Link from Worthy News.  Link from Jerusalem Post. 

A few days after French oil giant Total withdrew from its planned multi-billion dollar gas investment project in Iran, Russia's Gazprom is entering the market in a multi-billion-dollar deal.

Gazprom's Chief Executive Alexei Miller met on Sunday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and went on to sign an agreement for developing Iranian oil and gas fields.

Iran, according to the agreement, has offered Gazprom an extended package for the development of oil and gas fields; construction of refineries; transfer of oil from the Caspian Sea to the Sea of Oman; development of Iran's North Azadegan oil field; exchange of technology and experience; and the possible participation of Gazprom in the planned pipeline between Iran, India and Pakistan.

Azadegan is Iran's biggest onshore oil field with an estimated 42 billion barrels of crude oil. Iranian firms began working on the field in February after the Japanese partner, Inpex, quit the project. (Thought Japan and France were our allies against Iran?)

The accord also includes the future formation of a joint company between the two countries, for cooperation in oil and gas.

Official reports from both countries have not yet revealed if the South Pars gas field will also be part of the deal. Last week, France's Total decided to freeze its investments in South Pars, following Iran's test-fire of long-range missiles. (When the heat got too much for the French. They will start it back up when the heat dies down.)

"After Total's announcement that because of political risk they do not want to commit themselves to the South Pars multi-billion-dollar project, it was natural that Iran would continue and expedite its current negotiations to use other companies," Manouchehr Takin of the UK-based Center for Global Energy Studies, told The Media Line.

The South Pars field in the Gulf has around 500 trillion cubic feet of gas, which accounts for about eight percent of the world's gas reserves.

Takin was however skeptical regarding whether or not it was the American pressure on European companies that made Total withdraw from the project.

"I think it is more within Total's shareholders and board of directors, who have looked at every aspect, and decided not to take too much political risk in their portfolio," he said.

"However, I do agree that one cannot help but think of the pressure from the US Department of Treasury, who had been directly talking to managements of banks and big companies, twisting their arms not to get involved with Iran," Takin added.

The Media Line News Agency

Ezequiel 37-39 describe un tiempo cuando Israel ha estado restaurado en su tierra pero luego afrontará una fuerza de invasión de un país en el norte y sus aliados después de que Dios meta ganchos en sus mandíbulas. Esos países se encuentran enumerados por nombres que no reconocemos hoy pero que muchos eruditos creen haber identificado dónde estuvieron esos grupos étnicos alguna vez. Lo que sigue son las interpretaciones más comunes para esos países:

Se cree que MAGOG es la Rusia de hoy y también debería incluir a Kazajistán (el área al norte del mar Caspio).

MESEC puede incluir la parte sureña de Rusia por el mar Negro, así como también Georgia y Armenia. Algunos creen que Turquía también podría estar incluida.

TUBAL es una parte de Rusia entre los mares Negro y Caspio. También incluye a Ucrania y Kazajistán y posiblemente Georgia y Azerbayán.

PERSIA es hoy en día Irán.

ETIOPÍA (o Cus). Algunos consideran otras áreas circundantes, como Sudán o Eritrea, que también podrían ser incluidos.

Y LIBIA (o Fut).

GOMER puede incluir a Ucrania. Algunos creen que también puede incluir el área SE del mar Negro, como Georgia. Algunos creen que éste también puede ser una referencia para Alemania.

LA CASA DE TOGARMA DE LAS PARTES (lejanas o remotas) DEL NORTE puede incluir Armenia. Otros creen que también incluirá Turquía,

Y MUCHAS GENTES (o naciones) CONTIGO. Esto puede señalar que habrá  otras naciones aliadas con Rusia que están fuera de la lista. Puede ser notado que Egipto, Siria, Líbano, y Jordán no son mencionados.

Rusia no es ya la superpotencia que una vez fue y mientras pueda ser difícil ver semejante escenario hoy, no es difícil para Dios cumplirlo, tal como Él lo hizo con la recreación de Israel como una nación en 1948.

Ezequiel 39 también parecería indicar el uso de armas nucleares en este conflicto por las instrucciones específicas que son dadas de enterrar a los muertos, incluyendo a especialistas que las hacen.

Continuaremos monitoreando las relaciones de Rusia con Israel. Irán, una de las naciones mencionadas, es también es importante para mantener puesto un ojo a consecuencia de su tratado de asistencia mutua con Rusia. Israel ha amenazado con atacar a Irán si continúa con su programa nuclear - éste muy bien podría ser el gancho en las mandíbulas que tira hacia abajo a Rusia. Otra nación para vigilar es Turquía, así sea actualmente el aliado de Israel. Si Turquía debe estar involucrada en esta invasión, ella sólo estaría manteniendo una paz frágil con Israel, hasta que eventos inesperados podrían hacerle cambiar su actual postura con Israel y volverse abierta y definitivamente en contra la nación de Dios. La carrera nuclear corre rápidamente en el Medio Oriente y podría desempeñar un papel crucial en este conflicto.

www.yeshuahamashiaj.org

www.elevangeliodelreino.org

www.apologista.wordpress.com

www.lavasori.wordpress.com

On the front page of the Jerusalem Post they have a story about the practice bombing runs, in addition to a story about the Russians warning Israel not to attack Iran.  It never ceases to amaze me that the Bible predicted an alliance in the last days between Iran and Russia thousands of years ago.  This must be just a coincidence right? Maybe the prophet Ezekiel was having a bad day when he talked about a nation to the uttermost north (Russia) of Israel who would lead a confederation of Mideast Muslim nation in a terrible war against Israel. Not that the Russians or the Chinese would have any great concerns over all that Oil in the Mideast.  This must be just another coincidence right? 

It is becoming increasingly apparent in the last few months that if someone really wants to take on the US and the western democracies of Europe then threatening the Mid East Oil supply, to say nothing of attacking them, could destroy the free world’s economy over night.  Not that oil fields and facilities would be a tempting target or anything. 

