Battle of Gog & Magog and the Battle of Armageddon- One or Two Battles

A question that is often asked in prophetic Bible study concerns two end times battles, the Battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 & 39 and the Battle (actually campaigns which will be the subject of a future article) of Armageddon in Revelation 16 & 19 (and numerous sources throughout the Old Testament). Are these the same two battles or are they two different battles. Looking at them superficially one would come to the conclusion that they are the same battle told from two different viewpoints similar to the creation story in Genesis 1 & 2. However a deeper look at the text and the description of each battle points to two different battles at two different time periods. When we look deeper into the Word of God instead of a quick reading we discover there is more to understand.

                In the months to come I will be looking at various questions concerning  the differences in the battles. I am sure there are additional questions that could be asked so I would appreciate any input from readers in the comment section. Also, this article is written from a Premillennial, Pre-tribulation Rapture, and literal-grammatical interpretation viewpoint. Anyone of an Amillennial, Preterist, Post-millennial, Pre-wrath Rapture, mid or post tribulation Rapture viewpoint will disagree with most of what I have written. Let’s start with the first question.

                Who is involved in the battles?

                We read in Scripture of two different lineups involved in the battles.  The nations of Ezekiel 38:1-6 are:


The Ancient Nations                                              The Modern Nations


The land of Magog                                                 Russia
Meshech and Tubal                                                Somewhere in Russia
Persia                                                                        Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan
Ethiopia                                                                    Ethiopia and Sudan
Libya                                                                          Libya
Ashkenaz                                                                  Austria and Germany
Gomer                                                                       Eastern Europe
Togarmah                                                                 Southeastern Europe-Turkey
"Many peoples with thee"                                    Various other nations allied to Russia [I]


               Please be cautious when you read prophetic scholars and their interpretations as they attempt to determine the modern day equivalent to these ancient nations. You will read differences but many premillennial scholars (not all) generally align their writings with this table.

                In this battle we have named nations that are participating in the battle. As can plainly be seen the battle is mainly contained within a Middle Eastern, North African setting with a powerful nation coming from the north.

                However in the Battle of Armageddon we see that while these nation are included in the roster of nations the battle will involve all the nations of the world:

13 “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 “For they are the spirit of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

“And he gathered them together into a placed called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon

                                Revelation 16:13, 14, 16 KJV

               

                The Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible comments on this passage:

 

“Satanic trinity (Satan, Beast, and False Prophet) will send these spirits (probably the chief fallen angels in Satan’s hierarchy) “out of the mouth” of Satan himself to deceive the kings of the world into gathering their armies to prepare for what is known as the Battle of Armageddon. They will gather in the valley of Megiddo, which Napoleon proclaimed to be the most ideal battlefield in the world.” [ii]

               

                The Battle of Armageddon is not a limited circle of Middle Eastern and North African nations. The passage does not mention Gog and Magog or specific countries or limit the area to the Middle East.  The Battle of Armageddon will involve all the nations of the world. In this ultimate anti-Semitic act the armies of the world[iii] will unite under the Anti-Christ and move towards the destruction of the Jewish people. The “war” that the Anti-Christ has been waging for the past three and a half years (Daniel 9:27; Zechariah 13:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) will now come to a conclusion which will culminate in the destruction of 2/3 of the Jewish population.

In the months ahead we will look at additional questions surrounding these two battles and why they are not the same. Future questions will include:

Where are the battles being fought?

                What are the results of the battles?

                 How are these battles fought?

                And others. Please share this article and future articles on social media as you feel led. Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Please come back and check and I will be contributing more articles in the coming months of prophetic significance. Each article will close with the blessed prayer of the Apostle John:

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

Revelation 22:21 KJV

---

[i] https://www.thepropheticyears.com/wordpress/the-gogmagog-war-of-ezekiel-and-armageddon-are-different-wars.html

[ii] Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible, p. 1391

[iii] The question of “is America in Bible prophecy” is answered here in a very general response. If America exists as a nation at this time and has some form of army in existence they will take part in this battle. No army of the world will be exempt from this battle.