Iran, Israel, and Trump: Is Gog & Magog of Ezekiel 38 soon?

(photo from BiblePic.com)

Military actions between Israel and Iran continue, along with various threats:

June 18, 2025

An Iranian official warned Wednesday that any U.S. intervention in the conflict with Israel would risk “all-out war,” as the unprecedented conflict being waged by warplanes and ballistic missiles entered a sixth day. Overnight, a fresh barrage of Israeli missiles streaked across the skies of Tehran. Most were taken out by Iran‘s air defenses, but the Israeli military and the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency said another site linked to Iran’s nuclear program was hit. …

Iran retaliated with another wave of missiles launched at Israel by the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Sirens blared in Israel to warn they were on the way, but the missiles were intercepted, with explosions seen in the skies over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. …

The war has also sparked an exodus from Iran’s capital Tehran with video showing thousands of vehicles at a near standstill on primary exit routes. Those frantic escape bids were fueled by Mr. Trump’s direct warning to Tehran’s roughly 10 million inhabitants earlier this week to “evacuate immediately.”

While Israel has been able to inflict far greater damage on Iran, it has not been immune to the suffering. …

In a statement later aired on Iranian state TV, supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei said the U.S. “should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage.”

“Those who know Iran’s history know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threats,” Khamenei said, adding that Iran “will never surrender.”

He also said Israel had made a “huge mistake,” which the country would be “punished for.”

The defiant messages came after President Trump issued a stern warning on Tuesday, demanding an “unconditional surrender” by Iran’s clerical rulers. Mr. Trump threatened the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly, saying the U.S. knew where he was but that it would not kill him, yet. He added: “Our patience is wearing thin.”

Khamenei, in his Wednesday address, called Mr. Trump’s ultimatum “unacceptable.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-israel-war-us-trump-nuclear-sites-risk-all-out-war/

In addition to military action, statements from US President Donald Trump have inflamed the situation.

Here is something related to Iran, Donald Trump, and prophecy from my January 2025 book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:

It is of prophetic interest to note that the small nation of Israel is prophesied to one day be attacked by some that seem to have a connection to Iran (Isaiah 22:1-14).

Iran may decide to strike out against Israel, and possibly Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 22:7-8) if a Trump Administration and/or Israel takes actions it does not like.

Iran has weapons that can cause damage. Furthermore, the USA itself (as well as is the State of Israel) is vulnerable to EMP type attacks and items such as biological weapons, chemical weapons, terrorism, nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, etc. because of a conflict involving Iran, Syria, and/or others.

But should this occur, this would NOT be the final destruction of the USA. Prophetically, Iran would not end up faring well (cf. Ezekiel 32:24-25).

While Iran has issues, the statement by its Ayatollah Ali Khamenei about causing “irreparable damage” could align with prophecies in Isaiah 22:6-8 which tells of “great damage” coming to the “city of David” (commonly believed to be Jerusalem). The “irreparable damage”could also include the release of biological agents that could trigger the ride of the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:7-8).

But could the current battle be part of Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog war, which involves Iran?

Israel365News seems to think so as it posted the following:

18th Century Kabbalist Predicted Current War as Final Battle of Gog and Magog

June 18, 2025

At 3:00 AM on Thursday, all of Israel woke up to sirens. The Color Red alarm was preemptive, sounding moments before the Israeli Air Force struck its military targets. Over 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated in the opening strikes, dropping more than 330 munitions on approximately 100 targets across Iran. The operation was guided by precise intelligence from Israel’s Intelligence Directorate, which had identified an imminent nuclear threat from the Islamic Republic.

The operation was named after a verse in Numbers that tells of the pagan prophet, Balaam, the son of Beor, whom King Balak of Moab hired to curse Israel. God did not allow Balaam to curse Israel and, instead, Balaam blessed Israel. ,,,

Behold a people that riseth up as a lioness, and as a lion doth he lift himself up; he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Numbers 23:24

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known by the Hebrew acronym Ramchal, was a prominent 18th-century Italian Jewish rabbi, kabbalist, and philosopher. The Ramchal wrote in his commentary on that verse:

“It is already known that Israel must go through many wars before it can rest from their work. And the last war will be the war of Gog and Magog, when Israel will rise up like a lion to take revenge on the nations that oppressed them in their exile.” https://israel365news.com/409780/18th-century-kabbalist-predicted-current-war-as-final-battle-of-gog-and-magog/

No, for scriptural reasons shown later in this post, the current conflict between Israel and Iran is NOT the Gog and Magog war.

