From time to time we receive questions about the merits of investing in the Israeli oil exploration industry. Would it offer good returns? Just which oil exploration companies show the best prospects? Could there be a Biblical basis for the idea that oil will be found in Israel some day? For an oil analyst, these would be easier questions to answer were they not linked up with religious beliefs. As such, any answer is likely to offend someone’s sensitivities. Yet, the topic deserves investigation. We will tread carefully.

However, before going any further, we must acknowledge up-front the good intentions of investors in Israel-based oil exploration projects. Many of these people genuinely want to support the cause of finding oil or other types of hydrocarbons in Israel. After all, wouldn’t this be wonderful? At long last, Israel would be freed from its heavy burden of energy imports. It imports virtually 99% of its oil requirements.

Moreover, Israel would then also possess some of the same resource riches of most of its mortal adversaries, such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, to name just a few. Interestingly, we observe that the majority of the world’s proven oil reserves happen to lie under countries with Muslim-dominant populations. Hydrocarbon wealth is not only found in the Islamic Middle East, but also countries further-afield from ancient Arabia, such as Nigeria, Azerbaijan and Indonesia, which all have in common a growing Islamic influence.

We empathize with those who wish to support Israel and would certainly not begrudge Israel were it to find massive oil and gas deposits someday. However, if it was only a matter of beneficent sentiments for Israel, there would be little reason to investigate further. Much more is involved.

Why Search For Oil In Israel?

To begin, why explore for oil, and why in Israel? Of course, it is well understood that oil exploration can be a very profitable business should major hydrocarbon deposits be found. But how do oil executives determine where to drill? Usually, such decisions are guided by the studies of geologists and business analysts. They strive to maximize the prospects of exploration success as well as future production revenues. It is a high risk business, with as many as 80% of drilled wells coming up dry.

Then why invest in companies that are exploring for oil in Israel? Most assuredly, geologists are interested in a “sure-fire” investment payoff.Israel, however, only has a fledgling oil exploration industry comprised of less than 20 companies, most of which are very small. Oil finds over the years have been meager, although significant natural gas deposits have been recently located 50 miles offshore under the Mediterranean Sea. Since the early 1940s, perhaps as many as 1000 wells have been drilled in Israel. Even a government-owned company, was actively seeking oil and gas reserves. Its best results were in the Sinai region. The oil fields there would likely have been sufficient to meet Israel’s oils needs even today. But this was not to be.Israel, desiring to make peace, and to be accepted among the natons, gave this region back to Egypt as part of the 1979 peace treaty. Israel, rightfully and legally had sufficient oil supplies. It chose to give it them back.

Today, Israel remains reliant upon imported oil for virtually all of its needs. That would be good reason to double-up efforts to find oil, except that that the likelihood for finding a major oil reserve is very slim. Nevertheless, there some people who believe that chances are good. Many of them are drawn in by the claims of some ministries (and promoters) that there is Biblical proof that oil will be found in Israel someday.

One oil executive (whom we choose not to name as we have not spoken to him directly) claims that divine visions inspired him to search for oil inIsrael. Surely, there is nothing wrong with exploring for oil in Israel. However, are some investors—either benevolent or greedy—being led to misjudge the risks and prospects for success because of an implied religious or Biblical validation?

If this were so, it would not be new. Christians, unfortunately, are often gullible. Too many drop their defenses when a huckster implies credibility on the strength of some religious association or an obscure Bible verse and/or prophetic statement. Could this be true in the case of Israel-based oil exploration? Just how realistic is it that huge reserves of oil or natural gas will be found in Israel? Let’s examine the evidence. We can approach this question from at least two perspectives: 1. Science … the evidence from geology and historical exploration results; and 2. The Bible.

Let’s first turn to the Scriptures.

