{"id":186,"date":"2017-11-22T11:55:30","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T10:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/?p=186"},"modified":"2017-11-22T11:55:30","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T10:55:30","slug":"the-sequence-of-pretribulational-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/2017\/11\/22\/the-sequence-of-pretribulational-events\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sequence of Pretribulational Events"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cYou will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom agains<\/em><\/span>t kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.<\/em><\/p>\n

Matthew 24:6\u20138<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

The Great Tribulation is not imminent. The world st<\/span>age has to be set in a certain way before the Tribulation can actually begin. A number of events are clearly stated to precede the Tribulation period. Some of these pretribulational events are simply prophesied to occur some time before the Tribulati<\/span>on and are not related to any sequence of events. This study is concerned with the chronological sequence of those events that can be traced and that lead up to the Tribulation. The Tribulation will not begin until this sequence of events is completely worked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Messianic Bible Study is divided into two main parts: sequential events and non-<\/span>sequential events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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I. Sequential Events<\/p>\n

All together nine sequential events can be deduced from the Scriptures: World Wars I and II, the reestablishment of Israel, Jerusalem under Jewish control, the invasion by the northern alliance, the one world government, the ten kingdoms, the rise of the Antichrist, the period of peace and false security, and the Seven-Year Covenant. On one hand, these events come before the Tribulation; but on the other hand, they consecutively lead up to the Tribulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A. World Wars I and II<\/p>\n

A question that is raised so many times in prophetic conferences is, \u201cAre we living in the last days?\u201d Invariably the answer is, \u201cYes!\u201d But, when asked, \u201cHow do we know this?\u201d t<\/span>he answers tend to be rather general and usually rest on the crises of these present days, and these crises change with the times. Often they are determined on the basis of how these crises affect the United States, as if that is the determining factor of what constitutes the last days. However, the true determination of where history is moving prophetically is not how <\/span>world events affect the Unit<\/span>ed States, but how they impact Jewish history since Israel is God\u2019s timepiece (Deut. 32:8\u20139<\/a>). In this area, many \u201cnewspaper exegetes\u201d have had a field day, seeing almost every major world event as a p<\/span>artial fulfillment of prophecy and another proof that these are indeed the last days. However, it is very dangerous to spend so much time and effort trying to fit so many events into areas of fulfilled prophecy. Prophecy must first be determined from the Scriptures and then applied to current events, rather <\/span>than current events being taken and forced into some kind of scriptural passage. Only after one\u2019s eschatology has been developed exegetically from the Scriptures should current events be taken into account to see if there are any that are fulfilling prophecy. Only if the current events fit the demands of Scripture perfectly are these events to be identified as a fulfillment of prophecy. But to go to current events first and then, because of possible similarities, begin to identify these as partial fulfil<\/span>lments or as indications of future fulfillments is to engage in \u201cnewspaper exegesis\u201d rather than biblical exegesis.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, these are the last days because certain pretribulati<\/span>onal events have been fulfilled. The first is that of World War I followed by World War II. This is found in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:1\u20138<\/a>: And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going o<\/em><\/span>n his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. But he answered and said unto them, See ye not all these things? truly I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down<\/em><\/span>. And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things <\/em><\/span>must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. But all these things are the beginning of travail.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The background to this passage is found in verses 1\u20132<\/a>. Following the d<\/span>enunciation of the Jewish religious leadership in chapter 23<\/a>, and, as a follow-up of His statements in chapter 23:37\u201339<\/a>, the Messiah pronounced doom on the Temple in chapter 24:1\u20132<\/a>, a prophecy that wa<\/span>s fulfilled in a.d. 70.<\/p>\n

This statement aroused questions in the minds of the disciples, and they approached Yeshua (Jesus) with these three questions. First, when shall these things be?<\/em> that is, the d<\/span>estruction of the Temple spoken of in verses 1\u20132<\/a>. Secondly, what shall be the sign of your coming?<\/em> that is, \u201cWhat is the sign that the Second Coming is about to occur?\u201d And thirdly, \u201cWhat shall be the<\/span> sign of the end of the age?\u201d The first question is not answered in the Matthew account of the Olivet Discourse, but is found in the parallel passage of Luke 21:20\u201324<\/a>. The second question is answered <\/span>in Matthew 24:29\u201331<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It is the third question that is of concern here: What shall be the sign of the end of the age? These are typical Jewish expressions of that time. The rabbis spoke of two ages: th<\/span>is age, and the age to come. \u201cThis age\u201d is the age in which we now live. \u201cThe age to come\u201d is the Messianic Age. Their question is: What is the sign that marks that the end of this age has indeed begun? What is the one single event that will determine that the last days have begun and that we are indeed l<\/span>iving in the last days?<\/p>\n

This question was answered by the Messiah, first negatively and then p<\/span>ositively. Negatively, He first told them what will not be the sign that the end of the age has begun. This was followed positively by what the sign will indeed be.<\/p>\n

Verses 4\u20136<\/a> contain the negative ans<\/span>wer. He simply described what will be characteristic of this age, and none of these things mean that the end of the age has begun. First, in verses 4\u20135<\/a>, the age will be characterized by false messiahs<\/span>. But the rise of false messiahs in no way proves that the end has begun. Furthermore, in verse 6<\/a>, local wars in various parts of the world will also characterize this age. But this, too, does not mea<\/span>n that the end of the age has begun. So neither the rise of false messiahs, nor local wars in any part of the world indicate that the end of the age has begun. These are just general characteristics of this age: <\/span>for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

The positive side of the answer is in verses 7\u20138<\/a>, where He revealed the single event that will indicate that the end of th<\/span>e age has begun. This sign is said to be when nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.<\/em> This is to be coupled with famines and earthquakes. It is clearly stated that these things <\/span>are the beginning of travail.<\/em> Throughout the prophetic portions of Scripture, the end days are pictured by the word travail<\/em>, which means \u201cbirth pang,\u201d the pain a woman experiences before giving birth.<\/span> Just as a woman goes through a series of birth pangs before giving birth to a child, even so the closing days of this age will go through a series of birth pangs before giving birth to the new age of the Kingdom. The use of the word travail will be noted a number of times in <\/span>this study of the prophetic Scriptures.<\/p>\n

The key factor, then, is to determine the meaning of the idiom nation shall rise ag<\/em><\/span>ainst nation, and kingdom against kingdom<\/em>. Taken in the Jewish context of the day when it was spoken, this idiom points to a total conflict of the area in view. This idiom is found in two Old Testamen<\/span>t passages.<\/p>\n

First, it is found in Isaiah 19:1\u20134<\/a>: The burden of Egypt. Behold, Jehovah rides upon a swift cloud, and comes unto Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall tremble at his presence; and the hear<\/em><\/span>t of Egypt shall melt in the middle of it. And I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; city against city, and <\/em><\/span>kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the middle of it; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek unto the idols, and to the charmers, and to them <\/em><\/span>that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this passa<\/span>ge, the land of Egypt is in view and the idiom points to a conflict all over the land of Egypt as the nation is engrossed in civil war.<\/p>\n

The second passage is 2 Chronicles 15:1\u20137<\/a>: And the Spirit of God<\/em><\/span> came upon Azariah the son of Oded: and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Jehovah is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but<\/em><\/span> if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law: But when in their distress they turned unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in; but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the lands. And they were brok<\/em><\/span>en in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did vex them with all adversity. But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this passage, it is the Middle East that is in view, and the idiom points to conflict all over the Middle East. In the Olivet Discourse, it is the whole world that is in <\/span>view, as is clear from verses 14<\/a>, 21<\/a>, 30<\/a> and 31<\/a>. Hence, the idiom refers to a worldwide conflict, and this worldwide conflict is the first birth pang, signifying that the last days have begun.<\/p>\n

In Yesh<\/span>ua\u2019s days, the expression nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom<\/em> was a Jewish idiom of a world war preceding the coming of the Messiah.<\/p>\n

The Bereshit Rabbah states: If you shall see kingdoms ri<\/span>sing against each other in turn, then give heed and note the footsteps of the Messiah.<\/p>\n

The Zohar Chadash states: At that time wars shall be stirred up in the world. Nation shall be against nation and <\/span>city against city; much distress shall be renewed against the enemies of the Israelites.<\/p>\n

The first time that such a worldwide conflict occurred was in the years 1914\u20131918 with World War I. Most histor<\/span>ians agree that World War II was really a continuation of World War I. Both had a decisive impact on Jewish history. The events of World War 1 provided the impetus for the growth of the Zionist Movement, while World War II set the<\/span> stage for the establishment of the State of Israel.<\/p>\n

This worldwide conflict that signaled the beginning of the last days was to be coupled with famines and earthquakes. <\/span>As far as famines are concerned, during the war years of 1918\u20131919, a pestilence killed 23 million people. In 1920 the Great Chinese Famine occurred, followed by the Great Russian Famine in 1921.<\/p>\n

The <\/span>earthquake factor is even more interesting. According to the Encyclopedia Americana<\/em>, between the years 63\u20131896 there were only twenty-six recorded earthquakes. Most of the world\u2019s earthquakes began to<\/span> occur since 1900. In conjunction with World War I, there were several significant earthquakes.<\/p>\n

According to the United States Survey, National Earthquake Information Center, earthquakes with 1,000 or<\/span> more deaths from 1900 are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Year<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Country<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Deaths<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Year<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Country<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Deaths<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1905<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

India<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1948<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Russia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

110,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1906<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chile<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1960<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Morocco<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10\/15,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1908<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Italy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

70\/100,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1962<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Iran<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

191<\/span>5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Italy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1968<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Iran<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/20,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1917<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Indonesia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1970<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1918<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1970<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Peru<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

66,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1920<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

200,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1974<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1923<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Japan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

143,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1975<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1927<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

200,0<\/span>00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1976<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Guatemala<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1932<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

70,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1976<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

255,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1933<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

China<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1976<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Philippines<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1934<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

India<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,700<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1978<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Iran<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1935<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pakistan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30\/60,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1988<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Russian \/ Turkish<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1939<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chi<\/span>le<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1990<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Iran<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

40\/50,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1939<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Turkey<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1999<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Turkey<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15,600<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

There has been a tremendous increase in earthquake activity in conjunction with World War I. The ones listed here are only the majo<\/span>r ones with a death rate of 10,000 or more. However, these statistics should be tempered with the fact that man\u2019s ability to detect earthquakes worldwide has equally increased; nevertheless, these statistics are significant. Added to this, there are a greater number with smaller death rates. An article from \u201cDispatch from Jerusal<\/span>em,\u201d 3rd Quarter, 1992 states: In the first 1,000 years after Jesus, there were approximately five recorded major earthquakes (although we are sure more occurred in remote locations). However, the trend has been on the increase:<\/span><\/p>\n

