It would be wrong for me to say or to infer that all Bible prophecy teachers agree on everything the Bible says about the future of Syria, Lebanon, Russia and Iran because they don’t (some think Psa. 83 is a prophecy, some think it is a prayer, some think it is both, etc.).

But despite the differences of opinion, most of the Bible prophecy teachers that I know believe the aforementioned nations are on a collision course with God over Israel and that their defeat is getting close.

Most of the Bible prophecy teachers that I know agree that God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham to be Israel’s God and to give him and his descendants all of the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession (Gen. 17:7-8).

Bible prophecy teachers agree that Israel turned her back on God many times, but God will forgive Israel’s sins and bring the nation into a right relationship with Him in the future (Zech. 13:1; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:24-27; Rom. 11:1, 26-27).

They agree that God will curse those that curse Israel (Gen. 12:3). Syria, Lebanon, Russia, Iran and others are on a collision course with God because of their treatment of Israel. At some point, He will set the hook, pull them onto the mountains of Israel (Golan Heights) and destroy them (Ezek. 38:4, 8, 18-22).

Bible prophecy teachers also agree that some of these nations are mentioned by several prophets, not just one.

Lebanon (Gebal and Tyre) and Syria (Assyria) are mentioned in Psa. 83. Syria (Damascus) is mentioned in Isa. 17 and Jer. 49:23-27. Iran (Elam and Persia) is mentioned in Jer. 49:34-39 and Ezek. 38:5. Russia (land of Magog) is mentioned in Ezek. 38-39.

The fact that the future of these nations is revealed by one prophet and confirmed by another – plus the fact that current events are lining up with what these prophets said and not disputing any of them – is evidence that this collision course with God is rightly understood and near.

Consider the fact that God told Russia to “Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee” (Ezek. 38:7).

Know that Russia has prepared by moving jets, helicopters, ships, missiles, troops, submarines and more to Syria; that Russia has built bases in Syria; installed radar systems in Syria and more.

Know that Russia has prepared for her company (allies) by letting Iran and Hezbollah build bases, weapons factories, underground facilities in Syria and more.

Consider the fact that God told Russia to “be a guard unto them” (Ezek. 38:7) – and Russia has guarded her allies by sharing bases with them, hoping that no one would attack them for fear of killing Russians; that Russia has warned Israel to stop attacking targets in Syria; that Russia threatened to shoot down the planes and sink the ships of the U.S., England and France if they attacked Syria, etc.

In Apr. 2017, two U.S. warships fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian military base where chemical weapons are made and stored. It was meant to be a warning to Russia and Syria to never use chemical weapons again.

On Apr. 7, 2018, Syria allegedly used chemical weapons against civilians in a town near Damascus.

On Apr. 9, 2018, two unidentified jets fired eight missiles at a Syrian base used by Russia, Iran and Syria.

At first, Russia blamed the U.S. The U.S. denied any involvement. Then, Russia blamed Israel.

Russia had previously warned Israel to stop attacking targets in Syria, and some believe this was a turning point for Russia.

The attack killed 7 Iranian officers and a disputed number of other people.

Iran said the attack will not go unanswered, and threatened to hit Israel.

Russia offered to join forces with Iran, retaliate against Israel, and jointly defend against a threatened attack by the U.S., England and France.

On Apr. 11, 2018, Israel said if Iran strikes Israel from Syrian territory, Pres. Assad and his regime “will disappear from the map and the world.”

This is an interesting statement in light of the fact that Mr. Assad’s palace is in Damascus, and the Bible says Damascus will cease to exist forever in one night.

Israel warned Hezbollah’s leaders in Lebanon to stay out of the fight if Israel is attacked by Iran. Israel said their fate will be the same as Mr. Assad’s, if they enter the war.

On Apr. 11, 2018, Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu called Russian Pres. Putin. Their conversation was described as very angry.

Mr. Putin warned Mr. Netanyahu to stop attacking targets in Syria. Mr. Netanyahu warned Mr. Putin that Israel will not let Iran establish permanent military bases in Syria. The conversation ended with neither man giving in.

On Apr. 13, 2018, the U.S., England and France attacked Syria. There were several large explosions near downtown Damascus.

Russia, Iran and Syria blamed Israel’s allies for attacking Syria. They said this attack by Israel’s allies gives them the right to attack Israel.

Iran threatened to retaliate against regional (Israel) and international (U.S., English and French) targets.

On Apr. 14, 2018, it was reported that Russia was moving to strengthen its ties with Iran and Syria at the same time that the U.S., England and France were attacking Syria.

During the attack by the U.S., England and France on Syrian chemical weapons facilities, Syrian and Hezbollah troops backed by Russian mercenaries tried to cross the Euphrates River to capture territory that is held by U.S. troops. No information was given on what happened.

On this same day, at least two Russian freighters loaded with military equipment were spotted that were believed to be destined for forces in Syria. Don’t worry. It takes a lot of weapons to build a fire that will burn for seven years.

On Apr. 14, 2018, it was also reported that four military bases in Syria were bombed and several Iranian soldiers were killed. Syria claimed that the bases were struck by Israeli aircraft.

On Apr. 14, 2018, the leader of Hezbollah, Sec.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah, said Israel’s attack on military bases in Syria that killed Iranian soldiers “opened the possibility of conflict between the two enemies.” He said, “You are in a face-to-face confrontation with Iran.”

On Apr. 16, 2018, Israel’s Defense Minister said Syria’s army, Lebanon’s army, Hezbollah and mercenaries from foreign nations are being brought under Iranian commanders in Syria and forged into one military on Israel’s northern border.

