Commentary on the Middle East: Ready for War?

For anyone who has followed the news lately, it is apparent that the Middle East is a very volatile region.  Beyond just the Israeli-Iranian conflict, and the Palestinians, add to the mix that the citizens of these Muslim countries are incensed with their leaders, who drive their county's economies into the ground. 

Tunisia has thrown out her leader, with all the young people frustrated at the lack of jobs, and taking to the streets in protest.  Citizens of other countries identify with teh Tunisian youth, and are expressing solidarity with them, making it likely the same thing can happen in their countries, as unemployment runs high. 

The government of Lebanon has collapsed, and now an anti-western Hizbullah party wants to take control, which is pro-Iranian and backed by Syria (an extension of Iran), which also means very anti-Israel.  And as missile fortifications continue to grow in Gaza and Lebanon, being armed by Iran, Russia, etc... it seems that a mid-east war could be set off at the slightest conflagration. 

And what does that mean for us?  God's plan for Israel is mapped out in the Bible, by the prophets and apostles.  Some theologians think that Ps. 83 speaks of a war in which Israel is engaged in battle with all her neighboring countries, which, oddly enough, today are all Muslim!  The belief is that this will lead to Israel's victory, according to the Psalm, resulting in expansion of her borders, and uncontested dwellings for her rapidly increasing citizens, as Jews conitnue to pour in from around the world, which is also a fulfillment of Ezekiel 36 & 37. 

If theologians are correct, this will set the stage for the battle delineated in Ezekiel 38, famously known as the "Battle of Magog."  This battle will be championed by Rosh (it's a Roshian!), chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezek. 38:3).  Many and most have historically identified this country as Russia, coming out of the far north (Ezek. 38:15), coming against Israel, a "land restored from war (Ezek. 38:8, 11-12)."  Other countries named with Russia are Persia, which is modern-day Iran, Ethiopia, Libya and Turkey are named as all being allies in this affront against the tiny nation of Israel (Ezek. 38:5-6). 

Why can't the Palestinians get some of the empty land in Syria, or in Jordan?  Come on, why pick a fight with a small people over a tiny slice of land?  Is it simply because Islam, a "religion of peace," mandates it?  By the way, George W. was paid an enormous sum of money by the Saudis to say that. 

Back to what it means to us, if war breaks out in the Middle-East, and it fits the bill for Ps. 83, this will mean indeed that the final stage is being set for God to sanctify his name through the destruction of Russia and her troops, and all that come against Israel.  Or, it could be, that this is one and the same battle as Ezekiel 38 predicts. 

It will be around this time, I believe, the Church, (the true Church) is taken to heaven, and the antichrist is revealed and emerges on the world stage with a 7 year plan for peace (2 Thess. 2:7-8).

Israel IS THE TIME-PIECE.  Watch her.  We see from the natural disasters the LORD inflicts on the earth that she is still the apple of His eye.  God promised that land to Abraham and his descendents through the line of Isaac and Jacob, who was called Israel.  If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there is still a little time.  Don't wait.  No one is promised tomorrow.  God holds your life, and he can take it when He pleases. 

You need to repent of your sins (turn from them) and confess your sinfulness to God, for all have sinned and fall short of God's glory.  The results of our sins is eternal seperation from the prescence of God in the pit of eteranl hell, what the Bible calls death (Rom. 6:23), but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, for all who confess and live for Him in truth and love (Rom 10:9-10; 1 Jn. 4:7-8).  Then read your Bible (http://www.biblegateway.com/), pray and find a Bible-believing church, where you can worship and serve!

Destruction of Damascus

In an interview with Russian newspaper Moscow News, Moallem said "there is no doubt that closing the horizons to peace may lead to a possible war. This option always exists in our region, as Israel usually outrageously evades the commitment to peace." (emphasis mine)
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=196891&R=R3


Syrian FM made the remark that Israel "evades the commitment to peace."  Let's see, um... last time I heard, Netanyahu had agreed a couple of times to cease building settlements/housing for the countries increasing population (you know, so they don't have to live in the streets).  They have been giving supply and aid to the "Palestinians" (media code for Muslim, so you don't know of their REAL agenda), and treating and saving the lives of countless wounded/infirmed Palestinians in Jewish hospitals.  And what has been the response of the Muslims?  Hmmm... oh, yeah, Abbas keeps insisting that the settlement freeze is not long enough, or that it's in "Palestinian" Muslim territory.  Even now the Muslims are claiming that the great Wailing Wall of the first Jewish temple does not belong to nor have any connection with the Jewish temple that had been built by king Solomon.  Oh, and I guess king Solomon did not rule over the greatest extent of the Jewish empire in the B.C., nor did he have over 900 wives (with whom all the surrounding kings in the world gave their daughters for peace with such a powerful, wise rule, of whom it was apparent to all that God clearly favored)!  Of course not.

It is clear that tensions in the Middle East are growing, at least among the governmental leadership.  And as Damascus is the headquarters for Iranian backed Muslim groups, in a regional war, Syria is definitely going to be a target, if they are not an aggressor first (as the Muslim groups have been perpetually seeking to attack and invade Israel with missles and bombs).  The Bible has a prophecy about Damascus in Isaiah 17:1, that Damascus will become a heap of rubble:



"Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city

And will become a fallen ruin.

Isaiah 17:1 (NASB95)


Historically, this prophecy has not been fulfilled, though many of the Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled, especially concerning Israel (and the World's) Messiah (see http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/m_prophecies.shtml for more detail).  To see that all these specific, detailed prophecies have been fulfilled to the last letter, is comforting, knowing that the LORD, YHWH, is working out His plan for redeeming creation, and all those of humanity who have trusted in the revelation concerning His Son.

But as the tensions rise in the Middle-East, more and more of the pieces fall into place for the upcoming battle described in Ezekiel 38, known as the battle of Magog.  This is going to be a battle such as the world has not seen, and the "lamestream media" is going to have a hard time spinning to their Socialist (Leninist/Hitlerist) agenda.  It may be the battle that ends Atheism, and all the arguments of Christopher Hitchens, whose own brother was transformed by the gospel of peace (2 Cor. 5:17)!

Time is short, my friend.  Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, revealed in the Bible?  He changed my life forever.  He'll change yours.  "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (Jn 17:3).  If you don't know Him, but want to be saved by the soon coming wrath of God, poured out upon the earth, repent of your sins, and read your Bible, starting with the gospel of John (just look in the table of contents at the front of the Bible).

Blessings to you, my friend.  My prayer for you is that you will escape the wrath to come, and find eternal life in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified for your sins (2 Cor. 5:21, Rom. 4:25).