Now we see just how vulnerable and utterly dependant we have become on Arab oil and we see just how totally an enemy could destroy us because of our utter stupidity in not having developed our own oil reserves.  What a way to learn this lesson, and are enemies are learning it right along with us.  What is the point of saving the spotted owl and the polar bear if our stupidity means we all end up glowing in the dark, dead as a post, anyway? 

Consider this very interesting story from the perspective of Fox News, The Jerusalem Post, and the Debka File and see if you detect a pattern emerging.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,369465,00.html

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5362

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1213794287750&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

And don’t worry about the price of gas the day after the attack on Iran:  I’m sure Barak Obama and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reed can handle it.  Maybe Obama will talk Iran out of those nasty nukes, after all Senator Obama is well known for his silver tongue and soaring rhetoric: so if anyone could talk the Muslims and the Israelis from fighting, surly Barak Obama would lead the pack.

This is an English translation of this Hebrew article.

Prophet Yehezkel is commanded in the prophecy to face the "land of Magog" ■ Our Sages (Haza"l) told us who is the "land of Magog" but their words were like riddles until now ■ In the past mistakes have been made in placing the "land of Magog" as result of relating to the people and not to the land ■ An old book opens a new windows to understand our Sages' words ■ Exact location of "the land of Magog" is possible by fitting that book to the words of historians.

Hay varios motivos que nos inducen a creer que Rusia es el Imperio predicho por Ezequiel 39, y la razón principal es dibujada de la descripción del país mismo. En Génesis 10 encontramos los hijos de Japheth que fueron Gomer, Magog y Madai - Javan, Tubal, Mesech y Tiras; y los hijos de Gomer, Ashkenas, y Riphoth y Togarma - de ellos las naciones Jafetitas son descendientes, es decir, los chinos, los Tártaros, los griegos y los persas; los alemanes del Norte, Muscovitas y otras razas Eslavas; y éstos son la misma gente que Ezequiel nombra como formando las fuentes, o como siendo los tributarios de dónde Gog debe resultar. En el capítulo 39 el Profeta dice, "Voltea tu rostro hacia Gog, el país de Magog, el príncipe de Rosh, Mesech y Tubal. El nombre General del país en la Escritura es Magog, y el nombre de su príncipe es Gog; pero el país mismo está dividido en tres principados, Rosh, Mesech, y Tubal.

El Profeta después nos dice que el príncipe descrito estará acompañado con un ejército poderoso, formado de naciones diferentes, de los mismos nombres que aquellos que son mencionados en Génesis, como siendo descendientes de Jafet y Gomer; y la mayor parte de estas naciones los sujetos, o aliados, del príncipe de Rosh, Meshech y Tubal son representados como viniendo de países del Norte. Comentamos que el nombre de Rosh no debe ser encontrado en ninguna parte entre los hijos de Jafet. Sabemos, sin embargo, que llamaron el primer Zar de la Gran Muscovi fue llamado Rosh, y que fue de él que el Imperio sacó el nombre que hasta ahora lleva. Sabemos también, que en tiempos anteriores que Rusia estuvo dividida en tres Estados independientes - Rusia propia, o, según algunos autores, Muscovi en Europa - Muscovy propia, o Rusia del Este y del Sur - y Tobolsk, o Rusia del Norte. Los tres estados fueron finalmente unidos bajo el nombre común de Rusia, y ellos mantuvieron en sometimiento a varias naciones de origen Tártaro y  Esclavonia. Persia misma puede ser considerada como una dependencia de Rusia, y el Emperador de estos tres Estados unidos, (Rushy, Muscovy y Tobolsky), —siendo éstas la pronunciación verdadera— y de países tributarios e independientes, es llamado en la Escritura Gog, y su imperio Magog.

Es muy probable que este nombre haya sido dado al estado porque la población desciende en una gran medida de Magog, y Gog parece ser una abreviatura del nombre Magog, y es aplicable a los jefes de este Imperio. Los nombres de los tres estados que forman este Imperio son mencionados en la Escritura palabra por palabra - "Hijo del hombre, voltea tu rostro hacia Gog, del país de Magog, el príncipe de Rosch, Meshech y Tubal;" Ros es Rusia - Mesec Muscovy - y Tubal Tobolsky.

Otra circunstancia de combinación es, que ningún otro país es constituido de tantas otras naciones diferentes. El Profeta además nos dice que estas naciones diversas, que marcharán bajo los colores de Rusia, serán armadas a la manera de los antiguos, con escudos, arcos, y flechas, y con jabalinas y lanzas, ya que cuando somos conscientes, no obstante su amplia extensión, Rusia no puede levantar un ejército que excede a 5 o 600,000 hombres en número que son entrenados según la táctica de la guerra moderna, mientras la gran masa de sus tropas todavía usan armas de varias clases de dardos, que estaban sólo en uso entre el antiguos.

Todavía bajo otro aspecto, la profecía puede ser aplicada a Rusia. Es, además, pronosticado, que de repente tales rebeliones reventarán del ejército innumerable de Gog que, usando la expresión del Profeta, la mano de cada hombre será levantada contra su hermano. Esta parte de la profecía es eminentemente aplicable a Rusia; ya que es casi seguro que Rusia, comprometida con una guerra universal, en el primer revés, atestiguará Polonia y las partes que ella sostiene bajo el yugo, volteando sus flechas contra ella. Es así casi establecido por evidencia, que Rusia es el país de Magog, y que Nicolás, o uno de sus sucesores, es el Gog anunciado por el profeta, y que hay razón de creer que los últimos días no están distantes; ¡Estemos, por lo tanto, en vela y en la oración continua, de que no seamos abrumados por un torrente de acontecimientos, como un ladrón sorprendidos por la noche! "

En Ezequiel 38:1-6, el profeta hebreo da una lista de nombres obscuros que formarán una coalición unida.

* El Gog es descrito como siendo "de la tierra de Magog" y como “el príncipe de Ros, Mesec y Tubal.” La mayor parte de eruditos de la Biblia creen que Gog no es un nombre, sino un título, como Faraón o Zar. Él es un dictador que incubará "un plan maligno" (38:10).

