Iran disdains threats

Iran has been making headlines for months with its declared “peaceful nuclear programme”. This is not a new game for those who have been watching the activities and intelligence coming out of Iran for years.

Iran has made very clear statements in the past that it would use nuclear military force against Israel once it gains the technology. Intelligence reveals that they have been smuggling the pieces they need for this end from Russia and other nations for some time now. (Epicenter, Rosenberg, 2008)

What is new is that Iran is brazenly defying the international calls for them to halt work on their newly exposed facility at Qom, a uranium enrichment site which is estimated, according to data in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s report, to produce enough uranium for military production, but not enough for their “peaceful” energy plant. The IAEA has demanded that all work stop on this facility, so they must have some idea that peace isn’t on the agenda.

According to Joel Rosenberg, Iran’s president is convinced of the most extreme Islamic line. His core beliefs drive him to hasten the arrival of the Twelf Imam who will iradicate all non-Muslims from the planet. This imam will return during a time of chaos.

So why would Iran be so defiant? News reports yesterday show that they have announced another 10 nuclear enrichment sites despite refusing to respond to the offer to have uranium enriched for power purposes outside the country. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8386261.stm

It seems to me that Iran is not afraid of international action against them. In fact, it would seem they even desire confrontation. Maybe they are close enough now to having their nuclear weapons that they are willing to engage. Maybe they are willing to play the UN’s bluff. Either way, the game is getting very dangerous, not just for Iran, but for all of us. Iran’s leadership has stated that Israel is only Little Satan. The Big Satan is, you guessed it, the United States.

Ezekiel 38 describes a war against Israel with Gog of Magog and Persia joining forces. Persia is easily identified as Iran, and most experts point to Russia as Gog of Magog (though there are some who believe it’s Turkey). Russia under Putin was building increasingly close ties with Iran and fueling much of their armament. In the past couple of months, under president Medvedev, they seem to be backing off. I expect when Putin tries to return to office by 2012, we could see the coziness resume.

Revelation 13 describes two beasts. One beast is a description of the anti-christ.  Another beast is a False Prophet who rains down fire from heaven and forces everyone to worship the anti-christ. It is the False Prophet who orders everyone to receive the mark or face beheading. Interesting that God chose to use the word prophet since Mohammed centuries later became known as “The Prophet” and today is accepted as such by millions. It wouldn’t surprise me if the False Prophet were someone like the current Iranian president who is devoutly seeking to bring all the earth into submission to Islam by conversion or the sword. In fact, the president believes that he is appointed by Allah to usher in the return of the Prophet’s Twelf Imam.

It’s important to recognize that the word (ga) used for “earth” in Revelation 13:18 referring to the False Prophet’s area of power can also be translated “country or land”. It seems very likely to me that the False Prophet will be enacting his harsh judgments in the middle east. Not that there will not be global ramifications, but I want to impress on you that there is no reason to believe that Revelation requires “One World Goverment” or “One World Currency” or even a micro-chip in the arm system of cash. In fact, we could be staring Revelation (and Ezekiel 38) right in the face.

A Savior from Heaven

There are wonderful clues in the Old Testament which should have opened minds to the real identity of the Jewish Messiah – that he would be God-nature.

Check out Psalm 49 excerpts here!

⁷ No man can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for him-

⁸ the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough-

⁹ that he should live on forever
and not see decay.

 

¹² But man, despite his riches, does not endure;
he is ^[c] like the beasts that perish.

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
Selah

 

¹⁵ But God will redeem my life ^[f] from the grave;
he will surely take me to himself.
Selah

 

No one but God himself could pay the ransom for a life. Jesus, being in very nature God, gave his life for us. Awesome!

Joseph Foreshadows God’s Plan for Israel

I absolutely love the way the Bible is one complete text that explains itself more and more as you study it. I know there are some who claim it was written piecemeal or fabricated. However, you’d need a whole host of literary geniuses to hide that much foreshadowing in a book by so many different authors. I just discovered that the story of Joseph foreshadows parts of the Bible which were written millenia later.

