PSALM 83 WAR COMING SOON?

By Pastor Mike Taylor

Psalm:

83:1­4 “Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.”

 Prophecy watchers have been expecting this war prophesied in Psalm 83 for some time now. The picture, like an assembling puzzle, grows even more clear with each passing day. What will 2015 bring? Make note that we are in the middle of the Blood Moon Tetrads that I spoke on concerning something big about to happen to Israel. If you missed that message, take a moment to review it here, to increase your understanding of what I wish to speak about.

http://churchofgod­usa.org/1/post/2/02/blood­moon­risingday­of­the­ lord1.html

 And follow up with a graphic display that I posted by Paul Grevas that gives a picture diagram of what these blood moons have meant for the nation of Israel since 1492 and into our modern era here:

http://churchofgod­usa.org/1/post/2014/04/coming­blood­moons­are­upon­ us.html

Remember, my friend, Israel is the door to end time events and Jerusalem is the key to that door. Watch Israel if you want to know how close we are to the end of this age.

I have a good friend, a local pastor of a church that never before has preached prophecy, but he’s preaching it now the last few weeks. Before, he spoke only about Jesus and thought that we didn’t need to focus on prophecy, as God will do pretty much what He wants to do anyway. The last part is true, but what has changed in his heart and mind? I can only guess, but could it be he feels the urgency of getting all who will listen into the ark of safety which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Why is there so much urgency in this pastor’s messages of late, and mine for years??

Because the hour is late, and the coming Psalm 83 war may just be the catalyst that propels us into an all out war in the Middle East that may spread to the rest of the world. It will be the pre­cursor to the war prophesied by Ezekiel in chapters 38­39. What is happening right now that causes me to think that this coming year that we are living in, could be the start of the end of this age that we live in, the Age of Grace?  

IS PROPHECY ABOUT TO BE FULFILLED?

Is this coming war when the oracle of Damascus will be fulfilled? (Isaiah 17:1­3) I believe it could be so as a result of that coming regional war.

Nobody should want that or look forward to that. Unfortunately, the next major regional war in the Middle East appears to be closer than ever. But nobody should want it to actually happen. But God is in control of these events. During the next war in the Middle East we will likely see death on a scale that is unprecedented. It won’t be like the wars of 1967 or 1973. It will likely be a fight to the death where nothing is held back. You see, the truth is that most Americans have no idea what is really going on in the Middle East.  There are ancient grudges and ancient hatred that go back for thousands of years. There is no “peace plan” that is going to suddenly make everything okay.  The Middle East is a simmering volcano of hate and resentment that could erupt at any moment.

Right now, Turkey is aligning itself with Hamas in the Gaza strip, led by an egomaniac with visions of grandeur (the prime minister of Turkey, Erdogan) who envisions himself the new Islamic Caliphate to restore the lost glory of the Ottoman Empire, promising that shortly Turkey will invade and liberate Jerusalem in a “holy war”.

SIS,(Islamic State) the terror army who also has a self proclaimed “caliphate” in Al Bagdadi, is making a push to the border of Syria and Israel. King Abdullah of Jordan is fearful that ISIS will invade Jordan and dispose him, even as Al Bagdadi also boast that he will liberate Jerusalem by invasion. Now let’s add this up. We know that Iran has aligned itself with Hezbollah in the north, while continuing to transport missiles and weapons in Lebanon with upwards of 100,000 rockets capable of hitting any spot aimed inside Israel. Turkey along with Iran is arming Hamas in the Gaza strip for an offensive to the west of Israel, even though they were the losers in the last war with Israel’s “Protective Edge War” (no matter what Hamas propaganda machine may say) they are gearing up for the next confrontation by rebuilding terrorist tunnels and testing a new round of received missiles. Also, ISIS is moving into position in Syria and Jordan for an attack from Israel’s east. Note the prophecy at the beginning of this message. All who are involved in this war are lining up to surround Israel, and when they think they have the advantage, the snake will strike.

WAR IMPENDING SCENARIOS AS WE SPEAK

What would it take to tip the scales to an all out war between the inner ring of Arab nations that border Israel? Let’s assume chemical weapons are found to be in Damascus or planned to be shipped to the border of Lebanon, then I envision an assault on that cache of weapons that would release chemicals into the air and kill many people surrounding the explosion. There is an island off the coast of Scotland where scientist exploded a series of anthrax bombs to test what would happen to a flock of sheep. They immediately all died, and the island has been not be inhabited since. Release of this biological weapon of anthrax would make the regions uninhabitable.  That would take care of one part but what about a ruinous heap? Another scenario would be a nuclear tipped device explosion that would make the radiation level so high, that all who would live there would die. The latter would level the surrounding landscape into a “ruinous heap”, as described in Isaiah.

