Elijah was one of the greatest prophets to ever walk the face of this earth. He changed the culture of his day (I Kings 18:36-46). He was raptured without dying (II Kings 2:11).

God ended the Old Testament with the promise that Elijah will come back (Malachi 4:5-6). He was so great that some thought Jesus was Elijah (Matt. 16:14). And many think that Elijah is one of the Two Witnesses that will come back to prophesy, cause a drought and lash out with fire during the Tribulation Period (Revelation 11:3-12).

Ahab and Jezebel, two of the most evil people to ever live, ruled Israel during Elijah’s lifetime. They were immoral idol worshippers. They killed many of the true prophets and established false prophets, false religions and false worship in Israel. During their reign, the tide of evil was so strong they almost wiped out true worship and probably would have—if God had not intervened.

The story of God’s intervention is one of the most famous stories in the Old Testament (I Kings 18). Ahab and Jezebel’s sin, and the impact they had on Israel, was so great that God sent Elijah before them to say:

“As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1).

Elijah told that evil couple God intends to send a devastating drought on Israel and it won’t end until I announce its end.

To make a long story short, Elijah left Israel for three and one-half years (Luke 4:25; James 5:17). During his absence, severe drought, accompanied by a terrible famine gripped the nation. Ahab and Jezebel’s false gods were helpless to stop it, and before it ended the children of Israel were ready for revival. It is a fascinating story, but I want to skip to the end.

God finally sent Elijah back to Israel to face Ahab and to announce an end to the drought (I Kings 18:1-2). Following an incredible encounter with Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, Elijah built an altar, placed a sacrifice on the altar and started to pray:“LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, andthat I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again” (I Kings 18:17-35).

“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God” (I Kings 18:38-39).

God answered Elijah’s prayer. Fire fell from heaven, consumed the stones of the altar—including everything on and around them, and this great miracle left no doubt in the minds of the people that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel is God. Then a little cloud formed, it grew and the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain (I Kings 18:41-45). The drought was over (see II Chronicles 7:13-14).

Let’s fast forward to the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39). There will be another mountain top revelation when God pulls Russia, Iran and others onto the mountains of Israel in the latter days and latter years (Ezekiel 38:1-6; 8, 16). At that time, it is clear that none of these nations, including the nation of Israel, will know that Israel’s God is God (Ezekiel 38:23; 39:7).

But God will send an overflowing rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone on Israel’s enemies. Five sixths of them will be destroyed (Ezekiel 38:23; 39:1-2). Then many nations, including Israel, will know that Israel’s God is God (Ezekiel 38:23; 39:7).

This is God’s creation, He is Israel’s God, and He intends for the nations, including Israel to know this. He used fire from heaven in the past to reveal Himself (Genesis 19:24; Leviticus 10:2; II Chronicles 7:1; I Kings 18:38). And He will use fire from heaven (and more) in the future to reveal Himself to Israel and multitudes of unbelievers.

If the battle of Gog and Magog is close, God’s revelation of Himself is close.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck

Every week God has given me the great privilege of addressing a small group of people who love Bible prophecy. I was with the group recently when someone mentioned that a senior official in the Obama Administration said, “The thing about Bibi is he’s a chickens**t.” Suddenly, a very nice Christian lady in the group said, “It takes one to know one and that can be your next article.”

My mind was flooded with childhood memories. Someone would say, “You’re a coward” and the standard reply was, “It takes one to know one.” “You’re a Fraidy Cat!” “It takes one to know one.” “You’re chickens**t.” “It takes one to know one.”

I went to work on this article, but it occurred to me that President Obama’s senior official stepped in it— but he doesn’t know chicken manure when he sees it. He may be the fowl hen house refuse he called Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Israeli Prime Minister is nothing like what the Obama Administration official said.

Mr. Netanyahu joined the IDF, became a member of Israel’s Special Forces, led commando raids into enemy territory, was twice wounded in combat and discharged as a captain— in perhaps the greatest military on earth. He is a man of courage and character, which no reasonable man would relate to chicken manure.

This is when my thoughts turned to the 1988 vice-presidential debate between two U.S. Senators: Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) and Dan Quayle (R-IND). During that famous debate, Mr. Quayle, a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Senate, compared himself to John F. Kennedy, a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Senate. Mr. Bentsen responded by looking at Mr. Quayle and saying, “I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

This is the point: Many people have served with Benjamin Netanyahu. Many people know Benjamin Netanyahu. Many people call Benjamin Netanyahu their friend. And it is clear that the Obama Administration official is no Benjamin Netanyahu. He is not even worthy to unloose the strings in Benjamin Netanyahu’s shoes. His foul-mouthed, mean-spirited, undiplomatic name-calling has dishonored the once-great nation he is supposed to represent.

Having said this, I am not surprised that this foul-mouthed White House senior official bashed Mr. Netanyahu and it won’t surprise me if he, and others continue to do so. President Obama has prepped the White House with members of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that has ties to Hamas. His Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett, was born in Iran. Obama has already snubbed and bashed Mr. Netanyahu several times. He treats our enemies better than he treats our friends. And, most importantly—a further deterioration of U.S.-Israeli relations actually fits Bible prophecy.

The U.S. and our messianic Secretary of State, John Kerry, are obsessed with bullying Israel into signing a peace treaty on PA terms. A treaty on PA terms will divide Jerusalem, give away the West Bank, stop Jewish construction on the West Bank (including construction of the Temple), threaten the existence of Israel and get nothing in return. Mr. Netanyahu will never accept this so the tension between the U.S. and Israel will continue to grow. It has to happen because the entire world will be against Israel during the Tribulation period.

And then there is the Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39). Many think it is drawing near because the IAEA and Israeli intelligence say Iran could have the ability to produce nuclear weapons in a matter of months. But Mr. Netanyahu has often said he won’t let Iran get nuclear weapons.

The U.S. and five others are supposed to be negotiating with Iran to get her to abandon her nuclear weapons program, but the news is full of reports that America and her allies have made major concessions to Iran (chickened out; forgive me, I couldn’t resist ) without getting anything in return.

We will soon know how this turns out, but it is a dangerous situation that may force Israel to act in a way that Mr. Obama won’t like, and he gets his arrogant feathers ruffled (and he retaliates), when anyone goes against him.

When the battle of Gog and Magog takes place, God said, “Sheba, and Dedan (cities in Saudi Arabia), and the merchants of Tarshish (perhaps England), with all the young lions thereof (perhaps the U.S., Canada and others), “Shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” (Ezek. 38:13). Put another way: Saudi Arabia, perhaps England and perhaps the U.S. will just stand around, ask questions and do nothing to help Israel. That’s okay. God will get the glory when Gog and his armies are destroyed on the mountains of Israel.

(Note: After this article was written, Mr. Kerry apologized to Mr. Netanyahu, but I have seen no reports that anyone in the Obama Administration has been held accountable.)

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck