Will Gog-MaGog Lead to the Rise of the Antichrist?

As we watch current events unfold in the Middle-East, particularly with regard to Iran's progress towards nuclear capability, its easy to speculate regarding the potential order of events. According to Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz, Iran is headed toward a "Nuclear Breakthrough", and a nuclear program that is "unacceptable". Mozat is a former army Chief of Staff and a candidate to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert when he steps down in September.

We inch closer and closer to the events described in Ezekiel 38-39, known as the invasion of Gog-MaGog. "Gog" is a title given to the leader of the invading forces. Ezekiel's prophetic scriptures describe the land that Gog leads, as Meshech and Tubal. We know from Genesis 10 that Meshech and Tubal were sons of Japheth, who was Noah's son. Known as the "Japhethites", these people settled in the land which is now known as Russia. Ezekiel 38 and 39 also describe the invading forces as coming from the "far north" (Ezekiel 38:15 and 39:2), which from Israel's perspective, is Russia. Iran is known to also participate in this invasion, as Ezekiel 38 describes "Persia" included in the invasion, and Iran was formally "Persia" until the 1930's.

Israel will most likely bomb the nuclear facilities in Iran within the next 6 months, and possibly towards the end of this year. There are many rumors and articles written which describe the rationale of Israel attacking these facilities between November and January 2009, timed to occur after the U.S. elections but before the next president is sworn in.

We know from biblical prophecy that these invading countries will be destroyed in a dramatic way (Ezekiel 38:14-23 and 39:1-16) - such that the clean-up alone will take seven months. The Islamic countries who participate in this invasion will be severely weakened after this brief war.

We also know from biblical prophecy that a figure known as the Antichrist (Revelation 13) will rise to power with what initially appears as peaceful motives (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3), as he "confirms" a peace plan in the Middle-East, primarily involving Israel (Daniel 9:27). Given this, its easy to envision a scenario in which, immediately after this epic destruction of massive troops against Israel, the Middle-East, and the world will be in search of ANYONE who can create "permanent peace" in the region. It will be a ripe time, not only for a peace plan to finally be confirmed, but a unique time because of a severely weakened Muslim population in the region.

The potential scenario would be this: Israel bombs the nuclear facilities in Iran. Russia would immediately be brought into the situation, as their alliances with Iran dictate, and because thousands of Russian workers at these numerous facilities would undoubtedly be killed and injured. This could be the spark necessary for the invasion of "Gog-MaGog" described in Ezekiel 37-38. Following the massive destruction of these invading forces and their countries - it would be a very very easy time to confirm peace in the Middle-East, including a provision for rebuilding the Israel's Temple on the Temple Mount.

Even if this exact scenario doesn't play out in this manner, there is no doubt that this brief war will have dramatic implications for the Middle-East, and, in turn, the rest of the world. More importantly, it will have enormously significant implications regarding biblical prophecy, and the last events leading to the Tribulation.

We believe that we are in the very last days. Soon, there will be a gathering in Heaven. A celebration. Seeing loved ones again and regathering with them. Seeing the very face of Jesus Christ. Entering the gates of Heaven. Seeing God in His splendor and glory. It all awaits those who have accepted the gift of the cross. And it will exceed anything and everything our human minds can conceive.

Maranatha! Our Lord Come!