What about an impending attack as a trigger on the nuclear ambitions of their arch nemesis, Iran? This would be a large scale attack that would last weeks, as the level of sophistication of Iran’s installations would require multiple bombings from one end of Iran to the other across hostile territories.

Such an attack would assuredly bring all nations surrounding Israel into a direct conflict with all out war. The sheer size of the number of troops and weapons would, I believe, give them the impression that they could destroy Israel. You ask, why would anyone attack a country that has nuclear weapons? I believe the Arab hatred is so great, that if they think they can surround Israel with enough weapons, that Israel cannot defend their entire border, they envision success to fulfill their ancient hatred and desire to destroy the land of the Jews, Israel. Note one thing, neither Iran, Turkey, and surely not Russia will be directly involved in this first round of fighting. Those nations prophesied in Psalm 83, will be indirectly financed and trained to be the proxies to do their dirty work of attempting to annihilate Israel in a regional war that very well, most likely, spin out of control and forces Israel’s hand in what is called the “Samson Option”. You know the story when Samson destroyed his enemies when he knew that he would be destroyed as well. Israel will have no choice but to reveal the full scope of their military might. It is believed that Israel has over 200 nuclear weapons and a vast array of tactical weapons that they will have no choice but to use, as to hold back will assure their destruction..hence the term“Samson Option”.

 GOD ALMIGHTY SETS THE STAGE

Even with all the firepower and military might that these Arab nations will level at Israel, there is one thing they do not figure into their scheme. The God of Heaven is on the side of Israel. As in the previous wars fought in 1948, 1967 and 1973, the destruction of Israel was thought to be assured, but with even with an overwhelming force, those Arab forces were defeated and it was believed Divine intervention saved the tiny state of Israel. This Psalm 83 war will bring us even closer to the time of the beginning of the Tribulation, as Israel will believe they have finally destroyed their enemies and can live in peace. Ezekiel in chapter 38­39 will come on the heels of this victory against their Arab neighbors and Israel will live in peace and safety, for a short time, Ezekiel 38:8 “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.”

When was the last time in your life, have you heard that Israel has lived in peace and safety, “dwelling safely all of them”? You say never and you would be right. Since their birth, Israel has been threatened with extinction from their very ancient cousins in a hatred that has festered for thousands of years. Suddenly, the bible reports they will live in safety, but I believe to feel they are safe, then every enemy surrounding them will be defeated and their lands conquered. Israel will expand their borders to include most of the Middle East, from the Sinai, east to the Euphrates, north to Syria, and south to Arabia, which will include all of Jordan. Why do I say that? Have you noticed that all the nations spoken of in Psalm 83, includes all the people that surround Israel now, but in Ezekiel 38­39 none of them are mentioned? It is believed that what I have proposed as the borders of the expanded nation of Israel will be won in this coming war, as none of them, including Syria are mentioned. Why is that so? Because God has allowed Israel to overcome their enemies that have come against them and destroyed their weapons of war and along with a major portion of their military. They will possess all of their land as spoils of war. What will they possess that they have never possessed before? The answer is a major portion of all the gas and oil of the world. How quickly will the enemies of Israel realize that it is unacceptable for Israel to have such wealth and control of a major portion of the world’s oil and gas production? Maybe they will get a reality check in a year, or two? Ezekiel prophesies that God will put a hook into the jaws of the Gog­Magog coalition of nations to even think that they can come against Israel to take what they have won in battle. Money is a powerful motivator for an evil coalition to take what is not theirs.

AN OILY SUBJECT

Right now, the nations of Russia, Iran, and the major oil producers who rely on the price of oil to sustain their economies must have oil prices at or above $100+ a barrel. Oil is now less than $50 a barrel and these economies are running in panic mode. If Israel has all the oil found in the Middle East, coupled with huge gas reserves that have been found off the western coast of Israel at their economies disposal, oil and gas just may be the hook into the jaw that God will draw down the outer ring of Arab nations including Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia led by Gog, the leader of Russia as God has spoken of in the following verses of Ezekiel chapter 38:

:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

:4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

:6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee.”

This is what is called the “outer” ring of Arab nations led by Russia and Iran (Persia). Note that none of the nations listed in Psalm 83 are mentioned, because I believe, God has helped Israel defeat them in the next coming war, maybe as soon as this year.

AS BELIEVERS, WHAT TO HOPE FOR

As a believer in the removal of the church before the tribulation and the revealing of the Anti­Christ, the war spoken of in Ezekiel will be waged not so much by Israel, as they will be overwhelmed with a superior nuclear equipped force, I believe headed by Russia with Iran as their front man.

