Q: Curious why would Russia invade Israel?
A: Thanks for your question. Ezekiel 38’s prediction of this future event is indeed curious, and also challenging to comprehend. In several posts, I have addressed it from various perspectives. Your question affords me the opportunity to summarize this complex context. Please be patient. For an introductory context, see the linked analysis in First Ukraine, Next Israel’s Terrain?
When Might the Invasion Occur?
This prophecy is the second in a ‘prophetic trifecta’, comprising Ezekiel 37, 39 and 39. The first prophecy in this trifecta -- the restoration of Israel as a nation, became a historical fact in 1948. The close, strategic sequencing between the second and third prophecies is a clear, strong signal that the invasion will occur on the cusp of The Millennial Reign age – the 5th age of human history. More specifically, that places it at the end of the 4th age of history – the predicted short (~7-year) tribulation age. Many Bible scholars understand: (a) predictions in the last part of Daniel 9 signal that age will only last 7 years, and (b) predictions in Daniel 7 and 12 signal the apocalypse (described in Revelation 8–16) will break-out during the last 3½ years of that short age.
Note how the after-effects of the invasion are not described in chapter 38, but in the first two-thirds of chapter 39. This is strategically significant in that the last third of chapter 39 describes the early months and days of The Lord’s Millennial Reign, during which He will reign as Global King of all the Earth, with ALL of His then immortal, glorified [glowing] saints from the first 4 ages of human history, i.e., since Adam. This placement seems to align Russia’s predicted invasion of Israel, even closer to the start of The Millennial Reign age than one might typically imagine!
Why Would Russia Invade Israel at That Time??
In 2 Thessalonians 2, Apostle Paul reveals the tribulation age will begin sometime after the next, predicted resurrection and rapture of The Lord’s saints from the 3rd age of history. (See: Bible Raptures – Types and Timings (Series).) This event, along with other global pressures (e.g., climate change, mounting lawlessness, socio-cultural- political upheavals, et al) will very likely shock all national and global systems for some time! In 2 Thessalonians 2, Apostle Paul signals this event will facilitate the rise of a strongman to substantial global power. This man is called ‘the anti-Christ’ and ‘the beast’ in The Bible. He will be endowed with satanic miracle working powers to address intractable global problems. His extremely prideful acts (e.g., declaring himself to be God Almighty) will trigger the apocalypse, during which The Bible predicts mortals and land animals will become ‘rare on the Earth’. Additionally, sea creatures will also be substantially reduced as Earth’s entire eco-systems suffer under the plagues. Life at that time will be unimaginably dire.
Based on historical patterns, I intuit Jews might be blamed for the apocalyptic plagues, as they were blamed for causing severe stresses (a) across pre-exodus, ancient Egypt, (b) pre-WWI and pre-WWII Europe. Why?? The Bible demonstrates satan and his crew of devils and demons hate Jesus, The Lord God, Whom they, as once holy angels, attempted to overthrow in a failed coup. But since they cannot strike back at The Lord, they target the ethnic group through whom He decided to be born as a man, to pay the price for our sins. They also target The Lord’s true (not fake or Christianesque) followers. If/IF Jews might be blamed for global distresses, that might help to explain prophecies that Jews from across the world will flee to Israel in haste (like they left ancient Egypt in haste), and will spill-over into Gilead (northern Jordan) and Lebanon – something that’s unimaginable today!! (See: The Coming Lame Blame (Poem).)
The Bible further signals Israel might be somewhat protected during the apocalyptic plagues. This might be like how ancient Hebrews were protected in Egypt’s land of Goshen during the last 7 (of 10) pre-exodus plagues. If/IF so, imagine the reactions when other nations realize one nation is being sheltered from what they are suffering through! (See: The Goshen Effect (Series).)
Why Russia?
The Bible signals how satan’s kingdom on Earth is structured and works (top demons influencing national level issues and leaders, and lower-level devils tempting regular people). Gog, possibly satan’s top demon, is featured as the main instigator in Ezekiel 38, and also in the final human rebellion Revelation 20. Apart from satan (ex-Lucifer), Gog is the only evil spirit The Lord addresses by name in all the books of The Bible!!! Ergo, I intuit Gog is likely satan’s #2 demon, akin to a 5-star general!
If Gog will be assigned over the nation of Russia during the apocalypse, it is interesting to note a possible ‘promotion’ to a HUGE assignment, over ALL the nations of the world during ‘little while’, post-Millennial age of history – the 6th and final age of human history on this current version of Earth. He will be the chief instigator of the final human rebellion against the likely only righteous things on Earth during that age.
Get this: Revelation 20:7-10 predicts this final rebellion will target Jerusalem!!!
Ergo, The Bible sets the stage for Gog to be the principal, demonic instigator for two massive rebellions, both of which target ISRAEL – (1) Russia’s Ezekiel 38 coalition invasion of Israel, and (2) the final, global invasion of the post-Millennial Reign saints, in Jerusalem. And these will literally ‘sandwich’ The Lord’s Millennial Reign age! Imagine that!
I trust this summary sheds some light on why The Bible predicts a Russia-led coalition will invade Israel.
