Prophecy and Current Events

Art Work by Bill Cristman, (c) 1993

This is part seven of a multi-part series dealing with the nation of Israel. In the previous issue, we explored the possibility that the war in Chechnya may be one of the ``hooks in the jaw'' that God will use to draw Russia into its ill-fated invasion of Israel. We determined that God's judgment upon the Russian alliance and upon another nation will probably involve the use of nuclear weapons. We also speculated about the identity of this ``other nation''.

In this issue, we will discuss some recent developments in the Middle East, explore a possible season for this battle, discuss the clean-up after the battle and complete our discussion of Ezekiel, chapter 39. The cleanup is important to our understanding. Since this cleanup is dealt with in detail, and Romans 15:4 tells us that nothing in God's Word is trivial or incidental, we must deduce that God is communicating something of importance to us. It will become increasingly clear that God's judgment upon Magog, her allies, and upon ``the other nation which lives in the safety of the far distant coast lands'', does in fact involve the use of nuclear weapons.

On November 4, while attending a peace rally, Yizhak Rabin was assassinated. Only minutes before being shot, Rabin told a cheering crowd that ``people really want peace''. The perpetrator was a Jewish law student with links to the Jewish anti-peace extremist fringe. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres was named acting Prime Minister during an emergency Cabinet meeting the following Sunday. Rabin had been a recipient of the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he shared with Peres and Arafat, for their work in the 1993 Oslo peace accords.

The ramifications of this event are not yet clear, but any change in leadership can precipitate internal strife and opportunity for Israel's traditional enemies.

For example, there is the possibility that Rabin's successor might be more militant. This is not likely, since Peres was the moving force behind the Oslo peace accord. Nonetheless, there are always hidden agendas and personal bias that surface when an individual assumes a position of greater authority. There is a danger that this action might crystallize public opinion against the peace effort--especially where the populace is already divided over this hotly-contested issue. The greatest danger facing Israel is that their enemies may seize this season of instability to gain military advantage.

From a prophetic perspective, Rabin's passing may indicate that one of the peace covenants signed by Rabin may be that covenant which is confirmed for seven years by the Antichrist.

"He [the Antichrist] will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven'. In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." (Dan 9:27)

The current peace accord, as well as the others that have been negotiated over the last two years, are certainly candidates to be ``confirmed'' at a later date by the Antichrist. The term ``many'' in Daniel 9:27 is provocative. It comes from the same Hebrew root word from which we get ``Rabin''. Has the Holy Spirit given us insight that it is one of Rabin's peace covenants that will ultimately be confirmed by the Antichrist?

Time will tell. ``What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!'' (Mark 13:37)

Things are continuing to move into alignment for the invasion of Israel. The latest step in the Middle East peace process was taken on September 24, 1995 -- approximately two years from the historic September 13, 1993 signing of the ``Declaration of Principles'' between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). It has been a shaky two years for Israel. There has been constant internal strife, coupled with terrorist (Hamas) agitation. But with the Oslo 2 agreement, the next step has been taken on the road to peace.

The current accord was struck in Egypt after all-night talks, which included a shouting match between Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. This altercation resulted in the angry exit of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. An agreement was reached between Israel and the PLO, however, ending nearly three decades of Israeli occupation of the West Bank cities.

This agreement calls for the withdrawal of Israeli army forces from six cities and 450 towns and villages on the West Bank, giving the Palestinians full control over 30% of the West Bank, an area of 2,270 square miles. The Palestinians are to elect an 82-member, self-rule council that will have executive and legislative powers. The Palestinians will be given control of all holy sites except for the Tomb of the Patriarchs (free access to holy sites is guaranteed, however). Other agreements deal with the release of prisoners and the setting up of joint military patrols to escort Israelis through Palestinian areas.

This accord has already inflamed extremists on both sides. And because the accord does not call for the removal of any of the 120,000 Jewish settlers now living in about 100 West Bank enclaves, we will most certainly see continued unrest and conflict in the months ahead.

On the surface, this covenant seems benign, but it greatly increases the risk of a nuclear exchange in the event of an invasion. Israel's enemies can now easily split Israel in two, since the West Bank is only about eight miles wide. Furthermore, giving up control of the West Bank means giving up an additional buffer against invasion. Israel will now have precious little time to mount a conventional response to invasion. And, considering that she is surrounded by traditional enemies whose combined forces total 16 million men, Israel has little choice but to defend herself with nuclear arms.

As discussed previously, Israel has a nuclear stockpile of almost 400 nuclear weapons and the will to use them. If their survival is threatened, they will use the ``Sampson option'' and utilize nuclear bombs. This fits exactly with what is prophesied by Ezekiel.

It is interesting that the only effective military retreat route is toward the southwest, toward the city of Petra. The rock city of Petra is thought to be the city to which the Jews will flee to escape the Antichrist in the middle of the tribulation period (3 1/2 year point of the final seven years leading up to the battle of Armageddon and the return of Messiah Jesus).

