davidbowerkingwood

A Progressive Deterioration

 While the Bible is not specific on the order of some of the end time events it is very clear that these events will take place in a world that is getting increasingly evil. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it is written:

“3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

We can see the world moving in that direction today, many of the characteristics Paul described are becoming more evident as time passes. While this is not a pretty sight it is encouraging to those of us who long for the return of the Lord that His return is growing ever closer.

I believe the Rapture of the true Church will be the catalyst that triggers the balance of the end time events. I’ve written on this in some detail in my four part series, What’s Going to Happen Next, Part 1. I believed then and believe now the Rapture could happen at any minute.

The Battle of Psalm 83

The news today is filled with threats of war against Israel; the nations surrounding Israel are threatening the destruction of Israel as a nation, to wipe it off the map. The Battle of Psalm 83 fits that scenario perfectly, the nations surrounding Israel attack and are defeated by God which gives Israel a time of relative peace.

The only real deterrent for that war is the United States; if the United States was suddenly removed from the equation an attack on Israel, “The Little Satan,” could quickly follow.

I believe the Rapture of the church could provide the opportunity for that to take place. The Rapture will cause massive chaos in the United States which could provide the catalyst for not only an attack on the “Little Satan,” but an attack on the “Big Satan” as well, the United States itself. While God has committed to defending Israel the United States has no such commitment from God.

It is at this point, the combination of the Rapture and the Battle of Psalm 83 that removes the United States from the world stage as a superpower. Exactly how that will play out only God knows; but a properly placed EMP could do it.

The Battle of Gog and Magog

One of the minor mysteries surrounding this battle is the time of peace that will precede it. In Ezekiel 38:8-11 it is written:

^“8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel. ⁹ You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.

¹⁰ “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme. ¹¹ You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!”

I believe the peace comes after God defeats Israel’s enemies in the Battle of Psalm 83, I believe the confidence Israel feels is a result of God’s dramatic victory over the invading forces and the clear evidence of God’s protective hand over Israel.

This results in a time of peace which Israel has never enjoyed since it again became a nation in 1948. This peace will be destroyed by the Battle of Gog and Magog when yet again the attacking forces will be defeated by God.

During this battle there will be great devastation, we read in Ezekiel 38:18-20:

^“18 But this is what the Sovereign Lord says: When Gog invades the land of Israel, my fury will boil over! ¹⁹ In my jealousy and blazing anger, I promise a mighty shaking in the land of Israel on that day. ²⁰ All living things—the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth.”

I am convinced this terrible earthquake will totally destroy the Islamic structures that are on the Temple Mount and open the door for the rebuilding of the Temple. The dramatic intervention by God will cause all opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple to disappear; people will be scared to death of Israel’s God!  In Ezekiel 38:22-23 it is written:

“²² I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur! ²³ In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

Chapter 39 is devoted to the massive seven year cleanup required to restore Israel to some state of normalcy. The nations at this point are duly impressed by Israel’s God; in Ezekiel 39:7 it is written:

⁷ “In this way, I will make known my holy name among my people of Israel. I will not let anyone bring shame on it. And the nations, too, will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.”

It is this reference to seven years that suggests to me the “Great Tribulation” will not have begun; once that period begins there will be no hope of restoration.

Now the world stage is set for Israel’s last seven years, the Tribulation is about to begin.