Source: News.sky

Members of the NATO Treaty are allied together under certain articles that are enacted in the event a member nation is attacked. One of these, article 5, states that when one nation is attacked, all nations are attacked. This agreement compels the member nations to act together as a single force, to militarily defeat the nation that attacked a NATO member country.

In the event that Russia acts by a cyber attack against the Ukraine in order to shut down a part of infrastructure, such as the electric grid, water, gas, or other utilities, it is likely that this shutdown will also affect the utilities of a NATO member nation.

The power grids of nations are all interconnected, and it is not possible to shut down the power grid of the Ukraine, without shutting down the power in a neighboring country, like Poland. In Poland the United States has troops stationed at military installations that also have a hospital and other facilities.

If Russia acts by a cyber attack against the Ukraine, but also shuts down the crucial utilities of a NATO member country, this could be perceived as an act of war against that nation. This could trigger article 5 of the NATO agreement, and bring the United States and other NATO member nations, into a war with Russia.

This gives us an idea how crucial this attack by Russia is. It also tells us how close we could be to the beginning of the Tribulation, a time described in great detail by the Bible.

One of the alliances that will take place during the Tribulation, is the partnership of Russia and China, who come from the North to attack Israel. I wrote extensively about the events of the Tribulation in my Book of Revelation Commentary.

We all watch the current events with sadness, and apprehension. We should also watch with the realization that one day soon Jesus will return for His church, just as He promised. This will trigger the seven year Tribulation in which two-thirds of the people on earth will die by a series of twenty-one judgments from the Lord.

UPDATE: Sunday, February 27, 12:20 ET: We are learning that Russia has now placed its military under notice of Nuclear Readiness. Experts close to Putin have noticed that he is in a desperate state of decreased mental health. People who have known the Russian President for many years have stated that they have never before seen him in this state of mind. There is every indication that Putin may be planning the use of limited nuclear weapons against the Ukrainian people, and NATO forces, should they take up arms against the Russian military seeking to take control of the Ukrainian nation.

The Book Of Revelation Describes The Events We Are Seeing In Europe

If the current crisis between Russian and the Ukraine is moving us quickly towards the seven year Tribulation, what would be the trigger that causes the events of Revelation to begin? From my analysis of all the events of the Last Days, and specifically, the Seven Year Tribulation, I see only one event that could stop a Global Nuclear War that was about to begin, or already underway; the return of Jesus from heaven to earth, to remove those who love Him, before the Tribulation begins.

Paul recorded the words of Jesus, who told him that when He returns for His church, those who love Him, “are not appointed to experience the wrath of God, but to obtain salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). The Seven Year Tribulation is the time of God’s wrath unleashed on earth (Revelation 6:17).

When Jesus descends out of Heaven to return to earth, this will be the most profound event ever seen on earth. In an instant, over a Billion people will disappear from every location on the planet. The moment this event takes place nations in the midst of a Nuclear War, would immediately cease their actions and seek to understand what has just taken place.

Jesus must come again for His church before the Tribulation begins, and a global nuclear war would destroy the earth. God will not permit this to happen, and if it is about to take place, the only event that could have the capacity to stop us from destroying the earth, is the Rapture of the church.

Called Home Before War

In every war, before it begins, ambassadors—those who represent the governing authority—are called home. Paul wrote that those who love Jesus have been left here on earth as His ambassadors, to plead with people of earth that they should be reconciled to God through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ~2 Corinthians 5:20

Every person who has come into a personal relationship with Jesus is called by Him to tell everyone they meet that they can have the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life—if they will trust in Jesus and commit their lives to Him.

First, Jesus will come to the outer atmosphere of earth to remove all those who love Him before the seven-year Tribulation begins. Paul vividly describes this event in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ~1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 

Then Jesus will come physically to the earth a second time, at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, with those He had taken to heaven before the Tribulation began. Paul told Titus that we are waiting for the coming of Jesus, not the arrival of the antichrist. If Jesus’ church was appointed to go through the seven-year Tribulation, we would be watching for the arrival of the antichrist, who comes at the beginning of the seven years—not the coming of the Lord, whom Paul said will come for His church before the Tribulation begins. God wants His people to be watching for His Son, not the antichrist who comes to deceive the world. Jesus told us to watch for His return; He did not say the church should watch for the arrival of the beast.

