Watchman Blog

Strange Prophetic Silence

Bible Prophecy Today (Part 1 | Part 2) - Rapture Ready - Terry James (October 18, 2010)

Todd often makes the observation these days that there seems to be a strange lack of prophetic activity; nothing in the news rivets the observer in the dramatic way, say, that an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities might grab one’s attention.

This Strandberg perception of a lull in prophetic progression, as he calls it, might seem at first nonsensical, considering the tremendous procession of probable end-times issues and events that we at Rapture Ready address each week. Geopolitically, there are many signals of biblically prophetic significance. The European Union (EU) continues to consolidate power while remaining at the same time loosely confederated. Certainly, we legitimately can and do make the case for this strange entity being the likely candidate for producing revived Rome – the ten toes of iron and miry clay given in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream-vision of the final world empire (Daniel 2).

Russia is a brooding giant to Israel’s north, and at every opportunity, Iran threatens the Jewish state with oblivion. These nations combine with Turkey and others to constitute a coalescing agglomerate that has the characteristics of the foretold Gog-Magog military machine of Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin openly displays ambition that easily qualifies him as one who might aspire to be the Gog of the Ezekiel prophecies. Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spouts the kind of hatred for God’s chosen people that the prince of Persia no doubt will use to inspire Iran’s (Persia’s) leader to join with Gog in raging against Israel in that satanic attack (Daniel 10:20).

A Land of Unwalled Villages

Grace Thru Faith (Link) - Jack Kelley (June 26, 2010)

I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record by now, but there’s an enormous potential for a giant leap forward in End Times prophecy this summer, and this week we came breathtakingly close to witnessing its beginning.

After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations and now all of them live in safety. You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm, you will be like a cloud covering the land.

This is what the sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages, I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people – all of them living without gates and bars.” (Ezekiel 38:8-11)

Many students of prophecy, myself included, see the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 as one of the most significant events on God’s prophetic calendar. In the scenario Ezekiel described nearly 2500 years ago, a coalition of Moslem countries, armed and led by the Russians, will attack Israel and be utterly defeated due to God’s direct intervention. He will use this battle to re-introduce Himself to Israel as their protector, to recall the rest of His people to their ancient homeland, and to reinstate His relationship with them.

Blockade the Waterways; Gog of Magog’s “Evil Plan”

Bible Prophecy Today (Link) - Bill Salus (May 13, 2010)

In the summer of 2009 Russia and Iran, for the first time ever, conducted joint naval maneuvers in the Caspian Sea. In April 2010 Iran test fired five new coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles during their “Great Prophet 5” war game in the Persian Gulf. Shortly thereafter, in May, 2010 during their “Judgment Day” war game, according to the Iranian press, Iran demonstrated its fitness for sole responsibility over the security of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of the world’s crude is channeled to market. What is running through the apocalyptic minds of Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his Iranian Mullocracy?

Military events like these involving Russia and Iran are among the reasons scholars are justifiably stirring over the possibility that the Ezekiel 38 & 39 Bible prophecy is about to find final fulfillment. The Hebrew prophet predicted approximately 2600 years ago the coming of a Russian–Iranian led nine member strong coalition seeking to destroy Israel and confiscate great booty. Scholars are split as to what the great booty is and if Israel presently possesses all of it.

Some suggest Israel becomes wealthy by discovering oil under her soil, while others, including myself, believe Israel captures Arab spoils of war resulting from an Israeli Conquest over the confederacy of nations listed in Psalm 83. However, it could be a combination of both Israeli oil and Arab spoil, inclusive of much OPEC oil.

Others, like me, suggest that the Israel described in Ezekiel 38 & 39 doesn’t presently exist. Ezekiel’s Israel will be a wealthy sovereign Jewish State that dwells securely, without walls, in the center of the Promised Land. The land Ezekiel likely alludes to is far greater than that defined by the Partition Plan of 1947 (UN Resolution 181). Rather it probably involves the landmass described in Genesis 15:18. This would make the center of the Promised Land inclusive of modern day Jordan.

Why Won’t Netanyahu Listen...

The Trumpet (Link) - Brad Macdonald (April 29, 2010)

…to the words of those he loves, admires and never stops talking about?

It appears the Bible is enjoying a renaissance in Israel. In a speech at the annual International Bible Contest last week (in which his 15-year-old son placed third), Israel’s prime minister said he was pleased to see that the Bible is “again becoming the Book of books of all the people of Israel.” Of course, Benjamin Netanyahu has never been one to shy away from invoking the words and deeds of the ancient prophets. In major speeches in the last month alone, Netanyahu has referred to the Jews as the “seed of Abraham,” quoted the prophets Isaiah and Amos directly, and spoken freely of his own heritage with King David.

