The Final Jihad

Part Three-The One Day War Of Gog Versus God - The Question Of The Timing Of This Future Battle

There is coming a final jihad between the Islamic world and Israel. The United States will play a role in this conflict and our decisions on who will support in this jihad will ultimately determine our national destiny. There is no mention of the USA specifically in scripture. In contrast you cannot ready ANY prophetic scripture without seeing ISRAEL all over the pages. That should give us pause to think today and know that the time is quickly approaching for the coming of the Lord.

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: Ezekiel 38:8

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them

The number one question most people want to know as it relates to this end-time invasion of Israel, as well as all of prophetic Bible events is WHEN. When will the Rapture take place? When will the temple be rebuilt in Jerusalem? How long until Babylon is rebuilt? When?

There was a time in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ that his disciples asked him the same question:

Matt 24:1-3

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

(KJV)

The simple answer to the question of “when” these events will take place is “WE DON’T KNOW!” There are times when the Father tells His children exactly when an event will occur and there are times when He doesn’t. I believe through much study of prophecy since 1989 that there are NO experts in this field who can pinpoint the time when these events we have written about will take place. There are SIGNS all around us that these events are close, no doubt about that. There are SIGNS that we are living in the last days without question. But to try to set any type of date for the rapture and these other events is utter foolishness and it just makes people look stupid if you don’t mind me saying it. I believe God ordained it that way. If someone did have the time they’d be so arrogant and proud you could’nt touch them with a 50-foot pole.

Having said that, I believe Ezekiel does give us three clues as to WHEN this event of an Islamic invasion of Israel will take place. All three clues are found in one verse: 38:8:

Ezekiel 38:8

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Clue No. 1 - It must be the “latter years” or “last days” when this invasion occurs.

The first clue regarding the timing issue of this event is found in the phrases “after many days” and “in the latter years.” According to God, this invasion will occur “in the latter years.” Another phrase like this occurs in v. 16 of this same chapter:

Ezekiel 38:16

And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

This phrase actually occurs in its Hebrew form 14 times in the Old Covenant. It is used in reference to Israel’s final time of distress or to Israel’s final restoration to the Messianic Kingdom:

Isaiah 2:2

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Jeremiah 23:20

The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

Jeremiah 30:24

The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

Hosea 3:5

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.

Micah 4:1

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

The second use of the phrase “latter days” or “last days” in the Old Covenant is in Deuteronomy 4:30 where it describes both the future tribulation for Israel as well as her ultimate restoration and blessings:

Deut. 4:30

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

These phrases tend to tell us that the battle and invasion spoken of in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is STILL TO COME in the future. The timing of this battle also tells us that it will occur AFTER the rapture of the church to heaven. Since this invasion will occur in the last days, which is the time of Israel’s future tribulation and restoration, and since the Rapture (as many teach) will more than likely occur before the Tribulation begins, then this indicates that the Battle of Gog and Magog will occur after the rapture of all believers in Christ to heaven.

Clue No. 2 – Israel must be regathered to her land when this invasion occurs.

Ezekiel 38:8

Ezek 38:8

8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.

(NIV)

God is speaking to the invading nations in this verse and saying that sometime in the future they will attack Israel when she has been restored to her land in the latter years or last days. This can only be referring to the regathering of Israel that began in 1948 when many Jews returned to their homeland for the first time in 19 centuries. This point is further supported by Ezekiel 36 and 37 which speaks of a national restoration of Israel in the latter years. These two chapters of Israel’s regathering precede the two chapters dealing with this end-time invasion. God is telling us CLEARLY that AFTER Israel is back in her land then this invasion can take place. To be quite frank with you – that piece of the puzzle is already in place – SHE IS THERE TODAY!

The last decade has seen multiple millions of Jewish people return home. In fact just this past summer we had the first Aliyah (RETURN TO HOMELAND) from America EVER of Jewish people when a group from Central Florida left to go home. Neighbor, we are living in unprecedented times today and it’s a message and warning to us all to be ready to meet Yeshuah!

