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In Iraq And Syria, US Lifts Rules Meant To Protect Civilians
Exacting standards designed to avoid unintended casualties do not apply to fight against Islamic State, White House says
TIMESOFISRAEL.COM
Showing posts with label Syria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Syria. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Hamas And The Palestinian Movement In Bible Prophecy
Hamas And The Palestinian Movement In Bible Prophecy
I am aware that there are various views in our community as to the identity of Israel ’s invader of the last days. Whoever it is, it surely cannot be that the Arab world surrounding Israel will not eagerly join in or be a major part of the attack. The real aims and intentions of Hamas / the P.L.O. are perhaps not so widely known because much of their literature remains in Arabic only. I have taken some time to analyze original sources of Arab rhetoric, and the similarity of wording and intention between them and Bible prophecy is astounding. I am left with no doubt that what is happening in the Middle East right now, especially relating to the P.L.O., is a most definite sign that the Lord’s coming is near. I am grateful to newly baptized converts in Jordan and Lebanon for opening my eyes to many of the following observations. The Hebrew word hamas [basically meaning 'physical violence arising from wicked plans'] is quite common in Scripture, and the usages speak of how God is provoked by hamas to bring judgment upon the enemies of His people (Gen. 6:11-13; Mic. 6:12; Zeph. 1:9) and also to intervene in order to save His people (Ps. 18:49; Ps. 72:14). How amazingly appropriate that an organization actually called hamas has arisen in these last days to do violence to Israel! If Biblical history means anything to us, clearly enough God's intervention in appropriate judgment and salvation cannot be far off. Note how Hagar's persecution of Sarah- typical of the Arab-Jew conflict- is described as her hamas (Gen. 16:5).
Psalm 83
“For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head”
The revival of Arab nationalism and its organization in the P.L.O. They lift up / exalt the rosh, the head- they set up an individual leader over them. This could be “Gog…the chief prince” of Ezek. 38, “the king of the north” of Daniel, “the man of sin” of 2 Thess. 2, and all the other references to a latter day Nebuchadnezzar / antiChrist figure.
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
The intentions of the P.L.O. are “crafty” in that there is the impression given that they seek co-existence with Israel ; they are plotting the destruction of Israel and the Jews under the guise of humanism and peaceful intentions. But the Arab Confederacy seeks to destroy Israel , as is evident:
“The Palestinian Covenant declares as its central themes a total repudiation of the existence of Israel…the claim that Israel should not exist is implied in almost half of its 33 articles…the demand for the demise of Israel becomes a matter of inevitable necessity” (1)
“Israelis are barely human creatures who may be tolerated in the Palestinian state as individuals, with their numbers reduced” (2)
“The question of how to reduce the number of Jews in a Palestinian state…is highlighted by the use of murderous terms against the Israelis” (3)
Article 8 of the Palestinian Covenant: “The conflicts among the Palestinian national forces are secondary, and should be ended for the sake of the basic conflict that exists between Zionism…and the Arab people.”
Article 9: “Armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine. It is the overall strategy.”
Yet a willfully naïve world overlooks these statements because they prefer to believe the “crafty counsel” of the Arabs- that they seek for peaceful co-existence with the Jews in Israel .
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
The Arabs argue that Israel / the Jews are not a people:
“Israeli Jews…can only be nationals of (other) states, where nationality is not Jewish. The demand for the liquidation of Israel thus also stems directly as a necessary conclusion from the definition that the Jews are (already) not a nation…since the state of Israel is not based on true nationalism, it is often described in Arabic as an ‘artificial entity’…the theory that the Jews do not constitute a nation is also recited for the claim of exclusive Arab nationality of the Palestinian state” (4)
“Victory for the Arabs is possible only in the liquidation of Israel ; anything else is capitulation.”
“The Jews are not a nation and thus on principle do not deserve to have a state of their own…there is no atrocity that cannot be justified in order to bring about the liquidation of Israel ” (5)
The desire to “cut them off from being a nation” runs counter to God’s clear statement in Gen. 25:23: “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people…”. Note that they were not to be of a different ethnicity, as both Jews and Arabs often claim [for they were from the same parents], but different types of people.
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
The Arabs will unite themselves against Israel . The ‘Palestinian National Covenant’ uses the Arab wordQawmi for ‘National’ – i.e. pan-Arab. Note the RV of Ps. 83:5: “Against thee do they make a covenant”.
“The Palestinian National Authority will strive to achieve a union of the confrontation countries [i.e. “all nations around about” Israel- D.H.]…or a step along the road to comprehensive Arab unity” – Political Programs of the P.L.O., Article 8.
“The Palestinian National Council calls upon the Arab nation [singular!] to shoulder its pan-Arab responsibilities and to pool all its energies to confront …Zionism” – Political Resolution of the 13thPalestinian National Council, Article 4.
The Palestinian Liberation Army is under an “inter-Arab High Command” (6)
“The Palestinians will have three mottoes: national unity, pan-Arab mobilization, and liberation” (Are these the three unclean spirits of Rev. 16 that gather the nations around Israel to battle?) – Political Resolution of the 13th Palestinian National Council, Article 11.
“Nasser used to argue that Arab unity is a pre-requisite for …enabling the initiation of an all-out war againstIsrael ” (7)
“The Arab ‘nation’ is made up of ‘peoples’ and the (one) Arab homeland comprises the national homeland of these peoples…the relationship of the people and the individual to the overall Arab homeland and nation is called in modern Arabic Qamwiyya (nationalism)…like the trunk of a tree that branches off into offshoots of local patriotism…the splitting up of the Arab region into separate states carved out by the colonial powers. However, once Arab unity is achieved and the frontiers wiped out…” (8)
“As for the Egyptians, the Iraqis…they are nothing but the peoples & branches of one nation, the Arab nation” (9)
“Colonialism shattered the unity of our Arab nation and the unity of our Arab homeland…but this has not prevented the masses…from feeling they are one people” -Resolution of Palestinian National Council, 1971(10)
The intention is to create a single nation which is home for all the Arab peoples. This may include not onlyPalestine but all of the land promised to Abraham. “Palestine is inseparable from the Arab homeland” (11) .
“King Hussein’s plan for the establishment of a so-called United Arab Kingdom” (12)
“This crisis has captivated the whole Arab nation throughout the greater Arab homeland” (13) – i.e. the earth/land promised to Abraham. It could well be that the entire area promised to Abraham is briefly confederated into one Arab super state once Israel is over-run. In this sense all the prophecies about theeretz (the land / earth) being dominated by Israel ’s enemies would then come true.
