Another somewhat common idea that I have encountered within prophecy discussions is the notion that the “Gog” of Ezekiel 38,39 cannot be the Antichrist because Gog receives a burial and Antichrist does not. This idea comes from a surface reading of the two following passages:

But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, [and as] the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Isaiah 14:19,10

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the [noses] of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call [it] The valley of Hamongog. Ezekiel 38:11

So, it is clear that Gog will be buried. But is Isaiah really claiming that the Antichrist will never be buried? Not at all. In order to understand what this passage in Isaiah is saying, one must simply read the whole context.

So, lets look briefly at Isaiah 14: It is a poetic—prophetic dirge against the King of Babylon / Antichrist.

The Antichrist first claims that he would make his throne on the Mountain of God (Ie. Mount Moriah, where God’s Temple or “seat” was located).  Instead, God declares that he would find his “seat” on the side of a pit instead:

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north… Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isaiah 14:13, 15

 

This final physical resting place would be one of utter shame. In ancient times, wealthy families shared a family sepulchre. These were cave-like burial places. Bodies were given their proper place along the sides of the sepulchre. Not entirely unlike a modern mausoleum. In this passage, shame is being cast upon the Antichrist. God informs the Antichrist that unlike the other kings, the Antichrist will not be buried in a royal sepulchre, but will instead be buried in a mere pit, where his only clothing would be other dead bodies. It is not saying that he will never be put into the ground. It is simply saying he will be rejected from his royal sepulcher. Instead of a royal burial, (as he has said in his heart that he is like the most high), he will be treated like dung along with the rest of those who are slain with him:

All the kings of the nations, [even] all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house  … But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, [and as] the raiment (his clothing will consist) of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. (Isaiah 14:10, 18-19)

He is buried in a common pit along with other bodies in a mass grave. His only covering (raiment) is other dead bodies that surround him.

In conclusion, any claim that Gog and the Antichrist must be two different individuals based on the above argument is seen to be based on improper exegesis and a surface reading that fails to take into consideration the full context of the passage. For further study, I highly recommend Alec Motyer’s commentary on Isaiah.