The coming US election looks likely to reintroduce Trump to the world stage with far reaching effects which could impact Europe and the position of Russia. This week we examine all of this from the perspective of the Biblical prophecy of Ezekiel 38.
In Ezekiel chapter 38, we get a picture of what the nations are doing just before the Lord Jesus Christ visibly returns to establish his Kingdom in Jerusalem.
We know the prophecy is set in our day for it is clear that it takes place after the Jewish people have returned to their land. This has occurred in recent times – notably from 1948 onwards when the modern state of Israel was announced.
There are two groups of nations mentioned by their ancient names.
Group one is detailed in verses 1-6. It’s made up of the following (and we’ve give their general modern equivalents):
Magog – Eastern European nations
Rosh, Meshech, Tubal – Russia
Persia – Iran
Ethiopia and Libya – African nations
Gomer – Western European nations
The house of Togarmah – Turkic nations
We see this group at war with God’s people of Israel. They are headed up by a mysterious character, called in the prophecy, “Gog”. The prophecy says of this group “thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:”
Then there is another group mentioned. This second Group is in verse 13 of the prophecy. Again we’ve given their ancient names as listed in the prophecy and their modern equivalents:
Sheba – Yemen
Dedan – Saudi Arabia
Tarshish – UK
Young Lions of Tarshish – Britains independent colonies (e.g. America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc).
This group are not with the invading force which comes against the people of Israel. This group in fact challenge the invader, boldly asking “Art thou come to take a spoil?”.
Our Modern World
This being the case we look up from the pages of scripture and review the current world state.
We can see many of the pieces of this prophecy in place. The Jews are back in their land and this is causing international upset. We see a powerful and aggressive Russia allied with Iran and many African nations.
But when it comes to Europe we see Russia at war in Ukraine – one of the areas which would come within the ancient Scythian territory of Magog. We see the Western European powers very anti-Russia at the moment. And we see a NATO alliance, backed by America.
It would appear from the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 that this will all change soon. That Europe will stop its resistance to Russia and will eventually follow her. That the NATO alliance will fail. Because the destiny of the UK and her great ally the United States will be to unite to trade in the gulf. And that militarily and economically the future of the nations of Europe are to be intertwined with that of Russia.
Biden and NATO
So what’s happening in America? The new British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, visited on the 11th July. The BBC ran a headline “UK-US relations ‘strong’ says PM as he meets Biden”. Within the article it stated: “UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says his first face-to-face talks with US President Joe Biden were an opportunity to “recommit” to Nato and the “special relationship” between the UK and US.” The two leaders met in Washington and had attended a Nato summit there.
The outcome of the summit was reported by the BBC in an article entitled “Nato vows ‘irreversible path’ to Ukraine membership”. The report said “The ongoing invasion of Ukraine was top of the agenda at Nato’s summit, and a declaration agreed by all members said Russia “remains the most significant and direct threat” to security… Mr Biden [The US President] used the summit to reaffirm his support for Ukraine and call for more defence investment from other members which have lagged behind on spending. He said Russia was on a “wartime footing” in terms of defence production with support from China, North Korea and Iran – and leaders “cannot allow the alliance to fall behind”. “We can and will defend every inch of Nato territory”, the president added.”
But that is Joe Biden, the current US president. And by all accounts one who is struggling with age. It is unlikely at 81 he will be able to see out another term in office. But in the wings is Donald Trump.
The return of Trump
This week Trump officially became the Republican nominee for president. On the 13th July, while addressing a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as he was shot at and his ear injured. It may be there is still work for Trump to do.
His attitude to NATO seems quite different to Biden. He has long called into question why America so heavily funds NATO and had threatened to withdraw from the alliance when he was previously in office.
In another report by the BBC entitled “US allies try to ‘Trump-proof’ Nato – but is that even possible?” the article stated: “Only one US president has been at the Nato summit in Washington this week, but the shadow of another – his predecessor – has loomed over this meeting of the world’s most powerful military alliance. While the host Joe Biden has presided over a message of unity from the group’s 32 members, the Nato-sceptic views of his rival for power, Donald Trump, have imbued conversations here with an urgency and an anxiety.” “The Republican’s election as president in November “could change everything”, the diplomat said. The fact that Mr Biden has been trying to fend off a political crisis over his frailty has only sharpened the sense that a second Trump term could bring far-reaching changes to an alliance forged in the ashes of the World War Two and still reliant on hard US military power to deter adversaries.”
This rhetoric has also been fuelled by Trump’s recent selection of James Vance as his running mate and vice president. Sky News ran a report on this on the 16th of July. It stated: “The choice of JD Vance – an arch critic of US aid to Ukraine and of American taxpayers bankrolling European security – as Donald Trump’s running mate signals a “very significant shift” in US foreign policy should they win the election, defence insiders say. The 39-year-old Republican senator, a former Marine and relative political novice, could well be the next vice-president of the US come January. It means his views on foreign affairs, expressed in multiple interviews, articles and speeches, are being studied with a new intensity. They reveal – in line with his boss – a forceful push to put America first even at the expense of old alliances, such as the transatlantic NATO bond as well as the West’s fight to counter Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
It seems then that if, in November, Trump becomes president things could change swiftly in Europe and perhaps Russian dominance will indeed be something which occurs – either by military or political means – setting the scene for the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 to unfold.
The coming Kingdom of God
So. We observe. We watch. We take note of the news with our Bibles in hand. We might not know all the steps but we see the signs that God’s plan will shortly come to pass and that all of these events are moving the world into the groups of nations the prophets of old set out in the scriptures.
How this world of conflict and suffering needs the Lord Jesus Christ to return. Of him it is said in Psalm 72: “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”
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As students of Bible prophecy we are looking for the conditions the prophets have defined will exist before Jesus returns to the earth to establish God’s Kingdom.
In the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 we read of the time period of “the latter days”. This is the time when the Jews have returned to their land after a long period of dispersion. We believe this relates to our day for it is only from 1948 that anyone could credibly say the Jewish peoples had revived again as a nation in the territory of their ancient homeland. Ever since then, despite conflict and difficulties they have returned and flourished in the land of their forefathers.
The prophecy speaks about an invasion which takes place – nations from the areas of Russia, Europe, North Africa and the far East – attack the Jews living in Israel during which God acts to defend his people, the Jews. Connecting this prophecy with others such as Zechariah 14, Revelation 16 and Joel 3, we know that this is speaking of the the return of Jesus Christ and his visible manifestation on the earth. He will be the one who will defend Israel, destroy the invaders and establish himself as King over the Kingdom of God in Jerusalem. The dominion of the Kingdom will then spread across the world as nation after nation acknowledge him as their sovereign King.
As it says in the prophec of Psalm 72:11: “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”
Dwelling Safely
Just before the invasion of Isreal though, the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 speaks about the people of the land of Israel “dwelling safely [or confidently]” (v11&28). Its the Hebrew word “beṭaḥ”.
Currently of course the land is certainly not dwelling safely – nor has it really done so since the nation was born in 1948.
In recent years the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza has been constantly launching rockets into Israel on a daily basis. The recent conflict, sparked by the terrorist attacks on October 7th last year is another case in point. So something has to change for the people of Israel to be “dwelling safely”.
For many years the Israelis have attempted diplomacy. In fact in 2005 they withdrew from Gaza completely. Gaza is not occupied by Israel. The Palestinian peoples though elected Hamas – a decision which eventually led to the horrific attacks on Jewish civilians in October and the subsequent invasion of Gaza by the Israeli army.
Hamas Charter
Hamas’ charter, also known as “The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement” was issued on August 18, 1988 and has not changed since then.
Within it, it states:
“The land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf [Holy Possession] consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgment Day. No one can renounce it or any part, or abandon it or any part of it.” (Article 11)
“Palestine is an Islamic land… Since this is the case, the Liberation of Palestine is an individual duty for every Moslem wherever he may be.” (Articl e 13)
“The day the enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In the face of the Jews’ usurpation, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised.” (Article 15)
“Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it.” (Preamble)
Its clear from this aggressive stance that any diplomatic attempt with the Palestinians is not going to end in peace without the ideology of Hamas being removed. Its impossible for the situation described in the Bible to exist whilst groups like Hamas hold sway in the area. Therefore the recent war between Israel and Hamas is of great interest to the Bible student.
Israel rejects Hamas Deal
Its interesting then as we watch events unfold. Unlike previous incursions into Gaza this recent war seems different.
In response to the Oct 7th attacks, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared “We will take mighty vengeance for this wicked day”. He has repeatedly stated the goal of “destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.” (30.10.2023 gov.il) The Israelis resisted for some time the international pressure for a cease fire. At the end of October Netanyahu was quoted to have said “…the Bible says that ‘there is a time for peace and a time for war.’ This is a time for war. A war for our common future,” (30.10.2023 AA). It seems the Israelis are committed to dismantling Hamas in order to bring peace.
And this assumption seems to be playing out.
This last week Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected a peace proposal from Hamas.
The Mail Online reported this in an article entitled “Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Hamas’ ‘delusional’ hostage deal proposal and insists ‘total victory’ is the only path to peace” dated 8th February.
The report went on to say: “Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas’s ‘delusional’ proposal for a hostage deal last night and pledged a ‘total victory’ was the only path to peace. The Israeli Prime Minister slammed the terrorists’ demands as ‘bizarre’ and said to agree to them would ‘only invite another massacre’ when they are ‘a finger away from a decisive victory’… the terror group demands also call for a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and would effectively allow Hamas to rebuild its military and remain in power.
It also states that a third of Palestinians freed in exchange for the hostages would be those handed life sentences. Mr Netanyahu responded unequivocally, stating: ‘Surrendering to Hamas’ delusional demands that we heard now not only won’t lead to freeing the captives, it will just invite another massacre.’ ‘We are on the way to an absolute victory,’ Netanyahu said, adding that the operation would last months, not years. ‘There is no other solution,’ he said as he called for the ‘total elimination of Hamas.’ He ruled out any arrangement that leaves Hamas in full or partial control of Gaza and said that Israel is the ‘only power’ capable of guaranteeing security in the long term.”
It seems then Israel is on the cusp of victory and in removing Hamas from power. Could this then pave the way for them “dwelling safely” as the prophets of the Bible have told us they would?
Ultimate peace is coming
We know from our studies that ultimate peace will only be possible when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth. In Isa 9:6 he has the title “The Prince of Peace”.
It is only after the great battle with the nations and the establishment of the Kingdom that peace will truly be experienced by God’s people of Israel.
Ezekiel 28 tells us about that time “Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely (beṭaḥ) therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence (beṭaḥ), when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them rounad about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.”
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Palestinians and Hamas have a joint desire of death to the Jews
Hamas is an organization dedicated to the destruction of the Jews so that the land of Israel might be theirs alone, from the river to the sea. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank celebrates in Hamas’ horrific pogrom against Jews and calls on its people to join in the bloodshed. The “innocent civilians” have voted these bloodthirsty people into power, and call for the wrath of God to measure out their destruction. He who touches Israel touches the apple of His eye. God will soon bring peace to Israel, and when Russia comes with the nations, “to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey…” God will send his Son to save His people and judge those who have come against them. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:25
As Israel’s existential war enters its fourth week, the world this week is indeed full of turmoil, protest, and violence. The divide along the north-south alliance of Daniel 11 is ever apparent and the nations of the final battle of Ezekiel 38 are lining up in opposition over events in Israel. Welcome to this week’s Bible in the News.
Since the Hamas attack President Biden has shown verbal and tangible support for Israel’s right to protect itself, but still calls for a two-state solution. The US also has an increasing number of assets in the area, the US is attempting to contain the conflict and warn away the likes of Iran from joining in. But we must consider that this week the President has also had the Pope on the phone nudging him along to consider “humanitarian relief.” The Pope has reportedly called for a ceasefire on at least six occasions, but how long the US continues to support what Israel needs to do, remains to be seen.
Meanwhile in Russia, Putin is taking up his position on the opposite side of the board. This week also saw him playing the host to both Hamas and Iran in Moscow. And the nations of the world, wholly unable to jointly condemn Hamas at such a time are following the Arabs at the UN’s General Assembly demanding for a ceasefire. The will to support Israel was so weak that only 14 nations voted against the resolution. The whole world is indeed against Israel, as prophesied.
To understand how much the world is against Israel, we must understand that calls for a ceasefire are really calls to preserve Hamas and to maintain the thorn in Israel’s side. There is no way any meaningful peace will come that way as recent history bears out.
Let’s consider for a moment some events closer to Israel. While protests around the world call for Palestine to be free from the river to the sea, is the Palestinian Authority an innocent bystander to these atrocities?
In fact, no. Not at all. The Palestinian Authority this week instructed mosques across the area to preach death to the Jews, declaring a religious war against them and celebrating in the sickening brutality of Hamas. Not only at a governmental level, but even individual “innocent” civilians joined a mass rally in the streets of Tulkarem waving Hamas flags and chanting in support of them.
The conflict, contrary to every rational thought, seems to have raised aggression against the victim. Jews around the world are facing reprisals for the fact that Israel is fighting for its existence against a cruel, uncivilized enclave mere miles from it’s most populous cities. In the UK alone, antisemitic incidents are up 641.
When we look to the Bible, God says that the Nations of the earth will pay for their hatred. God judges the nations based on their behaviour.
“9 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant . . . 11 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever . . . 13 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:” Amos 1:9, 11, 13
If we can imagine the sensitivity of the pupil of our eyes, this describes the very visceral reaction that God will have against those who dare to attack Israel. It is like a poke in His eye.
“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” – Zechariah 2:8
God is by no means silent about what will happen to those Incensed Against Israel:
(Isaiah 41:8, 11, 14-15, AV) “8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend . . . 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish . . . 14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.”
There is also a unity within Israel that is seen as a feature of the latter days. They become one in His hand. We expect this to have a much greater fulfilment, but current events are drawing them together. The left seems to be beginning to understand that there is no peace to be had with the Palestinan Arabs, the Hareidi Ultra Orthodox Jews are lining up to help in army and other forms of National Service. In general, the nation is drawing close to each other in this time of bitter trouble.
(Ezekiel 37:19, AV) “19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.”
What does prophecy say will happen from here? What does the Bible have to say about Gaza? A place we can find an answer for this is in Zephaniah 2:
“For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. 5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. 6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. 7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.”– Zephaniah 2:4-7
One more verse that makes this clear:
(Jeremiah 30:16, AV) “16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.”
How can there ever be peace in the land? We know it must come, but with such blood-thirsty nieghbours, how will it come about? The Bible gives us a very descriptive and particular picture of the Israel that Gog comes against at the time of the end, in Ezekiel 38:8
“After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.
10 Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
15 And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:”
The peace that is achieved in the land is not a peace that makes the world happy. On the contrary, the verse says that when this peace comes, the reaction is to gather them. To bring them for judgement into the land of Israel where they will meet their end. What must we who are living at such a time do?
(Zephaniah 2:3, AV) “3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”
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The world is on the brink of crisis. One only has to look at the situation in the Middle East with the rise of ISIS and the gathering of the nations for war, to see how volatile and finely balanced things are. Many consider current events as depressing, but as True Bible Students we look into the mess the world is in and gain great encouragement as we see many signs that Jesus is soon to return to bring about an era of peace, tranquillity and righteousness.
How is it that we can be sure that we are living in the days which are preceding the return of Christ? One of the huge signs the Bible speaks of is to do with the nation of Israel.
