On the Brink of War?

It appears that today's blog is going to read more like a commentary on world affairs than my usual offerings, but as is often the case, events tend to dictate what we discuss. This week seemed to produce many signs that might indicate both the closeness and certainty of the conflict in the Middle East that everyone seems to be holding their breath over. I read numerous commentaries this past week in which the authors stated with no reservations that Israel is preparing to take action against Iran and it's nuclear ambitions.

Now a rule I attempt to follow is to never try to predict a specific date where something is going to happen. It's sort of like the old joke where a young turkey asks the old turkey how he got to be so old? His answer was he never sticks his neck out. I'm sort of the same in that regard, yet so much is happening right now in the Middle East that it seems almost impossible things can get any worse without the lid blowing off. If you have followed my blog for any length of time I'm sure you understand my feeling is that the next conflict between Israel and it's enemies will result in the fulfillment of the Isaiah 17 prophecy about the destruction of Damascus. That in turn will set the wheels in motion for the next prophetic event which is the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy of the Gog Magog War.

What I want to share with you today are some links to stories that surfaced this past week which seem to strongly point to the possibility of an imminent conflict in the Middle East. Along with them I will offer my opinion of just what they might mean from a biblical eye towards prophetic fulfillment.


Netanyahu: World Silent on Threats to Destroy Israel

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/152067#.TyQflMDC10y

Edelstein: World Cannot be Silent about Iranian Threat

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/230128#.TyFa18DC10w


Most of us are very familiar with the events of World War 2 and the Holocaust where millions of Jews were killed. After the establishment of the Jewish nation in 1948, a phrase that has become a part of Israel's foreign policy is “never again”. Simply explained, with an eye towards the past and the attempt to exterminate the Jewish people, Israel has vowed to never let it happen again. This past Tuesday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and it was on this occasion Israel seemed to make it clear that they feel threatened once again, and served notice to the world that they will respond with force to any attempt to attack the Jewish nation.


US aircraft carriers to deliver 'direct message to Iran'

http://rt.com/news/aircraft-carrier-hormuz-iran-391/

Iran threatens to hit U.S. targets over Strait of Hormuz as Europe joins oil import ban

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/23/iran-renews-strait-of-hormuz-shutdown-threats-after-eu-joins-u-s-in-banning-oil-imports/


Something I have heard taught about conflicts between nations recorded in the Bible is that whenever there is a list of nations involved, the second nation listed is always the instigator. If you look at the list of nations given concerning the coming Ezekiel 38 conflict you will find Persia listed second. Persia is, of course, modern day Iran. Does that really surprise anyone? Right now every situation in the Middle East such as regime change in Egypt and Libya, revolt in Syria, the Palestinian question, all take a back seat to the focus on Iran and it's threats. Iran also has it's hands in just about every other situation we just listed so it's fair to say Iran certainly fills the role of instigator. The question is, just where is the red line they cannot cross where other nations will respond with military aggression?


Netanyahu: Israel must prevent the elimination of the Jewish people

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-israel-must-prevent-the-elimination-of-the-jewish-people-1.408603

‘Israel to Give Obama 12 Hours Notice on Attacking Iran’

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/151965#.Tx1mwMiX8uE


Many would agree Israel has acted with infinite patience towards Iran and it's threats, while allowing other nations of the world to attempt to stop Iran from achieving their goal of nuclear weapons. Yet when those efforts fail, and many feel they have, because Iran has many times stated they are committed to the destruction of Israel it should come as no surprise that Israel will take matters into it's own hands. My feeling is that the increase in talk about Israel attacking Iran is a sure sign that Israel is trying to prepare the world for what they have already decided to do.


Iran moving closer to stage where it will be too late to destroy nuclear facilities, Israel warns

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9045484/Iran-moving-closer-to-stage-where-it-will-be-too-late-to-destroy-nuclear-facilities-Israel-warns.html

Iranian regime ‘frightens me,’ Harper says

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/iranian-regime-frightens-me-harper-says/article2304805/


Although I believe most nations would understand a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran, it is Iran's response that might prove to be a concern. Why? Because if Iran uses assets in Syria to respond by attacking Israel, and possibly targeting Israel's nuclear sites in kind, the nature of those weapons will most likely produce the destruction of Damascus we read about in Isaiah 17. The assets in Syria are biological in nature which by international law are considered to be weapons of mass destruction. If they choose to use those, Israel has a green light to use their own WMD's, which would be nuclear in nature.

But what would the world's response be to the use of nuclear weapons justified or not? I think Ezekiel 38 makes it perfectly clear they use it as an excuse to attack Israel. Magog has long been identified as referring to Russia. It is, however, a long way to go from Russia to Israel. Certainly the movement of that many troops would be a sure warning of what was to come, unless of course, for some reason they were already very close.


Russia to use Caucasus drills to prepare for international conflicts

http://rt.com/news/prime-time/caucasus-military-exercises-nato-923/


Are we seeing the preparation for the final conflicts the Bible tells us so much about? I personally believe that is exactly what we are seeing in the news today. God's Word has given us a detailed account of the future of Israel and the conflict it will have with it's neighbors, and if you compare what the Bible tells us with what we see in the news today there really is only one conclusion we can reach.

My question to you though is this; “are you ready for the end of days”? You see, God makes it perfectly clear that every man has a choice to make about his eternal future. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins so that we might have a way to spend eternity with Him. He has provided the way, but we must make the choice to accept that sacrifice and ask Him to come into our lives and forgive us of our sins. If you have never prayed to God and asked Him to forgive your sins and to come into your life and help you live for Him. Time is running out and there is no guarantee we will be here tomorrow. Don't put it off until it's too late. If you feel you want to accept Jesus into your heart you can right now by praying this prayer;

Jesus I know I am a sinner. I have sinned against you, but I know you loved me enough to send your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins and then rise from the dead so that I may live forever with You. Lord forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to begin to live for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV

Keep watching.


Israel will have to strike

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4181668,00.html