All Eyes On Israel

     I never imagined that I would see in my lifetime Biblical prophecy unfold on such a large scale as we have seen in recent years. Even people who reject the Bible can sense that something really big is about to happen in our world. It’s sort of like watching the wick burn down on a stick of dynamite. I am certainly no prophet, but if I were to guess, I’d say the wick is almost gone.

     Nearly 2,800 years ago, God gave supernatural knowledge of events that are occurring in our lifetime to a prophet named Joel. God had warned Israel through Joel that because of the Jewish Nation’s disobedience in rejecting God’s truth, that God would scatter them from the land of Israel.

     God did exactly that about 100 or so years after Joel. Then God regathered the people of Israel only to disperse them again shortly after the time of Jesus for their ultimate disobedience of rejecting Jesus, the Messiah spoken about in every book of the Old Testament. The prophetic details that Jesus fulfilled are so amazing that it is simply impossible for Jesus not to have been the Messiah spoken of by Moses, David, Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah and all the other prophets. Not to mention that Jesus is the only Man to have ever raised Himself from the dead!

     Joel spoke about a time when God would not only bring the people of Israel (Judah refers to the lower half of Israel) back to the land, but that God would also draw all the nations of the world to Israel to judge them for their rebellion against God and His Chosen People:

For behold, in those days and at that time,

     When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,

          I will also gather all nations,

     And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;

     And I will enter into judgment with them there

     On account of My people, My heritage Israel,

     Whom they have scattered among the nations;

     They have also divided up My land.

Joel 3:1, 2 (NKJV).

     A few hundred years after Joel, God spoke through the Prophet Zechariah that the nations of the world would come against Israel in the way that a drunk irrationally goes after whatever has caught his eye: 

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:2, 3 (NKJV).

     The first thing that is so amazing about these passages is that for almost 2,000 years, since the Romans destroyed Israel, the Jewish Nation was gone. During these 2,000 years, the passages of Scripture quoted above, along with countless others, could simply not be fulfilled because they require the nation of Israel’s existence. However, all that changed on May 15, 1948 when against all odds Israel was reborn after 2,000 years of being scattered around the world!

     The second thing that really stands out to me is that the nations of the world are compared to drunks over their infatuation with Israel’s destruction. Is that not what we are seeing today? The irrationality of the world in the way they view Israel and its relation to the Palestinians is insane.

     There had always been a Jewish presence in the land, just not enough to build a nation upon it. When Jews started buying property en masse in their old homeland in the late 1800s, the Arabs were happy to sell them what the Arabs saw as wasteland. It wasn’t until the threat of a Jewish nation started becoming a reality after World War I that not only Muslim opposition, but world opposition came against the idea. This caused the land set aside for the creation of a Jewish State to be dwindled down to a mere fraction of what was originally intended for Israel. Note that Joel prophesied, “They have also divided up My land.” Joel 3:2b (NKJV).

     Today Israel has made concession after concession with the Palestinians and surrounding nations, but to the world it isn’t enough. They have repeatedly been attacked by their neighbors and condemned by the world, but there they still stand, by the grace of God. Despite the Palestinian calls for peace, it is the Palestinians who have never stopped launching missiles and rocks at Jews. Nevertheless, on May 19, 2011, the President of the United States declared that America is turning its back on Israel.

     Should we be surprised? No. Should we be outraged? Yes! From even a secular humanitarian perspective, it is unconscionable how the Jews are being treated. From a Biblical perspective, God said, “I will bless those who bless you, [a]nd I will curse him who curses you; [a]nd in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3 (NKJV). In fact, I believe that Jesus was referring to the graciousness of Gentile believers towards Jewish believers during the Great Tribulation, when Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40b (NKJV).

     Please watch the following videos and learn more about Israel's struggle. This is not only about Israel, it’s about all of us. God has amazing promises in store for Israel. He also has amazing devastation for all those who will stand against God’s plan by standing against Israel.

The Maps of Israel from maozisrael on Vimeo.




The U.N., Human Rights and Israel from maozisrael on Vimeo.

     Jesus said that just before His return, the world would be marked by (1) false messiahs and declarations that the Messiah has returned (note the recent Harold Camping travesty), (2) wars and rumors of war, (3) natural disasters such as famines, disease and earthquakes, (4) persecution of believers (watch this video of a street preacher’s First Amendment Right being violated for “offending people” in the USA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqk4fMBdC5I), (5) great numbers of so called Christians falling away from the true faith, (6) false preachers, and (7) a lack of love for one another. See Matthew 24:3—14.

