When Jesus was asked by the disciples what signs would precede His return, He replied, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6). As we survey today’s military landscape, Israel has emerged at center stage of a theatre that profoundly reflects biblical prophecy.
The Middle East is now on high alert on the heels of Iran’s assault upon Israel, which included over 300 drones and rockets. They were launched from Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon through Iranian proxies and directly from Iran itself in a move that has signified a new era in the Middle East power complex.
Israel’s response has been measured and it has displayed restraint, after the careful consideration of advice offered by several world leaders, in an effort to avert an all out regional war. The apparent antisemitism shared by Muslim populations in the vicinity and elsewhere is being propagated to wider society in the form of pro-Palestinian rallies in major cities in protest to the ongoing war in Gaza.
There is increasing disdain and impatience among a growing number of countries over what many perceive to be a grotesque overreaction to the Oct. 7/23 terrorist attack by Hamas that targeted civilians attending the Nova Music Festival and left an estimated 1400 people dead. The massacre didn’t stop there as terrorists fanned out, breaking into civilian homes, shooting, burning, raping and beheading as they murdered unsuspecting Israelis.
Biblical Implications
How significant are these developments and where do they fit into the biblical timeline for the culmination of all things and the return of Jesus Christ? How much further down the path of destruction must civilization progress before God puts an end to the absurd struggle for power by a humanity that is bent on self-annihilation, proving its guilt of sin before God?
The interconnectedness of the forces aligned against Israel is in close alignment with the end times prophesies recorded in the thirty eighth chapter of Ezekiel. In particular, the developments in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Yemen, Libya and Egypt over the last few years and Russia’s attempts to recalibrate the international order.
Because of Russia’s ongoing military presence in Syria and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country in 2019, Israel faces a delicate balance of diplomacy and defensive military activities in order to constrain Iran’s influence in the region.
Russia cooperates with Iran in Syria, and does not oppose Iran’s efforts to maintain a military presence there. She also supplies Iran with advanced anti-ship missiles and air defense systems. In light of Iran’s support of the war effort in Ukraine, Russia has the potential to restrict Israeli freedom of operation and access to Syrian airspace.
As Russia becomes more emboldened by battlefield successes in Ukraine and the inevitable shrinking back of U.S. military support due to diminishing American political will to intervene in foreign affairs, the balance of power is shifting. Russian policy is motivated by limiting U.S. influence and damaging U.S. prestige.
The loyalties and military alliances being forged now will soon be leveraged to bring about a coordinated attack on Israel in direct fulfillment of biblical prophesy. Failed states such as Syria, Libya and Yemen offer Russia a foothold for increased influence in concert with Iran, who already has proxies furthering their Middle East agenda in these jurisdictions.
As the war in Gaza drags on, the world is becoming increasingly impatient with Israel’s tactics, and demands to do something about what the UN considers an outrageous overreaction to Hamas will grow louder and louder. Russia’s response to the conflict has been calculated, although as the civilian casualties increase, Moscow has become more overtly opposed to Israel’s strategy.
There are legitimate concerns that the conflict between Israel and her neighbors could be exploited by Russia and draw Moscow closer to Tehran, if Putin were to believe the possibility of fragmenting western support exists. This would serve Russia’s purposes in both Ukraine and the Middle East.
Turkey is a wild card as it maintains an arms length diplomacy with Russia, even though it is a member of NATO and quickly repositioned itself in Syria when the U.S. withdrew its military presence. Turkey’s relationship with Israel has significantly eroded over the Hamas war. Interestingly, Iran informed Turkey of its plans to fire missiles at Israel before it carried out its offensive. The country can easily align itself against Israel if the U.S. posture in the region declines.
Ezekiel 38
In the thirty eighth chapter of Ezekiel, the prophet conveys God’s prophesy “against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal;” (Ezekiel 38:2). These names refer to the descendants of the grandsons of Noah and sons of Japheth, one of Noah’s sons, whose progeny inhabit the Black Sea Basin.
Bible scholars and historians including Jewish historian Flavius Josephus associate these descendants with the nations of Russia (Magog) and Turkey (Tubal, Rosh and Meshech). Because of their opposition to Israel and inherent disregard for the God of Israel, they will be drawn into direct conflict with the nation of Israel whether they wish to or not.
2600 years ago the prophet Ezekiel declared, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army.'” (Ezekiel 38:4a). In verse five we learn that, “Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia), and Put (Egypt and Libya), will also be part of the forces drawn into battle with Israel.
We also discern from the text that this will occur “after many days,” in future years,” meaning the distant future. Additionally, we read that this will happen after the land of Israel had long been desolate and the people of Israel had been brought out from among the nations and live in relative safety (Ezekiel 38:8).
Ezekiel 38:10-12 elaborates, “On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, ‘I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people – all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.'”
Russia, Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya and their allies will become embroiled in what will very likely be World War III, when they gather to “solve” the problem of Israel once and for all. Today we can observe the geopolitical alignments forming that will precipitate this allegiance of nations that will stand against Israel.
Syria is noticeably absent in this prophecy despite its open opposition to Israel’s right to exist. Their recent civil war and ISIS have virtually crippled the country over the last few years, lending further credibility to the prediction that the time of fulfillment for Ezekiel 38 is potentially the current era.
Peace And Safety
There is one consideration that must not be ignored, and that is the tiny detail that Israel will be experiencing a time of peace and safety. There have been many attempts to negotiate a consensus that would result in lasting peace in the Middle East, however, a meaningful and comprehensive template has proved elusive.
As the U.S. seems poised to walk back its policy of world dominance in favor of a domestic focus, especially if Trump returns to the Whitehouse, its influence over foreign affairs is bound to wain. As this occurs, what is now recognized as a major deterrent to attacking Israel will diminish and precipitate the need for a major Middle East peace treaty. It will be a seven year peace accord.
Whoever accomplishes this task will be hailed as a “savior” and be quickly embraced by a society that is weary of war and willing to accept any solution regardless of its motivation. The simultaneous “falling away” from the faith we are witnessing today provides the context with which we can identify these developments in the prophetic puzzle and constitute a call for situational awareness (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
When this happens, believers will recognize they are witnessing the advent of the “man of lawlessness” depicted in Daniel 9:27. “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to the sacrifice and offering. He will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, the Jewish Temple must first be rebuilt. Otherwise there is no sacrifice and offering to put an end to. Therefore, the Middle East peace treaty will contain language that will facilitate the rebuilding of the Third Temple. Indeed, the Temple Institute in Israel is already focused on establishing the Third Temple and is ready to commence construction on a moment’s notice.
It is plausible that in the fallout from Israel’s war with Hamas and Iran’s recent attack on Israel, the forces of Islam may concede to the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in exchange for the safety of the Palestinian people on humanitarian grounds. Time will tell.
All these events are intertwined and predicted in the Bible. Amos 3:7 informs us, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” As we navigate the waters of uncertainty, it is crucial to keep or vision and focus fixed upon the navigational beacon we have in Christ Jesus, who will lead us through. Amen!
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