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One shall be taken and the other left
One shall be taken and the other left
The mid-Tribulation invasion of Judea and Jerusalem
Luke 17:36
By Craig C. White
In Luke 17:36 Jesus gave a prophecy that one day two men will be standing in a field. Then one man will be taken away and the other man will remain.
Luke 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
This passage might sound like it is describing the Rapture but it isn’t. Instead it is describing the invasion of Judea and Jerusalem by the Antichrist during the Tribulation period. First of all this prophecy was given to the Jews before the Church existed. Jesus gave this prophecy to his Disciples. Secondly this prophecy was given in the city of Jerusalem. It concerns the nation of Israel and more specifically it concerns the city of Jerusalem. Jesus also told us when this event will happen. It will happen on “the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:30). I know that the term the Son of man can refer to the Messiah but on this day the armies of the Antichrist will invade Jerusalem.
The day when the Son of man is revealed is not a good day. It is the time period when God will allow Israel’s enemies to oppress them. God will first use Israel’s enemies to judge Israel. Jesus will then judge Israel’s enemies at the end of the seven year long Tribulation period.
Amos 5:18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.
The second half of the Tribulation period is called Jerusalem’s “Great Tribulation” (Mat 24:21). The man in the field will be taken away at the beginning of Jerusalem’s Great Tribulation on the day that the Antichrist invades Jerusalem and Judea.
One man will be taken away and the other man will remain. Where did Jesus give this Prophecy? Luke tells us. In Luke 17:11 Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. Along the way Jesus met a group of lepers. He healed them and told them to show themselves to the priests at the temple in Jerusalem.
Luke 17:11-14 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
This is off of the subject of being taken or left but I cannot pass by these verses without saying something about them. Jesus sent the lepers to the priests at the temple. It was the priest’s duty to declare that the lepers were now clean (Lev 14:2). Jesus knew that sending the lepers would upset the priests. You see, no person had ever been healed from leprosy and then presented themselves before the priests. The health of the lepers proved that Jesus had the power to heal. The priests knew that the Prophet Isaiah said that the messiah would heal the sick.
Isa 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
Jesus used healing as a sign to prove that he was the Messiah. This was his message to John the Baptist.
Mat 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
After the lepers showed themselves to the priests Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees in Jerusalem. The Pharisees were a sect of religious leaders. So Jesus was in Jerusalem when the Pharisees challenged his authority. They asked him “when would the kingdom of God come?”
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Jesus answered the Pharisees in Luke 17:21-25 and then went on to tell his disciples what would happen during the days of the Son of man. That is the day of God’s judgment of Israel and wrath on earth.
Jesus, his disciples, and the Pharisees were in Jerusalem at the time this was said.
Luke 17:26-29 And as it was in the days of Noe (Noah), so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
There is a day coming that will bring a terrible time of judgment for Israel. Things will be the worst in the city of Jerusalem. It is called Jerusalem’s Great Tribulation (Mat 24:21). Folks in Jerusalem will be going about their lives as usual. But then all of a sudden something terrible will happen. Jerusalem will be attacked by the Antichrist and his army. Half the people will be taken captive. One person will be taken and another will remain.
Jesus warns the people in Jerusalem not to return to their homes! Obviously they will be alerted to some sort of eminent threat. They have been warned by the presence of the Antichrist in the temple and by his plundering army. They will be tempted to return to their homes in order to retrieve their personal belongings. Jesus warns them to not go home!
Luke 17:30-31 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
This is the same day that is described in Matthew 24 below.
Mat 24:15-18 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Jesus warns the citizens of Jerusalem and Judea not to go home because danger awaits them there. If they return to their houses they will be killed, abused, or taken captive. Does the Bible tell us about a day when the homes in Jerusalem will be in jeopardy, a day also when one out of two people will be taken away? Yes it does.
Zechariah 14:1-3 tells us that before the day of the Lord, Jerusalem will be attacked. The homes will be robbed, and the women will be raped. One out of two people will be taken away as slaves!
Zechariah 14:1-3 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
This invasion of Jerusalem will happen halfway through the seven year long Tribulation period. It will begin on the day that the Antichrist attacks Jerusalem. The same day that the abomination is set up in the Holy place. It marks the beginning of Jerusalem’s Great Tribulation. Three and a half years after this invasion Jesus will return to defend Jerusalem.
In Daniel 11:44 this future invasion is likened to the invasion of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanies in 167 BC. Antiochus ordered his soldiers to kill people in their homes. Half of the people who survived were taken away as slaves. The future Antichrist will attack Jerusalem in much the same way.