On Apr. 16, 2018, Israel’s Defense Minister said, “Israel will not accept limitations on its ‘actions’ in Syria from Russia.”

On Apr. 17, 2018, Israel released photos of five Iranian airbases in Syria; said Iran is flying troops and weapons into Syria (more bodies to bury and fuel for the fire) and building up her forces on Israel’s border; Israel accused Iran of preparing to attack Israel; Israel strengthened her forces on her border with Lebanon and Syria; alerted her people of the possibility of a coming confrontation; and warned Iran that Israel will retaliate with great power.

On Apr. 18, 2018, it was reported that the commander of Iran’s ground forces said, “The date has been set” for Israel’s destruction.

It is impossible for Bible prophecy teachers to predict what will happen in the next few weeks. Israel’s enemies can launch a limited attack. God can pull them in or delay it, but when this happens the latter days and latter years are here and could bring dramatic changes on planet Earth (cry for world leader, peace treaty, affect price of oil, etc.).

I apologize for the length of this article. In the last ten days or so, significant things have happened almost daily (like birth pangs). This is very serious.

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com

 

In Lev. Chapter 23, God identified seven feasts that He wanted the Jews to observe in their seasons. Three of those feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits) occur in the spring season; one of those feasts (Weeks or Pentecost) occurs in the summer season; and the remaining three feasts (Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles) occur in the fall season.

God told the Jews to proclaim these feasts to be “holy convocations.” This means God wanted these feasts to be set apart for a special purpose.

The purpose was twofold: 1) The feasts were gatherings that remember past events, and 2) They were gatherings that reveal future events.

The Lord’s Supper is a good example. Paul said, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death (a past event) till he come” (a future event; I Cor. 11:26).

The past events that God selected for the feasts of the Lord are not haphazard choices or coincidences. God selected the past events that He wanted to be remembered because they are “a shadow of good things to come” (Heb. 10:1).

The Jews were meticulous about remembering the past events, but only a handful (called Messianic Jews) understand that they reveal future events.

One reason for this lack of understanding could be that certain Scriptures (Isa. 53 is an example) are omitted from regular Jewish Scripture readings.

Many Jews make themselves willingly ignorant of the future events because they don’t read certain Scriptures.

Before one condemns the Jews for this, it should be noted that some publishers of Christian Sunday school lessons often omit prophetic passages from the Sunday school lessons. These publishers are guilty of doing the same thing the Jews do.

Anyway, Jews celebrate the feasts of the Lord in the spring, summer and fall.

Think about it! God gave the Jews three spring feasts that reveal the Gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus), one summer feast that reveals the church (believing Gentiles and Messianic Jews), and three fall feasts that reveal the return of Jesus and His reign on earth.

The three Spring Feasts – Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits – reveal the gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus).

Concerning Passover, it is no coincidence that the Jews remember the past by selecting a lamb without blemish on Nisan 10 (Jesus, the unblemished Lamb of God, made His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Nisan 10); that the Jews killed a lamb on Nisan 14 (Jesus was killed on Nisan 14); that the Jews killed the lamb at 3 pm (Jesus died at 3 pm); that the Jews didn’t break any of the lamb’s bones (none of Jesus’ bones were broken); and the Jews didn’t leave any of the lamb for the next day (the body of Jesus was removed from the cross before the next day).

Concerning Unleavened Bread, it is no coincidence that the Jews remember the past by eating unleavened bread on Nisan 15 (Jesus was the unleavened, sinless, Bread of Life whose body was in the grave on Nisan 15); that the Jews ate unleavened bread with stripes on it (Jesus was beaten with 39 lashes), that the Jews ate unleavened bread with holes in it (Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced).

Concerning Firstfruits, it is no coincidence that the Jews remember the feast of Firstfruits on Nisan 16 (the first time their ancestors ate food that was raised in the Promised Land was on Nisan 16, exactly 40 years after they left Egypt), and because Jesus is the Firstfruits of those to be raised from the dead.

The one Summer Feast reveals the church.

It is no coincidence that the Jews remember the birth of Judaism on Sivan 6, exactly 50 days after Firstfruits, because that reveals the birth of the church on Sivan 6, exactly 50 days after Firstfruits. That’s right; the Jews received the Ten Commandments and came under the Law on the same day the church (120 believers) was to receive the Holy Spirit and come under grace.

The Three Fall Feasts – Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles – reveal the return of Jesus and His reign on earth (the Rapture, Second Coming and Millennium).

Concerning Trumpets, among other things, God told the Jews to use trumpets to assemble the people, announce feast days, etc. (Num. 10:1-10). The trump of God will sound to raise the dead, assemble the Church and announce the Rapture (I Thess. 4:15-17).

Concerning Atonement, the Jews offer two goats (one a sin substitute, the other a sin bearer) to be a temporary atonement for their sins during the year (Lev. 16), and this reveals that Jesus would be the believers’ sin substitute, sin bearer and permanent atonement (Isa. 53:4-6; I Pet. 2:24; Heb. 8:12).

Concerning Tabernacles, the Jews remember that their ancestors dwelled (or tabernacled) in temporary housing (tents) in the wilderness, and God dwelled with them in a temporary house (the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle); but a time is coming when God will permanently dwell with His people (Jewish and Gentile believers).

The reader should know that there is much more to the Feasts of the Lord than has been said, but the point of this article is that the feasts reveal the Gospel, the Church and the return and reign of Jesus.

Wouldn’t it be great if publishers and pastors would stop making themselves willingly ignorant of these things?

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com