A Deal That Will Live In Infamy

01 Saturday Aug 2015

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A Deal That Will Live in Infamy

I suppose there are other titles that could be used for the subject of this week’s Eye of Prophecy article. But since it follows on the heels of last week’s post entitled, Day of Infamy that dealt with the Jewish 9^th day of Av—a date on which two titanic tragedies and other ominous events struck Israel—it’s appropriate to describe the recent nuclear arrangement with Iran in the same fashion.

This deal with a nation that is an avowed enemy of Israel and the United States is eerily comparable to and just as menacing as the day that England’s Neville Chamberlain signed a pact with Hitler. An agreement that not only didn’t guarantee peace in their time, but actually intensified the winds of war that led to World War II.

Deal? A very loose term at best. Agreement? I suppose so if they mean that the P5+1 nations agreed to everything Iran demanded. It just may be the most one-sided bargain of all time. No level playing field. No equal benefits for both sides. Picture a teeter-totter that won’t move up and down, with Iran grounded securely below and the P5+1 nations dangling in the air above … hung out to dry. Or a merry-go-round with Iran standing and smirking nearby as they watch the United States on the carousel going round and round at a maddening and dizzying pace. What makes it even more mocking is that the United States begged Iran to meet them on the playground in the first place.

The imagery of a playground is suitable because the leaders of the United States and of other powerful nations on earth are playing with the lives and destiny of millions of Jews and Arabs and Persians in the Middle East.

Oh, there was give and take. The United States and other P5 nations did all the giving and Iran did all the taking. In doing so, our Presidential Staff apathetically ignored the warnings of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his stirring address to the United States Congress on March 3^rd, 2015. Much was written about the speech that President Obama and Secretary of state John Kerry refused to attend, including the Eye of Prophecy article entitled, A Modern Day Esther, posted this past March 7^th.

Here is a brief piece from that article:

Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed a much better deal with concluding remarks such as, “Ladies and gentlemen, history has placed us at a fateful crossroads. We must now choose between two paths. One path leads to a bad deal that will at best curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions for a while, but it will inexorably lead to a nuclear-armed Iran whose unbridled aggression will inevitably lead to war. The second path, however difficult, could lead to a much better deal that would prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, a nuclearized Middle East and the horrific consequences of both to all of humanity.”

Now that this infamous deal is done, it’s all too clear which path was taken.

This deal has been in the making for nearly two years. Many of us hoped (wishful thinking) that the P5 +1 nations, which include the United States, would see through Iran’s deceitful agenda. That we would come to our collective senses, and fully realize that you cannot deal with a rogue nation—an enemy which before, during, and after the negotiations continued their tirade that calls for the humiliation and destruction of both Israel and the United States.

Before we examine some of the threatening repercussions of this atrocious Joint Comprehensive Agreement, the most flagrant of which is an undeniable endangerment to the nation of Israel, I’d like to go back nearly 20 months to another Eye of Prophecy article entitled, Let’s Make a Deal, published 12-14-13, written about this deal in the early stages of negotiations. That column was as relevant today as when it was posted, and exposed the deplorable fallacy and imminent danger of what we can now label, A Deal with the Devil. That could also be the title of this article.

Sometimes I will quote from prior Eye of Prophecy articles, but normally only a sentence or two or perhaps a few paragraphs. In this case, I believe it will be beneficial if we review a good portion of the Let’s Make A Deal post to fully grasp the ugly reality regarding the why, what, and wherefore of this terrible deal. We’ll then try to put these things into perspective pertaining to end-times prophecies and Biblical principles that provide warnings to nations that turn on Israel. In particular, we’ll take another (brief) look at the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel, of which Russia and Iran are the two main aggressors.

Excerpts from Let’s Make A Deal, published December 14, 2013. (Note: All paragraphs from this prior article will be placed in italics. Any excerpts that were in italics from that article will be placed in bold print).

About three weeks ago, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei announced to the Iranian people: “Israel is doomed to failure and annihilation.” That, “Zionist leaders cannot be called human.” A short while before that, Khamenei said, “The Zionist regime is a rabid dog.” There were other words of hatred directed against Israel. But the irony of this menacing message is that it was delivered disrespectfully just a short time before the G5+1 (United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) completed negotiations with Iran in a November 24th interim deal called a “Joint Plan of Action”—to ease economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for a “slow-down” of Iran’s nuclear enrichment of uranium.

Would you make a deal with someone whose main purpose in life was to destroy you and members of your family or your best friend? How do you negotiate with those who would lie to you, cheat you, and ultimately kill you to accomplish their warped objectives? Where do you start? What do you say? How sure can you be? Why are you even there in the first place? But none of these questions seemed to bother the G5+1, with perhaps the exception of France.

“Suppose, we can reason with them?” Really? Concerning Iran, if they had done just one positive thing in the last 34 years to suggest the slightest hint of cooperation or concession, then there might be a slim chance (say .01%) of reaching some sort of (mutual) agreement. It’s been 34 years since the attack on the US Embassy in Tehran and kidnapping of dozens of US Embassy representatives by the newly formed Islamic government of Iran. If we’re even a fraction wrong about Iran’s true intentions, then there’s a 99.9% chance they will follow through on their threats.

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to this menacing pact was to label it an, “historic mistake.” He should know. For the same 34 years, Israel has lived under the constant threat of Iranian terror exported to Syria and Lebanon, especially through Hezbollah. Because Israel understands her enemies far better than the United States under the current administration, Netanyahu also said, “The most dangerous regime in the world must not be allowed to have the most dangerous weapon in the world … we will not allow Iran to receive a military nuclear capability.” And, “As to the (Iranian) actual threat, we will act against it in time if need be.” These quotes are part of a speech given during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent visit to Rome.

Note: Later in today’s article we’ll look at one of the unbelievable clauses in this nuclear agreement that very well could pit the United States and other nations directly against Israel, should Israel take action on its own against Iran.

Continuing with the prior article:

Regardless of your view on the right or wisdom of Israel to act independently of the US, or the G5+1, or the entire world, I would again ask: Would you sit down at the table with an enemy who has sworn to do anything and everything they can to terminate your existence on this earth? And keep in mind that Iran has not only threatened to wipe Israel from the global map, it has also avowed to destroy the “Great Satan.” That’s right. Iran refers to America as the Great Satan; Israel is only the “little Satan.” We should be so honored?!

In that context, how America and the other G5 superpowers would seemingly ignore (except for a few innocuous words to chastise Khamenei’s condemnation of Israel) Iran’s in your face tirade at the outset of these “historic” talks is simply inconceivable. And that’s not all. Listen to what Secretary of State, John Kerry, recently said during his 8th trip to Israel (9th trip by the time this article is published; reminiscent of Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger’s “shuttle diplomacy in 1973 … so much so that Kerry answered the media’s serious inquiry about the number of trips to the Middle East, with the quip, “It’s a commute, folks”): Kerry boasted, “We will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. Not now, not ever.” Really? What about the red line that he and President Obama emphatically said would be enforced in Syria? For all intents and purposes, it has become a yellow line of an overtly cautious, but potentially lethal compromise; indeed, a line of retreat—if not surrender. Oh, not the kind of surrender found in actual war; rather, the kind of up-front pacification that sweet-talks the enemy with, “We’ll play fair if you will.”

Fortunately, many members of the Senate and House of Representatives including some democrats have seen through the White House’s tactics, and have reminded Secretary Kerry and President Obama that the sole purpose of sanctions against Iran was to pressure them into absolute abandonment of their nuclear ambitions; not to entice this evil regime into diplomatic dialogue with a misguided hope that we could persuade Iran to listen to world opinion. We can only hope that the Senate and Congress exhibit the courage and tenacity to reinforce the sanctions. Why is this fortitude so vitally necessary? Because the evidence is all too clear: A nation like Iran doesn’t know the meaning of fair play. No more so than did Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. And how did we deal with Hussein? Well, we all know how that story ended.

Did the United States negotiate with Hitler and his Third Reich, or with the Emperor of Japan, or with Mussolini? A thousand times, No! We fought to the bitter end … one that had no other possible option but unconditional surrender of our enemies. What makes us think that Iran is any different, when their blatant ambition to destroy Israel and America is no different that Hitler’s malignant plan of conquering Europe (and eventually the U.S.) and of eliminating all Jews from the face of the earth?

Just a pause here in today’s article to remember Israel’s daring and successful aerial attack against and destruction of Iraq’s nuclear reactor plant near Baghdad on June 7, 1981; that all experts agree thwarted the inevitable manufacture of nuclear weapons by Iraq. Ironically, other than Israel, the nation that benefited the most from this preemptive strike was none other than Iran. Why? Because on September 22, 1980 (just nine months earlier) Iraq invaded Iran which launched a horribly destructive war that lasted until 1988. Had Iraq developed nuclear armaments, they probably would have been used against Iran. And, of course, not even a whispered, “thank you Israel,” from Iran. Actually, I may be wrong about the thank you. As Iran could be saying, “Thank you Israel, now we get to destroy you.”

Back to the Let’s Make a Deal Article

*Note: At this juncture in the Let’s Make A Deal article, attention is shifted to another potential deal in the making at the time that article was written … negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority for a Palestinian State within Israel. But even before the Palestinian Authority would agree to sit down at the bargaining table, Israel had to agree to release dozens of Palestinian prisoners, including murderers and terrorists; which Israel began to do, in three stages. As Israel expected, the Palestinians refused to begin negotiations. Thus, Israel halted the phased release of these prisoners, but only after dozens had been freed.

Let’s Make a Deal continues:

I’m sorry; as much as I love my country and want to respect and support a President (just because he is our President, but whose actions and programs seem to undermine the very nation he leads), I must issue a challenge: Would the United States agree to liberate hundreds of the worst criminals from their jails just to get “peace talks” underway? I think not. But then, the United States didn’t need to make such an unfathomable concession. Instead, we asked Israel to do something this country wouldn’t think of doing: comply with the PLO’s incomprehensible and reprehensible demand to release their terrorist sons and daughters back to them.

Admitting that Israel has a right to exist as a sovereign nation is the bedrock foundation before any compromises whatsoever are considered. Incredibly, Israel is willing to make who knows what concessions just to be recognized as a people and as a nation. Can you imagine any President, including the current administration, needing to seek recognition as a nation before the United States would enter into negotiations or sign a treaty or pact?

President Ronald Reagan comes to mind: He couldn’t have cared less whether Mikhail Gorbachev’s Russia didn’t like America or if the Soviet Union had refused to (symbolically or literally) accept the very existence of this great nation. But the Israelis have been compelled to guard their security and very survival with an opening statement that would be unthinkable for any other nation on earth: We’ll give you some of what you demand, but first you must consent to the existence of Israel.

To Be or Not To Be? (That is the question)

Unless the Palestinians make some sort of declaration that (at least in principle) acknowledges the geographic, national, political, cultural, and racial existence of the Jews, then all of the other points of negotiation are essentially meaningless. Such issues as: return of Arab refugees, control of Jerusalem, Jewish settlements in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), control of the border crossings especially between Jordan and the West Bank, return of the Golan Heights to Syria, and the actual geographical boundaries of a Palestinian State.

