General Articles

Epic Transformations :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR10

On Sept. 25, 2024, RT World News reported that UN Sec. Gen. Antonio Guterres was speaking to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24, 2024 when he said:

  • The international community must seek global solutions to the unprecedented challenges that have gripped the world.
  • Geo-political divisions across the world continue to deepen, temperatures are rising, wars are raging with no end in sight, while nuclear posturing and new weapons are casting a dark shadow over the planet.
  • We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world.

Guterres urged the international community to come together to manage the epic transformations underway and to join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.

As I read this, some of the words seemed so ominous: unprecedented challenges gripped the world, a dark shadow, the unimaginable, a powder keg, epic transformations, and engulfing the world.

If I wanted to tell you that the Tribulation Period is shaping up, I couldn’t think of words that would be more appropriate than the ones that Guterres used in his speech to the UN General Assembly.

I see a call for global solutions, a call for the international community to join forces, and it speaks to me of world government and the rise of the Antichrist.

The Bible teaches that the Rapture is close and epic transformations are coming to the world.

Here are some recent events that seem to confirm that epic transformations are underway, and the end of the age is close.

One, concerning the UN’s desire to be a world government and the UN “Pact for the Future:” on Sept. 25, 2024, Argentina’s Pres. Javier Milei addressed the UN General Assembly and said:

  • The U.N. is turning into a dictatorial monster pushing its will or ideology on the world population.
  • The UN has transformed into a Leviathan (monster) with multiple tentacles.
  • The UN has moved from an organization that pursued peace to an organization that imposes an ideological agenda on its members.
  • The UN allows bloody dictatorships such as Venezuela to sit on the Human Rights Council without reproach.
  • The UN is biased toward the Jewish nation (the only democratic country in the Middle East) while celebrating countries who “punish their women just for showing their skin.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN applauded Milei and said, “In this hall where they slandered Israel all day, you expressed courage and supported Israel!”

(More: On Sept. 30, 2024, Israel killed the head of the Hamas terrorist organization in Lebanon. On Oct. 1, 2024, the UNRWA confirmed that he was also employed by them as a school principal. Think about that: The head of a terrorist group that is trying to destroy Israel was employed by the UN as a school principal. In addition to that, he was the head of the teacher’s union in Lebanon.)

(More: On Oct. 4, 2024, Israel declared UN Sec. Gen. Guterres Persona Non Grata in Israel. This man, who heads an organization that employs Muslim terrorists to brainwash children, can’t seem to open his mouth without condemning Israel, but he can’t seem to find anything wrong with Iran or Hamas. He is now no longer welcome in Israel. An epic transformation of the UN is needed, but the epic transformation that Guterres is trying to bring about will be evil.)

Two, concerning wars and rumors of wars, and the destruction of Lebanon at the end of the age: on Sept. 25, 2024, it was reported:

  • With Hezbollah in Lebanon suffering great losses from Israel’s constant retaliation attacks, the terrorist organization asked Iran to directly attack Israel.
  • Iranian officials reportedly told their Hezbollah contacts that the timing is not right.
  • Iran likely wishes to avoid directly attacking Israel because doing so would give Israel the legitimacy to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites.

(More: On Sept. 27, 2024, Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu told Iran if you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in Iran where the long arm of Israel cannot reach.)

(More: On Sept. 27, 2024, Israeli jets struck Hezbollah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah’s central headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. Israel used bunker-busting bombs because Nasrallah’s headquarters was under a residential building. Preliminary reports say Israel killed Nasrallah (a direct descendent of Mohammed), plus several Hezbollah leaders, some Muslim religious leaders, and some Iranian generals. If this is true, it will be difficult for Iran to take it and not retaliate.)

(More: On Sept. 28, 2024, there were several reports that Nasrallah and several of Hezbollah’s top leaders are dead. Israel killed 4 this week, and that comes to 18 Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks. Their death will not end the war. Lower-level leaders will assume power, and how Hezbollah and Iran respond remains to be seen.).

(More: On Sept. 28, 2024, Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets and at least two missiles at large portions of Israel.)

(More: On Sept. 28, 2024, Israeli jets struck several weapons depots and manufacturing sites in Lebanon.)

