There is yet another prophecy yet to be fulfilled that most Bible scholars are not united on. Another prophecy has been given to us by the prophet Isaiah concerning Assyria (modern day Syria). I am unclear whether this happens before the rapture or after. I would like to think this happens just before as a final warning to prepare our hearts, but I can’t help to think of the explicit verses given to us by Jesus where He tells us to be ready. Jesus is going to come ‘like a thief in the night.’ He has asked that we be doing all that He commanded, which is to preach the gospel and be a light to a world so full of darkness. He has asked that we heal the sick and visit those in prison and to love even our enemies that they may come to repentance and come to His saving grace. Regardless of whether Syria’s outcome will come before or after the Rapture is inconsequential. It is Biblical prophecy, and therefore, it will come to pass. Only ‘when’ and ‘how’ are relevant and applicable questions that only the future can tell.
“An oracle concerning Damascus: ‘See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer will be deserted.” –Isaiah 17:1-2
Damascus is the capital of Syria and is said to be the oldest, continuously inhabited city in human history. ‘Aroer’ is a city in south central Jordan. Both countries are staunchly opposed to Israel. I am currently unsure where this prophecy fits, as far as chronology is concerned. Nonetheless, the events described will take place. I personally feel that this event will precipatate the beginning of WWIII. With the newly acquired nuclear technology, at least in relation to all of human history, the world is constantly in fear of nuclear proliferation. Is it so impossible for us to concieve the plausibility of this given the current, hostile disposition of the Middle East? Certainly not! Ask any heads of nations today how serious of a threat this truly is, irrespective of whether they believe in Bible prophecy or not. I believe that his is the event that will unleash destruction on a level never before seen by mankind. Nations will take sides and make war with one another. When this dramatic, sequence of events takes place, the whole world take notice.
“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him… Persia, Cush, and Phut are with them, all with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all his troops-many people are with you… Sheba and Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder?’ Ezekiel 38
For those who haven’t the spiritual discernment or those that lack the knowledge of this intellectual discourse have a difficult time understanding this passage. The book of Ezekiel is a tough read, unquestionably, without the foreknowledge of some scriptual foundation. Allow me to unravel this mystery to greater serve the reader. To understand the significance of the names listed, we have to go back to the beginning. In Genesis 10, we have listed the Table of Nations. All the names listed are progenitors of nations and people groups.
Magog: (Russia) Ancient sources, both Biblical and secular are refering to the ‘Scythians,’ who are modern day Russians. Magog is Russia.
Persia: (Iran) The main ally of this unholy alliance is Persia, who is modern day Iran. We all know the problems we currently face with the Medo-Persian empire of old.
Cush: (Ethiopia) This refers to the land, south of Egypt, typically denoting Sudanese and Ethiopian lineage.
Phut or (Put): (Libya) In a connotative sense, it is usually associated with the inhabitants populated by the ancient Berbers, which include Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.
Gomer: (Germany) Typically rendered ‘Germania,’ it speaks of the Cimmerians, which are modern day Germans, located on the Rhine and Danube valleys.
Togarmah: (Armenia) These are Turkic tribes associated with Armenia. In fact, the Armenians to this day still refer to themselves as ‘the House of Togarmah.’
Meshech and Tubal: (Turkey) These are the ancient Hittites that comprised the now defunct Ottomon Empire. This speaks of modern day Turkey and the peoples along the Caspian and Black seas.
The nations listed have all at one time or another been hostile to the United States and/or Israel. Most of the nations listed to this day are very much opposed to US/UK and Israeli interests and have expressed plans to harm either of these nations. This brings us to the other names listed in this prophecy. The next set of nations will stand with Israel and apparently will come to her aid when the invasion begins.
Sheba and Dedan: (Saudi Arabia) These were the names of cities located in what is now Saudi Arabia. It is unclear why Saudia Arabia would show contempt towards the actions of these mostly Muslim nations. In all actuality, the Saudi’s routinely have some of the highest percentages of terrorist cells in the world. We do know, however, that Saudi Arabia is also the most Westernized of all the Muslim nations and has done it’s part in thwarting terrorism. It is unclear if they will fight against the invaders or sit quietly on the sidelines. In either case, they will question the actions of its neigbors in days to come.
Tarshish: (Brittain/Spain) The theory concerning Tarshish is one that has been debated for a long time. Without going into a huge discourse, most scholars are firm on the belief that it is speaking of either Spain or Brittain, or perhaps, both. Some scholars suggest that ‘Kittim’ is Spain’s Biblical reference and that Tarshish, then, must definitely be the UK. In Ezekiel’s prophecy, there is also mention that Tarshish, and her ‘young lions’ will engage the enemies of Israel, as well. We can only logically assume that this is speaking of the branches of either Spain (Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, etc) and/or Brittain (United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, etc). This battle, however, should not be confused with the battle of Armageddon, or ‘Har-Magedon’ in Hebrew. This is only a taste of the Tribulation that will befall on all of those who remain on the earth. From this preemptive battle, ¼ of the world’s population will die, which makes us wonder if nuclear weaponry is employed for there to incur such a high number of casualties.
A question you might be asking yourselves is, “When will this happen and what will be the signs of the times?” This is an excellent question and one that was posed to Jesus by His disciples. Jesus elucidates for us in the gospel of Matthew.
“Now, as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be and what is the sign of your coming, and the end of the age?’ And Jesus said to them,’Make sure that no one decieves you. For many will come in my Name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake. And many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come. Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the rooftop not go down to take anything from his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight does not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has never been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, nor that ever shall be again. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would survive; but for the sake of the ‘elect,’ those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ! Or ‘There!’ Do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, even the ‘elect,’ if that were possible. See, I have told beforehand. Therefore, if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or, ‘Look, He is in the inner-rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightening comes from the east is visible in the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever a carcass is, there the vultures will be gathered. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give off it’s light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken… But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the Flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” -Matthew 24
Jesus makes it quite clear that we do not the exact time of His coming, but that we can have an estimation based on the events that begin to unfold by watching the things that come to pass. It is with mixed feelings that I report to you that all of the things that were to pass, have passed, for the rapture of the church to happen.
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