As the Israeli ground operations in the Gaza Strip continue, are we seeing further evidence of the Ezekiel 38 coalition building?  Let me explain!  Ezekiel 36-37 records a prophecy the Lord gave to Ezekiel regarding the re-birth of Israel.  In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and Jews were scattered literally all over the world.  There was no longer a Jewish homeland…no longer a nation where they called home.

Despite that fact, Jews never lost their identity.  Throughout history, when people groups disappear as a nation, they integrate into their new country or land.  That’s why you don’t find Amalekites or Jebusites or Ottomans.  Yet, Jews remained Jews (regardless of where they migrated), and God still had a “promised land” for them.  Then, in one day, Israel was re-born!  That day was May 14, 1948, and Ezekiel 36-37 (written over 2000 years prior) describes that event!

Interestingly, the next chapter of Ezekiel describes an invasion of Israel that will happen in the last days.  Friends, we are living in between Ezekiel 37 and Ezekiel 38, but I believe we are seeing the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 lining up right before our very eyes!  You see, Ezekiel 38:1-5 tells us specifically what coalition members will gather to invade Israel from the north.  Though coalition members are listed according to their names in Ezekiel’s time, one thing we know for certain: the coalition will come from the far north and some of those coalition names refer to modern-day Russia.  In addition, the passage refers to Persia being the second “major player” in the coalition, and we know for certain that Persia refers to modern-day Iran (and perhaps portions of other neighboring countries).

However, I want to bring your attention to a third significant party listed in Ezekiel 38:1-5.  Though Bible scholars don’t agree 100% on exactly what modern-day nations are included in Gomer and Beth-Togarmah, all scholarly opinions (as well as my own research) indicate that modern-day Turkey is included in those lands.  Turkey is also well-positioned geographically to be included in the northern coalition.

So, consider Turkey for a moment.  Since 1948, Turkey has been a key ally to Israel.  Turkey is not an Arab nation, it is Turkish; and until recent years, Turkey and Israel participated together in joint military exercises as allies.  But the rise to power of Tayyip Erdogan has changed the dynamics in Turkey.  They have since ceased most joint military exercises with Israel, and are turning their support toward the Arab world.  Currently, there are perhaps more mosques being built in Turkey than anywhere else in the world, and rhetoric out of Turkey is sounding very “Islamisized.”

On Thursday, Erdogan spoke out against Israel’s ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, saying:

“We cannot normalize (relations). First, this cruelty must end.  As long as this is not done, it is not possible that a normalization of the relations between Turkey and Israel be realized.”

Thus, Israel’s once-trusted ally to the north is consistently showing signs of turning its back on Israel.  That is nothing new.   Dozens of nations have turned their back on Israel.  But what makes this interesting is Turkey’s growing relationship with Russia and Iran…the two major players in the Ezekiel 38 prophecy!  Even the United States is taking notice.  Here is what the Center for Strategic & International Studies is up to:  This project is developing a comprehensive assessment of the geostrategic impact of evolving relations between these three pivotal countries and the implications for the United States.

Even the secular world is recognizing a growing alliance between Russia, Iran, and Turkey.  They are just catching up with what Ezekiel knew and prophesied in about 580BC!  Christian friends, our God is all-knowing, He is all-loving, and He knows the end from the beginning.  We can trust Him to bring about what He says He will bring about.  Keep one eye on Israel and what is going on in the Middle East, while keeping the other eye solidly focused on Scripture.  The signs of the last days are coming together, and the Lord Jesus is returning soon!  Be ready, dear friends!