• “The Indignation” is a term used by the Prophets to describe a short period of time of about 75 days (2½ months) at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, but before the kingdom reign of Christ begins. At that time, the Lord’s indignation will be poured out against Israel—on account of His controversy with them for their departure from Him (Isaiah 10:5, 25; 26:20; Dan. 8:19; 11:36, etc.)—by the hand of the Gentile armies who will align themselves against them. This period of time is computed from Daniel 12:7 and Daniel 12:11-12—from “a time, times, and an half” (1260 days—Rev. 12:6, 14; 13:5) to “the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days” (1335 days). As mentioned, to accomplish His “indignation” against Israel, the Lord will employ the instrument of the surrounding Gentile nations who have a deep hatred for Israel (Psa. 83:4-5). After the armies of those nations have been used by the Lord to accomplish His work of humbling the Jews, He will have “indignation” on them as well, and will judge them (Isa. 13:5; 30:27-33; 34:2; 66:14; Jer. 10:10; Nah. 1:6; Hab. 3:12; Zeph. 3:8).
• Daniel 11:36 indicates the start of “the Indignation.” It begins after the Antichrist’s (the willful king) reign in the land—he prospers “till” God orders the Indignation to be accomplished. Revelation 13:5 indicates that the Beast and the Antichrist will continue in their roles for 42 months (3½ years), which is the period of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 11:2). Hence, the Indignation begins at the close of the Great Tribulation. Isaiah 10:25, indicates when the Indignation will cease. It ends when the Lord judges Gog and the armies of his confederacy—presented in Isaiah as the Assyrian’s second attack (Isa. 33-34). After this, the millennial kingdom of Christ will begin (Isa. 11-12; Isa. 35; Ezek. 40-48).
• As political pressure mounts in the Middle East, hatred against the Jews (from the Arab nations particularly) will be augmented (Psa. 74:8; Psa. 83:2-5).
Six Confederate Armies
• As the various nations struggle for world supremacy and survival, they will align themselves into large coalitions because there is strength in numbers. There will be six different groups of armies that will be engaged in the various battles of the Indignation. They are:
1) The King of the South and His Confederacy (Dan. 11:40; Ezek. 30:1-8*)
This confederacy will be comprised of Egypt (the King of the South) and the allied countries of North East Africa (Ethiopia, Libya, perhaps Sudan, and others).
2) The King of the North and His Arab Confederacy (Dan. 11:40)
This is a ten-nation confederacy of nations to the north and east of Israel (Psa. 83:3-8). It will be comprised of Turkey, which is the nation that might produce the leader of this confederacy, and the Arab nations surrounding Israel (Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Arabia, and others). They will be Muslim peoples who have a deep-seated hatred of the Jews (Psa. 83:3-4).
3) The Western Confederacy Led by the Beast
This is the revived Roman Empire (Dan. 2:40-45; 7:7-27; Rev. 13:1-3). It is a ten-nation confederacy from Western Europe (Italy, Britain, France, Spain and others, and perhaps even some of North America). These countries are nominally Christian. They have outwardly embraced Christianity and have partaken, in a measure, of its light and privileges, but are without faith in the Saviour, Jesus Christ. This group of nations could also be referred to as (political) Babylon.
4) The King of Kings and the Armies of Heaven (Rev. 19:11-16)
This is the army of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will consist of Christians who will have been taken to heaven at the Rapture, and all who have partaken in the first resurrection from New and Old Testament times.
5) Gog and His Confederacy (Ezekiel 38:1-7)
This confederacy will be comprised of Russia and many other nations in the far north and east of Israel (Germany and other eastern European nations). They will be mostly atheistic people.
6) Israel’s Armies (Isa. 11:13-14; Jer. 51:19-23; Psa. 108:10-13; Mic. 4:13; Zech. 12:6; 14:14)
This army will be comprised of the redeemed men from all twelve tribes of Israel.
Armageddon
• Armageddon is not a single battle, as is commonly thought, but is a series of battles that will be fought during “the indignation,” beginning with the King of the South coming into the land of Israel.