Here is an historical account of Antiochus Epiphanies’ attack on Jerusalem in 167 BC.
2 Maccabees 5:11–14 When these happenings were reported to the king, he thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery.
Like Lot’s wife who wanted to return home; anybody returning to their house on this day will be killed or taken as prisoner. Meanwhile away from home, two men will be standing in the field. One will be taken away as a slave and the other man will be left in the field. In this way one half of the people in Jerusalem will be taken away as slaves just as Zechariah 14:2 (above) tells us.
Luke 17:32-36 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
At the start of the Great Tribulation the Antichrist will invade Jerusalem and his army will go from home to home taking every other person prisoner. In that way one half of all Jews found in Jerusalem will be taken away as slaves. The other half will suffer through the Great Tribulation inside of the city (see the end of Zechariah 14:2).
Luke 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Everywhere there is a Jew in Jerusalem their enemies will find them.
Read more about Jerusalem’s Great Tribulation and also about the day when the Son of man is revealed in my book Israel’s Beacon of Hope
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Is the Antichrist “sitting in the temple of God” the same as “the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy place”?
Is the Antichrist “sitting in the temple of God” the same as “the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy place”?
Turkish President Erdogan sat in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral exalting himself above Christ.
By Craig C. White
Most Bible teachers think that the Antichrist will sit in the newly built temple in Jerusalem showing himself that he is God. But I think that “the Antichrist sitting in the temple of God” in 2Thessalonians 2:4 is different than “the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy place” in Matthew 24:15.
In 2Thessalonians chapter 2 Paul is telling the early Church which events will precede the Tribulation. Before the seven year long Tribulation period can begin Satan must fall and the Antichrist must be revealed by sitting in the temple of God showing himself that he is God. Paul is assuring the Thessalonians that it wasn’t yet time for the Tribulation.
2Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
In 2Thessalonians 2:4 the Antichrist will sit in the temple of God. The Greek word that is translated as sit or sitteth is kath-id’-zo meaning to make to sit down.
In Mathew chapter 24 the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea are instructed to flee to the wilderness because the armies of the Antichrist are coming. This will happen in the middle of the seven year long Tribulation period. Just a note: There is no warning to flee in 2Thessalonians chapter 2.
Matthew 24:15-17 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
In 2Tessalonians 2:4 the Antichrist sits. In Matthew 24:15 the abomination of desolation stands. The Greek word that is translated as stand in Matthew 24:15 is the word histēmi meaning to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set.
The Antichrist “sitting in the temple of God” is a separate event from “the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy place”. The Antichrist must sit in the temple of God before the seven year long Tribulation period can begin. This is a sign to Christians that the Rapture is near.
In Daniel 12:11 the abomination of desolation will be “set up”. There is a difference between sitting and being set up. The Hebrew word that is translated as set up is nâthan meaning to give, put, set.
Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
The abomination of desolation will be “set up” in the newly built temple in Jerusalem during the middle of the seven year long Tribulation period. When the Jews see the abomination of desolation it is an alarm for them to flee. The abomination of desolation will not sit in the Holy place. On the other hand the Antichrist will literally sit in the temple of God.
Ask yourself three questions. Is the man called the Antichrist the same as the abomination of desolation? Is sitting the same as standing? Could the temple of God be different than the Holy place?
The Greek word that is translated as “temple” in 2Thessalonians 2:4 can refer to any temple or shrine. It does not have to refer to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey is the most significant Christian Cathedral in world history. It was first built in the third century and served as the patriarchal Cathedral of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. On July 24th 2020 Turkish President Erdogan sat in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral exalting himself above Christ. By the way, Erdogan literally sat on the floor. According to 2Thessalonians 2:4 Erdogan officially revealed himself as the Antichrist.
Read my first book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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Erdogan revealed as Antichrist at Hagia Sophia – video
Erdogan revealed as Antichrist at Hagia Sophia
click to watch video on YouTube
Erdogan official revealed as the Antichrist
By Craig C. White
On July 24, 2020 Turkish President Erdogan sat in the 1500 year old Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey showing himself that he is greater than the Christian God. According to 2Thessalonians this is how the Antichrist will be officially revealed. Erdogan official revealed himself as being the Antichrist.
It’s true that the Antichrist will desecrate the temple in Jerusalem during the second 3 1/2 year period of the seven year long Tribulation period. But I think that 2Thessalonians is describing a separate event. 2Thessalonians doesn’t identify the temple of God as being located in Jerusalem. 2Thessalonians also doesn’t mention the desecration of the temple. 2Thessalonians also doesn’t mention the stopping of the daily sacrifice.
2Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Another thing to consider is that the abomination of desolation will stand in the Holy place but the Antichrist will sit in the temple of God. Turkish President Erdogan sat on the floor as he recited the Quran in the dedication service of the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.
I think that the temple of God mentioned in 2Thessalonians is other than the temple in Jerusalem. I think that the temple of God mentioned in 2Thessalonians is the Hagia Sophia which is the most significant Christian Cathedral in the history of the world. Turkish President Erdogan just sat in the Hagia Sophia revealing himself as the Antichrist.
Read my commentary titled Sitting in the temple of God
Read my commentary titled The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
Read my book Presenting the Antichrist and False Prophet
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Three battles called Gog and Magog
Three battles called Gog and Magog
The nations rebel against the God of Israel
By Craig C. White
Yes Gog is Turkey and Magog is it’s ruler. There are three battles that the Bible refers to as “Gog and Magog”. The first is described in Ezekiel chapter 38. In this battle God repels the invaders by using a terrible earthquake, torrential rain, disease, and infighting. I think that this first battle will happen soon. I think that this first battle represents a Turkish led invasion into the Golan Heights in northern Israel. I think that this first battle of Gog and Magog will happen after Turkey invades northwestern Syria and then destroys Damascus. I think that the first battle of Gog and Magog will happen around the time that the Tribulation begins.
The second battle called Gog and Magog is described in Ezekiel chapter 39. In the second battle Jesus kills all of the invaders so that the birds eat their rotting flesh. This is the same as the battle of Armageddon that happens at Jesus second coming at the end of the seven year long Tribulation. There is something to understand here. These first two battles called Gog and Magog have already been modeled for us in the Assyrian conquests of Syria and also northern Israel in 734 BC and then their subsequent conquest of southern Israel in 701 BC. That is why Isaiah chapter 10 and 11:1 connect the ancient Assyrian invasions to the coming day that Jesus takes his throne in Jerusalem. That is why the Antichrist is compared to the ancient Assyrian kings.
Revelation chapter 20 mentions another battle of Gog and Magog that happens after Jesus rules on earth for one thousand years. Here is wisdom! The three battles called Gog and Magog all represent Turkish led invasions into Israel. But that’s not all! These are not regional wars. Turkey is joined by nations from the four quadrants of the old world. The battles of Gog and Magog represent the whole of the gentile world as they all fight against God’s chosen people Israel. That doesn’t mean that every modern nation must be involved in these wars. These wars include nations from multiple regions of the old world.
Turkey is in the geographical center of the old world. As a matter of fact civilization restarted from Mount Ararat in northeastern Turkey after Noah landed his ark there. Turkey is surrounded by Europe to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, Africa to the southwest, and Asia to the southeast. These are the four quadrants of the old world. Turkey is also the geopolitical and spiritual center of all of the nations that have rebelled against the God of Israel.
So the three battles called Gog and Magog are three Turkish led invasions into Israel. In each of these invasions Turkey will lead nations from multiple regions of the old world into Israel. The three battles called Gog and Magog all represent mankind’s rebellion against the one true God, the God of Israel.
Here is something else to consider. We are told that Satan is loose on earth during the Battle of Armageddon and also during the post millennial battle called Gog and Magog mentioned in Revelation chapter 20. Satan directs the nations to war against Israel. It is very possible that Satan will be cast out of heaven before Turkey leads their invasion into the Golan Heights. I am convinced that Turkish President Erdogan is indeed the Antichrist. He has already threatened to remove Syrian President Assad from power in Damascus. He has also threatened to take the Golan heights away from Israel. The Antichrist is already identifiable but the Antichrist will be revealed in a specific way after Satan is cast out of heaven and empowers him directly.
The first battle that is called Gog and Magog in Ezekiel chapter 38 is about to happen. Every nation that is mentioned in Ezekiel chapter 38 is already fighting in Syria. After Turkey invades Syria and destroys Damascus then they will lead these forces into northern Israel. The seven year Tribulation period will follow. The Church will be rescued from the terrible time of trouble that is coming upon the earth. The Resurrection and Rapture must be very near! It is High Time to Awake because our salvation is nearer than when we first believed!
Read my commentary titled Magog Made Easy!
Read all about the battle of Gog and Magog in my book Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon
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Magog vs the overthrow of Jerusalem
Magog vs the overthrow of Jerusalem
Three separate invasions happen before, middle, and end of the Tribulation. Then one last invasion at the end of the millennial reign of Jesus.