* Magog = los principales eruditos de la Biblia dicen que éste es Rusia y la república de la antigua Unión Soviética. El historiador romano del primer siglo Josefo, dijo que los "Magogitas" eran los pueblos que los Griegos llamaron "Scitianos". Los Scitianos eran una civilización feroz, sanguinaria que se estableció al norte del Mar Báltico en lo que es ahora Rusia y las repúblicas europeas de la antigua URSS.

* Ros = Rusia

* Mesec = Algunos eruditos de la Biblia dicen que este es Moscú, otros creen se refiere a Turquía.

* Tubal = Algunos eruditos de la Biblia dicen que éste se refiere a la ciudad/región de Tobolsk en Rusia a lo largo del Río Tobol; otros dicen que éste se refiere a una sección de Turquía de nuestros días. (De manera interesante, en 1964, las reservas masivas de petróleo y gas fueron descubiertas en la región Tobolsk de Siberia y la gente ahora se refiere a la región como "el centro de energía de Rusia.")

* Persia = Este era el nombre oficial de Irán hasta 1935

* Cush = Sudán y Etiopía

* Put = Libia, y posiblemente Argelia y Túnez

* Gomer = Turquía, pero también posiblemente Alemania y Austria

* Beth-togarmah = Armenia y los pueblos de habla Turca de Asia Central 

* "Muchos pueblos contigo" que atacará a lo largo "de las montañas de Israel" = Otros países estarán implicados en la coalición también, notablemente países que lindan con las montañas de Israel. Este incluye Líbano, Siria y posiblemente Jordania.

* NOTA: Claramente están ausentes de la lista Egipto e Iraq (típicamente referido en la Escritura como Babilonia o Mesopotamia). Esto es significativo ya que Ezequiel escribía la profecía en la Ciudad de Babilonia, en el corazón de Iraq. Tendríamos que esperar, entonces, que ni Egipto ni Iraq participarán. Esto es en particular interesante ya que Egipto firmó un tratado de paz con Israel en 1979 e Iraq está tan absorbido ahora en sus propias luchas internas que éste, con poca probabilidad, se afiliaría a una coalición para destruir a Israel en los próximos pocos años.

Plan de Gog

38:7 – Gog construirá una coalición militar “y estará listo" para atacar strike38:8 – Gog desplegará la coalición contra Israel 39:9 – Gog usará la fuerza aplastante contra Israel; él y su coalición “vendrán como una tormenta .... como una nube que cubre la tierra”

El Plan de Dios

38:2 – el Señor Dios traerá el juicio sobre los enemigos de Israel, que comienza con Gog, el dictador de Rusia38:20 – el Señor provocará un terremoto masivo en el cual “todos los hombres que están en la faz de la tierra temblarán en Mi presencia” 38:21 – el Señor girará las fuerzas de Gog unos contra otros:22 – el Señor sujetará las fuerzas de coalición de Gog: pestilencia, sangre, lluvias torrenciales,  granizo, fuego del cielo39:6 – el Señor “enviará fuego sobre el mismo Magog y otros39:9 – Israel capturará las armas de sus enemigos y los quemarán por 7 años39:12 Tomara 7 meses para sepultar todos los cuerpos muertos de los enemigos de Israel39:17-20 – las Aves y las bestias se deleitarán con los cuerpos de los enemigos muertos de Israel

CUÁNDO?

38:8 – Israel será un país otra vez y los Judíos serán juntados de nuevo  en su tierra:11, 14 – “Mi pueblo Israel vive seguro” antes "de la Guerra de Gog y Magog" 38:12-13 – Israel tendrá prosperidad económica38:16 – “Esto ocurrirá en los últimos días ” (antes de que la vuelta de Cristo)

POR QUÉ?

39:21 – “pondré Mi gloria entre las naciones; y todas las naciones verán Mi juicio”

39:22 – “la casa de Israel sabrá que soy el Señor su Dios” 39:29 – “habré derramado Mi Espíritu en la casa de Israel”

Estos acontecimientos no sólo serán un juicio de los enemigos de Israel de acuerdo con Génesis 12:1-3, donde Dios dice aquellos que bendicen a Israel Él bendecirá, y aquellos que maldicen a Israel Él maldecirá. Los acontecimientos también serán el principio de un gran despertamiento espiritual. Dios sacudirá literalmente y metafóricamente a la gente de la apatía y letargo espiritual para que se den cuenta que hay Dios en el cielo. Él también sacudirá a la gente que sigue religiones falsas y los vuelve a Él. Además, Él sacudirá a aquellos que son seguidores de Cristo, pero no serios sobre su fe. Debería ser notado que la nuestra es la primera generación en la historia humana en la cual todas las naciones en la tierra serán capaces de ver "la Guerra de Gog y Magog" debido a la aparición de la televisión y la tecnología satelital.

………………….

www.yeshuahamashiaj.org (Inglés y Español)

www.esnips.com/web/BibleTeachings

God created a nation called Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj. In the beginning they were free. King Zulqarnian imprisoned up behind a wall. They are still imprisoned today, and will be freed near the Day of Judgement. They will come out and create a lot of trouble. Their population is ten times larger than the world's population.

As we know King Zulqarnain travelled from East to West and North to South. When he was travelling the world, he imprisoned the Ya'jooj Ma'jooj behind a very thick wall. Zulqarnain went East, the people said to him, "In between these mountains, there is a nation called Ya'jooj Ma'jooj, who are like animals. Their teeth are like those of wild animals. When they come out they eat snakes, scorpions, horses, mules, donkeys, vegetables and wild animals. We will give you anything if you build a wall between the Ya'jooj Ma'jooj and us so that they won't harm us." Zulqarnain said, "I don't need paying, but what I would like is that you can help me by bringing me pieces of iron, wood and coal." When they brought these things, Zulqarnain started to build the wall. After this, he started to blow on it. When it became red-hot, he said, "Bring liquid copper." He put this liquid copper on the wall and made it very strong. Then he said, "They will come out from behind the wall, when Allah wants them to"

To this day the Ya'jooj Ma'jooj are trapped behind this wall. Everyday, they try to break this wall. When the sun sets, the wall is as thin as a sheet of paper. Their leader says, "Come on, let's go home now. Leave it, it is like a page. We will come tomorrow and break it down." When they come the next day, with God's will, the wall is as strong as before. Everyday, that is what they do, but when it is time for them to come out, then that day they will try to break that wall but in the evening, the wall will be as thin as a page. The leader will say, "Leave it for today and says the words Inshallah (if it is Allah wills) we will finish it tomorrow." When they come the next day, they will see that the wall is as thin as a page and then they will break the wall and come out. This will be the time when Hazrat Isa (alayhi salaam) will be ruling the world. Allah will order Hazrat Isa (alayhi salaam) to take all his followers to the mountain of Tur.

