The presence of the United States in Northern Syria has kept the forces of ISIS and the armies of Turkey at bay for several years. With the withdrawal of American troops in that area by President Trump, an immediate assault by Turkey upon the Kurds who had formerly been under the protection of U.S. forces, has now begun.

What has not been considered by those who watch these events, is the likelihood that this withdrawal by U.S. forces, permitting Turkish troops to enter Northern Syria, may be the scenario that also begins the events of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.

The Bible is very clear that a conflict like this will continue until an appointed time when the threat of a greater war will jeopardize the security of Israel and her continued existence. God will not allow any nation or people to ever again, drive the Jews from their land. The prophet Ezekiel reveals that in the last days, the Lord will gather all the Jews who have been disbursed from their land, and bring them back to Israel. Once this takes place, the Jews will dwell there “forever,” they cannot be removed again, by any enemy.

Then say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; Ezekiel 37:21

Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Ezekiel 37:25

Today is the time of history that is specified by Ezekiel’s prophecy. Israel is back in their own land once again, after being dispersed throughout the entire world for 2,000 years. They cannot be moved, nor can any people or nation remove them from the land. If the Arab nations, Russia, or any other foreign enemy make such an attempt, they will find themselves fighting against God. One they are back in the land, after having been scattered for such a great time, they will build the third temple, on the Temple Mount and begin the daily sacrifices once again.

Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your father’s dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”  Ezekiel 37:25-28

Ezekiel also warns that in the last days, an attempt will be made to destroy Israel and this plan will fail as God supernaturally destroys the enemy. God, watches over and protects Israel.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Psalm 121:4

All of the boasting of those who claim that they will “drive the Jews into the sea,” is an empty threat. The Lord has brought Israel back into their own land in these last days, so that He might show His great power. As we near the end of the “Time of the Gentiles,” when God has been drawing all people to Himself by His offer of Salvation in Jesus Christ, He will turn from the Gentile nations, back to Israel and seek their national salvation.

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Romans 11:25

The End Result Of The Present Conflict

The next event that is on the horizon, is a war between the Arab nations and Israel that will necessitate a supernatural intervention by God. As Russia enters Syria, we begin to see the role that this nation will play in the final events of the last days.

Ezekiel describes Gog and Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. These are names that were formerly associated with the area that is now occupied by Russia. Ezekiel states that “thoughts will arise in their mind, and you will make an evil plan,” to come against Israel (Ezekiel 38:9-11).

Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: You will say, “I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. Ezekiel 38:10-11

One of the mysteries in the prophecies of the last days, is the role that the United States will have in all of these events. It is possible that we see a hint of the U.S. involvement in these final days, by the words of Ezekiel 38:13.

Then “Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, “Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ (Ezekiel 38:13).

Tarshish is the ancient land that is known today as Spain, from where Columbus set sail and discovered America. The “Young Lions” of Tarshish are believed to be the people of the United States of America. Here, Ezekiel states that these young lions will not dispatch an army, they will be so weakened in their leadership that they will only voice an objection to the attack by Russia on Israel.

The withdrawal of the American presence in Northern Syria, signals the unwillingness of President Trump to allow the United States to become involved in any future conflicts in that region. We also say this take place when President Barack Obama demonstrated his own unwillingness to take the necessary action that is required in the Middle East to stop the spread of terrorism. When President Bashar al-Assad of Syria threatened to use chemical weapons against his own people, President Obama said that if he crossed this line, the U.S. would take military action

“We cannot have a situation in which chemical or biological weapons are falling into the hands of the wrong people,” Mr. Obama said in response to questions at an impromptu news conference at the White House. “We have been very clear to the Assad regime but also to other players on the ground that a red line for us is, we start seeing a whole bunch of weapons moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus,” he added. “That would change my equation.” —President  Barack Obama, New York times, Mark Lander, August 20, 2012

In March and April of 2015, more than 20 barrel bombs that contained chlorine gas were dropped in six towns in northwest Syria.

President Obama did nothing, except voice his objection to these attacks.

At the United Nations General Assembly in September, 2015, President Obama again voiced his opposition to Russia’s recent increase in their military involvement in the middle east. When Russia announced that they would commence bombing over Syria, again, Obama simply complained, but took no action.

The President of the United States is well known as a weak leader and one who will not take swift military action when a crisis manifests itself, as former U.S. presidents have in the past. This fact falls into perfect conformity with the prophecy of Ezekiel 38:13

It is likely that President Trump may be the leader that is addressed by Ezekiel’s prophecy who will ask what Russia is doing by attacking Israel, but not take any military action.

“Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?”

When Russia moves on Israel, they will be stunned by forces that are beyond their ability to comprehend. God will defend Israel and He will not allow any foreign enemy to take her captive again.

