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You don’t set up a person – Sitting in the temple of God is different than standing in the Holy place
You don’t set up a person
Sitting in the temple of God is different than standing in the Holy place
By Craig C. White
Most everybody assumes that the temple of God in 2Thessalonians 2:4 is the end time Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
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.
If you read 2Thessalonians chapter 2 you will see that the apostle Paul does not specify that this temple is either Jewish or is located in Jerusalem. There is no mention of temple sacrifice and no warning for those in Judea to flee. The word that is translated as temple can refer to any temple or shrine.
Another thing, in 2Thessalonians chapter 2 Paul says that two events must happen before the Tribulation period can begin. They are the fall of Satan from heaven to earth and the revealing of the Antichrist as he sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God. So these events happen before the Tribulation.
On the other hand the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place will happen during the middle of the seven year long Tribulation period. The abomination of desolation will start Jerusalem’s three and one half years of great tribulation (Matthew 24:21). So if we think about it the Antichrist sitting in the temple of God will happen at a different time than the abomination of desolation.
Another thing to consider is that the Antichrist will sit while the abomination of desolation will stand or be set up. Sitting is different than standing and you don’t set up a person. In Matthew the abomination will stand in the holy place.
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 Daniel the abomination of desolation will be set up. This is different than sitting in the temple of God. You don’t need to set up a person who is sitting. Haven’t you ever wondered about this?
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.
Today we can clear our minds of all confusion because the Antichrist has already sat in the temple of God showing himself that he is God. On July 24th 2020 Turkish President Erdogan sat in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul Turkey exalting himself above Christ. According to 2Thessalonians 2:4 Erdogan officially revealed himself as the Antichrist. That means that the Tribulation period can now begin. It is High Time to Awake!
Read my commentary titled Is the Antichrist “sitting in the temple of God” the same as “the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy place”?
Read my book Presenting the Antichrist and False Prophet
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Nahum 1:4 Map – Bashan Carmel and Lebanon
Nahum 1:4 Map
Bashan Carmel and Lebanon
By Craig C. White
Why are the areas around Damascus and the Golan Heights mentioned in conjunction with the flooding and judgment of ancient Nineveh? Nineveh was destroyed with a flood in 612 BC. Today Mosul in northern Iraq is built around the ruins of ancient Nineveh. The Prophet Nahum predicted the flooding of Nineveh he may also predict the flooding of ISIS in Mosul! In Nahum it seems that Jesus Christ will personally judge ISIS in Mosul.
Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
While describing the flooding of Nineveh the Prophet Nahum also mentions these other places; Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon. Is it possible that Jesus will judge these places in person when he comes to collect his Church at the Rapture?
Nahum 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. 5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. 6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. 7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
It is interesting to note that all of these places are the scenes of end time events that I believe will happen around the same time. I think that the flooding of Mosul (Nahum), and the destruction of Damascus (Jer 49:23-27), and the following Turkish led invasion into (northern) Israel (Eze 38) will all happen just before the Tribulation begins. The scene is set for all of these events to happen now!
Nahum also says that as the Lord comes in his anger that he knows who belongs to him (Nahum 1:7). Could this be describing the Rapture?
Read my book 2017 The Year of Fulfillment
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Kir is Kerak – Damascus refugees will soon flee to Kerak, Jordan!
Kir is Kerak
Damascus refugees will soon flee to Kerak, Jordan!
By Craig C. White
The Prophet Amos condemned Damascus. He said that God would send an army against Damascus and that the Syrian people would become refugees in Jordan. This prophecy was fulfilled when Tiglath-pileser the Assyrian king conquered Damascus (734 B.C.) and carried the Syrian (Aramean) captives away to Kir (mountainous region in western Jordan). However, like many bible prophecies this may also refer to a current event. Today the city of Kir in Jordan is called Kerak. Kerak is in south western Jordan east of the Dead Sea. It has a population of about 20,000. Not including the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees already there.The citizens of Kerak are poor and mostly Christian. By the way Kerak is in the Moab region of Jordan and is very likely where the Judean refugees will flee during Jerusalem’s Great Tribulation!
There are about 600,000 Syrian refugees in western Jordan today. This is further evidence that the destruction of Damascus as described in the bible is eminent. It is also evidence that the God of Israel is the one true God and that we all had better heed his word and we had also better humble ourselves before him while there is still time! In Amos 1:5 the plain of Aven is a valley in the northeast part of Lebanon near the Syrian border. Today it is called the Bekaa valley. It has been suggested that Saddam Hussein hid WMD’s here before the invasion of Iraq.
Amo 1:3-5 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: 4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad. 5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
God used the terminology to send a fire to mean that the Assyrian army would besiege the city. Just as the ancient Assyrians assaulted the city in 734 BC, I think that the Turkish army will do likewise soon. The palaces of Benhadad refer to the ancient thrones of Syrian Kings in Damascus. Like the ancient invasion, this future invasion will also destroy Damascus’ seat of government in the old part of Damascus.
Tens of thousands of Syrians have already taken refuge in Kir (or Kerak) in western Jordan. Many more will join them as Damascus flees. Bible prophecies are coming true. There is a terrible time of Satan’s anger and of God’s judgement coming on all of the world. It is High Time to surrender your soul into God’s care.
Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 also predict the destruction of Damascus, Syria. They both offer details that can be observed today!
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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Bible prophecy is lining up in Syria
Bible prophecy is lining up in Syria
It wouldn’t be surprising if this happens in the next couple of months
By Craig C. White
IDLIB, Syria – March 20, 2021 – Turkish President Erdogan expects the West (the EU as well as the US) to “adopt a clear position against the YPG (Kurdish forces in northern Syria)” and support “the legitimate Syrian opposition. (Al-Qaeda in the Idlib province)”
Since Turkey has failed to keep its part of the bargain in northwestern Syria; namely to dismantle Al-Qaeda opposition forces in Idlib province, Turkish President Erdogan is now requesting support from the West before Russia and Syria begin a full force attack. It would not be surprising if this attack would begin in the next couple of months.
Erdogan is threatening Europe with another wave of jihadi refugees and is offering the US an opportunity to thwart Russian influence in Syria. Erdogan is offering the US the services of the less expensive Turkish military to push back the Syrian army. In exchange the US would have to fend off Russian intervention.
US President Joe Biden recently called Russian President Putin a “killer”. It seems that President Biden wants to throw Russia out of Ukraine. A task that is certain to end in failure. Just the same, Biden would welcome the opportunity to check Russian influence in Syria especially at Turkey’s expense.
Bible prophecy is lining up in Syria. The Turkish army has set up seventy military positions in Idlib province in northwestern Syria. Idlib province is situated between Hamah province to the west and Tell Rifaat to the east. The Turkish army is aligned against the Syrian army in Hamah and against the Kurds in Tell Rifaat.
Jeremiah 49:23-27 says that when Hamah and Tell Rifaat hear evil reports then the residents of Damascus will flee and Damascus will be destroyed. Turkey is preparing to do this and they are expecting the US to help them.
Read this article on Al-Monitor: What lies behind Erdogan’s Syria offer to the West?
Read my commentary titled The nations are disquieted over Syria
Read my book The complete guide to Syria in end time Bible Prophecy
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The Great Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul is being rebuilt
The Great Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul is being rebuilt
By Craig C. White
The Al-Nuri Mosque is one of Iraq’s oldest mosques built in 1172 AD and is famous for its leaning minaret.
In July 2014 ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the formation of his Islamic Caliphate from the pulpit of the Al-Nuri Mosque. During the battle for Mosul in June 2017 ISIS blew up the Al-Nuri Mosque as part of their jihad to destroy historic monuments.
So the ancient Al-Nuri Mosque is being rebuilt. Why am I telling you this? Because the book of Nahum chronicles the destruction of ancient Nineveh. The ruins of Nineveh lay in the middle of Mosul today. The Assyrians in Nineveh were destroyed by a flood and then pillaged by the Babylonians and Medes. I think that Nahum also predicts the destruction and flooding of ISIS in Mosul. Nahum says that the palace will be dissolved during the destruction of Nineveh and Mosul. The palace of Assyrian King Sennacherib was inundated with water during the flooding of Nineveh in 612 BC. Interestingly Sennacherib’s palace was rediscovered in Mosul in 2017 after ISIS was defeated in Mosul.
