ISRAEL'S THREE "LAST DAYS" MAJOR CONFLICTS

- by Pastor Bill Hoganson 

 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has led many prophecy teachers to focus on the coming New World Order. And rightly so. However, an unintended consequence of this new focus appears to have left Israel's prophetic role in the shadows... well, sort of. So, I thought it a good idea to write an article focusing on Israel's three "lasts days" major conflicts.

Israel's steady attacks in Syrian territory in recent years has led some prophecy teachers to conclude that the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion of Israel is months away, if not a couple of years away, at most. But, hold on, not so fast! Before jumping on that bandwagon, please take a few minutes to read the following article and then draw your own conclusions.

 

This article avoids newspaper exegesis as much as possible. It does contain speculation but is grounded in prophetic truth that will come to pass in the not-too-distant-future. How distant is the question?

 

Israel's Three Distinct Last Days Major Conflicts

 

Using a birds-eye view approach, the Bible delineates three distinct "major" conflicts that Israel must face in the last days. The BIG-picture-scope of these three "distinct" conflicts are outlined below.

 

Each major conflict is spear-headed by different "people groups," as follows:

 

* 1st Major Conflict - "surrounding" people groups contiguous to Israel's borders (Zec. 12:2-8)

* 2nd Major Conflict - "distant" people groups non-contiguous to Israel's borders (Eze. 38-39)

* 3rd Major Conflict - "all" people groups both near and far (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21)

 

There is a "variation in duration" for each conflict, as follows:

 

* 1st Major Conflict - began in 1948 and continues to the present day, now covering 70+ years.

* 2nd Major Conflict - covers a short time period, perhaps weeks, and no more than a month.

* 3rd Major Conflict - covers final 3½ years of the Tribulation (aka, Campaign of Armageddon).

 

There are different military "victors" in each of the three conflicts, as follows:

* 1st Major Conflict - Israel's "powerful military" is always the victor (Zech. 12:2-8; Isa. 11:11-14)

* 2nd Major Conflict - The "LORD God" Himself, without Israel's help, brings victory (Eze. 38:18-23)

* 3rd Major Conflict - "Jesus Christ" physically / visibly returns as victor (Zec. 14:1-3; Rev. 19:11-21)

 

Let us now examine each of Israel's three last days major conflicts, keeping speculation to a minimum, lol.

 

Israel's 1st Last Days Major Conflict

 

Consider the following birds-eye-view sequential timeline of Israel's first last day's major conflict, and then you decide if the Ezekiel 38 invasion will take place in the next few months, or even years, as of May, 2020:

 

Israel's first major conflict involves "people groups" that "surround" Israel, contiguous to Israel's borders, for the most part. This major conflict began in 1948, when five "surrounding" Arab nations attacked Israel. This 70+ year conflict will continue until Israel finally assumes control of the region.

 

Do not think of the first major conflict as a single battle. It is a series of battles over a long period of time, much in the same way Daniel 10:1 presented the coming "great conflict" (NASB/ESV) as a series of battles between the kings of the North and the South (Dan. 11:5-35), which took place during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Centuries BC. It culminates with a final great war at the "time of the end" (Dan. 11:36-45).

 

Much like Daniel 11:5-35, Israel's first major conflict also includes a series of battles, including the wars of 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, Palestinian Intifada uprisings in 1987 and 2000, and many tit-for-tat battles since 2005 involving Lebanon, Syria, Gaza (Egypt), and the West Bank (Jordan). All these people groups (and nations) "surrounding" Israel, currently seek Israel's complete destruction (Psalm 83:1-8).