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” Thus says the Lord GOD: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them? “And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. Ezekiel 38:14-18

Ezekiel Describes The Carnage That Will Result When God Defends Israel From Invading Russian Armies:

And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ Ezekiel 38:22-23

Consider that all of the players in this final battle are already in place. We have an American president who has voiced clear opposition in allowing Americans to die for a conflict in Northern Syria that he believes we have no business in interfering. Does this recent troop withdrawal by Trump also signal his unwillingness to come to aide of Israel once the forces from the north that Ezekiel describes, descend upon Israel?

The Seven Year Peace Plan Described By Daniel 9

The book of Daniel speaks of the necessity for a seven year peace plan for Israel and the surrounding nations. Daniel’s prophecy was given to him by God, concerning Israel in the last days. The Lord purposed that “seventy-weeks,” are determined for Israel and the Jews: 70 x 7 = 490 years (a prophetic week is seven years; see Genesis 29:27). In the first seven weeks, or 49 years, the Jews who were held captive in Babylon for 70 years, were released to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple. The second set of sixty-two weeks, were fulfilled at the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the Messiah and He was “cut off,” (killed). The final week, the seventieth week, will be fulfilled as the seven year Tribulation. During this time a peace treaty will be made concerning Israel and many nations. This treaty will be orchestrated by the antichrist who will enter the new Temple after three and one half years, and command the world to  worship him as God.

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” Daniel 9:27

Prior to the 2019 Israeli election of their Prime Minister, Trump stated that his “Super Peace Plan,” would not be revealed until the election results were finalized. As of October 17, 2019, the new Prime Minister has not been decided.

It is likely that the reason for this peace plan, will be necessitated by president Trump’s unwillingness to stand up against Israel and do what is necessary to stop an attack on Israel. At the present time, no such threat exists. We should understand that the real goal of Russia is not Syria, but Israel. The events that are taking place today in Syria, by Russia, will lead to a future attack on Israel, according to the worlds of Ezekiel’s prophecy.

In the middle of a seven year peace plan, which will convey peace to Israel and allow the building of the third Temple on the Temple Mount, a new world leader will stop the daily sacrifices which have begun again and proclaim that He is the God of this world and all those who dwell upon this planet must worship him.

Let no one deceive you by any means; for the Day of the Lord (The Tribulation) will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

As the Jews in  Israel hear the news of the antichrist in the Temple declaring himself to be God, they will flee Jerusalem for the wilderness. This leader will dispatch his troops to destroy the fleeing Jews. Once again, the armies of the antichrist will be swallowed up by a large fissure in the earth (Revelation 12). When Israel is saved at this time, they will remember that Jesus said this would happen, in Matthew, chapter 24.

So the serpent (the enemy-the devil) spewed water out of his mouth like a flood (antichrist’s armies) after the woman (Israel), that he might cause her to be carried away (destroyed) by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Revelation 12:15-16

When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

Jesus warned the Jews that when they see the antichrist commit the “abomination of desolation,” described by Daniel, as he places a statue of himself in the new temple, and commands the world to worship him as 2 Thessalonians 2, describes, they should flee Jerusalem.

(Jesus speaking) So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Mark 13:14

At this time, all those in Israel whom God has prepared for this moment, will receive Jesus as their Messiah and be saved.

It is interesting that there has been a tremendous focus in Israel recently on the Temple Mount. For many years there has been a movement to rebuild the third temple on the historical site where the first two Temples existed. Knowing that the beginning of the seven year peace plan will permit this Temple to be built, it is extremely interesting that Israel finds herself at a place where this may soon become a reality.

The Four Temples

The first Temple in Jerusalem was built in 957 B.C. by King Solomon, who reigned from 970 B.C. to 930 B.C.[1]

The Second Temple in Jerusalem was ordered to be rebuilt in 536 B.C. by Cyrus. However, it was not until the passage of an additional 17 years that his command was followed, and the actual construction began in 520 B.C.[2] The “Desolations of Israel” ended on December 17, 520 B.C.; seven days later, on the 24th day of the ninth month (December) of the second year of Darius, the king of Persia—according to Haggai 2:18-19—the Temple Foundation was laid. Three years later, in 517 B.C., the second Temple was completed. See the chapter, Arrival of the Messiah, for a detailed chart of the specific details.

