this is from Sept.18th commentary by Pastor
Terry Malone of www.CalvaryProphecy.com
Comments
The vast majority of my readers come to this website because it focuses
on prophetic events and where we might be on the timetable.
One thing should be remembered when reading anything on this website…I’m
not a prophet and I don’t know the future.
What I do know is that if I spend time in the Word and prayer I can
know what the Bible says about the future and have a keen understanding
of what may happen…and so can you!
I certainly believe that we can know the day we are living in. O:P>
So where are we at in God’s
prophetic timeline? Anytime
we talk about end time prophecy we have to start with Israel. Israel is and always will be the focal
point of end time prophecy.
When Israel became a nation
back in 1948 that’s when the last generation began (Matthew 24:34-35). How long a generation is has been greatly
debated and I doubt that issue will be resolved before the Lord comes.
Since that date, Israel has
defeated enemy after enemy and has steadily increased in land due to these
victories. Certainly it is
evident that God has planted them in their land never again to be removed.
Some other notable events
since the rebirth of Israel are (1) the rise of Europe (future kingdom of
the antichrist), (2) creation of the U.N. and the World Bank, (3) the rise
of Russia and China as world powers.
Both will play major military roles during the tribulation period.
(4) I also believe that terrorism (9/11) will play a major role in the start
of the war of Revelation, chapter six where one-quarter of the world’s population
will perish.
That brings us up to date
in prophecy. Here are some
things I see for the future:
Following Hurricane Katrina,
Israel offered aid, supplies, and personnel to help the victims and this
disaster. When it came time to thank the world for
their generous help all Arab nations were mentioned and Israel was left
off the list completely. This
alarmed Israel and should have. This
is a blatant change in policy toward Israel and shows a U.S. swing toward
the Arab world.
As you know, the Bible predicts
that Israel will be attacked sometime in the future by the Russian-Arab
Alliance. When this does happen
it is my belief that Israel will be left to fend for themselves (Ezekiel
38, 39).
It should also be noted that
the U.S. is very close to becoming oil dependent upon Russia in the coming
months. Obviously, we’re already oil dependent
to the other half of the alliance (Arab’s). This dependency will keep the U.S. from
coming to the aid of Israel.
If you haven’t heard, Israel
has just given up the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians for a supposed homeland. Next will be the West Bank and then half
of Jerusalem. I believe the
West Bank will be given up with little problem much like Gaza, but look
for Israel to put up a diplomatic fight over Jerusalem.
After securing the West Bank,
the Palestinians will demand that Israel give them Jerusalem to be their
capital. I believe that Israel
will refuse and the world will demand that they do. After all, Arab’s primarily populate East
Jerusalem at this point anyway, but Israel will still refuse. At this time Jerusalem will become the
sticking point to peace and the focus of the entire world. Certainly, we get our share of Middle
East news but it will intensify in that day.
At this point, I come to a
fork in the road. I believe
one of two things could happen. One,
Israel will give into world pressure and just turn over to Palestine East
Jerusalem. That is when the Russian-Arab Alliance will attack Israel. If this happens, I suspect this attack
to take place within a year after the agreement. It will be a surprise attack and Israel
will be at their mercy. But
as the Bible has predicted, the Lord will confound the plans of their enemies
and miraculously destroy them. The
whole world will be in shock!
Then at some future time,
Israel will make a seven-year peace agreement (along with many other nations,
Daniel 9:27) with the antichrist.
Two, Israel will refuse to
give them East Jerusalem despite world pressure until a great leader comes
on the scene and convinces them to do so.
This world leader will be none other than the antichrist and he will
be very persuasive.
One thing that many today
don’t seem to realize is the antichrist will be a very deceptive force to
the world and will be defenseless against him.
When He comes on the scene this world will not have Holy Spirit protection
(II Thessalonians 2:1-9). This
is extremely important to know. For
centuries The Holy Spirit has acted as a protecting shield holding satan
back from performing his evil deeds upon mankind. In that day, the Holy Spirit will step
aside and satan will have his day.
He will be so persuasive that if not for the protection of God the
very elect (tribulation saints) would be deceived (Matthew 24:22-24). But everyone else will be easy prey.
With this concession Israel
will be awarded West Jerusalem to be their capital, a peace treaty with
the antichrist that will bring world recognition and acceptance, and permission
to rebuild their temple.
Personally, I lean toward
theory number two. I think
scripture points us in the direction of Israel needing the antichrist for
protection and security. He will provide that, and for a season,
they will feel safe.
When will these events take
place? Most Bible believing scholars, ministers,
and teachers believe it will be soon. My suggestion to all who read this is
to keep watching and praying. I
can’t predict the future but I believe we will see these events take place
sooner than any of us think.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not,
your time is running out!
Pastor
Malone