Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

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March 2012 Issue

Islams Coming Rebuke
Mar 1st, 2012
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

With the fall of old colonial systems the Muslim countries regained their independence. Since that time Islam has been growing in influence, power and aggressiveness. Today that growth is happening all around the world. In the West Islam is breaking new ground and its growth is exploding.

In Britain, the number of Muslim converts recently passed the 100,000 mark. Government authorities revealed that an increasing number of inmates at British prisons are converting to Islam.

In France, an estimated 70,000 French citizens have converted to Islam in recent years, adding to the 5 million Muslims already in France.

Conversions to Islam are also rife in Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Spain. In Spain, at least 50,000 native Spaniards have converted to Islam in recent years.

In Ireland, Qatar recently donated €800,000 to build a mega-mosque in the city of Cork. Ireland's Muslim population has grown tenfold in 20 years, making Islam the fastest-growing religion in the country. According to the Irish Times, "The Muslim Brotherhood influence constitutes one of the strongest elements of Islam in Ireland."

In Spain, speculation is rife that the massive bullfighting ring in Barcelona known as La Monumental is about to be converted into a mega-mosque.

The Persian Gulf Emirate of Qatar says it plans to invest €50 million ($65 million) in French suburbs that are home to hundreds of thousands of disgruntled Muslim immigrants.

Qatar says its investment is intended to support small businesses in disadvantaged Muslim neighbour-hoods. But Qatar, like Saudi Arabia, subscribes to the ultra-conservative Wahhabi sect of Islam, and critics say the emirate's real objective is to peddle its religious ideology among Muslims in France and other parts of Europe.

The Qatari investments are being targeted in blighted French suburban slums known in France as banlieues, where up to one million or more mostly unemployed Muslim immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East eke out an impoverished existence.

Muslims are using intimidation tactics -- including harassment and even murder -- in an effort to silence free speech in Europe and to impose Islam on the continent.

“Sharia4Belgium” is a radical Muslim organization which denounces democracy and wants to turn Belgium into an Islamic state. The group has established an Islamic Sharia law court in Antwerp, the second-largest city in Belgium. The objective of the court is to create a parallel Islamic legal system in Belgium that will challenge the state's authority as the enforcer of civil law protections guaranteed by the Belgian constitution.

In France, teachers in schools with a high proportion of Muslim children are being threatened on an almost daily basis by Muslims who object to courses about the Holocaust, the Crusades or evolution, and who demand halal meals and "reject French culture and its values," according to a report published by the French government. Muslims are also trying to silence discussion of events related to Israel and the Palestinians, and American military actions in Muslim countries.

Also, in London, a Christian employee at Heathrow Airport recently was fired for exposing a campaign of systematic harassment by fundamentalist Muslims.

In Sweden, Muslim harassment of Jews has become so commonplace that the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center has advised Jews against traveling there.

In the Swedish city of Malmo, Muslim anti-Semitism has become so bad that some 30 Jewish families have left for Stockholm, England or Israel -- and more are preparing to go.

The European Union has offered to host the next meeting of the so-called Istanbul Process, an aggressive effort by Muslim countries to make it an international crime to criticize Islam.

In Denmark, Jesper Langballe, a Danish politician and Member of Parliament, was found guilty of hate speech in December 2010 for saying that honour killings and sexual abuse take place in Muslim families.

Langballe was denied the opportunity to prove his assertions because under Danish law it is immaterial whether a statement is true or false. All that is needed for a conviction is for someone to feel offended.

It is now official US Government policy, that Islam has nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism, and that therefore any examination of the stated motives and goals of Islamic jihad terrorists constitutes “Islamophobia” and must be shunned, as well as punished.

The Arab countries which hold most of the world’s oil are now using their oil wealth to export Islam to the western nations.

The culture of the West is in decline, and the leaders are capitulating to Islam.

In that environment it would seem to be only a matter of time before Islam actually takes over the world and establishes a worldwide Islamic Caliphate.