The King of the North
• During the Tribulation period, “a king of fierce countenance” will rise up in the Moslem nations to the north and east of Israel (Dan. 8:23-24). He will be an expert in occult science and other Satanic devices. His origin will probably be Turkish, or perhaps Syrian. He will unite the Arab nations with the singular purpose of destroying Israel (Psa. 83:3-4). He will have an enormous army of two hundred million persons (Rev. 9:16). Antiochus Epiphanes (called “a little horn,” in Daniel 8:9) is a type of this man.
The Invasion of the King of the South
• The battles will begin with the King of the South (Egypt) and his allied armies invading Israel’s land from the south (Dan. 11:40a; Isa. 7:18–“the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt;” (Jer. 46:3-9*)
The Believing Jewish Remnant Spared
• The believing remnant of Jews who will flee for their lives into the mountains, the caves, and the dens of the earth for safety, will be providentially preserved from the destroying armies (Zeph. 2:3; Matt. 24:16-21; Psa. 83:3; Jer. 36:26;* 39:10-12;* Rev. 12:13-16).
• This devastating invasion by the King of the North will bring “the great tribulation” in the land of Israel to a close at 1260 days (measured from the middle of the week). This will be 18 days short of the last 3½ years (1278 days). For the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened (Rev. 12:6; Matt. 24:22).
• The King of the North will take the spoil of gold and silver, and the treasures that the Jews have gathered to themselves through their commercial labours when they were dispersed throughout the earth (Isa. 2:7-8; 10:6, 13-14; Psa. 73:7, 12; Ob. 11; Zeph. 1:13, 18).
The Invasion of the King of the North—The First Attack of the Assyrian (the Consumption)
• The Euphrates River formed the eastern boundary of the old Roman Empire. Historically, it helped to hold the nations in the east from advancing westward. Prophetically, it represents the West’s power (politically and militarily) to hold the Arab nations from advancing into Israeli territory. Revelation 16:12, states that near the end of the Great Tribulation it will be “dried up.” We do not take this to be literal, but rather, to mean that the empire of the Beast will no longer be able to control that front.
• The collapse of the eastern front of the prophetic earth will result in enormous numbers of Muslims (under the King of the North) invading the land of Israel from the north. (This can also be referred to as the first attack of the Assyrian, and is so used in Isaiah and Micah.) They will come in like a “whirlwind” (Dan. 11:40b-42). This mighty invasion will desolate the land of Israel ruthlessly. The land will look like the garden of Eden (comparatively speaking) before the armies move through, but behind them it will be a desolate wilderness (Joel 2:1:11). This “overflowing scourge” will be raised up by God to destroy the godless apostate mass of Jews who will have received Antichrist and have worshipped the image of the Beast (Isa. 5:26-30; 7:17-20–“the bee that is in the land of Assyria;” 8:7-8; 10:5-7; 17:9-12; 18:5-6; 28:15, 18-19; Rev. 9:13-21—6th Trumpet, 16:12—6th vial; John 10:12*–the “wolf” comes and catches the sheep; Psa. 80:8-16–the “wild boar” out of the woods wastes the vineyard).
• This devastating invasion is also referred to as “the consumption,” which is a technical term for the consuming judgments executed by the King of the North and his Arab confederacy as they sweep through the land of Israel (Isa. 10:22-23; J. N. Darby Translation footnote on Isaiah 28:22; Dan. 9:27).
• The King of the North will also have a navy which will engage in this conflict (Dan. 11:40).
• The Jews’ false Messiah (the Antichrist) will “flee” at the moment of the nation’s great calamity. Being in league with the Beast, he will likely run to Rome for protection. He is seen later with the Beast when the Lord returns in judgment (Rev. 19:19-20; Zech. 11:17; Isa. 22:19; John 10:13;* Jer. 39:4*).
• The Jews who will have put their trust in their false Messiah, will “fret themselves” and “curse their king” for leaving them in such a peril (Isa. 8:20-21).
