God Invites His Animals to a Buffet as His Divine Plan Unfolds

Did you know that God commanded the prophet Ezekiel to speak directly to the birds and wild animals, inviting them to gather for the most gruesome banquet of food He had prepared for them? Imagine Ezekiel, a man, standing before a large group of devouring creatures, inviting them to a feast of carcasses. While such a scene might seem bizarre to us, for these creatures, it was like a buffet of desserts, perfectly aligned with how God created them. So why this great banquet, and how does it tie to us today?

Ezekiel 39 paints a dramatic picture of a "feast of God’s judgment", where the prophet is instructed to summon the birds and wild animals to a sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel. This event symbolizes God’s victory over His enemies, showcasing His ultimate sovereignty and justice.

In Ezekiel 39:17–20, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy:

“Son of man, this is what the Lord God says: Tell every kind of bird and all the wild animals, ‘Assemble and come! Gather from all around to my sacrificial feast that I am slaughtering for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel; you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the earth’s princes: rams, lambs, male goats, and all the fattened bulls of Bashan. You will eat fat until you are satisfied and drink blood until you are drunk, at my sacrificial feast that I have prepared for you. At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, of mighty men and all the warriors. This is the declaration of the Lord God.’

The creatures are told they will consume the flesh of mighty men, princes, and warriors, drinking their blood and devouring them completely. This grotesque "banquet" is both a literal image of the aftermath of divine judgment and a symbolic portrayal of the complete humiliation and annihilation of God’s enemies.

How is this relevant to us now?

The imagery of Ezekiel 39 is echoed in the New Testament in Revelation 19:17–18, where an angel delivers a similar invitation:

"Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great."

This scene occurs at the climax of history, after the return of Jesus Christ, who is depicted as the victorious warrior on a white horse (Revelation 19:11–16). The "great supper" parallels Ezekiel’s banquet, reinforcing the idea of God’s ultimate judgment and the public humiliation of His enemies.

Let’s back up for a moment: the battle that leads to this divine "buffet" is the Battle of Gog and Magog. But who exactly are Gog and Magog in Ezekiel and Revelation, and are they the same?

The identities of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38–39 and Revelation 20 have fascinated readers and sparked discussions for centuries. Although they share the same names, their roles, settings, and purposes differ significantly between the two accounts. Let’s dive into each to uncover their identities, the nature of their battles, and how they fit into God’s redemptive plan.

In Ezekiel 38–39, Gog is identified as a powerful leader from the distant north, described as "Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal" (Ezekiel 38:2). He leads a coalition of nations against Israel, including Persia (modern Iran perhaps), Cush (modern Sudan/Ethiopia??), Put (modern Libya??), and Gomer and Beth Togarmah (likely modern Turkey??). (Please see link below and research more on your own) .

Magog, the territory under Gog’s rule, is historically associated with distant northern regions such as Scythia (modern-day Russia or Central Asia??), symbolizing foreign lands that oppose God’s people. Gog’s coalition attacks Israel to plunder its wealth, but God intervenes with dramatic judgment, including natural disasters (earthquakes, hailstones, and fire), confusion among the invading forces, and their total annihilation. The aftermath leaves the armies as food for scavengers, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and purpose to sanctify His name before all nations:

"I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 38:23).

The prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel is viewed by some as having been partially fulfilled in ancient invasions, such as those by Babylon. However, the scale and supernatural elements described suggest it remains unfulfilled. Most scholars agree that the prophecy points to a future end-time event, likely occurring before or during the tribulation period in biblical records.

In Revelation 20:7–9, Gog and Magog are specifically mentioned and used symbolically to represent the nations of the earth that rebel against God after Satan’s release from his prison at the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Unlike in Ezekiel, where Gog is a specific leader and Magog a specific land, Revelation broadens the terms to symbolize global rebellion.

In this final battle, Satan deceives the nations and gathers a massive force to surround the "camp of the saints and the beloved city" (likely Jerusalem). God intervenes, sending fire from heaven to consume the rebels and bringing the rebellion to an end.

Here, Gog and Magog represent universal opposition to God, influenced by Satan, emphasizing the global and symbolic nature of the conflict rather than a specific geographic or historical scenario.

The gruesome banquet described in Ezekiel 39 and echoed in Revelation 19 serves as a powerful portrayal of God’s ultimate victory over evil. While some aspects of Ezekiel’s prophecy may have had historical echoes, its full realization appears to be future, tied to the events of Armageddon and the rebellion of Gog and Magog.

These passages remind us that God is not only merciful and loving but also a righteous judge who will bring evil to an end. The banquet imagery serves as both a warning to those who rebel against God and a source of hope for those who trust in Him, assuring them that God’s justice will prevail and His kingdom will be fully established.

This story is both fascinating and haunting, weaving together themes of hope and terror in a way that reveals the depth of God’s sovereignty. What strikes me most is how God intentionally includes His other creations—the animals—in His plan. He calls them together, gives them a purpose-driven speech, and provides a great meal of His provision. In doing so, God uses them for the very purpose they were created: to clean up what is dead on the earth.

It’s a vivid reminder that God forgets nothing and wastes nothing; everything in His creation has a role.

While we often view animals as mere sources of entertainment, curiosity, or amusement, they are far more than that. God assigned them specific roles in the balance of creation, roles that are vital for the world to function as intended. Scavenging creatures, for example, are part of God’s intricate design to prevent decay from overwhelming the earth. Without them fulfilling their purpose, the world would be overrun with death, disease, and chaos. These creatures are not just incidental but indispensable, testifying to the brilliance of God’s plan.

This story ties everything together beautifully: God’s justice, His provision, and His wisdom. It reminds us that no detail is overlooked, and no part of creation is without significance. Even in the grim imagery of judgment, God demonstrates His order and care. It’s a powerful picture of how everything—whether human, animal, or event—is part of His grand design, working together to fulfill His purposes.

Ultimately, this story leaves us in awe of a God who is not only Creator but also Sustainer, making everything in creation serve its divine purpose for His glory.

What Countries Are Gog and Magog in the End Times? - Preach It Teach It

https://preachitteachit.org/ask_roger/what-countries-are-gog-and-magog-in-the-end-times/

Does the battle of Gog and Magog occur after the Second Coming of Christ? — Ezekiel 38-39 | NeverThirsty https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/does-the-battle-of-gog-and-magog-occur-after-the-second-coming/-

Who Are Gog and Magog and What Do They Have to Do with War?

https://www.ibelieve.com/christian-living/gog-and-magog-who-are-they-and-what-do-they-have-to-do-with-the-last-days.html

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her works and art. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.