I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. Ezekiel 39:7 -13

God, angry with Gog, the leader of Magog, puts a hook in his jaw and draws him to the hills of Israel and kills, not only him but 5/6^th of those who have allied themselves with this person.

I feel strongly that we are looking at Tayyip Principe Erdoğan – a man who has risen from being a simple mayor to appointing himself as the Supreme Caliph of Islam. If that's true then all Muslims must obey his every command, as he now speaks for Allah.

What do I see here? An established and disrespectful ignorance of God.

We all seem to cry out for justice in this world because far too many have an established pattern of disrespecting, not just people, but God as well. Having prayed, much like many of you, that injustice and abuse would come to an end and yet, it flourishes, but I also long to see God respected. I suppose that means I am imposing my Western Christian mentality upon people, however, you can hear cries, much like this from every part of the world, if you were listening.

This event, we see here in Ezekiel 38, 39 is so closely tied to the catching away of the church, it is hard to tell when one begins and the other ends. One “brother” in Christ, responded to a post with a similar theme, by saying, “Jesus will take out his elect, and then the war will come.” He added, “The war is during the time of the Wrath of God, which begins at the 6th Seal. Rev. 6:17.” This response is wrong on so many levels. First, who are the elect? Any student of the Bible knows that the elect is Israel. But then, along came the followers of Jesus Christ, and Paul tells us that we are also the elect because we are in Jesus. This person gave no context, nor definition, and leaves us to make presumptions based on fragmented pieces from Paul's writings.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NASB 7) For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8) Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

Here in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 the "he" that is taken out of the way, is, not only the restrainer but the church itself. Paul goes on to say, that it is then that the lawless one will be revealed. This lawless one is the Antichrist who makes a convenient peace covenant with many. So, my presumption must be that the elect is the church. But then his statement gets even more confusing as he uses Revelation 6:17 as a reference, and places the war deep within the seven years of God's wrath upon the earth, where the rich, and others, are crying for the rocks to fall upon them and hide them from the wrath of God.

So, let's see if God can put an immediate end to people profaning his name.

Ezekiel 39:7 NASB "My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

Since this war in which God sends a firestorm upon the enemies of Israel, then can we assume that God shuts the enemies mouths? I ask because that is what we do; we assume things far beyond the context of the passages at hand. It is the KJV that correctly ascribes destruction to 5/6^th of the combatants that have come to Israel.

Look at all that God says about what is going to happen.

Ezekiel 38:19-20 KJV For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; 20) So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

• “in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;”
• “So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth,”
  A rather encompassing description.
• “shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.”
  I am not trying to diminish God here, but this type of event happens multiple times. How could there be any buildings left if every earthquake has caused all the walls to fall down? Similar to the terminology “all” that we see scattered throughout the Bible, when obviously not all were there, it is safe to assume that there was a tremendous amount of people, or, in this case, a tremendous amount of damage.

Ezekiel 39:6 KJV And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Here, in 39:6 the fire falls on the isles. This would mean the coastal regions. Does that mean all of them, or, in practicality, the nations that are involved in this horrendous scheme? The majority of the named nations are coastal nations to some degree.

If you are trying to determine the impact God has made by bringing, not only a firestorm but a great shaking, then you need to understand a few other influences.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16 KJV But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16) Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

In Romans 11:25 the impact will be on Israel. Since this war is on the cusp of the removal of the church, then it is obvious that the vail is lifted immediately. The impact of God's action will have a monumental impact on the Jews that are still here.

Romans 11:25 KJV For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.

When I put the information together, I can understand that the vail will be taken away, and, it will happen when the fullness of the Gentiles has come. That fullness, by the way, will only happen at the catching away of the church.

Another clue we have about the impact comes from the Revelation itself.

Revelation 7:9 KJV After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

These are martyred saints since the catching away of the church. Make note of the quantity, as it is innumerable.

If I were to make a generalized statement, it would be, YES, God has made a tremendous impact.

Ezekiel 39:8 CJB Yes, this is coming, and it will be done,' says Adonai Elohim; 'this is the day about which I have spoken.

I don't know if you have heard this sentence from skeptics, but I have, and it goes like this, you guys have been telling us that God is coming back for over two thousand years, so expect him to come back anytime soon! When you read a sentence like verse 8 you might think God has been hearing something similar as well. Someone wrote, Ezekiel gave these words over 20 centuries ago; the words are more valid today than they ever have been. How do I know this? A standard, liberal newscast, interviewed one of their reporters and asked about what grabs your attention about Syria. The reporter's response, this is no longer Syria. Everywhere I look I see troops from Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the United States. What does that mean? It means that the major players in this last days war of Ezekiel 38,39 are already on Israel's northern border.

In December of 2017 (it's only August of 2018 as I write this,) an Egyptian newspaper published a map showing cartoon tanks surrounding Israel and firing upon the nation. Their intent was to call for a Jihad against Israel.

Are the motivation and compliance lining up for an attack on Israel? Absolutely.

Here is where Ezekiel turns peculiar once again.

Ezekiel 39:9-10 CJB " 'Those living in Isra'el's cities will go out and set fire to the weapons, to use as fuel—the shields, breastplates, bows, arrows, clubs, and spears; they will use them for fire seven years; 10) so that they will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut down any from the forests; because they will use the weapons for fire. Thus they will plunder those who plundered them and rob those who robbed them,' says Adonai Elohim.

Is there a modern army that still uses clubs, bows, and spears as they do battle? No, they have tanks, artillery, missiles, Toyota trucks (with mounted anti-aircraft guns in the middle east,) and AK 47's. How many of these items could one use for fuel to heat your dinner or house? Very little, as everything I mentioned is made from metal, or burns toxic and will poison you, with possibly one exception, the wood from an AK47 (if they still make them like that.)

Ezekiel 39:11 JPS And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place fit for burial in Israel, the valley of them that pass through on the east of the sea; and it shall stop them that pass through; and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude, and they shall call it the valley of Hamon-Gog.

By the way, you are aware that God frequently uses people and their available weaponry to fulfill His desires?