The Ya'jooj Ma'jooj will come and eat the people in the world. They will drink all the water from the East and all the water from Buhaira Tabria. Wherever there is water, they will drink all of it. If they find any humans they will eat them. People will be scared and will hide. When they don't see a person on earth they will say, "We have finished all the people on earth now we will fight the people in the sky." They will shoot arrows towards the sky. Allah will make their arrows red and send them back, and then they will be happy and say “ That we have killed the people in the sky also”. At that time, Prophet Isa (alayhi salaam) will be on the mountain. There will be a shortage of food. Prophet Isa (alayhi salaam) and the other Muslims will pray to Allah, "Oh Allah! Save us from them."

Allah will listen to their prayers and create a spot on their necks. With that, they will all die. Then Prophet Isa (alayhi salaam) and the Muslims will come down from the mountain, they will see that all the ground is covered with bodies and a dirty smell will be spreading. They will pray to Allah, "Oh Allah! Save us from this dirty smell." Allah will send birds whose necks are like camels'. They will take all the bodies and throw them on mount Nimbar, this mountain is in Palestine. After this, Allah will send rain. With this, all the ground will be clean. Then Prophet Isa (alayhi salaam) with his people will stay on the ground and the shortage of food will finish. Allah will send blessings in everything. There will be so much blessing that one pomegranate will be enough for one tribe, and one pomegranate's peel will make one big tent enough for a group of people to stay under. In this way, one cow's milk will be enough for one tribe. All these blessings will come when all the Ya'jooj Ma'jooj are dead.

Links;

• Wikipedia Article with extensive links and references
• Who are the Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj? Article by by Mohammed Ali Ibn Zubair Ali
• The Major Signs of the Last Day (Qiyaamah)
• The Dajjaal (Anti-Christ), Al-Daabbah (The Beast) and Yajooj-Majooj (Gog and Magog)
• Lake Tiberias, Palestine
• Dajjal /Anti-Christ by Salem Al-Amry - YouTube Video

Anyway. I was reading 'RR' and I came across what at first seemed a completely lunatic screed by Jack Kelly. And upon reflection and research I still believe it is a completely lunatic screed. However, it is factually accurate. While in Israel, President Bush apparently was supposed to meet with three very important Jewish religious leaders who were to present him with a scroll.  They are the contemporary Sanheidrin and they basically were trying to bully Bush into not recognizing any Palestinian state, but the religious overtones of the way they did it are really peculiar. It was addressed to “esteemed Mr. George W. Bush, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, (Ezekiel 38:1) leader of the west.” This is how that personage is referred to in the next verse;     ¹ "Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 

Gog. The Rabbis just called Bush Gog. And 'Rapture Ready' told me.  Gog, of course, shows up in that grand finale of all grand finales, Revelation. Jack Kelly is freaking out because a bunch of Sanheidrin have just called George W Bush Gog. Of course, the Rabbis wouldn't have the same appreciation for the reference in Revelation that Jack Kelly and other Rapturists have, but that won't make a difference in how it's interpreted. It's totally hilarious no matter how you look at it. Also, it's scary as hell when you think that Bush actually believes this stuff and considers himself a divine agent of sorts.   

The Bible says in Ezekial chapters 38 & 39:

Ezekial 39 1And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

3And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

4And 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:

5Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

6Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

7Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

8After 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.

9Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

10Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:

11And 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,

12To 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.

13Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

14Therefore, 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?

15And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:

16And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

17Thus saith the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?

18And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.

19For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

20So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

21And 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.

22And 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.

23Thus 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.

Ezekial 39

1Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

2And 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:

3And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.

4Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

5Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

6And 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.

7So 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.

8Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.

9And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

10So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

11And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.

12And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.

13Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.

14And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search.

15And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog.

16And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land.

17And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

18Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.

19And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.

20Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.

21And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.

22So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.

23And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

24According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.

25Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

26After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.

27When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;

28Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

29Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Pay attention to the first verses of Ezekial 38. Peoples who will band together to march on Israel someday are listed here. But to follow this prophecy, do we not need to understand the peoples mentioned here?:

" Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal"

"Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya"

"Gomer"

"Togarmah"

In verse 13, who are the nations which ask questions?:

"Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish"

First, who are these nations which shall attack? Second, have they banded together to march on Israel before? Doesn't verse 8 describe Israel's people having returned to their land after being scattered before? Does this not then seem to refer to the state of Israel today, which has returned from being scattered into the world's nations? If this prophecy has not been fulfilled, but talks about future events: Are we supposed to watch for it?

Have these nations started making alliances already? Can we start to see the foundations for this prophecy being set in front of us through the daily news?

Do some research for yourself...and see what you can find. I will post a 'Part 2" in a few days which will ask some questions and seek to find answers to the questions of not only "Who are these nations?", but also perhaps "Can we see the start of this alliance in our daily news?".

What do you think? What have you found?

I believe EVERY person interested in prophecy should read Ezekiel 37-40 with MUCH interest. The book foretells of

1) The miraculous WORLD WIDE restoration of Israel

2) A terrible military attack by "Gog" "Magog" "the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal" "Persia" "Ethiopia" "Put" "Beth-Togarmah" and many other peoples

3) A MIRACULOUS salvation from this terrible military attack by an ACT of God that can only be viewed as CATASTROPHIC

4) And finally a NEW glorious temple with the RIVER of life flowing out of it!

There is major hope in the book of Ezekiel for those who believe that God is the salvation of the world and of Israel. We should read it with open eyes and hearts and discern the Truth that God is sharing with us.

