I have been doing news analysis for a number of years now. I want to post this here to warn people of the potential conflict arising in the Middle East...in particular U.S. forces preparing against Iran/Russia.

news:

Commander of US forces in the Middle East resigns.

For Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, the perception of a disagreement with President George W. Bush's policies on Iran rather than an actual rift was reason enough to step down as the commander of US forces in the Middle East.

"Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the president's policy objectives have become a distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the Centcom region," Fallon said in a statement Tuesday in which he announced his resignation as head of U.S. Central Command, arguably the most important in the US military.

source:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid...icle%2FShowFull

news:

The American landing force will stay out of sight

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti military observer Ilya Kramnik) - The recent beefing up of the US Navy in the Mediterranean has caused concern in Russia and some Mediterranean countries. Experts believe the appearance of US warships off the coast of Syria and Lebanon presages a US military operation in the region.

The recent deployment of the US Navy guided missile destroyer DDG 67 Cole off the Lebanese coast, reportedly sent "to support the ruling coalition" in Lebanon, caused an uproar among the opposition. Lebanese MP Hasan Fadlallah, representing the radical Islamic group Hezbollah, accused the United States of aggression against Lebanon.

How justified are these fears?
source:
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080312/101191268.html

news:
Third undersea Internet cable cut in Mideast
source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/internet.outage/

news:
Russia must use nuclear deterrent to protect allies (Iran?) -
source:
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080312/101160375.html

news:
MOSCOW, January 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's top military commander said on Saturday that the country is prepared to use its nuclear weapons to defend itself and allies in the event of a severe external threat.

source:
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080119/97339084.html

So, I take it that since Iran is Russia's ally, and that if if Iran is attacked ...no wait...if a threat only by the U.S. or Israel, that Russia will launch its nuclear weapons? I hope that this is a lot of hot air...but what if it is not? Hey, ahmadinutjob's dream come true, America and Israel wiped off the map.

Seriously though...it appears preparations are being made for War.

In Ezekial 39;3..."Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand."......Russia and the arab nations get as far as the mountains north of Israel....but that is as far as they will get.....they never get a chance to use their weapons........................................benny

Syria was trying to test a missile carrying nerve gas and it exploded upon launch, killing those who were launching it. Looks like the bow got knocked out of their hands...

It sure doesn't look good. God will indeed have to intervene if Russia backs Iran.

The interesting thing about that event was ....a couple two or three days later, Israel sent Syria a message and stated:..."If you try to use one of those on us, we will wipe Damascus off the face of the earth".................benny P.S....Sounds to me like Isaiah 17;1 will shortly come to pass.

How about you all step back and think silently for a moment on what possible reason Russia could have to invade Israel when there is a sizable Russian population in Israel. I think some of you are suffering from Cold War mentality? It's 2008, not 1990.

Wiseman,...You apparently do not know and understand what the Word of God reveals about this endtime generation. which tells me that you are fairly new to all of this......there are many prophecies running parallel lines toward a point in time. even now the tribulation is casting it's shadow upon all the world..............................benny

Point to me where it says in the Bible that Russia will invade Israel.

They all interpret the North Kingdom as Russia, some even want to include Europe in that, but it could be also Syria.

Hi,Wiseman..Thanks for your reply......In the king James amplified bible...Ezekial 38;15 It states that it will be the power from the uttermost north that will attack Israel...........Many years ago,Tel aviv, was the capital of Israel.....and then one day Israel announced to the world, that they claim Jerusalem as their capital....The worlds leader through the United Nations were basicly gnashing their teeth, refusing to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of israel....In a spiritual sense, satan knew that his time was growing short.If you were to take a world map, and starting from Jerusalem, draw a line, due north, not moving a literal hair space to the left or right......you will find that, you have drawn a line through Moscow center for center......If you were to trace the name Rosh....you will arrive to the name Russia....If you trace the name Meshec....you will arrive to the name Moscow...If you trace the name Tubal....It is today now known as tubolsk....A lot of the cities in the former soviet union have the sk added to them.......Chief Prince interpretetd means president or leader.......After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia rose onto the world scene becoming a focal point....It was then, that for the first time in Russia's history that they elected a sole leader or president!.....The Scriptures..."BE thou a guard unto them.......The word Guard interpreted means "Armorer".......It is obvious that today Russia is supplying weapons to the arab nations....The arab nation named, that joins Russia in their attack against Israel..(mainly Persia)...are now aligned with Russia...If you have been watching....Turkey is now leaning towards Iran and Russia.....Russia at this very moment is securing ties with Libya as of news about three days ago.......But not to worry.....God is in controll..........Our time is extremely short...Look up for your redemption draweth near!...................................benny