Bible Prophecy and Israel
Back at the time of Moses, around 1400BC the Bible records how that God chose Israel, from all the nations of the world, to outwork His purpose. He gave them a special national law. This law had consequences though if it was broken. This is what God’s law stated in Deuteronomy 28:15 and 63-65:
“…if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God… all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:.. …and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other… And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:”
So if the people of Israel turned their back on the ways of God they would be scattered from that land. This is exactly what happened in the events around AD70 when the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and dispersed the Jews from the land of Israel.
Jesus Christ, a Jew himself, warned the Jews of his day who were living just before their dispersion by the Romans of their impending scattering:
“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh… there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:20-24
However God still has a purpose with his chosen people of Israel. This is what the prophet Hosea says, by inspiration of God, in Hosea 3:4-5
“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return… in the latter days.”
So although there would be no royal rulership and no religious rituals practiced by the nation in their dispersion, eventually they would return – in a time period called in the Bible “The Latter Days”. As Jesus says “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled”.
Bible Students were waiting for this
Many Bible students looked forward to this event. One such Bible student was the famous Physicist and Mathmatician, Sir Isaac Newton. Newton was an avid Bible student and in his notes entitled “An Interpretation of the Prophecy of Daniel’s weeks by Jewish years.” he wrote:
“… since the commandment to return and build Jerusalem precedes the Messiah [return of Christ]… it may perhaps come forth not from the Jews themselves, but from some other kingdom friendly to them, and precede their return from captivity and give occasion to it… The manner I know not. Let time be the interpreter”
So Bible students like Isaac Newton were waiting for the Jews to return to their land because the Bible demanded this to occur before Jesus returns.
Of course, we are now living in the time when this has been accomplished. In 1948 the state of Israel was declared and since that time the Jews have been making “Aliya” or returning to their homeland. Against all the odds they have survived 2000 years of scattering, retained their identity as Jews and survived the most terrifying of persecutions, and are now established as a nation once again in the land of Israel. This fact is a sure fulfilment of Bible prophecy and give us great confidence that we are living in the latter days.
The coming Crisis
There is more to this though. The prophets of the Bible, by inspiration of God, speak about a coming crisis which will befall the nation of Israel after they have returned. For example in Joel 3 we read:
“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat (God’s Judgement), and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” Joel 3:1-2
God has gathered the captivity of Judah in 1948 when the state of Israel was declared. God has regathered the captivity of Jerusalem when the Jews retook Jerusalem in 1967 after the 6 day war. Therefore soon all nations will be gathered to battle against them.
God’s prophet Joel continues:
“Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision (threshing) : for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision” Joel 3:12-14
This coming crisis is often couched in the language of a harvest. The idea being that when crops are harvested there is a process of getting rid of the useless elements, like the husks, so that you are left with the pure seed. This process of harvest is called threshing where the harvested crop would be thrown into the air, the husks and useless elements would blow away and the pure seeds would fall the earth. The language of the Bible therefore indicates a judgement of the nations where those who are useless will be removed and those who accept God’s ways will be kept.
The Battle of Armageddon
In the book of Revelation the crisis is given a symbolic name: Armageddon:
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Revelation 16:13-16
The real Armageddon is not therefore the destruction of the earth by some cataclysmic event like a asteroid hitting the earth as popular culture has depicted. Rather, it is the gathering of the nations to Battle against Israel.
It is at this time of Armageddon that the prophets speak of God acting to save his people. For example in Zechariah we read of the same event:
“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” Zechariah 14:2
You can see that for this prophecy to take place Israel would have to be regathered to their land. Speaking of that time the prophet gives us details as to the salvation that God will give to His people in that day:
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him…” Zechariah 12:9-10
This one, who bears God’s name, who the Jewish nation pierced in the past is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ who will return to save Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. We know this refers to Christ because we are told this in John 19:37.
As Jesus tells us in the passage in Revelation 16 we read a moment ago, it is at this time of Armageddon when he says “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
Jesus is coming
Although we see great turmoil in the world at large then, for Bible believers we know we are living in the last days and soon Jesus will return, just as he left, to establish Gods kingdom on the earth. When Jesus departed the earth to ascend to his Father the Bible tells us he was with his disciples and that an angel appeared and said to them:
“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11
Indeed Jesus is therefore coming. We are in the latter days. We need to prepare – and the Bible tells us that to be acceptable to him when he does return we need to have sort out, understood and believed the gospel message contained within it. We need to of been baptised into the saving name of Christ and striven to have lived Godly lives waiting patiently for his return. The wonder of the gospel message is to have our sins forgiven and to be acceptable before God through the work of Christ. If we do this we will have a part in the resurrection of the dead and obtain the gift of eternal life to live as an immortal being in the Kingdom.
https://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.png00Stevehttps://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.pngSteve2023-03-17 12:08:402023-03-17 12:08:40The REAL Armageddon
The Battle of Armageddon and the Uprise of Antichrist
Will Antichrist arise to conquer Jerusalem, claim the rulership of the world, and plunge humanity into an orgy of war, bloodshed and evil unparalleled in the history of mankind?
The Return of Christ: Basic Teaching of the Bible
The personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory, to take up his great authority, and reign on earth as king, is a basic doctrine of the Bible. Hundreds of references to it are made therein and these are set forth in clear language, the meaning of which should be beyond dispute.
Consider the following predictions:
“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you (Apostles) into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
“Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21).
“God hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Christ) whom He hath ordained: whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).
The teaching of the second coming of Christ permits believers to look beyond the troubles of today, to a glorious future when the evils and frustrations of the present will be replaced by a righteous administration that will bring “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”
The Doctrine Distorted
Unfortunately this doctrine, so plainly taught in the Bible, is misunderstood and misinterpreted by some who would carry its message to the world. In consequence, its teaching is distorted with the result that often a grotesque, irrational outline of coming events is set before the public.
Two books before us as we write do just that. One is entitled There’s A New World Coming by Hal Lindsey, and the other is Armageddon by J. Wolvoord. Both books advance a similar theory relating to the doctrine of the second coming, a theory that perverts the actual teaching of the Bible. Unfortunately, such books are so widely advertised as to become best-sellers. For example according to the publication notice, some 700,000 copies of the former book were sold in the seven months following October 1973 alone and there have been many 1,000’s more additional editions since then. At $2.95 per copy this represents a rich reward of over $2,000,000, which however, we would not begrudge the author if only the sound truths of Scripture were set forth.
Instead, in both books, a mistaken idea of Christ’s coming is outlined, which, as we will show, could have the effect of those who are swayed by it actually opposing Christ when he does appear.
Between them the books set forth the idea that Antichrist is about to arise, and will set up his power in Jerusalem. He will then claim to be the king Messiah, and abolishing the Jewish religion, will build a Temple, and command the worship of humanity. Both books then refer to the return of Christ, and the “rapture,” that they claim will follow alleging that he will convey his true believers to heaven.
In fact, the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to accomplish that which they claim Antichrist will do: set up his power in Jerusalem, demand the allegiance of mankind, and build a Temple for the universal worship he will establish. He however, will reign on earth, not return to heaven (Isa. 24:23; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 5:9-10).
The books referred to above largely draw upon the teaching of The Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, to establish their theory.
Therefore, in considering the teaching advanced, we aim to answer five questions:
What is the basic message of the Book of Revelation.?
Who or what is Antichrist?
What does the mystical number 666 refer to?
When and where will Armageddon be fought?
How will we be personally involved at Christ’s coming?
The Basic Message Of Revelation
Revelation is a prophetic book of symbols. This is shown by its introduction. The first verse declares:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev. 1:1).
This teaches that the book is designed to outline future events leading to Christ’s second coming, and that its contents were both sent and signified by Christ.
The statement is important. It proclaims that the book is largely symbolical; its teaching is set forth in sign language, which is the meaning of signified.
Unfortunately, this important introduction is frequently ignored, and many miss the meaning of the book by giving literal meanings to symbolical statements.
The book pictures burning stars falling to the earth; fiery mountains being plunged into sizzling seas; a woman giving birth to a son in heaven; a dragon with a tail so huge as to fling a third of the stars above on to the earth.
These are all literal impossibilities; though as symbols they can be aligned with prophetic, historic developments.
Moreover, this same book contains key explanations. to such mysterious figures, sufficient to determine the meaning of such. We read such explanatory notes as the following:
“Here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains. . .” (Rev. 17:9). “The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:15).
So Scripture compared with Scripture enables one to come to a clear understanding of The Revelation, and to understand the plan of prophecy that moves throughout the book.
When this is not done skilfully, unfortunate and serious mistakes follow.
The basic teaching of the Book of Revelation is consistent with the rest of the Bible, and relates to the return of Christ. It proclaims that he will return personally and visibly to the earth:
“Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him” (Rev. 1:7).
This is consistent with the statements cited earlier. But why should “all kindreds of the earth wail” because of the presence of Christ? Because there will be a general recognition of lost opportunities in relation to it. People everywhere will regret that they have been so led astray with false teaching concerning Christ, or have so opposed the influence of the Bible, as to turn their backs upon its truth, and so deny themselves the hope it presents.
As to those who worship God in truth (see John 4:24), they will be elevated as co-rulers with Christ in his earthly administration, and will inherit eternal life. Christ declares:
“He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (Rev. 2:26).
“Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev 22:12).
Consider carefully this last statement of Christ’s in the light of general religious teaching. Most claim that they will go to heaven for their reward.
Not the Bible! It plainly teaches that “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5); and here Christ states that he will come with his reward. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is not taught in Scripture, which plainly reveals that the promised inheritance is eternal life upon the earth.
Christ comes to bring to an end the reign of flesh, and set up his own rule from Jerusalem. Hence his promise to his followers that he will give them “power over the nations.” For reference to the earthly reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, consider the following:
“And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” . . . “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:18,15).
Analyse these statements of Scripture. Notice that the resurrection is aligned with a time when the nations are in an angry and belligerent attitude with each other, and the possibility exists of men destroying the very earth. Consider that for the first time in history man has the means to do that through nuclear war. Even today he is busy destroying the earth by polluting it. The return of Christ alone will prevent the destruction of civilisation, and will be followed by his world wide reign on earth in conjunction with his true followers. The Revelation states:
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).
See how clearly this last book of the Bible, consistent with its general teaching, proclaims:
The personal, visible return of Christ;
The resurrection and bestowal of eternal life on his followers;
The establishment of Christ’s return on earth;
The subjugation of all nations to his rule.
This glorious message of hope for a sinning, sorrowing, quarrelling world is the basic message of the Bible as well as of the Book of Revelation. It is summed up in the statement:
“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed: the kingdom shall not be left to other people (its rulers will be immortal); but it shall break in pieces and consume all kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44).
Who or What Is Antichrist
The subject of Antichrist makes headline news from time to time in some quarters. The alleged future of a fictional character given this title has assisted the sales of Hal Lindsey’s popular books. It is generally assumed that The Revelation refers extensively to Satan under that name.
But the term Antichrist does not occur in The Book Of Revelation. It is a title given by John to a false religious system that was active in his day, over 1900 years ago!
The Bible predicted that there would be a decline in the true teaching of Christianity. Paul writing to Timothy prophesied:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word . . . with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables . . .” (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
Again:
“Let no man deceive you by my means: for the day of Christ shall not come except there come a failing away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sineth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
The Apostle thus predicted a falling away from the faith, through which there would arise one claiming infallibility, and false pretensions to divinity.
The papacy does that. In 1870 a decree was issued from the Vatican proclaiming the infallibility of the Pope; which codified the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is virtually worshipped by the adherents of the church, and displays himself with all the pomp and glory of divinity.
In context with the statement above, the Apostle claimed that the seeds of error were already working in his day, though its full manifestation was hindered by the opposition of the pagan Roman authorities of the time (cp. vv. 7-8). When paganism is removed, he predicted:
“Then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
Paganism received its political death-blow in A.D. 312 with the elevation of Constantine, claimed by the Papacy to be “the first Christian emperor.” This change of government in Rome brought about the establishment of Roman Catholicism, an event predicted by Paul in the references cited above. The Apostle showed that the apostasy that would arise would continue until the coming of Christ who would put it down once and for all.
The apostate system that arose, which claims the title of Christian, but in fact denies the principles of Christ is what the Apostle termed Antichrist. Its workings were manifested over 1900 years ago, so there is no need to await the uprise of it today, as is claimed by H. Lindsey, J. Walvoord, the Roman Catholic Church, and others.
The term Antichrist is used in the Bible only by John, and is used by him to describe those who deny the saving truths of the Gospel. Hence:
“Every spirit (the word is used in the sense of teaching – cp. John 6:63) that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world” (1 John 4:3).
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7).
We submit that Antichrist is the Roman Catholic Church, and that it is the satan (a word meaning opponent) and devil (a word translated false accuser – 2 Tim. 3:3) of all who hold the truth. It sets forth false teaching in the name of Christ, and many of its doctrines the Protestant churches have since embraced.
Hence it teaches the doctrine of the Trinity – three Gods instead of one; the immortality of the soul – intangible life in heaven instead of an immortal bodily existence on earth; the church as the Kingdom of God – instead of Christ’s reign from Jerusalem; the devil as a fallen angel, instead of a synonym for human nature (Heb. 2:14); and so on.
In the past the church has exercised dictatorial control doctrinally, politically and economically. It will do so in the future, only to be overthrown by Christ at his coming, as Paul taught (2 Thess. 2:8).
The Meaning Of 666
Associated with the alleged uprise of Antichrist in the near future is the interpretation of the mystical number 666 referred to in Revelation 13:18. The verse reads:
“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred three score and six.”
The Greek text of the Bible has only three Greek letters c x z instead of the number 666. Unlike the English language, the letters of the Greek language have a numerical value, and are used for numbers as well as letters forming words.
Accordingly, this mystical number is interpreted to mean Satan’s Messiah, on the grounds that c Chi and x Xi are the signs of Christ, or Messiah, and that Sigma z is the sign of Satan. Therefore, it is reasoned, 666 represents one who will arise at the time of the end, and claiming to be Messiah or Christ, actually will be an emissary of Satan.
We dispute the interpretation. A more logical explanation, and one that is given support by Scripture as well as being endorsed by commentators since Apostolic times, is to align the word with the term Lateinos. The numerical value of the Greek letters that make up this word also total 666, as follows:
L(30)a(l)t(300)e(5)i(IO)n(50)o(70)s(200).
Lateinos signifies the rule of the Latins, a reference to the Roman Catholic Church, with its emphasis upon Latin, the official language of the Church,
Modern Antichrist Revealed
Antichrist, therefore, denotes a false religious system, claiming the name of Christ, but denying his teaching and principles.
We claim that Christendom today is such a system as that.
In Revelation 17 it is depicted as a whore, an unfaithful woman. This is an appropriate description of a false religious system, for the true followers of the Lord are likened as being espoused as a chaste virgin unto Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2).
This false religious system is given the title of Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth (Rev. 17:5). A little thought will reveal how Appropriate this title is to Roman Catholicism. It is noted for its “mysteries;” its doctrines have been identified with those of ancient Babylon superimposed with the title Christian; and it claims to be a mother church, with the Protestant Churches represented as her rebellious offspring. Speaking of the Babylonish influence on Roman Catholicism, and the influence of the latter on Protestantism, the historian Gibbon declared in Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (Ch. 47):
“During the ten centuries of blindness and servitude, Europe received her religious opinions from the oracle of the Vatican, and the same doctrine, already varnished with the rust of antiquity (i.e. dating back to ancient Babylon) was admitted without dispute into the creed of the reformers who disclaimed the supremacy of the Roman pontiff . . . the synod of Chalcedon still triumphs in the Protestant Churches . . .”
