Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Iran: Military Intervention In Syria Would Engulf Israel

Assad and Ahmadinejad are already closely aligned, and now we are hearing the same threats from both individuals. This article, as reported by the Jerusalem Post is revealing for a number of reasons, but first we see interesting quotes from the article:


As the US hints at bypassing the UN to end Syria's 14-month assault, Iranian parliament speaker warns: "Ash rising from the flames would definitely envelop the Zionist regime," 'Tehran Times' reports.

Any crisis caused by a military intervention in Syria would engulf Israel, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani warned Wednesday, the Tehran Times reported.


Below we see the basis for believing there may be some kind of military intervention in Syria:

US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said Wednesday that there were three ways the Syrian conflict could end.

The first would be if Syrian President Bashar Assad's government decided to comply with its obligations under Annan's six-point peace plan - stopping its military assaults on Syrian towns, withdrawing heavy weapons, returning troops to barracks and talking with the opposition on a "political transition."

The second option would involve the council taking action to pressure Damascus to fully comply with the Annan plan, she said.


As the article states, both of the above options are highly unlikely:

Neither of those scenarios appear likely because Damascus has shown no interest in living up to its commitments and Russia has made clear that any Security Council moves to step up the pressure on Assad's government through sanctions are out of the question

"In the absence of either of those two scenarios there seems to be only one other alternative, and that is indeed the worst case," Rice said, adding that it was unfortunately looking like "the most probable."


In such a case, Rice said, the Annan plan would be dead and the Syrian violence would become "a proxy conflict with arms flowing in from all sides."

"And members of this council and members of the international community are left with the option only of having to consider whether they're prepared to take actions outside of the Annan plan and the authority of this council," she said.

She did not specify what kind of "actions" she meant. The United States has led past military interventions that were not authorized by the Security Council, namely in Kosovo and Iraq.

The obvious implication is some kind of military intervention; one could envision the beginnings of such intervention as being similar to Libya, when a no-fly zone was implemented early in the process.

So in summary we see threats from Iran - as directed towards Israel, in the event of any outside military intervention. At the same time, we see slightly veiled threats from the U.S. to engage in some kind of military intervention. These dots are pretty easy to connect; the only problem is, once again Israel is directly in the line of fire.


Larijani added this comment:

“US military officials probably have a poor understanding of themselves and regional issues because Syria is in no way similar to Libya, and (the effects of) creating another Benghazi in Syria would spread to Palestine, and ash rising from the flames would definitely envelop the Zionist regime,” the Tehran Times quoted Larijani as saying.

This article also makes a point that we've seen before. Once the first domino (aka "tipping point") falls, the next ones will fall rapidly. In this instance, if there is indeed military intervention in Syria, Iran will get involved and Israel will be targeted. If this happens, then the epic biblical battles that are pending for the end of this age are looming.


Jesus described this era perfectly:

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars". What a perfect description of the Middle East in these last days.

Of equal importance however, He also gave us a significant reminder:

"but see to it that you are not alarmed." (Matthew 24:6).

No, we shouldn't be alarmed. As seen in the scriptures of Luke 21:28-31, we should be looking up for His imminent return and it is this anticipation that gives us the encouragement that the apostle Paul spoke of in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. With the assurance of Jesus' return, we have nothing to fear and no reason for alarm.


30 comments:

WVBORN56 said...

Scott I'm thinking that folks who find your blog after the rapture are going to be thinking you did some amazing work. I'm sure they will be wondering how they "missed it" when they see what you have compiled.

While hindsight is 20/20, for us events proceeding the return of Jesus are crystal clear now. It just doesn't seem it can be much longer. Sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the fnal tipping point to come.

Maranatha!

Scott said...

Thanks WV, but I bet within some period of time, there will be a complete clampdown on anything that would be in conflict with whatever message the AC is spitting out. In fact, that would be interesting to see how he would accomplish that. I believe there will be a small window of opportunity during that time (weeks? months?) - but, during that period of time, I bet there will be a mad scramble to figure out what happened. I guess some of it also depends on the interval between the Rapture and the Tribulation. The longer the interval, the more who would have an easier avenue to find Christ (could this be a reason for a longer interval?.....)....As mentioned before. AF believes that there will be a 2-3 year period (as I recall) between the Rapture and the Trib....