Here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe that WWIII is going to happen soon, that it will begin in the Middle East or an event that hapens in the Middle East. I am not quite sure what is going to touch WWIII off but the time is close now. WWIII is not the Great tribulation, but an event that will transpire which will open the door for the antichrist.

How does the antichrist deceive the nations to accept him as world leader?

During WWIII, the U.S. and many nations will be
at war in
the Middle East, Syria, Iran, China and Russia will fall, but this war will also
depose the U.S.
as a world leader and superpower. Such indescribable Chaos and anarchy will
exist in the
world; democracy will be in a shambles and will be a failed political system, as
no one
from any party will agree on anything.


The world will desperately cry out for
peace because of WWIII and because of such global devestation…then
he who hinders shall be taken out of the way… For the mystery of iniquity doth
already
work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way: and
then shall that
Wicked be revealed, ...

The Antichrist will be a world leader, and will ultimately set up a
One World Government in the day that man's rule/dominion ends (the fall of Babylon the Great), and will be presented to the world as a great Man of peace. He will have a peace plan to end WWIII, but peace will be far from his agenda.

Who is he?

He will be a Muslim Arab (Gentile). Only a Muslim Arab
(Gentile) would be able to allow the Jews to re-establish daily sacrifice in the
Jewish Temple at Jerusalem. If a Jewish or Judeo-
Christian person attempted to allow the Jews to re-establish daily sacrifice in
the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem, there would be "Jihad" by the Muslims.

The Muslims will call him the 12th Imam Mahdi, who will appear for
seven years, and ALL Muslims will obey him implicitly.

Toward the end of WWIII, when man's rule has been destroyed, the 12th Imam Mahdi, Islam's saviour will arise and call for peace in the Middle East and with Israel and indeed with the world...he will be known as man of peace...and the time of the Great Tribulation will begin.

I believe the antichrist will have a peace plan to end the conflict, which involves some sort of deal with Israel that will allow them to rebuild their temple and an end to WWIII.

The temple will be in place before the second coming of Jesus. The anticrhrist will be on earth for seven years. During his first 3-1/2 years he will subdue the nations with his so called peace on earth, but this is a false peace and when they (his followers) will say "peace and safety" when babylon has been totally subdued, then the abomination that cause desolation will occur, then will come sudden destruction from the presence of the Lord, His bowls of wrath...then antichrist will set himself up in the finished temple in Jerusalem and call himself god.

Where will antichrist arise from?

Although the U.S. will be absolved as a super power, that does not mean they have no power, only that the "status" of being perceived as such will be. As I have already written, democracy will be in shambles, and will be a failed politcal system which will open the gates for rule by a one world government. Oh, the U.S. will be very much alive and well, and very powerful and will give its power to the antichrist to rule the world. Who ever rules the U.S. at this time may well be the Imam Mahdi, the antichrist, the man of sin.

BEWARE THE PRESIDENT WHO TAKES OATH OF OFFICE ON THE KORAN. All Muslims in every country will obey him implicitly, the 12th Imam Mahdi. They will obey him, who sits on the power of the beast, to Islamic martyrdom in every counrty.

The beast rising up out of the sea represents, in part, the military/monetary power of the U.S.A. coming across the ocean. (but there will be no more USA the nation, which will burn as its own country)
Never in the history of the world since the world began, has there been a more fierce and deadly or more powerful military force than that of the United States of America...ever!! (the beast with iron claws and teeth) The U.S. fulfills this prophecy like none other. Try to imagine what the U.S. armed forces will be like after a conflict as horrible an deadly as WWIII to get a picture of it...how deadly and how terrible the beast. Take what it is now and multiply several times...but much more fierce. I see that the antichrist (12th Imam Mahdi) sits on (is CIC of) the military power of the USA, but is financed by those who control the world's wealth/power (heads of the beast) who will all overthow the worlds political/religious systems(Babylon) and bring about the time of Jacob's Trouble and the Great Tribulation.


The heads of this beast represent the differnet parts of rule and power (not individual world governments). Take for example what happened with the World Trade Center in 2001. The WTC represents commerce, the stock market and world's wealth...this is one of the heads of the beast. Who ever controls the world's wealth controls the beast. Who ever controls the world's wealth will give power to the antichrist to overthrow governments for a one world government and total control. Those men in charge of the world's money will want to destroy man's self rule on earth (Babylon the Great) for the sake of their own power.


When Islamists destroyed these WTC towers 9/11, and the stock markets that were there, it was believed that the beast (USA) would crumble from economic ruin and chaos, that is why these Islamists chose this target. One the heads of the beast was wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

The economic recovery and restoration to power of the U.S. financial markets after the destruction of the WTC was nothing short of astounding and miraculous. Now put this beast in the hands of the antichrist, and his religion Islam.

This is what I have, at least in part so far, ...others please feel free to go over the events leading up to the Great Tribulation.


This thread is about "Prelude to War" the events predicted in Ezekiel 38-39 concerning WWIII which is about to come to pass that brings on the The Great Tribulation.

I would like to discuss current events leading up to this terrible time, events I see being fulfilled today. If true, we need to get ready and stop living luke warm lives.

I would suggest an alternative understanding on this issue: I do not think that Ezekiel's vision implicates Russia as the invader of Israel. The vision is a picture of the Middle East proper. The name and location designations are all ancient and post flood inhabitants. The area is where the nations of the world developed before migrations to other parts of the world. I also believe that there are two parts to the vision. The initial invasion .... and the subsequent defeat of the invaders at Armageddon. Time lapse here between the midpoint of the 70th week and the end of it is not in view. This invasion is implied in Psalms 83 and seen by Daniel, Micah, and Zechariah as well. The destruction of the invaders is recorded in these passages as well as in the Book of Revelation's account of Armageddon ..... almost word for word when compared with Ezekiel's presentation of the war.

I would also suggest that Daniel 11:40 and 11:44 note the objectors to the little horn king of the north's ambitions for world conquest which will began in the Middle East. The vortex of his location seems to be in the Middle East during the tribulation period of 7 years and he will rise in the northern Middle East. I do not think that the little horn will be a Russian, but that he will destroy the Russian objectors from the far north. His opposers seem to come from the south, the far east, and the far north as described in Daniel 11:36-45. He and 10 other kings that will rule with him will also destroy MBG's "great city" part early in the 70th week in one day as recorded in Revelation 17 and 18. I believe this will be a western power that must be removed before before he can take on Israel and his other opposers.

Our Father warns us of this Iran/Russia connection:



Ezekiel 38:2 "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

3.And say,'Thus saith the Lord God; 'Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

4. And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of the clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

5. Persia, Ethopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

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.


Ezekiel continues with more about this time (the latter years). These scriptures apply to the subject of this post - Iran and Russia. While Persia is modern day Iran the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal is Russia. There will be and is an alliance.



.......Whirlwind

There is indeed an alliance between Russia and Iran.

read these two articles:

http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_rep...p;language_id=1

and

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/...88D5098383.html

~~~~~~~~~

and they have been holding War Games:


http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/lib...70807-voa02.htm

"There is indeed an alliance between Russia and Iran."

Oil and water. Totally different objectives. Atheism and Islam do not mix. Islamics consider the Russians to be infidels and any others the same who do not believe in Allah.

Today the extreme left element of world politics is divided over its plans for the future, but these plans pale into insignificance in the face of its real passion which is its nihilistic antagonism towards the United States, the metropolis at the center of the global capitalist system, and Israel, its imperialist pawn in the Muslim world.

Russia's far left's overweening hatred of global capitalism – “globalization” – which is its energizing force, explains how it can make alliances with Islamic fundamentalists who share the same enemy. The World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the targets of Osama Bin Laden are not coincidently the very symbols of globalization and the American-led world capitalist system.

There is presently a meltdown occuring in the American Political System, which is a delicate balance of checks and balances...believe it or not the Democrat party and the Republican party need each other to preserve this delicate balance. Otherwise things would go to the extreme in either direction. This balance is shown clearly in the failure of any 3rd party to emerge.

Why do Islamists want the Dems in power? Divide and conquer and destroy the American political system and American globilization all in one shot. Hmmmm...It gets more complex and interesting as time goes on and it is all happening before our very eyes. Fascinating.

Interesting bedfellows Islamists/Russian-Chinese indeed Stephen, whose goals are the same and opposite simultaneously...The destruction of the USA/Israel as a world power.

I agree with your view of Islam and the potential destruction of the USA in one day. This is very possible. This will take place, but one has to speculate about who the "great city" is and when ..... a few years, or many more? It is the little horn [satan's beast] and the 10 other kings who will bring this destruction and end up with the kingdom. The beast's followers will worship him as a god and the Bible points to these as Israel's direct enemies in the Middle East. Islamics would never worship a non-Islamic as a god.

Okay; let's focus in on Daniel 11

29 "At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

I see this as WWIII leading up to: ...and then comes the bowls of wrath...as written about in Revelations.


Who in the world today has the most powerful Navy? USA/UK et al? Does the man of sin gain control of these? How does he do it? ...maybe these are destroyed in battle before antichrist comes, whoever sits on the military power of the beast (CIC) will be antichrist. This leaves me to believe that a President of the U.S., who has Muslim origins, may be this man (antichrist). Time will tell soon enough.

The Islamic world will torn into two irreconcilable halves, Shia vs Sunni and they will fight.
WWIII will break out as Israel, and the oilfields in the Middle East, will be attacked and nations will fight for their own national interests...and because of political alliances, ...SCO et al vs. Nato et al.

Because WWIII will be fought, and because prohecies surrounding this is centered in Israel and the Middle East, it will be a Muslim male that will arise who is their 12th Imam Mahdi - the man of peace (but he is the man of sin who goes to perdition) I see the destruction of the nations political and religious systems as being the Great Harlot Babylon, which will be destroyed by the antichrists NWO.

No one can separate Iran, Turkey - Ahmadinejad Dakar, Senegal, March 14, IRNA
Senegal-Iran-Turkey
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here on Thursday that Iran and Turkey are two brotherly countries which no one can separate them.

He made the remarks in a meeting with his Turkish counterpart President Abdullah Gul on the sidelines of the 11th Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference which opened in the Senegalese capital on Thursday.

"We consider Development of Turkey as our own development," the Iranian president noted.

On danger of terrorism in the region, he called for all-out cooperation among the regional states to eradicate this menace.

Referring to great potentials in both states, he called for further expansion of economic ties between the two neighboring states.

President Ahmadinejad also urged removal of obstacles in the way of joint investments by the two states.

As to the latest developments in the region, he said great developments have been taken place in the region recently which necessitate regional cooperation to turn them to the benefit of the regional nations.

For his part, the Turkish president, said campaign against terrorism would continue in his country.

Referring to Iran-Turkey good economic relations, he expressed his satisfaction with the recent visit to Tehran of Turkish tradesmen and start of economic discussions between the two sides.

The Iranian president wound up his visit to Senegal and departed for Tehran Friday morning to take part in the nationwide parliamentary election which started a few hours ago in Iran.