The Destruction of the Apostate Jews
• Two thirds of the Jews who will have been gathered back into the land of Israel will be killed! (Zech. 13:8) This will be approximately 12-13 million Jews slaughtered in a period of a few days! There are about 18 million Jews worldwide today. They are increasing at about 1% per year, which means that there could be approximately 19-20 million back in their land by the end of the Great Tribulation.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
• As the allied armies of the King of the North (his Arab confederates) approach Jerusalem, terror will strike the city. The Jews in the city will look out with horror when they see the vast armies surrounding them on every side (Isa. 22:1-14). The armies of “Elam” (Iran today), “Kir” (perhaps Moab, Isa. 15:1, Jordan, or maybe Media, which is north Iran), and “Edom” (perhaps part of Arabia), the confederates of the King of the North, are those who will execute this judgment. The King of the North will probably be occupied with expelling the King of the South from the land (Isa. 22:6; Ob. 11-14; Psa. 137:7).
• These allied armies under the King of the North (his Arab confederates) will proceed to take Jerusalem. They will lay it in heaps and shed blood like water around the city! The women will be ravished and the dead will lie in the streets (Psa. 79:1-3; Isa. 64:10; Mic. 3:12; Zeph. 1:10-18; Zech. 14:1-2; Ob. 11-14).
• One half of the city of Jerusalem will be taken captive (Zech. 14:2).
• The temple that the Jews will have will be destroyed (Psa. 74:1-8; Isa. 63:18; 64:11).
• The godly remnant of Jews will be perplexed and in despair as they see their country being desolated by this northern invader. They will cry to God for help (Joel. 2:12-17; Psa. 73-89—third book of the Psalms; Zech. 13:9; Isa. 63:15-64:12).
• There will be a general mayhem as the armies pass through the land. While Jerusalem and the land of Israel are being desolated, the confederated armies under the King of the North will betray some of their own confederates (Ob. 7). They will enter into some of the countries that immediately surround the land of Israel in an attempt to overthrow and loot them. The “consumption” will be upon the whole land (Isa. 10:22-23; 28:22; Psa. 75:3). Those countries situated on Israel’s promised territory who have been confederate with the King of the North will come under judgment at this time (Dan. 11:41; Isa. 10:7; 14:29 to Isa. 23:17—the “burdens;” Jer. 46-49;* Ezek. 25-30;* Amos. 1-2:8; 2 Kings 24:7;* Jer. 25:9-11*).
• Edom (perhaps part of Arabia) will help in the destruction of Jerusalem and will be deceived at this time by their own confederacy and will suffer loss. They will be ransacked and looted and be left small in numbers (Ob. 1-9).
• The confederacy will also turn on “Moab” (Isa. 15-16; Jer. 48; Ezek. 25:8-11; Amos 2:1-3—perhaps part of Jordan), “Ammon” (Jer. 49:1-6; Ezek. 25:1-7; Amos 1:13-15—perhaps part of Jordan also), the “Philistines” (Isa. 14:28-32; 20:1; Jer. 47; Ezek. 25:15-17; Amos 1:6-10—perhaps the Gaza Strip Arabs), “Damascus” (Isa. 17; Ob. 1-14; Isa. 21:11-12; Jer. 49:7-22; Ezek. 25:12-14; Amos 1:11-12; Jer. 49:23-27; Amos 1:3-5—southern Syria), and “Tyre” and “Sidon” (Isa. 23; Ezek. 26-28; Amos. 1:9-11—Lebanon). Those in these countries will flee for their lives while their lands are plundered.
• Although attacked, a remnant of Edom, Moab, and Ammon will escape. God will allow this to give Israel the opportunity of giving them their final blow later (Dan. 11:41–the “chief” escape; Jer. 48:6, 9, 12; 49:5, 8, 11).
• The King of the North will continue his conquest down into North East Africa, destroying the King of the South (Egypt) and his allies—Libya, Ethiopia, and others (Dan. 11:42-43; Isa. 19-20; Jer. 46:13-26; Ezek. 29:1-12; 30:1-26).
• The Egyptians will flee for their lives and will be scattered throughout the nations around them. Their land will be given over to “a cruel lord; and fierce king.” Historically, this may have been the Egyptian king, Psamatik I (663-609 BC), or one of the Assyrian kings—such as Esarhaddon or Ashurbanipal, but prophetically, it is the King of the North (Ezek. 29:12; 30:23, 26; Isa. 19:4; Jer. 46:5-6, 15, 21).