Ezekiel 39:12-13 JPS And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying them, that they may cleanse the land. 13) Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them, and it shall be to them a renown; in the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.

What do I know from this statement?

• That it takes seven months to bury them all.
  This probably has more to do with the quantity of dead.
• While getting rid of dead bodies reduces health issues, the main reason is so that Israel may cleanse the land.
  Numbers 19:11-16 JPS He that touches the dead, even any man's dead body, shall be unclean seven days; 12) the same shall purify himself therewith on the third day and on the seventh day, and he shall be clean; but if he purify not himself the third day and the seventh day, he shall not be clean. 13) Whosoever touches the dead, even the body of any man that is dead, and purifies not himself - he hath defiled the tabernacle of the LORD - that soul shall be cut off from Israel; because the water of sprinkling was not dashed against him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him. 14) This is the law: when a man dies in a tent, every one that comes into the tent, and everything that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days. 15) And every open vessel, which hath no covering close-bound upon it, is unclean. 16) And whosoever in the open field touches one that is slain with a sword, or one that dies of himself, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
  So, the effective reason has much to do with being unclean for seven days. I get the general impression that Israel will not have time for such delays.
  Deuteronomy 21:23 JPS his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt surely bury him the same day; for he that is hanged is a reproach unto God; that thou defile not thy land which the LORD thy God gives thee for an inheritance.
  This passage, if you will recall, is why they could not leave Jesus hanging on the cross overnight, and therefore permitted Joseph of Arimathaea who had asked to have his body for burial.
• “ all the people of the land shall bury them,”
  So, although there will be specific teams to bury the victims, all Israel will be helping out.
• “and it shall be to them a renown; in the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.”
  Jeremiah 33:9 JPS And this city shall be to Me for a name of joy, for a praise and for a glory, before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them, and shall fear and tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I procure unto it.
  Zephaniah 3:19-20 NASB "Behold, I am going to deal at that time With all your oppressors, I will save the lame And gather the outcast, And I will turn their shame into praise and renown In all the earth. 20) "At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes," Says the LORD.

Although Zephaniah can say, I will give you renown and praise among all the people of the earth, God's wrath and punishment are not entirely accomplished as yet. Does that make God's word conflict with itself, and is therefore unreliable or not true? Hardly, for this moment in time, though a clear defeat for many, does not cover all of Israel's oppressors. The other question you have to ask as you try to validate God's word, does Israel, as yet, have all their fortunes restored? There is more cataclysmic activity, yet to come.

As I read Ezekiel 39:13 I found myself asking, did you mean what you just said?

• “and it shall be to them a renown; in the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.”

renown is the Hebrew word shêm and means the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.

I keep finding God's mercy - an attribute that is part of His character and nature. For me, to read that God is giving Israel (those that remain,) honor and position, there is no way I can apply these attributes to Israel in the world's eyes. This has everything to do with Him, showing them mercy and bringing them into the millennial reign with honor. I know, this flies in the face of those who demand no mercy for those outside of the standard religious experience - you know, the one where you come to an altar, shed big tears, say all the right words, and then, go live like the devil once again. I decided, some time ago, that if I err, then I am going to err on the side of mercy. Besides, I can use all the help I can get.

Some would read this and attribute all this to God, but, that is not what it says. The verse tells us that Israel's actions in burying the dead will produce a conspicuous designation of honor and character at some point. That point is when Jesus, the Messiah shall be glorified. When will that take place? When he comes back as the conquering Messiah, and then takes his throne after He sets everything right. Some will read this and start whining that He is only glorified at the end of the millennial reign, and the Great White Throne is a part of that process.

Revelation 19:1-2 NASB After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; 2) BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, ...

Revelation 19:7 NASB "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."

Revelation 19:11-15 NASB 11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, He judges and wages war.

Revelation 20:4 NASB Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. ... and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 21:3-6 NASB And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, ... 5) And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." 6) Then He said to me, "It is done.

If Ezekiel 38, and 39, are closely related to the catching away of the church, then this firestorm against Gog also marks the entrance of the Antichrist and his seven-year contract of peace, signed by many. Since the only clear time frames, we are aware of is seven months of not touching the bodies, and, a seven month period of burying the dead, we can only account for 14 months. 14 months is equivalent to 420 days, and the first half of the seven years of wrath (the fairly peaceful part,) lasts 1260 days, those having to endure this time period have 2.3 years of relative peace left, until this person we call the Antichrist breaks this treaty. Within the Muslim world, that means he calls it off. 

It is odd how someone else's words suddenly validate an idea.

I previously posted a blog entitled, There are some odd passages in Ezekiel 39, where I spoke of the fire as potentially a nuclear war. In that blog, I pointed out some problems with that idea. However, since I posted that blog I have come across, once again, a prophetic word that was given in 1968 by a 90-year-old Norwegian woman. She, I am sure, has since passed, but the things she said have come to pass so vividly, except one, and that is this third world war that ends with a nuclear attack.
It is odd how someone else's words suddenly validate an idea that you may have been toying with.  I give you her words, and a question and validation sheet at the end.

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An old woman of 90 from Valdres in Norway had a vision from God in 1968. The evangelist Emanuel Minos had meetings (services) where she lived. He had the opportunity to meet her, and she told him what she had seen. He wrote it down but thought it to be so unintelligible that he put it in a drawer. Now, almost 30 years later, he understands he has to share the vision with others.

The woman from Valdres was a very alert, reliable, awake and credible Christian, with a good reputation among all who knew her.

This is what she saw:

“I saw the time just before the coming of Jesus and the outbreak of the Third World War. I saw the events with my natural eyes. I saw the world like a kind of a globe and saw Europe, land by land. I saw Scandinavia. I saw Norway. I saw certain things that would take place just before the return of Jesus, and just before the last calamity happens, a calamity the likes of which we have never before experienced.”