Who are these nations that will attack a "peaceful" Israel? When will this occur? What will this attack look like? What will this Act of God look like that will astound the nations?

Keep watch! Be vigilant! I believe this will happen VERY soon!

Letters From a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father's Questions about Christianity

by Gregory A. Boyd (Author)

Edward Boyd's agnosticism rested "not ... too much on any positive position ... but rather on a host of negative ones" about Christianity. In an attempt to address these negative issues, his son Greg, a professor of theology, asked his father, a strong-willed, highly intelligent, and stubborn 70-year-old, to enter into a correspondence in which "all of their cards would be laid on the table." Greg would give his father the opportunity to raise all his objections to the veracity of Christianity, and Greg would "answer these objections as well as give positive grounds for holding to the Christian faith."

Three years and more than 30 letters later, Letters from a Skeptic was published and Edward Boyd came to accept Christ. During his journey, he and his son hash through such topics as why the world is so full of suffering; why an all-powerful God needs prayer; how you can believe in someone who rose from the dead; and how another man's death can pardon others. Despite their brutal honesty, both men exhibit respect and love toward one another as they address these volatile subjects. In Edward's second response to Greg, he boldly says, "Well, your distinction between the 'Christian Church' and 'Christians' is interesting and novel, but frankly, I don't buy it." Greg responds, saying, "I've got to admit that you are raising some extremely good points in your letters. You are raising the most difficult questions a theist can face." --Jill Heatherly

REVIEW: Brian Lehman

I have found this book very useful in helping me to combat some of the logical arguments against the faith given to me by non-believers. Dr. Boyd's logic flows very well and provides a great logical argument to many important complaints about Christianity. Don't rely on this book as your only source, though! It contains only one man's opinions. Personally, I have found some of his reasons to be a little weak, and on one point I think he is wrong. His point about how God does not know the future is based on what I feel is incorrect theology. A few other points he makes might also be seen as based on some abnormal theological ideas. This is still a very good book, though, as long as it the reader reads it for what it is - one man's logical defense of Christianity - and also uses other sources (especially the Bible) in defense of the faith. If this book shows you anything, it shows you that Christianity is more than blind faith or emotionalism, it is actually a very logical and intelligent view of the world, one which I am convinced is the correct one.

Trinity #1
Boys and Their Games...
by Kurt Busiek(w) and Mark Bagley(a)
In the Morrows to Come
by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza (w),
Scott Mcdaniel (p) and Andy Owens (i)

One down, 51 to go...

Your typical first issue. Clark, Bruce and Diana have a dream. They talk about it. They leave. Something happens. Cliffhanger. You didn't miss much. Nice to see The Flash and his kids make an appearance.

In the backstory, the villians start to get together. They had dreams too. Evil Laugh. End.

I like Busiek's run on Superman. Can he handle the Big 3 in one weekly book? 4/5

Justice Society of America #16
He Came, and Salvation With Him
One World, Under Gog Part One
Alex Ross and Geoff Johns (w),
Fernando Pasarin (p),
and Rebecca Buchman (i)

"I come in peace."

Yeah, and Soylent Green wasn't people. Welcome to Earth, Gog, the last of the Third Worlders. Yes, let's kill off the Fourth World to make way for the Fifth, but create an all-new Third Worlder and confuse the crap out of me. It doesn't matter, because he says he's a good guy, no matter what Superman-22 thinks. Why a 22 after Superman's name? Because he is the Superman from the criticly-acclaimed Kingdom Come mini-series (a new Absoulte addition is coming soon), recogniozed in the new multi-versal order as Earth-22. Supes-22 had his own Magog, and he thinks New Earth will eventually get a Magog from this Gog god. Anyway, Gog proves he's a good guy when he fixes Damage's face. And, on a side note, Black Adam is back, and he kills a man.

Good issue, no action. Yep, we're back to peace without violence. Except for Black Adam. 5/5

Nightwing #145
Freefall
Part 6
by Peter Tomasi (w),
Rags Morales (p),
and Michael Blair (i)

"Comissioner Gordon on the emergency line. Our Mr. Kase, otherwise known as Ra's Al Ghul, has escaped. There are fatalities."

Peter Tomasi has revived Nightwing. I only wished I had read the whole thing together as a trade paperback, or a hardcover. This book is good. I'll go over the story more at the conclusion of the arc. The other important thing is it only took Ra's a few months to get out of Arkham. The Black Glove, Hush, and Ra's Al Ghul on your butt, Batman your screwed. Betcha wish you only had Bane to deal with. 4/5

Rann-Thanagar: Holy War #2
Seek And Ye Shall Find
by Jim Starlin (w),
Ron Lim (p)
and Rob Hunter (i)

"...the war you have raging has made tourism a tad difficult."

Adam Strange. Starfire. Animal Man. Hawkman. Comet. The Weird. Starman. Tigorr. And Bizarro. I only wish this was the Justice League. This ban of sci-fi b-list superheroes have made for several great miniseries. Holy War is no exception. More on this series later. 4/5

Robin/Spoiler Special #1

Haven't read it. I'm scared that I'll find out Superboy-Prime punched a wall in time. Guess I should just suck it up and read it. After all, I did buy it.

Simply speaking, love changes people. Christians, then, by definition, should exhibit the greatest transformation of all because, rightly understood and cherished, God's love makes them increasingly more like the One who has lavished his love on them.This truth is meant to tell believers who they are, their purpose and destiny, and how to faithfully persevere in their struggles against all opposition. But sometimes people lose sight of this.Because He Loves Me restores that vision, reminding Christians of their true identity as beloved children of God& adopted by the Father, espoused to the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.Christianity is not a self-improvement program but a transferring of identity and growth, accomplished in history through Christ and in our daily lives through his Spirit. This book explores and celebrates these truths in an unforgettable way. Study questions and invitations for deeper discovery conclude each chapter. ~ Vicki Cook.

Have you ever been driving home, surrounded by clouds, lost in thought, barely seeing the road ahead of you, when suddenly the sun breaks through with stunning brilliance? Or have you ever seen a familiar word in print, and suddenly it looks strange, unfamiliar, as if you are seeing it for the first time? Elyse Fitzpatrick's new book has that effect on me.