Joseph in this story is a picture of the Messiah to come.

Joseph was a favoured son of his father. He prophesied to his family that he would someday rule over them. His brothers rejected this and instead threw him a pit to die, but he came out of the pit and was sent to Egypt (the nations). He became ruler of the nations and saved many from death. His brothers, now suffering came to Egypt, but still did not recognize their brother/ ruler. He tested them by appearing harsh, but when he found they were truly repentant he revealed himself to them and tears of joy were shed in that reunion.

How could we not see how the Jewish Messiah came — Jesus Christ? He was rejected by his own and sent in to the grave. But he arose and his salvation was offered to the world where many have received his salvation. But someday Israel will turn to God under great tribulation. And Jesus will reveal himself to them. The reunion will be one of great joy!

http://www.sevenempires.com/prophecy/god_almighty.htm

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Statue

I have put to rest for myself the idea of a revived Roman empire as the fulfillment of Revelation’s beast (scroll down for that discussion). It seemed to me that Daniel 2 might offer some clues as to the real identity of the beast. Daniel’s first dream interpretation in this book seems to offer an overview of coming history in the middle east.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the story from Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation were revealed to Daniel in a vision. He saw a large statue: head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, feet of iron and baked clay. A rock cut out, but not by human hands, struck the feet and the entire statue was broken to pieces.

Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian ruler, that he is the head gold. His kingdom will be followed by another, then a third, a fourth and lastly a final, fragmented kingdom (each with less power than its predecessor). In essence, Daniel gives us the course of ruling empires in the middle east.

The book of Daniel goes on in following prophecies to reveal the names of the second and third empires: Medo-Persia (Dan.5:30-31) and Greece (Dan.8:20-21). Later, John writing in Revelation is under the fourth empire, Rome. But what is the name of this fifth empire, the feet of iron and baked clay? If we can correctly answer that question, it will help a lot in interpreting Revelation. The feet have 10 toes, the terrible beast of Daniel 7 has 10 horns and Revelation’s beast has 10 horns. Identifying one might shed some light on the others.

The common interpretation of this fifth empire shown by the feet is that it is a revived Roman empire since the legs of iron (Rome) continue on into the feet. However, although iron is mixed with baked clay in the feet, the best translation of these verses don’t suggest a continuation of one into the next.
“You saw the feet and the toes, part of potter’s clay and part iron; that means it will be a divided kingdom;”
TANAKH, A New Translation of THE HOLY SCRIPTURES According to the Traditional Hebrew Text.

The best place to look next would be history. Was there an empire which followed Rome and which is still alive today? A divided or fragmented kingdom? In fact, the Islamic empire replaced Rome and eventually came to control the Middle East and Israel. This empire grew into a great culture and fought off the crusades to survive and thrive in the region. Although the Islamic empire is very fragmented among different sects and countries, it remains a verifiable world force that we are reminded daily by the news will require careful consideration.

This final empire will not disappear or be replaced until the Rock comes to destroy both the empire and all vestiges of previous empires. The Rock, our returning Messiah Jesus, will establish himself as the only ruling authority.

According to Daniel’s prophecy then we should, at some point, be able to identify the 10 toes if these are indeed the same as the 10 horns on the beast of Revelation. I’ll keep this post shorter than longer and the toes and horns will wait for another day.

For a much more complete version of this argument, please see work done by a brother in Jerusalem.
http://www.sevenempires.com/prophecy/the_statue_with_five_parts.htm

Earthquakes in Diverse Places

I have followed earthquake data via the US Geologic Survey website for a number of years. They have an interesting question on their site that says, “Are the number of earthquakes increasing?” They’ve taken the time to explain that the only reason we see more and more earthquakes is because there are more tools for measuring them (can’t think of the word for those things!) Today there is an article on the BBC explaining that scientists now believe that the earthquakes we see in really unusual places, like the huge one in China last year, are really aftershocks of earthquakes from centuries ago. I’d like to know why they are so concerned that we not think the number of earthquakes is increasing? Because the data certainly look like they’re increasing! I’ll give you more detail when I’ve got time to put the numbers into a graph.