So Nahum says that the palace will be dissolved when Mosul is flooded. By definition a palace is a building with a large meeting hall. I expect Jesus Christ to return to stop an invasion into Israel that will be led by Turkey. After Jesus returns to northern Israel in a whirlwind of fire then he will travel to Mosul to destroy ISIS as they make one last stand in Mosul. This is the same path that Jonah took to Nineveh. When Jesus returns I think that he will burst the Mosul dam sending a seventy foot tall wall of water over Mosul. The rebuilt Al-Nuri Mosque may be the palace that Nahum identifies or perhaps Sennacherib’s rediscovered palace will finally be completely dissolved.
Read my commentary titled Showdown at Al-Nuri Mosque
View this photo essay on RUDAW: Famed mosque destroyed in recapture of Mosul from ISIS undergoes reconstruction
Read my book The End of ISIS is Near!
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Egypt shall not escape
Egypt shall not escape
The Antichrist will invade Egypt then Israel.
Daniel 11:40-45
By Craig C. White
There is a movement in Northern Africa and the Middle East to bring the region under an Islamist umbrella. Egypt has loosed the bands of the Muslim Brotherhood for now, but ultimately Egypt will not escape. During the first half of the seven year Tribulation period Turkey will conquer Egypt!
Antiochus Epiphanies was the king over one quarter of the Grecian Empire headquartered in Syria. Antiochus Epiphanies is a forerunner and type of the Antichrist. The Antichrist will do many of the same things that Antiochus Epiphanies did.
Ezekiel 39:1 identifies the primary governor (or chief prince) of Turkey as the future invader of Israel. Ezekiel chapter 39 describes the battle of Armageddon led by the Antichrist. So a Turkish ruler will be the Antichrist. The battle of Armageddon happens at the end of the seven year Tribulation period.
Daniel chapter 11 describes the invasion into Egypt and then into Israel that happened in 167 BC led by Antiochus Epiphanies. I think that Daniel chapter 11 also predicts a future invasion into Egypt and then into Israel led by the Antichrist. This isn’t the battle of Armageddon. Instead it is the attack that begins the Great Tribulation (Mat 24:21). This invasion into Egypt and then Israel happens in the middle of the seven year Tribulation period. In Daniel 11 below, the king of the south is Egypt. The king of the north is Turkey in this future invasion into Egypt and then into Israel!
Dan 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
So Turkey will invade Egypt and even come into Israel (the glorious land). It sounds like Turkey will conquer all of Northern Africa and the Middle East except for Jordan. Edom, Moab, and Ammon all represent today’s Jordan.
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.
The Antichrist (Turkish Prime Minister) will loot Egypt of its treasures. Turkey will be joined in its conquests by Libya and Sudan.
Dan 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
Remember that this account refers to two separate invasions of Egypt and then Israel. In 167 BC Antiochus Epiphanies heard news of a Jewish effort to take control of the temple in Jerusalem. He then invaded Israel to stop it. Turkey will invade Egypt in the future led by the Antichrist. He will probably also hear news from Jerusalem concerning the newly built temple.
Here is a historical account of Antiochus Epiphanies’ attack on Israel in 167 BC. The Turkish Antichrist will attack Israel in much the same way.
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.
Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
The seas described in this verse are typically thought to be the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is between the two seas. The glorious holy mountain is Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. In 167 BC Antiochus Epiphanies took-over the temple in Jerusalem and declared that he should be worshiped as god. In the future the Antichrist will take-over the temple in Jerusalem and declare that he should be worshiped there. This verse reflects the desecration of the temple spoken of in Dan 12:11 and referenced in Mat 24:15-16. When the Jews around Jerusalem see the Antichrist claiming to be god in the temple at Jerusalem then they are instructed to flee to the hills of Jordan!
In the middle of the Tribulation the Antichrist will attack Israel. This begins Jerusalem’s Great Tribulation (Mat 24:21)! Just before his armies invade Israel they will invade Egypt and carry away their treasures. So when Israel sees Turkey invade Egypt they will have an advanced warning that they will be attacked next!
Today Egypt has seemingly avoided a Muslim Brotherhood takeover but in the end the entire Middle East and northern Africa will be under the control of the Antichrist. Lately Turkish President Erdogan has expressed Turkey’s willingness to fight in northern Africa.