     I don’t have the time here to break each of these down and show you how they are increasing in occurrences, but please trust me when I say that the increase in each of these signs is extremely alarming. In fact, Jesus compared these signs to birth pains, which increase with intensity and frequency as the time of birth approaches, “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Matthew 24:8 (ESV). Israel will play a central role in all of these events. According to Scripture, Israel will in fact come to salvation during the worst of these events when God opens their eyes to the truth about Jesus Christ, their Messiah and ours. See Ezekiel 36:25—29, Joel 2:12—32, Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:26, 27.

     If you have never turned from your sin in repentance (having a broken and contrite heart over your sins against God), and trusted in Christ alone for your salvation (specifically that His death on the cross was your punishment), please do it today. The Apostle Paul implores us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2b (NKJV). If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).

Isaiah 19 – Fierce King of the Egyptians

     Two days ago I posted a commentary on the revolution that is occurring in Egypt, which can be found here: http://lambslawnewsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/isaiah-19-egyptian-against-egyptian.html. I have a correction to make regarding something I wrote about the fierce king Isaiah predicted would take over in Egypt.

     Here is what God said through the words of the Prophet Isaiah:

     “I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;

Everyone will fight against his brother,

And everyone against his neighbor,

City against city, kingdom against kingdom.

     The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst;

I will destroy their counsel,

And they will consult the idols and the charmers,

The mediums and the sorcerers.

     And the Egyptians I will give

Into the hand of a cruel master,

And a fierce king will rule over them,”

Says the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 19:2—4 (NKJV).

     It seemed to me that the phrase fierce king had to be attributable to the Antichrist, whom we know unequivocally from Scripture will be the most evil of all kings throughout history. The Antichrist will actually be indwelt by none other than Satan himself, when God will allow Satan to rule freely over all mankind as a judgment against the Christ-rejecting unbelieving world. See 2 Thessalonians 2:9—12, Revelation 13:4, 8.

     However, I have to say that something didn’t one hundred percent sit right with me about Isaiah’s Egyptian fierce king being the same person as the Antichrist. In fact, I should have pointed out that I wasn’t one hundred percent sure of that point in my comment. Especially because I made a remark that we will know whether Isaiah 19 is indeed coming to pass if we see Egypt fall into the European Union’s (“EU”) control – based on the belief that the EU is that Revived Roman Empire as predicted by the Prophet Daniel and the Apostle John. Egypt will absolutely fall into the EU’s control when the Antichrist comes to power, because he will control the entire world. But that is not necessarily a sign that Isaiah 19 is happening now.

     The real sign that this prophecy has been fulfilled is that after the civil war described by Isaiah, Egypt is controlled by a fierce king who is apparently defeated after going to war with Israel. Following Israel’s victory, a portion of Egypt, five cities according to Isaiah, are then occupied by Israelis. Isaiah described this saying that those cities would speak the language of Canaan, which is Hebrew.

     This is actually the most amazing part of the Isaiah 19 prophecy, because it indicates Egypt’s eventual salvation:

     In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He waves over it. And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts which He has determined against it.

     In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction.

     In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it. And the LORD will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.

     In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.

     In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria — a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

Isaiah 19:16—25 (NKJV).

     Interestingly, Isaiah went on to discuss Syria (Assyria) being a friend to Israel along with Egypt. This will certainly occur during the Millennial Kingdom, in which Jesus Christ physically reigns over the earth from Jerusalem. See Revelation 20:4—6, Daniel 2:34, 35, 44. I had believed that this portion of Isaiah 19 was only describing the Millennial Kingdom, and thus the fierce king had to be the Antichrist who would control Egypt just before Jesus returns. However, I think this passage, like most prophecy in Scripture, likely spans over multiple eras.

     I do think this is talking ultimately about the Millennial Kingdom because it clearly is stating that Israel, Egypt and Syria are all populated by people who have received God’s salvation, which means that they have repented from their rebellion against God and put their trust in Jesus Christ alone. This is not merely talking about these countries calling upon the name of the God of Israel, but upon the name of Jesus Christ.

     The Bible clearly declares that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NKJV). Jesus also made it clear when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 4:16b (NKJV).

     These countries would not experience the kind of blessings discussed in that passage unless they were experiencing true salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Remember, although the nation of Israel still generally claims to believe in God, they have rejected the Messiah, God in the flesh, whose arrival was pointed to all throughout the Jewish Scriptures.

     In fact, God uses these wars that are soon coming against Israel to draw them to repentance and faith in their Messiah, Jesus Christ. Until that happens, they will continue to fall under the judgment they have experienced over the past 2,000 years. Jesus explained this when He lamented over Israel’s disbelief saying:

     O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!”

Matthew 23:37—39 (NKJV).

