Rumors of Iran, Israel, and war are everywhere you look in today’s news headlines, and for those with knowledge of bible prophecy, this should command immediate attention.

Why?

Because, when it comes to the end times, the bible has a lot to say about Israel and war with her neighbors.  In fact, Iran is specifically mentioned in this context…

2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel identified modern day Iran (Persia) as a key player in the last days Gog / Magog invasion:

“This is another message that came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction. I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. Gomer and all its hordes will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.’” Ezekiel 38:1-6 (NLT)

In addition, Psalm 83 identifies Syria as a land that will conspire to destroy the nation of Israel:

“‘O God, don’t sit idly by, silent and inactive! Don’t you hear the tumult of your enemies? Don’t you see what your arrogant enemies are doing? They devise crafty schemes against your people, laying plans against your precious ones. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.’ This was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as allies against you – these Edomites and Ishmaelites, Moabites and Hagrites, Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites, and people from Philistia and Tyre. Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot.”  Psalm 83:1-8 (NLT)

All that said, why should it matter that the prophets long ago identified these nations as end times enemies of Israel?

Because…

Through careful study of the scriptures, one can see today’s geopolitical landscape aligning itself for fulfillment of these very end times bible prophecies.  And, of course, in order to fulfill end times bible prophecies we must be in the end times, and the scriptures reveal that Jesus Christ will return as the final fulfillment of all end times prophecy.

So current events in the Middle East should serve as a reminder of Christ’s imminent return.

In fact, the Lord Himself expected his disciples to carefully examine the Word of God so as to be prepared for His return:

“So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42 (NLT)

Jesus went so far as to rebuke the Pharisees for not recognizing the signs of the times, for the religious leaders of His day had full knowledge of the prophecies of the Messiah, yet they still chose not to believe in Him:

“One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus’ claims by asking him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven. He replied, ‘You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow, red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You are good at reading the weather signs in the sky, but you can’t read the obvious signs of the times!’” Matthew 16:1-3 (NLT)

This passage reveals the expectation Jesus had for the people of His day.  He expected them to fully recognize and eagerly await the time of His first coming. Should we expect any less in regard to His second coming?  Without a doubt, he holds our generation to the same standard of accountability.

Because the Lord commanded us to be watchful, we need to pay careful attention to today’s headlines. 

Here’s a few recent ones:

Armies Drilling Nonconventional Attacks

According to the Jerusalem Post:

“Israeli soldiers from the Home Front Command and American soldiers from the Ohio National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force (CERF) have already begun drilling a scenario in which missiles with nonconventional warheads are fired at Israeli cities.  [Read more…]”

The 2006 Lebanon war illustrates the danger Israel faces from rocket attacks.  If Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear facilities, the odds are good that Iran will supply terrorists on the Israeli border with the means to arm those rockets with chemical, biological, and/or nuclear warheads.

French FM: Israel Could Strike Iran

Also in the Jerusalem Post:

“The French foreign minister suggested that time was indeed short for a solution to the Iranian threat. ‘There is the time that Israel will offer us before reacting, because Israel will react as soon as they know clearly that there is a threat.’  [Read more…]”

Israel is adamant.  They will not allow a nuclear Iran.  Iran is equally adamant.  They will not disband their nuclear ambitions.  Something has to give, and the world will know sooner rather than later.

Armageddon Time

As part of an interview with Middle East experts Victor Davis Hanson and Robert Baer, Peter Robinson writes the following in Forbes:

“What is the probability that Israel will strike Iran within the next six months?  ‘Forty-nine percent,’ said Baer.  ‘I would say 50-50,’ Hanson replied.  The final observation: Iran would retaliate.  ‘Iran’s deterrent doctrine is to strike back everywhere it can,’ Baer explained. ‘We should expect the worst.’  Iran would attack American supply lines in Iraq and command Hezbollah to start a civil war in Lebanon. It would fire surface-to-surface missiles at every oil facility within range, wreaking devastation in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states while removing millions of barrels of oil a day from the world markets. The economy of the entire globe would suffer a paroxysm. The Middle East could descend into chaos. The U.S. would experience the worst crisis in decades.  [Read more…]”

If anyone doubts the seriousness of this situation, this article should serve as a wake-up call.

Iran Buys North Korean WMD for Syria, Midget Submarines for Both

From DebkaFile:

“On Oct. 20, DEBKAfile’s military sources disclosed that Syria, Iran’s second ally with an Israeli border, has decided to transfer one-third of its missile stockpile to the Hezbollah in Lebanon, topping up its arsenal with 250 medium-range surface rockets that can cover central as well as northern Israel, which was heavily blitzed in the 2006 war.  [Read more…]”

Just as Victor Davis Hanson and Robert Baer suggest, all reports seem to indicate that Iran is arming its allies and sponsored terrorist groups in preparation for a conflict with Israel.

All these headlines point toward impending disaster in the Middle East.

Israel will never allow another Holocaust of the Jewish people to take place.  Yet, Amadinejad and his fellow Islamic fanatics are determined to use weapons of mass destruction to eliminate the Jewish state forever.

To this end, Iran has funded terrorists groups like Hamas and Hezbollah on Israel’s borders.  They’ve armed them with sophisticated weapons, and given the chance, Iran will provide those same terrorist groups with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.

If Israel does strike Iran, and the predictions of Victor Davis Hanson and Robert Baer prove true, Iran will strike back in every way imaginable.  In most cases, Iran will use proxy groups to retaliate so they can deflect as much international criticism as possible and play the role of an innocent victim.

In fact, reports that Syria has transferred “one-third of its missile stockpile to the Hezbollah in Lebanon, topping up its arsenal with 250 medium-range surface rockets that can cover central as well as northern Israel” may foreshadow the fulfillment of bible prophecy.

The prophet Isaiah warns of a day when northern Israel will lie in ruin, while Damascus, the world’s longest continuously inhabited city, ceases to exist:

“This message came to me concerning Damascus: ‘Look, Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer will be deserted. Sheep will graze in the streets and lie down unafraid. There will be no one to chase them away. The fortified cities of Israel will also be destroyed, and the power of Damascus will end. The few left in Aram will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 17:1-3 (NLT)

Given the news reports, it’s easy to imagine a scenario in which Syria and Iran use Hezbollah as a proxy to launch WMD rocket attacks on northern Israel.  Such attacks would cause widespread devastation, and in all likelihood, Israel would respond in kind, not just against Hezbollah, but Damascus and the other terrorists havens of the region.

Of course, all of this speculation.  The exact scenario is not a foregone conclusion.   But at some point, Isaiah 17 will be fulfilled.  And browsing current headlines, it’s more likely now than ever before…

So does that mean the Forbes article right?  Is it “Armageddon Time”?

No.  Not yet.

The battle of Armageddon is not in the immediate future.  According to the end times timeline, several additional events must take place before the world’s armies gather at Armageddon.

But the recent rumors of war do constitute a definitive sign of the end times, and if war is on the immediate horizon, it’s possible we could soon witness the fulfillment of Psalm 83, Isaiah 17, and/or Ezekiel 38-39.

