Where Is The Coming Of The Lord?

Terror Attack on US Embassy in Damascus
Syrian sources say they rebuffed a terrorist car-bomb attack upon the US Embassy in Syria. Diplomats and embassy employees are safe. Western sources are not convinced the incident was not staged.

Hizbollah chief slams Blair as murderer
DUBAI (Reuters) - Hizbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said British Prime Minister Tony Blair participated in the killing of Lebanese by not doing enough to stop Israel's war in Lebanon...

Al Qaeda threatens more terror attacks
PARIS -- Al Qaeda yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks with threats of more assaults as the world remembered the day in solemn observances and some expressions of resentment over the U.S. response to the attacks.

"We have repeatedly warned you and offered a truce with you. Now we have all the legal and rational justification to continue to fight you until your power is destroyed or you give in and surrender," al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri said in one of three videos the group released yesterday.

Iran Still Refusing to Halt Enrichment...
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Iran still refuses to suspend nuclear enrichment before the start of talks on its nuclear program - a key demand by the six nations locked in a diplomatic standoff with the Islamic republic, officials said Tuesday.

Abbas: Fatah, Hamas agree to form gov't
Syracuse.com Mon, 11 Sep 2006 5:26 AM PDT
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday his moderate Fatah party and the ruling Hamas party have agreed to form coalition government. The two sides have been negotiating for months to form such a coalition, which apparently would ease the current Hamas-led government's militantly anti-Israel stance.

Rice hints at talks with Iran
VIENNA (Reuters) - Six world powers will weigh strategy toward Iran's disputed nuclear activity on Monday after hints of Iranian readiness to compromise in talks with the EU, which could...

'Syria will form own Hezbollah' - Israeli intel chief says Damascus seeking to copy Lebanese
JERUSALEM – Syria is considering forming its own Hezbollah-like guerrilla organization to fight Israel in hopes of "liberating" the Golan Heights, the chief of intelligence for the Israeli Defense Forces announced yesterday.

Iran to Consider Suspending Uranium Enrichment
VIENNA, Austria — A senior U.S. envoy on Monday welcomed progress at talks meant to defuse a standoff over Iran's nuclear defiance, but said the U.N. Security Council still intends to "move forward" toward sanctions if Tehran refuses to freeze uranium enrichment.

Al Qaeda warn: 'We will target Israel and Gulf States next'...
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Osama bin Laden's deputy warned that Persian Gulf countries and Israel would be al-Qaida's next targets, according to a new videotape aired by Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera on Monday, the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Blair: Western leaders see the danger of Islamic extremism, but our public still does not...
Western leaders are increasingly aware of the global nature of the struggle against Islamic extremism led by Iran, but within Western public opinion "there is a big battle to be won."

This somber assessment was offered here Sunday by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in an interview with Haaretz. The British leader, who just recently announced his intention to step down within a year, acknowledged that his own domestic political difficulties were closely tied with this "ideological battle" for British and Western hearts and minds.

Israel plans to pull its troops out of Lebanon by end of coming week after lifting air and sea blockades
The Russian, Italian and German foreign ministers who visited Jerusalem last week promised to have their contingents on the ground this coming week as part of the expanded UNIFIL. DEBKAfile’s military sources reiterate that none of Israel’s conditions for ending the Lebanon war has been met, just as none of UN Security Council 1701 Resolution’s articles are being implemented - whether an arms embargo or the release of the two kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Hizballah has not been disarmed but is rather briskly rearming by means of an uninterrupted flow of forbidden weapons by land and air.

