Hi
That Prophecy is for the end times concerning Israel. Ezekiel is describing what will happen, what God will allow to happen. Not necessarily that God causes it to happen, but allows it - two different things. Man always has free will, the fact that many choose to do evil with that freedom is not Gods fault.
There is a LOT of conjecture about this (Just google ‘End Times’ once and surf through the Protestant Theological morass sometime about this question) but again, New Advent has what is probably the safest answer. Gog and Magog are classed (possibly) as simply the enemies of Israel, and therefore the enemies of God. That they were an actual people at the time of Ezekiel, is probable, given that Japheth is listed as the ‘Father’ of those nations in Genesis 10:2, and that God told Ezekiel to “Set your face against Gog…Prophesy against him…”. Unless that’s what he did - through the Word…?
I would look into Daniel’s Prophecies and contrast it with Revelation. Although, interpreting some of it is impossible.End time revelations and prophecy can be confusing. I have a question. Should we go by the book of Revelations or the old testament when looking into end time prophecy? Which is more relevant?
Rita
Prayer for the Day
Can’t say I understand these verses, but it seems to me that it makes a pretty clear statement that those who choose sin over doing the will of God will be destroyed. I guess that’s where free will is involved.
I realize this is an old thread, but I will comment anyway. Ezekiel 38-39 has been fulfilled in the acts of the book of Esther. All the nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39 are within the confines of the Medo Persian empire and their 120-127 satraps. There was a decree to entirely eradicate all Jews off the face of the earth and seize the spoils. But this plan was thwarted by an overriding decree that said Jews are allowed to fight back. How many times are unwalled villages mentioned in the bible. Twice. Ezekiel and Esther.