Over the years, many Bible believers have pondered over how and why the US won’t help Israel, nor come to her defense when the Ezekiel 38-39 war commences. Scripture clearly shows that no nation will come to Israel’s defense during that war (Ez. 38:23 and 39:21-29 proclaim why).
Many of us hope that it will be the rapture which devastates the US and precludes the US from coming to Israel’s defense. And while that still is a viable option (and I intend to cover that later on in this article thoroughly), there is another we need to consider.
Before we delve into this, I’ll forewarn that this is not ‘light reading material’ and it’s also going to be lengthy. We have so many scriptural things to discuss that are all interwoven. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in. I’d thought about breaking this up into two parts, but decided instead to leave it intact as a full document if possible since so many key parts are intertwined. If you find it’s too lengthy, please read half now and half later. Thank you!
Now let’s jump right in… There is some very important news that most of us have missed this past week. Caroline Glick’s recent Breitbart article (an interview with John Bolton) is sourced at the end of this article (Source A). US Ambassador John Bolton claims that the US has NOT recognized Israel’s claim to the Golan! Nor does the US have any plans to do so in the immediate future.
The meat of this topic is found about midway into Caroline Glick’s article. First we see that Russia (at the Helsinki meeting with Trump) brought up Resolution 338 (regarding the Golan and Israel’s claim to it).
Here’s what the article said about it:
“Putin’s allusion to Resolution 338 raised concerns that he would use his position as a powerbroker in Syria to try to coerce Israel into negotiating over its continued control over the Golan Heights.”
That almost sounded comforting, as if Bolton (and the US) is concerned over Russia’s stance pertaining to the Golan. But wait a minute and read on… Here are two more very important quotes from Bolton pertaining to the Golan:
“Obviously we understand the Israeli claim that it has annexed the Golan Heights. We understand their position – but there’s no change in the U.S. position for now.”
Speaking to Breitbart Wednesday, Bolton made it clear that the administration’s position is not final, noting, “U.S. recognition of Israel’s annexation of the Golan is not on the table, for now.”
See that? The US will not formally recognize Israel’s right to the Golan. As Bolton said, it’s not even on the table right now! Those of us who study God’s word know exactly how important a statement this is. When Russia, Iran, Turkey (et al) invade them (Ez. 38-39), of course the US won’t stop them. The US position is that Israel doesn’t own the Golan!
Before I am accused of “Trump-bashing,” I’m doing no such thing. I am simply stating both the US’ historic and current position regarding ownership of the Golan. The US has never formally recognized the Golan as belonging to Israel; and according to Bolton, that stance hasn’t changed even with the current Trump administration.
But it doesn’t surprise me; it shouldn’t surprise any of us. Why? Even though Pres. Trump has been a friend to Israel thus far, it’s not possible for him to negotiate certain factors just yet (or for anyone to do so until after Ez. 38-39 which we will soon go into detail about). And it also shouldn’t surprise us because Ezekiel chapters 38-39 foretell that Iran, Russia, Turkey (et al) will invade Israel on the Golan (see Ezekiel 39:2-5 for precise details about the Golan invasion).
Think about this… If the Ez. 38-39 coalition were to invade or attack Israel in any other part of Israel, the US would be obligated (as an Israeli ally) to defend her. But since the US doesn’t recognize Israel’s right of ownership to the Golan, they will refuse to get involved. And it’s no surprise. It aligns with scripture perfectly.
Nevertheless, even though NO nations will come to Israel’s defense when this invasion into Israel on the Golan happens, Israel will be victorious when God Himself intervenes.
Can we not all see how very precise God’s word is? He foretold that no nation would come to Israel’s defense in the Ez. 38-39 war; and now we see not just one, but two reasons why this is true (even though we already knew God’s word to be true). The rapture could still play a vital role in this as well.
Here is why I fully believe that the rapture will occur simultaneously with the Ezekiel 38-39 war. Please excuse the length, but there is much scripture to discuss, and many key points to cover:
First, Ezekiel 38-39 doesn’t appear to be a long war, but rather a short war due to the rapidity in which Israel’s enemies will be defeated. However, it will take some time (maybe a matter of days, maybe months or longer) for the Russian, Iranian, Turkish (et al) coalition to get as many troops inside the border on the Golan as Ezekiel 39:2-5 foretells. The wording (specific to the KJ version, as it isn’t in some other versions if you are looking for it) proclaims that God will leave only 1/6th of the enemies troops alive.
“And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel” (Ez. 39:2).
