Zech 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and HALF OF THE CITY shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The emphasis is on “half of the city shall go forth into captivity”. The question is, why does only half (1/2) of the city go into captivity and not the entire city? Could it be that “EAST” Jerusalem had ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THE PALISTINIANS AS THE CAPITAL OF THEIR NEW PALISTINIAN STATE (before the invasion started)! I believe Israel will give away their land again to make peace with the Palestinians, and Jerusalem will be divided (see the meaning of Sharon’s new Gov. partner: mr.”Peres”- whose name means “divided” in Daniel 5:28), East Jerusalem will go back under the authority of the Palestinians like it was before 1967. The Palestinians, who are the “Philistines” in Psalm 83, WILL have their kingdom “revived” before the start of the great tribulation. Once the Palestinians have their state, then they will “forcibly” take back the rest of the land of Israel fulfilling their so called “right of return” to take back ALL of Palestine, as it was before 1948. This forced “right of return” for the Palestinians will probably be the “spark” that ignites the “great Tribulation, pulling in the other 9 Arab countries in Psalm 83, that surround Israel!The following is the way I see “the time of the end” unfolding in the future. Someday in the near future during the middle of Passover (1260 days to the Day of Atonement) Arab armies will surround Jerusalem at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Luke 21:20). An “Islamofachist” Arab Beast (antichrist: “the Assyrian-Isa.10:5-6), who will be the king of a 10 nation Arab confederacy (Psalm 83:1-8), will be poised to invade Jerusalem and slaughter 2/3 of the Israeli population (Zec. 13: 8-9). Almighty God will allow it to happen since it is the time of Jacob’s trouble. This Islamofachist beast will make his way into the profane Arab temple: the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount and probably set up a throne (the abomination that maketh desolate) on the rock, where he will sit and proclaim to be the prophesied “Mahdi” (meaning Messiah) endowed by Allah as predicted in the Koran. He will be accompanied by his prophet “jesus” (possibly the resurrected Mohammed-Daniel 12:2), who will be endowed with supernatural powers working miracles (Rev. 13:13-14). The beast of “death” and prophet of “hell” (Rev. 6:8) will make a covenant with the “scornful men that rule Jerusalem” (Isaiah 28:14) to spare their lives just before the Arab nations immediately invade Jerusalem (“overflowing scourge” in Isaiah 28:15). The problem is it’s all a lie (vs. 15), and this covenant will be broken by the Beast and False Prophet at the start of the invasion (Isaiah 28:18). The Beast and False prophet will force all the Jews to bow down and worship Allah (Mahdi), and take some type of spiritual mark (Rev. 13:16) to show their allegiance to Allah, (“possibly” even pay some type of sales tax-see 2Chron. 9:13, Rev 13:17), or they will be beheaded (Rev. 20:4). After 2/3’s of the Jews are slaughtered, Jesus will step in, full of the wrath of God, and fight against those Arab armies before they slaughter the remaining 1/3 of the Jews (Matt 24:22). Later on he physically sets his feet on the Mount of Olives at the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:27& Zec.14:4), fulfilling the “fall” feasts in Leviticus 23:23-37). Then the 100 year Millennial reign, Ect. Ect. till eternity future.
To sum it up, I believe A Palestinian State must be formed in East Jerusalem before any of the above can take place, thus fulfilling Zec.14:2. It is interesting to me Psalm 108:9 states …over Phlistia will I triumph. The Philistines in Psalm 83 are the same people in Psalm 108:9 “Philistia”. Knowing the prophetic significance of the Psalms to Israel, could the future Palestinian State be instituted on or before 2008, just before President Bush ends his second term? He has made peace in the Middle East thru Democracy (see my post on Jan 10, 2005) a major priority for his second term, and would like to have the legacy of a Palestinian State as part of the history of the Bush dynasty.
I am trying to figure this end time scenario out just like the rest of you. I know my view is unorthodox and not traditional, however that in itself doesn’t mean its wrong. I would greatly appreciate any comments to me personally davidburnette@valink.com , or as a post on this great “5doves” web-site so all could read, comment and learn together.
Thanks Chris Mulder, Donna Cothran, Linda Freeman, and Ted Porter for your kind and encouraging remarks about my post on Jan. 10, 2005. Also thanks John Tng for your tireless service to the body of Christ thru this website, which I believe you will be the recipient of great rewards at the Judgment seat of Christ. God bless you all!
In His Service,
Dave Burnette