Most observers of Bible prophecy and developments toward eventual fulfillment—from the pre-Trib perspective—believe a motivation for the Gog-Magog attack of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 will involve economics. It seems, as a matter of fact, that perhaps the primary motivation will be monetary.
The scriptural basis for this presumption derives from the following:
Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. (Ezekiel 38:9–12)
Of course, the real motivation, the impetus for this future attack, comes from Satan. He wants the Jewish nation Israel destroyed. If he can cause God’s promise—for Israel to be a nation forever—to fail, he doubtless believes he can avoid his own promised punishment, which is to burn throughout eternity in the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
The “evil thought” in this Ezekiel prophecy, though, will have at its root in the mind of the Gog spirit indwelling the leader of this satanic coalition the dark idea of stealing all the riches Israel is blessed with.
This motivation, it more and more appears, will be not only from just the desire to take Israel’s riches, but also from the determination to turn around all the coalition members’ (Gog-Magog nations’) abject, dismal economic conditions.
And this monetary-fiscal failure is ever more evident within the economic conditions of these major players that will lead the Gog-Magog assault, according to today’s news cycles.
Russia is in dire stress economically, and many observers believe this is one reason Vladimir Putin keeps feeding the youth and now even the older soldiers of Russia into the deadly machinery of war in the bloody battles against Ukraine. He must distract from the increasingly horrendous economy and living conditions suffered by the Russian people to preserve his position of power.
This has often been the strategy of the likes of Josef Stalin and subsequent dictators of the Soviet Union and around the world.
But we’re looking here at the Gog-Magog coalition member called “Persia.”
This, of course, is the area now called “Iran.”
Here are some news tidbits about that nation’s dismal fiscal condition:
- Iranians use internet connectivity to fight hated regime: Iran’s latest wave of unrest began with the kind of trigger that regimes fear because it spreads through every class: money. Shopkeepers in Tehran’s large mobile phone market shuttered their stores, and the anger pulled in students and more cities as the rial kept sliding and prices kept climbing. The protests did not reach the scale of the 2022 uprising, yet the tone shifted quickly, and the content online sharpened.
- Why Iranians are calling for the return of the Pahlavis and their monarchy: Protesters took to the streets of Iran this week, amid chants of anger against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and fury over an economy in free fall, a slogan once considered politically unutterable returned, and the sounds of crowds chanting it filled the air. “Javid Shah” – Long Live the Shah.
- Regime Change Here? Protesters Call for the Death of Ayatollah Khamenei Aa Violence Erupts All over Iran: Is this the end for the tyrannical regime of Ayatollah Khamenei and his minions? During the fifth day of protests in Iran, violence erupted in multiple major cities, and protesters were shouting for Khamenei to be killed. But I wouldn’t get too excited yet. Demanding regime change is easy. Bringing it about is something else altogether. Khamenei and his minions have a lot more guns than the protesters do, and the current regime will never step aside willingly. So those that are desperately hoping for regime change in Iran should not count their chickens before they hatch. (Rapture Ready News, January 2, 2026)
The stories of Iran’s radical Muslim regime coming under assault by the Iranian people continue to mount. And it is reported that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini has made arrangements to go into exile in Moscow at any moment.
But it is reasonable to wonder if this will happen because of Islam’s absolute dedication to establishing the rule of Allah no matter the opposition. War in the cause of Allah—even to the extent of murdering all people who oppose the Islamic law and rule—is justified, and there is to be no quarter given.
Like in the case of Putin and Russia, the Islamic dictatorship will not be deterred. Anything and everything will be done, if history is an indicator, to forge ahead with satanic-directed hegemony. Therefore, Bible prophecy and its fulfillment could well be in play in light of the dire economic conditions and resultant rage by the Iranian people.
It’s easy to postulate that the wrathful unrest of the people who now occupy the land of ancient Persia will cause Iran’s evil leaders to eagerly join with Russia, Turkey, and the rest of the Gog-Magog force in the assault against God’s chosen nation and people.