I've been a Christian for over thirty years. I have read alot of Christian books. I know my Bible. I know how to live the Christian life expected of me. So I trudge dutifully through my days, head down, thoughts immersed in the crisis of the hour. My Christian beliefs hover somewhere overhead, clean and complete, somewhat disconnected from the messy ground where I spend my days.

In Because He Loves Me, I find the truth about Jesus Christ, who he is and what he has done for me, pulled out of the sky and onto the street where I live. Elyse connects the facts of the gospel--the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son of God--not just with the problems I face today, but with the ways I think and speak about those problems. It startles me awake and makes me see my Savior again, for the first time. I am surprised, helped, and filled with wonder.  ~ R. Lauterback

All see THE BEST SERMONS...CLICK HERE

        *I will be leaving in just a few minutes to drive to Little Rock for the celebration of the installation of Anthony Taylor as Bishop of Little Rock. Please keep him and our Diocese in your prayers as we celebrate this very important moment in the history of our Diocese. May God bless Bishop Taylor with all the gifts he needs to faithfully shepherd us with Christ.

Christian Book Review blog....click here!

        *In his second letter, Peter tells us to “be eager to be found without spot or blemish before [Christ], at peace” (2 Peter 3:14). Yet, few of us make it peacefully through any given day! It is so easy to blame everyone else for our lack of peace—for our anger, jealously, lust, pride, hurt, fear, anxiety, etc. Yet, part of our spiritual growth requires us to deepen our self-awareness and take responsibility for our own feelings. Rather than being angry at others for how they have robbed us of peace, we are invited by God to simply look at why we are not at peace. This is precisely what Saint Dorotheus suggests in one of his teachings, writing, “The man who finds fault with himself accepts all things cheerfully—misfortune, loss, disgrace, dishonor, and any other kind of adversity. Certainly if someone examines himself carefully and with fear of God, he will never find himself completely innocent” (Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. III, pg. 299). What wonderful (and challenging) words of advice!

CHRISTIAN BOOK REVIEWS (CLICK HERE)

All information protected by United States Copyright Laws

Since its release, More Than a Carpenter has been challenging readers to ask the question, "Who is Jesus?" Author and renowned speaker Josh McDowell acknowledges that while the topic of God is widely accepted, the name of Jesus often causes irritation. "Why don't the names of Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius offend people? The reason is that these others didn't claim to be God, but Jesus did." By addressing questions about scientific and historical evidence, the validity of the Bible, and proofs of the resurrection, McDowell helps the reader come to an informed and intelligent decision about whether Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. This short, 128-page gem does not employ fancy theological words, forsaking the layman, but reads more like an intimate research document laying out the facts with veracious accuracy, from reliable sources ranging from secular scientists to conservative seminarians. A skeptic himself for many years, McDowell always believed that Christians were "out of their minds" but now insists that "never has an individual been called upon to commit intellectual suicide in trusting Christ as Savior and Lord." McDowell adeptly articulates fundamental answers to poignant questions that cause the skeptic to consider whether Jesus was a liar causing countless martyrs to die in his wake, a lunatic deserving death, or actually the Lord of the universe. --Jill Heatherly

This book forces the reader to deal with the person of Jesus. One cannot walk away from this book claiming indifference to Him. Too many people aimles run straight to Hell, avoiding the gracious offer of grace, by simply not thinking about it. Jesus came to earth claiming to be God. He and His apostles claimed that he died in order to take God's wrath stored up for us all. He claimed that if anybody would give up all hope except hope in His death for salvation from our sins, they would be saved and if He was rejected, they would be left to face God's justice in an eternity in Hell. You have to embrace Him and His claims or reject them. Indifference and moral living does not count for anything. For a Christian read this book. It may be possible that you have been worshipping an idol, ignorant of who Jesus really is, or perhaps your faith will be strengthened. If you're not a Christian, read this book to understand what you are rejecting, then I pray that you would turn to Him for salvation.  --

Temperance, General scriptures concerning

 Esth 1:7-8
7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. (KJV)Prov 23:1-3
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. (KJV)Prov 25:16
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. (KJV)Dan 1:8
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (KJV)Dan 1:12-16
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. (KJV)Rom 13:14
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV)1 Cor 9:25
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (KJV)1 Cor 9:27
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)

 (CLICK HERE) ...for Christian book reviews!!!!!!!!!

All information under United States Copyright Restrcitions

Magog - Most scholars think it is Russia

Prophecy of nations rising up against Israel in the end times; great earthquake; Israel wins

"You Will Not Get Away With This"

The Monster Living In Vera's Mind

Another Character by Bethann Shannon

Copyright 2008

(Füves könyv)

[ORIGNALLY POSTED ON BLOG.MYSPACE.COM/MUSICNERDSX2]

Battle in Ezekiel

We had a winter Bible study at church last weekend, and the speaker gave a series of 6 lessons on end time prophecy.  Not much of it was new to me, and perhaps I'll do some blogs on Biblical prophecy latter on for any of you interested.

But he did make a point that I had never heard before... something I'd like to share.  He quoted a passage from the book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 & 39.  The passage, he claims, speaks of a great battle agains the nation of Israel after the rapture but before Armededdon.  But the battle is not what I want to talk about... it's the verses that speak specifically to the CLEAN UP after the battle.  Check this out.  From chapter 39...

⁹"Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will ^(K)go out and make ^(L)fires with the weapons and burn them, both shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears, and for seven years they will make fires of them.

   ¹⁰"They will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, for they will make fires with the weapons; and they will take the spoil of those who despoiled them and seize the ^(M)plunder of those who plundered them," declares the Lord GOD.

   ¹¹"On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea, and it will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with all his horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog.

   ¹²"For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to ^(N)cleanse the land.

   ¹³"Even all the people of the land will bury them; and it will be to their ^(O)renown on the day that I ^(P)glorify Myself," declares the Lord GOD.

   ¹⁴"They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, ^(Q)burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search.

   ¹⁵"As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man's bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.

