Sunday, October 26, 2008

The invasion of Gog-MaGog inches closer and closer

Joel Rosenberg's blog has a timely update on the situation between Iran and Israel.
We've been closely watching Iran's leadership continue to call for the total destruction of Israel.
We've also been watching their progression towards having enough enriched Uranium in order to produce nuclear weapons.
At the same time, we watch Israel and their confirmation that allowing Iran to produce such nuclear weapons is not an option; in other words, they must take action to prevent Iran's race towards nuclear weapons.

At the same time, many people are wondering what, exactly Joe Biden meant when he stated that Barack Obama, if elected, would face an "international crisis" within 6 months of the election. One can't help but wonder if perhaps this situation in the Middle-East is the reason for these comments.

This week, the rhetoric has increased quite dramatically. Top Iranian officials are now stating that they believe Iran must strike Israel first, in a "preemptive strike"article here. This threat must be taken seriously - will this hasten Israel's promise to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities?

With either scenario, it seems certian that war between Israel and Iran looms on the horizen. We have already mentioned the alliances between Iran and Russia. Additionally, if Israel destroys Iran's nuclear facilities, it will result in the deaths of many Russian workers, as Russia workers and engineers are vital to the building of these facilities.

Ezekiel 38-39, describes a massive invasion of Israel, as led by Russia. We see a leader called "Gog" leading people of "MaGog" and "Meshech and Tubal"; an identification of the descendants of Noah. These people migrated to and settled in modern day Russia. We also know that the invading people will come from "the far north" of Israel - which also identifies modern day Russia. The second country mentioned as aligned with Russia is easy to identiy. The land now known as "Iran" was previously called "Persia" until the 1930's when the name changed. Interestingly, its these two countries, Iran and Russia who can arguably claim to have the strongest alliance in the Middle-East today. Current events are progressing rapidly to the fulfillment of this prophetic battle - one which will be ended supernaturally by God himself: "I will execute judgment upon him...I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations." (Ezekiel 38:22-23).

That should be very interesting. A massive, epic invasion of Israel, in which God supernaturally intervenes in order to protect Israel. It is difficult to know exactly when this will happen, but it appears possible that such events could take place very soon. Keep your eyes on the Middle-East right now, we may be on the verge of another prophetic fulfillment, on a scale not seen since 1948, when the world witnessed the miraculous regathering of the Nation of Israel.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

More Signs: The New Global Economy

Prophecy watchers keep an eye on world events - watching to see if these events are consistent with biblical prophecy. I can recall several years ago - discussing the various signs that point to the coming seven-year tribulation period as described in Revelation 6-18. One such sign involved the development of a global economy - something that has to be in place according to Revelation 13:16-17. Chapter 13 gives a detailed description of a figure known as the Antichrist - an individual who will rise up during this tribulation period and who will ultimately seize control of a "world-government" system, as described in Revelation 17.

This figure known as the Antichrist will ultimately control the world financial system, and he will do so by forcing all individuals to do two things:

1) Pledge full devotion to the Antichrist, and "prove" this devotion by,
2) Taking the "Mark of the Beast", which will be a visible mark on his/her right hand or forehead.

By doing this, the Antichrist will have the capability of controlling finance of every individual in this manner.

"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name."

First of all - what is this mark? It must to be something which controls the ability of someone to buy or sell. Numerous articles and commentaries have been written about the "VeriChip", which is a tiny (about the size of a grain of rice), implantable microchip, which can contain an individuals medical and financial information. It could also be used as a way to manage financial transactions, eliminating the need for credit cards, checkbooks, and debit cards. It would also be more secure than our current system of handling money and all of our financial transactions. This technology sounds ominously similar to the "mark" described in Revelation 13.

To do so, however, must include a single currency for the entire world.

The recent economic crisis, which has cascaded from the U.S. to the rest of the world, has solidified the concept that we are indeed in a "global economy". Something that received little attention outside of economic circles, the term "global economy" is heard daily on the news and in commentaries. There is no doubt that we are indeed living in a global economy. But an interesting story is emerging as well - a call for an international, single currency. One can see a variety of proposals, even suggestions that the world could go back to the gold standard in efforts to create a single currency. The benefits of a single, world currency are now being discussed as a matter of fact, not speculation. Are you ready for a global currency? and similar articles are now mentioned as something real and tangible, not as speculation.

I can recall teaching on these possibilities, just a few short years ago, and the concepts such as a global economy and a global currency seemed impossible in our lifetimes. Yet, here we are, in just a few short weeks, such talk is common.

It is amazing how quickly our world can change. The world's economy has reached a crisis stage in a matter of weeks.
The stage is being set for a world economic system, accompanied by a unified world currency. It may be the only way for the world to resolve this current economic crisis.

These things must happen. We know because Bible prophecy gives us a clear understanding of the future; and in this instance, a future which includes one single economic system, and currency, which will ultimately be led by this figure known as the Antichrist.

Jesus warned us that these things would take place. He also told us, in Matthew 24 that such things must happen, but we are not to have a spirit of fear. He also told us why we should not fear:

"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28).

Thats a good plan. As we watch these world events - events which we believe are leading into the final stages of this age - we know that our redemption is close. We know that the return of Jesus, for His church, is close. Very close.