• After the King of the North has destroyed and scattered the Egyptians and their armies, he will lay hold of the treasures of that land (Dan. 11:43; Jer. 29:19).
The Western Confederacy (the Beast) Comes Into the Land of Israel
• The Beast and his armies (the Western confederacy), hearing of the invasion of the King of the North into Israel, will come in from the west to defend the land. Their intention will be to use their massive navy to stop the armies of the King of the North. But it will be too late—the armies of the King of the North will already have advanced into Egypt by the time that the Western armies arrive (Rev. 16:13-14; Num. 24:24 (“the ships of Chittim”—Chittim is Cyprus).
The Appearing of Christ
• As the Beast’s armies (the Western confederacy) enter the land of Israel, the Lord will come out of heaven in judgment (as “a thief in the night”). He will destroy the armies of the Beast with “the brightness of His coming.” This is the Appearing of Christ (2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 11:15-18—7th trumpet; Rev. 16:15-21—political Babylon is judged—7th vial; Rev. 19:11-19; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14-15; Col. 3:4; Titus 2:13; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; 1 Tim. 6:14; Isa. 13-14; 66:5; Mal. 3:2; 1 Peter 1:7; 5:4; Rev. 14:9-12; Jer. 50-51; Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45—the Stone cut out without hands breaks the ten toes of the image—the revived Roman Empire).
• No man knows the day nor the hour of the Lord’s coming—His Appearing (Matt. 24:36-41).
• The heavenly saints who were caught up with Christ previously at the Rapture will come out of heaven with Him. They are referred to as the armies of heaven (1 Thess. 3:13; 4:14; 2 Thess. 1:7; Zech. 14:5; Rev. 1:7; 17:14; 19:14).
• The Lord will cast the Roman leader (the personal Beast) and the Jews’ false Messiah (the Antichrist—the false prophet) alive into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20-21).
The Day of the Lord
• The Appearing of Christ to judge the Western confederacy commences “the Day of the Lord.” This is the time when the Lord will publicly assert His universal power and authority over the earth. From this point forward, He will begin to subdue and expel every adverse power in the creation. The Day of the Lord will extend throughout the entire 1000-year reign of Christ—the Millennium. (2 Peter 3:8-10; 2 Thess. 2:2; Isa. 2:10-22; Joel 1:15; 1 Thess. 5:2; Jer. 46:10; Zeph. 2:2-3; Mal. 4:5).
The Harvest Judgment
• Christ’s Appearing will also begin “the harvest,” which is a discriminating judgment by the angels that cleanses the Western prophetic earth of all that offend. The offenders will be taken out of the earth and cast alive into the lake of fire. Those who have not resisted the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom will be left on earth to enjoy the earthly blessings of the kingdom. As a farmer in harvest time separates the wheat from the chaff, the angels will separate the good from the bad. At this time, “one shall be taken” out of the earth in judgment, and “the other left” on earth to enter the Millennium (Rev. 14:14-16; Matt. 13:37-42; 24:40-41; Dan. 2:35; Jer. 51:1-2).
• After the angels have gone throughout the western (prophetic) earth, severing the wicked from among the just, the population in the west will be greatly decreased. People in those once enlightened lands will be as scarce as gold (Isa. 13:12; 14:23; 24:1, 6; Jer. 50:3, 39; 51:2).
• The “times of the Gentiles”—the period of Gentile supremacy over Israel—will be over. This will close Daniel’s 70th week, being 1278 days from the middle of the week. (Luke 21:24; Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45; 7:9-14, 22-27).
The Destruction of the Armies Of the King of the North
• While the King of the North is in Egypt, he will be troubled by the tidings that he will hear out of the “east” and out of the “north.” From his perspective, down in the land of Egypt, news out of the north will likely be about the Western armies under the Beast entering the land of Israel. The tidings he will hear out of the east may be the rumblings of Gog gathering his forces or, perhaps, the results of the Lord’s Appearing and His judgment on the western armies (Matt. 24:27). This will lead the King of the North to return from Egypt with his armies into the land of Israel to battle (Dan. 11:44-45).