Meantime, I’ll just tell you that I was stunned last year to discover that the number of earthquakes dropped off dramatically for the Hebrew calendar year (which begins about September). We’re talking about 50% the number of earthquakes of the year before and about 75% of the number from 20 years ago. Basically, there has not been a year as quiet in at least 20 years and that’s as far back as I could find data. However, that changed very suddenly on the Hebrew New Year. Huge earthquakes hit Indonesia and other areas this fall. Things are only now beginning to quiet back down to the “normal” level of the past few years.

When I saw this trend I immediately remembered Jesus’ words,

“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:7,8

Now I’ve been through birth pains a few times and I feel intimately qualified to speak on the subject. Birth pains are not one solid contraction; they come and go. But something happens right before the urge to push hits – and there’s no arguing with it. There’s a breather — contractions stop. Like your body gets a rest before it really goes to work (they don’t call it labour for nothing!)

Is what we experienced last year, a breather between contractions? The calm before the storm? The earth is certainly labouring.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8342600.stm

Iranian weapons destined for Israeli attack?

Joel Rosenberg has an excellent blog post explaining the mounting evidence of a Russia-Iran-Libya-Sudan alliance that could form. This is not yet a reality but they do seem to be getting cozier. These nations are described in Ezekiel 38-39 as Gog coming to attack a restored Israel.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/page/2/

Scroll down to see his article on this subject.

Israel seized a huge cache of weapons off a ship yesterday and this article explores whether or not these weapons were Iranian and destined for Hezbollah via Syria.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8343673.stm

Revived Roman Empire or Assyrian?

I have been trying to compile what the Bible says about the end-times beast/ antichrist. There are many descriptions which seem incongruent. However, the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus which said he would be of the line of Judah, a king on David’s throne, Nazarene, of Bethlehem, called out of Egypt, a suffering servant, etc., could not be reconciled until true seekers saw his fulfillment of every prophecy. In the same way, as we watch for the coming of Jesus again, we must know what the Bible actually SAYS and be ready to recognize the fulfillment when it comes. Unfortunately, we often work hard to create a plausible explanation of how all the prophecies could be simultaneously fulfilled and might distract ourselves from knowing exactly what God said. His plan could eventually look quite different from our expectations.

Having said all that, it may seem that I am doing exactly what I accuse others of doing. Hypocrite! It is my heart’s desire only to prepare the people of God to be ready and awake for His coming! I will do my best, and ask God for His wisdom and restraint, to maintain a focus in this blog on what the Bible says. If I can point to world events that seem to fulfill or progress fulfillment of God’s prophetic Word, then I will give you the heads up on those things.

Many people expect that the beast described in Revelation 13 & 17 to be a revived Roman Empire – even alive today as the European Union. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe that is going to be the case. Let me give some of the verses here (you probably don’t have a Bible open right now ).

“And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns…resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion…One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.” Rev.13:1-3

This description lines up with the four beasts (great empires) of Daniel’s vision.

“Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle…

“And there before me was a second beast which looked like a bear…

“After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard…

“After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast… and it had ten horns.” Dan.7:2-7

What I’m showing here is that the beast of Revelation has characteristics of each of the previous world empires. (Nov.15,2009 edit – Another convincing argument might be made that the four heads are actually four co-existing kingdoms/sects at the time of the end.) Although the end-times beast does have 10 horns, like the final Roman empire beast, it also has traits of the other three empires/ beasts. I don’t think we should necessarily assume that the final end-times beast is a Roman revival from this one comparison. Let’s see what else the Bible says that will give parallel descriptions.