By Craig C. White
Ezekiel chapter 38 and 39 do not cover the mid-Tribulation invasion into Jerusalem by the Antichrist. The three battles of Gog and Magog (Eze 38, Eze 39, Rev 20:8) are all about Turkey as it leads the nations from the four corners of the old world into Israel.
The Ezekiel 38 invasion is repelled by God as he uses the forces of nature against Turkey, Iran, Libya, and Sudan. It could be that Jesus will return in person to fight against these invaders and also to collect his Church. I think that the Ezekiel 38 invasion will happen in the Golan Heights. Iran, Libya, and Sudan are all fighting in the Golan Heights of Syria now.
The Ezekiel 39 invasion into Israel is the same as the battle of Armageddon that happens at the end of the Tribulation. Jesus will return at his second coming to defeat the armies that have gathered against Israel.
At the end of the millennial rule of Jesus Christ, Satan will be loosed from hell. Turkey will once again lead the nations against Israel.
The mid-Tribulation invasion of Judea and Jerusalem by the Antichrist is one of the MAJOR themes that Jesus Christ taught in the Gospels. This invasion is modeled after the 167 BC invasion by Antiochus Epiphanies (Dan 8:9-11). Turkey along with Sudan and Libya will enter Israel from Egypt to go house to house taking every other Jew as prisoner. In that way, one shall be taken and the other left. Jerusalem will be overrun by its enemies for three and one half years.
Read my commentary titled Jesus will fight on the Golan Heights
Read my commentary titled Magog Made Easy!
Read my book Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon
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Many Bible prophecies have multiple fulfillments
Many Bible prophecies have multiple fulfillments
By Craig C. White
Many Bible prophecies have multiple fulfillments. Here are a few examples.
In the verse below, the Prophet Hosea recounts Israel’s exodus out of Egypt. That was a big event but it was also prophetic.
Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
In Matthew we are told that Hosea’s words also apply to Jesus Christ when he was a young boy. Jesus and his parents fled out of Israel to Egypt when King Herod tried to kill all the young boys in Bethlehem. A few years later Jesus returned to the land of Israel from Egypt.
Mat 2:14-15 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
I think that there is also a future fulfillment of Hosea’s prophecy. At Jesus Christ’s second coming Jesus won’t immediately land on the Mount of Olives like so many teach. But God will once again call his son out of Egypt. I think that Jesus Christ’s path of vengeance will follow the same trail that the people of Israel took as they escaped out of Egypt. Read my commentary titled “Revelation Wrath Path”.
The Prophet Daniel predicted the coming of an evil ruler who would put a stop to the temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. In 167 BC the Grecian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled this prophecy by attacking Jerusalem and stopping the Jewish sacrifices in order to make sacrifices to himself as God. Daniel 12:11 calls this event the “abomination that maketh desolate”. However in Matthew chapter 24 we are told that the “abomination of desolation” is also a future event.
Dan 8:11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Sometime in the near future a new temple will be built in Jerusalem and animal sacrifices will resume. At the beginning of Jerusalem’s great tribulation (Mat 24:21) the Antichrist will attack Jerusalem, kill or capture many of the Jews living there, and then put an end to the temple sacrifices by defiling the temple. Just for your information, a 3D rendering of the new temple can now be seen on Google maps.
Mat 24:15-16 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
The Prophet Isaiah predicted the destruction of Damascus Syria. The Assyrian Empire did conquer Damascus in 734 BC. Some Bible teachers say that that was the complete fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The Assyrians conquered Damascus and burned several towns nearby but the city of Damascus was not completely destroyed. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Damascus has never been reduced to rubble so this prophecy evidently still has a future fulfillment.
Isa 17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
One hundred years after the Assyrians conquered Damascus the Prophet Jeremiah gave another prediction about the destruction of Damascus. Obviously this prophecy could not apply to the Assyrian conquest of Damascus since it was given much later.
Jer 49:24-25 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. 25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar did conquer Damascus in 605 BC but he did not destroy the city. The prophecies about the destruction of Damascus, Syria do have partial fulfillment in ancient history but they have not been completely fulfilled yet. The utter destruction of Damascus is still future. Today the neighborhoods and towns around Damascus have been reduced to rubble. It seems likely that one day soon the neighborhood called “Old Damascus” will be also become a ruinous heap. Read my commentary titled “Old Damascus neighborhood must be destroyed”.