She mentioned four waves:

1. "First before Jesus comes and before the Third World War breaks out there will be a ‘détente’ like we have never had before. There will be peace between the superpowers in the east and the west, and there will be a long peace. (Remember, that this was in 1968 when the cold war was at its highest. E. Minos) In this period of peace, there will be disarmament in many countries, also in Norway and we are not prepared when it (the war) comes. The Third World War will begin in a way no one would have anticipated - and from an unexpected place.
2. "A lukewarmness without parallel will take hold of the Christians, a falling away from true, living Christianity. Christians will not be open for penetrating preaching. They will not, like in earlier times, want to hear of sin and grace, law and gospel, repentance and restoration. There will come a substitute instead: prosperity (happiness) Christianity.
   "The important thing will be to have success, to be something; to have material things, things that God never promised us in this way. Churches and prayer houses will be emptier and emptier. Instead of the preaching we have been used to for generations - like, take your cross up and follow Jesus, entertainment, art, and culture will invade the churches where there should have been gatherings for repentance and revival. This will increase markedly just before the return of Jesus.”
3. "There will be a moral disintegration that old Norway has never experienced the likes of. People will live together like married without being married. (I do not believe the concept of cohabitation’? existed in 1968 - E. Minos.) Much uncleanness before marriage and much infidelity in marriage will become the natural (the common), and it will be justified from every angle. It will even enter Christian circles and we pet it - even sin against nature. Just before Jesus return there will be TV- programs like we have never experienced. (TV had just arrived in Norway in 1968. E. Minos)
   "TV will be filled with such horrible violence that it teaches people to murder and destroy each other, and it will be unsafe in our streets. People will copy what they see. There will not be only one ‘station’ on TV, it will be filled with ‘stations.’ (She did not know the word ‘channel’ which we use today. Therefore she called them stations. E. Minos.) TV will be just like the radio where we have many ‘stations,’ and it will be filled with violence. People will use it for entertainment. We will see terrible scenes of murder and destruction one of the other, and this will spread in society. Sex scenes will also be shown on the screen, the most intimate things that take place in a marriage." (I protested and said, we have a paragraph that forbids this kind of thing. E. Minos.) There the old woman said: "It will happen, and you will see it. All we have had before will be broken down, and the most indecent things will pass before our eyes."
4. "People from poor countries will stream to Europe. (In 1968 there was no such thing as immigration. E. Minos.) They will also come to Scandinavia - and Norway. There will be so many of them that people will begin to dislike them and become hard with them. They will be treated like the Jews before the Second World War. Then the full measure of our sins will have been reached (I protested at the issue of immigration. I did not understand it at the time. E. Minos.)

The tears streamed from the old woman’s eyes down her cheeks.
“I will not see it, but you will. Then suddenly, Jesus will come and the Third World War breaks out. It will be a short war. (She saw it in the vision.) All that I have seen of war before is only child’s play compared to this one, and it will be ended with a nuclear atom bomb.
“The air will be so polluted that one cannot draw one’s breath.
It will cover several continents, America, Japan, Australia and the wealthy nations.
The water will be ruined (contaminated?).
We can no longer till the soil.
The result will be that only a remnant will remain.
The remnant in the wealthy countries will try to flee to the poor countries, but they will be as hard on us as we were on them.”

"I am so glad that I will not see it, but when the time draws near, you must take courage and tell this. I have received it from God, and nothing of it goes against what the Bible tells.

"The one who has his sin forgiven and has Jesus as Savior and Lord is safe.”
Questions and affirmations concerning the prophecy of the Norwegian woman.
" I saw certain things that would take place just before the return of Jesus, and just before the last calamity happens.”
Having been asked, will we go through tribulations? This statement, in a substantial way, speaks to exactly that idea and gives what I have tried to explain, as being on the razor's edge of God's wrath. Jesus said, in this world, you will have tribulations. However, we, being in Christ, are no longer subject to God's wrath, and, in general, will not go through God's wrath.
What is the last calamity? It may be what we see in Ezekiel 38 and 39, or, it may be speaking of the time of God's wrath.

"First before Jesus comes and before the Third World War breaks out there will be a ‘détente’ like we have never had before.

Détente is the easing of strained relations. As of 07/19/2018 what has the President of the United States been doing? Meeting with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea. What are these meetings supposed to do? Ease strained relations.
Under the umbrella of easing strained relations is this man that cries peace. Make a note. The Bible does not show him using that terminology.

Daniel 9:26-27 CJB Then, after the sixty-two weeks, Mashiach will be cut off and have nothing. The people of a prince yet to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary, but his end will come with a flood, and desolations are decreed until the war is over. 27) He will make a strong covenant with leaders for one week [of years]. For half of the week, he will put a stop to the sacrifice and the grain offering. On the wing of detestable things the desolator will come and continue until the already decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator."

The Jewish translation makes something obvious, those other translations do not, when it says, “The people of a prince yet to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary,...” The NASB states, “the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary,...” The implication is somewhat immediate as this act is entirely attributed to Titus who allegedly destroyed the temple in 70A.D.

Allow me to demonstrate the other big assumption; that he will make a treaty with Israel. There is nothing in scripture that validates that assertion. Daniel 9:27 tells us that, “He will make a strong covenant with leaders (or many) for one week. The terminology one week speaks of seven years. So; we have a peace treaty or agreement, which is made with many for seven years. It does not say Israel and therefore may not include Israel at all.

“The Third World War will begin in a way no one would have anticipated - and from an unexpected place.”

Understand this, we are NOT looking for the Antichrist at this point. While he may be here working his charms already, this war (WW3) is coming from the region formerly known as Soviet Georgia. Russia released it's control over that region long ago, and it is now controlled by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Supreme Leader of Turkey.

Every day, we hear another news story about Russia and Vladimir Putin. Having grown up in the nuclear age, we have always looked at Russia as the dominant threat. Add to that, the prophecy teachers that kept pointing us toward Russia. If I looked at Syria as a part of the puzzle that will help me understand, whom do we see operating there? Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the United States. So, although I cannot assume that Putin will be the primary player, it is evident that Russia, in some way, plays a role in this war that is coming.

