The War of Evil in North Korea

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“The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut offthe remembrance of them from the earth.” Psalm 34:16

By Mike Wingfield

One of the most evil nations on the planet is North Korea. This evil is displayed in their denial of the very existence of God and their hatred of His revelation and followers. While North Korea as a nation is not mentioned in the prophetic Scriptures, it certainly illustrates the trend of evil that is permeating our world. North Korea is modeling the kind of murderous policies against believers in Jesus Christ that will be employed in the future by the Antichrist and his brutal global kingdom.

Most people in America and abroad are focused upon the nuclear threat of North Korea to the United States and other nations in its region. While this threat must not be taken lightly, it is equally important to look at the evil, ultra-dictatorial communist leadership of North Korea, and the wicked atrocities it is carrying out on its own citizens.

The current leader of North Korea, Kim Jung Un, is the third heir to the Kim dynasty that began in 1948. Korea was divided into two nations following the defeat of Japan during World War II. Russia was given the responsibility to administer North Korea and the United States became the administrator of South Korea. Russia established a communist government in North Korea, appointing Kim Il Sung as the leader. Following the example of emperor worship in Japan, Kim Il Sung quickly promoted himself as a messianic figure. He created a cultic religion that promoted himself as a god. His religion was a religious philosophy called “Juche.” This religious belief “holds that an individual is ‘the master of his destiny,’ and the North Korean masses are to act as the ‘masters of the revolution and construction’ to achieve true socialism.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 11) In essence, like all forms of communism and socialism, this religion elevates man and denies the existence of God. It is a devious form of atheism.

In this state religion, most of the people openly worship their leaders, past and present. Pictures of their leaders are placed in a very prominent place in each home. Many daily bow before these photos and praise their leaders as god. There are more than 34,000 statues of Kim Jung Un throughout the country [that is one for every 750 people]. He has ordered everyone to wear a badge with his image on it.

Under this dictatorial rule, “every aspect of life is regulated, from speech to food, employment and travel – millions of North Koreans have died in recent years, either of starvation or in labor camps.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 11) For example, there are published photos of only a few styles of haircuts for men and women that are permitted.

After Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994, his son, Kim Jong Il became the leader. He was affectionately called “the son of god,” deceptively mimicking the Father/Son imagery in the Bible. After his death in 2011, his second son, Kim Jung Un, became the dictator and recognized god in North Korea. Under the leadership of the Kim dynasty, and especially the current leader, Christianity is outlawed and Christians are persecuted and killed. Owning or possessing a Bible is illegal and punishable by death. The organization that officially ranks the top 50 countries in the world that persecute and kill Christians, Open Doors, last year ranked North Korea as number one on its list. (www.opendoorsusa.org) North Korea has a population of 25 million, and considers its approximately 300,000 Christians to be a threat. They believe Christianity is evil and therefore attempt to eliminate all Christians, making all Christian activity illegal and punishable by death. “The government views Christianity as a ‘sin’ and as a way the West tries to invade its country with Western and capitalist ideas. Some have reported that the North Korean government even likens Christianity missionary work to ‘vampirism.’” (The Voice of the Martyrs, February 2018, p. 9) No Christian is safe to openly serve the Lord or share the gospel. Children have been taught to report their parents, friends, or anyone else who is suspected to being a Christian. Compare this with Luke 21:16.

According to some who have escaped from a work camp, “Prisoners live in bunkhouses with 100 people per room, and some 30 percent show markings of torture and beatings, including torn ears, gouged eyes and faces covered with scars. … Torture includes forcing prisoners to stand on their toes in tanks filled with water up to their noses for 24 hours. The tiny rations force prisoners to hunt rats and snakes, and some search through animal dung for undigested seeds to eat. Prisoners are used as practice targets during martial arts training, and guards routinely rape female inmates.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 12)

In November 1996, five church leaders were executed. “They were bound hand and foot and made to lie down in front of a steamroller … [while 20 of their church members] were held just to the side. The condemned, accused of being Protestant Christian spies, were told that if they abandoned their religion and served only Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, they would not be killed. None of the five said a word, … Some of the fellow parishioners who had assembled to watch the execution cried, screamed out, or fainted when the skulls made a popping sound as they were crushed beneath the steamroller.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 12)

Everyone should visit www.NorthKoreanChristians.com. This site reports: “North Korean Christians aren’t simply killed for their faith in Christ. They are pulverized with steamrollers, used to test biological weapons, shipped off to death camps or shot in front of children, while newborn babies have their brains pinched with forceps in front of their mothers. Crimes against humanity reminiscent of Auschwitz and Treblinka to which the world declared ‘Never Again!’ more than 70 years ago are being perpetrated today against the North Korean Christians.” I encourage you to visit this website and watch some of the videos and read some of the testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have suffered greatly for our Lord.