This one fact, that we who love Jesus are watching for His glorious appearing, is a key piece of evidence for when Jesus will come for His church: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. ~Titus 2:11-13

The Tribulation Begins After An Extraordinary Event

Chapter six of Revelation begins the last seven years of Daniel’s prophecy, chapter 9.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 describes the event that will trigger the start of the seven years: the Rapture of Jesus’ church. Revelation chapters four and five detail events taking place in heaven during the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation on earth. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 describes the next event: the revealing of the antichrist that will take place immediately after Jesus removes His church from the earth. Jesus describes the entire term of the seven years in Matthew Chapter 24. The revealing of the antichrist is triggered by the opening of the first seal for the Title Deed of the earth, that we saw in Jesus’ hand in Revelation Chapter 5.

At the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation, the antichrist will enter the Temple that has been rebuilt at Jerusalem and go into the Holy of Holies. The false prophet will erect a statue of the antichrist there, and he will command the world to worship the antichrist as God. Both Daniel and Jesus describe this event as the abomination of desolation.

From this brief description, the student of Revelation can see that it is important to have a good working knowledge of the entire Bible. The culmination of all that the Bible describes is found in the twenty-two chapters of Revelation.

It is important to remember that what John is writing in the text of Revelation are not predictions. John was transported by Jesus into the future, where he actually saw these things take place. John is simply recording what he saw. All of prophecy is not God predicting the future, but Him allowing us to see what He has seen: things that have already taken place from His perspective, living outside of time in the domain of eternity.

You and I are living during the most exciting period of history, the days in which the events described by the book of Revelation are likely to take place

During the last two years, a global pandemic from the Coronavirus has swept the world. Over 5.94 million people have already died on earth from this dreaded disease. Lawlessness has filled the streets of America, with people burning down businesses, looting stores, defying legal authority, and rejecting the rule of government to control violence and crime. These are the days in which the Bible has written—days of evil and violence that are like the days of Noah, when people did what was right in their own eyes, and every thought and intent of their hearts was towards evil continually. Jesus said that when we see these days return, look up, because the day of His return is near (Luke 21:25-27).

In Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus describes the events that will happen just before the Tribulation begins: Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” ~Matthew 24:1-8

The Last days will begin by a great time of deception. One of the ways in which this deception will be revealed is through those who claim that the Bible is a work of fiction. In the last thirty years of Biblical scholarship, there has arisen a group of atheists who have attained advanced degrees in New Testament criticism for the sole purpose of discrediting the narratives of Jesus. In the book “You Are My Witnesses,” I detail the modern atheist scholar in his deception, claiming that the miracles of Jesus never happened, eyewitnesses didn’t write the texts, and the narratives that make up the Gospels were not written until the end of the first century. 

Today I am seeing more critics and scoffers of the Bible, than at any other time of my 47 years as a Biblical scholar.

Opening Of The Seven Seals: Revelation 6:1-2

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

The First Seal 

As Jesus opens the first seal on the scroll, in Revelation chapter six, the church is no longer on earth; we see the redeemed of the Lord in heaven as the Tribulation begins. In chapters four and five of Revelation, we previously saw the church in heaven. Here in chapter six, the first seal is opened in heaven, resulting in the events of the first three and one-half years of the seven-year Tribulation. The antichrist comes out on a white horse with a bow but no arrow. He comes to make peace by the signing of a seven-year peace treaty between Israel and many nations (Daniel 9:27).

This treaty will allow the Jews to rebuild their third temple at the Temple Mount, next to the Islamic Dome of the Rock. This is all necessary in order for 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 to be fulfilled. We know today that the Temple could be rebuilt on the existing Temple Mount without disturbing the Arab holy sites. We will cover this in depth in chapter 11.

