Who is Ezekiel and why bring him up now?
Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during the Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel, whose name means “strengthened by God,” grew up in Jerusalem, where he trained to be a priest in the temple. He was among the second group of captives taken to Babylon along with King Jehoiachin.
One of his visions is given in Ezekiel 38 – 39. It is a highly symbolic account of the final conflict in Israel prior to the establishment of God’s Kingdom on the earth. A ruler, Gog, and several allies will attack Israel and would destroy them if God does not intervene.
Who are Gog, Magog, Tubal, Meshech, Gomer? Some make a case that it would be Russia, but Turkey and Iran (Persia) are also mentioned.
Whoever they turn out to be, they will massively attack Israel but God intervenes:
“I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.“
(Ezek 38:22)
Is Putin the antichrist, he is in the news a lot lately as is Iran?
This interview with author Jeff Kinley covers the common end times understanding well.