Thus says the Lord GOD, "It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan, and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world'" (Ezekiel 38:10-12 New American Standard Bible). 

It is commonly believed God may have been speaking about a future Russian invasion of Israel  in the above prophecy. Firstly, one of the titles God gives to the leader of this invasion is "prince of Rosh." Secondly, this leader will be to the extreme north of Israel. And thirdly, this leader will head a large confederacy of nations that will include modern day Iran (Ezekiel 38:1-7).

What has always fascinated me about this prophecy is how it says this invasion will happen in the last days after Israel has been restored from among the nations (Ezekiel 38:8). In other words, the restoration of Israel in 1948 is a strong indication we are living in the last days.

Does that mean the northern leader God is referring to is about to lead an invasion against the land of Israel? Not yet. You see, the prophecy also says this invasion will occur while Israel is living securely and in unwalled villages (Exekiel 38: 11). 

Yet, as I write, Dr. Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is in Israel attempting to convince the Israeli people to go along with the idea of making the Middle East a nuclear free zone. In other words, ElBaradei is trying to persuade Israel to give up her nuclear arsenal Read about it here.

Before we say this will never happen, there is another important meeting occurring. It turns out the Quartet -- representatives of the US, the EU, the UN and Russia -- are also meeting in Israel today Read about it here.

This is what I think: They're unwalling Israel. You see, by saying living in unwalled villages, I believe all God is saying is that when this invasion happens, Israel will be depending on others for her defense. And the situation God described may soon be a reality.

In a desperate attempt to bring peace to the region, the international community is working hard on a package deal. In order to get Israel's neighbors to give up their nuclear programs, Israel must give up her nuclear arsenal. In return, NATO and the international community will guarantee regional security.

If this kind of package deal happens, Israel will soon be seen as living securely in unwalled villages. This, in turn, will have set the stage for the foretold invasion from the north.

Stay tuned!

 And you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog (Ezekiel 38:16).