Read Ezekiel 38:18-23

“Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38:23)

Ezekiel 38 and 39 possess a fascinating prophecy about Israel which is yet to be fulfilled. It describes a union of neighboring nations from the north (see Ezekiel 38:15) that will attack and seek to destroy Israel during a time of peace (see Ezekiel 38:2, 11-12). The united military that will come against Israel will be overwhelming, with no possible human strategy for Israel’s victory (see Ezekiel 38:16). Will the enemies of Israel finally get their wish in seeing them wiped off the map? No chance!

The LORD God will fight for Israel that day with a mighty arm, just as He has promised to do forever (see Genesis 12:3; 1 Kings 8:56-57). Israel will not even lift a finger against their enemies, for the LORD will supernaturally destroy all those armies in His fury with such a great slaughter that Israel will be burying their enemies for 7 months! (see Ezekiel 39:11-12)

When will this prophecy come to pass? We can only speculate, but drawing from the biblical text, it fits best at the beginning of the 7 year Tribulation as outlined in the Scriptures. Ezekiel’s prophecy tells us at least 2 things which support this view.

First, leading up to the attack, Israel will be living in peace and safety (see Ezekiel 38:11, 14). It’s hard to imagine Israel living in peace, but this aligns with the future treaty given to them by the antichrist for 7 years. However, we know that this nominal peace will only last for half that time (see Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-16).

Second, this supernatural victory over their enemies leads Israel as a nation to corporately return to their God and recognize Jesus Christ as their true Messiah. This nationwide salvation will take place after the fullness of the Gentiles (see Romans 11:25-26) and prior to Daniel’s abomination of desolation, where God will protect Israel from the genocidal wrath of the antichrist (see Revelation 12:1-6; Isaiah 26:20).

“So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day forward... ‘And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 39:22, 29)

Beloved, what a marvelous God we serve, that we should know the prophetic mysteries of God beforehand! (see Matthew 24:25) What more obvious application can we draw for our souls than that God’s Word will stand as a strong tower of truth forever? Everything will come to pass by God’s grand design according to His perfect will. Our timeframe is but a vapor, and creation has its appointed ending, but God’s Word will never pass away! (see Matthew 24;35) Therefore, let us cling to God and His Word with all of our being for it is our life!

“Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today... For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life…” (Deuteronomy 32:46–47)