     The Prophet Zechariah spoke about Israel’s salvation, the fulfillment of their Yom Kippur holy day, when they cry out in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ, the One whom they pierced:

     And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV).

     Zechariah’s prophecy is fulfilled sometime during the Great Tribulation. Therefore, Isaiah’s prophecy on the salvation of Egypt, Israel and Syria must find its final fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom, which follows the Great Tribulation.

     However, in the context of Isaiah 17, which discusses the destruction of Syria two chapters earlier, I believe that the Isaiah 19 occupation of Egyptian land by Israel describes the aftermath of a large scale attack on Israel. I believe that this large scale attack is described in Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17, where Israel is attacked by all of its immediate neighbors.

     That war results in the destruction of those neighbors, thereby allowing Israel to occupy the portion of Egypt described in Isaiah 19. It also sets the stage for Israel to finally rebuild a temple on the Temple Mount where the Muslim Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque currently sit. See Matthew 24:15, Daniel 11:31, 12:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

     Moreover, I believe that the destruction of Damascus as described in Isaiah 17:1, which is a consequence of the Psalm 83 war, is the event that causes the massive attack on Israel described in Ezekiel 38. Those nations are: Russia (Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech & Tubal), Iran (Persia), Turkey (Gomer & Beth-togarmah), Libya (Put) and Sudan (Cush). See Ezekiel 38:1—6.

     Through Ezekiel, God promised to draw these Israel-hating nations into a war in which it will be clear to the world that God is supernaturally protecting Israel:

Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords … After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”

Ezekiel 38:3b, 4, 8, 9 (NKJV).

     All of these countries have in recent years signed military pacts with Syria, vowing to defend Syria if it is ever attacked. Interestingly, Syria does not appear in Ezekiel’s list, which further adds to my belief that the destruction of Syria is the event that causes these nations to attack Israel.

     Therefore, although I believe that the salvation of Egypt described in Isaiah 19 will find its ultimate fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom, I also believe that the partial occupation of Egypt by Israel occurs after the invasion of Israel’s inner ring of neighbors described in Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17. That victory by Israel then leads to an invasion by Israel’s outer ring of neighbors described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

     The fierce king that Isaiah described then is likely not the Antichrist, as I previously thought, but rather some ruler who really does not care about the wellbeing of the Egyptians. In fact, the condition of Egypt’s economy described in Isaiah 19 leads me to believe that this fierce king totally exploits everything he can, causing Egypt to fall into absolute ruin. See Isaiah 19:5—15.

     By all accounts it seems that the Muslim Brotherhood is poised to take over in Egypt. This organization is the parent organization of Hamas, the terrorists who control Gaza and have stolen all the financial aid that pours into Gaza, and whose only focus is the destruction of Israel. I think it is very reasonable to say that we can expect nothing different from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

     These are terrifying days for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior. However, for the Christian, we should not be afraid. In the middle of delivering one of His most terrifying sermons, the Olivet Discourse, Jesus comforted us that God is in absolute control when He said, “But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Luke 21:9 (NKJV).

     This is why the Apostle Paul urged us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV). And also why he said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV). Christians are not to live in constant fear of our surroundings, because we are to, “Set [our] mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 (NKJV).

     However, the nonbeliever should indeed be terrified by the things that are happening, and those that will happen in the future. The day is coming when God will judge this world with all of His wrath, and the writer of Hebrews earnestly warns us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV).

     These events should cause you to seek salvation through the one and only God. If you have never sought Him through repentance and faith, please do it now. All these things written in the Bible so many centuries ago are certainly coming true, and in such an incredibly detailed fashion. That should cause you to recognize the other things the Bible has to say are true too.

     The single most important thing the Bible teaches us, next to worship God alone, is that we are all destined for eternity in judgment and wrath because of our sins, but because God is so merciful and full of grace, He offers us Himself as the substitute who bore our transgressions on the cross 2,000 years ago. Speaking of this greatest event in all of history, the Apostle Paul wrote:

     For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Romans 5:6—11 (NKJV).

     If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).



Isaiah 19 – Egyptian Against Egyptian



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     Nearly 3,000 years ago, the Prophet Isaiah gave this proclamation about Egypt, that to this day has not yet come true. Are we seeing it today?

The burden against Egypt.

     Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud,

     And will come into Egypt;

     The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,

     And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.

          “I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;

     Everyone will fight against his brother,

     And everyone against his neighbor,

     City against city, kingdom against kingdom.

          The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst;

     I will destroy their counsel,

     And they will consult the idols and the charmers,

     The mediums and the sorcerers.