The “evil thought” of the one called “Gog” will almost certainly center around deflecting the anger and rage of the millions of people under these regimes’ dictatorships.
We are perhaps witnessing now the buildup toward solidifying that coalition Ezekiel spoke of thousands of years ago.
Money—the love of which, God’s Word tells us, is the root of all sorts of evil—certainly is at the nucleus of much of what’s going on in our world today. Whether considering the hatred surrounding the Israel-Muslim world, the blood-drenched Russia-Ukraine war, or the US action against the drug cartels of oil-rich but citizen-destitute Venezuela, economics are surely a prime motivating factor in the drive toward global dictatorship that will one day be attempted by Antichrist.
In that regard, we can see where President Dwight Eisenhower had it right in his warning against the military-industrial complex. The munitions industry it takes to foment and carry out war continues to create wealth for the producers and the merchants of weaponry.
All this we see developing points to the truth that Christ’s call to the Church is drawing near.
Speaking of motivation: Seeing that glorious moment drawing ever nearer, how motivated should we be to be about our Father’s business in carrying out the Great Commission?
Here again is the heart of that gospel to use in our mission to reach the lost:
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Do You think that America is the Babylon that the Book of REVELATION speaks of ❓️
Eve…
No…. 1st… Babylon (the new babylon) is referred to in Revelation no less than 4 times… specifically… as a CITY. Although yes, there is a “system” the A/C/ puts in place and we can refer to it as “Babylon”… this does not pair with the scriptural details.
I believe what is referred to as “new Babylon” is either 1. Jersualem 2. Neom / “The Line” … or 3. something we haven’t even seen yet. But it CANNOT be NYC, or even on this continent. Referring to where the A/C will rule from in the last half of the Trib Period –
Daniel 11:45
And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.
Ref: #1 … Jerusalem – It appears that when Jerusalem is invaded by and sacked by the A/C, who then pulls off the Abomination of Desolation at the halfway point, that the Archangel Michael, then supernaturally protects the “remnant” of Israel that flees to (what most think will be) Petra, for 42 months (last half of the Trib). Jerusalem is also describes as Egypt and Sodom …
Revelation 11:8
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Ref: #2 – This area that is described in Dan. 11:45 also seems to be where Neom is presently being built, “between the seas and the Holy Mountain” (Mt. Horeb) / between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba (“seas”, both being part of the Red Sea) ….. This new City “Neom” is predicted to become the main shipping hub in world trade in the European continent.
Here are just a few of the DOZENS of articles and videos I have on this – map of Mt. Horeb – PROPHECY NOW NEOM NEW BABYLON BLACKROCK ELON MUSK TRUMP SAUDI PRINCE VISION 2030 –
https://www.facebook.com/reel/721719560322673 This article aligns withthe Gen 6 “Sons of God” aspect – Saudi prince plans city with human gene editing, artificial rain
Is the Saudi Arabia New City NEOM Mystery Babylon mentioned in Revelation Prophecy? – Is the Saudi Arabia New City NEOM Mystery Babylon mentioned in Revelation Prophecy? In 2023, we find that the crown prince is floating a partnership with the Communist Chinese which would take the project to a whole new level, and a whole new outcome.
https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-building-neom-15-minute-surveillance-super-cities-with-communist-china/
More scripture backing the #1/#2 ideas…..
