Gog/Magog Revisited: 2010 Fulfillment?

The current dynamics now present in the middle east concerning Israel and their many enemies, leaves little doubt that the drums of war are beating louder in tune with a significant prophetic event to unfold before our eyes. Iran, Syria, Russia, and Turkey are rapidly providing arms to all the Islamic enemies of Israel, solidifying their strategic agreements and ensuring that their proxy militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah are prepared. Recent intelligence suggests that Hezbollah now has 80,000 rockets in their arsenal, not including long range Scud missiles that put all of Israel in range with the capability of carrying a chemical/biological warhead.

The political spectrum remains the same, the status quo continues with Israel being pressured to relinquish territory to their enemies in exchange for a false peace. The current relationship between the United States and the Jewish State of Israel are in serious decline with President Obama embarassing PM Benjamin Netanyahu along with applying international pressure to call for an immediate disarming of Israels' nuclear deterrent. Our President appears to be in bed with the enemies of Israel and working side by side with them, to seek the destruction of the Jewish State using either a diplomatic approach or aiding in the equipping of their enemies.

Global antisemitism has risen on a scale comparable to that experienced in the days leading up to World War II and the genocidal campaign of the Holocaust. Europe appears to be the center of this increased level of antisemitism, a symptom of not only a dead Church but an additional increase in population of muslims who bear militant Islamic theology. The many dangers that exist for Israel today, grow in intensity as each day passes suggesting that a momentous event awaits, that will alter the current balance of power in the globe, politically, economically, and in addition change the current belief systems of many.

Israel is now front and center in the concerns of many nations across the broad spectrum, for these nations, Israel exists as a pariah state, threatening the security of the globe. The many Hebrew Prophets of the Bible including Joel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel identify clearly this hour we now find ourselves in. The current conditions now facing Israel would cause many to question the survival of the Jewish State, yet the Lord God has provided us an answer for the present boiling pot, or region of the middle east. While all nations have positioned themselves against Israel, they will soon regret their decision, the consequences will be staggering.

The Prophet Ezekiel warned long ago of this "Last Days" battle to take place found within the text of chapters 38-39 of the book of the Bible named after this Prophet of Israel. The Prophet warns of a time when Israel would be at rest or slumbering and dwelling carelessly while their enemies continue to prepare for war and are confederate together. While some scholars identify Ezekiel 38:11 as Israel being at peace and dwelling safely or confidently, this is an error, based upon the interpretation of the hebrew word "betach" which has a dual meaning, denoting confidence or carelessness, depending on the context of the passage of scripture.

The context and message of the Prophet identify that Israel is viewed as easy prey by the Gog/Magog coalition and as wolves, they have clearly identified a vulneralbe target of their aggression. The Prophet Ezekiel also addresses the targets of this coalition being the "unwalled villages", or settlements, dotting the landscape of Israels' northern territory, in addition based on Ezekiel 38:12, the targeting of central Israel, or the people that dwell in the midst of the land, identified clearly with Jerusalem. The Prophet ommits mentioning cities, yet later in this prophecy cities are identified, as found in Ezekiel 39:9.

While some scholars today identify themselves with a supposed modern Psalm 83 application as proposed by author Bill Salus in his book entitled Isralestine, this is a grave error. The belief supported by this author and many scholars is that the Prophet Ezekiel does not identify the current enemies in close proximity or surrounding Israel, yet this also is a misinterpretation of the message of Ezekiel. The Prophet clearly identifies Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Hamas, Hezbollah, and a host of many others. This error can be cleared up efficiently within the context of the passages found within this prophecy.

Syria though ommited by name will be the host nation of the gathering confederation from the north involved in this battle, the place of their gathering is identified as the Plain of Bashan, which is presently in southern Syria opposite the Golan Heights. Syria will also be ground zero for the initial judgement upon this confederation consisting of a great earthquake in fulfillment of Isaiah 17. Egypt though not named will also be a participant with the confederation of African States such as Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and many others that will cross thru Egyptian territory to the borders of Israel.

Jordan or the Hashemite Kingdom is also not identified by their ancient name, yet with their present heavy Palestinian population, they will be pressured to join, or see the end of the Hashemite dynasty in a wave of terror. Lebanon is the host nation of Hezbollah and has made clear that their relationship and strategic goals are the same, that being the destruction of Israel. Hamas, located within the Palestinian territories will also be a partipant identified as "bands" within the context of Ezekiel, this denotes a comadre or armed militia. Syria and Iran are both the chief suppliers to Hezbollah as well as Hamas, providing training as well as weapons.

Syria is at this moment the main terrorist hub of the region, as well as the main transshipment point of weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as Hamas in the Gaza Strip. We can see clearly from the context of Ezekiel that all enemies are included, though not named outright, common sense must also be applied to understand this. The current dynamics indicate that Hamas and Hezbollah do not act independently, yet exist as proxy militias of Iran and Syria. The security barrier presently in Israel does not deter from this prophecy being fulfilled as the initial target of the aggressors is the settlements of northern Israel listed as the "unwalled villages".

The days draw closer to the fulfillment of this prophecy provided to us by the Prophet Ezekiel by way of the Holy Spirit, to both warn and prepare the nations to meet their God. This battle will not only eliminate the political enemies of Israel which includes the United States, a recipient of fire from heaven, listed in Ezekiel 39:6 as dwelling careless, again "betach" is used, it will also serve to eliminate the current military enemy alliance arrayed against Israel. I believe we will soon see the fulfillment of this prophecy, and in the aftermath the Third Temple will be built, and the AntiChrist will rise to power. The Church age will soon come to an end, as the Lord God again directs his attention to his people Israel.