.......................................................benny

The geographical areas covered by Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Iraq, and Iran are those described in Ezekiel 38. Satan is addressed as gog in the passage. Ezekiel is to set his face against the Land of Magog and his brothers Mesheck and Tubal. This is a post flood land that was centered in the northern Middle East [the same place from which the Assyrians ruled the Middle East for 1800 years]. Gomer and Togarmah's settlements covered a vast area of the turkoman tribes that stretched from Asia Minor across the northern most sector of the perpherial of the Middle East to Asia proper. Cush [Ham,Cush, Nimrod, Canaan] and Put both originated in today's nation of Iraq to the south east of Magog's land and also inhabited the costal land bridge of the Mediteranian Sea. Persia is today's nation of Iraq. These are all Middle Eastern locations identified by the post flood settlements of antiquity. It is this geographical area the Ezekiel views in his vision. The earliest and largest trading center in the area was the Land of Mesheck and Tubal. Satan is also called the "prince" of this commercial center of the post flood habitations. Satan's beast [Daniel's little horn] will rise out of ths composit area and unite the populations living there at the time of the end. He is called the "Assyrian" in O.T. scriptures.

Dear Stephen,....Scriptures reveal that Gog will be buried ....Gog cannot be satan as you believe.....I believe that Gog represents two things.........A hord that is anti-God....and yet a demonic angel.............................The scriptures are there in black and white....God says that Gog will be buried...............6) And I will send a fire on Magog, and on those living securely on the coasts. . . . (9) And those living in the cities of Israel shall go out and shall set afire and burn the weapons, even the shield and the buckler, the bow and the arrows, and the hand staff, and the spears. And they shall burn them with fire seven years. . . . I will give to Gog a place there, a grave in Israel, the valley of those who pass by, east of the sea. And it shall stop those who pass by. And they shall bury Gog and all his multitude there, and they shall call it The Valley of the Multitude of Gog. .............................................benny

Finding Gog
Ikvot ha'Mashiach

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Those who labor to understand the nuances of the battle described in Ezekiel 38-39 quickly identify two major puzzles among several minor ones. One is the timing of the battle and the other is the identity of Gog, from Magog. For my view on the battle's timing read End Times Chronology. Suffice it to say here that almost no scholar, certainly none I'm aware of, believes the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 has already taken place. Some believe it will occur just before the beginning of the Tribulation period, while others believe Ezekiel is actually describing the Battle of Armageddon, which would put it at the end of the Great Tribulation. But all place it sometime in our future.

As for Gog and Magog, the first thing to note is that while Magog is listed in Genesis 10, Gog is not. The list of 70 names in Genesis 10 is often called the Table of Nations because each of the men named there was the original ancestor of an ethnic group that grew to become a nation of people. For instance, Magog was the 2nd son of Japeth, one of Noah's three sons, and bore the children who in time became known to the ancient world as the Scythians. They lived in central Asia and are believed to be the forefathers of today's Russians. Over 130 historical references support this view.

So while the Russian people of today are descended from Magog, there is no such biological connection for Gog to either Magog or any other ethnic group. There is an unrelated mention of a man named Gog, a grandson of Reuben, in 1 Chronicles 5:4 but there doesn't seem to be any connection between him and the land of Magog either. Clearly, while Magog refers to the millions of his descendants in today's Russia, Gog remains a single individual.

Some say he's a King or leader, and in a real sense I think that's true but I don't believe he's human. The time spanned by his three appearances in scripture make that impossible.

The first one is in the first verse of Amos 7, but you have to be reading Amos from the Septuigent translation to see it. There he's identified as a king, but of a swarm of locusts. To further shroud him in mystery Proverbs 30:27 states that locusts have no king, and observers of locust swarms seem to agree that no obvious leader directs them, as a queen would direct a hive of bees for example.

(This hint also lends insight to another appearance of locusts, by the way. I’m referring to the one in Revelation 9, where a swarm of locusts comes out of the Abyss to afflict those on Earth who lack the seal of God on their foreheads. These locusts have a king named Abaddon in the Hebrew or Appolyon in the Greek. Here again, the Proverbs passage would indicate that these are of supernatural origin, not ordinary locusts.)

The next time Gog's mentioned is in Ezekiel 38:1, where he is called by name as the leader of a coalition of what are now Moslem nations attacking Israel. His final mention comes from the Book of Revelation where he again leads the people from Magog against the Lord's army at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:8). By now these enemies of God have apparently been dispersed throughout the Earth.