His words describe the mother and her unfaithful daughters of Rev. 17. Moreover, this same system is said to have universal influence for she is described as “sitting upon many waters” (v. 1), which are defined as representing “peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues” (v. 15).
It is described as having great political power, for “the kings of the earth have committed fornication” with her (v. 2). This is characteristic of Rome.
Rome is noted for its wealth, and this is provided for in the symbolism. She is “arrayed in purple and scarlet colour (the colour of the priestly vestments), and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls” (v. 4). As evidence of the wealth of Catholicism, visit the Vatican, or almost any church.
The same system is also noted for its persecuting vigour. It is represented as being “drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (v. 6). The persecuting power of the church has been a feature of history. The Inquisition and the Jesuits have played their dreadful part to that end. When power has been with the church it has used it in the most brutal and tyrannical manner.
To summarise the symbolism of this chapter, we have the following representation:
A whorish woman – an unfaithful religious system;
Title: mother of harlots – A mother church claiming offspring;
Dominating many waters – universal influence;
The paramour of kings – political power;
Decked in colour and gold – outstanding wealth;
Drunken with blood – noted for persecution
All the indications point to the Roman Catholic Church as the Organisation referred to. And this is established beyond all doubt by two other points of identification. The “woman” is represented as sitting on a beast possessing seven heads, and the explanation is given: “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth” (v. 9). Again, “The woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (v. 18).
What ecclesiastical system is identified with a city built on seven hills, and exercising world dominion in the days when the Revelation was given to John in A.D. 96? The answer is Rome!
Every indication, every mark of explanation, points to Roman Catholicism as being the system referred to in this chapter, with the title: “Mystery, Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots.”
The theory publicised by Hal Lindsey and others that claims that Antichrist will set himself up in Jerusalem as king and demand the allegiance of the world actually originated from Roman Catholic sources.
This happened when the early Protestant Churches broke away from Catholicism and then correctly identified Catholicism as this system of Antichrist. As a result the Roman Church had to come up with another interpretation of these prophecies.
As a result they claimed that this Antichrist, motivated by satan, will “rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem,” and “renew the ancient forms of worship prescribed in the Law of Moses.” He will set his power up as ruler in the Middle East, and command the religious and political allegiance of mankind, but “the new world ruler will reveal himself as Satan’s substitute for Jesus Christ, sometimes called Antichrist” (Armageddon by J. Walvoord, p. 96).
Now the Bible clearly teaches, that when the Lord Jesus returns, he will set up his power in Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-3), will command the allegiance of mankind, and will re-build the ancient Temple, the plans and specifications of which are outlined in the eight closing chapters of Ezekiel’s prophecy. Referring to the future work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Zechariah declares: “He shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory; and shall sit and rule upon his throne, and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zech. 8:13).
But the theory of the imminent rise of Antichrist, which is sweeping the religious world today, claims that the future ruler of Jerusalem will be satan’s emissary, and as such should be opposed.
The effect of this theory will be that when Christ does appear as king in Jerusalem, and call upon the nations to acknowledge his position and submit to his authority, they will refuse to do so. This will mean that he will be compelled to reduce them to his rule by force. Therefore, referring to nations in association with mystical Babylon the Great, The Revelation declares:
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:15).
The false theory concerning Antichrist will cause the nations to resist Christ; but by the exercise of divine power on his part, they will be subdued and compelled to submit to his righteous rule.
What Is Armageddon?
Reference to Armageddon as such is found in only one place in the Bible (Rev. 16:16), though allusions to the battle then to be fought are frequent in its prophecies.
The prophecy regarding Armageddon also predicts that an agitating democratic (the “three unclean spirits like frogs” (Rev. 16:12-14) that came out of the French Revolution) spirit will go forth to all nations generating a warlike attitude among them leading to “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14).
At such a time, Christ returns secretly, as a thief, to the world. The appeal to his followers is couched in the following terms:
“Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments” (Rev. 16:15).
Then follows the statement:
“And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon. . . .”
Armageddon is the site of this crucial world conflict. The nations will be gathered for war, and Christ will intervene to scatter the armies, and establish his power.
But where and what is Armageddon?
Notice that the statement is made that the term must be interpreted “in the Hebrew tongue.”
This is very significant, for it is only in modem times that Hebrew has been resurrected from a dead to a living tongue. It is the language of modem Israel, and the statement implies that at the time that the prophecy is fulfilled, Hebrew would be again a modern language – as it is today.
Armageddon in Hebrew is comprised of three words: Arema (a heap of sheaves) gai (valley) dun (judgment). The word, therefore signifies A heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment.
This is significant, for the great crisis of the nations, at which Christ will appear in power and glory, is described in such a manner. The nations are represented as being gathered as sheaves for reaping in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (God’s judgment) just outside Jerusalem (Joel 3:2,11-13). The prophet commences his description with significant words (Joel 3:1-2):
“Behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah (the Jewish people) and Jerusalem (the city), I will gather all nations and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. . .”
The modern world has witnessed the beginning of the fulfilment of this prophecy. In 1917, the Turks were driven from Palestine, and the Balfour Declaration invited Jews to return thereto, which they shortly afterwards commenced to do. Fifty years later, in 1967, in the Six Days War, the city of Jerusalem fell to the Israeli forces, and for the first time in two thousand years, Jews again ruled their ancient capital.
At that time, declared the prophet, God would gather all nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat, a valley to the northeast of Jerusalem. The testimony of Joel is in accordance with that of Zechariah 14:2:
“I (God) will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. . . . Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle” (vv. 2,3).
It is obvious to all thinking people that the Middle East is the critical point of international relationships. There, the Western nations confront Russia and her confederate armies as described in Ezekiel 38. So delicate is the situation that the antagonism engendered could flare into a conflict that would involve the whole world.
Certainly, neither side can permit the oil-rich countries of the Middle East to become completely dominated by one side or the other, and so dependent is the world upon the black-gold of its deserts, that such prophecies as Joel 3 and Zechariah 14 cited above, are no longer mere possibilities, but are urgent probabilities.
The interests of the nation’s cause them to intrigue with the countries of the Middle East now whilst politicians warn that it is the future powder keg to World War Three.
Meanwhile, preparations for war increase until they have reached staggering proportions of the world’s income. The words of the prophet are heard throughout the earth:
“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men war draw near (i.e. to Jerusalem v.1); let them come up; beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3:9-10).
How true these words are in describing modern national policies. On all sides, among nations small or great, guns are being supplied rather than butter. It is computed that two thirds of the world’s population go to bed each night hungry, but still more and more of the world’s wealth is used for the manufacture of weapons of destruction. At one time, Russia was able to supply more destitute nations with foodstuffs, particularly grain from her vast resources; but today the Soviet is concentrating upon the arms race and looks to other nations for food. She is figuratively “beating plowshares into swords, and pruninghooks into spears,” and proclaims to the whole world, “I am strong!” This was not the case at the beginning of World War 1, when for a considerable time, the tiny nation of Finland held at bay the Soviet Union with all its weight of manpower.
The same prophet describes how that the armies of the nations will be gathered to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Jerusalem) as sheaves in a valley for judgment (Jehoshaphat signifies Judgment of God). This is Armageddon: the representative armies of the nations gathered as a heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment. Jerusalem will constitute the crucial point in a war that will involve the whole world. The city will fall (Zech. 14:2), and it will seem as though the success of the Russian armies will be without doubt, when suddenly, and unexpectedly, God will intervene through His son the Lord Jesus:
“The Lord shall roar out of Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion (in the person of His son), my holy mountain; then shall Jerusalem be holy” (Joel 3:16-17).
Ezekiel describes the same invasion of the Middle East by hostile armies which shall “in the latter days,” come “out of the north parts” against “God’s people of Israel” (Ezekiel 38:15-16). Not only is the time given – the latter days, but the very conditions of the Middle East are predicted. Israel is described as inhabited by a people “gathered out of the nations;” the land is described as “desolate places now inhabited” (vv. 8,12).
These terms describe the land of Israel today. Moreover, the invading army that is said by the prophet to descend “out of the north” can be identified with Russia. The description of the commander-in-chief as “the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” is better rendered according to the Hebrew (and see the Revised Version) as Prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. “Rosh” is the earliest form of Russia; “Meshech” can be identified with Moscow; and Tubal can be aligned with Tobolsk of Siberia.
It is obvious today that the eyes of Russia are centered upon the Middle East, and that the future of this country and of the Jewish People constitutes a bone of contention that will ultimately erupt into world war. The Bible predicts this, aligns it with Armageddon, and reveals that Christ, having resurrected and given eternal life to his faithful followers, will manifest himself to the world at that time and will intervene to establish his authority in the earth:
“It shall come to pass at that same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in My face … and I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezek. 38:18,23).
Christ’s Future Work
When Christ returns, he will accomplish that which many people today are teaching Antichrist will do. He will set up his power in Jerusalem; will proclaim himself as King and Saviour; and will rebuild the Temple to provide a basis for the unifying and universal worship he will establish in the earth.
Isaiah describes the result of his activities at that time:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:2-4).
Unfortunately, the Lord will receive opposition in that day, because of the propagation of the theory attributing this action to Antichrist, and so undermining the Truth.
Your Personal Involvement
A responsibility therefore rests upon all people of goodwill to search out the truth concerning the purpose and will of God. We appeal to the reader to give earnest consideration to the Bible and what is taught in the Bible alone, and to free his mind from theories that would blind him to the facts of the situation.
Fulfilling prophecy today clearly indicates that Christ is at the door. Christ is to return, to raise from the dead and give life eternal to those who have lived according to his will; to change the political and moral character of the world; to unite all mankind in a common understanding of truth, and to draw them together in a unifying worship at a Temple to be erected in Jerusalem (see Zech. 14:16).
A wonderful and grand opportunity is open to all who are prepared to identify themselves with him now, to share his glory of the future. This requires a personal effort, both to understand and to do what he requires. The commission given to his disciples epitomises what is necessary. He told them: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
You owe it to yourself and your family to look into these things, to determine what is the truth of the Bible and to prepare yourself and your family for Christ’s Return to Judge this world in Righteousness.
Acts 17:31
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
https://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.png00Stevehttps://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.pngSteve2023-03-17 12:00:232023-03-17 12:00:23The Battle of Armageddon and the Uprise of Antichrist
We review what the Bible says about earthquakes in the latter days as major earthquakes rock the Middle East.
Recently two massive earthquakes measuring 7.8 and 7.6 magnitude on the Richter scale hit Turkish territory just north of Syria. Magnitude 7 earthquakes are considered ‘major’. Since then, hundreds of additional aftershocks have been felt of a magnitude 4 and greater. According to the New York Times, this is one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded.
Buildings and walls fell down and tragically, at the time of writing, it is being reported that over 23,000 people have lost their lives. Cemeteries in the region are said to be unable to keep up with the demand for space.
In Syria particularly the situation has been terrible as widespread aerial bombardments undertaken in the civil war already meant structures were weak.
The impact of the earthquakes is affecting millions of people as survivors struggle to find shelter and rescuers are becoming increasingly desperate as they seek people who may be alive buried in the rubble.
South of the epicentre of the major earthquake lies Israel and tremors have been felt measuring nearly 4 on the Richter scale. These have prompted the Israel Defence Force Home Front to issue instructions to citizens on what to do if a earthquake hits.
Although relations are frosty to say the least between Israel and their suffering neighbours the Times of Israel reported that Israel has sent aid to both Syria and Turkey. Israel are calling it “Operation Olive Branch” as they seek to build relationships. The Jerusalem Post ran a report on February 10th entitled “Operation Olive Branch: Nine-year-old rescued by Israeli delegation personnel”. Apparently “The boy was trapped under the rubble for about 120 hours”.
Every wall shall fall to the ground
So why is this interesting to students of Bible prophecy?
The answer is that the Bible prophecies immense seismic activity during the time when the Lord Jesus Christ reveals himself to the nations of this earth.
The “latter day” prophecy of Ezekiel 38 speaks of the return of the Jews to their land and an invasion of them by a Russian confederacy of nations who attack Israel under the leadership of a mysterious character called “Gog”.
The Jews have indeed returned to their land after 2000 years of dispersion as the prophecy has said. They’ve been doing this since their state was declared in 1948 as required by the Biblical text.
We are witnessing the rise of an aggressive Russia and the international community is at odds with Israel so we can see this prophecy coming to pass before our very eyes building to the events foretold by God’s prophet thousands of years ago.
The prophecy speaks of the invaders coming to their end being destroyed by the power of God and the outcome is that all nations will know God (Ezekiel 38:23).
At verses 18 and 19 in that chapter we read of how God will bring about the destruction of the armies of Gog: “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.”
This is a description of a massive earthquake such that the land has not seen before.
There shall be a very great valley
Another latter day prophecy of the same time can be seen in Zechariah 14. Again in that chapter we read of Israel being invaded by “all nations” (v2).
We read of one who bares the name of God and embodies God’s awesome power who will come and stand on the mount of Olives to the East of Jerusalem. When this happens, we read this:
“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”
Again, this illustrates massive seismic events. from verses 10-11 we read of a huge plan being opened up where it had not been before and the area of Jerusalem being “lifted up”.
Exalted above the hills
In Isaiah we also have an illusion to this in the latter-day prophecy of chapter 2 which states: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.” (Isaiah 2:2).
So then. The Bible is very clear that in the area of Israel huge typographic change will happen.
Israel Is Hundreds of Years Overdue for a Massive Earthquake
It’s interesting to note that a tectonic plate fault-line runs right under the mount of Olives. Experts expect an earthquake to occur in the land of Israel in the near future. News outlet Haaretz reported on this back in 2019 when they ran an article entitled “Israel Is Hundreds of Years Overdue for a Massive Earthquake”. The article sates: “Israeli geologists are uneasy about the entirety of the Dead Sea Rift. They are uneasy about Israel’s north, where towns have been shaken to bits throughout history, but are even more worried about the south, including the Red Sea resort of Eilat…. “In general, we’re worried about the whole Dead Sea Transform (the Syrian-African great rift) from Eilat to Lebanon,” qualifies Dr. Yariv Hamiel, head of the GSI’s Geological Hazards and Geological Engineering Division. “There could be a strong quake anywhere along it at any time,” he adds.”
Haaretz ran another news article this week (Feb 6th) after the earthquakes in Turkey entitled “Massive Quake in Israel ‘Only a Matter of Time,’ Experts Warn”.
The huge earthquakes we are seeing in the news from this region are indeed a sure sign of the times that the way has been prepared for the latter-day prophecies to be fulfilled.
The return of Jesus Christ
But who is this one who carries such power that when his feet touch the Mount of Olives it will split in two, creating a great shaking so that no wall will stand? Christ is Coming Soon…
The Bible also provides this answer when it tells us about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts and chapter 1 we read that after his resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples. We then read in verse 9:
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
So, these men in white told his followers that he would return in the same way as he went up into heaven. He will return in a bodily form in the future. But where was he when he ascended into the cloud? The answer is in verse 12 which reads: “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet”.
