Justified

As usual, our home during this week was filled with the hustle and bustle of kids and grand kids visiting for the holiday.  That said, you may understand why I chose to share someone else’s thoughts this week as I wasn’t able to invest enough time in composing my own.  If you have never visited Pete Garcia’s website I encourage you to do so.  I have often wished I had a fraction of the insight and knowledge he so obviously possesses.  Enjoy his blog from this week and I will return next week.

Justified

by Pete Garcia–

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. President John Adams

On the surface, there does not seem like there is a lot to be thankful for in the 2018 version of America. Wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, mass shootings, lawless migrant caravans, a nation divided, political witch-hunts, mob violence, and leftist media frenzy have all become part of the new normal. Issues like gender and marriage, which should not be controversial simply due to common sense aspects, now are. Men want to be women, and women, men. Islam is somehow peaceful. Christianity is somehow hateful. Everything seems turned upside down and inside out. The newer generations are quick to be angry and offended about everything. They demand we upend 6,000 years of human history, to accommodate their “outrage.” 

Victim-identity has become fashionable. Claiming victimhood for some injustice done to their ancestors is done so they can have a pass for their current reprobate behavior. People are seen as narrow-minded bigots, and labeled homophobic, islamophobic, transphobic, etc., as well as being ostracized, for not wholly endorsing destructive and unnatural ideologies and lifestyles. But at the root of it all, is the overwhelming sense of generational entitlement and justification for decadence. It seems that the decline of Western Civilization will not come with a whimper after all, but with a defiant, self-inflicted, gunshot to the head.

Assessment

Mankind in his natural state is incapable of having peace either with each himself, or with anyone else due to the unregenerate heart restlessness and anger. While you may meet people whom you presume or know to be unsaved, and they may seem kind and peaceful on the surface, do not be deceived. The unregenerate has deep undercurrents of dark waters swimming through their veins, just as we once did. The reason the unregenerate heart is restless and angry, is that as sentient beings, we seek out some very fundamental answers to the most important questions we are programmed to have, such as:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• Where did I come from?
• What is my purpose in life?
• When will my life end?
• What comes after this life?

The world is currently under management by Satan at present (Luke 4:5-7) and he has done everything he can, to deceive, confuse, and hide the answers to these questions. He cannot afford to let the truth out. This obscuration of the truth is why the human heart rages and is perpetually at odds with God. That is not to say that everyone who comes to the knowledge of the truth as to be saved, continues on that path. Many, turn back to the pleasures of this world because they have been deceived. Many, follow after false paths thinking they are being enlightened, when in reality, are just straying further into darkness. And the longer a person lives with these questions unanswered, the more likely they will turn to one of three options: fear, pride, or indifference.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?       Jeremiah 17:9

Fear drives men to become desperate, and in their desperation, turn to do or believe incredibly stupid and/or evil things. With pride, men are deceived into believing they are somehow in charge of their destiny due by their own efforts. With indifference, men give up and just go about living materialistically, trying to get all they can out of this short life. As Solomon once said, there is a way that seems right unto a man, but in the end, is death (Prov. 14:12). And after buying into said deception (false religions, ideologies, mythologies, etc.), the deceived quickly go about to gain converts. Either way, the unregenerate human heart becomes at war with its Creator.

We here, in the last hours of the last days, have come full circle. It is why the world of today, seems so eerily reminiscent to the days of Noah, when he faithfully and dutifully preached righteousness to the masses while building the ark (Genesis 6:5, Luke 17:26-27, 2 Peter 2:5). This is why the whole world seems to be afire with injustice and perversion, and both burning with equal vigor. There is not a corner on this planet, where one can go to for respite from wickedness, where great evil has not somehow taken sway in some form or fashion. All of it has become antichrist (1 John 2:22). It is why two opposing lifestyles can tolerate each other, both being evil, but cannot stand God (or the things of God) in any way, shape, or form. For evil delights with evil. Evil will tolerate the most absurd of ideas, simply because it shares in their same essence with another seemingly opposing viewpoint; because they are both at enmity with God.

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.          1John 5:19

Conclusion

I wonder if the founders of this great nation could have seen into the future at what was to become the United States, would they have still sacrificed all that they did to create it? Did they envision a bright future, with a nation full of noble men and women having the same wisdom and foresight they did? Did they think we would go on to make the world a better place? Could they imagine the very liberty they fought so hard for, would be abused in the manner that it has as of late? 