(More: On Sept. 28, 2024, in Iran, it is now being reported that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has gone into hiding. From his hiding place, he called upon other Muslims to help Hezbollah with its struggle against Israel.)

(My opinion: At some point, God will draw Russia, Turkey, and several Muslim groups onto the mountains of Israel to help Iran, and they will be killed, too.)

(My opinion: Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Ayatollah can hide in underground tunnels and bunkers, but it is impossible for them to hide from God. World leaders would be wise to leave God’s battleaxe – the Jews – alone.)

(My opinion: As of now, the destruction in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran is far from being as bad as prophesied. There is more to come, and it is likely to come soon.)

(More: On Sept. 29, 2024, it was reported that Nasrallah’s cousin has been appointed to replace Nasrallah as the head of Hezbollah’s executive council.)

Three, concerning wars and rumors of wars and Hezbollah having troops on Israel’s border with Lebanon: in 2006 (18 years ago), the UN Security Council passed resolution 1701 that called for Hezbollah to keep its troops north of the Litany River (about 20 miles away from Israel’s border so rockets couldn’t reach Israel).

On Sept. 30, 2024, the Lebanese government said it is now ready to fully implement that resolution.

Lebanon and Hezbollah have been violating UN Security Council resolution 1701 for 18 years, and the UN has done nothing about it (and they want to head up the coming world government).

Four, concerning God causing the Jews to return to the Promised Land at the end of the age: based on Israeli government statistics, the population of Israel will top 10 million people (close to 8 million Jews) by the end of this year (at 6 pm on Oct. 2, 2024, on the Hebrew calendar, I think).

Five, concerning a controversy over the return of the Jews, the division of Israel, and a rebuilt Temple at the end of the age: on Sept. 26, 2024, Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, told the UN General Assembly the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the exclusive property of Muslims and Israel is a terrorist state that does not deserve membership in the UN.

He said Israel is using the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel as an excuse to launch a genocide attack in the Gaza Strip and a war of genocide in Lebanon.

He called Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir a terrorist for urging Israel to build a Third Temple on the Temple Mount.

(My opinion: The Temple will be rebuilt regardless of what Abbas says. The significant thing here is that there is controversy over Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount, and they are signs that the Tribulation Period is approaching.)

Six, concerning the Days of Noah and wickedness at the end of the age: on Sept. 26, 2024, Israeli special police and forensic teams released data (from thousands of video clips, testimonies, examination of bodies, etc.) showing that Hamas shot and burned alive 27 Jewish children between the ages of 0-17 on Oct. 7, 2023.

Seven, concerning the Days of Lot and immorality in America: on Sept. 26, 2024, it was reported that Kamala Harris supports all aspects of the LGBT agenda, including gender transitions for children, indoctrination of children in schools, and tax-payer-funded sex changes for illegal immigrants and prisoners in the U.S.

Eight, concerning the two assassination attempts on former Pres. Trump: on Sept. 25, 2024, Pres. Biden’s Sec. of Commerce went on MSNBC and called for Trump to be extinguished for good.

Concerning former Pres. Trump: Biden’s Sec. of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, said,

  • Like, how did we get here? Let’s extinguish him for good. We have an answer. We have a remarkably talented candidate who is sincere, who’s pragmatic, who’s open. Let’s just get it done.

(My question: Is it legal to go on TV and call for the former Pres. of the U.S. to be extinguished?)

Nine, concerning the destruction of Damascus, Syria, in one night: on Sept. 26, 2024, it was reported that about 40,000 fighters from Iraq, Yemen, and Syria have assembled in the Golan Heights and are preparing to fight against Israel.

According to the report, Israel intends to send a message to Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad that these forces are unacceptable.

On Sept. 27, 2024, it was reported that 5 Syrian soldiers were killed by an Israeli strike on a military site in the Damascus countryside.

On Sept. 29, 2024, the U.S. struck 2 targets in Syria and killed 37 terrorists.

Ten, concerning a borderless world and the decline of America: on Sept. 27, 2024, it was reported that the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) has sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas that says:

  • 650,000 illegal alien criminals are in the U.S.
  • 450,000 have been convicted of crimes.
  • 227,000 are suspected of committing crimes.
  • More than 13,000 have murdered someone.
  • More than 25,000 have committed sex crimes.
  • More than 50,000 were using drugs.
  • More than 2500 have kidnapped someone.
  • More than 14,000 have been convicted of burglary.
  • More than 15,000 have been convicted of fraud.