In order to fulfill that, I believe that there will have to be a massive amount of Russian, Iranian, and Turkish (et al) troops inside Israel’s Golan border.
Now, some would disagree with me because this specific wording isn’t in their preferred version of the Bible. And before I ruffle any feathers, I am not demanding that YOU use only the KJV, nor am I criticizing any other version (that is a decision left up to the discernment of each and every believer, between themselves and the Lord). I am simply telling you where I get this information, and that I fully believe it to be the word of God.
We also see that there must be a massive amount of enemy troops slain (at God’s hands) during this Ez. 38-39 war – not just from Ez. 39, verse 2, but from verses 2-20 as well as Ez. 38:9 and 15-16 – so much carnage that “the house of Israel” will spend 7 months burying the bodies of the slain enemy (Ez. 39:11-16).
There will be so many dead bodies of the slain enemies that Israel will “sever out men of continual employment” to perform the task of both flagging and burying the bodies. That will be a massive amount of bodies!
Next, we see that those who “dwell in the cities of Israel” will spend 7 years destroying the weaponry left behind (Ez. 39:9-10).
I also must mention that some have attempted to claim that the Ezekiel 38-39 war (and the subsequent cleanup) cannot happen within the 7-year timeframe of the tribulation. They base this on the fact that the Jews themselves will be fleeing by the 3.5-year midpoint of the tribulation. And while it’s true that Israel will flee at the 3.5 year midpoint (as per Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15-22; Rev.12:6, 12:14), there is also something I believe these folks may have missed in scripture!
Very specific wording! The “house of Israel” (v.12) and “they that dwell in the cities of Israel” (v.9) are not necessarily the same people group. What do I mean?
In Ezekiel 39:12 we see that it is the “House of Israel” who will be burying the dead bodies of the slain. This is surely the Jewish people in Israel. However, when we read about those who will be destroying the weaponry for 7 years, we do not see the same wording! What do we see there? “They that dwell in the cities of Israel.”
Does anyone else catch that subtle but important distinction in scriptural wording? Those who simply “dwell in the cities of Israel” are not necessarily the “house of Israel.” So we know for a fact (God’s word) that the “house of Israel” will bury the bodies, but it’s NOT necessarily the “house of Israel” that destroys the weaponry left behind for those seven years. The Jews may well start the process; and after the Jews have fled (at the midpoint of the tribulation), then whoever remains and dwells in the cities of Israel will finish the job.
Now, some would contend on this, but I believe every word in scripture is so very precise for a reason. While some would claim they believe there has to be a gap between the rapture and the tribulation, I do not think there has to be more than a few days gap, if any – especially if the rapture occurs simultaneously with Ezekiel 38-39 (which I believe may well be the case as we will soon delve into). There would not need to be a gap if the “house of Israel” (Jews) begins the process of destroying the weaponry left behind, and yet only “they that dwell in the cities of Israel” (not Jews) finish the job.
What kicks off the actual seven-year tribulation countdown? The confirming of the covenant (Dan. 9:27). When this covenant is confirmed, the seven-year countdown commences. We know for certain that we (grace/church-age believers) will have been raptured up before that occurs (See 2 Thes. 2). We will not be here to see the antichrist revealed.
Sadly, some have come up with new theories about this future covenant that need to be compared with scripture as well. Most of these newer theories I’ve seen floated about (and sadly, even in some sermons as well as videos and articles) have concentrated only on the (false) ‘peace’ aspect of the future covenant. But let’s take a look at scripture and see what else the covenant must entail.
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Dan. 9:27).
First, we know the one “week” to mean a period of seven years, as per the seventy “weeks” prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27). I suggest that if you have never thoroughly studied the Daniel 9:24-28 prophecy, that you study and comprehend Sir Robert Anderson’s excellent summation found at this link.
This prophecy is vital to comprehend in order to see not only that the “week” means seven years, but also what the covenant entails.
Next, the false peace covenant isn’t only about (false) peace. It’s also about giving Israel (mankind’s and the antichrist’s) permission to both rebuild the temple and to re-institute animal sacrifice. Yet these aspects aren’t generally even considered in some of the modern-day teachings, sadly. The building of the temple and re-institution of animal sacrifice will be major components of this future covenant (as per Dan. 9:27).
It isn’t merely the peace component which proves to be false, but the antichrist will break the covenant at the midpoint (3.5 years in) by causing “the sacrifice and oblation to cease.” Furthermore, he will overspread the altar (of the temple) with “abominations” and make it “desolate” (Dan. 9:27, Matt. 24:15, 2 Thes. 2:4). It’s clear as day in scripture that the covenant will permit the Jews to build the temple and to perform animal sacrifice. It is this very issue whereby the antichrist breaks the covenant.