I imagine that if they could have seen what we have become, and what we have created, it is likely; they would have aborted the whole process in its infancy. Moreover, our grandparents, who were the greatest generation, created a nation so powerful and wealthy, that its descendants would lack for nothing. Could they have imagined their offspring becoming hostile to this great privilege? This is not a white privilege, or any particular races privilege for that matter. All Americans share in the fruits of this national labor and sleep under its protection as citizens. We are privileged beyond any others in the history of mankind and even our poor and destitute are better off than the poor around the world.

However, it is not just the United States who is suffering meltdown syndrome, but the world entire. Things seem to becoming unhinged with greater intensity and frequency with each passing day. Mexico and Central America, Venezuela, the Middle East, the European Union, South Africa (and the rest of the African continent) are all undergoing massive and seemingly unsolvable problems. Economic upheavals, Ebola, lawlessness, and terrorism have become part of our new reality in the 21st-century. Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilence, famines, and many other problems are increasingly overwhelming man’s ability to deal with them. 

Yet, in our desperation to find solutions, we (going back to my opening statement) turn to anything and everything but God to find the answers. Ancient pagan religions are being revived. New technologies are attempting to supplant God’s role as creator. Political ideologies omit any mention of Jesus Christ, for fear of offending the intolerant left. Yet, all other religious views are given broad platforms to preach from, because we herein the West have become so tolerant. The human race is working overtime to present a façade of unity, while at the same time, aggressively seeking each their own agendas. Yet, all of these human efforts seemingly work in concert against the truth from being presented to the masses. We could probably summarize the entire world’s position regarding this with Pontius Pilate’s infamous, what is truth, question. (John 18:38)

The truth is, that man was created by God with eternity built into his heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God designed us to specifically have a relationship with Him. However, we can only do that, when we have been reconciled to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). This is truly what is most offensive about the Gospel, in that, man cannot save himself. Christ did what no other person could ever do, and that was to take on the form of a Man, redeem mankind unto Himself through a perfect life and death, and then rise from the dead on the third day. There is simply no other way to have peace with God (and by extension, ourselves) apart from Jesus Christ.

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—Colossians 1:21-22

Therefore, it is with this in mind that despite all that is wrong in the US and the world, that we can have thankful hearts this Thanksgiving. For all of you around the world who do not share in this uniquely American holiday, blessings to you anyway. We might not have much to be thankful for as Americans (or wherever you’re from), but as Christians, we should be very thankful, because our justification does not come from our own efforts, but from Christ. We are not flailing about in darkness trying to figure out who we are, where we come from, or why we are here. We do not wrestle with uncertainty of where we are going after we pass on from this world, because our hope is rooted in the reality that Christ conquered death and hell (Rev. 1:18). 

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.                     1 Corinthians 15:57

As born-again believers, we are all foreigners to this world, regardless of where you are from. As born-again believers, we are now ambassadors for Christ, whose citizenship is now in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:17-21,Philippians 3:20), for whom we eagerly await our risen Savior. 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.    Romans 8:28-30

https://rev310.wordpress.com/2018/11/21/justified/

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My Sheep Hear My Voice

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. "But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of My Father's hand. "I and [My] Father are one."   John 10:22-30 NKJV

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah occurs Sunday December 2nd and I thought today we might recall a few observations about it that we have mentioned in the past, and the fact that Jesus chose this day to speak the words we read in the passage above.

It seems evident to me that there was a reason in Jesus' mind that it was important to walk in the Temple and make this statement on this particular day.  This Feast is known to us as Hanukkah, and I believe Jesus chose this day because of what this celebration was about, and the events it would recall to every Jew. Remember that Hanukkah celebrates the revolt which occurred because of the events which occurred only about two hundred years earlier in their history.  Every Jew would know this, and I am sure that the religious leaders of the day were making sure that everyone remembered what this celebration was all about.

During the occupation of Israel by the Syrian/Greek forces, the Selucid King of Syria, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, not only commanded the people to worship the Greek gods, he set up a statue of Zeus in the temple and sacrificed pigs on the altar. A revolt began and the end result was that in 165BC the king was overthrown and the Jews were able to resume worship in their temple. The trouble was, they discovered that when they went to relight the Menorah, or lampstand in the temple, there was only enough oil to burn for one day. Since this oil was specially consecrated by the priests for use, it would take days to prepare more. However, a miracle occurred in that the one day supply of oil burned for eight days allowing time for the priests to complete the process of acquiring more.

