Unleashing the Beast

M EGIDDO : B ATTLE AT THE G ATES / 151

destroy Israel, and the nations involved are presently Islamic countries. They include:  Persia (Iran) — Ezekiel 38:5  Ethiopia — Ezekiel 38:5  Libya — Ezekiel 38:5  Gomer (Armenia) — Ezekiel 38:6  Togarmah (portions of Turkey) — Ezekiel 38:6  Gog and Magog (former southern Soviet states) — Ezekiel 38:2, 3 The prophet gave detailed information relating to the conditions in Israel prior to the invasion. Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee (Ezekiel 38:6). The phrase "house of Togarmah" is unique. Togarmah was the son of Gomer who was the son of Japheth, and the grandson of Noah (see Genesis 10:1-3). According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia , Togarmah is probably present day Armenia. In Ezekiel's time it was a tribal region northeast of Asia Minor. Today it would include the areas of Armenia and parts of the soviet country of Georgia. Togarmah is referred to with "bands" of people within. This nation forms a confederation of Islamic nations to attack Israel from several directions. Matthew Henry, in his commentary notes on Ezekiel 38, points out that the Syrian general, Antiochus, who invaded