The list does not include illegal aliens that cross our border without getting caught.

(FYI: America’s border czar is Kamala Harris.)

(BTW: Kamala is being criticized for wearing a $62,000 gold necklace from Tiffany and Co. during her recent high-profile visit to the border.)

(More: On Sept. 29, 2024, Worthy News said, “After 158 U.S. House Democrats voted against deporting sex offenders, including child rapists, and one U.S. Senate Democrat blocked a bill to strengthen protections for unaccompanied minors, a Texas group is again calling on state leaders to act.)

(My Question: What is wrong with deporting sex offenders and child rapists? Are they deliberately trying to bring down America?)

Eleven, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Sept. 29, 2024, Israel retaliated for three Houthi missile attacks on Israel this month, including one on the previous day.

Israeli jets struck a Houthi port that receives weapons, military supplies, and oil from Iran.

They also struck power plants (10 explosions were heard, 4 people were killed, and 29 were wounded.).

Twelve, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of the age: Hurricane Helene is being called apocalyptic.

Some of the grim early statistics include on Sept. 30, 2024:

  • Ashville, North Carolina, only accessible by air (all roads in and out are blocked by mudslides, washed away, have damaged bridges, etc.).
  • Some North Carolina residents got more than 2 ft of rain in 24 hours.
  • The death toll in North Carolina alone is 133, and hundreds are missing.
  • The death toll is 30 is South Carolina, 25 in Ga., 11 in Fl. with numbers expected to rise.
  • Millions of people Fl, Ga., South Carolina, North Carolina, Va., W. V., Ky., and Ohio are without electricity (Many without food, gas, and water).
  • Wind gusts in Fl. up to 140 mph.
  • Billions of dollars in damage (now estimated to be $160 billion) and economic loss.
  • Multitudes are heartbroken and struggling to cope.

Thirteen, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Oct. 1, 2024, Iran launched about 180 missiles toward Israel, and Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at Israel.

Israel said Iran will pay a steep price for attacking Israel, and it will happen in the place and time of Israel’s choosing.

The U.S. said it will dispatch a few thousand more troops and several more fighter jet squadrons to the Middle East to defend Israel.

Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war.

Fourteen, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog: on Oct. 1, 2024, Russia demanded that Israel withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

Russia occupied Crimea (part of Ukraine) more than 10 years ago and invaded the rest of Ukraine two years ago, but they think Israel should get out of Lebanon.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 (Day 355): The three hundredth day of the resumed war. Day 133 of the attack on Rafah.

  • Israel called up to brigades of reserves to fight in Lebanon.
  • Israeli jets assassinated Hezbollah’s drone chief.

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 (Day 356) The three hundred and first day of the resumed war. Day 134 of the attack on Rafah.

  • Israel’s Prime Min. Netanyahu said reports that Israel is close to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon are false. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force. And we will not stop until we achieve all our goals, chief among them the return of the residents of the north securely to their homes.

Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 (Day 357) The three hundred and second day of the resumed war. Day 135 of the attack on Rafah.

  • Israel shot down a missile fired by the Houthis in Yemen.
  • More than 30,000 citizens of Lebanon have fled to Syria in the last few days.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 (Day 358) The three hundred and third day of the resumed war. Day 136 of the attack on Rafah.

  • Israel started small-scale invasions of Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah positions near Lebanon’s border with Israel.
  • The U.S. urged all Americans and ordered some of its embassy employees and their families to leave Lebanon.
  • Hezbollah said it launched missiles from Lebanon toward Jerusalem.

Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 (Day 359) The three hundred and fourth day of the resumed war. Day 137 of the attack on Rafah.

  • Israel said it had attacked hundreds of Hezbollah targets all over Lebanon in the past 24 hours.
  • Members of Israel’s opposition party are pushing for a ground invasion of Lebanon to push Hezbollah back across the Litani River so Israeli citizens in northern Israel can return to their homes.

Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 (Day 360) The three hundred and fifth day of the resumed war. Day 138 of the attack on Rafah.

