Iran’s growing domination of Syria and Lebanon (with Russia’s consent) has brought Israel and Lebanon to the threshold of war, but this looming conflict doesn’t appear to be an ordinary war. It is shaping up like a prophesied war with implications for the Rapture, Tribulation Period and more.
War broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006. It ended 34 days later with a UN-sponsored ceasefire that required the UN to disarm unidentified militant forces (Hezbollah) in Lebanon and to prevent those forces from re-arming.
But Hezbollah (means the party of God) refused to disarm, and the UN never did anything about it. Hezbollah even increased its weapons and troops and undermined the Lebanese government, and the UN remained dormant.
On Nov. 4, 2017, Lebanon’s Prime Minister fled the country and resigned for fear of being assassinated. His resignation left the nation of Lebanon in chaos.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait have withdrawn their money from Lebanese banks. Some say this will collapse the Lebanese economy.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait also ordered their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. They even told their citizens that live outside of Lebanon not to go there. They desperately want world leaders (especially the U.S. and Israel) to stop Iran’s interference in the affairs of other nations.
Israel has accused Russia and Iran of trying to take over the Middle East. Israel has started moving troops and weapons to its border with Lebanon.
Hezbollah has 150,000–200,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel. Israel said she won’t go after those rockets and missiles one at a time. Israel will seek a quick victory because Israel knows that her troops may have to fight on several fronts. She knows that she could be Russia’s and Iran’s next target.
Hezbollah’s leaders admit that they unintentionally started the war with Israel in 2006. They say they don’t want war right now, but one could easily be started unintentionally.
On Nov. 11, 2017, Pres. Trump met Russian Pres. Putin in Vietnam. At Israel’s insistence, Pres. Trump tried to get Pres. Putin to agree to a 30–40 km (roughly 18 to 25 miles) buffer zone to keep Russian, Iranian, Syrian and Hezbollah troops farther away from Israel’s border with Syria. Pres. Putin did not agree to that.
Syria sent a drone over the buffer zone (presumably with Russian approval). Israel shot it down.
Iran and Hezbollah want to build bases in the proposed buffer zone, but Israel said she will not allow it. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel will protect her borders and act in Syria as Israel sees fit.
To add fuel to the fire, Iran supports Houthi rebels in Yemen. On Nov. 4, 2017, the Houthis fired an Iranian missile at Saudi Arabia’s International Airport. The Saudis shot it down.
Saudi Arabia accused Iran of committing an act of war against Saudi Arabia by supplying the Houthis with the missile. Iran responded by threatening to send more missiles to the Houthis.
The Saudis want Iran taken out, but they are not strong enough to do it by themselves. They are pleading with the U.S. and Israel to help them.
It could happen. The U.S. wants Saudi Arabia to help them get a peace treaty in the Middle East, and Israel wants Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish nation.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, has instructed PA Pres. Mahmoud Abbas to accept Pres. Trump’s Middle East peace proposals. He has also told Mr. Abbas to cut the PA’s ties with Hezbollah.
All of this comes down to the fact that the Middle East could explode at any time. If something isn’t done to calm the situation soon (and hopefully it will), Israel and Lebanon (Hezbollah); or Israel and Syria; or Israel and Russia, Iran and others could find themselves in a very deadly war.
Any one of these wars could draw in the Palestinians, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and others and could quickly turn into a full-blown regional conflict that fulfills several end-of-the-age prophecies.
Related to all of this is the fact that prophecy teachers are divided on which comes first: The Rapture or these wars. It is not clear, but it is just a matter of time until we have the answer.
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com