Question
To pastor Malone,  My name is Leanne, and I would like to ask you a question, although you probably have been asked it before.  The Ezekiel prophecy when God told him to prophecy against Gog and Magog. Is Iran, Russia (if Gog is Russia) and the other nations mentioned in the Bible, going to attack Israel before the tribulation or during the tribulation.  My understanding is Iran will attack before the tribulation because that is what might trigger the anti-christ to come out and make a seven year peace treaty with Israel.  Iran at the moment has not got enough nuclear energy to have a nuclear bomb and may take a few years before they have one.  So many Christians today think that the rapture will happen in this generation, maybe, but at the moment not likely.   Every generation has thought they will be the last one.  The temple in Jerusalem has not even been built yet.  They have been talking about it for a while now, but have not started to build.  Yes we might be in the end times, but the end times might go on for another 100 years.  The Roman Empire has not even been revived, and at the moment not even close.   I believe there has to be a lot more signs to be fulfilled before the anti-christ can come out.   I do not know if the rapture will happen before the seven year thing,  in the middle, or before the wrath of God.  There is so much speculation at the moment on the whole end times thing.   Anyway could you be kind enough to get back to me, and let me know what you think about the Ezekiel prophecy.       Regards, Leanne 

Comments

Leanne:

You are thinking what almost every Christian is thinking...where is the coming of the Lord?  All Bible believing Christians are looking for His soon coming.  That's certainly not a wrong way to think.  Actually, the Bible has admonished every generation from the early church on to think this way, but there will be an end of generations that will start with the rebirth of Israel.

Let me just say that the Lord will come and His coming (rapture) doesn't necessarily have to be preceded by anything other than the rebirth of Israel.  As we know, that took place back in 1948.  Do you realize what the odds of Israel becoming a nation again are or that every prophecy written in the Bible has proven to be 100% accurate?  I'm sure you do.

I will address your first question regarding Gog and Magog.  Is Gog in Ezekiel future Russia?  Not everyone agrees that Gog is future Russia, but virtually all Bible believing scholars, teachers and ministers do.  These are the people I have learned the true principles of the Word of God from and that won't change regarding the end times.  If you want to know the truth of the Word you need to listen to those who are preaching the Truth not just theories.  

Whether the battle of Gog and Magog will happen before or after the tribulation period is unknown.  Unfortunately, scripture provides few clues as to when it will take place, but there are a number of characteristics that stand out regarding this time.  

1. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.  (Ezekiel 38:8, 9)

The phrase "Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm" came to life back on April 14, 2006 in a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihiliation," Ahmadinejad said. "The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm," he said. http://www.calvaryprophecy.com/q615.html  Certainly, we could take this as a coincidence but it's quite remarkable that a leader of a country that is prophesied to take part in this future attack would make that analogy in these last days.

2.  Russia's suddenly has had an uncharacteristically close relationship with Iran in these last days.  Up until the end of the Iran-Iraq war, history has shown that Russia and Iran have been constant enemies with little common ground between them.  Russia was even an ally of Iraq's during their war with Iran supplying them with large amounts of conventional weapons.  But after the war a dramatic change in policy took place.

"After the war, especially with the fall of the USSR, Tehran-Moscow relations witnessed a sudden increase in diplomatic and commercial relations, and Iran soon even began purchasing weapons from Russia.

By the mid 1990s, Russia had already agreed to continue work on developing Iran's Nuclear Program, with plans to finish constructing the nearly 20 year delayed Nuclear Reactor plant of Bushehr."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran-Russia_relations

Since then, Russia and Iran have made economic agreements and are rumored to have a secret military alliance.  Certainly, the Iran/Russia relationship is driven by Russian interests and it will be again when Russia is drawn to attack Israel for the purpose of taking a spoil (Ezekiel 38:4-12).   

I also find it strange, in these last days (after the rebirth of Israel), that the countries of the Gog and Magog war are coming together and forming alliances.  Both Turkey and Syria could already be a part of this alliance.  Again, another strange coincidence.

3.  Virtually all the countries that are predicted to take part in this future war are present enemies of the state of Israel.  Russia, Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, Turkey, Libya, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon are all believed to be participants in this attack...and there could be more! 