This is when God says that He will fight for Israel. Ezekiel 38, 38:18

“And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.

38:19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;.....

38:21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

38:22  And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

How long will this war that is coming that brings a peace to Israel last? It is believed it will be short lived. If this war that Ezekiel prophesied about comes on the heals of the war that is now brewing in the Middle East, we could see Psalm 83 fulfilled and the stage set for Ezekiel 38&39 in the next few years. Theologians are in agreement that this devastating war waged by Almighty God will so decimate the nations that come against Israel, that a peace treaty will be proposed for 7 years to prevent another warand allow Israel to have sovereignty over its land even to allow them to rebuild their temple on the Temple mount. There will be no Arab that dares stand in their way, as they have been thoroughly defeated. Israel will recognize that the God of their fathers, is indeed, very much alive and seek to rebuild their temple in haste, and resume sacrifices to Jehovah. 

Remember the message highlighted at the beginning of this message, that the signs in the heavens of the stars, the moon and the sun with the blood moons, solar eclipses and other heavenly signs spell something big, I mean BIG for the nation of Israel. I envision this as a possible timeline of what MAY  be coming this year and into the next few years:

1.      The coming Psalm 83 war along with the Oracle of Damascus

2.      A short lived peace and safety in Israel with control of much of the oil and gas in the Middle East.

3.      Ezekiel’s prophesied war of chapter 38­39 with total destruction of the Gog­Magog alliance waged by Almighty God Himself.

4.  Preceding the Gog­Magog war, the removal of the church, because of the next scenario numbered 5.

5.      A peace treaty of seven years brought to bear by a leader of the         Revised Roman Empire.

6.      The revealing of the Anti­Christ,

7.      Beginning of the 7 year tribulation.

 A MUCH  OVERLOOKED STORY IN YOUR BIBLE

Let me interject something here that I think will add to the symmetry of what is prophesied and what we see happening on our political front of this age

we live in. An interesting analogy was spoken up by a fellow member of my congregation online when he reminded me of the story of Ruth. How is that related? Remember the story of Ruth and Boaz of how Ruth is a symbol of the Church, Boaz is a symbol of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and Naomi is the symbol for the nation of Israel in end time prophecy? “The "Gleanings” by Ruth in the fields is a picture of the Church saving the last few souls before the Rapture, then the marriage of Boaz and Ruth (the Wedding Supper of the Lamb). But what really struck me like a bolt of lightning is the 49 days (prophetic years) which occur between the Barley Harvest (First Fruits) and the Wheat Harvest (Pentecost), or 50 days (years) on a year of Jubilee. Israel did not truly become a nation until she liberated Jerusalem in 1967. So, do the math. Add 49, or 50 years to 1967 and you get 2016, or 2017.” Hmm…interestinganalogy.

Also note that we are in a Shemittah year, or a year of release, a sabbatical year.

“At the end of seven years you will make a release. And this is the manner of the release: to release the hand of every creditor from what he lent his friend; he shall not exact from his friend or his brother, because the time of the release for the Lord has arrived.” (Deuteronomy 15:1–2)

Each year that it happened, and it happens every seven years, has brought something significant to bear for the world. In 2008, (7 years ago) we had an economic recession and a stock market crash. Seven years prior to that, we had 9/11/2001 and everybody remembers what happened on that date, the World Trade Center was destroyed , the Pentagon attacked, and a plane crashes in a field in Pennsylvania all told over 3000 people died that day. Seven years before that was 1994 and another economic meltdown. You can go back to the beginning, and in a Sabbatical year starting with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as year one, something significant has happened in the world and in our modern times, it’s been either economic or a terrorist attack.

Economist are already warning that this year the bubble of the stock market could correct itself, and if you thought the economic pain that was displayed 7 years ago was bad, this one coming will make that one pale in comparison. Our first indicator is the price of oil. Oil is an indicator of world economic stability and each time that oil has dropped this fast, it spelled economic havoc in its tsunami. The economic depression could spell the doom of the dollar as the currency of the world and the demise of the USA as a world superpower that will be felt around the globe. This all will be a direct result of the economy collapsing as a house of cards, starting with our main energy source, oil. When economies go bad, the only thing that will bring back economic stability is….WAR.

It’s all tied together, the economy, the world political stage, and a little, tiny nation at the center of it all …Israel. Why? Because Satan hates Israel and if it’s within his power, he will influence evil men to destroy her. We are coming to a flash point in world events and the end time prophecy puzzle gets clearer every day. Question is, what are you going to do about it? 