Remember the words of our Lord:

“Jesus told them, ‘Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.  Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.  But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”  Matthew 24:4-8 (NLT)

The end is yet to come, but current events in the Middle East constitute a bona fide birth pain signaling the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When He comes, let Him find us diligently engaged in His work…

When it comes to Satan, hell, and bible prophecy, a number of myths and misunderstandings have taken root over the years.

It’s important to correct these myths, because people need to know the truth.

Not only the truth about what is, but the truth about what’s going to be…

The bible has a lot to say about Satan, hell, and the future.  And knowing what the bible says helps us to develop a worldview grounded in truth and perspective.

If we want to understand the world around us, now and in the future, it’s essential to know what the bible says.

So let’s address two widespread myths which persist to this day…

Myth #1: Satan Resides in Hell

One of the most persistent cultural myths in our lifetime is the idea that Satan resides in hell.  In the images of pop culture, Satan is pictured as the undisputed ruler of hell.

But according to the bible, Satan is not in hell.  In fact, according to the bible, Satan splits his time between this world and heaven.

This concept is clearly illustrated in the Book of Job, when Satan himself comes before the Lord…

“One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.”  Job 2:1 (NLT)

It’s clear from this passage that Satan isn’t a prisoner of eternal torment in hell as conventional wisdom so often states.

On the contrary, the bible portrays him as having regular access to God.  The Book of Revelation calls him, “the one who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10 (NLT)

This verse paints a portrait of Satan as a heavenly figure who accuses the followers of Christ day and night before the Lord of Creation.  In its entirety, this prophetic passage also clearly states that Satan will be thrown down to earth…

“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth – the one who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10 (NLT)

And that begs the question…  Thrown down from where?  The obvious implication is that Satan will be thrown down from heaven, where he currently resides.

If this is true, where do we get the idea that Satan resides in hell?

Well, we get it from the bible…  But what is often misunderstood is that hell is not Satan’s present residence; it’s his future destination.

Right now (the pre-Tribulation period), Satan is in heaven.  But his days in heaven are numbered.  God will not endure Satan’s presence forever, and the time which is marked for Satan’s permanent exile from heaven is the mid-point of the Tribulation.

As the Book of Revelation reveals…

“Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon – the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world – was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.” Revelation 12:7-9 (NLT)

It’s a commonly held belief that Satan and his rebellious angels were banished from heaven long ago, but that’s a myth.

Satan’s banishment is a future event, one slated for the last days.

And Satan will not become a resident of hell until after the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ, when he is bound and thrown into the lake of fire…

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon – that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan – and bound him in chains for a thousand years.  The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:1-3 (NLT)

And that leads us to a second myth…

Myth #2: Satan Will Rule Over Hell

The second myth involves Satan’s ultimate role in hell.

If you buy into the conventional wisdom, Satan is the undisputed ruler of hell, a place where he wields power over fellow inhabitants, torturing them day and night.

But the bible paints a different picture…

It’s a picture of Satan as a defeated being who is mocked mercilessly and ridiculed by the very people he led astray…

“In the place of the dead there is excitement over your arrival. The spirits of world leaders and mighty kings long dead stand up to see you. With one voice they all cry out, ‘Now you are as weak as we are!  Your might and power were buried with you.  The sound of the harp in your palace has ceased.  Now maggots are your sheet, and worms your blanket.’” Isaiah 14:9-11 (NLT)

Rather than facing an eternal future as dictator of hell, Satan faces a humbling future as the lowest of the low in hell…

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning!  You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.  For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.  I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.  I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’  Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble? Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wasteland? Is this the king who demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?’” Isaiah 14:12-17 (NLT)

Despite his ambition, this is Satan’s ultimate fate.

And he knows it.  After all, Satan also studies the scriptures, as evidenced by his use of scripture in his temptation of Jesus:

“Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you.  And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Matthew 4:5-6 (NLT)

Here, Satan exhibits full knowledge of Psalm 91:11-12, and you can be absolutely certain he knows Isaiah 14, Revelation 12, Revelation 20, and the rest of God’s Word.

That’s why, when Satan is thrown down to earth, he arrives in great anger.  Because he knows his time is short…

“Therefore, rejoice, O heavens!  And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!  But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”  Revelation 12:12 (NLT)

In a last ditch effort to avoid to his fate, Satan will attempt to annihilate the Jews…

“When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.”  Revelation 12:13 (NLT)

Why is Satan trying to annihilate the Jews?

Because, if he’s successful in doing so, he wins an enormous victory over God.

After all, God made a promise to Abraham…

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.’” Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)

And God’s promise included the land of Israel…

“Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’” Genesis 12:7 (NLT)

If Satan can eliminate the physical descendants of Abraham, then he makes God a liar.  Does this help shed some light on why anti-Semitism persists and why Hitler so vehemently pursued the Holocaust?

Satan was, and is, behind it all.

But this hatred isn’t reserved exclusively for the Jews.  God’s promise to Abraham included Abraham’s spiritual descendants as well…

“Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.  If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless.”  Romans 4:13-14 (NLT)

And who are Abraham’s spiritual descendants?

Those who forge “a right relationship with God that comes by faith.”

When Satan is thrown down to the earth, he will ruthlessly pursue those people too…

“And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children – all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.”  Revelation 12:17 (NLT)

Does this help you better understand Christian persecution throughout the ages?

Satan hates Jews and Christians, because both are beneficiaries of God’s promise to Abraham…  God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants.

Right now, Satan commands great influence over the inhabitants of this world…

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

But Satan’s rule is destined to come to an end, and he knows it.

That’s why the Tribulation is such a terrible time in human history.  Knowing he has little time, Satan will deploy the full use of his power in a feeble attempt to prove God’s Word false and avoid his ultimate destination…  Hell.

As a result, terrible times are coming, but those with faith will avoid the great time of testing…

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it.  And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God – the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.” Revelation 3:10-12 (NLT)

In the meantime…

We should trust in Christ.  We should obey His commandments, and use what little time we have left on this earth to bring glory to God.  We should preach His Word to those who will listen.  And we should show love for friends and enemies alike, doing unto to others as we would have them do unto us.

We should live our lives as faithful servants of Christ, and look forward to the day when we hear a loud voice shouting across the heavens…

“It has come at last – salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth – the one who accuses them before our God day and night.  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.  And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens!  And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!”  Revelation 12:10-12 (NLT)

Amen!  Come, Lord Jesus!

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One of the great mysteries concerning bible prophecy and the end times is the national identity of the Antichrist. This is an important topic because it will eventually aid the last days generation of Christians in the correct identification of the Antichrist.

Lately, it seems this subject has created a rift within the community of those who study bible prophecy.

One side believes scripture points to the Antichrist coming from Assyria and the Eastern portion of the ancient Roman Empire, while the other side believes scripture points to the Antichrist coming from Italy and the Western portion of the ancient Roman Empire.

Many, but not all, of those in both camps believe their side is right and the other side is wrong.

Fortunately, the Bible provides us with several details regarding the nationalistic origins of this sinister personality…

His Italian Roman Nationality

Although much debate surrounds the Antichrist’s national identity, the Book of Daniel clearly states that the Antichrist will rise from among the people whose armies destroy the Temple.

“A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.” Daniel 9:26 (NLT)

The City and the Temple referenced in this passage were destroyed in A.D. 70 by Titus and the Roman legions, but Titus was not the ruler referenced in this verse.

Daniel 9:27 describes the ruler as one who will make a seven-year treaty with Israel, put an end to the sacrifices and offerings, and set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration. These are events that will be fulfilled in the life of the Antichrist.

According to Daniel, the Antichrist will be connected in some way to the people who destroyed the Temple.

Therefore, we can be certain that the Antichrist will rise not only from the resurrected Roman Empire, but from among people connected to the Roman people of the ancient Italian peninsula.

Despite arguments by some that the Roman armies were populated by persons from various ethnic backgrounds, including Assyrians, the fact remains that Titus is the prince who led the siege on the Temple.  And the earthly power and authority of Titus came from Rome.

While Assyria may have been a part of the Roman Empire, the directive and the people responsible for the destruction of the Temple came forth from Rome, not Assyria.

So it’s rather hasty to dismiss the geopolitical significance of the City of Rome’s role in the destruction of the Temple, not to mention the City of Rome’s significance in the career of the Antichrist.

Does This Mean the Antichrist is Not Syrian?

Absolutely not.

Daniel Chapter 8 provides us with further clues in regard to the life and times of the Antichrist.

The angel Gabriel explains Daniel’s vision of a Ram and Goat as events relating to the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great.  In a claim verified by history, Gabriel states that, following the death of Alexander, the empire will be divided into four parts.

From one of those four parts, the Antichrist will arise:

“The shaggy male goat represents the king of the Greek Empire. The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four sections with four kings, none of them as great as the first. At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people.” Daniel 8:21-24 (NLT)

Daniel Chapter 11 provides an in-depth examination of the history of the breakup Alexander’s empire, describing historical events relating to the King of the North and the King of the South. The latter part of the chapter describes the Antichrist, identifying him with other historical figures who have held the title “King of the North.”

This, along with the passage cited above, clearly links the Antichrist to the Northern Kingdom of the divided Greek Empire. This kingdom was ruled by one of Alexander’s generals, Seleucus, who ruled the areas of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the Antichrist will in some way be linked to this geographic area of the Middle East as well.

Isaiah Chapter 10

In addition to Daniel 8, the prophet Isaiah also offers some interesting insight concerning a “king of Assyria”:

“After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purposes in Jerusalem, he will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him – for he is proud and arrogant. He boasts, ‘By my own power and wisdom I have won these wars. By my own strength I have captured many lands, destroyed their kings, and carried off their treasures. By my greatness I have robbed their nests of riches and gathered up kingdoms as a farmer gathers eggs. No one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest.” Isaiah 10:12-14 (NLT)

Although not directly identified by Isaiah, this king of Assyria bears a striking resemblance to the Antichrist. Both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation describe the Antichrist as proud and arrogant, boasting arrogantly and blaspheming God Himself. His boast that “no one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest” also fits the description of the Antichrist as given in the Book of Revelation:

“They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they worshiped the beast. ‘Is there anyone as great as the beast?’ they exclaimed. ‘Who is able to fight against him?’” Revelation 13:4 (NLT)

Isaiah 10, coupled with Daniel 8, lends support to the idea that the Antichrist will somehow be connected, either by ethnic origin or political power, to this region of the world.

Is It East or West?

It is an absolute certainty that the Antichrist will arrive on the world scene as the ruler of a revived Roman empire. However, it is less certain whether or not he will be of actual Italian descent or some other ethnic background. And it’s also uncertain whether his central power base will initially be located in the eastern or western portion of the ancient Roman Empire. 

Several verses of scripture offer the possibility that he could be Assyrian, Italian, Greek, or Jewish.  But none offer us the definitive statement contained in Daniel 9:26.

So how do we rectify these seemingly contradictory prophecies concerning the Antichrist’s nationality? Is he Roman? Italian? Jewish? Assyrian? Greek?

Who says the Antichrist has to be exclusively one or the other?

Maybe he’s an Assyrian Jew born and raised in Italy, or maybe he’s an Italian who brings Assyria to the pinnacle of world political and military power.  Any number of possible combinations are possible.  We simply don’t know for certain.

But history indicates that each of these prophecies will be harmonized when the Antichrist finally appears.

The Origins of the Messiah…

How can I be so sure?

Because two thousand years ago, the seemingly contradictory prophecies of the first coming of the Messiah were all harmonized in the life of one man, Jesus Christ – the Nazarene born in Bethlehem who came out of Egypt.

The Messiah will come out of Bethlehem….

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” Micah 5:2 (NLT)

The Messiah will come out of Galilee…

“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will soon be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiless, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.” Isaiah 9:1-2 (NLT)

The Messiah will come out of Egypt…

“When Israel was a child, I loved him as a son, and I called my son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1 (NLT)

Before Jesus Christ fulfilled these prophecies, Jewish factions debated the origins of the Messiah.  They found it difficult to imagine that one man could fulfill all these prophecies.

With the benefit of hindsight, we now see how this was possible…

But for the Jewish scholars who lived before and during the ministry of Jesus, these prophecies sparked intense debate.

Would the Messiah come from Galilee, Bethlehem, or Egypt?

These differing viewpoints are put on display in the Book of John:

“When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, ‘Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.’  Others said, ‘He is the Messiah.’ Still others said, ‘But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?  For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.’  So the crowd was divided about him.  Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.”  John 7:40-44 (NLT)

and

“‘Have you been led astray, too?’ the Pharisees mocked.  ‘Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?  This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law.  God’s curse is on them!’  Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.  ‘Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?’ he asked.  They replied, ‘Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself – no prophet ever comes from Galilee!’”  John 7:47-52 (NLT)

The complete answer eluded both the crowds and the Pharisees.

Since each person was absolutely convinced his position was the correct position, all of them failed to recognize the true and complete picture.

In similar fashion, a debate continues today in regard to the prophecies of the Antichrist and his national identity.

But regardless of how much we speculate on the ultimate real-life fulfillment of the scriptures, no one but God will know the absolute truth until it’s revealed at the appointed time.

Therefore, it’s unwise to establish a hard line position on a particular theory regarding this prophecy’s fulfillment – even those theories based on iron clad scriptural references.  After all, even though your belief may be 100% accurate, that doesn’t mean someone else’s belief is false. 

In many cases, two viewpoints which seem diametrically opposed, are in fact both true.

Your eyes offer a perfect illustration…

Close your left eye and look at the world through your right.

Now, close your right eye and look at the world through your left.

What did you see?

Both eyes saw the same thing from two different perspectives.  But they didn’t see exactly the same thing…

Now, what if the left eye argued that the right was wrong; and the right eye argued that the left was wrong?

If that happens, both eyes fail to see that, taken separately or taken together, each viewpoint is correct…

Am I saying that no belief or viewpoint is false?

Absolutely not.

Some things are true, and some things are false.

But this case illustrates that just because one belief is true, that isn’t proof in-and-of itself that another belief is false.

So don’t become wedded to the idea that the Antichrist is Assyrian, and therefore anyone who says the Antichrist will come from Western Europe is wrong.  Likewise, don’t become wedded to the idea that the Antichrist is Italian, and therefore anyone who says he’ll come from Assyria is wrong.

You might both be right.

