podcasting platforms, as well as on YouTube and has quickly become the most listened to and watched episode we have ever recorded.

Here are some options to listen or watch.

Podcast Link | Episode 040 Link | The Joshua Fund Website

KEY QUESTIONS WE ADDRESS

Old and New Testament prophecies that describe future events, particularly events that will occur in what the Bible describes as “the last days,” remain a mystery to many. 

Unfortunately, very few pastors or Bible teachers have ever carefully studied these prophecies, much less take the time to explain them to lay people.

Indeed, most pastors tend to ignore End Times prophecies altogether. 

That’s one of the reasons that Carl Moeller — the executive director of The Joshua Fund — and I launched this podcast at the beginning of 2021, to help people rediscover the purpose and power of Bible prophecy.

Since its launch, the podcast has been watched or listened to more than 2.5 million times, putting it in the top 3% of all podcasts in the world.

In episode #40, we address a number of key questions that arise out of Ezekiel 38-39.

• Who or what is “Gog” mentioned in Ezekiel 38:1?

• Where or what is “Magog,” first mentioned in that same verse, and why do many Bible scholars believe it refers to modern-day Russia?

• What are Gog’s objectives, and is it really true the Bible says this Gog figure is going to build a military alliance to attack, invade and take over the State of Israel?

• What other countries ally themselves against Israel during this attack?

• Why do Bible scholars believe Russia and Iran are the main actors in the prophecy?

• Do any nations come to Israel’s defense when this invasion comes primarily from the North?

• Are there any clues in the biblical text indicating when this invasion will take place?

• And what is the result — does Israel survive or is it destroyed and consumed?

ARE WE THERE YET? 

After spending several decades of researching the topic, and writing several novels and non-fiction books about these topics, I was more than willing to work with Carl to explain what I’ve learned over the years.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine certainly makes the conversation very timely. 

Indeed, for many who have carefully studied Ezekiel 38-39, it increasingly seems like we are living in the first window of the 2,600 years since the prophecy was written. Indeed, many of the pieces that God said would fall into place in the last days for this apocalyptic attack against Israel to occur are actually coming together bit by bit.

I certainly believe that, though as I say in the podcast I believe more would have to happen to convince me the fulfillment of the prophecy was imminent.

MORE ABOUT “INSIDE THE EPICENTER”

Inside the Epicenter with Joel C. Rosenberg is available across all major podcast platforms. 

We try to provide insight into key players in the past and current events in the Middle East. 

We seek to help listeners gain understanding and knowledge of current events through a biblical lens.

And we do our best to explain ancient Bible prophecies that many churches and synagogues ignore. 

The podcast is sponsored and produced by The Joshua Fund, the non-profit organization that my wife, Lynn, and I founded in 2006 to educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to the Abrahamic Covenant as recorded in Genesis 12:1-3.

Over the past 15 years, by God’s grace, The Joshua Fund has been able to invest more than $80 million blessing the people of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and five neighboring Arab countries (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt).