- Photograph from Light Magazine on Prophecy cover.
- A great king of ancient Babylon saw in a dream a huge statue made of different metals with a head of gold. The dream was interpreted for him by the young Jewish prophet Daniel.
- In the background: A replica of Babylon's famous Ishtar Gate.
- Image from Felix Friebe/ istock
The coming World Conflict and you?
Based on the "Light on Bible Prophecy" special issue.
Part 1:Introduction, part 2:Iran (Persia), part 3:Greece, part 4:Rome, part 5:Israel, part 6 (this article): The coming world conflict and you.
This review of Bible prophecy has mainly concentrated on fulfilled
prophecy and for a very good reason. Prophecy, set out clearly in
the Bible and seen to be fulfilled by the comparison of Scripture with
recorded history, provides grounds for belief that the Bible is the Word
of God. We have looked at a number of examples which demonstrate
God's overall plan with the nations of the world. We have also considered
His special purpose with the nation of Israel.
The establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth lies at the centre of
the divine plan and is the subject of extensive Bible prophecy. It
requires the return of Jesus Christ to fulfil all the promises of God.
Jesus himself foretold the events that would herald his return.
In what is known as the Mount Olivet prophecy, Jesus first warned
of the overthrow of the Jewish State. In fulfilment of prophecy,
the Romans ruled over the land of Palestine at the time of Jesus and
the Jews were a subject people.
- Mankind is capable of total destruction
- Photograph in the public domain
Jesus prophesied that the Romans would soon execute the plan of God and disperse God’s people throughout the world:
"... they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations… Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
The disciples of Jesus had asked him about the signs of his Second Coming. Jesus set out very clearly the signs which would lead up to his return "with power and great glory".
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
The return of the Jews to their own land and the restoration of Israel as a home for the Jewish people in 1948, is a part fulfilment of prophecies already considered in the previous article. There is much 'perplexity' as to how the problems of the world can be solved by human government. Wars, terrorism and violence continue, particularly in the Middle East and there seems to be no solution to these problems. Jesus said that this would be another sign of his impending return.
The prophets of Israel foretold the events affecting Israel and all nations, just prior to the return of Jesus. Consider the following example mentioned in the earlier section on Iran (Persia). In the prophecy of Ezekiel we are given the description of a group of nations hostile to the restored nation of Israel. This is how the group of nations are described:
"Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, "Thus says the Lord GOD"."
Careful reading of this chapter leaves us in no doubt that this group of nations, including Persia (now called Iran), Ethiopia (also known as Nubia, now southern Egypt and northern Sudan) and Libya, are to be compelled by God to attack the land of Israel:
"In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations"
This confederacy of nations is centred on a power which is situated to the north of the Holy Land, and it is interesting to note that Israel, both in the past and even at the present time, has needed to look carefully to the security of her northern borders. The Syrians are a threat from that direction, just as the Assyrians were some 2,800 years ago.
God, speaking through the prophet Ezekiel concerning this northern aggressor said:
"Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you… You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days ..."
The identity of this confederacy, to be gathered against Israel in the very near future, is not difficult to see. Magog, Meshech and Tubal, the descendants of Japheth, one of the sons of Noah (see Genesis 10:2), in ancient times settled in countries to the north of Israel (see map below).
- Map showing suggested location of nations described in Ezekiel chapter 38
Persia (now Iran), Ethiopia and Libya are nations antagonistic to Israel and are well known to us today. The prophet Ezekiel, speaking with divine authority, tells us they will be joined by the descendants of Japheth, the "latter day" occupiers of the "far north". Directly to the north of Israel as mentioned above, is Syria, one of Israel's many Arab enemies. Further north through Armenia we come to the troubled, now largely independent states of the former Soviet Union. We note with interest the high Islamic following among this group of nations.
It would be foolish for Bible students to dogmatise on the outcome of unfulfilled Bible prophecy. God alone has the right to determine the outcome of His plan for the world – a plan, remember, which will be realised in the establishment of the Kingdom of God and the commencement of the Millennium – the reign of Christ on earth for 1,000 years (see Revelation 20:4). At the end of this time he will deliver the Kingdom to God (see 1 Corinthians 15: 24-28).
If we are true students of God's Word, then we need to watch and prepare for our Lord's coming. Christ's warning to his followers was that they should watch!
"Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Today, as we survey the world scene, what do we see? We see Israel established as a nation in their own land, outstandingly successful in some areas of technology, but plagued by acute internal division and unrelenting hostility from the Palestinians and their own Arab population. In the background, a hostile Iran is breathing out hatred. Various 'peace accords' have
promised much but have so far achieved little. Islamic nations have tried to destroy Israel more than once – Bible prophecy says they will do so again:
"They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more"."
Psalm 83 describes a number of ancient nations who were enemies of Israel when the Psalm was written. Their territory was similar to that of Israel's hostile neighbours today.
The northern aggressor of Ezekiel chapter 38, in association with the nations identified on the map on page 49, who are opposed to the Jews who occupy "the land brought back from the sword", are those whom God will draw into a final conflict against Jerusalem:
"For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem."
Another of God's prophets adds:
"... in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat ..."
We are left in no doubt that this is the day when God will intervene directly in human affairs once again and cause His will to be done on earth:
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near ... The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; but the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again."
We are convinced that we are living "at the time of the end" described by the prophet Daniel (see Daniel 11:40- 12:2).
This is the time that will witness the return of Jesus Christ, the future world ruler. These prophecies, and particularly those of Joel and Zechariah, together with the great prophecies of Isaiah and Ezekiel, present to us God's plan for the world.
Isaiah has been referred to as "the prophet of the Kingdom". His words give us a graphic picture of the age to come:
"...They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
- These words are used by the United Nations organisation to epitomise their aspirations for world peace.
- "We shall beat our swords into plowshares" – sculpture outside the United Nations Building in New York.
We should seek to identify the key events relating to God's plan as foretold by the prophets of Israel, for every step forward brings us closer to that day of final conflict when, in the words of Zechariah:
"... the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle… And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be – “The LORD is one” and His name one."
What about your future?
We can view historical events in a detached way without considering
their connection with the present or the future. However, the events
recorded in the Bible point us in a specific direction. Prophecy which
has been fulfilled demonstrates the hand of God in human affairs in the
past as part of His plan for the future. This gives us confidence in
the Bible's claim to be the Word of God, as the Apostle Peter wrote:
"Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
This should lead us, not merely to hold these ancient prophecies in
high esteem, but to recognise that the Bible is divinely inspired, for it
contains God's plan as revealed to His servants the prophets. The
purpose of recorded Scripture is not for us to look back at what might
have been, but to recognise from the past that history is the result of a
carefully planned purpose in which the Creator's aim is quite clear:
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
The prophecy connected with the image shown to the king of Babylon in Daniel chapter 2 still remains partly unfulfilled – the final part relates to the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth when Jesus returns.
God has a purpose with His people that will be fulfilled in the setting up of the restored kingdom of Israel. Jesus is destined to be king ruling over the whole world from Jerusalem. We are therefore able to look forward with hope to the future, because we have the evidence of fulfilled prophecy on which to base our confidence. It can only be a hope though, to those who believe it, for as we read in the letter to the Hebrews:
"...for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
The purpose of the Scriptures is to enable individuals to participate, through God's mercy, in His future plans. This is the essence of "the gospel of the kingdom of God" preached by Jesus (see Mark 1:14). This hope of the gospel was held by men of faith like Abraham. The Apostle Paul wrote:
"God... preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed"."
The faith of Abraham and others is referred to in Hebrews chapter 11. Read the chapter carefully, for it tells us that true faith is an essential characteristic of all those who will have a part in God's plan for the future. We are told that:
"... all these (men and women of faith), having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us."
Do you want to participate in "something better"? Can you accept the certainty of God's promises, based on the fulfilment of "the more sure word of prophecy?"
The wise man Solomon, after carefully considering life with all its aims, challenges and achievements, had this to say:
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man"
One of these commandments requires a person to be baptised, having fully believed the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of God.
- People, including yourself.
What about your future?
In Acts chapter 10 we read about a Roman centurion called Cornelius, who was "a devout man and one who feared God," but, as the Apostle Peter told him, this in itself was not enough. After he had satisfied himself that Cornelius understood and believed the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, Peter baptised him.
Your future - your choice...
Are you going to be like those who didn't believe that the prophets' words would come true until it was too late?
Or will you be like Cornelius and look forward to the fulfilment of "all that the prophets have spoken" (see Luke 24:25), the end of the kingdoms of men as predicted by Daniel and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth?
This article concludes this series on Bible Prophecy.
Author Many people were involved in writing and checking this article
Country UK
Source Light on a New World special edition: "Light on Bible Prophecy"
| 
