The above reference to Zechariah is a fairly accurate description of what happens when a neutron bomb is detonated. The flesh is consumed before the body even hits the ground. It happens so fast. This is why bible scholars speculate that neutron bombs will be used. Likewise, the elaborate detailing of burial procedures in Ezekiel 39 also parallels the procedures to be used FOLLOWING a nuclear war. Why did God go into such details? He is hinting to our generation, the only generation that would recognize the significance of these elaborate procedures.

Long before I heard any bible teacher/preacher say it, I personally surmised that the following passage sounds like it could very well be a nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia. The references to "Isles" in the sea in Isaiah, led Christopher Columbus to discover America. This could also mean a volcanic explosion of Yellowstone in America, and a similar supervolcanic explosion in Russia. Who knows for sure? Only God does.

Eze 39:6

And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Let me turn it around. Do you really think that Mankind will NEVER use nuclear weapons? Especially now that nuclear weapons are in the hands of so many countries, and in the hands of certified madmen? I think THAT takes MORE faith than reading the surface text of the prophetic scriptures and connecting the dots God wants us to connect.

Furthermore, we don't know that the War of Ezekiel 38/39 (which appears to be include nuclear weapons) is within the "Day of the Lord" or the "Wrath of God" time frame, which is only the last 3 and 1/2 years of the 70th week of Daniel. The war of Ezekiel 38/39 could be before the 70th week of Daniel begins. In fact, many speculate that the successful conclusion of this war, may actually launch the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, when a 7 year peace treaty is signed following this war. The peace treaty, it is speculated, may actually outline the permission for the Jews to rebuild their Temple on the Temple Mount.

The "wrath of God" is not mentioned until last 7 bowls of judgment. Prior to that, and after the first 7 seals, there is a reference to the "wrath of the lamb". Remember Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 that we will have wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes in diverse places but "THE END" IS NOT YET. Its only the "beginning of sorrows". Some scholars believe that Jesus's descriptions here line up with the first 7 seal judgments. They may be right or they may be wrong. Also remember that Jesus doesn't tell anyone to flee Judea UNTIL the Abomination of Desolation occurs. We know that this happens exactly 3 and 1/2 years into the 70th week of Daniel, 3 and 1/2 years after the Temple sacrifices have begun, according to Daniel.

Let us NOT forget WHO will be thrown to Earth to raise Hell "knowing his time is short". Do you really think that Satan will refrain from using any nuclear weapons? The man of destruction? The one who loves death and murder? His restrainer having been removed from planet earth? Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 that the days HAVE to be shortened or EVERYONE would be killed!

The bottom line is:

1) Atom bombs have already been used BEFORE the "Day of the Lord".

2) Descriptions of the prophecy texts match those of nuclear weapons use.

3) Madmen now have nuclear weapons in their hands.

4) Satan the destroyer will be in FULL charge of planet earth with NO restrainer, and

4) we will NEVER have world peace until Christ returns.

So I personally think it requires a huge leap of faith to "trust" that no nuclear weapons will be detonated between now and the return of Christ. Having said that, it could easily happen this year. However, let's pray fervently against it!

Mat 24:2	And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3	And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4	And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5	For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6	And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7	For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8	All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9	Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Mat 24:10	And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11	And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12	And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13	But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14	And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15	When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16	Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17	Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18	Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19	And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20	But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21	For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22	And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23	Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.
Mat 24:24	For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25	Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26	Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.
Mat 24:27	For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28	For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29	Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30	And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31	And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mat 24:32	Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:
Mat 24:33	So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.
Mat 24:34	Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35	Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36	But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37	But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38	For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39	And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40	Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41	Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42	Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43	But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44	Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45	Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46	Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47	Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48	But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49	And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50	The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51	And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

PS: I agree that the "Day of the Lord" is very close at hand. But some event has to cause the real 7 year peace treaty to be negotiated by the Anti-Christ (we won't be here to see this), and the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount AND sacrifices resumed. I personally, suspect that this final "peace treaty" / "covenant with death" will begin following the tremendous Israeli victory in the war of Ezekiel 38/39. Hopefully, the abominable "Dome of the Rock" will have been obliterated during this war, preparing the way for the Temple rebuilding. The groundwork is already been laid for the war of Ezekiel 38/39 to commence any day now. Christians may very well be on planet earth to witness this war.....at the least the beginning of this war.

PPS: I think your criticism of all Bible scholars/teachers who charge for the cost of printing and distributing their books is undue. Sure there are charleton's out there......but, please do not make the mistake of assuming that everyone who charges for their books is a hypocrite, greedy charlatan, "merchandising the gospel". There are legitimate COSTS involved in printing the books, and these men who dedicate their lives 100% to the study of and dissemination of God's word must LIVE on something! (I'm not talking about the ones who feel justified in accepting tithes and offerings to support their Mansions, Limos and Jets! This lacks humility, something VERY important in God's book.) Most (if not all) of these ministries will send the books for free to people too poor to buy a $10 book. But the VAST MAJORITY of Christians (especially in America) do NOT fall into this category. We gladly pay the price for the benefit of their years of in depth study and analysis of God's word. Most of us work long hours, and have very busy lives, and DEEPLY appreciate these men that God has called to perform this service for the body of Christ. We gladly pay the price, knowing FULL well that we are contributing to the cost of their up keep. Imagine the privilege of supporting St. Paul's ministry. Many did, and they will share in his reward!