I’ve written several articles about Gog and Magog, and how a serious look of the prophecy in Ezekiel 38 and 39 shows it isn’t Russia nor this current war in Ukraine. Many articles, videos, podcasts, and sermons have said otherwise, and I believe sown seeds that will result in disillusionment once again when those warnings prove to be incorrect as other unbiblical assumptions has done. This debate has made me think on what are the foundational verses for Bible prophecy? Prophecy is scattered throughout all the Bible, but is there an anchor that should hold our interpretations? What should be the foundation of Bible prophecy? What is the Biblical cornerstone content for prophecy throughout the entire Word of God?
The number one reason there are such divisive views within interpreting end-time Bible prophecy is we read into the text our preconceived ideas rather than taking the Word at face value. Though an external presupposition is detrimental to rightly dividing the truth, a foundational framework from Scripture could be helpful to keep us on track. Such a framework would serve as the edges of a jigsaw puzzle.
One of the suggestions for that foundation passage that could frame our end time studies is the Olivet Discourse found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. This is Jesus laying out events at the end of the age. Yet, the whole premise of that passage is that Jesus is answering the disciples’ question to what the signs of the end of the age would be. They already had prophetic foundation. They knew another age was coming and this one would end. Therefore, there’s a framework predating the New Testament. Throughout, this teaching Jesus mentions prophecies written in the Old Testament. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus said, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation, ‘spoken of through the prophet Daniel….’” Jesus points to a previous foundation.
Even in many of major and minor prophet books in the Bible, we see them referring to previous passages. The prophets were building on an already existent end of the age framework. One example of this comes from Ezekiel 38 in reference to the identity of Gog. “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.” (Ezekiel 38:17).
So, what are the foundational passages?
If we’re looking for a foundational framework, we should begin in the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible. And even there in the law, we find prophecies. These should be the start of our framework.
The first prophecy is found in Genesis 3:15. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Here God says that there will be a specific descendent of Eve that would receive a blow from Satan, but ultimately would defeat Satan. It’s also suggested there would be an offspring of Satan.
One of the other major foundational prophecies is found in Genesis 12 as Abraham’s descendant is promised a land and promised to be a blessing.
Another is found in Genesis 49, where we read a descendant of Judah is said to be a ruler over all the nations.
Now these aren’t all of them, but you can see how a foundation is laid even in the first books of the Bible. The Old Testament prophets didn’t provide a new narrative, but they fleshed out the existing Biblical prophetic frame. Jesus did the same—He also confirmed the existing framework. He didn’t contradict what the disciples knew, rather He gave them more details. The New Testament writers would do the same as the prophets. They built on the existing foundation. Then ultimately The Book of Revelation is the capstone for the fleshed-out framework of end of the age prophecy. It’s like Jesus returned to John on the Isle of Patmos to finish the Olivet Discourse.
This idea of prophecy being one consistent narrative over all of Scripture—a foundation fleshed out over the centuries—seems novel, and unfortunately it is regarding the interpretation of most end time events. Most teachings and books you find treat individual Bible prophecies as being multiple narratives. But that’s far from how the Bible writers themselves viewed the prophecies they shared.
The foretelling of the end of the age in Scripture is a consistent narrative.
Though my view seems novel, we already do treat some prophecies like that. As we celebrate the Old Testament prophecies that foretold Jesus, we see them as one unfolding narrative with each new prophet fleshing out the foundation of a Messiah.
We are correct in interpreting Scripture in that way to see how Jesus is fulfillment of many prophecies. So why don’t we do that with the rest of the end of the age events?
Good question if I do say so myself!
As you are bombarded with different perspectives on Bible prophecy during the Russian invasion and whatever else follows, examine what serves as your anchor. We each need to have a foundation for Biblical prophecy.
As you go back to the Pentateuch for that foundation, one thing you will find is Gog was spoke of in the Book of Numbers, but that’s a conversation for another day.
This article first appeared in Jake’s syndicated column Stand Firm & Live Epic as published in The Baptist Trumpet and other publications. After three months the articles are adapted and published here. To read the articles at release subscribe here.
Executive Director of Stand Firm and lead pastor of Epic Church NWA in Springdale, AR and multiple award-winning author, Jake has a B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Studies from Central Baptist College, and an Advanced Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Former regular contributor to the Baptist Press and WND News with popular conservative voices such as Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Ben Carson, Chuck Norris, Greg Laurie, Ben Schapiro, Joel Richardson, and others. He now is a weekly contributor for Israel, Islam, and the End Times and Armageddon News. He has authored books such as the, award-winning Spiritual Prepper from WND Books. Award-winning devotional books, Invincibleand For Uncertain Times, he authored the ground-breaking children’s book, Jesus and His White Horse from CrossLink Publishing. He is also a regular guest on national and international radio and streaming web shows, along with hosting his weekly live streaming program Talking Stand Firm and weekly podcast Stand Firm Parents.