Ezekiel 38 also presents a clue as to the day Israel will be living in when this war takes place.  In verse 11 God describes the land of Israel as "them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates".  Certainly, if we are to take that verse as written that would not be the description I would give present day Israel.  Today, Israel is in the process of building a massive security fence, in the middle of a ceasefire with Hizbollah from the north and presently fighting terrorists in Gaza from the south.  All this leads me to believe that the peace spoken of in verse 11 is still (near) future.  Will this peace be the peace the antichrist brings?  That's unknown, but here are a few theories to ponder that I have come up with over the years:

January 30, 2000
I believe that just before this war (Gog and Magog) takes place that the rapture will occur. When God destroys all of Israel's enemies, they will again rebuild their temple. The tribulation period could start at anytime just after the attack, but I believe that there may be a period of time that could pass before it begins. It may be as little as a few days, months or even years. I lean toward the gap of several years mainly because I believe it will give the world a chance to get back to normal and forget about the rapture and the Russian-Israeli war. It also seems logical that this would be a good time to place the seven years that the Jews would burn the weapons as fuel of the invading Russian armies spoken of in Ezekiel 39:9-10.

After this battle, Israel will be seen as a major world power and a force to be reckoned with. With all of their enemies defeated, no one will oppose them. New alliances will be made and the balance of power will shift. This will change the world dramatically. One of these new powerful alliances will be headed up by the antichrist. He will go forth conquering and making alliances, and will form a ten nation confederacy.  They to will be a very powerful group of nations. This is when the antichrist will make his seven-year peace plan with Israel. http://www.calvaryprophecy.com/q40.html

February 7, 2000
Once Israel defeats Russia and its Arab allies they will be seen and feared as a superpower. I'm not sure what land they will retain in the victory but I do believe that they will take back all land that is Biblically promised to them. I doubt that they will take any land in Russia or most of the Arab nations.

I do not believe that the tribulation period will begin immediately, but will begin some time in the future. It could be as soon as a few months or a few years. Personally, I feel that it will be a number of years before it begins. I do however believe that the rapture could take place before or during the Russian attack, or sometime during the period just before the antichrist comes on the scene to make a peace treaty with Israel.

During the time just after the stunning Israeli victory, there will be a time of strategic war. Many countries will be aligning themselves with each other and the balance of power will be centered in four main superpowers…Israel, the ten-kingdom empire of the antichrist, the United States, and China, including its newly acquired republics. http://www.calvaryprophecy.com/q41.html

August 5, 2004
Many believe that the antichrist will bring peace shortly after his revealing.  It's believed that this peace plan will start the tribulation clock rolling and bring a short time of peace and safety to Israel.  The rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple may or may not be a part of the plan.  Some believe that the Arab world would never agree to such an abomination of one of their holy sites.  Permitting Israel to build a pagan temple next to theirs would be a complete desecration of their temple and start World War III. 

This leads many to believe that the peace plan the antichrist will confirm will not include permission for Israel to rebuild their temple on the temple mount.  But peace will come and bring rest for Israel and they will dwell safely in their own land (Ezekiel 38:11) for a short time.

But in a very short time of peace war will break out. Russia and their Arab alliance will stage a surprise sneak attack on Israel.  Since there is no mention of the actual attack taking place (they will died in the hills of Israel) it is my belief that God will destroy them just before war begins.  They will probably be mobilized near Israel’s border planning their attack.  As they proceed in the beginning stages of their advance the Lord will destroy them.  

After this shocking defeat, the Bible says that not only Israel, but the whole world, will give glory to God (Ezekiel 38:23).  Yes, it will be that shocking!  It is my belief that this victory will start the beginning stages of a national revival in Israel leading them to reclaim the temple mount and rebuild their temple.  The Ark Of The Covenant may even be brought out of hiding at this time.  And if the Mosque Of Omar is still standing they will tear it down without resistance.

Then the tribulation period will continue. http://www.calvaryprophecy.com/q428.html

August 4, 2006
It's possible that this present Israeli-Lebanese war could end in a lengthy ceasefire and the deployment of a real international military force that is able to defeat a terrorist army.  If this happens that would certainly provide Israel with the security they are looking for and possibly bring about a time of safety (Ezekiel 38:14), but if the length of the ceasefire/peace plan is not seven years, it's not the peace plan that the antichrist will bring.  The question is could this ceasefire constitute a time when "Israel dwelleth safely" described in the Bible or will that happen after the antichrist brings peace?  