Not only will the Arabs unite amongst themselves but they will unite many other world forces in their anti-semitism. This must be, for if there is to be a time of trouble for Jacob such as never was, the millions of Jews living in North America are going to have to be persecuted even worse than they were by Nazi Germany. Things are going to have to change- dramatically, and in a very short time. The god of this world is humanism, and it seems that all the world will be united by the Arabs against Israel under this guise.
“The enemy of humanity’ is a phrase found in Arab writing to designate Israel ... Such a description is designed to mobilize support from all peoples, because Zionism is portrayed as an imperialist base that threatens them too” (14).
Article 16 of the P.L.O. National Covenant: “The liberation of Palestine, from a spiritual point of view, will provide the Holy Land with an atmosphere of safety and tranquility, which in turn will safeguard the country’s religious sanctuaries…. accordingly, the people of Palestine look to all spiritual forces in the world for support.”
Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
In these incidents, the Arab invaders destroyed themselves. There is plenty of evidence that the Arab solidarity against Israel is very shallow; they are deeply fractured, and a victory against the Jews could well bring out those differences immediately, in a very bitter and self-destructive way. This final destruction is likely that spoken of in Revelation, where after a brief period of unity against God’s people, “The horns hate the whore”- Babylon / Iraq ? The final phase of domination of the land of Israel foretold in Daniel 2 was by a confederacy of “iron and clay”, nations that don’t mix together well; although in the context of dominating Israel , they are united. Particularly the Palestinians and other Arabs are mutually suspicious of each other; and there is ample tension between Iraq [latter day Babylon] and its Arab neighbours.
“Expressions of suspicion toward the Arab states abound in Palestinian writings. They contain sharp criticism of discrimination against the Palestinians in the form of restrictive decrees in employment and travel. Expressions of hatred can even be found against the Arab states” (15).
“The P.L.O. will retaliate against the Arab states…if they take a line of policy which the P.L.O. regards as inimical to it’s cause” (16) .
“Arab governments (are) suspicious of the plan to organize the Palestinians into the Palestinian entity” (17).
Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Clearly enough, the specific focus of the P.L.O. has been on taking control of Jerusalem’s holy places. This is evident in all of Arafat’s speeches. The P.L.O. refuses to cease hostilities against God’s people until they are in possession of Jerusalem.
It seems that the ideal of the P.L.O. is to establish a fake Kingdom of God in the land promised to Abraham, with Jerusalem as the capital, a new ‘temple’ built there, and some antiChrist figure such as Arafat or Saddam ruling there. Their dream is of a land of plenty and true tolerance and equality, glorifying all the principles of humanism- and yet excluding God’s people. All Arabs world-wide would be encouraged to return and live in this Arab superstate, mimicing how the true seed of Abraham will be gathered home in the last days. The P.L.O. plan to send the Jews out of the land into captivity- Saddam Hussein once said just the same. The Babylonian captivity will be re-enacted, and then in a ‘second exodus’ the Jews will return and perhaps build the temple which they were instructed to build in Ez. 40-48. This expulsion of the Jews from the land is foretold in Dt. 28- where disobedient Israel are to be taken into Egypt again by ships, something which has never yet occurred; and also in Zech. 14, where in the last days Jerusalem is to be captured by her enemies and half the city go off into captivity. And then, the Lord returns to the Mount of Olives from which He left.
“Only Jews who undertake to be loyal to the Palestinian state shall be recognized…the recurring motif in Palestinian literature which insists that the Jews who would be allowed (to remain) should relinquish Zionism” (18)
“Peace in the land of Palestine and the neighboring countries is our heart’s desire. Above all, a precondition for this is the liberation of Palestine” (19).
“The right to return includes the right to get back all former Arab property, the return of which will cause the mass eviction of Israelis from Jaffa, Nazareth, etc.” (20)
“The establishment of the Palestinian state is bound up with a mass evacuation of Jews from their homes, and they will be thus forced to emigrate” (21)
Shuqairy, founder of the P.L.O., often made the proposal to send the Jews back to their countries of origin. Naji Alush repeats the proposal and asks, “Why not ask the U.N. to finance this plan?” (22) . If accepted, this would unite “all nations” against Israel and her Messiah.
Article 11 of the Constitution of Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party read: “Whoever emigrated to the Arab homeland (Palestine) with a colonialist aim shall be expelled”.
Naji Alush defines “the stand of the Arab national movement on Palestine concerning the Jews” as being that the same number of Jews that were in Palestine before 1914 (i.e. 20,000) should be allowed to remain, and own the 1% of the land they then owned – and the rest be extradited (23).
“Permission to stay in Palestine should be granted to the Jews who shall declare that they are giving up the idea of the Jewish state” (24) .
It is significant that the Arabs demand that the minority of Jews who they would let remain become ‘Arabs’. “Such a state…should be explicitly & emphatically an Arab state with a minority of Jews, who from a national viewpoint, would become Arabs” (25). It could be that this meant they accepted Islam. In this case we would have an analogous situation to that in countless historical types of the last days: Israel accept the idols of the surrounding Arab world and are judged because of it.
Notes
(1) Y. Harkabi, The Palestinian Covenant And It’s Meaning (Totowa, N.J: Valentine, Mitchell & Co., 1979) p.11
(2) Harkabi op cit. p. 13
(3) Harkabi op cit. p. 48
(4) Naji Alush, The Road To Palestine p.141
(5) Harkabi op cit. p. 12
(6) Harkabi op cit. p. 62
(7) Harkabi op cit. p. 70
(8) Harkabi op cit. p. 31
(9) Sati Al-Husri, Arabism First, (Beirut Lebanon : P.L.O. Research Centre) p. 13.
(10) As recorded in Anne Zahlan, International Documents on Palestine (Beirut, Lebanon: Institute for Palestine Studies, 1974) p. 398.
(11) Harkabi op cit. p. 99
(12) Harkabi op cit. p. 135
(13) Harkabi op cit. p. 136
(14) Harkabi op cit. p. 90
(15) Harkabi op cit. p. 72
(16) Harkabi op cit. p. 96
(17) Harkabi op cit. p. 10
(18) Harkabi op cit. p. 46
(19) Fayez Sayegh, A Handful of Mist (Beirut, Lebanon : P.L.O. Research Centre) p.19.