14th century, there were 157 major earth<\/span>quakes.<\/p>\n

15th century, there were 174 major earthquakes.<\/p>\n

16th century, there were 253 major earthquakes.<\/p>\n

17th century, there were 278 major earthquakes.<\/p>\n

18th century, there were 640 major earthquakes.<\/p>\n

<\/span>19th century, there were 2,119 major earthquakes.<\/p>\n

Nearly 900,000 earthquakes have been recorded thus far in the 20th century. An earthquake every hour!<\/p>\n

The first sign<\/em> or the first birth pang signifyin<\/span>g that the last days of the age have begun was to be a worldwide conflict coupled with famines and earthquakes. This was fulfilled in 1914\u20131918. This also marks the first of the events leading up to t<\/span>he Tribulation period.<\/p>\n

B. The Reestablishment of Israel<\/p>\n

On the topic of the modern State of Israel in Bible prophecy, one will hear four views giving four different perspectives. A fifth view, held by the author, is present<\/span>ed in this study.<\/p>\n

The first view is that of Replacement Theology, particularly Amillenianlism, which sees the modern Jewish State as merely an accident of history, totally unrelated to any type of Bib<\/span>le prophecy. This view believes that when Israel rejected the Messiahship of Yeshua, God was through with the Jewish people. Therefore, there are no unfulfilled prophecies for the Jewish people and there is no future final restoration. When Israel rejected the Messiah, all of God\u2019s covenantal promises were transferred to the Church; hence it is a theology of transference. Or, put<\/span> differently, when Israel rejected the Messiah, the Church replaced Israel in God\u2019s standing; hence a theology of replacement. Thus, the Church is fulfilling Israel\u2019s promises. They say that all those prophecies that speak of a worldwide regathering of the Jewish people are not to be interpreted literally, rather they are to be interpreted allegorically of the elect being brought into the Church until the Church is complete. Jews can be saved today, but they simply would be amalgamated into the larger Church; God has no future restoration for Israel as an ethnic people. And s<\/span>o nothing happening with Israel today is in any way related to prophecy. There is no future prophecy for Israel either, and so again the modern Jewish State is nothing but an accident of history.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The second view takes the opposite posit<\/span>ion in that they do believe there will be a final restoration of Israel. They take these prophecies literally and believe that there will be a future final restoration for the Jewish people to the Promised Land. However, when they look at t<\/span>he modern Jewish State, they have a hard time fitting it into Bible prophecy. The reason is that these prophecies describe the final regathering of Israel as a believing nation in the Messiah. The chronological sequence of these prophecies is: national repentance followed by national restoration. When they look at the present Jewish State, the vast majority are unbelievers in the Messiah; in fact of the 5.1 million Jews in the Land toda<\/span>y, only about four to five thousand, maximum, are Jewish believers. To make it worse, the vast majority of Israelis are not even Orthodox; they would class themselves quite secularly, either as atheistic or agnostic. This does not fit these prophecies as the read. These prophecies include: <\/span><\/span>Deuteronomy 30:1\u20135<\/a>; Isaiah 27<\/span>:12\u201313<\/a>; Ezekiel 39:25\u201329<\/a>, and others. These prophecies clearly speak of a national salvation prior to a national restoration to the Land. So they disagree with the first view in that they do believe t<\/span>here will be such a future final restoration. But they would agree with the first view that the modern Jewish State is an accident of history; it is not relevant to Bible prophecy at all.<\/p>\n

The third vi<\/span>ew claims that what is happening today is the final restoration of Israel; this is the beginning of the fulfillment of all those prophecies. There will be more and more Jews going back to the Land until all are b<\/span>ack. At some point, they will undergo a national regeneration and salvation, and the Messiah will return. When asked about the prophecies that speak of a period of divine wrath and tribulation preceding this time, they would say that the Tribulation prophecies have already been fulfilled in the Nazi Holocaust. The Holocaust fulfilled all the prophecies about the Tribulation, and so there is no future Tribulat<\/span>ion to come. It has already passed, and what we are seeing today is the final restoration. Emissaries of this third view are traveling around the world encouraging Jews to return. They also go to groups of Jewish believers, messianic fellowships and congregations, laying guilt trips on Jewish believers claiming that if they do not go back to Israel right away, they are living in sin. God is now calling all Jews, particularly Jewish believers in the Messiah, back to their Land. To live outside the Land, such as \u201cthe flesh pots of America,\u201d would be living in sin. When asked for biblical passages to prove t<\/span>his, they refer to those prophecies where the prophets called the Jews to leave Babylon. They interpret passages on Babylon not to be real Babylon past or future, but that Babylon represents the United States of America. When one points out that these prophecies mention the Euphrates River, which is in Babylonia, they claim that the river is not really the Euphrates; it is the Hudson River in New York City! That would surprise prophets such as Jeremiah, among others. And so, in this third view, this is the final restoration; this is the fulfillment of those prophecies, at least in the initial stages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The fourth view will be discussed in the exposition of Isaiah 11:11\u201312<\/a>, given later in this section.<\/p>\n

What the first three views fail to observe is that when<\/span> the Bible speaks of a worldwide regathering of the Jewish people, it actually speaks of two distinct worldwide regatherings. This is the fifth perspective. First there is to be a worldwide regathering in unbelief in preparation for judgment; specifically<\/span>, the judgment of the Tribulation. That is to be followed by a second worldwide regathering in faith in preparation for blessing, specifically, the blessing of the Messianic Kingdom. Once it is recognized that the Bible speaks of two such regatherings, it is easy to see how the present State of Israel fits into prophecy. This section focuses on those prophecies that clearly speak of a worldwide regathering in unbelief in preparation for judgment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One passage clearly dealing with a return in unbelief in preparation for judgment is found in <\/span>Ezekiel 20:33\u201338<\/a>: As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you: and I will bring you out from the peopl<\/em><\/span>es, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face. Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgme<\/em><\/span>nt with you, says the Lord Jehovah. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this passage, Ezekiel draws a simile with the Exodu<\/span>s when, under Moses, God brought the entire nation of Israel out of the land of Egypt and into the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. God\u2019s plan and program for Israel at Sinai was to accomplish two things: first, they were to receive the Law of Moses; a<\/span>nd secondly, they were to build the Tabernacle through which much of the Law could then be maintained. With these two things accomplished, they were to press on and enter into the Promised Land itself. But because of a series of murmurings and rebellions against God\u2019s revealed will, finally at the Oasis of Kadesh Barnea, which was right on the border of the Promised Land, God entered into judgment with His people. The divine judgment was that those w<\/span>ho came out of Egypt would now have to continue wandering throughout the wilderness for forty years. During those forty years, all those who came out would die, except for two righteous spies, and those below the age of twenty. So forty years later, it was a new nation that was allowed to enter the Land under Joshua, a nation that was born as free men in the wilderness, not as slaves in Egypt. That historical frame of reference is the backdrop for the future. But this time, Ezekiel prophesies, God will regather His people from all parts of the world. It should be noted that it is a regathering out of wrath, and a gathering for wrath and judgment;<\/span> it is a gathering both out of wrath and for wrath. They were gathered out of the wrath of the Holocaust. The events of the Nazi Holocaust, when six million Jewish people died, created the world stage for Israel to become a state, for the regathering in unbelief. That this gathering is not in faith, but in unbelief, is seen from the fact that this gathering is <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, with wrath poured out.<\/em> Th<\/span>is phrase is repeated twice and is found in verses 33<\/a> and 34<\/a>. God\u2019s goal is that of Messianic Kingship, but the means of attaining it will be by wrath and judgment. This regathering in unbelief occurs<\/span> after wrath has been poured out on the people. But because it is a regathering in unbelief, it is a regathering for a future time of wrath. In the future time of wrath, God will once again enter into judgment with His people, and will purge out the rebels among them. Those who remain will turn to the Lord; they will be brought into <\/span>the bond of the covenant<\/em>; specifically, the bond of the New Coven<\/span>ant (Jer. 31:31\u201334<\/a>). They will be brought into national salvation. Then it will be a new nation, a regenerate nation that will be allowed to enter the Land under King Messiah for the final restoration<\/span>. In these verses, Ezekiel clearly describes a worldwide regathering in unbelief, from wrath and for wrath, in preparation for a specific period of judgment that will then lead to a national salvation, and in turn to their final restoration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another passage making the same point is Ezekiel 22:17\u201322<\/a>: And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, the house of Israel is become dross unto <\/em><\/span>me: all of them are brass and tin and iron and lead, in the middle of the furnace; they are the dross of silver. Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because ye are all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem. As they gather silver and brass and iron and lea<\/em><\/span>d and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my wrath, and I will lay you there, and melt you. Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you with the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the middle thereof. As silver is melted in the middle of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the middle thereof; and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, have poured out my wrath upon you.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ezekiel again describes a regathering, this time <\/span>focusing on the City of Jerusalem. Jerusalem becomes the furnace of affliction, a common figure pointing to Israel\u2019s need for refining (Is. 1:22<\/a>, 25<\/a>; 48:10<\/a>; Jer. 6:27\u201330<\/a>; 9:7<\/a>; Zech. 13:9<\/a>; Mal. 3:2\u20133<\/a>).<\/span> Furthermore, it is also a regathering in unbelief because they are filled with the impurities of silver and brass and iron and lead and tin<\/em>. They are also regathered for a future time of wrath, when <\/span>the wrath of God will be poured upon them for the purpose of melting them and purifying them. As a purified, believing nation, they will then turn to the Lord. Here again he speaks of a worldwide regathering in unbelief in preparation for a specific future jud<\/span>gment, but the purpose of the judgment is to bring them to national repentance. Only then will they experience the final worldwide restoration in faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

While primarily dealing with the regeneration of Israel, Ezekiel 36:22\u201324<\/a> nevertheless makes it clear that a regathering takes place before the regeneration: Therefore say unto the house <\/em><\/span>of Israel, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: I do not this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy name, which ye have profaned among the nations, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned am<\/em><\/span>ong the nations, which ye have profaned in the middle of them; and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, says the Lord Jehovah, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Another passage dealing with the same question is Isaiah 11:11<\/span>\u201312<\/a>: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, that shall remain, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathro<\/em><\/span>s, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he will set up an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together <\/em><\/span>the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this connection, the fourth view needs to be discussed. This view recognizes that there are two types of regathering prophecies: a<\/span> regathering in unbelief and a regathering in faith. But then the fourth view goes on to say that one really cannot be sure that the present Jewish State, as it is seen today, is a fulfillment of those prophecies that spoke of the regathering in unbelief. Why not? Because they believe that it is possible to have several regathering<\/span>s in unbelief before there is the specific one that fulfills the prophecies just discussed. But this passage in Isaiah shows that is exactly what cannot be: there cannot be several regatherings in unbelief from <\/span>the far corners of the earth<\/em>. The entire context is Isai<\/span>ah 11:11\u201312:6<\/a>. In this context, he is speaking of the final worldwide regathering in faith in preparation for blessing. Isaiah numbers the final worldwide regathering in faith in preparation for the M<\/span>essianic Kingdom as the second one. In other words, the last one is the only the second<\/em>. If the last one is the second one, how many can there be before that? Only one. The first one could not have be<\/span>en the return from Babylon since that was not an international regathering from the four corners of the world, only a migration from one country, Babylonia, to another country, Judea. The Bible does not allow for several worldwide regatherings in unbelief; it allows for one worldwide regathering in unbelief, fol<\/span>lowed by the last one, the one in faith, which is the second one. This text only permits two worldwide regatherings from <\/span>the four corners of the earth.<\/em> Therefore, the present Jewish State is very relevant to Bible prophecy.<\/p>\n