But the importance of the matter has nothing to do with who is right and who is wrong.  The importance is in each belief’s scriptural origin.  For the study of bible prophecy leads people to examine God’s Word, and by examining God’s Word, people are led to Christ.

So by studying these prophecies and teaching them to others, Christians of the end times generation will be able to positively identify the Antichrist based on the sound Scriptural evidence outlined by those who trod before them.

And the work of that last generation will be much easier if we present them with a unified body of unbiased scriptural references – starting points so they can examine the bible themselves…

This is one of the greatest benefits of studying bible prophecy, and upon His Return, I hope the Lord Jesus Christ finds us actively engaged in spreading knowledge of the truth found in His Word and not our deeply held human beliefs.

In the meantime, may we live with a patient and enduring faith that His Return is soon upon us.

Britt

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The world economy continues to falter, prompting the expected response from world politicians of calls for greater control of financial markets, increased regulation of everything, and greater cooperation (i.e. liberty-curtailing regulation) among nations.  In times of such crisis, the world needs to be on guard against demagogues.  History illustrates that tumultuous times often lead to the rise of despots.  The French Revolution gave us Napoleon.  World War I gave us Lenin.  The Great Depression gave us Hitler.The world needs to remember these lessons of history as we venture forward through this present financial crisis.  Each day brings more bad news on the economic front, the silver lining is that many people are quickly learning that the faith they placed in this world, and particularly its financial markets, was extremely misplaced.  Hopefully, the broken faith of these people will soon be replaced with a new faith that will never leave them disappointed – faith in Jesus Christ.

I’ll lead with excerpts from two excellent articles by Mike Shedlock:

Extreme Leverage In Reverse Portends Global Systemic Collapse

From Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis:

“In Brink of Debt Disaster we looked at how consumer debt has the United States and the United Kingdom standing on the brink of the largest debt crisis in history. Together, these posts show the threat of an outright global systemic deflationary crash is very real.  This is not a call for a global crash, rather a warning that one could easily occur.”  [Read more…]

The world financial system has long been based on fiat currency and an ever expanding debt load.  By necessity, such a system can only exist so long as the world maintains faith in it.  This faith is quickly fading as trillions of dollars in wealth is drained away in an accelerating deflationary spiral.

Fiat World Mathematical Model

From Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis:

“Conditions today are essentially the same as during the great depression. I talked about this in Humpty Dumpty on Inflation. When I wrote that piece, I listed 15 conditions one would expect to see in deflation and the score was a perfect 15-15. I recently added a 16th: bank failures. Click on link to see the conditions table. Those who stick to a monetary definition of inflation pointing at M2, M3, MZM, or base money supply, as well as definitions that involve prices are selecting a definition of inflation that makes absolutely no practical sense.”  [Read more…]

I made similar comments in two previous articles: The Great Depression 2.0 and Hyperinflation?  Too many people are looking at the base money supply and thinking the Fed is going to print its way toward inflation or hyperinflation to help prop up the economy.  But such an assessment fails to account for the fact that credit is a much greater portion of the world money supply than is base money.  As a result, the money supply is shrinking and the world economy is shrinking along with it.

It is the destruction of credit, coupled with the fact that what the Fed is printing is not even being lent that matters, not some Humpty-Dumptyish academic definition that has no real world application!  I have long been arguing that we are in deflation based on the following definitions: Inflation is a net expansion of money and credit. Deflation is a net contraction of money and credit. In both definitions, credit needs to be market to market.” [Read more…]

Both of the above articles are excellent, and I highly recommend reading them in their entirety.  Each communicates in very clear language why the world is currently mired in a deflationary spiral, and why fears of hyperinflation are unjustified for the next several years (at least).

The money supply is contracting rapidly due to debt default and repayment of debt.  Without a significant increase in willing credit worthy borrowers and lenders willing to lend to them, a period of monetary deflation will continue to persist.  With unemployment on the rise, we’re clearly in a deflationary spiral.  What remains unclear is just how far down the spiral will take us.

Minister Fears Rise of Fascism Amid Economic Gloom

From the UK Telegraph:

“The row over foreign workers has gathered momentum in recent weeks and Mr. Balls seemed to suggest the recession could trigger a return to the Far Right politics that prospered in the Great Depression of the 1930s.  He told Labour’s Yorkshire conference: “The economy is going to define our politics in this region and in Britain in the next year, the next five years, the next 10 and even the next 15 years.  ‘I think that this is a financial crisis more extreme and more serious than that of the 1930s and we all remember how the politics of that era were shaped by the economy.’” [More…]

A return to the 1930’s and Depression Era politics is an ominous prediction coming from a European leader.  The 1930’s brought Adolph Hitler to power.  As a worldwide economic depression takes hold, who will fill today’s leadership vacuum?

Britt

If you find this site helpful, please consider a donation to support this ministry.

As the ticking of God’s prophetic timeclock brings us closer and closer to the day of the Lord’s return, believers need to be on guard against false teachers and false teachings.  By means of laziness, deception, apathy, willing rebellion, and myriad other methods, people today seem more apt to indulge in and adhere to blatantly false doctrine than ever before.  Not only is this a sign of the end times, but it’s a threat to the eternal heavenly destination of innumerable souls.  Christians should be on guard against the false teachings of our day so that we can educate our friends and neighbors who might be at risk of being deceived.

For as the news of our time illustrates, false teachings and deception are widespread, even in “the church”…

Americans Accept “Array of Faiths”

From OneNewsNow:

A new survey finds Christianity is no longer the default faith of most Americans.  The survey was conducted by The Barna Group, which found that half of Americans believe Christianity is just one of many options for genuine faith. George Barna, the group’s founder, believes the study confirms that more Americans are adopting a pluralistic mindset.  “Americans are increasingly very accepting of a diverse array of faiths,” he notes. “They’re less likely to think that Christianity is right or accurate in what it teaches.” [More…]

According to the rest of the story, most Americans are developing their views on faith from “conversations they have with friends” rather than the Word of God as outlined in the Bible.  Despite the fact that Americans are more literate than most of the people who have lived throughout history, the overwhelming majority refuse to read the bible for guidance in daily living, choosing instead to follow their own teachings and desires. 

Almost 2,000 years ago, Paul warned of this time in a letter to Timothy:

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

The following exerpts from the Friday Church News Notes on The Way of Life website, only serve to underscore the depths to which America has fallen.

More Emerging Coolness: The Purple People Leader

From WayOfLife.Org:

Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, has announced a series of talks on leadership principles entitled “Purple People Leader.” Whatever can be said about these people, one thing is sure; they are worldly cool. The name is a take on the silly 1950s pop song “Purple People Eater.” Since it hit #1 on the Billboard chart in 1958, the song has sold one hundred million copies. It is about a “one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater” that comes to earth to play in a rock & roll band. Furtick says, “Rather than run from culture we have chosen to harness it…” [More…]

Harness the culture?  Be “Worldly Cool”?

Embracing this world is not embracing God Almighty, but rather, the god of this world:

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”  2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

Those who think the Word of God needs worldly culture to be relevant simply don’t understand the message of the Gospel.

Rock Star Karaoke At Saddleback Church

Also from WayOfLife.Org:

The latest edition of Saddleback Church’s publication “The Slice of Life” advertises “Rock Star Karaoke.” The announcement says, “Are you a single adult looking to blow off some steam and sing your heart out? Then join us for Rock Star Karaoke this Saturday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m. in Tent 2 and sing your favorite hits and watch others do the same! This is your chance to feel like a rock star, so bring your friends!” [More…]

Here’s what Paul had to say about such things in his letter to the Romans:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Paul is explicit in his assertion that copying the behavior and customs of this world is not in conformance with God’s will.  Just because such events enjoy worldly success by successfully assembling thousands in “a church” doesn’t mean they are activities sanctioned by God:

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”  Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

Conformance to the Word of God should be our measuring stick for success, not any worldly outcome.

Televangelism Empire in Choas Over Family Split

From OneNewsNow:

Once one of the nation’s most popular televangelists, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller is watching his life’s work crumble.  His son and recent successor, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, has abruptly resigned as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. The shimmering, glass-walled megachurch is home to the “Hour of Power” broadcast, an evangelism staple that’s been on the air for more than three decades. [More…]

Who is Robert Schuller?  According to the article:

He studied marketing strategies to attract worshippers and preached a feel-good Christianity, describing himself as a “possibility thinker” and spinning his upbeat style into a 10,000-member church and a broadcast watched by millions worldwide. [More…]

We’ve seen this time and time again.  Does the Gospel of Christ need a marketing strategy?  Is it not worthy of attracting people on its own merit?

Later in the article, we read this disturbing tidbit:

The Schullers consider the church a family business and the younger Schuller’s 2006 appointment was sanctioned by the Crystal Cathedral’s parent denomination, the Reformed Church in America.

Apparently, the Schuller family considered their ministry “a family business,” not an outreach for bringing the Gospel of Christ to those in need.  Peddling the Word of God for profit is nothing new.

We’ve seen it before:

“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.  He said to them, ‘The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!’”  Matthew 21:12-13 (NLT)

Receiving money for preaching the Gospel of Christ is not contrary to God’s will.  However, when money becomes a person’s primary motive for evangelism, then something has gone drastically awry.  One can not serve two masters.  Either you serve Christ, or you serve money.  But you can not serve both.

As we look around us, many religious organizations are crumbling.  Others seem fine in their outward appearance, but in reality, they’re rotten to the core.  These organizations have been built on a foundation other than Christ, and any such organization is doomed from the beginning.

That’s why our guide should never be worldly organizations whose motives and agendas conform to the world.  Instead, our guide should be the Holy scriptures:

“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.  In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.” 2 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT)

Always question doctrines and teachings, whether old or new, to see if they conform to the Word of God as laid out in the Bible.  Only in the Word can you find the final authority on the truth. 

Always investigate matters for yourself, and don’t depend on others, for in this world, false teachers are always among us:

“But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.  I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”  Jude 1:3-4 (NLT)

Today, the world is host to an endless array of false teachers who will tell a willing public that anything and everything is acceptable to God.  They will point to God’s unending grace as evidence for believing their lies.  But don’t listen to them.  Listen to the Holy Spirit within you.  For the Holy Spirit of God does not chase after worldly desire:

“But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said.  They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires.  These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.”  Jude 1:17-19 (NLT)

As false teachers multiply, the Lord’s return draws ever closer.  In such times, we should strengthen each other and those around us by remaining alert at all times.

Let the Word of God always be our guide; let the Glory of Jesus Christ always be our focus.

Britt

This site has long warned of the implications of the development of molecular manufacturing and how such a development fits into the context of bible prophecy.  As we get closer to the day when Christ returns, we can also observe a noticeable exponential increase in the development of advanced human technologies.

This should come as no surprise.  Jesus warned his disciples in the Olivet Discourse that the time just prior to His Coming would be marked by tribulation:

“For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.”  Matthew 24:21 (NLT)

Reading through the headlines of our day, it’s easy to imagine such a time…

Russia’s Emphasis on Nano Weaponry

From the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies:

Take this with at least a grain of salt, probably more, and recognize that you’re reading an English translation from Spanish of news items taken from Russian media and translated from Russian into Spanish.  Still, after all those caveats, and remembering the penchant of Russian leaders for hyperbole, this report has an ominous ring to it: The Russian Military Complex (RMC)successfully applies nanotechnology in the production of weapons and war materials, informed the government vice president, Serguei Ivanov.  Ivanov added that this field ofscience can radically change the character of war and added that theworks of RMC will be completely financed. [More…]

Yet more evidence that the governments of this world are feverishly racing toward the development of molecular manufacturing.

Self-Assembled Spherical Nanostructures

From Chemie.De:

Nicola Armaroli and co-workers from CNR-ISOF, Bologna, Italy, and Davide Bonifazi and colleagues from the Università di Trieste, Italy, and the University of Namur, Belgium, have shown that conjugated molecules bearing complementary hydrogen bonding sites can self-organise into complex nanostructures, which resemble natural micellar systems. [More…]

As nature illustrates, molecular manufacturing already exists.  But this technological breakthrough brings humanity a step closer to the software control of matter, a step closer to the day when humans can harness the power of self-assembling molecules to construct objects and machines that most people believe are outside the realm of possibility.

Scientists Teleport Matter More Than Three Feet

From Fox News:

Scientists have come a bit closer to achieving the “Star Trek” feat of teleportation.  No one is galaxy-hopping, or even beaming people around, but for the first time, information has been teleported between two separate atoms across a distance of a meter — about a yard.  This is a significant milestone in a field known as quantum information processing, said Christopher Monroe of the Joint Quantum Institute at the University of Maryland, who led the effort.   [More…]

And yet another step is taken toward harnessing the power of nature.  When humans can capture the power of atomic communication, quantum computers of unimaginable speed and processing power become possible.  Such computers would dwarf today’s supercomputers by several orders of magnitude, placing previously impossible acts within reach.  One such possibility is a powerful computer network capable of identifying, tracking, and securing every financial transaction on earth.

A Fantastic Voyage Brought to Life

From ScienceMode.com:

Ever since the 1966 Hollywood movie, doctors have imagined a real-life Fantastic Voyage –– a medical vehicle shrunk small enough to “submarine” in and fix faulty cells in the body. Thanks to new research by Tel Aviv University scientists, that reality may be only three years away. [More…]

Our bodies already self-repair when we experience a cut of the skin or a broken bone.  Why not speed up the process by manipulating our bodies on the molecular level?  Such precision will lead to plunging mortality rates and dramatically improved health for the human race.

Unfortunately, human arrogance and disdain for God are likely to increase in parallel with these advancements.

Where Is All This Leading?

To understand just where this is all leading, we only need open our bible to the Book of Genesis, where we find the story of the Tower of Babel:

“At one time the whole world spoke a single language and used the same words. As the people migrated eastward, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. They began to talk about construction projects. ‘Come,’ they said, ‘let’s make great piles of burnt brick and collect natural asphalt to use as mortar. Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies – a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.’  But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. ‘Look!’ he said. ‘If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them! Come, let’s go down and give them different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.’  In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the earth; and that ended the building of the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because it was there that the Lord confused the people by giving them many languages, thus scattering them across the earth.” Genesis 11:1-9 (NLT)

In this story, God scatters the human race and confuses them with different languages. His reason for doing so is to avoid the inevitable disaster wrought by global government and a common language. Why are these things a concern? Because if they continue unabated, in due time, “nothing will be impossible” for the human race. This is more than a flippant comment by God. It’s a prophecy of things to come.