Jesus is the one who will wield the power of God upon his return and manifestation to the nations. He will cause the destruction of Gog and save Gods people, the Jews. He will establish Gods kingdom on the earth from Jerusalem which was the place of the throne of King David of old, his father. He will be king of the Jews and of all nations. He, as God’s representative, will rule the world in peace and righteousness. As it says in Zechariah 14 verse 9 “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”
This is the message of the Bible. The question for us all is, will we be there to help him in filling the earth with God’s glory?
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habbukuk 2:14
So, we watch the signs of the times in full confidence of our faith in the hope of the Bible praying for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Why is there renewed interest in Nostradamus and the Bible? And can we trust either to tell us what the future holds?
In the Aftermath of Horror
There have been many consequences of the events of September 11. 2001, from the galvanizing of the Middle East peace talks to a shortage of gas masks. More recently, acts of terrorism have become common place in Russia, Spain and the Middle East. Many people have tried to find answers to what these terrorist attacks mean for them on a personal level. Most notably sales of the prophetic writings of Nostradamus, and also of the Bible, have rocketed.
For the first time ever, “Nostradamus” became the most popular word entered in Internet search engines: “Robert Carroll, who runs the Skeptic’s Dictionary Website, reported… ‘I usually have about 300-400 hits a week on the Nostradamus entry. I’ve had 140,000 in the past three days'” (Roland White, The Sunday Times, 30.09.01)
Why, then, is there renewed interest in Nostradamus and the Bible? And can we trust either to tell us what the future holds?
Who was Nostradamus?
Michel de Notredame (Nostradamus) was born in 1503 to a French Jewish family who had converted to Christianity. He studied medicine and astronomy, and rose tofame when he gained a measure of success in treating plague victims in Aix and Lyons in 1546.
At the age of 44 he began to dabble in the popular art of prophecy, going on to write around 1200 short, four lined prophecies. Obviously these predictions must be fairly vague, as it is simply impossible to go into any degree of detail in just four lines.
Nostradamus gained much credibility when Catherine de Medici, wife of Henry II, believed that he had predicted her husband’s death. His fame continues to escalate
One of Nostradamus’ Most Famous Prophecies
Most of Nostradamus’ followers are united in their interpretations of the following prediction:
At night they will think that they have seen the sun,
When they see the pig-like half-man,
Noise, shouts, battles seen in the heavens:
Brute beasts will be heard speaking.
Just pause for a moment and ask yourself some specific questions about this prophecy:
Who is the message from?
Who is the message to?
For what reason is the message being given?
What does it mean?
The prophecy is so vague there is no answer given to the first three questions. As to what this actually means, it seems to suggest that: it will look like the sun is shining at night time; there will be some sort of battle; and animals will talk. What on earth could this mean? Well the interpreters of Nostradamus, believe that this forecast found its fulfillment in aerial battles, from the first and second world wars, to the present raids on Afghanistan.
The sun at night would be the flashes of anti aircraft missiles; the pig-like half-man would be the pilot with his helmet and oxygen mask; and, finally, the brute beasts heard speaking would be the pilots talking into their radios.
A concluding point to make at this stage, is that it is obviously nigh on impossible to state beforehand what Nostradamus’ prophecies actually mean. His interpreters often make claims that a prophecy has been fulfilled after certain events have taken place.
When the interpreters try to predict the future using these prophecies, their predictions do not come to pass. According to Roland White, one Nostradamus scholar predicted the following events:
The world would end in 1999;
Prince Charles would be crowned in 1994;
Prince William would take the throne before the age of 18.
We all know that these things have not happened. Can you honestly still trust Nostradamus?
Nostradamus and September 11
Almost immediately after the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, an E-mail was circulated highlighting the following prediction:
In the year of the new century and nine months
From the sky will come a great king of terror
The sky will burn at forty five degrees.
Fire approaches the great new city
In the City of York there will be a great collapse,
Two twin brothers torn apart by chaos
While the fortress falls the great leader will succumb
Third big war will begin when the big city is burning.
The first line was thought to indicate the month of September 2001 – the month of the attacks. In terms of line two, the hijacked planes obviously came from the skies. “Forty five degrees” was thought to have been a reference to New York – with its line of latitude of forty degrees. The “twin brothers” were thought to be the twin towers of the trade centre, and so on. Pretty conclusive stuff hey? Nostradamus must have known what he was talking about…..
Well, maybe we would give him some credence – but, and it’s a very big but, the E-mail was a hoax. One of Nostradamus’ quatrains does have a reference to “45 degrees” and the “great new city” but that’s where the similarity ends.
To crown it all, the final four lines are not from Nostradamus at all. They were written five years ago by Canadian High School student, Neil Marshall. In his paper Critical Analysis of Nostradamus he explains the “infinite monkeys principle”:
“If I make say a thousand prophecies that are fairly abstract, for example: ‘In the City of God there will be a great thunder, Two brothers torn apart by chaos, While the fortress endures the great leader will succumb’, [then some are bound to come true, as they could be interpreted in many different ways].”
The terrorist attacks on New York have proved Marshall’s thesis to be true.
The Verdict on Nostradamus
So then, a summary of what we have seen so far is now needed:
We do not know who Nostradamus’ prophecies are from;
We do not know who the message is being given to;
We do not know why the message is being given;
It is virtually impossible to interpret Nostradamus’ prophecies in advance of the event which they are said to predict. Interpretations are usually made to fit afterwards;
Neil Marshall’s “infinite monkeys principle” has been proved true: the laws of probability dictate that if anyone makes a thousand or so vague prophecies, then some of them are bound to “come true”.
Bible Prophecy
By stark contrast, Bible prophecy is completely different from Nostradamus’ vague predictions. The Bible gives very detailed and specific prophecies about people, places, and nations. The Bible’s prophecies are fulfilled against all odds. One such prophecy will be studied here to prove the point.
Attention has been drawn to the fact that the Bible has accurately and repeatedly predicted that the Jews would be:
Scattered: Deuteronomy 28 v 64 (fulfilled in AD 135 by the Romans),
Persecuted: Deuteronomy 28 v 65 – 67 (fulfilled down the ages, and most notably by Hitler),
Regathered: Deuteronomy 30 v 1-5, Ezekiel 37 v 6, 13; 38 v 23 (fulfilled in 1948 when the state of Israel was once again declared),
Have ongoing conflicts with the Arabs: Ezekiel 36, Obadiah, Psalm 83.
It is this third point which will be focused on – the regathering of the Jews to the land of Israel after almost two thousand years of dispersion. It must be emphasized that no other nation in history has been: driven out of its homeland, persecuted wherever its people went, and finally regathered to its original homeland after a period of nearly 2000 years. Other nations which have been driven out of their lands, or their empires have been defeated, and they have simply ceased to exist. When did you last meet a Roman, a Babylonian or a Phoenician? You never have, and you never will, for these nations have gone the same way as the dodo. But not Israel. Israel is unique.
Jeremiah 16
A few verses from this chapter will demonstrate key points about Bible prophecy:
“‘However, the days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when men will no longer say, ‘as surely as the LORD lives who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘as surely as the LORD lives who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the North and out of all the countries where he banished them.’ For I will restore them to the land that I gave to their forefathers… Then they will know that my name is the LORD'” (Jeremiah 16 v 1 4-16, 21).
If we ask the same questions which we asked about Nostradamus’ prophecies, the answers are now much more satisfactory:
Who is the message from?
Who is the message to?
For what reason is the message being given?
What does it mean?
The message, Jeremiah claims in verse 14, is from God. The message is given to Jeremiah to give to the Israelites (v 1, 10). The message is given to them so that they will know that God does exist, and is in control of their futures (v21: “Then they will know that my name is the LORD”).
As for the meaning of the passage, this is very clear. The Jews would be brought back to the land of “their forefathers”, namely Israel. This happened in the last century, when, against the laws of probability, the nation of Israel was once again declared in 1948.
Which seems the more trustworthy so far? Nostradamus or the Bible?
Made to Fit?
The point was made that Nostradamus’ followers often try to make his prophecies fit events after they have happened. This is not true of the prophecy which we have just looked at. In 1849, after reading passages like Jeremiah 16, a Bible student wrote the following words:
“There is.. a… restoration of the Jews before the manifestation [i.e. return of Jesus]… The… colonization of Palestine will be on purely political principles; and the Jewish colonists will return in unbelief of the Messiahship of Jesus, and of the truth as it is in him..” (John Thomas, Elpis Israel, 1849).
The writer of these words clearly expected the Jews to return to Israel, or Palestine as it was then known. He did not claim to be a prophet, he merely stated what the Bible had clearly said would happen. Note that he wrote these words almost one hundred years before the state of Israel was established, and well in advance of the Zionist movement.
Unlike Nostradamus’ interpreters then, Bible students are often able to accurately say what will happen before it happens. This is not due to any skill of their own, but because many Bible prophecies are so very specific, detailed and clear.
So Who Do You Trust?
Nostradamus cannot be trusted, but the Bible can. The reason God gives us so many predictions is that when we see that they have happened (as is the case with the restoration of Israel) we will believe that God exists.
Not only this, but the fulfillment of these prophecies gives conviction to believers, and also warns unbelievers to repent before it is too late. The Bible clearly tells us that we must be baptized to be saved (Jn3 v 5, Mk 16 v 16). For Jesus will soon return to judge the world and set up God’s kingdom of peace (Acts 1 v 6 – 11; Acts 17 v 30 – 31).
Why do so many people so readily believe that Nostradamus has the key to the future? Could it be that if we believe Nostradamus then we do not need to change our behaviour or life-styles in any way? Yet, if we believe the Bible there is a moral imperative – we must change our lives and put God first.
Sadly, then, many people choose to ignore the Bible, and refuse to consider overwhelming evidence (countless fulfilled prophecies; archeological evidence; scientific proof; internal coherency; and personal experiences) that it is the Word of God.
Please look into this further – for David, one of the kings of ancient Israel, did not lie when through him God said:
“You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16 v 11).
If you would like to find out more about the Bible’s message for you, then please go to our website and explore the True Bible Teaching concerning the Purpose of Almighty God with this earth and your opportunity to be a part of it.
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Pope and Patriarch Unite in Christian Crusade with Putin as Champion
After 1000 years the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have come together to sign a joint declaration calling for “action” in the Middle East.
Based on the prophecies throughout the scripture, Bible students have been anticipating this move for 100’s of years. The Orthodox and Catholic churches are destined by prophecy to be reunited and work together. The declaration points to a crusade in the Middle East, and according to news reports, “Pope Francis Sees Putin as ‘Only Man’ to Defend Christians Around the World.”
Ending a 1,000 year standoff between the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, Pope Francis met with Patriarch Kirill to sign a joint declaration on Friday, February 12th. The words of the declaration speak for themselves,
“We give thanks to God, glorified in the Trinity, for this meeting, the first in history. It is with joy that we have met like brothers in the Christian faith who encounter one another “to speak face to face,” from heart to heart, to discuss the mutual relations between theChurches, the crucial problems of our faithful, and the outlook for the progress of human civilization.
The Prophecies
The significance of this meeting, both historically and prophetically cannot be underscored enough. Based on the prophecies throughout the scripture, Bible students have been anticipating this move for 100’s of years. The Orthodox and Catholic churches are destined by prophecy to be reunited and work together. The picture of Daniel 2 sees the image with both its Eastern and Western legs united and standing on the mountains of Israel:
“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:31–35)
The image stands complete on the mountains of Israel together, where it is destroyed. This required the recombining of all the composite elements in to one unified body of flesh. East and West, though divided for 1000 years must reunite.
This is the picture of Daniel 11 when the King of the North, headed by Rosh or Russia of Ezekiel 38 comes down like a whirlwind:
“And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown….” (Daniel 11:40–41)
He ends up establishing himself upon mount Zion:
“And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (Daniel 11:45)
This prophecy is echoed in the words of Isaiah 14 where a proverb is taken up against the King of Babylon, (Remember the head of Gold was Babylon):
“Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: The worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;” (Isaiah 14:11–16)
Russia’s desire to “ascend to the heavens” is to be short lived, for “he shall come to his end and none shall help him.” However, he isn’t alone in this ambition, the joint image includes both the Eastern or Russian, and the Western or Roman elements. Isaiah asks, “is this the man that made the earth to tremble?” The Apostle Paul picks up on these prophecies when he comments in 2 Thessalonians of the same “man”:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4)
The man of sin is the ‘falling away’ or the Christian apostasy enthroned in Rome who has the same ambition to sit in the temple of God in Jerusalem. His fate is the same:
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
It is for this reason the events of the past week are so significant. The Eastern and Western religious elements have been divided, perpetuating the political division between the legs of the image. The meeting of pope and patriarch herald the coming together of the composite parts. Out of their meeting came came a declaration, or “great voice” which focused on the need to be involved militarily in the Middle East.
The Joint Declaration
What brought Pope and Patriarch together after 1000 years of division? The declaration clearly spells out the common cause. The Pope and Patriarch jointly stated:
Our gaze must firstly turn to those regions of the world where Christians are victims of persecution. In many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated. Their churches are being barbarously ravaged and looted, their sacred objects profaned, their monuments destroyed. It is with pain that we call to mind the situation in Syria, Iraq and other countries of the Middle East, and the massive exodus of Christians from the land in which our faith was first disseminated and in which they have lived since the time of the Apostles, together with other religious communities.
This goal of the declaration wasn’t just to draw attention to the problem, but to call for international action in the Middle East:
We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East. In raising our voice in defence of persecuted Christians, we wish to express our compassion for the suffering experienced by the faithful of other religious traditions who have also become victims of civil war, chaos and terrorist violence.
Thousands of victims have already been claimed in the violence in Syria and Iraq, which has left many other millions without a home or means of sustenance. We urge the international community to seek an end to the violence and terrorism and, at the same time, to contribute through dialogue to a swift return to civil peace. Large–scale humanitarian aid must be assured to the afflicted populations and to the many refugees seeking safety in neighbouring lands.
This is nothing short of a call for a Holy Crusade to the holy land to save Christianity. The words are pretty clear:
…the international community must undertake every possible effort to end terrorism through common, joint and coordinated action. We call on all the countries involved in the struggle against terrorism to responsible and prudent action. We exhort all Christians and all believers of God to pray fervently to the providential Creator of the world to protect His creation from destruction and not permit a new world war. In order to ensure a solid and enduring peace, specific efforts must be undertaken to rediscover the common values uniting us, based on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice the amount of times the word “action” was used. A united, joint, coordinated action is being requested by both pope and patriarch in the Middle East.
A Champion for the Crusade
Who would lead such an enterprise to save Christianity from the infidels in the Middle East? Well, the joint declaration points to Russia as an example of moral strength, stating:
In affirming the foremost value of religious freedom, we give thanks to God for the current unprecedented renewal of the Christian faith in Russia, as well as in many other countries of Eastern Europe, formerly dominated for decades by atheist regimes. Today, the chains of militant atheism have been broken and in many places Christians can now freely confess their faith. Thousands of new churches have been built over the last quarter of a century, as well as hundreds of monasteries and theological institutions. Christian communities undertake notable works in the fields of charitable aid and social development, providing diversified forms of assistance to the needy. Orthodox and Catholics often work side by side….
So according to pope and patriarch, Russia is a model country going through a religious revival.
Vladimir Putin:
“the only man with whom the Catholic Church can unite to defend Christians in the East” – Pope Francis.
The newspaper Sputnik put carried the headline, “Pope Francis Sees Putin as ‘Only Man’ to Defend Christians Around the World.”