The church in America is numb to the suffering of their brothers and sisters in Christ abroad. It is as if we really do not care what happens to them. Have we forgotten that there is only one church made up of all true believers in the world? While the church of Corinth was exhibiting this kind of selfish behavior, the Apostle Paul wrote to them about the nature of the church. He explained that the true church is like a human body. He wrote: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. … For the body is not one member but many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14) In the same context, Paul admonished the church that all members of the body of Christ are needed and are dependent upon one another. Therefore, there should be no division in the body. He wrote: “… there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it …” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26) Hebrews 13:3 adds: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them: and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves in the body.”

Satan is the mastermind behind these brutal attacks against believers in Jesus Christ. While speaking to His Jewish disciples about the end of this age, Jesus describe it as a time when “they [shall] deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” (Matthew 24:9-10) The persecution and martyrdom of believers is escalating around the globe. It is reported that there were more believers killed in the 20th century than in the previous 19 centuries of church history. The beginning of this 21st century indicates this trend is on the rise.

Satan has two very powerful agents of evil that are focused on the eradication of the church and the destruction of Israel. They are the atheist, communist (socialist) governments and the radical Islamic jihadists around the world. There seem to be some common elements within the circles of governments that are anti-Christ. They deny the God of the Bible and instead venerate man as god. They openly attack Christians and make any form of true worship illegal and punishable by death. They use images to represent their god and force the people to accept this image as a part of their submission to their dictatorial authority. They control every aspect of people’s lives, making them a slave of their godless government. The Antichrist and his brutal, murderous kingdom will follow this satanic pattern of rule.

As Christians in America we wonder why the members of the liberal left in this country are so open to socialism or the godless tenants of Islam. While answering this question about the liberal left and its attachment to Islam, award-winning Christian journalist and chief-editor of World Net Daily, David Kupelian, writes: “Because the left’s real enemy is not Islam, it is the Judeo-Christian biblical precepts and commandments that for centuries served as Western civilization’s moral foundation. The left does not feel threatened by Islam because Islam doesn’t shine as a light on the left’s sins; it just represents a different form of darkness and therefore causes no spiritual conflict or shame. Moreover, for now at least, the left is strategically comfortable allying with Islam because ‘the enemy of your enemy is your friend,’ and both Islam and the atheistic left are at war with Christianity.” (Whistleblower, “Light vs. Darkness,” December 2017, p. 7) The same can be said for the atheistic nations, like North Korea, within the communist/socialist circles of power.

We must remind ourselves that the communists and Islamic nations control the United Nations. They are working in tandem to carry out their agendas. A perfect example of this is the level of respect and cooperation between North Korea and Iran. Much of the nuclear and ballistic missile technology developed in North Korea has been shared with Iran in the last three decades. These nations hate America, Israel, and all believers in Jesus Christ. This reveals whose side they are on! These evil nations are the embodiment of the prophetic Scriptures in Psalm 2:1-3: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [Christ], saying. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Many sources indicate that 252 million Christians are facing extreme persecution at this moment. As one examines the list of 50 nations that persecute and kill Christians, North Korea has been at the top of this list for 14 consecutive years! Most of the other nations are either Islamic or Communist countries. As these forms of evil dictatorial rule continue to escalate around the world, they are preparing the way for the most wicked and brutal of them all – the Antichrist.

On the basis of many Scriptures, I do not believe the leadership of North Korea is a viable antichrist candidate. However, he, along with many others from the past and present, are one of the many antichrists that Jesus and His apostles warned us would come. Near the end of the first century, the aged Apostle John wrote: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18) The brutal and godless Kim regime in North Korea continues to take orders from their master, Satan. While speaking about Satan to the godless Jewish government of His day, Jesus said: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father will ye do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

There is no relief in sight for the inhabitants of earth until the Prince of Peace comes. He will be a dictator and rule the world with “a rod of iron.” (Revelation 19:15) However, this dictator will rule over all of earth’s citizens with justice and peace. For the first time since the fall of man, peace will rule over all of the earth. It is no wonder that our Lord has taught us to pray: “Thy kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10)

It Is About Time They Faced the Truth

“As far as Israel is concerned, denial of the Jewish historical and religious connection to this land, and especially to Jerusalem, is the primary roadblock to peace at present.”.(www.israeltoday.co.il) Finally, a U.S. administration is standing with Israel on this issue. When President Trump stated that his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was based upon reality, he shook the world, which is filled with lies, deception, fake history and fake news. For too long the governments of the world have tried to appease the Palestinians and Muslims in the Middle East by making compromises for peace that were based upon lies. If you want reconciliation between two parties or people that are verbally seeking reconciliation, they must both face reality, not how they feel or what they believe, but what are the real facts. What people believe and how they live must be based upon facts and honesty.