In 175 B.C., Antiochus Epiphanes became the king, replacing his older brother who ruled for just one year.[3] The Jews rebelled against his strict laws, outlawing the Sabbath and the rite of circumcision. In 167 B.C., Antiochus Epiphanes erected a statue of the Greek god, Zeus, in the Holy place of the Temple, and thereby committed the first incidence of the abomination of desolation.[4]

“When these happenings were reported to the king, he thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery.”[5] —2 Maccabees 5:11-14

“Not long after this the king sent an Athenian senator to force the Jews to abandon the customs of their ancestors and live no longer by the laws of God; also to profane the temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus, and that on Mount Gerizim to Zeus the Hospitable, as the inhabitants of the place requested…They also brought into the temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar was covered with abominable offerings prohibited by the laws. A man could not keep the sabbath or celebrate the traditional feasts, nor even admit that he was a Jew. At the suggestion of the citizens of Ptolemais, a decree was issued ordering the neighboring Greek cities to act in the same way against the Jews: oblige them to partake of the sacrifices, and put to death those who would not consent to adopt the customs of the Greeks. It was obvious, therefore, that disaster impended. Thus, two women who were arrested for having circumcised their children were publicly paraded about the city with their babies hanging at their breasts and then thrown down from the top of the city wall. Others, who had assembled in nearby caves to observe the sabbath in secret, were betrayed to Philip and all burned to death.”[6]  —2 Maccabees 6:1-11

This defilement of the Temple in Jerusalem was an earlier fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy of the final seven years—when the antichrist will also erect a statue of himself in the newly-rebuilt third Temple at Jerusalem, and command all the world to worship him as God.[7] In 167 B.C., the Jews rose up in rebellion against Antiochus Epiphanes and the Seleucid rule, with Mattathias and his five sons winning the freedom of the Jews. Judas Maccabeus—the son of Mattathias, called The Hammer—rededicated the Temple in 165 B.C.[8] The Jews began the celebration of Hanukkah as a result, which is celebrated to the present day.

• In 54 B.C., the Temple was again desecrated by Crassus.[9]
• In 20 B.C., Herod the Great renovated the Temple, which was known at the time of Jesus as “Herod’s Temple.”[10]
• In 70 A.D., the Roman army, under Titus, destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus that “not one stone will be left upon another.”

One of the amazing facts that concerns the first and second Temples is that they were both demolished on the exact same day.[11]

• The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians on August 9th of 586 B.C.
• The second Temple was destroyed on August 9th of 70 A.D. (“Tisha B’Av)
• The third Temple will be built by the antichrist in the first three years of the seven-year Tribulation, the identical amount of time that it took to build the second Temple.
• The fourth Temple, the Millennial Temple, will be built by Jesus during His one thousand-year reign over the earth. It is this Temple, that is the subject of this prophecy from Haggai 2:9.

The Final Millennial Temple as Described by Ezekiel:

Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw—like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east. The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple. Then I heard Him speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me. And He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places. ~Ezekiel 43:1-7

Zechariah Records a Similar View of the Messiah’s Final Temple:

Then speak to him, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” ’ ~Zechariah 6:12-13

It is clear that Haggai is speaking of the glory of the Messiah when He returns to the earth at the end of the Tribulation. Ezekiel saw the final Temple that will be built in Jerusalem by the Messiah. The prophet describes His voice, “like the sound of many waters,” which is identical to John’s description of Jesus in chapter 1:15.

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters… ~Revelation 1:15

Zechariah also sees the final Temple, and describes the one who will build it as “the man whose name is the BRANCH,” identical to the name for the Messiah given in the prophecies of Isaiah 4:2 and Zechariah 3:8.

Both Ezekiel and Zechariah designate Him as filling this final Temple with the Glory of God, in a way that no previous Temple has ever experienced.

Can you imagine that, someday, we will be able to see this Temple and all of the Glory of the Lord that fills it? No human being has ever looked upon the beauty and magnificence we will behold during the time of Jesus’ reign on the earth. The Bible describes the fact that no man has ever seen the Lord in the full intensity of His Glory, but we shall see Him  face to face.

There is a glorious day coming for all of us who wait for Jesus’ return. The whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. The nations will come to Jerusalem to be taught by Jesus. We, who follow the Lord now, will be given rulership positions all over the earth upon His return. The mortals who come out of the Great Tribulation will come to us for counsel, guidance, and judgement. We will have the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) and be able to adjudicate even the most difficult matters that are before us.

If a situation should present itself in which we need help or counsel from Jesus, all we must do is speak to Him in prayer and the answer will return quickly to our mind. Our prayers today will become the method by which we receive communication from the Lord during His future reign upon the earth.

