Does Ezekiel 38 Predict an Imminent War Between Russia, Iran and Israel?

When wars break out—especially wars involving Israel—many see signs of the end times, and rightly so, as a number of Bible prophecies center on Israel and the Middle East. 

In the aftermath of the recent Israel-Iran war, many prophecy-focused ministers have pointed to Ezekiel 38, speculating that current events may signal its fulfillment.

Ezekiel 38 describes a coalition of nations led by “Gog, of the land of Magog.” Many scholars identify this as Russia. Gog is called the “prince” of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal (verses 2-3; Ezekiel 39:1), which are often associated with Russia and the cities of Moscow and Tobolsk (in western Siberia). This coalition originates from the “far north” (verse 6). This alliance includes Persia (modern Iran), along with Ethiopia and Libya (verse 5).

But does this prophecy describe a war that takes place in the end time, just before Jesus Christ’s return? Or is it pointing to a different time?

What does Ezekiel 38 really mean?

The correct sequence of events

Many view the war of Ezekiel 38 as the next major conflict for which we should be prepared. However, other prophecies show a sequence of events that is quite different. 

Daniel 11, the longest prophecy in the Bible, describes a future battle between the king of the North and the king of the South that will trigger a sequence of events in the end times. 

Daniel 11 refers to both historical and future events. 

Historically, these two kings emerged from the division of Alexander the Great’s empire following his sudden death (Daniel 11:3-4). The prophecy describes their plotting and wars over many generations, with the nation of Israel caught in the middle. Their descriptions as the king of the North (referring to the Seleucid Empire) and the king of the South (referring to the Ptolemaic Empire) are derived from their locations relative to Jerusalem. 

A key event of this prophecy comes when a “vile person” arises as the king of the North (verse 21). He enters Israel and acts against those who uphold God’s covenant, aligning instead with those who forsake it (verse 30). This figure is identified as Antiochus IV, who called himself “Epiphanes,” meaning “God Manifest.”

He was responsible for an “abomination of desolation” (verse 31), desecrating the true worship of God. Historically, Antiochus Epiphanes caused this “abomination of desolation” in 167 B.C. when he erected a statue of Zeus and sacrificed swine on the altar in the temple in Jerusalem. 

But, in the Olivet Prophecy, Jesus clearly stated that there will be a second fulfillment of this prophecy in the end times (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:14). There will be a future leader who will control Jerusalem, stop the sacrifices and replace them with something that is an abomination against God—just as Antiochus Ephiphanes did. (To learn more, read “What Is the Abomination of Desolation?”) 

In Luke’s account of the Olivet Prophecy, he records another sign that Jesus predicted would take place before the end-time abomination of desolation is set up: “Jerusalem surrounded by armies” (Luke 21:20). 

In Daniel 11:40, the prophecy clearly shifts to “the time of the end” (Daniel 11:40). Since the end time will be over 2,000 years removed from the times of the Ptolomies and Selucids, it’s clear that a new “king of the North” and “king of the South” must emerge. 

End-time events unfold with the king of the South attacking the king of the North, followed by the king of the North’s counterattack, its invasion of Israel and setting up of the “abomination of desolation.” The end-time “king of the North” is associated with a great European superpower descended from the Roman Empire. The books of Daniel and Revelation identify the Roman Empire as a “beast” that will be revived 10 times. There have been nine revivals so far, with the last one soon to enter the world scene. The last and final revival will occur just before Christ returns, and He will destroy it at His coming. 

To learn more, read “Daniel 7: Four Beasts and the Little Horn” and “The Changing Face of Europe.”

The prophecy continues with the king of the South launching a surprise attack against the king of the North. Since the nations south of Jerusalem—particularly Egypt, which has played a central role historically—are predominantly Arab and Islamic, it is likely that this end-time conflict will begin with a Muslim/Arab-led assault on Europe, possibly spearheaded by Egypt. This attack will set in motion the events of the end time.