It’s a prophecy of something so bad, God put a stop to it the moment He first saw it. God knew that, left to pursue its technological development, the human race would one day challenge Him. After all, what was the motive for building the Tower of Babel in the first place?

“Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies – a monument to our greatness!” Genesis 11:4 (NLT)

The human race set out to build a monument to its own greatness, exalting mankind above God and extending its tower far into heaven with the sole intent of usurping God’s glory and authority. This innate human desire did not end with the Tower of Babel. It continues to this day, and soon it will result in one final attempt to usurp the authority of God.

With human technology advancing at an exponential pace, that day will come sooner than most people think.

Britt

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For over a year now, I’ve heard people from various walks of life speculate that Barack Obama is the Antichrist.  Why is this?  Well, there’s a number of reasons.  Unprecedented crowds of adoring fans throwing themselves at an American politician – both in the United States and abroad.  Spectators crying and fainting after hearing him speak.  Worldwide adoration and praise, with a near universal belief among supporters that Barack Obama can bring “change” which will bring about world peace…  Oh, and talk of a civilian defense force stronger than the U.S. military doesn’t help – that only adds fuel to the fire.

Throw in a few stories like the following, and it’s easy to see why some are drawing a link between Barack Obama and the bible’s most infamous world leader…

Obama Is Like Biblical Joshua

From CNSNews:

President Barack Obama is similar to the Biblical character of Joshua and Martin Luther King Jr. was like Moses, boxing promoter Don King told CNSNews.com on Tuesday.  Celebrities, including Jay-Z, Smokey Robinson, Don King, Denzel Washington, and Oprah Winfrey, spoke with CNSNews.com in the hours before the inauguration just a few feet from the rostrum where Obama was sworn-in as the nation’s 44th president. They spoke about how Obama had changed their lives and which Biblical character they think he most resembles. [More…]

While Barack Obama’s ascendancy to the office of President of United States is historical in nature, it only makes light of his accomplishment to compare him to biblical heroes of the past.  This tendency of supporters to ascribe a quasi-religious significance to Barack Obama’s career is exactly what makes so many people uneasy.  American politicians aren’t usually treated with such reverence.

I Pledge Allegiance to Obama

From WorldNetDaily:

In a new YouTube video produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, dozens of celebrities – television and movie actors, sports heroes, musicians and more – describe how they will pledge to “be the change” and “be a servant to our president.” [More…]

Again, the United States is unique among the world’s nations in that it was founded on the basic idea that government and government office holders should exist to serve the people – not the other way around.  In contrast, totalitarian governments are founded on the premise that the people exist to serve the state and its leaders.  The zealotry with which some people submit their lives to a mere man is what has so many people worried.

The article continues:

Actors Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher begin the closing scene by saying, “I pledge to be a servant to our president and all mankind.”

Need I comment?

World Greets Obama With Jubilation and Worry

From the Sydney Mourning Herald:

Millions followed the inauguration around the world and underscoring the huge show of faith, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said: “We are eager for him to get to work so that with him we can change the world.”  British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed Obama’s inauguration as a “new chapter in both American history and the world’s history.”  Obama was a “man of great vision,” Brown said. “He’s not only the first black American president but he sets out with the determination to solve the world’s problems.” [More…]

Even fellow heads of state are quick to assign messianic significance to Barack Obama.  He’s going to “change the world” and “solve the world’s problems.”  Where does this blind faith in Obama come from?  It’s no wonder that skeptics have speculated over Obama’s ultimate legacy.

So back to our original question.  Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?

As students of the bible, we can confidently say, “No.”  How can we be so confident?

Because the bible has a lot to say about the life of the Antichrist, and the life of Barack Obama simply doesn’t match the narrative.  In The Nationality of the Antichrist, I lay out the biblical case for the Antichrist’s ethnic and national background. Although much debate surrounds his national identity, the Book of Daniel clearly states that the Antichrist will come from among the people whose armies destroy the Temple:

“A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.” Daniel 9:26 (NLT)

The Romans destroyed the Temple.  Therefore, the Antichrist will arise from among the geographic and ethnic descendants of the Roman Empire.  Barack Obama doesn’t fit this profile.  Neither his ties to Kenya, Hawaii, or Illinois qualify him in this respect.

In addition, the bible outlines other aspects of the Antichrist’s life which simply don’t fit with the idea that Barack Obama is the Antichrist, but an extensive review of these is well beyond the scope of a blog post.  Needless to say, no one should lie awake at night worried that Barack Obama is the Antichrist.

However, watchful observers should note the danger of the atmosphere surrounding Obama’s rise to political stardom.  The frenzied crowds and zealous support portend a day when the real Antichrist will arrive on the scene.  The political ascendancy of Barack Obama and the aura which surrounds his image only serves to set the stage for that day.

Britt

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Over 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel foretold of a day when a coalition of nations would gather together to invade the nation of Israel.  Known as Gog and his hordes, this coalition will attack at a time when Israel is recovering from a recent war and residing in a relatively peaceful state.  Notice that this attack occurs “after the return of her people from many lands,” an indication that this attack will be directed toward the modern state of Israel (whose people have been re-gathered in just such a way), and is not a reference to a past war or a war in the distant future.

The details of this future battle are found in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39:

“This is another message that came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy! I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction. I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons. Gomer and all its hordes will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.’” Ezekiel 38:1-6 (NLT)

The nations cited by Ezekiel are each referenced here by the names of their Old Testament predecessors, yet they all represent nations which exist today. Centuries before Russia became a power on the world stage, biblical scholars identified Magog as the nation of Russia and Gog as the ruler of Russia. The other nations referenced in Ezekiel 38 are identified below, with the original Hebrew translation listed first, followed by its modern day equivalent:

Magog, Meshech, and Tubal = Russia
Persia = Iran
Cush = Ethiopia
Put = Libya
Gomer = Turkey
Beth-togarmah = Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkish-speaking people of Asia Minor

According to God, Russia will mobilize a coalition that includes these nations in “the latter days.”

It’s not surprising to see these modern day nations aligned against Israel.  After all, a significant number of Islamic radicals reside in each one of these countries, but while Russia, Iran, and Libya have a recent track record of antagonizing the West – and Israel in particular – the modern nation of Turkey does not.  In fact, Turkey is a member of NATO, a candidate for inclusion in the European Union, and is considered by many to be the world’s most successful Islamic democracy.  Its past relationship with Israel has been one of friendly cooperation.  Recent history simply does not indicate that Turkey has cause to attack Israel.

As a result, the question of Turkey’s complicity in the Gog/Magog invasion has baffled prophecy scholars until recent years, as many have had little reason to believe Turkey would join such a coalition.

Yet today’s headlines indicate a marked increase in friction between the nation of Turkey and its supposed ally Israel.  As Islamic radicalism has enjoyed political success in recent years, Turkey is becoming more and more anti-Western in its foreign policy.  And its hardline Islamic leadership’s shared disdain for Israel may well be the deciding factor which drives it into the arms of the Gog/Magog alliance.

Turkish Prime Minister: Israel Should Be Barred From UN

From the Jerusalem Post:

Turkey’s prime minister on Friday said Israel should be barred from the United Nations while it ignores the body’s calls to stop fighting in Gaza. ‘How is such a country, which does not implement resolutions of the UN Security Council, allowed to enter through the gates of the UN (headquarters)?’ Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.  [More…]

Why are most Islamic countries which don’t allow their own citizens to vote, allowed to cast votes in equal standing with other nations who respect freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and human rights?  Who is the UN to criticize Israel?

Rupture Feared in Israel-Turkey Relations

From WorldNetDaily:

Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip could affect its relationships with Turkey, impact U.S. Middle East policy and even push Turkey closer to Iran, which supports Hamas in Gaza, security experts say, according to a report from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.  Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has decried Israeli action in the Gaza Strip, accusing the Jewish state of “perpetrating inhuman actions which would bring it to self-destruction.  Allah will sooner or later punish those who transgress the rights of innocents.” Although Turkey is a non-Arab Muslim nation, it has been one of Israel’s closest allies in the region.  [More…]

Although Israel and Turkey have long enjoyed a close relationship marked by cooperation, Turkey is now being driven into the arms of Iran – just as the prophet Ezekiel foretold 2,600 years ago.

Turkey’s Drift Away from the West

From the Jerusalem Post:

A decade ago, Western and Israeli leaders could count on Turkey as an ally. A solid NATO member, Ankara took decisions based on pragmatic calculations of interest - and erred on the side of caution if at all. But under the rule of the Islamic conservative AKP, this has changed.  In the face of Hamas rockets, Israel could have expected more understanding from a country long suffering from aggressive PKK terrorism. The vehemence with which Turkish leaders attacked Israel, and their apparent willingness to convey Hamas’ position to the United Nations, came as a surprise to many.  [More…]

The remainder of the article delves into Turkey’s reaction to the Russian invasion of Georgia, and its seemingly pro-Russia policy stance which is a stark change from the recent past.  Each of these articles is indicative of a trend which will one day see Turkey break rank with the West and join the Gog/Magog alliance against Israel.

Israel-Turkey Relations In Prophecy

From Michael Mickey at RaptureAlert.com:

We know it has to happen. In fact I’ve been writing that it’s going to happen for a long time. What am I referring to? A couple of things involving one end times player actually, but today I’m going to focus my attention on a side of the issue I really haven’t dwelt on much before and that is how the nation of Turkey, presently a member of NATO seeking to gain European Union membership, is going to go from being friendly with Israel to an enemy of Israel and ally of the Russian and Iranian-led confederacy of nations predicted to attack Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39 - the battle of Gog-Magog as we commonly refer to it. [More…]

As Michael points out, he and many others have been confidently proclaiming for some time that this day would come – the day when Turkey would join the already budding alliance between Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, and Libya.  Why could these people confidently proclaim such a thing?

It isn’t because they have psychic powers, but because the Word of God foretold it:

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.” 2 Peter 1:20 (NLT)

The prophet Ezekiel, moved by the Holy Spirit, revealed more than 2,700 years ago that, in the last days, a coalition of nations led by Russia would gather together to invade the regathered nation of Israel. When this happens, God will use this moment in history to display His glory to all the people of the world.  On that day, many eyes will be opened and many hearts will be transformed.

May glory and honor be given to His name forever and ever!

Britt

If you find this site helpful, please consider a donation to support this ministry.

I continue to be dumbfounded by critics who deride the notion of Christ’s Second Coming because false prophets in years past have erroneously proclaimed the year and/or the day of His return.  Date setting certainly has no biblical basis, and the majority of Christians throughout history have had no hand in it.

In spite of this, Christians are commanded by the Lord to be alert and ready for His return at all times.  In fact, the Lord’s promise to return for His people is known as “the blessed hope” among Christians.  And those who believe in the fulfillment of this promise have been lumped by many non-believers into a general category with date setters.  This is a disastrous mistake because, although the bible condemns date setting for Christ’s return, Jesus Himself commanded His followers to be alert to the signs of the times, stating that when they appear, they will be as clear as the weather signs in the sky.

Despite the clarity of this position, many critics continue to point to failed date setters or past generations who suggested their era might witness the fulfillment of the end times prophecies as solid evidence that Christ’s Coming will never occur.  In their eyes, those who point out the fulfillment of bible prophecy in today’s headlines are no different, and therefore, only serve to confirm that “everything has remained the same since the world began.”

Little do they know that such an argument is actually confirmation of a bible prophecy recorded almost 2,000  years ago: 

“Scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.’” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)

Is this true?  Has everything remained the same since the world first began?  Of course it hasn’t.

I tackled some of the reasons why in a past article as well as a radio interview, and today’s headlines only strengthen those arguments…

Gene Parents Plan More Breast Cancer-Free Babies

From the U.K. Times:

The parents of the first British baby screened to be free of a breast cancer gene have spoken publicly about their “beautiful” daughter - and revealed that they plan to have more children free of the hereditary condition.  The parents are remaining anonymous to protect the baby, who was born last week. They are pioneers of a breakthrough in the fight against “hereditary” cancer. Though the parents could conceive naturally, they underwent IVF and genetic screening because three generations of women in the husband’s family had suffered from breast cancer. The procedure ensured that a gene associated with the cancer would not be present in the baby.  [More…]

I could be wrong, but I don’t think people were undergoing this procedure 2,000 years ago.  They weren’t even performing this procedure two years ago.

This article will inevitably spark a debate as to whether or not such a procedure is a good or bad development.  I believe God has given us the tools to improve the human condition, and we should certainly do so.  People have used life-saving surgical procedures and other techniques, such as the addition of pacemakers to improve and preserve life for some time now.

However, the bible warns that one day this power to manipulate God’s creation will lead to a direct confrontation between the human race and God Almighty:

“Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against His Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they cry. ‘And free ourselves from this slavery.’ But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:1-4 (NLT)

Once human beings remove the constraints of the biological bodies which currently enslave them, will they be content with what they have accomplished?  Or is it more likely that human beings still enslaved by sin will use their enormous power in a feeble attempt to free themselves from God’s rule?

China’s Population of Web Users Hits 298 Million

From Yahoo Tech news:

China’s fast-growing population of Internet users has risen to 298 million after passing the United States last year to become the world’s largest, a government-sanctioned research group said Tuesday.  The latest figure is a 41.9 percent increase over the same period last year, the China Internet Network Information Center said in a report.  [More…]

As China’s Internet population continues to explode, the world rushes inexorably closer to the day when every human on the planet will become part of a global network.  As broadband capacity continues to expand on an exponential basis, even those who were considered the most impoverished people in the world just a decade or two ago will be sporting hand-held devices with live Internet feeds.

Could this be what enables the whole world to look upon the bodies of God’s two witnesses in Revelation 11?

