There is little doubt that World War III is close at hand. To even consider that this war will begin at any location other than the Middle East would be unthinkable. Israel, the Islamic nations, Iraq, and America are center stage to almost every geo-political debate or discussion. European nations either criticize or legitimatize whatever the main forces from the center of action may plan or do. Biblical prophecy guarantees that the Middle East will remain in the focus and at the heart of world events.

The seven years of the Great Tribulation must be viewed as being closely connected to this War of Gog and Magog. They do not have to occur simultaneously but cannot be totally separated. If there is one event that will be a part of, or will prepare, for this dark seven years, it is this marching of a horde into Israel, where they will be slaughtered and destroyed. The Bible has left us with some intriguing facts about this war, but also keeps us from setting dates and absolutes. Bible prophecy is both beautiful and filled with important gaps. The church world, as well as many Bible teachers, is bullheaded about using every titillating moment or action to become fixated on dates and the next move. Our Father leaves us both certain and often uncertain about great future events to keep us living by faith and watching for the Lord to rapture His Bride.

I love prophecy because it is so filled with certain truths and also with uncertain truths. No uncertain truth is actually uncertain in regards to stating that it will happen, but rather when it will happen. The War of Gog and Magog is one of those uncertain events. It will happen, but when and how does it fit the overall end time scenario? The picture developing in the country of Lebanon cannot help but create excitement about the final days before the Rapture and the Great Tribulation. Reading Ezekiel chapter 38 gives us a list of nations to participate in this march on Israel. Gog and Magog, Meshech, and Tubal are all geographical and lineage suggestions that do not name any exact nation, but rather a picture of the Northern nations that are North or Northeast of the Promise Land. We can document connection, but we cannot name an absolute nation. But, look what we read in Ezekiel 38:5. The Holy Ghost names the first nation that is absolute and it is Iran (Persia). This suggests leadership and the stirring of the pot in preparation for action.

LetÂ’s look at the Scripture. "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet." (Ezekiel 38:1-5). There is a predominant amount of Muslims within this geographical area and literally millions of them are terrorists and extremely anti-Israel. Do not forget that there are also a host of good, decent people and thousands of Christians, and we must remember to pray for them. Iran is being equipped by Russia, Syria, and other supporting nations. The connection of every nation or lineage named by this prophecy is perfectly in Biblical order. That could not have happened without divine preparation.
This War of Gog and Magog only has one goal and that is the extermination of the nation of Israel. Iran is unashamed to have stated that this is exactly their goal. I just received this statement from the Jerusalem Post (Friday, July 27, 2006), "Iran admitted for the first time on Friday that it did indeed supply long-range Zelzal-2 missiles to Hezbollah, Secretary-general of the ‘Intifada conference’ Mohtashami Pur told an Iranian newspaper that Iran transferred the missiles so that they could be used to defend Lebanon." (www.jpost.com.)

Lebanon is clearly an appropriate staging area for the War of Gog and Magog.
Listen to this Middle East expert, a visiting fellow with the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels. Professor Walid Phares said, "For anyone who still thinks the Israeli-Lebanon War is just a border scuffle, one Middle East expert shouts a dire warning." He further states that Hezbollah in Lebanon is the same threat level as Hitler was in his day. He called it "the mother of all threats." (www.jpost.com). No one doubts that Hezbollah is a puppet of Iran and the possibility of this being unconnected to Biblical prophecy is almost impossible.

It was reported that President Putin ordered RussiaÂ’s military to its highest alert status in five years. SyriaÂ’s president put their military on alert and appears ready to join in an attack on Israel. Coupled with this is the threat of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad. He has set August 22, 2006, as a day for a message from Iran to the world. Some have speculated that the message could be an attack on Israel, a nuclear explosion, or some so-called miracle to give credence to the Moslem religion. This War of Gog and Magog may or may not start with this crisis, but there will certainly be a future moment when it becomes unstoppable.

The one reason this war is unavoidable is that the Bible has spoken. The spirit of prophecy said, "For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel." (Ezekiel 38:19). This incredible horde of people will march, and God will act to defend Israel. He will use IsraelÂ’s friends because the Scripture says, "And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every manÂ’s sword shall be against his brother." (Ezekiel 38:21). This sword will certainly include man against man in this Northern Federation but also IsraelÂ’s supporters. In the end, God will be magnified, "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." (Ezekiel 38:23).

Joseph R. Chambers

Everything about the tabernacle and temple in the First Testament was a shadow of the reality ordained in Christ, the only begotten Son. The most holy place of the temple was called the “Holy of Holies”. Into that inner presence of Jehovah God, one had to pass through the veil and could only do so once each year. The High Priest that entered into the very presence of God was set apart carefully in preparation. It was an awesome moment when he penetrated that great veil to offer blood on the mercy seat. The company of priest stood near and listened quietly for the bells on the hem of the garment of this mere man in God’s presence. The sounding of the bells assured the accompanying priest that the High Priest was accepted and alive.

Jesus Christ became that veil in the New Testament and we, by faith, have entrance through Him into the “Holy of Holies”. This “Holy of Holies”, where by abandonment to prayer a saint might enter, is truly the place of divine intercession. Anyone that enters regularly and abides in surrender will shake heaven and hell. The absence of saints from this inner sanctum of God is the absolute answer for the helplessness of most prayers.

Apostle Paul spoke of this great truth, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, …” (Hebrews 10:19-22a). We must read the last words of verse twenty-two to understand the state of that saint that is ushered into this Holy Place. Paul stated, “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22b). This is a picture of Christ’s grace that purified His saints in preparation for entering behind this veil. This cleansing is not some state of Holiness only in a preconceived sense, but rather a truly transformed purity. It is a life of spiritual reality where we are hid in God with Christ and set apart from the unclean.

There is an old song of the saints that presents the perfect picture of this powerful place of prayer. Verse one sings: “I’ve believed the true report, Hallelujah to the Lamb! I have passed the outer courts, O glory be to God! I am all on Jesus’ side, on the altar sanctified, to the world and sin I’ve died, Hallelujah to the Lamb!” Verse two states: “I’m a king and priest to God, Hallelujah to the Lamb! By the cleansing of the blood, O glory be to God! By the Spirit’s pow’r and light, I am living day and night, In the holiest place so bright, Hallelujah to the Lamb!” This kind of prayer will bring souls to the altar where Christ awaits to save. It will pull down strongholds that have erected walls of resistance. Sinners will be converted when saints are living within the veil.

Jesus Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand in this present “Holy of Holies”. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Hebrews 9:24). He is praying for His saints and has clearly stated that the Father saves us, but then gives us to Him to preserve in the kingdom. He stated “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10). We are His body and His very fellow servants and He invites us to pray until we enter into His intimate presence. The Epistle written to Ephesus promised us entrance into the fellowship of the Father and the Son. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:5-6)

A prayer life that regularly waits before God until they enter within the veil is going to move God and men. Heaven will answer and hell will tremble when saints pray until they pray through the veil. Just one time, stay before God until the soul is caught away in the Spirit and you will never be happy without it. Remember, John “…was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” (Revelation 1:10) and Peter “…fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:10) and heard a voice from Heaven. These were not wild encounters with emotions but the very presence and glory of God. Such praying has brought revival in the past and will do it again.

Joseph R. Chambers