WAR INEVITABLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

By Pastor Mike



1  "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2, For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
3, They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4, They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. "(Psalm 83:1-4)

In my last message this last week, I spoke of the possibility of Psalm 83 war that could start at any moment. War is brewing in the Middle East. The contention between Israel, Iran, Turkey,Lebanon and Syria is a volcanic eruption waiting to happen. The news was awash with the civil war in Syria and the behind the scene maneuvering of Arab proxies fronted by Iran to position themselves to attack Israel and draw them into a wider conflict. We hear of the movement of missiles that have the capability of striking the heart of Israel being bombed inside Syria or killer drones that Israel knocked out of the sky to prevent an unmanned attack on their country. I watched the video of these attacks and the explosion was 10 times bigger than anything I had seen prior on these attacks. The explosions that rocked the outskirts of Damascus were absolutely massive.  It is being reported that they registered about two or three on the Richter scale, as enormous balls of fire lit up the sky that could be seen from all over Damascus. Some say it was a low level nuclear tipped bunker buster bomb that blew up the site of these advanced weapons of war. To date, skirmishes across the border with Syria at the Golan Heights are growing more frequent and the fighting could spiral out of control. Israeli warplanes keep bombing the outskirts of Damascus according to Syrian state media and reports from activists, signaling a sharp escalation in tensions between the neighboring countries that had already been exacerbated by the conflict raging in Syria. Then we hear of activity even as far away as in Iraq and the bombing of Iranian sites made solely for the purpose of attacking Israel.
U.N. Peace keepers?

This is an orchestrated stand-down from UN in conjunction with Israeli, American, Major non NATO Allies and NATO allies.  We see an opening in the Golan Heights Syrian Border with UN forces monitoring the demarcation line having pulled out of the area as stated, presumably to facilitate an Israeli armored assault on Damascus.

Like a slow motion horror show, a major Middle East war is underway, and the UN is complacent in allowing this probable war front opening up, but then when does the UN ever stick to its supposedly anti war agenda?

They are basically facilitating this war with continued support of state sponsors of terrorism and war criminals. The UN was supposed to keep the world safe from wars, but its blatantly obvious, actual role is to make this war inevitable.

If the UN stuck to its mandate it could end this wars in the Middle East today, demand all parties cease all hostilities, and the funding of the insurgency, and roll in more UN forces to deter Israeli armor and reserves poised to level Syria, and issue arrest warrants and actually bring the real perpetrators of this war to criminal court in the Hague.

They obviously know who these tyrants are as they are the ones prodding the whole thing along funding the insurgents, and goading the rebels and Israel and whoever else is stupid and immoral enough to wage an unjustified war. Not only that but a war that by any calculation risks triggering an absolute hellish bloodbath of nuclear war with the shattered balance of mutually assured destruction.

IS PROPHECY ABOUT TO BE FULFILLED?

Is this when the oracle of Damascus will be fulfilled?

“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.”(Isaiah 17:1-3)

I believe it could be so as a result of a coming regional war. Nobody should want that or look forward to it.  Unfortunately, the next major regional war in the Middle East appears to be closer than ever.   But God is in control of these events. During the next war in the Middle East we will likely see death on a scale that is unprecedented.  It won’t be like the wars of 1967 or 1973.  It will likely be a fight to the death where nothing is held back. Israel may be attacked on three fronts, and as reported, Israel makes a solemn promise “Never again” will they be made to see another holocaust. If need be, they will use what is called the “Samson option”...as we know the story of Samson when he pushed major pillars that held up a pagan temple and all died, including himself. Israel will hold nothing back, even if it means nuclear warfare. God will be on their side and the invaders don't stand a chance.

 You see, the truth is that most Americans have no idea what is really going on in the Middle East.  There are ancient grudges and ancient hatred that go back for thousands of years.  There is no “peace plan” that is going to suddenly make everything okay.  The Middle East is a simmering volcano of hate and resentment that could erupt at any moment.  That is why what happened in Syria due their civil war, virtually destroyed the country.

 That Israeli air strike in Damascus that reportedly was attempting to destroy a shipment of missiles and military hardware that Iran was sending to Hezbollah has brought Israel, Lebanon and Syria to the brink of war.  In fact, Syria and Lebanon are calling the air strikes a “declaration of war” and is vowing retaliation.  The Syrian government is saying that “Israeli aggression opens the door to all possibilities“, but they have not provided any specifics about what they plan to do.  Meanwhile, Israel has made it very clear that they will do whatever is necessary to keep missiles from getting into the hands of Hezbollah. The leader of Hezbollah, Hasan Nasrallah, has vowed to strike at Israel in the near future.

Israel's right to safety and security

Israel has every right to defend herself. Think about it, would you be concerned if Russia or China had chemical equipped missiles in Cuba, or Mexico aimed at Los Angeles or Dallas and not do everything in your power to stop them? We had the same scenario during JFK’s presidency and came near to nuclear war with a confrontation with Russia over these weapons being installed into Cuba. Russia blinked first and war was averted. But will it be averted now? When you speak of the religion of Islam, they are not concerned with life, as they are a culture of death and to die for their god, “allah” is their goal to enter into their vision of paradise. They have no problem with starting a war, if they think they can actually win. Russia in the recent past was not so insane to risk their lives in a mutual war of destruction. Not so with the actors placed into these drum beats of war brewing. We see an alliance between Turkey, Iran and Russia that was unheard of just a few short years ago, but here we stand with the actors of the coming Gog-Magog war becoming allies on Israel's norther border.

Are we fast approaching the prophecy in Psalm 83 when the entire region will be engulfed in a war that is designed to eliminate the nation of Israel ? Build up to war has been being facilitated and planned from the last war with Hezbollah in 2006. Thousands upon thousands of weapons have been shipped into Lebanon, Gaza, and their surrounding Arab neighbors have been waiting for just such a moment when Israel will be encompassed by their enemies with a large stockpile of weapons. It is reported by the Jerusalem Post:
“Syria has stationed missile batteries aimed at Israel in the aftermath of alleged Israeli air strikes in the country, the web site of Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV, considered close to the regime of President Bashar Assad, quoted a top Syrian official.”

What would it take to tip the scales to an all out war between Lebanon, Gaza strip,  Syria and Israel? If chemical weapons are found to be in Damascus or planned to be shipped to the border of Lebanon, then I envision of an assault on that cache of weapons that would release chemicals into the air and kill many people surrounding the explosion, but what would make Damascus a ruinous heap and uninhabitable?

Example of a recent modern event, there is an island off the coast of Scotland where scientist exploded a series of anthrax bombs to test what would happen to a flock of sheep. They immediately all died, and the island has been not be inhabited since. Release of this biological weapon of anthrax would make the regions unfit for human life. Another would be an nuclear tipped device that would make the radiation level so high, that all who would live there would die. The latter would level the surrounding landscape into a “ruinous heap”, as described in Isaiah.

Such an attack would assuredly bring all nations surrounding Israel into a direct conflict with all out war. Their sheer size of numbers of troops and weapons would, I believe, give them the impression that they could destroy Israel. But only one thing they do not figure into their scheme. The God of Heaven is on the side of Israel. As in the previous wars fought in 1948 and 1967, the destruction of Israel was thought to be assured, but with even an overwhelming force, those Arab forces were defeated and it was believed Divine intervention saved the tiny state of Israel. This war will bring us even closer to the time of the beginning of the Tribulation, as Israel will believe they have finally destroyed their enemies and can live in peace. Ezekiel in chapter 38 says that on the heels of this victory against their Arab neighbors that Israel will live in peace and safety. BUT,

Ezekiel 38:8  "After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them." 