Revealing Of The Antichrist

As Jesus breaks the first seal of the seven that are on the scroll, the seven years of Daniel’s seventieth week begins. As the first seal is broken, we see the antichrist riding on a white horse—much like Jesus will ride back to earth on a white horse, in chapter 19 of Revelation.

This is not a coincidence; the antichrist is the antithesis of Christ. This man will seek to imitate Christ in his conquering of the world and command worship from the inhabitants of earth. From the beginning of Lucifer’s story in the Bible, he wanted to be worshiped as God. It was this evil desire that caused his heart to rebel against God and resulted in his fall. Lucifer was created perfect and without sin. It was his rebellion that caused sin to arise in his heart. God did not create sin in His creation; it begins when the beings God made rebel against Him and choose their own way.

See All The Events That Will Take Place During The Tribulation

The restraining force in the world today, that is preventing the antichrist from being introduced, is the Holy Spirit working through Jesus’ church. At the moment Jesus takes His church from earth, this restraining force will be lifted, and the antichrist can make his entrance: And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ~2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

Some commentators have stated that the Holy Spirit will be removed from earth to allow the antichrist to be known, but this is not possible. We see many people who are saved during the final seven years of the Tribulation. No one is saved apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. This can only mean that it is the restraining force of the Holy Spirt working through believers in Jesus that is preventing the antichrist from being revealed to the world. Once Jesus’ church is no longer on earth, the man of sin will be known immediately.

In just three and one-half years, the antichrist will unite the world under one government, one currency, one military, and one religion. He will rule over a confederacy of ten nations. Three will be removed, leaving seven to institute his policies and government.

We notice that when the first seal is opened, the antichrist has a bow in his hands, but no arrows. This indicates that he will conquer by peace. According to Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 9:27, this man will confirm a covenant with many nations for one week or seven years:  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

A crown is given to the antichrist, signifying that God has permitted him to reign on earth for a brief time. At the garden, satan was given the dominion that Adam had over the earth when he deceived him and took away his rulership. As satan rules the world through the beast during the seven-year Tribulation, his authority is limited by God’s sovereignty, which determines the extent of the beast’s rulership and power. Left unrestricted, satan would destroy the earth and every person on it.

Paul describes the time in which the antichrist will be revealed to the world, as a period identical to the days in which we are now living: the presence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the massive falling away of persons who once claimed to believe in Jesus, the rise of false religion, and the marked increase in lawlessness and evil that has permeated the whole world. These are all compelling signs that we are very near the end of this present age: Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. ~2 Thessalonians 2:1-6

Falling Away (Gr: “Apostasia” Ap-Os-Tas-Ee’-Ah), a departure from the truth: Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. ~1 Timothy 4:1

The last days are characterized by doctrines that have their origin in demons: Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. ~1 Timothy 4:1

Paul wrote to Timothy and told him that as we approach the day of Jesus’ return, there will be an increase in the number of persons who no longer trust scripture, but rely upon the lies of atheist scholars for their doctrine: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ~2 Timothy 4:3-4

The source of these lies in the last days will be satan, who is working in the hearts and minds of the unsaved: Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (Tribulation) will not come unless the falling away comes first (departure of faith), 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. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining (the Holy Spirit through the church), may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. ~2 Thessalonians. 2:4-7

When the antichrist is revealed at the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation, he will seek rebellion against the rulership of God over the earth and exalt himself above God to be worshiped by the people of earth: Then the king (antichrist) shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. ~Daniel 11:36-38

The seven-year Tribulation is the seventieth week of Daniel 9:27. In the middle of the week, at three and one-half years, the antichrist, also called the beast, will end the daily offerings at the newly constructed Temple at Jerusalem and exalt himself above God. He will command worship for himself, described as the abomination of desolation, triggering the Great Tribulation, the opening of the second and third seals, resulting in war, death, and famine.

