PROPHETIC FORESHADOWS

IDF General Warns of Growing “Likelihood of Regional War”

              Major General Eval Eisenberg, the “IDF Home Front Command Chief” in Israel, has asserted that “recent revolutions in the Arab world,” as well as “deteriorating ties with Turkey” are “raising the likelihood” of a “regional war in the Middle East.”

A POTENTIAL THREAT

                In a speech he made “at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, the Israeli General stated “It looks like the Arab Spring, but it can be also a radical Islamic Winter.” The IDF chief said “This leads us to the conclusion that through a long-term process, the likelihood of an all-out-war is increasingly growing.” Eisenberg cited the Egyptian army’s collapse under security operations, the “turning of Egypt’s borders “with Israel into a terror” zone, the growing popularity of the radical terrorist entity “Hezbollah” in Lebanon, and the deteriorating ties with Turkey as trends that such “all-out total war” could occur, with “the possibility of weapons of mass destruction being used” in such a horrendous conflict.

                Recent trends indicate Israel is headed for more troubled adverse ethnic waters. The Palestine Liberation Organization’s ambassador to the U. S. recently stated that any future Palestinian state must be free of all Jews and specifically exclude them from living inside the proposed Palestinian borders. Even more troubling is the fact in a recent 1,000 for 1 prisoner exchange (1,000 convicted Hamas/Palestinian criminals for 1 abducted Jewish captive), the thousands of “flag-waving Palestinians exhorted militants to abduct even more Israeli soldiers.”

FORESHADOWS OF GOG AND MAGOG?

                The mention of Turkey and Islamic armed forces has potential Biblical significance. In Ezekiel, chapters 38-39, an invader from the North, (Ez. 38:14-15, 39:1-2), which can be clearly identified as Russia [a line straight north from Israel leads directly to Russia!], will someday in the future sweep down upon the mountains of Israel in an attempt to annihilate the Jews.

                According to Ez. 38:5-6, this northern invader will have assistance from allied forces such as Persia [Iran], Ethiopia, Libya, and entities called “Gomer and all his bands,” and Togarmah. In his classic book on prophecy, the noted prophetic scholar, Dr. Dwight Pentecost, believes that “Gomer and all his bands” could refer to a united Germany, “ while “Togarmah” may have  reference to Turkey.

                While most pre-millennial prophetic students believe that this battle of Gog-Magog will occur during the middle of the Tribulation period, there are some credible prophecy analyzers who believe this battle could take place before the Rapture, while still others place it near the Tribulation’s conclusion.

MORE INSTRUCTION FROM THE PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES ABOUT FUTURE WARS

                The Scriptures do make it clear, that at the “time of the end” the anti-Christ, who has been ruling the world with a fierce dictatorial power (Rev. 13:3-4, 7-8) will begin to lose control and forces from the north (Russia and her allies?-Dan. 11:40), the south (Islamic countries from Africa?—Dan. 11:40) and “tidings” from the “east.” (China and allies? Dan.11:43)                                               

                From the prophetic Scriptures, we do definitely know from Christ’s teaching in Matthew 24 that wars will increase in the last days before Christ’s return to earth at the conclusion of the Tribulation: Christ stated: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars…” and that “nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” 

                The Greek word for “nation” is the term from which we get the words “ethos”, and “ethnic.”  That Arabs would be antagonistic to Jews and that Islam would violently oppose Israel’s existence should thus come as no surprise to perceptive Bible Christians.

THE JEWS AND ISRAEL THE FOCUS OF FUTURE PREDICTED ATTACKS

                This ethnic worldwide enmity predicted by Christ, however, will center on the fierce hostility of Arabs and Muslims towards the Jews and Israel. Backed by all the other world’s nations, Israel will face a fierce contest for its literal existence—Joel 3:2, 12, Zephaniah 3:8, Zechariah 12:3, 14:2.  In the fierce conflict that follows, two-thirds of the Jews will be slaughtered, but a one-third remnant will not only survive, they will place their trust in the true Messiah-Jesus Christ—Zech. 12:8, and all Israel will then be saved—Rom. 11:26, as the “Deliverer” comes “out of Sion” and “turn[s] away the ungodliness from Jacob.”

A GREAT ASSURANCE AMIDST  ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES

                For church age believers, saints should remember that while in this world Christ promised that they would experience tribulation—John 16:33—(Yes, and even evil treatment and potential martyrdom.), they have the definite assurance that God will never permit them to undergo his wrath during the Tribulation period—I Thess. 5:1-9. After the rapture—Titus 2:11-3—church age saints will be viewing the Tribulation events from the New Jerusalem in glory—Rev. 20:1-6, 21:1-4.

                As the likelihood of both “regional” and international global conflicts increase in the “end time” and the “last days,” believers should set their affections on things above—Col. 3:2, and earnestly seek to be compassionate seekers of souls—II Cor. 5:14. Prov. 11:30 says “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”