Even if you're among those who place the battle from Ezekiel 38 at the end of the Great Tribulation, the span of time between Gog's last two biblical appearances is at least 1000 years, and while I believe that some born in that era will have long life spans, there isn't any indication that natural humans born before the Millennium begins will live to see its end. This is especially true of God's enemies as all surviving unbelievers are removed from Earth at the beginning of our Lord's reign.

So I've come to the conclusion that Gog is a supernatural figure. The Bible clearly states that behind the human seats of government stand supernatural figures manipulating the thoughts and actions of the world's leaders. Many of these figures are in Satan's employ helping in his effort to wrest ownership of Planet Earth from its Creator. Gog is at least the supernatural figure behind the throne of Russia, and perhaps is even Satan's counterpart to the Archangel Michael, Commander of the Lord's armies.

In Daniel 10 Michael is identified as one of the Lord's chief princes who in 536 BC came to Daniel's aid in a supernatural struggle with the Prince of Persia, a nation barely emerging on the world scene having conquered Babylon just three years earlier. At its conclusion Michael told Daniel of a coming battle with the Prince of Greece, a nation that didn't even exist at the time. In Daniel 12:1 we're told he'll protect Israel at the end of the age, and in Rev 12:7 he's seen leading the angelic host in a great battle in heaven when Satan is defeated there and cast down to Earth at the outset of the Great Tribulation. Michael is clearly a supernatural warrior leaping across the pages of history in defense of the Lord's interests. It makes sense that Satan would have a military commander leading his forces as well, since everything he does seems to mirror the actions of his Creator. With his multiple mentions in Scripture and the long span of time between appearances, Gog could easily be this commander.

Only time will tell if this view is correct. But one of the great advantages of living in our day is that we won't have long to wait till we find out. You can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah. 11-16-03

......................................................benny

"Dear Stephen,....Scriptures reveal that Gog will be buried"

Benny you and I have to disagree on this one. Gog is satan. The term "gog" relates satan to his human host of the rebelling nations of the earth. In this case it symbolic and is defined by those inhabitants of the geographical area where Magog [symbol of the nations] and his people first settled. This land area is in the Middle East today and it is this location where the little horn, human king of the north will rise, at the time of the end. The area today is northern Iraq. It is his human pawn [the little horn, king of the north] that will be buried at Armageddon along with his human host. His beast and false prophet will be destroyed in the lake of fire. The Lord is speaking to Him directly and is telling him that his adventure by misleading humans in rebellion will be defeated. He will lose his battle on the earth. His human host will be buried. He is satan because he will be released from the abyss 1,000 years later to deceive the inhabitants of the millennium in rebellion again [gog (satan) .... and magog (symbolic of the nations)]. His life span far exceeds any human and this will allow for his involvement again. You also need to ponder Ezekiel 38:17 and just what the Lord means by this statement. You will not find satan refered to as gog in any other vision of the Bible prophets ..... but he is referred to by several other names. All of them involve his attack upon Israel at the time of the end.

Our English Bible takes its translation from the Masoretic text, a 9th century source. However, an earlier translation of the Old Testament into Greek, known as the Septuagint, embodies a different rending of Amos 7:1:

"Thus the Lord showed me, and behold a swarm of locusts were coming, and behold, one of the young devastating locusts was Gog, the King." Amos 7:1 (LXX)

..............................................benny

I wrote this response to an article for Novosti last year, before my return to the Lord.
They posted it.
http://en.rian.ru/letters/20070222/61099745.html

Meanwhile the stand-off with Iran is developing beyond its nuclear program. The United States is forcing events. According to The New Statesman, the forces deployed in the northwest part of the Indian Ocean and in the Persian Gulf would allow the U.S. president to destroy Iran's political, economic and military infrastructure within a few hours." I guess the questions I will pose are: With the intelligence that is available, does anyone believe that Iran has a covert Nuclear WMD program, and if so, what do you want to do about it? The U.S. President's view and now some opposing democrats are agreeing "All the options are on the table to ensure that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon," ...which means military action.

