Hello John and Doves,
I've been re-looking at Ezekiel 38 - the prophecy about the Gog War.
My Aramaic Bible has the armies of Gog attacking Israel - "the land which is at peace and free from the sword....those who dwell in tranquility..." Israel is totally not expecting this attack.
There is no obvious troop buildup on her borders like with previous wars/attacks. Nothing seems to be happening to alert Israel to this attack. (Of course, Israel is always on alert, but she didn't do anything to precipitate this attack by Gog to make her expect this attack.)
Some believe that Israel will nuke Damascus and this starts the Gog War...IF Israel attacks Damascus, Israel wouldn't be surprised by this follow-up attack - she'd be geared up for war, for retaliation. She'd be prepared for an attack. Yet, that doesn't seem to be the case.
This also fits with what Natan said in his interview with the rabbi (Fay has referred to this video many times, link below on youtube) - he said Israel is minding her own business with attacks going on around her and then 'boom' Israel gets attacked - it's a surprise.
The evil thought that comes into Gog's mind is to "go up against a prosperous land...to take captives and to take a spoil". Even the surrounding villages say to Gog, "Are you come to carry off captives and to take a spoil?"
This attack is about plunder...not revenge.
So, why would they decide to 'take a plunder' at that time? What has changed? They seem to think whatever has happened has opened a door of opportunity to them. The only thing I can think of on a widespread, world-wide scale that would put Israel's allies into a position of not coming to her aid would be the Rapture.
I hope more are raptured per country, but if it's only, say, 20% that would be devastating to any country. Maybe that's the opportunity that Gog sees to move against Israel. While the Western/Christian world is in disarray - they'll move in to take what Israel has.
With no country/military to stand in their way. It would take time for those mostly Christian countries to replace missing leaders, cabinet members, gear up their military again, and they'd be caught up with much devastation that's occurred in their country. Various economies/stock markets/etc around the world would collapse - and I've heard they are all 'connected'.
Of course the countries that join Gog aren't affected by the Rapture (only a small percentage of people would be gone) - they'll still have their leaders, governments and military intact. With world financial collapse...taking a plunder would look good right about then. And no armies, except Israel's, to stop them.
The destruction of Damascus may take place once the Gog armies move on Israel. But note- even with all of Israel's nukes, the only city we see getting destroyed and never inhabited again is Damascus. Wouldn't Israel use all of her nukes? As in the Samson Option? It's not in the prophecies that she does this.
Israel will be like Micah chapter 7: all the goodmen of the world have been snatched away, evil people are left - they lie in wait for blood, they hunt each other; they are skilled in evil; they conspire together; panic is here - your doom has come! There is confusion. Trust no one - not even your own family. The day of your watchmen has come - sound the alarm - judgment day is coming soon, punishment is coming...Woe is me!!
If what I wrote above is the case or somewhat similar, we wouldn't be looking for the buildup of armies around Israel in preparation for the Gog attack. We wouldn't be looking for the nuking of Damascus first. The Rapture will happen and then Gog "shall think an evil thought".
G-d destroys the armies of Gog on the mountains of Israel: "Thus will I magnify myself and sanctify myself in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord."
Anyway...just a few thoughts from me on this.
Maranatha!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Chancehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_a5v2dbdBk