The article, published on February 9th stated:
In an attempt to defend Christians in the Middle East and other parts of the world where they’re being persecuted, Pope Francis wants to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin for help.
According to Pope Francis, Putin is “the only one with whom the Catholic Church can unite to defend Christians in the East.”
“It’s important to join efforts [with Russia] to save Christianity in all regions [of the world] where it’s oppressed,” Pope Francis said, as cited by Le Journal Du Dimanche.
Amazing, Russia is identified by Pope and Patriarch as the model country undergoing a religious revival, and it’s leader Vladimir Putin is seen as the champion of Christianity.
Putin the modern Justinian – “defender of the faith”
Not since the days of the Czars has a Russian leader interested himself so much in the Orthodox Church. Putin has recombined church and state as a propaganda tool for his own use.
Putin, was secretly baptized as a child by his devout Eastern Orthodox mother. In an interview outside the Church of the
Putin visibly participating in the Orthodox Religion
Holy Martyrs Aleksandr and Antonia of Rome Putin spoke about the event:
This Cathedral is special for me – I was baptised here, about a month and a half after I was born, and my family lived near here. My mother told me that when she and a neighbor brought me here to be baptised – the did it in secret from my father who was a member of the Communist Party and a loyal and uncompromising man…. When I was brought to the church, the priest who baptised me said that it was the day of Archangel Michael, and by the way, he added, my name is also Mikhail, so you could give this name to the child if he hasn’t been named yet, but my mother said that they had already registered me as Vladimir, in honour of my Father. He said, “Well, that’s good, it’s an ancient Russian name.” He pointed out the icon of St. Vladimir in the cathedral and said, “This will be your icon.”
In a later interview, he stated,
“As regard to wearing a cross, earlier I never had it – once my mother gave it to me when I visited Israel. I was there two times. First on an official invitation of the minister of foreign affairs of that country. The second time, I liked the country, and I traveled there with my family as a tourist. So my mother gave it to me to have a blessing there at the Tomb of the Lord. I did so and now it is with me always.
This gives insight into Putin’s personal religious fervor.
Putin visibly re-united Church and state, resurrecting the Orthodox Church in Russia to a position of power and prestige. The Russian Orthodox church publically endorsed Putin’s leadership with televised blessings following his inauguration at the Kremlin Cathedral reminiscent of the ascension of the Czars to the throne. Putin has been deliberately televised celebrating Christmas and Easter Mass at the Kremlin Cathedral, participating in services, lighting candles, kissing icons, and crossing himself after manner of the Orthodox fashion.
The parallels between Putin and the Emperor Justinian are striking. Writing in Elpis Israel, John Thomas noted,
Emperor Justinian – Champion of a United Church
“Justinian”, says Gibbon, “sympathized with his subjects in their superstitious reverence for living and departed saints; his code, more especially his novels, confirm and enlarge the privileges of the clergy; and in every dispute between the monk and the layman, the partial judge was inclined to pronounce, that truth and innocence are always on the side of the church. In his public and private devotions, he was assiduous and exemplary; his prayers, vigils, and fasts displayed the austere penance of a monk; his fancy was amused by the hope, or belief, of personal inspiration; he had secured the patronage of the Virgin, and St. Michael the archangel; and his recovery from a dangerous disease was ascribed to the miraculous succour of the holy martyrs, Cosmas and Damian.
Among the titles of imperial greatness, the name of Pious was most pleasing to his ear; to promote the temporal and spiritual interest of the (Greco-Roman) church was the serious business of his life; and the duty of father of his country was often sacrificed to that of defender of the faith …”
It is also interesting to see Justinian’s role as champion of the church. John Thomas noted:
“Never prince did meddle so much with what concerns the affairs of the church, nor make so many constitutions and laws upon this subject. He was persuaded that it was the duty of an emperor, and for the good of the State, to have a particular care of the church, to defend its faith, to regulate external discipline, and to employ the civil laws and the temporal power to preserve it in order and peace.” (Elpis Israel p364)
Patriarch Kirill, “Putin a miracle from God”
Now consider Putin’s growing role as the defender of Christianity. The Catholic Herald published an article in December of 2015 under the title, “Vladimir Putin’s holy war” which stated:
Russian documentaries extol Putin as the man who resuscitated Russian spirituality. Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has described his leadership as a “miracle from God”.
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian state has carefully nurtured its relationship with the Church. Putin especially is not only a powerful political actor but – like the Tsars – a religious one. In his speeches he presents himself as defender of Christian values abandoned by the degenerate West….
More recently the president has presented himself in a new role – as the potential saviour of Middle Eastern Christians. And even his critics wonder whether he may, in fact, have a point.
Putin is perhaps the most visibly ‘Christian’ leader in the world. In an article in the Russian Insider from October 2014,
The Kremlin is both the political and historic center not just of Moscow but of Russia.By calling for the restoration of these Christian buildings Putin repudiates the Soviet legacy with its atheist ideology and its record of anti-Christianity and reaffirms Orthodoxy as the heart of Russian culture.In his own words
“Here is the idea … to restore the historic appearance of the place with two monasteries and a church, but giving them, considering today’s realities, an exclusively cultural character.”
The great granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Kruschchev reflected in an article this past Friday,
Relations between Russia and the Holy See took on new significance after Putin became President. Unlike the officially atheist Soviets, Putin works closely with the Orthodox Church, championing conservative social values at home and seeking to expand Russian influence abroad….
After all, Putin and Kirill have presided over rising anti-Western animosity and turned the Russian Orthodox Church toward conservatism, nationalism, and intolerance. The Patriarch (rumored to have served in the KGB himself) has called the war in Syria “a holy struggle,” adding that, “today our country is perhaps the most active force in the world to combat [it].”
This is of great significance.
A Latter Day Crusade to the Holy Land
Elpis Israel, Written by
John Thomas in 1848
Years ago, Christadelphian Bible students anticipated the events we see going on today by a careful reading of the Bible. Writing in the Exposition of Daniel, (1860’s), John Thomas stated,
“This far the vision of the Ram and Goat was for the purpose of introducing the Roman power in its relation to Judah and the Holy land to special notice. By the absorption of the northern kingdom into the Roman empire, a union was formed between the Greco-Babylonian power of the Selucidae; so that as these were heirs of Alexander’s kingdom of Babylon, the Romans inherited it from them. Hence the power peculiar to this territory, styled “the whole earth,” may very properly be called the Romano-Greek Babylonian; or the Latino-Greek Babylonian. This name is descriptive of it in its relation to the Holy Land, in all its future phases until its utter destruction by Messiah the Prince and his holy ones….
The development of the image empire, through its phases would bring Babylonian, Greco, and Roman powers together under Russia:
…when the Latins and Greeks come to form a confederacy under Russia as the fragile medium of combination, the Latino-Greek Babylonian power will be in full “blossom,” when the sour grape is ripening for the vintage. (p24-25)
All the imagery is united for the invasion:
“In the vision of the Ram and Goat the Babylonian power in its Roman manifestation is represented by the Little Horn of the Goat, which is not to be confounded with the Little Horn with Eyes andMouth. At the time of the end, the powers signified by these are confederated with the Goat’s Little Horn, and with it as their chief invade the Holy Land and besiege Jerusalem and take it.
John Thomas believed he was living close to the time when this union would happen, a union that would eventually result in the invasion of the Land. In 1848 he wrote in Elpis Israel
But the time is at hand when the dominion, divided between the Dragon and the Beast, may be re-united; and the old Roman territory, with an immense addition of domain, again subject to one sovereign. This may be by the fall of the Two-horned Beast, and the expulsion of the Turks from Constantinople, which will then become the throne of the dominion, represented by Nebuchadnezzar’s Image, which is to be broken to pieces in “the latter-days”. The establishment of this sovereignty being accomplished, it stands upon the earth as the Accuser and Adversary of God’s people Israel; and will make war upon them; and will combat with the faithful and True One, and his saints…” (Elpis p92)
Based on reading the scripture, and the writings of Thomas and others, Graham Pearce in his book entitled “The Vatican and the Invasion of Israel”, written in February of 1970 stated:
So we can expect there will develop something like a restoration of the old Roman Empire as it existed in the time of Justinian. Justinian, ruling from Constantinople, sought to control Western Europe through co-operation with the Bishop of Rome, recognizing him as head of Christianity for the whole of the Roman world. Previous to this there had been a division between the East and the West. We have described the coming Roman world as a Christian-socialist state, corresponding with the iron and clay feet of the Image, and with the current socialist development of society in Europe…. In the light of the prophetic word, we may expect there to be a deal between the Vatican and Russia….” (p48)
What we saw taking place this week in Cuba was a significant shift toward the realization of Thomas’ and Pearce’s words, and more importantly the vision painted by the prophets. The crusade is being prepared, the mighty men of war are being awakened, and it is being sanctified by the religious powers of the world. This is the kind of invasion Joel wrote about:
“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:” (Joel 3:9)
Graham Pearce foresaw the reunion
of Eastern & Western Churches
in 1970 and the coming Crusade.
The word “prepare” is the Hebrew word ‘qadash’ meaning to sanctify, consecrate or to allow. This tells us the latter day invasion of the land will be Holy war. The preparations are being made for this. Graham Pearce wrote in 1970:
We have proposed that a further reason for this invasion of the land is that it represents a crusade. By the time the invasion takes place a great issue will have developed in the world: Babylon the Great verses Zion; the great issue of the Apocalpyse through the centuries coming to a head. At this time will be revealed two headships: the Daystar of Babylon (Isaiah 14) and the Daystar of Israel (Revelation 22) and they join issue in the land of Israel, contending for rulership of the world. So, the European confederacy comes as a “Christian” crusade against the Jewish development in the land of Israel…
The “things of Zion” concern religion, and it is unmistakable that there will be this religious element in the invasion of the land; it is a Christian crusade against the Jews and their religion… by the time the people of the land will have progressed in faith, having been under divine instruction (Christ and the saints being in the earth), and there will be something distinctly “of Zion” in the land of Israel, provoking this Christian crusade.”
The events we are seeing taking place today of are monumental significance, unparalleled in some areas for 1,000 years.
A modern-day Emperor Justinian is found in Putin, reviving the religion in Russia, building churches and championing Christianity’s cause as “defender of the faith.” The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches are coming together after a schism of 1000 years, in joint purpose to promote religious ‘action’ in the Middle East, and both look to Putin as their champion.
The image is being melded together, the legs walking in unison and looking to march toward the Middle East. Will Putin be the man? We cannot tell, but be it him, or his successor, all the pieces are rapidly falling in place. We must be motivated to put our lives in order for our Lord is surely at the door, and knocking ever so loudly.
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It was once fashionable in religious circles to say that Jesus Christ would never return to the earth. There are still plenty of professing Christians who believe that. But there are now many others who have come to believe that the Second Coming is a very important event.
True Bible Students have always taught that the Return of Jesus Christ to the earth is vital to the fulfilment of the purpose of God.
Behold Your King!
But what is the Second Coming of the Lord going to be like? For example, would it be possible to miss it altogether and not even be aware that it had occurred? Will it be visible or invisible? Will Jesus be there in person or merely a spiritual presence? And will he come to the earth or only towards the earth? Jesus Christ rose bodily from the grave. He was not an invisible spirit creature but One who could be seen, handled and held (1 John 1:1; Luke 24:39,40). His body was marked by the evidence of his suffering on the cross. Yet he was no longer subject to the limitations of human existence. He could come and go despite locked doors, and on Mount Olivet he ascended bodily to heaven, defying the law of gravity. The disciples had seen him go; he would return visibly. As the angel later said: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). Or as Zechariah the Old Testament prophet had predicted, long before the crucifixion, “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him” (12:10).
So, it will not do to say that only those who look with faith will see the Lord. Some will look, see, and mourn (Revelation 1:7). Nor will it do to say that Jesus will come invisibly, for the Lord himself warned:
“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ’s and false prophets . . .” (Matthew 24:23,24).
Nor will it do to argue that the Bible talks of the presence of the Lord, meaning that it will be an invisible one. The New Testament also talks about the revelation of the Lord, using a word that means uncovering or manifesting. In fact, the presence (Greek: parousia) of the Lord turns out to be an especially suitable term. One of the most authoritative Greek Lexicons available says of the word:
“It became the official term for a visit of a person of high rank, especially of kings and emperors visiting a province” (Arndt and Gingrich).
It is such a visit by a King that the Scriptures foretell. The crowds who welcomed King Jesus into Jerusalem when he sat astride a donkey and they threw coats and’ palm branches before him, shouted out greetings that referred right back to the Promises of God: “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:10). Matthew comments that the rejoicing was a foretaste of what had been forecast by Zechariah the prophet, when he wrote “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee”.
Now if the initial royal visit was attended by such joy and rejoicing, consider what the next one will be like! The prophet had declared:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy king cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation. . . and he shall speak peace unto the heathen; and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:9,10).
Dual Fulfilment
This Scripture illustrates a widely used feature of Bible prophecy: its joint short and long-term character. Jerusalem rejoiced at the Kingly coming of Jesus — “Lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” — just as the prophet had said. But their joy was short-lived, for he did not then go on to establish worldwide peace, or commence to rule from Jerusalem over a Kingdom that was to last forever. Jesus completed enough of the prophecy at that time to demonstrate that he was the Coming One, and to give us confidence that he will return to complete the promised transformation of the earth. Zechariah compressed the two comings in such a way that there appeared to be no interval between them. This has led some people to argue that the Kingdom will never come, because, they say, even Jesus expected it in the First Century, or at most shortly afterwards. It has thus been dismissed by some as an early Christian hope, which has now been superseded by a superior understanding. But when all the Scriptures are studied carefully, it becomes clear that the Coming of Jesus was not to occur immediately after his ascension to heaven.
The Day and the Hour
Any attempt to show that Jesus was mistaken about the time of his Coming is doomed to failure. He clearly stated, more than once, that he did not know:
“Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
As he later said, this was something that the Father had reserved within His own authority (Acts 1:7). But Jesus did know that some long time would elapse before his Second Coming. He told parables to indicate that his coming would not “immediately appear” (Luke 1 9:11), that it would be “after a long time” (Matthew 25:19), and that there might be some delay for those who were waiting (25:3). Like their Lord, his followers were to appreciate that they could “not know what hour” he would come.
The apostles also acknowledged that they could not know the precise time of the great event for which they waited. Peter warned about people who would scoff, as so many have, at the “promise of his coming” (2 Peter 3:4). Indeed he poured scorn on their faithlessness, what he called “wilful ignorance” — people believing what they wanted to believe, regardless of the evidence. And Paul was in no doubt either, for he went on record as saying:
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh . . .” (1 Thessalonians 5:1,2).
Can you complete that quotation? It holds the key to two vital matters concerning the early return of the King. Notice first what the verse above says. There would be general indications available — what Paul calls “times and seasons” — which would help keep the believers prepared. And the verse continues:
“. . . the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
When it happens the Lord’s Coming will be swift, sudden and unexpected. No-one expects thieves to strike. But they often succeed because people overlook the dangers. It is also the case that speed is vital to a successful robbery, which is why the figure is used by Jesus (Matthew 24:43), Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:2), and Peter (2 Peter 3:10), to emphasise the vital point. We must be on our guard, watchful, prepared, vigilant. The Lord could come at any time! He will come when we least expect him!