If military action against Iran becomes necessary, which it probably will, then Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gulf, is where they will be attacked from (Countries either side of Iran)...which makes a lot of sense from an intelligence and logistical military planning point of view. You see, Iran's WMD program has been suspect ALL ALONG and may be the real reason behind continued occupation of these countries. Some believe Iran represents the single most dangerous threat to homeland/international security then any other nation combined and must not be allowed to proliferate.
btw...sanctions and diplomacy has NOT/does NOT work with them...leaving only one other option...and the time is running out. Iraq is considered a major front in the war on terror...Iranian Terror.

In the following statement, notice Gates says we are not planning for "A War"...he did not say they weren?t planning for war...just a play on words. I mean think about it...not planning for war with Iran when this option IS on the table is foolhardy.

"The president has made clear, the secretary of state has made clear, I've made clear - we are not planning for a war with Iran,"Gates said in response to a reporter's question."
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=2909

...that is until something happens that will touch off a conflict...The Iranian government supplying AQ in Iraq with IEDs and covert troops is not enough, which makes me wonder...what is on the horizon? Calm before the storm? Personally, I think Iran is being given every chance to cooperate before this option becomes inevitable. Now, what part does Russia play in all this. Well, they are in a unique position of power here. After all the nuclear plant in Iran was built by Russia...how will the world react to Russia if Iran makes good on certain threats to other countries...when it is Russia that gave them the tools to do so. This is why Russia must have a heavy hand with Iran about their compliance to world consensus on the matter...what will be left if Iran blows off a nuke on a neighbor...WW3 and millions of lives! And you won't won't be able to blame the Americans...but some may try...because they didn't stop them in the first place.


The time is short fellow Christians; the writing is on the wall, and it is very clear in what it says.
...time for us to get ready.
...time to wash our robes.
...the day is at hand.

Benny,

I am aware of this designation of the older manuscripts and here is the translation. Satan's other component of the "antichrist" is Abaddon-Apolloyn, the angelic king of the abyss in Revelation 9. This angelic is not satan, but a different entity. This fallen angelic is satan's "christ" who will manifest in the little horn, human king of the northern Middle East. Satan, the "dragon" gives this fallen angelic his power and authority. The locusts described are not bugs, but myrids of fallen angelics who will be released from the abyss upon the earth at the time of the end. Abaddon-Apollyon is their king and his name in Hebrew and Greek means the "destroyer". This fallen angelic rules the 7 dominions of the Middle East for satan as noted in Revelation 17. His heads are his kingdoms of humans assigned by satan. Five of these are ancient kingdoms of the Middle East and can be identified. There are two more to come. The 6th will be smaller and then expanded into the 7th divided kingdom with 10 other human kings. The five have fallen [the beast once "was" ruling] and Abaddon-Apollyon is now in the abyss [the beast is "not"]. He will be released from the abyss at the time of the end to rule again.

...another warning from Russia on the coming conflict with Iran.
http://www.mnweekly.ru/news/20080124/55305669.html

Stephen,I do not agree with you,and you should know that I am hard headed.....I think that it is enough that we agree that the Lord is coming shortly.....this is not going to get us anywhere. I'll see you in heaven then we will talk about this some more .....................benny

The Kingdom 'braces for nuclear war'

Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to counter any 'radioactive hazards' which may result from a US strike on Iran's nuclear plants.
Popular government-guided Saudi newspaper Okaz recently reported that the Saudi Shura Council approved of nuclear fallout preparation plans only a day after US Vice President Dick Cheney met with the Kingdom's high ranking officials, including King Abdullah.
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=4957...ionid=351020104


Exclusive: Iran, Syria, Lebanon on military alert over US Gulf movements and Israel’s home defense drill
http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5168

soon now...
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid...icle%2FShowFull

interesting Earendel.............


is Israel going to get a shot in before America elects a President who is an unknown quantity?

I believe the day is very close now; Israel is just about as ready as they can be. I have a theory as to why the markets are way down (almost one trillion dollars at present)...to pay for the coming conflict money was taken out, withdrawn from the banks. Just a thought. Stocks plunge in Israel today and France is calling for action against Iran
I am not sure how this war (WWIII) is going to start, but I believe it will begin in the Middle East. All the pieces are in place for the US and Israel to take out Iran's Nuke Facilities. But how is it going to start? What is going to touch it off? Ezekiel 38 will soon be upon Israel and indeed the world, followed immediately by the Great Tribulation...I think they will be consecutive events ending with Armageddon.

Israel will strike before Iran gets bomb