Stage-setting for Prophetic Protest

Stage-setting for Prophetic Protest - Terry James - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/

 

In thinking on what is going on to Jerusalem's north, with Israel's primary enemy, Iran, coalescing with Russia and other nations, I was looking through some of the documents in my computer. I wanted to get some sense of developments in prophetic stage-setting regarding Ezekiel 38-39. I'm referring, of course, to the Gog-Magog assault predicted for "the latter days."

 

I found some quotes by some prophecy observers, their names with which you will be familiar. Two of these well-known men are now with the Lord, and the third has probably one of the most-watched television programs at the present time.

 

Hal Lindsey is the man, of course, who has a weekly TV program. He continues to analyze and present matters involving prophetic stage-setting all these years later after writing the foundational book on current issues and events in light of Bible prophecy-The Late, Great, Planet Earth, published in 1970.

 

I found in my documents surprisingly up-to-date forewarnings of things to come. Some might even call Lindsey's words prescient in their analysis. I must admit that I've not thought too highly of the briefing service known as DEBKA-Net-Weekly Briefing over the years. I've found the information this service dispenses prone to be hyperbolic, that is, greatly exaggerated in many instances. However, Hal Lindsey's own intelligence briefing from some years ago shows the source as having value I missed.

 

Hal wrote:

 

For students of Bible prophecy, even the title of this communiqué should set off alarm sirens. I just received some electrifying intelligence data - first, from the DEBKA-Net-Weekly briefing, and second, from some personal intelligence sources (which I carefully guard) that confirm Debka's report.

 

Russia, Iran and Syria have entered a defense pact that is in the process of altering the balance of power in the entire Middle East. Russia's part in the pact has been kept relatively secret for a long time. But the facts reveal a long, steady Russian commitment to the Iranian nuclear program and arms supply to Syria. ("Russian-Syrian-Iranian Axis" by Hal Lindsey, September 2006, Personal Update News Journal)

 

That information, presented in 2006, has proven to be extremely accurate. We have watched this relationship between the key Gog-Magog players blossom into the next major diplomatic crisis.

 

President Trump has said that Iran will not develop a nuclear capability, and Iran has declared that it will destroy both Israel and America.

 

Russia's government, under a Gog-like leader, Vladimir Putin, has declared it will consider an attack on Iran as a most serious violation of Russia's own interests in the region. So, the tension builds.

 

Two prophetic factors, when brought into the mix of unfolding history, present interesting questions, some of which we've considered previously.

 

1) The Gog-Magog attack on Israel as given in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 indicates a most basic, conventional, not nuclear attack. Question: What happened to Iran's nuclear program presently under development and so hotly contested?

 

2) The nations of the presently powerful Western alliance, according to the Ezekiel prophecy, do nothing to try to stop the Russian-Iranian and coalition partners attack against the small Jewish state when it occurs. Why is this so?

 

Certainly there appears to be no president of the unwavering mindset like that of Mr. Trump on the scene.

 

The other prophecy experts I mentioned had the following observations, as I discovered when delving into my computer documents.

 

Chuck Missler:

 

God apparently sends 'fire' down, not only upon Magog and his allies, but on some distant people living in the 'isles' or 'coastlands.' Who are they who dwell carelessly [securely} in the Isles? The word for isles could be an idiom for remote continents. Could this be an allusion to the United States? Is the 'fire on Magog'-and these others-a result of a nuclear exchange? (2)

 

Grant R. Jeffrey:

 

When Russia is defeated by God's miraculous power, the newly united European Union will emerge as the greatest economic, political, and military power on the planet. These pivotal events will set the stage for the rise of the new European super state

 

and the emergence of the new leader who will ultimately assume the role of the Antichrist, the final world dictator who will rule the planet during the last seven years leading to the climatic battle of Armageddon. (Duck, Daymond R., and Richards, Larry Ph.D, God's Word for the Biblically-Inept Series, Starburst Publishers. 2000. p 89)

 

The possibilities exist, based upon the prophecy by Ezekiel, that nuclear "fire" will fall upon, perhaps, the nations of the western alliance, while the attack on Israel is taking place. The destruction of the Gog-Magog forces (all but one-sixth completely destroyed) would create a power vacuum for Antichrist.

 

My own thought is that the one who will be Antichrist will know and believe the Ezekiel prophecy. He will perhaps be content to watch these forces be destroyed, knowing that the world will be "easy pickins'" after the Russian threat is gone. But, we know that tidings out of the east will soon add to his worries (kings of the east).

 

It is all fascinating to consider as we watch these things shape in rapid fashion toward the climax of the age.

 

Now, we look at the latest addition to matters involving that future attack from the hordes to Israel's north.

 

The prophecy is most interesting in light of the news item that follows it below.

 

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?" (Ezk. 38:13)

 

The head of NATO said the alliance would not aid Israel in the event of an attack by Iran, according to reports.

 

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's secretary-general, told the German magazine Der Spiegel that because Israel is not a member of NATO, its "security guarantee" doesn't apply to the country, according to the Associated Press.

 

NATO is also not involved in conflicts in the Middle East or peace efforts there, Stoltenberg added.("NATO Chief: No Assistance for Israel if Iran Attacks," by Melissa Quinn, Associated Press, June 02, 2018)

 

It looks as if the international community is already setting up for the mere diplomatic protest that will be issued when the much-hated Israel is assaulted.

 

But, the God of Heaven-and of Israel-will have the last word.

 

Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. (Ezekiel 39:1-4)