• The Lord will defend Jerusalem from the armies of the King of the North as they come back into the land of Israel from the south (Isa. 31:4-9; Zech. 9:8; 12:8; 14:3).
• The King of the North will meet the Lord in the land of Israel, and will stand up against Him in battle! (Dan. 8:25).
• The power of the Lord’s voice will beat down the King of the North and his armies (Isa. 14:25; 17:13-14; 30:30-32; Dan. 11:45; Joel. 2:20; Zech. 14:3).
• When the King of the North falls in the land of Israel, Gog (Russia) who had supported him with munitions (Dan. 8:24), will not come to his aid (Dan. 11:45–“none shall help him”).
• The Lord will cast the King of the North alive into the lake of fire (“Tophet”), where the Beast and the false prophet (the Antichrist) will already be (Isa. 30:33).
• There is a further extension of Daniel’s 70th week that measures to 1290 days from the middle of the week. This is 12 days past the end of the week. This period of time may be used of the Lord to remove the northern army out of the land (Dan. 12:11; Joel 2:20; Isa. 17:13-14)
The Restoration of Israel
• The Lord’s coming (the Appearing) will not only be for the destruction of the Gentile powers, but also for the deliverance of the believing Jewish remnant and for the restoration of the ten scattered tribes of Israel (Luke 18:1-8; Psa. 90-106–4th book of the Psalms).
• The restoration of Israel will take place in two phases. First, the Jews (the two tribes—Judah and Benjamin) who will have passed through the Great Tribulation in the land of Israel will be restored to the Lord. Then, secondly, the ten tribes, who are scattered and in the four corners of the earth (Deut. 28:25; 32:26), will return and be restored to Him (Dan. 12:1-2; Ezek. 37:15-17; Jer. 33:7; 2 Sam. 2:1-4* & 5:1-3;* 2 Sam. 19:9-15.* In each reference Judah—the Jews—are mentioned first.)
• Although those in the West will see Christ in all of His brightness (2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2:8), evidently, the Jews will not see Him immediately. While the Lord is judging the western armies and the King of the North, He will, apparently, hide Himself from their view. (His Appearing, from the West’s perspective, is referred to as being “in a cloud,” suggesting a partial veiling of Himself in respect to the Jews. This is done, apparently, in order to reserve a time when He can reveal Himself to them privately (Luke 21:27; Isa. 8:17; Psa. 88:14; Gen. 45:1-5*). When His coming (the Appearing) is in reference to the restoration of the Jews, it is spoken of as being “on a cloud.” This implies a full display to His brethren (Matt. 24:27, 30; 26:64; Acts 1:9-11).
• The Lord will be seen on the Mount of Olives. As His feet touch the Mount, it will cleave in two, forming a very great valley running east and west (Zech. 14:4).
• The Lord will reveal Himself to the Jews at this time in a quiet and intimate manifestation. This private manifestation will be between the Lord and the Jews alone (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:9-11; Zech. 12:10-14; Gen. 45:1-5*).
• Those who see Christ will act as messengers to the rest of the remnant of the Jews, and will go into the mountains where many will be hiding, bringing tidings of the Lord’s return to Jerusalem. The remnant will come out of their hiding places into the valley that the Lord’s feet will have made (Isa. 52:7; Zech. 14:5).
• The Jewish remnant will look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn in repentance. They will own their national blood-guiltiness in crucifying the Lord of glory and will be restored to Him at this time (Psa. 51:14; Acts 2:23; Gen. 44:14-34;* Isa. 53; 2 Sam. 19:15*–“Gilgal,” the place of self-judgment; Zech. 12:10-14; John 20:24-28*).
• The remnant of Judah and Benjamin (the Jews) will weep for their brethren, the scattered tribes of Israel. The Lord will comfort them with the promise that they will be recovered (Jer. 31:15-17; Compare Song of Solomon 8:8).