PS: Daniel chapter 11 doesn’t describe the other Turkish led invasion into Israel that is described in Ezekiel chapter 38. Turkey will first invade Syria and destroy Damascus. Then Turkey will lead Iran, Sudan, and Libya into Israel. All of these forces are fighting in Syria today! I think that this invasion will begin soon!
Very interesting to read and hard to stop. – Alexandria
Read about Israel’s Great Tribulation in my book Israel’s Beacon of Hope.
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We should expect to see a bright shining light in the heavens as Satan hurtles though space towards earth!
We should expect to see a bright shining light in the heavens as Satan hurtles though space towards earth!
By Craig C. White
Considering the fact that world events suggest a near time destruction of Damascus and a subsequent Turkish led invasion into Israel, this has been on my mind more of late. Before Turkey leads the forces that are now fighting in Syria into northern Israel, we should expect to see a bright shining light in the heavens as Satan hurtles though space towards earth!
I know that everybody thinks that “a falling away” in 2Thessalonians 2:3 is the apostasy of the Church but everybody is WRONG! A falling away is the casting out of Satan from heaven to earth. Satan must fall from heaven before he can empower the Antichrist. These two things must happen before the Tribulation begins. So Christians really should not be surprised when they see Satan falling through outer space like lightning. But I’m certain that they will be.
We are going to begin in a strange place with the battle of Gog and Magog but I promise you that we will end up back in 2Thessalonians.
There are three battles called “Gog and Magog” in the Bible. We know that Satan is on earth deceiving the nations to attack Israel for two of them. The first battle of Gog and Magog is described in Ezekiel chapter 38 and seems to be forming now in Syria. The second battle of Gog and Magog is described in Ezekiel chapter 39 and will happen at the end of the seven year Tribulation period. Ezekiel 39 describes the same battle as the battle of Armageddon. We know that Satan will empower the Antichrist to oppress Israel during the Tribulation. So Satan is cast out of heaven well before the battle of Armageddon.
Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
The third battle of Gog and Magog is described in Revelation chapter 20 and will happen after Jesus Christ rules on earth for one thousand years. Satan is let out of hell before that battle begins!
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Every battle of Gog and Magog represents the collective rebellion of the original nations of the old world (primarily the nations from northern Africa to India). These are the Islamic nations of today. Satan will lead these nations against Israel.
So if Satan will be on earth to lead the nations into Israel during two of these battles; then we should expect Satan to be on earth during the first battle of Gog and Magog as well. We should expect Satan to be cast out of heaven and to fall to earth like lightning before Turkey leads the forces that are now fighting in Syria into the Golan Heights of northern Israel!
Jesus said…
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
The word that is translated as “lightning” means to glare or shine brightly. So Jesus is describing a bright shining light rather than a brief flash like that of a lightning bolt.
The fall of Satan is a recurring theme in the Old Testament.
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
The King of Tyre is compared to Satan.
Eze 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Yes Satan has fallen from his previous estate as one of God’s most glorious angels. BUT Satan is still in heaven.
Jesus said this just before he went to the cross
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Two thousand years latter God has not yet judged the world and Satan has not yet been cast out of heaven.
There will be a war in heaven and Satan will be cast out. This happens some time before God establishes his kingdom on earth. We know that Satan will be on earth during the Tribulation period; even before the Tribulation begins. So it is possible that Satan will be cast out of heaven before the Rapture. I think that we will see that happen very soon.
Rev 12:7-12 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Satan had already fallen from his initial state of glory but was still traveling between heaven and earth during the time of Job.
Job 2:1-2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
We should expect to see a bright shining light in the heavens as Satan hurtles though space towards the earth!
According to 2Thessalonians; two events must happen before the Tribulation begins. These two events are a “falling away” (or the falling of Satan from heaven to earth) and the revealing of the Antichrist with blasphemy against the God of Israel and his son Jesus Christ, and also with fake miracles.
2Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The Christians in Thessalonica were worried that the Rapture had not happened. They thought that the Tribulation had begun. The apostle Paul assured them that the Tribulation had not begun because Satan had not yet fallen from heaven to earth so that he could empower the Antichrist.
