The Prophecy Letter is a circular letter that we send out relating to the development of latter-day prophecy.

February 2023

Russia, Her Iranian and Chinese Allies, and World War III

TGP Prophecy Letter – February 23, 2023

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Russia

Brethren, it appears that we are on the brink of what will almost certainly be called World War III. Seeing that his “special operation” in Ukraine has become more of an embarrassment than a success, Vladimir Putin’s pride and determination to win have resulted in the continual escalation the war, threatening now to bring it to the world stage. He has claimed that nuclear war, and therefore a global war, is definitely in the cards:

Putin warns of 'GLOBAL WAR' & makes veiled nuclear threat in deranged speech as he doubles down on Ukraine – The Sun

Putin reveals conditions for widening Ukraine operation — RT News

Serbia warns ‘everyone is preparing for war’ — RT News

A world-wide conflict seems to be just over the horizon, and as servants of the Most High, we must pay diligent attention! Russia and the other nations of the world are preparing themselves for a conflict of a scale that has yet to be seen on this earth! It’s not just the Ukrainian conflict that could spark this though. There’s also

Iran

It has been talked about for years, but it appears that Iran has officially reached the nuclear threshold. For good reason, Israel and the US are deeply concerned. The following news headlines speak for themselves:

Israel: 84% enrichment means it’s now or never to stop Iran – The Jerusalem Post

Israeli nuclear expert: Iran can create nuclear bomb with 84% uranium – The Jerusalem Post

'Deeply worrying' – Washington experts on Iran’s new enrichment level – The Jerusalem Post

Israel warns US: Issue 'credible military threat' to Iran 'immediately' – World Israel News

Netanyahu: I'll do everything in my power to stop Iran from getting nukes – Israel National News

IDF Navy raises alert level in Red Sea over concern of Iran aggression – The Jerusalem Post

Benjamin Netanyahu preparing for ‘attack on Iranian nuclear installations’ – Yahoo! News

It has previously been stated that uranium must be enriched to 90% in order to produce nuclear weapons. While Iran is technically still below this threshold by 6%, scientists say that 84% is in fact enough to produce a nuclear weapon. This should grab all of our attention, for Israel and the US will be forced to act in some capacity. In the coming days or weeks, I imagine we’ll see the two nations take decisive steps to neutralize Iran, even if this means simply setting their nuclear program back a few years. This will most likely be accomplished through cyber warfare as it is considered less bold, but it’s likely to include aerial strikes as well. Israel has demonstrated their ability to reach Iran on their own, and with US support this is even more feasible.

Iran, however, is one of Russia’s greatest allies, and this severely complicates the matter for Israel and the US. Throughout the Ukraine war, Iran has stuck faithfully to Russia’s side, even supplying them with rockets and drones. We can therefore be certain that when the US and Israel are contemplating how they will neutralize Iran, they are also weighing how their actions will be interpreted by Russia. Putin could well use a devastating strike on his ally as an excuse to officially bring the world to nuclear war.

With all of these factors, what is going to happen? Obviously, we cannot know for sure, but I have my own thoughts. The fact that Persia is named in Ezekiel 38 but is not mentioned in the earlier war of Psalm 83 leads me to conclude that Iran must somehow be temporarily kept “out of the game”. Iran is chomping at the bit to destroy Israel, and for them not to attack with their fellow “Axis” nations tells me that something must prevent them from attacking.

Current events seems to indicate that a combined Israel-US effort might be the means of accomplishing this. Such an attack would render Iran incapable of personally attacking Israel and would thus force them to call upon her Arab proxies to avenge her. This is when I believe the prophecy of Psalm 83 might begin.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria make this more plausible. An article from The Jerusalem Post shows that, although divisions between the various Arab factions have existed, they are becoming more united by their shared hatred of Israel:

Airstrikes in Syria could lead to escalation by pro-Iran axis – The Jerusalem Post

This growing Arab solidarity coupled with Iran’s remarkable nuclear progress make the events of Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 and 14 appear imminent. This now brings us to another nation who, it would seem, is likely to have a large role in the next world war:

China

Along with Iran, China is one of Russia’s greatest allies, and should the levy break and war finally spills onto the global scene, China has made it clear that they will align with Russia. Despite the global criticism Russia is facing, China has stated that their relationship with Russia is “solid as a rock” (USA Today), and this is largely due to the fact that both powers abhor western influence.

