Question # 325…..(10-17-07) Do you think the United States will attack Iran over the ongoing nuclear weapons standoff, and the threat Iran poses to Israel?

Answer…….I think I have logged responses to this question before, and quite frankly I do not think the US will ever attack Iran. While there is certainly a lot of speculation about that prospect, and a lot of foreign policy analysts are advising President Bush to consider that option, I believe that Bible prophecy indicates that Iran will escape any significant military thrusts against it by the US or the West via UN sanctions or coalitions. In fact, someday Russia itself will lead a coalition of nations against Israel, and one of the nations included in that coalition of forces is Iran.

I believe this because the Bible portrays Iran (Persia) as being guarded and protected in the Latter Days by a contending superpower from the North, Magog, which unequivocally is represented by the role that Russia is playing today.

(Ezekiel 38:2-8 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.)

  The prophet Ezekiel depicts Russia as “preparing itself, and preparing its clients” for an eventual assault against Israel. Ezekiel further states that Magog (Russia) will act as a “guard” unto all those nations that she has helped prepare for that ultimate campaign. The Hebrew word “kuwn” for “prepare,” means to arm and make every provision to make ready, or to establish for a designed strategy. The term Ezekiel uses for Russia’s behavior in acting to protect its client states “guard,” means to furnish defensible security for, and to watch over as a protectorate so as to enable a greater mission to be accomplished. This is exactly what Russia has been doing via the stalling campaign within the UN Security Council regarding Iran’s rogue nuclear weapons program, and with Syria by upgrading and equipping that state with defense capabilities against Israel.

The mere fact that Russia is acting as the “mighty powerbroker” for its client Iran is actually causing anxiety amongst the nations, and particularly the United States. President Bush is weighing his options on Iran, but he is not likely to infuriate Russia and risk a World War with Russia. President Putin has thrown down the gauntlet to the US by warning President Bush to leave Iran alone, and thus he has unwittingly complied with Bible Prophecy in safeguarding a nuclear Iran.  Ezekiel’s listing of the clients and allies of the Magog led invasion of Israel definitely leads me to conclude that Iran, or Persia will escape any American threat, and actually be the nation that acts to place the hooks-in-the jaws of Russia to insure that Russia will lead an attack on Israel. Ironically, Ezekiel’s listing does not include Syria, a chief Russian client state. Therefore I believe that prophecy indicates that Syria will be the lynchpin theatre for a future confrontation involving the superpower chess game being played out between the West and the East in the Middle East, resulting in the Russian-led coalition against Israel. *Russia’s leaders however are not fools, and they will not let themselves be dragged down into the explosive Middle East quagmire until they deem it to be a winnable scenario. That is why God conveys in Ezekiel 38:4 that He will “hook them, and bring them forth” at the appointed time, and that time, in my estimation is slated to be when God judges the nations in the Valley of Decision for their actions against Israel.

Question # 324…….(10-08-07) I have a question about the armies that follow Jesus out of Heaven to wage war on the earth. I assume that this war takes place during the Tribulation. But who makes up these armies? Are they angels?

Answer……The portion of scripture that you are referring to is recorded in Revelation Chapter 19, and is the dramatic climax to the Tribulation era. By this time, all of Heaven is rejoicing and singing Alleluia to the Lord, because the time for the judgment of the nations has come and Jesus Christ will put down all rebellion and establish his kingdom on earth. (Revelation 19:11-15 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.) The identity of the horsemen clothed in fine linen, white and clean are clearly identified in verse eight of this chapter. (Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.) This army is the bride of Christ, for they have been outfitted in the fine linen of righteousness, and are worthy to live and reign with Christ on the earth.

Question # 323…..(08-30-07) Am I mistaken but if the 3rd Jewish Temple were to be rebuilt North of the Dome of the Rock, wouldn’t this place the third temple on the Temple Mount plaza?  Actually I think all the different projections about a third temple being rebuilt are somewhere on the temple mount plaza.  Where I am a little confused is the difference between Temple Mount plaza and Western Wall plaza.

