The Coming Wars

As we continue our journey through End Times prophecy, we now turn to three pivotal chapters in Scripture: Psalm 83, Isaiah 17, and Ezekiel 38–39.  These chapters outline a sequence of wars involving Israel and her surrounding nations. These passages offer both historical echoes and future warnings, and they may very well be unfolding right before our eyes.   We will also take a look at a few of the wars which will take place during the Tribulation as detailed in the book of Revelation.

🔥 Psalm 83 — A Confederacy Against Israel
Psalm 83 is a cry for God not to remain silent as a coalition of nations conspires against Israel.  Psalm 83:4 tells us that “They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’” 

Verses 6–8 then go on to list ten nations surrounding Israel—Edom, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, Assyria, and others—who unite in hostility.   Many Jewish scholars, including Amir Tsarfati, believe this prophecy was fulfilled during Israel’s rebirth in 1948, when neighboring nations launched attacks.  Jordan and Egypt, now bound by peace treaties, are expected to remain neutral in future conflicts like Ezekiel 38–39..  Meanwhile, others argue Psalm 83 is yet to be fulfilled, or that its fulfillment is unfolding now. I personally believe with the horrific actions made by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, we may be witnessing the build-up to this war.  We are currently seeing Israel being attached by Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis, Hezbollah and Iran.   If the Psalm 83 war hasn't happened already, it may be right at our door.   Either way, when Israel emerges from the current attacks in victory, it may lead to territorial expansion and a brief period of peace and safety—setting the stage for what comes next.


💣 Isaiah 17 — The Fall of Damascus
Isaiah 17 delivers a chilling prophecy:  “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap.” (Isaiah 17:1)

Damascus, the capital of Syria and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, is prophesied to be utterly destroyed. This has never yet happened in history. The judgment appears to be divine punishment for Syria’s hostility toward Israel.

Some possible Timing Scenarios to consider:

• Before the Tribulation — Could trigger the Ezekiel 38 war (“hook in the jaw”)
• During the Tribulation — May unfold as part of the judgments or lead into Armageddon
• Pre-Millennial — Could occur at the beginning of Christ’s reign

Bill Salus, in his book Israelstine, suggests this destruction could be the final straw that draws Russia into war against Israel.  Psalm 83:8 mentions Assyria joining the confederacy—possibly linked to Damascus’s fall. Could Iranian and Russian weapons be stockpiled there now?


⚔️ Ezekiel 38–39 — The Gog-Magog War
Ezekiel 38–39 describes a massive military assault on Israel, led by a coalition of nations. But God Himself intervenes:  “I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:16)
Key Players and Their Modern Equivalents:

• Gog: More of a title like Pharoah or Czar
• Magog: According to Josephus this refers to the Scythians.   Modern day equivalent would be Russia and the former Soviet Republics ("the Stans")
• Rosh: This is most likely modern day Russia.
• Meschech:  Ezekiel 39:1-2 refers to this as a land far north of Israel.  Josephus associates this with Cappodocia in modern day Turkey.
• Tubal:  Some Bible scholars associate this with the Tobolsk region in Russia near the Tobol river.
• Persia:  This is modern day Iran which was actually called Persia until 1935.
• Cush:  This is believed to be modern day Ethiopia and the Sudan.
• Put:  This is most likely modern day Libya.
• Beth Togarmah:  Literally this means the "house of Togarmah" and by most accounts represents modern day Turkey.
• Gomer:  Most likely another reference to modern day Turkey although some of said that it can also refer to parts of Europe.

These nations will form a coalition to strike Israel “like a cloud” (Ez. 38:9), but God will use this as judgment against them. Israel will spend seven months burying the dead and seven years living off the spoils (Ez. 39:9, 12).    Additionally, several other countries are referred to as "sitting on the sidelines", but not participating.  The overall impact of this war is that Israel will be attacked by a coalition of countries led by Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya and Sudan.   Ezekiel 38:4 tells us that it will be an "enticed" attack as GOD will but a "hook in their jaw" and use this attack as judgment against them.   The coalition will fail miserably because GOD will intervene on Israel's behalf!


🕊️ Tribulation Wars and Final Battles
The seven-year Tribulation will include multiple wars—some conventional, others possibly nuclear. Two major battles are highlighted at the end of Revelation:

1. Armageddon (Revelation 19:17–19):  Led by the Antichrist, the enemies of God gather to defeat Christ—but fail miserably. Unlike Ezekiel 38, this battle ends with birds feasting on the fallen, not Israel collecting weapons.
   
2. Final Rebellion (Revelation 20:7–9):  After the Millennial reign, Satan deceives the nations once more—including Gog and Magog. But this time, fire comes down from heaven and consumes them.

🙏 Final Thoughts
We are living in a time of prophetic convergence. Psalm 83 may be unfolding right in front of our eyes. Damascus may be nearing its prophesied ruin. The Gog-Magog war could be on the horizon. But through it all, God’s sovereignty remains unshaken. He will defend His people. He will fulfill His Word.
Stay watchful. Stay prayerful. And above all, stay grounded in Scripture!


                                                      “…Come Quickly…Lord Jesus.”
                                                                                                      —Revelation 22:20