The Middle East
Israel in the Last Days
Will There Be Peace In the Middle-East?
It seems only a matter of time before tensions in the Middle East erupt.
Anti-Semitism
The 7-Year Peace Treaty
The 7-Year Peace Treaty
The 7-Year Peace Treaty
The 7-Year Peace Treaty
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering
(Daniel 9:27)
A Future Temple
The 7-Year Peace Treaty
A Future Temple
Gog-Magog War
The 7-Year Peace Treaty
A Future Temple
Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.’”(Ezekiel 38:14)
Israel & Middle East Tensions
What the Bible Says on the Middle East
Bible end-time prophecy focuses on the Middle East and Israel is central to God’s end-time plan, it is the prophetic time clock. Most conflicts are between Israel and surrounding nations and are mainly due to the existence of Israel as a nation. The three religions that claim Jerusalem as part of their faith are Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
We are living in interesting times, especially as we draw nearer the end of age and return of Christ. Although many Bible prophecies have already been fulfilled, there are still major events to take place in the last days. Regardless of endless discussions and debates over current tensions in the Middle-East and conferences where world leaders attempt to find a solution to the political turmoil, there has still been no real success. The Bible gives us clarity amid the chaos and confusion. Bible prophecy gives insight into current affairs, the future conflicts and disasters.
· Who is behind the current conflicts?
· Could conflicts erupt into a world war?
· Will there eventually be peace in the Middle-East?
Conflicts in the Middle-East have an impact on the rest of the world, and other nations are affected by decisions made and what happens in this region. It seems only a matter of time before things erupt. Bible prophecy tells us things do erupt! A global conflict with Jerusalem at the centre takes place prior to Christ’s return and impacts the rest of the world, this is detailed in the book of Zechariah and Revelation, which is the ‘Battle of Jerusalem’ (referred to as Armageddon or WWIII).
“For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem”. (Zechariah 14:2)
Despite man’s greatest efforts to maintain world peace, with peace summits, sanctions, conferences, anti-war protests, debates and discussions with world leaders, they will not be able to prevent this war, as the Lord himself gathers the nations just prior to his return.
The current political alignment of nations confirm Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. What began as the civil war in Syria has now escalated and drawn in many other nations, which could further escalate into a global war. The Middle-East turmoil and the conflicts will continue right up to the time of Christ’s return.
Published July 2019
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the Rise of Anti-Semitism
Israel Will Be Hated By All Nations
Many of us are aware of the horrifying events of the Holocaust (WWII), when masses of Jews were executed and killed by the Nazis under Hitler's regime (Nazi anti-Semitism). This was specifically targeted at the Jewish race. Israel suffers bias from politicians, media, Christians and the public. Public opinion is influenced by the media.
The BBC and ITV are accused of reporting in favour of Hamas. We see various reports of Israel bombing civilians (linked to Hamas) with very few reports on the constant attacks from Hamas into Israel. We cannot always rely on media when it comes to portraying the whole truth. International boycotts, such as the BDS movement are a global campaign against Israel, aimed at changing Israel’s government policies.
Politicians
During his leadership of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn has been accused many times of anti-Semitism as well as failing to deal with it within the party. President Obama was accused of being anti-Israel on his Middle-East policies, there were rising tensions between the US and Israel during his time in office. Obama's stand against Israel was welcomed by many Muslim terrorists and radicals, who considered Obama to be on their side in their conflict against Israel. Although most of the comments from politicians and the media about Israel are usually negative, there are those who have spoken up in Israel’s defence, and believe Israel has a right to defend itself as a nation.
The Bible mentions increasing hostility towards Israel that eventually leads to a global war and involves all nations. Zechariah tells us that ‘all nations’ will gather against Jerusalem.
I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. (Zechariah 14:1-2)
The fact Israel still exists today is a miracle, as this is a small nation surrounded by powerful enemies, who are committed to its destruction and to see it wiped off the map.
Published July 2019
A 7-YEAR PREACE TREATY
A covenant Between Israel & Other Nations
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle-East, many will look for a solution or someone to bring peace and stability to the region. The Antichrist will step forward and do exactly that through a peace treaty. He will deceive many with great political power and diplomatic skills. Where many leaders have failed in attempts to bring long-term peace to the region, only temporary cease-fires, the Antichrist will succeed in establishing a 7-year peace treaty between the Jewish people and other nations, but after 3½ years he will betray them.
Then he shall confirm a covenant (peace treaty) with many for one week; but in the middle of the week (after 3½ years) he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate. (Daniel 9:27)
The Antichrist will achieve what no one else has but this will be through false promises. The peace treaty is connected to Jewish sacrifices, as the Antichrist has authority to end them. A peace treaty could allow the Jewish people to resume daily sacrifices on the Temple Mount area and could include future plans and provisions to build another temple. The Antichrist will sit in the temple of God proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), this is referred to as the ‘abomination of desolation’ by Daniel the prophet. For a short period, the Antichrist’s peace treaty will appear to be a success, but this will only be an illusion of peace, safety and stability.
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
There could be several battles in the Middle-East region that lead to the return of Christ. According to Bible prophecy there are two major conflicts in which Israel will be at the centre, the ‘Gog-Magog’ war and the ‘End-time battle of Jerusalem’. In both of these conflicts, God intervenes on Israel’s behalf. The current turmoil in the Middle-East and the rise of hostility towards Israel indicate an invasion could take place soon.
Published July 2019
A Future Temple
Will There Be A Future Temple In Jerusalem?
Jerusalem is God’s chosen city and will be at the centre of end-time events. Those who are interested in end-time events are interested to see if another temple will be built before Christ returns. A temple for Jewish people to worship and offer sacrifices is central to the Jewish religion. Two temples were previously built in Jerusalem, both were destroyed. For nearly 2,000 years they have not had their temple, the Jewish people currently worship in their local synagogues. The question of whether a temple will be rebuilt is not given a clear answer in the Bible. Certain scriptures indicate there could be one. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus spoke of a future ‘abomination of desolation standing in the holy place’ when referring to end-time events. In his letter to the Thessalonian church (Greece), Paul refers to the ‘temple of God’ being occupied by the Antichrist. The second temple existed when Paul wrote this letter. As the antichrist has not yet appeared, many believe it will take place in a future temple. "For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) It is possible daily sacrifices being resumed and plans for the construction of a future temple could be initiated and overseen by the Antichrist himself. Scripture is clear however, that he deceives the Jewish people into a 7-year peace treaty with other nations. (Daniel 9:27). If he has authority to make a peace treaty and cease temple sacrifices, he will more than likely have authority to oversee construction of a temple. Scripture puts more emphasis on a peace treaty and daily sacrifices terminated. The majority of Israel is currently secular, therefore there would need to be a change or something dramatic to occur for Jewish people to demand the rebuilding of a temple. Jerusalem recently being acknowledged as the capital by US President Donald Trump is a big step towards encouraging the Jewish people and is believed to have sparked interest in a temple. There are those been dedicated to this over the years. 'The Temple Institute of Israel' have all the plans prepared and items for the rebuilding.
Scholars debate as to the exact location of the previous temples. Due to Muslim control, no archaeological research is allowed but most conclude it is where the Dome of the Rock is currently situated. The believed location for a future temple is on the same Temple Mount area (Mount Moriah), where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:2,14), near Salem, which later became Jerusalem. If a future temple is to be where the Dome of the Rock currently stands, it would first have to be removed or destroyed. There is the possibility of reconstruction or transformation without tearing down the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque, into a place where both Jews and Muslims can worship. Interfaith movements believe both religions can be accommodated. “New Jewish interfaith initiative hopes to show that Jews' end-of-days vision could harmoniously accommodate Islam's present architectural hegemony on the Temple Mount. Jerusalem Post 2009 A person acting as a mediator (Antichrist), who is respected and trusted by both Muslims and Jews could establish a peace treaty that allows both faiths to worship on the Temple Mount or allows the Jews to rebuild their temple peacefully. A tabernacle could also be a temporary solution during the construction of a permanent temple. How events unfold are unclear, but they will unfold soon! Published July 2019
The End-time Battle
Armageddon or World War III
Israel’s end-time crisis will be far worse than any other. Jesus describes it in Matthew 24 as ‘a time as never before’. The Bible mentions increasing hostility towards Israel that leads to a global war and involves all nations. Natural history as we know it will end with this war, it will be the ‘end of age’. Jesus returns just in time to prevent the total destruction of the planet. The gathering of the nations against Israel occurs at the 6th bowl in Revelation 16:12-16.
The Bible only mentions the term ‘Armageddon’ once. This is a location, not an event and is connected to the ‘Great Day of the Lord’ (verse 14), the day in which Christ returns to earth.