   ¹⁶"And even the name of the city will be Hamonah. So they will cleanse the land."'

Several things I want to point out:

1)  They will make great fires with the left over weapons... possibly for fuel consumption - verse 9 & 10

2) They will hire OUTSIDERS who specialize in this kind of cleanup - verse 14

3) It will take a total of 7 years to complete the cleaning process. - verse 9

4) They won't even start cleaning until 7 months after the battle - verse 14

5) They battle ground will be quarentined - verse 11

6) When the cleaners first pass through the area, they have to place a marker beside any remains they find and then keep going - verse 15

7) It will take 7 months to dispose of the dead properly. - verse 12

Our speaker took all of these things and conjectured that a nuclear war had occured in that area.  Which I now agree with.  However, I view that these verses could also be refering to some sort of biological weapon.  What do you think?

-k

 This doesn't mean I'm always right and this is not a claim to have all the answers. I will never stop warning people not to take my word for anything but to search the scriptures themselves to see whether these things are so. Acts 17:11 The Watchman Bible Study website is the result of my search for Truth and my desire to share the clarity I've discovered written into and interpreted by the Bible. While I am not always correct the Bible is, and so if this sequence of events does not turn out to be completely accurate that doesn't change the Bible's validity, just shows my lack of full understanding.

What I would like to focus on in this post is a collection of diverse prophesies found throughout the Bible in the order of events as understood through examining the context of these prophesies in light of the HIStory, Our Future Bible studies. The premise of this collection of research by other watchmen on the wall traces Israel's judgment history through time and showing how that snaps to Israel's feast days and the 70th week of Daniel, the final seven years of God dealing with Israel before His return in glory. These studies examine the precision of Bible prophecy and history to build faith in what was already fulfilled with 100% accuracy to look toward the future with faith that God's Word will again be fulfilled in the future with that same accuracy. According to Matthew 24:14,15 "the end" comes at the abomination of desolation, which the HIStory, Our Future Bible studies place in just under one year (February 16, 2009) from today (March 3, 2008).

I am not lost on the significance of making a statement like this, but I am sure if you examine the information at the links provided, you too will see the significance of what I am going to share. Please also note that while this post is focusing on Bible prophecy that is 100% accurate in its future fulfillment, there isn't the kind of precise dates connected to them and so the timing is my estimation based on my research. This is this watchman's perspective on what may come to pass in 2008 and how that will explain and connect to the HIStory, Our Future conclusions for the timing of the 70th week of Daniel and the abomination of desolation that will transpire in the midst of that seven years - 2009.

Dividing Israel For Peace

Zechariah 12:1-3
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

“Relations between the EU and Israel are also part of the Union's wider efforts to contribute to a resolution of the Middle East conflict. The achievement of lasting peace in the Middle East is a central aim of the EU, whose main objective is a two-state solution leading to a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the implementation of the road map, with Israel and a democratic, viable, peaceful and soveriegn Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace within secure and recognized borders and enjoying normal relations with their neighbours.” | Javier Solana

The road map for peace is the instrument by which Israel is being divided to create a Palestinian State. It is widely believed that this is an American based plan, but what you may not know is that Javier Solana claims credit for the road map, having written part of the document himself. Considering the previous information shared on Europe's recent history with the EUROMED (EU "ROMED") Agreement in 1995 and the confirming European Neighbourhood Policy of January 1, 2007 for seven years, with mid-term review, it seems that current news is fitting Bible prophecy regarding the confirmed covenant with many for seven years spoken of in Daniel 9:27.

What struck me recently upon further research is in Revelation 6:1,2 there is a rider that has a bow, who is given a crown and goes for conquering. Now many have commented on the bow without the arrows, but in my search I wondered what the Bible had to say about the bow. What if this isn't a weapon at all, but relates the first seal being broken to the confirmed covenant with many, a token of a covenant?

Genesis 9:13
I [God] do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

When you consider the quotes by several politicians that Europe now speaks with one voice through Javier Solana and his central role in European politics, and that this role is about to become even more powerful January 1, 2009 because of the Treaty of Lisbon, the thought that the first seal was broken at the onset of the week-long confirmed covenant with many is an intriguing one. It is also one easily dismissed because we couldn't be THAT close, right?

The goal of this confirmed covenant is peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution, the dividing of Israel for peace. I would call this a different kind of conquering, but once again the nations that comprised the Roman Empire are revived, united and at work in Israel. So does this fit with the description of the breaking of the first seal? You decide...

Revelation 6:1,2
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

I was also recently made aware of the possible prophetic implications of this road map and its goals to divide Israel by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah:

Zechariah 14:1,2
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Only half the city is taken into captivity and the other half remains in this prophecy. This is the goal of the "road map for peace" and we saw on a small scale the kind of implementation that could come about with the evacuation of the Gaza strip in 2005 just after Tisha B'Av. This came as a morale boost for the Muslims and gaining statehood and dividing Israel could only boost that morale once again. We saw many Israelis stand their ground in Gaza and the revolt against being forced from their land in the West Bank and elsewhere could again set up a forced evacuation of the population before the influx of "Palestinians" like those who decimated Gaza. Another aspect that should be examined are the consequences for messing with Israel.

Jeremiah 30:17-24
For I will restore health unto thee [Israel], and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD. And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he hath done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

As pointed out in Bill Koenig's book Eye To Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel, we can see evidence in the past of the "whirlwind(s) of the Lord" hitting U.S. coastlines on the very days America meddled in the Middle East peace process of dividing Israel.

