Gog and Magog – Seven Questions
I will be out of town for a speaking engagement and away from my computer for a few days. Then, when I get back, my wife is scheduled for shoulder surgery. So, I won’t be able to keep up with current events for my weekly article, and for that reason, I have decided to give my OPINION on seven questions that I am often asked.
One, “Do I think the Rapture will happen in 2019?”
No one knows, but the Bible clearly teaches us to be prepared for it to happen anytime. It could happen any second, and God could delay it for many years. But prophesied events are moving fast, and they seem to indicate that the world is getting close to the Tribulation Period. According to Pre-Trib believers, if the world is getting close to the Tribulation Period, it is even closer to the Rapture. People need to be ready.
Two, “Will Damascus, Syria be destroyed before the Battle of Gog and Magog?”
Since Syria is not mentioned in the list of Russia’s allies in Ezek. 38:5-6, some prophecy teachers believe Damascus, Syria will be destroyed before the Battle of Gog and Magog.
Three, “Do all of the nations that will attack Israel in the Battle of Gog and Magog have troops in Israel now?”
More troops will probably be sent in the days leading up to the battle, but I believe the answer is yes. Russia and Iran have hired mercenaries, Shiite militias and others to do some of the fighting, and they have come from all over the Middle East.
Four, “Which will happen first, the Rapture or the Battle of Gog and Magog?”
Some Pre-Trib prophecy teachers believe the Battle of Gog and Magog will take place during the Tribulation Period, so they would say the Rapture will happen first.
Others, including myself, believe the Battle of Gog and Magog will take place before the Tribulation Period (there is no mention of the Antichrist in Ezek. 38-39; time is needed for the Israelis in the cities to gather and burn Gog’s weapons for 7 years; Israel won’t be dwelling safely under the covenant of the Antichrist in the last half of Tribulation Period, etc.) so most would probably say we don’t know.
I usually add that it is my OPINION that the two events could happen at or about the same time, but God may cause Gog and Magog to happen before the Rapture to make Himself known to many before the Rapture (Ezek. 39:7, 13, 22-23).
Five, “Will the Church be on earth when the Temple is rebuilt?”
Many orthodox Jews believe their Messiah will appear and give them permission to rebuild the Temple. Many Pre-Trib prophecy teachers believe the Jews will accept the Antichrist as their Messiah, and he will give them permission to rebuild the Temple (John 5:43).
Since the Antichrist cannot rise to power while the Church is here (II Thess. 2:6-9) and he is the one that will give the Jews permission to rebuild the Temple, the Church will not be on earth when the Temple is rebuilt.
Six, “If a person receives the Mark of the Beast without knowing it, will they be condemned?”
The idea that information can be put on chips without a person’s knowledge is a fact because at least one person has been found with a computer virus on the chip in their arm. Taking the Mark won’t impact the Church because of the Rapture, but death will be the only option to not taking the Mark during the Tribulation Period, so this could happen to some people.
I don’t think the Bible answers the question, but it is my OPINION that a person that doesn’t knowingly take the Mark of the Beast will be condemned. I will also say that they won’t be in the Tribulation Period if they will get saved before the Rapture.
Seven, “Is Pope Francis the False Prophet?”
Know that I believe that the coming one-world harlot religion will be composed of lost Protestants, Catholics, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, etc.
The False Prophet may well be the leader of the Roman Catholic Church because it is so influential on earth, but we don’t know that Pope Francis is the False Prophet. Nevertheless, there are many troubling things about him; and if he isn’t, many people are going to be surprised.
His theology indicates that he either does not understand or does not believe many of the teachings in the Bible. He promotes world government despite the fact that it will be headed up by a Satan worshipper that will persecute believers and kill multitudes.
He reportedly doesn’t believe in hell, has covered up for pedophile priests, prayed that the Jews won’t get Jerusalem, said that a personal relationship with Jesus is dangerous and harmful, and more.
The Book of Revelation pictures the False Prophet as a beast (evil person) having two horns like a lamb (presents himself like he is a follower of the Lamb of God), but he will speak like a dragon (speak against Jesus, deny the Word of God, etc.).
These facts make it easy to see why some people believe Pope Francis is the False Prophet.
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com