Although not one of the seven feasts of Israel ordained by God in the Old Testament, it is a very important celebration in Israel and is even referred to in the New Testament. So why do I bring this up? I suppose because I find so many interesting things associated with this celebration that we as believers can and should be aware of. So I want to take a little time examining some of them, and share my thoughts with you as to why I think they are important. So first of all, let’s talk about the Menorah. Of all the things to be found in the Temple, I think the Menorah was probably the most impressive. A description of it is found in Exodus 25 where God instructs Moses on how to construct it.

"You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its [ornamental] knobs, and flowers shall be [of one piece]. And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. Three bowls [shall be] made like almond [blossoms] on one branch, [with] an [ornamental] knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond [blossoms] on the other branch, [with] an [ornamental] knob and a flower--and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. On the lampstand itself four bowls [shall be] made like almond [blossoms, each with] its [ornamental] knob and flower. And [there shall be] a knob under the [first] two branches of the same, a knob under the [second] two branches of the same, and a knob under the [third] two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. Their knobs and their branches [shall be of one piece]; all of it [shall be] one hammered piece of pure gold. You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. And its wick-trimmers and their trays [shall be] of pure gold. It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. Exodus 25:31-39 NKJV

Notice how ornate this object was, and how much care had to be taken to make it. Notice too how specific God was with His instructions on how it was to be made. Here is what I get from reading this description. First of all, God is very specific when He says that there are six branches, three on each side, emanating from a main shaft. Why is that important? Type in "menorah" in your search engine and read some of the results. I bet every one of them describes a menorah as a "seven" branched candlestick. Am I being picky here? I don't think so. I believe the picture God paints for us here is very important, and often missed. I think most of you are probably familiar with the following verse;

"I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJV

"Without me you can do nothing". I would think we should consider that a rather important statement by our Lord. You see, something has to support the branches.  When I look at a picture of the menorah I see one main shaft from which branches grow. Is this the picture God intended for us to see? The branches get what they need not from themselves, but from the vine itself which has roots. So in essence, the main vine is the most important part of the picture. The vine supports the branches, not the other way around. Have you ever seen a vineyard when it is pruned? I live in wine country, and am surrounded by vineyards and wineries. After a vine is pruned I can tell you they look like stumps. Yet they aren't dead, and have plenty of life inside which manifests itself in the spring when the branches begin to grow. So the first thing I see when I look at a menorah is Jesus as the main shaft supporting the branches which symbolize all those who choose to believe.

Let's now consider the purpose of the lamp itself which is to give light. The purpose of having a lamp is to give light when it is dark in order to show us the way to walk without stumbling over something we would not ordinarily see. If God is showing us a picture of His Son as a lamp, with those who believe as the branches whose purpose is to give light, can we find another part of scripture to support that thought?

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 NKJV

So if Jesus is the light of the world and the main shaft or vine, as His branches we have that light as well with the ability to give light. Jesus told us that in the book of Matthew where He says this;

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NKJV

So what I see here is this, a lampstand such as the menorah gives light two ways. One, it shines light outward to fight the darkness that surrounds it. But two, the branches also send light inward, lighting up the shaft itself. When the world looks at the lamp, not only do they see the effect of the light it produces, but they see the lamp itself. So the second thing I think of when I see a menorah is Jesus as the light of the world, not only giving light but being glorified (lit up) by those who believe.

Then of course we come to the reason behind the celebration of Hanukkah, and that is the miracle of the oil. Obviously a lamp without oil cannot give light, so the oil is probably the most important part of the picture we are looking at here. Throughout the Bible it is plainly seen and accepted that oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament kings and priests were anointed with oil as a sign they were being "consecrated" and filled with the spirit. In Zechariah we see that the prophet was shown a vision of a lampstand with oil dripping into it and when he asks what it signifies is he is told;

So he answered and said to me: "This [is] the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

We also know Jesus told His disciples that they were going to receive the Holy Spirit as a gift and just what the results of that gift would be.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 NKJV

When we become believers and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we receive the "oil" we need to light our lamps. We have the power we need to live the life God expects from us and "light" the world with the deeds that will bring glory and honor to God. It also gives us the strength we need to let our light shine in the midst of the darkness we seem to be finding ourselves surrounded by more and more as we get closer to the end of this age. So I guess this is the third thing I see and think about when I look at a menorah, and that is the oil of the Holy Spirit which lights up the world through those who believe.

You will recall my feeling that the branches light the center stem, which I look at as Jesus, the light of the world. I also mentioned that the branches represent us as believers, reflecting the light of Jesus Christ to an unbelieving, or dark world. Now I want to suggest a possible implication related to the rapture of the Church. There should be no question in our minds that Jesus is indeed the Light of the world. I think the passage from John 1 makes that pretty clear, but if that is not enough, consider the following words from Jesus;

I have come [as] a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46 NKJV

So when thinking about Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Light, and the fact that John, as well as Jesus said He came into this world as a light, something else naturally comes to my mind.  We have, of course, mentioned the subject of coincidences lately, so let me share another one with you.