WVBORN56 said...

Scott that potential 2-3 gap has always puzzled me. Is it problamatic to have that time period plus 7 years for Daniel's 70th week?

With the church age over and Daniel's 70th week 2-3 years away, what is that time period considered?

Is the church wedding feast in heaven more than 7 years?

I'm not sure how it all fits? Any thoughts or points to help me understand would be helpful. Does scripture address this possibility?

Heading out to see the daughter and grandson this weekend but I'll try and check in for a reply later tonight.

Anonymous said...

wv..excellent questions! Ive often wondered the same thing. Hope someone has some insight!

Mel

Mrs.C said...

Just my two cents worth, but we do know from Gods Word, the approximate timing of the Rapture. Just as Paul said, we will not be ignorant of the season. Gods Word does not imply that there would be a 2-3 year period between the two events. There cannot be a “waiting time” in-between the Rapture and the beginning of the Trib (ac signing the covenant).
We know from Gods Word of who is in Heaven, that you are either the Bride/Church, or the Tribulation Saints (which includes Jewish Believers). His Word says nothing of any Saints between the Rapture and the Trib. Once the Rapture happens, there are only classified Trib Saints and Jewish Believers. God in His Mercy will provide the Two Witnesses and the Sealed 144,000 for those that have been left behind.
God tells us His Purpose for the next soon to come wars, Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38, and they will happen back to back.
We will have a brief time to Witness for Him during the Isaiah 17 war, but by the end of Ezekiel 38 we the Church are gone. There will be MASSIVE confusion and world panic at the events of these two wars. Just Isaiah 17 itself, we will witness over a million people in Damascus - gone overnight! Also its quite possible that at the end of Isaiah 17, when God begins to turn back to His People, He "rebukes" the attacking surrounding nations. In that "rebuke" He could very well fulfill His final Judgments in Ezekiel Chapters 25-32.(Lebanon under water! etc)
Then God Himself will show Himself to the world with the Ezekiel 38-39 war. He orchestrates both of these events, for His Purpose. The Rapture occurring during the time of all this massive death and destruction, that we cant even imagine, will bring about world ca Just my two cents worth, but we do know from Gods Word, the approximate timing of the Rapture.
Just as Paul said, we will not be ignorant of the season. Gods Word does not imply that there would be a 2-3 year period between the two events. God tells us His Purpose for the next soon to come wars, Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38, and they will happen back to back.
We will have a brief time to Witness for Him during the Isaiah 17 war, but by the end of Ezekiel 38 we the Church are gone. There will be MASSIVE confusion and world panic at the events of these two wars. Just Isaiah 17 itself, we will witness over a million people in Damascus - gone overnight. Also its quite possible that at the end of Isaiah 17, when God begins to turn back to His People, He "rebukes" the attacking surrounding nations. In that "rebuke" He could very well fulfill His final Judgments in Ezekiel Chapters 25-32.(Lebanon under water! etc)
Then God Himself will show Himself to the world with the Ezekiel 38-39 war. He orchestrates both of these events, for His Purpose. The Rapture occurring during the time of all this massive death and destruction, that we cant even imagine, will bring about world chaos. I mean, imagine, Israel will take 7 MONTHS just to burry the dead! Whew!
The ac will step up after the Ezekiel war, as the world will demand peace, and Israel knowing they barely survived all this, will want peace too. God has restored His Covenant with His People, poured out His Spirit upon His People, and the Church...PRAISE GOD FOREVER! we are gone!
By the end of the Ezekiel war, God is with His People, the Church is gone, and the ac signs the "covenant" that Daniel tells us is the beginning of the 7 years... I mean, imagine, just a minuscule portion of these two wars, that Israel will take 7 MONTHS just to burry the dead! Whew!
By the end of the Ezekiel war, God is with His People, the Church is gone, and the ac signs the "covenant" that Daniel tells us is the beginning of the 7 years...anyone Saved after the Rapture is a Trib Saint...

God Bless!

Anonymous said...

thank you Mrs. C, for all that information! It makes alot of sense and was very insightful!

Mel

Mrs.C said...

oh brother...wish I had an edit key...clue not to post when your not feeling well...not a good idea...

Mrs.C said...

Its my privilege Brother/Sister Mel :) All credit is always to His Holy Spirit :) Please forgive me for the messy post...it duplicated on my word doc...:( and Im not feeling to well...again!

God Bless!

Scott said...

I'm not so sure regarding the interval between the Rapture and the Tribulation. (also, I can't recall where I read AF saying he thought there would be a gap between Rapture and Trib, but I'll dig around later for that quote)

My general thoughts - just based on my logic:

- The Rapture has been an imminent event since the beginning of the Church age. I believe Imminence is fundamental to the Rapture, and Showers spends a greal deal of time on a vast array of scriptures pointing to imminence - which means the Rapture could happen at ANY time

- If the above is true, and I believe it is - then by placing the Rapture immesiately before the Trib takes away the immence (because the Tribulation hasn't been an "imminent event" since the beginning of the Church age - as certain things had to happen before the Trib (the generational signs given by Jesus, etc...technology for MOTB, Technology for the entire world to witness the deaths of the 2 Witnesses of Rev 11 etc)...

- Logistically, it would seem that there would have to be SOME gap between the Rapture and the Trib (minutes? Hours? Days?)...For the simple fact that it would be very hard for the AC to confirm the covenant in the midst of the carnage that the Rapture would create.

- Once you have crossed the barrier of having SOME gap between the Rapture and the Trib, you have opened those theological doors, because technically, the difference in hours and days - or even months is arbitrary.

More below...

Scott said...

As far as what happens to people and issues of salvation, I see this as similar to the 33 years that Jesus walked the earth.

During that time, we weren't in the church age, as pentecost hadn't happened yet, yet people were coming to Christ and accepting His salvation. Even though it wasn't in the church age. Those people wouldn't have been in "The Church" (nor the "bride of Christ), but they would have been saved...........

I think the same would apply to those who became saved immediately after the Rapture (as I believe there will be - especially people who were warned of the Rapture - they will see the truth IMO immediately and come to Christ - and reach salvation even tho they aren't in the CHurch.

I don't see this gap as being a problem


NOW - having said all of that.....

Scott said...

I personally have ALWAYS believed that there will be a VERY brief interval between the Rapture and the Tribulation for these reasons:

1. Harpazo (greek word root of "Rapture" - (1 Thess. 4:16) has several meanings and one of them is to "save from sudden destruction")

2. 2 Peter 2 5-9 gives us two examples of the Rapture IMO...The first being Noah, who was spared from the flood and the second example was how Lot was saved ("rescued" )...

Then Peter said : "If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue Godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment..."

Both Noah and Lot were saved at the last minute from sudden destruction - consistent with the meaning of Harpazo.

So for these three reasons, I believe the interval will be very short - and I also believe the Rapture will be another stepping stone for the AC to seize control - with the elimination of the Church, his road will be completely paved.

BWest said...

Scott, what are your thoughts on the scriptural length of a generation? I've heard other watchers discuss a generation in terms of approximately 70 years based upon the average lifespan. Do you tend to agree with this perspective.

God bless.

Mrs.C said...

