The Spirit of Lawlessness and the Stage for Gog and Magog

Isaiah described the moral collapse of nations that reject God: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isaiah 5:20).

This is not just about personal sin but about systems of governance, culture, and media being inverted by demonic influence—evil being rebranded as good. The prophet also warned: “The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant” (Isaiah 24:5).

Ezekiel gives one of the clearest pictures of the coming war that will ignite global attention:

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him’” (Ezekiel 38:1–2).

Ezekiel names the coalition nations that will come with Gog against Israel:

Notably, no nation defends Israel during this invasion: “Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions, will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil?’” (Ezekiel 38:13).

This is a mere protest, not intervention.

Jesus Himself warned that before His return, the spiritual climate would be marked by deception and lawlessness: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

He also warned of false prophets and false messiahs who would mislead many (Matthew 24:4–5, 24). This deception has infiltrated both culture and religion, conditioning humanity to embrace lies and reject truth.

Paul picked up this theme with sobering clarity: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

This “mystery” refers to the spirit of rebellion against God’s order already active in the world, preparing the way for the man of lawlessness—the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4). Paul also warned: “The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

For two millennia, Satan has not only attacked from outside the church but has infiltrated it from within. Jesus warned: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

Paul also warned elders of Ephesus: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29–30).

Peter echoed this: “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…” (2 Peter 2:1).

For 2,000 years, false teachers have sown compromise, error, and worldliness into the church, conditioning believers to be soft on sin, tolerant of heresy, and ultimately blind to Israel’s role in God’s prophetic plan. The goal is clear: when the world turns against Israel, much of the church will be too deceived, distracted, or compromised to stand with God’s chosen people.

Satan’s goal has always been to oppose God’s covenant people and thwart His redemptive plan. Revelation 12 shows the dragon’s war against Israel and the saints.

“Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring…” (Revelation 12:17).

For decades Muslim nations have spewed hatred against Israel, but only recently has this rhetoric been normalized in Western culture. Israel’s defensive actions against Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are being reframed as aggression—an inversion of truth Isaiah warned about (Isaiah 5:20).

Even “conservative” voices once thought to support Israel—such as Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson—have begun amplifying anti-Israel narratives. Social media influencers are piling on, repeating falsehoods crafted to sway public opinion. The President of the United States is also shifting America’s position away from Israel. This is Satan’s propaganda campaign and the catalyst for the Gog from the land of Magog war.

The nations named in Ezekiel 38 are aligning before our eyes:

Iran (Persia): Leading the charge with its funding of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Russia (Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal): Deepening alliances with Iran and Turkey, while seeking a role as Israel’s adversary.

Turkey (Gomer, Beth-Togarmah): Once aligned with the West, now openly hostile to Israel.

North African nations (Put, Cush): Radicalized and aligned with Islamic anti-Israel rhetoric.

Meanwhile, America—the strongest historic ally of Israel—is cooling in its support. Younger generations are increasingly anti-Israel due to media manipulation, campus indoctrination, and church silence. This fulfills Ezekiel’s vision: nations will protest but not defend (Ezekiel 38:13).

The stage is set.

One of the most alarming aspects of our time is not merely the deception of the world but the silence of the Church. Many Christians are ignorant of the spiritual war raging around them. Pastors fear being “political” and end up being unbiblical by failing to defend God’s Word and His people.

Isaiah 56:10 speaks to this tragic failure: “His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark…”

This silence paves the way for anti-Israel sentiment, setting the stage for the Gog-Magog war, the rise of the Antichrist, and the seven-year Tribulation.

An Urgent Call to Wake Up

Scripture warns and equips us to discern the times. We cannot afford to be naïve:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

This means actively discerning truth from lies, boldly standing with Israel as God’s covenant people (Genesis 12:3), and proclaiming the gospel without compromise in a world hostile to truth. The Church must wake up to the prophetic significance of current events, reject deception, and prepare for the return of Christ.

The prophetic clock is ticking. We are watching the chessboard of the last days being set. As believers, our response must be: 

The mystery of lawlessness is already at work. The coalition of Ezekiel 38 is aligning. False teachers have softened the church for centuries. The propaganda war is turning the world against Israel. The Church cannot remain silent. The time to wake up is now.