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What in the World is Happening
- May 2007
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
Last month saw the announcement from Israeli military
commanders, confirming widespread media reports that the Israeli army are
seriously considering an incursion into the Gaza Strip to try to eliminate
the rocket batteries which continually fire into Israel, and also
attempting to try and release Gilad Shalit the captured Israeli soldier.
The Israeli government is in internal disarray caused by
repercussions from the failure of the war with Lebanon last year and a
number of corruption charges being directed at senior government members.
There is much unrest throughout Israel, as the prospect of a further war
with Syria or even Iran appears inevitable, with a weapons build up in
Lebanon, and Syria continuing to strengthen forces along the borders with
Israel. On top of this former Israeli armed forces head, Moshe Ya'alon,
has been reported as saying that an inevitable war with Iran is not to far
away. God has said in many places in the Bible that He will fight for His
people. Let us pray for the beleaguered people of Israel, He does on this
occasion and that they turn to Him.
With this prospect in view, it is easy to be worried about
the future of the Middle East. The Bible's account in Ezekiel Ch 38 of the
war with Russia and the local Arab nations certainly points to this type
of war, which will involve some of the surrounding countries and probably
the United Nations who will intervene and see at this time the rise of the
Antichrist. The time scale for this is uncertain, but there is no doubt
that the events detailed in Ezekiel seem to involve the same nations as we
see involved in the present scenario.
This earlier battle/war of Ezekiel Ch 38 must be
distinguished from the final conflict that is to come. At the time the
final battle of Armageddon occurs, the Antichrist has been in control of
world government for seven years. For the first three and a half years all
has been well, but as has happened before in the world's history, the
Antichrist seeks to set himself up as a ruthless ruler of the world. Satan
personified, the Antichrist also sets himself up as the false messiah,
ruling from the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Although it took a long time
to completely finish, Herod's Temple was mainly built in only three years,
and so it is quite feasible with modern technology, for a third Temple to
be built within three years. After a few years of world rule by the
Antichrist there will be unrest among the worlds population. The sacrilege
of the new Jewish Temple by the Antichrist will result in a rebellion of
the Jews. Antichrist's forces will attack, causing great distress of the
Israeli citizens then living in the land. [Prophesied in Daniel 11: 31-32,
& 36-45 about Antiochus Epiphanes but looking forward to the day of
the Antichrist (Matt 24: 15, Luke 21: 20)].
At the same time the nations of the Far East [Rev 9: 14-18
& 16: 12-14] will have had enough of world rule by the Antichrist and
their armies will march westward to overcome the Armies of the Antichrist
and in so doing will kill a third of the human race. This will involve a
worldwide conflict greater than mankind has ever seen. The armies will
meet for conflict at Armageddon. Armageddon is the Greek term for the area
of Palestine located along the southern rim of the Plain of Esdraelon or
the Valley of Jezreel. [Joel 3: 1-3, 9-16]. As the armies from the East
and the Antichrists army from the West fight each other, there is a most
terrible earthquake which is felt world wide [Rev 16: 17-21].
The battle which has been often muted by various fictional
writers in various guises comes to a true reality as the Messiah and His
armies come from space to fight both sides. The Western and Eastern armies
join together to fight the newcomer and start fighting each other as well.
They are annihilated by Christ and His armies [Rev 19: 12-21] [Ezek 39:
21]. Christ lands on the Mount of Olives to claim His own [Zech 14: 3-7].
The Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan are captured and bound and
condemned for 1000 years. The Lord reveals Himself to His people, the
Jews, who then realise who He is and then believe in Him, [Zech 12:
10-14], and He reigns from Jerusalem as King of His creation. [Zech Ch's
9, 12, 13, and 14]. The words of those famous verses of Scripture often
read at Christmas time will come true true "For unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His
shoulders and He will be called; Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and
peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his
kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from
that time and forever". [Isa 9:6-7].
What of these end time battles that even as I write,
events in progress seem to indicate we are moving towards. We are told to
fear not; "wait for His Son from Heaven, whom he raised from the
dead - Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath" [1 Thess 1:10].We
will have been caught up to be with Him in the clouds and will be with Him
when comes to reign over the world. Never fear dear friends, God has it
planned. Just as in the days of Noah when God looked after His own, so it
will be when the judgement of the rebellion and sin of a wicked world
falls upon the mankind, His own will be safe.
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Secretary for Prophetic Witness Movement International for New Zealand,
Australia and South Pacific.
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