So far, passages have been shown that speak of a regathering in<\/span> unbelief in preparation for judgment as opposed to other passages that speak of a regathering in faith in preparation for blessing. But these passages have not specifically stated that this regathering in unbelief in preparation for judgment will occur before th<\/span>e Tribulation period. However, there are other passages that do pinpoint the regathering in unbelief as occurring before the Tribulation period.<\/span><\/p>\n

One such passage is Zephaniah 2:1\u20132<\/a>: Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation that has no shame; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the f<\/em><\/span>ierce anger of Jehovah come upon you, before the day of Jehovah\u2019s anger come upon you.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the preceding section of Zephaniah 1:7\u201318<\/a>, Zephaniah described some features of a time called the day of Jehov<\/em><\/span>ah<\/em>, or as other translations have it, the day of the Lord<\/em>. This is the most common Old Testament name for the Tribulation and always describes the Great Tribulation. Then in chapter 2:1\u20132<\/a>, Zephaniah s<\/span>peaks of an event that is to occur before the Day of Jehovah begins. In verse 1<\/a>, the nation of Israel is told to gather together<\/em>. It is clear from this verse that this is a gathering in unbelief for i<\/span>t is a nation not yet ashamed of her sins.<\/p>\n

In verse 2<\/a>, the word before<\/em> is used three times in relation to the preceding passage regarding the Tribulation. One of these \u201cbefores\u201d includes before the da<\/em><\/span>y of Jehovah<\/em> itself. So while other texts speak of a regathering in unbelief in preparation for judgment, this passage clearly states that this regathering in unbelief will occur before the Tribulatio<\/span>n actually begins.<\/p>\n

Another line of evidence concerning the beginning point of the Tribulation period can be mentioned at this point. The Tribulation begins with the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant,<\/span> not with the Rapture of the Church. This covenant is made between the Antichrist and the leaders of Israel. Therefore, the signing of such a covenant presupposes a Jewish leadership of a Jewish State. Such a Jewish State has to exist before such a covenant is signed. This demands the existence of a Jewish State before the Tribulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, 1948 marked another birth pang of the last days. The res<\/span>toration of the Jewish State is a fulfillment of those prophecies that spoke of a regathering in unbelief in preparation for judgment. It is another event leading up to the Tribulation and so sets the stage for several other pretribulational events.<\/p>\n

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C. Jerusalem Under Jewish Control<\/p>\n

The third pretribulation event involves Jewish control of Jerusalem. The fact that the Jewish State had to exist before the Tribulation does not necessarily require t<\/span>he total Jewish control of Jerusalem. After the end of the Israeli War of Independence in 1948\u20131949, Israeli forces were in control of West Jerusalem, the newer Jewish section. The Old City of Jerusal<\/span>em, the biblical city, fell into the hands of the Jordanian Legion and was later annexed into the Hasemite kingdom of Jordan. So Jerusalem became a divided city and remained that way for the next nineteen years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, prophetically speaking, the Old City of Jerusalem had to fall under Jewish control. This can be deduced from the prophecies dealing with the Third Jewish Temple, sometimes kn<\/span>own as the Tribulation Temple. There are four passages of Scripture that speak of a specific event in relation to the Tribulation Temple that will occur in the middle of the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

The first pas<\/span>sage is Daniel 9:27<\/a>: And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations s<\/em><\/span>hall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.<\/em><\/p>\n

The second passage is Matthew 24:15<\/a>: When therefore ye see the abominat<\/em><\/span>ion of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads understand).<\/em><\/p>\n

The third passage is 2 Thessalonians 2:3\u20134<\/a>: let no man beguile you in any<\/em><\/span> wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be <\/em>revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshi<\/em><\/span>pped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.<\/em><\/p>\n

And the fourth passage is Revelation 11:1\u20132<\/a>: And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure th<\/em><\/span>e temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it has been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

All these passages speak of the Third Jewish Temple, namely the Tribulation Temple. The point of all four passages is that the Jewish Temple will be reb<\/span>uilt and will begin to function again. All of these verses also presuppose Jewish control of the Temple Compound, and that presupposes Jewish control of the Old City of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

While none of these <\/span>passages spell out a time factor as to when this was to occur, it was clearly fulfilled in the Six Day War and thus became the third birth pang. While the Six Day War itself was never predicted in the Scriptures, what it<\/span> accomplished certainly was. The Six Day War brought about the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the Jewish control of the Old City of Jerusalem. This is the third major pretribulational event.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the first three of these events have already been fulfilled and are now a part of history, the next six pretribulational events are all future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>D. The Invasion by the Northern Alliance\u2014Ezekiel 38:1\u201339:16<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1. The Exposition of the Passage<\/p>\n

Ezekiel 38:1\u201339:16<\/a> describes an invasion of Israel from the north and the subsequent destruction of the invading forces once they reach the area of the mountains of Is<\/em>rael<\/em>. It will first be necessary to look at the details of this invasion and then deal with the controversial question as to when this invasion will take place. The passage will be approached with the questions of \u201cwho,\u201d \u201cwhere,\u201d \u201cwhy,\u201d \u201cwhat,\u201d \u201chow,\u201d and \u201cwhen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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a. The Alliance\u2014Ezekiel 38:1\u20136<\/a><\/p>\n

Concerning the \u201cwho\u201d question, the prophet named the peoples involved in this invasion in Ezekiel 38:1\u20136<\/a>: And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, set y<\/em>our face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: and I will turn you about, and put hooks into yo<\/em>ur jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords; Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many peoples with you.<\/em><\/p>\n

In verses 1\u20134<\/a>, attention is centered on Gog<\/em>, leader of the land of Magog<\/em>. He is the prince of Rosh, Meshech<\/em>, and Tubal<\/em>. Who Gog will be can only be determined at the time of the invasion, for \u201cGog\u201d is not a proper name but a title for the ruler of Magog, just as the terms \u201cpharaoh,\u201d \u201ckaiser,\u201d and \u201cczar\u201d were titles for rulers, not proper names. Whoever is ruling this alliance at the time of the invasion will be Ezekiel\u2019s Gog. The identification of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is to be determined from the fact that these tribes of the ancient world occupied the areas of modern-day Russia. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were between the Black and Caspian Seas, which today is southern Russia. It also includes part of Iran and Turkey. According to some, the tribes of Meshech and Tubal later gave names to cities that today bear the names of Moscow, the capital, and Tobolsk, a major city in the Urals in Siberia. Rosh was in what is now northern Russia. The name Rosh is the basis for the modern name Russia. These names, then, cover the modern territories for northern and southern Russia in Europe and Siberia to the east in Asia. The modern nation of Russia encompasses all these areas of Ezekiel. As if to avoid any further possible doubt, verse 6<\/a> adds that these come from the uttermost parts of the north<\/em>. This is repeated in chapter 38:15<\/a> and 39:2<\/a>. From Israel, the uttermost parts of the north is Russia, with Moscow being almost a straight line due north from Jerusalem. Hence, Russia is the leader of the northern confederacy, with Gog as the leader of Russia. This has also been the rabbinic view. The Artscroll Commentary<\/em> on the Book of Ezekiel states: The Gaonim had a tradition that these controls were indeed located in Russia.<\/p>\n

One tradition passed down from the Vilna Gaon states: When the Russian navy passes through the Bospores (that is, on the way to the Dardanelles), it will be time to put on Sabbath clothes (in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah).<\/p>\n

In the Gog and Magog way, Messiah, the son of Joseph, will be killed which will then bring the coming of Messiah, the son of David.<\/p>\n

But Russia is not alone in the invasion of Israel. She is part of a confederacy and the leader of it. Verses 5\u20136<\/a> list other nations involved in the confederacy. Persia<\/em> or present-day Iran is involved in the confederacy. Iran was once generally pro-Western and pro-Israel; after the Khomeini Islamic revolution, Iran became anti-Western and anti-Israel and more within the Russian sphere of influence. At the present time, Israel considers Iran as her most dangerous enemy. Another nation involved is called Cush<\/em>. There were two places that had this name. One was in Mesopotamia (Gen. 2:13<\/a>). But all other usages of this word refer to Ethiopia. While looking at current events, it is tempting to identify it with the Mesopotamian countries of Syria and Iraq; nevertheless, consistency with the usage of the word Cush<\/em> elsewhere in the Scriptures demands its identification with Ethiopia. Current events must never be the means of interpreting the Scriptures, but the Scriptures must interpret current events. Put<\/em> is mentioned next; this is not Libya, for which the name \u201cLub\u201d would be used, but Somaliland or Somalia. Somalia borders Ethiopia. This is followed by Gomer<\/em>, located in present-day Germany. This too was the rabbinic view. TheMidrash<\/em> calls Gomer \u201cGermainia\u201d and that is also the way the Talmud<\/span> refers to Gomer. The last name is Togarmah<\/em>, which is present-day Armenia. Verse 6<\/a> adds the phrase even many peoples with you<\/em>. This phrase may simply define the numbers of the nations already mentioned, or it may include other nations not mentioned. In all probability, it is the former that is meant. In answer as to \u201cwho\u201d is involved in this confederacy, it is Russia and the allied states of Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany, and Armenia.<\/p>\n

One interesting point is that not a single Arab nation participates in this invasion. While some of the nations listed here are Moslem, they are not Arab. Another observation is that these nations are geographically located both north and south of Israel, but it is Russia that is the controlling nation and allied with Moslem, non-Arab states. The invasion itself is from the north. A common error made in previous interpretations of this passage has been the assumption that this was a communist invasion. The fall of communism in Eastern Europe has caused many to abandon the \u201cRussian\u201d interpretation of this passage. But there is no need to do so. It should be noted that the text never describes the type of government when this invasion occurs. It does not indicate whether it is a monarchy, socialist, communist, democratic, or dictatorial government. The focus is on the geography, not the type of government. While the names of these geographical areas have changed over the centuries, such as, Persia or Iran, and may change again, the geography itself remains intact. Regardless of what names they may carry at the time of the invasion, it is these very geographical areas that are involved. Although the leading nation may have once been called the Soviet Union, and more recently the Commonwealth of Independent States, and traditionally Russia, it is the territory, by whatever name it may be called at that time, that will lead this invasion. The Orthodox Jewish commentary A<\/em>rtscroll<\/em> on Ezekiel 38:2<\/a> makes this observation:<\/p>\n