When you see the bright shining light hurtling through space towards earth, recognize it as Satan falling. I think that we should expect to see this soon!
Update November 2020: Satan has fallen. The Antichrist has been revealed. I wrote this commentary back in January 2018. Things have happened since then. The Comet Neowise was a bright comet that passed by earth in July 2020. Neowise was discovered on March 27, 2020. The Comet Neowise was at its nearest proximity to earth on the same day that Turkish President Erdogan sat in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey dedicating it into a mosque. On July 24th 2020 Turkish President Erdogan sat in the 1700 year old Hagia Sophia Cathedral showing himself that he is greater than everything that is called Christian. According to 2Thessalonians 2:4 this is how the Antichrist will be officially revealed.
Read my book The Fall of Satan and Rise of the Antichrist
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Who were the Merchants of Tarshish?
Who were the Merchants of Tarshish?
Tyre’s island fortress
Ezekiel 38:13
By Craig C. White
According to Ezekiel 38:5 Turkey will lead Libya, Iran, and Sudan in an invasion into Israel. All of these nations are fighting in Syria today. I think that Turkey will invade Syria, destroy Damascus, and then lead these nations in an invasion into Israel! Three other nations are also mentioned in Ezekiel 38:13. Two are easy to identify. One is not so easy. They are Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish. Sheba and Dedan are easily identified as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; but who are the merchants of Tarshish?
There has been a long debate over the identity of the merchants of Tarshish in Ezekiel 38. The fact that they are called merchants leads us to think that they were a major shipping power in ancient days. Some say that the merchants of Tarshish refer to Spain because Tartessos was the name of a harbor city in ancient Spain. Some say that the merchants of Tarshish extend to all of Europe and the United States because Ezekiel 38:13 says that Tarshish is accompanied by its young lions. I don’t know if that is correct. All of the other nations that are listed in Ezekiel 38 are located in the Middle East. Perhaps Tarshish is also located in the Middle East.
Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
In the verse above, the merchants of Tarshish are accompanied by all of their young lions. Most Bible prophecy teachers equate young lions with nations. I think that is a mistake. The Hebrew word Kephiyr translated as young lions primarily means village. So it is much more reasonable to equate the term young lions to mean the regional area of a country such as a county or province. It may be a mistake then to equate the term young lions to refer to several entire countries.
The merchants of Tarshish are mentioned alongside of Sheba and Dedan in Ezekiel 38:13 above. They seem to be excusing themselves from participating in the invasion into Israel. They use a flimsy argument that will excuse them from participating in the invasion but at the same time cheer on its success. They all ask the Turkish led invaders of Israel “Are you going into Israel to rob them?”
The merchants of Tarshish are listed with Saudi Arabia. Perhaps when it comes to the invasion into Israel the merchants of Tarshish have something in common with Saudi Arabia. I would like to point out that all of the rest of the above mentioned nations are also currently fighting in Syria. Perhaps the merchants of Tarshish also have something in common with Saudi Arabia as it is fighting in Syria. Saudi Arabia is the latest entry into the battle for Syria. The Saudi government is supporting Al-Qaeda terrorists from Saudi Arabia as they fight against Syrian President Assad. The main Al-Qaeda force fighting in Syria today is from Libya. There is one other Al-Qaeda faction that has significant representation in Syria; and that has also not yet been identified in Ezekiel chapter 38. That is Al-Qaeda from Iraq! Could Iraq represent the merchants of Tarshish? It is a possibility. Was the region around Iraq a major shipping power in ancient days? Yes it was one of the biggest, and it still is today. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers were and are both major shipping channels. Today Iraq’s capital city of Baghdad lies on the Tigris River. The ancient Assyrian capital city of Nineveh still lies on the Tigris River in far northern Iraq across the river from the modern city of Mosul. Al-Qaeda in Iraq is headquartered in Mosul in the Nineveh Province.
Is there any biblical evidence of a person or region named Tarshish in ancient Iraq? I think that there is. In Esther chapter 1 below, King Ahasuerus calls a conference together with the seven princes of the Persian Empire. The Persian Empire was actually a dual empire headed by Persia which is today’s Iran, and Media which was located in today’s northern Iraq. One of the princes of the Persia and Media regions was named Tarshish. If Prince Tarshish ruled over a province in Media (or northern Iraq) then he just may be the Tarshish that Ezekiel recognizes. Perhaps Prince Tarshish ruled over the Nineveh Province!