          And the Egyptians I will give

     Into the hand of a cruel master,

     And a fierce king will rule over them,”

     Says the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 19:1—4 (NKJV).

     It might be a little too early to tell whether this prophecy is coming true with the current events in Egypt, but it certainly will come true one day. Based on other related eschatological predictions, it will also likely occur shortly before the physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Our natural reaction is to believe that the things written so long ago in the Bible are always way off into the future. But that thinking is not Biblical. Our Lord commanded us, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42 (NKJV).  Therefore, we need to be prepared that we are the generation who will see His return.

     Jesus also gave us some signs to look for, indicating that His return is near. He warned that the last days before His return will be marked by violence. The world has always been violent, ever since Cain murdered his brother Abel in a jealous rage. See Genesis 4:1—15. However, Jesus said that national violence would be a sign that His return is drawing near:

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 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.

Matthew 24:6—8 (NKJV).

     Since the early part of the Twentieth Century, we have certainly seen this. Virtually every place in the entire world has been involved in some sort of war, either active or cold, since the outbreak of World War I. I would even say that it began earlier than that, for by the Nineteenth Century, imperialism had already spread like wildfire with the various European, Ottoman, and Japanese empires.

     However, we have not seen anything like the worldwide carnage that erupted when World War I catapulted kingdom against kingdom. Then the global “cold wars,” or rumors of war, emerged shortly after World War II ended.

     Other than the general description of wars and rumors of wars, the Bible doesn’t tell us much about the European wars, and says nothing at all about the United States. But the Bible says quite a lot about the nations surrounding Israel, because as the Prophet Zechariah pointed out, during the last days before the Messiah’s reign on earth, all the nations surrounding Israel will seek to destroy it like drunkards going after the last bottle of booze:

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:2, 3 (NKJV).

     In modern times, there have only been a few nations surrounding Israel that have prevented it from being completely destroyed. Many of these same nations had tried to conquer Israel since it became a nation again in 1948, but were unsuccessful. Since the last large scale war against Israel in 1973, the Yom Kippur War, a few nations have been standing in the way of further large scale attacks against Israel.

     Those nations are Turkey, Jordan and Egypt. Today, however, all three of those power structures have changed. Turkey has turned aside from being quite friendly with Israel to siding with Israel’s extreme enemies, Iran and Syria. Jordan is on the verge of changing too as the radicals favoring Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood are toppling the monarchy’s government.

     The upheaval in Egypt, however, has been the biggest blow to Israel. Time will tell if we are seeing Isaiah’s account come to pass before our eyes. The reason that I think it is in fact happening now is that so many other “end times” events are coming to pass that we have been expecting from Scripture. Many signs could be pointed to that involve the Church (many falling away from the true Gospel; see Matthew 24:9—12, 2 Timothy 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3), society (complete breakdown of morality; see 2 Timothy 3:1—5), the economy (a global currency controlled by a central authority; see Revelation 13:16, 17), environmentalism (worshiping the creation instead of the Creator; see Romans 1:25), evolution (preferring to believe myths rather than truth; see Romans 1:18—32, 2 Timothy 4:3, 4, 2 Peter 3:4), and more. However, the predictions involving Israel and its neighbors are the most glaring.

     Against all humanly speaking odds, the nation of Israel was reborn in 1948 after the Jews were driven from the land in 70 A.D., just as Scripture predicted would occur in the latter days. See Ezekiel 36:19, 37:21, 22, 38:8. Through the Prophet Ezekiel, God said that the day would come when God would bring the Jews back from all around the world where they were scattered, and restore their nation Israel, “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24 (NKJV).

     The Roman Empire is also reemerging in the form of the European Union (“EU”), and specifically its confederacy project called the Union for the Mediterranean or EuroMed. Israel, as predicted by the Prophet Daniel, has already fallen under the auspices of that Revived Roman Empire through EuroMed, just as it was a subject of the Ancient Roman Empire. See Daniel 2:31—35 (describing the nations that would dominate Israel until the Messianic Kingdom, the legs of iron being the ancient Roman Empire, and the feet partly of iron and partly of clay being the Revived Roman Empire that we are seeing in the EU); see also Europa: Euromed, The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, http://eeas.europa.eu/euromed/index_en.htm, Centre for Research on Globalization, The Mediterranean Union: Dividing the Middle East and North Africa, http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6879.

     For the first time in history, the alliance of nations that Ezekiel said would attack Israel in the latter years have united: Russia (Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech & Tubal), Iran (Persia), Turkey (Gomer & Beth-togarmah), Libya (Put) and Sudan (Cush). See Ezekiel 38:1—6. Through Ezekiel God said:

In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.

Ezekiel 38:8b, 9 (NKJV).

