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Ezekiel 38 and 39 are chapters that are set in the last days and depict a surprise attack by a dastardly coalition coming against Israel. The coalition attacks are on the verge of success when God Himself intervenes to save Israel. All the world sees it and knows what is going on. (Ez 39:27).
But before the battle ends, the LORD makes some promises, and one of them is that He "will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 39:6)
Who are the isles? They could be The Comoros Islands, also known as The Forgotten Isles. Comoros is an island nation with a small but dense population on several adjacent islands. The illiteracy rate is well over 53% and the unemployment rate is 14%. The nation used to be known as the Perfume Islands because of their exports of ylang-ylang, an essential oil, and vanilla. Since the glory days of those exports, however, they have become one of the world's poorest countries. Hunting, Fishing, and Forestry are the main industries, comprising 80% of the employment opportunities. Comoros is a nation of 98% Muslim adherents. Christian Comorans are not allowed to preach, witness, nor gather for worship. Comoros is a member of the 22-nation Arab League.
Now, the Arab League is an interesting organization in itself. If you ever wondered, like I do, what tiny nations like Ethiopia or Sudan can bring to a military coalition such as Gog-Magog with heavyweights Russia and Iran it is their Muslim heritages and their mutual interests as outlined in their international organization:
"The Arab League is officially called the League of Arab States is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia. It was formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (renamed Jordan after 1946), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a member on May 5, 1945. The Arab League currently has 22 members and four observers. The main goal of the league is to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries." source
A few years ago President Ahmadinejad of Iran shifted from allying with Western nations through economic ties, to forging alliances with Muslim nations no matter how small, because the cement of mutual worship of Allah is stronger than political or economic interests. It is the ideology that draws them together. In looking at this map, it becomes apparent that many of the nations in the Arab League are the ones who ally in the Gog-Magog Battle (and/or participate in the Psalm 83 battle which precedes it). Map of Arab League nations:
However, Comoros Islands' forgotten status is not forgotten to Iran's President Ahmadinejad. Recently he reached out to the tiny nation off the south of Africa, and offered to strengthen ties as evidenced by the following headlines:
Iran strengthen ties with Comoros Isles
Ahmadinejad: Iran, Comoros support each other
Iran sympathizes with Comoros over plane crash
In the news this week is an even more ominous development.
Uganda attack shows strength of al-Qaeda's Somali branch
"THE HORRIFIC bombings in Uganda of soccer fans watching the World Cup final marked a breakthrough for the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab. The movement began as an insurgency against a Western-backed government in lawless Mogadishu. In the course of the past year it has become a subsidiary of al-Qaeda, led by foreign militants. The despicable suicide attacks Sunday in Kampala, which killed 74 civilians, marked al-Shabab's first operation outside of Somalia. It's not likely to be the last. The danger posed by the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist network in Somalia has been growing for some time, just as it has in nearby Yemen. What were once local groups of militants are now commanded by veteran lieutenants of Osama bin Laden. In the case of Somalia, that is Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, a native of the Comoros islands who was one of the architects of the 1998 bomb attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania."
al-Qaeda's Somali allies take fight onto world stage
"Somali allies of al Qaeda have taken their bloody push for power onto the international stage for the first time with a deadly bombing in Uganda that displays a well practised, publicity-savvy sense of timing and targeting. The Sunday night attacks that killed 74 soccer fans watching the World Cup final may point to weaknesses in security in Uganda, and perhaps other regional states also seen as enemies by al Shabaab, the group that claimed the attack, analysts say. Al Shabaab's change of tactics to strike beyond the borders of the failed state appears to have been decided to press home in the most dramatic way its opposition to an African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission that it sees as Western-inspired. "This is clear evidence that the group has the intent and capability to stage international terror attacks," said Henry Wilkinson, of Janusian Security consultants in London."
It is possible that the Comoros Isles are in the thick of the struggle for Muslim dominance and part of increasingly friendly relations with Iran, main perpetrator of the Gog-Magog attack. Comoran native Fazul Abdullah Mohammed is described by International Crisis Group (ICG) as "commander in chief of al Shabaab." al-Shabab itself is a subsidiary of al-Qaeda, now growing in strength and evilness in their deeds against the West. If indeed the Comoros Islands are part of the increasingly bold attacks on Western targets, flexing their muscles in preparation for the ultimate attack: Gog/Magog vs. Israel, then it matters not that they are 3,000 miles from Jerusalem dwelling carelessly. God has certainly not forgotten them. They can think they dwell in safety all they want, be careless, even. The fire God visits upon them will be just as hot as that which falls on the invaders into Israel, "and they shall know that I am the LORD."
But before the battle ends, the LORD makes some promises, and one of them is that He "will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 39:6)
Who are the isles? They could be The Comoros Islands, also known as The Forgotten Isles. Comoros is an island nation with a small but dense population on several adjacent islands. The illiteracy rate is well over 53% and the unemployment rate is 14%. The nation used to be known as the Perfume Islands because of their exports of ylang-ylang, an essential oil, and vanilla. Since the glory days of those exports, however, they have become one of the world's poorest countries. Hunting, Fishing, and Forestry are the main industries, comprising 80% of the employment opportunities. Comoros is a nation of 98% Muslim adherents. Christian Comorans are not allowed to preach, witness, nor gather for worship. Comoros is a member of the 22-nation Arab League.
Now, the Arab League is an interesting organization in itself. If you ever wondered, like I do, what tiny nations like Ethiopia or Sudan can bring to a military coalition such as Gog-Magog with heavyweights Russia and Iran it is their Muslim heritages and their mutual interests as outlined in their international organization:
"The Arab League is officially called the League of Arab States is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia. It was formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (renamed Jordan after 1946), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a member on May 5, 1945. The Arab League currently has 22 members and four observers. The main goal of the league is to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries." source
A few years ago President Ahmadinejad of Iran shifted from allying with Western nations through economic ties, to forging alliances with Muslim nations no matter how small, because the cement of mutual worship of Allah is stronger than political or economic interests. It is the ideology that draws them together. In looking at this map, it becomes apparent that many of the nations in the Arab League are the ones who ally in the Gog-Magog Battle (and/or participate in the Psalm 83 battle which precedes it). Map of Arab League nations:
However, Comoros Islands' forgotten status is not forgotten to Iran's President Ahmadinejad. Recently he reached out to the tiny nation off the south of Africa, and offered to strengthen ties as evidenced by the following headlines:
Iran strengthen ties with Comoros Isles
Ahmadinejad: Iran, Comoros support each other
Iran sympathizes with Comoros over plane crash
In the news this week is an even more ominous development.
Uganda attack shows strength of al-Qaeda's Somali branch
"THE HORRIFIC bombings in Uganda of soccer fans watching the World Cup final marked a breakthrough for the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab. The movement began as an insurgency against a Western-backed government in lawless Mogadishu. In the course of the past year it has become a subsidiary of al-Qaeda, led by foreign militants. The despicable suicide attacks Sunday in Kampala, which killed 74 civilians, marked al-Shabab's first operation outside of Somalia. It's not likely to be the last. The danger posed by the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist network in Somalia has been growing for some time, just as it has in nearby Yemen. What were once local groups of militants are now commanded by veteran lieutenants of Osama bin Laden. In the case of Somalia, that is Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, a native of the Comoros islands who was one of the architects of the 1998 bomb attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania."
al-Qaeda's Somali allies take fight onto world stage
"Somali allies of al Qaeda have taken their bloody push for power onto the international stage for the first time with a deadly bombing in Uganda that displays a well practised, publicity-savvy sense of timing and targeting. The Sunday night attacks that killed 74 soccer fans watching the World Cup final may point to weaknesses in security in Uganda, and perhaps other regional states also seen as enemies by al Shabaab, the group that claimed the attack, analysts say. Al Shabaab's change of tactics to strike beyond the borders of the failed state appears to have been decided to press home in the most dramatic way its opposition to an African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission that it sees as Western-inspired. "This is clear evidence that the group has the intent and capability to stage international terror attacks," said Henry Wilkinson, of Janusian Security consultants in London."
It is possible that the Comoros Isles are in the thick of the struggle for Muslim dominance and part of increasingly friendly relations with Iran, main perpetrator of the Gog-Magog attack. Comoran native Fazul Abdullah Mohammed is described by International Crisis Group (ICG) as "commander in chief of al Shabaab." al-Shabab itself is a subsidiary of al-Qaeda, now growing in strength and evilness in their deeds against the West. If indeed the Comoros Islands are part of the increasingly bold attacks on Western targets, flexing their muscles in preparation for the ultimate attack: Gog/Magog vs. Israel, then it matters not that they are 3,000 miles from Jerusalem dwelling carelessly. God has certainly not forgotten them. They can think they dwell in safety all they want, be careless, even. The fire God visits upon them will be just as hot as that which falls on the invaders into Israel, "and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Maybe you can explain the timeline of the war described in the Psalms, the Gog-Magog War in terms of the tribulation? Do both of these occur just before the rapture, or could they be during the tribulation?
ReplyDeleteCharlie
Hi Charlie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question. In answering I'll start toward the end and work backward. The rapture will happen any time between now and latest before the end of the Gog-Magog battle.
The Gog Magog battle is an event which brings Israel back into Old Covenant (Testament) relationship with God. As of now, they cannot come to the conclusion that Jesus is Messiah, and are not so hot to worship God thru sacrifices as in days of the Law, because after their rejection of Him the first time, He partially hardened their heart so that He could then take a people for Himself (build the church) This is described in Rom 11:25, Acts 13:47, Acts 15:14.
When the Gog-Magog battle (not war) concludes, they will know He is God and is still working in their lives. (Ez 39:24 vs. Ez 39:29). The peace treaty is signed and part of the concessions in the treaty are that they may have their temple and resume sacrifices. Remember, the old covenant still has 7 years to go in the decree in which God said He would deal with the Jews (Dan 9:24-27). The time of the decree hasn't concluded yet, just paused for 2000 years. The G-M battle therefore is the gateway to the Tribulation, it kicks it off when the covenant (peace treaty) is signed as in Dan 9:27.
The Psalm 83 battle is thought to precede the Gog-Magog battle because none of the nations that attack Israel in the PS 83 battle are involved in the G-M battle, and they would be if they could!
It is thought that Isaiah 17:1 comes to fulfillment before Ps 83 because Syria is nowhere to be found in the Ps 83 battle nor G-M battle.
Though these three battles could easily come to fulfillment this summer, or in a short time in rapid succession, the rapture is a sign-less event and will occur at a time when the fullness (full number, God's quota) is reached and could happen in the next second or at any time thereafter. The rapture isn't dependent on Is 17, Ps 83 or Ez 38-39, but it WILL happen at latest just before the end of Gog-Magog. So you see how close we are.
Here is a longer explanation of the chronology in a post I did here:
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2010/06/israel-poised-for-prophecy-fulfillment.html