\u201cYerushalayim Megillah 3:9<\/a>, which renders Magog as Guitya (or Gutya, \u2026) the Goths, a group of nomadic tribes who destroyed the Scythians and made their home in Scythian territory.<\/p>\n

Considering that the Goths were a Germanic people, the identification of Magog\u2019s descendants as the Goths in accord with Targum Yonasan<\/em><\/span><\/a> to Genesis 10:2<\/span><\/a>, which renders Magog as Geramemia<\/em>, which in Bereshit Rabbah<\/span> 37:1 is given as Germanya<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cup of iniquity of Russia is almost full. With this invasion it will overflow, and this will precipitate God\u2019s judgment on Russia. It is God who is in control; it is He who is bringing the invasion about. Thus, while studying this passage, one should note the sovereignty of God in this invasion. This will be the means by which God will punish Russia for her sins. The key sin is her long history of anti-Semitism, a problem that persists in Russia to this day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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b. The Object of the Invasion\u2014Ezekiel 38:7\u20139<\/a><\/p>\n

The next section of this passage answers the question as to \u201cwhere\u201d the invasion takes place: Be you prepared, yea, prepare yourself, you, and all your com<\/em><\/span>panies that are assembled unto you, and be you a guard unto them. After many days you shall be visited: in the latter years you shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel, whi<\/em><\/span>ch have been a continual waste; but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they shall dwell securely, all of them. And you shall ascend, you shall come like a storm, you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you, and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Verse 7<\/a> continues to address Gog as the leader of this confederacy. In<\/span> verse 8<\/a>, the specific place where the invasion takes place is stated to be the Land of Israel, more specifically in the mountains of Israel<\/em>. Then verse 9<\/a> describes the magnitude of the invasion, pict<\/span>uring it as a storm cloud that covers the entire Land. This is another passage that shows the necessity of the establishment of the Jewish State and also a regathering in unbelief. Israel has to be a state before this invasion could occur. Regard<\/span>less of one\u2019s viewpoint as to when this invasion occurs, each viewpoint does require the pre-existence of the Jewish State. Furthermore, Israel in this passage is regathered in unbelief, for only after the invasion do many in Israel turn to the Lord. So yet another passage demands a restored Jewish State in unbelief. Verse <\/span>8<\/a> describes this Jewish State<\/span> as being: first, a land brought back from the sword<\/em>; secondly, a land that is gathered out of many peoples<\/em>; thirdly, a land with mountains that have been a continual waste<\/em>; and fourthly, a land that <\/span>is brought forth out of the peoples.<\/em> Ezekiel is not describing an Israel that ever existed in ancient times, but all these statements are true of present-day Israel. This began occurring toward the en<\/span>d of the nineteenth century, culminating with statehood in 1948. Since then, the waste places have been rebuilt and resettled on a more massive scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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c. Gog\u2019s Goal\u2014Ezekiel 38:10\u201313<\/a><\/p>\n

The next section answers the question as to \u201cwhy\u201d this invasion takes place on the part of Russia: Thus says the Lord Jehovah: It shall come to pass in that day, that th<\/em>ings shall come into your mind, and you shall devise an evil device: and you shall say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates; to take<\/em> the spoil and to take the prey; to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and against the people that are gathered out of the nations, that have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the middle of the earth. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto you, Are you come to take the spoil? have you assembled your company to take the prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle<\/em> and goods, to take great spoil?<\/em><\/p>\n

The key reason for the Russian invasion, according to verses 10\u201312<\/a>, is the matter of spoil. Exactly what Israel has that Russia would want is not spelled out in the text. The text simply mentions cattle and goods<\/em> in verse 12<\/a>an<\/em>d silver and gold<\/em> in verse 13<\/a>, but these are general Old Testament references for spoils of war. Much speculation has been involved in what it is that Israel has that Russia would want. One of the more popular reasons given is that of the Dead Sea, which contains forty-five billion tons of sodium, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromide. But Russia could also obtain the Dead Sea by invading Jordan. Another reason centers on the oil crisis, with the abundance of oil in the Middle East. The purpose of the invasion might be to gain a solid foothold in the Middle East. A Russian takeover of Israel would give Russia such a foothold without overly upsetting the Arabs, since they would be in favor of the destruction of Israel, even if it means a Russian army in the area. However, while it may be true that the Arabs would like to see Israel destroyed, it is not true they would look favorably on a Russian occupation force in the Middle East. There have been other suggestions; however, the text itself is silent as to the content of the spoils. But it is for the spoils that Russia invades. Whatever the publicly stated reasons for this invasion may be, the actual reason will be Russia\u2019s own self-interest. It is stated in verse 10<\/a> that the invasion is premeditated by the Russians, for they devise an evil device<\/em> and resolve to invade for the purpose of spoils in verses 11\u201312<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In verse 13<\/a>, a second group of nations is listed that is protesting this invasion, for they recognize it to be an invasion for spoil and for nothing else. Sheba<\/em> and Dedan<\/em> are countries in northern Arabia, which shows that at least some of the Arab states will not favor the Russian presence in the Middle East. Another nation named is Tarshish<\/em>, followed by the phrase with all the young lions t<\/em>hereof<\/em>. This phrase is a Hebrew idiom meaning \u201cnations that have come out of Tarshish<\/em>.\u201d The Revised Standard Version translates the idiom as all its villages<\/em> and this is closer to the mark. But while the idiom is clear, the real issue is the identity of Tarshish from which the other nations emerge. Three such places are known in history. One was located on the east coast of Africa, but the exact location is unknown. Nor has that particular area spawned other nations. The second place was in Spain, founded by the city of Tyre. If this is the Tarshish of Ezekiel, the nations spawned would include Central and South America, except for Brazil. The third location was in England, and if this is what was meant by Tarshish, it would include the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other present-day western democracies. It might include the British Commonwealth of Nations. If any conclusion can be reached on Ezekiel\u2019s usage elsewhere, the identification would have to be Spain and the Spanish-speaking world of the western hemisphere. Since Spain was somewhat involved in settling and discovering the North American coastline, it could include the United States. But historically, Spain cannot really be credited with the United States as England can. Regardless of the exact identity of Tarshish, it is this group that issues a protest. However, it does not go beyond the protest stage. Russia succeeds in invading, and then the invading army is disposed of with no help from the protestors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

d. God\u2019s Goal\u2014Ezekiel 38:14\u201316<\/a><\/p>\n

Here, the invasion is seen as having begun and further answers the question as to \u201cwhy,\u201d but this time it is seen from God\u2019s viewpoint: Therefore, son of man, prophesy, <\/em><\/span>and say unto Gog, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: In that day when my people Israel dwell securely, shall you not know it? And you shall come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you, and many peoples with you, all of<\/em><\/span> them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army; and you shall come up against my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land: it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In verses 14\u201316a<\/a>, the invasion begins and the confederat<\/span>ed army covers the land like a storm cloud, in massive swarms. Hence, there is initial success on the part of Russia. In verse 16b<\/a>, God\u2019s reason is given for allowing the invasion to occur, in contras<\/span>t to Russia\u2019s reasons given in the preceding verses. God\u2019s reason is that He might be sanctified in the eyes of the nations in light of what is about to occur.<\/p>\n

e. The Destruction of the Invaders\u2014Ezekiel 38:17\u201323<\/a><\/p>\n

Having described God\u2019s purpose, the answer to the questions of \u201cwhat\u201d and \u201chow\u201d is provided in Ezekiel 38:17\u201323<\/a>: Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Are you<\/em><\/span> he of whom I spoke in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, that prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? And it shall come to pass in that day, when Gog shall come against the land of Isr<\/em><\/span>ael, says the Lord Jehovah, that my wrath shall come up into my nostrils. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; so that the fishes of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and <\/em><\/span>the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him unto all my mountains, says the Lord Jehovah: every man\u2019s sword shall be against his brother. And with pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain upon him, and upon his hordes, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. And I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As to the question of \u201cwhat,\u201d with the Russian invasion of Israel, the cup of iniquity is full, for the apple o<\/span>f God\u2019s eye is touched, and the Wife of Jehovah is violated, arousing God\u2019s anger so that, in verses 17\u201318<\/a>, He moves out in judgment to destroy the invading army. This is followed by the answer to the<\/span> question of \u201chow\u201d the invading army is destroyed. Several causes are listed: earthquake in verses 19\u201320<\/a>; civil war breaking out among the invading soldiers themselves in verse 21<\/a>; pestilence, blood, <\/span>floods, hailstones, fire, and brimstone in verse 22<\/a>. These things totally destroy the invading army without the aid of other nations, therefore, God\u2019s purpose is seen as succeeding in its objective. I<\/span>n verse 23<\/a>, God is indeed sanctified in the eyes of many people.<\/p>\n

f. The Place of the Destruction\u2014Ezekiel 39:1\u20136<\/a><\/p>\n

There are four basic rules of interpretation as formulated by Dr. David L. Cooper, the late founder and director of the Biblical Research society. First,<\/span> The Golden Rule of Interpretation states that all biblical passages are to be taken exactly as they read unless there is something in the text that indicates it should be taken otherwise. This rule lays the foundation for the other three. Secondly, The Law of Double Reference observes the fact that often a passage or block of Scripture is speaking of<\/span> two different persons or events, separated by a long period of time, but blended into one picture. The gap of time is not presented in the text itself. Thirdly, The Law of Recurrence describes the fact that in some passages of Scripture there exists the recording of an event followed by a second recording of the same event giving more details to the first. Hence, it often involves two blocks of Scripture. Fourthly, The Law of the Context states that a text apart from its context is a pretext. Simply put, a verse can only mean what it means in its<\/span> context and must not be taken out of its context. This passage follows the Law of Recurrence in that it gives further details to the information found in chapter <\/span><\/span><\/span>38<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A further description of the invasion and its subsequent destruction is given in Ezekiel 39:1\u20135<\/a>: And you, son of man, prophesy <\/em><\/span>against Gog, and say, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: and I will turn you about, and will lead you on, and will cause you to come up from the uttermost parts of the <\/em><\/span>north; and I will bring you upon the mountains of Israel; and I will smite your bow out of your left hand, and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand. You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you, and all your hordes, and the peoples that are with you: I will give you unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. You shall fall upon the open field; for I have spoken it<\/em><\/span>, says the Lord Jehovah.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The new information is found in verses 2<\/a> and 4<\/a> where the armies are said to fall specifically on the mountains of I<\/em><\/span>srael<\/em>. These mountains extend the length of the center of the country, beginning at the southern point of the Valley of Jezreel at the town of Jenin in Galilee, and continuing south until they peter o<\/span>ut at a point north of Beersheba in the Negev. They contain the famous biblical cities of Dothan, Shechem, Samaria, Shiloh, Bethel, Ai, Ramah, Bethlehem, Hebron, Debir, and most importantly, Jerusalem, which seems to be the goal of this invading army.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is another example where the Six-Day War has set the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy. Until the Six-Day War in 1967, all of the mountains<\/span> of Israel, except for a small corridor of West Jerusalem, were entirely in the hands of the Jordanian Arabs. Only since 1967 have the mountains of Israel been in Israel, thus setting the stage for th<\/span>e fulfillment of this prophecy.<\/p>\n