Who are the major players that are spelled out as part of this relatively short, end times war?

Ezekiel 38:5,6 ISV Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia), and Libya (Put) will be accompanying them, all of them equipped with shields and helmets. 6) NIV84 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops--the many nations with you.

Ezekiel 38:5,6 say nothing explicitly about Russia, however, the usage of the phrase, “many nations with you,” opens the door to just about anyone with an Islamic inclination.

"A lukewarmness without parallel will take hold of the Christians, “

Such a statement deserves a scriptural backing, although I don't think it needs one.

Revelation 3:14-16 NIV84 14) "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16) So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

•  
• “There will come a substitute instead: prosperity (happiness) Christianity. The important thing will be to have success, to be something; to have material things, things that God never promised us in this way.”
  I was heavily involved with the Faith movement for a time, and I can tell you that the emphasis was definitely, God wants you rich.
  1 John 2:15-16 ISV Stop loving the world and the things that are in the world. If anyone persists in loving the world, the Father's love is not in him. 16) For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world.
  Sadly, we only hear about the abuses, such as ministries who have been telling those willing to listen, that the Lord told said to them that we are to give so that they can have a 50 million dollar airplane. Most of these ministry leaders live in lavish homes, on private estates.

• “Churches and prayer houses will be emptier and emptier. Instead of the preaching, we have been used to for generations ... - entertainment, art, and culture will invade the churches where there should have been gatherings for repentance and revival.”
  I have gone through several transitions as church management changed. One of those churches seemed to grow in numbers as the music and art culture became prevalent. In another church, however, they have seen nothing but decline. The second example even hired a pastor who had been a significant player in computer engineering. He shows up much like a rock and roll superstar with a checkered past and great ideas; and yet, people are still staying away.
  There is an aspect I hesitated to mention because it seemed like a Totalitarian mentality, where leadership uses the Word of God just as they would a baseball bat. I grew weary of that approach and followed one where the love of God was given more credence. The dear, old lady, and some of my acquaintances used this kind of language, as they espouse their reasons for why nobody wants to be in church anymore.
• “They will not, like in earlier times, want to hear of sin and grace, law and gospel, repentance and restoration.”
  Who, is they in this sentence? It could be church people; it could be those who have fallen away; or, it could be outsiders, who do not wish, nor need to be screamed at.
  Although I, and several others, have removed ourselves from the Monday morning Bible study, we still talk about how this angry, screaming technique was rained down upon the group weekly. As one friend would say, “Why does this guy think he needs to lay that unnecessary guilt on us, especially since most of the group are in their late 70's and have been the backbone of that church for the majority of their lives? The reality is, we, are probably the only group that would tolerate such a message, as the world will walk away from you. We, for the most part, just ignored the leader's rants.
  The whole idea of being lukewarm is that you don't care.
  Most of the people I talk to at church do not read their Bibles. There is another group. These are a subset of those that do not read their Bibles, and yet, they are more than willing to fight with you, as they defend some traditional viewpoint that was taught to them; or, they read a passage once, and, without understanding the context surrounding that passage, or the meaning, they know better because someone, said it was so.
  So, in general, can you see a church that no longer cares? I certainly do.

The third phase of this prophecy was immediately directed at Norway. It, however, certainly does not mean that only Norway has a moral disintegration.

The disintegration of morality is global.

• “People will live together like married without being married.”

The word is cohabitation.

Why is this a problem, especially when sin is forgiven and cast into the sea?

Ah, because there is little to no commitment. The underlying issue has to do with the satisfaction of some selfish desire, or, we are damaged and unable to forgive, nor gain freedom from the damage previously done to us. Because of all that, we refuse to commit to marriage. But then we have a secondary problem; as people, stand in front of an Elvis impersonator; say words they don't mean, and then the Elvis impersonator says some kind words and pronounces you married; adding, please sign here. Three months later, you are sick of each other and filing for divorce. Do not think this is exclusive to the world; it is commonplace within the church as well.

•  
• “Much uncleanness before marriage and much infidelity in marriage will become the natural (the common), and it will be justified from every angle. It will even enter Christian circles, and we pet it - even sin against nature.”
  Psychology wants to find the underlying cause of the event, and, as the paragraph goes on it defines the why.
  • “TV will be filled with such horrible violence that it teaches people to murder and destroy each other, and it will be unsafe in our streets. People will copy what they see.”
    This idea of copying is not making a disc to share with a friend. It is well-known that the aggression within video games and movies are being mimicked, as kids attempt to shoot up schools, and hurt others. The other thing I have noticed. Here in America, they call themselves Antifa. It matters not what the name is, what matters is that these people have collected with one purpose and goal in mind, and that is to do as much damage as possible, with no regard of the outcome or who gets hurt. To be honest, there are places here in Southern California I would prefer not to go, and I certainly will not go there after dark, because it is unsafe in our streets.
• “People from poor countries will stream to Europe. (In 1968 there was no such thing as immigration. E. Minos.)”
  Of course, there was immigration, there always has been, but we never saw such things as we have witnessed in the last few years. There is a difference, as most of these people are there under the directives of jihad and have every intention of changing your country into a Muslim country run under the laws of Sharia.
• “There will be so many of them that people will begin to dislike them and become hard with them. They will be treated like the Jews before the Second World War.”
  The Jews were not wanted because they were Jews, and that is not the case here. As I noted, there has always been immigration, and yet, under the old reasoning, we just assumed you would behave, get a job or start a business, and be absorbed into the community. These people have no desire to be incorporated; they want you to comply with their laws and ways. If you don't, they will destroy you and your country by whatever means possible, and that is what we are seeing in every European nation that has taken them in.

Unfortunately, within this fourth thought, there is an incomplete sentence.