He’s right, too. Beyond the Old Testament and the secular historical record, stunning archeological discoveries are increasingly revealing the Jews’ vast and glorious history with God, His prophets, and with Judea and Samaria, and especially Jerusalem.

With this in mind, consider the following statement Netanyahu made to the Knesset on April 19: “Don’t rely on help from strangers. Don’t trust even the charitable and don’t wish for stones to grow soft …. A nation that wishes to stand tall must place all its trust in itself only” (emphasis mine throughout).

Mideast Matters May Meltdown in 2010!

Prophecy News Stand (Link) - Bill Salus (April 14, 2010)

Major Mideast wars are coming according to the Bible prophecies in Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38-39. It would be prudent for people to prepare now, in 2010, for their soon and sequential arrivals.

It is public knowledge that as of December 2009 Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas became allied together by bonafide war pacts against Israel. Iran is a member of Ezekiel 38-39 and Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas appear to be identified in Psalm 83. These war pacts reportedly commit them to fight alongside each other should any of them come under attack by Israel. Had these war pacts been in place during the 22 day conflict between Israel and Hamas that ended in January 2009, the outcome could have been dramatically different.

Back then the Israeli Defense Forces (I.D.F.) seemingly ambushed Hamas with their retaliatory show of force and caught these others off guard. None of them were able to lift a finger to rescue Hamas from the pounding inflicted by the I.D.F. Iran’s nuclear program was incomplete, Hezbollah was in the process of restocking their rocket arsenals, and Syrian war scars from 1948, 1967, and 1973 made them reluctant to join alongside Hamas. Thus, these vowed enemies of Israel were reduced to sideline saber-rattling at the time.

However, matters have deteriorated and are quite different today. A brief review of Mideast events occurring since the Israel – Hamas war suggests the Fertile Crescent is presently a ticking end time’s bomb set to explode. In addition to the war pacts described above, here are a few more troublesome interim occurrences:

Arab Murmuring Over Israeli Gas Already Begun

Oil In Israel (Link) (March 18, 2010)

Most of the people following the story of Israel’s recent off shore gas discovery and possible onshore oil discoveries see idea of Israel as energy independent and economically prosperous as a good thing. At least that’s the assumption. But not everyone sees Israel’s independence and prosperity as a plus – especially her neighbors.

If the Arab world views Israel (without hydrocarbon resources) as a worrisome usurper and unwelcome squatter today, an economically and energy independent Israel certainly won’t reduce fear and loathing of it’s Jewish neighbor.

It’s easy to predict an Arab response to a massively successful hydrocarbon industry in Israel. If the Jewish State is viewed as a usurper now, the natural response would be that if the land (and the sea) doesn’t belong to Israel, then neither does its natural resources. It’s an issue today; when economic quantities of oil and gas come into play it becomes the issue.

It’s no surprise that the Arab world will cry foul when Israel becomes energy independent, I just didn’t expect to see signs of it this soon. The excerpts below are from a March 11 article in Abu Dhabi’s newspaper, ‘The National’, written by Dubai-based energy economist Robin M Mills. The piece itself sounds well written and even handed … from an Arabist perspective. The general tone of the article , unsurprisingly, paints Israel as an aggressor and exploiter of the Palestinian people. If this apparently reasonable, thoughtful Arabist response predicts political storm clouds from Israel’s oil and gas success, you can imagine what a more radical response might be.

Who are Daniel’s end time’s Kings of the North and South?

Prophecy Depot (Link) - Bill Salus (November 27, 2009)

A blogger recently stated - “Another person wrote in yesterday asking pretty much the same thing - if Syria’s wiped out by Psalm 83 and “the king of the North” is always a reference from Daniel that has been historically corroborated as Syria, then how can Syria be bothering Israel and the Antichrist later in the Tribulation. Very good question! I don’t know, though, and can only speculate that as a vassal of Israel the ruler of Syria rebels at some point.”

The blogger alludes to Daniel 11:40, which foretells the coming of two kings that war against the Antichrist near the end of time. These kings are identified as the “king of the south” and the “king of the north”. Daniel chapter eleven references a “king of the south” eight times and a “king of the north” seven times. Most expositors believe that seven of the eight king of the south references, and six of the seven king of the north, have already found fulfillment in connection with Egypt (south) and Syria (north). Thus the common teaching is that the king of the south is an Egyptian, and the king of the north a Syrian.