The Bible has something to say about Islam and its’ future. According to scripture, Islam will soon suffer a tremendous rebuke from the Lord.

1.2 billion Muslims are now making an issue as to who the true God is. Who is the true God, Allah or Jehovah? I believe that Jehovah will soon reveal to the world that He is the true God.

There are two great “last days” wars in which Islam will be decimated.

I have written much lately about these two wars and so I will just summarize.

In the soon coming war, referred to in of Psalm 83, and Ezekiel 35-36, the Palestinians, Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria will be virtually wiped out. It will be evident to the world that this destruction will come from the hand of God. Jehovah will be saying to Islam and the world that He is God and not Allah.

In an even more dramatic fashion, the war that follows the above war will prove to all who have open hearts that Jehovah and not Allah is the true and living God.

We read about the outcome of this war in Ezekiel 39:2, “And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel.” Five out of every six in those Muslim armies that come against Israel in that war will die at the obvious hand of Jehovah. These are Muslim armies that come against Israel to destroy her and to advance the cause of Allah.

There are indications that the homelands of these enemies of Israel will be decimated by the hand of God in the same manner. We read in verse 6, “And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Notice the purpose of God in this destruction of Israel’s enemies. “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel” (verse 7). The promotion of Islam and Allah will be terminated by Jehovah in this war.

At that time the rapture will have taken place and God will be without a witness in the world. However, the Lord will give His own witness through the events of this war. “And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 38:21-23).

This will occur very early in the tribulation period. I believe that multitudes of Muslims will come to realize that Allah is not the true God, and that Jehovah is the true God. I suspect that millions of Muslims will come to Christ in the days that follow. They will be numbered among the tribulation saints and martyred for leaving the Islamic religion.

The Lord is going to glorify Himself through the things that transpire in the tribulation period. Sometimes we have the idea that God will just stand by as Satan and his antichrist takeover the world. We fail to realize that God will glorify Himself mightily during that time.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). We see here a very great number in heaven, a multitude of men and women who have been saved in the tribulation period. “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Verse 13-14).

It would seem that the tribulation period will be a time when perhaps more people will be saved that in all of the church age. Satan will be unleashed to do his worst, but God will triumph and glorify His name.

Whenever it seems that Satan is triumphing, be assured that God is at work and He will turn Satan’s efforts to His own glory. When the sky gets dark, remember, God is about to glorify His wonderful name and bless those who will believe Him and trust Him.

Summary of the News
Mar 1st, 2012
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

US – the administration has been working furiously to dissuade Israel from attacking Iran. In the meantime Iran is closing in on their objective of building a nuclear bomb. Obama seems to be working against Israel at almost every turn. The Obama administration made every effort to assist the Arab spring nations to overthrow moderate governments and establish radical Fundamentalist leaders in their place.

In each case Israel’s security has been put in greater jeopardy. It seems that Obama is holding Israel down on the ground while Iran reaches their nuclear objective. Is there a man on earth who believes there is any possibility that Iran will voluntarily turn away from their goal of obtaining nukes to destroy Israel.

One gets the feeling that Obama is subtly advancing the Muslim agenda at every opportunity, both at home and abroad.

We wait with baited breath to see how this end time scenario will unfold. It is obvious that sooner or later there will be an explosion in the Mideast. We are convinced that when it comes it will set in motion the events that will lead the world into the tribulation period. The trumpet is soon to sound.

Iran - there is a struggle going between Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iranian voters go to the polls on March 2 to choose their next parliament (Majlis) amid mounting political chaos within the Islamic regime and a potential war. There is an outside chance that political chaos and power struggle could prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The scriptures indicate that Iran will not use nuclear weapons on Israel. Iran will not go to war with Israel until early in the tribulation period, the scriptures indicate. God is in control and will work out His program concerning Israel.

Syria - French President Nicolas Sarkozy has come up with a plan for putting a stop to the Syrian bloodbath by Western-Arab military intervention. A group of nations led by the United States will reserve a quarter of Syrian territory (185,180 sq. km) as a safe haven for protecting more than a quarter of the nation’s population (5.5 million people) under a collective air shield. It remains to be seen as to whether the plan will be implemented.