..... The best indication, however, of just when Jesus was born can be found in the first chapter of Luke when we are told of the conception and birth of Jesus' cousin John the Baptist. When we are introduced to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, we are told in verse 5 of chapter 1 that he was a priest "of the course of Abia", or Abijah. It says also that he was beginning his service in the temple when he was told by the angel Gabriel that he was about to become a father. We know from 1 Chronicles 24:10 that the course of Abijah was the eighth course to serve in the temple. This would mean his service would have ended around the month of July. Assuming a normal term of pregnancy, John would have likely been born around April of the next year.

Why is this important to our question of when Jesus was born? If we look at Luke 1:36 we see that when Gabriel visited Mary to tell her about what was about to happen to her, he also said that Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and Marys' cousin, was in her 6th month of pregnancy. This means that Jesus was to be born approximately 6 months after John the Baptist. Look at John being born around April, and you end up with Jesus being born around September. Is it possible that Jesus was actually born in September rather than in December as we celebrate it?

Now many who have studied this subject consider it a very strong possibility that Jesus was not only born in September, but on the Feast of Tabernacles as well, because in verse 14 of the passage from John 1 the word translated "dwelt" is "tabernacled" in the Greek. So what does this have to do with Hanukkah, the Festival of Light? Just this, if you subtract a normal 9 month pregnancy from the Feast of Tabernacles you get a date of conception in December, right where we find the Festival of Light. If you believe as I do that life begins at conception, then when did the "Light" of the world arrive? Hanukkah? Interesting thought isn't it? Just another coincidence?

I did, however, also mention this might have implications for the rapture of the church. How is that? Well, if we the Church, the Body of Christ, are a "light" in this world of darkness, reflecting the "light of Christ" to an unbelieving world, is there a possibility that "light" would leave on the anniversary it first "arrived"? If the past is any indication, we know God has allowed numerous historical events to occur on the anniversaries of His feast days, so why would it be a surprise if He did it again on this day?

Am I predicting a Hanukkah rapture? No, but truth be told, I for one would not be surprised at all. What I get from studying Hanukkah is just more conviction of my personal responsibility to shine my light as bright as I can to a world that seems to be getting darker every day. And if you may have stumbled onto this blog by accident and question where you may spend eternity, may I encourage you to pray to Jesus Christ and confess your sins, ask Him to come into your life, and begin to experience a life filled with the "light of life".

The next time the Church will hear His voice is when He calls us home at the rapture. Those who have made the choice to accept His gift of eternal life will go to be with Him forever for eternity. If you have never made the decision to accept that free gift I encourage you to do so today.  Simply ask God to forgive you of your sin based on your belief that Jesus died to pay the price for your sin, and turn over control of your life to Him.  You can do that right now by praying a prayer just like this one;

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen."

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Moving Ever Closer

The burden against Damascus. "Behold, Damascus will cease from [being] a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken; They will be for flocks Which lie down, and no one will make [them] afraid.     Isaiah 17:1-2 NKJV

https://www.debka.com/russian-special-forces-land-in-s-syria-us-raptors-deter-syrian-iranian-russian-combat-aircraft/

https://www.debka.com/israel-and-hizballah-trade-threats-over-iran-supplied-precision-guidance-missiles/

By now I am sure you know I usually put the links of articles I feel are important at the end of the articles I write, but obviously, today is rather different.  I did this to emphasize the magnitude of recent events in the Middle East which I believe are a definite sign that we are looking at the major conflicts described as occurring in the last days by the prophets as being on our near horizon.  Many are familiar with the prophecy from Ezekiel 38,39 which is commonly known as the Gog Magog War, where Russia and her allies attempt to invade Israel through the Golan Heights, yet most are not aware that many prophecy scholars place the conflict described by Isaiah in chapter 17 of his book as immediately preceding, if not the cause of the Ezekiel conflict.

If correct, then if we see the stage being set for the Ezekiel event, it follows that the Isaiah conflict is even closer and could occur at any time.  Of concern to most who have chosen to study the Isaiah prophecy is the fact that it appears it describes destruction so severe that the only reasonable conclusion is that Israel uses a nuclear weapon to cause it. One of the questions most people have when they consider the possibility that this prophecy from Isaiah seems to describe a future nuclear attack on Damascus is “why”? The use of nuclear arms is certainly abhorrent to most, yet most agree that this is exactly what is described in these passages. I believe that the clue to the answer to that question lies in the identification of the “cities of Aroer”.

