THE NEXT AND LAST WAR?
by I S. Webley
Quarterly Notes, B.I.W.F. Brisbane Queensland Australia
Will the next war be Armageddon? We believe it will be. But, will it be the last battle on earth before the Millennium? The answer could be No. As this answer might surprise many, let us examine the subject.
Most Bible commentators and writers on prophetical subjects seem to believe that the prophet Ezekiel, in his 38th and 39th chapters, is describing the last war on earth, which they call the "Battle of Armageddon." Ezekiel gives many details of the parties involved in 'this battle and the results thereof.
But there are other prophets who describe a warfare at the end of this Age, and which warfare has not yet taken place. The details given by these prophets differ very considerably from the details given by Ezekiel. The differences are so great and so many that one could be ex cused for holding the opinion that there will be two conflicts yet before the millennium starts.
The prophets Daniel, Joel and Zechariah seem to describe a battle totally different from that described by Ezekiel and also that mentioned in the Book of the Revelation, chapter xix.
The conflict that shortly will come on earth we believe will be Armageddon, and will be that conflict described by Daniel, Joel and Zechariah, and not by the prophet Ezekiel. We believe Ezekiel does not describe the Battle of Armageddon at all!
As we look into the relevant Scriptures we shall list first the details of the coming conflict as described by Daniel, Joel and Zechariah. We shall then look at the details of the conflict described by Ezekiel.
From Daniel xi verses 40 to 45, we learn-
1. At the time of the end the king of the north-Russia-over runs many countries. Dan. xi 40 (See Dan. xii for the time of the end.)
2. Russia enters the glorious land ( Palestine ). Verse 41.
3. He has power over the treasures of gold, silver and the precious things of Egypt. Verse 43.
4. Tidings out of the east and out of the north trouble him and he goes forth with great fury to destroy. Verse 44.
5. He set up the tabernacles of his palace (? his H.Q.) between the seas and in the glorious holy mountain. Verse 45.
6. Here he comes to his end with no one to help him. Verse 45. From the Prophet Joel.
7. The day of the Lord is nigh at hand. ii 1.
8. An alarm has to be sounded for a terrible day is coming. ii 1 and 2.
9. Modern weapons of war with their characteristics and great destructive powers are described. ii 3-10.
10. The hordes of the north come against Judah and Jerusalem. iii 1.
11. The invaders are brought by God into the valley of Jehoshaphat. iii 2.
12. The Gentiles are to prepare war and the might y men of war are to draw near. iii 9-12.
13. Plowshares are to be beaten into swords, and pruning hooks into spears. iii 9.
14. In the valley of Jehoshaphat the heathen hordes are destroyed. iii 12-13.
15. After the destruction of the invaders the land is brought back into plenty. ii 21-27.
16. Signs of the coming of the Lord are stated. ii 30-32.
Now from the Prophet Zechariah-
17. Two thirds of the people in Palestine are killed. xiii 8-9.
18. The city of Jerusalem is captured and one half of the people taken into captivity. xiv 2. (The hordes come against Judah and Jerusalem ) xii 2.
19. The Lord's feet rest upon the Mount of Olives. xiv 4.
20. The Mount of Olives splits in twain in a tremendous earthquake. xiv 4.
21. The northern army is destroyed by a plague sent from the Lord, and also by internal insurrection. xiv 12-13.
22. Judah shall fight at Jerusalem. xiv 14.
23. After the destruction of the northern army, the people gather the treasures they have left behind; treasures of gold and silver and apparel in great abundance. xiv 14. (Is this the treasure of Egypt the king of the north had gathered? See Daniel xi 43. Also note the reference in xiv 1 to the dividing of the spoil.)
24. All the nations which fought against Jerusalem must henceforth send representatives to Jerusalem to worship the King and to keep the feast of Tabernacles. xiv 16.
Before we go any further, note that none of the events listed above has yet been recorded in history. Tanks and armoured cars have never yet rumbled in warfare through Palestine bringing the devastating destruction and ruin described by Joel in chapter ii. Also note that only two of the above-mentioned features are described by the prophet Ezekiel. These two features are the hordes of the north and the land of Palestine. Surely, this should make us think.
Now let us turn to the Prophet Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39.
25. Gog from the land of Magog comes against the mountains of Israel. 8 and 16 (Not against Judah and Jerusalem, Zech. xii-xiv. )
26. The army comes forth riding on horses, clothed in all sorts of armour, with bucklers and shields, all handling swords. xxxviii. 4-15 (No mention of ships, Dan. xi 40, nor tanks walking on their tracks, Joel ii.)