In recent years, the Chinese have surged as a military and naval power and are quickly becoming a formidable rival of the US. It’s well understood that Russia and China intend to replace the US as the world super-power, and a world war would be the ripe opportunity to make their attempt. China’s renewed power and ambitions have many Christadelphians wondering what their role will be in such a war and whether they are spoken of in latter-day prophecy. So, is China referred to in latter-day prophecy?

The most that can be said is maybe, but the possible reference has nothing at all to do with a third world war. The one possible reference is found in Isaiah 49:12. Here’s the verse in context:

Isaiah 49:8-13 – Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;  (9)  That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.  (10)  They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.  (11)  And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.  (12)  Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.  (13)  Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

The name “Sinim” has been interpreted in various ways. The Septuagint reads, “from the land of the Persians.” Adam Clarke suggests it refers to a place in Egypt, but this doesn’t fit as the context alludes to it being a distant land. “Sinim” is understood by some Brethren to refer to Asiatic countries, specifically China. I cannot personally attest to this with full confidence as I have not studied it in great depth, and so I must heavily lean upon the conclusions of fellow students of the Word. A brief internet search of the word does bring up some convincing evidence for China though.

For the sake of argument, let’s move forward with the Christadelphian conclusion and assume that China is “the land of Sinim”. If so, the only Scriptural information we have regarding them relates not to their participation in a world war, but in coming to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The context clearly describes this to be after Christ returns and that much, if not all, of the warring has ended. There is simply no way to insert war in this part of Isaiah 49. That being the case, we have no Scriptural information regarding China’s role in a war to come.

Some might wonder, “How can this be? They are a formidable force and will almost certainly play a large role in the next world war. How can Scripture not talk about them?” Valid question! I believe a consideration of the focus of prophecy and a brief consideration of the first two world wars supplies the answer.

The information we are given in the Word concerning world events relates to Israel – God’s people. This is why so much of what the world deems “important history” is not mentioned in the Bible. We are typically only given details about the nations who relate to or impact Israel. This is what we see with the first two world wars.

World War I

World War I involved many nations. It began with the Triple Entente (pronounced On-tont) of Great Britain, France, and Russia against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. Later in the war, the United States, Japan, and Italy joined the war on the behalf of the Triple Entente, after which they were called the Allied Powers.

Does Scripture tell us about the events of World War I? It certainly does, but only insofar as it relates to the Jews and the promised land. Daniel 11:44-45 and Revelation 16:12 depict the end of the Ottoman-Euphratean Empire as they were pushed out of the holy land. The British and Arab forces drove the Ottomans out of Palestine in 1917, the Mesopotamian and Gallipoli Campaigns of the British comprising the “tidings out of the east and out of the north” (Daniel 11:44). After the Allied Powers defeated the Central Powers, the Ottoman Empire was officially dissolved in 1920.

And so, we have information about the Ottomans as they were in possession of the holy land. We are also given information concerning the British and the Arabs as they were the means of pushing the Ottomans out of Palestine, thus clearing the way for the mass-return of the Jews to the land (this video exhortation discusses these events in greater detail). There is, however, no Scriptural commentary on the motions of France, Russia, Bulgaria, the US, Japan, and so on. Why? Because they had little, if anything, to do with the Jews or the land. They are therefore omitted from the Scriptures.