In response, Europe will strike back with overwhelming force—by air (“like a whirlwind”), by land (“with chariots, [and] horsemen”) and by sea (“with many ships”), as described in Daniel 11:40. 

The European king of the North will quickly defeat the king of the South and proceed to invade Israel, referred to as the “Glorious Land.” This aligns with Luke’s prophecy that Jerusalem will be surrounded by gentile armies just before the final abomination of desolation is set up and the Great Tribulation begins, signaling the countdown to Christ’s return (Luke 21:20-24; Daniel 12:11).

Therefore, end-time events unfold with the king of the South attacking the king of the North, followed by the king of the North’s counterattack, its invasion of Israel and setting up of the “abomination of desolation.”

All of these things—marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation—take place well before the Ezekiel 38 battle. 

What happens after the king of the North takes the Holy Land?

After the king of the North takes control of the Holy Land, this European power will receive news about a coalition of nations, described as coming “from the east and the north” (Daniel 11:44). 

This shows that there are two distinct powers described as being located north of Israel. 

First, the king of the North, which represents the final revival of the Roman Empire in Europe, and second, another power aligned with nations in the east. As many prophecy students understand, this is a reference that involves Russia, the same power that Ezekiel 38 describes as coming “from the far north” (Ezekiel 38:6). 

The book of Revelation shows that this confederacy and battle will occur during the Great Tribulation. 

There are two distinct powers described as being located north of Israel. First, the king of the North, which represents the final revival of the Roman Empire in Europe, and second, another power aligned with nations in the east. The book of Revelation also foretells that an army of 200 million men from the east will be raised, which will kill one-third of mankind (Revelation 9:13-19). This large army will likely come from an alliance of convenience between Russia, China, India and other Asian nations. 

The Euphrates River will be dried up, clearing the way for the kings from the east to march toward the Holy Land. However, instead of fighting the European army, this Asian conglomerate will end up joining forces with the beast power to launch an attack against the returning Jesus Christ. 

Their armies will gather at Armageddon as a staging ground for the final battle (Revelation 16:12-16). (To learn more, read “Who Will Fight in the Battle of Armageddon?”)

Iran maintains strong ties with both Russia and China—nations often linked to the kings from the east—and it is likely no coincidence that it is listed alongside Russia in the Ezekiel 38 coalition. The drying up of the Euphrates (Revelation 16:12) paves the way for these eastern powers, while evil spirits like frogs go out to deceive the kings of the earth and gather them for battle against Christ (verse 14).

At His return, Christ will obliterate these armies with power that proceeds out of His mouth (Revelation 19:15, 21). Zechariah vividly portrays this army’s defeat, describing their flesh dissolving as they stand (Zechariah 14:12). Revelation adds to this imagery with a river of blood rising to the horses’ bridles (Revelation 14:20).

None of these prophesied events are the battle of Gog described in Ezekiel 38!

The Ezekiel 38 battle—after the Millennium begins

A close reading of Ezekiel 38 reveals that this chapter describes another battle—one that will occur after Jesus Christ’s return and the establishment of His millennial reign (Revelation 20:4).

Consider the following details of the time setting of Ezekiel 38.

According to verse 8, this event happens “after many days” and in the “latter years,” when the tribes of Israel have been gathered from the nations where they have been scattered. Many interpret this as referring to the time after World War II, when the Jews returned to their homeland and established the state of Israel. They see this as a war launched against the current State of Israel that has existed since 1948. 

However, there are four major issues with this interpretation.

Issue 1: The Israel of Ezekiel 38 dwells safely. 

The nation of Israel in Ezekiel 38 is described as a “peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates” (verse 11).

This description does not align with the reality of modern Israel. Since its founding in 1948, the nation has faced constant threats and conflict. Security is a central part of daily life, with fortified borders, widespread military presence and bomb shelters in most homes—conditions far from the peace and safety described in this prophecy.

A careful reading of prophecy reveals that the Gog war described in Ezekiel 38 will not occur in this age, but in the world to come after Christ’s return. In fact, when the Jews established their nation in 1948, war broke out immediately with Arab armies trying to destroy it, and it has fought in at least eight additional wars since. 