     Ezekiel mentions in the preceding passage that Israel is dwelling safely. If we look at Israel today, they are far from dwelling safely, with constant threats of annihilation coming from every direction. Thus many “prophecy watchers,” including myself, believe that a war will come to Israel that results in the utter destruction of Israel’s closest neighbors.

     That war is described in Isaiah 17, with the destruction of Damascus, Syria’s capital city and the hideout for many of the terrorist leaders who are calling for Israel’s extinction. I believe that it may also be described in Psalm 83, which talks about a conspiracy among Israel’s immediate neighbors who say, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, [t]hat the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” Psalm 83:4b (NKJV).

     The confederation of nations in Psalm 83 are: Egyptians (Hagrites), Arabs (Ishmaelites), Jordan (Edom, Moab & Ammon), Lebanon (Gebal & Tyre), Syria (Assyria), Gaza (Philistia) and the rest of the Palestinians as well as all those who hate Israel (Amalek). See Psalm 83:5—8. The exact separation of those nations is a bit difficult, and my list could be off a little. However, it is best to understand this confederacy as Israel’s immediate ring neighbors as viewed on a map, whereas Ezekiel’s list is comprised of Israel’s outer ring of neighbors.

     Obviously, nations have been conspiring against Israel with that same sentiment even before Psalm 83 was written, approximately 3,000 years ago. However, I am unaware of any confederation of those nations recorded in history, at least not in recorded history that has survived to this day.

     The fall of Egypt to the Muslim Brotherhood, or whatever power group takes over in Egypt is possibly the last event to take place that will allow for the Psalm 83 invasion to occur, which eventually will result in the destruction of those nations, as well as the Isaiah 17 prediction of Damascus “cease[ing] from being a city.” Isaiah 17:1b (NKJV).

     Time will only tell whether these things are happening today. Concerning Egypt, Isaiah said, “a fierce king will rule over them.” Isaiah 19:4b (NKJV). I believe that this fierce king is the Antichrist, Egypt being part of the EU’s EuroMed project, which makes up the borders of Ancient Rome. If Egypt eventually falls under the EU’s control, it will become clearer that the Isaiah 19 prophecy has indeed begun. [*See Correction Note Below*]

     Please do not dismiss these things. Jesus gave us the signs of His return for a reason. After describing those signs, Jesus warned:

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near … But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Luke 21:28, 34—36 (NKJV).

     And most importantly, if you have never bowed your knee before Jesus Christ in repentance, and put your faith in Him, that He took upon Himself at the cross the penalty that you rightfully deserve for all of your sins, please do it now! Regardless of whether we are living in the “end times,” you will face Him one day and give an account. If you die unrepentant, you will be judged for your sins. But the good news of the Gospel of Christ is that He offers forgiveness for everyone who asks through repentance and faith. Do not be a rebel! If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).

*Correction: After thinking about this issue of who the fierce king of the Egyptians might be, I actually don’t think it is the Antichrist. For that reason, I also do not think that the proof of this prophecy coming true is Egypt coming under control of the EU. I wrote a second comment on this issue that goes more in depth here: http://lambslawnewsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/isaiah-19-fierce-king-of-egyptians.html.

European Sovereignty Falling Away

     More than 500 years before Christ’s birth, God warned through the Prophet Daniel that there would only be four empires to reign over the Jewish People until Jesus Christ sets up His Kingdom on earth. Daniel wrote during the time that the Babylonian Empire was in power. The remaining empires were the Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires.

     These empires were revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia in a dream, and this is how Daniel interpreted the king’s dream:

     You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Daniel 2:31—35 (NKJV).

     The gold portion of the statue was Babylonia, the silver was Medo-Persia, the bronze was Greece, and the iron and iron-clay mixture portions are both representative of Rome. We know this is the interpretation because it is revealed throughout the rest of Daniel as well is in Revelation. See Daniel 7—9, Revelation 17. The final kingdom that destroys the last form of the Roman Empire is when Jesus Christ Himself returns to the earth and begins what is called the Millennial Kingdom, where He reigns as King of the Earth, physically on the earth, for 1,000 years. See Revelation 19—20.

     What is so interesting about King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is that the Roman Empire was never ruled by the ten co-leaders signified by the ten toes of the statue. The Apostle John’s prophecy in Revelation confirms for us that there will be ten leaders of a revived Roman Empire. See Revelation 17. Therefore, we can confidently conclude that if the Bible is true, and I stake my eternity on the fact that it is indeed true, then the Roman Empire must return in some revived form that is ruled by ten leaders.

