David Sudlow examines God's prophetic timeline for Israel.

Understanding God’s prophetic timeline for Israel is key to understanding his plans and purposes for the entire world, especially as the return of Jesus Messiah draws near. But Scripture often communicates this timeline to us using language and imagery that is mysterious.

In this article, David Sudlow, former Director of Christians for Israel (USA), offers his perspective on two such chapters - Ezekiel 38 and 39 – in relation to the current world situation.

His views do not necessarily reflect those of the Prophecy Today Editorial Team, but we believe it is important to open a debate on this subject – so why not discuss David’s article and contribute your own ideas by posting below?

Almost 70 years ago, on 29 November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that called for the creation of a Jewish state. Since then, there has been a converging of events bringing new relevance to many Old and New Testament prophecies.

God is faithful to all His covenant promises to Israel, the Church and his Creation. Great days are ahead for the fulfilling of the Gospel of the Kingdom. As we see God’s great covenant promises coming to pass for His firstborn, Israel; we are assured that our redemption is certain - the Lord’s coming is very near:

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thess 5:2-3)

The fulfilment of any prophecy, however, is dependent upon God’s timing, in his step-by-step master plan of creation and redemption. It is truly a progressive vision. This was true of my heritage as a 5^th-generation Christian Zionist. In the 19^th Century, my forefathers prayed for and then recognised the beginning of the re-gathering of the Jewish people to their historic land of Israel. Today, we see God bringing his prophetic word to a new maturity and we are called afresh to stand for God’s promises for Israel.

But for what are we watching and waiting? What is next on God’s timeline for Israel – and how does that relate to the current world situation?

Stages of Fulfilment

Just as they have been through history, the Jewish people are again at the epicentre of controversy and increasingly are becoming the scapegoat for the world’s woes. Also within this epicentre are Christians, with over 900,000 killed in the last ten years¹ in an increase in persecution which points to the Great Tribulation.

It is evident from the scriptures and recent history that the restoration of the Jews to their own land is to happen in successive stages. We have witnessed the first stage taking place before the second coming of Christ, with a partial restoration: Jews have returned in great numbers to the Land, but not knowing Jesus and facing the evil hatred of their enemies.

The next stage will be total, by the mighty hand of God, and will take place in the final act of Christ’s second coming. Then will Israel be converted unto Him and “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced” and believe that Jesus is the Lord (Zech 12:10).

As we see God’s great covenant promises coming to pass for His firstborn, Israel; we are assured that our redemption is certain.

Gog and Magog War

Through the Prophet Ezekiel, the Lord foretold with remarkable clarity what we have seen this century in the re-birth of the Israeli state. From the 36^th chapter of Ezekiel to the end of the book is one great prophecy concerning the restoration of the Jewish nation.

It is in the middle of this prophecy that we see ‘Gog’ coming up against the Jews whilst they are already living in their land. In Ezekiel 36:2, we see the boast of Israel’s enemies: “the high places [that is Jerusalem and the land of Israel] are ours in possession”. Ezekiel 38-39 prophesies a confederacy of nations coming against Israel, in what has become known as the ‘Gog and Magog War’.

But who is Gog, and what is his goal and the goal of those in league with him?

Many ‘end times’ theologians agree – and I would concur - that Russia will be the leading source of the Gog confederacy, while ‘Magog’ refers to the lands from which they come. Using their historic names, Ezekiel clearly describes Russia, Iran, Turkey and others aligned with them in this anti-Israel alliance: “Gomer and all his bands, the house of Togarmah of the North quarters, Persia, Ethiopia and Libya, and many peoples with them” (Ezek 38:5).

Please don’t misinterpret the current crisis in the Middle East as mere political moves. The ‘Gog and Magog War’ appears to be in the birth throes of fulfilment, right before our eyes.

It is evident from the scriptures and recent history that the restoration of the Jews to their own land is to happen in successive stages.

Final Victory

We also know from Ezekiel that Gog will come up against Jerusalem and be defeated by the righteous judgment of God: “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I AM the LORD” (Ezek 38:23).

But this prediction concerning Gog has more to it than just the judgment of God on the armies Russia will bring against Israel.

This war for Jerusalem contains within it a description of the final destruction which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will execute upon the last enemy that comes against Israel in their own land: the final Antichrist, who will be leader of a confederacy of all nations. He will not only be head of the lands depicted as ‘Magog’, but also be in control of all the area which was previously occupied by the four great monarchies foretold by Daniel (Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome) (see also Joel 3:1-2; Rev 19:17-21).

The US and Europe

Will the USA and Europe be part of this soon ‘Gog and Magog’ war? The United Nations and the European Union are already complicit by their actions against Israel, so it is not hard to contemplate their potential involvement. Their leading role in the recent UN 2334 vote (led by the US) is all the proof one needs.

The word of the LORD is sure and modern Israel is proof that he will stand with his covenant people against all odds. Since their War of Independence, every time their enemies have attacked them with the goal of destroying them, Israel has received more of their biblical land inheritance. Our God will get all the glory in this war and Israel will be miraculously saved - like they were in 1948, 1967, 1973 and have been ever since.

Will the USA and Europe be part of this soon ‘Gog and Magog’ war?

Israel and Donald Trump

Where does President Trump come into this? Most conservative American Christians supporting Israel voted for Trump. For us, he was the best choice for America, compared to a continuation of Barack Obama’s policies if Hillary Clinton was elected. Many of us are thankful for the outcome of the election and believe God heard our prayers of repentance. We believe that in Trump, America and Israel have been given a reprieve from the diabolical anti-Christian and anti-Israel policies enacted by Barack Obama.

Yet many Christians, including myself, have good reason to be cautious and are not letting down our guard.

Donald Trump is a man of great human pride and he does not represent a revival. Those who are wondering about where Israel may end up with a President Trump peace plan should take heed. His ‘America first’ and prosperity message are a big part of his popular appeal. In turn, he has gathered around him many Christians, some of whom hold to Dominion Theology ideas which teach deceptive interpretations of Scripture.

The main error of Dominionism affects how one views Christ’s Second Coming (and therefore all the scriptures previously mentioned concerning Israel). It promotes the old idea that the Church will take control of the nations and then Jesus will be able to return.

Will President Trump successfully move the US Embassy to Jerusalem and will God allow Trump’s policies in the Middle East to put off the Gog and Magog War to a later time?

The word of the LORD is sure and modern Israel is proof that he will stand with his covenant people against all odds.

Mix that with Trump’s deal-making expertise and we may end up with a modified plan for a two-state solution. Trump really believes he can bring a lasting peace. He has appointed Jared Kushner to be a senior cabinet advisor with the job of brokering a new peace agreement; Kushner is married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, who went through a vigorous conversion in 2009 in order to marry Mr Kushner, an Orthodox Jew. They observe Shabbat, keep Kosher and worship at an Orthodox synagogue in New York City. President Trump said to Kushner, “If you can’t produce peace in the Middle East, nobody can.”²

We can reply that a lasting peace will not come until Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, reigns from Jerusalem.

Need for True Repentance

The prosperity and safety message of the Trump presidency and the national stirrings within the nations of Europe are not enough to deter God’s righteous judgments. There has only ever been one message that brings genuine revival and that is our turning back to Christ in true repentance.

The truth is, the anti-Christ crowd is re-grouping and will march again with a vengeance in the near future. Meanwhile, we the Church are not facing the real issues of our departure from God. It is obvious that many in the Western Church are more ready to welcome Christ’s greatest imposter than our Saviour Jesus. We have left the Lord and His principles and are asleep to our real situation – we are the epitome of the Laodicean church.

Prayers for the Peace of Jerusalem

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming “as a thief in the night” and great judgments are on the horizon for all those who ignore God’s promises for Israel and the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The promise of peace and safety can lull us to sleep unless we stay spiritually alert. During this time of reprieve, it is important that we redeem the time in prayer and dedication for God’s work. While we pray with the spirit, we have to pray with the understanding also, and our attitude and behaviour must make God’s answer possible.

It is sure that the enemies of Israel and the Church are not going to be silent. The United Nations’ anti-Semites are always looking for their next attack. Israel knows this full well; it is never the question of IF there will be another attack or war, but WHEN. We as the Lord’s watchmen must keep vigilant with the same alertness.

In view of all this, how then should we pray?

Prayer Points for the Peace of Jerusalem:

• To speak the truth in love as we speak up for Israel and the hope within us.
  
• To stand firmly for the Jewish people and their returning to Israel.
  
• For the Lord to confuse world leaders who ignore God’s promises for Israel.
  
• For Christians and Jews to see the folly of a two-state solution for peace.
  
• For the Lord’s grace and protection for Palestinian Christians.
  
• For God’s mercy on today’s Laodicean church that we may find true repentance.
  
• For God the Father to send His Son, Jesus Christ.
  

OUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR. In the blessed hope - for the peace of Jerusalem.

References

1 Smith, S. Over 900,000 Christians Martyred for Their Faith in Last 10 Years: Report. Christian Post, 16 January 2017.

2 Tibon, A. Trump to Kushner: If You Can't Produce Middle East Peace, Nobody Can. Haaretz, 20 January 2017.

About the author: David Sudlow and his wife Nita are married for 29 years and live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where they have been raising their ten children. His formative years were in Philadelphia where he worked as a carpenter. In 1995 he was instrumental in the formation of Christians for Israel in the USA and Canada and served as Director and Editor. He has worked with a number of ministries as a layman and traveled in 25 countries. David worships with his family in the Reformed Episcopal Church.