There are many more examples where Bible prophecy has multiple fulfillments. Here are a couple of other instances that I believe have been overlooked up until now. The Prophet Nahum predicted the flooding and destruction of the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh. Nineveh was flooded and thoroughly plundered in 612 BC. Today the ruins of ancient Nineveh lay within the city limits of Mosul in northern Iraq. Mosul is the hometown and headquarters of ISIS. ISIS is attempting to recreate the Assyrian Empire. The Prophet Nahum said that the Assyrian Empire would not rise a second time. Today the Mosul dam is in danger of bursting. The Prophet Nahum may also predict the flooding of ISIS in Mosul. Read my commentary titled “The End of ISIS is near!”
Beginning in 734 BC the Assyrian Empire conquered Damascus Syria and then invaded northern Israel. I think that these ancient battles are models for the future destruction of Damascus and the following Turkish led invasion into Israel that is described in Ezekiel chapter 38. Every nation that Ezekiel 38:5 says will be led into Israel is now fighting in the Golan Heights of Syria. The Turkish Army has already entered Syria. Turkish President Erdogan has confirmed his intentions to remove Syrian President Assad from power in Damascus. Also the UN has told Israel that they must give the Golan Heights back to Syria. Jeremiah 49:23-27 describes an invasion into northwestern Syria coming from the Turkish border. Turkey will destroy Damascus and then lead an invasion into the Golan Heights of Israel soon. Read my commentary titled “Magog Made Easy!”
Many Bible prophecies have multiple fulfillment’s.
Read all about what is coming in my BIG Book of Bible Prophecy
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The nations are disquieted over Syria
The nations are disquieted over Syria
verse by verse through Jeremiah 49:23-27
By Craig C. White
The Prophet Jeremiah asks the question “How is Damascus not there?”. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. One day it will no longer exist.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
What is Jeremiah telling us? Obviously this prophecy is concerning Damascus, Syria. In the verse above, Jeremiah mentions two cities. Hamath and Arpad (or modern day Tell Rifaat) are both located in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border. Today Hamah is Syria’s fifth largest city.. Hamah is further south but still close to the Turkish border. Arpad is modern day Tell Rifaat located about 25 miles north of Aleppo and about 20 miles south of the Turkish border. These cities are located along the path of an invasion launched from Turkey headed towards Damascus.
According to Jeremiah 49:23 the people of northwestern Syria will hear intelligence reports that the Turkish army is about to invade Syria. The army’s target is Damascus and they are coming through their cities! The people of northwestern Syria are terrified. Their hearts faint with fear
There is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. The sea in Bible prophecy can refer to the Mediterranean Sea when it is accompanied with the definite article “the”. The sea can also refer to the nations. There is no article used here in the original Hebrew. I think that Jeremiah is saying that the nations will have great anxiety over the coming Turkish invasion into Syria. The Hebrew word translated sorrow means anxiety, fearfulness, carefulness, or heaviness.
So the nations will be very nervous concerning the coming Turkish invasion into Syria. The Turkish army’s goal is the destruction of Damascus. The English says it well here. The nations will not be able to be still. The Hebrew word translated quiet is defined below. The nations of the world will not be able to be at rest. They are already feeling uneasy concerning Syria.
quiet – shâqat, shaw-kat’
A primitive root; to repose (usually figuratively): – appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet (-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.
Jeremiah 49:24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
Damascus is waxed feeble. This is the idea of failing in your old age. Damascus is about to die. Damascus turneth herself to flee. This could refer to the city preparing to relinquish its life and it could also refer to the cities inhabitants as they attempt to escape.
The Hebrew word translated fear means to tremble with terror. Anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail; literally Damascus is feeling a localized tightness like a woman about to give birth.
Jeremiah 49:25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Two different Hebrew words for city are used in the verse above. The city of praise is a fortified city that has been celebrated in song. When God says “how is the city not left” he could be communicating his astonishment that even after a terrible assault on Damascus, the city has still not surrendered. When God calls Damascus “the city of my joy!” he is specifically saying that he delights in the cities old buildings. So we are looking for the destruction of the old part of the city. The neighborhood of “Old Damascus” is the capital of Syria. Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city on earth. It was founded by the Aramaeans over four thousand years ago, and was inhabited two thousand years before that. Damascus is a living depiction of human history.
Jeremiah 49:26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
In this verse the young men are contrasted to the men of war. The men of war obviously represent the Syrian Army. Lately Syrian citizens have joined Assad and the Syrian Army to help defend their country. The Syrian National Defense Force is a newly formed civilian guard. I think that the Syrian National Defense Force could be represented by the young men in this verse.
It sounds like the young men of Damascus will stay behind to defend the city. Perhaps they will be the first line of defense. The young men of Damascus will die in its streets. The Syrian Army will be bunkered in Damascus. When God says that all the men of war shall be cut off he means that every Syrian soldier will die defending Damascus. Jeremiah isn’t necessarily saying that this assault on Damascus will last only one day. That day refers to the entire duration be it one day or longer.
Jeremiah 49:27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.
The phrase “kindle a fire” leads many to imagine a nuclear explosion but that is not what is pictured here. The terminology “kindle a fire” is used in several other Bible passages. The terminology “kindle a fire” mean that God will send an army against a city or a nation. I think that God will send the Turkish army against Damascus.
Many so called Bible scholars claim that the destruction of Damascus has already taken place. They say that the Assyrian conquest of Damascus in 734 BC fulfills the Damascus prophecy. Well Damascus was conquered by Assyria in 734 BC and several cities around Damascus were burned with fire but Damascus has never been completely destroyed.
Jeremiah was a prophet around 600 BC. Jeremiah gave his prophecy one hundred years after Assyria conquered Damascus. So the Assyrian conquest of Damascus can not possibly fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecy. The Assyrians conquered Damascus in 734 BC. I think that Jeremiah is prophesying about an invasion of Damascus that is forming now.
In Jeremiah 49:27, The palaces of Benhadad refer to the ancient thrones of Syrian Kings in Damascus. Like the ancient invasion, this future invasion will also destroy Syria’s seat of government in the neighborhood of Old Damascus.
So the Turkish army will march down from Syria’s northwestern border terrorizing cities along the way. Their goal is the destruction of Damascus. The nations of the world will be in a tumult. They will not be able to calm down. Damascus will prepare to die. The people will flee and the young men and army will fight to the death never surrendering. The oldest city on earth will be destroyed along with its historical buildings. Jeremiah describes a city under siege not a city obliterated by a single bomb.
Listen to “The nations are disquieted over Syria” on Spreaker.https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js
For a verse by verse study read Isaiah 17 predicts the destruction of Damascus
Read my new book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible Prophecy
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Revelation 13 Wounded
Revelation 13 Wounded
You do that boo-boo that you do so well!
Revelation 13:1-3
By Craig C. White
In interpreting Revelation 13 there is a popular idea that the Antichrist will recover from a fatal wound. Are we looking for a man who has been wounded and lived? No. We are looking for an empire that has been wounded and lives again? We are looking for a revived gentile world empire similar to the ancient Roman Empire or perhaps the Ottoman Empire. Notice in the verse below that one of the beast’s heads was wounded. Heads in this verse represent world empires. Horns represent kings. The king isn’t wounded. The empire is wounded and revives again. We are not looking for a man with a wounded head. We are looking for a revived gentile world empire!
Revelation 13:1-3 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Revelation 17:10-11 identifies a revived Ottoman Empire as the end time empire that will oppress Israel during the Tribulation period.
Rev 17:10-11 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
There were seven world empires throughout history. According to Revelation 17:10 five world empires had fallen at the time of the disciple John, and the Roman Empire was in existence, and a seventh world empire had not yet come. Revelation 17:11 tells us that the eighth world empire will come out of the seventh. The only other world empire was the Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire ended in 1923. A revived Ottoman Empire will be the end time empire that will oppress Israel. Turkish President Erdogan is feverishly working to revive the Ottoman Empire. Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist.
We are not looking for a wounded Antichrist. We are looking for a revived Ottoman Empire.
For more on the New World Order read The Leopard is Upon Us!
For more about the Antichrist read The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
Read both of these commentaries in my new eBook The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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BIG Map of Bible Prophecy
BIG Map of Bible Prophecy
By Craig C. White
The BIG Map of Bible Prophecy shows the nations that are mentioned by name in the Bible with the exception of Russia. These are the nations of the old world. These are the nations that were settled by Noah’s children and grandchildren after the flood. When the Bible refers to the nations, or to the gentiles, or to “those who dwell on earth” it is specifically referencing these nations.
Here is wisdom. While interpreting Bible prophecy don’t jump to the conclusion that a phrase like “all nations” necessarily means every nation in the world. In most cases the Bible identifies the nations of the old world; the first nations to be settled after the flood of Noah.
Here are a couple of examples. Revelation chapter 13 describes the next world empire that will be ruled by the Antichrist. But don’t think that the Antichrist will rule the entire world. He won’t. Like every past world empire, the next world empire will cover the geographic region of the old world nations. Every past world empire included roughly the areas of southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa. A world empire is required to contain a contiguous geographic area covering multiple regions of the old world.
