The world seems to be on the brink as tensions in the Middle East are escalating daily. Russia is strengthening its ties with China, North Korea, Syria and Iran arming them with sophisticated military weaponry. Russia is building up its armed forces, returning to Cold War military tactics, including reopening ports used by the former Soviet Union. Tensions between Israel and Iran have never been higher with each nation poised to strike against the other in a moment's notice. Iran's nuclear ambition is well documented and is becoming a menace on the International stage. With Israel's very existence at stake, a preemptive strike against Iran's Russian built nuclear facilities is not out of the realm of possibility. A preemptive strike by Israel could provoke a retaliatory response by Russia and her allies. It seems that in a moment's notice the events described in Ezekiel 38 & 39 could break out right before our eyes...or is it? For many years, contemporary prophecy writers have been telling us that we are living in the last days and the Gog and Magog alliance is one sure sign that the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are near. However, there is strong biblical evidence that the candidate often identified as Gog, Russia, may not in fact be the candidate that Ezekiel was referring too. Using the Bible as a guide, we can figure out who this obscure person is instead of using today's newspapers. With a long history of well documented failed predictions by contemporary prophecy writers, maybe it's time that we begin to reevaluate today's popular interpretation of Ezekiel 38 & 39 in light of the Bible. Author's Bio: Christopher Jones is the church administrator for Faith Community Worship Center located in the San Francisco Bay Area where he also preaches part-time.