• “Then the full measure of our sins will have been reached.”
  To be honest, this line concerns me more than all the others. Without a context, sin can go on unchecked until there is a self-annihilation; and that may take, as my pastor believes, another 100 years.
  Note, there is no specific about whether this is our sin, or theirs. Our sins, if I use the sentence “they will be treated like the Jews,” for context, is talking about our anger rising to the surface to such a degree that we are willing for a people group to annihilated. That is a level of violence I do not wish to see within myself or those around me, and yet, I know it lies buried and waiting.
  If the sin is more specific to those who have come under the pretense of immigration, then that tells me that we have only just begun to feel the pain that these people have intended to bring. As I write this, I am thinking about Nigeria. A country which now feels that it is proper to kill followers of Christ. The number of violent deaths per week against Christians has begun to average 600.

Like all things, the old woman brought this to a conclusion.

• “Then suddenly, Jesus will come, and the Third World War breaks out.”
  Apostasy; a moral breakdown; violence, promoted by games and visual inputs, will become standard methods of operation. And one other aspect; sin will be deemed to be complete by God, and the plug will be pulled.
  Note the timing! Jesus will come, and the Third World War will break out.
• “It will be a short war. All that I have seen of war before is only child’s play compared to this one, and it will be ended with a nuclear atom bomb.”
  If it is a nuclear war, then one can expect mutual destruction. The implications of this seem unbearable, as nuclear weapons do not target specific individuals – everyone dies within a certain range. However, there is an added aspect that no one seems to understand, as God intervenes to save many in Israel, and demonstrate that there is a God, and He is not to be laughed at.
  Ezekiel 39:1-8 ISV "Now as for you, Son of Man, prophesy against Gog and tell him, '"This is what the Lord GOD has to say: 'Watch out, Gog, you leader of the head of Meshech and Tubal! 2) I'm going to turn you around, drag you along to your destruction, and bring you up from the farthest parts of the north, and carry you to the mountains of Israel. 3) There I will strike your bow from your left hand and your arrows from your right, causing your fall. 4) You will collapse on the mountains of Israel, along with all of your soldiers and the nations that have accompanied you. There the raptors, vultures, and wild animals will feed on you. 5) You will fall dead in the open fields because I have ordered this to happen,' declares the Lord GOD. 6) 'I'm also going to set fire to Magog, along with those who are settled down and at home in the islands. That's when they'll learn that I am the LORD. 7) I'll make my holiness and reputation known in the midst of my people Israel, and I won't let my holiness be profaned anymore. The nations will learn that I, the LORD, am holy in the midst of Israel. 8) Pay attention! It's coming and will certainly happen,' declares the Lord GOD. 'This will be the day about which I've spoken!'"'"
  Dr. Chuck Misler, a man who worked in the Defense industry, and then taught the Bible, said, these events, spoken of in Ezekiel, sound just like a Nuclear attack. There are specific problems in interpreting the passage as such because of the civilian loss in such an attack, and the long-term effects. He also adds I am only giving you information and leave to you to decide what method is being used. Our determination makes no difference upon the outcome, for that is God's plan and decision. What matters is our intelligent awareness of the times and events surrounding us.

This dear lady left us with these words, “when the time draws near; you must take courage and tell this.”

If you felt overwhelmed by the potential scenarios painted for you, then, you, as I, can see the difficulty in taking courage. And even more, she hoped we would share this information. This sharing speaks to me of someone wishing to encourage and give hope. Yes, it is bad, and it is going to get worse. Yes, some of us may die as the tribulations around us increases, but the hope lies in Jesus, who said,

John 14:2-3 NASB "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3) "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Well, He did just that. This God we serve is real; Jesus is real, and this hope is concrete and valid.

In this world, you will have tribulations. These words were a response from Jesus, but they are not intended to be a part of the wrath and judgment that God is going to pour out upon the world and the Jews, for ignoring Him. An aspect of our hope is in these words, as they promise that we, the church, will escape judgment, for He took it all, and we, are in Him.

There are some odd verses in Ezekiel 39.

Since there is the possibility that the fire sent upon Gog and Magog is nuclear, can we determine that? Yes, we can come up with an answer. For example: If we focus initially on the fire aspect

Ezekiel 39:6 NASB "And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety, and they will know that I am the LORD.

First off, why would I ask that? Well, as you read Ezekiel 38, 39 there are some peculiar things are being talked about, and one of them has to do with burying the dead.

Ezekiel 39:14 NASB "They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months, they will make a search.

Why seven months? I don't have the answer.

I looked up the guidelines for dealing with irradiated bodies, and there are no long waiting period mandates such an extended seven-month wait. https://www.remm.nlm.gov/deceased.htm

Ezekiel 39:15 NASB "As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man's bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-Gog.

Are they setting up markers because the average citizen is not equipped to touch a contaminated body? I would suspect disease or general disgust might play a role in this avoidance. For the Jew, it is a cleanliness issue.

Ezekiel 39:12 NASB "For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.

This statement may not be so extreme, as the Jewish laws speak about cleansing the land by burial, and, how that it is unbecoming not to bury the enemies bodies as well, and the inference is that a large number of fighters will die in Israel on that day.

I will add that the late Dr. Chuck Missler, when he spoke about these peculiarities, would say, I am merely suggesting. In his expositions on Ezekiel's prophecies, he made it clear that his background in the defense industry prompted imagery associated with the after-effects of a nuclear strike. Since God is the inventor of atomic fission, then it cannot be ruled out. As Dr. Missler used to say, I will leave it up to you to make the decision. The answer we come to does not negate or nullify God's abilities to eliminate adversaries in any way. I will also tell you that once again, I have been reminded of the prophecy made by a 90-year-old Norwegian woman, who spoke about what I think is Ezekiel 38,39; and this strange fire that precludes people from touching the bodies for seven months. In her prophecy, she says explicitly that it will be a nuclear weapon and that many places will be affected, in including the United States.

If there is one thing we know about nuclear weapons, they are not selective about whom they kill. Everybody within range gets the effect, and it lasts for years.

If you look in a concordance, the word fire is the Hebrew word ’ēš. According to the Word Study Dictionary, ’ēš is a common feminine noun meaning fire. The word is used in various ways: "It refers to any fire that breaks out and burns up something, whether people, things, or animals. in the passage, the reference is to a non-specified fire.” So, it could include lightning, and we have seen that as God responded to the prayers of Samuel and sent lightning storms and earthquakes to destroy the Philistines as they were attacking Israel.