Rev. 18:23
The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your “sorcery”…… (Sorcery = Pharmekia / Pharmaceuticals / DNA changing Injections? … What do you think the “Mark of the Beast” is, that will make it impossible for anyone who receives it to be saved? Could it be because it permanently changes their DNA and they are no longer human? Just as the fallen angels attemtped to do both before and after the flood?) ……. all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets……. (the prophets were ALL from the Middle East…. NOT from NYC or other continents) ……. and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” —
Revelation 6:8
New King James Version
8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the “beasts” (LOOK CLOSELY AT THIS WORD IN THE GREEK…. IT CARRIES THE IDEA OF “MICROBIALS” / SOMETHING POSSIBLY “MICROSCOPIC”) of the earth.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%206&version=NKJV————————
But No, there is a reason the North American Continents are specifically NOT mentioned in the End Times Prophecies. Things will also NOT be “dragging out for years” …. we are at (or extremely near) a point in the “technological sense” where the neccessary components mentioned in scripture are ined up and already exist…. if it were to extend much further in the timeline, we would move BEYOND that technology… and prophecy leaves no room for error in that way. —————————————————–
1 Thessalonians 5:20
New King James Version
20 Do not despise prophecies.
Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Excellent article. Keep up your excellent work
Per a report today(CNN), Putin invited to join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Kremlin says. the establishment of the board, chaired by Trump, is a key step in the United Nations-backed American plan to demilitarize and rebuild Gaza, which was ravaged by two years of war between Israel and the Hamas militant group. Described by Trump as the “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled,” the committee will include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump has also invited Israel to join the board as a founding member state, a senior Israeli official told CNN on Monday. According to the official, the invitation was extended to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or another Israeli representative on his behalf. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Argentinian President Javier Milei and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also received invitations to join, according to statements from them or their offices. All funds raised will go toward rebuilding Gaza, the official said, adding that “there will not be exorbitant salaries and massive administrative bloat that plagues many other international organizations.”
Could these developments be the start of fulfilling the prophetic scripture, “When They Say Peace, then Sudden Destruction Will Come Upon Them That Dwell on the Earth, and They Shall Not Escape”. Yet Israel still isn’t dwelling in a land of “Unwalled Villages” either. I believe that’s for the 1st half of the Tribulation when the Temple will be re-built.
Great observations. I am in a constant state of confusion over what Trump is really doing lately. Certainly I don’t have access to his plans, and admit he knows far more about what is happening on a national and global level that I wouldn’t even want to understand. As things accelerate, some level of ignorance is actually a blessing; God never intended His most glorious creation, man and woman, to have God-like knowledge.
No one in their right mind could want Harris/Walz running our nation, so I’m grateful DJT was elected POTUS. That being said, I am not happy about Trump’s alignment with Qatar, Turkey, and other enemy nations. I believe Steve Witkoff is a staggering error in judgment for the role he is playing in foreign policy and I believe Trump’s race in the technology field is dangerous to humanity…not that it can be stopped. It can’t be because the Bible has revealed what is coming and AI is a big part of that. Trump has always had admirably high aspirations and equally large blind spots. But God made sure Trump was placed into his current role to bring about His end-time plans.
I’m no 3-D chess player, but it is a grave error to believe we can not be destroyed by a Russia/China partnership. We are exactly like Babylon of old, relying upon our weapons, oceans, military might and national treasure and resources. We are boastful and do not give all the rightful glory to God, Who used the Medes and Persians to destroy Babylon in one night. I believe this is how He will bring our nation to our knees; there is a strong historical pattern to God’s methods of bringing wicked nations to their end. We ARE wicked…there is a remnant of Believers, but we are not in the majority. That is why I am convinced the Rapture must take place soon, and our destruction must come; it will cause an historical, global shift in what heretofore has been the ‘norm’ of modern life.
Trump’s display of our latest military capabilities in the capture of Maduro, which were impressive indeed, pushes Russia and China into an even closer relationship, and incentivizes them to attempt to destroy us before they lose everything. The handwriting is on the wall again and we can be sure they are weighing their options, which must now include doing the unthinkable.
Judgment is coming. I don’t know exactly how or when; Deuteronomy 29:29 assures us at any given time we can only know as much as He wants us to know. A Board of Peace is absurd in light of what we know of God, prophecy and the Bible’s revelation of God’s character and His ways. Lots of talk of peace, especially since Oct 7, 2023. We know there is NO possible peace until the King of Peace comes to establish His Kingdom on earth.