If you wring your hands and fear the worst, most assuredly, on your own it will happen and there is nothing you can do about it. It’s already prophesied in the Bible and it will happen, just as other prophecies have happened with 100% accuracy. Some folks are scared right now, some scared to death and shaking with trepidation. Oh, you can pooh, pooh and mock this warning, but reader, when it happens, you will remember these words. Only problem with that is that you will have missed the most important event this side of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that is the return of the Lord Jesus in the clouds of glory for His church. I read today Isaiah chapter 26 then focusing in on a passage that speaks of what is coming on the earth and what I put my hope and faith in..One Person, one promise:

26:17 “Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.

26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the worldfallen.

26:19  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall  they

arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

26:21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (all emphasis mine)

The world cries out in pain, we cry out in pain. We groan for our deliverance, as the earth does and the emphasis says we will arise, those who are in the dust and they will hide themselves behind closed doors until the indignation of Almighty God is over­past. But Paul speaks of the same event in the New Testament: 1st Corinthians:

:50, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Jesus explained it in another way when the disciples asked Him:  John 14,

:2 “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.

:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Jesus said that He would come for us, that where He is…there we would be also. He’s with the Father, so will we be. We will going to Him, not Him coming to us, except to receiveus, then Isaiah will be fulfilled in verse 26:20 noted above.

 WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER? WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Even with the coming economic hardship that is bound to come, the wars that will be fought in the Middle East starting with Psalm 83 on the horizon, the terrorist attacks that are bound to increase, and possible losses of even our individual rights and freedoms, until He comes, I hold onto Psalm 91 in these verses:

91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

91:7 “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.”

91:9 “ Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;”

91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

 Men shall do evil things to other men. Perils will be all around us. Fear will grip all who hold to unrighteousness and have NOT the hope and faith in the One who can deliver them. Many will die, many will be saved, and many will die in their sins, but one thing I know, when all this comes upon the world and the true wrath of God comes down in earnest on unrepentant men, then I hold onto another truth and promise that my Lord gave to me and all who look to Him as the author and finisher of our faith: 1st Thessalonians,

5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

And this one: Revelation,

3:10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” 

The beginning of coming wars loom starting with Psalm 83 and following my proposed timeline noted above…but I’m not worried, because I have Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life, dwelling in my heart and spirit… 

http://churchofgod-usa.org/1/post/2013/02/blood-moon-risingday-of-the-lord1.html

http://churchofgod-usa.org/1/post/2014/04/coming-blood-moons-are-upon-us.html

DO YOU???

This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your salvation through the only Way, Jesus Christ. If you have any need for counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, please email me atrealteam1999@sbcglobal.net, or visit me online at www.churchofgod­usa.org, for more biblical teachings straight out of your bible. God bless you all, till we meet at Jesus feet.

Seven Major Prophetic Signs Of The Second Coming

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

http://gracethrufaith.com/end-times-prophecy/seven-major-prophetic-signs-of-the-second-coming/#more-160

There are seven major prophetic signs of the Second Coming, and currently all of them are in some stage of fulfillment.  As in years past, I’ll list the seven with their primary Biblical references and offer comments  from current events.  These comments are based are based on reports from a variety of international news services that have appeared in our daily “Prophecy In The Headlines” feature during the past year.

1. Israel Will Be In The Land … Ezekiel 36:8-12, 37:21

Speaking to the Land God said,

“You, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.  I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown,  and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.  I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD. I will cause people, my people Israel, to walk upon you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children.

And to the people He said,

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.

Although Ezekiel wrote these words while the Israelites were in Babylon, they were not fulfilled in the nation’s return from exile there.  Like Isaiah before him (Isaiah 11:11) Ezekiel was speaking of the second and final return, not the one after the Babylon captivity.  We know this because in Ezekiel  36:12 the Lord said His people would possess the mountains of Israel, and they would never again deprive His people of their children.  That means from the time this prophecy was fulfilled there would always be Jewish children born in Israel.  And yet in the first century, the nation ceased to exist altogether.  Therefore in 1948, when Israel took its place among the nations of the world again for the first time in nearly 2000 years, students of prophecy recognized the fulfillment of the primary sign that the end of the age was upon us.

In 2014 the demand for Israel to at least retreat behind pre 1967 borders has reached a fever pitch again, and some have even gone further. Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, The Islamic State (ISIS – which seemed to come out of nowhere this year and is already an international menace) and other related groups are openly calling for Israel to be wiped off the face of the Earth.

Rocket fire against southern Israel reached an all time high this summer with over 700 rockets from Gaza landing on Israeli soil during a single week.  Israel mounted a 50 day military action to stop the rockets and destroy  secret underground tunnels Hamas had built under Israel’s southern border.  These tunnels  would have allowed bands of terrorists to suddenly emerge within Israel and attack the unsuspecting population.  Although many of the tunnels were destroyed, the dust had barely settled before Hamas began building more, and demanding that Israel pay for the damage they caused while destroying them.

