Though the prophet Joel lived hundreds of years before Ezekiel, both prophets wrote of the same future event – a massive invasion of the regathered and restored nation of Israel. This catastrophic aggression by a leader named Gog from Magog will involve a vast alliance of countries. It will occur towards the latter days of human history during a time period known by the prophets as the “day of the Lord”. This event will trigger the next era of history, the ushering in of the kingdom of God and His time.
With no one else to turn to during the attack, the people of Israel will desperately seek the Lord for deliverance from these overpowering foes. And God has promised in His word that He will hear their prayer and save them in this hour, inflicting a harsh judgment upon the invaders.
Joel is the first of many prophets to refer to this day, which starts with this invasion as a precursor to the return of Jesus Christ and ends with the installation of Christ’s kingdom rule over all the earth. Though the war’s focus will initially be in the eastern Mediterranean region, this event will ultimately have a tremendous impact on all the nations of the earth.
The prophet Joel writes:
1 Blow a trumpet in Zion,
And sound an alarm on My holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
For the day of the Lord is coming;
Indeed, it is near,
2 A day of darkness and gloom,
A day of clouds and thick darkness.
As dawn is spread over the mountains,
So there is a great and mighty people;
There has never been anything like it,
Nor will there be again after it
To the years of many generations.
3 A fire consumes before them,
And behind them a flame devours.
The land is like the Garden of Eden before them,
But a desolate wilderness behind them,
And nothing at all escapes them.
4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses;
And like war horses, so they run.
5 With a noise as of chariots
They leap about on the tops of the mountains,
Like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble,
Like a mighty people drawn up for battle. Joel 2:1-5 (NASB)
Ezekiel also wrote about this latter-day invasion led by Gog of Magog in Ezekiel 38.
14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it? 15 You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. 16 You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. Ezekiel 38:14-16 (NASB)
Though we could never know the day nor the hour of Christ’s return, we are encouraged to be aware of the signs and the seasons. A massive invasion of Israel by a large alliance of nations in the latter days would certainly qualify as such a season.
As Jesus told His disciples in the closing days of His ministry on earth:
28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28 (NASB)
In Christ we have hope, even in those times when our world is shaking apart. Nothing is too great for Him to touch, heal, and restore. May you know Him and His peace today.
Reflection
Each of us face times when our worlds are shaken to the core. Attacks come in many forms, and we often face more than one serious problem at a time. In our own strength, we may be tempted to give up fighting and to surrender to the temptation to despair. Yet Christ has promised to never leave us nor abandon us. In our darkest hour, we can turn to Him for comfort, healing, and grace. His will for us is good and surrounded with love.
Lord, You know the problems that I am facing today. I humbly seek Your help and deliverance. Bring healing, wholeness, and peace. Forgive me for my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against me. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 