“And they gathered the kings together to the place that is called in Hebrew, Armageddon”. (Revelation 16:16)
The Hebrew word for Armageddon is ‘Har Megiddo’, which means hill or mountain of Megiddo. This is where many major battles were fought in history and will be the place of gathering for armies against Israel. It will be the largest military campaign in history, Israel will eventually be unable to withstand it. Once gathered, the armies move down towards Jerusalem and the battle takes place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is east to the old City of Jerusalem.
The military campaign against Jerusalem could last up to 3½ years but will end with this battle. Jesus returns at the climax of the war as warrior, king and conqueror. He returns to the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12 & Zechariah 14:4-5) and fights against the armies gathered. Supernatural forces are at work as well as human forces, the battle will be between good and evil. Jesus uses overwhelming force to defeat them
Published July 2019
The Gog-Magog War
Ezekiel 38 & 39
Russia, Iran & Turkey
In Ezekiel 38-39, the ‘Gog-Magog’ war involves certain nations along with Russia in a military campaign against Israel. Iran and Turkey are amongst those nations. Russia’s recent presence in the Middle East is to be observed. These three nations are located further north of Israel. For the first time in history, we see this unfolding in the conflict in Syria. Russia and Iran support the Assad regime, Turkey supports the Syrian rebel groups against Assad. Despite current political friction and alignment, Turkey will eventually align with Russia in a military campaign against Israel. According to Ezekiel 38, God draws Russia out into war.
You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land” (Ezekiel 38:15–16).
Russia is on the doorstep of the Middle East and also a dominant nation that will not hesitate to use military power. A Russian-led coalition (Ezekiel 38:5-6) includes Persia, Cush, Put, Togarmah, Gomer and Ethiopia. Opinions vary amongst scholars as to the modern-day locations of these nations, they are generally believed to be:
Magog Parts of Russia
Persia Iran
Cush Possibly Sudan
Put Parts of Libya
Togarmah Parts of Turkey
Ethiopia Modern Ethiopia
Gomer Modern day Germany
The timing of this invasion is much debated, there is different interpretations. Ezekiel 36 puts the Jewish people back in their own land and ‘living in peace and safety’ after being scattered across the nations. The Jews were scattered after Jerusalem was destroyed by Romans in 70 A.D. Prophecy was fulfilled when Israel was regathered and re-established as a nation in 1948. With regards to the timing of the war, Ezekiel says that in ‘latter years' (chapter 38:8). Although the Jewish people are back in their land, they are not currently living in peace and safety. It is under constant threat of attacks from surrounding enemies sworn to its destruction. A giant wall exists along the border for protection. For Israel to believe they are secure and dwelling in safety, it would mean they have nothing to fear from their neighbouring enemies. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Gaza are not among the nations mentioned in the Gog-Magog invasion.
Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? (Ezekiel 38:14)
The threat of war in the Middle East would have to cease first, which could be achieved through the future peace treaty detailed in Daniel 9. Some believe this war is part of the Battle of Jerusalem (Armageddon) or the same war detailed in Revelation 20 (after the Millennium Reign of Christ) as Gog and Magog are mentioned.
Although there are similarities, there are differences in each war. Ezekiel’s Gog & Magog war only involves certain nations and destruction appears to be greater. In the Revelation 20 Gog-Magog war, all nations are drawn out by Satan. It is possible for the Gog-Magog to escalate into the end-time Battle of Jerusalem. Prophecy can be part-fulfilled or fulfilled over a period of time. It could be these prophecies only become clearer as events begin to unfold in the last days.
Published July 2019
THE PSALM 83 WAR
Has it been fulfilled?
Many believe Psalm 83 is a prophecy of war yet to be fulfilled. The Psalm was written over 3,000 years ago by the Seer, Asaph. Some believe it is being fulfilled at present and is the next major event to take place on the prophetic calendar.
They have taken crafty counsel against Your people and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot. (Psalm 83:1-8)
Ten nations secretly gather and conspire against Israel. Despite their differences, Muslim nations agree and achieve a level of unity in their common hatred towards Israel and to see it wiped off the map. The modern-day locations of these nations vary amongst Bible scholars, they are generally believed to be:
Psalm 83 Coalition:
Tents of Edom Palestinian Refugees, Southern Jordan
Ishmaelites Saudi Arabia
Moab Palestinian Refugees, Central Jordan
Hagrites Egyptians
Gebal Northern Lebanon
Ammon Palestinian Refugees, Northern Jordan
Amalek Arabs South of Israel
Philistia Palestinian Refugees
Tyre Hezbollah, Southern Lebanon
Assyria Syria and part of northern Iraq.
