Prophecies of the Latter Days

The Latter Days

The “latter day” prophecies in the Bible are of great interest to Bible students. We therefore make a few brief comments on one of these prophecies found in Ezekiel 38. Here both verses 8 and 16 speak of these events taking place in “the latter years” and “the latter days”. This prophecy is closely associated with “the time of the end” prophecy of Daniel 11:40– 12:3. Ezekiel 38 tells of a confederacy of military powers, predominantly from the north, that will come to invade Israel “in the latter days”. These moves will be challenged by another group of powers, but finally God will intervene, with the result that He will be acknowledged and reverenced by all people of the earth.

Daniel’s Latter Day Prophecy

Daniel foretells events at “the time of the end” (Daniel 11:40–12:3)

Daniel not only gave a broad overview of world history until the Kingdom of God is set up on earth, but also spoke of those events leading up to the establishment of that Kingdom. He revealed that, at “the time of the end” (v40), a military power designated “the king of the north” will sweep down into the Middle East through Israel and into Egypt. This northern power is identified by many scholars as a confederacy of nations led by Russia.

Notice the main points:

  • the events take place at “the time of the end” (v40)

  • a northern power makes a swift military move into the Middle East, intent on gaining control over Israel and Egypt (Daniel 11:40:43)

  • this northern military power is destroyed in Israel (Daniel 11:44–45)

  • Jesus Christ returns and the dead are raised (Daniel 12:1–2)

  • the righteous are given immortality to rule for ever with Christ (Daniel 12:3).

Daniel 12:1–3 shows that at the same time as this invasion of Israel from the north takes place (namely, at “the time of the end”), the resurrection of the dead also takes place.

  • “there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time”

  • “at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book”

  • “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake”

  • “some to everlasting life”

  • “and some to shame and everlasting contempt”

  • “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament”

  • “they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

With the Middle East now continually in a state of tension and many nations of the world in turmoil, there is no doubt that we are living in those very days that plainly indicate that Jesus Christ will soon return to the earth to set up God’s Kingdom.

Ezekiel’s Latter Day Prophecy

A summary of Ezekiel 38

  • The events spoken of will occur in “the latter years” or “days” (v8,16)

  • The centre of the predicted conflict will be the land of Israel (v8,18)

  • The Jews will be partly regathered and established in their land (v8,12). This has only been possible since 1948 when Israel became a nation in their own land, after nearly 1900 years of dispersion in every nation of the world.

  • The northern army or “host” (v15) will be led by “Gog, of the land of Magog”, who is prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal (v3). “Rosh” has long been identified by many scholars with Russia (see note below).

  • This aggressive military power will come into Israel from “the north quarters” and “the north parts” (v6,15). This Hebrew expression has been variously translated, “the uttermost parts of the north”, “the remotest parts of the north” and “the recesses of the north”, again causing many to identify this northern aggressor as Russia.

  • Confederate with this northern military power will be Europe (Magog, Gomer) and Western Asia (Persia or Iran, and Togarmah or Armenia), Libya and Ethiopia (v5–6). (see map identifying these powers)

  • The northern invasion will be challenged by “Tarshish” and “the young lions thereof” (v13). Many scholars identify Tarshish with Britain and the Commonwealth countries, and her allied merchant trading partners such as USA.

  • Also allied with Tarshish will be “Sheba” and “Dedan” (that is, Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsular States).

  • At the height of the conflict in the Middle East God will reveal His great power (v18–19), when Jesus Christ reveals himself to the world (Zechariah 14:1–5; 12:9–11).

  • The result will be that the military might of this northern confederacy will be destroyed (Ezekiel 39:3–5).

  • All nations will be made aware that Israel’s God has gained this great victory (Ezekiel 38:23; 39:7).

Israel will then realise their past blindness and accept the ways of God in truth, acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Messiah and King (Ezekiel 39:7, 27–29; Romans 11:25–26).

Russia Named

Scholars for many centuries have rendered the word “chief” that occurs in verse 2 of the Authorised Version as a proper noun, so that the phrase becomes “prince of Rosh” (cp New King James Version and the New American Standard Version). Rosh is identified as the ancient name of Russia, and the names Meshech and Tubal with areas in Russia. Renowned historians, such as Bochart and Rollin support this view, whilst the Hebrew lexicographer Gesenius notes in his lexicon published in 1847 under the word “Rosh”—“A northern nation mentioned with Tubal and Meshech: undoubtedly the Russians who were mentioned by the Byzantine writers of the 10th century under the name ‘the Ros’”. For these reasons many believe that the northern power mentioned here is Russia.

Adapted from “The Exploring the Bible Course” by David Evans