President Trump’s team is reminding the Palestinian leadership that they must stop denying the Jewish historical connection to Jerusalem and the Promised Land. This is proven by the Bible, archeology, and many secular historical records, including Muslim historical records. The denial of all of this began with Yasser Arafat and has been repeated to an entire generation of Muslims that believe these lies. I applaud our current administration for finally standing on the side of truth. It is about time the Muslims of the world face the truth, which is supported by their holy books, including the Koran.

Many Israelis also blame many of those on the liberal left within their own government in its attempt to deny reality and to appease those who are sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state. A recent article in Israel Today addresses this with the following remark: “The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is itself an example of the persistent failure of short-term deals made to keep the ‘peace’ with Arab parties ever since the Balfour Declaration was published 100 years ago. Instead of getting on with it and immediately implementing its declared goal – the resettlement of Jews from the Diaspora in the Promised Land – we dithered and dallied for decades in a fruitless effort to please all parties. The enemies of Israel saw it as weakness, which they exploited to the hilt with violence that had us chasing our tails looking for a way out of the awesome responsibility we had been given.” (www.israeltoday.co.il)

Is this the Prelude to the Gog and Magog War?

The recent escalation between Israel, Russia and Iran in Syria is raising questions in Israel concerning ancient Biblical prophecies. According to the prophet Ezekiel (chapters 38-39), Russia, Iran, Turkey and other Islamic nations will invade Israel on its northern border in the last days. (Ezekiel 39:2; Joel 2:20) Ezekiel stated that God will cause certain conditions to develop that will provoke this invasion: “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth…” (Ezekiel 38:4) What will be the nature of this divine provocation?

All of Israel is talking about the developments on their northern border. Those who know these Biblical prophecies are wondering, as I am, are we witnessing the provocation that will start this war? In the last few months, Israel has been attacking Iranian positions in Syria to stop the flow of dangerous military equipment to their proxy army, Hezbollah, in Lebanon. However, in the last few days this has escalated. Recently, Iran sent a military drone (unmanned aircraft) into Israeli territory. Israel considers Iran to be an enemy that has openly sworn that it will destroy the Jewish state. Therefore, Israel retaliated. The Israeli Air Force flew into Syria and bombed the command center of the military drone that infiltrated Israeli air space. In the process, the Russian-made air defense system in Syria successfully damaged an Israeli F-16, forcing it to crash in Israeli territory. Thankfully, both pilots ejected themselves from the aircraft and safely landed, with some injuries, inside of Israel. This marked the first time since 1982 that Israel has lost an aircraft. Consequently, Israel once again sent a squadron of fighter jets into Syrian territory, destroying 12 major Syrian military installations. One of the installations that Israel destroyed was a major military command center. Syria, Iran, and Russia were shocked because they all thought this was a secret facility that Israel did not know existed.

Many Islamic enemies of Israel, in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinians, etc. danced in the streets when they heard that Israel had lost an F-16 in its confrontation in Syria. They saw this as a major military victory over Israel. One needs to understand that in the past, it has been this kind of scenario that has provoked a dangerous escalation of war with Israel. Many of the enemies of Israel view the downing of this F-16 as an indication that Israel is not invincible and that the time has come when they need to take advantage of this perceived moment of Israeli military weakness.

About a week before these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a special trip, along with some of Israel’s military commanders, to talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian military leaders about the developments in Syria along Israel’s northern border. The Israelis made it clear that they did not want to harm Russian military personnel deployed in Syria. However, Netanyahu boldly communicated to Putin that Israel would not be deterred from destroying any Iranian effort to develop a military presence in Syria, or to transfer missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Given the blind hatred that Iran has for Israel, and its determination to destroy the Jewish homeland, there is no question that all of this is about to escalate. What will happen if Iran continues to provoke Israel? What would happen if Israel were to accidentally kill some Russia military personnel in one of its defensive responses to another Iranian provocation? Will Iran give Hezbollah the green light to begin a war against Israel?

Without question, in light of the prophetic Scriptures, these developments certainly indicate that the war that Ezekiel wrote about is just over the horizon. Many rabbis in Israel are alerting the nation that these developments are heralding the coming of their long-awaited messiah. One rabbi said: “It is not a matter of whether or not the War of Gog and Magog is coming. It is a matter of time and at this point, we are counting the days.”
(www.breakingisraelnews.com)

I personally believe that the battle of Gog and Magog will happen before the Rapture. If this is a true assessment, we are very close to the Rapture. Get ready to fly! It appears we are going home soon.