 

However, the prophet Zechariah (520 BC) predicts the "surrounding" people groups will fail to defeat Jerusalem and Israel, which we have been witnessing for 53 years now. Here is what Zechariah wrote:

 

Zechariah 12:2-3 (NKJV) - 2 "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to "all the surrounding" peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.   ... 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

 

In other words, God emphatically exclaims that even though (if) all nations should gather against Jerusalem, they will fail to excise it from Jewish hands during the first major conflict! Why? The context tells us that Israel's military will be too powerful for them to overcome, as revealed in the following:

 

Zechariah 12:6 (NKJV) - "In that day I will make the governors [leaders] of Judah [Israel] like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour [militarily] all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left... "

 

At the time Zechariah wrote this, Israel did not have a powerful military. However, that all changed after 1948. Since 1948, the world has witnessed God's empowerment of Israel's military to "consistently" defeat the "surrounding" people groups and nations. Concerning the people of Israel, Zechariah clearly states that even the "feeble among them" shall be like the mighty warrior David, as follows:

 

Zechariah 12:8 (NKJV) - In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them.

 

What becomes of these people groups that "surround" Israel during the last days? For that answer, we turn to yet-to-be-fulfilled OT prophecies, that identify Israel's future powerful military in action.

 

After Babylon defeated Israel in 586 BC, Israel did not become a sovereign nation with a powerful military until the 20th Century AD. Isaiah 11:11 prophesied that after the dispersed Jews return to their land a "second time" (1948) they become a "banner" (sign) to the nations, united as one (Isa. 11:12-13), and militarily defeat the surrounding people groups (Isa. 11:14). Isaiah 11:14 states that a reunited Israel will (1) "fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines" (Gaza), (2) plunder the "people of the East" (Syria-cf Gen.29:1), and (3) "lay their hand" on Edom and Moab (Jordan), and Ammon (Jordan) "shall obey them."

 

Other OT Scriptures describe Israel's military defeat of Jordan, as follows: Zephaniah 2:9 (Ammon / Moab) and Jeremiah 49:1-2 (Ammon); Obadiah 18 (Edom) and Ezekiel 25:14 (Edom). We are still awaiting the complete fulfillment of these OT prophecies.

Some speculate these prophecies have been fulfilled. Others speculate they will be fulfilled "during" the Tribulation; still others speculate "after" the Tribulation! But, all three speculations are wrong, as follows:

 

* Firstly, "past" fulfillments of these prophecies lack evidence. The brief revolt by the Maccabees and John Hyrcanus against the Seleucids and the Idumeans do not fit the details of these OT prophecies.

 

* Secondly, "during" the Tribulation, Israel's powerful (IDF) military is absent. Zechariah 14:2 and Revelation 12:6 and 14 clearly indicate that by the middle of the Tribulation, Israel is in complete meltdown, without a military, no IDF anywhere in sight! It appears the Jews fight Antichrist forces with underground militias (Zec. 14:14). The Bible does not explain the mysterious disappearance of Israel's (IDF) military during the Tribulation. Perhaps, Daniel 9:27's seven-year covenant includes a reduction of Israel's (IDF) military capabilities.

 

* Thirdly, "after" the Tribulation, Israel and the nations "beat their swords into plowshares and theirs spears into pruning hooks, ...nor will they train for war anymore" (Isa. 2:4). So, that does not fit either.

 

Therefore, it is safe to speculate that Israel's powerful IDF military exists only "before" the Tribulation, at least, up until the start of the second major conflict, which we will examine later.

 

How does Iran Fit into Israel's 1st Major Conflict?

Scripture is not clear concerning Iran's involvement in Israel's first major conflict, except possibly in Jeremiah 49:34-37, when Iran's Persian Gulf (Elam) coast is destroyed. Some claim this prophecy was fulfilled 2500 years ago when the Persians conquered the Elamites, while others believe it was fulfilled after the 1979 Revolution, when many Iranians fled from dictator Ayatollah Khomeini-but, who knows?

 

Today, Iran works skillfully behind the scenes, stealthily using proxies to support the people groups "surrounding" Israel; including, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Bashar Al Assad regime in Syria. Iran's fingerprints are all over the region, including al Quds Force. Mostly made up of foreign nationals, al Quds is building and maintaining military bases in Syria and Iraq, financially fueled by Iran.

 

It is not clear why Scripture appears to ignore Iran's part in the first major conflict. Clearly, they are not one of the "surrounding" people groups. But it is clear, that Iran is using proxies to avoid a "direct" confrontation with Israel. Perhaps, Israel and the U.S. destroy Iran's Persian Gulf coast... possibly! What role does COVID-19 play in the U.S.'s future with Iran? We are left only with speculation.

 

In light of last year's withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria (October 2019), it appears that Iran is taking advantage by gaining a greater proxy foothold in the region. In any case, Iran is avoiding a "direct" military conflict with Israel by fueling their proxies, most of whom belong to the "surrounding" people groups. However, Iran does play a major role in the second major conflict, which we will examine later.

 

"Aftermath" of Israel's 1st Last Days Major Conflict

 

Ready for more speculation? Keep in mind, this speculation is integrated in prophecies that will be fulfilled. Perhaps the trigger that concludes the first major conflict will be Israel's annexation of the West Bank. In any case, Israel's victory over the surrounding people groups seems to be accomplished as follows: Israel eliminates Iran's proxy militias (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and al Quds Force). How so? The Syrian Regime is destroyed, Damascus becoming a "heap of rubble" (Isa. 17:1) "because of Israel" (Isa. 17:9), and South Lebanon is made part of Israel (Oba. 20). Additionally, Jordan falls to Israel's military (Isa. 11:14; Oba. 18-19; Zep. 2:8-10; Eze. 25:14); and Egypt loses five cities to Israel (Isa. 19:16-18). These conquered lands become vassal entities under Israel's control. Like King David of old (2 Sam. 8:6), Israel may set up garrisons in these regions, establishing puppet governments that reluctantly submit to Israel's rule. Precariously, Israel's governance will be accepted due to welcomed economic prosperity and a long overdue peace throughout the region... It will not be perfect, but it will provide a respite of sorts.

 

As Israel pacifies the "surrounding" people groups with economic aid, Israel will enter a period of unprecedented peace and security (Eze. 38:11-14). Many Jews will declare they have entered "The Golden Age," prophesied in the OT. Perhaps this is when Israel builds their 3rd Temple on the Temple Mount.

 

Scriptures do not indicate when the 3rd Temple is built. So, it is possible that it is built "before" the Tribulation. The Jews will be motivated to build the 3rd Temple primarily for two reasons: 1) Religious Jews will herald the Temple as God's mandate from heaven, while 2) secular Jews will point to the Temple as a monument testifying to their "historical" right to Jerusalem as their undivided Capital. Undoubtedly, this move will anger regional Muslims, so Israel will be forced to severely restrict Muslim worship on the Temple Mount due to security concerns. Many Muslim nations will see this move by Israel as catastrophic (nakba) and wholeheartedly object to the new Temple. This will lead to "Israel's 2nd Last Days Major Conflict." This is speculation at its best, rooted in sound inferential logic. AMEN!

 

But, how long all this, and what about the Rapture?

 

So, does all the above takes place within the next few months, or even next few years (as of May 2020)? Highly unlikely! What about the Rapture? It can take place at "any moment." So, is it possible believers might be present for the entire first major conflict? Yes! How? Since the first major conflict takes place "before" the seven-year Tribulation and the Rapture "might" not take place until the "start" of the Tribulation, believers "could" witness the first major conflict in its entirety.

 

Israel's 2nd Last Days Major Conflict

 

Let us speculate again! Ezekiel 38-39, Israel's second major conflict, may take place "before" the Tribulation (suggesting believers "might" witness it in its entirety, the same way believers "might" witness the first major conflict in its entirety). So, what events lead to the start of the second major conflict?