Also, this year saw a further deterioration of relations between Israel and the US, and for the first time the possibility of US sanctions being imposed against Israel was raised.  Russia is also reportedly studying what beneficial effects an attack on Israel might have as a response to the west’s attempts to isolate Russia for destabilizing the Ukraine.  Anti-semitism is returning to a level not seen since WW2, several European countries have voted to recognize “The State Of Palestine”, the Israeli government is taking enormous flack for declaring Israel to be a Jewish nation even though it’s charter already says it is,  and its Muslim neighbors are enraged over rumors that Israel wants to make it possible for Jews to worship on the Temple Mount.

How much more of this can Israel be expected to take?  What other legitimate country in the world is routinely subjected to such attacks?  Little do Israel’s enemies know that they are acting against the stated will of God, and the more pressure they apply against Israel, the sooner God Himself will intervene of behalf of His people.  Speaking for Him, Ezekiel said, “I will display My glory among the nations and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I will lay upon them” (Ezekiel 39:21).

 2. Jerusalem Will Be In Jewish Hands… Luke 21:24

They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Jesus prophesied that the reunification of Jerusalem as a Jewish City would be a sign that foreign (gentile) influence over the Promised Land, and indeed the world, was coming to an end (Luke 21:24). Fulfillment of this prophecy began in 1967, when Jerusalem became an undivided Jewish city again, and scholars saw it as another major sign that the End of the Age had begun.  The almost world wide effort to divide the city again is in essence a battle of wills.  Nearly every Israeli leader has stood firmly on a pledge to keep Jerusalem united forever as Israel’s capital, but the unbelieving leaders of the world are just as resolutely determined to see it divided with the Palestinians.  At year end, a UN Security Council measure that would have required Israel to make East Jerusalem the capital of a Palestinian state came within one vote of passing. The Palestinian resolution might be resubmitted early in 2015 due to a change in the Security Council’s make up effective January 1.

The Lord said that at the End of the Age He will make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling, an immovable rock for all nations.  All who try to move it will injure themselves (Zechariah 12:2-3). This year much of the talk against Israel has been focused on Jerusalem with Hamas and ISIS loudly declaring the time has come to “liberate Jerusalem.”  American leaders have joined in, publicly calling East Jerusalem “occupied territory” and demanding that no more Jewish homes be built there.  They have even spoken against construction in undisputed neighborhoods of Jerusalem, saying it’s harmful to the “peace process.”

Numerous “lone wolf” attacks have also occurred against civilians in Jerusalem this year with some Palestinians calling for a “Jerusalem Intifada.”  Unarmed civilians and even little children have been targeted.

The Bible tells us Jerusalem won’t really be free of Gentile “trampling” until the Lord returns.  Daniel’s prophecy that Gentile Dominion will not end until the Lord establishes His kingdom (Daniel 2:36-45), Zechariah’s prophecy of half the city’s inhabitants going into exile just before the Lord’s return (Zech. 14:2), and John’s observation in Rev. 11:1-2 of the Gentiles trampling the outer court of the Temple during the Great Tribulation all confirm this. But even so, the fact that Jerusalem is back in Jewish hands is another big sign that the End is coming soon.

3. A Muslim Coalition Armed And Led By Russia Will Attack The Holy Land, Ezek. 38:2-6

“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army–your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops–the many nations with you.”

Numerous historical references make it plain that Magog stands for modern Russia, and the other countries named here form a coalition based on their common religion, Islam.  Among them are Iran, several North African countries, Eastern European countries along the Danube, and the Turkic nations of Asia Minor.  A quick look at a world map will reveal that these areas are home to some of the most radical Islamic groups.  (For a detailed explanation of the modern nations to which these Biblical names refer, read “An In Depth Look At The Modern Equivalent To Biblical Names in Ezek.38″)

As I mentioned above, Russia is exploring the possibility of attacking Israel (using Syrian and Hezbollah forces) in retaliation for  the US led imposition of sanctions arising from Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.  Additionally, Hamas has come back under Iran’s sponsorship and will soon be headquartered in Tehran.  This now gives Iran proxy armies on both the northern (Hezbollah) and southern (Hamas) borders with Israel. Iran has also begun funneling arms into the West Bank with a goal of completely surrounding Israel with a strong, motivated, and well equipped army.