• The Lord will gather the ten tribes of Israel back into their land at that time (Deut. 30:1-5; Isa. 10:20-22; 11:11-13; 26:19; 27:12-13; 35:10; 49:8-26; 66:19-20; Jer. 30-33; 46:27-28; Ezek. 20:34; 34:11-16; 36:16-38; 37:1-28; Dan. 12:2; Hos. 6:1-3; 14:1-9; Mic. 4:6-7; 5:3; Zech. 8:7-8; Amos 9:14-15; Psa. 68:22; Psa. 107-150–5th book of Psalms—particularly Psa. 120-134, i.e. Psa. 122:4; Gen. 46:1-29;* Lev. 23:24-25*–“the Feast of Trumpets”).
• The Lord will use His angels to gather His elect of the tribes of Israel. A very great company of Israelites will come up from every country on earth from as far away as China (“Sinim”–Isa. 49:12), and parts of Russia (“Mesech”–Psa. 120:5) (Matt. 24:31; Jer. 31:8; 15:4; Deut. 28:25; Ezek. 36:24).
• Some of the restored remnant of the Jews will be used as messengers, or instructors, to the ten tribes of Israel (Isa. 6:8-13; Gen. 45:9-13;* 46:28;* John 1:43-49;* Dan. 12:3).
• Those who have real faith among the tribes will come weeping and broken in spirit after their long exile of nearly 2750 years (Jer. 31:6-9; Psa. 84:5-8).
• The tribes of Israel will also praise the Lord as they return to their homeland (Psa. 138).
• The “tongue” of the Red Sea (the east and west arms of the sea which form the Sinai Peninsula), the seven streams of the Nile River, and the river of Egypt (a small stream approximately 75 miles east of Suez) will be dried. This will open up a clear and easy passage for the tribes returning from the south (Isa. 11:15-16; 19:5-10; 27:12-13).
• The needs of the returning tribes of Israel will be met by some of the Gentile nations who will cringe before the power and glory of the Lord then manifest in the earth (Psa. 18:44-45; 66:3–J.N. Darby Trans.). The tribes of Israel will come up to the land by every conceivable mode—horses, mules, camels, wagons, and in ships (Isa. 11:12; 14:1-2; 49:9-23; 60:8-9).
• The return of the ten tribes to the land of Israel will be quite rapid—between the 1290 days and the 1335 days measured from the middle of the prophetic week (Isa. 60:8-9; 66:8; Dan. 12:11-12).
• As the angels gather the elect of Israel (Matt. 24:31), a mixed multitude of Israelites will come up with them. The Lord will bring them into the wilderness at the borders of the land to sift them. The “rebels” (those without faith) will be purged out from among them, and those with faith will be brought into the land to join their brethren—the Jews (Ezek. 11:9-10; 20:35-38; Hos. 2:14-15; Amos 9:9-10; Zeph. 3:10-12; Jer. 31:17; Psa. 135:14-18).
• When the returned tribes see the Lord, they will ask, “What are these wounds in thy hands?” The Lord will answer, “Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends”—the Jews (Zech. 13:6). They were not in the land at the time of the crucifixion of Christ, as were the Jews, and consequently, the guilt of crucifying Christ will not be on their conscience. They will, however, own their guilt of being under the curse of breaking Jehovah’s law and will be restored to the Lord at that time. (Lev. 23:26-32–“the Day of Atonement,” Lev. 26:40-42; Hosea 5:15).
• The restored nation of Israel (a remnant of the whole twelve tribes) will be, so to speak, “born at once” (Isa. 60:22; 66:8).
• The Lord will make “a new covenant” with Israel (a remnant from the whole twelve tribes) that will be everlasting. (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-12; Matt. 26:28).
• A remnant of all twelve tribes of Israel will be given “a new heart,” which refers to being born again. Consequently, they will have a desire to be obedient to the law of God (Ezek. 36:25-27). All who have faith in Israel will be “saved” in that day (Rom. 11:26).
• All enmity will be removed between the tribes of Israel. They will dwell peaceably together. The ten tribes (called Ephraim) will not envy the Jews (Judah), and the Jews will no longer vex the ten tribes (Isa. 11:13; Ezek. 37:15-28; 38:11; Psa. 133:1-3; Hos. 11:1).
