Leviathan: against him, who can stand?

I recently reported on an amazing find in Peru: an animal that matches the biblical description of Leviathan in Job 41. The chapter of Job 41 is quite interesting in itself. God is describing an animal that seems to be familiar to people, Leviathan, with huge and sharp teeth, scales so tight air cannot pass through, (nor a spear), with power so great none dare attempt to catch it. He spends a page and a half describing all the amazing and powerful attributes of this animal, and ends the chapter saying this:

Nothing on earth is his equal—
a creature without fear.
He looks down on all that are haughty
he is king over all that are proud.

God is saying that if man dares not stand against Leviathan, how much less would he stand against a Mighty God? Click here for commentary on the chapter.

Above, the Leviathan well in the Eastern Med. 

I was re-reading Job 41 today and thinking about Israel ... and their recent huge natural gas find less than 100 miles off their coast. They named the find "Leviathan." Lebanon immediately claimed part of the find, and said that Israel was stealing it out from under them. This is typical behavior, but rather than chalk it up to Middle East tensions, here is a wonderful essay that brings the situation to another level, especially in light of prophecy. We know that a series of devastating battles occur at the end time just prior to the 7-year tribulation: Damascus is destroyed (Isaiah 17), a coalition attacks Israel (Psalm 83) and another coalition attacks Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). The result of all these battles and also unnamed others (Matthew 24:6) is that finally, a peace treaty is signed. It will be a false treaty though, confirmed by the then-unknown Antichrist, who will reveal himself 3.5 years later when He desecrates the newly re-built Third Temple.

In the run-up to these battles and wars, we assume the catalytic event will be on land. After all, Lebanon and Syria have thousands of missiles pointing at Israel now. Israel is rumored to be preparing a strike against Ian's nuclear facilities. Air space for strike fly-overs has been cleared or denied. Iran has sworn to annihilate Israel. Materiel in the form of missiles and tanks has been constantly in the news in terms of swaps, sales, and technological expertise between and among the Gog-Magog players. However, this essay points out something obvious. Obvious that is, the moment after you read it. The catalyst could start by sea.

In this excellent analysis of the naval situation in the Eastern Med, it is reported,

"Speaking last month on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah focused for the first time on the maritime rather than the ground capabilities of his group, boasting that Hezbollah is ready to 'wipe out Israel’s navy.' Hezbollah’s growing interest in developing maritime capabilities should not be taken lightly. It would not be surprising if in the coming months Hezbollah would improve its tactical sophistication at sea through acquisition of new weapons and occasional encounters with Israel’s navy. Upcoming flotillas under the Free Gaza banner would enable Hezbollah fighters to closely observe the Israeli Navy at work and identify its weak spots. Later, as the eastern Mediterranean becomes home to drilling rigs, pipelines and other infrastructure related to Israel’s gas operation Hezbollah could find multiple soft targets to attack. Such attacks could easily escalate into a regional war involving neighboring countries like Syria, Turkey and Iran.

How about that. Makes sense, doesn't it? As a matter of fact, when the BP well exploded then sank, the internet rumor on that day was that a North Korean sub had fired a missile at it. Oil rigs are soft targets...the pull of natural gas an incredible lure, and the analysis above immediately brings a new front into focus.

We know the end because God in His sovereignty showed us in His Word: there will be a series of wars in the Middle East started by Israel's ancient enemies that cause the final countdown to this epoch on earth. These enemies have never taken God seriously nor have they taken how seriously He takes attacks on Israel. Hearkening back to Job 41:8-10,

Lay your hand on him;
Remember the battle; you will not do it again!
"Behold, your expectation is false;
Will you be laid low even at the sight of him?
"No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him;
Will you be laid low even at the sight of him?
"No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him;
Who then is he that can stand before Me?

These enemies' expectations are false. They will dare lay a hand on Israel, and in doing so, they lay a hand on Leviathan. And before Leviathan, who can stand?

Scientists examine the skull of Leviathan, found in the high Peruvian desert.