Esther 1:14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
Princes are set over provinces. So Prince Tarshish was the first ruler in his province of ancient Persia or Media, which is today’s Iran and Northern Iraq.
We know from Ezekiel 38:5 that Iran will participate in the Turkish led invasion into Israel. Tarshish accompanies Saudi Arabia in Ezekiel 38:13. They both cheer on the plundering of Israel. Both Saudi Arabia and Iraq play secondary roles in Syria today. It is possible that Saudi Arabia and Iraq are represented in Ezekiel 38:13. It may be that after the fighting in Syria ends then Al-Qaeda from Saudi Arabia and Iraq will both excuse themselves from invading Israel. It is possible that the merchants of Tarshish represent today’s northern Iraq!
I do see some problems with this view. Like I said before we don’t know which Province Prince Tarshish ruled over. Most importantly the merchants of Tarshish are called merchants! Assyria was a shipping destination. But Nineveh was the end of the line. In fact the Tigris River gets very shallow that far north so shipping is limited. There is another town that is almost always referred to as merchant; both in the Bible and also in world history. No, I don’t think that the merchants of Tarshish represent northern Iraq.
Here we go again. This time I think that we really may have gotten it right! There is also biblical evidence that Tarshish was in today’s Lebanon.
Tarshish was the son of Javan. Javan was the brother of Magog. Magog settled in today’s Turkey. Tarshish may have settled nearby in today’s Lebanon.
Gen 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
Gen 10:4-5 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
In Isaiah chapter 23 the city of Tyre (or Tyrus) is prophesied to be destroyed. Tarshish is mentioned several times in this chapter. Tyre was a very busy and wealthy seaport city located in today’s Lebanon. Tyre consisted of a large mainland town plus an impressive fortress just 1000 yards off its shore. The walls of the fortress were said to have been 150’ high! Shipments would be protected by the island fortress of Tyre and warehoused on the mainland. The mainland city of Tyre was besieged by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 585 BC. The siege lasted thirteen years.
There is still a city at Tyre in Lebanon today. Today Tyre is called Sur or Sour meaning rock. It is on Lebanon’s southern Mediterranean coast. Just 1000 yards off of its shore rests the ruins of the ancient island fortress of Tyre. The island fortress was attacked by Alexander the great in 332 BC and wiped flat.
Isa 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
In Isaiah 23:6 below there is an invasion coming upon the mainland city of Tyre! The residents of Tyre are instructed to pass over into Tarshish. They are fleeing to the safety of the island fortress. We know from history that the citizens of the mainland city of Tyre did in fact flee to the island fortress. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar besieged the mainland city of Tyre from the land. Tyre’s residents sought refuge in Tyre’s island fortress. It is very possible that Tarshish was the island fortress of ancient Tyre.
Isa 23:6 Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
Isaiah 23:14 below illustrates the economic and most importantly the security reliance that the merchants of Tarshish had on the island fortress of Tyre. Tyre’s island fortress protected the shipping industry. So the merchants of Tarshish sailed in and out of port under its protection.
Isa 23:14 Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
The merchants of Tarshish play a role in Ezekiel 38’s Turkish led invasion into Israel. They ask the Turkish forces “Have you come to rob Israel?” (Eze 38:13). If Turkey invades Israel from Syria’s southern border then they would pass right by Lebanon. It seems very likely then that the merchants of Tarshish could in fact represent today’s Lebanon.
Eze 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
In the book of Jonah, Jonah tries to escape from God by hightailing it out of the land of Israel. Jonah got on a ship at Joppa to sail his way to Tarshish. Joppa is a city on Israel’s Mediterranean coast just south of Tel Aviv. Tyre or Tarshish in southern Lebanon would have been the ships first stop outside of the land of Israel.
Jon 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
We don’t know exactly when Jonah headed for Tarshish but it was sometime around 800 BC. There was probably already a fortress at Tyre. Jonah may have thought that he would be safe from God there. King Hiram of Tyre sent building materials to King David for his palace around 965 BC.