In all of the research I have done up until now, the one consistent fact has been that most people who have studied and written about this prophecy place the location of Aroer in the country of Jordan. Unlike Damascus, Aroer no longer exists, so we are left to try to identify its location by studying past references, and looking for archaeological evidence that might support a conclusion as to its whereabouts.

Aroer is mentioned three times in the Bible, and all occur in the Old Testament. Unfortunately for us, however, each describes a different location, so we are left to examine what the Bible says about each and see if we can decide which location Isaiah is attempting to describe. The first mention of Aroer is found in the book of Deuteronomy where it says;

“From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all unto us;”     Deuteronomy 2:36

This site has been identified as being on the northern bank of the Arnon ravine located in the modern country of Jordan, just east of the Dead Sea. The second mention of Aroer we find is in the book of Joshua, where Moses is allotting land to the twelve tribes and describing their boundaries. In this verse he describes;

“And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;”     Joshua 13:25

Joshua describes Aroer as being "before Rabbah". This city or any ruins of it have never been located, but by the description we know it would need to be situated be some twenty miles or so north of Jerusalem. The final time Aroer is mentioned before Isaiah’s prophecy is in the book of Samuel, where we find it listed among a group of cities that David is sharing spoil with from his defeat of the Amalekites. We find when we read that;

“And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoah,”     1 Samuel 30:28

This location has been identified as being in the Negev, twelve miles southeast of Beer-sheba. We also see from reading this passage that it was one of many cities located in the same area which helped and supported David in his battle with the Amalekites. Ruins of this city have been found, and you can even locate it on a map if your Bible has maps in the back. Simply look for a map of Israel in the time of David, and you should be able to see Aroer located in the south of Israel, southwest of Beer-sheba.

So we have three different locations to choose from, and no help from the Isaiah passage to identify which one he is referring to. Is it possible to find a way to know for sure exactly which one of these locations is the one that Isaiah describes as being "forsaken"?

First of all, I think it may be logical to assume that Isaiah is referring to the location southeast of Beer-sheba for several reasons. The first is that if you compare the dates that these three books were written, you find that the Samuel passage was written closest to the time of Isaiah, as opposed to the others which were written much earlier in Israel’s history. Also, if you look closely at these three locations, you see one of them is in Jordan, not Israel. Since Isaiah is describing a conflict between Syria and Israel, I think we can dismiss the Jordan location as a possibility. So we are left to choose between two locations, one which has never been positively located, and one which not only has been located, but may have some military significance as well.

If we look at a map of Israel during the time of the twelve tribes, we can easily see where Aroer is located. Now compare that map with a map of Israel today and you may be surprised to find that a very significant complex has been constructed in the same approximate location of ancient Aroer, and that is the nuclear research facility known as Dimona. Since Isaiah is describing a future conflict between Israel and Syria, obviously there must be a good reason that Israel chooses to completely destroy Damascus. Is it possible that it is in response to an attack of some sort on Dimona? I think it is not only possible, but logical.

So exactly where does Damascus fit in? Simply it is very questionable that Iran can respond directly from their own territory with rockets accurate enough, or with enough range to hit Dimona, but according to this article from Debka, they do now because those missles are in Southern Syria.  Would Iran launch their response from Syria? Most experts have no doubt that Syria would do exactly what Iran tells them to do, considering the extent to which Syria is indebted to them. Are we seeing the clues to the beginning of the next Middle East War in the news today? Could it happen in the very near future?

One more thing which I found fascinating in the first article was the mention of Russia moving its fleet from the Black Sea, through the Bosporus Strait, to take up station off the coast of Syria.  Reading that caused me to recall something I had read long ago, which, although not from the Bible, I believe may have great significance for what we have been studying. If you study Bible prophecy, you are probably familiar with author Grant Jeffrey, who has authored many books on biblical prophecy. In his book, “The Next World War”, he makes the following statement;

There is an oral tradition recorded from the Vilna Gaon , a Jewish commentary, that points out the significance of the Russian navy (Magog) passing through the Bosporus straits on the way to the Mediterranean through the Dardanelles: “It is now time to put on your Sabbath clothes because the Messiah is coming.”

Grant Jeffrey, “The Next World War”; Chap. 12, pp 150.

When I read this my first thought was what Jesus said in Luke when He was talking to His disciples about the end of days;

"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."     Luke 21:28 NKJV

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