Russia vs. God

 In Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 we have an intriguing account of a coming confederacy of nations that will attack Israel from the north. The time of this attack has been a subject of debate. A search of history reveals no such event with the outcome described by Ezekiel. However, the phrase "in the latter days" used in verse eight is indicative of a time that is near or at the time of Israel's restoration. The limited number of nations involved indicates this could not be Armageddon which will involve a worldwide list of nations. In addition, a comparison of the two battles reveals the events of each are similar in some ways, while dissimilar in others. The manner of judgment executed upon these invaders and the fact that Israel is not prepared to defend herself, (38:8, 11, 14), all favor the understanding that the time of this invasion is after the Rapture of the Church, after the signing of a seven-year covenant by Israel with the prince of a revived Roman Empire that results in a proclamation of "peace and safety" (I Thessalonians 5:3), and before the breaking of that Treaty in the middle of its seven years.