After many days thou shalt be visited: at the end of years thou shalt come to the land that is returned from the sword, and is gathered out of many nations, to the mountains of Israel which have been continually waste: but it hath been brought forth out of the nations, and they shall all of them dwell securely in it.
מִיָּמִ֣ים רַבִּים֮ תִּפָּקֵד֒ בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית הַשָּׁנִ֜ים תָּב֣וֹא ׀ אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ ׀ מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת מֵחֶ֗רֶב מְקֻבֶּ֙צֶת֙ מֵעַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים עַ֚ל הָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־הָי֥וּ לְחָרְבָּ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד וְהִיא֙ מֵעַמִּ֣ים הוּצָ֔אָה וְיָשְׁב֥וּ לָבֶ֖טַח כֻּלָּֽם׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
This passage foretells the invasion of Gog and Magog, who will rise against the Jewish people upon their return from Babylon, yet they will ultimately be vanquished. Some interpret this allegorically as pertaining to the Church, symbolizing the adversary and the tribulations instigated at various times by evil rulers.
Upon their return from Babylon, as noted by certain Church teachers, these nations rose up against Judah; this understanding aligns with the prophetic message, as the Prophet states, “Come ye unto a land brought down by the sword,” which signifies liberation from foes and release from bondage. Additionally, he mentions that they were "gathered from the tongue unto the land of Israel," which had been left desolate. It is said that during Zerubbabel's leadership, these nations were vanquished, and the spoils of their defeat were utilized to construct the temple of God, given that the Jews were impoverished and in captivity, lacking resources. It is likely that neighboring nations, seeking to undermine the Jewish people's flourishing state, incited these enemies against them.
The difficulties they caused in rebuilding the temple, through deception aimed at the regional rulers or the Persian kings, is corroborated by the writings of Ezra. The prophet further adds, "And these shall come out of the tongue, and shall dwell in peace with you." This clearly indicates that the attacks from these nations occurred shortly after the return from exile, for the Lord declares, "And these came out of the tongue, and dwelt in peace."
During my travels, I had the chance to examine the land of Israel in a profound manner — the Church. How can I describe it? The prophet's words regarding the land, “brought down by the sword, gathered from the tongue of many to the land of Israel. It was made desolate” (Ezekiel 38:8), resonate deeply. This is declared by an inspired prophet who foresaw the Church's fate and the powerful kingdom emerging from the north in a future time.
The land of Israel, the Church, shall be brought low by the sword—through the violent effects of temptation—and shall become exceedingly desolate (Ezekiel 38:18). Living in accordance with divine principles will become increasingly challenging. This difficulty arises because those who dwell amidst and under the watch of temptation cannot remain unaffected. Like ice melting into water when exposed to heat, the heart filled with goodwill can soften and change under the constant pressure of temptation. It becomes very hard to remain rooted in God amid vast and widespread apostasy.
The multitude of apostates, who present themselves outwardly as Christians, will more readily persecute true believers; they will encircle the faithful with countless schemes, creating innumerable obstacles to their intentions of salvation and service to God, as noted by St. Tikhon of Voronezh and Zadonsky. They will oppose God's servants through actions of power, slander, deceitful plots, and violent persecution. The Saviour of the world struggled to find a humble and distant Nazareth to escape from Herod and the Jewish leaders who despised Him; similarly, in the last days, the true monk will scarcely find a remote and unknown refuge where he can serve God with some measure of freedom, without being drawn into the service of Satan by the force of apostasy and apostates.
Oh, the time of trial! Oh, the distressing state of affairs! Oh, a moral disaster invisible to the senses, far greater than all tangible and loud calamities. Oh, a calamity that begins in time yet extends into eternity! Oh, the greatest of calamities, comprehensible only to genuine Christians and monks, yet unknown to those whom it overwhelms and destroys!
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS