10/29/2023
We are NOT now experiencing Ezekiel 38 & 39!!
by Dr. K. Daniel Fried
"I'm being asked a lot about whether these current events unfolding are fulfilling Ezk 38 & 39.
For 46 years I have been conducting Bible Prophecy Conferences dealing with similar questions. That doesn’t mean I know everything about it, but I’ve learned a few things to keep in mind about Bible Prophecy.
1. We cannot know for sure the events happening now are a direct fulfillment of a particular prophecy until looking back after the fact, e.g. we did not know for sure that the Fig Tree prophecy of Mt 24 came true until May 14, 1948, we could have seen the signs or stepping stones leading up to it but nobody knew the date etc.
2. According to Mt 24 we can know the Signs of His coming, what we are seeing now are “Signs” ... wars and rumors of wars, the Russian & Arab alignment and the Kings of the East (China and her proxies). We see the stage being set. We are nearer than we think. We all understand things are heating up, we no doubt are on the precipice of Christ’s coming, ( by the way Paul the Apostle thought so too, some 2000 years ago ) however we still don't know the hour, the day, the season of the Rapture - it will always be IMMINENT until it happens, therefore we must be very careful about saying what is actually a fulfillment. Such predictions have led many astray. The early disciples thought the Kingdom would be established right after the ascension of Christ, they didn’t have a grasp of the mystery of the born-again Church, not until Paul was illuminated to the dispensation of the grace of God.
3. Can what is happening today, be a prototype to Armageddon, yes just like John the Baptist was to Elijah, and Acts 2:20 to Joel 2:31, but things that are different are not the same.
4. The current conflict in Israel and potential World War III if indeed is the prelude to the Rapture, than it cannot be Armageddon, because Armageddon as most of you know won’t happen until the latter part of the 7 year Tribulation - this Prophetically aligns itself with Ezk 38-39, Joel 3, Mt 24:27-28, Rev 16:12-16, 19:17-21
5. Is it possible that the current conflict will usher in the Rapture and immediately thereafter the Antichrist will step on the seen to bring his false peace in the world and illegitimate covenant with Israel? Yes, these appear to be the signs of such events unfolding - but be careful not to lose sight of the imminency of Christ return. Let us not mix up pre-Trib happenings with end of Trib events. There will be 3 1/2 years of false “Peace” in the 1st half of the 7 year Trib, therefore there will be no national wars during that period. When the Antichrist breaks his covenant, the abomination of desolation begins - could it be that the last half of the Trib will take 3 1/2 years for an estimated 200 million warriors coming from the East ( China, Asia etc they get 50% of their oil from the middleast) and then millions more from Russia, Turkey, Iran and their proxies? Darby said “into the conflict for the universal conflagration of powers?”
6. Our primary focus as believers must be to maintain zealous efforts in reaching the lost for Christ before the Rapture, and preparing the saints for the Judgement seat of Christ. Any distractions from these core biblical teachings will only hurt the cause instead of enhancing them. As loving the Jewish people and the Nation of Israel, while seeking her salvation, we must also realize our role and purpose to defend Israel, for truly we believe that God has brought us together for such a time as this."
– Dr. K. Daniel Fried, Editor in Chief – copyright © 2023
www.hopeofisrael.net
more studies on Gog & Magog go to https://hopeofisrael.net/news/god-will-hook-gog-troops/