When in July, 2000 at the Camp David Summit arranged by President Clinton, PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat rejected an astonishing offer by then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak … to assume control of up to 92% of the West Bank, all of the Gaza Strip, and all of East Jerusalem except for the Western Wall—that said it all. The Palestinian Arabs are not interested in “sharing” the land. They never have and probably never will. They want it ALL. They want Jews out. Why a whole bunch of people world-wide, including some Christians, fail to grasp this is beyond me.

So Israel mulls over a practically hopeless situation: how to work reasonably with those who demonstrate virtually nothing but irrational hatred and hostile behavior toward you? The Jews rightfully ask: How can you make a deal with someone who doesn’t even recognize that you exist? When they look at you, you are, for all practical purposes, invisible. You are a nonentity. You don’t have a birthright (right of birth) and you aren’t even qualified to belong on the map. You don’t belong here or anywhere, because your rebirth (1948) was entirely illegitimate.

Summary

Never before in history has the entire world been so focused on one little nation inhabited by a mere six million Jews. And yet that’s exactly what the Bible predicted. In addition to several million Arabs in Israel, surrounding Arab countries number in the hundreds of millions, with land space that dwarfs Israel; enough land to accommodate millions more Arabs. But oddly and unfortunately many of these nations fight among themselves (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon).

Even more nonsensically, they blame the Jews for their misfortunes. However, they do have one basic mindset: They detest Israel. I suppose if they ever agree on how best to govern themselves (Sunni or Shi’ite Muslim law), then they might (God forbid) agree on how to best destroy Israel. Or perhaps they think and hope that Iran will do that for them. Personally, I don’t dislike the Arabs or the Persians. I sometimes pray for their salvation, as I often do for the Jews. I will do my best to pray equally for both peoples. But the aforementioned observations are a matter of historical record and current events.

Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, Queens, Heads of State the world over are under the influence of the “intoxicating” effect that Israel has exerted on the entire world. (Read Zechariah 12:2-3). Nations are stoned from an overpowering elixir to find a solution to the problems in and surrounding this tiny country. To their detriment, many of these nations point the finger of blame at Israel; but seem to do so in a senseless, illogical drunken stupor caused by consumption of too many “spirits” from Arab, Muslim, Russian, South American, and European winepresses. And, I’m beginning to be concerned about America’s sudden taste for this wine that can only lead to the pouring out of God’s wrath through His winepress (Revelation 14:19).

In addition to God blessing his “special possession”, Israel (Psalms 28:9), it is a wonderful thing that God has extended his salvation to all Gentiles. But first and foremost, God’s Messiah was sent to save his own people, the Jews. The Savior to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16) is, in fact, a Jewish Messiah … born a Jew in Bethlehem, lived as a Jew in Nazareth and Galilee, died and raised from the dead as a Jew in Jerusalem, will return to the City of David on the Mount of Olives as King of the Jews, and shortly thereafter will fight for all of Israel as “The Lion from the Tribe of Judah.” He Is: “King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”

There is, however, a dreadful risk for every person on earth who rejects Messiah Jesus as personal Savior and every nation that refuses to accept the very existence of and purpose for Israel, as clearly set forth in Scripture.

Personal Rejection of Messiah: “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment” (John 3:36). National Rejection of Israel: “The day is near when I, the LORD, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads. Just as you swallowed up my people on my holy mountain, so you and the surrounding nations will swallow the punishment I pour out on you. Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history” (Obadiah 1:15-16).

It’s really easier than one might think (even for a Palestinian). Just repeat after me: “The State of Israel.”

Back to Today’s Article (Placing the Iranian Deal into Perspective of Biblical Prophecy)

Undoubtedly, many reading this article have read or heard the component parts of this infamous deal with Iran. Thus, I’ll simply summarize the main points. Beginning with four primary problems identified by Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, as condensed in an article written by Max Gelber, posted 7-16-15 on the United with Israel website, who extracted some of his material from a Washington Post column published the same day.

First, the agreement allows Iran to maintain virtually its entire nuclear plant/facility infrastructure.
Second, the limitations imposed on Iran’s nuclear projects are merely temporary, with the most binding restrictions lasting only ten years.
Third, other nations in the Middle East fully comprehend that this agreement still paves the way to a nuclear-armed Iran, and will accordingly join the race to buy or manufacture nuclear weapons of their own. (Saudi Arabia and Turkey come to mind).
Fourth, to the tune of some $150 billion dollars, Iran’s assets will be unfrozen and the money released to Iran’s banks. Economic sanctions will be phased out. With no secret whatsoever, that these funds will be used to resume (to a much larger extent) Iran’s subsidization of its terrorist affiliates like Hezbollah and Hamas. As well as acceleration of subversive activities in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

Ambassador Ron Dermer was quoted, “…any one of these problems would be sufficient to make this a bad deal. But all four make this deal a disaster of historic proportions.”

Photo of Heavy Water Reactor at Iran’s Arak Facility (Just a few days ago, two weeks after the deal was finalized, Iran announced plans to build four new nuclear plants!)

Next is a summary of other negatives for Israel and the P5 +1 nations and positives for Iran, referenced by Max Gelber in his article.

First and foremost, the deal does not halt Iran’s nuclear programs, as it allows Iran to (more slowly, but nevertheless continually) enrich uranium far beyond its civilian needs. Which means the only other use for all this surplus uranium or plutonium is unmistakably military.
The agreement doesn’t come close to sufficiently curtail Iran’s nuclear research and development capabilities, certainly not enough to delay the time needed to manufacture a nuclear bomb to the point where preemptive action could be taken.
The agreement severely cripples embargoes and sanctions previously imposed by the United Nations Security Council to restrict Iran’s development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Monitoring of Iran’s compliance is virtually a sham. The 24-day warning of an impending inspection would allow Iran more than enough time to hide, cheat, and lie about what they’re actually doing. All of which they’ve done repeatedly in the past.

As summarized by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “The bottom line of this very bad deal is exactly what Iran’s President Rouhani said today, ‘the international community is removing the sanctions and Iran is keeping its nuclear program.’”

I’ll throw in my two cents worth and put it this way: “The Iranians are laughing all the way to the bank, while their centrifuges continue to spin and their leaders continue to grin.” (You can quote me on that one!)

But the most unthinkable feature of this disastrous deal is a tiny clause in the agreement that nations signatory to the pact will defend Iran against any subterfuge that might interrupt or shut down Iran’s nuclear facilities. Ostensibly this was designed to enable Iran to continue with its purported program of commercial nuclear developments for peaceful civilian purposes only. Right? No, it’s as wrong as anything can be.

What the stipulation actually does is to obligate the United States and other involved countries to intervene no matter if a nation (Israel, who else?) attempts to sabotage Iran’s nuclear substructure—whether through a military strike or cyber-attack—for the much more truthful reason of preventing this reprobate nation from developing nuclear weapons.

It’s simply inconceivable and mind-boggling that the United States would agree in any way, shape, or form to actually come to the aid of an enemy who continually chants, “Death to Israel. Death to America.” It is pure lunacy. And immoral madness at that.

Immoral, because it’s no different than, for example, the United States making a deal with Hitler during World War II in which Germany would agree to stop the production of self-propelled rockets (for say, 3 years) but they could continue to carry on the war as they saw fit. Moreover, we would actually defend Germany’s war making facilities for all other hardware, just not rockets. Knowing full well that it’s the same machinery that manufactures all of the armaments. Moreover, this absurd deal took place after it was clear that Germany was losing the war. (Just like it is unquestionably evident that the heavy economic sanctions against Iran were taking their toll).

Nearly 3,000 of These V-2 Rockets Produced by the Third Reich

No matter how extreme or far-fetched you think this analogy might be, ask yourself just how radical this deal with Iran is. You only need look at the totally one-sided concessions made by the P5 + 1 to see that Iran comes out smelling like a rose (a rose-tipped nuclear warhead).

It give a whole new meaning to: We’ve got you … just where you want us.

Putting These Things into Perspective

At first glance and at face value, this ill-conceived, misguided, and grossly imbalanced “deal” indeed places Israel in grave peril. From public reaction, especially in the United States, it’s evident that the majority of people realize that Israel gets the short end of the stick. They comprehend the all too obvious fact that Iran cannot be trusted, AT ALL. And they rightfully challenge the authority of the US government to make a deal that puts Israel directly in the scope of Iran’s nuclear trigger point.

In fact, a very recent poll disclosed that over 50% of Americans believe that Congress should annul the deal with Iran, which would subsequently require a 2/3 majority of Congress to override what would be a certain veto by President Obama. If Congress listens to us, they should overturn this dastardly deal.

Although Arab Gulf States like Egypt don’t really care what happens to Israel, they, too, fear a nuclear-armed Iran. Thus, US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to the Middle East (once again) to promote the agreement and attempt to alleviate the apprehension of these Arab countries. But Kerry’s itinerary does not include Israel. In response to this (yet another) snub, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “He (Kerry) really has no reason to come here.” That the Iran deal, “has nothing to do with us, and has no influence on us. We’re not at the table (meaning the negotiating table). We’re one of the main courses on the menu itself.”

Though (justifiably) sarcastic, Netanyahu’s response says it all.

Yet, here is where a better grasp of Biblical prophecy helps us put contemporary developments like this into a much clearer context. To that end, I’m going to refer again to the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel as predicted through God’s prophet, Ezekiel. Several prior Eye of Prophecy articles have been written, partially or completely on this astounding attack on Israel in which a coalition spearheaded by Russia (to include Iran) is soundly crushed by God, himself … via direct divine intervention.

Please refer to such articles as, The Omega Generation, published 2-15-14; Beware of the Bear, published 3-22-14; Alliances against Israel, published 9-20-14. But for purposes of today’s topic, most specifically to, Russia & Iran Versus Israel, published 10-4-14.

When correlated to other prophecies in Scripture, all of the evidence found in Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39 leads to the viable conclusion that this invasion will take place soon after the Rapture, during the first part of the Great Tribulation. Furthermore, it will entail a vast “horde” (armies) that swoops down on Israel from the north. The undeniable conclusion is that this is a massive but conventional assault against Israel that does not include nuclear weapons. For one thing, Israel is completely victorious in this military campaign against her, but not through Israel’s effort. Nor is there any indication that Israel suffers even minimal casualties. In fact, it is God who will employ “weapons of mass destruction” against Gog/Magog … meaning supernaturally orchestrated natural disasters inflicted on the invading troops.

The applicable inference and significance of what is happening in this Gog/Magog invasion is that there will be no nuclear war between Iran and Israel before this Biblically prophetic attack occurs against Israel. There couldn’t possibly be, because just one nuclear warhead detonated over the tiny State of Israel would cause devastating damage of staggering proportions. I’m not saying that Israel won’t launch a preemptive strike against Iran prior to the Great Tribulation, but an all-out war between Iran and Israel won’t take place until the Gog/Magog invasion. If it did, there wouldn’t be any need for Russia, Iran, and their allies to invade Israel; as Israel would have already been brought to her knees, if not virtually eliminated from the face of the earth.

And, I can say with absolute Biblical certainty, THAT AIN’T GOING TO HAPPEN!

Things to Ponder

Israel is here to stay; now and forever more. We can take that to the bank, deposit it, and watch the interest (blessings to the rest of the world) grow with leaps and bounds.

For Americans, the real concern of this deal that will live in infamy is or should be the very idea that the United States would seemingly take on God, himself. To ignore, dismiss, deny, and even reject God’s ultimate warning concerning international treatment of Israel. God will take to task those individuals and nations who blatantly snub, endanger, hold in contempt, or harm Israel in any way.

