The Prophesied Middle East Wars
(check out this link.. it contains everything I've written here. lol)
Bible prophecy & the coming Middle East war
What's Special about Israel?
The land variously called Israel and Palestine is extremely small (about 10,000 square miles) compared to its neighbours. Its original Jewish occupants were scattered to the nations some 2,500 years ago and since then it has been occupied by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persions, Greeks, Romans, Turks and the British. Even in 1900 the population of Israel was only some 500,000; it was politically and industrially insignificant, with a mix of many peoples representing some 50 languages. So why is Israel frequently in world focus today?
During the 20th century Israel saw astounding development, especially after becoming a state in 1948. For example, from 1958 - 1965 it saw a growth of 13.6% in manufacturing, and the population grew from 0.5m in 1900 to 7.8m in 2011. It now has high-tech industries, forestry and agricultural industries, and a highly developed infrastructure. But these facts alone are insufficient to warrant world attention. There must be a more fundamental reason.
The reason for Israel's prominence today is biblical rather than political. The Bible says that God chose a special people to be His witness to the world:
'"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen" ... And what nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land ...' (Isa 43.10)(2 Sam 7.23)
Although the nation of Israel was scattered some 2500 years ago, the Bible says that it will be regathered in the last days of this age:
'"I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone ... and bring them into their own land ..."' (Ezek 37.21)
This regathering is now well underway and Israel is taking prominence on the world stage. According to prophecy, the God of the Bible will make a name for Himself through Israel in the last days. The world will no longer be able to ignore Him.
Current Scenario
Much of the Middle East conflict appears to be over Israel's very existence. There is intense hatred towards the State of Israel:
"Israel has continued too long ... the battle has come in which we shall destroy Israel" ... President of Egypt, 1967
"Israel has no roots in the Middle East and would be 'eliminated' ... President of Iran, 2012
"Israel is a cancerous tumour that should be cut and will be cut" ... Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 2012
Those who say such things should note that they are simply fulfilling Bible prophecy:
"They have said, 'Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more' (Ps 83.4)
And they should note what God said to Israel via Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curses you" (Gen 12.3). God also promises Israel: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper" (Isa 54.17).
In the absence of war, this hatred of Israel surfaces as a conflict over 'occupied land', 'illegal settlements', and the religious significance of Jerusalem. For a detailed legal defence of Israel's land occupation see Israel's Legal Borders. From a biblical point of view, the land of Israel was given by God to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, see The Purpose of Israel. The biblical injunction to Israel is to occupy the land but embrace the foreigner in the land. The future biblical boundaries of Israel range from 'the river of Egypt' (not the Nile) in the south, to the Jordan valley in the east, to Hamath in the north (see The Millennial Reign of Christ). Clearly, the boundaries include both the Gaza strip and the West Bank of the Jordan. They also include significant parts of present-day Syria i.e. up to Hamath, and probably all of Lebanon.
Clearly, the trauma caused by so-called 'illegal settlements' has to be acknowledged (see the Palestinian problem), but the settlement problem must also be seen in context. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was raging long before the building of settlements:
"From 1948 to 1967 (when the West Bank was part of Jordan and Gaza was part of Egypt) the Arab world sought Israel's annihilation when not a single settlement stood anywhere in the West Bank or Gaza. The primary obstacle to peace is the Arab world's refusal to acknowledge the Jewish people's ancient connection to the Land of Israel - and the Palestinian's insistence on the so-called right of return (where Palestinians return to the Jewish state)." [Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Security Council]
The Bias Against Israel
Europe has not reacted to the Islamization of the biblical holy places in Hebron by UNESCO (Hebron is considered the second-holiest city in Judaism after Jerusalem). Britain also shows signs of bias against Israel. For instance, the Queen makes visits to Islamic states, but the British Foreign Office does not allow her to show similar respect to the Jews through a state visit to Israel!
It is prophesied that all nations will eventually abandon support for Israel; in fact, all nations will eventually be gathered against her (see below). This international bias was well summarised in a speech by Andrew Roberts, Member Parliament, British House of Commons. Essentially he argued for Israel's right to self-defense and legitimacy.
Read Speech
Future Middle East Wars
Bible prophecy describes a future invasion, or invasions, of Israel. Either way, any invasion is defeated by direct action from the God of Israel. We find:
the 'Gog-Magog' invasion
the 'all-nation' invasion
The (Islamic?) Gog-Magog Invasion
The Gog-Magog invasion is led by 'Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal ... (from) out of the remote parts of the north ' (Ezek 38.2,15). It also mentions Gomer (Ezek 38.6). This is pretty specific on location! Biblical maps locate Magog, Meshech, Tubal and Gomer in Asia Minor or Turkey - all north of Israel. Gomer is probably identified with an Aryan group who conquered Armenia from their Ukrainian homeland. The invasion is led by 'Gog', which could be a specific people, or symbolic of anti-God forces. Turkey suggests Islamic forces, and this view is supported by the other nations involved - Persia (Iran), Ethiopia and Put (Ezek 38.5). Put is associated with Africa, possibly Libya.