Let’s think about this rationally: “Come now, and let us reason together….” Is Israel currently in position to bargain for the temple and/or the re-institution of animal sacrifices? No, of course not. Jews aren’t even permitted to PRAY on the Temple Mount currently! Much less are they in a position to bargain for a temple on the mount or the sacrifices to be re-established at the present time.
So what will put Israel in position to build the tribulation temple and re-institute (animal) sacrifice? Nothing short of an extremely victorious war, wherein the Islamic and non-Islamic powers that side with them in the region are no longer an issue.
Right after the Ezekiel 38-39 war, Israel will be in just such a position to negotiate for those things without worry of Russia, Iran, Turkey (et al) interfering. I cannot fathom any other scenario wherein they would be in such a position of being both respected and feared enough to be able to build the temple, etc. Can you?
Next, I’ve seen various teachings which attempt to claim that “confirm” means “re-confirm,” or in other words, they claim that Israel and the antichrist will enter into an agreement that has supposedly previously been inked, and then basically re-confirmed. I respectfully disagree. I do not believe that to be the case, and here’s why:
According to Dan. 9:27, both the building of the temple and the re-institution of (animal) sacrifice will be part of the covenant (as we just covered). Have we EVER seen such a treaty or covenant in modern history? No! We have not. None of the former treaties even touched upon the Temple Mount, much less the building of a temple and/or sacrifices.
No, not the Balfour Declaration, and no, not the British Mandate. I had intended to go into depth about both (and others), but this article is already lengthy (as it must be in order to cover the aspects). If you aren’t familiar with either of those treaties (and any others since), please do your due diligence and search out the information yourself. Neither of those declarations/treaties dealt with the temple nor animal sacrifice! Nor do any other past treaties in modern history.
Nor do I believe that President Trump will come up with a precursor to it, for these two reasons: I cannot imagine him (even as bold as he is) daring to bring up the Temple Mount, much less the building of the temple or sacrifices. And secondly, there isn’t enough time remaining to do so. Too much Bible prophecy is aligned, and already the birth pains are increasing in magnitude and frequency.
As we saw from the Glick-Bolton interview (Source A below), this administration isn’t even willing to formally profess Israel’s right to the Golan, much less delve into the temple conundrum or permit animal sacrifice. It’s just not possible yet. No, I can’t see the Dan. 9:27 covenant happening until after the Ezekiel 38-39 war, simply from a logistics standpoint.
I can’t see how it could be possible to even put forth a prospective or precursory covenant pertaining to the building of the temple until after the Ezekiel 38-39 war. The temple mount itself is simply too much of a hot-button issue currently.
We’ve gone on a bit of a rabbit trail, even though those things needed addressing to help us further understand the timing of both Ezekiel 38-39 and the rapture. Let’s resume our discussion as to why it’s very likely that the rapture may occur either simultaneously with the Ez. 38-39 war or just prior to it.
As we study Ezekiel 39:20-29, we see that God will begin to open Israel’s eyes by the end of that war. Once God begins opening Israel’s eyes, this world will no longer be in the current dispensation of grace/ church age. Why?
Romans 11:25-26 tells us that Israel is currently “blind in part” during this current time period (dispensation). However, that changes once the “fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” When that event occurs, when the last Gentile in this dispensation has come to Christ for salvation, then we grace/church-age believers will be taken out of the way (as 1 Cor. 15:40-53 and 1 Thes. 4:16-18 foretell, and as 1 Thes. 1:10, Rom. 5:9, 1 Thes. 5:9 also promise).
It’s only after this dispensation ends that Israel’s eyes will be opened. They will no longer be “blind in part” after the rapture and end of this current church/grace-age.
With that in mind, I can’t see how it would be possible for grace/church-age believers to still be here at the end of the Ezekiel 38-39 war. Both of these things: God opening Israel’s eyes as well as bringing the remnant Jews through the time of Jacob’s trouble (Rom. 11:25-26, Jer. 30:7, Zech. 13:8-9, et al) are specific to Israel. They have no part of the church/grace-age. The church won’t be here for either of those events.
It may well be that the rapture (as many of us have long believed) is the reason why the US is incapable of helping Israel at the time of Ez. 38-39 commencing. But as we can see from Caroline Glick’s article, it certainly doesn’t have to be only the rapture, since the US’ current position is one of not even recognizing that the Golan belongs to Israel! Even more, I believe it could be for both reasons – the rapture occurring simultaneously with Ezekiel 38-39.