Another thing to notice is the mistranslation of verse 2<\/a> found in the King James Version. The King James Version indicates that one-sixth of the invading army is left a<\/span>live. This is not found in the Hebrew text and has not been translated that way by subsequent translations. The truth is that entire army will be destroyed when they invade Israel and nothing will remain, not even one-sixth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another dimension is added to the Russian invasion in Ezekiel 39:6<\/a>: And I will send a fire on Magog, and on them that dwell securely in the isles; and they shall know that I a<\/em><\/span>m Jehovah.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not only is the Russian and allied army destroyed in Israel, but the land of Russia itself is devastated by the raining of brimstone, causing much destruction in the nation itself. It will <\/span>cause Russia to cease being a political force in world affairs.<\/p>\n

g. The Sanctification of God\u2019s Name\u2014Ezekiel 39:7\u20138<\/a><\/p>\n

These verses add that not only will God\u2019s Name be sanctified among the Gentile nations, but in Israel as well: And my holy name will I make known in <\/em><\/span>the middle of my people Israel; neither will I suffer my holy name to be profaned any more: and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it comes, and it shall be done, says the Lord Jehovah; this is the d<\/em><\/span>ay whereof I have spoken.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thus, a revival occurs in Israel, causing many Jews to turn to the Lord.<\/p>\n

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h. The Seven Years of Burning Ezekiel 39:9\u201310<\/a><\/p>\n

The rest of Ezekiel 39:9\u201316<\/a> provides the grand finale of the invasion. Verses 9\u201310<\/a> state that it will take seven years to dismantle all the military equip<\/span>ment left behind, which in turn will be used for fuel: And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall make fires of the weapons and burn them, both the shields and the bucklers,<\/em><\/span> the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall make fires of them seven years; so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall make fires of the weapons; and they shall plunder those that plundered them, and rob those that robbed them, says the Lord Jehovah<\/em><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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i. The Seven Months of Burial\u2014Ezekiel 39:11\u201316<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally, there is a description of the burying of the dead for seven months in verses 11\u201316<\/a>: And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto<\/em> Gog a place for burial in Israel, the valley of them that pass through on the east of the sea; and it shall stop them that pass through: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude; and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog. And seven months shal<\/em>l the house of Israel be burying them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown in the day that I shall be glorified, says the Lord Jehovah. And they shall <\/em>set apart men of continual employment, that shall pass through the land, and, with them that pass through, thos<\/em>e that bury them that remain upon the face of the land, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. And they that pass through the land shall pass through; and when any sees a man\u2019s bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog. And Hamo<\/em>nah shall also be the name of a city. Thus shall they cleanse the land.<\/em><\/p>\n

In verse 11<\/a>, the burial place will be in one of the valleys east of the Mediterranean Sea, which would put it in the Jordan Valley above the Dead Sea, and will be renamed accordingly. Verses 12\u201313<\/a> state that it will take seven months to accomplish the job. Since the armies are destroyed in the mountains of Israel, many of the bodies will fall into crevices where they will not be easily found, and so, according to verses 14\u201315<\/a>, special details will be employed by the government for the seven months to search out these bodies for burial in the special valley. In verse 16<\/a>, overlooking the cemetery, a new city will be built and named Hamonah<\/span>, which means \u201cmultitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

These seven months of burying and seven years of burning are crucial in determining when this invasion occurs. For any view to be correct, it must satisfy the requirements of these \u201cseven months and seven years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2. The Timing of the Invasion<\/p>\n

In the chronology of prophecy, the most controversial question is \u201cwhen\u201d will this event occur? It is obvious from where the event is placed in this work that the author <\/span>views the Russian invasion as taking place some time before the Tribulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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a. Basic Observations<\/p>\n

In determining the issue of when, certain clues are to be found in the text. In Ezekiel 38:8<\/a>, 11\u201312<\/a>, and 14<\/a>, the invasion takes place: first, when Israel is a state again; secondly, when the waste places<\/em> of past centuries are again inhabited<\/em>; thirdly, when Israel is dwelling in unwalled villages<\/em>, a good description of present-day kibbutzim; and fourthly, when Israel is dwelling securely<\/em>. As will be shown later, nowhere in the entire text does it speak of Israel as living in peace. Rather, Israel is merely living in security, which means \u201cconfidence,\u201d regardless of whether it is during a state of war or peace.<\/p>\n

There is nothing in the various descriptions of Israel given in this passage that is not true of Israel today. So, as far as where Israel stands today, she completely fulfills all the requirements given in the description of Israel in this passage. From this standpoint, the invasion can occur at any time, including some time before the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, there is the problem of the seven years and the seven months, which must be taken into account in resolving the issue of \u201cwhen.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are four major views as to when this invasion will occur. The opposing views will be looked at first along with their bases, followed by the objections against these views. Then, in conclusion, reasons will be given as to why this invasion would best be viewed as occurring before the Tribulation period. Objections to this view will be answered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

b. The Midtribulation View<\/p>\n

The first view held by some key prophetic Bible teachers puts this invasion in the middle of the Tribulation period. There is a twofold basis for this position. First, the d<\/span>welling securely<\/em> is said to refer to a time of peace resulting from Israel\u2019s covenant with the Antichrist in Daniel 9:27<\/a>. Secondly, this invasion is viewed as being the same as that of the king of the<\/em><\/span> north<\/em> in Daniel 11:40<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, there are objections to this view. First, as will be shown later, the term \u201cto dwell securely\u201d does not necessarily have to indicate peace. Secondly, it is hard to see<\/span> why God would intervene at this point on Israel\u2019s behalf and then immediately allow the events of the second half of the Tribulation to commence, doing a great deal of damage to Israel. Thirdly, it is agreed with those holding this position that the events described in <\/span>Daniel 11:40<\/a> take place in the middle of the Tribulation. But it is wrong to identify the king of the north<\/em> of Daniel 11:40<\/a> with <\/span>Gog<\/em> of Ezekiel 38:1\u201339:16<\/a>. Throughout the Book of Daniel, references are made to the king of the south<\/em> and to the king of the north<\/em>. Consistently, the former is applied to Egypt, including the referen<\/span>ce in verse 40<\/a>. The latter is consistently applied to Syria, except when the exponents of this view come to verse 40<\/a>; then they ascribe the reference to Russia and so identify it with the Ezekiel 38<\/a> a<\/span>nd 39<\/a> invasion. However, context and consistency would demand that the reference apply to Syria. The invasion of Daniel 11:40<\/a> is distinct from the Ezekiel 38<\/a> and 39<\/a> invasion. It is inconsistent and fa<\/span>ulty exegesis to make the king of the north<\/em> throughout the Book of Daniel refer to Syria and yet make Daniel 11:40<\/a> be the one exception in order to connect it with the Russian invasion, and put the la<\/span>tter at the middle of the Tribulation. Fourthly, this view fails to solve the problem of the seven months and seven years. This view would require that the seven months of burying take place during the second half of the Tribulation, at a time when the Jews are in flight and are not ab<\/span>le to bury their own dead, let alone those of the Russians. The state of the Jews in the middle of the Tribulation will not permit seven months of burial and the building of a new city, too. Regarding the seven years of burning, this view would require the Jews to be burning weapons during the second half of the Tribulation, when Jews are fleeing out of the Land. They would also have to continue burning them for 3\u00bd years into the Millennium, which is inconsistent with the Messiah\u2019s<\/span> cleansing of the Land and the renovation that results. The problems the Jews will face during the second half of the Tribulation would cause them to try to preserve and salvage these weapons rather than to burn them.<\/p>\n

c. The Posttribulation\/Armageddon View<\/p>\n

A second major view is that this invasion will take place at the end of the Tribulation period. The key basis of this position is identifying this invasion along<\/span> with the Campaign of Armageddon. Since the Campaign of Armageddon does indeed take place at the end of the Tribulation, and since Ezekiel 38\u201339<\/a> are viewed as being part of it by those who hold this v<\/span>iew, they have concluded that the Russian invasion will occur at the end of the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

However, there are a number of problems in this view. The key objection lies in the clear distinction betwe<\/span>en the Ezekiel 38<\/a> and 39<\/a> invasion and Armageddon. First, in Ezekiel, there are definite allies mentioned and they are limited in number, while other nations stand in opposition. In the Campaign of Arm<\/span>ageddon, all nations are allied together against Jerusalem without exception. Secondly, the Ezekiel invasion comes from the north, but the Armageddon invasion comes from the whole earth. Thirdly, the purpose of the Russian invasion is to take the spoil; while the purpose of the Armageddon Campaign is to destroy all the Jews. Fourthly, in the Ezekiel invasion, there is a pro<\/span>test against the invasion; in the Armageddon Campaign, there is no protest because all nations are involved. Fifth, the Ezekiel invasion is destroyed through convulsions of nature; the Armageddon invasion is destroyed by the personal Second Coming of the Messiah. Sixth, the Ezekiel invasion is destroyed on the mountains of Israel; the Armageddon Campaign is destroyed in the area between Petra and Jerusalem. Seventh, the Russian invasion takes place while Israel is living securely in the Land; but the Armageddon Campaign takes place while Israel is in flight and in hidin<\/span>g.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, this view fails to solve the pro<\/span>blem of the seven months and seven years, since both would have to continue into the Millennium to be accomplished. Again, this is inconsistent with other revelation regarding the Kingdom, which starts out with a thoroughly cleansed earth.<\/p>\n

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d. The Interlude View<\/p>\n

A third major view is to put this invasion in the interlude between the Tribulation and the Millennium. The basis of this position is the assumption that there is to be a period of time after the Second Coming of the Messiah and after Israel is restored but before the actual Kingdom is set up.<\/p>\n