The Coming Collapse
Mar 1st, 2012
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

For many years now there have been forces at work to establish a new world order. This would involve a new world economic system, a new world government and a new world religion. All three of these are found in the book of Revelation, in relation to the kingdom of antichrist.

Those who have advocated and worked toward these goals have insisted that the old world order must first be torn down to make way for the new. We have now crossed the threshold of the destruction of old world order and it is now beginning to crumble.

Greece is on the leading edge of this economic and social collapse. Very soon the rest of the world is going to go through what Greece is experiencing. In the midst of this disaster the media have closed their eyes and are failing to warn society of the coming collapse. The media seem to be acting as if they were having a picnic on the deck of the sinking Titanic. No warning is being sounded, whatever the real reason for this, it appears that the media types are in on the plot to bring the old system crashing down. We tend to shy away from conspiracy theories; maybe it is less than a conspiracy and more like an agreement with the concept of one world government and a new world order. This would be the fruit of their left-leaning journalism courses.

A quarter of all Greek companies have gone out of business since 2009, and half of all small businesses in the country say they are unable to meet payroll. Nearly half the population under 25 is unemployed.

Greek bankers say that many people have taken about one-third of their money out of their accounts; many, it seems, were keeping what savings they had under their beds or buried in their backyards.

According to the Daily Mail, some Greek children are being abandoned in the streets because their parents simply cannot afford to take care of them anymore.

The streets are filled with rage as looting and burning and destruction are out of control. In one such rampage 45 businesses were destroyed.

The IMF and the EU are demanding more and more austerity cuts and each cut destroys more of the economy. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and it seems that Greece will soon default and perhaps leave the euro zone.

Countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Hungary are heading down the exact same road that Greece has gone. Greece is a warning sign for the world. If you keep recklessly piling up debt, eventually a day of reckoning comes. It is inevitable.

Barack Obama does not seem to understand this. He continues to pile another 150 million dollars on to the national debt every single hour. He knows that cutting spending significantly right now would hurt the economy and that would significantly hurt his chances for another term.

It has just been announced that Obama has pledged 800 million dollars to the Arab spring states, people that hate America. Obama will have to borrow or print this money, in either case the American taxpayer will have to pay the interest on this money.

In the meantime America is crumbling into the dust. The following is a quote from the internet.

Do you want to know what the future of America is going to look like? Just check out what is happening to Detroit. The city of Detroit was once one of the greatest industrial cities in the history of the world, but today it is a rotting, decaying, post-apocalyptic hellhole. Nearly half the men are unemployed, nearly half the population is functionally illiterate, more than half of the children are living in poverty and the city government is drowning in debt. As economic conditions have become worse, crime has absolutely exploded. Every single night in Detroit there are frightening confrontations between desperate criminals and exasperated homeowners. Unfortunately, the police force in Detroit has been dramatically reduced in size. When the police in Detroit are called, they often show up very late, if they even show up at all. Detroit has become a lawless hellhole where violence is the currency of the streets. If you want to survive in Detroit, you better be ready to fight because there are hordes of desperate criminals that are quite eager to take literally everything that you have. But don't look down on Detroit too much, because what is happening in Detroit will soon be happening all over America.

The rate of self-defence killings in Detroit is currently 2200% above the national average. In Detroit today, thieves have stripped so much copper wiring out of the street lights that half of all the lights in some neighbour-hoods no longer work. 100 bus drivers in Detroit recently refused to drive their routes out of fear of being attacked on the streets. The head of the bus drivers union, Henry Gaffney, said that the drivers were literally "scared for their lives." Sadly, child poverty is absolutely exploding all over the United States. Today, 53.6 percent of all children that live in Detroit are living below the poverty line. When a major city becomes a hellhole, home prices fall like a rock. The median price of a home in Detroit is now just $6000. When crime and looting become common-place, homes in an area can become absolutely worthless. Some homes in Detroit have been sold for a single dollar.