Clue 3 – Israel must be at REST when this occurs

Ezek 38:8

(NIV)

Ezek 38:11

11 You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people-- all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.

(NIV)

Ezek 38:14

14 "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? 5 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.

(NIV)

Since 1948, Israel has NEVER enjoyed a time of peace and safety when she could let her guard down. Modern Israel has never really had a time of peace – only brief respites without full-fledged war. Looking at the situation today in the Middle East one might ask “when will Israel EVER enjoy a time of rest and security like the one described in Ezekiel 38?”

There are only two times in Israel’s future when the Bible indicates she will be at peace. The first is a brief three-and-a-half year period of peace during the first half of the seven-year Tribulation, which will begin when the Antichrist makes a covenant of peace treaty with Israel.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The second time of peace for Israel will be when the PRINCE of PEACE, the Lord Jesus, returns to earth from heaven to destroy Israel’s enemies and inaugurate his one thousand year kingdom of peace and joy centered in Israel

Rev. 19:11-21

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies that were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. [17] And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; [18] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. [19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. [20] And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. [21] And the remnant was slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Rev. 20:1-10

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, [3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. [7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, [8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. [9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. [10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

However, Isaiah 2:4 says explicitly that this time will be a time of NO War:

Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Putting all this together we can feel rather secure in believing and teaching that this battle will take place at sometime AFTER Israel has signed the seven-year peace treaty with the Antichrist, which will be sometime during the first three-and-a-half year tribulation period. I purposely am not going to say “after” the church has been raptured- because there are some who teach and believe that the church may very well be here for this covenant signing and then be raptured out sometime towards the middle of this week. Either way, Israel will be at peace with her enemies and think she has found her Messiah in the Antichrist.

The Hebrew word for “securely,” is betah” and is used all three times in Ezekiel 38 – 8, 11, 14. It expresses that “sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence.” Israel’s first “betah

” will not be with Yeshua but with the Anti-Christ or Anti-Messiah who will deceive her into signing this worthless covenant. Under this covenant Israel will be able to relax for the first time since her creation in 1948. The Gentile nations will become her friends, apparently guaranteeing Israel her borders and promised her freedom. During that time we can say without question that Israel will be at rest and secure. Russia will lead this invasion at a time when Israel will be least expecting it. We don’t know exactly what the Antichrist will be up to at this time but we do know from Daniel’s writings and John’s writings that he will be a master politician and one who will speak bold things to the world. He will have made several enemies by this time I’m sure.

And remember again, that shortly after this invasion the Antichrist will become the BEAST and declare ALL religions – Islam, Christianity, Judaism and any other “isms,” ILLEGAL and demand TOTAL worship of HIM and his image. (Rev. 12-13). This Islamic invasion will probably occur somewhere near the end of the first half of the Tribulation. If that is the case it will occur some 3 ½ years PRIOR to the great Battle of Armageddon when the Antichrist will try and do what this Islamic invasion couldn’t do in destroying Israel for himself. Even though he may seem to be upset about this invasion – believe me – he has the same intention in his heart later because he is the devil incarnate – and SATAN HATES ISRAEL.

The Jewish people are coming home and with each one who reaches the shores of Israel – the clock ticks a little closer to the fulfillment of this event.

The Rider On The Red Horse

Revelation 6-19 is the most detailed picture we have of the coming seven-year Tribulation period. These 14 chapters are the heart of the book of Revelation. Revelation 6:1-8 records the opening of the seal judgments that inaugurate this seven-year period of hell on earth. The first four of these seals are often called the four horsemen of the Apocalypse: a rider on a white horse, a rider on a red horse, a rider on the black horse, and a rider on a pale horse. The first two of these horsemen parallel what we see in Ezekiel 38. First, the rider on the white horse emerges on the scene allowing Israel to rest from war. The Antichrist will come in “peaceably,” and “with flatteries.” He will probably never raise a sword at all during his rise to power. He will hide that part of his nature from the rest of the world. He will threaten war at times I’m sure but will achieve his victory through peace. He will conceal his iron fist in the velvet glove of peace.