The invaders appear to use primitive weapons that can be burnt for fuel (Ezek 39.9,10 suggests they are comprised of wood) and they do not appear to reach Jerusalem; rather, they fall on the mountains of Israel and in the open field (Ezek 39.4,5). The invader is supernaturally defeated i.e. by God's intervention. This is in the form of extreme weather (extreme rain and hail - Ezek 38.22) and also by fire and brimstone - probably similar to that which destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
The invasion occurs when Israel is at peace and feels secure (Ezek 38.11,14), and it is denounced by other nations (Ezek 38.13). After the defeat of the invasion, Israel will set about burying the dead for 7 months (Ezek 38.12). At the end of the day, this intervention by the God of Israel will force the nations (including Israel) to recognise Him (Ezek 38.16, 39.21-24).
The above details suggest that this invasion involves mainly Islamic nations rather than 'all nations'. It appears distinct from the 'all nation' invasion described elsewhere, and could even be placed at the end of the Millennial reign of Christ (see Rev 20.7-10 and The Last Years of this Age).
The 'All-Nation' Invasion
The timing of this invasion appears to be at the very end of this age, just prior to the return of Christ to the earth. God says:
'I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle ...' (Zech 14.2)
'I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone ... though all nations of the earth are gathered against it' (Zech 12.3)
The term 'all nations' appears to be precisely that (rather than Middle East nations local to Israel) if it is to be consistent with Zech 14.9; the Lord cannot be King over part of the earth! Now if all world leaders attack Israel, this implies a change of policy in America, or even the absence of America on the world scene! Bear in mind that the nations will be under the World Government which will be vehemently anti-Christian and anti-Jewish. The leader of this invasion is the 'little horn' of Daniel 7.20, the 'abominator' of Daniel 9.27 and Mat 24.15, the 'king' of Daniel 11.36, the 'king of the north' of Dan 11.40, the 'man of sin' of 2 Thes 2.3, the 'lawless one' of 2 Thes 2.8, the 'beast' of Rev 13.1-8, the 'conqueror' of Rev 6.2, and the 'beast' of Rev 19.19. He is the end time World Dictator.
What of China? As implied, this person is also a military leader and Satan gives him total military supremacy over mankind (Rev 13.1-4). He readily wages war on the earth, and a quarter of the world's population dies as a result of war at the time of the 4th seal (Rev 6.8). Later, at the sounding of the 6th trumpet, he may engage in another major war, this time in the Middle East. Recall that at the pouring out of the 6th bowl of wrath, the Euphrates dries up and provides a path for the 'kings of the east' (Rev 16.12). Then at the 6th trumpet, demonic activity draws a massive army (200 million strong) and the resulting war kills a further third of mankind (Rev 9.13-21). In total perhaps half of mankind die as a result of these end time wars. Some speculate that this battle involves China (kings from the east). As of 2012, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) was the largest army in the world (2.3m) with increasing hi-tech weaponry.
It is this last gathering of forces that is especially significant. The armies gather at a place called Armageddon (Hebrew 'har megiddo' or 'Mountain of Megiddo', Rev 16.16). This is located in northern Israel in the valley or plain of Jezreel, near Mount Carmel. It is an ideal location for amassing large armies. As discussed, it may be the location of the last war between human armies. But we certainly know that it is the gathering place for the world's armies as they prepare for the final war against Jersualem and in particular for war against Christ and His armies (Rev 19.19)(Zech 12.2-9).
This man-God war is the final Middle East war - 'the great day of God Almighty' (Rev 16.14). It is described in detail in Rev 19.11-21 and Zech 14. In summary:
half of the city of Jerusalem is captured
God Himself fights against the world's armies
the Israeli's (the 'tribe of Judah') also fight
the attacking armies suffer a 'flesh-rotting' plague and are defeated
the end time World Dictator - the 'beast' is captured and removed from the earthly scene
Prophecy also suggests the type of weaponry used in this coming aggression against Jerusalem. The 'all-nation' war could use neutron bombs (since these vaporize flesh at close range) and also nuclear devices (since Malachi 4 refers to a time of fierce heat when attackers will be burnt to ashes). As noted, in contrast, the Gog-Magog war appears to use primitive weapons. This last battle of the age sees the end of the godless World Government and ushers in the Millennial reign of Christ. This is the time when Christ reigns from Jerusalem as King over all the earth (Zech 14.9).
The Implications for YOU
End time prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes; the emergence of a World Government, the emergence of Israel, the emergence of electronic ID, and the ubiquitous climate change. You are being swept into a humanistic, godless and potentially brutal World Government or New World Order. Sooner or later this system will require you to receive the mark of Revelation (the ultimate electronic ID) in order to buy or sell. And because of its hatred towards the God of the Bible, Christians and Jews, this world system will conspire against Israel. National armies will be mobilised for war against Israel. You may even be asked to have some part in this invasion.
The turmoil in the Middle East and the anger against Israel are signs that an invasion will take place in the foreseeable future. Within just 100 years Israel has gone from insignificance to the vortex of the world.
The significant point is that when the invasion starts Jesus will return to earth. In fact, there is strong biblical support for the view that Christians (believers in Christ) will be taken from the earth prior to the emergence of the World Dictator and the coming world wars (see Christ's Second Coming and The Last Years of this Age).