 

Israel's acquired great wealth, Zionistic land expansion, and a newly built Temple on the Temple Mount seems to provoke an invasion by the Ezekiel 38-39 nations, supported by primarily two motives, as follows:

 

1. Scripture reveals Russia's motive is "great plunder" (Eze. 38:11-12). Russia (Gog) will resist invading Israel at first, that is, until God puts "hooks" into his "jaws" (Eze. 38:4), and then drags them into Israel.

2. Albeit, no Scripture reference, speculation suggests that Islam's motive is one of revenge, taking back "occupied" Islamic lands, including the Temple Mount. "Great plunder" is of less interest to them.

 

Let us now examine the second major conflict as found in Scripture, using much less speculation.

 

The Ezekiel 38-39 Russian Confederation is made up only of those people groups non-contiguous to Israel's borders, including Iranians, Turks, Sudanese, N. Africans, and possibly Germans, as follows:

 

Ezekiel 38:2-6 (NKJV) - 2 "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog [Russia], the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,   ... 3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal [Russia, et al].   ... 5 Persia [Iran], Ethiopia [Sudan], and Libya [northern Africa] are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;   ... 6 Gomer and all its troops [Turkey and/or Germany]; the house of Togarmah [Turkey / Armenia]...

 

This is where Iran plays a major role in attacking Israel directly. But, the leader of the confederation is Gog of the "land of Magog," located to the "uttermost" north of Israel, which is Russia, as follows:

 

Ezekiel 39:1-2 (NKJV) - 1 "And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog [of the land of Magog], and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; ... 2 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the "far" north [or uttermost north, which can only be Russia] , and bring you against the mountains of Israel.

 

The Russian Confederation's invasion of Israel takes place in the "latter days," as follows:

 

Ezekiel 38:16b (NKJV) -   "...It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land,"

 

The LORD God Himself will thoroughly destroy this Russian Confederation, as follows:

Ezekiel 39:2-4 (NKJV) - 2 "and I will turn you..." [Gog and the Russian Confederacy] "around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.   ... 3 Then I will knock the "bow" [qeseth - launchers]   "...out of your left hand, and cause the "arrows" [hes - that which pierces, e.g. arrows, bullets, or missiles]... "...to fall out of your right hand.   ... 4 You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you;..."

 

Notice, Israel's powerful military does not defeat the Russian Confederation. The LORD God does! God makes their weapons useless against Israel! The Hebrew in verse 2 reads "I will turn you around and lead you on," suggesting that God so thoroughly destroys the Russian Confederation that very few will survive. The KJV translates this passage as follows: "I will turn thee back and leave but the 1/6th part of thee."

Only God gets the glory in this victory, and no one else, so that "many nations shall know" Him, as follows:

 

Ezekiel 38:22-23 (NKJV) - 22 And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.   ... 23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD." '

 

Confirmation of the Daniel 9:27 Seven-year Covenant

 

I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, so let us continue to speculate---ready? Here we go: With the defeat of the Russian Confederation, Antichrist makes his appearance, convincing Israel and the world that his power and leadership played a key role in their defeat. He will convince Israel and many other nations that God sent him to defeat the Russian Confederation and bring peace to the Middle East.

 

Many Muslim nations that supported the Russian Confederation, but did not participate, will still be angry over the newly built Temple on the Temple Mount, next to Islam's third holiest site. It is in that context Antichrist makes his appearance. He will seek to diminish Muslim anger against the Jews and Israel.

 

Seeking to calm the nations, Antichrist will convince Israel, and others, that it is in their best interest to share the Temple Mount, allowing Muslims to worship in East Jerusalem, the "holy city" (Rev. 11:2). Israel will agree to this compromise, and a seven-year covenant "with many" is confirmed (Dan. 9:27). It will be Israel's covenant with Hell (Isa. 28:14-15). This covenant will allow Jews to continue to offer animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount, while allowing Muslims to worship on what is considered the Temple's "outer court" (Rev. 11:2). Of course, speculation plays a big role here, but seems to be sound speculation.