This is what God said to the king of Assyria:

“O king of Assyria, your shepherds slumber; your nobles lie down to rest. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them. Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the news about about you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?” Nahum 3:18-19

Remember the words in Revelation? “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.” Rev.13:3

Back in Nahum again, here’s what God says to Assyria’s great city (Nineveh) in the same passage:

“Woe to the city of blood… all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.” Nahum 3:1-4

And then in Revelation, words that ring with familiarity:

“Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth. I saw that the woman [who rides the beast] was drunk with the blood of the saints.” Rev. 17:5,6 “By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.” Rev. 18:23

” Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! … When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.” Rev.18:1&9

Of the Nineveh prostitute God said, “All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins — who will mourn for her? Where can I find anyone to comfort you?’” Nahum 3:7

While I’m not suggesting these are the same event, I’m saying there is a parallel between the fall of Assyria’s capital, Nineveh, and a future fall of “Babylon” – a world-system which is trade and economy-based and opposes the followers of Jesus (Rev.18).

These parallels do not support a revived Roman empire.

The angel in Revelation tells the writer, John, about the beast with the fatal wound. “The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” Rev.17:11

The beast who “now is not” cannot be specifically a Roman empire because Rome was the ruling authority when John received his vision.

If I can make a suggestion as to the identity of the wounded head…

“The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” Rev.17:9-11

Now, to be honest, I do not know who these kings were – maybe antichrist-types who persecuted God’s people. Probably someone with greater knowledge of history could tell you. However the seven heads are also seven hills on which the woman Babylon (the world economic and trade system) sits.

In 1975 the world’s economic heavy-weights created the Group of Seven in response to the oil crisis of 1973 which threated their trade potential. In 1997 Russia joined the G7 to create G8. Many would equate modern day Russia with ancient Assyria. (Nov.15 edit – Although Russia is covered geographically by the area over which Assyria had power, it was not the seat of power. That would have been found at Nineveh, very close to modern Mosul in Iraq). So, I’m still reserving judgment on the Russian/ Assyrian hypothesis I’ve presented here.)

A recent website devoted to Mr. Putin, the Russian prime minister, describes him as “reviving” Russia, which fell from its glory as a world power in 1985, the USSR.

As I said earlier, it is not my intent to play fortune teller, however, we do need to keep our eyes open to these developments that may lead to complete fulfillment of the Bible’s prophecies.

It’s too early to say definitely that we are seeing an Assyrian “eighth king” arise from the seven-headed beast, but I believe that option is more likely than the revived Roman empire/ EU.

Hello world!

I have been studying eschatology (the Bible’s prophecy about the end of the age) for about 7 years or so, but have avoided reading too much outside the Bible. That still leaves a lot to read (and reread and reread)! Last year I began writing paper versions of “The Plog” (paper blog) for family and friends, but the old-fashioned way takes longer and reaches a very small audience. I’ve finally gotten up the nerve to post this online.

If life is all statistics, then I’m about to add my thoughts to the massive muddle of diverging opinions on the meaning of Biblical prophecy. I wouldn’t bother! However, God works beyond our human limits and I’m acting in faith that He will use my words here to benefit someone, maybe even you.

Princess said to me yesterday morning as I typed in the first post and she watched over my shoulder, “Mom, why do you have to type the whole Bible into the computer? Don’t they have their own? Are you sending this to the whole town? That would be embarrassing!”

Yes, I expect it is going to be embarrassing. So be it. But my desire is only to urge the people of God to watch and be ready for the return of Jesus – nothing could be more biblical. And my most urgent fear in writing would be to bring dishonor to my King. So with that prayer, here we go!

Disclaimer: I’m not an expert or historian. I’ve read often and deeply through the Bible on this subject. I believe the plain sense of Scripture is the best.

Sometimes there is historical fulfillment of prophecy in its entirety, but sometimes there is a second fulfillment which is yet to come. Therein lies much of my interest.

Peace to you.

Come Lord Jesus.