First, in early February, it was reported that Russia’s Pres. Vladimir Putin has decided to impose a political settlement on the warring factions in Syria and Pres. Obama has agreed to go along with him. According to the report, Pres. Assad and his entire clan will step down, but no date was set.
Whether or not this happens remains to be seen, but Iran is vehemently opposed to it. This is a dangerous development because in early 2012 Syria’s Pres. Assad said he will start a full-scale regional war with Israel before he will resign from office.
There is little doubt that the war in Syria needs to be stopped. Multitudes are being driven out of their homes, going hungry, dying, etc. But Russian’s move could take the Middle East from one war to another.
Second, God gave Ezekiel a message: In the latter days and latter years, He will drag Russia from her place in the far north to the mountains of Israel (Ezek. 38:4, 8, 16).
In this battle, called the battle of Gog and Magog, Russia will be aligned with Persia (Iran), Cush (perhaps Ethiopia and/or Iraq and/Sudan), Put (Libya), Togarmah of the north quarters (probably Turkey), Gomer (perhaps Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc. or Germany, but unclear) and others (Ezek. 38:5-6).
In various articles that appeared in early February, it was reported that the following nations are in Syria: Russia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, the Islamic State and Turkey. The Islamic State probably has troops from some or all of the other nations.
This is the point: Compare the list of nations that the Bible says will attack Israel in the latter days and latter years with the list of nations that the news says is already in Syria. The lists are very similar.
But there is a problem. Instead of being aligned with each other against Israel like the Bible says, these nations are fighting each other. This means the battle of Gog and Magog won’t take place until these nations agree to temporarily set aside their differences.
The UN and U.S. are already in an ongoing effort to make that happen. How long will it take? We don’t know. The UN and U.S. could have immediate success or it could drag on for awhile.
But their temporary truce won’t last. When these reconciled enemies get to the mountains of Israel, “every man’s sword shall be against his brother” and these troops will kill many of their own troops (Ezek. 38:21).
Third, on Jan. 12, 2016, an Iranian naval unit detained 10 U.S. sailors when two U.S. vessels strayed into Iranian waters. Just recently, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said “divine forces” delivered the Americans into Iran’s hands.
The book of Daniel mentions an evil spirit called the prince of Persia (or the Prince of Iran) that hindered the answer to one of Daniel’s prayers for 21 days (Dan. 10:13).
Bible scholars believe this prince of Persia is an evil spirit that rules over Iran. They believe an unseen war is going on in heavenly places behind the scenes between the angels of God and the demons of Satan, the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of Antichrist.
The Bible also teaches that Iran’s defeat on the mountains of Israel will come at the hands of God’s divine force (Ezek. 38:4; Dan. 12:1). One must wonder if Mr. Khamenei’s divine forces are really the prince of Persia and his minions (Eph. 6:12).
We can also ponder if all of the turmoil in the Middle East is that of a cosmic struggle in the heavenly realm; and if the recent spread of violence in the Middle East means the intensity of this spiritual warfare has increased.
It is well to remember that we are dealing with a spiritual world and the Christian’s hope is the return of Jesus for His church. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck