Someone should tell the Chinese that they are jumping the gun!
Hi tanakh,
Actually Japan, (part of the Kings of the East) did try to `jump the gun,` way back in WW2. Here is a chapter from my uncle`s book, (Fires before the Dawn.)
THE KINGS OF THE EAST
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They gathered the Kings together to a place that is called Armageddon.`(Rev. 16: 16)
One of the most significant & overwhelming responses to this edict will emanate from a vast & populous territory. One of which there is no record of previous involvement in end-times events.
`The great river Euphrates dried up, to prepare the way for the Kings of the East.` (Rev. 16: 12)
This refers obviously to a power-bloc far removed geographically from previous world events. Kings of the `Sunrising` is a closer literal translation. It is the historical designation of nationalities populating the orient. Countries which for centuries have remained isolated from the rest of the world. `Kings of the East` is thus a synonym of the Orient & includes all the principalities of that area.
Japan was the catalyst which shattered any illusion the Western Nations might have entertained regarding the militaristic potential & ambitions of this region. They charted a course for conquest & domination during World War 2 which subjugated a large area of Asia & Oceania.
Direction Right – Timing Wrong
Their expressed ambition & purpose was even to expand beyond the Orient, & to influence the course of the war in the Middle East. The official History of the Royal Australian Navy record:-
`The German Ambassador in Tokyo telegraphed his Foreign Minister Ribbentrop the result of an interview he had with Japanese Foreign Minister, Togo. Togo advised him, inter alia, that Japanese Naval operations in the Indian Ocean would correspond with the German desire for a Japanese advance toward the Middle East.
Vice-Admiral Nagumo (who led the attack on Pearl Harbour) sailed into the Indian Ocean with a powerful striking force. The British Eastern Fleet, with vastly inferior numbers & gun-power, were ordered to retire to Kilindini, in East Africa. Nothing stood between the Japanese Fleet & the Middle East. However, planes from their aircraft-carriers had bombed Ceylon twice, enroute. So many aircraft had been shot down that Nagumo had to return to Japan for replenishment of aircraft & pilots.
Re-equipped they were ready to continue westward into the Indian Ocean towards a possible link with the Western Axis Powers in the Middle East.
For some inexplicable reason, the Japanese Imperial headquarters suddenly changed their plan of operations. They decided to thrust eastwards & capture Port Moresby, Midway, & Hawaii, in that order.`
The allied Navy, as a result of gaining possession of the Japanese code-secrets, knew the enemy plans, intercepted & defeated them at the battle of the Coral Sea.
Britain was able to reinforce its Eastern Fleet & effectively to control the Indian Ocean. Japan went on to overwhelming defeat.
God had set the `Appointed Time.` This was not the moment for the Kings of the East to come to the Middle East. Japan was decades ahead of God`s schedule!
Red Dragon Take Over
Subsequent upon the defeat of Japan, Communist China emerged as the dominant force in the orient. China certainly has an enormous population, & has made remarkable progress in the production of weapons of war. However, what is predicted and envisaged in Revelation is the mobilization of a giant confederacy of all the oriental countries. China, of course, will take precedence by virtue of their immense man-power. However, their indigenous numerical strength will be augmented by their adjacent ethnological allies.
The army of the Kings of the East will be the largest ever statistically conceived. Two hundred million troops on the road to Armageddon. Imagine the amazement of the Apostle John. At that time the whole population of the entire world barely reached that figure. By way of comparison, during World War 2, fifty million was the maximum number engaged in all armies, both allied and enemy, combined.
In this context a two hundred million combat force certainly presents an incredible numerical concept. However, with the current population explosion in the Orient, for the first time in history, such a predicted number is not only conceivable but actually available. One has only to walk through the streets of any Chinese town; or travel in a Chinese tram, to encounter an amazing number of armed uniformed troops.
Make no mistake:-
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God has prepared that exact number specifically for this very hour, and day, and month, and year." (Rev. 9:15-16)
The Appointed Time is set!