Recent reports also reveal that the US and Iraq are putting together an army of Iraqi Shiite soldiers for the purpose of countering the Sunni ISIS forces, and that this army will be under the direct control of Iran.  Iranian sources claim this new army will be even bigger than Hezbollah, which is also Shiite.  Iraq will provide the manpower, the US will contribute training, funding and weaponry, and Iran will assume the leadership responsibility.  Supplies are already being stockpiled for a major operation against ISIS in 2015.

It doesn’t take much of an imagination to predict that this new army could easily be turned against Israel at the proper time.  If so, then the US will have been complicit in helping the Muslim coalition fulfill Ezekiel’s prophecy.

It’s important to remember that  Ezekiel 38 calls for a sneak attack on Israel.   Currently that  prerequisite is the major obstacle to an early fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy.  It has to occur at a time when Israel is “a peaceful and unsuspecting people, living without walls or gates” (Ezekiel 38:11) and this certainly is not the case today.

But Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 are yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies that, taken together, appear to involve all of Israel’s next door neighbors in another attempt to wipe the Jewish nation off the map.  A victory by Israel would explain why these next door neighbors do not appear on Ezekiel’s list of antagonists, although you’d expect them to be at or near the top.  It would also explain how Israel could soon be living in a perceived state of safety as Ezekiel 38:11 requires.  Currently there doesn’t seem to be any other way for  the Israelis to think they’re living at peace with no threat on their borders.  The resulting semblance of peace could be just enough to cause Israel to let down its guard, making it vulnerable to attack.

Another prerequisite for Ezekiel’s battle is clearly being met.  Until recently, Israel really hasn’t had any wealth to speak of, but offshore oil and gas discoveries, said to be worth billions of dollars, could provide the wealth necessary to make Israel an attractive target for attack.  This could fulfill the precondition of  Ezekiel 38:13 that Russia will be looking for plunder.  These discoveries could make enough natural gas available to supply Israel’s needs for more than 100 years while turning the country from a net importer to a net exporter of natural gas.  Russia is already looking for ways to get involved in bringing this gas to market, and according to Ezekiel they’ll eventually go to war in what will turn out to be a failed attempt to do so by force.  Ever on guard, Israel has just ordered several more warships from Germany to help protect its offshore oil and gas platforms.

The removal of the US as Israel’s powerful ally is also necessary to pave the way for Ezekiel’s battle.  I believe this is well underway.  Because of recent experience, many in the Middle East, including Israel, no longer expect the US administration to follow through on its promise to “have Israel’s back” if it should come to that.  Add to that the rising threat of a terrorist event in our homeland, our continuing economic struggles, and the nearness of the Rapture nf the Ciurch, and it’s becoming a whole lot easier to see how the US could abandon its commitment to Israel.

When the time is right, having recently taken His church to Heaven, the Lord will use this battle to orchestrate His reconciliation with Israel, and on its heels the anti Christ will emerge with a peace plan that includes a Jewish Temple. So once this battle takes place, end times prophecy will really go on fast forward.

4. The Ancient Roman Empire Will Re-Emerge As A Political Force… Rev 17:9-10

“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.”

This one is a little obscure if you don’t know your history. When John was writing this, about 95AD, there had been five great world powers; Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. All had been conquered and absorbed. The current power was Rome, which was never really conquered and will re-emerge at the end of the age.

About 600 years earlier, the Prophet Daniel had spoken of a period of time theologians call Gentile Dominion that gives us added insight into Rev. 17:9-10. In Daniel 2:36-45 Gentile Dominion is symbolized by a giant statue that Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had dreamed about.  Egypt and Assyria had recently been defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel said the statue represented the four remaining Gentile kingdoms, which we know as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.  In the dream, Babylon was the head of the statue and was made of gold.  Persia was the chest and arms, made of silver.  Greece was the belly and thighs of bronze, followed by the two appearances of Rome, two legs of iron (Biblical Rome) and two feet of iron mixed with clay (the revived Roman Empire). After that God would set up His own, eternal, kingdom.

There are some interesting details in the description of the two feet upon which the statue stands.  Remember, they represent the end times version of the Roman Empire.  Let’s read it.

Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay (Daniel 2:41-43).

In the first place iron and clay don’t mix. We can imagine sticky clay serving as glue that holds pieces of iron together, but the language describes a clay that’s already baked, hard and brittle like shards of pottery.

You can’t make random pieces of iron and pottery adhere, and according to Daniel 2:41-43 this will be the end times empire’s insurmountable problem.  Today the western leg is known as Europe while the Eastern leg consists of the Islamic nations of the Middle East.  Although the world is currently focused on the economic challenges Europe faces, ultimately the number one issue of this end times empire will be that of integrating the vastly dissimilar  cultures of the western and eastern legs. They are just too different to be blended and already the failure of the European social experiment called multi-culturalism has become evident.  Throughout the end times the revived Roman Empire will be partly strong (eastern leg) and partly brittle (western leg) and will not adhere.