The verse has often been quoted, but The Lord’s warning to those who seek to disparage Israel bears repeating: “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 12:3).

The time of reckoning is drawing very near. Unfolding events are fitting into Biblical end-times prophecy on a dizzying daily basis. And what does God say about such things:

“At the time of those events, says, the Lord, when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem (which is happening before our very eyes today), I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, and for dividing up my land” (Joel 3:1-2).

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31, NASB).

Day of Infamy

25 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by garybowers in Prophecy in General

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9th of Av, Israel, Pearl Harbor, Solomon's Temple

A Day of Infamy

Most Americans (those that got at least a “D” in history!) probably know who coined the phrase on which the title of this article is based. To this day we still pause annually to remember what happened on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. Although Hawaii didn’t become a State until 1959, it had been an American annexed territory since 1898, with the US Pacific Naval Fleet subsequently headquartered in Honolulu.

The day following the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor, United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave what many consider the most famous address of all time to the United States Congress and to the American people. Excerpts of this video have been replayed countless times in movies and in television documentaries. But did you know that the expression, day of infamy, were not the actual words spoken by President Roosevelt. Somehow his words have been changed or misquoted down through the years; to the extent that if you looked them up on the internet you would find websites entitled, Day of Infamy.

Here’s what Franklin D. Roosevelt really said to begin his speech: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…” (Italics for emphasis).

Is it really that important to correctly distinguish what President Roosevelt actually said? Yes, for two reasons: (1) a statement of this significance should be historically accurate no matter how many times it is repeated. (2) Historians tell us that Roosevelt chose these words very carefully, as he wanted to emphasize December 7^th (1941) in order to memorialize the specific date, as opposed to merely recalling a past event when a foreign nation launched the deadliest attack on American military forces in our nation’s history.

Subsequently September 11, 2001 (referred to simply as 9/11) became another tragic date of American history, a date that partially shifted American defense focus from rival nations to international terrorism. It was a deadly attack that brought back memories of the dreadful onslaught against Pearl Harbor. Both events will forever remain seared on the American psyche as the most infamous dates in US history.

When it comes to gut-wrenching, heart-rending (man-made) disasters experienced by nations of the world, I suppose that many countries have their own date which will live in infamy. But no country can even come close to the nation of Israel, whose people can point to a specific date on the calendar for not just one, but two colossal calamities. And not just two epic tragedies; also other less traumatic, but nevertheless ominous occurrences on that same date. It is a coincidence that is no coincidence. It is nothing short of an astounding phenomena that can only be explained and understood through the providential sovereignty of Almighty God, whether people believe God was involved directly or indirectly or not at all.

Tisha B’Av

This Hebrew phrase simply (literally) means the 9^th of Av; a date in history that, indeed, will forever live in infamy with the Jewish race. The Jewish calendar month of Av encompasses the last part of July and first part of August on the Roman calendar. This year Av began on July 17^th and will end on August 15^th, 2015. All of the Eye of Prophecy articles (this is the 105^th article) are posted on Saturday. Obviously the subject of this article was meant to coincide with the aforementioned catastrophic date of Jewish history; but it is especially relevant, if not intriguing, that this Saturday’s post (July 25^th) just happens to be … you guessed it … the 9^th of Av.

For those of you who may not know or have forgotten or want to know more about what happened on the 9^th of Av; rather than me introducing the origin of this dreadful day in Jewish History, I will instead quote from an article written by Rabbi Benjamin Blech, published this past Sunday (7-19-15 or the 3^rd of Av) in the online site of Aish.com, entitled: The Iran Deal and the Hebrew Calendar.

Said Rabbi Blech: “Jewish tradition acknowledges that God makes his voice heard in many different ways. One of them is by way of the connection between events and the calendar, between the linkage of a day’s meaning to its historic significance.

“…Jews around the world will be observing Tisha b’Av, the fast of the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. It is a day of tragic remembrance. On that day the first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. That alone would have been enough for it to become marked as a day of fasting and mourning. But history reconfirmed Tisha b’Av’s tragic reality five centuries later. When the Romans approached the second temple and put it to the torch, the Jews were shocked to realize that their second temple was destroyed on exactly the same day as the first.”

Rabbi Blech continued: “Jews are meant to understand that history has divine meaning and incorporates heavenly messages. Coincidence is a concept utterly foreign to those who believe that God governs the universe.”

Rabbi Blech then goes on to identify other catastrophic milestones of Jewish history that took place on the 9^th of Av. Such as the Romans final massacre of Jews on Tisha b’Av following a last-ditch rebellion led by the Jewish zealot, Simon bar Kochba in 135 AD. The few Jews left in Israel participating in this revolt believed Kochba to be the long-awaited Messiah.

Rabbi Blech also cited other painful misfortunes suffered by the Jews on the 9^th of Av, such as the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 AD and the banishment of Jews from Spain by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in 1492, giving the Jews until the 9^th of Av to leave the country. And World War I (which some historians believe was just a prelude to World War II) began on that ominous Jewish calendar date, which was the beginning of more intense persecution of the Jews.

There are a couple more 9^th of Av Jewish tragedies not listed by Rabbi Benjamin Blech. Such as commencement of the First Crusade in 1096 that would result in the subsequent slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Jews throughout Europe and in Israel. Also the deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942 that accelerated exponentially their mass extermination in concentration camps.

As gleaned from the article’s title, Rabbi Blech begins by correlating the final date when the P5 + 1 nations (United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) recently reached a “nuclear deal” with Iran on July 14 (27^th of Tammuz on the Jewish Calendar) which is in the middle of the three-week period of mourning that begins on the 17^th of Tammuz (this year … July 4^th) and culminates in the milestone date of the 9^th of Av.

During this three-week period, Jews in varying degrees—depending on how observant they are— refrain from activities that are considered joyous, including weddings. Jews cannot marry during this time. They often sit on the floor (a sign of mourning and sorrow) and read from the book of Lamentations.

Rabbi Benjamin Blech writes, “That (17^th of Tammuz) was the day on which the walls of Jerusalem were breached. That was the beginning of the end—and the sages were smart enough to recognize that the wise mourn the imminence of a catastrophic event even before its actual occurrence…”

Thus, Rabbi Blech is very perceptive in his identification of and warnings about the significance of events leading to the two greatest tragedies of the Jewish race, the first and second destruction of Jerusalem and the temples, but also successive events throughout history. But one thing he doesn’t explain (most likely because of the limited topic of the 9^th of Av itself, but also because it is still a contentious subject to Jews the world over) is why these horrible events occurred, let alone on the same date.

It’s important that peoples from every nation take the time to remember historical dates that are both good and bad in terms of what happened and why it happened. Hence, America celebrates our independence and freedom from tyranny on the 4^th of July. But we also solemnly recall the viciously evil attack by Japan on December 7^th. With either event, we are concentrating on something we all know to be true … freedom is not free.

It is one thing for the Jews (or for anyone) to set aside time to ruminate about their past and realize they must never forget some things (which is why Jews the world over continually say, “Never again,” in reference to the Holocaust). Whereas, it is quite another matter to fully comprehend why tragedy struck them any time of the year, let alone on the same date. If they or we ignore the reasons or just don’t bother with anything other than the remembrance itself, then is there really any purpose for remembering the 9^th of Av? Or any other date of infamy?

Why the Destruction of the Temples and Why on the Same Dates?

Why did God through his providential sovereignty allow these disasters to fall on Israel? God frequently answers that question through his prophets, especially Ezekiel. The phrase, “Then they will know that I am the Lord,” or “Then you will know that I am the Lord,” occurs 65 times in the book of Ezekiel. Thus, the primary purpose of God’s punishment for both Israel and the nations was to remind them that he alone is God. That he alone knows what is best for them, for us; that the Lord will use whatever means it takes to get that point across. It is literally a matter of life and death, both physical and spiritual.

“Then this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to Israel: The end is here! Wherever you look—east, west, north, or south—your land is finished. No hope remains, for I will unleash my anger against you. I will call you to account for all your detestable sins … Then you will know that I am the Lord … Disaster after disaster is coming your way!’” (Ezekiel 7:1-5, italics for emphasis).

Often, in the midst of God’s prophetic warnings of judgment, we find Biblical promises of hope and restoration for Israel, final fulfillment of which began in the 20^th century. Isaiah, in particular, provides one prophecy after another that encompasses short-term and long-term prophetic events all wrapped up in the same proclamations. Until recently, I hadn’t really grasped the significance of one of these prophecies, which fits with the main subject of this week’s article. When placed in the context of the two most devastating tragedies in Israel’s history, the prophecy is remarkable. Here it is:

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1-2, italics for emphasis).

The twice over is not merely a symbolic reference to the severity of God’s punishment. It is a literal time-sensitive expression that references the actual destruction of both Temples. Which is also why the word comfort is repeated. According to Moses with regard to promises of blessings if Israel followed the Lord and discipline if she abandoned God, the ultimate punishment was being conquered by her enemies, expelled from the Promised Land, and banished to foreign nations. Historically we see that this is exactly what happened to Israel. Not once, but twice … Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple were destroyed, and the Jews exiled to gentile nations. The first time for only seventy years, the second time for some 1,900 years. Let’s examine these two horrendous calamities a little closer.

Solomon’s Temple & the First Captivity of the Jews:

Why was Solomon’s Temple destroyed and the Jews conquered, with the survivors exiled to Babylon? No one needs to wrestle with or agonize over this question, as the answer is absolutely crystal clear in Scripture. Furthermore, religious Jews down through the centuries, especially Rabbis, as well as and the majority of contemporary Jews who are even partially observant of the Jewish faith fully comprehend why Israel was conquered first by Assyria in 722 BC (ten northern tribes), then by Babylon in 586 BC (two remaining southern tribes).

Hundreds of verses, indeed, entire chapters, in many of the prophetic books—particularly Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel—tell them and us the reason why the Jews were expelled from the Promised Land and the (what they thought would be) indestructible Temple built by Solomon utterly destroyed by a foreign nation. And, don’t forget, there are many passages that also list the destruction of Gentile nations and the reason for their demise … a combination of ungodly defiance of the true and living God, and either participating in or condoning and rejoicing over the destruction of Israel.

The Jews knew the reasons before, during, and after they were conquered by Assyria and especially by Babylon. Time and time again they violated the Mosaic Covenant of the Law; and time and time again God warned them about the consequences. Not just the greater populace of Israel, but also their religious and governmental leaders were guilty of gross immorality plus the depraved worship of idols and practice of astrology. Several prophets record this, as represented in the following passage spoken by God through Jeremiah just a few short years before Jerusalem fell.

“For the land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is in mourning—its wilderness pastures are dried up. For they all do evil and abuse what power they have. Even the priests and the prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple, says the Lord … For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the Lord have spoken!” (Jeremiah 23:10-12, italics for emphasis).