Seal of the Prophet Isaiah Found in Jerusalem

Archeologists are fairly certain they have recently discovered a clay seal with the name of Isaiah on it. The clay seal has been damaged. However, Isaiah’s name is clear, but part of his title, “prophet,” is missing. The strong supporting evidence of this seal belonging to the prophet Isaiah is that it was found only a few feet away from the royal seal of King Hezekiah that was discovered a few years ago. According to the book that bears his name, Isaiah had several encounters with King Hezekiah. Therefore, to find both of these seals only a few feet apart at the same historical level in the debris left behind from that period is a sure indication that this damaged seal belonged to the prophet Isaiah.

These finds in ancient Jerusalem continue to amaze Israelis and believers around the world. Our gracious Lord is certainly sending a strong message to the entire world concerning the historical authenticity of the Bible. Many of us do not need such physical evidences. We have long ago placed our complete trust in the perfect Word of God. However, it is wonderful to confront the doubters and scoffers with such physical evidences. I am convinced that this is being used by the Holy Spirit to prick the consciences and souls of Israelis who are being prepared for the sudden appearance of Moses and Elijah at the beginning of the Tribulation Period. (Revelation 11:3-6) Suddenly, in the opening days of the Tribulation Period, 144,000 young Jewish men will come to grips with the reality that Jesus is the Messiah and God. They will place their faith in Him and begin to spread this gospel around the world, just as the Jewish apostles did in the first century. (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5)

The Political Attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

As many of you know, the sharp liberal left and media in Israel are attempting to destroy the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is presently being charged with political corruption. Those who are attempting to bring him down are pointing out that over the last several decades, even before he became the prime minister of Israel, he and his wife have received numerous expensive gifts from individuals. These political opponents are attempting to promote the idea that Netanyahu has been receiving these gifts in exchange for political favors. While it is not being disputed that Netanyahu and his wife were the recipients of these expensive gifts, it has not yet been proven or determined if these donors did receive political favors as a result of the gifts. These are serious charges and are worthy of impeachment should they be discovered to be true.

It is my opinion that Israel is suffering from the same political war between the liberal left and the more conservative right as here in the United States. We know that the liberal socialists in this country are bent not only in the ousting of President Trump from office, but ultimately bringing down our democratic form of government to be replaced by socialism. In essence, they are attempting to destroy the America that has existed since its founding days in order to make our country fit in with their dream of a New World Order and become like other socialistic and Islamic forms of government that are ruled by merciless dictators.

A similar political war is being waged in Israel at this very moment. I believe that it is all a political power struggle that finds its roots in the demonic powers that are working in the spiritual realm, setting the stage for the entrance of the Antichrist and Satan’s final attempt to defeat God. It is not an accident that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are friends and political allies. They both promote freedom for their citizens and want to protect them. They are the only international leaders who occasionally quote Scripture in some of their speeches. There is no evidence that suggests either of them are born-again believers. However, I believe, both of them have been divinely chosen and placed in office for such a time as this. Both of these leaders are also hated by the world leaders and the international media. They are not respected within the United Nations.

Satan has a game plan. It appears that both the United States and Israel are strong nations with capable militaries that are equipped to protect their citizens. However, Satan’s plan is destroy these nations from within by sharply dividing the people. When Jesus cast out demons in Matthew 12:22-30, his religious enemies falsely charged Him by saying He was using Satanic powers to cast out demons. Jesus reminded them of their foolish charges. Why would Satan want to defeat his own agents of evil? Jesus declared: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought down to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:25-26) Satan knows that if he can successfully divide America and Israel, he can destroy these two nations and quickly advance his political kingdom on this earth to prepare for his final stand against God. When the end comes, all nations will be in league with Satan’s messiah – the Antichrist. Speaking of this, the Apostle John wrote: “… and power was given him [the Antichrist] over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:7)

With all that is transpiring at this time, it is evident that Satan is orchestrating the activities of all who have been deceived into playing into his deadly and deceptive hands. Pray for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. (1Timothy 2:1-2)

We live in incredible times when significant prophetic events are rapidly falling into place to set the stage for the Biblical end of days.  My generation has witnessed more preparations for the Tribulation Period than all of the previous generations since the time of Christ.  The announcement on December 6, 2017 by President Donald Trump to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is one of these significant events. It signals that the Biblical stopwatch of God that will tick off the final seven years before the literal and supernatural return of Christ to earth is rapidly approaching.  In Psalm 102:13, the Psalmist declared: “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”  In the context of this great prophetic psalm, the Holy Spirit has revealed that developments in Jerusalem are directly related to the end of this age.  “When the LORD shall build Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” (Psalm 102:16)

Anyone who has studied the Bible thoroughly will know that historically and prophetically the Holy City of Jerusalem is at the center of God’s stage for the unfolding of His divine plan and purposes on earth.  As we shall discover in this article, the struggle for the Jewish occupation and ownership of Jerusalem as viewed within the nations will continue until the very end of this age.

