Chapter 4: WHY do they invade?

Ezekiel foretold Russia would lead a confederacy of nations to invade Israel. The first reason these nations come is to ‘cover the Land of Israel like a storm’, to turn their hand against Israel. They are motivated by a satanic hatred for the Jewish people to wipe them off the face of the earth. Of course, this is the stated goal of almost every Islamic nation. Since 1948, the Arab/Muslim nations have been in a constant state of war with Israel. The only ones not in a declared state of war with Israel today are Egypt, Turkey and Jordan, yet even they would be glad to see the end of Israel. This invasion will be a jihad, but also the final jihad. It will be the last great attempt by militant Islamic countries to wipe out Israel once and for all.

Russia’s main motivation will be to gain a foothold in the Middle-East, from which she could dominate the Persian Gulf and its Oil. But this would be hidden under the official motive of solving the ‘Israel Problem’, which is the main concern for her Islamic allies. Thus by providing the necessary organisation and military muscle to overcome Israel, she would gain favour in the Islamic world, which would be getting what it wants the most. In return, Russia would get the compliance and support from these nations, earning her the right to control the Middle-East and its Oil. She learned from invading Afghanistan that going it alone is not an effective strategy, as it leads to an unsustainable occupation.


This motivation for Russia to gain wealth and power through this invasion is clearly confirmed by Ezekiel 38:10-12: “Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an EVIL PLAN: You will say, ‘I will go up against a Land of unwalled villages (Kibbutzim); I will go to a PEACEFUL people, who dwell safely (securely), all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates to take PLUNDER and to take BOOTY, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and GOODS, who dwell in the MIDST of the EARTH.” 

Russia does not just aim to strip Israel of her assets, but also her strategic position in the Middle-East (“at the Centre of the Earth”) is clearly at the forefront of her plans. In His wisdom, God located Jerusalem at the centre of the earth. Ezekiel 5:5: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the centre of the nations, with countries all around her.'' It is God who chose the location of the nations, starting with Israel: Deuteronomy 32:8-9:“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples, according to the number of the sons of Israel. For the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.” God had a special purpose in locating Israel in the centre of the earth.

The Middle East happens to be the most strategic military spot on the earth. The Middle East is the key geographical area that links Asia to both Europe and to Africa. When in control of that area, a nation is sitting in a key military position. Israel stands in Russia's way. Israel is the only force keeping Russia from controlling the Middle East right now. If it has not been for Israel, Russia would already be there. The Arabs with their lack of unity would be no opposition for her. Israel is the thorn in Russia's side, a crucial puzzle piece necessary to complete any master plan for world domination. 

From the beginning of history, the narrow strip of land (Israel) along the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean, has been a strategic prize for every rising empire that sought to dominate the world. The empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome all fought in turn to capture Israel to acquire or to control the strategic land bridge linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. Today, it is not so important for commerce and troop movement. But Russia knows the conquest of Israel, the West's most reliable Middle Eastern military ally, would deliver the whole region into their control. Whoever controls the Middle East and the Persian Gulf oil supplies can set the agenda for Europe and Asia, including the rapidly growing economies of Japan, China, and India. All industrialised nations are dependent on the Middle East for critical energy supplies.

Thus, from this foothold in the Middle-East, Russia, supported by her allies, would be able to control most of the OIL in the world, giving her great power and wealth, especially considering the increasing demand for OIL in all the nations, even as it begins to run out and cost more. If Russia can successfully take over and control the Middle East then it will be controlling the largest oil resource in the world. It also needs the vast supply of other untapped natural resources housed in Israel and the Middle East (food and minerals).

No doubt, Gog and his armies will justify themselves as a force of liberation, but their true evil (aggressive) motives are revealed here in v10-12. The nation of regathered Israel that they are attacking are ‘PEACEFUL’, and only want peace. In other words, they will be the innocent victims of this attack. Whatever the publicly stated reasons for this invasion may be, the actual reason will be Russia's own self interest. Gog’s motive is for selfish gain, for power and wealth by aggression. It is stated in v10 that the invasion is premeditated by the Russians, for they devise an evil device, and resolve to invade for the purpose of spoils (v11-12).