This passage not only is representative of hundreds of other verses warning Israel of her imminent ruin; it also contains an extraordinary phrase that gives us insight into God’s meticulous timetable for fulfillment of prophecy, both ahead of time and in hindsight; to demonstrate that certain dates of history were selected by God to fulfill a precise prophecy. One of the most astonishing of these is the 483 years (173,880 days on the Jewish calendar) prophesied by Daniel from the time that rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem began to the actual time that Messiah would be revealed … the triumphant entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

I believe that, the time fixed for their punishment is even more specific than we might otherwise infer from this verse. Meaning that God is referring not just to a future general period of time, but a precise FIXED date when his punishment would take place. Space does not permit extensive documentation in this article; suffice to say that the concept of fixed relates to actual calendar dates. For example, all of the Jewish festivals listed in the book of Numbers are to be celebrated on select days of the year … which were tantamount to fixed or appointed days. (See Numbers 20: 1-2). Moreover, this fixed time of punishment applied not only to Solomon’s Temple, but to the subsequent and even more severe (long-lasting) dispersion of the Jews in the first century, when the 2^nd Temple was demolished.

Destruction of Herod’s Temple and the Great Diaspora of the Jews until the 20^th Century:

About six hundred years after the second temple was built, it was destroyed and the Jews were vanquished and exiled, this time to nations all over the earth—culminating in the most tragic event of all … the Holocaust. How could any of this be possible? Unlike the first destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the Roman conquest of Israel was completely unexpected and even worse than the first, with regard to the scope of defeat and the duration of exile.

The Jews lamented that there were no warnings from God’s prophets. Didn’t God claim that, “Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Wasn’t it totally unfair for God not to give his people another chance to come back to him before he allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem and demolish the rebuilt Temple? In fact, hadn’t they returned to the Lord upon their homecoming from Babylonian captivity? What had they done to deserve such discipline? They had already admitted all of the wrong things they had done leading to the Assyrian victory over Samaria and later the Babylon conquest of their beautiful Jerusalem, and eternal Temple. But even that was only a 70-year captivity in the land of their conquerors.

What exactly had they done wrong in the first century or any century between the Babylonian captivity and the Roman destruction of Israel… bad enough to deserve so great a punishment? The more time that went by, the more poignant and intense these questions became. By the time the Holocaust ended, most Jews gave up any hope whatsoever of finding answers, either human or divine. In fact, many became atheists. There was no God. How could there be a God who would allow six million Jews to be murdered? Or for that matter even permit a second world war? What crime of the century had the Jews committed that would demand such a disproportionate penalty? Some concluded that it wasn’t God’s punishment; but at the very least, God had abandoned them. At the very, very least, God had withdrawn his protection from their enemies.

In the aftermath of the Roman Empire’s violent conquest of Israel, it was absolutely inconceivable that the Lord wouldn’t have warned his people; to give them a chance to repent and turn to him, if they had sinned against the Lord. After all, they had disposed of their idols; and, as much as they thought was possible, resumed the keeping of the Law of Moses, as epitomized by the Pharisees and Sadducees—who emerged during the post Ezra and Nehemiah age beginning in the 4^th century BC.

Once again, space doesn’t permit. Read the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, for partial answers to these questions concerning the spiritual condition of Israel, through a dialogue of questions and answers between God and his people. The book ends with God’s promise that he would send the prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of his people. Then God was silent for four hundred years. There were no more prophets to lead, guide, and warn the people of God’s intentions.

(*Note: There didn’t need to be, because God had already announced his magnificent plan to bring Messiah to the world. There are hundreds of prophecies to this effect in the Old Testament, every one precisely fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. The prophet Daniel even gave the exact period of time when Messiah would arrive!)

Ah, but there were prophets to warn them in the first century! Two mighty prophets to be exact, but one much greater than the other, greater even than Moses and all of the prophets after him. These men were contemporaries in the first century AD. One of them was John the Baptist (symbolically representing the return of Elijah), whose sole purpose was to pave the way for the greatest prophet, priest, and king of all time.

The Biggest Mistake (Sin) in Jewish History

Through the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, and especially Jeremiah, God had clearly promised his people that a New Covenant would be implemented between God and his people, a covenant that would be extended to all mankind.

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David … and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey…” (Isaiah 55:3-5).

“I will make a covenant of peace with my people…” (Ezekiel 34:25).

“The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors … They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife, says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day … I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:31-33).

Long before that, God had promised through Moses that another prophet would come in response to the people’s request to Moses that God not appear to them like he did at Mount Sinai when they were terrified of his voice and blazing fire. But Moses said to the people about this coming prophet (with obvious implication that this prophet would be greater than Moses, himself), “You must listen to him.” And that God would, “…personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf.” (See Deuteronomy 18:15-20).

Now let’s listen to what God said about Jesus of Nazareth, when Jesus met with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration: “…This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

Later, this same Jesus, born a Jew told his Jewish disciples (and the whole world), “…This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood which is poured out as a sacrifice for you” (Luke 22:20).

A few days before that Jesus told the religious leaders of Israel, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:37-39).

And shortly after that, Jesus prophesied again concerning the pending and imminent destruction of the Temple, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” (Matthew 24:2).

For many years, their Messiah was right in front of the Jews. He walked and talked with them. He healed the lame, the sick, and the terminally ill among them. He changed water into wine and walked on water. He silenced storms and fed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread. He raised the dead!

Repeatedly, Jesus told them that he spoke the words that God, his Father, had given to him … just like Moses said would happen. He claimed to be God, by telling them he existed before Abraham (see John 8). He told them that if they didn’t believe his words, then believe his miracles as proof positive that he was who he claimed to be. He told them that Moses, himself, would condemn them for not believing that Jesus was the Messiah.

Yes, the evidence was irrefutable. So much so, that the religious leaders had no basis to argue with him or dispute his claims, though they tried. So much so, that the only recourse open to them was to silence him because he claimed to be God and Messiah.

Thus, they turned him over to the Romans to be crucified. Even when Christ arose from the dead, they still wouldn’t believe in him! However, this was God’s plan from the start. When Jesus arose from the dead, he validated and sealed the New Covenant between God and man. For the next few decades, the Jews also rejected the writings of a former Jewish Pharisee, Paul, who had been miraculously redeemed and changed by the living Christ. Jewish apostles Paul and John and Matthew and Peter wrote about the great love and grace of God. They confirmed that Jesus was the final Prophet of God, the ultimate High Priest who is the mediator (go-between) of the New and better Covenant, and who will return as the King of all kings to save Israel from their enemies and from themselves.

And still, God’s people said, “No.” They would not listen.

The Real Reason for the Second 9^th of Av Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple

It’s so lamentably sad, so unnecessarily tragic. Had God’s people accepted Jesus as their Messiah, the Kingdom of God would have been established right then and there in Israel. But as only God can do in making all things work together for good, the Kingdom of Heaven was established in the hearts of men and woman all over the world, both Jew and Gentile. However, by refusing to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, Israel rejected the New Covenant promised to them through their own prophets. As a result, the Lord permitted his people to continue under the Mosaic Law, even though that Covenant had been replaced. Even though the Temple Curtain in the Holy of Holies had been supernaturally ripped apart while Jesus was still on the cross.

In fact, the only thing left of the Old Covenant were its clauses of punishment, which included God’s withdrawal of his protection.

Therefore, once again the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple took place on the 9^th of Av. But the story doesn’t end there.

Once Israel was reborn as a sovereign nation in 1948 and then recaptured Jerusalem (1967), no longer would she be under Gentile domination. Both the physical and spiritual rebirth of the Jews has begun, with the spiritual restoration currently lagging behind the corporeal existence and prosperity of the Jews as a nation. But it was the Lord who initiated this revival and restoration of Israel by bringing the Jews back a second time, not his people; just as God commenced the twice over discipline of his rebellious people.

Read Ezekiel Chapter 34 where God says that Israel’s religious leaders (shepherds) neither could nor would lead the chosen people. So, God himself would, “search and find my sheep.” And he would give them a “covenant of peace” with one Shepherd (Messiah) to watch over them.

Then and now God’s people could not and would not see who Jesus really was/is. Thus they were not only stunned that the 2^nd temple was destroyed on Av 9, but that the temple was even destroyed at all, to include the absolutely horrific result of the Jews expelled from Israel and exiled all over the world, not to return for nearly 2000 years.

Most Orthodox Jews acknowledge that the Diaspora and even the Holocaust could have been prevented by God; therefore, there must have been a reason. But they attribute this to several factors, none of which include rejection of Jesus Christ as the Mediator of the New Covenant of Grace and as their Messiah. Thus, they still discard the real reason for the destruction of the 2^nd Temple, which Jesus, himself, predicted.

Nevertheless, there are thousands of Jews the world over who have recognized Jesus as Messiah and Lord. They understand that most of their ancestors (and gentiles as well) rejected Yeshua as prophet, priest and king. They understand that God turned this denial into the greatest life-giving, life-saving sacrifice of all time … the blood of Messiah poured out to save us from our sins. They understand that all it takes is to believe in Christ and receive him as personal Savior. But they also understand that during the last two millennia, that God allowed his people to make this choice to go their own way, to deny Jesus as Messiah, to spurn the New Covenant … which kept them under the discipline imposed by God (as given by Moses long ago) for not listening to his prophet (Jesus), who also is God’s very Son.

Things to Ponder

I love the Jews and I love Israel.

Twice God imposed punishment on his people to bring them to their spiritual knees and purify them.

Twice the Lord rescued them from exiled captivity and returned them to the Promised Land, the first time from Babylon and Persia, the second time from nations all over the earth … this time to remain forever in the land.

Twice God freed them from bondage. First through Moses who delivered them from human bondage in Egypt. Then spiritually, from slavery to sin, through the Cross of Messiah Jesus who delivered them and all who believe and receive him as their personal Savior. This second deliverance will be consummated when Christ transforms both the dead and living believers at the Rapture. Then the Kingdom of God will be established forever when the entire remnant of Israel—every man, woman, and child—is rescued physically and born-again spiritually at the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

May our heart’s desire and prayer be that of the Jewish Apostle Paul: “…the longing of my heart and prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved” (Romans 10:1).

Hear the passionate plea and loving invitation that God, himself, extends to his chosen people:

“…O Israel, if you would only listen to me!” (Psalm 81:8).

Please take a few more minutes to listen to Amy Grant’s beautiful rendition of El Shaddai, originally written and composed by Michael Card. The song is set in the backdrop of film clips from The Ten Commandments & Passion of the Christ.

Gog, Magog and Leviathan

03 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

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Israel, natural gas, Russia

Gog, Magog, and Leviathan

Given the exceptionally small size of Israel—roughly equivalent to the land mass of America’s State of New Jersey—the heretofore scarcity of natural resources that supply power and fuel for Israelis (and Palestinians) and the dependence upon foreign countries for these resources, who would ever imagine an Antitrust action against an Israeli company in a nation of some 8 million citizens (roughly six million Jewish Israelis, two million Arab Israelis).

What gave rise to this Anti Cartel type of challenge is yet another amazing piece of the Biblical prophetic puzzle that has recently fallen into place—the impending Gog/Magog invasion of Israel as vividly portrayed by the prophet Ezekiel. Of which many books, articles, and commentaries have been written by Bible scholars including me in a few Eye of Prophecy articles. Ezekiel identified the end-times nations of Russia and allied countries such as Iran and Turkey. Let’s examine part of this remarkable prophecy again:

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence! I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!” (Ezekiel 38:10-12).

Let’s first look at what this antitrust action in Israel is all about, which also includes a large United States company; then place it in the context of the Gog-Magog assault against Israel, which is shaping up to be all the more imminent … things are falling into place on almost a daily basis.