Answer…..The much debated and very controversial topic of a third Jewish Temple is a very volatile subject. However, Bible prophecy does convey the idea that a Temple, or some approved presence for Jews will be erected on the ancient Temple Mount in the Latter days. Any projected 3^rd temple would very likely be configured just north of the present Dome of the Rock, and yes, that would indeed place it within the temple mount plaza. The temple mount plaza area is likely the area in view of Revelation chapter eleven, where the Lord indicates that it will left to the dictates of the coming Antichrist. (Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.) The western wall plaza is situated on the southeastern corner of the temple mount complex, and about 70 feet below the Temple Mount platform floor. The Western Wall (Wailing Wall) plaza was built after Israel captured the old city and the temple area in 1967 to accommodate Jews praying at the wall. The so-called Wailing Wall is but a portion of the ancient temple mount embankment wall erected by Herod that supports the temple mount plaza platform. The temple mount plaza encompasses the 35 acres that is situated inside the wall that surrounds the entire Mount Moriah complex.

The Tribulation Temple

During the Tribulation the Temple will be rebuilt by unbelieving Jews (Isaih 66:1-6), apparently as the result of a covenant made between the Jewish leadership and the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27), and desecrated by the Antichrist when he commits the “Abomination of Desolation” (Dan. 9:27) when he invades Jerusalem (Daniel 11:45; Revelation 11:2). Jesus enlarged upon Daniel’s prophecy by setting the Temple’s desecration as the signal event dividing the birth-pangs of the first half of the Tribulation from the remaining 1,260 days of “Great Tribulation” (Mathew. 24:15; Mark 13:14;  Revelation 11:1-2) which begins an unparalleled period of Jewish persecution leading up to the rescue of the redeemed Remnant at the second advent of Messiah (Zechariah 12:8-14; 14:3-5; Luke 21:27-28; Revelation 19:11-16). Paul further developed the prophecy of the Temple’s desecration in his description of the end-time “deception” that will accompany the revelation of the “man of lawlessness” (II Thess. 2:4, 10). He explained this as the Antichrist’s blasphemous act to usurp God’s place in the Holy of Holies (II Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:6, 14-15). The Tribulation Temple may be destroyed at the return of Christ when the Mount of Olives splits (Zechariah 14:4), but it will certainly be removed as part of the extensive topographical changes that will prepare for the Millennial Jerusalem and its Temple (Zechariah 14:10; Isaiah 2:2).

The Western wall plaza can be seen just outside the main wall surrounding the Temple Mount in the top left corner of this aerial photo. The massive wall supporting the temple mount plaza is easily visible in it rectangular shape with the Dome in the center. The Jewish Temple will probably be placed about 300 feet to the right or north in this view. The eastern gate can be seen in the front wall views here. The anticipated 3^rd temple will likely be located along that tree-lined area with the northern plaza floor. The fact that the Jews today venerate the Wailing Wall symbolizes the fact that they lack faith in Jehovah God, and therefore are and continue to be denied access to the Temple Mount area. During the Tribulation, they will unfortunately misplace their faith in the Antichrist, leave the Wailing Wall and begin their sacrifices on the Mount plaza, just as in the old days. These events will lead to the act of the abomination of desolation by the Antichrist!

Question # 322…..(08-07-07) Do you think that Israel will actually give up the entire West Bank and allow for a Palestinian State as is being presently discussed by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and PA Prime Minister Abbas? I thought according to the Bible that Israel would never agree to give up their land, but try to hold onto all of the Promised Land.

Answer……Many Christians and prophecy enthusiasts are surprised that Israel would agree to withdraw from any of the land that they have acquired. But according to Bible Prophecy, the eventual Antichrist will forge a peace covenant between Israel and the Arabs that will indeed allow for the prospect of a Palestinian State.

On June 24^th, 2002 President Bush became the first US President to literally endorse the “two-state-solution” to the Israeli-Arab Conflict. President Bush’s official statement read as follows: For too long, the citizens of the Middle East have lived in the midst of death and fear. The hatred of a few holds the hopes of many hostage. The forces of extremism and terror are attempting to kill progress and peace by killing the innocent. And this casts a dark shadow over an entire region. For the sake of all humanity, things must change in the Middle East. It is untenable for Israeli citizens to live in terror. It is untenable for Palestinians to live in squalor and occupation. And the current situation offers no prospect that life will improve. Israeli citizens will continue to be victimized by terrorists, and so Israel will continue to defend herself. In the situation the Palestinian people will grow more and more miserable. My vision is two states, living side by side in peace and security. There is simply no way to achieve that peace until all parties fight terror. Yet, at this critical moment, if all parties will break with the past and set out on a new path, we can overcome the darkness with the light of hope. Peace requires a new and different Palestinian leadership, so that a Palestinian state can be born. I call on the Palestinian people to elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror. And of course, after Arafat’s death, the Palestinians proceeded to immediately elect another terrorist organization pledged to Israel’s destruction to lead their government, exposing the “perpetual hatred” (see Ezekiel 35) for Israel that the majority of Palestinians and Arabs hold.