I have had several people call and write me concerning the significance of our president’s announcement.  Here is the big question: “How does President Trump’s announcement fit into the overall big picture of the Biblical prophetic end-time scenario?”

President Trump stated that part of his decision was based upon the historical reality of what is true about Jerusalem.  Since the founding of the modern State of Israel, Jerusalem has been the only capital of the Jewish nation.  Almost all of the governmental affairs of Israel are conducted in the governmental buildings in Jerusalem.  I have seen and photographed many of the buildings on my tours in Israel in the last 32 years.  In addition to this, the Scriptures and hundreds of solid archeological evidences prove that Jerusalem was occupied by God’s chosen people since it was declared by King David to be their capital almost 3,000 years ago.

We could all wish that this recognition of Jerusalem and the plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem would start a new political global trend.  However, the current events and the prophetic Scriptures indicate otherwise.

First, the liberal political U.S. leaders and media are all opposing President Trump’s decision.  They overlook the fact that congress overwhelmingly voted to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1995.  Since that time, three previous presidents promised, while campaigning for the presidency, that if elected they would move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as directed by congress.  Each of them vetoed this bill twice each year.  It is now apparent that President Trump was the only one who really intended to honor his campaign promise.

These same political pundits and uninformed media personnel are stating that what President Trump has done is politically foolish.  While this decision is not popular with the political leaders of the world, as indicated by the recent UN vote to oppose this announcement, it is certainly approved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  As we all know, that’s all that really matters!

I do not pretend to agree with all of President Trump’s decisions, policies, or actions.  The world may view his declaration about Jerusalem as foolish.  The Bible states: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)   We must not expect the world to really understand all of this!  Those without the Spirit of God are spiritually dead and blind.  They really cannot understand. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Many billions of people, especially those who follow the Islamic mindset, hate Israel and the God of Israel.  They are blinded by their hatred.  They hate God and are united against Israel.  Read Psalm 83:1-8.

According to the Bible, the acceptance of the return of the Jewish people to their land and their occupation and ownership of Jerusalem is a divine test that will determine who is for or against God. Those who stand with God will applaud and pray for His “will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).   In Psalm 122:6, we are commanded: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”  Therefore, all believers who know the prophetic Word of God should support President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish nation of Israel.

In the context of the final seven years at the end of this age, Jeremiah 30:18 states: “Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents [their temporary dwelling places among the Gentile nations], and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city [Jerusalem] shall be builded upon her own heap [the rubble of its ancient remains], and the palace [center of governmental affairs] shall remain after the manner thereof.”  This text, and many others we will examine in this article, clearly demonstrates that the struggle for the city of Jerusalem will be at the center of the conflict between God and the nations in the immediate future.

I believe that President Trump’s recent recognition of Jerusalem will have the effect of galvanizing international opposition against God’s city, ultimately leading to Armageddon.  Others agree with me on this.  Charles Gardner, in an article in an e-mail from Israel Today, comments:  “The decision of President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as a probable first step towards moving the American Embassy there could well be a catalyst for a battle of the ages.”  (e-mail from Israel Today, December 8, 2017)

Jerusalem will be the focus of the international attack upon Israel during the last half of the Tribulation Period.  While calling Jerusalem “Ariel” (which is Hebrew for “the lion of God”), Isaiah 29:7-8 depicts the nations’ passionate determination to distress Jerusalem, as “a dream of a night vision.”  They will dream of their victory over Jerusalem, but their dream will not come to fruition.  Finally, at the end of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will call for the nations of the world to join him in the Battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)  Zechariah 12 and 14 highlight the Antichrist’s attack upon Jerusalem.  The Lord has declared: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”  (Zechariah 12:9)  While the forces of the Antichrist are attacking Jerusalem, the Lord will descend from heaven and fight against this evil force gathered against His people, destroying them all with the power of His spoken word. (Zechariah 12:2-3, 12-15)

Therefore, it is clear that Jerusalem is the epicenter of the international political conflict at the end of this age.  The nations will join Satan in his attack upon Israel, and especially Jerusalem.  The Scriptures paint a clear picture of the global attack upon Jerusalem that will not end until the battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation Period. While speaking to His disciples on the Mount of Olives about the end of this age, Jesus told His disciples: “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)  The time that is designated as “the times of the Gentiles” speaks of all the Gentile governments from Genesis 9 until Revelation 19.  The Gentiles are destined be in control of events on earth until the Jewish Messiah returns from heaven at the end of the Tribulation to rule over all the nations of the world (Revelation 19:15) for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4-6)  Finally, a Jewish global kingdom will rule over all of the Gentile nations.