     What is even more interesting to me is that as we watch the European Union, and it’s creation of Euromed, the Union for the Mediterranean, I believe we are actually watching Rome return. In fact, the Union for the Mediterranean countries form the borders of ancient Rome. See Europa: Euromed, The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, http://eeas.europa.eu/euromed/index_en.htm; Centre for Research on Globalization, The Mediterranean Union: Dividing the Middle East and North Africa, http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6879.

     I know that many people discount what I’m saying, but I would point out that it is crystal clear that the European Union is beginning to take shape as one single nation, rather than merely a union of many nations. In November 2009, a constitution of sorts called the Lisbon Treaty was entered into by the nations of the European Union. That document legally formed the European Union nations into an association that could technically be called the United States of Europe. Now that the world is trying to deal with this current financial crisis, we are beginning to see the individual decision making ability of the European Union nations disappear.

     Watch the video that follows and listen to the speech given by Nigel Farage. Mr. Farage is a member of the European Parliament, and in the video he rails against the tragedy of the European Union member states losing their individual freedoms to the supreme rule of the European Union.

     I don’t know what form this current financial crisis will cause the European Union to take, but I do know that eventually it will be led by ten co-leaders. Then one individual will rise up to power among them, and he will eventually be indwelt by Satan himself. See Revelation 13, 17.

     These things are coming, one day. The end might be very far into the future, but then again, it could begin tomorrow. I implore you today to make sure you are “right” with God. Repent from sin and rebellion, and then put your faith in Christ alone, who offers His death to be your substitute for the debt you owe God due to your sins/rebellion. The Apostle Peter described Christ’s sacrifice like this, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).

What's Going On With All The Alien Talk?

     Over the past few years, I have heard a lot of talk from “Pre-Trib” Rapture circles theorizing that Antichrist will use alien abduction as an explanation for the Rapture. Up until very recently I pretty much dismissed that concept as totally unrealistic. I have to say though, with all the very unrealistic commenting on aliens from rational media sources, I am starting to consider that there might be some truth to this. Let me make real clear from the outset, I do not in any way believe that aliens are real. However, I do believe in the possibility that all this alien talk might be a demonically inspired sign and lying wonder as described by the Apostle Paul. See 2 Thessalonians 2:9—12. These signs and lying wonders might actually be part of a conditioning process, laying the groundwork for the lie that will be used by Antichrist to explain the Rapture.

     For those who have no idea what or who the “Pre-Trib” Rapture folks are, let me give a quick description. The Rapture of the Church is a Biblical doctrine regarding the removal of true born again believers in Christ from the earth. As much as the thought of millions of Christians suddenly disappearing from the world sounds like it comes out of science fiction, the Rapture event is very Biblical. The only matter really up for discussion is the timing and the purpose.

     Although there are several passages that I believe discuss the Rapture doctrine, it primarily comes from the Apostle Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians and the Corinthians. The believers at Thessalonica feared that their Christian loved ones who had died would miss the return of Christ, and the believers at Corinth had a wrong understanding of the resurrection.

     The Thessalonians firmly believed that the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, just as our Lord instructed us to believe:

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 24:42—44 (NKJV).

     However, they feared what would happen to their loved ones who died before Christ comes. So to correct their misunderstanding Paul explained to the Thessalonians:

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:15—18 (NKJV). By the way, the term “rapture,” though not in Scripture in that form, comes from a form of the Greek word harpazō, which the Greek to English translators interpreted as “caught up” and the Greek to Latin translator interpreted as rapiemur, which is where we get the term “rapture.”

     As for the Corinthian Church, Paul needed to teach them that the resurrection was indeed a necessary part of the believer’s future in Heaven. In his explanation, Paul described how it will occur for those of us who are alive at the time this event comes to pass, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 (NKJV).

     Those are the two clearest verses in Scripture that teach the Rapture doctrine. Based on the Bible then, it is unequivocal that at some point in the future, all true born again believers in Christ will in a split second (the twinkling of an eye) be caught up (raptured) into the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. Many Christians don’t believe it will happen, but there it is in Scripture as plain as can be. The Rapture is a real future event. The only thing that is left for discussion is the timing, which is a much more complex issue to explain that exceeds the point of this article.

     The “Pre-Trib” Rapture position is that the Rapture will occur before the seven year period of tribulation, also known as Daniel’s 70th Week, when God pours out His wrath on the unbelieving world in a final opportunity for people to repent and put their faith in Christ alone, “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matthew 24:21b (NKJV); see also Daniel 9:20—27; see also Revelation 6—18 (providing details of God’s wrath, as well as the extreme evangelism that occurs during the tribulation period). This position also holds that Antichrist will provide a deceptive explanation for the disappearance of all the Christians, which will be embraced by all those who understood and rejected the Gospel before the Rapture occurred. Paul described this in his second epistle to the Thessalonian believers:

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:9—12 (NKJV).

