" The word of the Lord came to me: ' Son of Man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal; prophesy against him and say: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meschech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army- your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be 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.' "

Introduction

 A. The on- going " war" between Russia and Ukraine is believed by some modern-day prophets as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

 1. Are their interpretations true or merely speculations?

 2. What does the Bible say about this and men's interpretations? John 8:32

 B. This lesson will briefly cover the following topics:

 1. The meaning of Ezekiel 38 and 39 according to their contexts.

  2. Reasons for the "war" between Russia and Ukraine today

  3. Lessons and Applications for Christians today

Discussion

 A. The meaning of Ezekiel 38 and 39 according to their contexts

 1. Ezekiel, a Jewish priest prophesied about 592- 570 BC or 2500 years ago, while an exile in Babylonia ( now Iraq)

 2. Ezekiel 38-39 are parts of Jewish restoration in Jerusalem after the 70 year Babylonian captivity

 3. God would use allied nations to attack Israel after her restoration for a divine purpose

  a. Magog- Russia

  b. Persia - Iran

  c. Cush- Sudan

  d. Put- Libya

  e. Gomer- Turkey

  f. Beth Togarmah- Syria

 4. Eventually, God Himself will destroy those nations to let them KNOW that Yahweh is the only true God

 5. But some modern-day prophets connect Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20:7-10 to the war against God's people after the 1000 years

B. Reasons for Russia-Ukraine today

 1. Not religious and not fulfillment of biblical prophecy

 2. Russia objects to Ukraine's plan to become member of NATO and EU for security's reasons

 3. Other reasons of Russian invasion of Ukraine

  a. Economic- metal, lithium, oil and others

  b. Regional expansion and supremacy- Ukraine was part of the former USSR

  c. Partly racial and religious- presence of Jews and Christians there

C. Lessons and Applications for Christians

 1. Wars are results of man's sin in the Garden of Eden, e.g. Cain killed Abel

 2. God had chosen Israel as His people in the past as promised to Abraham

 3. Israel was chosen to prove God's sovereignty but Christians are the Lord's spiritual people

 4. God is the God of peace and love and He wants all to be eventually saved spiritually

Conclusion

 A. God loves and desires all men to be saved, John 3:16

  1. Christ invites all men to come to Him, Matthew 11:28-30

  2. Accept Christ now for " today is the day of salvation," 2 Corinthians 6:2