1 Samuel 7:10 “but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them...”

If you have a spare moment, search for the power and effects of lightning, for you don't get thunder without lightning. What other example have we seen in scripture where a fire of some form, obliterates many towns and all who lived in them? The answer, Sodom, and Gomorrah, where it rained sulfur and brimstone.

Deuteronomy 29:23 KJV And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor bears, nor any grass grows therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: 

The story, with Lot included, can be found in Genesis 19.

There are other odd verses in Ezekiel's prophecy, that should attract our attention.

Ezekiel 39:2 KJV And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

As far as I can tell, the KJV is the only one that speaks of a sixth part of the enemies troops being untouched. Look up the word sixth in the Hebrew, and you get this from Strong's concordance.

shâshâ' - A primitive root; apparently to annihilate. (Translated by confusion with H8341.): - leave but the sixth part [by confusion with H8341]. So, here is H8341 to enlighten you. shâshâh - A denominative from H8337; to sixth or divide into sixths: - give the sixth part.

Note a difference, however subtle, between the two words where the second has an added letter. What then are we amateurs to do with such a dilemma? Consult the Word Study Dictionary, which tells us that the word shâshâ' can, and does, convey two meanings.

1. A verb meaning to drive; to drag along. It means to urge someone, to provide an impetus for moving on. It is used figuratively of God's moving Gog toward Israel and destruction.
(Ezekiel 39:2).

II. A verb indicating to leave a sixth part. It means to take or leave behind only one-sixth of something (Ezekiel 39:2, KJV).

I am going to lean upon the WSD in this case, and allow for God to, not only annihilate but still leave a handful of survivors. In doing this God shows His mercy, while leaving a few for the final battle, some one-thousand years later.

While I probably covered this in the previous post, it is worth talking about once again.

Ezekiel 39:6 NET. I will send fire on Magog and those who live securely in the coastlands; then they will know that I am the LORD.

• "and those who live securely in the coastlands.”

For most, the immediate reaction is, about whom is Ezekiel/God, talking?

To understand this, you have to apply some logic to the scenario. Gog, a descendant of Reuben, almost a thousand years before Ezekiel's prophecy, moves north, along with his lousy attitude and settles in regions that have been associated with Russia and now Turkey. Wikipedia validates this assertion and adds to this mix names, such as the Scythians, and the Cossack's. Today, this area, “the Black Sea Region (Turkish: Karadeniz Bölgesi) is a geographical region of Turkey.”  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sea_Region

As we have pursued an understanding of who Gog is, we have seen that others will be drawn into this fight. For example:

Ezekiel 38:5 NET. Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Put (Libya) are with them, all of them with shields and helmets.

Look at a map of the Mediterranean region, particularly along the Northern African coast. What do you find there? Spain; Morocco; Algeria; Tunisia; Libya; Ethiopia; Sudan; Somalia; Eritrea; Egypt; Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Go north, and you find Persia/Iran – one of the most vocal in their hatred of Israel, and Pakistan.

You need to understand that the Scythians, an offshoot of Magog, had just about everyone integrated into their social unit and mentality, notably the Persians. The Persians were the Assyrians that Jonah knew of, and was the backbone of the Babylonian society, where we find Nebuchadnezzar.

Just because we do not see their names listed in Ezekiel 38:5 does not mean they won't be in the fight.

Why can I say that? Because all these nations now have a common thread, Islam. Keep in mind, that in the Northern African nations they may go by Boko Haran, but they are, none-the-less, guided by the Quran (which teaches a deep hatred of Israel and the Jews.)

What's the point of bringing up all these names? Because of Ezekiel 39:6 

 I will send fire on Magog and those who live securely in the coastlands; then they will know that I am the LORD. NET.

Perhaps another translation can help you understand.

Ezekiel 39:6 CEV I will set fire to the land of Magog and to those nations along the seacoast that think they are so secure, and they will know that I am the LORD.

These people think they are secure. What does that mean? This country I live in still has the slogan on its money, that says, In God We Trust. While there may be a few of us left that feebly trust in God, the majority do not, and our governments are following some dark leadership that none of us knowingly ask for, at least I don't think so. We have no faith in anything anymore. Oh, people will say they do, but in truth, they don't even trust themselves; and yet, we tragically think we are safe and secure. How secure can you be, when our own government has been telling us how vulnerable we are to an EMP attack?

The terminology, coastlands or seacoast, opens the door to Spain; Britain; Ireland, and the U.S, to name a few. Again, why? Because, as Finis Dake, the late prophecy teacher tells us in his scripture notes, this is a group of people who have an intense hatred for Israel. Does Spain, Britain, Ireland, and Greece, come across as nationalities that have an intense hatred for Israel? Perhaps, on initial examination, NO, but then they, like far too many others, have let these “immigrants” into their nations; and now, the immigrants are taking over as they are crying about changing the laws to Sharia laws just for their benefit. (Sharia law, by the way, allows them to commit vicious crimes. And, these same laws exclude outsiders, so don't think for a second you can with such improprieties, as they will be permitted to do.)

A friend of mine recently challenged a Muslim about his motives for coming to America. The Muslim man, responded, we did not come here because of what you offer, we came to change this country to our standards.

This doctrine of hatred of Israel and the Jews seems to be a key to understanding, not just Ezekiel's prophetic words, but others, such as Daniel, or the Revelation.

Another example, as a side note.

We understand from Daniel and the Revelation, that, at some point, it will be mandatory that you take a mark, worship the beast, and, worship his image. Few focus on the fact there are three parts to this treasonous act before God, that seals your fate in the lake of fire. You need to understand that this has nothing to do with SIN, but has everything to do with your decision to follow some other god to his demise. Hell, was created for Satan and his followers, the fallen angels; however, he is taking the deceived with him.