2Sa 5:11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
Jonah wanted to make haste for the first city outside of Israel. He may have also sought the protection of the island fortress of Tarshish. This argument seems simple and straight forward to me. I think that it makes more sense to identify the merchants of Tarshish as seagoing merchants from the nation we call Lebanon today. Lebanon will one day ask Turkey and its invading forces from Libya, Iran, and Sudan, “Have you come to rob Israel?”
I recommend reading my book Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon.
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From Nob to Nobody
From Nob to Nobody
God will turn back the end time invader of Israel
By Craig C. White
In 701 BC the Assyrian King Sennacherib successfully invaded most of the region around Jerusalem but God promised that he would not allow the Assyrians to enter Jerusalem. The Assyrian Army was camped on the hill named “Nob” which is the hill just to the north of the Mount of Olives (Isa 10:32). They were ready to attack Jerusalem in the morning but when they woke up most of them were dead. Sennacherib the king of Assyria retreated back to the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh. Nineveh is called Mosul today in northern Iraq.
2Kings 19:31-35 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. 32 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. 35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. (Also see Isa 37:36)
2Kings 19:31-35 may have end time application. I think that this scenario may be repeated when Jesus Christ returns to Jerusalem and stands on the Mount of Olives at the end of the Tribulation period. The Mount of Olives will split in two; half to the north and half to the south allowing the few remaining Jews that are hunkered on Mount Zion to escape through the newly formed valley and flee into the mountains east of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4).
Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Just when all seems lost for the last Jews in Jerusalem then their Messiah will rescue them. The armies that have gathered on Nob hill will be wiped out by Jesus Christ personally.
God turned Assyrian King Sennacherib around and sent him home. God will also turn the end time invader of Israel around. Read my commentary titled Hooks into thy jaws
Turkey is the end time invader of Israel. Read my book Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon
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Erdogan is the Antichrist!
Nine Years No Interest
By Craig C. White
I’ve been telling people that Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist for over nine years now. It seems to me that that is an important piece of information but nobody seems to care. Erdogan is the Antichrist. He will conquer Syria, destroy Damascus, and then lead an invasion into the Golan Heights of Israel. That is just for starters. Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. After seven years of tribulation on earth he will be destroyed by Jesus Christ at his second coming. Ho Hum, we don’t care. Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. Before the Tribulation begins, every Christian who ever lived will be raised up out of their graves and then taken away into heaven. If you believe in Jesus Christ then that includes you too! That means that the Resurrection and Rapture of the Church is very very close! I thought that you might like to know. Perhaps you would like to tell your friends and your pastor.
Erdogan is the Antichrist!
Antichrist overview
By Craig C. White
Lately Turkish President Erdogan has been claiming to be god! According to the Bible that is something that the Antichrist will do.
2Th 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.
Turkish President Erdogan has also announced his plans to form of a new Islamic Union led by Turkey. Erdogan has made his desire to reestablish the Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire very clear. Erdogan has also vowed that he will remove Syrian President Bashar Assad from power in Damascus. Erdogan has also vowed to reinstate Muslim Brotherhood Presidential candidate Mohamed Morsi back into power in Egypt. These are all things that the Bible tells us that the Antichrist will do.
The Antichrist will do many other things. So will Erdogan. Turkish President Erdogan is the Antichrist. Here is why, and here is why the Antichrist will destroy Damascus and then invade Israel!
First the Antichrist is called the Assyrian (Isaiah 10 and elsewhere) because he will do the same things that the Assyrian kings did! The Assyrian Kings led two separate invasions into Israel. First they invaded Syria plus northern Israel in 734 BC. Second they invaded southern Israel in 701 BC.
You would probably say that Isaiah 17 is about the future destruction of Damascus, and you would be right. But Isaiah 17 is foremost about the conquest of the country of Syria in 734 BC by you know who: The Assyrian King Tiglath-pileser! This is a model for the future destruction of Damascus.
For verse by verse commentary through Isaiah chapter 17 please read my commentary Isaiah 17 predicts the destruction of Damascus.
The verses below describe the second Assyrian invasion of Israel. They also describe the future invasion of Israel by the Antichrist. Guess what? He (they) is bragging about his previous conquest of Syria!
Isaiah 10:7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. 8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
Assyrian King Sennacherib is speaking here. So is the future invader of Israel. He is recalling previous victories over Syria and northern Israel.