When was the last time in your life, have you heard that Israel has lived in peace and safety,“dwelling safely all of them”. You say never and you would be right. Since their birth, Israel has been threatened with extinction from their very ancient cousins in a hatred that has festered for thousands of years. Suddenly, the bible reports they will live in safety, but I believe they may feel safe, because every enemy surrounding them will be defeated and their lands conquered. Israel will expand their borders to include most of the Middle East, from the Sinai, east to the Euphrates, north to Syria, and south to Arabia, which will include all of Jordan. Why do I say that? Have you noticed that all the nations spoken of in Psalm 83, includes all the people that surround Israel now, but in Ezekiel 38 none of them are mentioned? It is believed that what I have proposed as the borders of the expanded nation of Israel will be won in this coming war, as none of them, including Syria are mentioned. Why is that so? Because God has allowed Israel to overcome their enemies that have come against them and destroyed their weapons of war and along with a major portion of their armies . They will possess all of their land as spoils of war. What will they possess that they never possessed before? The answer is a major portion of all the gas and oil of the world. How quickly will the enemies of Israel realize that it is unacceptable for Israel to have such wealth and control of a major portion of the worlds oil and gas production? Maybe they will get a reality check in a year, or two? Ezekiel prophesies that God will  put a hook into the jaws of the Gog-Magog coalition of nations to even think that they can come against Israel to take what they have won in battle. Money is a powerful motivator for an evil coalition to take what is not theirs.

As a believer in the removal of the church before the tribulation and the revealing of the Anti-Christ, the war spoken of in Ezekiel will be waged not so much by Israel, as they will be overwhelmed with a superior nuclear equipped force, I believe headed by Russia with Iran as their front man. This is when God says that He will fight for Israel. Ezekiel 38,

38:18  "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.

38:19  For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;.....

38:21  And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

38:22  And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

38:23  Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD."(Ezekiel 38:18-23

How long will the war that is coming that brings a peace to Israel last? Possibly a short span of time. If this war that Ezekiel prophesied about comes on the heels of the war that is now brewing in the Middle East, we could see Psalm 83 fulfilled and the stage set for Ezekiel 38 & 39. Theologians are in agreement that this devastating war waged by Almighty God will so decimate the nations that come against Israel, that a peace treaty will be proposed for 7 years to prevent another war and allow Israel to have sovereignty over it’s land even to allow them to rebuild their temple on the Temple mount. There will be no Arab that dares stand in their way, as they have been thoroughly defeated. Israel will recognize that the God of their fathers, is indeed, very much alive and seek to rebuild their temple in haste, and resume sacrifices to Jehovah. As we all know, a “peace treaty” the “deal of the century” will be revealed after the coming elections in Israel. Is this the “peace treaty” that the coming Anti-Christ will “confirm” as spoken of in Daniel?

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27)

I believe initially, the PA lead by Mahmoud Abbas will reject this treaty, as they don't want peace. What they want is Israel's extermination. But after this coming war, which could happen at any time in the near future, the Anti-Christ will make a “deal” with Israel that he will break 3.5 years into the Tribulation. Why does he wait 3.5 years? When a power is defeated, much like the Muslims like to do, is wait until they are stronger and able to overtake their adversary and destroy them. Makes me wonder is the Anti-Christ got a Muslim background? Time will tell, but that will be revealed in the coming Tribulation, as we won't see that event happen. Why? Because the Church will be removed from this planet.

6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:6-9)

The only POWER that is holding back rampant evil, is God's Holy Spirit and when that power is pulled back to give Satan a free for all time period on this planet, then those who have His Spirit within them will be removed as well.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE?