Yet, Protestant Greg Laurie thinks it might be (06/14/25 https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-and-iran-in-bible-prophecy-a-new-phase-in-the-middle-east-conflict-and-what-scripture-says-is-coming/), but it is not.

Furthermore, the charismatic John Barnett wrote last month that it would start soon (05/06/25 https://mycharisma.com/spiritled-living/is-the-gog-magog-war-about-to-begin-bible-scholar-warns-of-prophetic-trigger/), but he is wrong about that.

In the Fall of 2023, Israel365News posted the following about another false prediction:

Egyptian Sheikh: Israel war will usher in Gog and Magog between Russian and US; Jesus will win the war for Islam

November 27, 2023

The Former Grand Mufti of Egypt Sheikh Dr. Ali Gomaa posted a video on his YouTube channel on November 11, 2023, in which he described what he believed would happen in the Middle East in the near future. The original video was translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute.

“We do not know what will happen after the destruction of the Zionist entity the Jews Israel and the Zionist entity are not worth a mosquito’s wing, in the eyes of Allah and the Muslim people,” Sheikh Gomaa began. “Let us imagine a political scenario in which Israel is destroyed. What will happen?”

“America will immediately move in,” the sheikh continued. “Don’t think that once we throw Israel into the sea it will be the end of this story. America will immediately move in. The Hadith says you will fight the Byzantines. Those Americans are the Byzantines of our days.”

“If Israel is finished and America moves in, what will happen?” Sheikh Gomaa said. “Russia will immediately move in. Who are these Russians? They are Gog and Magog, well-known tribes in Armenia. It is all known in the books.”

The pre-messiah War of Gog and Magog is well-known in Jewish eschatology, being described in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 38. The New Testament Book of Revelation refers to it in 20:8. Jewish eschatology viewed Gog and Magog as enemies to be defeated by the Messiah, which would usher in the age of the Messiah. One view within Christianity is more starkly apocalyptic, making Gog and Magog, here indicating nations rather than individuals, allies of Satan against God at the end of the millennium

Two chapters of the Quran discuss Gog and Magog. In the Quran Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog) are two hostile, corrupt forces that will ravage the earth before the end of the world when they are suppressed by Dhu al-Qarnayn “The Two-Horned One”.

Sheikh Gomaa continued, describing the bloody role Muslims believe Jesus will play in resolving the conflict.

“Imagine that the Americans and the Russians moved in,” he said. “What would you do? You would fight them because this is your land your country.”

“Therefore, this matter requires direct divine intervention,” Sheikh Gomaa continued. “The Prophet Mohammad told us that such intervention will come to be and that Jesus, son of Mary will descend he will kill Gog and Magog and the Muslims will vanquish the Byzantines. But this will warrant divine intervention.” https://www.israel365news.com/379643/egyptian-sheikh-israel-war-will-usher-in-gog-and-magog-between-russian-and-us-jesus-will-win-the-war-for-islam/

Various Jews and Protestants (see Hamas-Israeli war, plus Greg Laurie connects to Gog and Magog and Hal Lindsey: Planet Earth Is Armed To The Teeth… And The Word Of The Day Is ‘Escalation’ ‘Ezekiel 38’?) have pointed to this or other factors as possible triggers of the Gog and Magog prophecies of Ezekiel 38 in this age–however, according to the Bible they are completely wrong.

Scripture shows that Ezekiel 38 is not about to be fulfilled.

Ezekiel 38 is for over a thousand years away.

Let us look at what the Bible actually teaches.

This Gog Magog war is in Ezekiel 38, so let’s start with its first 7 verses:

1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you.

7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.

Verses 1-7 talk about a group getting ready to battle. Various nations such as Russia, Iran, Asians, and others are included here. Verse 5, mentioning Persia, is a reference to the land of Iran. That area that Iran currently occupies will one day be involved in this battle.

