Unique Contemporary Signs
Both Isaiah and Ezekiel predicted that Israel would possess the land in
fulfillment of God’s covenant promise, with the fulfillment coming in the
Millennial.
On
that day the Lord will extend his hand a second time to recover the
remnant of his people who survive—from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam,
Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west
(Isaiah 11:11).
For
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and
will bring you into your own land (Ezekiel 36:24).
Scripture clearly tells us that Israel must be back in the land before
the end time events can take place. Prophecies such as Daniel 9:27, where the
antichrist makes a covenant with Israel for the rebuilding of the Jewish
Temple, which must be in existence during the seven-year tribulation period
spoken of in Matthew 24:15-21, could take place now that Israel is back in
Palestine.
After centuries of wandering, the Jewish people are now returning to
Palestine. The duly recognized State of Israel came once again into existence
in May of 1948, something the Scriptures prophetically said would happen
(Isaiah 66:8; 11:11-12; 43:5-6; 16:21; Jeremiah 16:15: 30:3; Ezekiel 34:11-13;
36::24 37:1-14). The re-gathering of the Jews continues to this day and it is
estimated that almost 35 to 40 percent of the Jews from all over the world are
already back in the land of Israel. Here is an interesting fact, since
Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 A.D., the land of Israel never became an
independent state neither did it become the permanent home of any other people.
The land was conquered fourteen times in thirteen centuries, and all who
conquered it, ruled it from outside.
Why such a big deal about Israel? Because when it comes to end time
prophecies and the events that will take place in the end times, Israel is the
very center, at the very heart of those prophesies. Israel is the center stage
where the end times drama will unfold.
Today, you can hardly read or listen to the news without there being
something mentioned about Israel in it. Just like the Bible predicts, Israel is
not just somewhere on the stage, it is on center stage. With the rebirth of
Israel and with millions of Jews making their way back to the Holy Land, major
end time events make sense and makes way for their fulfillment.
And
that the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly fired clay—part of the
kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle… After this, while I was
watching in the night visions, suddenly a fourth beast appeared,
frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It
devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was
different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns
(Daniel 2:42; 7:7).
In the last few decades, we have been witnesses to the setting of the
stage for the fulfillment of prophesy. The modern European Union began in 1957
with six nations signing a document called The Treaty of Rome. The six nations
were Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy, and the Netherlands (220
million people). In 1973, Denmark, Ireland, and Great Britain joined what was
then called the European Economic Community (EEC), now with a population of 286
million people. In 1981, Greece joined the EEC. In 1986, Portugal and Spain
were added. In just 29 years, the New Europe was 336 million strong. At this
stage, the EEC officially adopted the goal of a politically unified Europe.
Leaders issued a statement:
“We
realize that it will not be possible for us to move again to world supremacy
without unity. Therefore, we must lay aside our differences and come together
as a new United States of Europe. By doing this, we will constitute a power
bloc that can move to the ascendancy of world power.”
In 1992, the economic borders between the EEC nations were removed, and
a common passport was issued to travelers. Study in universities within the
nations was also permitted without any restrictions.
In 1993, upon the official formation of the European Union (EU), the EEC
was incorporated and renamed the European Community (EC). Paul Henry
Spaak, the premier of Belgium, made the following statement during a session of
the United Nations General Council in New York:
“The
systems of man have failed. What we need is a leader. What we need is a man.
Give us a man to solve our problems, and be he a god or a devil, we will follow
him.”
In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU bringing the total
population to 362 million in 15 member nations.
The EU has drafted an EU Constitution which left out all mention of the
God of the Bible and of its own religious roots and heritage. The fall of
communism has resulted in some of the former communist eastern European nations
now making application to join the EU.
In 2002, the twelve participating Eurozone countries introduced the new monetary
unit, the euro. Over the years, the U.S. dollar has declined against the euro,
and many economists are predicting that it will not be long before the euro
possibly replaces the U.S. dollar as the standard world currency.