 

With all due respect to Robert L. Thomas, Gentiles do not "tread" upon the "holy city" during the second half, but during the first half of the Daniel 9:27 covenant, at which time Muslims are given full access to East Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount's "outer court." This fulfills Revelation 11:2 "the outer court... has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city [East Jerusalem] underfoot for 42 months." After this 42-month period, the covenant is broken, and Israel will no longer be in charge of anything... On a side note: The 2020 Trump Peace Plan provides some insight into how Jerusalem may be divided; however, the "peace plan from Hell" will include more favorable East Jerusalem borders for the Muslims.  

 

At the end of 42 months, Antichrist enters the Temple, and declares he is God (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4); he has the "two witnesses" killed (Rev. 11:7); and he takes control of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:2). The "holy city" falls under Antichrist's control for the next 3½ years. During that time, Antichrist slaughters the Jews (Zech. 13:8). He also attacks the Tribulation Saints and anyone else standing in his way (Rev. 12:17).

 

Once the Jews lose control of Jerusalem, half of them flee out of the region (Zec. 14:2) to Petra (Isa. 16:1-4), while other Jews remain in the region, forming underground militias, and fight (Zec. 14:14). This huge attack against the Jews takes place in the final 3½ years of the Daniel 9:27 seven-year covenant and begins Israel's third last days major conflict. It appears Israel will never control Jerusalem again. However...

Israel's 3rd Last Days Major Conflict

 

Israel's third major conflict takes place during the final 3½ years of the seven-year Tribulation, many call the "campaign of Armageddon." This final 3½ years begins after Antichrist enters the Temple and declares himself to be God (2 Thes. 2:4, Dan. 9:27). At this point, three demons are sent out to gather the nation's armies to Israel into the valley of Armageddon (Jezreel), to be used as a staging area (Rev. 16:13-16). Satan's primary goal will be to kill all the Jews in the world, beginning in Israel (Rev. 12:6-17). Antichrist convinces the nations that the Jews are the world's primary problem, and they need to be eliminated.

 

The "kings of the east" also join the conflict, seeking complete annihilation of Israel's Jews (Rev. 16:12).

 

The primary focus of Israel's third major conflict, Revelation 6-19, is the destruction of Zionism and the Jews! This conflict ends with the death of two-thirds of all Jews (Zec. 13:8). Satan seeks to prove that God is untrue to His promise to use Israel to bless all families on earth (Gen. 12:1-3). Partially fulfilled at Jesus' first coming, this promise is still awaiting its complete fulfillment with King Jesus ruling the world.

 

Israel's third major conflict ends after a Jewish majority repents (Isa. 64). Until that point, the Jews have been blinded to prophecy. At the end of the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion, God will pour out His Spirit on Israel (Eze. 39:29), and then all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:25-29). Israel's salvation unfolds progressively, throughout the Tribulation, as the Jews increasingly cry out to Jesus: "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the LORD" (Matt. 23:39). After a Jewish majority cries out to Jesus, He will respond, as follows:

 

Zechariah 14:2-3 (NKJV) - 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;   ... 3 Then the LORD [Jesus] will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.

 

The LORD Jesus' response against those nations is a bloody slaughter of Israel's enemies as described in Isaiah 63:1-6, Revelation 14:18-20 and 19:11-21. Here are a couple of excerpts, and this is not speculation:

 

Revelation 14:20 (NKJV) - And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs [180 miles].

 

Jesus Himself strikes down the nations that come against Israel, as follows:

 

Rev 19:15 (NKJV) - Now out of His [Jesus] mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

Israel's three "major" conflicts take place in Israel's "last days." All three major conflicts are fulfilled "within" the generation following Israel's rebirth as a nation in 1948 (Matt. 24:32-34). That suggests, "within" the next 30-40 years, our Lord Jesus will return to set up His kingdom here on earth! In the meantime, the Rapture can happen at any moment! How exciting is that? MARANAHTA!