     Many “Pre-Trib” believers have expressed the belief that this lie will have something to do with aliens abducting those “intolerant” “Israel-loving” “exclusive” “overly religious” Christians, who were obstructing peace in the Middle East with their blind support of Israel, and were obstructing true harmony throughout the world with all their sinner accusations, and claims that Heaven was only for Christians. Each of those twisted descriptions of Christianity come from a misunderstanding of the Gospel message. There is some truth in each of those claims, but not in the way they are used to demonize Bible believing Christians.

     As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, I originally did not believe that alien abduction would or ever could have anything to do with the deception Antichrist will use. I felt that aliens were just way too out there, pun intended, for the entire world to embrace as truth. The fact is though that many, many people all around the world are in fact embracing that aliens are visiting and watching over us. Just look at the following articles from rational media sources, which shows that “faith” in aliens is definitely on the rise. Then watch the video that follows of The Hal Lindsey Report from October 8, 2010. The whole show is really good, but to see the portion on this topic, fast forward to just after twenty minutes into the program.

Don’t Talk To Aliens, Warns Stephen Hawking
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/25/dont-talk-aliens-warns-stephen-hawking/?test=faces

Dozens Report UFO Over New York City
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/10/14/dozens-report-ufo-new-york-city/

Mystery Objects Over Chelsea Leave City Agape
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/chelsea_ufo_d27xhhmBwUABMwvFYS2GYP#ixzz12LmcKEV7

Mystery UFO Hovers Over Richmond VA For ‘Four Hours’
http://deathby1000papercuts.com/2010/10/mystery-ufo-hovers-over-richmond-va-for-four-hours/
(Make sure you click on “Skip This Ad” to go to the article.)

UFOs Visited Nuclear Weapons Sites, Former Air Force Officers Say
http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/ufos-visited-nuclear-weapons-sites-former-air-force-officers-sa/19642199

Former NORAD Officer Reports Alien Disclosure Date: October 13, 2010
http://www.examiner.com/ufo-in-national/former-norad-officer-reports-alien-disclosure-date-october-13-2010

Chinese Airport Closed After Fiery UFO Is Spotted Flying Over City
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1293395/UFO-China-closes-Xiaoshan-Airport-spotted-flying-city.html

500th Alien Planet Could Be Discovered This Month
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/alien-planet-number-500-101012.html

(Fast forward to just after 20 minutes into the program.)

     It simply blows me away that so many people totally disregard the Gospel message, but will believe in little green men watching over us. For those of you who don’t know it, the core of the Gospel message is as follows. The Bible teaches we are ineligible of inheriting Heaven because none of us are good enough to deserve it. See Romans 3:10—18. However, we suppress that truth to believe instead that we are good enough to deserve Heaven on our own, despite our consciences convicting us of our sin. See Romans 1:18—23, 2:1—16. Because we ignore the truth, most people totally dismiss the greatest news we could ever hope for. Two thousand years ago, God became a Man in the person of Jesus Christ for the purpose of redeeming us from the punishment we actually deserve and giving us His righteousness that we do not deserve. Colossians 1:13—22. Most people reject this even though His coming was predicted hundreds and even thousands of years before He came, not to mention all the eyewitnesses of the resurrection. See 1 Corinthians 15:1—8.

     People totally dismiss the Biblical truth of Christ and the atonement for our sins, but they will totally embrace that aliens are visiting us, and are likely the ones that somehow created us. I just can't understand it, except that the Bible warned us this day was coming. The Apostle Peter warned, “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” 2 Peter 3:3, 4 (NKJV). The Apostle Paul also warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.

     We are living in the time that Peter and Paul were writing about. Very few people in this world believe that Jesus will return to be King on this earth. Very few “intellectual” people even believe that God created us, preferring rather to believe the fable that we evolved out of nothing. There are so many signs that the time of tribulation is coming upon the unbelieving world soon. I believe that before this horrific time comes, Jesus Christ will return to this world for His Bride, the Church. The Apostle John recorded for us that Jesus promised He would return and take us to a special place, an event that is descriptively separate from the time in which He returns after the tribulation period to set up His kingdom on earth:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

John 14:1—4 (NKJV); compare with Revelation 19:11—16 (describing Jesus returning to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with the glorified Church following Him as Paul described in Colossians 3:4).