The city is so broke that it is trying to sell the Detroit tunnel and the bridge between Windsor and Detroit.

But Detroit is not alone.

Lots of other cities all over America are flat broke and out of options.

The U.S. economy never recovered from the last major financial crisis, and now another one is on the way. As the economy crumbles, so will the fabric of society.

In the meantime Obama has just pledged to rebuild the aging infrastructure of Iran if they will stop building nuclear bombs, bankrupt America sending billions to oil rich Iran. More money printed or borrowed; money that American tax payers would have to pay the interest on, including the tax payers of Detroit.

Someone is either insane or deliberately destroying the world’s present economic system.

So we continue to roll on toward disaster.

The U.S. financial system is like a car with no brakes that is heading straight toward a 5,000 foot drop at 100 miles per hour.

This will be a full blown disaster for the entire world, a disaster that will crash the world’s economic system.

When humpty dumpty crashes to pieces the wonderworking antichrist will come along and seem to be the world’s saviour. With smoke and mirrors and signs and wonders he will put humpty back together again. The world will give him a blank check to do as he wishes.

The new world order will then come upon the scene. We read about this utopia in Revelation 13:15-17, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

Of this coming great world socialist utopia, we read in the book of Revelation; that by the mid-tribulation point one half of the world’s population will be wiped out. They will die because of a mismanaged economy, because of missed managed agricultural system and at the hand of a maniacal dictator who demands to be worshipped by the world. This utopia will create the greatest climate for war that the world has ever seen.

Daniel tells us that this one called the beast will suddenly appear with a great peace initiative. “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many....” (Daniel 8:25). Paul tells us about this great peace initiative in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them....”

We are living in a deceived world and that deception will soon explode and bring destruction with it.

What hope do we have? Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

The Growing Evangelical Apostacy
Mar 1st, 2012
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

We are shocked by the speed at which apostasy is sweeping through evangelicalism. Mission boards are in some cases leading edges in this apostasy.

Wycliffe Bible Translators are now involved in rewriting the Bible to make it user-friendly for Muslims. The idea of the Son-ship of Christ is being downplayed in the recent translations. The feelings of Muslims are being placed ahead of the truth concerning fact that Jesus is the Son of God. The Koran says that Allah had no son. The climate is set for the ultimate apostasy that will cause evangelicals to accept Antichrist as Jesus Christ.

Another formerly sound mission board recently held missions conference in which, according to a personal friend of mine, the Words “Esau your Saviour” were shown on a poster. Imagine, compromising the truth of the gospel in a vain attempt to reach Muslims. This grieves me because years ago I sat on the board of directors of that mission.

Another movement which calls itself, “The Insiders” are suggesting that Muslims who convert to Christ would be better not to go public about their faith in Christ as this would create a reaction. They suggest that it is not necessary to confess, even to one’s own family, and that this can apply for the lifetime of the person.

We have another manifestation of apostasy under the name Chrislam. We have a group of so-called pastors who are promoting union with Islam under the delusion that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. New apostasies are coming thick and fast.

We also have evangelical leaders who are promoting the false idea that Christ is not the only way to heaven. Even Billy Graham is promoting this deviation from the clear teaching of scripture.

This new barrage of apostasy is sweeping over the evangelical church and it seems to be an irresistible wave.

We have pastors who teach but refuse to contend for the faith. We have pastors who teach but who refuse to call for separation form worldliness and from apostasy. We have pastors who teach and yet refuse to warn of the danger of ecumenism. They teach, teach and teach but refuse to rebuke the compromise that has swept over our generation. They teach, but ignore the real problem facing the people, the problem of sin. There is no remedy without dealing with sin, whether it is the unbeliever or the Christian.

We have pastors who teach God’s Word and bring the world’s ways and the world’s methods and the world’s music into the church.

The Lord said through Jeremiah in a day similar to our day, “Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness” (Jeremiah 12:10).

He went on to say, “They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns.....” (Verse 13)

Renald Showers summed up the wrong theology of these pastors. "Liberal Protestant advocates of the social gospel declare that the church should be concerned primarily with this world. It should divert its efforts from the salvation of individuals to the salvation of society. The church should bring in the kingdom of God on earth instead of teaching about a future, theocratic kingdom to be established in Person by Jesus Christ... the Church was to save the world, not be saved out of it"

Many pastors would not endorse that philosophy, but nevertheless, they are affected by it.

Jeremiah lived in a day of moral and spiritual decline just as we see in our own day.

Today nearly 50% of the babies born in America are born outside of Marriage. I think this must be unique in the history of the world. This has not been previously true, even in pagan societies. In the last 50 years, in America alone, 50 million babies have been murdered in their mother’s wombs. Our culture has not drifted into such decline. There has been a culture war in which a group of men and women, including the media, have fought a fierce battle to destroy our morals and defy the Word of God and the God of the Word. Many pastors have quietly surrendered instead of contending for the truth of God’s Word, all the while teaching, teaching and teaching. “They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns.”

The political collapse in America is the fruit of a deep, widespread moral and spiritual collapse. Restoration will not come through political endeavour or as a result of an election. Only a spiritual revival in America and Canada can bring restoration, and there is no sign of that on the horizon.

The Lord said of Israel, after the spiral of spiritual and moral decline, immediately prior to the Old Testament Day of the Lord. “Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good (Jeremiah 14:11). “Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth” (Jeremiah 15:1).

Where would they go forth? “And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity”(Jeremiah 15:2).

I must close this article on a high note; thank the Lord for the many pastors who are faithful to the Lord and His to His Word. They will have their reward.

Pray for them and help and support them and follow them. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

We must exercise discernment, but we must not allow the counterfeit pastors to cause us to reject the faithful pastors who are called of God to lead and feed the flock.

The Night Cometh
Mar 1st, 2012
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

The twilight is fast fading on the present age and the darkest night this world has ever known is about to descend upon it, the Day of the Lord is at hand.

The handwriting is on the wall and we are watching the stage being set in a steady relentless process. The stage is being set for the final act of this present age. If ever there was a time to sound the trumpet and warn the people it is now. Ezekiel said that we are to watch and warn, “If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people..... Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head” (Ezekiel 33:3-4).

Jeremiah lived in a day similar to today. He warned Israel of the coming Old Testament Day of the Lord. The problem of that hour is the same problem we face today as we approach the final great Day of the Lord. Men will not listen nor heed the warnings that the Lord has and is sending to our world today. Jeremiah said, “O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God” (Jeremiah 5:3-4).

As Jeremiah came to the very threshold of God’s judgment upon Israel, we hear him crying out in anguish for his people, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20). “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1). We share Jeremiah’s feeling as we witness what is happening around us in these final days of this age of grace.

In the Mideast, the so called “Arab spring” is transforming the somewhat stable Muslim countries into radical fundamentalist states. It is the same process which transformed Iran into a radical Islamic fundamentalist state, in the 1960’s, a state intent on destroying Israel and setting up a worldwide Islamic Caliphate.

The Muslim brotherhood is the hand behind this movement. They are intent upon controlling these countries in order to further their objective, to destroy Israel and to dominate the world. Whatever the longer term objectives are, the priority is to destroy Israel and eliminate the Jewish people.

If Assad falls in Syria, which is not a given, he also will be replaced by radical fundamentalism. It will make little difference as he is already radically anti-Israel.

The whole “Arab spring” process is preparation for the events of the last days as revealed in the Scripture. Iran began the process forty years ago and now Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain and Turkey have been, or are being swept into the camp of radical Islamic fundamentalism. They share the same passionate desire, the desire to eliminate Israel.

There is one state left which has yet to be swept into this camp; it is a state which Psalm 83 indicates will join this alliance against Israel. That state isJordan, look for Jordan to be caught in the “Arab spring” and join the camp of Islamic fundamentalism. The process for this is even now underway. When it is complete, Israel will be totally encircled by her implacable enemies. The stage will be set for the war of Psalm 83. Actually, if war broke out today, it may well be that Jordan would join Israel’s enemies with enthusiasm.