This same concept is perceivable in

World War II

In this conflict, there were again two main sides. The Allied Powers consisted of France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union (we could also add Poland, China, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Greece, Yugoslavia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, though their roles were more minor). These were pitted against the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Italy and Japan (assisted by Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania). Of all of these nations involved in this cataclysmic event, the Scriptures only give us information about one: Germany. Why Germany? Because of their role concerning the Jews. A handful of Scriptures refer to their activities as being the primary means of not only punishing the Jews “double” for “their iniquity and their sin”, but also to bring them back to the land:

Jeremiah 16:14-18 – Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;  (15)  But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.  (17)  For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.  (18)  And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.

Note: See Daniel 12:1 and Jeremiah 30:3-9 as well. For more on this subject, see this article which was written last year.

Upon examining history, such Divine working will be seen as necessary. With the expulsion of the Ottoman power in 1917, it was thereafter given into the hands of Britain as a mandate. In exchange for Jewish support of British interests in the Suez, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration to support Jewish immigration to Palestine and create a homeland for them there. But with increasing Arab pressure through the 1920s-30s and the onset of World War II initiated by Nazi Germany, the British put their own interests above those of the Jews and began to act against them.

Along with Palestine, Iraq was amongst the other mandates Britain received after WWI due to the rich oil fields there. Having acquired this, Winston Churchill transitioned the British navy from coal to oil, and having virtually no oil reserves in their home country, this Iraqi oil was critical to the nation’s upkeep. It was often referred to as “the artery of Britain”. The issue for Britain was that Iraq had gained independence in 1932, and if Britain wanted to continue using the oil unhindered, they would have to placate the Arabs. They then issued the 1939 White Paper which limited Jewish immigration to 75,000 over the course of five years and barred Jews from buying land in 95% of mandatory Palestine (among other things detrimental to the Zionist cause).

This obstacle to Jewish immigration was overcome by reason of the Holocaust: the systematic attempt by Adolf Hitler to erase all Jews from the earth. Such terrors not only acted as the double recompense that Jeremiah 16 foretold of, but also won world favor for the Jews in place of the Arabs. The world sympathized with the Zionist cause and saw the absolute necessity for a homeland for the Jews if they were to survive as a race. Thus, under pressure from the world and simply sick and tired of the Palestine issue, Britain announced that its mandate would end in May of 1948. The same day that the British left, the nation of Israel was proclaimed.

We can now see that the actions and atrocities of the Germans in World War II were critical to the rebirth of Israel and the ingathering of Jews, and it is for this reason that the Bible tells us about their actions. As the other nations did not directly affect the Jews, none of them are mentioned in Scripture.

Having considered the first two world wars, this then brings us to a potential

World War III

As the conflict has yet to occur, we can’t say for sure who all will be involved, but the current circumstances make it apparent that the western powers of the United States and Britain, likely along with Australia, Canada, Ukraine, and potentially even Israel, will join forces against Russia, China, Iran, and any other Russia-sympathizers.

What can we know about this from prophecy? Again, we are only given information regarding events in relation to Israel. Of all of the nations mentioned above as possible players in the next war, we note the direct mention of only a few of them in Scripture: certainly Russia and Iran, and most likely the Lions of Tarshish (Britain, the US, Australia, and Canada).

I want to clearly state that I do not believe that Ezekiel 38 foretells the events of a third world war. Some use Ezekiel 38:13 to teach that the Lion nations and the Russian confederacy engage in fierce battle, but this makes the text say far too much. The only thing that can be positively maintained from Ezekiel 38 is what is clearly stated in the Word, namely that the Lion nations simply question Gog’s intent as he descends toward Israel:

Ezekiel 38:13 – Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

I find no evidence whatsoever of a direct clash between the western powers and Russian powers taking place in Ezekiel 38, but rather, if anything, the aftermath of a war that has already occurred. My reason for this is the seemingly inferior position of the Lion nations in merely questioning Gog’s intent instead of actively fighting him. This indicates to me that they might have been rendered incapable of physically resisting, so they do so verbally.