In 2004, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined the EU. In 2007, Romania and Bulgaria
joined, and in 2013 Croatia joined. The United Kingdom left the union in 2020.
Today, the EU has 27 member nations with a total population of approximately
445 million people. Some of these nations were, geographically, part of former
Roman Empire.
Israel was part of the original Roman Empire, but obviously not
currently a part of the European Union. Israel is not considered eligible to
join the EU because of their occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan
Heights, and East Jerusalem, making them guilty of human rights violations.
Some believe that if Israel were to sign a peace treaty with its neighbors,
that they would likely be offered membership in the EU.
Many consider the European Union as the second most powerful political
force in the world today in addition to their significant financial and
economic clout.
The
sixth angel blew his trumpet. From the four horns of the golden
altar that is before God, I heard a voice say to the sixth angel who
had the trumpet, “Release the four angels bound at the great river
Euphrates.” So the four angels who were prepared for the hour, day, month,
and year were released to kill a third of the human race. The
number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their
number. This is how I saw the horses and their riders in the vision: They
had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow. The
heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and from their mouths came
fire, smoke, and sulfur. A third of the human race was killed by these
three plagues—by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came from their
mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails,
because their tails, which resemble snakes, have heads that inflict injury
(Revelation 9:13-19).
The
sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water
was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east
(Revelation 16:12).
Revelation 9:13-19 is most often interpreted as the army of China as it
makes its way to Armageddon towards the end of the seven-year tribulation. The
army of 200 million spoken of in Revelation 9:16 is understood to be the same
as the kings from the east from Revelation 6:12, which tells us that
this great army will cross the dried-up Euphrates River.
The kings from the east will likely include nations to the east
and northeast of Iran which include former Soviet Republics and perhaps even
Japan, North Korea, and other Asian nations. The former Soviet republics would
include the nations north of Afghanistan and perhaps even northern Afghanistan.
We have been witnesses to the rise of militant Islam and a strong anti-Semitic
and anti-Western sentiment. We have also seen Japan rise from the ashes of
World War 2. These nations in the east have a lot more in common with each
other and greater reasons to become and remain allies particularly against
Israel and the West.
The
word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, face Gog, of the land of
Magog, the chief prince of[ Meshech and
Tubal. Prophesy against him and say, ‘This is what the
Lord God says: Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech
and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring
you out with all your army, including horses and riders, who are all
splendidly dressed, a huge assembly armed with large and small shields, all of
them brandishing swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of
them with shields and helmets; Gomer with all its troops; and
Beth-togarmah from the remotest parts of the north along with all its
troops—many peoples are with you. Be prepared and get yourself ready, you and
your whole assembly that has been mobilized around you; you will be their
guard… “Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘This is what the
Lord God says: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling
securely, will you not know this and come from your place in the
remotest parts of the north—you and many peoples with you, who are all riding
horses—a huge assembly, a powerful army? You will advance against my
people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the last days,
Gog, that I will bring you against my land so that the nations may know me,
when I demonstrate my holiness through you in their sight’”
(Ezekiel 38:1-6, 14-16).
The coming Islamic (in alliance with Russia) invasion of Israel is not
so far-fetched anymore, particularly since the U.S., as we know it today, will
not be there to protect them.
We have seen in recent decades the alignment of these countries
developing. With the establishment of Islam, this alignment makes a great deal
of sense since most of those countries are predominantly Muslim, a religion
that hates Israel and the Jewish people.
|
Ancient Name |
Present
Day Name |
|
Rosh |
Russia |
|
Magog |
Central Asia (Islamic southern
republics of the former Soviet Union) |
|
Meshech |
Turkey |
|
Tubal |
Turkey |
|
Persia |
Iran |
|
Ethiopia |
Sudan |
|
Put |
Libya |
|
Gomer |
Turkey |
|
Beth-togarmah |
Turkey |
All Scripture quotations, unless indicated, are taken from
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used
by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered
trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Copyright © 2020 by Miguel J Gonzalez Th.D.
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