Mid East Prophecy Update Sept 2004
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.
Isaiah 42:9
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
Every now and then, we depart from our normal format of providing commentary on portions of Scripture to offer a comparison of current events to Biblical Prophecy. Today is such an occasion.
Several important pieces of information regarding the Middle East have come my way in the past few weeks that warrant a closer look at the region from a prophetic viewpoint.
1.
Iran has demanded and Turkey has agreed to bar Israeli warplanes from Turkish airspace if it seems Israel is on its way to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. This in spite of numerous military treaties between Turkey and Israel that permit airspace use. While not critical to Israel’s plans, this decision by Turkey is viewed as a strong signal that the relationship between the two countries may be changing. Compounding this, Turkey and Syria will declare the start of military cooperation between their two countries at a meeting next month (Oct. 04) in Damascus. (High-level Turkish delegates are is Israel now hoping to allay Israel’s concerns.)
2.
Iran has begun the export of Tehran’s joint Iranian-al Qaeda terrorist campaign from Iraq to the Central Asian republics of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. Iran has also demanded that Azerbaijan expel US and Israeli intelligence installations currently there, to prevent their ongoing observation of Iran’s developing nuclear program.
3.
Just about every Email newsletter and intelligence briefing I received this week devoted substantial space to Syria’s manipulation of the Lebanese government, the presence of 17,000 Syrian troops there, and Syria’s continuing sponsorship of Hamas and Hizbollah terrorist activities against Israel. Israel has openly accused Syria of being behind the twin bus bombings in Beersheba two weeks ago, and has forwarded their proof to both EU and US officials. The UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and the disbanding of foreign and domestic militias there. It’s no secret that Iran provides financial and logistical support for Hizbollah, funneling both through the Syrian government.
Not much of this information makes it into US news reports, but viewed collectively these three developments could carry major prophetic implications. So with the Bible in one hand and this list of current events in the other, let’s try to gain some prophetic perspective.
Whose Side Are You On?
First of all remember what I’ve been saying for years. When Turkey begins to switch sides a major precondition for the battle foretold in Ezekiel 38-39 is being fulfilled. For years Turkey and Israel have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. Turkey has acted as a deterrent, keeping Syria from launching troops into Israel. In return Israel has taken Turkey under its nuclear umbrella, protecting Turkey from its more radical Moslem neighbors. Turkey had paid Israel untold millions to update and modernize its military hardware and Israel has enjoyed the benefits of these lucrative contracts. In fact over 30 military and economic treaties exist between the two countries.
But many scholars place Turkey among the peoples called Beth Togarmah in Ezekiel 38:6. If so, that would mean that Turkey will join Israel’s attackers. I don’t think these early signs mean that the Moslem invasion of Israel is imminent; changes of this nature can take some time and there are other factors involved in the timing of Ezekiel’s prophecy as well. But I continue to hold the view that Turkey is the single most important country in the Middle East from a strategic point of view, and now more than ever bears close watching.
Hooks In Your Jaws
Another issue involving this prophecy is the meaning of the “hooks in your jaws” phrase of Ezek. 38:4. Some have seen this as referring to the Central Asian Republics of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakistan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. Here’s the rationale for that view. The language of Ezekiel hints at a reluctance on the part of Magog (Russia) to get involved, so the Lord forces their participation, in effect dragging them into the battle. The phrase hooks in your jaws refers to a type of bridle used on a rebellious horse. It has little barbs on the bit that irritate the inside of the horse’s cheek when it refuses to go in a direction the rider wants. A sharp tug on the reins is all that’s necessary to bring it back into line.
Since Russia is bound by treaty to come to the aid of the Central Asian republics in the event of war, many see them as the “hooks in your jaws” that force Russia’s hand. If the Tehran sponsored terrorism results in these former members of the Soviet Union coming under Iranian influence, you can see how they could be the “tug on the reins” that will drag Russia into the battle when the time comes to attack. Iran is called Persia in the Ezekiel passage, and although the Lord orders Russia to take command, Iran is the apparent leader of the coalition of Moslem nations gathered for war.(Ezek. 38:7)
What’s First On The Agenda?
The most urgent matter looks to be Syria, a country not listed among those attacking Israel in Ezekiel 38. Here’s where the scenario gets a little complicated. Iran is going nuclear. Israel has said they won’t let that happen, but will take out Iran’s new reactor as soon as they learn that Russia is delivering the fuel rods, currently scheduled for as early as spring of 2005. Recently Iran began threatening to launch a pre-emptive strike against Israel to preclude such an attack.
Syria has purchased some 12,000 missiles and positioned them along Israel’s northern border in Lebanon. Iran provided the funds for the missiles and supervisory personnel for their crews, manned by the Hizbollah. Any pre-emptive move by Iran could likely come from here.
Iran and Syria have also mounted a joint effort to seize control of the Gaza strip, again through the Hizbollah, aiming to fill the leadership vacuum that exists there due to the assassination of most of the Hamas leadership. They’re even turning against Arafat’s people, already killing or sidelining several in what amounts to a turf battle created by Israel’s announced departure. Their intention is to create a dual front attack capability, controlling both the North and the South with Israel stuck in the middle. They believe the US is fully occupied in Iraq and Afghanistan and can’t do anything to prevent it.
But I don’t think Israel will let that happen. Twice in the past few years Israel was in the final stages of acting to disable the Syrian missile threat when the US intervened diplomatically and put a stop to things. This time I believe Israel has been persuaded to hold off until after the US elections, but soon thereafter will act to avenge the bus bombings, for which it blames Syria, and neutralize this threat from the North. (Interestingly, just this week the Syrian leadership of Hamas fled Damascus for hideouts in Lebanon fearing Israel’s reprisals.) Whether or not Israel’s action against Syria will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 17 will depend on how threatened Israel feels at the time.
Where Does That Leave Us?
As I’ve often said, the only sure way to interpret prophecy is to wait till an event takes place, read the prophecy that pointed to it, and then say, “Oh, that’s what that means.” As it was with the Russia / Turkey missile crisis a few years ago that also could have been a run-up to Ezekiel’s prophecy, there are so many variables it’s impossible to foresee them all. But to students of biblical prophecy, this otherwise unrelated combination of events piques our curiosity and compels us to search the scriptures as we watch them unfold.
For if, as we believe, we are in the times of the end, then one day soon we’ll see the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s extraordinary prophecy. And when we do we’ll know to “stand up and lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near.” If you listen closely, you can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah.