This mark is already an Islamic practice applied to conquered peoples. There is nothing about this act that guarantees your safety and security and should be thought of as nothing less than some form of payment for protection, much like gangs enforce.

Islam, also demands that you vocalize your allegiance to Allah. Again, this carries no guarantees that you will not be tortured and killed. So, in pledging your allegiance to Allah, you are worshiping the beast.

The third aspect, worshiping the image of the beast, is a puzzlement. Why? Since Allah was spelled out for Mohammad, under the threat of death, by a very angry fallen angel, has anyone ever seen Allah? Of course not, because there is no Allah. There is merely the deception of a fallen angel, who probably had the name Allah ascribed to him. Since we have nothing as a pattern, then the image can be of anything; however, the false prophet will make the image speak. One of the first instances of a life-sized “doll” that could talk and move was at Disneyland, in the early 60's, in the form of the American President Abraham Lincoln. Techniques and engineering have vastly improved since then, and it could easily be a holographic image. 

God, on-the-other-hand, has shown himself to man on many occasions. Jesus told those listening, “if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Jesus is God, and He walked among us. He redeemed us and purchased our salvation by submitting Himself to death on the cross. He died and rose again, just as said, and then, sat on a beach and ate fish with the disciples. This Jesus we serve is the soon coming Jewish King that will rule the world, and I follow Him. 

Ezekiel 39: 1-6, a slaughter on the mountains of Israel. Part 1.

Having looked, extensively, at Ezekiel 38, we now turn to chapter 39. Once again, we see God compelling Ezekiel, to turn his face toward Gog, and say, Behold, I am against you. Ah, but who is God really against? But, the entire idea of looking at Ezekiel 38, 39 is this idea of God sending fire down from heaven to stop a war. We are about to get into that; but, first, a quick recap.

The person, Gog, only shows up twice in scripture. In the first instance, we find that he is a descendant of Reuben. Sadly Reuben's claim to fame is that he had sexual relations with one of his father's wives.

1Chronicles 5:4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

This name Gog does not show up again until Ezekiel begins to prophesy against him years later. With the Exodus beginning around 1446 B.C, it is probable that Gog predates the Exodus. Ezekiel does not come on the scene until approximately 593 B.C. That makes Gog well over 1000 years old if he is still alive, and you know that did not happen.

So who is Gog?
If you do your homework and look the word Gog up, you will find that:
Gog can be depicted as a person (a man,) a people group, or, a nation. We also know that Gog is a leader, that directs his multinational army against Israel. They are of such a large number that they are described as clouds covering the earth. And, the majority of these troops and their leader are killed by God on the mountains of Israel, as a sign to the nations of His Holiness.

One last piece of information: At the end of the millennial reign, Gog, once again leads deceived forces against Israel and the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, in an attempt to kill God; and there, once again, God kills them all with fire from heaven.

Most “Christians” will read this episode from Ezekiel, and not see the severe and deadly nature of Gog's actions, nor what God will do here, mainly in the Megiddo valley.

I believe there are distinct aspects that define Gog, such as Gog and the majority of his troops die on the hills of Israel. How is that possible without some casualties among the citizens of Israel. Just the fact that Gog has made it in inside the borders means that infrastructure will be damaged.

The point I am trying to make here, is that you need, frequently, to put flesh and blood on the biblical characters. People are going to die.

Having been asked, will the church go through tribulation? My response, and even more so now, is, as of this date 07/10/18 Nigeria has now become the deadliest nation in the world for “Christians” as they are being slaughtered because of their beliefs.

So, are we going through tribulations? Absolutely, but keep in mind that trials and the wrath of God being poured out upon the earth and the nations, is an entirely different matter altogether; and NO, we, as followers of Christ, are NOT subject to God's wrath. Tribulations, on the other hand, as Jesus noted, are always going to be a part of our lives.

Since an event of this magnitude - the firestorm that kills so many troops will cause most to cower in fear, I think it is safe to say that God is trying to get them to look at Him more appropriately, instead of the habitual disdain nations have for the God they have refused to know.

And now we find ourselves at the 39th chapter of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 39:1 NASB "And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal;

A translation I am growing fond of is the Complete Jewish Bible, and it reads like this.

(CJB) "So you, human being, prophesy against Gog; say that Adonai Elohim says: 'I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshekh and Tuval.

Odd how there is no mention of Rosh in the Jewish version. Perhaps, Rosh inappropriately causes us to focus on another world leader, like Putin.

After all my years of being in the church, I have concluded, that well-minded souls have repeatedly misdirected us. To some, this is not a problem as they are not going to do the background study that would lead them to the truth, and so they remain within the framework of their church traditions. Someone opposing the church traditions fuels their twisted fears, but all the while they continually try to get us to see the Pope as the Antichrist. This scenario is what we call false teaching. Not everyone means to deceive you, but it happens because we are not willing to do our homework and cling to tradition over truth.

Ezekiel 39:2 ISV I'm going to turn you around, drag you along to your destruction, and bring you up from the farthest parts of the north, and carry you to the mountains of Israel.

Note how the ISV uses some rather graphic words in this second verse.

“I'm going to turn you around,”

Large-scale leaders are not entirely insane; there is some thought applied, and costs are often counted. I suspect Gog is no different, and yet, God is, going to turn him around. You might think attacking Israel is not the wisest thing to do, but hatred seems to motivate and drive far too many people.

In looking at Ezekiel 38, we see another interesting aspect of Gog's attack on Israel. It is God, who puts the thought in his mind. This idea to attack Israel is not just some casual thought that you can easily ignore; it drives him.

“drag you along to your destruction,” 

When Captain Jean Luc Picard, of the 'Starship Enterprise, encountered the Borg, we repeatedly heard a phrase; resistance is futile. I realize that this idea seems to throw the idea of free will out the window, or does it. Perhaps God has factored free will into His equation already. This problem with free will becomes evident to me as I think about a conversation I had with my Thursday morning group. We have recently been reading the Eugene Peterson book on Prayer. Having read several of Peterson's books already, I was not looking forward to it. However, I have been pleasantly surprised, as he looks at prayer from many directions, some of which are often less than religious, and I can appreciate that.