It is very insightful to examine the Scriptures to determine why Jerusalem is at the center of the war between heaven and hell, God and Satan. Understanding this is critical to developing a Biblical view of what lies ahead for our world.  Let us examine two major reasons why this is true.

Reason #1

God’s Desire for the Destiny of Jerusalem

The city of Jerusalem is mentioned by name more than 800 times in the Bible.  It is emphatically important to grasp that Jerusalem lies at the very center of God’s eternal plans for this earth.

Jerusalem is not the choice of the Jews, it is God’s choice. Psalm 132:13 plainly states: “For the LORD hath chosen Jerusalem…”  Jerusalem is called “the holy city.” (Matthew 4:5)  This declaration is mentioned many times in the Bible, which indicates that God has set this city apart from all of cities in the world for His purposes.  Jerusalem is uniquely called “the city of our God” (Psalm 48:1, 8), and “the city of the great King.” (Psalm 48:2)  Uniquely, God has created the earth and placed Jerusalem at the geographical center of the nations. (Ezekiel 5:5)

The Lord has openly declared His special love for Jerusalem.  In Psalm 78:68, the Lord spoke of Zion “which he loved.”  In Zechariah 1:14, He expressed His love: “…I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy…”  In Zechariah 2:8 He spoke of Jerusalem as “the apple of his eye.” These unique statements of God’s special love for Jerusalem should open our eyes to the central divine focus upon Jerusalem in these last days.  If He is our Lord, and we love Him, we should love what He loves.

When I am in Jerusalem, these passages flood my mind and fill me with a wonder and love for this great city.  I have traveled to many places in this world, but none touch my heart like Jerusalem.  When I am there, I feel like I am in my spiritual home.

As the sovereign Almighty, the Lord is determined that His divine destiny for Jerusalem will be accomplished. This is very powerfully expressed in Isaiah 62:1-7.  “For Zion’s sake, will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. (verse 1) … Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (verse 3) … I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (verses 6-7)

The joy of the Jewish people over Jerusalem is an amazing thing o witness.  No other people on earth have such a loving attachment to a city as do the sons of Jacob for Jerusalem.  The eternal city is the subject of their prayers, singing, and dancing.  This is a fulfillment of many Biblical prophecies. “The redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion…” (Isaiah 51:11)  Jerusalem is destined to become the international capital of the Messiah’s government for 1,000 years.

Reason #2

Satan’s Desire for the Destruction of Jerusalem

Satan knows that if he does not stop God’s revealed destiny for Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:1-3)  Satan has never faced such a judgment or restriction, and he is determined to oppose God in his desperate attempt to avoid this.  As a result, Jerusalem is at the center of Satan’s attack against God.  Isaiah 14:13 reveals that Satan’s agenda is to dethrone God in heaven and to control the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to oppose God’s agenda for His Son to rule the earth from this location. History demonstrates that Satan has done everything in his power to oppose the Jewish occupation of Jerusalem.  Amazingly, the Arab people have been the major tool of his attack upon the Jewish people and their beloved city.  This was true in the days of Nehemiah.  Read Nehemiah 4.  The ancient prophet Obadiah faced this Arab hatred and opposition.  And, this was the situation in Psalm 83:1-8, and Psalm 120.  So, it is not a surprise that at the center of the attack against the Jewish occupation of the city of Jerusalem is the Arab people and their religion – Islam.  Zechariah records God’s verbal confrontation with Satan about all of this. “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2)

The name Jerusalem means “city of peace.”  How ironic that no other city on earth has known so much war, destruction and bloodshed.  Jerusalem has suffered the threats, attacks, and/or control of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Rome, the multiple wars between the Muslims and crusading Catholic Church, the Ottoman Turks, and the British.  When my tour groups walk through the Old City of Jerusalem there are many places where we are reminded that the present level of Jerusalem is 14-21 feet above the level of Jesus’ time, and even deeper to the various levels of the Old Testament period. Much of this death and destruction that Jerusalem has suffered is a result of the conflict that exists between God’s and Satan’s opposing agendas.  As we get closer to the final phase of this war in the spiritual realm, the spotlight upon Jerusalem will once again become increasingly intense.

