Question about Gog

Firstly, I would like to say that I ask this question with all sincerity and I hope that I do not insult any of my brothers or sisters in Christ. I grew up in what we call the Dutch Reform Church in South Africa. Our history in South Africa is very complexed and a lot of our ancestors fled their countries of origin because of religious persecution. We have a lot of French Huguenots, Dutch, British Settlers, etc. Growing up under apartheid South Africa we did not have much contact with the outside world. The Dutch Reform Church was the state religion and very conservative and very strict. With that background here is my question. Not once during all my years of going to church and learning did one of my Sunday School teachers or our "dominee" (preacher) every mentioned anything about Russia being Gog. The first time I ever heard that is when we opened up to American TV after our first democratic election in 1994. All of a sudden our TV's were flooded with all these weird interpretations of the Bible. Why did Martin Luther and Calvin not write about this during their time? It is almost like it is an American invention. I watched the recent news about the war in Ukraine. Russia cannot even defeat Ukraine, how can they be so powerful that they will attack Israel, and why would they do it? Where did this thought originate that Russia is Gog?

Why would any write that since hardly anyone was a Bible scholar at that time, let alone a student of Bible prophecy?

If that is the case you would not be asking any questions. The Reformers were not too occupied with Bible prophecy, and there was no "Russia" in the 15th century. There were two principalities in Rus -- Moscow and Tver. Sweden, Lithuania, Novgorod, the Mongols, and the Tatars were all fighting over the lands which presently constitute Russia. There was also civil war in Moscow.

Ah! My apologies. I just woke up Americans, eh?

In Calvin and Luther's time people were more interested in the finer points of theology. End-time prophetic events have only recently become an obsession. It coincides with the rise of the Christian industrial complex. That is, the parachurch and Christian media: books, films, music, etc.

I don't know where the idea that Gog is Russia came from, but I'm sure I first heard it from TV preachers.

I don't know where the idea that Gog is Russia came from, but I'm sure I first heard it from TV preachers.

Insightful article concerning Battle of Gog and Magog...

The Sixth Trumpet War and the Battle of Armageddon are coming
Ezekiel 37 contains the amazing prophecy about the rebirth of the nation of Israel. After 1,878 years of Jewish exile from their Promised Land, that prophecy was fulfilled on May 14, 1948.

In the next two chapters, Ezekiel 38-39, a prophecy is given about a war called the Battle of Gog and Magog. During this battle, many nations of the world will invade the nation of Israel. In verses 2-6, several of the nations that will participate in the invasion are specifically named.

One of the invaders is called the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Webster’s Third International Dictionary defines Meshech as the word for Moschi from which comes the word Moscow. Of course, Moscow is the capital of Russia. There is also a Tobol River in Russia and a city of 47,000 called Tobolsk.

Verse 5 of the chapter says that Persia will be one of the invaders of Israel during the Battle of Gog and Magog. The nation of Iran was known as Persia until 1935 when Reza Shah asked foreign diplomats to begin using the name of Iran.

So the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 states that Russia and Iran, along with other nations, will invade Israel during the Battle of Gog and Magog. Russia and Iran have been close allies for a long time...both of them now have troops in Syria, located just across Israel’s northern border. Because Ezekiel 38 says that Russia and Iran will invade Israel during the Battle of Gog and Magog, many people are wondering if the time for that apocalyptic battle has arrived.

The Battle of Gog and Magog is the Battle of Armageddon
Many have taught that the Battle of Gog and Magog is a different war than the Battle of Armageddon. However, we can prove conclusively that they are one and the same.

Revelation 19:11-21 describes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ during the Battle of Armageddon. Verses 17-21 describe Armageddon as “the supper of the great God” when the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air will be called to eat the flesh of kings, captains and mighty men.

Ezekiel 39:17-20 gives the same description of the Battle of Gog and Magog. Ezekiel was commanded to speak unto the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field, saying to them, “Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth…”. (Ezekiel 39:18)


Since we can clearly see that the Battle of Gog and Magog is the same as the Battle of Armageddon, it is obvious that this battle cannot take place for at least another seven to ten years, or perhaps a little longer. We know this because the Bible prophesies that a Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement will be signed. This agreement will mark the beginning of the Final Seven Years to Armageddon. That agreement has not yet been signed.

Then What is All the Present
Conflict About?
Revelation 9:13-16 prophesies a war that will occur before the Gog-Magog War. Since it happens at the sounding of the Sixth Trumpet, we refer to this war as the Sixth Trumpet War or the Euphrates River War.

This war will begin from the Euphrates River, will involve an army of 200 million and will result in the killing of one-third of the world’s population.

ISIS has captured between 50-70% of the Euphrates River over the last two years. Sixty nations have now joined Barack Obama’s coalition against ISIS. Besides this, Russia, Iran, China and Iraq have troops in the area and are fighting against ISIS. Much of this fighting is taking place up and down the Euphrates River.

Are We in the Sixth Trumpet War Right Now?
The stage is perfectly set for the Sixth Trumpet War. However, I cannot say with absolute certainty that this war has begun. If the present conflict in the Euphrates area doesn’t ignite the war of Revelation 9:13-16, then some other situation will soon arise to trigger the prophesied war.

What We Know for Sure
The prophecies are very clear, and they never fail. Two massive wars are coming very soon. The Sixth Trumpet war will kill one-third of mankind (over 2 billion people). Armageddon will threaten the existence of the nation of Israel and will result in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The present situation in the Middle East is setting the stage for both of these wars.

What should We do?
The only answer to the world’s problems is Jesus Christ. Only His return at Armageddon will save the world from total destruction. Neither politicians, governments, humanitarian organizations nor armies will save us. The only safety is in a close and sure relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Sixth Trumpet War and the Battle of Armageddon are coming–
and soon. However, the scriptures tell us clearly: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) Endtime Ministries Article

Firstly, I would like to say that I ask this question with all sincerity and I hope that I do not insult any of my brothers or sisters in Christ. I grew up in what we call the Dutch Reform Church in South Africa. Our history in South Africa is very complexed and a lot of our ancestors fled their countries of origin because of religious persecution. We have a lot of French Huguenots, Dutch, British Settlers, etc. Growing up under apartheid South Africa we did not have much contact with the outside world. The Dutch Reform Church was the state religion and very conservative and very strict. With that background here is my question. Not once during all my years of going to church and learning did one of my Sunday School teachers or our "dominee" (preacher) every mentioned anything about Russia being Gog. The first time I ever heard that is when we opened up to American TV after our first democratic election in 1994. All of a sudden our TV's were flooded with all these weird interpretations of the Bible. Why did Martin Luther and Calvin not write about this during their time? It is almost like it is an American invention. I watched the recent news about the war in Ukraine. Russia cannot even defeat Ukraine, how can they be so powerful that they will attack Israel, and why would they do it? Where did this thought originate that Russia is Gog?