  • An Israeli airstrike on the home of the leader of Hamas in Lebanon, killed him, his wife, son, and daughter.
  • Israel confirmed that it has started a limited localized invasion of Lebanon to push Hezbollah away from its border.
  • Israel warned residents of Beirut suburbs to vacate their homes.
  • The Lebanese army has started withdrawing from several positions in southern Lebanon.
  • Israeli troops have started entering Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon.
  • Israel shot down an explosive drone headed toward an offshore gas rig.
  • An Iranian cleric accused Israel of having access to demons and genies to win wars since Davidic times (Note: Jehovah supernaturally helps Israel).
  • Russia condemned Israel’s assassination of Nasrallah.

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 (Day 361) The three hundred and sixth day of the resumed war. Day 139 of the attack on Rafah.

  • Terrorists killed 6 and wounded 9 Jews (4 critical) in Israel.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

 

Are Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 About to be Fulfilled? :: By Britt Gillette

Published on: by RR10

Is the Current Israel-Hezbollah War a Fulfillment of Prophecy?

Two weeks ago, Israel pulled off what previously had only been imagined by Hollywood screenwriters and authors of best-selling spy thrillers.

To initiate an offensive against Hezbollah, Israel detonated explosives hidden within the communication devices of thousands of the terror organization’s top operatives. In the first 48 hours, they killed at least 27 and injured thousands more. Since then, aerial strikes have taken out additional Hezbollah targets, including high-profile individuals such as Ibrahim Aqil (long wanted by the U.S. for the 1983 attacks on the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut) and Hassan Nasrallah (the longtime leader of Hezbollah). As I write this, news reports confirm Israel has launched a targeted ground invasion of southern Lebanon named Operation Northern Arrows to uproot Hezbollah positions.

It’s clear Israel is determined to destroy Hezbollah as a threat to Israel. For decades now, Iran has funded, trained, and equipped Hezbollah. Iran has expended a significant amount of time, energy, and financial resources building proxy forces and positioning them around Israel. Their aim is to threaten (and eventually destroy) Israel from a distance while maintaining plausible deniability when it comes to their direct involvement. Nevertheless, it’s no secret Hezbollah is an extension of Iran. It’s the crown jewel of Iranian proxy forces.

Right now, Israel is in the process of wiping out that prized proxy force. The big question is what will Iran do? Will they simply stand by and watch all their efforts training, funding, and equipping Hezbollah come to nothing? Will they watch the destruction of Hezbollah from a distance and do nothing? If not, then what will they do?

What Will Be Iran’s Response?

As it stands, I believe Iran has only four options it can pursue. Iran can:

1) Do Nothing – Iran could make the choice to simply do nothing. They can stand by and idly watch as Hezbollah is uprooted, dismantled, and destroyed. To do so means Iran is willing to watch as years of meticulous planning and investment in Hezbollah as a military asset literally goes up in smoke. Is Iran willing to watch their proxy army get erased in short order, all while they do nothing? It’s highly unlikely, but it can’t be completely ruled out.

2) Engage in an All-Out Direct War with Israel – Iran could also make the choice to directly engage Israel in all-out war. I don’t think they have the option of launching an attack as they did back in April unless they’re willing to follow through with additional attacks and engage in all-out war. Based on statements from Israel’s leadership, any attack from Iran will likely be viewed as a declaration of war. And given the timing of events (the U.S. election is just five weeks away) and the prospect of another four years of the Biden-Harris administration, Israel will likely use any opportunity it has in the near term to eliminate any threats – including Iran.

If Iran chooses this option, they need to be confident they can survive such a choice. The missile and drone attacks Iran launched back in April were a total failure. If reports are true, the Ayatollah is currently in hiding because he fears for his life following a series of surgical strikes on high-profile Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian leaders in the region. Based on the failure of the April attack, Iran may fear the repercussions of a direct assault on Israel – especially if they’re incapable of striking a significant blow to Israel. It also begs the question – why build a proxy army if your first option is a direct strike? Given Iran’s past investment in its proxy forces (most notably Hezbollah), I think it’s unlikely they’ll engage in all-out direct war with Israel. However, this, too, cannot be ruled out.

3) Engage in an All-Out Proxy War with Israel – A third option available for Iran is to respond through its proxies by engaging in an all-out proxy war with Israel. I believe this is the most likely scenario. After all, why build up Hezbollah for decades only to see it destroyed without ever using its full capability?