Recently, during a portrayal on Peterson's part, of how adamantly Jesus prayed in the garden setting, I thought about how I once pounded on my steering wheel as I demanded that God honor his word and give me the trophy wife I wanted (Yes, she was pretty but deadly.) I got what I wanted, but dear Lord, I did not need what I got. In jest I said to someone, I think I heard God say, how's that working for you? By-the-way, I don't tell God how to run things anymore. I do, however, believe that the trophy wife, was a part of God's plan in the overall scheme of things, along with the associated pain. And, no, I struggle with the uncomfortable stuff just as you do; and yet, I must believe that it is all part of HIS plan, no matter how things look.

“and bring you up from the farthest parts of the north, and carry you to the mountains of Israel.”

How many times do we do things, thinking that it was our great idea? For myself, I am reminded of a night I got to thinking about something else and missed my turn to get on the freeway. Insistent upon using the highway it took another minute and a half to get back to the on-ramp. Up the hill I went; what I found as I crested the hill was a cataclysmic accident. Most likely I would have been a part of the crash had I not missed my turn.
So, God hooks this man, plants the idea in his head, and drags him and his troops to the mountains of Israel. Rather impressive, and Gog thinks it is all him.

Ezekiel 39:3 MSG Then I'll knock your bow out of your left hand and your arrows from your right hand.

This idea of knocking your bow out of one hand, and your arrows out of another, cannot be literal, for, in today's warfare, you will die quickly, unless of course, you are a ninja. Seriously, a whole battlefield of ninjas, that is not going to happen. So it is an analogy, which demonstrates how futile, on the overall, that this war of Gog, is going to be. Again, I remind you, that Jews will die, but in comparison to the intent, the effect will be minimal.

Ezekiel 39:4-5 NASB "You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. 5) "You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken," declares the Lord GOD.

Note how the NASB tells us that Gog, and his troops, will fall on the mountains of Israel; and, they will fall in the open field. Now, look at how the Message reads.

Ezekiel 39:4-5 MSG On the mountains of Israel you'll be slaughtered, you and all your troops and the people with you. I'll serve you up as a meal to carrion birds and scavenging animals. 5) You'll be killed in the open field. I've given my word. Decree of GOD, the Master.'

In reading this literally, the first thing I see is Gog and his slaughtered troops on the mountains. 

Holding tightly to a literal read would then leave no one to “kill” in the open field, and yet, there they are. So the NASB, it seems, gives a more appropriate read of the upcoming play by play.

Another thing I always think about when I read scripture. Having read statements where the Old Testament tells a story and everyone was there. One of the places we see this is in Daniel, where King Nebuchadnezzar has ordered a statue of himself built, and everyone must bow to it; the obvious factor, if you know the story, is that some created this scenario as an attempt at Jewish genocide. Now everyone, we are told was there, but we primarily see the three Hebrew's that worked in Nebuchadnezzar's court. Since you know the story, then you also know they did not bow and were thrown into the fiery furnace, and, walked out of that same furnace untouched by the smell of smoke. Where was Daniel? While the absence of Daniel seems insignificant, it proves that not everyone was there. Examples like this, but on a larger scale, are all throughout the O.T.

So, here is the current scorecard.
Gog and his armies – killed on the hills of Israel, and killed in the Megiddo valley.
But watch what happens next.

Ezekiel 39:6 NET. I will send fire on Magog and those who live securely in the coastlands; then they will know that I am the LORD.

The typical “Christian” might read Ezekiel 38, 39, and because they are lead about so easily by false teachers, will believe that Russia is the sole army coming down from the North and attacking Israel. But, we are told this person, the leader of Magog is coming, and they will be killed. If Gog and his troops have been killed, who then, are all these people in the coastlands, and why are they getting punished?

So what do we know for sure?

• Ezekiel 38:3 Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. It is easy to visualize Meshech and Tubal, but there are allies of Gog coming to this fight. 
• These people were descendants of Reuben, and Gog was most likely born in Egypt. By the time God's people were led out of Egypt, they were fully immersed as Egyptians, hence the law. Oral history was the only thing they had. Thankfully, some remembered the stories tied to Abraham and their forefathers, or they would have been Egyptians to the soul. Since Reuben was intentionally disinherited, his anger and disdain may have carried with his descendants.
• We know that Gog traveled north to the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and, we know that Russia had a heavy hand in this same region for years. Turkey now plays the heavy hand across the majority of Asia Minor.
• These people were also integrated into what was known as the Scythians. A violent people group that were feared because they were excellent equestrians that excelled at warfare from horseback. People from Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Siberia were associated with the Scythians. Even Genghis Khan has Scythian blood as part of his ancestry.
• Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Put are with them, all of them with shields and helmets.

Persia = Modern day Iran. However, Persia has always had an association with Assyria, just as Nineveh did. So tuned your thinking toward those associated with Assyria (Babylon.)
Ethiopia is easy enough to picture, as its name is modernized here. However, many call this Cush. Smith's Bible Dictionary tells us that Cush is “The name of a son of Ham, apparently the eldest, and of a territory or territories occupied by his descendants. The Cushites appear to have spread along tracts, extending from the higher Nile to the Euphrates and Tigris. History affords many traces of this relation of Babylonia, Arabia, and Ethiopia."
Put = Also a son of Ham. Put can be thought of as Libya, or the northern African continent. If it is the North African continent, then what nation has consistently been in the news lately? Nigeria, as they, under the auspices of Boko Haran (the African version of Islam,) go about killing off Christians.

So, what is the common thread? Islamic nations.
One of the things you should note is that places like Tarshish cannot be found on a map, and Sheba and Dedan seem to be allies.

As of 07/12/18 Putin of Russia, is now working closely with Libya to strengthen their fighting abilities.
Integration by Russia, to that level, tends to put Russia into this mix, albeit as a technical advisor.
We seem to be on the verge of a massive and deadly event, that may carry long-term nuclear significance.