From an article in Israel Hayom dated December 23, 2014, we read: “Antitrust Commissioner Professor David Gilo on Tuesday informed Israel’s Delek Group and Texas based Noble Energy of his decision to revoke the licensing agreement pertaining to their holdings in the Leviathan offshore gas field. The companies, which also control the Tamar, Tanin and Karish gas fields, have effectively formed a cartel (allegedly), which the Antitrust Authority said it seeks to dissolve.”

Noble Energy, headquartered in Houston, also discovered Israel’s first offshore crude oil reserve, called Mari-B.

The article goes on to say that David Gilo met with attorneys for the two companies to inform them that both the Delek Group and Noble Energy would have to sell the majority of their holdings in Leviathan.

Leviathan Natural Gas Reserve

Note: It’s curious that an industrial enterprise in Israel and a foreign (to Israel) companion company in Texas, would be taken to task over offshore (natural) gas drilling when they are merely trying to compete with world monopolies, like the Arab Cartel—to find and give Israel, surrounding countries such as Jordan and Egypt, and even the United States another source of fuel. But I suppose that is the positive nature (as long as it’s within reason) of a democracy, i.e. to publicly oversee and regulate industries that might otherwise become a monopoly. And Israel is the only democratic (a parliamentary representative union of at least ten political parties) nation in the Middle East.

Not so with the Arab Cartel that is the single largest monopoly in the world. They come and go as they please; they supply much of the world’s crude oil/gas and charge what they will. It is through recent increases in America’s production of gas and oil like the shale oil reserves in North Dakota; and what could be Israel’s contribution to the global fuel supply that self-regulates energy prices, through free market enterprise and competition. (I’m convinced that the Israeli company and its Texas affiliate will be able to overcome this temporary setback).

What is (a) Leviathan?

In ancient literature and oral tradition, and as occasionally referenced in Scripture, Leviathan was a large mythical sea creature or even a real-life behemoth that was virtually indestructible by man or nature or anything except God himself. Not unlike the modern-day Loch Ness Monster legend.

The prophet Isaiah refers to this monstrosity by its name, and what will happen to it in the last days, telling us that, “In that day the Lord will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan … He will kill the dragon of the sea” (Isaiah 27:1). Whether this creature actually existed is not the issue; rather the emphasis is on its symbolical representation (depicted in ancient Aramaic literature as a seven-headed monster) of all that opposes God.

From Ezekiel and other prophets we learn that this opposition will be a Satanic led coalition of nations as presented in the Gog/Magog invasion and subsequently in the ten-nation confederation that gives itself wholly to the Antichrist. The emphasis in the symbolism of Leviathan is that of: ENORMOUS. I’m certain the name of this natural gas field was chosen with the idea of sheer size; however, in light of the Bible’s negative allusion and connotation to this ancient creature that will represent modern-day alliances against Israel, I question the owner’s choice of Leviathan! On the other hand, it is an extraordinary correlation to Biblical prophecy.

Although there will be any number of nations aligned with Russia (the passage also states “many others”), there are seven specific names of nations or regions specified in the Gog/Magog prophecy of Ezekiel: Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah. There is an eighth, but that is essentially the head of this coalition, which is Gog or the Prince of Rosh (Russia). Or if a scholar insists on eight nations identified, the imagery still fits with Leviathan which has seven heads but is also an eighth, which is the composite beast itself.

Though a totally different beast for a different event, the imagery is remarkably identical to the seven-headed beast of Revelation 17, which represents seven kings and also an eighth king which comes out of and is one of the seven heads (kings). The eighth king is none other than the beast of Revelation, the Antichrist. Thus, the (seven-headed) Leviathan mentioned by Isaiah and other passages of Scripture embodies the two massive coalitions against Israel that will take place after the Rapture … Gog/Magog fairly soon afterward and the Antichrist beast near the end of the Great Tribulation.

The mammoth natural gas field dubbed Leviathan is one of four main offshore finds by the Delek Group and Noble Energy after several years spent and some six billion dollars invested. Leviathan was discovered in 2010 some 80 miles west of Haifa, Israel and contains an estimated 22 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The other discoveries named Tamar (about 50 miles west of Haifa), and Tanin and Kadesh—often referred together due to their close proximity to each other, some 74 miles from Haifa— hold an estimated 8.4 trillion cubic feet and 1.3 trillion cubic feet, respectively. Thus, the Leviathan reservoir holds nearly three times the natural gas of the other three offshore sites combined. The Delek Group and subsidiaries control fifty-three per cent of the offshore ventures, with Noble Energy comprising the remaining forty-seven per cent.

This article is not about debating the pros and cons of whether these two companies have created a monopoly; although no other companies have invested anywhere near the six billion exploration dollars to find these huge natural gas fields. Moreover, they are separate entities with each company independently owned, one from the other. They are not subsidiaries, one of the other. From my limited understanding of monopolies; that, in itself, creates a healthy check and balance system.

The discovery of these gas fields off the coast of Israel is nothing short of amazing. For several reasons, two of which are: (1) Proceeds from the sale and distribution of these natural gas fields could increase Israel’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) substantially. In the eyes of global economic powers including the Arab Cartel, it could level the playing field to the extent that Israel would become self-sufficient in natural gas consumption while cutting into the proceeds of surrounding Arab countries. It could change the financial dynamics of the entire Middle East, by making Israel a major player in the competitive field of energy production.

(2) It provides and confirms the Biblically predicted incentive for Russia and select Russian allies to launch a colossal campaign against Israel as found in Ezekiel’s prophecy. Before discovering and developing these natural gas holdings, Israel offered a variety of exports to maintain a favorable trade surplus, but nothing like what these natural gas fields could accomplish. And, thereby, attract the attention of other nations, both friend and foe.

Currently, Israel’s main export products include: Cut diamonds (already mined elsewhere), pearls, and other precious metals (31% of Israel’s exports); electrical machinery/equipment, appliances, sound & TV recorders, computer equipment (18%); pharmaceutical & fertilizer products (13%). Much of Israel’s non-tangible goods income is derived from tourism, but that is not an export, as such.

Yet none of these products and certainly not tourism would generate nearly enough appeal for Russia to risk an invasion of Israel. But, now, with these gas fields, Russia has an ultra-strong motive to take over Israel … more natural gas!

Despite the fact that six of the twelve largest natural gas holdings in the entire world are found in Russia which boasts 17% of the world’s natural gas reserves (under, incidentally a conglomerate called GasProm which is a real-life monopoly … producing 83% of Russia’s natural gas), Russia lost some of her oil/gas reserves to the now sovereign nation of Turkmenistan and other former Soviet Union satellite countries. Plus, western coalition sanctions against Russia for her illegal activities in Ukraine have begun to exact a heavy toll on the Russian economy. But even before those sanctions, Russia was not faring well with its relatively new capitalism slash socialism regime. The Russian Bear needs and wants all the energy reserves it can get … whatever it has is not enough to satisfy its ravenous appetite for domestic and export fuel.

Leviathan was the world’s largest offshore discovery (2010) since around the year 2000. Combined with the other three fields in the same general vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea, what nation wouldn’t covet such a splendid fountain of wealth? Putting this into perspective, however, Russia produced approximately 18 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 2011 alone. Theoretically, the Israeli gas fields would (if Russia were in control of them) provide only 1-3 years supply, but that’s only if Russia had the capacity to extract the gas to the same extent it has in its own country. Which it undoubtedly wouldn’t; because men and equipment are limited on an offshore rig. Thus, Leviathan would be a supplementary source of natural gas for years to come, even for Russia.

Which leads to a secondary but equally significant motive for Russia to overrun Israel with Muslim countries in tow: First, take Israel. Second, take over your Arab or Persian allies and their oil and gas fields! It’s a classic historical paradigm in which a strong country sometimes will turn on its confederates, after the ally helped the host country defeat its enemies and/or after a treaty was signed. In fact, that’s exactly what will happen between Russia and her allies (read all of Ezekiel 38 & 39); only they will turn on each other BEFORE they accomplish their diabolical objective. They won’t know until it’s too late, but the Gog/Magog campaign will be: Mission Impossible! But not until they utterly terrify Israel with one of the most massive invasions ever attempted. A Leviathan attack!

The Real Enticement for Russia’s Invasion of Israel

Let’s read again what exactly it is that appeals to Russia enough to actually strike Israel. Listen to the boast of Prince Gog from the land of Magog to his cronies and against the true and living God: “I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now….” (Ezekiel 38:12, italics for emphasis).

First: As most know, the Jews have returned to Israel from exile in great numbers. This has been emphasized in several Eye of Prophecy articles as well as a myriad of other articles by both Biblical and secular scholars and journalists. Indeed, it is a matter of common knowledge to anyone who knows just a little about what’s happening in Israel and the Middle East.

Second, what does Scripture say that Gog/Magog will covet in Israel? Livestock … perhaps literally but more so figuratively representing the prosperity of a nation. But even more so, Russia, Iran, and other nations in this evil, greedy confederation will crave a vast amount of gas and oil and other tangible goods that are by-products of hydrocarbon fuel … vast amounts of plunder, other possessions, including silver and gold purchased with the currency of such wealth.

Until recently, Russia wouldn’t have thought twice about Israel’s possessions. In the past, Russian officials rarely said anything about Israel and certainly didn’t go out of their way to court Israel as an economic or political neighbor. However, they could always be counted on to vote in favor of whatever sanction of the day against Israel had been proposed by countries of the United Nations hostile toward Israel … of which there are many (most). By and large, however, Russia’s animosity toward Israel remained relatively silent and unobtrusive. Until now.

In just the past few weeks, Russian President Vladmir Putin has begun to openly criticize Israel, siding with the Palestinians on such issues as the building of Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem. The existence of so-called Jewish settlements (which is simply building of houses and apartments on land previously purchased and zoned for residential construction) is a long-standing issue which would require several articles to address. The focal point of this article is that of Russia’s President jumping on the international bandwagon of vilifying Israel under the pretense of championing the so-called unjust treatment of the Palestinians. For example, Putin said: “The humiliation and the oppression that the Palestinian are going through are a source of danger and destabilization, and every step must be taken to eliminate the humiliation and oppression.”

In fact, the real humiliation is repeated defeat of Hamas and Hezbollah when they constantly force Israel to respond to hundreds of missile attacks, kidnappings of Israeli soldiers and civilians, and savage murders of Israelis—all of which are a matter of record. What oppression is Putin referring to? The Israelis evicted their own people from Gaza in 2005 and relocated them throughout Israel; furthermore, Israel has allowed both the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza Strip, respectively, to operate independently of Israeli administration. The only Israeli intervention or intrusion comes when its people are attacked, or sometimes in the form of a preemptive strike when Israel has well documented evidence of a looming assault on Jewish civilians and soldiers.

Yet the height of irony, if not hypocrisy, is that Russian political and economic officials have been subtlety and secretly (as much as some things can be secretly suppressed) reaching out to Israel with proposals of mutual benefit to both countries, particularly economic benefits. Why is that? The consensus answer from political and economic experts seems to focus on only one factor: Russia’s keen growing interest in the vast gas and oil reserves recently discovered by Israel, especially the offshore findings!

