A satisfactory and comprehensive understanding of Daniel 11:40-45 has hitherto been prevented owing to the generally accepted idea that this prophecy and that of Ezekiel 38 both refer to the same specified power, time and event; but in the opinion of several students of prophecy, this is by no means the case. In his “Exposition of Daniel,”1 even Dr. [John] Thomas appears to have experienced some difficulty in reconciling these predictions.
Ezekiel speaks of a northern confederacy of nations headed by Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, but these peoples are not mentioned by Daniel. This is because in Daniel 11, a single nation is empowered to do a certain work, whereas in Ezekiel 38, a huge confederacy is needed to accomplish a like performance. Unlike Daniel, Ezekiel specially emphasises the “Resurrection of the Dry Bones of the House of Israel,” the return of the Jews and their settled and prosperous condition; in Daniel, however, such an epoch-making development is not mentioned. May not Daniel’s omission of such particulars be an indication that he had another invasion in mind? And providing that is so, is it not a reasonable conclusion that the present-day Zionist movement, being relatively speaking only a preliminary phase, it was unnecessary to introduce it in Daniel chapter 11? Ezekiel, on the other hand, referring to a later and far greater crisis, lays particular stress upon Israel’s restoration, prosperity and dwelling “confidently”2 in the midst of the land.
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Author: Philip Hall
Keywords: Gog, Gogue, Rosh, chief prince, prince of Meshech, Meschech, Tubal, Gogian, Gogian host, Gogian horde, northern confederacy, Magog, prince of Rosh, Rosh
Bible reference(s): Ezek 38, Dan 11:40-45
Source: “Some Predictions of Ezekiel and Daniel,” The Testimony, Vol. 9, No. 102, June 1939, pp. 249-50.
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