The Time Of The End
The ‘time of the end’ in scripture can refer to the time from the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven to his return to earth. Therefore we are in the ‘time of the end’. It can also refer to the time immediately before his return to earth. In other words, ‘the tribulation’. “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: 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.” Matthew 24:29-30. I believe we are in that time of tribulation before the return of Jesus Christ.
There have been false alarms about the return of Christ for the last eighty years (two generation periods). Some people thought Adolf Hitler was the antichrist and the Kingdom of God would soon appear. After the Second World War the Soviet empire seemed to be the threat that would bring in the final war and the return of Christ, especially when the knowledge of hydrogen bombs was spread throughout the world. Then there were many skirmishes in the Middle East that always threatened to break out into a major conflict. Now there is another war going on over there and occasionally I ask other Canadians what they think of what is happening in the Iran-Israel conflict. Most of them agree with Donald Trump and think the Iranian government is evil and must be changed. Some of them think the conflict is heading toward Armageddon, but others think this is just another Middle East war that will resolve itself and things will get back to normal.
If this is ‘the tribulation’ we are told to look up. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28. Our focus is to be on the Kingdom of God, not the trouble on earth. If we look at the news for answers we will be deceived because governments in conflict use propaganda as a weapon, to get the public on their side. This goes for governments on both sides of any conflict. No one is to be trusted. Only the Word of God – the Bible, is to be trusted.
Therefore, what does the Bible say about this conflict? Opinions vary, but I believe the answer is to be found in the interpretation of prophecy by Israel Truth. Without knowing who the children of Israel are, there can be no understanding of prophecy. We, the Anglo Saxon and kindred people, are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. God has been with us in history and will be with us again, for our protection. “For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.” Psalm 94:14. Satan cannot destroy the Lord’s inheritance. God will defend North America, the British Isles, western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and anywhere the children of Israel have settled. That does not mean we will be delivered from attacks from without and within. Our enemies are everywhere.
The idea that anyone can do regime change in Iran (Persia) is not Biblical. Iran is to be part of the Gog conglomeration of nations right up until the Lord returns. (Ezekiel 38:5). When the world thinks we, the Israelites, are finished, the Lord will fight for us and give us the final victory. “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face.” Ezekiel 38:18. The land that God promised Abraham’s descendants was from the River Nile to the Euphrates River. (Genesis 15:18). The Israelites were never able to expel all the heathen people from that whole region. Even David did not expel the Philistines from Gaza. Iran is part of the huge area promised to the Israelites. This ‘Greater Israel’ will only be accomplished when the Messiah, Jesus, reigns. Here is the truth that most people miss because they do not understand who the Israelites are. Only Christians will be allowed to live in the ‘Greater Israel’ area. If someone is not a Christian, he will not be allowed to enter the property. Children of the Kingdom (Israelites), who are not Christian, will be expelled from the region. (Matthew 8:12).
In this conflict in the Middle East, the Gog conglomerate of nations has not come together yet. I believe it will happen if the little nation called Israel uses nuclear weapons against Iran, to hit the mountains where Iran is probably developing nuclear weapons. That is only my guess, not based on any scripture. However, I do believe from scripture that the Gog conglomerate of nations will temporarily overcome the little country called Israel before the Lord returns. (Daniel 11:41). The Bible also says: “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. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” Zechariah 14:2-3.
We shall see if this is just another Middle East skirmish, or if it morphs into something huge. Whatever happens, the Lord tells us to keep our garments on through the time of trouble. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15. We must be clothed with robes of righteousness. “for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:8(part). “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1.