Prophetic Proof of Oil in the Bible

Just where in the Bible does it say that Israel will someday find oil? A number of well-respected evangelical Bible teachers have isolated some verses that could leave open the possibility that oil “might” someday be found in Israel. Dr. David Jeremiah and Dr. Timothy Lahaye, as well as other prophecy experts such as Hal Lindsay and Joel Rosenberg, openly speculate that oil will someday be found in Israel. Said Lindsay, “Prophetically, I believe oil will be found on Zion’s (this being a reference to Zion Oil and Gas Inc.) leases.” In fairness, we recognize that many of these views are mostly “belief statements” and not claims of absolute certainty. Yet, these opinions of respected Bible-teachers are often promoted by others as being supportive of Israeli oil exploration … the intended implication to investors being that success is highly probable.

Let’s examine some of the Bible verses that are cited as support. We could not hope to provide an exhaustive review here of all the possible verses. Basically, four approaches are taken. Scripture verses are sought that could be interpreted as proof that oil substances had existed in Old Testament times. The working theory is that if it existed then, more of it therefore can be found today with modern drilling techniques. Secondly, certain Biblical accounts are either allegorized or interpreted as having involved oil. Again, if it was available in ancient societies, it should be found somewhere today. Thirdly, various Hebrew word meanings are subjectively inflected to try to prove that possibly the Bible might have intended these verses—though obliquely—to indicate the presence or meaning of oil in some way. Finally, a number of prophetic statements are claimed to have an application to oil exploration in Israel in modern times.

As to the first approach, quite a large number of Bible verses are cited that could possibly indicate the existence of oil-based substances in Biblical times. For instance, in Genesis 14:10 we read: “Now the Valley of Siddimwas full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills.”

However, the fact that there were tar pits on the surface at that time 4,000 years ago does not necessarily connect to deposits being sought today at 10,000 foot plus deep wells.

An example of the second approach is the story of Elijah’s water-soaked offering on Mount Carmel, where fire fell from heaven upon the altar, thus proving the 450 priests of Baal as false prophets. Some have reasoned that the water that Elijah had poured on the altar could only have been a hydrocarbon based substance. For liquid to have spontaneously erupted into flames as described in the Bible, it must have been a combustible hydrocarbon of some type. Of course, we would reject such explanations as it shows Elijah to be a trickster rather than evidencing the superior power of God over the gods of Baal.

Just what prophecies have been found to prove that oil riches will flow toIsrael some day? A heavy emphasis is placed upon Jacob’s prophecies over his sons. For example:

“And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath” (Deuteronomy 33:13). Or, “They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand” (Deuteronomy 33:19).

Such phrases as “deep that coucheth beneath” and “treasures hid in the sand” hold possibility to some that oil might be the intended subject. Just what “treasures” might be indicated? Could it be oil? Supposedly, yes. Oil could qualify as a treasure in our modern day world. However, to surmise that the insinuation of oil here is so strong that one can establish a prophetic basis for finding huge oil reserves is not valid. There are a number of other verses of the same type.

May we be rationally analytical? Again, please realize that we are not hostile to investors who wish to put their money into Israeli oil exploration, especially as many do so out of a spirit of benevolence. In our opinion, there is no irrefutable prophecy in the Bible that indicates that large finds of oil will be made in Israel. At best, these may be considered as vague insinuations, but they are not proof. Therefore, these supposed prophecies will not increase anyone’s odds of finding oil in Israel. Nor, critically, should anyone rely on Bible prophecy to promote an investment prospect.

If so, that would be unfortunate. Bible prophecy was never intended to provide financial advantage and has no such application. Otherwise, Jeremiah and many other Old Testament prophets could have become rich. Knowing the future (though also requiring knowledge of the exact timing of events) would have been a profitable “insider tip.”

We cannot find any non-debatable, irrefutable statement in the Bible anywhere that can be construed as proof positive that significant amounts of oil will be found in Israel some day … nor that hundreds of millions of dollars should be lost in such speculations.

Oil Exploration Results

Looking over the financial disclosures of both past and currently-active companies in oil exploration in Israel, could one make the case that Bible-inspired oil exploration companies have the upper hand or are more successful? No. However, it does seem obvious that such companies are more successful raising capital than other oil explorers.

The “Christian” association and the implied good cause of finding “prophetically validated” oil may well loosen the wallets of both investors and benefactors. Notably, Zion Oil & Gas Inc. (the most active Bible-inspired explorer presently) has virtually been in a continuous state of capital raising over the past several years. It has successfully attracted tens of millions in funds, and this throughout the most difficult period of the Global Financial Crisis.