• October 19, 1991, George Bush and Michele Gorbuchoff went to Switzerland and sponsored the Madrid Conference, in order to bring about a peace plan between the Palestinians and Israel. The plan was to divide Israel into two separate states. This land included the Golan Heights, the West Bank, the Gaza strip, and Jerusalem. At that same time a storm developed in the North Atlantic ocean sending 30 foot waves on the coast of president Bush's home.
• August 24, 1992 the Madrid Conference convened in Washington and is the day that Hurricane Andrew clobbered the states of Louisiana and Florida. This was a devastating storm that caused massive destruction to the East coast of America. This hurricane was happening at the same time Israel was being discussed in Washington.
• January 15, 1994 President Clinton, and the president of Syria were in Switzerland, calling on Israel to leave the Golan Heights and within 24 hours a major earthquake hit Northridge, California producing the largest earthquake in U.S. history, and at that time, the second largest catastrophe in U.S. history.
• August 24th, 2005 The final Jews were evicted from Gaza and Northern Samaria, tropical storm depression 12 started in the Bahamas, Within 24 hours it was tropical storm Katrina. Within 72 hours it was hurricane Katrina and hit South West Florida. 72 hours later, it hit Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, producing the largest disaster in U.S. History.

It is the world's view of how to bring peace and Satan's way to break Israel into pieces. Did we learn anything from the above? Most people never had the dots connected for them, perhaps you see it now? Current policy with Israel in agreement with Europe is not where our country should be dabbling. Regardless, it will come to pass and you can keep up to date on the news related to the dividing of Israel for peace here.

Destruction of Damascus

This brings us to another Bible prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled, but has implications in our current time that could trigger the series of events prophesied to lead to the end.

Isaiah 17:1-14
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel. At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation. Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips: In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! [Gog/Magog?]--> The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. 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.

Damascus is the oldest known continually inhabited city and has never been destroyed. Yet the Bible says there is a time coming when it will be a desolation. Furthermore, it says that Syria's strong cities will be a desolation because of the children of Israel. Anyone watching the news today can see the tensions present in the region and Damascus is known for being a terrorist haven and Syria for funneling weapons from Iran. Indeed Israel has already threatened to attack Damascus in the recent past and just recently bombed a suspected nuclear facility in Syria. If Israeli intelligence were to catch wind of a terrorist plot coming from Damascus, I have no doubt they would pre-emptively attack as it is their future existence on the line surrounded by enemies working for their complete destruction. Now with the assassination of Mughniyeh on February 13, there is talk of a large-scale attack on Israel in retaliation after a period of mourning. Would Israel act to prevent this retaliation by eliminating the terrorist center and destroying Damascus? I have a feeling this will unfold later in the year, but as I said before I'm not completely sure of the timing specifics. However I do believe this is the trigger for the Gog/Magog invasion of Israel and that this comes before the abomination of desolation.

Magog Invasion

This brings us to the prophecy of an attack from the North by Iran, Turkey, Libya and Russia to name several. In watching the news, the alliances foretold in scripture are already well in place. This prophecy is laid out in Ezekiel 38,39 and I go into scriptural detail why I place this event prior to the abomination of desolation. However, I want to cover just those basic reasons here quickly and refer you to the link above for the details.

Ezekiel 38:1-6
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 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.

The first point I would like to make is that the Gog/Magog attackers are brought to the mountains of Israel by "hooks in their jaws." I have this vision of a fish on a hook being reeled into a boat. The fish doesn't necessarily want to go, but it has not choice in the matter. It bit at the bait and now it is pulled in. Likewise, Syria and Iran have a defense agreement as do Russia and Iran. Were Israel to pre-emptively attack Damascus, Iran and therefore Russia would be obliged to retaliate and attack Israel. With the 2006 war destabilizing Lebanon and both Russian and Turkish Muslim troops placed on the border as "peacekeeping" troops following this time, it seems the way could already be ready for implementation of this attack foretold in the Bible. Furthermore, bunkers were also discovered littered throughout the Northern border in Lebanon storing weapons. What causes me to place this event after the dividing of Israel for peace is that scripture states Israel is dwelling safely in the land.

Ezekiel 38:8
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Israel has been regathered into the land as described in the two previous chapters, Ezekiel 36,37. However, they are currently not dwelling safely as there are kassam rockets raining down almost daily. It is one of the prerequisites to the creation of a Palestinian state that this bombardment stop and I believe it will in the near future. However, even with these sparratic yet common attacks, Israel has been a prosperous nation amidst the turmoil and few casualties result from these rockets so I concede that this could be considered dwelling in safety, time will tell. At any rate, this places the Magog invasion after Israel is regathered and living in the land once again.

Ezekiel 38:16
And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

Ezekiel 39:6,7
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. 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.

This last aspect to the attack that is thwarted when God rains fire and brimstone from heaven to destroy the attackers reveals how quickly attitudes in Israel and around the world will be shifted dramatically. This prophecy is part of the Old Testament scriptures accepted by the Jews and I believe it will cause a big Aliyah [immigration] into Israel of the Jews from around the world and also temporarily quiet the Muslim extremists. Scripture says God will make His holy name known in Israel and around the world. For the blinded Jews, this will probably mean a shift in attitude from a largely secular nation to a return to the ways of their fathers and a strong desire to rebuild the temple and begin the daily sacrifice again.

Rebuilding the Temple

Revelation 11:1,2
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

I've come across many Christians who are revolted at the idea of rebuilding the temple. I would like to point out that the Jews are blinded to Christ and so do not have the same revultion many Christians have to restarting the daily sacrifice, quite on the contrary it is central to their religious beliefs. Furthermore, the Bible foretells it happening so I accept it as an event that will transpire as foretold. But most of all, the way it is described fits with the current sitation on the Temple Mount today.

There is a place called the Dome of the Tablets (aka: Dome of the Spirits) that sits just to the North of the Dome of the Rock. It is perfectly lined up with the Golden Gate facing the Mount of Olives. With the outer court of the temple not being built, the inner court with the Holy of Holies centered on the Dome of the Tablets will border just on the outside of the Dome of the Rock, fulfilling the way the prophecy is described above in Revelation 11. You can view diagrams and a much more detailed explanation here.

What is also interesting to note is that all the temple instruments have been recreated as well as priests trained to carry out the normal temple operations. I've also heard stories that they are prefabricating the temple blocks off-site as with Solomon's temple so that assembly of the temple will be a matter of bringing the materials to the Temple Mount. There are those who desire to rebuild now and a yearly trek is made to place a cornerstone of the temple on the Temple Mount. The desire is there now, imagine how this will escalate once God intervenes on Israel's behalf!

The End: Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:14-22
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For