The Times and Seasons
That is why when Jesus explained what was to happen before his Return, he very carefully emphasised the need for watchfulness. Sitting with his disciples one day on the Mount of Olives, from where he would later ascend to heaven, he gave them some general indications of what was to happen prior to his “coming and the end of the world” (Matthew 24:3). This prophecy presents a fascinating challenge, for it combines a short-term prediction about the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, with a long-term forecast of world events.
A list of the predicted events in the three Gospel accounts (Matthew 24, Mark 1 3 and Luke 24), which does not claim to be a structured sequence of prophetic events, shows the following:
Notice how believers are warned about the rise and growth of false Christianity. It is the Lord’s first concern. His words were fulfilled by the rapid development of wrong teaching in New Testament times (e.g. Acts 20:29), and are being fulfilled again at the close of this age. Elsewhere the message is that the true believers will comprise a very small remnant, compared with those who hold a distorted form of Christianity.
Antichrist
The apostles also warn about this development. Paul was emphatic that there would be manifestations of false Christianity, for he prophesied that the Day of the Lord:
“shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped” (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4).
The apostle Paul describes the man of sin in language that refers back to the prophet Daniel, who accurately foretold the rise and fall of four empires that exercised power in the Middle East. He traced the development from them to a false religious system, involving the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy, that is opposed to Christ and his true followers. This is counterfeit Christianity, and the apostle Paul describes it as “the mystery of iniquity” which was already at work, and “a strong delusion”.
The other thread of teaching in the Lord’s catalogue of future events concerned trouble. There were to be wars and rumors of wars, both within and between nations; there would be natural disasters and widespread hardship, earthquakes, famines and epidemics; terrors and fearful sights would be in the heavens, causing much fear and distress. People would not know which way to turn for fear of what was about to happen on earth.
To some extent these problems are as old as man. The tendency to war against one another is evident even in the first book of the Bible, and famine features there too. But even within Bible history the atrocities of which man is capable become increasingly ugly, and since then even more widespread horrors have been seen. The powers now available to mankind are enough to make any sane person fear for the future. More than ever before, these words of Jesus are coming true:
“There shall be . . . upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:25-27).
Tribulation
The reference to the sea and waves roaring, like others to signs in the sun, moon and stars, may be either symbolic or literal or some combination of both. The prophet Isaiah, for example, wrote about the wicked being “like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (57:20).
Jesus may have been drawing upon such imagery to describe a world that was full of trouble because it was full of wickedness. He may also have been teaching us to look out for some upheaval of the physical order, like tidal waves, which would also be an indication of the end of the age. Certainly there have been many earthquakes and natural disasters over the past few years, all over the world. The apostle Paul described the whole world order as groaning and travailing in pain (Romans 8:22), like a woman waiting to be delivered of a child. It is thus evident that our present troubles are the birthpangs of a new and better world, soon to begin.
In both Testaments we are told that the tribulation that will come at the end of human government is the final herald of the Second Coming. It will be:
“a time of trouble such as never was” (Daniel 12:1);
“the time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7);
“great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21).
Will the believers waiting for their Lord have to suffer this trouble, or will they be spared? The likelihood is that present-day believers will live through this time of trouble, indeed that they have already begun to do so. Jesus promised that for the elect’s sake that time would be shortened (Mark 13:20). But those who finally stand approved before the Judge are those “which came out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).
As that trouble increases, and God pours out His wrath upon the earth, there are indications that true believers will be sheltered from that outpouring. Isaiah describes the great shake-up of human society when God intervenes:
“Come, my people, enter into thy chambers. . . hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity” (Isaiah 24:18-23, 26:20,21).
We must therefore consider carefully what Jesus said:
“When these things (the signs of which he spoke) begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
We should not wait until total disaster has struck, and there is no escape route left. It is better to learn the lesson now, that this is the time immediately before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In these dying moments of human government, the powers of heaven will be shaken as men’s hearts fail them for fear. The nations will be engaged in a battle around Jerusalem. Then the Lord will come!
Unexpectedly, suddenly, in great power and glory, bringing salvation for those who have faithfully waited and prepared for this central event in their lives; but bringing judgement upon all those who have wilfully ignored the faithful promises and gracious invitation of God:
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power: when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe” (2 Thessalonians 1:9,10).
It is vital therefore that we believe what the Bible so clearly promises. We cannot simply “wait and see”, because Jesus is coming to save those who already believe, not to give reasons for faith to those who have had clear evidence, but no inclination for the things of God.
When the Lord spoke to his followers about his eventual return to earth, he focused their attention more on the consequences of his Coming than on the sequence of events itself. To this day we cannot know for sure when Jesus will come. But we know perfectly clearly that when he comes he will call us to account, and ask us how we spent our lives on the eve of his return:
“Take heed . . . be not led astray . . . be not troubled . . . take heed to yourselves . . . preach the gospel . . . be not anxious . . . endure to the end . . . flee . . . pray . . . believe not false prophets . . . take heed . . . look up and lift up your heads . . . take heed to yourselves . . . watch . . . BE READY” (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21).
The apostles make the very same points as they reflect on the nearness of the Lord’s Return.
“What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness . . . be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:11-14).
“Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12,13).
“When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man who has this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2,3).
Take Heed to Yourselves
The Bible is our guidebook to the future, just as it is our handbook for the present. It alone will show us what God wants us to do. From it we can learn God’s purpose and promises. The first thing is to understand and believe those things that are true. We shall then come to appreciate the need for obedience to God, starting with baptism. And thus we shall be doing what Jesus commanded.
The coming Kingdom of God on earth will transform human experience. We need to learn to live now in harmony with our Creator. The Lord is at hand! It is now an urgent matter for us all to examine our lives, so that we are properly prepared for the Coming of the King.
BY TECWYN MORGAN
https://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.png00Stevehttps://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.pngSteve2022-08-27 14:15:242023-02-23 09:55:05Earthquakes Sign of Christs Return
As Biden stumbles around the Middle East, the angels are at work bringing the Arab States and Israel closer together, regardless of man’s designs.
Biden’s recent trip to the Middle East was fraught with embarrassing gaffs and resulted in very little to show. While he didn’t follow Obama’s lead, the army behind him in the State Department was working wilily to try to undo the gains made during Trump’s administration. The angels are at work behind the scenes to ensure that God’s will is done, regardless of man’s futile plans.
US President Joe Biden is directed where to go after meeting landing in Israel for his first Presidential Visit
The Requirement of Scripture
The scriptures require major changes in the Middle East which include peace, security, and prosperity as is outlined in the words of Ezekiel 38:
11And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, 12To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.(Ezekiel 38:11–12)
Another major component is the continued normalization of between Israel and its Arab neighbours as we read in the next verse when these nations along with Tarshish and her young lions protest Russia’s future invasion:
13Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? (Ezekiel 38:13)
We also find Saudi Arabia providing protection for the Israelis who flee during the invasion predicted in Ezekiel 38:
13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. 14The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, They prevented (assisted) with their bread him that fled. 15For they fled from the swords, From the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, And from the grievousness of war. (Isaiah 21:13–15)
These passages, and many more indicate a new page being turned in the relationship between the Arab states and Israel. They also indicate a decline in Western power in the region, albeit not a complete withdrawal.
A Different Game Than Trump
This week saw US President Joe Biden travelling to the Middle East. His trip was very different from the last US Presidential trip.
The policies of the two administrations are starkly different. Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving the US Embassy to the city. He recognized Israel’s sovereignty of the Golan Heights. He brokered the Abraham Accords, bringing normalization between the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Trump flew directly from Saudi Arabia to Israel, the first US president to do this.
The legacy of Trump’s administration continues. Joe Biden flew directly from Israel to Saudi Arabia, the first US president travel that direction. Saudi Arabia also announced it would begin allowing Israel planes to use its airspace permanently. Prime Minister Yair Lapid announced this as Air Force One departed as the Times of Israel reported:
Israeli Prime Minister Lapid announces the opening of Saudi Airspace to Israeli flights.
“We woke up this morning to happy news. The Saudi aviation authorities have announced that they will be opening Saudi airspace to Israeli airlines. This is the first official step in normalization with Saudi Arabia. The decision will allow Israeli airlines to fly on a direct route to Asia and Australia. This will save vast amounts of fuel, time and money. The savings will directly reach the pockets of Israeli citizens and lower the price of airline tickets. I thank the Saudi leadership for the opening of Saudi airspace. This is only the first step. We will continue working with necessary caution, for the sake of Israel’s economy, security and the good of our citizens.”
Next week the Israeli Defence Forces Chief, Lt. Gen. Avi Khavi will travel to Morocco, in a first-ever official trip by an Israeli military head to the North African nation.
The Significance of What is Not Said
However, what is most significant in Biden’s recent trip, is what is not being said by this democratic president. Michael Oren was the Israeli Ambassador to United States during the Obama administration’s first term, when Joe Biden was the Vice President. In an interview with Arutz Sheva this is what he had to say on Saturday:
Former Israeli Ambassador to the USA Michael Oren describes the visit.
This is a really superb visit. It began with the president coming down and saying, ‘I am a Zionist,’ which may not sound so earth-shattering to Israelis or to Jews but to people in his own party, a progressive wing where Zionism has become almost a dirty word, that’s an amazing thing for this president to say.
He has reiterated his support for Israel’s security. It’s really unequivocal support and he has reiterated his undying commitment to ensuring that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
“It’s equally important to note what he hasn’t said, unlike President Obama.”
“[Biden] has not mentioned the ’67 borders or Israel’s need to return to the ’67 borders. He has not mentioned in any way a redivision of Jerusalem or a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. Believe me the Palestinians aren’t happy with it. I think that this is for Israel a sign that this is not Obama 2.0. Joe Biden is a different president and he is a dear and committed friend to the State of Israel.”
Not everyone would share Oren’s enthusiasm. It is notable that the Biden Administration has not been able to ‘undo’ the work achieved during President Donald Trump’s administration.
A comparison made by Biden during his speech he gave in Jerusalem revealed the motive behind his policies – he likened the plight of the Palestinians to his Catholic background and oppression under the British:
Biden compares Irish Catholic plight under British to the Palestinian plight under the Israelis.
You know that old expression, “hope springs eternal?” My background, and the background of my family, is Irish American. And we have a long history, not fundamentally unlike the Palestinian People, with the Great Brittan and their attitude toward Irish Catholics, over the years, for four hundred years.”
This really shows you his views on Israel and the Palestinians.
American retreat in the Middle East has forced the Arab States to start making connections with Israel. This was begun when Obama hit the big “reset” button turning its back on Israel and Saudi Arabia at the same time, along with other Arab States, by making its infamous nuclear deal with Iran. This forced the Arabs to start normalizing relationships with Israel, the only power in the area capable of doing something about Iran. This normalization brought about peace with the bonus of prosperity. The Trump Administration negotiating the Abraham Accords across the region.
David Friedman Interview
Melanie Philips, a British journalist who writes for The Times, interviewed David Friedman, the former Ambassador to Israel during Trump’s Administration this past week. Here are some excerpts from that interview which are revealing regarding the Saudis, the Americans and Israel in light of what we are told in Bible Prophecy:
The Saudis will normalize with Israel, I don’t have any doubt about that. And the tell, by the way, is the normalization with Bahrain. Bahrain was not normalizing with Israel without Saudi acquiescence, and if you… you know the overflight stuff was big a couple of years ago. I’m completely underwhelmed now by flights back and forth, because I’ve taken these flights. You fly from Tel Aviv to Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Manama, 90% of the flight is over Saudi airspace. That was unthinkable two years ago, but if that is the goal, take off and landing, I think we’re selling ourselves way short.
Philips would later write in an article in Arutz Sheva, commenting on Biden’s itinerary in Israel:
In Jerusalem, Biden’s itinerary was shaped to deliver a set of signals about the way his administration views Israel. And those signals were not good.
In her interview with Friedman, he had the following to say about the visit to the Arab hospital in Jerusalem:
The one that really bothers me is this trip to East Jerusalem. I think he is going to Augusta Victoria, to the hospital there. I don’t mind if the United States wants to throw some money at the hospital. The reality is money is fungible (interchangeable) that’s money that the Palestinian Authority can spend some place else, in most cases paying terrorists. It is not innocuous. People think, “what’s the big deal, your giving money to a hospital?” It is not giving money to a hospital, it is giving money to the PA.
Friedman also expressed his disappointment that Biden went to Yad Vashem, and not the Kotel, or Western Wall. Philipps picked up on this and had the following to say:
Going to Yad Vashem, (I mean, this is a rather cynical take), but, in my experience, a lot of people who talk out of both sides of their mouths when it comes to Israel are very keen to associate themselves with dead Jews, while being very, very, uncertain and even hostile to the idea, of what they would call Jewish Nationalism, which is simply Jews ability, or the right of the Jews to be a nation in their own homeland. That is one of the things that the Western Wall symbolizes: the unbroken line of history between today’s Israelis, and the Jewish people since the dawn of their being. That is what people find so difficult, and that to me is what not going to the Western Wall, unfortunately, symbolizes.
What was completely obvious with Biden’s visit to the Middle East is the lack of ability of Biden to run a country like the United States. He has a hard time finishing sentences, putting together coherent answers, and was seen several times in the past few weeks reaching to shake hands with people who were not even there. He was confused, and needed constant guidance as to where to go after struggling through a speech. He is obviously propped up by the people behind him. That is the scary part. Listen to Friedman explain who is behind Biden when it comes to foreign policy:
Biden’s foreign policy team Hady Amr, Mahar Bitar and Karine Jean-Pierre, all haters of Israel.
If you look at the staff, I mean the staff is, this is maybe the worse staff ever selected in the State Department and other agencies in terms of view towards Israel. You know, you’ve got Hady Amr whose I guess now the head of… he’s the head of something, they’ve created some organization that has to do with US Palestinian relations; Mahar Bitar, who has one of the most vial records against Israel; even Karine Jean-Pierre, the new spokeswoman who took over, has worked for anti-Israel organizations, and there are others. There’s a huge disconnect between Biden’s self-proclaimed love of Israel and the almost immediate staffing around him of people that have some relationship to the Israel file. They are terrible.
When asked about the why there is such an “anti-Israel” makeup of Biden’s administrative team, Friedman answered as follows:
I think that a lot of this is a reaction to the Trump administration. A lot of people watched this unfold. It was almost four years of no violence in the Middle East , four years of unprecedented support for the state of Israel, while that was predicted to result in an explosion of violence it actually resulted in an explosion of peace, through the Abraham Accords. This has got people upset, because all of their… all the things they studied, all their convictions, all their views for the past 25 years, beginning with John Kerry’s famous speech about how it is impossible to make peace without the Palestinians, it has all gone up. Now they are going to try and prove themselves right all over again. Because they have assembled the kind of worst possible team on this file to try to jumpstart a two-state solution. The reason I don’t get too bent out of shape is because they are going to fail. They are going to fail on all fronts. Israel is not going to play ball with them, even if… I hope I’m not wrong, but even a centre or centre left government is not going to make the kinds of mistakes that where made in the past, because we’ve learned the hard way what Oslo brought. I don’t think Israel is going to do this again, I hope.
The scriptures are clear when it comes to attitudes to Israel, going right back to the first Promise to Abraham:
3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.(Genesis 12:3)
God is very sensitive about his people whom he is in the process of redeeming and bringing back to himself as he states:
8For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. (Zechariah 2:8)
God is not going to suffer the bureaucrats, in what some Israeli journalists have called the Department of Hate, to undo what he is doing in the region. However, he will use them to accomplish his purpose as he did Pharoah in times gone by.