Syria is the main power in this alliance against Israel. Syria has a massive stockpile of weapons including; surface-to-air missiles, high-trajectory long-range rockets and missiles, biological and chemical weapons. The chemical weapons include deadly agents such as Sarin, and the nerve agent VX.

According to Arab media reports, Syria has already moved Scud missiles to Hezbollah camps in Lebanon and erected advanced surface-to-air missiles in the Lebanese mountains.

"Lebanon's Hezbollah is getting stronger. The numbers and the range of the missiles in Syria and with Hezbollah are beyond any imagining. Even without Iran - they cover the whole of Israel."

It seems that the war of Psalm 83 is most likely to start in Syria and Iran will not be involved. It could be that the US will hold Iran at bay as this war unfolds.

According to reports from the Free Syria Army, forces which were stationed in the southern part of the Syrian Golan Heights have been moved closer to Israel. The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday that there is growing concern in the Israeli army that Syrian dictator Bashar Assad could attack the Jewish state as pressure mounts for him to step down.

What makes this prospect all the more worrisome is that recent reports suggest Assad has been using chemical weapons against the Syrian opposition, including civilians. If he attacks Israel, it is believed Assad would have no problem using those same weapons against the Jewish state. Syria reportedly has the most extensive chemical weapons arsenal in the world.

Israel has warned Syria that if she uses chemical or biological weapons against Israel; Israel will wipe Syria off the map. Can we read nuclear weapons into this scenario? (See Isaiah 17:1, 14) Israel has a policy called the “Samson Option;” If Israel’s enemies are about to take her down, Israel will use her nuclear weapons to take down their enemy.

The backdrop to this scenario is the fact that Israel and the US are preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. This could be the trigger that ignites the above mentioned war.

Ezekiel gives a picture of another war, an early tribulation period war in chapters 38 and 39 of his prophecy. Right now we see Russia painting herself into her position in Ezekiel’s portrait. Russia and Iran are coming together in a formidable alliance against Israel. Turkey is also set against Israel and is seeking to improve her relationship with Iran and Russia.

Russia is moving into the Mideast scene once again. Russia is also forming an alliance with Syria, no doubt with an eye on the newly discovered oil and gas in the area. Russia has established a Naval Port on the Syrian Mediterranean coast.

Russia does not know that Damascus will be destroyed in the coming war of Psalm 83. The Scriptures reveal that neither Russia, nor Iran nor Turkey will be involved in this war. Isaiah also describes this war and tells us of Syria’s fate. “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1). Also verse 14, “And behold at evening tide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” Syria will be destroyed in the war of Psalm 83 and is not named as participating in the war of Ezekiel 38-39, which follows by some months.

Today Russia is rearming at a furious pace; they are training a special brigade to come to the aid of Iran or Syria.

What is most notable about Russian Middle East policy is that it tends to side with the extremist forces. These friends include primarily Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas. Russia makes money by selling arms to Syria paid for by Iran, knowing that part of them will be transferred to Hezbollah. Russia also profits by selling nuclear reactors and nuclear equipment to Iran. An alliance with Tehran also ensures that Iran doesn’t back Islamists within Russia. Since there is no cost to Russia for engaging in this pro-radical policy it is most attractive.

In the UN, Russia has protected Iran from stronger sanctions and the Syrian regime from tougher action to back the revolutionary forces there.

In all of this we see Russia being prepared for the war of Ezekiel 38-39. Russia has hardened her heart against Israel and God will further harden Russia’s heart and bring Russia to the place of Judgment. “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords” (Ezekiel 38:4).

We see Russia as the bold leader of this alliance against Israel. “Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them” (Ezekiel 38:7).

Ezekiel says that an evil desire will play a role in Russia’s decision to lead this invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38:10 says “an evil thought”).

Verse 11 indicates that this war will come after the peace treaty of antichrist. “And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.”