Since that time, it has raised over $50 million through new share sales and rights offerings. This is actually quite remarkable. Throughout most of 2008 and 2009, other junior oil companies could not raise a plugged nickel, no matter if their viability depended upon it. For a time, there simply was no risk capital available, even for well-run resource companies with very attractive prospects.

Oil exploration is a risky business at best. To date, Zion has yet to locate any commercial quantities of oil and has no revenues. For the sake of their investors and the two charitable trusts that Zion has founded, we hope their fortunes will change. All the same, we cannot point to any prophecy or industrial advantage that would validate any expectations of above-average results.

Reliable Prophecy?

Mr. John Brown, Chairman and Founder of Zion Oil & Gas Inc. (Zion), writes in his recent book, The Oil of Israel: Prophecy Being Fulfilled: “So, why did God choose Zion to discover the oil in Israel? The answer is I don’t know why, but He did, and I believe I was told by God that it was to fulfill His promises to Israel (Isaiah 14:24) (Zechariah 1:17) and to bless the body of Christ. (Isaiah 23:18 NIV) [sic] and Zion Oil only exists because of God’s faithfulness to Israel (Psalms 36:5, 89:1-5) and not because of my faith (Isaiah 25:1).”1

No doubt, Mr. Brown may honestly have his beliefs about the certainty of oil being found in Israel someday. Moreover, he may freely express these opinions in the field of faith. However, civil authorities are much less tolerant of unsubstantiated speculations. In Zion’s 2009-year filing of its 10-K report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company states: “We have no proved reserves or current production and we may never have any.”2 The words “may never have” surely do not reveal any prophetic certainties. The contrast in this 10-K statement with those ofZion’s promoters is revealing.

We here again see that there is little consequence for promoting false hopes — even if with honest conviction — under the guise of faith and religion. Civil authorities, on the other hand, have seen fit to institute laws and regulations that are designed to protect investors from such “speculations” … certainly not without clear disclosure as to the risks and real facts.

There were others claiming divine leading to find oil in Israel. Famously, the late Hayseed Stevens, founder of Ness Energy Inc. (today defunct, and without assets, never having found any commercial oil deposits), in the 1990s claimed “[…] that God showed me the location of the world’s greatest oil field […] the greatest oil field on Earth is under the southwest corner of the Dead Sea.” Ness Energy Petroleum went on to spend millions exploring for oil in that region. To date, this trove has not been found and the phantom profits from it that would go toward the building of the third Jewish temple, as Mr. Stephens predicted, also did not happen (… at least, not yet).

To date, the record of the “vision-inspired” oil industry in Israel has not edified the reputation of the Christian faith or of Bible prophecy. Quite to the contrary.

God’s Intentions with Israel

Could it be that God never did want Israel to have much oil … at least, not before the Millennium? If so, it would parallel His dealings with Israel that we see in the Old Testament. God has always wanted Israel to be reliant upon Him; not upon their own might and technology (and perhaps, also not oil riches). For instance, during the times of the Old Testament judges, for example Gideon, the Philistines possessed the advanced technology of iron and had many horses and chariots. Israelites had to go down to the valleys or the coast to get an axe head. The valley bottoms were well protected by the Philistine charioteers. During this and other times of oppression, God raised prophets and teachers who led Israel back to the worship of the God of Israel. He Himself miraculously delivered them from their enemies several times.

The Lord indicates that He will bring Israel back to Himself for one last and final time. It then will be God that delivers Israel, a believing Israel, who will finally recognize “he who was pierced” (Zechariah 12:10) and rejoice when they see their Messiah.

We can know that even were it true that Israel would find large oil deposits, it will not serve to change the ultimate destiny of Israel. Rather, it is the other way around. Israel, in the end—with or without oil—will be nearly annihilated by the Gentile nations but not for God’s intervention.

Points to Ponder

God has put the oil where we find it today. Scripture tells us that He himself placed this vast wealth in the cradle of civilization. In Revelation we read, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelations 4:11). More specifically, it is He “who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it” (Revelation 10:6).