If reports are true, Hezbollah has over 150,000 rockets, missiles, and drones at its disposal – many of them hidden in deep underground caverns. No doubt, Israel has identified many of these installations. It’s highly likely they will act swiftly to destroy as many of them as possible while Hezbollah struggles to reorganize following the decapitation of their leadership. With Hezbollah in disarray, Israel will move quickly to destroy them before they have a chance to rebuild their communications and backfill their leadership ranks. If Hezbollah is at all capable of acting and launching an all-out assault on Israel, now is the time. Iran will most likely give them a green light to do so.

4) Apply International Pressure on Israel – A fourth option available for Iran involves the application of extreme international pressure on Israel to call off its attack on Hezbollah positions. This fourth option could be pursued alone or in tandem with Option #2 or Option #3. Iran could even pursue Options #2, #3, and #4 simultaneously. While Israel’s enemies constantly appeal to the international community, hoping to apply pressure on Israel, Iran is unique in its ability to apply pressure guaranteed to make world leaders act. How? Just as its Houthi rebel proxies managed to close the Red Sea to all shipping traffic related to Israel and its allies, Iran is capable of closing the Strait of Hormuz – the most critical shipping lane in any body of water on the globe.

As the only way in or out of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz sees 21% of global oil production flow through its waters on a daily basis. Moreover, this equates to 40% of all the world’s exported petroleum. If Iran decides its best option is to appeal to the global community by closing the Strait of Hormuz until Israel ceases hostilities toward Hezbollah, then many world leaders will be desperate to find a resolution in order to restore the free flow of oil at market prices.

Foremost among these world leaders will be U.S. President Joe Biden. His Vice President, Kamala Harris, is in a tight election race with only five weeks to go. A prolonged closure of the Persian Gulf would cause oil prices to skyrocket. That, in turn, would solidify the current global downturn into a global depression. Gasoline for most U.S. consumers would exceed $10 per gallon. It’s hard to imagine such a scenario takes place and Harris doesn’t lose in a landslide. So, faced with this prospect, President Biden would likely demand Israel cease its assault on Hezbollah.

Other world leaders, whether engaged in reelection battles or not, will also want a quick resolution to such a crisis. Energy is the lifeblood of all economic activity. Without it, nothing moves. Elevated oil prices will result in much higher prices for everyday essentials, and the most important of those is food. Hungry people spark revolutions. So, every leader in the world will have a vested interest in seeing oil prices return to normal.

I’ll be very surprised if Iran chooses Option #1. I’ll be equally surprised if they don’t choose Option #4. My best guess is they’ll pursue Options #3 and #4. If they choose Option #3 – an all-out proxy war with Israel – then I believe Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 have a high probability of being fulfilled.

Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17

How do Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 factor in? It’s possible they don’t. Many people who have diligently studied the Bible believe Psalm 83 is not prophetic in nature. Others believe Isaiah 17 was fulfilled in the past, and it does not prophesy a future event. I believe differently. However, I’m not rigid in this position. I could be wrong. In fact, I hope and pray I’m wrong because of what it means for the people of Syria and Israel.

However, this is why I believe these two passages in the Bible point to a coming conflict involving great devastation:

The consensus view says Psalm 83 is an imprecatory prayer and nothing more. I believe it’s a prayer and a prophecy. First, Asaph – the author of Psalm 83 – is named as a prophet in Matthew 13:35. Second, when you read verses 4 thru 8, they cite many of the same people groups standing against Israel today, and they say the same things today that Asaph cites in verses 4 and 12:

“‘Come,’ they say, ‘Let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence'” Psalm 83:4 (NLT).

And…

“For they said, ‘Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God!'” Psalm 83:12 (NLT).

Verses 9 thru 18 consist of a prayer asking God to take specific actions against Israel’s enemies.

So, why do I believe Psalm 83 is more than a prayer, but a prophecy of things to come? Because God says He will answer this prayer. In verse 13, Asaph says:

“O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind!” Psalm 83:13 (NLT).

In Isaiah 17:13, we read about God’s response:

“But though they thunder like breakers on a beach, God will silence them, and they will run away. They will flee like chaff scattered by the wind, like a tumbleweed whirling before a storm” Isaiah 17:13 (NLT).