27. They come against the land brought back from the sword, a land of unwalled villages, the people have goods, are dwelling safely, without bars or gates. xxxviii 11. (No defences.) Note: No mention of Jerusalem being captured, nor half the people going into captivity.
28. The invaders' weapons are bows and arrows, shields, handstaves and spears. xxxix 9. (Compare with the weapons mentioned in Joel ii.)
29. As Gog comes against the land of Israel, God's fury arises and the hordes are destroyed by hailstones, fire and brimstones. xxxviii 22. Zechariah states that the hordes are destroyed by a plague. xiv 12.
30. The northern hordes are destroyed in the mountains of Israel, (21) not in the valley of Jehoshaphat as stated by Joel in iii 2.
31. Seven months are required to bury the dead xxxix 12.
32. The birds of the air are called to feast on the flesh of men and horses. xxxix 17. Compare this with Revelation xix 11-12, where the birds are called to the feast of men and horses after the Lord has returned to earth.
33. After the destruction of the northern hordes the whole world will know that God is the God of Israel, and Israel herself shall know the Lord from that day forward. xxxix 22-29.
34. Ezekiel seems to give no indication that the northern army even gets into Palestine, let alone capture Jerusalem as Zechariah says xiv 2.
It is suggested that after Armageddon, re-united twelve-tribed Israel will representatively go back to Palestine under the Throne of David. They will live in peace, gather goods, but have no armaments or defences. This certainly, is not the condition of the Israeli in Palestine today. Israel is a strong armed camp and the people are not living in peace. Ezekiel is not describing Palestine today, but as it will be after Armageddon.
Obviously, a people living without defences would be very vulnerable to an army equipped even with bows and arrows, and handstaves and spears. But they need have no fear. The Lord will look after them, and He does as Ezekiel tells us.
How many years will elapse after Armageddon, before the conflict described by Ezekiel takes place, no hint is given, but it must be quite some time before the northern army is ready to strike again and for the last time in history.
It does seem that there will be two attempts yet by the evil one to prevent the Kingdom of God being established on earth.
Now turn to, the Book of Revelation. In chapters xvii and xviii, we read of the overthrow of Babylon-ecclesiastic, political and economic. Is this the result of the war described in Daniel, Joel and Zechariah? We suggest it is.
In the next chapter, xix, we read AFTER THESE THINGS. What things? We believe, after Armageddon and the overthrow of Babylon. Would we be right in suggesting that the events recorded in Revelation xix occur in the order given? If the events do actually occur in the sequence given, then we have first, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; the Lord Jesus Christ comes riding on a white horse, His hosts with Him; the call to the birds of the air to be ready to eat the flesh of men and horses; then gathering of the kings of the earth and their armies to make war against Him that sat on the horse; the casting of the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire; the destruction of the invading armies: then the fowls of the air being filled with the flesh of men and beasts.
What we read in Revelation xix about the final conflict, seems to agree with what Ezekiel wrote. Ezekiel is the only Old Test ament prophet who makes mention of the call to the birds of the air to come and eat the flesh of the destroyed army.
And this, in the next chapter of Revelation, chapter xx, we read of the binding of Satan and the end of evil in the world for the next 1,000 years.
It appears Satan is not bound immediately after Armageddon, but after the second attempt to overthrow the Kingdom of God on earth.
A very interesting commentary on Ezekiel, chapters xxxvii, was made by Dr. G. Gardiner, many years ago. He said: "It is to be remembered that his prophecy (Ezekiel's 38th and 39th chapters) immediately follow chapter xxxvii, in which God's people are represented as united in one fold, purified of their sins, and dwelling in perpetual covenant with Him under the care of His Servant David." G. Gardiner, D.D., in "Old Test ament Commentary for English Readers." Vol. v.p. 309. Cassel & Co. Ltd., 1897.
Whatever may be the true interpretations of the prophecies we have been discussing, the time is coming when the events so graphically described by the prophets will, one day, be recorded in history. And we believe the recording is very soon to commence.
May the Lord help us to understand more of His precious Word, and may He use us as His earthy instruments, His servants and witnesses, to spread the glorious Gospel of the Kingdom of God on earth, and to encourage the fainthearted, those who might be fearful of coming events, so that their, and our faith, may be increased day by day. |