But there are objections to this view. First, this view is based on the assumption of a period of time between the Second Coming and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. The fact that there will be an interlude is easily accepted, since there are a number of things that need to be accomplished before the actual institution of the Millennium, such as the judgment of the Gentiles, and the resurrection of the Old Testament and the Tribulation saints. There will, indeed, be an interlude. But the problem is that, if this view is to be consistent, it must make this interlude seven years long. However, Daniel 12:12<\/a> limits the interlude to just seventy\u2014five days. The second half of the Tribulation is declared to be forty two months or 1,260 days long, which is the same as saying 3\u00bd years. Daniel 12:7<\/a> refers to it as a time, times, and a half.<\/em>Daniel 12:11<\/a> states that there will be a total of 1,290 days long, during which time the Temple will be desecrated. In other words, the Temple\u2019s desecration will extend thirty days beyond the 3\u00bd year period. However, in Daniel 12:12<\/a> those who manage to make it to the 1,335th day, an additional forty-five days, are promised a unique blessing, which could hardly be anything else but the Millennium. That many will not make it to this day is clear from other Scriptures, since they are killed in the interlude. But the interlude is limited to seventy-five days only, and this is not enough time for all the events of Ezekiel to transpire. Secondly, the main problem with this view is that it fails to give a satisfactory answer to the problem of the seven months and the seven years. Seven months of burial is a total of two hundred ten days. This would mean that the burial would continue for at least one hundred thirty-five days into the Millennium, depending on when during the interlude the invasion takes place. This is not consistent with the massive amount of Scripture describing the Millennium and Israel. Added to this, are the seven years of the burning of the weapons, which makes this view impossible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

e. The Postmillennium View<\/p>\n

A fourth major view puts the invasion of the northern alliance at the end of the Millennium. The key basis of this view is to identify this invasion as the same as that ment<\/span>ioned in Revelation 20:7\u20139<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But there are two key objections to this view. First, the Ezekiel invasion comes from the north; the Revelation invasion comes from all over the world. Secondly, this view <\/span>also fails to answer the problem of the seven months and the seven years. This earth is done away with soon after the invasion mentioned in Revelation, not allowing any time, or place!, for seven months of burial or seven years of burning. It would require the burying and the burning to continue into the Eternal Order.<\/p>\n

f. The Pretribulation View<\/p>\n

The fifth major view is the view of this author. The Pretribulation view holds that the Russian invasion will occur before the Tribulation actually begins. From the text of <\/span>Ezekiel 38:1\u201339:16<\/a>, this view arrives at certain conclusions. First, Israel is established before the Tribulation and is dwelling securely. Secondly, the Russian confederacy invades Israel during this<\/span> time of security before the Tribulation. Thirdly, the confederacy is destroyed in Israel before the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

(1) Support<\/p>\n

There are several points supporting this view. First, the description of Israel found in this passage fits well with the nation as she is now, established before the Tribulation. Ezekiel 3<\/span>8:8<\/a> states that Israel is a land brought back from the sword<\/em>. After nineteen hundred years, forty-six invasions, the War of Independence, the Land is Jewish again and free from foreign domination. In <\/span>verses 8<\/a> and 12<\/a>, this nation is gathered from many peoples<\/em> and nations<\/em>. The Jews in Israel today come from eighty to ninety different nations. Also in verses 8<\/a>, 12<\/a>, the continual waste places<\/em> are now <\/em><\/span>inhabited<\/em>. The Israelis today are rebuilding the ancient places and turning them into modern towns and cities. In verses 11<\/a> and 14<\/a>, they are said to dwell securely<\/em>. This has often been misconstrued as<\/span> meaning \u201ca state of peace,\u201d but this is not the meaning of the Hebrew root batach<\/span>. The nominal form of this root means \u201csecurity.\u201d This is not the security due to a state of peace, but a security due<\/span> to confidence in one\u2019s own strength. This, too, is a good description of Israel today. The Israeli army has fought four major wars since its founding and won them swiftly each time. Today Israel is secure, confident that her army can repel any invasion from the Arab states. Hence, Israel is dwelling securely. In ver<\/span>se 11<\/a>, Israel is dwelling in unwalled villages<\/em>, which is very descriptive of the p<\/span>resent-day kibbutzim<\/em> in Israel.<\/p>\n

Secondly, Russia today, in spite of the fall of communism, is still a major world power before the Tribulation. Her rise to this position coincided with the reestablish<\/span>ment of Israel following World War II.<\/p>\n

Thirdly, this view best answers the problem of the seven months and seven years. Putting this invasion in the beginning of the Tribulation presents no real probl<\/span>em with the seven months, but it does have problems with the seven years. This would put it at a time when Israel would be in flight and would not have time to finish the burning of the weapons. The Midtribulation view has problems with both the seven months and the seven years. The seven months would extend into the second half of the Tribulation, a time whe<\/span>n Israel has to worry about her own dead, let alone the Russians. The seven years would extend throughout the rest of the Tribulation and 3\u00bd years into the Millennium, making it inconsistent with the biblical view of the Millennium. Furthermore, Israel would need these weapons in the second half of the Tribulation. The Postribulation\/Armageddon view has problems with both the seven months and the seven years, since both would extend into the Millennium. The Interlude view or the beginning of the Millennium view has problems with both the seven months and <\/span>the seven years, since both would extend into the Millennium due to the fact that the Interlude is only seventy-five days. The Postmillennium view has problems with both the seven months and the seven years. The seven months of burial seem pointless when there is a resurrection after the invasion. The seven years would have to extend into the Eternal Order, an impossibility since there is a whole new earth created. Therefore, the Pretribulation view is the only view that has no problems with either the seven months or the seven years. The Jews continue to dwell in the Land after this invasion and remain there until the middle of the Tribulation. Hence, the seven months of burial is no problem. The seven years also create no <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>problem since they would begin before the Tribulation and can extend as far as the middle of the Tribulation, if at all necessary. According to <\/span>this view, this invasion must take place at least 3\u00bd years or more before the Tribulation begins.<\/p>\n

These are the strengths of this particular view. However, there are objections raised that will now ha<\/span>ve to be answered.<\/p>\n

(2) Objections<\/p>\n

One objection states that the Ezekiel 38<\/a> and 39<\/a> passage is in the restoration section of Ezekiel. The answer is that this is true, but which restoration? the partial restoration in unbe<\/span>lief or the final restoration in faith? It would seem to be the partial one in unbelief. Faith begins in Israel only after this invasion. The chronology of the Book of Ezekiel would hardly be a problem for this view. The restoration in faith is covered in <\/span>Ezekiel 40\u201348<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A second objection, and the one most commonly used, is that the \u201cdwelling safely\u201d or \u201csecurely\u201d as used in the Old Testament alwa<\/span>ys refers to millennial peace and security, something that Israel will not receive before the Tribulation. However, this is an overstatement. While it is true that the term \u201cdwell securely\u201d is used of life in the Millennium, this is true only of the minority of cases and not at all true of the majority. A list of references whe<\/span>re this is not true includes: Leviticus 25:18\u201319<\/a>; Deuteronomy 12:10<\/a>; 1 <\/span>Samuel 12:11<\/a>; 1 Kings 4:25<\/a>; Psalm 4:8<\/a>; 16:9<\/a>; Proverbs 1:33<\/a>; 3:23<\/a>, 29<\/a>; Isaiah 47:8<\/a>; Jeremiah 49:31<\/a>; and Zephaniah 2:15<\/a>. The Jeremiah reference is particularly significant since it uses the very same ph<\/span>rases that are found in Ezekiel 38:11<\/a>. This phrase is used more in non-millennial contexts than in millennial ones.<\/p>\n

A third objection states that this view contradicts the doctrine of imminency. Howev<\/span>er, stating that something must precede the Tribulation is not the same as stating that it must precede the Rapture unless it is further stated that the Rapture begins the Tribulation. However, the act that begins the Tribulation is not the Rapture, but the signing of the Seven-Year <\/span>Covenant, and nothing else. The Pretribulation view asserts that the invasion will occur before the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant. This does not destroy any argument of imminency, because the Rapture may still come even before this. This view does not state that this invasion will occur before the Rapture, it only asserts that this invasion will occur before the Tribulation. The Rapture is both imminent and pretribulational. All this means is that the Rapture can occur at an<\/span>y time between now and the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant. It does not mean that the Rapture begins the Tribulation. So then, to say that the invasion takes place before the Tribulation does not negate imminency since it is not the Rapture that begins the Tribulation. Another way of showing this is to use these questions: Could the Rapture have come <\/span><\/span><\/span>before 1948? The answer is \u201cyes,\u201d because the Rapture is imminent. However, <\/span>could the Tribulation have come before 1948? The answer is \u201cno,\u201d because there was no Jewish State and government to sign the covenant, which would begin the Tribulation. Believing that Israel had to <\/span>be established before the Tribulation was never an argument against imminency. Neither is the belief that the invasion comes before the Tribulation an argument against imminency. This author holds to a pretribulation Rapture and believes that the Rapture is imminent. Believing that the Russian invasion also occurs before the Tribulation in no way destroys<\/span> the argument of imminency for it is not the Rapture that begins the Tribulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

A fourth objection states: How could Israel apostatize so soon again after the nation has had a revival? But the real problem is why this should even be a proble<\/span>m. This was often true in Old Testament history. There was speedy apostasy of Israel following the various miracles of the Exodus and the recognition of God at Sinai. There was a speedy apostasy after the revivals of Hezekiah and Josiah. There was a speedy apostasy at Ninevah after the city repented under Jonah. This has happened before, and there is no probl<\/span>em with it happening again.<\/p>\n

A fifth obj<\/span>ection states that this event happens in the \u201clatter days\u201d and \u201clatter years.\u201d But these terms simply apply to the whole period of the end times when prophecy is again being fulfilled, and so it can very easily <\/span>apply to the closing days of the Church Age as well. However, this objection is really based on the faulty assumption that this view holds to a pre-Rapture position, which is not true. This is a position of a pretribulation invasion, but not a pre-Rapture invasion.<\/span><\/p>\n

A sixth and final objection states that Israel will not gain any title to the Land nor have the right to return until she s<\/span>igns the covenant with the Antichrist. Building on this statement, those who hold this opinion go on to state that this view would have to say that the covenant is signed before the Rapture. The latter is still based on the confusion as to what this view actually states. It has already been shown that this view does not s<\/span>tate that the invasion comes before the Rapture. Actually, this objection is a little ridiculous. In what possible way could the covenant with the Antichrist give the Jews the right to return that the United Nations did not? Israel already possesses the title of the Land and has possessed it since God made His covenant with Abraham. Furthermore, the United Nations recognized Israel in <\/span><\/span>1948, and Jews have had the right to return since then. And Jews are returning. Israel\u2019s <\/span>right to return will not be based on her covenant with the Antichrist any more than it is based on the full recognition by the United Nations. Israel\u2019s title to the Land is based on the Abrahamic Covenant. The Scriptures predict a regathering before the Tribulation in unbelief in prep<\/span>aration for judgment. It is God who is doing the moving, and it is God who is bringing the Jews back into the Land,<\/span> and this is enough for Israel\u2019s right to the Land. A covenant with the Antichrist will hardly give Israel the right to return. Israel is back in the Land before the Tribulation, and hence, this invasion c<\/span>ould take place before the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

So from all these facts, this author concludes that the Pretribulation view is by far the best view. The Russian invasion is another birth pang that will o<\/span>ccur before the Tribulation begins.<\/p>\n

