Sunday, January 18, 2009

Gog-MaGog back in focus

There is so much going on in the world right now, prophetically - so much information coming across the news wires, its hard to keep up.

We're watching the situation in the Middle-East, and the growing involvement of the EU into the plans for a comprehensive peace plan for Israel and her neighbors. We're watching these developments closely, as the world calls for a leader, any leader who can ensure a "final" peace plan in the M-E. At the same time we keep one eye on Russia and Iran, as biblical prophecy has informed us of an upcoming massive attack upon Israel, as led by the Russia-Iran alliance.

More interestingly, perhaps, is the motive for this massive attack, as described in Ezekiel 38-39. Why does Russia invade Israel? We get several clues in these two chapters - clues which are now coming into focus. First, a couple of pertinent scriptures found in these two prophetic chapters:

In the words of Gog himself we see the following information pertinent to the attack: "I will plunder and loot" (38:12). Later, we read a commentary provided, which paraphrases the response of other countries as they watch this invasion taking place: "Have you (Russia et al) come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?" (38:13-14)

The image that we receive here, written thousands of years before the fact, is that the invading forces are launching this massive invasion in order to "plunder and loot". In addition to silver and gold (don't forget, when Ezekiel wrote this prophecy, many "goods of value" that we have in present day, were unknown at that time). The term "to seize much plunder" suggests items in addition to the silver and gold mentioned.

What does Israel possess that Russia so desires? Speculation for years has ranged from food production in the time of a famine (Israel is one of the main food producers in the region), to the value of the dead sea minerals (which holds tremendous value), to taking advanced Israeli military equipment. But these discussions have been largely based on speculation.

We may now have a much more interesting reason for Russia to "plunder and loot".

As detailed in the book "Epicenter", Joel Rosenberg does an excellent job of detailing Russia's plans for complete dominance over gas and oil in the region. Its apparently one of the main reasons for their alliances with the various Islamic countries in the region, including Iran. By establishing such dominance, Russia could control the region's energy and thus, control the region. Just over the past 2 weeks, the EU has been perplexed that Russia has essentially cut off oil/gas supplies, thus revealing the EU's dependence on Russian "energy". In fact, many commentaries have suggested that Russia's recent military action into the nation of Georgia was to secure the only existing pipeline not currently in Russia possession (in the region).

However, recent developments may change Russia's plans.

Just this week, a HUGE reservoir of natural gas has been discovered in Israel article here. Described as "massive", "one of the biggest in the world" and "inconceivably huge quantities", the reserve is being billed as something that will not only create Israeli energy independence, but more importantly - Israel can also export from these massive quantities. It is also expected that oil will soon be discovered, as gas is often a "surrogate marker" for the presence of oil reserves in close proximity.

These findings will create a major problem for Russia. We have already seen them invade the northern half of Georgia, most likely to secure control of their oil pipeline. Russia is clearly in no mood to share the energy wealth in this region, and will see these Israeli findings as a significant threat to their plans.

Prophecy watchers, for years, have speculated that Israel could discover a large oil and gas reservoir in their land, effectively "forcing" Russia's military to take action. Now, Russia has major competetion and this competetion isn't from one of Russia's allies, its from the enemy of Russia and Russian allies. And given the "massive" reservoir of gas (and most likely oil), Russia can't take this lightly. It represents a SERIOUS threat to their plans.

This finding is very significant prophetically. A finding that prophecy watchers have been watching for and anticipating for years - has now occured as predicted:

Russia now has a reason to invade Israel. A big reason, or, as stated a "massive", "inconceivably huge" reason to invade.

Keep watching - the pieces are falling into place at an incredible rate. Just as predicted.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scott, I'm very much enjoying reading your Blog. Thank you so much for doing this.
Kem

Scott said...

My pleasure Kem (I think I know you, by the way :)

We're drawing closer and closer by the day.

I keep thinking about Jeremiah (which I have felt led to read recently) and God, speaking through His prophet, Jeremiah, told the Israeli's exactly what was going to happen, and of course history transpired exactly as Jeremiah stated. No one wanted to believe it, and they perished as a result.

God is speaking to us today, through the same prophets. There are SOME of us listening and watching. we will be rewarded for this, according to 2 Timothy 4:8.

Maranatha!

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and intend to be a regular reader. Thank you for your unselfish sharing of your insights into how prophesy is being fulfilled today. Your work (actually our Lord) has given me renewed strength to stand.
Yesterday I found this site http://www.bibleprophecyinthenews.com/for_20Rodrigo_20Chapter_2013_20-_20The_20Mark_20of_20the_20Beasta.pdf and wanted to hear your take on what it says about Islam, 666 in the original language of John actually being saying "in the name of allah", and how the headband/armbands the Muslims wear that say "in the name of allah" might apply to the mark of the beast - with the beast being Islam itself.
After reading these things I feel like my understanding of where we are in relation to the Lord's return is much clearer and that prophesy is more relevant to today than ever. I hope you will look into these things and talk about it.
Thank you

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much - I am so glad that this is useful. Its hard to boil these complex issues into a "small frame" such as this forum, because a lot of details have to be left out - but your kind words are greatly appreciated.

I believe one reason the number "666" recieves so much speculation, is because there is so little information pertaining to the number. All we really have to go on is Rev. 13:16. This gives us the context: "He also forced everyone" (so this will apply to everyone), "to receive the mark on his right hand or forehead", "so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark....for it is a man's number. His number is 666". There is a LOT of debate beyond the scripture.

To me, I try and simplify these ambiguous scriptures. Clearly, the Anti-christ will control the economy this way. Will the "mark" end up being an inplantable microchip? (quite possibly, but even this requires speculation). We now have the capability to have the "chip" part put into ink, and a visible tatoo would do the job. HHard to say.

Your question really gets into the issue of: Will the "one world religion" for the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation involve Islam as the "head" of this religion. There is a lot of debate on this.

The "beast" is clearly an individual. The link between Revelation 13 and Daniel 9:27 (concerning the AC) is solid, and Daniel 9 identifies a single individual, rather than a religion.

Additionally, Rev 19, also dealing with the "beast", and his ultimate fate, clearly identifies him as a single individual (along with the False prophet") and Rev 19:20 states "The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake.." This too, indicates two individuals, as opposed to a religion".

Hope this helps - thanks again!
Maranatha - keep looking up!

Scott

Anonymous said...

Oh - I had to use "anonymous" because I wasn't logged in!

Scott

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your response to my questions. You have a good point that we know these issues could happen in differing ways but, we do know they will happen. And we must keep our minds open so we are not deceived if they are not as we projected them to be. The tribulation's foreshadows are large and dark on our horizon and I pray for & look forward to a pre-trib rapture (I am beginning to worry a bit that we just might see a pre-wrath or post-trib rapture instead).
WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME TIME.
Thanks for your help!!