For more please read my commentary The Assyrian is the Antichrist!
Second Magog is the Antichrist and Erdogan is Magog! Ezekiel 38:2-3 calls Magog the “chief prince” amongst his brothers. The Hebrew words mean “primary governor”. Magog’s brothers settled Turkey and were set over provinces. Most Bible prophecy teachers place them there. Magog was also set over a province in Turkey. He was the most prominent prince amongst his brothers. So the end time Magog is the “primary governor” of Turkey. I feel comfortable in calling him the Prime Minister of Turkey don’t you!?
Eze 38:1-3 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
To learn more about the identity of Magog please read my commentary The Princes of Turkey
According to Ezekiel 38 & 39 Magog leads two end time invasions into Israel. Ezekiel 38 describes a Turkish led battle joined by Iran, Libya, and Sudan. Ezekiel 39 obviously describes the battle of Armageddon. So if Magog leads the battle described in Ezekiel 39, and the Antichrist leads the battle of Armageddon then Magog is the Antichrist. Let’s not forget that these two invasions are modeled after the Assyrian invasions. The first started with an invasion into Syria followed by an invasion into northern Israel. The second Assyrian invasion was into southern Israel. What’s the point of knowing that the Antichrist is called the Assyrian if we are just going to forget? The Antichrist will invade Syria plus northern Israel then come back latter to invade southern Israel. These are the battles of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39.
For more about the people and places involved in the battle of Gog and Magog please read my commentary Magog Made Easier!
The Antichrist is also called a “prince” and “a little horn”. Magog is called the “chief prince”. If a big horn is a King, then a little horn is a prince! A Prime Minister is a “chief prince”! Now Turkish President Erdogan was Prime Minister of Turkey from 2002 to December 2014!
For more please read my commentary The Antichrist is a Prince
Third Libya, Iran, and Sudan are all fighting in Syria today! This is a list of the nations that the primary governor of Turkey will lead in an invasion into Israel according to Ezekiel 38:5!
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
So Erdogan will invade Syria, destroy Damascus, and then lead these armies in an Invasion into northern Israel. The invasion ito northern Israel will not go well. Some sort of 7 year peace plan will be put into place with Israel. Erdogan will break this treaty in the midst of its term. Then welcome to the Tribulation. Somewhere along this timeline Jesus Christ will come back for his Church. I am going with him.
For more please read my commentary Who is fighting in Syria?
Fourth Turkish President Erdogan is honoring the military might of the Turkish led Ottoman Empire in his new palace (see Daniel 11:37-38 below). The Erdogan palace is the largest palace in the world. Erdogan has dedicated his palace to the resurgence of Turkey as a world power as he proudly displays soldiers dressed in Ottoman era armor. By the way President Erdogan has publicly announced his intention to reestablish a Turkish led Islamic Empire!
Daniel 11:37-38 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
Please read Erdogan is honoring the God of forces in the Erdogan Palace
The Prophet Daniel says that the Antichrist will lead Libya and Sudan into Egypt. The Antichrist will invade Egypt by many ships (Dan 11:40). Turkey is located three hundred miles across the Mediterranean Sea from Egypt. Turkey has already began building massive naval personnel carriers. Erdogan has vowed to reinstate Muslim Brotherhood Presidential candidate Mohamed Morsi back into power in Egypt! Erdogan says that he wants to be ready to invade Egypt by 2019. This event happens during the Tribulation period!
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.
Please read Egypt’s Evil President Morsi will be reinstated!
Erdogan is the Antichrist. He will be the ruler of the next World Empire. Jesus Christ will destroy it at his second coming. Before that Jesus Christ is coming to take his Church away to heaven. That means that Jesus is coming back very very soon!
Rev 22:20-21 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
It’s High Time to Awake. The Antichrist is identifiable now! The Tribulation is fast approaching. Jesus is coming for his Church very soon. It’s time to dig in and read my many Bible commentaries about the Antichrist and the end times. God bless you, Craig C. White
Also read the Antichrist checklist
Read all about the Turkish led Invasion into Israel in Turkey invades Israel – Halfway to Armageddon
This is the major pre-Tribulation event!
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High Time to Awake 