E. The One-World Government<\/p>\n

Three events leading up to the Tribulation are all found in Daniel 7:23\u201324<\/a>: Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from<\/em><\/span> all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In verse 23<\/a>, the fifth birth pang leading up to the Tribulation is the development of a one world government. The Fou<\/span>rth Gentile Empire was to continue until it eventually devoured the whole world. The Roman Empire is hardly a fulfillment of this prophecy, nor can refuge be sought in stating that Rome conquered all the then-known world, for this, too, is untrue; Rome did not even extend as far east as the empire of Alex<\/span>ander the Great. The Greeks went as far as the Indus River in India, and would have gone further except for the refusal of his generals. But even the area beyond the Indus River was part of the then-known world. Furthermore, Rome never fully conquered the Parthian Empire, and that, too, was part of the known world. The area of Scotland was part of the known world that Rome did not conquer. Rome had to build the Hadrian Wall in order to keep the nomads from overrunning that part of Britain controlled b<\/span>y Rome.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A review from a study on the Times of the Gentiles shows that the Fourth Gentile Empire, the Empire of Imperialism, after the first stage of the Roman Empire, will eventually split<\/span> into an east-west division. The east-west axis is a balance of power. The eastern balance of power is now centered in Russia and the Moslem block of nations, while the western balance of power is with the democracies.<\/span><\/p>\n

But some day this east-west division will give way to a one world government. In light of Ezekiel 38:1\u201339:16<\/a>, the eastern balance of power will collapse with the fall of the Russian<\/span> forces and her Moslem allies in Israel and the destruction of Russia itself. With the eastern power destroyed, the way for a one world government will be opened.<\/p>\n

As to the exact nature of this govern<\/span>ment, nothing is stated. It will be a form of imperialism, of course, but whether this will be in the form of the United Nations or the form of a select leadership is unknown. But that this one world government will occur and devour the <\/span>whole world is clear. This will be the fifth birth pang.<\/p>\n

F. The Ten Kingdoms<\/p>\n

This one world government will eventually split up into ten kingdoms, according to Daniel 7:24a<\/a>: And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise.<\/em><\/p>\n

In recent year<\/span>s, much speculation has centered on the European Common Market, and more recently, on the European Union. According to the usual scenario portrayed, there is to be a revival of the old Roman Empire composed of a co<\/span>nfederacy of ten European states.<\/p>\n

Eschatology based on \u201cnewspaper exegesis\u201d attempts to prove itself from current events. But the Scriptures do not speak of the Ten Kingdoms in this fash<\/span>ion. Textually, after the world falls under the One World Government, then and only then does the One World Government split up into ten kingdoms. But these ten kingdoms cover the whole world, not just Europe alone. The sixth birth pang will be this division of the One World Empire into ten kingdoms with ten kings who will rule the world. At best, th<\/span>e European Union might become one of the ten, but could hardly become all ten.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beginning before the Tribulation, this Ten Kingdom Stage will continue into the middle of the Tribulation, and it will be the sixth birth pang.<\/p>\n

G. The Rise of the Antichrist<\/p>\n

Following the division of the world into ten kingdoms, the Antichrist will begin his rise to power in Daniel 7:24b<\/a>: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be di<\/em><\/span>verse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.<\/em><\/p>\n

That there was to be a revelation of the identity of the Antichrist before the Tribulation is clear from 2 Thessalonians 2:1\u20133<\/a>: Now we beseech<\/em><\/span> you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him; to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by e<\/em><\/span>pistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand; let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In this passage, two events are said to occur before the day of the Lord<\/em>, which always refers to the Tribulation. This will be the seventh birth pang. The first event is the fa<\/em><\/span>lling away<\/em>. The Greek word used here is apostosia<\/span>, which can be translated as \u201cthe apostasy.\u201d This apostasy of the Church began in the early 1900s and has been the characteristic of the visible church<\/span> of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.<\/p>\n

The second event is the revelation of the man of sin<\/em> and the son of perdition<\/em> in verse 3<\/a>. There is to be a revelation of the Antichrist that precedes the <\/span>Tribulation and it is for the believers at that time. The Rapture may or may not have occurred by then, since the Scriptures do not state just how long before the Tribulation the Rapture will occur. Therefore, the<\/span> revelation to believers before the Tribulation may be to the Church or it may be to a new generation of believers who will have accepted the gospel after the Rapture. This revelation will come at the time after the world has been divided into ten kingdoms. Exactly how the Antichrist will be identified is not stated. Perhaps it will be determined by the numerical value of his name or by some other means. But h<\/span>e will be known. The Antichrist\u2019s rise to power before the Tribulation is a biblical necessity. Since the Tribulation begins with the signing of the seven-year covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, it is necessary for the Antichrist to be in sufficient political power to sign such a covenant.<\/p>\n

H. The Period of Peace and False Security<\/p>\n

Another event leading up to the Tribulation is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:1\u20133<\/a>: But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that anythi<\/em><\/span>ng be written unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, the term the day of the Lord<\/em> is found, a reference to the Tribulation. At a time when men are saying Peace and safety<\/em>, the d<\/span>estruction of the Tribulation suddenly hits with devastating force. This fact will require this period to come just before the act that initiates the Tribulation itself. So while the whole world is under the<\/span> Ten Kingdoms and the Antichrist is rising to power, there will be a period of peace and false security. But this will be shattered by the Tribulation. Once again, the travail motif is found in verse <\/span>3<\/a>. This is the eight birth pang leading up to the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

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I. The Seven-Year Covenant<\/p>\n

The ninth event leading up to and beginning the Tribulation is the signing of the seven-year covenant between Israel and the Antichrist. This event is found in Daniel 9:27<\/a> a<\/span>nd Isaiah 28:14\u201322<\/a>. It should be emphasized that it is not the Rapture that begins the Tribulation, but the signing of the seven-year covenant. Keeping this in mind will prevent many misunderstandings<\/span> concerning the belief in the imminency of the Rapture. It is not the Rapture but the seven-year covenant that will begin the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

The relationship of the Antichrist to the start of the Tribul<\/span>ation is found in Daniel 9:27<\/a>: And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abom<\/em><\/span>inations shall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.<\/em><\/p>\n

This verse is part of the famous Seventy Sevens Prophecy in D<\/span>aniel 9<\/a>. The entire context of this prophecy begins in verse 24<\/a> and continues through verse 27<\/a>. According to verse 24<\/a>, the prophecy states that a period of 490 years has been decreed over the people o<\/span>f Israel for the purpose of bringing to completion all history and prophecy. During the first sixty-nine sevens or 483 years, Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Verse 25<\/a> states that during this period, the pe<\/span>ople of Israel would experience troublesome times. At the end of the sixty-ninth seven, a gap suddenly enters the picture, for there is a break of time between the sixty-ninth and seventieth seven, during which three things will occur: fir<\/span>st, the Messiah will be killed; secondly, Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed; and thirdly, a long period of desolation will follow. The first event occurred in <\/span>a.d. 30, followed by the second event in a.d. 70. From a.d. 70, the Land lay in desolation and things began to change only when Israel again became a state in 1948. However, there is one more w<\/span>eek of years to run, the seven years of the Great Tribulation. Verse 27<\/a> records the single event that will start the last seven years ticking away: the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant between the A<\/span>ntichrist and Israel. Therefore, one way that the Antichrist is involved with the beginning of the Tribulation is that the Tribulation cannot begin until he signs that seven-year covenant. As has been shown earlier, believers will already know who he is before this event takes place.<\/span><\/p>\n

A second passage relating the Antichrist to the beginning of the Tribulation is found in Revelation 6:1\u20132<\/a>: And I sa<\/em><\/span>w when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come. And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; an<\/em><\/span>d there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.<\/em><\/p>\n

The one sitting on the white horse<\/em> who rides forth conquering, and to conquer<\/em> is the Antichrist. He is the fir<\/span>st seal of judgment of the Seven-Sealed Scroll, the scroll of the judgments of the Great Tribulation that begins to be poured out on the earth as a result of the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant. The very First Seal Judgment is tha<\/span>t the Antichrist will use this covenant-relationship with Israel to begin his movements toward worldwide conquest. He will not attain this goal until the middle of the Tribulation. But his conquering commences at the beginning of the Tribulation and continues until the middle when he kills three of his ten opponents, at which time the other seven kings submit to his authority.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thus the Antichrist\u2019s relationship to the start of the Tribulation is seen in two respects: first, he signs the Seven-Year Covenant that begins the Tribulation; and secondly, he begins a <\/span>program of worldwide conquest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

These are the nine events leading up to the Tribulation that can be traced in a chronological sequence. There are other events, however, which are also stated to be pretribulational but that cannot at this time be placed in any chronological sequence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

II. Non-Sequential Pretribulational Events<\/p>\n

While some of the events stated to be pretribulational can be placed in a chronological sequence, others cannot be until they occur. One of these is the Rapt<\/span>ure of the Church, which is covered in a separate study. The second part of this study will be concerned with other pretribulational events that cannot be placed in any sequential order at this time.<\/p>\n

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A. Blackout I<\/p>\n

During the end time period, including the last days of the Church Age as well as the Tribulation, the Scriptures speak of five blackouts that will occur. A blackout means that the light of the sun, moon, and stars is suddenly blacked out so that the earth is not receiving any light from these sources and is in total darkness. It will be similar to the blackout of Egypt, which took place during one of the ten plagues, as described in Exodus 10:21\u201323<\/a>. Another example of such a blackout happened during the Crucifixion, in Matthew 27:45<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The first of these five blackouts is clearly prophesied to occur before the Tribulation in Joel 2:31<\/a>: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah comes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Again, the term day of Jehov<\/em>ah<\/em> is used, which is always a name for the Tribulation. The first blackout is to take place beforehand. So at some point before the Tribulation, one of these worldwide blackouts will occur.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

B. The Return of Elijah<\/p>\n

Another event clearly predicted to occur before the Tribulation is the return of Elijah in Malachi 4:5\u20136<\/a>: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrib<\/em><\/span>le day of Jehovah come. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.<\/em><\/p>\n

Verse 5<\/a> pinpoints the <\/span>return of Elijah as coming before<\/em> the Day of Jehovah, namely before the Tribulation. Verse 6<\/a> goes on to describe the nature of Elijah\u2019s ministry when he returns: that of a Jewish family reunion progra<\/span>m. The Jewish family unit, strong for so many centuries, has in these last days begun to break down and, according to the prophetic word, it will continue to break down. The ministry of Elijah is to restore this unity in preparation for the Second Coming of the Messiah.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a great deal of confusion concerning the relationship of Elijah to John the Baptist. It should be kept in mind that Elij<\/span>ah was never promised before the First Coming of the Messiah. Elijah was only promised to come before the Second Coming of the Messiah and before the Tribulation itself. However, a forerunner was predicted <\/span>before the First Coming of the Messiah in Malachi 3:1<\/a> and Isaiah 40:3\u20135<\/a>. This was fulfilled by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1\u20136<\/a>; 11:7\u201310<\/a>; and John 1:23<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But while John the Baptist fulfilled tho<\/span>se prophecies concerning the forerunner before the First Coming of the Messiah, he was not Elijah who was promised before the Second Coming. This becomes clear when all of the relevant passages are taken into account.<\/span><\/p>\n