Nevertheless, it is clear that a coming conflict will involve multiple nations which is likely to include China. As their role in such a conflict is not clearly illustrated in the Word, we must conclude from both the testimony of Holy Writ and that of history that whatever their role might be, be it large or small, it does not directly affect Israel in any significant way. There is simply no Scriptural basis for a Chinese attack on Israel.

This does not mean that China can’t play a significant role in the war though, for the actions of many nations involved in the first two world wars altered the course of history, but were still not mentioned in Scripture. Neither does it mean that the repercussions of their actions will have no bearing on Israel at all. It’s plausible that China could be the means of weakening the Lion powers. Though not a direct attack on Israel, they would be impacted as their few remaining allies would then be incapable of assisting them. Perhaps China could be the driving force that forces Israel to stand completely alone against her Arab enemies (Isaiah 63:1)? We shall see.

Concluding Thoughts

What we are witnessing is remarkable. With prophecy, we are typically only given the account of what happens. What is often omitted is the cause or the circumstances leading up to their fulfillment, but these are the things that the diligent students of the Word will understand by keeping a careful eye on world affairs. We can now look out at the nations and plausibly see the causes and the circumstances which will result in their fulfillment; details which were impossible to foresee for Brethren of previous ages. Oh, how many things we are blessed to be witnessing! Truly, blessed are our eyes, for “many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them” (Matthew 13:16). Consider this as well: the first world war cleared the land for Israel. The second world war resulted in the rebirth of Israel. What could the third world war result in? The next logical step is for the KING of Israel to return! We shall see!

WATCH: World War I - A Pivot in Prophecy

TGP Prophecy Letter – February 13, 2023

Join us as we examine the wonderful prophetic significance of World War I and its particular bearing upon Christadelphian understanding of latter-day prophecy! We discuss what Brother John Thomas believed about the roles of Britain, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire, and then traverse through history from the time he fell asleep on through the first world war. We examine what went as predicted, what went differently, and the ramifications of these things as we draw nearer to the return of our Master. This listener will also learn about the formation of the Middle East as we know it today and how its present borders and endless strife were born.

A Warning from the Earth – The Coming Earthquake of Zechariah 14

TGP Prophecy Letter – February 10, 2023

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By now, most are likely aware of the earthquake that wreaked havoc on Turkey and Syria on February 6, just a few days ago. The extent of the damage is unprecedented, and it’s the most devastating earthquake to hit Turkey in over a century. The death toll continues rise, currently at a terrible 22,765, and it’s likely to continue rising (The Guardian).

With Bible in hand, we understand that these such happenings are merely part of the various troubles that will befall the earth before the second advent of our Messiah. We are told that there would be “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:26). My understanding of this is that there is not simply one thing that causes man to fear, but rather that there are a multitude of things occurring at once, building upon one another and causing even the most oblivious person to bewail, “What is going on with the world?” These latest earthquakes merely add to the chorus of witnesses testifying that the Lord Jesus Christ is soon to return.

While there have been numerous earthquakes in the past year, this most recent one in Turkey should be of particular interest to us. Why? Like with most of prophecy, it relates directly with Israel. We note particularly

Zechariah 14:4-5 – And his (the Lord’s) feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  (5)  And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

The Mount of Olives is to undergo some major landscaping. Let’s discuss why. Rewind some 2,000 years, and we are with Christ’s disciples upon this scenic mountain. Having achieved victory over sin and death, it is from this Mount Olivet that the triumphant Son of God left his disciples and ascended to the right hand of his Father. The disciples gazed at the clouds which had received their Master, and we are told in

Acts 1:10-12 – …while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.  (12)  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

