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by Bill Perkins
Iran has been in the news a lot over the last few years, most of it dealing with the United States trying to stop Iran’s nuclear development program. But Israel’s not buying it.
A recent poll of Israelis by the Tel Aviv University and Israel Democracy Institute asked: “In light of the U.S. behavior toward Iran, will President Obama fulfill his promise to prevent Iran’s development of nuclear weapons?”
An astonishing 67% of Israelis don’t believe Obama. (No telling what percentage of the American population thinks Obama lies!)
When asked who was best equipped for assessing the danger Iran poses to the free world, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu or Western leaders, Netanyahu polled 77%.
Sixty-six percent of the Israelis think that the U.S.’s handling of the Syrian issue projects weakness. And most enlightening, when asked about the chances that the talks between Israel and the Palestinians (pushed by the United States), 81% thought the chances were low.
Clearly, the Israelis don’t trust the United States to protect their interest. We are supposed to be their ally. But in reality, we’re getting close to the fulfillment of this verse:
“…all nations against Jerusalem.” Zech. 14:2
There will come a time when every nation in the world is against Israel, even the United States. I used to always assume that it was something that happens post-Rapture…but if the Lord tarries, who knows!
It is common knowledge that Israel has nuclear weapons. I have personally seen the nuclear facility in Israel. Israel doesn’t publicly admit it, but they have the big bomb.
The Bible says Iran WILL succeed in their nuclear aspirations and eventually be part of several nations who launch nuclear equipped missiles at Israel in the last days.
Ezekiel 37 is the famous chapter of the regathering of Israel the second time to their homeland. Described as a valley of dry bones that come together, grow tendons and walk, Ezekiel predicted the Jews regathering in their homeland from around the world. Interestingly, the Bible predicts they will have “an exceeding great army.” (Ezek 37:10)
Ezekiel also said all of Israel will return the land God gave them, not just Judah. All twelve tribes.
“…and I will make them one nation in the land…they will no longer be two nations, and they will no longer be divided into two kingdoms.” Ezek. 37:22
In addition, Revelation 7:5-8 says that out of those Jews returning to Israel in the last days are 12,000 men from EACH of the twelve Israeli tribes.
That should put to rest anyone promoting that the United States or Europe contains the 10 lost tribes. And it certainly stabs the Jehovah Witnesses in the heart.
I’m guessing that modern DNA tests will eventually be used in Israel to determine who are the Levitical Priests, since we know Israel will also go back to animal sacrifices during the first half of the tribulation (Dan. 9:27).
Following Ezekiel’s bold prediction of a second regathering that has come true only in the last 100 years or so, Chapters 38 and 39 predict a major invasion from a group of nations north of Israel.
For years, prompted by a scripture reference note in the Scofield Bible published in 1909, premillenial Bible scholars have long asserted that Gog and/or Magog were linked to Russia. But more recent scholarship has cast credible doubt on that theory, even though Russia and Iran are in the news today working together.(1)
Regardless of who Gog turns out to be, what is not up for argument is whether or not Iran is one of the invading nations of Israel.
Persia, Ethiopia, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Ezek. 38:5
In 1935, Persia changed its name to “Iran,” the historical name used by its native people.(2) Persia shows up first in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 36:20-23, and when Ezekiel gave his prophecy, Persia was the country that is today called Iran.
So Iran will be part of this invading army, which is defeated by Israel. But here is the interesting part. The clean-up of the battle will last seven months as they have to send people into the battlefield to “cleanse” it.
“For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.” Ezek 39:12
Cleanse it? It gets even more interesting when you read that after they spend seven years cleansing the land, they then make another sweep of the land looking for any “bones” they missed the first time. And they don’t touch the bones, but instead set a marker next to where they’re found so they can bury them later.
“At the end of seven months they will make a search. As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man’s bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it...” Ezek. 39:14-15
That obviously smacks of some kind of nuclear war contamination. And this may also tie into Zechariah’s prophecy that sounds like a person who melted in a nuclear exchange.
“…their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth.” Zech. 14:12
And the most amazing part of all of this is that it was written over 2500 years ago!
So today, Israel is back in their land, Iran is their enemy and a nuclear war is in the future. But before that war described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, God will remove His Spirit from the earth, along with all those who have His Spirit in their heart.
What a day that will be when millions of Christians disappear into thin air saved from the horrific seven-year Tribulation.
Bible prophecy is so relevant today, and God gave it to COMFORT us as the last days wind down.
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1Th. 4:18
Yet many churches are turning or have turned away from teaching Bible prophecy. Most of the so called mega-churches ignore some or all of prophetic scripture. Which means they are avoiding about 25% of the Bible!
But by studying Bible prophecy we gain wonderful peace knowing that God is fully in control. He raises up and discards leaders for His own purposes. Everything that is happening today is part of His plan…and in His plan, all things work together for good for Believers. (Rom. 8:28)
Remember that God is in control and Jesus is coming back soon to redeem His planet.
1. http://www.newscientificevidenceforgod.com/2012/02/debunking-russiawar-of-gog-and-magog.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_of_Iran