Revelation 13:3 tells us that the next world empire will be composed of the last past World Empire that has been reestablished. The Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire was the last world empire. So the next world empire will cover the same geographic area that the Ottoman Empire covered. This is roughly the same area that is shown on the BIG Map of Bible Prophecy. This is the area that will be ruled over by the Antichrist. By the way, Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist.
The following verse is identifying the people and nations of the old world. It is not saying that the Antichrist will rule the entire world.
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Revelation chapter 13 also describes a false religious order along with a false prophet that will cause the world to worship the next world empire and its ruler. When the Bible references “those who dwell in the earth” it is always identifying the old world nations who are rebellious towards Israel and its God. So the following verse is telling us that the False Prophet will cause people in the Islamic nations to worship the next world empire. It follows that the False Prophet will be an Islamic Cleric. I think that Turkish Muslim Cleric Fethullah Gulen is the False Prophet.
Revelation 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
The defunct Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire will be reconstituted. Today that is the heart’s desire of both Turkish President Erdogan and also of Turkish Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.
Here is another quick example. I think that the city called Mystery Babylon is Mecca in Saudi Arabia. We are told that Mystery Babylon will be destroyed by Iran just before Jesus Christ’s second coming. In the verse below, we are told that this city reigns over the kings of the earth. The word that is translated as “reigneth” in Revelation 17:18 means “to have or to hold”. Mecca is the center of Islamic worship. So Mecca has great influence over the Islamic nations. The kings of the earth aren’t the kings of every nation but they are the kings of the old world nations. They are the kings of the Islamic nations.
Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The BIG Map of Bible Prophecy shows the nations that are mentioned by name in Bible Prophecy. Today these nations represent the Islamic world. The Islamic world will be at the heart of the next world empire. I think that Daniel chapter 7 and Revelation 13:2 describes the European Union, a new Russian Union, and a coming Islamic Union as they combine to form the next world empire. Notice that this world empire does not cover the entire world.
Note: Russia is not identified by name in the Bible. I have included Russia on this map because I think that a Russian Union is described as a bear in Daniel 7:5 and also in Revelation 13:2. I don’t think that Russia is identified whatsoever in the Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 battles of Gog and Magog. Gog is Turkey and Magog is its ruler.
I want to point out three paths that are designated by arrows and dots on the BIG Map of Bible Prophecy.
First, the black dots represent the path that the Turkish Army will follow on their way to destroy Damascus and then invade Israel. Turkey will begin their warpath by harassing the northwestern Syria cities of Hamah and Tell Rifaat. The Turkish Army is amassing near Hamah and Tell Rifaat now. Jeremiah 49:23-27 is all about the Turkish Army as they march from northwestern Syria southward to destroy Damascus. In Jeremiah 49:23 below, the city of Tell Rifaat is called Arpad. Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over Syria.
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Ezekiel chapter 38 describes Turkey as they lead an invasion into Israel. Every nation that is listed in Ezekiel chapter 38 is now fighting in Syria. Read my commentary titled Magog Made Easy!
Next let’s talk about the path represented by the white dots. After Turkey destroys Damascus then I think that they will lead the forces that are fighting in Syria into the Golan Heights of Israel. The Golan Heights are located just thirty miles south of Damascus.
Nahum 1:4 describes Jesus Christ as he passes over the Golan Heights. As he passes he will burn the ground with a fiery heat. The book of Nahum is mostly about the destruction and flooding of ancient Nineveh. Today Nineveh is called Mosul in northern Iraq. Mosul is the hometown and headquarters of ISIS. I think that when the Turkish Army reaches the Golan Heights then Jesus will return in the air to turn back the armies that Turkey has led into northern Israel. Jesus will then travel to Mosul to flood the city and judge the ISIS fighters that have gathered there for one last rebellion. This is the same path that Jonah took to Nineveh. Jesus promised the religious leaders of his day that he would give them the sign of Jonah (Mat 12:39). Read my commentary titled Jesus will fight on the Golan Heights.
Now let’s talk about the path that is represented by the yellow dots on our map. I think that this is the path that Jesus will follow when he returns at his second coming. This is the same path that Israel took when they left Egypt. If you will remember, Israel was led by a pillar of cloud and fire. So God himself determined Israel’s route of travel. This foretold Jesus Christ’s own route when he returns to defeat Israel’s enemies. Read my commentary titled Revelation Wrath Path.