I’m convinced the aggressive and growing culture of the eastern leg (Islam) will overtake the dying culture of the west and become the dominant voice of Europe.  Recent claims by ISIS predict major inroads into Spain and eastern Europe in the coming year, and current growth trends show that Islam will be the dominant religion in the UK within 10 years.  Only France and Germany seem to be pushing back against the growth of Islam in their countries.  Nevertheless, the prophecy clearly shows both divisions present until the Lord returns to set up His Kingdom, putting an end to Gentile Dominion forever, whether Islamic or not.  (Daniel 2:44).

 5. The World Will Embrace A Single Religion… Rev 13:8

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

Islam is a major religious force in the world today and its goal is nothing less than world domination, by any means necessary. It’s the world’s fastest growing religion and is second only to Christianity in number of adherents. Already nearly one out of every four inhabitants of the world is Muslim.  I’m no prophet, but as I look into the future, it’s much easier for me to see Islam riding its current wave of momentum to fill the void left by the departure of the Church than it is to imagine some watered  down mix of apostate Christianity and New Age Mysticism doing so.

By now most serious students of the end times are aware of Muslim prophecies of the one they call alMahdi and their striking resemblance to Christian prophecies of the anti-Christ. For example, both show a leader coming on the scene during a time of great turmoil on Earth.  Both depict him as man of peace who will have a seven year reign, head up a one world religion and one world government, and claim supernatural origins.  Both prophecies culminate in a battle between good and evil that brings about Earth’s final judgment.  It’s as if they’re pointing to the same person. The difference is that in Islam he’s a good guy, while the Bible calls him evil.

Take this charismatic political and religious leader with his supernatural power, add the widely held but incorrect belief that God and Allah are the same, and that Islam is a religion of peace, and then subtract the spirit of discernment that will disappear with the Church and you can see how this charismatic Islamic leader could unite a frightened world on the brink of disaster.

Currently there’s am ongoing battle between the two major sects of Islam, the Shiites and the Sunnis. A substantial majority of Muslims are Sunnis (1.2 Billion) while only 200 million are Shiite. They agree on many aspects of their faith but are sharply divided when it comes to which sect will control the Islamic world.

You can see this in real time with ISIS (Sunni) attacking Shiites in Iraq and Syria, and with Iran (Shiite) in league with the West against them.  Also, some observers believe a major factor in the current oil price war is due to Saudi Arabia’s (Sunni) attempt to bring arch rival Iran (Shiite) to ruin. The fact that Russia, a friend of Iran’s and a major competitor of Saudi Arabia, is also on the economic ropes because of this price war is frosting on the cake for the Saudis.  Saudi Arabia has massive oil reserves and can afford to undersell the market for years if necessary to destroy its enemies/competitors.

(It will be interesting to see how the US fares in all this. Right now we’re enjoying the lowest gasoline prices in years.  But Saudi Arabia’s goal is to undercut America too, since our burgeoning shale oil production has made the US a major threat to Saudi dominance that has to be eliminated.  US industry sources are predicting as many as 550 drilling rigs will be idled within the first quarter of 2015 since current market prices for oil are below US production costs.  That’s about 25% of America’s rigs. The entire world economy could be further destabilized by this price war. The blessing of low prices at the gas pumps could soon become a curse.)

 6. The World Will Accept A Single Government… Rev 13:3

The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.

When you look at the deteriorating shape of the world today, it doesn’t take much to imagine conditions getting to a point where people will cry out for a leader who can bring order out of chaos.  Whether the issue is climate change, the decline of the US dollar,  the slow motion economic collapse of Europe, war in the Middle East, or the price of oil, the one solution most leaders agree on is the need for some form of coordinated world government. With the things that already threaten our stability getting worse by the day, how much more frantic will people be after millions of their neighbors suddenly disappear in the rapture without warning or explanation, and there’s been a war (Ezekiel 38) that brings destruction from Europe through the Middle East and into Russia? When people become convinced that their problems cannot be solved by human means alone they look to the supernatural for answers.  In this regard, Paul wrote:

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing (2 Thes 2 :9-10)

A leader who promises to restore peace and safety and demonstrates miraculous power that astonishes everyone will quickly be given the reins of world government.  By many accounts, this lawless one is standing in the wings as you read this, awaiting his cue.