Just as Jesus ascended from Israel, so he is prophesied to return; to touch down upon the earth in the same exact place in which his feet left it 2,000 years ago. Zechariah 14 informs us of the details of this awesome, impending event. The earth, we are told, will cleave in two under his feet. It will reshape the land, elevating Jerusalem above the surrounding land (Isaiah 2:2, Zechariah 14:10), creating a safe passage of escape for some of the Jews (Zechariah 14:5), and, in my belief, knocking down the walls and defensive barriers that Israel currently has, for from then on, they will see that the Lord is their protector (Zechariah 2:4-5, Isaiah 60:19). This moment – the return of Jesus – is what we have all been longing for, and the God of Heaven has anticipated it as well, for He specially designed the earth in preparation for this event. It is herein that we see the relevance of the earthquake in Turkey. But first, a little about earthquakes:

Earthquakes are caused by the shifting and grinding of the earth’s tectonic plates. These plates are layers of rock laying on top of one another in a staggered fashion. If you can imagine a couple pieces of paper somewhat disheveled where certain pages overlap others, this is how the earth’s plates are. As they slide over, under, and rub up against one another, these actions cause friction. Although the plates are constantly moving, it is at a very slowly rate. It is so slow, in fact, the actual movement of the plates does not occur gradually, but suddenly. If you have ever tried climbing a snowy hill, you know that there is a certain amount of weight you can apply with your foot that will allow you to travel safely. Too much pressure, however, sends you sliding down the hill! As two tectonic plates attempt to slowly move against one another, pressure builds up where the various plates meet (called fault lines). The pressure on the fault lines builds until it becomes too great and is suddenly released, causing the plates to swiftly shift and grind, creating an earthquake The greater the pressure release, the greater the friction, and therefore, the greater the earthquake.

Understanding this will help us see the potential relevance of the earthquake in Turkey. The location of the earthquakes is what most interests us. Below is a map of the fault lines of the Middle East.

Did the prophet Zechariah know about the fault line and simply predict its future movement? Certainly not! It is the infinite wisdom of the earth’s Creator that spoke through him. When the Lord caused the earth to rest from the cataclysmic movements of the great flood, He halted the Arabian plate in its current position against the African plate with Christ’s return in mind. It was formed thousands of years before Jesus was even born! What foresight and knowledge of the Creator! When the time is right, it will accomplish its designed purpose. That time, it would seem, is very, very soon! There’s a clear reason why:

The map shows that the Arabian plate moves northward. If the northern border of the Arabian plate succumbed to immense pressure, it would seem to follow that pressure has built up along the other fault lines of the Arabian plate. Any areas around these other fault lines are likely to see tectonic activity soon, i.e. the Mount off Olives. It appears this is already beginning to happen:

Israel shaken by earthquake centered 24 miles north of Jerusalem – Israel365 News

Earthquakes shake Israel three times in 24-hours – Israel365 News

Massive Quake in Israel ‘Only a Matter of Time,’ Experts Warn – Haaretz

Watch: Israel likely to face massive earthquake in near future – Israel National News

Tremors are being felt in Israel! It seems that the Arabian plate is moving (or at least those around it are), and we, as servants of Christ, ought to take special note of it! Is it being prepped for our Master’s feet? Certainly so!

Geologists have warned that a catastrophic earthquake in this region is long overdue. I recall an account from one of my family members who went on a cave tour. The guide, likely unfamiliar with Scripture, showed them a map of the world’s fault lines. Pointing directly to Israel, they stated, “Whenever that one goes, it will change the face of the earth.” Little did they know the truth of their words! The return of Jesus Christ will not only change the literal surface of this beautiful planet, but all of its institutions and governments. His righteous reforms will permeate ever fabric of existence, and we who love and long for him will be granted an everlasting role to play in its governing. What a prospect! What a thing for the mortal mind to try and digest! And yet it is the hope which we have all been so freely offered, if only we take full advantage of it!

The Two Earthquakes

We direct our attention now to a more technical matter, but one that I believe is important to examine. We have seen that Zechariah 14 describes an earthquake which results in Israel being saved and the Kingdom being established. There is also mention of an earthquake in Ezekiel 38, described in verses 19-20. Some students see this fact as proof that the two prophecies are parallel prophecies and refer to the same event. Is this true?