Behind the scenes overtures from Russia have apparently been significant enough for Israel to at least listen to these proposals (whatever they are), to the extent that Israel even refrained from condemning Russia (to the consternation of the United States and other Western allies) for its intervention in the Crimean crisis … which was and still is part of the Ukraine problem. In my opinion, whether Russia had approached Israel or not, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his staff would have remained neutral on the Crimean conflict. However, the very idea that Russia has in a clandestine manner (while openly criticizing Israel with regard to the Palestinians) made certain gestures to gain Israel’s favor is, at the very least, intriguing. Yet Israel’s leaders are shrewd, in the sense of astute, discerning … but also crafty when necessary. I’m sure they have a purpose for listening to whatever propositions might help them continue with a strong and vibrant economy.

A Phenomenal Link to Ezekiel’s Prophecies

Which brings us back to Ezekiel’s extraordinary prophecy of what exactly it is that will entice Russia and her Gog/Magog allies such as Iran (which only became bedfellows with Russia some two decades ago) to, as Putin said, “every step must be taken to eliminate the humiliation (of the Palestinians)…” followed by his equally brazen statement that Israeli settlements are, “a cause increasing tension in the Middle East.” Putin’s words of every step must be taken is the kind of language that prominent national leaders use and understand to include military options.

Folks, this is another modern-day development that is unprecedented even for the 20^th & 21^st centuries, which have seen dozens of surprising developments, not the least of which is the return of Jews to their land, the land of Israel. Which is the first condition identified by Ezekiel; that not unless the Jews are back in the land will the last days or end-times Gog-Magog campaign begin.

Most likely this alliance and invasion could be, probably will be, under the guise of protecting the Palestinian cause. With the ultimate purpose fully disclosed as they march to Israel, i.e. usurping control over Israel’s recently discovered natural fuel and mineral reserves, but also assuming authority over Arab oil fields by establishing a strategic military and economic foothold in the Middle East.

I believe the evidence is compellingly clear: The plunder and acquisition of Israel’s “other possessions” as described by Ezekiel is none other than the coveted fields of fuel previously unknown to Israel or the world, discovered seemingly out of nowhere (in the Mediterranean Sea tens of miles from the coast of Israel) in a relatively short period of time (as oil and gas explorations go). Why else would Russia suddenly adopt a two-faced strategy with Israel? (1) Verbal sanctions against Israel relative to the Palestinian issue, by siding with world opinion. (2) A Machiavelli style solicitation of Israel’s favor in order to…. To what? I believe the answer is all too evident: To someday (soon) take what they really want from Israel—its natural gas deposits and its strategic geographical location in the Middle East.

To further support the premise that Russia will launch a multi-national military campaign against Israel under the initial pretense of liberating the Palestinians, let’s read again Ezekiel’s words, this time concentrating on another phrase: “…I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!” (Ezekiel 38:12, italics for heavy emphasis).

Did you catch the meaning and impact of the italicized words? Essentially what Gog—the leader of the land of Magog (Russia) and their allies such as modern-day Iran, Turkey, and Libya—will use as a reason (excuse) is the blatant but believable (to all peoples who hate Israel and the Jews) lie that the Jews are an arrogant people and Israel is a conceited, egotistical nation that seeks to “humiliate and oppress” the poor Palestinian people. That the Jews are so superior and overconfident that, “they think the whole world revolves around them!”

These type of accusations and this kind of irrational, unwarranted, inexplicable animosity toward the Jews is the underlying reason for and expression of Anti-Semitism especially in today’s world … stemming primarily from envy of what the Jews have accomplished down through the ages.

All one need do is to read and listen to the continuous stream of condescending, haughty, self-centered, conceited, smug, vain, and threatening verbiage from Arab and Muslim nations, and even European leaders whose entire goal in life seems to be that of lashing, bashing, and thrashing Israel. None of these nations would do anything whatsoever to prevent (in fact some will join) the Magog alliance (and later the Antichrist and his coalition) from not just bashing Israel, but smashing her to pieces with the tail of Leviathan.

So, once again, we see the breath-taking succession of events that have propelled us into the last of the last days as depicted by Scripture.

If you like, please refer to many more details of the Gog-Magog invasion in prior Eye of Prophecy articles entitled, The Omega Generation (published 2-15-14); Beware of the Bear (3-22-14); Alliances Against Israel (9-20-14); and Russia Iran Versus Israel (10-4-14).

I like how Myles Weiss, the host of the Zola Levitt television program and contributing editor of the Levitt Letter, puts it: Instead of the usual (but still applicable) phrase, Signs of the Times, Myles refers to the astonishing convergence of current events connecting to Biblical prophecy as: Times of the Signs!

Things to Ponder

At the time that I clicked publish, and sent this blog article through cyberspace, the Rapture had not yet occurred. But that could change any day, any minute.

When Jesus answered his disciple’s question, “…What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3); he gave a captivating list of indicators. During the course of this lengthy message, he said, “But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come” (Matthew 24:8). Much of the more to come is already here, as elaborated by other passages of Scripture, and as confirmed by current events.

The birth pangs are much closer together; the pain much sharper.

The birth of the Day of the Lord (which begins with the Rapture) is at hand.

Heed the words of Christ: “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28).

Are you ready?

Six Million Reasons … To Trust the Bible

08 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Israel, meaning of numbers, overpopulation, world's population

Six Million Reasons … To Trust the Bible

Numbers do have meaning—to God and to people, literally and symbolically, individually and nationally. Scripture is replete with the use and significance of the numbers three, seven, twelve, forty, seventy, four hundred, one thousand and a few others. How could we tell time or be on time without numbers? Sixty seconds in a minute, sixty minutes in an hour, twenty-four hours in a day, seven days in a week, and so on.

In 2012, the world’s population passed seven billion. Scientists and leaders of nations the world over have become increasingly alarmed about the skyrocketing surge in population. How can they feed and house so many people? Will the water supplies maintain pace with the human, animal, and agriculture demands of this burgeoning populace? Can the environment withstand the pressures created by so many people? Will there be enough energy resources for light, heat, transportation, and entertainment? So many questions, so much concern … not enough answers.

The growth spurt of human population has been truly exponential. Which is, when applied to the population surge, just a fancy word that means: The more people that are born, the more people that are born. No, I’m not repeating for emphasis, nor did I hit the repeat key on my keyboard. In fact, I don’t even have a repeat key. Do you? Copy and paste, but no repeat.

Let the statistics prove my layman’s definition of exponential. In 1 AD the world’s total population was estimated to be 200 million.

1000 AD – 275 million

1500 – 450 million

1800 – 1 billion

1900 – 1.6 billion

1960 – 3 billion

1999 – 6 billion

2012 – 7 billion

It took 1800 years for the population to hit the one billion mark; but only 160 years for the population to reach 3 billion. In the year 1960, I turned fourteen years of age. You can do the math on how old I am; however, I’m still alive because I just hit publish to propel this Eye of Prophecy article through cyberspace! And, of course, I was alive in 1999 when the world’s population DOUBLED in just 39 years to six billion. In another twelve years or so, it increased another billion. Now that’s exponential! In fact, it gives a whole new meaning to the word, which is derived from the mathematical term, exponent. Which basically means the operation or phenomenon of multiplying a number by twice its amount or perhaps to the 10^th power.

Since this article is not about concern over global overpopulation, I’m not going to debate the issues; except to say that I don’t believe there is or ever will be such a thing as too many people on this earth. That statement alone could take an entire article or more to defend, so I’ll simply defer to the Bible for support.

“So God created human beings (man) in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). We should always pay attention to God and his Messiah, Jesus. Had our ancestors listened to him, we would still be in that beautiful Garden of Eden. However, when God says something twice—which he sometimes does in Scripture—that’s a clear signal that we’d better listen real hard. When he says something three times in one sentence … well, that’s exponential! Read the verse again … no less than three times God says that he created human beings (male and female). Is the Lord repeating himself for dramatic emphasis? You can count on it.

So what is he saying? Easy question, bordering on stupid: God is our Creator, and we are unique from the animals because he created us in his image. Moreover, he created male and female, not male and male or female and female. But that’s another article for another time!

Defense #1: God created us and there were no conditions or requirements or stipulations or warnings whatsoever, at all—in any way, shape, or form—that we were to be careful not to overpopulate the earth.

Just the opposite. Scripture tell us: “Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it….’” (Genesis 1:28).

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! (Genesis 1:31a).

Defense #2: The Lord commissioned us to replenish the earth (with sons and daughters) … “be fruitful and multiply.” I see this as just the opposite of natural or unnatural forced population control. Just look at the Communist Chinese officials who (dictatorially) imposed the cruel law of only one child per family. No time to go into all the details in this article; suffice to say this abnormal, immoral law is a disaster. It has created far more problems than perceived overpopulation could ever generate. But that, too, is a different article for a different day.

Six Million Jews Gone, Six Million Found

Yes, numbers are meaningful; especially to an entire race of people who bore the brunt of unimaginable, incomprehensible terror and brutality at the hands of a ruthless and brutal government, whose malevolent objective was genocide of the Jewish people. Six million—nearly one-third of the world’s Jews and one-half of Jews in Europe—were systematically slaughtered during World War II. As long as I have breath and the ability to write, I will continually remind us of this gruesome fact. The Jews will never forget … neither should you and I.

But our great God always brings gladness out of sadness, laughter from lament, and hope through heartache. Although evil may triumph, it is always temporary. Though wickedness may flourish, it will inevitably fail. Despite incredible suffering of millions of innocent human beings, both Jews and Gentiles, God’s justice will one day reign supreme, satisfying those who have been so terribly wronged by the injustice of tyrants and terrorists and neighborhood bullies.

Just a couple of months ago, an Israeli census taken at Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) confirmed that in 2013 the Jewish population in Israel reached the six million mark for the first time since Israel’s statehood in 1948. Total population in Israel stands at 8,252,500, of which 6,186,100 are Jews and the remaining mostly Arab. New immigrants to Israel in 2013 totaled 16,884. Plus, 90,646 boys and 85,584 girls were born to Jewish parents. (Figures taken from Jewishvirtuallibrary.org).

Reaching the six million mark is a monumental milestone for Israelis and for Jews the world over. It’s a huge symbolic achievement, but it’s much more than figurative. It is a literal one-for-one representative replacement of men, women, and children ruthlessly removed forever from their families, from their people, and from the human race. It is the birth of one new baby at a time to replace moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and grandparents mercilessly eliminated by state-sanctioned murder, multiplied six million times.

The Rosh Hashana census listed the most popular names given to Israeli babies. For boys: Yosef, Daniel, and Uri. For girls: Tamar, Noa, and Shira. Precious names for precious children. Treasurable numbers each and every one.

The significance of these numbers certainly didn’t escape Israeli leaders. In a recent weekly Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke these words: “Israel’s population has passed eight million. No less important, for the first time in the history of the State of Israel, more than six million Jews live here. This number has great significance in light of our people’s history in the previous century as well as in the current one.”

The Prime Minister obviously was referring to the six million Jews murdered by the Third Reich of Hitler’s Germany, later labeled the Holocaust for the sheer magnitude of this genocide motivated atrocity. Netanyahu continued: “On the eve of our holiday, I would like to send out best wishes for a full and rapid recovery to the wounded IDF soldiers and citizens and at the same time send our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen. I would also like to commend the entire people of Israel for the determination and unity that they showed during Operation Protective Edge (the 50-day war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip).”

Prophetic Exponential Increase of God’s Chosen People

What is happening in Israel is astounding, but it shouldn’t be all that surprising. For God, himself, promised these things long ago through many prophets. In the case of the prophet Ezekiel, over 2,500 years ago.

