Here’s something new to think about (I think). There are certain givens about Gog and Magog, and certain variables. The problem is that we don’t always know which are which.
Some givens.
It is taught: When they (potential converts to Judaism) see the War of Gog and Magog [approaching], they will ask them (Gog and Magog), “Why have you come?” They will answer them, “Against God and His Moshiach…” (Avodah Zarah 3b)
After Moshiach comes a major war will be instigated against Israel, as mentioned in the Holy Zohar…This is the War of Gog and Magog spoken about in Yechezkel (38, 39), and Zechariah (14), as well as in Midrash Tehillim (Mizmor 118:9): Three times in the future Gog and Magog will got to war against the Jewish people and go up against Jerusalem. They will assemble and anger the nations to go up to Jerusalem with him, as it explains there…After, The Holy One, Blessed is He, will take His revenge against them, as spoken about in Yechezkel, and the Jewish people will dwell in their land in security and with much good. (Drushei Olam HaTohu, Chelek 2, Drush 4, Anaf 12, Siman 10)
Now the word of God came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tuval, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘God says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tuval. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.’” (Yechezkel 38:1-6)
“You will fall on the open field” God declares. “And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety, and they will know that I am God. I will make known My holy name in the midst of My people Israel.” (Yechezkel 39:5-7)
I will remove the northern army far from you, and I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, and its vanguard into the eastern sea, and its rear guard into the western sea. (Yoel 2:20)
But here’s the question. Does the War of Gog and Magog have to be an actual military conflict? Does it have to start off as one? For example, it could begin as a cyber war but develop into a military one. As mentioned in the previous post, some End-of-Dayists wanted to call the pandemic the War of Gog and Magog…which is fine as long as it accomplishes what God wants from the War of Gog and Magog:
God will be King over the entire land. On that day, God will be one, and His name will be one. (Zechariah 14:9)
Sometimes events unfold the way it was expected, or at least prophesied. A lot of times they don’t, though after the fact we may say, “Oh ya, right, that makes sense now.” Or, we might just end being very surprised, even shocked, at the means God employed to get the “job” done…especially if it happened right under our noses and we just didn’t get it…until too late.
For example, the Internet. Personally, I have long since held that the Internet is the modern version of the Aitz HaDa’as Tov v’Ra, as the Tenth Hour presentation on this site explains. The shoe fits on so many sides. Remarkably so, in fact.
But lately (as in this morning), it occurred to me out of the blue for the first time that the Internet might also be the War of Gog and Magog already in progress, for many important reasons that I will now begin to discuss. I know, I know, it sounded strange to me at first as well. But the more I thought about it, the more amazed I was at just how true it could be.
Once upon a time, man waged war with sticks-and-stones. Then he figured out the sword and the bow-and-arrow. Eventually he discovered gun powder and made guns and cannons, then more powerful guns and cannons. Then came the missiles, ICBMs, lasers, and supersonic bombers, etc.
But the Internet? It has changed so much in so many incredible ways. Once upon a time, if you wanted something you had to go get it, or do it. Now, thanks to very sophisticated connectivity and programming, you can get and accomplish so much more just staying in one spot…if you have the right buttons at your fingertips, the right brains in your head, and a devious-enough nature to use it to personal advantage.
It’s very dangerous to be at war with anyone. It’s even more dangerous to be at war and not recognize it.