According to the prophetic Word of God, Jerusalem will be the center of the Antichrist’s focus in the last half of the Tribulation Period. (Daniel 11:45; Zechariah 12, 14; Matthew 24: 15-20 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4 )  The fact that Islam has been at the center of the conflict against the Jewish occupation and control over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount for 14 centuries is not a coincidence.  This is one of many reasons why I believe the Antichrist will be a Muslim and the religion that will consume and control him is Islam.  The powerful control and growing influence of Islam is evidence that we are living in the last of the last days!

There is coming a future day when many Arabs and Muslims will be saved and surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as their Savior.  In an amazing chapter, Isaiah 60, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the transformation of the Arabs who will be saved and survive the Tribulation Period.  Their former hatred for the Jews and their land and city will be replaced with a respect and support of the Jewish occupation of the Promised Land and Holy City.  Isaiah 60:14 summarizes this astounding change: “The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”

Presently we are hearing of a supernatural movement of the Holy Spirit within the Muslims populations of the Middle East.  Tens of thousands of Muslims are having dreams of seeing Jesus and later hear the gospel and are saved.  Many of these former Muslims have already become martyrs for their Lord as they attempt to share the gospel with their Muslim families and friends. I believe that this sudden supernatural event and its powerful impact throughout the Muslim world in the Middle East is a forerunner of what the Lord will do during the Tribulation Period among the Jewish people in Israel. (Joel 2:27-32)  Therefore, this supernatural evangelism of the Muslim masses is another powerful sign that the Rapture is very near.

When the Tribulation Period is over, those who survive will stand before the Lord in the judgment of what is called the Sheep and Goat nations, as recorded in Matthew 25:31-46.  The sheep represent those who are genuinely saved, while the goats represent the lost.  As you read this text, you will realize that the faith of these people will be exposed by their works.  Their works are centered upon their treatment of “the least of these my brethren” – the Jewish people. (verse 40)   Those who are saved will love what God loves and pray for His will to be done on earth.  When one understands the role of the Jewish people and their occupation of the Holy Land and the Holy city of Jerusalem, he will always stand with God, His people, His land, and His city.

I believe that President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will be used to force the world to take sides.  If they are for God, they will stand with the Jewish people and their occupation and ownership of Jerusalem.  If they oppose God, they will support the Arab/Muslim agenda, which calls for the destruction of the Jewish nation of Israel.

For several decades now, the world has followed the false cry for peace in the Middle East.  The world refuses to look at the true historical facts.  Prior to modern times, there never was an ethnic group of people called “Palestinians.” There never was a Palestinian country.  The land called Palestine was always governed by an outside political power for thousands of years until modern times.   The Jews never stole the land from the Arabs.  In contrast, the Arab nations surrounding the Holy Land called for the Arab people living in that land to evacuate as the Arab nations invaded the newly born nation of Israel in May, 1948.  The Arab masses complied, and when Israel won the war, the Arab nations chose to keep the displaced Arabs (now called Palestinians) in refugee camps as a bargaining chip to tempt the world to force the Jews out of the land.

It is no secret that the Arab people, including those who now call themselves Palestinians, do not want to create a two-state solution to this conflict.  The world thinks that the Arab/Muslims want a Palestinian State to live in peace along side of a Jewish State [Israel].  However, when you examine their charters, education materials, maps, media, and religious declarations, it is not a secret that the Palestinians and all of their Arab/Muslim friends are really calling for the creation of a Palestinian State from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River.  They want the complete removal of the Jews from the land of Israel.

The nations of the world have been blinded by all of the Arab/Muslim false promises.  The financial and political corruption of the Palestinian leadership and the incitement toward violence and hatred of the Jewish people have been totally ignored by the western nations.  In essence, they are promoting the creation of another Islamic terrorist nation, while they oppose the only true democracy in the Middle East.  This is not only unbiblical.  It is also wrong and insane!  This is another testimony that we live in a pagan, godless culture that has inverted reality.  Good has become evil and evil has become good.

At the center of this conflict is the city of Jerusalem. The world recognized this in 1947.  When the United Nations voted in November, 1947, on a plan to partition the land of Palestine, they created a map showing a Jewish State, and a new Arab State.  However, they declared that Jerusalem and the immediate surrounding area would be declared an international zone.  They recognized that neither the Jews nor Arabs would accept a plan that would give Jerusalem to the other side.

However, the conflict over Jerusalem is not a nationalistic struggle.  At the center of this conflict is the religion of Islam.  The struggle for Jerusalem is a religious war.  Muslims claim that Jerusalem is an important Muslim center of worship.  However, the Koran never mentions Jerusalem by name.  Until modern times, the Muslims did not consider Jerusalem to be important.  As a matter of fact, the passionate possession of Jerusalem did not begin with the Muslims until the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948.