Can you envision the speed of these developments being fulfilled? Psalm 83 brewing right now in the Middle East, quite possibly. Then the defeat of the nations surrounding tiny Israel with it’s expansion to include all of the Promised Land given to Abraham. Safely and peace brought about for a period of time. A coalition of a major power forces coming against Israel and their total destruction by God on the mountains of Israel, followed swiftly by a peace treaty, as a pact with the devil. Then the temple rebuilt, and with today’s modern technology, the temple will be rebuilt quickly, as the pieces are already made awaiting their assembly. Then a man will arise who will propose peace written down by Daniel ,

27  "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."(Daniel 9:27)

This is the prophecy of the appearing of a man of a false peace. A man of deceit and filled with all uncleanness and a lying spirit. He will deceive Israel into a false sense of security. This is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week of the refining of Israel to make an “end of transgression”. This my friend, is the end of the dispensation known as the Church Age, or the Age of Grace. God has turned His focus away from a people, who were not his people, but has taken those people for Himself as the Bride of Christ and that work is completed. Now He turns to the nation who rejected Him, He calls His brethren, and will purge them as silver is refined in the fire.

2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4)

God has never focused on the Church and Israel in the same period of time. Now is the time that all who believe as I do, the church will be removed from this earth.

The next couple of years will be a time of tensions mounting and war being waged at a level not seen in our lifetimes, unless you are over 75 years of age and witnessed Hiroshima. The upheaval in the world’s economies will be devastated. Nations will become bankrupt. Prices of raw goods will spiral out of control. Oil will become priceless and gas will be priced to the moon. The amount of time will move rapidly to the Tribulation, if my scenario turns out to be true of this timing and taking scripture at it’s word while watching the developments that could speak to it’s quick fulfillment. It could literally be in a couple of years...maybe sooner. I have been writing messages that speak of the Tribulation being right upon us. This is the time when Israel will be challenged like never before, and God will come to do battle for her.

TIME IS ALMOST UP

The time is almost finished. The clock is a few seconds before midnight and the end of the age of grace. Jesus said in Luke:

28  "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."(Luke 21:28)

Folks, we are long past the beginning of these things coming to pass. We have seen prophecy after prophecy fulfilled, and the time of the age being over is on the horizon. Scripture is being fulfilled in our lifetime and the prophecy of what Jesus spoke of is  upon us. I watched a Prophecy Update video with J. D. Farag that made the compelling argument that it could even be this fall...because of the events going on right now in the Middle East. There is little time for those who will look to Jesus as the substitution for the wrath of God on a unrepentant, rebellious mankind. God’s wrath is about to be unleashed and woe to anyone who misses the ark of salvation we know as Jesus Christ. You have a choice to make....choose to live the horror that is coming or choose the One person who died for your sins, that you will be spared His coming wrath.

3:16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."(John 3:16-18)

Tribulation is coming. These wars are the run-up to it. Where will you stand? Will you be counted on God’s side and worthy to escape?

34 “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."(Luke 21:34-36)

How do we stand before Jesus Christ the Son of man, upon that day? We are found worthy only because we believed John 3:16 and confessed Jesus  Christ as Lord and Savior. Our worthiness will be sealed because of what He did, not what we did, except to believe on the only Begotten Son of God by faith.  All others will be thrown head long into what is coming. And coming it is.....right around the corner.

8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

Don't be caught flat footed when these things come to pass. War is brewing right now in the Middle East, as it could happen even this fall. But another event could happen even sooner, “The coming of the Lord” and it could happen this fall on the coming Feast of Trumpets. Not saying it will happen, but I listen intently for the sound of a trumpet on any given year during that time that Jesus fulfilled the Spring Feast on the very day of their observance. So logic says, the next Feast of Trumpets is the next time our God and Savior will enter into the affairs and the times of mankind. Don't be caught sleeping, but sober and looking for that blessed Hope.

13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:13-14)

Don't put that decision for Jesus Christ a moment longer, as we are on the cusp of the Tribulation and the coming of our Lord for His Church to remove her out of the way of the Wrath of God on a rebellious and unrepentant world.

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2^nd Corinthians 6:2)

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying Jesus Christ becomes your Savior and Lord. If there is anything I can do to counsel you, pray with you, or just listen to your cares, then drop me an email to pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, .God bless you all, till we meet at Jesus Feet.