Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 10/23/2008

Question
What are the two present day countries that are thought to be these two countries. Is Gog, Russia? thanks

Answer
Dear Grace,

Thank you for your question about Gog and Magog. These two names appear in Ezekiel 38, 39 and Rev. 20:8, And represent bitter enemies of God’s people. There were no historical nations with that name—and no countries with that designation today—so, since Ezekiel is an apocalyptic book (like Rev.) Bible scholars have agreed that they are SYMBOLS THAT REPRESENT ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO DESTROY GOD’S PEOPLE. And in Ezekiel, God says that He will utterly annihilate them.

John, in Revelation 20:7-9, uses the same symbols to represent the multitude of the wicked who assault the New Jerusalem after the thousand years, and the second resurrection. These multitudes of people—the wicked from all ages—march against the Holy City to attempt to capture it, destroy all its inhabitants—the righteous from all ages—and destroy God so that Satan can take His place. Then the wicked would have control of the New Jerusalem, and Satan would be the god of the universe.

But as in Ezekiel, God will annihilate the wicked and cast them into the lake of fire (at that time it will be the entire earth which will burn up with them). The entire story is revealed in Rev. 20:7-15 et.al. When you read the passage, remember that John uses the writer’s tool of “flashback” several times—going back and filling in details of the story that he has already told.

I invite you to visit my web site www.PettyPress.com where I’ve posted 18 books, 40 Bible study guides, and much more. You will particularly want to read the book WHEN THE DEVIL GOES TO JAIL which is the story of the 1000 years when the devil is in solitary confinement, and the earth lies waste. It also includes the events that precede the 1000 years and those which follow it. It will reveal much more about this than I’ve had room to explain here.

You will also find that the last two or three chapters of THE GREAT CONTROVERSY will give much more detail of this period and the events which occur. (This book is one of the greatest books on the history of the Christian church in the light of Bible prophecy from the time of Christ until the end of sin. I recommend it as a "must read".)

Always be ready for Jesus to come,

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
Thurman@PettyPress.com