   Although President Bush is the first sitting President to publicly advocate the two-state-solution, the two-state solution is a very old idea that has gained support in many quarters. Yet the proposed solution has failed time and again. It failed originally in 1921 and 1922, and again in 1947 when the partitioning borders didn’t satisfy the Arabs. Then came more offers by international committees that went back and forth to Palestine and then to Israel to offer a partition of the land, to create a Jewish state side by side with an Arab state. It has never happened because the Arabs rejected the idea. The idea was extensively put forth by President Clinton in 2000, but Yasser Arafat rejected the offer because he, like most Arabs simply wanted the whole of Palestine. While many Arab leaders exercise political pragmatism and avoid saying what they really prefer, Iranian President Ahmadinejad has vociferously expressed their real desire, “to wipe Israel of the face of the map.”

   In fact, Bible prophecy foretells that the Antichrist will successfully coerce Israel into accommodating the Arab League’s demand that Israel completely withdraw from the West Bank and to accept a Palestinian State. (Daniel 11:39 Thus shall he (Antichrist) do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.) The prophet Zechariah also depicts the Promised Land being “divided” when the Day of the Lord, or, the Time of Jacob’s Trouble commences. (Zechariah14:1-3 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.)

Question # 321….(07-21-07) I don’t mean to criticize your ministry, but my idea of Christ is one of peace and not violence. Hence the modern takeover of what we call the land of Palestine from its in habitants by the Jews can only in my mind bring a complete sadness that allowed a foreign peoples (Jews) to displace the only country (Palestine) that had open arms towards the Jews. Once the Jews over ran it, they asked for world support to help them take in more Jewish refugees. Surely no one can think that it is ok for the indigenous peoples (the Palestinians had been present before the Jews) to be forcefully displaced and live in refugee camps that are even worse than those the Jews endured in Europe in there own country. How can you possibly believe that God or Christ could sanction or agree to this kind of physical and emotional torment of the Palestinian people? Lest we not forget that the Jews were scattered to the ends of the earth by Gods hand because they would not follow his word. Perhaps you can shed some light on this for me? Also, the Jews actually started the internal conflicts and terrorism before acquiring their State, bombing markets and committing other terrorist acts that everyone now blames on the Palestinians for starting. (PS: It would appear to me that we as Americans, if we opened our arms to peoples in need and then became overwhelmed by their numbers and then the UN told us that our land had been given to the new peoples, we would use what ever means to fight to maintain our lands and freedoms, but perhaps I am wrong? What do you say about this?)

Answer…..In the attempt to present accurately the hand of God in the affairs of our world through the prophesied re-gathering of the nation of Israel, I sincerely hope that FOJ has not presented any impressions that our Lord Jesus Christ is unjust or a promoter of violence. Jehovah God is a God of love and loves all people, including the Palestinians.  Hebrews 13:20 indicates that the Lord is the God of peace. Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the “prince of peace” and is our benefactor of grace and love. He loved us enough to die for us, and paid the sin-ransom that each of us might be saved. Still yet, we must take heed of the fact that vengeance belongs to God, and that the wrath of God is a terrible thing to for anyone to risk. God is not amused with the unrighteousness of mankind, nor of nations, and we do well to remember that his longsuffering does have a limit. With regard to the contested land that is today known as Palestine, God almighty has had much to say, and his Providence firstly involves the restitution of Israel. The Jewish people can primarily base their claim to the Land of Israel (including the disputed or so-called occupied territory) on at least four premises:

·       1) the Jewish people settled and developed the land 3000 years ago;

·       2) the international community (Balfour Declaration) granted political sovereignty  

    in Palestine to the Jewish people;

·       3) the territory that is now disputed and labeled as “occupied,” was captured by

    Israel in defensive wars.  