“I will greatly increase the population of Israel, and the ruined cities will be rebuilt and filled with people” (Ezekiel 35:10). When God says that he will greatly increase the population of Israel, you can rest assured that will be an exponential expansion. Israel and the Jews are in the midst of such a population proliferation now. Currently, the average birth rate in Israel is 3.0 children for Jewish mothers … the highest birth rate in the world. Contrast that to the world average of 1.7 and you have nearly double the birth rate for Israeli woman.

Continuing in Ezekiel: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘When I cleanse you from your sins, I will repopulate your cities, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The fields that used to lie empty and desolate in plain view of everyone will again be farmed. And when I bring you back, people will say, ‘This former wasteland is now like the Garden of Eden! The abandoned and ruined cities now have strong walls and are filled with people!’ Then the surrounding nations that survive will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruins and replanted the wasteland. For I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I say. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am ready to hear Israel’s prayers and to increase their numbers like a flock. They will be as numerous as the sacred flocks that fill Jerusalem’s streets at the time of her festivals. The ruined cities will be crowded with people once more, and everyone will know that I am the Lord’” (Ezekiel 36:33-38, italics for emphasis).

In 1867 Mark Twain visited Israel and wrote down his impressions entitled, Innocents Abroad. Some of his observations were remarkably similar to Ezekiel’s words from the Lord: “The fields that used to lie empty and desolate in plain view of everyone.”

Wrote Twain about Israel, “…A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds … a silent mournful expanse … a desolation … we never saw a human being on the whole route … hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive trees and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”

And, he was amazed how tiny Jerusalem was: “A fast walker could go outside the walls of Jerusalem and walk entirely around the city in an hour. I do not know how else to make one understand how small it is.”

But no more. Not too long after Twain’s journey to the Promised Land that appeared anything but promising to him, Jews began to return to Israel (Palestine at that time). Exponentially, they increased in numbers soon after the Palestine Mandate of 1917; even more so after Israel’s Statehood in 1948, in which there were 806,000 Jews who lived in Israel.

Today’s Jerusalem is almost fifty square miles in size. Think you could walk around the city in one hour now? Hardly.

But there’s more: According to John as recorded in Revelation, he saw: “…the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). Then later, he watched as an angel measured the full range of the city. “When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles” (Verse 16).

Roughly, the squared dimensions of this incredible city will occupy, as an example, well over half of the land mass of the United States. And that’s only the square miles on the land itself. Add another 1,400 vertical miles straight up and you get a city that could house billions of people. No matter how many it holds, there will be plenty of room for all believers in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike.

The present city of Jerusalem will continue to exist and thrive throughout the ages. But the New Jerusalem will far exceed the old Jerusalem in size and beauty and glory.

I would surmise that Mark Twain was perplexed and disappointed and also surprised by what he saw in Israel and Jerusalem. Whether he had read the remarkable prophecies of Israel’s inevitable return to the land is unknown … my hunch is that he had not. What I’ve read from and about Samuel Clemens would suggest that not too many things really took him by surprise. He had seen and experienced life, like few others. But I can virtually guarantee his utter astonishment, should he be able to revisit Israel today! And if someone told him that all this had been foretold by the ancient Jewish prophets, I’d like to think that he would have immediately searched the Scriptures for confirmation.

Ezekiel’s astounding prophecy proclaims that in those last days the city of Jerusalem would be filled and crowded with people. Once again, we are witnessing in our generation the fulfillment of that prediction, the accomplishment of God’s divine purpose for Israel and the Jewish people. Nothing or no one will stop God’s magnificent purpose for the Church and for Israel. And this plan is close, very close to fulfillment. Which is why I’m convinced we are living in the Omega Generation … the last generation that will experience the Rapture of believers, spiritual salvation of the Jews, and permanent, never-ending possession of the land.

Final physical restoration of all Jews to Israel will shortly follow and overlap with their individual and national redemption as prophesied by Ezekiel: When I cleanse you from your sins, I will repopulate your cities…. The cleansing began when the first Jew in the first century accepted Christ as his/her Savior. And, since 1967 there has, indeed, been a rapid resurgence in the number of Messianic Jews the world over. The cleansing will be complete when Christ rescues Israel from annihilation in the valley of Megiddo at the end of the seven-year Great Tribulation.

Through Israel, God Blesses All Peoples

“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).

By far, the greatest blessing flowing from God’s promise to the father of the Jewish people, Abraham, is the birth, death, and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua … born from the tribe of Judah, through the lineage of King David. But it doesn’t stop there. Before our very eyes and continuing far into the future—indeed, forever—the people and land of Israel will be a source of blessing to all people on the earth. Their medical, scientific, agricultural, economic, humanitarian, and cultural innovations, discoveries, and developments are nothing short of astonishing. Once again the land of Israel has blossomed and the world is a better place for it.

Six million Jews taken by force and removed from the face of the earth at the hands of depraved wicked men by shooting, hanging, starvation, and gassing. Six million Jews taken by the sovereign hand of God; transported to or birthed in the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as descendants of these Patriarchs. Six: the number of man, tragically and triumphantly represented by a special people chosen by God to bring truth, light, and salvation to the earth.

Seven billion people on this planet. Seven: the Divine number of God representing completeness, providence, sovereignty, and the final judgment of God on all that is wrong with this world. Six (million) and seven (billion) arriving on the scene of history together for the first time ever. For such a time as this. Many epic events in history have been associated with fulfillment of prophetic numbers found in Scripture. Biblical numbers don’t lie or even mislead. They are reliable reminiscent records of the past and sure statistical signs of the future. We would do well to heed these records and signs.

Now then, for those readers who didn’t want to bother with the math of my age (who can blame them!), I turned sixty-eight this past September. And this blog is the sixty-eighth weekly article posted consecutively since the Eye of Prophecy site began in July, 2013. For that, I am grateful to the Lord. Granted, these numbers are significant only to me, but then we all have special numbers and dates that are meaningful just to us.

Yet, the entire nation of Israel recognizes and cherishes each and every Jew living in the land promised to them by the true and living God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Also the God of all Gentiles who believe in Messiah Jesus, who have been grafted into the tree of Israel through his awesome sacrifice. The untimely loss of even one Jew is traumatically felt by the soul of the entire nation. They weep together, but they also rejoice together.

Things to Ponder

“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it” (Genesis 2:15). From God’s original design that men and women must take care of the land in which they live, we can accurately and reasonably conclude that we are to manage our resources. And we are to govern and be governed by those who at least acknowledge the sovereignty of Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth and all living things, as the source of all blessings and well-being … rain, crops, housing, transportation, all things pertaining to freedom. For life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness so profoundly expressed in the United States Declaration of Independence.

Yes, we should manage and control our resources the best we can, seeking God’s counsel and direction in all things. But we are not to control people, in the sense of manipulation or domination; and certainly not the number of people. If we seek God, if we draw near to him, we will find him. And he will give all that is needed to support individuals, families, cities, states, and nations … no matter how many people there are.

How much better would this world be if more believers were as passionately active for truth and life, as terrorists and tyrants are for lies and death? And for Christians to share their love for the truth of God’s Word and the sanctity of life as ardently as those who claim that a union between a man and a woman is not the only way ordained by God, or that the Right to Life belongs exclusively to the mother of an unborn child … not to the God who created life.

As a born again believer in Messiah Jesus, I ultimately don’t decide what is right and good. I let God’s Word decide for me. If I do that, then I can never go wrong. With an extremely strong conditional emphasis on IF.

May God richly bless you.

Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

Alliances against Israel

20 Saturday Sep 2014

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Israel, King David, twelve tribes of Israel

Alliances against Israel … Will Fail

Most nations that came into existence down through the ages did so gradually through a growing population, commerce, culture, and merging political unions among their own people. Some became great empires by conquest of rival nations, such as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. A handful of others were birthed from revolution against governments that ruled them through colonial expansion, like the United States of America’s declaration of independence from England. And then there’s Israel; a nation reborn from the ashes of the Holocaust just three years after six million Jews were murdered, and from the floods of dispersion and exile for two millennia.

Unlike many of the powerful empires that preceded them, it was necessary for the United States and Israel to immediately fight a War of Independence for their very survival. Then subsequent wars to maintain freedom won by the ultimate sacrifice of the blood and lives of so many valiant soldiers and civilians.

In last week’s Eye of Prophecy article, we ended with a quote from Psalms 83. The entire chapter is a prophetic picture of what Israel’s ancient and modern enemies intend to accomplish against the Jews. The Psalmist pleads with God not to ignore the malicious plans of Israel’s enemies, who are also God’s enemies.

“Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones. ‘Come,’ they say; ‘let us wipe our Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence’” (Psalms 83: 2-4).

Following this conceited conspiracy to eradicate Israel as a nation and the Jews as a people, there is a list of peoples who were complicit in this evil plot. Some Bible scholars believe Psalm 83 speaks of a massive end-times coordinated assault against Israel that will comprise a modern configuration of the countries listed in this Psalm. That the descendants of these people currently populate the nations that border Israel today … Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and more distant lands such as Iraq.

They see the Psalms 83 integrated attack against Israel on or close to the same level as the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38 & 39) and/or the final campaign against Israel initiated by the Antichrist, found in Daniel Chapter 11, which is the same apocalyptic conflict of Revelation 16 & 19 known as Armageddon.

Too Many Dissimilarities between Psalms 83 Countries and Today’s Nations

I agree with their evaluation, but only in part … that there logically would be some descendants of the Psalms 83 countries that continued to populate the geographical areas surrounding Israel today. Yet, in reality the “nations” listed in Psalms 83 were not really countries at all, at least not how we define nations today. Instead, they were minor gentile kingdoms (large ethnic groups) consisting of indigenous tribes, similar to the twelve tribes of Israel before King Saul began a merger and King David completed this unification of the twelve tribes into the mighty nation of Israel around 1,000 BC.

For example, some of the peoples listed in Psalms 83 were: Ishmaelites, Hagrites, Gebalites, Amalekites, and people from Philistia and Tyre. Philistia was located in the modern-day strip of Gaza, however, today’s Palestinian Arabs living in Gaza are not descended from the ancient Philistines. Many of these clans whose names end with “ite” were more like tribes or ethnic groups, some of whom inhabited various parts of ancient Canaan with overlapping ill-defined regions which eventually became the land of Israel. Yes, Edom and Moab were larger territories to the east of Israel; but, like the smaller tribes, they were virtually wiped out through war and assimilation into other societies.

In fact, there is one large empire mentioned in Psalms 83 that would qualify as a nation, actually a great nation at the time: Assyria. The text states, “Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot” Yet, the reason Assyria joined this malicious plot that sought to destroy Israel through an ancient alliance is because Assyria, at that time, was already preparing for an eventual (successful) campaign that culminated in complete conquest of the ten northern tribes of Israel. History also tells us that Assyria turned on her allies as well as some of the other peoples listed in Psalms 83 and totally destroyed them during its reign as a regional power. Eventually, Assyria itself was obliterated by Babylon, the first great world empire identified in the Book of Daniel. Thereafter, Assyria ceased to exist.

Thus, there are significant differences between these ancient peoples and their alliances; too many distinctions to connect them with contemporary countries that are mostly populated by Arabs (not ancient Canaanites). Consequently, I don’t believe that Psalms 83 depicts a huge modern-day unified attack against Israel in the same vein as the Gog/Magog war, and certainly not the Antichrist led assault against Israel.