(20) Harkabi op cit. p. 157
(21) Harkabi op cit. p. 56
(22) Naji Alush op cit. p. 219
(23) Naji Alush, The Palestinian National Movement (Beirut, Lebanon, 1969) p. 170
(24) Niqula Al-Dor (one time member of the P.L.O. Executive), Thus Lost and Thus to be Returned (Beirut,Lebanon : Al-Hawadith Press).
(25) Harkabi op cit. p.52
Iran wants to unite Hamas, Hizbullah in anti-Israel war
Top sources in Hizbullah and Hamas told Time magazine that Hizbullah's backers in the Iranian government have called the the two organizations together to focus them on 'jihad' againstIsrael .
When Khaled Masha'al of Hamas and Sheik Hassan Nasrallah of Hizbullah meet in Teheran this week it will signal a truce in what has been the struggle to be the leading terror arm of the Palestinian uprising, reported Time. Competition between the two had generated an increase in attacks on Israeli territory and coordination will likely make those strikes more effective. A source in the Hamas military wing, IzzadinKassam, told Time that his organization has already commenced joint operations with Hizbullah and Islamic Jihad.
Top sources in Hizbullah and Hamas told Time magazine that Hizbullah's backers in the Iranian government have called the the two organizations together to focus them on 'jihad' against
When Khaled Masha'al of Hamas and Sheik Hassan Nasrallah of Hizbullah meet in Teheran this week it will signal a truce in what has been the struggle to be the leading terror arm of the Palestinian uprising, reported Time. Competition between the two had generated an increase in attacks on Israeli territory and coordination will likely make those strikes more effective. A source in the Hamas military wing, IzzadinKassam, told Time that his organization has already commenced joint operations with Hizbullah and Islamic Jihad.
GPL News, May 2001
The Significance Of The Georgia - Russia Conflict In Bible Prophecy
The Significance Of The Georgia - Russia Conflict In Bible Prophecy
The well known Bible prophecy of Ezekiel 38:1-4 describes a latter day invasion of Israel by a group of nations, amongst whom would be a "chief prince" who would have power over (or 'cause to ascend') Meshech and Tubal. "Some modern Georgian... claim descent from Tubal and Meshech; a Georgian historian, Ivane Javakhishvili, considered Tabal, Tubal, Jabal and Jubal to be ancient Georgian tribal designations" (1). The words 'Tbilisi' and 'Tubal' share the same consonants- t'b'l'. There's a fascinating piece of research which explains how the word 'Tubal' developed through the phases tabar-tibar-tibar-tibilisi' (2). Further, Gen. 4:22 speaks of Tubal as "an instructor of those who work in brass and iron" and Ez. 27:13 states that Tubal traded in brass. The Institute of Metallurgy in the Georgian Technical University and Georgian Academy of Sciences is one of Georgia's few academic claims to fame to this day. Their museum features the earliest known samples of tinned bronze (3). The following quote not only underlines Georgia's association with metallurgy, but demonstrates her role in spreading the technology of metallurgy, as required by the Gen. 4:22 reference to Tubal being "an instructor of those who work in brass and iron":
"The ancient Greek and Roman authors would also refer to Colchis (the homeland of the Golden Fleece) as a country abundant with gold. What the so-called “barbarian” Colchis then created with this mined ore is really astonishing. In fact, if Georgia can boast a significant contribution to the world’s culture that would probably be its legacy of unique masterpieces of goldsmith and jewelry out of which some date back as early as the 8th century B.C. Many archeological sites throughout Georgia and recent archeological research find all new evidences and proof that the Georgians were among the first to start processing metal. Therefore, they would recognize high qualities of precious metals as early as the 4th millennium B.C. It is even mentioned in the Bible that the chief of the Iberians- one of the Kartveli tribes –Tubal-cain, was “a smith who forged bronze and iron tools.” By the beginning of the 3rd millennium B.C the technology of smelting and working metals had reached such a high level, that various alloys of bronze were known and the complicated technique of cire perdue was already used-to say nothing of soldering, cold and hot forgery, chasing and other know-how...The development of gold mining and processing techniques gave birth to a new profession of goldsmith" (4).
And Georgia's metallurgy wasn't only limited to gold and brass: "The Manganese Industry in Georgia (Manganese of Chiatura) had very great importance for European Metallurgy (about 70% of the manganese industry of the world in 1920s-1940s)" (5). "Archeological excavations have proved the existence of large centers of metallurgy in Georgia. The art of metal-working was developed and perfected during many centuries" (6). Even today, Georgia is characterized by a reliance upon metallurgy: "Metallurgy and the manufacture of machinery are the chief industries" (7).
There seems little doubt, then, that Biblical Tubal has some reference to Tbilisi and Georgia. The question is, in what sense will this area be part of a latter day invasion of Israel? If the "chief prince" of the invasion is seen as Russia, then it would follow that we should expect Russia to take full control of Georgia. For the country lies strategically right in the path of a Russia-Israel assault route. I have elsewhere discussed the pros and cons of identifying the leader of the invasion as Russia (8). The current situation between Russia and Georgia would therefore give much encouragement to those who see things from this perspective. However, there's another possibility. The Islamic world has been strangely supportive of Georgia in its conflict with Russia- and the reason is because the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline runs through Georgia. This is vital for the export of oil from the Islamic oil producing states to Europe. They want control of that pipeline, and would wish to control Georgia to that end. Those who see the final invasion of Israel as coming from an Islamic-dominated oil cartel of Middle Eastern and Asia oil-producing states- who would fit in well with a Babylon or Assyria redivivus- will also be eager to see in Georgia's instability a sign that the stage is being set for the invasion of Israel which Ezekiel prophesied.
Tobolsk?
Many commentators have previously claimed the Siberian town of Tobolsk as the equivalent of 'Tubal'. On one hand this could be viewed as an opportunistic association of vaguely similar names- and it's tempting to simply derive 'Tobolsk' from the river Tobol upon which it stands. The connections between Georgia / Tbilisi and Biblical 'Tubal' are far more solid. On the other hand, there is evidence that there was major emigration of the 'Tubals' into Siberia. I have documented elsewhere the evidence from archaeological remains of burial mounds in Siberia that the Scyths and Caucasian groups emigrated deep into Siberia and settled there, especially in the 6th and 7th centuries AD (9). They tended to follow the major rivers in their emigration path- hence their burial mounds are generally found close to rivers. This would explain why the Tubals would have given their name to the river Tobol. This approach would account for the connection between Tubal / Tbilisi / Georgia, and a Siberian city of the same name. The same argument can hold true for the Mushki / Moschoi, also from the Caucasus originally, who emigrated north and settled around Moscow, hence giving their name to the town which later became the capital of Russia (10).
The question is, of course, ultimately personal: are we personally ready for the return of Christ to earth which Israel's final invasion will lead up to?
Notes
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubal
(2) http://www.proza.ru/texts/2003/08/29-53.html
(3) www.concordtravel.ge/portal/alias__concordtravel/lang__en/tabid__1398/default.aspx - 86k
(4) http://www.georgiatoday.ge/article_details.php?id=3612
(5) www.geocities.com/levan_urushadze_98/DRG.doc
(6) http://www.detour.ge/aboutgeorgia.htm
(7) geography.howstuffworks.com/asia/geography-of-georgia-nation.htm
(8) Duncan Heaster, The Identity Of Rosh http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/d1a.htm
(9) ibid
(10) http://groups.msn.com/AncientWisdomCulturesPeople/mesopotamia1.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=60&LastModified=4675527381500717454
A Possible Chronology Of The Tribulation
A Possible Chronology Of The Tribulation
We have seen that there is a repeated mention of a three and a half year period of tribulation for natural and spiritual Israel
(i) The total period of downtreading of the "host" of Israel
(ii) This point seems to be the start of the abomination that will be in place for 1290 days. 1290 days back from a Passover brings us to half way through Elul, the end (significantly) of the Jewish year, the time when the Jews under Nehemiah were being sorely persecuted by the Arabs (cp. Neh. 6:15).
(iii) Noah entering the ark may be the basis of Is. 26:20: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors (cp. the ark) about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast". Not only is this verse in a latter day context; "the indignation" frequently describes the Babylonian and Assyrian invasions of Israel Israel in Egypt
Tabernacles is very much associated with the idea of "ingathering" and the gathering together of God's people. It may be that some of the faithful are ingathered at this time.
(iv) The end of the 1260 days of tribulation at Purim. Jerusalem no longer trodden down (Rev. 11:2).
(v) The abomination ends after 1290 days. Passover was associated in Jewish thought with the latter rains. James 5:7 speaks of being patient "unto the coming of the Lord", i.e. until the early and latter rains have come. It may be that this is one of those passages which will open up in the very last days; it may be teaching that the Lord's coming will be after that last Passover at the end of the 1290 days, when the abomination ends. Only 45 days later, according to our chronology, Daniel will stand in his lot. And yet James has to warn that last generation not to grumble amd be bitter against each other (AV "grudge") within the ecclesia in these final few days. All the significant events happening but still no second coming may lead some to give up their hope of the Lord's return, at least in their heart, and become bitter with each other. Such is the strength of our tendency towards friction within the ecclesia: even in the very very last few days before the Lord comes, this sort of thing will not only be likely to be going on, but will even be increasing. The parable of the servant beating the fellow-servant on the eve of the Lord's return (and many other such indications) fit in with this all too well.
(vi) Daniel stands in his (priestly) lot- he inherits the priestly "lot" in Israel
Once the effects of the latter day judgments will have finally cleared up, the Passover will be kept which will signal the beginning of the Kingdom and the celebration of the complete victory of God over His enemies.
The Chronology And Structure Of Revelation
I suggest that the key to the interpretation of Revelation is in understanding how its structure is linked to its interpretation. This doesn't mean that interpretations which ignore the structure are wrong; the book is open to multiple fulfilments, as most Bible prophecies are. The New Testament often quotes the Old Testament out of context- phrases and verses are taken up and given an interpretation which can't be extended to the surrounding context of the Old Testament passage. And so it's surely legitimate to likewise interpret Bible prophecy in a similar piecemeal manner. However, this doesn't preclude a hermeneutic [scheme of interpretation] which takes an entire book and seeks to make sense of it from start to finish.
Throughout latter day Bible prophecy, there is mention of a 1260 day / 42 month / three and a half year period of final tribulation. The Jews had a three and a half year reading cycle, similar in principle to the annual Bible Companion, whereby there were specific readings from the Pentateuch and prophets, with a Psalm read every Sabbath. This system was based around the feasts. The book of Revelation is likewise based around the feasts. It should be noted that the Gospel of John, which appears so similar in style to Revelation, was likewise based around the Jewish feasts; and a case can be made that it was intended to be read over a three and a half year cycle along with the Jewish lectionary readings (2). Hence John's account of events seeks to place them all within the period of the various feasts; and his material can be seen as a kind of exposition of the Old Testament 'readings for the day' according to the Jewish triennial reading cycle.
Paul Wyns in an extraordinary article, published online at http://www.biblaridion-online.net/zine-online/zine08q1/bibzine08q1.html, has demonstrated at length the connections between the various sections of Revelation and the Jewish feasts. Here's a summary:
Revelation | Feast | Allusions |
| 5 | Passover | Rev. 5:6,9 = Ex. 12:13 |
| 7 | Tabernacles | Rev. 7:9,15,16 RV = Ex. 23:16; 34:22; Zech. 14:16-20 |
| 8,9 | Day Of Atonement | Lev. 16:31; more detailed links in Harry Whittaker,Revelation: A Biblical Approach pp. 104,105. |
| 11 | Dedication & Purim | The Torah readings for these feasts were Num. 7 and Zech. 2- 4 about the dedication of the temple; Rev. 11:10 = Esther 9:19,22. The period from Tabernacles to Purim is exactly 5 months- as mentioned in Rev. 9:5 |
| 12 | Pentecost & Passover | The Jews traditionally ask: "On this Sabbath, shall I reap?" |
| 14 | Tabernacles | |
| 15 + 16 | Atonement & Passover | Lev. 16; Ps. 118 the Hallel Psalm |
| 19 | Passover | Ps. 113,114 Passover Psalms |
| 21,22 | Tabernacles |
Laying out the material chronologically, we have:
Chapter 5: Passover
6 months
6 months
Chapter 7: Tabernacles
Chapters 8& 9: Atonement and Tabernacles
1 year
Chapter 11: Dedication 5 months (Rev 9:5)
Chapter 11: Purim
Chapter 12: Passover and Pentecost
Chapter 14: Tabernacles
Chapter 11: Dedication 5 months (Rev 9:5)
Chapter 11: Purim
Chapter 12: Passover and Pentecost
Chapter 14: Tabernacles
1 year
Chapter 15: Atonement
Chapter 16 & 19: Passover
Chapter 21 & 22: Tabernacles
Chapter 15: Atonement
Chapter 16 & 19: Passover
Chapter 21 & 22: Tabernacles
1 year
The conclusion would therefore be that we have in the book of Revelation a literal account of the three and a half years tribulation, with the Jewish feasts being the key marker points. And it would appear there will be an especial period of five months tribulation as described between chapters 9 and 11.