Both Bloggers, questioner and responder, appear familiar with this traditional teaching. They also preclude the possibility that Israel defeats their Arab enemies, including Syria, in the Psalm 83 War prior to the fulfillment of Daniel 11:40. Thus, the legitimate question is raised that if Syria is wiped out as per Psalm 83 how can the Daniel 11:40 king of the north be a Syrian.

Another school of thought regarding the Daniel 11:40 king of the north connects with the Ezekiel 38 Gog of Magog invasion. Some believe because this invasion is led by Russia in the latter years (Ezekiel 38:8) from the uttermost parts of the north as per (Ezekiel 38:15), that this king is a Russian rather than a Syrian.

Middle East Update 2

Psalm 108
O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me. God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph. Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts? Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

In watching the news, there are some more stories I feel relevant to add here as an update.

• Fear of new Mid East ‘Cold War’ as Syria strengthens military alliance with Russia Times Online (August 21, 2008)
• Russia sends aircraft carrier to Syria Barents Observer (August 20, 2008)
• Monitor: UN peacekeepers in Lebanon co-opted by Hizbullah World Tribune (August 20, 2008)
• As US Looks to Improve Ties, Libya Positions Itself in Russia’s Corner CNS News (August 19, 2008)
• Israeli missile defense system detects Syrian tests World Tribune (August 19, 2008)
• Israelis: War With Hezbollah Inevitable Newsmax (August 18, 2008)
• Report: Israel threatened to target Syria if Hezbollah attacks YNet News (March 14, 2008)
• Lisbon treaty would have helped in Georgia crisis, says France EU Observer (August 18, 2008)
• Lebanon, Syria open diplomatic relations The Jordanian Times (August 15, 2008)
• 'Syria and Hizbullah gaining strength' The Jerusalem Post (August 12, 2008)
• Exclusive: Hizbollah ’stronger than before’ and ready to strike Israel Telegraph UK (August 2, 2008)

Keep watching…

More to Post-Magog

In the past I have mentioned that as a result of God’s intervention on Israel’s behalf to glorify His name in destroying the Magog attackers, that there will be a spiritual shift in Israel that may spur the rebuilding of the temple. I recently had some scriptures brought to my attention that I believe may scripturally point this out and I would like to share these passages with you.

Acts 2:16-21
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Is there more context to this passage quoted from Joel that could give us more information as to the meaning?

Joel 2:15-25
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. (Ezekiel 38,39 – Magog invasion from the North which God decimates in the mountains of Israel leaving but 1/6 of them.) Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

There appears to be a sequence in Joel 2 that goes from a time of increase for Israel to a point when a Northern army is removed far off from Israel. This is where the Magog invasion comes in from the past posts…

The Coming Times: 2008 And Beyond

In the course of studying Bible prophecy and watching current events, a series of events became clear that I would like to lay out for you here. It began with my personal search through the Bible to see for myself if God’s Word clarified itself to the point of the bride of Christ being able to understand the times in which we live. I had read in the Bible that we would not be in darkness and that we should watch and pray, but there are so many personal interpretations of scripture out there and I hadn’t taken the time to really search the scriptures myself because I didn’t feel I had the background to understand. So acknowledging my deficiencies, I came before the Lord in prayer and asked Him to reveal His Word through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and show me His plans and not my own desires or interpretations of His plans.

This doesn’t mean I’m always right and this is not a claim to have all the answers. I will never stop warning people not to take my word for anything but to search the scriptures themselves to see whether these things are so. Acts 17:11 The Watchman Bible Study website is the result of my search for Truth and my desire to share the clarity I’ve discovered written into and interpreted by the Bible. While I am not always correct the Bible is, and so if this sequence of events does not turn out to be completely accurate that doesn’t change the Bible’s validity, just shows my lack of full understanding.

What I would like to focus on in this post is a collection of diverse prophesies found throughout the Bible in the order of events as understood through examining the context of these prophesies in light of the HIStory, Our Future Bible studies. The premise of this collection of research by other watchmen on the wall traces Israel’s judgment history through time and showing how that snaps to Israel’s feast days and the 70th week of Daniel, the final seven years of God dealing with Israel before His return in glory. These studies examine the precision of Bible prophecy and history to build faith in what was already fulfilled with 100% accuracy to look toward the future with faith that God’s Word will again be fulfilled in the future with that same accuracy. According to Matthew 24:14,15 “the end” comes at the abomination of desolation, which the HIStory, Our Future Bible studies place in just under one year (February 16, 2009) from today (March 3, 2008).