Now let’s delve into why the rapture may occur simultaneously with the Ezekiel 38-39 war.
First: the occurrence of a great earthquake (Ez. 38:18-20). Why is this important to note? Because we saw the same thing at the cross. When we study Matt. 27:51-53, we find that not only was there a great earthquake, but that many saints resurrected then (and were seen about Jerusalem as well).
Since we’ve seen this in scripture occurring previously (Matt. 27:51-53), with earthquakes occurring simultaneously with those resurrections, it may be that resurrections themselves cause electromagnetic disturbances (which, if large enough, an EMD causes earthquakes as we see even with strong solar storms).
If that were to be the case, imagine how great an electromagnetic disturbance would be, caused by the rapture of all grace/church-age saints (as described in 1 Cor. 15:49-53, 1 Thes. 4:13-18). When the dead in Christ (over the last almost 2,000 years) rise first, they will be resurrected; and we who are alive and remain will meet them in the air and instantaneously (in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye) also receive our glorified and incorruptible body just like Jesus’ own! (Phil. 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2).
If this earthquake/resurrection theory holds true, that would cause quite an electromagnetic disturbance/earthquakes – not just in Israel, but around the globe. We must remember that it’s not just us (we grace/church-age believers who are alive at the time the rapture takes place) that will be taken up, but also the resurrection of all those who have died (in Christ) over the last (almost) 2,000 years. And those millions (or more) of believers will have been from all over the world. A global event.
Let’s also consider that earthquakes will continue to be prevalent throughout the entire 7-year tribulation as shown in Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:12, 8:5, 11:13, 11:19, 16:18; Zech. 14:4; Isaiah 24:18-19; Joel 2:10; Nahum 1:5-6; Job 9:5-6; Job 38:13; Isaiah 2:19-21, 13:13; Ez. 38:20; Joel 3:16; Haggai 2:6-7; Matt. 24:29; Heb. 12:26, and others. Yes there will be a LOT of earthquakes as scripture proves out; and we are already seeing an increase of them during the initial birth pains, as Jesus Himself foretold would be the case.
Imagine also that the electromagnetic disturbance (if caused by the rapture itself at the hand of the Lord) causes electronic and computerized warfare weaponry systems to go haywire as well. We see proof of this on a smaller scale with solar storms causing electronics to go haywire; and larger and widespread EMP’s or massive EMD’s would surely cause all computerized devices to go haywire for a time.
Maybe this theory seems too fantastic to consider? I do admit this is clearly just a theory (yet would fit within the confines of scripture). I’d respectfully ask you to research this for yourselves. I’ve spent a good deal of time researching articles and videos pertaining to the connection between electromagnetic disturbances and earthquakes.
Please do so yourself if you care to learn more. I’ve included just one source video and one source article, which sum up succinctly the connection (Source B and C at the bottom) between electromagnetic disturbances and earthquakes. But there are literally thousands of videos and articles pertaining to the connection. And we do know that Matt. 27 already connected the dots between earthquakes and resurrections, as a starting point.
And we may also want to consider the ground vibrations themselves that would occur when the 2,000 years of grace/church-age believers are resurrected from their graves. And what of the shout – the voice of the archangel and trump of God itself making a noise so loud that the vibration would set off an earthquake, or series of earthquakes?
I’ve included one more source video (D) to show the connection between sonic waves (from loud sounds) and ELF-frequency waves causing earthquakes. But again, you can find much more information yourselves should you care to.
Let’s go back to our original scripture at hand. We pick up in Ezekiel 38:18-20 where we read about a massive earthquake. Next we see (v. 21-23) where the evil coalition that comes against Israel will be confused and confounded. The Ez. 38-39 coalition will then be fighting each other instead of Israel! (Ez. 38:21 and Ez. 39:3).
It’s possible that their computerized weapons systems (which they now rely on heavily) will malfunction and have them so confused that they won’t know which direction to fight when an earthquake and electromagnetic disturbances disrupt their systems. It could even be that their computerized equipment shows the incoming fire (falsely) originating from their coalition partners, which would ironically cause them to counter-fire upon each other (for example: Russia firing upon Iranian troops, etc).
We read about massive carnage. Many people think it could be nuclear due to the wording of Ez. 38:22 and Ez. 39:2-5 and the fact that the dead bodies are flagged much like nuclear-contaminated bodies are (Ez. 39:14-16).