Not all prophecy has to be predictive. The Lord Jesus spoke of His future sufferings and commented that once those things happened, the disciples would be able to make sense of them at that time because of His previously spoken words about them (Jn. 8:28; 13:19; 14:29; Acts 11:16). And so it may be futile to try to work out precisely how things will be before they actually happen; but as we pass through the final three and a half years, those who understand will be amazingly encouraged as they see everything falling into place. It will be the most amazing, detailed and practically encouraging fulfilling of prophecy that anyone has ever lived through. And given the whole nature of the tribulation, it will be encouragement that the faithful will sorely need.
Notes
(1) John Thomas saw the appropriacy of the Day of Atonement and Pentecost as the time of the second coming: see Eureka Vol. 2 (London: The Dawn Book Supply, 1958 Ed.). Harry Whittaker makes a most convincing case for Passover in Passover (Wigan: Biblia, 1988). Many expositions of Esther see in the story an allegory of Israel's latter day deliverance, perhaps literally on the day of Purim.
(2) Aileen Guilding, The Fourth Gospel And Jewish Worship (Oxford: O.U.P., 1960).
The Arab Spring: The Perspective of Biblical Prophecy
The Arab Spring: The Perspective of Biblical Prophecy
2011 saw countries which have been ruled for so many years by the same rulers suddenly thrown into the heat of revolution. Ben Ali in Tunisia, Mubarak in Egypt, Gaddafi in Libya- were all overthrown by a disgruntled, poverty stricken majority who want a better life. And there’s ample evidence that the rest of the Arab world is likewise unhappy. The Old Testament prophecies a latter day invasion of Israel by her Arab neighbours; this will bring Israel to her knees, making her cry out to God in repentance for the crucifixion of Jesus, and He will then return to save them from their enemies. The prophecies of Daniel 11:43 and Ezekiel 38:5 clearly mention Libya as being one of those latter day invaders. Ez. 30:5 talks of Libya being condemned when all the nations are judged, in "the time of the Gentiles" (Ez. 30:3; the "time of the Gentiles" will ultimately come at Christ's return, Lk. 21:24). Libya will be judged "along with all the mingled people"- and the Hebrew word translated "mingled" is arab! They will be judged because of their "league" they have made against Israel- which sounds just like some kind of political union of Arab nations sworn to Israel's destruction. The Babylonian invasion and destruction of the first temple involved not only Babylon, but it was a confederacy of nations- including Libya (Jer. 46:9). This was a prototype of the final, latter day invasion of Israel- by the same group of nations. The Assyrian invasion of Israel was another such prototype of the latter day invasion; and again, Libya was a major supporter of it (Nahum 3:9).
The significance of the uprisings in Israel's Arab neighbours in 2011 is that moderate Moslem regimes have been overthrown. Leaders like Mubarak and Gaddafi may have been abusive, but they were left-leaning Socialists and not radical Islamists. The West sometimes behaves really foolishly. The simplistic cowboy and Indian, black and white, we're right and you're wrong, 'my enemy's enemy is my friend' dichotomy is simply mismatched to reality. They wanted Gaddafi out, demanded a regime change, and smashed and bashed their way to that end. Gaddafi's enemies were assumed to be their friends, just as in the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, the West backed the very groups who later became the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The USSR was the West's enemy, and so the Afghan enemies of the USSR were seen as the West's friends. It was conveniently overlooked that those warlords the West were supporting were radical, extremist Moslems who also had as their aim the destruction of the Judaic-Christian culture upon which the West was [supposedly] founded- at least according to the Western capitalist myth. As the Soviet leader Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev several times commented in dialogue with Western leaders, the real enemy was not each other, not Capitalism nor Communism- but radical Islam; and the years proved him right. And the same is set to happen in Libya, Egypt, Syria and other Aran states which feature in Bible prophecies of the last days. Old, long established regimes have been brought down, but a power vacuum has been created. Already in Libya, the rebels who have taken power have shown themselves to be hopelessly divided. The promise of any revolution is "A better time's coming". But the poor masses of Arab north Africa are unlikely to find that prosperity and those good times for which they fought. The bankrupt West cannot just make them rich overnight. And so those impoverished, disillusioned masses will turn to radical Islam, with its hatred of Israel at the very heart of its credo. And there in the centre of their Middle Eastern, Arab world is the state of Israel, prosperous and thriving. Looking at it from this macro level, bird's eye view, I would say that the revolutions of the "Arab Spring" of 2011 will lead to Islamic extremists taking power in the Arab world, using their oil and geographically strategic positions as a stranglehold against any Western opposition to their policies concerning Israel; and ultimately an invasion of Israel by those very nations. As someone who has travelled and interacted extensively in the Arab world, including Libya, as someone living in the ex-USSR for 25 years and who was originally from the West, that is my honest opinion. But as a Bible student, the possibilities are exciting indeed. The stage is being set for the final invasion of Israel, by the very players required by the prophecies such as Libya, who for centuries lay dormant and insignificant in geopolitical terms. Whether or not the stage is being set, He who shall come, will come; and we are to prepare against that day, living as if His return is imminent, however we understand the prophecies.
Zion Forsaken
Zion at her last end shall be forsaken of all her lovers (Jer. 30:14); Israel must stand alone. Bible prophecy speaks of a massive invasion of the land which will bring the Jews to their knees, and the minority who survive will repent of their rejection of the Lord Jesus as Messiah. He will then come and save them through His visible, literal second coming to earth (Zech. 12-14). For this situation to arise, Israel’s neighbours won’t be passive- they will be aggressive to her. The situation in the Arab world seems set to follow the classic pattern of popular unrest and revolutions- the jubilation at toppling the old regime soon gives way to disillusion when the imagined good life doesn’t materialize. And into the vacuum comes extremism, often coming to its ultimate term in a war of aggression to steal or grab the ‘good life’ from those who are perceived to unfairly have it. And so it wouldn’t take any great gift of prophecy nor serendipity to predict that the Arab world is set to go through the same. The extremism which will fill the void left by the crumbling regimes is going to be Islamic extremism. If they use their oil stranglehold, the West will be speeded up in its path towards decay and at best irrelevance. A bankrupt America and an EU held to ransom by Arab oil and Russian gas will be unable and unwilling to stand up for Israel. There will be no longer be any buffer between Islamic extremism and the state of Israel.
