The Confederacy of the North

Ezekiel 38 and 39 describe a confederacy of nations led by a nation to the far North of Israel. This nation will plan an attack on the nation of Israel in Palestine, but its aggression will be temporarily blocked by the effects of a major earthquake, as explained below.

After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. Ezekiel 38:8

We see from this verse that the things described in these two chapters will occur "after many days," or in the latter years. The people of Israel will be re-gathered from many nations. They will survive wars. Then, while living in peace and safety, they will be attacked.

You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. Ezekiel 38:16

This nation will launch an attack on Israel.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws..." This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Once again I will yield to the plea of the house of Israel and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep. Ezekiel 36:25-27, 37

This passage refers to the nation of Israel. Israel will be restored physically first, then it will be restored spiritually.

I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD. "'I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel. It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD. This is the day I have spoken of. Ezekiel 39:6-8

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' Ezekiel 38:14-23

Then God will supernaturally intervene and destroy this aggressor from "the far North" of Israel. Who is this leader of the Northern Confederacy?

"Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him." Ezekiel 38:2

Archeology has confirmed that the ancient land of Gog was in what we today know as the country of Russia, and the Russian leader here is described as Magog. Meschech and Tubal are also now located within the country of Russia.

Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops--the many nations with you. Ezekiel 38:5-6

Gomer, along with the entire North, will attack Israel, and this Northern Confederacy will include:
  • Persia, which we today know as Iran
  • Cush, which includes Sudan and other African nations
  • Put, which is Libya
  • Gomer, which is Eastern Europe, including Germany and the Slovic descended from Japheth
  • Togarmah, or southern Russia, including the Cossacks, who are known for their superior cavalry forces on horseback.
However, we also see the outcome of the Russian attack on Israel. Before they can do any damage, God will halt their attack with an earthquake, and Russia will sustain major losses. They will halt their attack, but they won't be completely destroy. Many will live to fight another day.

Note that some believe that the great earthquake that devastates Russia will occur at the mid-tribulation point. In this scenario, the Northern Confederacy attacks Israel, the Antichrist moves to defend Israel, and Russia is defeated by God.

Owen Weber 2009