Post by Daniel on Oct 13, 2015 8:47:33 GMT -5
Will the Biblical “War of Gog & Magog” bring about the end of Radical Islam as we have known it? Here’s the answer, Part Three.
Joel C. Rosenberg
October 12, 2015
...As I explain in my 2006 non-fiction book, Epicenter — and the updated 2008 paperback release, Epicenter 2.0 — the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39 are critically important but often overlooked portions of Scripture. They are also quite controversial. Sincere and well-respected Bible scholars do not all agree on how to interpret these prophecies.
Of particular dispute, for example, is the identification of Magog. Many scholars and Bible teachers believe that the evidence suggests “Magog” is the nation we today call Russia and that “Gomer” is modern-day Turkey. (I am in this group, for reasons I describe in more detail in Epicenter.) Others believe “Magog” and “Gomer” are modern-day Turkey and that Russia isn’t involved in this prophecy at all.
Another dispute: Some Christians are asking whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is the “Gog” figure describe in the prophecies. (I say it’s too early to draw such a conclusion, though I admit Putin is certainly “Gog-esque.”) Other Christians are beginning to wonder if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (pronounced “Air-do-wan”) is “Gog.” (I don’t believe so, but he’s certainly emerging as an enemy of Israel and an ally of Putin.)
My objective in this series of studies is not to persuade you of my view, but to explain the prophecies the best I can and help you study them for yourselves. Indeed, I believe the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 & 39 deserve much more careful study, prayer and discussion in our time — both by scholars and by lay people — especially in light of current trends.
In our study today, let’s look at what the prophet Ezekiel says will happen to the enemies of Israel when the War of Gog and Magog concludes, and what happens with Israel and the Jewish people, as well.
1. As the forces of the Russian dictator (Gog) and his military coalition — including Iran (Persia), Libya & Algeria (Put), Sudan (Cush), Turkey (Gomer), and other Islamic nations (Beth Togarmah) — converges against the State of Israel in the “last days,” the Hebrew Prophet Ezekiel tells us that at the last moment when there seems to be know hope for Israeli Jews, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is going to supernaturally intervene and come to the rescue.
2. Consider Ezekiel 38:18-19. “‘It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ declares the Lord God, ‘that My fury will mount up in My anger. In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.”
3. Ezekiel tells us that this earthquake will shake the entire globe and “all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence” (38:20).
4. The enemy forces will become so frightened and disoriented during this massive earthquake that they will turn and starting fighting each other (38:21).
please continue reading
flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/will-the-biblical-war-of-gog-magog-bring-about-the-end-of-radical-islam-as-we-have-known-it-heres-the-answer-part-three/
Joel C. Rosenberg
October 12, 2015
...As I explain in my 2006 non-fiction book, Epicenter — and the updated 2008 paperback release, Epicenter 2.0 — the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39 are critically important but often overlooked portions of Scripture. They are also quite controversial. Sincere and well-respected Bible scholars do not all agree on how to interpret these prophecies.
Of particular dispute, for example, is the identification of Magog. Many scholars and Bible teachers believe that the evidence suggests “Magog” is the nation we today call Russia and that “Gomer” is modern-day Turkey. (I am in this group, for reasons I describe in more detail in Epicenter.) Others believe “Magog” and “Gomer” are modern-day Turkey and that Russia isn’t involved in this prophecy at all.
Another dispute: Some Christians are asking whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is the “Gog” figure describe in the prophecies. (I say it’s too early to draw such a conclusion, though I admit Putin is certainly “Gog-esque.”) Other Christians are beginning to wonder if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (pronounced “Air-do-wan”) is “Gog.” (I don’t believe so, but he’s certainly emerging as an enemy of Israel and an ally of Putin.)
My objective in this series of studies is not to persuade you of my view, but to explain the prophecies the best I can and help you study them for yourselves. Indeed, I believe the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 & 39 deserve much more careful study, prayer and discussion in our time — both by scholars and by lay people — especially in light of current trends.
In our study today, let’s look at what the prophet Ezekiel says will happen to the enemies of Israel when the War of Gog and Magog concludes, and what happens with Israel and the Jewish people, as well.
1. As the forces of the Russian dictator (Gog) and his military coalition — including Iran (Persia), Libya & Algeria (Put), Sudan (Cush), Turkey (Gomer), and other Islamic nations (Beth Togarmah) — converges against the State of Israel in the “last days,” the Hebrew Prophet Ezekiel tells us that at the last moment when there seems to be know hope for Israeli Jews, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is going to supernaturally intervene and come to the rescue.
2. Consider Ezekiel 38:18-19. “‘It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ declares the Lord God, ‘that My fury will mount up in My anger. In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.”
3. Ezekiel tells us that this earthquake will shake the entire globe and “all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence” (38:20).
4. The enemy forces will become so frightened and disoriented during this massive earthquake that they will turn and starting fighting each other (38:21).
please continue reading
flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/will-the-biblical-war-of-gog-magog-bring-about-the-end-of-radical-islam-as-we-have-known-it-heres-the-answer-part-three/