Zion at her last end shall be forsaken of all her lovers (Jer. 30:14); Israel must stand alone. Bible prophecy speaks of a massive invasion of the land which will bring the Jews to their knees, and the minority who survive will repent of their rejection of the Lord Jesus as Messiah. He will then come and save them through His visible, literal second coming to earth (Zech. 12-14). For this situation to arise, Israel’s neighbours won’t be passive- they will be aggressive to her. The situation in the Arab world seems set to follow the classic pattern of popular unrest and revolutions- the jubilation at toppling the old regime soon gives way to disillusion when the imagined good life doesn’t materialize. And into the vacuum comes extremism, often coming to its ultimate term in a war of aggression to steal or grab the ‘good life’ from those who are perceived to unfairly have it. And so it wouldn’t take any great gift of prophecy nor serendipity to predict that the Arab world is set to go through the same. The extremism which will fill the void left by the crumbling regimes is going to be Islamic extremism. If they use their oil stranglehold, the West will be speeded up in its path towards decay and at best irrelevance. A bankrupt America and an EU held to ransom by Arab oil and Russian gas will be unable and unwilling to stand up for Israel. There will be no longer be any buffer between Islamic extremism and the state of Israel.
“To take a spoil”
The motive for the final invasion of Israel is made explicit in Ez. 38:12,13: “To take a spoil, to take plunder”. The way Babylon [modern day Iraq-Jordan-Syria] invaded Judah was a prototype of the final Arab invasion of Israel in the last days (1). And that invasion had this same feature- of taking a spoil (Jer. 20:5). The poverty stricken masses of the Arab world have been failed by the socialist revolutions of the previous generation. Socialism and Communism didn’t come up with the goods; the fine rhetoric and great ideas had no cash value for the majority, and only enriched an elite minority, just as Colonialism had done previously. But there amidst all those poverty stricken masses- there will lie Israel, undefended by the West, and with spoil worth taking. The economic growth and prosperity of Israel is therefore something we as Bible students could also be expecting in the last days. It just is obvious that she will be invaded by those impoverished militant Islamic masses. And this would exactly fulfil Bible prophecy. When the Egyptians charged into the Red Sea against the Israelites, their cry was: “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them” (Ex. 15:9). But the Egyptians at that time are the prototype, the basis, for prophecies of Israel’s latter day invasion (2). Likewise the way in which Israel’s Arab neighbours invaded her previously is understood by later Bible prophets as precursors of the final invasion of Israel by her neighbours immediately prior to Christ’s second coming (3). And those invasions were likewise to “take a spoil” (Jud. 5:30). Time and again, we are given to understand that ‘taking a spoil’ is the motive of Israel’s invaders. I suggest that this Arab desire to take a spoil of Israel is more than primitive jealousy, wanting what another has got. The rhetoric of the PLO and other Palestinian organizations has repeatedly been a desire to, as they see it, ‘take back’ from Israel what they consider is rightfully theirs (4). This has its historical and psychological root in the situation between Jacob and Esau, the forefathers of the peoples who are now commonly known as Jews and Arabs respectively. The Arabs have a desire to take that which is Jacob’s because they consider it to be rightfully theirs, and thus this sense is far more passionate than mere greed or jealousy, the kind of mindset a person has as they cast their covetous eye over their neighbour’s wealth. What we’re seeing in the current changes in the Arab world is the growing power of the impoverished majority- and make no mistake, they want a better life. And if they can’t get it by reforming their own economies, then they shall go on to take it by force from their Jewish neighbours. And it will be so much ‘easier’ for them to do this, when their religion and extremist Islamic leadership [which will have come to power on the ruins of the old regimes] urge them to do this. Zech. 14:1 specifically says that Israel’s latter day invaders will capture Jerusalem and sit down there to “divide the spoil”. And then, “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east” (Zech. 14:3,4). The Lord Jesus ascended to Heaven from the mount of Olives, and at that time it was promised that He would return in the same manner (Acts 1:11). What we’re seeing in the Arab world at the moment is creating the desire for Israel’s Arab neighbours to attack her in order to “take the spoil”.
The motive for the final invasion of Israel is made explicit in Ez. 38:12,13: “To take a spoil, to take plunder”. The way Babylon [modern day Iraq-Jordan-Syria] invaded Judah was a prototype of the final Arab invasion of Israel in the last days (1). And that invasion had this same feature- of taking a spoil (Jer. 20:5). The poverty stricken masses of the Arab world have been failed by the socialist revolutions of the previous generation. Socialism and Communism didn’t come up with the goods; the fine rhetoric and great ideas had no cash value for the majority, and only enriched an elite minority, just as Colonialism had done previously. But there amidst all those poverty stricken masses- there will lie Israel, undefended by the West, and with spoil worth taking. The economic growth and prosperity of Israel is therefore something we as Bible students could also be expecting in the last days. It just is obvious that she will be invaded by those impoverished militant Islamic masses. And this would exactly fulfil Bible prophecy. When the Egyptians charged into the Red Sea against the Israelites, their cry was: “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them” (Ex. 15:9). But the Egyptians at that time are the prototype, the basis, for prophecies of Israel’s latter day invasion (2). Likewise the way in which Israel’s Arab neighbours invaded her previously is understood by later Bible prophets as precursors of the final invasion of Israel by her neighbours immediately prior to Christ’s second coming (3). And those invasions were likewise to “take a spoil” (Jud. 5:30). Time and again, we are given to understand that ‘taking a spoil’ is the motive of Israel’s invaders. I suggest that this Arab desire to take a spoil of Israel is more than primitive jealousy, wanting what another has got. The rhetoric of the PLO and other Palestinian organizations has repeatedly been a desire to, as they see it, ‘take back’ from Israel what they consider is rightfully theirs (4). This has its historical and psychological root in the situation between Jacob and Esau, the forefathers of the peoples who are now commonly known as Jews and Arabs respectively. The Arabs have a desire to take that which is Jacob’s because they consider it to be rightfully theirs, and thus this sense is far more passionate than mere greed or jealousy, the kind of mindset a person has as they cast their covetous eye over their neighbour’s wealth. What we’re seeing in the current changes in the Arab world is the growing power of the impoverished majority- and make no mistake, they want a better life. And if they can’t get it by reforming their own economies, then they shall go on to take it by force from their Jewish neighbours. And it will be so much ‘easier’ for them to do this, when their religion and extremist Islamic leadership [which will have come to power on the ruins of the old regimes] urge them to do this. Zech. 14:1 specifically says that Israel’s latter day invaders will capture Jerusalem and sit down there to “divide the spoil”. And then, “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east” (Zech. 14:3,4). The Lord Jesus ascended to Heaven from the mount of Olives, and at that time it was promised that He would return in the same manner (Acts 1:11). What we’re seeing in the Arab world at the moment is creating the desire for Israel’s Arab neighbours to attack her in order to “take the spoil”.