What does the Bible actually teach about the timing? Notice the next two verses from Ezekiel 38:

8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”

Verses 8-9 refer to a regathering of Israel. Why do certain prophecy watchers say that it is for now?

In addition to misapplications of scripture by some rabbinical writers, some Protestants believe that the creation of the nation of Israel in 1948 fulfills verse 8. Yet, this is not really the fulfillment for several reasons (watch also the video Israel, 1948, and Prophecy).

One reason is that even today most Jews do not live in the nation of Israel. The Jewish diaspora is scattered throughout the world. But the other reason is that many do not realize that there are multiple millions of the descendants of Israel that are not of the tribe of Judah. The Bible shows that Israel split into the kingdoms of Judah and Israel after the reign of Solomon and that later the ten tribes that were part of Israel (cf. 1 Kings 11:31,35; 12:16-17; 12:20-23) were carried into captivity (2 Kings 17:21-23). Those tribes represent hundreds of millions of people currently alive, and as there are about 7,000,000 Jews in Israel, most simply have not been regathered (more information on the tribes of Israel is in the article Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

Furthermore, pay close attention to the part of verse 8 about people dwelling safely. That is NOT the case in Israel today.

Additionally, notice verses 10-13:

10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ — 12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”‘

Israel has its walls and “iron dome” and military weaponry. Notice that it is against a ‘peaceful people’ in unarmed villages that the prince of Rosh is going against. This cannot happen until AFTER the return of Jesus. Furthermore, there simply is not a plan to take a lot of gold and silver out of Israel right now by the power of the far north, nor does the current nation of Israel have enough of it to likely justify an attack for that purpose (unless perhaps some hidden gold/silver mines or remaining treasure of David).

Notice the following:

Israel holds no gold reserves at all, according to a Bank of Israel spokesman. (Kopf S. Jerusalem of Gold. Jerusalem Post, February 16, 2011. http://www.jpost.com/Jerusalem-Report/Israel/Jerusalem-of-Gold viewed 07/21/14)

Israel Gold Reserves

1950 – 2019 | Monthly | USD mn | CEIC Data

Key information about Israel Gold Reserves

Israel Gold Reserves was reported at 0.000 USD mn in Feb 2019

This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 USD mn for Jan 2019

Israel Gold Reserves data is updated monthly, averaging 3.425 USD mn from Dec 1950 to Feb 2019, with 753 observations

The data reached an all-time high of 61.915 USD mn in Mar 1964 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in Feb 2019

https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/israel/gold-reserves accessed 06/18/25

According to Index Mundi, the nation of Israel was not among the top 48 producers of silver in the world, so its supply of this would also seem to be limited–it also confirmed that Israel does not have gold reserves (though there is some gold and silver in coins, etc. in Israel). Israel in the early 21st century is NOT the target of Ezekiel 38.

For year, some Protestant prophecy watchers believe that Iran will soon more closely align with Russia to invade Israel in order to fulfill Ezekiel 38. However, since that prophecy is not fulfilled in this age (it is for the ‘latter days,’ which comes well after Jesus returns), that is not the case. Some others have also claimed that the ‘Bible Code’ tells of it for this age. That is also not the case. Related to that the Continuing Church of God put together the following videos on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

20:58

Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code)

Is what is going on with Russia, Iran, and Syria predicted in the Bible Code? Is Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson’s interpretation of the year and passages in Deuteronomy 4 correct? Is a ‘cruel taskmaster from Iran prophesied to rule Israel? Is Joel Richardson’s view of Ezekiel 38 correct? Is Russia the power in the ‘far north’ of Ezekiel 38? Is Russia the prophesied King of the North? What will happen to Iran? Does the Bible teach that Damascus, Syria will be destroyed. Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.

23:30

Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?

In April and September 2018, there were meetings involving top leaders of Russia, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. Some Protestant prophecy watchers have suggested that the meeting of these leaders could be a prelude to what is known as the Gog and Magog war as discussed in Ezekiel 38. Some have claimed that this battle must take place before ‘Armageddon’ and before Jesus returns. Some have wondered if the Gog/Magog war is Armageddon. Some believe that the existence of the modern State of Israel means the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 is soon. Is that possible? Does the modern state of Israel currently meet the criteria needed for Ezekiel 38 to be fulfilled? While many agree that the lands occupied by Russia and Iran are involved, are assertions about Turkey being identified as Togarmah possible or in serious error? Will the Gog/Magog war be soon or is it for a time far into the future? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our sermonette video: Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code). Here is a link to the sermonette video: Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?