There are other scriptural reasons for this theory (too lengthy to get into here). Yet this is merely a theory (based on scriptural exegesis). And even though I am rather fond of this theory, it must be stated that God Himself doesn’t have to use a massive electromagnetic disturbance. He is all powerful, and He can use any means He desires to use. However, this theory fits within the confines of scripture.
We do know there will be a great earthquake then as per Ez.38, and we also saw past precedence of resurrections and earthquakes being connected (Matt. 27). Since scripture is our final authority, all sound theories must fit within scriptural boundaries. Sadly, I’ve heard some very unscriptural theories, and folks want to argue them. I’m willing to consider any theory as long as it meshes soundly with scripture. If not, I won’t consider it (neither should any believer).
However, God is omnipotent. He doesn’t have to use electromagnetic disturbances to cause earthquakes. It could be that the rapture won’t cause electromagnetic disturbances. But it could be that it does. It could be that those millions of grace/church-age saints being resurrected from their graves will cause so much ground disturbance and sonic vibrations that this also contributes to the magnitude of earthquakes. Or maybe not.
We aren’t even positive that the graves will physically be opened when the grace-age saints are called up with us. We may often have pictured this scenario in our minds, open mawing holes in the ground in cemeteries around the globe… But 1 Cor. 15:49-53 and 1 Thes. 4:13-18 don’t give us specific information about this part of the event. So we are left wondering which way it will occur. Will their spirits be resurrected and then be changed and given a glorified body without disturbing the ground they are buried under? Or will their physical human bodies come forth out of the grave (leaving cemeteries and locations of burial places around the globe with dirt displaced) and then be changed and receive a glorified body?
Either way… we can only imagine right now. But we will soon find out. God, who fulfills His promises, and knows the end from the beginning… will be faithful to fulfill every word very soon. He gave us Bible prophecy to prepare us, not to scare us. There is no area of Bible prophecy dealing with end-time eschatology that isn’t aligned. Even many of the technologies required for events that are to transpire during the mid and second half of the tribulation are possible now.
Even though I (personally) believe that Isaiah 17 will likely transpire just prior to (and segue into) Ezekiel 38-39 (for numerous scriptural reasons too vast to discuss in this article), it doesn’t have to happen that way. So if Ezekiel 38-39 were to occur tomorrow and the rapture as well… (I am not setting a date, mind you, just giving an example)… then we can easily see how Israel would (immediately afterwards) be in a position to make a covenant for not just the (false) peace, but also for the building of the temple and re-institution of animal sacrifice. Then we can see just how easily Revelation chapter 6 and the seals would commence immediately following.
It’s all ready to happen! I can’t think of how it could be more aligned than it already is. There are at least a dozen other things I’d thought to bring forth in this study pertaining to these events, but there isn’t room in this article. Even if you aren’t interested in the electromagnetic and sonic boom information, please do read Caroline’s article. I found it amazing that it had nothing to do with the name of her article; this information was buried in the middle of her article (and I feel sure many missed it).
I was even more dismayed to realize that she didn’t seem to understand the Biblical prophetic implications of the US stance on the Golan as it relates to Ezekiel 38-39. But then again… what else would I expect currently? As Rom. 11:25 tells us, Israel is “blind in part” right now. Yet we know that many Jews have come to Christ during the church/grace-age (and we are so thankful for this).
I pray often for Caroline. She is adamant that she doesn’t want to hear what she considers to be “proselytizing” from Christians; she’d made that clear on several of her personal social media posts. She even wrote a JPost article about it. Yet, I still pray for her and many more Jews to come to Christ in these last hours of this current age of grace. Nevertheless, we know that once the church is taken up, then Israel’s eyes will be opened, and He will take them through the time of Jacob’s trouble. I can’t help but wonder if Caroline will be part of the 1/3 remnant Jews spoken of in Zech. 13:8-9? We will have to wait and watch ‘from the balcony’ (so to speak).
God’s word is aligned with preciseness and accuracy. While (for some) this may cause sadness, fear, or panic… for us believers who have studied scripture, it should evoke much comfort and joy. We will soon meet our risen Savior, our Blessed Hope; and shouldn’t we all be comforting one another with these things?
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
SOURCES (click on the blue links):
Source (Article) A: Caroline Glick’s Breitbart article about her interview with John Bolton (the subject at hand is in the middle of the article)
Source (Video) B: Connection between electromagnetic disturbances and earthquakes.
Source (Article) C: Connection between electromagnetic disturbances and earthquakes.
Source (Video) D: (History channel video from many years ago, back when they used to tell truth rather than propaganda) ELF waves, sonic disturbances causing earthquakes
Maranatha!