What are Gog and Magog?

What are Gog and Magog?

In the Bible, Gog and Magog represent the enemies of God's people. At the end of time, these enemies will gather to fight against God's people, trying to destroy them. But in the end, God will bring victory and destroy all enemies.

The names Gog and Magog came to prominence due to a prophecy in the book of Ezekiel and a reference in the book of Revelation . In these two prophecies, Gog and Magog lead an army that attacks Israel at the end of time .

Genesis 10:1-2identifies Magog as one of the sons of Japheth, Noah's eldest son. Noah's descendants spread throughout the world and formed several peoples after the Flood. Thus, the man Magog probably gave rise to a people called Magog.

Ezekiel 38:2explains that Gog will be a leader in the land of Magog, who will dominate over several other peoples (who are also descendants of Japheth). Magog is somewhere in the north of Israel and will lead the final attack against God's people :Ezekiel 38:15-16.

At some point, when Israel is living in peace and security, Gog will gather a large army made up of various peoples around Israel. This great army, coming from all sides, but with the main attack coming from the north, will come to destroy and plunder Israel (Ezekiel 38:7-9).

On that day, God will fight for His people, causing an earthquake and sending plague and fire against the enemy army. The troops will be thrown into confusion, killing each other and their destruction will be total (Ezekiel 38:21-23). Gog's army will be completely exterminated and God's people will live in safety, without the danger of enemies. The final victory will be God’s!

Revelation 20:7-9it also makes a reference to Gog and Magog, as representatives of all God's enemies who will gather for the final battle. They will unite to fight against God's people, but they will be completely destroyed. The devil, the true leader of the army of Gog and Magog, will be thrown into the lake of fire, where he will be punished for all eternity. Soon after, the Final Judgment will take place.

Who is Gog and what country is Magog?

The Bible does not tell us the identity of Gog and Magog. The only thing the Bible says is that they come from the north.

Regarding prophecies about the future, it is difficult to say what is literal and what is metaphorical. The battle of the end times could be physical, spiritual or both. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether Gog will be a man or some evil spirit.

It is equally difficult to say where Magog is. Somewhere, north of Israel, is a very vague indication.

Some historical accounts by ancient writers such as Herodotus (484 – 425 BC) and Flavius ​​Josephus (37 – 101 AD) identify Magog as a people called "Scythians". The Scythians were a people who lived in "Scythia" (c. 800 – 300 BC). Scythia was a region that today would be in southern Russia, and covered a territory that ran from Ukraine to the border with China.

However, any theory that identifies Magog with a specific nation is merely speculation.

Magog could be a union of peoples, or some type of spiritual, religious or ideological movement.

The possibilities are very varied and we probably won't know what Gog and Magog really are until the moment these events happen. The most important thing about the message of Gog and Magog is that God is more powerful than all of His enemies . In the end, God brings deliverance.

Bibliographic references

• JOSEFO, Flávio. Jewish antiquities. Translation Vicente Pedroso. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 1990.

• KASCHEL, Werner; ZIMMER, Rudi. Almeida Bible Dictionary: 2nd edition. Biblical Society of Brazil, 2014.

• TRAVIS, Stephen. I believe in the second coming of Jesus. Campinas: LPC, 1990.

• WILCOCK, Michael. The message of Revelation. São Paulo: ABU, 1986.