(So, it appears possible that what is described in Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39 has a dual fulfillment.Much of the prophesy seems to fit into both, at the end of the tribulation, and also after the thousand year kingdom.But there are parts of the prophesy that only appear to happen at the end of the tribulation.And then parts of the prophesy appear to only happen after the thousand year kingdom.Similar to the dual fulfilment of Jeremiah 50 & 51, where parts, like the total destruction, didn’t happen when Cyrus took Babylon.If this is the case, then the first part happens at the end of the tribulation, not before, and is related to the battle of Armageddon.)
(There are other considerations:)
Ezekiel 38:4b all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:15b thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:
(There are two descriptions, “all of them handling swords” and “all of them riding upon horses”.These two things do not sound like modern warfare, leading to two possibilities:1. That these two things only occur after thousand year kingdom, and only if natural people will not travel by car, truck, train, or plane, but only by horse, ship, or walking – perhaps crude oil products and electricity will not be used in the kingdom, maybe done away with – also, possibly, gunpowder will no longer be used, i.e. no more guns in the kingdom, where people would then make swords again, after the devil is let out of the bottomless pit.2. That swords & horses, used here, simply refer to weapons and transport used by the armies, i.e. swords rather than staves, and horses rather than walking, would imply that these armies won’t be limited, but will have the best weapons and transportation available to them – if that is the case, then this battle could certainly, also happen at the end of the tribulation.)
Ezekiel 38:8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
(This is certainly not a picture of Israel today, at all, and certainly not after 3½ years of the time of Jacob’s trouble.Rather, this seems far more likely to describe Israel in the kingdom, after 1,000 years of peace.Unless the Lord tarries, and things change dramatically, with possibly complete peace and tranquility for Israel and her neighbors.But, then, that would only work early in, or before, the tribulation, because in the 3½ year great tribulation Israel will not be dwelling safely.)
Ezekiel 38:16c that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
(This doesn’t sound like after Jesus ruling and reigning on earth, so this may only refer to the tribulation part.)
Ezekiel 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.
(Again, this sounds like the end of the tribulation, and not after the thousand year kingdom.)
Ezekiel 39:6b and they shall know that I am the LORD.7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
(Again, this sounds like the end of the tribulation, and not after the thousand year kingdom.Also, Israel won’t be polluting his holy name, while he is here, on the throne, for 1,000 years.)
Ezekiel 39:8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
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