Lastly I would like to point out that the Psalm 83 war will take place in Jordan at the end of the Tribulation period. Psalm 83 is a cry for God’s help by the Jews who have fled from Judea (the region around Jerusalem) when they saw the armies of the Antichrist approaching Jerusalem. The Bible says that the residents of Judea must flee when they see a sign in the temple called the abomination of desolation.
Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
The residents of Judea will take refuge in the Moab region of Jordan for three and one half years. At the end of that time Jordan, Lebanon, and northern Iraq will conspire together to finally eliminate the last remaining enclave of Jews. Read my commentary titled Psalm 83 War.
I want to leave you with one last thought. Turkey is in position to begin their march to Damascus and to the Golan Heights. I think that Jesus will return to cause them to retreat. At that time Jesus will also collect his Church. There is a terrible time coming upon Israel and also upon all the world! But as you can see from the following verse; the Tribulation will come primarily upon the old world nations that have rebelled against the God of Israel.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Jesus is coming soon!
As you study the BIG Map of Bible Prophecy read my commentaries…
The nations are disquieted over Syria
The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
Jesus will fight on the Golan Heights
Bashan Carmel and Lebanon – Nahum 1:4 Map
Mystery Babylon: Party till you Perish
North quarters refers to the northern provinces of Turkey
Will the mark of the beast be worldwide?
Read my BIG Book of Bible Prophecy
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It’s easy to see who the Antichrist is
It’s easy to see who the Antichrist is
Because the Bible tells us what he will do
By Craig C. White
Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. It is easy to see. The Antichrist will reestablish the Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire. Top Muslim clerics from almost every Islamic nation have already pledged their allegiance to Erdogan as their promised Mahdi. Erdogan has built the largest Mosque in Turkey for himself on the Bosporus between the seas in Istanbul (Dan 11:45). Erdogan is the “Assyrian” which is a type of the Antichrist. The Antichrist isn’t from Assyria (or northern Iraq today). But the Antichrist will do the same things that the Assyrian kings did. He will conquer Syria (and destroy Damascus; Jeremiah 49:23). He will then invade northern Israel (Ezekiel 38).
Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Turkish President Erdogan has promised to remove Syrian President Assad from power in Damascus. Jeremiah tells us that the destruction of Damascus will begin at Hamah and Arpad in northwestern Syria. The Turkish Army is already amassed near Hamah and Tell-Rifaat (Tell Rifaat is called Arpad in Jer 49:23). Erdogan said that the Turkish Army could attack Tell-Rifaat at any moment. The Turkish Army is also now in Idlib, Syria. Idlib is located just to the north of Hamah. The Turkish Army is about to attack Hamah and Tell-Rifaat (Arpad) just like the Prophet Jeremiah said. Then the Turkish Army along with its Al-Qaeda allies will march southward to destroy Damascus.
Turkish President Erdogan has also called on the Islamic nations to take back the Golan Heights. After Turkey destroys Damascus they will lead the forces that are now fighting in Syria into northern Israel. Every nation that Ezekiel 38:5 lists is now fighting in Syria; namely Iran (Iranian Guard and Hezbollah), Sudan and Libya (Free Syrian Army).
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
It is no secret that Turkish President Erdogan intends to reestablish the Ottoman Empire with himself as its ruler. According to Revelation 13:3 the seventh world empire (or the Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire) will be healed. The first nation on Erdogan’s hit list is Syria with Egypt following closely behind. Once Turkey conquers Syria, Erdogan says that he will install a Muslim Brotherhood leader there. Then Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran will form a Union (Rev 9:14) with other Islamic nations following like Libya and Sudan.
Daniel 11:42 tells us that the Antichrist will conquer northern Africa and that Egypt will not escape.
Dan 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
Turkish President Erdogan has promised to reinstate Muslim Brotherhood leadership back into power in Egypt. Turkey is building a large naval personnel carrier for that purpose. Daniel 11:42 says that Libya and Sudan will be in league with the Antichrist as he invades northern Africa. Libya and Sudan are already fighting alongside Turkey in Syria today. The Bible tells us that all of these things are the actions of the Antichrist. Turkish President Erdogan has told the world that he will do all of these things. Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. It is easy to see.
The next thing that will happen is the attack on Hamah and Tell-Rifaat along with the closely following destruction of Damascus. Then Turkey will lead the forces that are now fighting in Syria into the Golan Heights of Israel only thirty miles away from Damascus. I would expect to see Jesus Christ at that time!
Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over SyriaRead my book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible Prophecy
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High Time to Awake 