One important passage bearing on this question is found in John 1:19\u201323<\/a>: And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, W<\/em><\/span>ho are you? And he confessed and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you the prophet? And he answered, No. They said therefore unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yours<\/em><\/span>elf? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In this passage, John the Baptist makes it clear that he is not Elijah. He never claimed to be Elijah, and when asked, he denied it. He only claimed to be the fulfill<\/span>ment of the Isaiah prophecy.<\/p>\n

The next passage is found in Matthew 17:9\u201313<\/a>: And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man<\/em><\/span> be risen from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And he answered and said, Elijah indeed comes, and shall restore all things: but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the So<\/em><\/span>n of man also suffer of them. Then understood the disciples that he spoke unto them of John the Baptist.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In answer to the disciples\u2019 question regarding the coming of Elijah, the Messiah first states, using the future tense, that Elijah will indeed come to restore all things<\/em>,<\/span> which is a strong allusion to his ministry mentioned in Malachi 4:6<\/a>. But this was a promise in relation to the Second Coming, not the First Coming. Hence, Elijah is yet to come to do the ministry of <\/span>restoration. The disciples\u2019 confusion at this stage was due to the fact that they did not yet understand the twofold coming of the Messiah and were still expecting the Kingdom to be set up at that time. The parallel passage in <\/span>Mark 9:9\u201313<\/a> adds the point that if Elijah had come before the First Coming and restored all things, then all the prophecies of the sufferings of the First Coming would remai<\/span>n unfulfilled. Elijah will indeed come first but first before the Second Coming, not before the First Coming. John the Baptist did not accomplish the Elijah\u2019s ministry of restoration.<\/p>\n

The Messiah then<\/span> adds that in one sense John the Baptist was Elijah. But in what sense? Two other passages answer that. The first is in Matthew 11:11\u201314<\/a>: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there<\/em><\/span> has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and men of violence take it by force. <\/em><\/span>For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.<\/em><\/p>\n

To understand what is being <\/span>said, it should be noted that the Messiah is preaching the good news of the Kingdom in verses 11\u201312<\/a>. If Israel had received the Kingdom, then John the Baptist would have fulfilled the function of Elij<\/span>ah and would have accomplished the ministry of restoration. But the Kingdom was rejected and hence, John the Baptist did not fulfill the function of Elijah; thus Elijah is yet to come to accomplish the work of restoration.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second passage answering the question as to what way John the Baptist was Elijah is in Luke 1:13\u201317<\/a>: But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because your supplicat<\/em><\/span>ion is heard, and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine not strong drink; and he shal<\/em><\/span>l be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother\u2019s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall be turn unto the Lord their God. And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In announcing the coming birth of John the Baptist, the angel declares that he will come in the spirit and power of Elijah<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Consolidating what these verses are sayi<\/span>ng, some time before the Tribulation Elijah the Prophet will return to do his work of restoration. Thus, Elijah will serve as a forerunner of the Messiah\u2019s Second Coming in the same way as John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah\u2019<\/span>s First Coming. John was a type of Elijah in that he came in the spirit and power of Elijah<\/em>. If Israel had accepted the message, then John the Baptist would hav<\/span>e accomplished the function of Elijah, which was the work of restoration. However, John the Baptist and the Messiah were both rejected, and so Elijah is yet to come to perform the work of restoration before the Tribulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

As with the first blackout, it is not possible to pinpoint at this time exactly when Elijah will come before the Tribulation. Therefore, it is impossible to place his coming in<\/span> any chronological sequence of events.<\/p>\n

C. The Third Temple?<\/p>\n

This section is presented with a question mark because the biblical data is not sufficient to date the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple as before the Tribulation with any certainty<\/span>. The Tribulation Temple is mentioned in four passages of Scripture.<\/p>\n

The first passage is Daniel 9:27<\/a>: And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall <\/em><\/span>cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes <\/em>desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the<\/em><\/span> desolate.<\/em><\/p>\n

The second passage is Matthew 24:15<\/a>: When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads unde<\/em><\/span>rstand).<\/em><\/p>\n

The third passage is 2 Thessalonians 2:3\u20134<\/a>: let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, h<\/em><\/span>e that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.<\/em><\/p>\n

And the fourth passage is Revelation 11:1\u20132<\/a>:<\/span> And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. And the court which is without the temple leave without<\/em><\/span>, and measure it not; for it has been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.<\/em><\/p>\n

All four passages describe events that occur in relation to the Jewish<\/span> Temple. In all of them, the events described take place in the middle of the Tribulation. The point to be noted is that by the time of the middle of the Tribulation period, the Tribulation Temple is standing and functioning at least for a little while before the midpoi<\/span>nt of the Tribulation. This requires that the Temple be rebuilt some time before the middle of the Tribulation. This allows for only two options. The Temple must be rebuilt either before the Tribulation or during the first half of the Tribulation. It is impossible with this data to state dogmatically when the Temple will be rebuilt more precisely. Hence, the rebuilding of the Temple before the Tribulation can only be stated as a possibility, for it is also possible <\/span>that the Temple will be rebuilt during the first half of the Tribulation. What these texts do make clear is that the Temple is built and functioning by the time of the middle of the Tribulation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Once the Temple is rebuilt, the sacrificial system of the Mosaic <\/span>Law will be reinstituted. However, the Temple receives no sanction from God. This is clear from Isaiah 66:1\u20136<\/a>: Thus says Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of hou<\/em><\/span>se will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things has my hand made, and so all these things came to be, says Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word. He that kills an ox is as he th<\/em><\/span>at slays a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as he that breaks a dog\u2019s neck; he that offers an oblation, as he that offers swine\u2019s blood; he that burns frankincense, as he that blesses an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that where<\/em><\/span>in I delighted not. Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name\u2019s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>shame. A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah that renders recompense to his enemies.<\/em><\/p>\n

Isaiah speaks of a house<\/em> or temple being built for God th<\/span>at He does not sanction. It cannot refer to Solomon\u2019s Temple or the Temple built by Zerubbabel, because God did sanction both of them. Nor can it refer to the Millennial Temple. That one will be built by the Messiah, and God will cer<\/span>tainly sanction it. Therefore, the only temple that this passage could refer to is the Tribulation Temple. So Isaiah the Prophet foresees the building of a temple that God will sanction. What God wants Israel to do at this time is to return to Him in faith, not merely to build Him a house. This passage begins with a protest from God, who makes it clear that no temple built by Israel at this time will be acceptable, for, in verse <\/span><\/span>1<\/a>, God will not come and reside in this one as He did in the First Temple. In verse 2<\/a>, God states that what He will require at this ti<\/span>me is not a new temple, but faith. In verse 3<\/a>, He will not accept these reinstituted Levitical sacrifices any more than He would accept human sacrifices, swine, or idolatry in the Old Testament. In ve<\/span>rse 4<\/a>, the very fact that they will build Him this temple shows their failure to listen to God\u2019s Word and come to God by faith in Yeshua the Messiah. Then in verse 5<\/a>, Isaiah has a word of encouragemen<\/span>t to those faithful Jews who will not participate in the rebuilding of the Temple, but are seeking to do God\u2019s will. So there will be a faithful Remnant who will not participate in the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple for the Tribulatio<\/span>n. Finally in verse 6<\/a>, Isaiah states that this new Temple will only end in judgment and not in forgiveness of sin or acceptable worship.<\/p>\n

Two other things should be m<\/span>entioned in regard to the Third Temple. First, the Six Day War set the stage for the fulfillment of this prophecy in 1967, for until that time, the Temple Compound was under Arab control. During the S<\/span>ix Day War, the Temple area fell into Jewish control. At the present time, there are no efforts being made to rebuild the Temple, in spite of much rumor to the contrary. The Six Day War has at least made possible the rebuilding of the Temple, and this possibility exists for the <\/span>first time in centuries.<\/p>\n

A second thing that should be noted about the Third Temple concerns the Tribe of Levi. The Tribe<\/span> of Levi was the only tribe permitted by Mosaic Law to take care of the Temple and conduct the sacrificial system. It is interesting to note that while all other eleven tribes have lost their identity since the records were destroyed in <\/span>a.d. 70, the Tribe of Levi has not. Unless a Jew is a member of the Tribe of Levi, he is unable to know from which tribe he is a descendant. Jews having names such<\/span> as Levi, Levy, Levin, Levine, Leventhal, Cohen, and other comparable names are members of the Tribe of Levi. For the purpose of conducting service, only the Tribe of Levi matters. It is not important to know who the members of the other tribes are, but it is very important to know who the Levites are, and the Tribe of Levi is known.<\/span><\/p>\n

So in every way, the stage is set for the Temple to be rebuilt, <\/span>and it is possible that it will be rebuilt before the Tribulation. If it is not, then it will certainly be rebuilt during the first part of the Tribulation; by the middle of the Tribulation, the Temple must have been built and functioning and been in operation for<\/span> a little while.<\/p>\n

In any question dealing with the rebuilding of the Temple, the Moslem Dome of the Rock enters the picture. The Dome of <\/span>the Rock is in the Temple area, possibly on the site of the previous two Temples. In the opinion of some, the Dome of the Rock will have to be removed at some point. In the opinion of others, there is enough room in the Temple Compound to permit the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple without needing to tear down the Dome<\/span> of the rock. A novel theory that has arisen in recent years is that the Arabs might give up trying to get Jerusalem back and will simply move the Dome of the Rock to a better locality. The point that is missed by those who think this way is that it is not the Dome that is holy to Islam, but it is the site itself that is holy. In Moslem tradition, the Dome of the Rock is built over the spot where they say Mohammed ascended into Heaven. It is not the building itself that is holy, but it is the rock that is holy and<\/span> is commemorated by the building. Thus, it is rather foolish to think that the Arabs would consent to move the Dome of the Rock. Still another novel theory of recent vintage is that the Temple will be rebuilt completely away from the Temple area. This is also based upon a misunderstanding of Jewish law and Jewish thinking. The Jews would not accept a new Jewish State anywhere but in Israel; nor will they accept a new Jewish Temple anywhere but in the Temple Compound. So the Dome of the Rock remains a problem, and there is much speculation concerning it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On<\/span> the question of the Dome of the Rock, the Bible is silent. That the Temple will be rebuilt is the clear teaching of Scripture. Only the passing of history will reveal how and where in the Temple area t<\/span>his will come about.<\/p>\n

Also relevant to the Tribulation Temple is the fact that two other things have developed in recent years. One group, based in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, is in the proce<\/span>ss of making the furnishings for the next Temple. A second group, located in the Moslem Quarter of the Old City, is training Cohens, descendants of the Aaronic line, how to perform the sacrificial rites. So while the Temple itself is not yet being rebuilt, other preparations for the Temple are being made.<\/span><\/p>\n

This section, then, has dealt with two events that will clearly come before the Tribulation, <\/span>with the possibility of a third event, none of which can be put in a chronological sequence of events.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely … <\/p>\n

\u201eThe Sequence of Pretribulational Events\u201c <\/span>weiterlesen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allgemein"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=186"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":187,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186\/revisions\/187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}