I also think it's really interesting how attitudes towards Israel in the Middle East have done a complete 180. Israel used to be on great terms with Turkey and Iran, and not at all with the Arab States. With the exception of Syria (which is really a Russian and Iranian colony now, anyway), it's completely reversed. Almost like God is saying "watch what I'm going to do next..." Turkey has a larger standing army than the UK + France combined. They aren't a pushover by any means. Factor in the coalition with the other countries (Iran, Libya, Sudan plus a Palestinian uprising) and Israel is at a serious disadvantage. They would normally be overwhelmed and lose except we all know a miracle will happen. A miracle that will cause Israel to believe in God again. https://armedforces.eu/compare/country_Turkey_vs_Israel Russia may possibly participate in the attack but I certainly don't see them leading it. Russia = Magog is very sloppy eisigesis, IMHO. Also, consider that everyone automatically assumes that the reason that the USA doesn't come to Israel's aid is that they will already have been taken out. Perhaps, the USA will actually participate in the attack after say...Israel brutally surpresses a Palestinian uprising? Perhaps Israel will destroy Damascus outraging the world? Perhaps Israel will destroy a nuclear facility in Iran, irradiating a large area, killing many? Would you really put it past a USA effectively lead by Obama, behind the scenes? Anyone remember the Bush Scroll? Perhaps it isn't Russia or Turkey leading the Gog Magog invasion but the USA. IMHO, the Gog Magog War will happen after the Rapture when the Restrainer is removed. The devil will not waste any time in trying to completely destroy Israel. What better country to be destroyed (the most powerful army in the world that is already being purged of Christians) in return to show the world who is Boss. In other words, the whole world will see God's Divine Hand of protection for Israel. Commentary by Jack Kelley A document written to President Bush by three Rabbis in Israel won’t get any notice in the world press, and isn’t being given much attention by church leaders either, but in my view it’s an extraordinary thing, given the status of its authors. Rabbi Steinzaltz is the leader of the Sanhedrin, who Time magazine has called a once in a millennium scholar. Dr. Eshel heads up the New Jewish Congress, and Rabbi Richman represents the Temple Institute and Temple Mount movements. These are not kooks from the lunatic fringe, but respected scholars and leaders among religious Jews. It’s being called The Bush Scroll and was written in the Name of the Lord, Eternal God, as if the authors believe they were His scribes in the effort, and calls to mind the phrase, “Thus aith the Lord.” It was addressed to “esteemed Mr. George W. Bush, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, (Ezekiel 38:1) leader of the west.” By including a reference to Ezekiel in the salutation the authors were identifying Pres. Bush as the one called Gog in that verse. It seems like they intend it to be viewed as a letter from God to His adversary (I am against you O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal). https://gracethrufaith.com/end-times-prophecy/the-chief-prince-of-meshech-and-tubal/ IMHO, Bush is not Gog but Obama...he would make a fine Gog. Per Sean Osborne - Eschatology Today - 3/4/22 Neither the US, UK, France or NATO will lift a finger in the establishment of a no fly zone to defend Ukrainian citizens from the Russian onslaught and crimes against humanity. Do you know why??? It is because Russia has nuclear weapons. Anyone with just two functioning brain cells knows that this fact alone makes the Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons an absolute - at all costs - must. And this, in turn, guarantees a very robust series of Israeli preemptive strikes in Iran to eliminate the threat of an Iranian nuclear weapon. Russia and China cannot establish their version of a “new world order” without first fighting and winning a new world war. Ukraine is the start of that new world war. No one noticed that this New World War began in 2013-2014 as a Russia-instigated civil war in Ukraine's Donbas Oblasts (Donetsk and Luhansk) and the architect of it all was Vladimir Putin. The civil war itself was a pan-southern Ukraine false flag operation, and it involved foreign armed groups fighting for Russia from to get-go (Chechens, Abkhazians, Ossetians, Moldovans, Russian mercs of the Wagner Group and Russian Spetznaz [Special Forces]). Then Russia invaded and annexed Crimea. This war never ended; it has been continuous and culminated in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This has also been a Putin vs Zelenskyy contest from the beginning. I should have noted this as soon as I was made aware of it a day ago, but this Next Level War (i.e. New World War of East vs. West) is a necessary focus of Eschatology Today, and this is a one-man blog endeavor. I have no issue referring to Putin as Gog of Magog. So far he suits the role to the proverbial "T." If he survives or is not overthrown or assassinated, then the call is correct and his burial will be in the Valley of Hamomgog, Israel. - Fair Use - Time magazine also called Hitler Man of the Year so they are not exactly a bastion of intelligence. Calling Bush Gog in relationship to End Times missed the mark as well and I have serious doubts that Obama is anything more than a pawn, much less Gog. In the end, it is all speculation and we will not know the outcome until we are gone from here. Most Bible prophecy teachers are wrong, then. 😉 Except for 2/3rds of the angels that sided with Almighty God in the great rebellion, the majority is almost never right. Also remember, a majority of Bible scholars thought that Israel would never be a nation again. So much for convential "wisdom." Anyway, in all seriousness, it is good to think outside the box. A lot of the time, our assumptions are flat out wrong. Time magazine was fooled about Hitler's character. Not to mention Obama and others. However, they are not talking about the scholar's character. They are talking about his intellectual gifts. Now, this was written when George Bush was president. They addressed him as the leader of the West and the chief prince. Who is the leader of the West and the chief prince now? Nominally it's Biden but we all know it's Obama. Just putting these things out there. As Greg mentioned, Bible prophecy has many twists and turns. If we are still here and see Putin get dethroned … then … I will jump over the fence to the Turkey theory side. Until then … I’m counting on the Bear climbing the Golan Heights mountain and leading the crusade with Turkey following right behind him. B-) Methinks that Gog is not Putin and Magog is not Russia. I am prepared to be wrong, of course. Not that it truly matters, anyway. No one will get a prize for picking the date of the Rapture or for pinning the tail on the Antichrist. Nor will anyone be rewarded for figuring out who is Gog and where is Magog. Anyway, things will be drastically different right after the Rapture. Since God's wrath is poured out on the invading forces, I see the Gog Magog War as happening post Rapture. Therefore, I wouldn't get too excited about what is going on currently. Things will be drastically different post Rapture. True that! TR