• Israel’s mouth will be filled with laughter and their tongue will be turned to singing as they rejoice together (Psa. 126).
• The returned tribes of Israel will fill the land to the point that there will not be enough room for them. They will be as the sand of the sea in number, and will ask the Lord for enlarged borders. (Isa. 9:3–J.N. Darby Translation footnote; 49:19-20; 54:1-3; Ezek. 36:37-38; Zech. 10:10; Hos. 1:10; Psa. 115:14).
The Invasion of Gog—The Second Attack of the Assyrian
• As the Indignation continues, Gog (Russia) and his enormous hordes (the great Assyrian in its last form), will see the twelve tribes of Israel at rest in their land, and will come down from the uttermost parts of the north in an attempt to overthrow the kingdom of Christ in Israel. This can be referred to as the second attack of the Assyrian (Ezek. 38-39; Isa. 10:28-32; 29:1-3; 33:1; Isa. 36-37;* 2 Chron. 32;* Psa. 46:3; Psa. 86:14; Psa. 140:1-4, 9; Mic. 4:11-12; 5:5).
• The Lord will use this occasion to cause the armies of many other nations of the earth to come up with them. Gog (Russia) will lead this final attack (Isa. 34:1-2; Joel 3:1-2, 9-15; Zeph. 3:8; Mic. 4:11-12; Ezek. 38:4-6).
• Tidings of the hordes led by Gog (Russia) approaching the land will reach the ears of newly gathered Israel, and they will call upon the Lord to save them (Isa. 10:28-32; 29:4; 37:1-4;* Psa. 86:14-17; Psa. 140-143).
• The approaching innumerable host will come up like a cloud (Ezek. 38:16).
• The Lord, now in Zion (Jerusalem), will not allow the city to be taken again (Psa. 46:4-6; Nah. 1:1-15; Zeph. 3:5).
• The Lord will encourage Israel to trust in Him as their shelter (Isa. 10:24-27; 26:20-21; 37:33-35; Zeph. 3:8; Mic. 5:5; Psa. 46:1-3, 5; Psa. 140:7; Psa. 143:9; Nah. 1:7).
• The Lord will suddenly cause a massive earthquake to disrupt the invading armies’ battle plan. Fear and confusion will spread through their ranks. Pandemonium will break out among the approaching hordes, and the armies will begin to beat one another down in their panic (Ezek. 38:18-21; Zech. 14:12-13; Isa. 29:6).
• At the same time, the Lord will cause certain other natural catastrophes to accompany the earthquake—such as; pestilence, hailstones, driving rain, and fire (Ezek. 38:22; Isa. 29:6).
The Winepress Judgment (The Vintage)
• The Lord will then roar out of Zion (Jerusalem) to tread the Winepress of the wrath of God. This is the Vintage, or “Winepress” judgment. Gog (Russia), who will lead the attack, will fall on the mountains of Israel (Rev. 14:17-20; Isa. 26:21; Ezek. 38:13-23; 39:1-5; Isa. 10:33-34; 27:1; 33:10-12; 37:36; 63:1-6; Joel. 3:16).
• The “rebels” among the ten tribes of Israel who have been sifted out from among the Israelites who have faith, and left at the border of the land, will be judged by the Lord in the Winepress judgment. The “vine of the earth” will be cast into press and trampled by the Lord (Rev. 14:17-20).
• In fierce indignation, the Lord will tread down the train of the nations that follow Gog as He marches through the land from Jerusalem out to the land of Edom—where the armies under Gog have gathered. This will be approximately two hundred miles in length (Hab. 3:12; Rev. 14:20; Joel 3:12).
• Edom (probably part of Arabia) will be the Lord’s threshing floor of the nations that follow Gog. He will thresh the heathen in His anger, and trample them in His fury. The slaughter of the armies will be so great that the bloodshed will come up to the horses’ bridles! This will be the day of the Lord’s vengeance (Isa. 34:1-10; 63:1-6; 66:15-18; Joel 3:12-16; Ob. 15, 16; Rev. 14:20; Mic. 4:11-12).
• The stench of their carcasses will come up from the earth and the fowls of the air will eat their flesh (Isa. 34:3; Ezek. 39:4).