Because of this, I believe these two passages describe the same event. Both use the same words for “tumbleweed” (Strong’s 1534) and “wind” (Strong’s 7307). Also, both verses use different words for “chaff” (Strong’s 7179 and 4671), but the translated meaning of both words is the same. Therefore, it’s reasonable to conclude both verses describe the same event – Psalm 83:13 as a prayer and Isaiah 17:13 as God’s response to the prayer.

So, if both passages describe the same event, what does Isaiah 17 point to? Isaiah 17 prophesies a future devastating event. Again, some people disagree. They say this has already happened, and maybe they’re right. But this is what I believe the scriptures point to.

Verse 1 says Damascus will disappear:

“This message came to me concerning Damascus: ‘Look, the city of Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins'” Isaiah 17:1 (NLT).

Some believe this occurred in 732 B.C. when Assyria defeated the Arameans, captured Damascus, and carried away its people as slaves (2 Kings 16:9). However, this did not result in the complete destruction of Damascus. It continued to exist. In fact, Damascus is believed to be the longest continuously inhabited city on earth, with a history dating back almost 5,000 years. So, I believe this is a prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

As if this isn’t bad enough, Isaiah 17 paints a picture of widespread destruction in Israel as well:

“‘The fortified towns of Israel will also be destroyed, and the royal power of Damascus will end. All that remains of Syria will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,’ declares the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ‘In that day Israel’s glory will grow dim; its robust body will waste away. The whole land will look like a grainfield after the harvesters have gathered the grain. It will be desolate, like the fields in the valley of Rephaim after the harvest. Only a few of its people will be left, like stray olives left on a tree after the harvest. Only two or three remain in the highest branches, four or five scattered here and there on the limbs,’ declares the Lord, the God of Israel” Isaiah 17:3-6 (NLT).

How could all this happen? We can only speculate. But it’s not difficult to envision a cornered Hezbollah firing thousands of missiles, rockets, and drones into Israel. If they overwhelm the Iron Dome defense system or if a weapon of mass destruction makes it through, Israel will respond with overwhelming force – quite possibly using nuclear weapons. One of the most likely targets? Damascus – a city long known for harboring terrorist leaders.

Where Will This Lead?

So, what is the likely end result of the events we’re seeing play out in Israel and Lebanon right now?

Whether or not Psalm 83 or Isaiah 17 play into this, I believe once the dust settles from this current conflict, we will see the stage set for the events prophesied in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.

These chapters foretell a future surprise invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations involving Russia, Iran, Turkey, and a number of other nations. The Bible is clear this invasion will come against the modern-day nation of Israel in the last days. It also clearly states Israel will be a land of unwalled villages, living in a state of tranquil peace (Ezekiel 38:11). Israel is currently not in such a state. However, if Israel pursues the goal of destroying Hamas, Hezbollah, and all the enemies on its border – all those enemies that pose an existential threat at the current moment – then we could see Israel end up in such a state of tranquility (at least for a time).

What Happens Between Now and Then?

In the meantime, what happens between now and then? I don’t know. I’m not a prophet. However, I know what the Bible says. Israel as a nation-state will not be destroyed (Amos 9:14-15). Between now and the events of Ezekiel 38-39, something has to take place in order to create the state of peace Israel will be living in prior to the Gog of Magog invasion. It’s quite possible the events we’re witnessing right now will result in the destruction of Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist organizations committed to the destruction of Israel. If Israel wipes out these threats, they may well find themselves in the state of peace outlined in Ezekiel 38-39.

If Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 are yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies, then it’s highly likely we’ll see them fulfilled in the very near future as this conflict unfolds. Again, I hope I’m wrong. To be right means catastrophic war. It means the destruction of Damascus. It means devastation to a large part of northern Israel. It means an entire world in turmoil.

It also means Jesus is coming. Because no matter what happens, the world is currently setting the stage for the seven-year Tribulation and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of that Tribulation. That means the rapture of the church (which I believe the Bible teaches will come before the Tribulation) will occur even sooner. In other words, Jesus could return at any moment. Make sure you’re prepared!

***

Britt Gillette is the author of several books on bible prophecy and the end times. You can find more of his work at brittgillette.substack.com.