7. Babylon Will Re-Emerge As A Prominent City In World Affairs… Rev 18:2-3

With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

You may not realize this, but Babylon is being made ready to accept its destiny as a focus of world power in the end times.  It’s just a ceremonial city right now, but 25 years ago nobody even knew it existed at all. One of the shocks of Gulf War 1 was the discovery of Babylon standing there on the banks of the Euphrates River.  Today there’s a concerted effort underway to complete what Saddam Hussein began and  return Babylon to world prominence.

But more has already been accomplished than most people think. For example, if you take a close look at the dimensions and capabilities of the new US embassy in Baghdad you will see how easily it could be prepared to house a world governmental headquarters. At 104 acres, it is the largest and most expensive embassy in the world, and is nearly as large as Vatican City.  Babylon is only about an hour away by car.

In addition, one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces overlooks ancient Babylon and has been completely restored as a hotel and tourist destination. It could*easily iouse the anti-Christ and his entourage. Finally, there are several large military installations nearby as well.  In short, preparing Babylon to become the capitol of the world won’t take anywhere near as long as most people think.

Because of Babylon’s current lack of importance in the world, some students of prophecy search for an allegorical fulfillment of its destruction described in Rev. 18, and of course many see the USA or some American city as a logical candidate.  But remember, even though in Revelation 17:9 John describes “mystery Babylon” as seated on seven hills, a prophecy in Zechariah 5:5-11 shows it being moved “to the plains of Shinar” a reference to ancient Mesopotamia called Iraq today. We can’t switch from literal to allegorical interpretations of Scripture without clear direction, and where Babylon is concerned no such direction exists. In fact the opposite is true.  Almost from the beginning, the Bible has been a tale of two cities.  Jerusalem is the city of God while Babylon has always been the city of man.  Both disappeared from the world stage for many centuries, but when Jerusalem came back it was to its original location.  The Bible says the same will be true of Babylon.

Birth Pains … Matt. 24:6-8

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Experts said the big things to watch for in 2014 would be the actions of nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there’s no sign of a let up in 2015.  All around the globe nations are either preparing for war or at war. In the Middle East, we could easily see the fulfillment of Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17.

In the Far East, China is building up its military capabilities.  According to a recent US Department of Defense report, “the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is engaged in a massive, extensive modernization program, drawing upon the resources of a constantly expanding economy (now the world’s second largest) to support these improvements.  In addition to the ground forces,  the PLA Navy, the PLA Air Force, the Second Artillery (China’s rocket forces), as well as space and cyber-espionage capabilities are all being expanded and upgraded.”  In 2014 China launched its first aircraft carrier, nuclear armed submarines, and a stealth fighter aircraft.  In addition to the obvious threat this poses to China’s neighbors, it has also been reported that China eventually expects to go to war against the US.

Africa has become a major battleground as forces loyal to Islam continue in their efforts to gain control of the continent.  Somalia and Sudan, the Congo, and Libya are but a few of the hot spots that have created millions of  refugees and internally displaced people. Thousands of people have been slaughtered from a number of conflicts and civil wars on the African continent.

There will  be big problems in the EU if they can’t stabilize their economy in 2015.  World financial leaders have warned that Europe’s failure to resolve their difficulties will plunge the world back into an even worse recession than the one we’ve supposedly just come out of.  Predictions are being made of widespread civil unrest  as the consequence of Europe’s failure to solve its economic problems.

Food prices remain uncertain and experts warn us not to relax.  The price of food will continue to be volatile and among the poor will still consume more than 45% of household income.  Already 1 out of every 6 people in the world goes to bed hungry every night. Experts have said it would only take one or two years of poor crop production to bring a serious famine to the world.  Here in America, participation in the food stamp program has dropped to 46 million from its high of 48 million in 2012. (Much of the decline was due to several states adding work requirements to the qualification process, causing people to drop out.) Even so, two thirds of all children in the US now receive some kind of welfare assistance.

But many places in the world don’t have a government willing or able to go into debt to feed them.   According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, one person out of eight in the world’s population suffers from chronic undernourishment.  Half of the world’s 10.9 million child deaths each year is at least partly due to undernourishment.  That works out to 6,000 children every day.

Most experts have finally agreed that earthquakes have steadily become more frequent in recent years.  They are are now an everyday occurrence, averaging in excess of 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher somewhere in the world every day.  Some services are now routinely tracking volcanic eruptions as well, noting that their frequency is also increasing.

The Lord said these birth pangs would be the early warning signs of the approaching End of the Age,  so I have included the above examples to confirm my belief that we’re very close to our last days on Earth.  While predictions of what 2015 may bring are all over the spectrum, Christians needn’t worry because we walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).  Our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20).  Therefore, having seen these things beginning to take place we stand up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).  These promises have never been more important to us than they will be in 2015.