Gog and Magog and Jewish Eschatology

from Google Images

After the thousand years was complete, or in other words, after the millennium, the dragon was to be released (Revelation 20:5, 7). So, immediately after his release from prison or from the bottomless pit, the very first thing on his agenda was to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:8), at which time the Battle of Gog and Magog occurs. Most Bible students believe the nations refer to the gentiles—i.e. all nations except for the Jews. However, as I explained in a previous study[1] the nations in this context refers to the tribes of Israel or the lands of the Jews. So the dragon immediately began deceiving the Jews. If this is so, who is Gog and what is the land of Magog, and when does Gog arise to make war? The text clearly concludes that the battle or war occurs after the millennium, which, from a dispensational and premillennial worldview, gives rise to questions about the success of the so-called millennial reign of Christ:

 

Unto Us a Child is Born

from Google Images

The Scripture records that Mary brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger (Luke 2:7). It was her firstborn, but the Scripture also denies that Joseph had any part in Jesus’ conception (Luke 1:34-35; cf. Matthew 1:18-20). This scene recalls to us the prophecy of Isaiah that a “virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:11). Of course many interpretations have been made of this Scripture in order to disclaim its most obvious understanding. However, it is interesting to note that the disclaimers come only after the public ministry of Jesus. Religious folks were not so unbelieving prior to Jesus coming on the scene.

 

Paul in the Synagogue at Corinth

After Paul left Athens he came to Corinth, and as was his manner, he began to share Christ with his Jewish brethren in the local synagogue (Acts 18:4). This may also have been how he actually met Aquila and Priscilla, because Jesus told his disciples that when they entered a city to first inquire who in that city was hospitable enough to house guests and stay there (cp. Matthew 10:11). What better place could there be for a Jew to find hospitable Jews than the local synagogue? Archeology has uncovered in Corinth a partial inscription in Greek on a lintel, which is believed to have read (when complete) Synagogue of the Hebrews. Its writing indicates a later structure, but the synagogue over whose doorway this lintel was placed may have stood upon the same foundation of that in which Paul preached.