The End is Coming : Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecies

Just recently, I attended a talk entitled Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecies. This topic ,"end of the world," is usually shunned by listeners due to its terrifying images and complex plot. An Israeli man who happened to look like Sabretooth from Xmen (according to my friends) stood courageously onstage and hit the topic head-on. His name is Captain Amir Tsarfati, the captain of the Israeli Army Reserves and a former deputy governor of Jericho. He is from the tribe of Judah.

Prophecy, as he defined, is not the thought of people. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that moves people. So all the things that you will be reading are possible (not actual) interpretations of the revelation written by people moved by the Holy Spirit in the Bible. See how the current events make sense.

He first gave us a brief background on how the nations and deception came to being. Once upon a time, every person from the four corners of the world was speaking one language. They all gathered in the land of Shinar and decided to build a city with a tower that aimed to reach the heavens. (Satan was already deceiving the people, insinuating that they could reach God's status.) Their strategy was of course condemned by God and He decided to confuse their speech. When they couldn't understand each other anymore, they went on their own separate ways and built their nations.


Israel, if you know is God's chosen people in the Old Testament. God formed the first covenant with them through Abraham, making him a father of many. "I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" (Gen. 17:6,7). Satan, the father of deceit, withheld the truth from other nations and opted to say opposite info to them (i.e. Israel would be a curse, they are such ugly, loathsome people). This could be why all the surrounding nations of Israel are fighting against this little country.

At the very moment when I'm typing this, nations are fighting over one small piece of land called the Gaza Strip. This is a city north of Israel that had been taken over by Philistines, Ashkalon, Arabs and many other nations in the past. This is a very strategic location such that whoever gains this land has a great advantage towards Israel. It allows enemies to kidnap Israelis and launch missiles everyday. Israel countered then with a naval blockage.

The nations, particularly Turkey, Iran and Hizballah decided to create these "Peace Flotillas" and deceive Israel (and possibly the whole world). Flotilla is basically a boat that would travel from point A to point B. Who were inside these boats? There were the peace activists (which were okay), the journalists (also okay) and jihadists (definitely not okay). When Israel tried to see who and what were inside, their soldiers were killed (approximately nine of them). That was why Israel decided to kill all the terrorists inside the boat. True enough, they were not "peace"-ful. What they discovered inside were knives, guns and ammunition. The ironic thing about it was when United States heard of this news, they said Israel was at fault in killing the "civilians." Talk about deception.

Another headline news. Last June 8, 2010, a new friendship has risen between Russia, Turkey and Iran. The purpose was to pose test for United States of America. It actually sounded scary to me. As one economic, even political giant, in the whole world, whatever happens to the States would affect the rest of the world. When recession hit them two years ago, numerous countries likewise felt the after effect. And if this new friendship "tests" US, then I don't even want to think about it anymore. (Lord, I know nothing will happen out of Your plan.) Based from my research, the three new bestfriends are fighting against the tight sanction over Iran's Nuclear Program.

This is a very weird friendship according to Captain Amir, because these nations had never been allies before (the most would be two out of three, but never three). They were even considered rivals! These, according to Amir, are the three nations mentioned in the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 &39. Go on, open your Bible (or go to www.biblegateway.com). It's a severe war between Israel and Gog, in the land of Magog. When would this be? In verse 14 it says, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it?" Living in safety... The migration of Jews back to Israel was ongoing until just half a century ago. On May 14, 1948, Israel was declared as an independent state.

The three nations are among the six mentioned in the chapters. Magog pertains to Russia, Persia pertains to Iran, Meshech and Tubal pertain to Turkey. The others are Libya, Sudan and other Turk-speaking people. If you read on to chapter 39. You'd see what basic necessity Israel would have when the time comes. FUEL. "They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel."

Another news coming right here. Last June 16, 2010, three trillion cubic feet of natural gas was found right in the land of Tamar at the heart of Israel. If there is natural gas, there is fuel. More than that, a few days later, another nine trillion cubic feet was discovered! What surprised me was that the one who discovered all these was a believer of Jesus Christ! He would be included in the 2% of the Israeli population who believes in Jesus Christ. This blessing is indeed part of God's plan!

Will you not take notice of it? (v.14) Israel’s natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean just keep getting bigger, based on research, reserves are currently pegged at around 25 trillion cubic feet. Their drilling is already threatening Lebanon "Conflict over natural gas reserves on the northern border heated up Friday as Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri responded to threats by Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau to forcefully defend Israel's offshore drilling, worth billions of dollars" (www.ynetnews.com, June 2010). Moreover, since Russia is currently the largest contributor of natural gas in the world, and if there's a rising competitor, then of course they would take notice of it!

(photo taken from a Lebanon News site)

The pictures presented in chapters 38 & 39 are very vivid. When Gog attacks, the whole earth will tremble, every person and animal would feel it. There would be hailstones and acid rain on the troops. Every man's sword will be against his brother. God's purpose: "And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD." At the end of the day, Israel will be saved by God's mighty hand.

I'm not sure though if this prophecy equates to the end of the world. Captain Amir comforted us by saying we shouldn't be afraid when all these things happen. We, by choosing God, escape the revelation of the anti-Christ and his terrors here on earth. By believing in Jesus, we will meet him on His second coming and He will take us to heaven, while others would experience the wrath of war, fire, quakes and plagues.

We do not know when He'd return and when the world would shakes with terror. These are mere intellectual speculations. It could be on the dreaded 2012, next year or even tomorrow (whether you are post-trib, pre-trib or mid-trib). Better prepare your hearts. You, a mere sinner, cannot go to heaven with your own might. Believe in God who sent His own son to die for your sins. Make Him your Lord and Savior today. Today is the day of salvation. :)