• The Lord will also send a devouring fire and a great whirlwind into the land of Russia and to many distant parts of the earth. It will consume many unbelieving people in those parts. “The slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth” (Ezek. 39:6-7; Zeph. 3:8; Jer. 25:32-33; 30:23; Isa. 66:16).
• The Gentiles that are spared from the desolating judgments of the Lord will go back to their lands and to the distant parts of the earth to declare tidings of the glory of the Lord. The nations will hear and fear will help any remaining Israelites return to their land (Isa. 11:11-12, 66:19-20).
• The judgments of the Lord in Edom on the assembled nations (the confederates with Russia), will be so severe that the land of Edom itself will be left in a perpetual state of desolation. It will remain barren and desolate from generation to generation; and will serve as a reminder for all who may think of rebelling during the Millennium (Isa. 34:5-15; Joel 3:19; Mal. 1:3).
• The Lord will return to Israel from Edom after having trodden the Winepress alone (Isa. 63:1-6).
The Conquest of the Armies of Israel
• Having returned to Jerusalem, the Lord will then lead out the armies of restored Israel to fight and to subdue any of the remaining enemies who are still situated on their rightful territory—just as in the days when Joshua led the children of Israel in conquest. The battle will extend as far out as the land of Assyria (Mic. 5:5-6). At this time Israel will take the full extent of their promised inheritance from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates river (Gen. 15:15-18; Ex. 23:31; Josh. 1:4; Psa. 47:3; Psa. 108:7-13; Psa. 144:1; Isa. 11:14; Jer. 51:20-23; Ezek. 25:14; Ob. 17-21; Mic. 4:13; 5:5-6, 8; Ezek. 39:10; Zech. 10:3-5; 12:6; 14:14; Num. 24:17-19; 2 Sam. 8:1-13;* Est. 9:1-19;* Psa. 118:10-12; Psa. 18:34-48; Mal. 4:3).
• Edom will receive its final blow from the armies of Israel. Not one person will remain! They will be totally removed as a nation from the face of the earth (Ezek. 25:14; Ob. 18; Isa. 11:14; Num. 24:18-19).
• The Philistines will also receive their final blow from the armies of Israel. Like Edom, they will no longer remain as a nation on earth (Isa. 11:14; Zeph. 2:5; Am. 1:8; 2 Sam. 8:1*).
• Moab and Ammon will be subdued and put to tribute by Israel. A remnant of them will be allowed to remain on earth during the coming millennial reign of Christ. (Isa. 16:14; Jer. 48:47; 49:6; 2 Sam. 8:2*).
• The Lord will make an end to all war and violence (Psa. 46:9; Psa. 147:14; Isa. 2:4; Hos. 2:18; Mic. 4:3; Zech. 9:10; 1 Kings 5:4*).
• No oppressor from this time forward will be allowed to trouble Israel again (Joel 3:17; Nah. 1:15; Isa. 60:18).
Satan Bound
• Satan and his angels will be bound and confined to the bottomless pit for one thousand years—the duration of the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-3; Isa. 24:21-22–“many days”).
The Sessional Judgment
• The Lord will then establish “the throne of His glory” on earth, and all remaining nations will be assembled before Him. These will be nations outside the prophetic earth; the nations in the prophetic earth will have already been judged by this time in the Harvest judgment. This is the Lord’s Sessional judgment. (It appears that representatives from the various nations will be brought before the throne, not every last person on earth. The nations will be judged as nations, but the results will be individual.) The criterion on which they will be judged is connected with how they have treated the messengers (“My brethren”) of the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 24:14). The Lord will divide “the righteous” from the wicked, as a shepherd divides “his sheep from the goats.” The nations that have shown themselves to be righteous will enter into the material blessings of the Millennial kingdom of Christ on earth. The nations that have shown themselves to be unrighteous will be sent away into “everlasting punishment”—the lake of fire (Matt. 25:31-46).
• 1335 days from “the midst of the week” will now be expired. Every adversary and evil-doer will have been put down. (Dan. 9:27; 12:12; 1 Kings 5:4*).