Clearly, God determined where oil would be found. Satan has since mobilized an adversarial religion (Islam) from amongst the relatives ofIsrael (through the descendants of Ishmael, also a son of Abraham). Remarkably, it has spread to non-Arab nations … many of which happen to be oil-rich.

The situation we find with respect to global oil and gas dynamics today is not circumstantial. A master evil strategist could not have planned nor encouraged the global oil economy we witness today any more effectively. We have isolated some 20 so-called “coincidences” and “unexplainable circumstances” that are observed in the world today with respect to its oil economy. (The 4-part article series carried in Midnight Call in the April through July issues of 2006, reviews these factors.)

It is statistically improbable that such conditions could have occurred accidentally. It therefore would not be unreasonable to conclude that huge finds of oil in Israel (certainly so before the Millennium period) should not be expected to materially alter geopolitical conditions with respect to Israel.

One day, Israel indeed will have enormous wealth. This is clearly indicated in numerous Bible prophecies. And, not incidentally, all of these prophecies are not vague nor oblique statements that may imply anything but prove nothing. All align with each other. For example, “You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast” (Isaiah 61:6). Also,“Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come” (Isaiah 60:5). (Also see Isaiah 66:12, Micah 4:13, Isaiah 60:11 and Zechariah 14:14.) In each verse, wealth flows “to” Israel … not “from.” Moreover, no oil transfers are specifically mentioned in these verses.

Finally, what can readers conclude? Please do not at all be dissuaded from supporting Israel. If you wish to invest money in Israel, you are free to do so. However, do not allow your decision in any such matters to be influenced by claims of “prophetic validation.” It will not give you an investment “edge” or an inside track.

Rest assured, God will be faithful to his promises to Israel, as He repeatedly confirms in the Bible. “‘As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.’ This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid’” (Zechariah 8:13-15).

Christians, though perhaps well intended in their dealings with modern-dayIsrael, are not called to complete any prophetic program on God’s behalf.

 
1 John Brown writing in the preface to his book, The Oil of Israel: Prophecy Being Fulfilled, 2010.
2 Form 10-K 2009, Zion Oil & Gas Inc., page 18.

In the first two parts of this series, we documented the rapid economic and geopolitical rise of a number of Asian countries over the past half-century. In addition, we pointed out related developments that may have alignments with specific Bible prophecies. We closed Part II of this series with a jarring report on the skewed gender preferences for male children in the populous nations of both China and India today.  Could this rather sudden development align with the prophecy found in Revelation 9:14-16, which mentions an action involving troops numbering 200 million?

A number of major questions still beckon in our investigation of Asia’s possible endtime roles: Will Asian nations yet take a dominant role in world affairs?  Could certain Asian nations form part of the final world order? Just what developments or events prompt the Kings of the East mentioned in Revelation 16:12 to cross over the Euphrates River?  We will attempt some answers.

As we learned, two countries in Asia alone account for almost two-fifths of the world’s population—China and India. Overall, approximately three-fifths of the world’s population lives east of the Euphrates River in Asia. Yet, population trends are suddenly changing. In addition to the sudden shift to “gendercide” in Asia and India, the birth rate has been falling rapidly in Asia. It is possible that Asian populations could begin declining in the next half century. China, specifically, will face one of the steepest aging trends in the world during this period.

Twenty-five to 50 years from now, the population of China—indeed that of Asia at large —would no longer be sufficient to support an army of young men of eligible military age in excess of 200 million. Not only would population growth already be in decline, the average age of males would push far past the ideal military service age. If so, then we are presented with a possible time constraint. We could argue that the large army foreseen in Revelation 9, if it is to be centered in Asia, is an event that must fall in the nearer future. If Asian populations are aging, time is running out. (However, as mentioned in Part II, Scripture does not allow us to conclude with full certainty that this large army of mounted troops must come entirely from Asia, though we certainly see developments today that would align with such a conclusion.)