The Oil Factor
As many analysts have pointed out, the USA was energy independent under Trump until Biden came to office and started buying oil from Russia and Venezuela, and pushing ‘green’ initiatives. The American oil supply fell into chaos following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to the Council on Foreign Relations in April,
“Biden announced the largest release of oil reserves from America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves in history, up to one million barrels a day for six months.”
The real reason for Biden’s visit to the Middle East was to go, cap in hand, to an old ally they had snubbed since the election and ask for oil production to be increased. Fox News reporting:
Saudi Arabia agreeing to increase oil production levels by 50% for July and August. That commitment coming after President Biden met with Saudi leaders earlier today. The White House says that move will help to stabilize global energy markets.
As much as Biden want to snub Saudi Arabia, America has had to work with it. Ezekiel describes the latter-day alliance, and events are forcing the nations to comply.
Thankfully, the angels are at work, and regardless of man’s machinations they will bring about the Father’s will. Remember the words of Gabriel explaining to Daniel why he was delayed in coming to answer his prayer:
13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:13)
Following his interview with Daniel, Gabriel was to return to the King of Persia… and would be playing the long game, bringing the next empire onto the scene:
20…now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. (Daniel 10:20)
While we watch the finger of God at work amongst the nations, we can have full confidence that “what God has promised He is able to perform”. We have every confidence, that though the nations align against Israel, and even within her allies there are adversaries, God will work his will.
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EU-UK Trade war looms as Britain Scraps Parts of Withdrawal Agreement
The EU has launched legal action against the UK as Britain “overrides” Protocol
For months now rumours have been circulating that the British government was planning to scrap parts of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement which it signed up it after the 2019 General Election. This agreement is a legally binding agreement and was seen to be the foundation of the UK-EU relationship going forward after Britain’s departure from the European Union.
The government signed up to the agreement that placed a customs border between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland, which has angered the unionist community in Northern Ireland.
Brussels has warned against any departure from the agreement, and said that it would be a declaration of a trade war if Britain were to make this step.
Well this week it happened. It was announced last Monday that the government was introducing legislation that would “override” aspects of the agreement, allowing goods to be transported from mainland UK to Northern Ireland without the checks the UK agreed to in the protocol. This has prompted fury in the EU, with Brussels claiming that it is a breach of international law. Not only has the EU threatened legal action, they have taken it. EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said there was “no legal or political justification whatsoever for unilaterally changing an international agreement”, saying “lets call a spade a spade, this is illegal”. He added that the EU had “no choice” but to launch legal action.
Philippe Lamberts, a MEP in Brussels said that the EU’s patience had been tested “to the extreme by Boris Johnson”.
Commentators see a real risk of a trade war between the EU and UK as the political squabbles and court battles continue.
But how have we come to this point? Theresa May, shortly after the 2016 EU Referendum gave a speech where she said:
“Our vote to leave the European Union was no rejection of the values we share. The decision to leave the EU represents no desire to become more distant to you, our friends and neighbours. It was no attempt to do harm to the EU itself or to any of its remaining member states. We do not want to turn the clock back to the days when Europe was less peaceful, less secure and less able to trade freely. It was a vote to restore, as we see it, our parliamentary democracy, national self-determination, and to become even more global and internationalist in action and in spirit.
We will continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends. We want to buy your goods and services, sell you ours, trade with you as freely as possible, and work with one another to make sure we are all safer, more secure and more prosperous through continued friendship.
We are leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe.
And that is why we seek a new and equal partnership – between an independent, self-governing, Global Britain and our friends and allies in the EU.”
Now although these things might be in the hearts of men and women, we know that “the Most High rules in the kingdoms of men”. The UK government could work to continue sharing values with the EU, they could work to be close friends and allies with the EU, they could seek to remain part of Europe while leaving the European Union, but unless God wills these things the plans of men will be frustrated.
Ezekiel 38, referring to the time when the land of Israel will be attacked by Gog’s host, which includes the states of the European Union, records that:
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
And so what we see is that the Tarshish Power, Britain, will not only be standing apart from the European nations, will not only be outside the European Union’s foreign policy, but will standing their accusing them of attacking the nation of Israel for monetary gain. This is not the language of people who share the same values, this is not the language of close friends and allies, this is the language of rivals. Britain will be condemning the action of its European neighbours, but powerless to stop them from taking the land of Israel.
We also see the prophet Ezekiel refer to “the merchants” or traders of Tarshish. This is particularly interesting when we hear of a trade war between the UK and EU. Today Britain exports over £250 billion worth of goods – making up 42% of all UK exports. The EU exports over £300 billion worth making up half of all the UK’s imports. At the moment the EU is one of the merchants of Tarshish – in fact it is the biggest single trading partner of this country – but perhaps this is about to change. By the time we come to the battle of Armageddon the merchants of Tarshish will be the gulf states and the commonwealth, not the EU.
The looming trade war between the EU and UK will force the UK to extend it’s trade links with other nations around the world and more permanently solidify the separation that we have already seen between the continent and the UK.
And so as we see these things coming together let us be reminded that our father in heaven controls the events in this world, it is not in man to direct his steps, and so how sure can we be that not only does he control the big things in this world, he is also in control of the smaller things in our lives. In him we live and move and have our being. So let us fear not the things that come upon this world, but lift up our heads in hope, knowing our redemption draws nigh.
In the ‘latter day prophecy’ of Ezekiel 38, when the Jews have retuned to their land, it’s very clear that there are two sets of nations defined by God’s word.
One set attacks Israel. This is mentioned in verse 1-9 and is headed up by Gog of the land of Magog who is the leader of the Rus. As can be seen from the Bible this is the leader of the peoples of Russia. According to the prophecy this leader, along with other nations leads an army down into Israel.
Another set of nations is mentioned in verse 13. This contains the ancient nations of “Sheba, and Dedan” which correlate to the peoples of the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia. Also mentioned with them is “the merchants of Tarshish” who, as we’ve demonstrated in the past, we believe refers to the power of Britain. This second set of nations challenges the invading set of nations. “Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” they ask.
Current Events
As we observe current events in the light of Bible prophecy we cannot help be struck by how amazing it is that in recent events relating to Russia’s war in the Ukraine it is not the Western European nations making the biggest noise against Russia. The nation leading the way in protest against Russias invasion is arguably Britain.
It was Boris Johnson who was the first leader to visit the Ukraine after the war began and has visited a second time recently.
This week again we seen the antagonism between the UK and Russia hit our news headlines.
“If Putin was a woman”
On Wednesday 29th of June, The Guardian reported on a statement Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister had given. It was entitled “Boris Johnson: Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he were a woman”.
The report stated “Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he was a woman and believes that the war is a “perfect example of toxic masculinity”.
In an interview with German media following the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, the prime minister cited the Russian president’s gender as a contributory factor to the conflict.
Johnson told broadcaster ZDF: “If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, if he were, I really don’t think he would have embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has. “If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, it’s what he is doing in Ukraine.””
In response Russia summoned the UK ambassador. The BBC, in a post on Thursday 30th, entitled ”Moscow rebukes UK ambassador over PM’s ‘offensive’ comments” it was reported that “Russia has summoned the British ambassador in Moscow to protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “offensive” remarks about President Vladimir Putin, a Russian foreign ministry statement said. Deborah Bronnert was told that Russia “firmly” opposed the “openly offensive comments by the British authorities towards Russia, its leader, its officials as well as the Russian people”, the AFP news agency reported the ministry as saying.”
“We’ve got to show our pecs”
Another bizarre incident was reported by various news outlets about comments Boris Johnson had made at the G7 meeting. ITV.com published a report entitled “’We’ve got to show our pecs’ Johnson mocks Putin’s topless photos during G7 meeting”. The report went on to say: “Boris Johnson cracked jokes about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s habit of posing for topless photographs with Canada’s Justin Trudeau at the G7 summit on Sunday. The prime minister and his Canadian counterpart discussed the Russian leader and his bizarre history of being photographed without a shirt. With the sun shining in the Bavarian Alps, where the G7 leaders were meeting, Mr Johnson questioned whether they should keep their suit jackets on. Warming to his theme, he then said, “shall we take our clothes off?”, suggesting “we all have to show that we’re tougher than Putin.” Boris Johnson’s message to his critics – he’s not going anywhere
Mr Trudeau joined in, referring to a “bare-chested horseback ride” – Mr Putin was pictured shirtless riding a horse in 2009. Mr Johnson then said: “We’ve got to show our pecs.“”
In response to this, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded.
Politico ran a headline entitled: “Putin hits back at G7 taunts, says topless Boris Johnson would be ‘disgusting sight’“. The report stated: “Russian president says allied leaders should exercise more and ‘stop abusing alcohol… Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to jokes made by G7 leaders about his numerous shirtless photo-ops — saying they would look “disgusting” if they took topless pictures.”
Tarshish leading the support for Ukraine
At a recent Nato meeting the UK came out in huge support of the Ukraine. The BBC reported that “The UK will provide an additional £1bn in military aid for Ukraine, a near-doubling in its support for the fight against the Russian invasion. The new funding takes the military aid given to Kyiv to £2.3bn – and the UK has also spent £1.5bn in humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine. Boris Johnson, speaking at a Nato summit in Spain, said the “cost of freedom” is “always worth paying for”. The PM also committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.”
It was also this week we saw this headline by the BBC on the 27th June: “Ukraine war: The price of freedom is worth paying, says Boris Johnson”
The report stated: “The price of freedom is worth paying,” Boris Johnson has said when asked about the cost of helping defend Ukraine. Speaking from a G7 summit, he argued that letting Russia “get away with” invading Ukraine would have “chilling” consequences and lead to instability. Likening the conflict to defeating Nazi Germany in World War Two, the PM said that war had been “very expensive” but delivered “long term stability”.”
The Destiny of the Nations
So we can see then that the leading voice against Russia is Britain. The European powers are destined to ultimately fall under Russian control as the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 tells us this will occur at some stage. How it will happen we do not know – but we have confidence in the word of God. The Tarshish power though is destined to be part of that separate set of nations who will eventually challenge Russia in that fateful day when they invade Israel: “Art thou come to take a spoil”?
The abrasive relationship between these two nations then is a sure sign of the times.
Ultimately though all nations will bow to the coming Messiah – The Lord Jesus Christ. He is soon to return just as these prophecies predict he will.
“In that day “the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:1-4
So we watch and we wait for the return of Jesus. These signs of the times strengthen our faith that God is in control and soon His Kingdom will be restored on the earth.
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Is Israel’s gas something Russia would come to take as spoil?
As Russia continues its aggression in the Ukraine it turns off the gas to parts of Europe. Europe responds seeking to ban Russian oil completely with plans underway to also ban Russian gas by the end of the decade. As all this unfolds, Israel eyes up the opportunities.
The coming invasion of Israel by Russia
The prophecy of Ezekiel 38 teaches us that, before the Lord Jesus Christ returns, a confederacy led by Russia (v2) comes down from the North and attacks Israel.
The prophecy indicates that one of the reasons they do this is to take a “spoil” (v12 &13).
This is also mentioned in the parallel prophecy of Zechariah 14. Speaking of the same events God, through the prophet tells Israel that: “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle…” (Zechariah 14:1-2).
The word translated spoil is the Hebrew word “šālāl”. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon tells us this means “prey, spoil, plunder, booty”. In other parts of the Bible it is used to describe desirable commodities taken in war – things such as garments, gold and silver (Joshua 7:21) ornaments (Judges 8:24, 25), flocks and herds (1 Samuel 30:20) and even people (Deuteronomy 20:14 and Judges 5:30).
Bible students have long wondered what this “spoil” is that will bring down Russia into Israel and we wonder if we are starting to get a glimpse of what this might be as we witness the problems with energy in Europe and the response by opportunistic Israel.
An aggressive Russia
This week in our news we have witnessed the horrors of war. The spotlight has again been on Russian aggression in the Ukraine. Amongst other stories there has been a lot of attention on the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol where a few hundred Ukrainian soldiers who were defending Mariupol had retreated. This week it was reported that Russian troops had stormed the area. Communications with the last Ukrainian defenders were lost amid fears Russia was using thermobaric warheads. It is thought that the Russians are a seeking major victory’s ahead of the 9th of May Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow which celebrates victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. Despite Western media painting Russia out to not being as powerful as first thought, we are still witnessing the aggressive growing military might of the Rus in the “latter days” as predicted by prophecy.
The energy crisis
Recently we’ve seen Russia use another aggressive tactic. EUNews ran a headline on the 27th of April which read: “EU accuses Russia of ‘blackmail’ as it cuts gas tap to Poland and Bulgaria”. The article reads: “European leaders on Wednesday branded Russia’s announcement it is cutting off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria as “blackmail” and praised EU solidarity as neighbouring countries step in. Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas company, informed both EU countries on Tuesday that it would halt gas supplies after they refused to pay for the deliveries in roubles — a measure Moscow imposed on so-called “unfriendly” foreign buyers in response to sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. About half of Poland’s imported gas comes from Russia, according to Forum Energii, a think tank. The share rises even further for Bulgaria which gets at least three-quarters of its gas imports from Russia. Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen labeled Gazprom’s decision as “yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail” in a statement on Wednesday morning. She added that it is “unjustified and unacceptable” but sought to strike a reassuring note, stressing that the 27-country bloc is “prepared for this scenario” and has “put in place contingency plans for just such a scenario and we worked with them in coordination and solidarity.”
Apparently, the gas was again turned back on by Russia. But the warning shot was fired. Energy is being weaponised by Russia.
On Wednesday European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the intent to cut itself off from Russian oil. “Today we will propose to ban all Russian oil from Europe. We will phase out Russian supply of crude oil within six months and refined products by the end of the year.” She announced.
There have also been discussions about Europe ceasing to buy Russian gas. This is a much harder challenge as Europe is so reliant on Russian gas. Apparently plans are afoot for EU to soon unveil plans to end Russian gas imports by the end of the decade.
Israel’s opportunity
All of this uncertainty is being eyed with great interest by Israel who, over the last few decades has discovered and begone to extract gas from vast gas fields discovered off its shoreline in the Levant Basin.
In an article published on March 29th by Reuters entitled “Israel-Turkey gas pipeline discussed as European alternative to Russian energy” the following was reported “A Turkey-Israel gas pipeline is being discussed behind the scenes as one of Europe’s alternatives to Russian energy supplies, but it will take complicated manoeuvring to reach any deal, government and industry officials in both countries say. The idea, first conceived years ago, is to build a subsea pipeline from Turkey to Israel’s largest offshore natural gas field, Leviathan. Gas would flow to Turkey and on to southern European neighbours looking to diversify away from Russia.”
On the 12th of April The Times of Israel ran an article entitled “As EU eyes stopping Russian fuel imports, Israel sees an opening for its natural gas”. In it it stated: “As Europe aims to wean itself off Russian fossil fuel because of the Ukraine invasion, Israel hopes to help fill the gap with gas from its offshore reserves… Israel could build one or more pipelines, potentially via Greece or Turkey, or increase the quantity of gas piped to Egypt to be liquefied and shipped off, say officials and experts.”
Conclusion
So we wonder. Is this the thing which might eventually bring down Russia to Israel? If the Israelis get their gas pipe in place it makes them a permanent competitor to Russia in the energy markets of Europe. Although Europe and Russia are at loggerheads at the moment Bible prophecy proclaims they will unite at some point in the future because the European people of Magog and Gomer are led by the Russians in Ezekiel 38 – and when that happens pipelines coming from Israel would suddenly become a target which stands in the way of Russian ambitions.