“When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them. He will conquer them and kill them. And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city which is called ‘Sodom’ and ‘Egypt,’ the city where their Lord was crucified. And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will come to stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. All the people who belong to this world will give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.” Revelation 11:7-10 (NLT)

As I previously stated in The Technologies of Revelation:

The verse specifically says “all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations” will stare at their bodies, not “some of” the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations. In our day, the technology capable of bringing this event to fruition remains unavailable to much of the world’s population. However, in the very near future, the cost of this technology will significantly decrease in proportion to its power, providing much of the Third World with the media access it currently lacks. As a result of a trend toward more powerful and cost-effective technologies, human progress will ultimately lead to the ubiquitous use of high-bandwidth video feeds on cell phones, PDAs, and other handheld devices most of us probably have yet to imagine.  [More…]

Even the most casual observer has to admit that the world of today is quite different from the world of our ancestors.

The Future of Technology

The following video has been forwarded around the web, and I think it makes a great case for the nearness of Christ’s return.

Click here to see the video.

This presentation is a vivid illustration of the unique nature of the times in which we live.  Human technological development is increasing at an exponential pace.

As previously stated in The Singularity and The Second Coming:

In the near future, the technological advance of human civilization will become so rapid today’s human mind will be unable to comprehend its implications. The point in time at which this occurs is generally known as “the singularity,” and many believe it will usher in a new era for the human race. Throughout the world, many intellectuals and futurists have noted their belief in the nearness of the singularity, with quite a few predicting it will occur within our generation.  Jesus also foresaw the singularity, citing it as one of the foremost signs of the end of this age and the nearness of His Return.  [More…]

According to Daniel, an exponential increase in knowledge will take place in the last days:

“But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:4 (NLT)

According to this verse, two things will markedly increase in the end times:

1) Transportation
2) Knowledge

Not only will these things increase, but they will both do so exponentially.

So why do critics of Christ’s Second Coming fail to acknowledge such obvious signs?

Because they lack the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and without the Holy Spirit, the truth about where this world is headed seems like utter foolishness:

“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

But for those who are humble and seek the wisdom of God’s Word, the times in which we live should be very clear.

Britt

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The current Israeli incursion into Gaza has been a long time in coming.  Ever since Israel pulled out of Gaza, it’s been nothing but a breeding ground for Hamas and those seeking Israel’s annihilation.  But the real story in Gaza is not Hamas versus Israel, but Iran versus Israel (which is only a microcosm of Islam versus the rest of the world). 

In the end, the Gaza conflict is really a proxy war between Iran and Israel.  Why do I say this?  Because Iran has been arming Hamas, Hezbollah, and various other terrorist organizations for years for the express purpose of waging a proxy war against Israel.  Just as the United States and the Soviet Union fought proxy wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, we’re now seeing the same type of conflict erput between Iran and Israel.  Iran has too much to lose by directly confronting Israel.  War with Israel would be devastating to Iran and the power base of its radical Islamist regime.  So rather than attack Israel on its own, Iran is aiding and abetting others in their attacks – all the while, biding time for the day when Iran is strong enough to attack Israel in a more direct fashion.

As recent news reports suggest, Iran isn’t even trying to cover its tracks…

Iranian-Made Rockets Threaten 500,000 Israelis

From Bloomberg:

The Grad rocket, designed for attacking troops on the battlefield, has become the most effective means for Hamas to attack Israeli towns and cities far from the Gaza Strip.  With a top range of about 40 kilometers (25 miles) the unguided, Iranian-supplied Grad enables Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups to strike at more than a half-million Israelis, far more than the mortar shells and locally made Qassam rockets also fired from Gaza.  [More…]

By arming Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran is hoping to create a multi-front threat for the state of Israel.  While Iran is feverishly working to develop its nuclear program to full capacity, they’re also working overtime to strengthen the hand of these terrorist organizations surrounding Israel.  The Iranian hope is that in the event of an Israeli airstrike on its nuclear facilities, Iran can take a publicly pacifist approach, pressing its case before the UN in the face of “unprovoked Israeli aggression,” while attacking Israel from every side via its proxy armies of Hamas and Hezbollah.

As a result, look for a multi-front war to one day develop on Israel’s borders…

Rockets From Lebanon Threaten a 2nd Front for Israel

The Associated Press reports:

Guerrillas in Lebanon rocketed northern Israel on Wednesday for the second time in a week, drawing Israeli artillery fire and threatening to drag the Jewish state into a second front as it battled Hamas in the Gaza Strip. [More…]

Already, we’re seeing signs of a possible attack on northern Israel by Hezbollah.  Following the Israeli-Hezbollah war in the Summer of 2006, Hezbollah has been preparing itself for a resumption of hostilities with Israel.  Iran has been feeding advanced weapons to the terrorist group, increasing Hezbollah’s war-making capability significantly in the past three years.

Is it possible that Iran will use Hezbollah to create a second front for Israel in the Gaza war, the hope being that Israel will be too distracted to contemplate an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities?  This is certainly a possibility.  But other possibilities exist too.

One in particular may be overlooked by most of the world.  Perhaps Israel launched the Gaza war in order to downplay the likelihood of its willingness to carry out a major operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities.  What better cover for a surprise attack?  Perhaps the Gaza war is an Israeli created diversion launched to lull Iran into a false sense of security?

Maybe.  Maybe not…

Israel Ready to Strike Iran

From NewsMax.com:

Informed sources in Washington tell Newsmax that Israel indeed will launch a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities soon – possibly in just days as President George W. Bush prepares to leave office.  The reason: The time clock has begun to run out. Iran is close to acquiring a nuclear device under the control of its radical president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said in June that Iran would have a nuclear weapon in as little as six months.  That six-month period has passed.  [More…]

Israel has been clear from day one that they will not allow a second holocaust to take place.  Iran has been equally clear in its intent to develop nuclear weapons and use them against Israel.  Sooner or later, someone has to blink.

If Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Iran responds by launching a proxy war, it could result in the fulfillment of bible prophecy.  Psalm 83 describes the very enemies which now surround Israel:

“They devise crafty schemes against your people, laying plans against your precious ones. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.’ This was their unanimous decision.” Psalm 83:3-5 (NLT)

It also details who those enemies are:

“Yes, this was their unanimous decision.  They signed a treaty as allies against you – these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites; Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre.  Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot.”  Psalm 83:5-8 (NLT)

Below is a list of those nations and their modern geographical equivalents:

Edomites = Jordan / Parts of the West Bank
Ishmaelites = The Arab people
Moabites = Jordan / Parts of the West Bank
Hagrites = Jordan / The Arab people
Gebalites = Lebanon
Ammonites = Jordan
Amalekites = Southern Israel / Gaza
Philistia = Gaza
Tyre = Lebanon
Assyria = Syria / Parts of Turkey and Iraq
The Descendants of Lot = Jordan

Notice a pattern?  Lebanon, Gaza, and parts of the West Bank – Israel’s immediate enemies, all of whom are calling for her annihilation at this very moment in time.

Like it or not, their fate has been sealed:

“O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind!  As a fire burns a forest and as a flame sets mountains ablaze, chase them with your fierce storm; terrify them with your tempest.  Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord.  Let them be ashamed and terrified forever.  Let them die in disgrace.  Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.”  Psalm 83:13-18 (NLT)

Could we be on the verge of witnessing the fulfillment of Psalm 83?  It’s possible.  It’s also possible we’re merely witnessing the stage being set for the later fulfillment of God’s Word.

Regardless of what we’re now witnessing, the writing is on the wall for those who choose to see it.  The end times are upon us. 

Jesus Christ is coming soon.

Britt

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