China and Asia Continue to Advance

For several reasons, we have emphasized China in our investigation. Firstly, it is crucial to realize that the Chinese have an inordinately large influence on the entire Asian region. Not only is China the largest trade partner with many other Asian countries, a large percentage of major businesses in southeast Asia are owned or controlled by Chinese families. Though a minority ethnic group in Asia (outside of China), they are its main business people. The Chinese diasporas, triggered by political unrest and wars of the late 19th century and the middle 20th(the time of the Great Revolution and victory of Mao Zedong) spread a Chinese business network across the entire region from Malaysia to Indonesia. These large business empires have directed much investment to China in recent decades and have made a large contribution to the economic rise of China.

Secondly, China, either individually or in concert with other Asian countries, has the ability to challenge America and other Western countries. China itself may have less inhibitions in destabilizing the current world order, as it is much more than “a big country, inhabited by many Chinese,” as the French premier Charles DeGaulle once opined. Its agendas find deep motivations. China’s deportment will be influenced by the fact that it has existed as a country millenniums before the US and other high income countries of today. After all, China was the world’s largest economy for 18 of the last 20 centuries.

Finally, China is not militarily reliant upon the West as Japan was when it entered its fast-growth phase. This affords a measure of autonomy. It can choose to align itself against the West. In conclusion, China is no one’s lap dog. It is an independent player on the world scene. Foreign pressure (gaiatsu) is not likely to be effective.  Can anyone stop China from pursuing its own interest?

Is a Dominant Asia Inevitable?

Though it may today appear that the economic advance of China and other Asian nations is unstoppable, this is not necessarily a valid conclusion. In fact, it is not at all likely that Far-East Asian nations will come to dominate the world any time soon, if ever. To the contrary. While competitive pressures and conflicts with the Western world (Roman world) are surely to heighten, Bible prophecy as well as other developments observable today suggest otherwise.
It is strange twist of fate that Asia as a region possesses so little resources and energy reserves in comparison to other parts of the world. The vast abundance of the world’s resources—certainly so when measured on a per capita basis—is found elsewhere. This is a structural reality of the world. It means that an awakening Asia, as it seeks to attain the prosperity levels of the US, Canada andEurope, is sure to test the limitations of commodity supplies. This has already been the case to date.

Particularly, as the populous countries of India and China raise their overall consumption levels and become integrated into world trade, it will stress commodity supply channels, not to mention worsen pollution. Just think: WereChina alone to ever attain the same per-capita automobile ownership asAmerica, it would mean that the entire auto fleet of the world would at least double. Imagine the rise in demand for iron ore and other resources, especially hydrocarbons. Obviously, such a boom is not likely to occur without causing economic stresses for the entire world.

As such, there are a number of reasons why key Asian countries also face some challenges in the decades ahead.  Another hurdle, as mentioned, stems from the fact that birth rates have fallen dramatically over the past two decades in China (and also Asia generally). At some point this will cause economic difficulties, as there will be insufficient young people entering the workforce. Moreover, in hyper-stimulating its economy to high growth, China has resorted to manipulating its currency as well as its monetary affairs. For example, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has forced state banks over the past two years to create the largest lending surge in history. This is foolhardy. The ultimate result of these policies will be disastrous. No country has ever escaped the consequences of credit bubbles. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that China’s boom cannot continue indefinitely.
A Dried-Up Euphrates: What It Means

Two prophetic accounts we have reviewed in our study of Asia involved theEuphrates River. A key difference between these references was that it was “dried up” in the one account (Revelation 16[1]), while no mention of this is made in the other (Revelation 9). Yet, it is specifically this drying up of the Euphratesthat is stated as causing (or facilitating) the crossing of the “Kings of the East.”

Just what could this drying up of the Euphrates imply? It may be a symbolic indication.  Consider that the imagery of “dried up” water is found elsewhere in Scripture. It comes up in at least three contexts: describing actual natural phenomena, as imagery of divine intervention,[2] or military boasting. Naturally, a “dried up” river or sky would represent famine and drought. Rivers were the economic basis of agrarian societies, certainly so in Mesopotamia and Egypt. A dry river therefore implied dying livestock and failed crops—an economic depression, in other words.[3]

To dry up a river was also considered a military technique of conquest and boasting.[4] The overthrowing of Babylon by Cyrus of Persia is one the most well known demonstrations of using the technique of a “dried up” river (in this case, by diverting the river) to military advantage. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, apparently boasted that he dried up the river of Egypt with the “soles of his feet” (2 Kings 19:24).

