The Latter Days Pt 2Devotion In Motion
Ezekiel 38:4-11
“I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.”
God will set a hook in Russia’s jaw. Like a skilled fisherman who tugs his line and sets the hook, God will catch Russia and reel them into Israel. The point is God will pull the strings! God, not the Russians, will stage this battle. Ultimately, Russian policy isn’t made in Moscow, it comes from God in heaven! And God will provide Russia and her allies with irresistible incentives to invade the land of Israel. It’s no secret the Russians have long coveted the land of Israel for many reasons… its warm water ports, its strategic location, its mineral resources, its natural gas reserves – most importantly, its agricultural capabilities… Russia’s economy was in shambles and it’s constantly struggling to feed its people. Israel’s fertile farmland would be the bread basket for the Russian motherland.
But perhaps the greater incentive for Russia to invade Israel is religious and political rather than economic. Today, Russia is 20% muslim – the Central Asian countries that were former members in the Soviet Union are muslim – and the allies mentioned in the next few verses are all muslim and have a deep hatred for Israel. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent Russian troops and jets into the Middle East to prop up the crumbling government of Syrian king Assad. The muslim caliphate known as ISIS still threatens the governments of Syria and Iraq, and the US’s unwillingness to take definitive action since president Trump, has opened the door for Russia to be a player again in Middle East politics.
She’s creeping closer to the mountains of Israel. Notice Russia’s allies in verses 5-6, “Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet…” Until 1935 “Persia” was the official name of what is today, “Iran.” On April 1, 1979, Iran became the world’s first Islamic republic. It’s hard to believe that prior to the ouster of Shah Pelavi Iran was Israel’s ally. Just 30 years ago the two countries were on the same side. Not now. Today, Iran is run by radical Islamic clerics who believe the Mahdi, or muslim messiah, is on the horizon and it’s their obligation to pave his way by wiping Israel and the United States off the face of the Earth.
On October 26, 2005 former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said it clearly to a group of Iranian students, “Israel must be wiped off the map.” This is why Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. Iranian officials believe Allah has chosen them to bring down the West by creating carnage and chaos all over Europe and in the US. So, Iran funds terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Al-Qaeda. Since the Jews have regathered to the land, their muslim and Arab neighbors have gotten angry and jealous. And even more so in light of Israel’s military successes in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982. Every time Arabs have attacked, Israel has gained territory. This is what’s given rise to the evil of terrorism. It’s the war of choice for defeated people.
Iran has supported terrorism, as she’s tried to develop nuclear weapons. Iran needs an Islamic bomb to level the playing field with Israel. And with President Obama’s past treaty with Iran, the US has played right into their hands. Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. Today, six million Jews live in Israel, and the Iranians want to orchestrate nothing less than a second holocaust. This is the debate going on since the administration of Benjamin Netanyahu, even as we speak – when does Israel strike? They can’t let Iran procure a nuclear bomb. But if they attack, they can be sure Iran will retaliate – which could be the spark that starts Ezekiel 38-39.
It’s no surprise that a member of this future alliance with Russia to invade Israel includes “Pesia” or “Iran.” And along with Iran two more invading countries are mentioned… First is “Ethiopia” – at least, that’s how it’s translated. The actual Hebrew name is “Cush,” which refers to the upper Nile region, which is today “Sudan.” This may include Ethiopia, but the focus is on Sudan which today is a radical Islamic Sunni state closely allied with Iran and Russia – and is also strongly anti-Israel.
In the 1990s the Sudanese harbored Osama Bin Laden, and has played host to terrorist training camps. As has “Libya” or in the Hebrew, “Put.” Today Libya is the north African area of Libya and Algeria – countries that are also allied with Russia and extremely anti-Israel. Russian hostility toward Israel and the Jews runs deep. Mother Russia has a long record of anti-semitism. Since the birth of the nation Israel, Russia has been the staunchest supporter of the Arab nations that have tried to destroy Israel. Russia has supplied the Arabs with billions of dollars in weapons to fight against Israel.