Children of Lot Moab, Ammon
The Descendants of Lot
These were the Moabites and Ammonites who lived in the central and northern part of Jordan. These nations no longer exist, it is possible they are now part of other surrounding nations.
The Inhabitants of Tyre:
Tyre was a city located in the region of South Lebanon. The terrorist group, Hezbollah, launch their weapons at Israel from this region.
“Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more. For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You:” (Psalm 83:3)
After Israel was re-established as a nation in May 1948, immediately a joint coalition attempted to destroy it which included the nations detailed in Psalm 83. The Muslim-Arab nations that share Israel’s border are listed in Psalm 83 but are not mentioned as part of the future Gog-Magog invasion in Ezekiel 38-39. This is Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Gaza, yet these have been Israel’s greatest enemies throughout the years. If Israel were to overpower and defeat the neighbouring Islamic nations, it could trigger a chain reaction of events that lead to the Gog-Magog war or global conflict.
Muslim-Arab nations would either have to be vulnerable before considering entering into any peace agreement with Israel, or to deceive Israel into a false sense of security, allowing them time to plan and rebuild their military campaign and weapons for a future conflict. Under President Obama, in 2015 the US along with six other nations made a treaty with Iran which was more to Iran’s advantage, as it put Israel at a greater disadvantage. Daniel’s 7-year treaty, (Daniel 9:27) includes Israel with other nations, and could be established at a time when Israel’s enemies are under pressure or defeated in a military conflict.
The Islamic nations in Psalm 83 still conspire against Israel today and maintain it does not have the right to exist in the Middle East and call for its total destruction. As there has not yet been a confederacy exactly as detailed in Psalm 83, it could be a future war. Most Bible scholars agree this has not yet been fulfilled. More countries were active in the 1948 war.
The ‘tents of Edom’ in verse 6 represent Palestinian Refugees who only became refugees after the 1948 conflict. Psalm 83:1-5 may have been fulfilled, but not verses 6-8, as this identifies the tents of Edom with their Arab allies.
When will This Happen?
The timing of the Psalm 83 war is not mentioned. It is possible for prophecy to be fulfilled over a period of time, this may become clearer as events begin to unfold in the last days. Sometimes what is not mentioned in scripture is just as important as what is!
Published July 2019
THE ARAB SPRING
The Middle-East Uprising
The People In Protest
This was an uprising of the people in protest against the dictatorship, the oppressive regime and the poverty in their nation. This began in Tunisia late 2010 and spread rapidly across the Middle East by early 2011. Protests escalated into Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and Jordan. Some protesters were met with violent clashes from authorities, especially Syria against Assad's Regime, which has led to the current war. By the end of 2011, the governments of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen had been overturned. The Arab uprising so far has been unsuccessful in overturning the Assad Regime in Syria, which currently remains in power.
Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood is a radical religious, political Islamist military group that believe Islam is not just a religion but a way of life, they are against modern-day secularism. They seek to impose radical Islam through Sharia law in an Islamic revolution. They are a Sunni-Muslim organisation originating in Egypt, with branches in the Middle-East and world-wide.
The Muslim Brotherhood gained the most through the Arab Spring in 2011, many believe them to have been the instigators. The uprising in Egypt was strategic, It allowed them to take control and influence other forces within the region. They are responsible for the rise of Hamas (the Palestinian branch of the Brotherhood) and support al Qaeda. The Muslim Brotherhood has stated on various occasions since their rise there will be no negotiations with Israel.
Published July 2019
Iranian Nuclear program
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
This agreement was made by US President Barrack Obama in July 2015, between Iran and six other nations as a solution to the growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear development program. This put Israel in a difficult position.
President Trump in May 2018 withdrew the US from the deal, he said it failed to address Iran’s missile program and their military activity in the Middle East and would not bring peace. Iran had benefited from billions of dollars and assets through the deal, which also allowed them more time to develop their nuclear weapons. Despite concerns expressed from France, Germany and the UK, they failed to persuade President Trump to remain as part of the deal. Trump views Iran as the biggest threat to the US. His decision to withdraw was openly welcomed by Israel and Saudi-Arabia but led to Iranian politicians burning the US flag in Iran’s parliament.
The other five nations currently remain as part of the deal, even after many recent terrorist attacks on many EU cities and being located nearer the Middle East. If Europe fails to take a more decisive role in the Middle East, countries such as Russia, Iran and Turkey will. Lack of political courage to deal with tensions has already had repercussions in other nations.
Published July 2019