Verse 12 reveals Russia’s real motive, “To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.” I am sure that Russia will feel that it is time to destroy Israel and that Russia may as well take over Israel’s considerable oil and gas reserves.

The scenario for both of these wars is now falling into place. Today we see preparations underway for these two separate end time wars.

First is an alliance that is now forming on Israel’s borders; this alliance is even now making preparations to attack Israel (Psalm 83:3-7). See also the above noted threat regarding Syria. This attack will take place prior to the peace treaty which will begin the tribulation period. Psalm 83 indicates that this will happen at a time when Israel is under great duress from her antagonists. That is the present scenario, in Psalm 83:1-6 each of these verses speak of this present hour. Ezekiel 35-36 is a parallel passage, and we also find many verses that speak specifically of this present hour.

Today the Palestinians, Hamas and Hezbollah are all swearing that Israel must be destroyed and that they are willing and able to do it.

Second is an alliance of nations that are well beyond Israel’s borders. “And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee” (Ezekiel38:3-6).

I repeat that this attack comes when Israel is at peace. This is vital to the understanding of the timing of this first war and its imminency. “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.” “And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.” “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it” (Ezekiel 38:8, 11, 14). This is obviously after the peace treaty of Antichrist is signed. Paul indicates that this false peace will be a very brief peace (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Therefore it is evident that the war of Ezekiel 38-39 will take place very early in the tribulation period.

It is absolutely stunning how the scenario for these two wars is now unfolding.

Only the Lord knows the exact timing of this next war, but we are to discern the times and the seasons. Theoretically, and in sync with the scriptures, and in sync with signs around us, the war of Psalm 83 could take place at any moment. That would mean that the war of Ezekiel 38-39 could take place within a matter months from now. It is significant that preparations are now underway for both of these wars. They will take place in fairly rapid succession.

The peace treaty and the appearance of antichrist would occur between the two wars. The rapture will occur prior to the appearance of antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

The world wide peace treaty of antichrist will affect the character and nature of the war of Ezekiel 38-39.

It seems that prior to the peace treaty there will be a time of war and great strife and turmoil. Both Paul and Jeremiah emphasized this. Paul said, “Peace and safety” indicating that peace and safety had disappeared from the earth prior to the peace treaty.

Jeremiah conveyed the same idea when he said, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). This conveys two ideas. First prior to this peace treaty people are hurting. Secondly it conveys the idea that this is a false peace that is ineffective and very brief. Remember that Jeremiah’s prophecy had a near and a far fulfillment.

We conclude then, that prior to antichrist’s appearing to sign this peace treaty there will be a time of great distress, war and turmoil. I suggest to you that we are seeing the stage being set for that situation, a situation which will occur after the war of Psalm 83.

I do not think that the world has ever been in such turmoil, with such potential for wars and rumours of wars. The whole Mideast is about to burst into flames. The potential for a tremendous economic and monetary collapse is growing by the hour. Such a collapse would bring rioting and social upheaval such as the world has never seen. The potential for nuclear exchanges and chemical and biological warfare along with escalation of terrorism could shake men and nations to their foundations.

Though the men and women of the world cannot see the peril that is approaching, Paul said to believers, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6).

A word of clarification

1. I have been spending much time and ink on the war of Psalm 83. Why? I believe that we are standing on the threshold of this war. It is a cataclysmic event that is staring us in the face. I believe that it will lead into the tribulation period. Jeremiah was fixated on the coming of the Babylonians and the Day of the Lord judgment that was pending.

2. What is the timing of the rapture with regard to this coming war? Will it take place before this war or after this war? The rapture is a sign less event which can happen at any moment. All we can be sure of is that it will take place prior to the tribulation period, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3; 10). (Note - there are ten articles on our website that deal with pre-millennialism)

3. If we see the signs of these two coming wars we know that the Day of the Lord is near and the trumpet is about sound.

Are you ready? Are you saved? Will you be ashamed before Him at His Coming? Or will you rise with confidence to meet Him in the skies?