From what we have learned thus far it is apparent that before looking for the invasion of Gog from the land of Magog we should first be looking for the impending Arab invasion of Israel which is to precede it.

What say the Scriptures in this respect?

“Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; and those who hate you (Compare Ezek 25:15) have exalted themselves. They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted together against your sheltered ones. They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy (an alliance or league) against you: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelite’s; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre, Assyria (Russia) also has joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot (Lot’s descendants, the Arabs).”  (Psa 83:1-8)

“Psalm 83 appears to describe an ongoing conflict between Israel and the Arabs that will climax in a final war in which Israel will win a decisive victory over the Arabs. Psalm 83 is a prayer in which Israel asked the Lord for deliverance from a group of nations that (Verses 3-5) show are united in a confederacy or league for one purpose — the destruction of the nation of Israel. In 1945 an Arab League was actually formed. It united the Arab nations after 1948 for the very purpose of the destruction of Israel — as predicted in Psalm 83.

Verse 6 mentions some of these nations. Bible scholars and historians agree that ancient Israel was never confronted by such an elaborate alliance of nations, namely, Ishmaelite’s, Edom, Ammon, Amalek, Hagarenes, Gebal and the Philistines. Therefore, this prophecy must have an end-time fulfillment. These Old Testament territories are in modern times the nations of Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

Obviously the Philistines are the Palestinians. Edom, Moab, and Ammon occupied what is the modern state of Jordan. Gebal is Lebanon (Josh 13:5, 6) Iraq was populated by the Hagarenes or Hagarites that dwelt east of Gilead in the wilderness of the River Euphrates (1 Chron 5:1,9,10) The Ishmaelite’s settled what is today Saudi Arabia and Ishmael’s eldest son, Nabajoth, is identified with Syria. Lebanon (Gebal) and Tyre play a prominent role in Psalm 83.

“Assyria also is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot.” Verse 8 ASV. Assyria could refer to Iraq; however, Verse 6 identified the Hagarenes as symbolizing Iraq. Assyria is used in many Israel end-time prophecies to symbolize Russia, for example, Micah 5:5, and Zech 10:10.

The Hebrew word for helped literally means strong arm, which could symbolize military help. When Russia was a super-power vying with the US for world supremacy it supplied the Arab nations with military hardware. Why? So the Arabs could defeat Israel, the US ally, leaving Russia the dominant force in the oil rich Middle East. It is noteworthy that literal Assyria, (Iraq) never supplied the other Arab nations with military equipment — again showing the modern day fulfillment of this Psalm.

In the early 1990s, Russia on the verge of bankruptcy toppled as a world power. Economics have changed Russia once again is aspiring to attain world supremacy. Russia is not only arming Iran but in fulfillment of Psalm 83 is once again the strong arm of other Arab nations, notably of recent Syria.”

It is presumed based upon other scriptures which we have noted specifically those found in Ezek 38 that in this upcoming conflict Israel will totally defeat this group of Arab nations. Finally, their prayer of Psalm 83 will be answered by the Lord. Israel will take back any land given up. Additionally, she will acquire parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and all of Gaza. See Isa 11:14; Zep 2:3-10; Zech 10:10; Obadiah 19-20 (NIV).”

Many Bible students as well as televangelists are heralding the invasion of Gog, Ezek 38, as the next prophetic step in the Middle East. But the Scriptures indicate that a decisive Israeli-Arab war must be fought BEFORE Gog’s invasion. Israel will then enjoy a short period of peace and security as shown in Ezek 38:11. After this the battle of Gog and Magog will occur — an invasion by Russia allied with a group of nations including Iran (Persia). Iran never seems to give up, but Iran will finally learn its lesson in this final conflict, not to oppose Israel.”

For all the rhetoric we here coming out of Iran these days with respects to their desire for the demise of Israel it nevertheless appears that Iran (as a nation, militarily) will not play a predominate role in the first invasion, accept as it employs its proxy Hezbollah to do its dirty work. Iran’s more physically active role will come in the second confrontation, when it joins forces with Gog.

As far as this Arab invasion is concern I don’t see any hint of it yet. Accept for Iran’s rantings and posturing’s the principle participants in this Arab war, viz. Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria don’t give any evidence that they are conspiring together to make war with Israel. Perhaps following a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities or a retaliatory strike on Palestinian or Hezbollah terrorist involving a lot of collateral damage the old hatreds’ might be inflamed once again.

Excerpts were taken from “O God, Do Not Be Silent!” New Brunswick Newsletters, October 2006

Continued with next post.