It is also noteworthy that, to date, Israel has signed six peace accords, and Syria has signed none. According to Arafat, Damascus has allocated 18 million dollars for terrorist organizations operating in Syria to operate against the peace accord and the PLO. Syria is not named among those countries which invade Israel, but as we discussed in previous issues, Isaiah 17:1 tells us that, some time in the future, Damascus will be totally destroyed, never to be inhabited again. A nuclear burst over Damascus could totally destroy the city, rendering it desolate for generations due to radiation. Israel has launched preemptive strikes in the past; if backed into a corner, they will take the initiative, utilizing whatever technology they deem appropriate.

If Syria and Israel do have a military confrontation, it may be that Syria's military alliance with Russia will be another of the ``hooks in the jaw'' mentioned in Ezekiel 38 that will force Russia into its invasion of Israel

"So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel." (EZE 39:7)

Israel was dispersed to the four corners of the earth for many reasons, including profaning (or polluting) God's Holy Name. But, as a result of Israel's deliverance from the overwhelming Russian/Moslem invasion, God's Name will once again be revered in Israel. At the same time, the heathens (foreign nations) will come to know that it was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that brought about that deliverance.

THE EVENT IS COMING, ITS FULFILLMENT IS ASSURED

"Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken." (Eze 39:8)

"Behold, it is come, and it is done." This invasion is surely coming, and its fulfillment sure. God goes on to say that this is the day whereof He has spoken. Since God has spoken of this day elsewhere, it must be important to our understanding of what is being conveyed.

One place where God previously spoke about this invasion is in the book of Joel. Joel does not deal exclusively with the ``Day of the Lord''. Written 300 years earlier than Ezekiel, the book of Joel may deal, at least in part, with this Russian invasion of Israel. At least three times, the text indicates that the ``Day of the Lord'' is not yet, or that it is coming.

Joel 3:20 speaks of the destruction of the northern army, not of the armies of the world which will be destroyed at Armageddon. Verse 3:28 says that God's spirit will be poured out on the house of Israel, which is also described in Ezekiel 39. Joel 3:30 clearly tells us that God will ``...show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, BEFORE (emphasis added) the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.'' This is a similar description of God's judgment to that which is described in Ezekiel 38. Joel 3:32 even speaks of Israel's deliverance on the mountains of Israel.

What Joel saw was, in part, before the terrible day of the Lord. And as we stated last issue, there is speculation over whether the Ezekiel invasion precedes, or occurs at the end of, the seven-year tribulation period at the battle of Armageddon. Some scholars consider the ``Day of the Lord'' an idiom for the seven-year tribulation period. They maintain that the whole seven-year period is the time of God's wrath (which they use to support a pre-tribulation rapture viewpoint). If they are correct, and if what Joel saw was the Ezekiel battle, then Joel indicates that the events we discussed above will occur before the Day of the Lord, not at the battle of Armageddon.

There are also at least eight points which distinguish the Ezekiel battle from the battle of Armageddon: (1) The different location of the battles; (2) the different opponents; (3) the different outcomes; (4) the different aftermaths; (5) the different purposes; (6) the different consequences (shift in balance of power in the Middle East, with 5/6's of invading Russian confederacy destroyed); (7) the Ezekiel 38 battle will furnish the climate for the rise of the Antichrist, whereas Armageddon brings the end of the Antichrist; (8) following Ezekiel's battle, the climate would be set for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple -- this is not a possibility following the battle of Armageddon, since the temple must be in existence 3 1/2 years prior to the second coming of Messiah Jesus (so the Antichrist can desecrate it).

The exact timing of Ezekiel's battle should not be another opportunity for division. Satan can use honest differences as an opportunity to bring division, such as occurred over the timing of the rapture debate. Regardless of where on the prophetic timeline this battle falls, as we see things rapidly lining up for this battle, we need to ask ourselves, how close is the rapture? It is left to the reader to meditate on these things and review the book of Joel. Note the possible reference to the rapture in verse 2:16b of Joel and also in Psalm 90.

Another place in scripture where God may have spoken of this battle is in the book of Haggai. Haggai 2:6-7 and Ezekiel 38:19-20 both speak of a catastrophic earthquake which is felt around the world. Furthermore, a comparison of the language in Ezekiel 38:19-22 with Haggai 2:18-22 indicates that the ``day whereof I have spoken'' (Eze 39:8) may be the 24th day of the month of Chisleu, the day before Hanukkah in our month of December.

It is possible that the invasion will occur on this day. It is an historic day of prophetic fulfillment in the history of Israel. It was on this day that (1) the foundation for the second temple was laid in 520 B.C., (2) the last true temple sacrifice took place in 168 B.C., when Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) took away the golden altar and candlestick (the next day Antiochus Epiphanes began pagan sacrifices in the temple), (3) the temple was captured and cleansed in 165 B.C., (4) Jerusalem was freed from Turkish control (December 9, 1917 by General Allenby). Only time will tell if Israel's deliverance from the Russian/Muslim invasion will occur on the anniversary of so many of Israel's past deliverances.

"Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken." (Eze 39:8)

"And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD." (Eze 39:9-10)

Ezekiel is, in essence, saying that Israel's energy needs are met for seven years from the weapons left over from the battle. Some older commentaries point out that this must be symbolic, because back then, they could not imagine or visualize that Israel would have all its energy needs met for seven years out of the leftovers of the implements of war.

More modern commentaries, however, point out that many Russian arms are made out of ligostone, which is a compressed wood product. It is light and extremely strong. It will burn at very high temperatures and can be used as an alternate fuel supply. But there is no amount of conventional weaponry in existence today which could be burned to meet all the energy needs of Israel for seven years.

There is, however, a technology in existence today that could provide the energy needs of Israel for seven years, with a very small quantity of raw material. That is nuclear power plant technology. The breeder reactors in Russia, such as the ill-fated Chernobyl reactor, produce not only municipal power, but plutonium as a by-product of their operation. It is plutonium which is used to create nuclear weapons. The plutonium in these weapons can be reprocessed into fuel for nuclear power plants, something the United States is doing today. Note that Ezekiel says "they shall burn the weapons with fire". Could he be referring to the nuclear fire within a reactor?

The Holy Spirit deemed it necessary to tell us that their energy needs will be met for seven years. The number of years must be significant, since everything in the scripture is there by supernatural design. We are being given a clue to help identify this weapons technology.

It turns out that the plutonium used in Russian nuclear weapons has short-lived impurities which, over time, causes its geometry to alter, rendering them useless. Therefore, the nuclear weapons in Russia's arsenal have a limited shelf-life before they must be reprocessed. To determine how long the shelf-life of a Russian tactical nuclear weapon is, refer to Ezekiel 39:7. It is seven years!

It is also no coincidence that the Russian nuclear plant that had the melt-down and poisoned the water and land for hundreds of miles around was named Chernobyl. In the book of Revelation, John sees one-third of the world's drinking waters poisoned by a star named Wormwood.

"The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter." (Rev 8:9-10)

What was the star named Wormwood? The Holy Spirit is again giving us a clue to something that we would be able to identify in our day that probably made no sense to John. The Russian word Chernobyl, translated into English, is Wormwood. Fallout will certainly be a dynamic of judgment upon the unregenerate world.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD. And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog. Also a town called Hamonah shall be there. And so they will cleanse the land." (Eze 39:11-16)

Notice that they do not rush into the battle area to bury the dead. First they ``sever out men of continual employment'', meaning that they hire specialists or professionals to help them. But notice that the professionals don't enter the battle zone for seven months; when they do, they bury the bones they find east of the Jordan (downwind). When someone finds a bone that was missed, they don't touch it; they mark the location and wait for the professionals to come, to handle it properly. This is consistent with military procedures for handling nuclear contamination.

Could it be any clearer? God has communicated to us through Ezekiel, who lived about 2,500 years ago, in terminology that Ezekiel couldn't possibly grasp that this confrontation involves nuclear weapons.

"And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD." (Eze 39:17-20)

The enemies of God are humbled in death, as their invincible army is devastated and becomes fodder for the animals of the field. Let's look at the spiritual ramifications of these events from God's perspective.

"And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them." (Eze 39:21)

God will be glorified before all the world. Even the gentile nations will see God's judgment, since the events will undoubtedly be covered on CNN. People will recognize that the Jews are still God's chosen people and are once again under His covenant protection. Has the fullness of the gentile age arrived?

"So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward." (Eze 39:22)

As a result of their miraculous deliverance from an impossible situation, Israel--after thousands of years--will have their spiritual blinders removed. It has been estimated that only 10% of Israel's population is ``religious''. No longer. The entire house of Israel shall know that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob delivered them. ``Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One.'' They shall know the Lord their God from that day forward.

"And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them." (Eze 39:23-24)

The gentiles will recognize that the people of Israel went into captivity because of their sin, which separated them from God. They were under judgment and dispersed to the four corners of the earth into the hands of their enemies, where they were killed.

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there." (Eze 39:25-28)

In these verses, God is saying that He will regather the Jews back to their homeland for His Name's sake. Then at a time when they ``dwell safely in their land'', their deliverance shall come. As a result, they will no longer be spiritually blind, but will become God-aware.

In the God-awakening that follows this battle, the church will have one of the greatest opportunities for evangelism in the history of the world. Therefore, we need to make evangelism and our unity in Christian service our focus and not allow Satan to cause division over lesser issues, such as the exact timing of this invasion.

Exactly when this battle will occur is unknown. It may be several years away. But, there is a 100% probability that it will occur and, when it does, it will change the course of human history. Therefore, as we see things coming into alignment for this battle, we need to recognize how very close we are to the Lord's return and to the rapture. We must get our spiritual house in order. And always remember that today is the day of salvation for those who are perishing--eternity is only a heartbeat away.

"Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Maranatha!

References:

Armageddon, Appt with Destiny, Grant Jeffery, Bantam Books

Prophesy in the News, Aug '95, Box 7000, Oklahoma City, OK 73153

Magog Invasion, Chuck Missler, Koinonia House, Box D, Coeur d'Alene ID, 83816

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