The Identity Of The Invaders
But looking in more detail at the prophecy of Ezekiel 38, we find the invading powers as including “Persia, Ethiopia and Libya”. They are joined by “Sheba, Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish”. These people say: “Are you come to take a spoil… a prey?” (Ez. 38:13). Harry Whittaker pointed out many years ago that the Hebrew here could imply ‘If you’re coming to take a spoil and prey- we shall join you!’: “Instead of the words: “Art thou come to take a spoil ...?” being read as a challenge and a rebuff to the northern invader, they can be taken to mean: “You are going to invade Israel and profit from its prosperity? then we will join you in this and share in the plunder.” Such an interpretation is not impossible, and would certainly accord well with the historic character of the Arab races in their dealings with Israel” (5). Sheba, Dedan and the merchant powers who traded with Tarshish or Tyre are the Gulf States- the very areas where right now there is an impoverished majority who are turning to aggressive, radical Islam and seeking to “take a spoil” from Israel.
But looking in more detail at the prophecy of Ezekiel 38, we find the invading powers as including “Persia, Ethiopia and Libya”. They are joined by “Sheba, Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish”. These people say: “Are you come to take a spoil… a prey?” (Ez. 38:13). Harry Whittaker pointed out many years ago that the Hebrew here could imply ‘If you’re coming to take a spoil and prey- we shall join you!’: “Instead of the words: “Art thou come to take a spoil ...?” being read as a challenge and a rebuff to the northern invader, they can be taken to mean: “You are going to invade Israel and profit from its prosperity? then we will join you in this and share in the plunder.” Such an interpretation is not impossible, and would certainly accord well with the historic character of the Arab races in their dealings with Israel” (5). Sheba, Dedan and the merchant powers who traded with Tarshish or Tyre are the Gulf States- the very areas where right now there is an impoverished majority who are turning to aggressive, radical Islam and seeking to “take a spoil” from Israel.
These people will be in league with “Ethiopia and Libya” (Ez. 38:12) in the final invasion of Israel around the time of Christ’s return. “Ethiopia and Libya” in Ezekiel’s time may refer to the whole of North Africa as we know it today. “Ethiopia” may refer to areas south of Egypt- not just Ethiopia as we know it, but perhaps also northern Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. Watch for changes there too. These various Islamic neighbours of Israel will be united in their invasion and ‘taking a spoil’ from Israel. Pan-Arabism will in the end come to its full term (however shortlived), in the final invasion of Israel. The Hebrew word translated “Libya” is also translated “Phut” or “Put”, which was another name for Libya in Bible times. “Mizraim” likewise is the Biblical name for Egypt. Significantly, Phut, Mizraim and Canaan were brothers (Gen. 10:6). There is therefore a strong and valid idea of Arab brotherhood between the Palestinian Arabs [i.e. the Arabs living in Canaan or the land of Israel] and the Arabs of Libya, Egypt and the other countries in the surrounding Arab world. The Babylonian invasion of Judah was a type of the invasion of Israel by latter day ‘Babylon’, which will bring on the return of Christ. But this invasion [as at the time of the Assyrian invasion of Israel] was really by a confederacy of nations- including the Ethiopians, Lydians, Egyptians and Libyans (Jer. 46:8,9 cp. Nahum 3:9). And history will repeat itself- in that these nations along with Babylon will invade Israel in the last days. But where history shall stop, the red line of human time come to a terminus, will be in the simple fact that this time, the Lord Jesus shall return to earth to establish God’s Kingdom here.
Notes
(1) I’ve made the case for this in The Last Days chapter 9 and Digression 2- online at http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/9.htm
(2) See The Last Days chapter 5- online at http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/5.htm
(3) See The Last Days chapter 5- online at http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/6.htm
(4) An example would be Niqula Al-Dor (one time member of the P.L.O. Executive), Thus Lost and Thus to be Returned (Beirut, Lebanon: Al-Hawadith Press).
(5) H.A. Whittaker, The Time of the End (Cannock, UK: Biblia) ch. 19.
(1) I’ve made the case for this in The Last Days chapter 9 and Digression 2- online at http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/9.htm
(2) See The Last Days chapter 5- online at http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/5.htm
(3) See The Last Days chapter 5- online at http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/6.htm
(4) An example would be Niqula Al-Dor (one time member of the P.L.O. Executive), Thus Lost and Thus to be Returned (Beirut, Lebanon: Al-Hawadith Press).
(5) H.A. Whittaker, The Time of the End (Cannock, UK: Biblia) ch. 19.
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
The US just started bombing Syria. This Syrian man is live-tweeting the strikes as they hit.
The US just started bombing Syria. This Syrian man is live-tweeting the strikes as they hit.
The US is now launching its first-ever air strikes in Syria against ISIS, the Pentagon announced at about 9:30 pm EST, revealing that the US military is "using a mix of fighter, bomber, and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles" along with the air forces of Middle Eastern allies. But the news was actually broken 30 minutes earlier by a Syrian Twitter user in the city of Raqqa (where ISIS has its headquarters) who heard the strikes and speculated — correctly, it turned out — that this was the beginning of the American air campaign. The Twitter user, named Abdulkader Hariri, posted that "massive" explosions had rocked ISIS headquarters, and that the skies were full of war planes and drones. Here are his tweets, which are chilling to read . . .
Friday, 12 September 2014
ISIS Threatens Putin Trigger for Coming Russian Onslaught in Iraq
Perhaps a mistake !! Drunk on their success ISIS ( Islamic State ) has issued a video ' threatening Russia's Vladimir Putin over his support of Syria's Bashar al-Assad and vowed to liberate Chechen from Russian control. This threat drew an immediate and threatening response from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov who vowed to destroy the Islamic militants. After the bloody Chechen Wars of the 90's Kadyrov (a close-ally to Vladimir Putin) emerged as a brutal strongman with a fearsome reputation. Widely feared Kadyrov is well-known for his personal death-squads mass-killings torture and other gruesome atrocities. Interestingly Kadyrov's Chechens & ISIS militants are both adherents of the Sunni Islamic religion but this clearly will not curb their murderous intents.