War and terror have been a constant part of life in Israel since its modern inception, so much so that bomb shelters are available for nearly all its citizens, and many homes have a safe room, reinforced doors and window bars. The nation has highly armed security and police forces always on guard for terror attacks, which still, unfortunately, sometimes occur. 

The tranquil condition of Israel described in Ezekiel 38:11 describes Israel under Christ’s rule during the Millennium, not the heavily fortified nation of Israel that exists today. 

Issue 2: Israel is more than the Jews. 

The Jews are of the tribe of Judah, but there’s more to Israel than just the Jews. The biblical nation of Israel was composed of 12 tribes. Ten of those tribes have been called the lost 10 tribes since they never returned to their homeland from the captivity brought on by their disobedience. These tribes will go into captivity again during the Great Tribulation, also referred to as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). 

After the Tribulation, God will save the tribes of Israel and bring them back to Him so they will dwell safely in the land of Israel (Ezekiel 39:25-29; Jeremiah 30:3, 9). When they have been brought back, the prophecy of Hosea will come to pass: “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God’” (Hosea 1:10). 

To learn more, read “12 Tribes of Israel Today” and “10 Lost Tribes.”

Issue 3: Primitive weapons used.

Another clue about the time setting is the Gog alliance’s use of primitive weapons against Israel. They confront Israel with “the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears” (Ezekiel 39:9). This verse suggests this takes place in a world where modern weapons of warfare are absent. 

Although some prophecies use ancient terms to describe modern weapons, this prophecy suggests a more literal interpretation, since we’re told Israel will gather these weapons and burn them for seven years, rather than cutting down trees for timber (verses 9-10). Modern weapons are not made from wood. 

The armies of Gog in Ezekiel 38 launch their attack after Christ’s millennial reign has begun.

Since Christ will have already destroyed the weapons of modern warfare (Micah 4:3), these people will fashion more primitive weapons to attack Israel. 

Issue 4: Christ is already on earth.

Toward the end of the Ezekiel 38 account, we read that Christ will actually already be present in Jerusalem, and that “all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence” (verse 20). 

This is referring to the literal “presence” of God, as when Adam and Eve “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD” in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). The final chapters of the book of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48) describe a millennial temple with God’s literal presence there, ending with the phrase THE LORD IS THERE. 

When Gog is destroyed, God will be hallowed and sanctified by all nations, and everyone will know He is the Lord When Gog is destroyed, God will be hallowed and sanctified by all nations, and everyone will know He is the Lord (Ezekiel 38:16, 23; 39:6, 7, 22, 28). This suggests that this will not happen before Christ returns. All nations do not hallow Him now. In fact, all nations will come against Him in battle at His second coming (Zechariah 14:2-3; Revelation 16:14).

A careful reading of prophecy, allowing the Bible to interpret itself, reveals that the Gog war described in Ezekiel 38 will not occur in this age, but in the world to come after Christ’s return. This appears to occur toward the beginning of Christ’s 1,000-year reign and will be a major factor in helping people fully comprehend the power of the King of Kings who will be ruling over them from Jerusalem. 

This seems to be the last serious form of resistance that will be mounted against the ruling Christ until another rebellion occurs after the 1,000-year reign ends and Satan is released for a short time (Revelation 20:7-10). 

Watch for the correct signs

The primary issue with misinterpreting Ezekiel 38 to be a battle before Christ’s return is that it directs people to the wrong prophetic signs.

Right now, we should be watching for the rise of the king of the North in Europe and the king of the South in the Middle East and North Africa. We should also keep an eye on the nations of the east—not because they will attack Israel, but because they will eventually unite to fight against the beast, who by then will have already taken control of the Holy Land.

Watch for the right prophetic signs, and continue to pray that you may be counted worthy to escape the devastating events that lie ahead (Luke 21:36).

Date Posted: July 6, 2025