But, I do endorse the idea that these ancient ethnic groups identified in Psalms 83 are models of modern countries, with their behavior toward Israel a predisposed pattern of godless nations today that have sought to destroy Israel ever since her rebirth (1948). In fact, we addressed the three major wars fought by Israel between 1948 and 1973, in last week’s article. And we’ve also addressed the minor wars between Israel and terrorists groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. It’s these smaller ethnic factions, some of which have morphed into terrorist organizations, that more closely resemble the warring tribes identified in Psalms 83.

And, as alluded last week, I don’t believe that these terrorists groups—even if they unify to some extent—can defeat Israel or will even try to take on Israel in the form of a joint campaign. If they do, they will be soundly defeated. Rather, it’s the monumental alliance of nations found in Ezekiel and Daniel and Revelation that specifically result in two (and only two) end times invasions of Israel. They involve governments of large, significant nations in today’s world.

Psalm 83 Summary: The conspiracy of mostly ethnic tribes identified in Psalms 83 applied primarily to the times in which this passage was written, not to an end-times alliance of nations surrounding Israel today. Other than a handful of actual descendants from some of these countries that may live in Syria, or Jordan or other contemporary nations, there is no direct observable connection between the peoples of Psalms 83 and today’s Middle East. However, the boastful claim of these ancient countries—to wipe Israel from the face of the earth—has once again reared its ugly head as evidenced by the rhetoric of mostly Muslim leaders bent on Israel’s annihilation. In that respect, the Psalms 83 prophecy is relevant today, but not by means of a huge, one-time multinational attack on Israel. Instead, there have been three wars with conventional armies and several other minor conflicts that involved terrorists groups against Israel, with all of them ending in failure.

The Two Invasions of Israel

Let’s scrutinize the two epic battles involving alliances that will engage Israel during the seven-year Tribulation, as well as God’s three-part strategy that results in final victory over these doomed nations. Both of these larger-than-life campaigns involve entire nations (not ethnic sects or terrorist groups) aligned against Israel, with the second coalition joining forces even with its enemies; thereby, turning its final attention from Israel to direct confrontation with the King of kings (Messiah Jesus) in the greatest show-down of all time … Armageddon. Both will take place in Israel.

Before we examine these two end-time wars against Israel, I need to emphasize that, with the temporary exception of the Jewish Maccabees defeat of the Syrian Greeks (Antiochus Epiphanes IV) in 168-167 BC, Israel had not been able to defend herself since Babylon conquered Judah in 586 BC. The ability of Israel to finally protect her people and land is one of the three methods used by God to defeat Israel’s ancient foes; one that in our generation has been restored to the Jews who vowed: “Never again.” Never again will they be led as lambs to the slaughter, so grotesquely displayed during the Holocaust.

Israel’s Military: As this article is being written, Israel possesses one of the top-five militaries on the planet … with only six million people, a population smaller than many cities throughout the world! For the first time in 2500 years, Israel has the God-given capability to fight her own battles. In principle, this began when they were reborn as a sovereign nation in 1948; the practical validity of which was stamped on the global conscience in the Six-Day War of 1967, when Israel recaptured the Holy City Jerusalem of the Holy Land. This was a monumental milestone in Israel’s prophetic destiny, a breakthrough to confirm that Israel was once again the land promised to the Jews, that she was no longer under Gentile supremacy which resulted from God’s discipline (punishment) of Israel as decreed long ago by God through Moses.

Here I would strongly recommend that you read a series of Eye of Prophecy articles entitled Seven Times Seven (to the 4^th power), Parts I, II, III, published 1-25, 2-1, and 2-8-14 respectively. You might even want to begin with the article of 1-18-14, An Incredible Time Lapse Prophecy that is an introductory prelude to Seven Times Seven. I’m convinced it will be worth your while to check into this largely unrecognized, but nevertheless stunning prophecy found in Leviticus Chapter 26 … of all places!

This prophecy comes with an actual timetable that concluded God’s discipline of Israel in 1967. For sure, Israel will undergo an even greater time of testing and trouble during the Great Tribulation, a national life and death struggle in which the Jews will suffer extensive casualties, but not as a result of God’s punishment. Rather it will be a prophetic spoke connected to the wheel of God’s punishment of the Gentile nations who dare to wage war against God’s special possession, Israel, in these last days.

Already, Israel’s skill and bravery in battle is well-known and recognized by the entire world. How could they miss it, given Israel’s remarkable success in the aforementioned wars. What they don’t know or refuse to acknowledge (which is even true of many Israelis) is that the Jews once again have a Divine source of help. Scripture is crystal clear: When the Jews returned to the Promised Land and Israel was reborn as a nation, they were once again placed under the mighty protection of the God of Israel, who is also the God of gentiles redeemed by the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.

The First Assault against Israel: You might want to review two prior Eye of Prophecy articles: Beware of the Bear published on 3-22-14, and The Omega Generation, posted on 2-15-14. Both columns touch on this first titanic attack against Israel, known as, The Gog/Magog War.

In keeping with the main theme of this current article, the emphasis will be on how God strategically deals with this ungodly Gentile coalition that arrogantly defies God … presumptuously thinking it can defeat Israel with vast superiority of numbers and weaponry.

We see in Ezekiel 38 and 39, two of the three main strategies that God employs in conquering Gentile nations. They are listed in points one and two below:

(1) Confusion, division, in-fighting within the coalition itself.

(2) God’s direct, miraculous unassisted (Israel simply watches while her enemies are destroyed) intervention mostly through nature.

(3) The third divine strategy will be described later in the 2^nd and greatest battle(s) of all time: That God fights alongside of his people. However, the Jews bear the brunt of the initial onslaught against them. That is, until Jesus spectacularly descends from the clouds with power and great glory, sets foot on the Mount of Olives, assumes complete control of the war, and unleashes his divine power to utterly destroy Israel’s enemies.

This third method, in which Israel participates in its defense by fighting for its very survival, is not found in the Gog/Magog attack on Israel … meaning that Israel doesn’t engage this Russian led coalition. First, because of the irresistible, overpowering strength of Russia and her allies, including entire Muslim nations such as Iran and Libya (not ethnic terrorist sects of Islam). Secondly, in order for God to demonstrate that, if he chooses, he alone can defend Israel without the Israeli military (IDF) doing anything at all. Thereby, accomplishing God’s plan to once again reveal his awesome power to both Israel and her enemies.

“In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. And from that time on the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. The nations will then know why Israel was sent away in exile—it was punishment for sin, for they were unfaithful to their God. Therefore, I turned away from them and let their enemies destroy them” (Ezekiel 39: 21-23, italics for emphasis).

Let’s read about the first manner (Point #1) in which God has defeated Israel’s enemies in the ancient past, and will do so again when Gog/Magog marches on Israel soon after the Rapture takes place.

“I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your men will turn their swords against each other” (Ezekiel 38:21). Several times in Old Testament battles between Israel and their enemies, God supernaturally intervenes by causing discord, disarray, doubt, and panic within the ranks of the enemy. None more well-known than Gideon’s army of 32,000 troops whittled down by God to a mere three hundred soldiers against thousands upon thousands of Midianites (Judges Chapter 7). Although Gideon’s army later engaged in mop-up actions, for all practical purposes the Midianites lost the battle because of sheer panic before a single Israelite sword was unsheathed.

I’m convinced that the Lord will create the same kind of disharmony among today’s terrorists as one means to diminish their numbers and effectiveness. And then later with entire nations who mobilize vast armies against Israel. Yes, God sometimes chooses to terrorize Israel’s enemies! This is based on another Biblical principle: Israel’s enemies will fall into their own traps … will be struck down by their own tactics and weapons. I suppose we could call this, Reverse Terrorism. In a righteous, Godly sense.

“The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads” (Psalms 7: 14-16).

The second means that God uses to vanquish Israel’s enemies is Divine omnipotence … sheer overwhelming power. As demonstrated in the next two verses: “I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur. In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 38: 22-23). Ezekiel Chapter 39 contains even more graphic images of what God will do to the forces of Gog/Magog. And I do mean graphic! Read it for yourself.

We read about such power throughout the Old Testament, not the least of which is God’s supernatural judgments against Pharaoh performed through God’s miraculous manipulation of nature. Then, of course, there’s the breathtaking, fearsome seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments of Revelation. It’s not just virtual reality; it’s realism that even the secular world acknowledges and describes with such terms as: The Wrath of God or A Catastrophe of Biblical Proportions.

The Second and Final Assault against Israel: This of course, is the great series of military conflicts that will lead to the battle to end all battles, the day of reckoning in the Valley of Megiddo. Once again time/space does not permit quotation of several passages from Zechariah and other Old Testament books, but the gist is that Israeli soldiers will initially defend Israel against Antichrist and his coalition; however, Nero (Antichrist) will prevail for a short period of time. A remnant of surviving Jews will continue their fight to the death in this epic struggle for Israel’s survival (they will fight like King David as quoted in a verse from last week’s article). But then Scripture is clear that the Jews will steadily succumb to overwhelming military superiority until there is virtually no hope. Only then will the Lion from their tribe of Judah spring to their rescue. He will fight alongside the remaining remnant of Jews, and ultimately assume complete control of the battle. To include the other two heavenly approaches to victory. As follows:

“On that day, says the Lord, I will cause every horse to panic and every rider to lose his nerve. I will watch over the people of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of their enemies. And the clans of Judah will say to themselves, ‘The people of Jerusalem have found strength in the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, their God’” (Zechariah 12: 4-5). Blinding of the horses (there will be actual horses used in this battle as well as heavy armament) will be both literal and figurative; for example, by disrupting all of the electronic devices used in today’s weapons and communication systems. The Antichrist and his forces will soon be running blind.

Finally, the second phase of God’s invincible power will also be used against Antichrist and his forces in this final battle. There will come a time in this great conflict where Jesus will simply take over and speak his foes into oblivion. In an almost anti-climactic end to this colossal war, we read, “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet … both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies” (Revelation 19: 19-21). (Also, please read Daniel 11: 40-45).

That, my friends, will be the ultimate display of Royal and Regal power straight from Messiah Jesus, the Son of God, against all those to dare to be anti-Christ or who dare try to destroy God’s special people and land.

Things to Ponder

“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords” (Revelation 19: 11-16).

I implore all those who are undecided: Today is the day of salvation. Choose Messiah Jesus now before it’s too late. If you do, you will one day soon be riding one of those white horses following our Lord into battle. You, and I, and millions of other who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, will watch in awe as Jesus delivers his people, defeats Antichrist, and destroys evil.

We will exclaim with the host of heaven, “…Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations” (Revelation 15:3).

It’s your choice. From above the battlefield with a bird’s eye-view, you can ride a beautiful white horse behind the King of kings and be on the winning side. Or you can watch from below while Christ triumphs over the enemies of God and his people. Are you from above or from below?

As the late Christian songwriter Rich Mullen wrote in one of my favorite songs, Awesome God:

“There’s thunder in his footsteps, and lightning in his fists. Our God is an Awesome God.”

The battle lines have been drawn. We’re either for Christ or we are against him. There is no middle ground.

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Tag Archives: Israel

A Deal That Will Live In Infamy

Day of Infamy

Gog, Magog and Leviathan

Six Million Reasons … To Trust the Bible

Alliances against Israel