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (7 Years); But in the middle of the week (3 ½ Years) 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

Jesus instructed the Jews, who will live during this period of history, to flee Jerusalem when they see the abomination of desolation take place, because this will begin the horrors described by Revelation chapters 6-18: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand). Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ~Matthew 24:15-16

The place the Jews will likely flee to is Jordan, where the Lord will protect the Jews from annihilation by the antichrist during the last three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation. Today, in the midst of all the conflict in the Middle East, Jordan has remained neutral between Jews and Arabs. When the antichrist comes to take control over the land of Israel during the Tribulation, he will not be permitted to seize Jordan: He (antichrist) shall also enter the Glorious Land (Israel), and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. ~Daniel 11:41 

Edom, Moab, and Ammon are cities in Jordan. Inside the border of Jordan is the ancient rock city of Petra. We will cover this event in detail at chapter 12 of Revelation.

At the beginning of the seven years, the antichrist will quickly rise to power. He will make peace in the middle east by a treaty that will last for seven years. It is not clear whether the actual treaty will specify seven years in the text, or simply last for this period of time. It is clear that part of the benefit for the Jews in signing this treaty will be to allow the building of the third Temple at the Temple Mount site.

Events Of The Tribulation

Revelation 8:8

Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 

This large object coming from space and striking the earth is so massive that John describes it as a great mountain burning with fire. It is reasonable that John is seeing a large asteroid and is simply using his best description to tell us what he sees. John states that this object went into the sea. This resulted in one-third of the water becoming red like blood.

The dust and debris from this object and the dirt from the sea floor could have turned the sea red, similar to red tide. This is a similar description to the first Egyptian plague of  Exodus 7:19-21; Psalms 105:29; Jeremiah 51:25; and Matthew 21:21. 

The chance that a large asteroid would strike the ocean, rather than a continent or island, is much more likely because three fourths of earth’s surface is covered by ocean. Many of these judgments we see in the book of Revelation are very similar to the ten plagues of Egypt.

Revelation 8:9

And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

As a result of this large object striking the ocean, one-third of the ships are destroyed. Tsunamis caused by a large Asteroid, moving at over 500 miles per hour and producing a wave height of 50-100 feet, could easily destroy every ship within thousands of miles, if a large object from space struck the sea.

On April 1, 1946, 13,000 feet beneath the ocean surface, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Aleutian Islands. 2,400 miles away, the quake triggered devastating tidal waves throughout the Pacific, generating a tsunami that inundated the city of Hilo on the island of Hawaii, with a 46-foot surge. The first wave of the tsunami came inland and then receded, taking all the water from Hilo Bay out to sea. Many boats were left resting on the sea floor with thousands of fish. 

After a brief calm, the massive main body of the tsunami struck the city of Hilo with a 32-foot wave that devastated the town, completely destroying almost a third of the city. The bridge crossing the Wailuku River was picked up by the wave and moved 300 feet from its location. In the city of Hilo, 96 people lost their lives.

This was the damage from a 7.4 earthquake and the resulting tsunami. A study conducted by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, simulated an ocean strike by a massive asteroid, producing waves as high as 400 feet that would sweep onto the Atlantic Coast of the United States. An ocean strike by an asteroid the size of a mountain, described by Revelation 8:8, that results from the blowing of the second trumpet, could kill millions along the coastal cities of the world.1

The prophet Joel penned a prophecy for the last days that describes these kind of events: I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ~Joel 2:30-32

Revelation 8:10-11

Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. 

We notice that in the blowing of the Trumpet judgments, at the first Trumpet a third of the trees were burned up; at the second Trumpet, a third of the sea became blood; by the third Trumpet, a third of the rivers and the springs of water were poisoned. Why just one-third and not all of the trees, seas, and fresh water? This is a consistent principle of these judgments that take place in the book of Revelation—that God is not unleashing all His wrath at once, but in one-third increments. The intent is that after each judgment, perhaps some will repent and turn to Christ and be saved. Rather than destroying everyone during the Great Tribulation, some will respond as God slowly releases the judgments of His wrath. Even in His wrath, the Lord remembers mercy. ~Habakkuk 3:2

The star that causes this judgment is called Wormwood, because it makes the waters bitter and unfit to drink. The Greek word translated Wormwood could also be translated Hemlock—which is a bitter, poisonous substance. It is interesting that the Russian word for Wormwood is Chernobyl. This was the town near Kiev in the Ukraine where an accident at a nuclear power station in April 1986 resulted in serious radioactive contamination in Ukraine, Belarus, and other parts of Europe.