·       4) God promised the land to the patriarch Abraham, and to his seed. (Gen. 13:14-15; 15:18; Deuteronomy 11 and 28)

·       5 ) Kind David actually purchased the Temple Mount from Ornan the Jebusite (I Chronicles 21) and made it the acceptable altar of God, making Israel the legitimate owner of Zion! God furthermore validated that the land was his to grant unto Israel by the following statement in Leviticus;

    Leviticus 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.

Thus the contested land in question today is in reality, God’s land, and not Allah’s or any other god. In essence, the “occupied land” controversy and the overriding Arab-Israeli Conflict is a battle between the God of the Holy Bible and the god of Islam. Israel is the only nation in the world that has a legitimate “Biblical birth certificate” and a “Biblical deed to a specified land.” The area today known as Palestine was known in ancient times as Canaan’s Land, but became known as the “Promised Land,” because of God’s personal promise to Jacob, and his descendants. While many proclaim that Israel has lost its deed to the land because of disobedience, God pledged that he would re-gather his people back into their own land in the Last Days, and then act to bring world history to a climax by sending his Son back to Jerusalem.

   The term “Palestine” is believed to be derived from the Philistines, an Aegean people who, in the 12th Century BC, settled along the Mediterranean coastal plain of what are now Israel and the Gaza Strip. In the second century AD, after crushing the last Jewish revolt, the Romans first applied the name Palaestina to Judea (the southern portion of what is now called the West Bank) in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel. The Arabic word Filastin is derived from this Latin name. The children of Israel entered the Land of Israel about 1400-1500BC. The Jewish people enjoyed brief periods of sovereignty afterward before most Jews were finally driven from their homeland in 135AD. Palestine was never an exclusively Arab country, although Arabic gradually became the language of most of the population after the Muslim invasions of the seventh century, and there has never existed any Arab or Palestinian state in Palestine. Palestinian Arab nationalism is largely a post-World War I phenomenon that did not become a significant political movement until after the 1967 Six Day War, when Israel captured Jerusalem and the West Bank of TransJordan.

   In 1917, when Great Britain issued the Balfour Declaration which specifically referred to “the historical connections of the Jewish people with Palestine” and to the moral validity of “ “reconstituting their National Home in that country.” The terminology, “reconstituting,” conveys natural recognition of the fact that Palestine had been the Jews’ home in Old Testament times. (this ideology is Christian Zionism) The population of Palestine at the time of the British Mandate was indeed predominantly Arabic-Muslim, with about 590,000, and about 100,000 Jews and Christians. However, many elder leaders of the Palestinians of the early 20^th century acknowledged that their association with the region came long after the Jews. In testimony before the Anglo-American Committee in 1946, Arab Palestinians claimed a connection to Palestine of only about 1,000 years, dating back no further than the conquest of Mohammad’s followers in the 7th century. By contrast, no serious historian questions the more than 3,000-year-old Jewish connection to the Land of Israel, or the modern Jewish people’s relation to the ancient Hebrews. In fact, from the beginning of World War I, part of Palestine’s land was owned by absentee Arab landlords who lived in Cairo, Damascus, Amman and Beirut. About 80 percent of the 500,000 Palestinian Arabs were debt-ridden peasants, semi-nomads and Bedouins that never established a state, but were subjects of bordering monarchs and dictators. Nevertheless, Arabic peoples that lived in Palestine when Israel was reconstituted in 1948 do legitimately have some unquestionable civil rights in the land. The demographics and civil rights issues of Palestine are complex, and this fact is spelled out as being an extenuating circumstantial problem that would defy solution in the Last Days. Jehovah God foretold in Zechariah that Jerusalem and Judah would become a “burdensome stone” when Israel was replanted in the Promised Land. (Zechariah 12:1-3) The “burdensome stone” analogy from Zechariah conveys that the religious, political and civil problems that exist over the “land” would become a diplomatic nightmare for the world’s powerbrokers in the latter days. Alas, the world today is battling with the complex issue of the Promised Land, and to question of whom it belongs, just as the God of the Bible foretold. Regardless of what ethnicity or national background one may be from, or what civil and political rights might be argued to be the most just, the bottom line is that the land belongs to the God of Israel, and He is moving in the affairs of men and nations to judge us all, and establish the Kingdom of Jesus Christ throughout the whole earth. That is why we “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

 

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