     Please disregard the fables of aliens and other nonsense. I don’t know if Antichrist will actually use alien abduction as an explanation for the Rapture. It certainly seems to make sense, but for now it’s really just an interesting theory. The only truth you can confidently trust is Jesus, your Creator and Savior who declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6b (NKJV). Don’t believe our enemy’s lie that Jesus was just a man and that you can get to Heaven any way you wish. There is only one way, through repenting from your rebellion and surrendering to God through putting your faith in His Son alone! If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).

Peace in the Middle East & The Revived Roman Empire

     Below is an excellent commentary of both peace in the Middle East and the Revived Roman Empire from a Biblical perspective, as well as how we see it shaping up through the Union for the Mediterranean.

     I have to say once again, the things written in the pages of our Bible are coming to life. Please pay attention to this stuff. It should cause you to want to know who this God is who can write history before it occurs. His name is Jesus, and He commands today for you to repent from your rebellion, your sins, and trust Him for your salvation. He died for you 2,000 years ago, your own Creator taking upon Himself the penalty your sins require. But His atoning sacrificial death will not be applied to your account before God the Father unless you repent and put your trust in Jesus alone. If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).

Can There Be Peace In The Middle East?

     Please take a look at the video below so you will know more about what is really happening in the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The video is produced by the Messianic Jewish ministry Maoz Israel, whose ministry is preaching the Gospel to Israel. Then I would like you to read the articles I have linked below the video, which show the hypocrisy of Israel’s opponents in the peace process.

     Also understand this as you are considering these things, Israel is not going anywhere. However, their existence is for the purpose of bringing glory to God, and salvation to the world, both of which are the Biblical purpose for their creation. As God told Abraham, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18 (NKJV). And as God said through the Prophet Jeremiah, “Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.”  Jeremiah 33:9 (NKJV). 

     All through the Old Testament, the prophets warned that Israel would be scattered throughout the nations due to their turning away from God, but that one day God Himself would bring Israel back. Even before Israel was scattered throughout the Babylonian Empire around the sixth century B.C., and way before Rome scattered Israel beginning in 70 A.D., Jeremiah wrote:

     “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”

Jeremiah 23:7, 8 (NKJV).

     God promised through Jeremiah, and in fact all of the prophets, that Israel will one day dwell safely in their own land. That peace, however, will only come when the Prince of Peace arrives for the second time, the God-Man Jesus Christ, Yeshua Moshiach, both the Son of David and the Son of God. Jeremiah also wrote of this saying:

          “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,

     “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;

A King shall reign and prosper,

And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

     In His days Judah will be saved,

And Israel will dwell safely;

Now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Jeremiah 23:5, 6 (NKJV).

     Isaiah called this same Branch of David “the Branch of the LORD.” Isaiah 4:2b (NKJV). Because Jesus was fully man, a descendant of King David, and fully God, the second member of the Trinity, He was thus a Branch of both!  Because He was both fully man and fully God, He is the One who paid our debt to God on the cross, and gave us His Righteousness!

     The Prophet Zechariah spoke of the Messiah using the same title the “Branch,” and even foretold the words used by Pontius Pilot, “Behold the Man!” (John 19:5b (NKJV)):

     Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!
From His place He shall branch out,
And He shall build the temple of the LORD;
     Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD.
He shall bear the glory,
And shall sit and rule on His throne;
So He shall be a priest on His throne,
And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Zechariah 6:12b, 13 (NKJV).

     Isaiah described His reign as the Prince of Peace like this:

          For unto us a Child is born,

     Unto us a Son is given;

     And the government will be upon His shoulder.

     And His name will be called

     Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

          Of the increase of His government and peace

     There will be no end,

     Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

     To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

     From that time forward, even forever.

     The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (NKJV).

Can There Be Peace In The Middle East? from maozisrael on Vimeo.


IAF Gaza Air Strikes Wound 4 Terrorists
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139943

Palestinian Official: No Chance Of Serious Peace Talks With Netanyahu Government
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinian-official-no-chance-of-serious-peace-talks-with-netanyahu-government-1.317681

September A Record Month For Missiles From Gaza
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139931

PA Continues To Teach Denial Of Israel's Existence 
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=3351

Lebanon Transformed: A Hizbullah Nation, Iranian Proxy
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139945

     King David warned us to repent and put our faith in the Lord Jesus while we can when he wrote:

Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

     Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear,

     And rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,

     And you perish in the way,

     When His wrath is kindled but a little.

     Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2: (NKJV).

     Jesus is coming back. By the look of how the world is hurtling towards the latter days events foretold by the prophets, He might be coming back very, very soon. If you have never repented from your own personal rebellion against God, and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, that His death on the cross 2,000 years ago paid your personal debt to God, do it now! If you hear His voice, do as Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15b (NKJV).