We should begin now to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of this kingdom. We should think today in terms of what kind of rulership the Lord will give us when He returns. Our authority, at that time, will be based upon the degree of faithfulness we exercise now in the tasks we are currently involved in—realizing that everything we are doing, at this very moment, has been entrusted to us by Jesus. If we would perform all our tasks as unto the Lord, desiring that everything we say and do would be pleasing to Him, it is certain that when He returns—He will reward us. Knowing that it is the Lord whom we serve, and not men, we look to the Lord’s reward for what we do—not the recognition or rewards that can be gained from men.

Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ~Colossians 3:24

Update: Thursday, October 17, 2:00 pm EST. A temporary ceasefire has been negotiated by vice president Pence and Secretary Pompeo that will end the current conflict in Northern Syria temporarily. Although the damage done by a U.S. withdrawal cannot be healed, the door is still open for the Kurds and Syrians to now negotiate with Russia and Turkey rather than the Unites States. This new change seems to indicate a further confirmation that these events may be pointing the world towards the events of Ezekiel 38, the Rapture of the church, and the beginning of the seven year Tribulation. We will watch these events with great anticipation.

The Timing Of Ezekiel 38 And 39

The Battle of Armageddon: After the seven-year Tribulation, when Jesus returns to earth with His church, the beast who is also called the antichrist will be gathered with the armies of the world to fight Jesus, and seek to kill Him as He returns to the earth.

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. ~Revelation 16:16

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. … And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. … And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. ~Revelation 19:11, 14-15

The Battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39: This event takes place either just before or just after the Rapture and the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation. This will happen when Israel is dwelling in safety due to a new seven-year peace plan orchestrated by the antichrist at the beginning of the Tribulation.

After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. ~Ezekiel 38:8

The Battle of Gog and Magog: Occurs at the end of the one thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth, as satan is released from prison and he goes out to deceive the nations.

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. ~Revelation 20:7-8

1. The Battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 occurs either just before or just after the Rapture, when a seven-year peace plan is signed by Israel and the surrounding nations.
2. The Battle of Armageddon takes place seven years later, just after Jesus returns to earth.
3. The Battle of Gog and Magog happens after the one thousand-year reign of Jesus.

There has been some confusion over the battle of Armageddon and the battle described in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39.

Armageddon and the Battle of Ezekiel 38 are different:

• In Ezekiel 38: Russia invades from the north.
• At Armageddon: the nations come from every direction.

• In Ezekiel 38: Russia invades to take Israel’s wealth.
• At Armageddon: The invasion is to destroy Jesus and His saints.

• In Ezekiel 38: Gog leads the Russian invasion.
• At Armageddon: The antichrist leads the Battle.

Jesus will fulfill this Old Testament Prophecy by His return to the earth with His church at the end of the seven-year Tribulation period. He is coming the second time as King of kings and Lord of lords.

We are on the precipice of many important prophecies of the Bible that concern Israel. The events that we are seeing now in the Middle East, have a great possibility of leading the world into the prophecies of Daniel and Ezekiel. If this is the case, then the Church, those who love Jesus and await His return, will be taken from the earth—just prior to, or shortly after—this attack on Israel by Russia.

• King Cyrus And President Trump: How God Prepared A Pagan King To Be His Anointed Servant
• Trump Cancels Iran Agreement: The Entire History Of The World Depends On Biblical Prophecy
• The 7 Nations Of The Beast Are In Place: What Comes Next?

NOTES:

[1] 1. New American Heritage Dictionary, entry: ‘Temple’ 2”. Temple, the.” Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005.
[2] 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 5:13. 536.4 B.C., see the chart at Prophecy 309 for details.
[3] Encyclopedia Britannica Online: Antiochus IV Epiphanes
[4] Josephus, Wars of the Jews 1:1:1–2
[5] 2 Maccabees 5:11–14
[6] 2 Maccabees 6:1–11
[7] Daniel 11:31, 12:11, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 16:15
[8] “Temple, the.” Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005
[9] 1. Josephus, The New Complete Works, translated by William Whiston, Kregel Publications, 1999, “Antiquites” Book 14:7, p.463 2. Michael Grant, The Jews in the Roman World, Barnes & Noble, 1973, p.58
[10] Secrets of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, Leen Ritmeyer, Kathleen Ritmeyer, 1998
[11] The First Temple’s destruction began on the 7th of Av (2 Kings 25:8) and continued until the 10th (Jeremiah 52:12). The fire was lit on the afternoon of the 9th (Ta’anit 29a)

Categories: Attack on Israel by Russia, Battle of Gog and Magog, Building the Third Temple, Israel in the Last Days, Robert Clifton Robinson, The Temple Mount, Watching for Jesus return

Tags: All Israel will be saved, Eschatology: The Last Days Salvation Of Israel, Events surrounding the Rapture, Ezekiel 38, Israel flees to Petra, Jesus Returns, Rapture before Tribulation, The Tribulation