Second, the rider on the red horse pictures the bloody, brutal slaughter of war. The word for “RED” in Greek is pyrros (fiery red). He rides forth with a great sword to take pace from the earth that was ushered in by the Antichrist. (Rev. 6:3-4)

This pictures a general state of warfare that begins to break out ALL over the world during the first half of the Tribulation period – just as Jesus predicted in Matthew 24:6-7 and continues till Armageddon. This red horse rider could very well picture the first bloodbath of the Tribulation period – the battle of Gog and Magog. This battle will be a harbinger of what’s ahead for planet earth during the Tribulation period.

There is a continued cry for peace in the Middle East. With the rise of militant Islam and the resurgence of Iraq’s threat of nuclear weapons, it seems that the rider on the red horse could be mounting up. This event is on us and on us soon. It’s that late neighbor. It’s that late.

The One-Day War Of Gog And Magog

Someday in the future the events of the Six-Day War will be repeated with a few crucial differences. When Gog and his allies invade Israel in the last days, it will look like Israel has finally met her doom. She will surrounded on ALL sides – Russia and Turkey from the north, Iran from the east, Libya from the west, Sudan from the south, and possibly many of the nations in between from every direction. Israel will be caught in a seemingly inescapable place.

The first thing that happens as this invasion develops is that a small group of countries lodge a lame protest against these invaders. That sounds similar to today’s call for “diplomatic diplomacy” as the USA decides to strike Iraq. In this case, the same call will be made first to these invading countries not to invade Israel:

Ezekiel 38:13

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, 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?

The specific nations who question Gog’s actions are “Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish.” Sheba and Dedan are not that difficult to identify. They are the ancient names for the region of the world we know as SAUDI ARABIA. Tarshish in ancient Tartessus in the present-day nation of SPAIN.

Tarshish was a wealthy, flourishing colony of the Phoenicians located in modern Spain, which exported silver, iron, tin and lead: (Jer. 10:9, Ezekiel 27:12, 25). But note that Ezekiel refers not just to Tarshish, but also to the “merchants of Tarshish with all its villages.” (NIV) The KJV of the Bible says “Tarshish with all its young lions.” Young lions in scripture often refer to young rulers. These will be strong military and political leaders who in concert will lodge a strong protest against what Gog and these nations are doing to Israel.

Tarshish in Ezekiel’s day was the farthest west regions of the known world, in Spain. When God commanded Jonah to go preach to Nineveh (about 500 miles northeast of Israel), Jonah headed to Tarshish, or Spain, which was far in the other direction as he could go. (See Jonah 1:1-3).

As we know, Spain is in modern Europe, more specifically Western Europe. Tarshish, or modern Spain could be used by Ezekiel to represent the nations of Western Europe that will join Saudi Arabia in denouncing this invasion.

It is also associated with the West in general.

Ps 72:7-11

7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endures.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. (KJV)

The young lions of Tarshish could be a reference of the colonies that emerged from Europe. If this is true, this could be a reference to the United States in the last days joining in with her European and Saudi allies to lodge a formal protest against the Russian-Islamic aggressors.

I would not put a lot of money on this scenario because I have a deep feeling that the USA will no longer be known as the USA when this all occurs. The rapture will leave a deep wound in this nation that her enemies will see. We do know from this that there will be a coalition of western nations will lodge a protest against these Islamic invaders.

The scenario for this in Ezekiel 38 is being formed right now. Russia continues to build alliances with Middle Eastern nations. Sudan (CUSH) and Iran (PERSIA) are strong allies. The Muslim nations of Asia (Magog) have developing ties with Iran, Russia and Turkey. They all have to things in common - their hatred for Israel and Islam. For that reason is it not too difficult to imagine these nations coming together for an end-time invasion of God’s covenant land.

