NOTE: Both Ezekiel’s War and Armageddon have yet to take place and they are two different wars that occur at two different times in the future.
Approximately 27% of the Bible is prophecy, much of which is about the end times, including detailed descriptions of two significant wars yet to take place: Ezekiel’s War and the Battle of Armageddon. Both of these wars are distinct from a third major (future) war in the Bible detailed in the Book of Revelation that occurs at the end of Christ’s millennial reign.
Comparison of Ezekiel’s War and the War of Armageddon
| Aspect | Ezekiel’s War | War of Armageddon |
| Location | Mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 38:8, ESV) | Mount Megiddo (gathering) and Valley of Decision (actual battle) (Revelation 16:16, KJV) (See note*, below) |
| The Players | Gog from the land of Magog and many nations with (see note**, below) Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah who wage war against Israel. (Ezekiel 38:1-6, ESV) | The beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, who gather to wage war against Christ. (Revelation 19:19, KJV) |
| Nature of the War | Ezekiel 38:19-22 (ESV) describes natural disasters such as a great earthquake, torrential rains, hailstones, fire, and sulfur that will accompany the battle. | Revelation 16:18-21 (KJV) depicts a great earthquake, hailstones, and the fall of cities, but emphasizes the wrath of God and the finality of judgment. |
| Purpose | God’s judgment on Gog and protection of Israel. (Ezekiel 38:16, ESV; Ezekiel 39:7, ESV) | Final defeat of evil before Christ’s reign. (Revelation 19:20-21, KJV) |
| Result | Destruction of Gog and his armies,who will fall upon the mountains of Israel and be given to birds and beasts as food. (Ezekiel 39:4-5, ESV) | Defeat of the beast, false prophet, and their followers, who are cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20-21, KJV) |
| When | In the latter years, a time period described as a future event where Israel will be dwelling securely. (Ezekiel 38:8, ESV) | At the end of the tribulation, with the gathering of kings at Armageddon and the pouring out of the seventh vial. (Revelation 16:16-17, KJV) |
NOTES
* In the Bible, specifically the Book of Revelation, Armageddon is described as a place called Megiddo. (Hebrew: Har Megiddo, meaning “hill of Megiddo”). This is where the Bible says the final battle between the forces of good and evil will take place. Megiddo is an ancient city located in northern Israel, overlooking the Jezreel Valley.
The Bible says the nations gather at Armageddon (associated with Megiddo), while other prophetic passages connect the final divine intervention to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, but Scripture does not explicitly define one precise battlefield location.
** In Ezekiel 38:1-6, the prophetic coalition against Israel represents modern-day nations primarily located in the Middle East and North Africa. Key identifications include Persia (Iran), Cush (Sudan/Ethiopia), Put (Libya), and Gomer/Beth-togarmah (Turkey/Armenia). These regions constitute a northern and southern alliance.
- Persia – (Ezekiel 38:5): Modern-day Iran
- Cush – (Ezekiel 38:5): The region south of Egypt, identifying with modern-day Sudan and parts of Ethiopia.
- Put – (Ezekiel 38:5): Historically Libya,, corresponding to modern-day Libya.
- Gomer – (Ezekiel 38:6): Widely identified as Cappadocia in central Turkey.
- Beth-togarmah – (Ezekiel 38:6): Associated with the region of Armenia and eastern Turkey, particularly the Georgian regions.
These nations, often associated with the “Gog and Magog” prophecy, are described as coming from the “remote parts of the north” (with allies) to attack a restored Israel.
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