The Preterist idea that the events of Revelation have already taken place is quite foolish, in my opinion. The events described by Revelation require specificity that has never been recorded in past history. If these events had taken place in 70 A.D., or any time prior to today, we would know this, because the things described by the text of Revelation are quite extraordinary.

Have you ever read in the news that a mountain burning like fire fell from the sky and caused every island to sink and every mountain to be diminished? Was there ever a time when demon locusts stung men with their tails for five months and men could not die? When did hail fall from the skies that weighed 70 pounds? I don’t recall all the waters of earth being turned to blood, or that two-thirds of the people on earth were killed by twenty-one plagues.

It is not possible that what John wrote in the book of Revelation has already happened. By the time that you finish this book, you will understand why I say this with such certainty.

The world is about to experience the things that John wrote in chapters 6-18, called “The Great Tribulation.” It is my opinion that the seven-year Tribulation may be just ahead of us in days, weeks, or a few years. I say this because of the current condition of the world at the moment when I am writing these words.

In an article from Forbes magazine, the writer describes China and Russia in joint military maneuvers, very similar to the coming prophetic prediction made by the book of Revelation. Writer, Alex Storozynski, described this first-ever joint military exercise, as 8,000 Chinese troops joined with 2,000 Russian troops to conduct drills on land, air, and sea.

Military analysts described this event as a military dress rehearsal, where Moscow displayed its military might of  Tu-95 strategic bombers and Tu22M long-range bombers. China has purchased billions in Russian military equipment and is estimated to have more than $900 billion in foreign exchange reserves. It is certain that an event like this is an advanced look at the real battle that is not far ahead. The world is headed towards the culmination of 2,000 years of prophetic preparation. The events of Revelation are about to begin, and we may all have front row seats to the precursors. Those who love Jesus will not be here for the events described in Revelation, chapters 6-18, but we will see the events that will lead up to these horrific days.

The book of Revelation, chapter 16, describes what appears to be China and Japan, uniting at the end of the seven-year Tribulation period. The Euphrates River will be dried up, so that their massive armies can cross over and allow their entrance into the Valley of Megiddo. The book of Revelation describes this massive battle that will occur upon the return of Jesus, north of Israel, called The Battle of Armageddon.

The United States is very concerned about the increasing military strength of China. Our leaders have been trying to partner with Japan, who has taken a vow to never again be involved in any war. The United States has requested that Japan would reconsider their vow and join with the U.S. forces to protect each other against China.

John writes as he sees the army of 200 million comes across Asia; the results are massive human casualties all over the planet.”

The End Result Of The Present Conflict

The next event that is on the horizon, is a war that brings Russia down from the north, into the land of Israel, that necessitates a supernatural intervention by God.

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.

When Russia Comes To Attack Israel In the Last Days

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 (antichrist) 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

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

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.

See The Book of Revelation Commentary

On Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, the world watched a live feed from a bomb shelter in the Ukraine, from a young mother pleading with the world for military help to save her children, and the Ukrainian people. Olena pleaded with American President, Joe Biden, to send American soldiers to the Ukraine immediately or they will all be slaughtered.

The following is the video of that live feed:

Categories: God's Sovereignty, Great Tribulation: Time of the End, Robert Clifton Robinson, The Anti-Christ, The beginning of judgement, The Last Days, The Rapture of the Church, The Rapture: Jesus Coming For His Church, The Sovereignty of God

Tags: Battle of Armageddon, Battle of Gog and Magog, Events surrounding the Rapture, The Book of Revelation, The Tribulation, World War 3