Hi Brother Scott, :)
Excellent post as usual! Yes indeed, the Rapture has always been imminent, and will continue to be so up until the moment the Shofar blows, and the Bride goes Home with our awesome Bride Groom! :)
That will be the end of the “Church Age”. Yes a lot of events had to take place over all of history, to bring us to where we are now, at the edge of all time. As we draw ever so close to the end of that Church Age, it is evident that there isn’t much more time before the beginning of the Trib, which we are not to be a part of.
I agree, that there could be hours or even days, before the signing of the “covenant”, but not much more than that. Isaiah 17 is God beginning to return to His People, and then by the quickly following Ezekiel 38 war, He is fully back with His People. Ezekiel 38 is Gods destruction of Gog and his forces, followed by His very beautiful conversation with His People. Restoring His Covenant with them. In Ezekiel 39, God speaks only to His People, the house of Israel, not the Church, in the aftermath. The Church is gone, and the ac steps in at the end of the battle. No date can be set, and we will not know the exact moment, and honestly when the Rapture happens, it will happen in a nano second and we all wont even have time to think about it.
We have to look and see what Gods Purpose is for these wars. Isaiah 17 – God is an observer, and then at the very end, steps in. This is the beginning of His Return to His People. Ezekiel 38-39- Is God revealing Himself to the world, and more importantly, restoring His Covenant with His People. Somewhere in midst of all of this “desolation” as God refers to in Isaiah 17, the death, destruction of both wars, the Church is going home, because again, God is speaking and with, only His People, not the Church by the end of Ezekiel 39. This I believe is when the ac will come forward with his “covenant”, at the end of Ezekiel 39. His Word tells us of the horrendous things to come with these wars. From our perspective down here, honestly, the world will be in chaos, economic collapse, will there even be any communications?, and man will witness Gods Mighty power of destruction from these wars. Remember, its not just the ME He will be going after, He also goes after the land of Magog.
There is no question that there will be many Saved directly after the Rapture, and they wont be part of the Church. I have to respectfully disagree though dear Brother, and say that they will have to be classified as “Trib Saints”. God is very detailed as to the different groups that will be in Heaven, and He says nothing of a intermittent group that’s Believes between the Rapture and the beginning of the Trib. Those that accepted Jesus as their Savior, before His Crucifixion, and before the Holy Spirit came…well dear Brother that can open a whole book on there classification. :) Example, Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with Him that day. Then over the years, Ive heard others say that Jesus wasn’t really saying “today”, and whew, that can open a whole study in itself.
Yes Brother, I agree, Lot and Noah are prime examples for us. :) Our Lord Jesus will be coming to take home His Bride…and God will be returning to His People, His nation of Israel He calls His Wife……

God Bless You Brother for Your Service to Him!

Scott said...

Yea, I totally agree with all of that, especially the sequence of events - 100%. And I also believe that they will be lumped in with the Trib Saints, especially when they are in view in Rev 20. To me, once the Rapture takes place an dthe Church age is over, its all the "same" at that point (IOW, there isn't a separate dispensation for folks between the Rapture and the Trib - totally agree with that.

BWest

Thats a long dissertation...

The key to this, IMO, lies in the fact that the same root word (Genea) was used in Matthew 1 with the geanology - and the variances in that lost of people was enormous, with many different eras of "generations" listed there. In other words, Genea used there meant whatever generation for each person mentioned and their life-spans varied widely.

For that reason and many others, you (IMO) simply can't assing a set number (70 or whatever) to the meaning.

A generation is what it is in context, and the context is the end of the Church Age and whatever a generation is at that time.

In today's world, a generation approximately 100-120 years (there are a number of people who are > 110 years)....A lifespan.

Remember when the last person died, who had been born in the civol wat generation? When she died (I believe it was back in the '80's), the press declared that the "Civil war generation was over"....

There are many listed meanings for "Genea" (generation) and that is what leads to so much discussion and confusion.

ALSO - this is a key fact....In the Olivet Discourse (MAtt 24), Jesus referenced the days of Noah. If you take a look back at Genesis 6:3, where we see the Flood in View (Days of Noah) - we see this:


"Then the Lord Said, 'My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be 120 years".

Isn't it interesting that 120 years is also the outside limit on today's generation?

hartdawg said...

There are many things that have to occur before the tribulation 1) destruction of Damascus 2) gog/magog 3)setting up of 10 kingdoms/kings AC is the 11nth king 4)setting op one world religion. if there is no gap then the rapture isn't immenant

WVBORN56 said...

Thanks for the responses. They were very helpful. It does seem there would have to be some lapse of time as you say Scott for things to settle a bit and for he AC to negotiate a settlement.

I just wondered how it would all fit. We know God has it all worked out. Maybe we wait a bit for the festivities in heaven to start. :)

Anonymous said...

At what point in time does the rapture start to become imminent?
When Jesus said to preach and baptize all nations?
When paul becomes a christian?
When rome persecute christians?
When the age of Church of ephesus in revelation?
When israel was born?

Scott said...

Anon
Its been imminent since the beginning of the Church age, which most biblical scholors point to as Pentecost. Don't forget that the Church is the Bride of Christ and John 14 description of the Rapture in context with the ancient Jewish wedding customs. This has nothing to do with the birth of Israel, Roman persecution, Paul's conversion etc....

Anonymous said...

Did they expect the rapture, day 2 after the pentecost, day 3, or day 4?

Anonymous said...

Did they expect the rapture day 2 after the Lord shows to ananias that paul was a chosen vessels to preach His name to the gentiles in acts 9:15?

BWest said...

Scott, thanks for your explanation. That makes a lot of sense.

Anonymous said...

Anon...no need to be snarky here...i think the problem lies in your not understandind "imminence"...from the time of the church age the rapture has been imminent which means it could happen at any time...iow nothing has to preceed the event...if you are attempting to define the beginning of the church age, most scholars define this as pentecost although there are slight variations to this, none of which would apply to us now as clearly we are living in the church age now...let me recommend Showers book "maranatha, our lord comes" where you can find an excellent review of the topic.

Scott

Anonymous said...

So to answer your question more specifically, considering imminence..
it could have happened on ANY day and obviously not on a specific day as you seemingly sarcastically suggest...that seems quote obvious if you understand the meaning of imminence.Scott

Anonymous said...

what do you think it means like the days of noah, or the days of lot?

Anonymous said...

If most scholars define the church age as the pentecost, i have no objection with that.

If your understanding of imminence is that it could have happened on ANY day, then it could have happened Day 2 after the pentecost, or Day 2 after the Lord shows to ananias that paul was chosen to preach to the gentiles in acts 9:15?

ally said...

There is one thing that has to happen before the Rapture! LOL! The fullness of the gentiles. So whenever that happens....tada...we are outta here but none of us have a clue when that will be. If I'm wrong feel free to say so!
As for the time between the Rapture and the Trib, who knows? The Bible doesn't specify. I don't think it will be very long though. As we can clearly see, everything is pretty much laid out now and just needs to be implemented. Throw in a couple big natural disasters (even if they aren't that natural, by hand of God or hand of diabolical man) and a war and Mr.A.C. is in like flynn.
We see what happened when Japan refused to play by the New Rule Book.
At least we know what is on the way!
Currently waiting at the golden chariot stop-your sister in Christ!
Maranatha!

Anonymous said...

See ally, that would create a period of time, and the ANY day then, would not be the same as ANY day now, thus debunking the doctrine of imminency as Scott understand it.

Scott said...

Anon
Yes, I believe it could have, theoretically been Day 2.
Your sarcasm is growing old, and I don't see the need for it. Why can't you simply have an adult, mature conversation w/o the sarcasm & snarkiness ? What point does that serve?
Why don't you tell me exactly what your point of view is, and discuss this on such basis, without the attitude?

Now. Lets try this again - as mature adults.

So obviously you don't believe in the doctrine of Imminence. Fine. Lets take it from there and do the "point-counterpoint" thing ok?

I believe you can point to the following scriptures and see the early church looking for the imminent arrival of Christ Jesus (you also have to look at the greek root for these scriptures, needless to say)

1 Cor 1:7, Philippians 3:20, Titus 2:13, James 5:7-9, 1 John 2:28, Rev 3:11. 22:7, 12, 20

In addition to the above, there are massive early church writings which point to the doctribne of imminence:

1st Epistle of Clement
Didache chapter 16 (70 AD)
Shephard of Hermas, chapter 3 (90AD)
Justin Martyr's writings ~155AD

Later:
Calvin's writings in Corpus Reformatorum (extensive)
Tyndale
Wesley
Spurgeon

Etc...

So where exactly do you disagree with the doctrine of imminence and what exactly do you believe?

Anonymous said...

If you believe it could happen in day 2, theoretically,
that is before paul can preach to the gentiles as God has chosen him to be...
Then i have no more to say...

Scott said...

Oh brother.....ok, whatever. I tried anyway.