Ezekiel 38 is NOT for our time.

We in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) also put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

16:45

Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?

On February 24, 2022, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine. Are Jewish sources correct that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the start of the Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38? Are Protestant sources, and people like Trumpet editor Gerald Flurry right that Vladimir Putin is the ‘prince of Rosh/Rush? Does Ezekiel 38 include Russia? What are some of the other nations involved in Ezekiel 38? Does this battle happen BEFORE or well AFTER Jesus returns? Can you know the answer from the actual passages in Ezekiel 38? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.

Here is a link to our video: Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?

Now, what about Islamic prophecies?

Well, yes, there are some parallels between them and biblical ones.

However, as far as Islamic interpretations of prophecy go, many Muslims would not agree with certain statements from Sheikh Dr. Ali Gomaa.

The area of Byzantium is now controlled by Turkey, and hence prophecies related to it would not be directly related to Americans. Islamic scholars tend to point to either the Turks or those from the Roman empire fighting relating to that.

Related to Jesus, notice the following from the New Encyclopedia of Islam:

The last days, as described in Islam, are marked by the figures of Gog and Magog (Juj wa Jajuj), the Mahdi, the Antichrist (Dajjal), and Jesus … Gog and Magog, representing the forces of chaos, have been kept at bay … At the end of time, chaos will break through the wall of Divinely imposed order, and the world will succumb to “outer darkness”. At the same time, it is believed, there will be a countercurrent, or a brief return to the state of spiritual lucidity and primordial integrity that obtained at the dawn of time. This is the reign of the Mahdi, the “rightly guided one”…

The reign of the Mahdi will be followed by that of the Antichrist … once the Antichrist has led away his followers, Jesus will then come to destroy the Antichrist in the closing moments of the cosmic drama.

The return of Jesus is not to happen, according to Islam, until AFTER the Imam Mahdi has reigned for 7 years. The Imam Mahdi sounds a bit like the King of the South of biblical prophecy, but the Bible suggests a shorter reign for him than that. As far as Jesus goes, Muslims DO teach He was the prophesied Messiah (see our free online book: Proof Jesus is the Messiah), but that Mohammad is superior to Him.

That said, the Imam Mahdi/King of the South is NOT currently reigning, so even according to Islamic prophecy, Ezekiel 38 is not about to be fulfilled.

Furthermore, according to Islam, Yajuj and Majuj which many Muslims tie in with Gog and Magog, are to be released just before judgment day (Yaseen M. The Signs of the Judgment Day (Qiyamah). 2021, p. 223).

According to the Bible, Gog and Magog cause havoc AFTER the millennium and what would be considered as that judgment day:

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Revelation 20:7-13)

So, no, even according to Islamic prophecy, Ezekiel 38 is not about to be fulfilled.

UPDATE 06/24/25: We also produced the following video:

14:33

Iran, Israel, and Ezekiel 38?

Finally! The Gog/Magog war is upon us–or is it? Do some Protestant scholars think the Gog/Magog war is on the brink of fulfillment? Yes. Do several Rabbis think the Gog/Magog war is on the brink of fulfillment? Yes. Does a Former Grand Mufti of Egypt think the Gog/Magog war is on the brink of fulfillment? Yes. But is it really? Is it true that the much talked about Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 is actually starting to take place right now, before our very eyes? Are we seeing the Ezekiel 38 prophecy being fulfilled right on our own YouTube channels and television stations? Is Iran’s (known as Persia in the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38) escalating conflict with Israel just the beginning of the war? Does even the Bible teach that we are on the brink of the fulfillment of the Gog/Magog war? NO!! The reality is that the Gog/Magog war is really over a thousand years away. Watch this video as Dr. Thiel uses the word of God to lay bare the truth about the timing of the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 as he shines the light of Biblical prophecy on current world events.