The scene would be set for the “evil thought” of the invader to “come and take a spoil”.
But how things will exactly pan out we do not know. All we know is that we are in the “Latter days” the nations are being moved into position as the prophets have told us they would, and events are leading up to the return of Zion’s king.
So, we watch and we wait for the time when: “the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” Zech 14:9
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The world is standing in awe as the elements come together for the image empire to stand up.
Vladimir Putin has begun the task long foretold in history of building up the image empire for the latter day battle of Armageddon. The world is in disbelief of Russia’s actions as it moves to conquer Ukraine. As Bible believers we should not only expect it – but anticipate it will continue to eventually include all of Europe.
Evil Thoughts Driving the World’s Leaders
The world is still reeling at the fact that Putin attacked Ukraine. The weeks leading up to the invasion, news agencies were predicting he would not move his armies in. The world is incredulous that he would actually do this in the “civilized” age we live in. Even after dictators like Hitler were democratically elected, the humanist mind still believes man is basically good. The Bible teaches otherwise:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
The Lord Christ recognized the heart of man as being the source of evil thoughts as he stated in Mark:
“And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”” (Mark 7:20–23 ESV)
It is from the corrupt ‘heart of man’ that the future invasion of Israel will be rooted. A man like Putin will be at the helm of Russia at the time, and we read of the root cause of the invasion in Ezekiel:
“Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.” (Ezekiel 38:10–12)
The evil thought will come from the heart of the leader of Russia, Gog of the Land of Magog the Prince of Rosh. This has been the cause of war throughout history, the ego driven ambition of men like Hitler, Napoleon, Alexander the Great, and now Putin, have driven men to achieve what they consider ‘greatness.’
The Western world does not understand the autocratic mindset of a dictator like Putin. In fact, it has been this way for a long time. The world has been deluded that they will achieve “peace in our time.” Back in 1869, John Thomas wrote of world leaders of his day:
“… leaders are all wrong in supposing that “the age of conquest is past for ever”, and that they will succeed in establishing the freedom and independence of Europe. There never has been such an age of conquest as that which will soon open upon the world; and as to the establishment of European freedom and independence, the war to be initiated is the setting in of an overwhelming inundation that will submerge them under one of the most terrible and scorching despotisms that ever wrung the heart of nations” (John Thomas, Exposition of Daniel, 1869, p87-88)
This is true of the world leaders today supposing they can bring in a “new world order” that will bring peace. The League of Nations failed to maintain peace in Europe as they stood idly by while Hitler ran his tanks through Poland. It collapsed and was dissolved. The United Nations is also failing as Putin runs his tanks through Europe from the other direction. It will also collapse, another lame duck about to be plucked and cooked in the ovens of war.
The description of the leader of the future “empire of men” that is eventually going to spread beyond Ukraine and across Europe is written in Isaiah 14:
“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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13–14)
The autocratic mindset of the dominating power in the latter days is described in Daniel 8:
“And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” (Daniel 8:23–25)
This was the character of the Roman empire that arose in the latter times of the kingdom of the Greeks. It is a system that is still in existence in the end when it will be “broken without hand”, a phrase reminiscent of the stone that was “cut without hands” (Daniel 2:34) which will destroy the image. There will be a “king of fierce countenance” which will stand up. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament describes the word ‘fierce:’
“When used of man, this word carries the idea of prevailing as in a war or struggle or as being belligerent, particularly to God… This act of defiance is seen in the strong man who chooses to trust in his riches and to strengthen himself in his [evil] desire rather than to strengthen himself in God.”
The phrase “fierce countenance” used in Daniel, is a quote from the law of Moses when God predicted the eventual invasion of the Romans in judgment against his wayward people:
“The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance…” (Deuteronomy 28:49)
This was the Roman eagle that would descend on the carcass of Israel and devour it in AD 70 as the Lord predicted in the Olivet prophecy when he said:
“For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” (Matthew 24:28)
But notice the character of these eagles that Deuteronomy goes on to describe:
“… which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.” (Deuteronomy 28:49–52)
Vladimir Putin is determined to capture Ukraine
This is the character of the “king of fierce countenance” whose latter day representative is found in Russia, the King of the North. This is the kind of power we see arising today in Europe – showing no regard for the old or favour for the young, bet devouring the land and besieging the gates and tearing down the defenced of cities.
The question posed back in Jeremiah is rhetorical:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9–10)
God knows what is in the heart of man, what is in the heart of the leaders of nations, and what is the destiny of the nations of the world. The leader of Russia is destined to bring all Europe under his influence.
Engulfing the Iron in Clay
In Daniel 2, the empires of the world are depicted by five elements which will eventually “stand together”.
“This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:32–35)
We live in the age where iron will be mixed with clay to form the feet on which the image will stand. The last phase is somewhat disparate, yet pulled together to form the feet:
“And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” (Daniel 2:43)
It falls to the leader of Russia to assemble the nations together and stand the image on its feet. He is describe in Ezekiel 38:
“‘Son of man, set thy face unto Gog, of the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy concerning him,” (Ezekiel 38:2 YLT)
He is the prince of Rosh (the ancient name of Russia), Meshech (or the Moscow and the Muscavites) and Tubal (or Tobolsk the region of Siberia). He is their prince, Hebrew nasiy (Strong’s #5387) which is one who is lifted up, the captain, leader, or ruler.
He has assembled a great host to himself:
“Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer (France), and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (Turkey) of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.” (Ezekiel 38:5–7)
Over these he is a guard, Hebrew mishmar, (Strong’s #4929), meaning “a place of confinement, a prison guard, a jailer, a warden.” That is currently his mission, to bring all the nations spoken of in Ezekiel 38 under his control. This includes the nations of Magog which encompasses the half of Ukraine, Moldovia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Gomer incorporates much of Western Europe. Rome and Greece are some of the major elements of the image.
Again, in 1869, John Thomas commenting on the prophecy of Daniel wrote:
It is impossible that Nebuchadnezzar’s image can represent any other imperial confederacy of nations than that under the King of the North in the time of the end. The names given in Ezekiel’s list of Gog’s army, are representative of the countries known to have existed under the dynastic rule of the gold, the silver, the brass and the iron. Part of Assyria proper already belongs to the King of the North, and pertains to the gold; Persia is to be with him as the silver element; his Grecism is typified by the brass; and his Gomerians by the iron; while his Magogians, Roshi, Muscovites, and Siberians, with the central Asiatic Tartars of Togarmah’s house, are the clay, which he commingles with the iron to form the Feet as the connecting medium between the Legs and Toes…. As then the time and place of their existence are the same, they must, therefore, be one and the same confederate power, the image being symbolical or representative of the Gogian dominion of the King of the North, or Autocrat of Russia. (John Thomas, Exposition of Daniel, 1869, 88)
The latter day autocrat of Russia will reign supreme over all of Europe. The finger of God has indicated a course for Russia to pursue. Putin looks to be commencing that mission. Whether he is the one to finish it, time will tell – but he has begun it.
Habakkuk describes the process in detail:
“Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, He is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, Who enlargeth his desire as hell, And is as death, and cannot be satisfied, But gathereth unto him all nations, And heapeth unto him all people: (words reminiscent of Ezekiel 38) Shall not all these take up a parable against him, And a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? And to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, And awake that shall vex thee, And thou shalt be for booties unto them? Because thou hast spoiled many nations, All the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; Because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, Of the city, and of all that dwell therein.” (Habakkuk 2:5–8)
This passage depicts a ruler drunk with ambition. The proud man who cannot stay at home, and will not be satisfied until he gathers up all nations to himself and heaps up all peoples to himself. It describes him as “lading himself with thick clay.” This is the mixing of the iron nations of Europe with the Clay of Russia. His is guilty of spoiling many nations, and he has men’s blood on his hands. This is the character of the rising system which has begun to gather the nations to himself, starting with Ukraine, in a mission that will eventually see him dominate all of Europe.
This is what the Bible says. 30 years ago, when the Soviet Union collapsed, faithless people ridiculed Bible students for maintaining that Russia would rise again. Are they laughing now? We should not interpret the scriptures based on current events, or be tempted by to “sensationalism,” or try to find fragments of passages that appear to match what we are seeing today, rather we should look back into the word, observe what the Father has written, the one who knows the hearts of men, and speak what he has said, whether or not it is popular, or whether or not it looks likely in the moment.
The prophetic fact is, God has predicted the eventual fall of Europe by an Autocrat residing in Russia as he gathers the nations together under his hegemony.
America The Bruised Reed
US President Biden delivers his state of the union address.
America President Biden stated in his state of the Union address,
“I want you to know, we are going to be ok. We are going to be ok. When the history of this era is written, Putin’s war in Ukraine will have left Russia weaker, and the rest of the world stronger. While it shouldn’t have taken something so terrible to see what is at stake, now everyone sees it clearly. We see the unity among leaders of nations, a more unified Europe, a more unified west. We see unity among the people that are gathering in cities and large crowds around the world, even in Russia to demonstrate their support for the people of Ukraine. In the Battle between democracies and autocracies, democracies are rising to the moment, and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security. This is the real test, and it is going to take time. So let us continue to draw inspiration from the iron will of the Ukrainian people. To our fellow Ukrainian Americans, who forged the deep bond that connects our two nations, we stand with you, we stand with you. Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks, but he will never gain the hearts and soles of the Iranian (meaning Ukrainian) people. He will never extinguish their love of freedom, and he will never weaken the resolve of the free world.”
Now here is a guy that needs to read his Bible. Standing with Ukraine? How about standing back while Putin runs his tanks over the country. America has become like the bruised reed of Egypt that Rabshakeh warned Hezekiah about when Assyria surrounded Jerusalem.
“Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.” (2 Kings 18:21)
Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal under assurances of protection from America and its western allies. In Ukraine’s moment of need, none of these is willing to commit a single solider to the fight against Russia. Trusting in the west has resulted in the bloodshed of today.
The west is no longer willing to pay the price of the freedoms it has taken for granted since the Second World War. Freedom existed because autocracy was kept in check. A moral code rooted in the Bible underpinned the laws of the societies built on a Biblical heritage. Today, the West is in decline because of the immorality and hedonism that has infected its soul. America will continue its decline as the moral fabric of Biblical values is shredded in exchange for the debauchery and lies of humanism.
God’s warning to Israel rings true today:
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;” (Deuteronomy 8:10–14)
The problem with the West is, they think that they have achieved their wealth and freedoms by their own hand. God goes on to warn Israel:
“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:17–20)
The Western world is destined to decline, while the Autocratic power of Russia is destined to rise – but only for a short time.
The Effect of Sanctions
The west has gained its wealth through hard work, business dealings, technological advancements, exploration and exploitation of resources, but also fast talking, deception, appealing to the lusts of people, creating desire, and often through taking advantage of poorer countries to provide cheap labour and resources.
The west feels it can deprive Russia of wealth through sanctions, and kicking it out of the club, and depriving it of economic engines that drive the world. Many are predicting the collapse of Russia due to their economic sanctions, but the Bible paints an entirely different picture.
The global economy is only globally effective when everyone agrees to play by the same set of rules. The rules of the game are changing overnight as Russia casts aside the economic shackles and constraints and picks up the reins of world conquests, rewriting the playbook.
Ezekiel and Daniel depict an empire that is bent of world conquest. Sanctions may put economic pressure on Russia, but that economic pressure will be channelled into ambition to gain wealth by conquest.
That has always been the other way of gaining wealth – through conquest and oppression. This is shocking the Western world right now. The Bible paints the picture of western nations asking the invader of Israel in the latter days:
“Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” (Ezekiel 38:13)
Daniel corroborates this accusation:
“But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt….” (Daniel 11:43)
And Zechariah:
“For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered….” (Zechariah 14:2)
As does Joel:
“Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, And have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:” (Joel 3:5)
All of these depict the invader coming, not to trade, but to steal and plunder. Sanctions will create need. The bible depicts the King of the North meeting that need will be met through conquest. So rather than setting Russia back, they may well provoke Russia further.
Broken in Pieces
The good news is Russia’s rise will be short lived. God will bring it to power to sanctify himself in front of all nations – get the attention of everyone on the globe. Mankind has ignored God for long enough. He is orchestrating Russia’s rise and fall to awaken mankind to His own existence as he states in Ezekiel 38:
“And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:16)
And again, in verse 23:
“Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:23)
He will show himself to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords through his son who he will send to the earth very soon. Although Russia is “lading himself with thick clay” and forming the feet of the image – cobbling the iron together with clay… the Lord will smash this invention very shortly as the second Psalm clearly states:
“Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalm 2:6–9)
The clay construction of Russia, it’s potter’s vessel – will be dashed to pieces with the rod of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Daniel also concludes:
“Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:35)
We stand on the knife-edge of the kingdom. The troubled sea and the wave are beginning to rage and roar once again, casting up mire (clay) and dirt, as the Autocrat of the Russia’s builds his image empire.
As we watch the Bible’s blueprint unfold on the screens and pages of the news we can be assured that there is a God in heaven who will…
“in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Daniel 2:44)
May God give us strength to prepare our minds and hearts for the great day of God Almighty. May he save this earth from being destroyed by the ambition of men, whose hearts will think an evil thought, and bring themselves into destruction.
Amos exhorts us in Chapter 4:12 “prepare to meet our God, O Israel.” As we watch the Bible Prophecy unfold in the News, that is our duty – not to be armchair warriors, but…
“to be like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately” (Luke 12:36)
So let us “have our loins girded, our shoes on our feet, our staff in our hand, and be in haste” (Exodus 12:10), for soon the Lord’s angels will pass through the land and call his saints to him.
https://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Russia-Ukraine1.jpg297500Stevehttps://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.pngSteve2022-03-13 11:38:422022-05-14 21:07:33Russia at War with Ukraine
An Aggressor in the North and a Friend in the South
Israel builds on the monumental Abraham Accords and a southern alliance comes into view. It’s another story in the north.
The prophecy of Zechariah 6 is a prophecy concerning future events. The man who is the Branch is seen as both king and priest in his kingdom, with the holy temple being rebuilt. Most interestingly the chapter opens with two “mountain” powers seemingly to the north and south of Jerusalem in the context of the chapter. We are not left to wonder at these northern and southern powers as this prophecy fits hand in glove with the latter-day King of the North and King of the South in Daniel 11:40-45 and the northern and southern alliances in Ezekiel 38.
We have spoken about these alliances many times in this program and in the Bible Magazine. Recently world news has heavily focused on the tense situation between Russia and Ukraine, as has this program, as Russia’s westward expansion has been expected from the scripture by Bible students for over 150 years. But as the prophecies show, there is also an alliance favourable to Israel in the south. As far fetched as many thought it was, Israel’s relations with its southern Arab neighbours was not a matter of if, but only when. Thus our great excitement at the time of the Abraham Accords. Well in the last few weeks this alliance has been showing further signs of enormous progress.
A short comment from the Jewish Chronicle, on February 17th, sums the situation up –
“While Europe was on a war footing, Mr Bennett was also travelling abroad. On Monday evening, he flew off for his fourth visit to an Arab nation. In just eight months since becoming prime minister, he has been to see the leaders of Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and now Bahrain.Read more
https://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/nations1.jpg563749Stevehttps://truebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TBT-logo-with-tag-line-300x66.pngSteve2022-02-26 12:33:342022-02-26 12:41:55King of the North and South Emerging