The sages said: “There is no difference between the present age and the Messianic era but [delivery from] subjection to foreign powers.”
From the plain sense of the words of the prophets it is apparent that in the beginning of the Messianic era will occur the war of Gog and Magog; and that prior to the war of Gog and Magog a prophet will arise to correct Israel and to prepare their hearts, as it is said, “Behold, I am sending you the prophet Elijah [before the coming of the great and awesome day of G–d].” He will not come to declare the pure impure or the impure pure, nor to disqualify people presumed to be of legitimate lineage or to legitimize those presumed to be of disqualified lineage; but to establish peace in the world, as it is said, “He will turn the heart of the fathers to the children...”
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Author: Moses Maimonides
Keywords: Gog, Magog, Gog and Magog, Magog and Gog, Messiah, Messianic prophecies, Messianic passages, Messiah in the Old Testament, Day hour, Know not the day, Nor the hour, Maimonides
Bible reference(s): Ezekiel 38:2-3, Ezekiel 38:14-18, Ezekiel 39:6, Malachi 4:5, Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32, Revelation 20:8
Source: Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Melachim, Chapter XII.1
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