President Trump’s announcement to accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a very big issue in this religious war.  Until his announcement, the western world was playing along with the Muslim world, ignoring the Biblical facts, modern historical records, and amazing archeological discoveries that prove that Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish people and should be recognized as the capital of Israel.  Now, President Trump has dared to take a bold step and do what is right in a world that celebrates wrong.

Soon, and very soon, the church is going to be caught out of this world and the struggle for Jerusalem will reach a new level that will finally bring the nations to Armageddon, where Jesus will settle the score once and for all!

I thank the Lord that I have been given the privilege to watch all of this unfold.  If the prophets or apostles were here with us, you would not be able to shut them up!  They would be proclaiming the promise of our Lord’s soon return.  How sad that we live at a time when the churches are so silent about His Second Coming.  Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

Dangerous Developments on Israeli’s Northern Border

While the war of Jerusalem is heating up, there is another critical development on Israel’s northern border. According to many sources, the failed Syrian government is nothing more than a weak puppet government now controlled by Russia and Iran.  In the past year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently visited Moscow to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Iranian presence in Syria.  The Israelis know that it is Iran’s goal to control the Middle East and eventually establish a Shia-based global empire.  In order for this to happen, Iran’s goal is to establish a land bridge from Iran, through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, which is nothing more than a weak puppet of Iran, controlled by Hezbollah.  Hezbollah has engaged in war and terrorist attacks against Israel along the southern Lebanese border for several decades.  This militia terrorist group is trained and supported by Iran and operates in the region with the ultimate goal to bring about the destruction of Israel.

Israelis are concerned that Iran is now building a powerful military base just 31 miles from their northern border with Syria.  Despite Netanyahu’s warnings to Russia that Israel will not accept Iran’s military presence in Syria, the Russians are giving their support to Iran’s new military Syrian base.

Several sources indicate that Iran’s purpose for this military presence in Syria is religiously motivated by their Shia prophetic convictions. World Net Daily recently released the following report: “Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project argues the bases near Israel don’t pose an imminent threat of a conventional military strike or even an asymmetrical attack. But he said the motivation is rather a desire to fulfill Shia prophecy of a showdown with the Jewish state that Iran’s religious leadership believes will prompt the coming of a messianic figure, or ‘Mahdi.’ …

There are now some 13 Iranian military installations in Syria – some manned by Hezbollah terrorists and others by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces.

‘This isn’t normal competition between hostile powers; this isn’t even the normal Iranian sponsorship of terrorism or attempts to expand their military presence,’ Mauro said in a recent television interview. ‘To the Iranian regime this is the fulfillment of prophecy.’

Mauro pointed out that new Iranian troops are called Ansar al-Mahdi, or ‘Supporters of the Messiah.’ And Iran has also created a 313th brigade, into which it is recruiting young Syrian Shiites. According to tradition in Shiite Islam, 313 is the number of fighters that will arrive with the Mahdi, the Islamic Messiah, Mauro explained.

Shia tradition holds that the arrival of the Mahdi will coincide with the arrival of the Christian messiah, Jesus, who will be the Mahdi’s lieutenant in fighting the Masih ad-Dajjal, the false messiah, or anti-Christ.

Shia Islam believes the Mahdi will reappear with Jesus, who will declare himself a Muslim, and kill Christians who refuse to convert. ‘The end of days,’ according to Shia belief, will be a bloody battle, killing off two-thirds of the world population and leaving the rest to convert to Islam.

The concept of the Mahdi figures in Iranian politics. In a speech in front of the U.N. General Assembly in 2008, then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left the gathered politicians aghast as he begged Allah to hasten the return of the Mahdi.

‘You are not dealing with fully rational actors,’ Mauro said. ‘You can be irrational and strategic and pragmatic at the same time, which is what Iran is doing. If you understand these prophecies, you can understand Iran.’

Mauro explained that according to Shiite theology, Iranian leadership believes it will lead the battle against Sunni adversaries, invade Israel and take over Jerusalem. He added that the recent destabilization in Saudi Arabia is a direct result of Iran’s apocalyptic agenda.” (World Net Daily, November 24, 2017)  To watch this interview, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6fTplpYzrE

As the Bible prophecy student follows all of these recent ongoing developments, he realizes that the hour is very, very late.  We are literally standing on the brink of major events that have overwhelming prophetic implications. I can honestly say that I have never been more focused or excited about following all of this.  Perhaps this is the year we will fly home to heaven.

“Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)