On several occasions Russia has been on the verge of invading herself… They came close in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. The Syrians using Russian tanks spilled over the border into the Golan Heights. Thanks to some gallant fighting, and what is today recognized as divine intervention, the Syrians were beaten back. Ariel Sharon also won victories in the Sinai and was about to cross the Nile into Egypt – when the Soviet premier, Leonid Brezhnev sent a message to President Nixon that unless he call off the Israelis, Russian troops would invade.
We now know that Russian paratroopers were boarding planes for Cairo when Henry Kissinger hammered out a ceasefire between the Arabs and Israel. 8 In 1982 when the Israeli troops moved into Southern Lebanon to drive out the PLO, they found evidence of Russian involvement – stockpiles of food and weaponry – enough firepower to support a half million troops. A potential Russian invasion was thwarted. They even found a document detailing attack plans for August 1982. The Israelis beat them to the punch by 2 months. Plans for Russian expansion were tempered after her decade long quagmire in Afghanistan – and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
But the Arab nations continue to be the chief market for Russian weapons – and Russian nationalism fostered by Putin has moved Russia back into the Middle East – for now, on the side of the Syrians. Following the Arab Spring in 2011 Russian made arms deals with the Saudis and with Egypt… As Obama and the US retreat from leadership in the Middle East, Putin is attempting to fill that void with Russian influence. In 2013 he asked for $770 billion to fortify his military. Long story short, the Russians are coming! They’ve never lost designs on the coveted mountains of Israel. And they’ll come with “Gomer and all its troops.” Some have traced “Gomer” to the current country of Turkey. As a NATO ally Turkey has been an ally of Israel – until recently. Radical Islamists are threatening to take over in Turkey, and the country is becoming anti-western. Ezekiel also mentions, “the house of Togarmah.”
This name is attached to the Turkish speaking people across the Caucasus – Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan. As well as the countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Kyrgyztan. And what do all these people have in common… They are almost all muslim fundamentalists and hate Israel. Ezekiel says they’ll come “from the far north and all its troops – many people are with you.” Again, this is the give away. The leading invader will come from the north. And God speaks to the invaders, verse 7, “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.”
The word “guard” can mean “supplier.” How apropos, for Russia is the leading weapons supplier to these nations. He continues, “After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.” This invasion will occur at a time when the Jews are regathered and Israel dwells safely.
At that time, “You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” What better way to describe a massive invasion of Russian paratroopers. Like a “storm” – a “cloud” of troops will cover the land. “‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ – Remember, in this vision Ezekiel is paying a visit to the future.
He’s never seen an unwalled city. Ancient cities always had stone walls encircling them. Unwalled cities are modern designs. Notice, they dwell “safely.” This word isn’t shalom or “peace.” The Hebrew term translated “safely” is “batach.” Which can carry the sense of being cocky or careless. It could be this invasion occurs when Israel drops its guard. Today Israel has the best Air Force and ground troops in the Middle East – the Iron Dome protects it’s air space from incoming missiles – Israel has the best intelligence in the world… is all that enough to make them over-confident? We’ll see. But the day will come.
Though we’re not told when this battle occurs, we know the final week of Daniel 9 – the seven years of Great Tribulation – begins when Israel signs a covenant with the Antichrist. Perhaps it’s this kind of peace treaty that creates a false sense of security among the Israelis. This would place the Battle of Gog and Magog after the rapture, but at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. As we’ll see, this battle is the end of Russia and it’ll deal a severe blow to radical Islam. Once those forces are gone, there’s nothing stopping the rise of Antichrist. There is no doubt Israel today longs for peace.
Over and over they’ve negotiated with doubtful partners. In the 2006 election of the Palestinian parliament the Hamas party – avowed terrorists – won hands down over Fatah. Obviously, the majority of Palestinians want the destruction of Israel, not peace with Israel. Yet the Israelis keep going back to the negotiating table trying to hammer out some kind of workable, believable peace. As a matter of fact, there’s a principle in Islam known as AlTaqiyya which allows a muslim to lie to non-muslims with impunity, if it advances the cause of Islam. Will there ever be a peace Israel can really trust? Apparently, they’ll think so, but it’ll backfire on the Jews.
And Today Putin declared a Military Invasion of Ukraine.
Gas prices will go up, Food will go up, inflation will skyrocket.
Beloved, We are living in the latter days.
Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Victor Tafoya
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Amen
