Where is Gog, the Land
of Magog?
By Pastor F. M. Riley
“Son of man, set thy
face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal,
and prophesy against him,
And say, Thus saith
the Lord God: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief
prince of Meschech and Tubal,” Ezekiel 38:2-3, 39:1.
Introduction
I’m glad you asked!
Where is the land of “God and Magog”? What
is its exact location on this earth? Can its location actually be determined?
Or…..is its location hidden by the Lord, not to be revealed until the fulfillment
of the prophecies set forth in Ezekiel 38 – 39?
The Debate
These questions, and other
similar questions, have probably been debated ever since Ezekiel was given
the prophecies set forth in Ezekiel 38 – 39. At the present
time the location of “Gog and Magog” are once again the subject
of debate on the Five Doves website [Internet]. All sorts of ideas, opinions,
theories, and “guesses” have been put forth, with, of course, supposed evidence
why each proposed location just has to be the right one. Sic!
Some dogmatically
contend that “Gog and Magog” have nothing to do with Russia,
and that “Meschech and Tubal” have nothing to do with Moscow
and Tobolsk. These people insist that “Gog and Magog” can
be identified with peoples and nations other than Russia
and the Russian people. Among the places [and peoples] that have been suggested
are Germany or other parts of Europe,
or parts of Iran, Iraq,
Syria, Egypt,
Jordan, Saudi
Arabia, and even a small area in the land of Israel.
Wow! Observing all the debate about the location of “Gog and Magog”
brings to mind 1 Corinthians 14:33. Read it for yourself.
The Map
Then there is “the map.”
A map was recently introduced into the debate that supposedly reveals the
exact location of “Gog and Magog.” This highly touted map
is part of a collection of ancient maps called “The Walker collection.”
This collection of old and rare maps is now in the hands of the University
of Melbourne in Australia, and
is available for viewing via computer. Supposedly this ancient map “proves”
that “Gog and Magog” is not located in Russia,
but is somewhere south of the Caucasus mountains. Oh my! Is that so?
There is only one little
problem with this theory. I used my computer to “blow up” the map large
enough to read every word written on the map. No where does the map state
or even suggest that “Gog and Magog” is located south of the
Caucasus mountains. What is actually stated on the map is, and I quote,
“Magog, Gomer, Tvbal, and Togorma
1
were the first planters of
Syria before Libanus
& Cilicia.” What this actually says is that
the area now known as Syria
was colonized in ancient times by people from Magog, Gomer, Tubal, and Togormah.
People from those nations were the “planters” of Syria.
The map in no way indicates that such was the location of “Gog and
Magog.” In fact, in reading over the entire map, it is obvious
that the map was originally designed to reveal the genealogical origin of
peoples of various nations as colonists immigrated to those places from
their original homes to “plant” new nations. This highly touted
map is no proof at all that “Gog and Magog” were [and are]
located south of the Caucasus mountains. Study the map for yourself.
The Truth
But since this ancient
map fails to reveal the actual location of “Gog and Magog,” then
where is the real location? Where should God’s people look?
Folks, why not just look
in the Word of God, like God’s people [those truly saved] are supposed
to do? “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path,” Psalm 119:105. “The entrance of Thy Words giveth light….,”
Psalm 119:130. Read again John 16:12-14, and this
time believe it.
The inspired Word
tells us exactly where “Gog and Magog” are located, just as
it has done since the day the prophecies were given to Ezekiel. Just because
some don’t want to believe the Word doesn’t change the truth of it one iota.
In Ezekiel 38:1-3 and
39:1 the Lord specifically directs His prophecy against “Gog,
the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal.” Throughout
chapter 38 the Lord speaks directly to “Gog” and
indirectly about “Gog.” In chapter 39:1-5 the
Lord again speaks directly to “Gog,” and then in verses 6-20
the Lord speaks about “Gog and all his multitude,” verse
11. It should be obvious to any honest reader
that the whole context of these two chapters [through 39:20]
is about “Gog” and the other nations allied with him. This
point is plainly established in these two chapters, and is therefore undeniable.
Now notice 38:15, “And
thou [Gog] shalt come from thy place out of the
north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon
horses, a great company, and a mighty army.” According to this
verse, where is Gog’s “place”? Doesn’t the verse specifically
state that it is in “the north parts”? Well…?
Now look at 39:2, “And
I will turn thee back, and leave but a sixth part of thee, and will cause
thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the
mountains of Israel.”
Doesn’t this verse state a second time that “Gog”
is coming “from the north parts”? You know it does!
The verse does not say that “Gog” is coming from the south,
the east, or the west. Some of Gogs allies may come from those directions,
but the inspired Word specifically states that “Gog” is coming
from his “place
out of the north parts,”
38:15; 39:2. Is this plain enough?
Conclusion
Folks, the only large
“superpower” nation north of Israel
that is even capable of bringing together the coalition of nations listed
in Ezekiel 38:5-7 is Russia.
Further, history itself repeatedly verifies that the “land of Magog”
is the land we know today as southern Russia;
the area north of the Caucasus mountains. Hesiod specifically identified
2
“Magog” with the
Scythians and southern Russia in
the 7th century before Christ. Heredotus, writing in the 5th
century before Christ, also identified the descendants of “Magog”
with the Scythians and southern Russia.
The historian, Flavius Josephus, [who was an eye witness to the destruction
of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.] clearly stated in his history
that the descendants of “Magog”
were known as the Scythians. Philo, writing in the 1st
century of the Christian Era, identified “Magog” with southern
Russia. Bible believing Christians
right through the centuries of this present dispensation have always identified
the land of “Gog and Magog” with southern Russia,
the area on the north of the Caucasus mountains. Thus the location of “Gog
and Magog” is established by both Scripture and history. There
are numerous other Scripture passages that support this truth, so where
is the Scriptural justification for locating the “land of Magog” elsewhere?
Folks, after 53 years in
the Christian ministry I am absolutely convinced that many “professing Christians”
would rather spend their time debating the Scriptures than to spend time
seriously studying them. This is sad! Such an attitude does not
reveal the Spirit of Christ at work. I am personally grieved at the sad
state of apostasy in the ranks of “Christianity” today. Most of the apostasy
in the churches is due to a lack of real, serious Bible study [and Biblical
preaching] on the part of many who claim to be “Christians.” When those
claiming to be “Christians” do not take God’s Word seriously, then it holds
no real authority over their lives. Apostasy always follows such a departure
from the light of God’s Word. May the Lord have mercy on us all. Judgment
always follows apostasy. Figure it out for yourself.
Over the past 12 years I
have written three Bible studies about the prophecies of Ezekiel 38
– 39. As time has passed I have had no reason to change any of
those studies. They are as timely today as when they were first written.
The studies point out WHO is under consideration when the
Scriptures speak of “Gog and Magog,” WHERE “Gog
and Magog” are located, and WHEN the invasion of Israel
will take place. The points made in each of the studies are referenced
by book, chapter, and verse, from the “rightly divided” Word
of God, so that our readers can study the subject for themselves, 1
Thessalonians 5:21. I will be glad to send copies of these studies
to anyone requesting them.
May God bless the truth of
His Word to the hearts of every reader is my prayer.
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NOTICE: Permission
is granted to any true believer or Bible believing ministry
to forward this Bible study, or to reproduce copies of it to share with
others, or to quote from it in context as written.
All comments, questions,
or correspondence should be addressed to: Last Call Gospel Ministry,
Pastor F. M. Riley, 3900 Clark Lane Lot 178, Columbia, MO 65202. Our
email address is: fmrglbd5@aol.com