We are left speculating about the question of what a “dried up” Euphrates could signify—that the river becomes literally dried up, or that the region suffers economic depression? We embrace both interpretations. Indeed, the flow of theEuphrates is much slower today due to many hydroelectric developments. However, a river today, whether dry or swollen, is hardly an obstacle to mechanized armies with capable engineers. Therefore, the literal drying up of theEuphrates River is not needed to allow the incursions of the Kings of the East. Rather, it is more likely that the “drying up” is meant symbolically as an economically difficult time.

Whatever the case, as we will next show, neither China nor Asia collectively will come to dominate the world either economically or geopolitically.

One More Key Mention of Asian Countries in Prophecy

There is one additional verse in the Bible which applies to some key Asian countries today that can easily be overlooked. It is found in Revelation 17:12, which supports an important deduction. It reads: “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” Just how does this verse connect to Asian countries today?

We must, of course, first assume that we are indeed living in the very last of the last days. As such, the world today would then be very near the time that the 10 kings are to emerge upon the world scene. The verse we have quoted from Revelation specifically refers to these 10 kings and reveals a crucial clue.

John, the Revelator tells us here that these 10 kings “have not yet received a kingdom.”  This means that neither the kings nor their kingdoms referred to in this verse had yet existed either at or by the time that Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation (approx. 90-95 AD).

As such, we can validly draw some conclusions from Revelation 17:12: Any nation today that existed at or prior to the time of John’s prophecy can therefore not qualify as one of the 10 final kings … in other words, one of the final 10 nations. If we apply this rule, it reveals that such nations as China, India, Persiaand others will not be part of the final 10-king world power coalition.

China already existed in New Testament times. According to historians, the Han Dynasty, a predecessor to modern-day China, was in power at the time of John’s prophecies. The same may be concluded for the nation of Japan today. As already mentioned, the nation of “Hodu” (India) had already existed, as the book of Esther confirms. Crucially, therefore, we discover here that none of these large and influential Asian nations will be part of the last-day rulership represented by the 7th head of the beasts shown in Revelation 12, 13 and 17 … the 10 kings.

What light could this information possibly shed upon our times today? Without a doubt, there indeed will be “Kings of the East” that fulfill their action as described in Revelation 16:12, confirming their existence at that time. However, these nations will be dominated by the 10 kings, as the 7th head that they represent is the final power that then has dominance over the entire world with the Antichrist (See Daniel 7).

Beyond the certainty that these nations will not be part of the world ruling order at the time that the Antichrist takes over global control, we can only attempt a few additional speculative conclusions.

A scenario that appears plausible is that the formation of the final 10 kings may very well be a counter strategy to the perceived threats or non-aligned perspectives of other global players, these very possibly being the Kings of the East who are growing in power. There is no doubt that China is strategically placed geographically, allowing it to become a naval power that can control much of Asia. A number of geographers and geo-strategists have long thought this to be the case.  As it happens, China today has sharply increased its spending on its naval capabilities.

Scripture seems to indicate that the Kings of the East are shown to be an opposition force, certainly an aggressor. They rise up, crossing the EuphratesRiver against an unknown enemy. The catalysts may be economic or geopolitical.

The 10 kings, on the other hand, come together to collect power to then give it to the Antichrist. The Bible tells us that, “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:13). It is possible that the specter we see developing in Asia today could very well be the world power dynamic that hastens the formation of the 10 kings. If so, the time may already be very short.

Prophetic Significance Cannot Be Ignored

What is clear is that certain nations east of the Euphrates—represented by the Kings of the East—will be heading west across the Euphrates at some point. As the Bible uses the word “king” as being synonymous with “kingdoms,” the meaning here is more likely to indicate the involvement of entire nations rather than just a contingent of physical kings who are to cross the river Euphrates.