If this does turn out to be a time of rest for Israel without a permanent time span (seven years) the Russian-Arab attack may be coming in the very near future.  If this is the case, look for a permanent peace plan to follow between the nations involved.  Even though the Bible is clear that the Russian and Arab armies will be soundly and miraculously defeated these countries will not be wiped out.  They will go on and the antichrist's seven-year peace agreement may come to bring peace between these nations.

Either way, after the signing of the seven-year plan, that will start day one of the tribulation period. 

The August 4, 2006 theory is the theory I lean toward but that could be wrong as well.  I say this because God doesn't need to do another thing to rapture the church.  It's not necessary for Iran to have a nuclear bomb for the Lord to rapture the church.  It's not necessary for Israel to have the temple built for the Lord to rapture the church.  It's not necessary for Israel to be embroiled in a fierce battle with another country or terrorist group for the Lord to rapture the church.  But it was necessary for Israel to become a nation again after 2000+ years in exile.  That happened back in 1948!  That rebirth started the last generation.  So yes, I along with most Bible believing scholars, ministers and teachers believe this is the last generation.

You also mentioned your confusion on whether Christians would go through the tribulation period.  At this time, it is impossible to entertain the belief that Christians will go through the tribulation period due to the simple fact that the Jerusalem temple has not been built yet.  As you may know, midway through the tribulation period the antichrist will march into the temple, stop the sacrifice, and declare himself to be God.  Without the existence of a temple the mid and post-tribulation rapture theories remain just that...theories.  Until this temple is built we can't even begin to think that Christians will go through the tribulation period...and even then that doesn't make it so.  As far as scripture is concern, the rebuilding of the temple could happen anytime after the rebirth of Israel.  The only requirement is that it be constructed and in use by the midway point of the tribulation period.

Let's now talk about the Revived Roman Empire.  Again, most Bible believing scholars, ministers and teachers recognize the present day European Union as the fulfillment of this prophecy.  It does encompass the bulk of the territory possessed by the original empire.  Another coincidence is that it has come back to life in our generation and after the rebirth of Israel.  After so many coincidences you have to start looking at these events as fulfillments of Bible prophecy.  One more thing, they've risen to rival the U.S. in both the economic and diplomatic arenas in a very short amount of time.  

Lastly, I will address your question on whether there needs to be more signs fulfilled before the antichrist can come.  This is a great question that many are perplexed about including seasoned prophecy scholars.  The mistake I believe most make is the belief that satan has the ability to know the future or what is about to happen.  This simply isn't true!  satan has only been given knowledge that God has granted him.  On top of that, without the Holy Spirit he can never fully understand the scriptures.  I won't go into this due to the many times I have covered this in the past (for further discussion on this topic click on Article# 542: satan, The antichrist, What They Know, And What Must Come), but trust me, he's unaware of the day he's living in.  

Based on scripture, I tend to believe that he does not know when the rapture will take place.  He might not even know what the rapture is.  It's conceivable that when the rapture takes place it will completely take satan by surprise.  It may be a surprise but it won’t derail his plans.  Somehow, he will deceive the world into believing his lie and life will go on as if it never happened.

Realizing he is no longer being opposed (restrained) by the Holy Spirit he will go about searching for his antichrist and false prophet.  Is it possible that they have already been selected by satan? It's possible but not because he knows the future.  That would only be possible if God plants the idea in satan's mind to do such a thing, but when the truth is revealed, I doubt that will be the case.  He didn't know the purpose/plan behind Christ's first coming (or he never would have had Judas betray Him) why would he know the purpose/plan of His second coming.  If you study the Gospels it's safe to say that satan was merely reacting to the plan of God.  The same will be so in the last days.

In conclusion, we don't need to see anymore signs than the sign of Israel becoming a nation to believe we are living in the last generation.  Yes, the Bible does say that the last days will be perilous (II Timothy 3:1).  "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows (Mark 13:8)."  Certainly, all of these signs are present today.  But the Bible also says that the last days will be as the days of Noah where men will be "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage (Matthew 24:38)" up until the flood took them all away, "so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be (v. 39)."

I hope this has cleared up some of your questions.

Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If not, your time is running out!

Want to know more about becoming a Christian click here.

Pastor Malone