The fly in the ointment for these nations will surprisingly be Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, even though she has been rather shaky of late, has been one of America’s lone supporters in the war against terrorism in the Middle East. The U.S. and NATO use bases in Saudi Arabia to launch strikes against countries like Iraq and to monitor the entire Persian Gulf area.

The exact alignment of nations predicted in Ezekiel 38 was almost clearly evidenced in the Gulf War of the 1990s and continues for the most part today. The United States, Western Europe, and Saudi Arabia were allied against Iraq while Russia, Iran and Sudan, Libya, and most of the other nations of the Middle East and Persian Gulf were aligned with Iraq, or at least against the West.

Gog Will Not Care About The Protests

Gog and his allies will totally disregard these diplomatic protests against the invasion of Israel. They are bent on war and destruction. It’s the perfect time, and they will not back down. This invasion will make the invasions of Israel by Arab nations in 1967 and 1973 look like a Sunday school picnic in comparison.

When Gog assembles this last-days strike force, it will look like Israel is finished. Israel will be completely surrounded. This time the Jewish people will not be able to overcome their enemies by their own strength and ingenuity. Israel will be totally overwhelmed. Gog and his army will cover Israel like a cloud. And yet the Bible says that God will come to the rescue for His people. Almighty God will intervene and win this battle for Israel. He will quickly and completely annihilate the Islamic invaders from the face of the earth by supernatural means:

Ezekiel 38:18-23

And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God that my fury shall come up in my face. [19] For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; [20] So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. [21] And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother. [22] And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. [23] 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 lists FOUR means by which God will destroy these invaders:

A Great Earthquake – the Great Tribulation will be a time of many earthquakes, but this earthquake God will use to conquer and confuse these invaders.
Infighting among the troops of the various nations – this will be the largest case of death by friendly fire in human history
Disease – Gog and his troops will experience a horrible, lethal plague that will add to the misery and devastation already inflicted.
Torrential rain, hailstones, fire and brimstone (burning sulfur) – this will be similar in scope to what God did to Sodom and Gomorrah

The only land this conquering army will conquer in this invasion will be their burial places. (Ezekiel 39:12). They will set out to bury Israel, but God will bury them.

Ezekiel 39:12

And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.

The Result Of This Battle: The Rise Of Antichrist

After the smoke settles after this battle, this could be the final piece of the puzzle left before Antichrist comes on the world’s scene in full. With the armies of Russia, Iran, Libya, the Central Asian nations, Sudan, Ethiopia, Iraq, Syria and Jordan perhaps in tatters or perhaps in some cases totally destroyed, there will be an immediate call for disarmament and unity. He will have little resistance in establishing his one-world kingdom. There will be a dramatic shift in the balance of power in favor of the Antichrist, making him the undisputed leader of the world.

Shortly after this, the Antichrist will more than likely break his seven-year peace agreement with Israel at the midpoint of the Tribulation as predicted in Daniel 9:27 and begin his 3 ½ year reign of terror.

Rev. 13:5-7

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. [6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. [7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Secondly, as we have alluded to before, this battle will drive a nail so deep into the heart of Islamic worship, that the stage will be set for the Antichrist to demand the world worship him as God. As long as Islam is a major force in the world, it is very difficult to imagine a one-world religion with one man worshipped as God.

2 Thes. 2:3-7

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [4] Who opposes and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. [5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [6] And now ye know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Rev. 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

All the events necessary for this coming invasion are on the horizon as we speak. It does not take a huge stretch of the imagination to see these scenarios playing out and playing out soon.

There are about 1 billion Muslims worldwide. After the rapture Islam will be the predominant religion on Planet Earth. These Muslims would vehemently resist worshipping a man as God. But with the destruction of their armies in Israel by God, those who are left in the Islamic nations will be unable to mount much of a protest against Antichrist’s demand all bow down and worship him as God.

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