Certainly, the world is witnessing developments today that for the first time allow some of the literal interpretations of the prophecies concerning the Euphrates that we have reviewed. These emerging conditions east of the Euphrates can be seen to be in alignment with the events described in Revelation 9 and 16. The emergence of the Kings of the East as is being witnessed today in no way obviates other Bible prophecies.

Although we cannot know how God will allow various specific events to play a part, we have certainly pointed to some possibilities. Could a world or regional depression (perhaps represented figuratively or literally by the drying up of theEuphrates) play a role in triggering the prophesied events involving the Kings of the East? Is it plausible that a coalition of Asian nations will initiate an aggression, perhaps for economic, geopolitical, or other reasons such as resource deprivation …etc.? The Kings of the East then breach the Euphrates, storming into the lands originally covenanted to Israel. We can only speculate. But one thing is true: Events are accelerating on the world stage, and for the first time in history, events described in Revelation could indeed see literal fulfillment.

Points to PonderThe speed of change and the nature of the developments underway in Asia today are simply astounding. Finally, following the lead of other Asian countries, we see that a sleeping giant has been awakened in the past half-century.

While it surely is factual and significant that economic and geopolitical power has begun to be more widely distributed around the world away from the Roman-type nations (this potentially an important alignment with endtime prophecy), consensus predictions that the Asian nations will dominate the world are not likely to be correct. Popular beliefs rarely are.

In the meantime, Western nations (most certainly American countries) have forged relationships with these exporting, consumer-pleasing countries from the Asian continent. However, it is a thin one. It is on a materialistic level only, and in that sense, somewhat of Faustian bargain.

In every other way, the nations across this divide remain worlds apart with radically different heritages, both religious and social. Though in our modern-day technological world we may own Panasonic televisions and drive Toyotas, the Japanese still bow to the Shinto gods (some still considering their emperor as divinity!).

Western nations, of course including Canada and the U.S., are still predominantly influenced by Judeo-Christian philosophies (what are today called “family values”), and therefore are really not friends at heart with Asian nations. Nations today are conducting nothing more than tactical association in pursuit of their own mutual vested interests … for now. But, all of this can change quickly.

It is critical to recognize that Asia, as diverse as it may be, broadly represents a philosophical and religious disposition that is radically different than what is found in other major regions of the world. Hinduism, Buddhism and a host of other pantheistic, spiritist and atheistic religions that are found in Asia, contrast with the broad branches of Judeo-Christian and Islamic streams that mark much of the rest of the world. As such, religious and cosmic perspectives are radically different. This likely plays an important part in the conflicts that are developing between the major countries of Asia and other nations.

With Israel historically, the false-god religions of the “children of the east” proved to be deadly snares for the Israelites. Israel was often chastised for chasing after the “eastern” gods. Today, a similar influx of eastern influences is being witnessed in the West. Nations that were historically influenced by the Christian gospel, are willing to fraternize with any and all gods for secular and material gain. As a result, they have become ensnared by foreign gods.

Speaking to Israel, Isaiah prophesies specifically with our day in mind. “You have abandoned your people, the house of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans” (Isaiah 2:6).  This indeed is the condition of Israel today. The majority of its citizens are secular Jews wanting nothing to do with the Jehovah of the Torah. Eastern religious influences are epidemic. According to Isaiah, it is for this reason that God forsakes them to the Great Tribulation in the last days.

Yet, Jehovah will be faithful to promises made to the patriarchs:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out ofZion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD (Isaiah 2:2-5, KJV).

The emergence of the 10 kings could be very, very near. As our study of Asiashows, not only is the age ripe eschatologically, the timeline may be short.

[1] The drying up of the Euphrates is also corroborated by Isaiah 11:15: “The LORD will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian sea; with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand over the Euphrates River. He will break it up into seven streams so that men can cross over in sandals.”
[2] “Drying up” was both an action of blessing and a curse: The divine interventions include the parting of the Red Sea, drying up the world after the deluge, and the parting of the Jordan to allow the Israeli armies to cross over.
[3] Joel 1:20; Amos 4:7, 7:4
[4] The army of Cyrus dried up the Euphrates river bed by diverting it, in order to gain entry into the city of Babylon.