I receive many requests for my take on the timing of the so-called "Gog/Magog" war we're told about in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. This is especially true in light of the current nuclear stand-off going on between Iran and the international community.

As you may know, Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has not only called for the destruction of Israel, but has set Iran on a course to acquire the weapons with which to do it.

This brings us to an eye-opening article by Charles Krauthammer from the Washington Post. Krauthammer states that Iran's new president is a believer in end-times prophecy. No, not like we here at FulfilledProphecy, who believe in the prophecies of the Bible. Krauthasmmer says the Iranian president believes in the Islamic prophecies concerning the reappearance of their so-called "Twelfth Imam" Read about it here.

Krauthammer states:

The president of a country about to go nuclear is a confirmed believer in the coming apocalypse. Like Judaism and Christianity, Shiite Islam has its own version of the messianic return -- the reappearance of the Twelfth Imam. The more devout believers in Iran pray at the Jamkaran mosque, which houses a well from which, some believe, he will emerge.

It goes without saying, the situation in Iran should concern us. However, there is something here  -- from a Christian point of view -- that should concern us even more. It is the way Krauthammer appears to be lumping all believers in end-time prophecy -- whether Islamic, Christian or Jewish -- all into the same loony basket. But, that is another issue. Today we're discussing the timing of a battle against Israel that is described in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.

The battle that Ezekiel describes will include many nations from the north. Some believe the leader of these nations may be Russian -- the bear. And, these attacking nations will clearly include Iran.

When will it happen? It is my view the Gog/Magog war may be part of the Armageddon conflict. The reason is, the result of this war seems to lead to Israel's mass spiritual conversion. I can't see this happening before the end of the 70th week.

But, I don't really know for sure when this battle will occur. It could also happen before the 70th week and lead to Israel returning to their Temple sacrifices before their true Messiah returns. Another reason for this view, according to the prophecy, Israel will burn the weapons of this war for a period of seven years. Some feel, for this to happen, the battle must precede the 70th week.

Others, on the other hand, say the Gog/Magog war will happen at the end of the thousand year Messianic kingdom, when Satan is released for the last time to deceive the nations. They point to Revelation 20:7-9.

My point is, we don't know for sure when this war will occur. But, one thing we do know -- it will happen. And, that's what makes this nuclear stand-off between Iran and the international community so fascinating to us students of prophecy.

In the meantime, let's continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

And, let's stay tuned.