In the face of US & Western nations reluctance to deal ISIS a death-blow could this vicious exchange be the catalyst for Russia's coming invasion of Iraq to (in Kadyrov's own words) rid the world of these scum. With Russia and Iran already having a substantial military presence in Iraq (including control of Baghdad Airport) and with Vladimir Putin more aggressively looking to extend Russia's international sphere of influence and power will the ISIS threat be the pretext Putin needs to fulfill 2,500 yr old Bible Prophecies ??
Jeremiah 50v41 - Behold a people shall come from the north (Russia ) & a great nation (Russia) and many kings (Iran, Euro nations) shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the lance : they are cruel and will not shew mercy : their voice shall roar like the sea and they shall ride upon horses every one put in array like a man to the battle against thee (Iraq) O daughter of Babylon (Iraq )
Welcome to the Bible Prophecy Channel which we hope you will find an informative and stimulating source of information relating to Eschatology and Biblical Christianity
Monday, 1 September 2014
The Defeat of Israel and Fall of Jerusalem
Chapter 9: The Defeat of Israel and Fall of Jerusalem
Let’s not get caught up with the idea that Israel shall survive and defeat the invaders in her own strength. The beast must dominate Israel. Jerusalem will be taken.
“For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two… And it shall come to pass in all the Land (Israel), says the Lord, that two-thirds of it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as gold is tested. They will call on My Name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; and each one will say, 'the LORD is my God.'" (Zechariah 13:8-9)
"Alas! for that Day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's (Israel’s) Trouble, but he shall be saved out of it." (Jeremiah 30:7)
"At that time Michael (the Archangel) shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people (Israel); and there shall be a time of Trouble (Tribulation), such as never was since there was a nation" (Daniel 12:1)
"For there will be Great Tribulation (Trouble) such has not been since the beginning of the world until this time no, nor ever shall be. And UNLESS those days were shortened NO flesh (living thing on Earth) would be saved" (Matthew 24:21-22)
"And to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivers us
from the Wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
from the Wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
"For God did NOT appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the Earth." "Behold, I come quickly!" (Suddenly) (Revelation 3:10-11)
"Gather yourselves together, Yes, gather together O undesirable nation. Before the decree is issued, Before the day passes like chaff, Before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the Earth… Seek righteousness, Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:1-7)
Islamic State The Beasts of Revelation
Chapter 8: The Beasts of Revelation
The beasts of Revelation are built upon the beasts of Daniel. The various beasts are perhaps pictures of various aspects of the final beast. The beast of Rev. 13:2 was "like a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion". Here we see the elements of the various beasts of Dan. 7 and therefore the metals of the image of Dan. 2 all incorporated into this latter day beast. It is the equivalent of the image standing complete in the last days. It has "seven heads and ten horns" (Rev. 13:1)- which is the total number of heads and horns of the four beasts of Dan. 7. In harmony with this, Hos. 13:7 describes Israel’s latter day invader as a lion, bear, leopard and wild beast. All elements of the beasts are brought together in the final latter day invasion. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the first self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State, said that Muslims should unite to capture Rome in order to "own the world". The significance of this is that the ten horn entity, the Islamic State, is seeking to incorporate an element of the previous metals / beast systems, i.e. Rome. This is what we would expect if the image is to stand erect in the last days. Source: McElory, Damien. "Rome will be conquered next, says leader of 'Islamic State'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
Revelation 13:2 is the key: "And the beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a Bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority". The beasts of Daniel represented empires, but this beastly empire in Revelation is a composite Leopard-Bear-Lion. It isn't just one of Daniel's three empires. It's all three empires rolled into one. In other words, this new empire is composed of the descendants of those earlier empires, in the same geographic location. Looking back at the history of the Middle East, we can now identify this new empire as the various powers that have
controlled the Holy Land whilst the Jews were established within it.
controlled the Holy Land whilst the Jews were established within it.
One feature of the presentation of the beasts is that both John and "the world" wonder at it and at the whore riding it (Rev. 13:3; 17:6,7). This matches with the stress in Daniel 7 that the fourth beast is strikingly different from all the other beasts. The world will be in shock and awe at the entity which will suddenly develop- and we see the beginnings of that with the awe and fear inspired by the IS. This speaks not only of the fear inspired by the entity in its enemies on the ground, but implies a watching world onlooking in awe and fear, unable to do anything against it: "Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to make war with him?" (Rev. 13:4). This in turn is based upon the prototype of Goliath the Philistine / Palestinian, who likewise had a mouth speaking great things against Israel and Israel's God. That similarity is continued by the description of the small, finally repentant remnant of Jews who overthrow the beast as being like David (Zech. 12:8). This is not to say that there will not initially be opposition to the beast- the horn recovers amazingly from a "deadly wound" which could likely refer to some form of Western operation against this entity (Rev. 13:3). Likewise the beast was, is not, and yet will be [Rev. 17:8- i.e. it will be revived after apparent destruction]. But the final picture is of the beast having free reign in the earth / land promised to Abraham. We must look, therefore, to Zion being forsaken of all her lovers, America particularly pulling out of supporting Israel. We already can see the beginnings of such a situation developing. The West will either collapse, perhaps financially, and become impotent; or will come to a policy position which refuses to support Israel nor get involved in on the ground operations within the land promised to Abraham. Their impotence is however described in terms of their 'worshipping' the beast and therefore fearing to make war with it (Rev. 13:4). The Greek for 'worship' can mean to cower or fawn before a person; the West may be forced to this position by Islamic elements within their own nations, by an oil and energy embargo, or something similar. Another option is that the 'world' spoken of in Rev. 13 is specifically the world around Israel; but in our days of a global village, that would still require that the West is left impotent to intervene. It has been their background support of Israel which has kept the current situation in balance so far. But Rev. 9:14 speaks of the hordes of enemies being bound at the Euphrates river, and then being released by Angelic action. This restraint which is released could well refer to an Angelically-orchestrated removal of the West's restraining power. With no such power broker in the region, the forces of Islamic jihad will without doubt burst forth over the Euphrates, the boundary of the land promised to Abraham, and surge towards Israel. Rev. 13:10 speaks of the final desolation of Israel by the beast in terms of 'leading into captivity', associated with the beast having power over "all kindreds, tongues and nations" in the earth / land promised to Abraham. The remaining Jews will be taken into captivity in those areas; and the attitude of the IS, ever seeking as they are to incarnate Israel's historical enemies, is such that this scenario is now quite imaginable.
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