Upon a brief reading, I can understand this conclusion. I have personally held that belief in times past, but study has shown me otherwise. I found that an earthquake is one of the only things which these two prophecies have in common. The evidence of the Scriptures shows that Jesus is ruling in Jerusalem when Gog comes down and has therefore already returned to Israel. In fact, the condition of Israel which entices Gog to come down is the direct result of Christ’s defeat of Israel’s Arab neighbors, the “heathen round about” (Zechariah 14:14). Examine Ezekiel’s description of Israel when Gog descends:

Ezekiel 38:11-12 – And thou (Gog) shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,  (12)  To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

Firstly, we must pay close attention to what kind of safety Israel enjoys here. The word “safely” is beṭach, and it is the same word used to describe Israel when “the Lord our righteousness” reigns on the throne of David:

Jeremiah 23:5-6 – Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  (6)  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

When this King reigns and prospers, then Israel will be the kind of safe that Ezekiel describes. However, it is evident from Jeremiah 23 that Judah is first saved by Christ, only afterwards dwelling safely. All of this must come to pass before Gog descends, for Israel is already beṭach when he descends. This means that there must be another enemy from which Israel needs saving before Gog descends. These enemies are described in Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 and 14. They are Israel’s hateful Arab neighbors. It is this conflict which I believe is spoken of in Zechariah 12 and 14. There is no hint of Gog or any of his allies being involved in this conflict. Furthermore, we are clearly told who is involved:

Zechariah 14:14 – And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

It is only logical that the victors acquire the wealth of those who they defeated, and here the losers are not those who are from afar, but “all the heathen round about”. A study of this phrase “round about” will show the reader that it refers strictly to something that immediately surrounds or is directly nearby something else. Neither Gog nor any of his allies can be called “round about”.

This verse in Zechariah 14 leads to the second point. It is from the heathen round about that Israel gathers “gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.” Does it not easily follow that this is what will entice Gog to “think an evil thought” (Ezekiel 38:10)? Does this not explain why Israel is said to “have gotten cattle and goods” (Ezekiel 38:12)” The phrasing implies that they recently acquired these riches, which Zechariah 14 says will be from Israel’s neighbors. The picture we are given appears to be of Christ defeating the Arabs, Israel gathering the spoil, and Russia coming down to take it.

This brings us to the third point, and it will be the last which I will make for now. Earlier in Zechariah, we find this key passage:

Zechariah 2:4-5 – And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:  (5)  For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Ah! How many ties the Lord has scattered throughout His Word! We here learn 1) that Israel will have no walls partly due to the fact of how rich they have become in goods and cattle, and 2) why it is said that Israel can dwell with the kind of safety which beṭach relays when a Gogian host is making their way to Israel. Even when Gog descends, the Jews are safe because it is the Lord who “will be unto her a wall of fire round about”.

With Christ in their midst, the Jews will have no foe to fear, and my personal belief is that Gog’s descent and imminent destruction will serve as nothing more than an example to Israel and the rest of the nations. Israel will see that they indeed have nothing to fear under the rod of the Good Shephard, and the rest of the nations, who I believe will be deliberating on how to respond to Christ’s everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6), will have now been given two examples of what happens to those who oppose the Divine will. In both cases, it appears the Lord will utilize his powers over the creation to help execute that judgment, something with is perfectly reasonable. With the Arabs defeated and the Gogian host recently demolished, it may be that Gog’s destruction is what persuades some of the world’s nations to submit to Christ instead of rebelling against him. For in destroying Gog, the Lord says, “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” (Ezekiel 38:23).

And so, as we see the day of his return so quickly approaching, may we who already know the Lord continue the good fight until the very last, for indeed, “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Let us look to the heavens and rejoice for the abundance of signs we have been given, for that sweet day of consummation draws nigh!