It is the “times of the signs,” as my great friend Chuck Missler used to say.
Chuck has been in Heaven for a few years now, so he has missed seeing, from this earthly vantage point, the signs proliferating at an amazing pace. Perhaps he is, as he often proposed when teaching about our future life in that eternal, glorious place, “watching from the balconies of Heaven.”
Whether Chuck is seeing all that is now taking place here on earth or is too busy in other ways in that magnificent place God prepared for him, the signs Chuck often assessed while going about the world in his powerful ministry are exploding all around us—those left here to “watch,” as Jesus instructed (Mark 13:37 and Luke 21:28).
We endeavor in this column, as do other “watchers” in their various forums, to observe the signals of the approaching Tribulation—Daniel’s seventieth week.
The greatest general sign in these times so near that seven-year era, the second half of which Jesus called the worst time of human history (Matthew 24:21), is that Israel is back in the land. Other general signs, as I view them, are:
The entire world is beginning to turn against Israel, God’s chosen nation and people (Zechariah 12:1–3).
There is a cry for peace, with a two-state solution involving Israel and its enemies to divide God’s land (Joel 3:2).
There is a drive-by anti-God force—the Ephesians 6:12 cabal, to tear down the US and all sovereignty of nations.
Wickedness is growing to the Sodom and Gomorrah level, with insanity gripping the world in the way described by the Apostle Paul’s Romans 1:28 “reprobate mind” diagnosis.
Apostasy is on the rise (2 Thessalonians 2:3), with the pope of the Catholic Church saying every religion has a way to salvation.
Technology, through AI and other phenomenal so-called advances, is gushing this generation toward a time of Antichrist’s worldwide control (Revelation 13:16-18).
While there isn’t enough space in this commentary to deal with all these matters, we’ve done so over the preceding months and years. So, I would like to consider here only two specific, most-pointed prophetic elements that are, at this precise moment, on the verge of fulfillment. Certainly the stage is being set for these occurrences to suddenly burst upon this “time of the signs.”
First, I want to consider the Isaiah 17:1 passage involving the destruction of Damascus.
Dynamics affecting this volatile region of Syria have seemingly ignited into an unstoppable circumstance. The removal of dictator Bashar Al-Assad of Syria opened the way for a new anti-Israel regime, composed of several terrorist group leaderships, to take control. The situation now appears to be near exploding into an action by Israel that could cause all of the Middle East to erupt into conflagration.
Here is that prophecy:
“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1).
Here is an article that explains this developing danger of war in the Middle East:
The Sunni radicals that have taken over Syria are demanding that all Israeli forces must leave Syrian territory. On the other side, the IDF is hammering military targets in southern Syria with a blistering wave of airstrikes, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that any military forces aligned with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will not be allowed south of Damascus. Do you understand what this means? It means that Damascus is now right on the front lines of a conflict between Israel and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that is rapidly heating up. If all-out war erupts, Damascus is likely to be absolutely devastated.
Of course, many prominent buildings in Damascus have already been turned into piles of rubble, but now it appears that things could be about to go to the next level.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has confirmed that IDF airstrikes are being conducted in southern Syria, and he is warning that any attempt by forces aligned with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to enter the security zone in southern Syria “will be met with fire”…
Israel confirmed it is conducting strikes in southern Syria, as the new Syrian government calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory.
“We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said regarding the strikes. “Any attempt by the Syrian regime forces and the country’s terrorist organizations to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria will be met with fire.”
Katz said the Israeli Air Force is “now attacking strongly in southern Syria as part of the new policy we have defined of pacifying southern Syria.” (“Is The Stage Being Set for Damascus to Be Utterly Destroyed and Turned into a Heap of Ruins?” Michael, Rapture Ready News, February 27, 2025)
The other most pressing matter that’s key in these “times of the signs,” I believe, is things coming to a potentially violent head regarding Iran’s nuclear development program. Middle East Bible prophecy expert Bill Salus writes about this Jeremiah 49:34 prophecy concerning a coming disaster to Elam, the very area in which Iran’s nuclear laboratories are thought to be within the Bushehr mountain range.
Bill enumerates, by dissecting through paraphrased biblical terms, the destruction scheduled to take place.
The Seven I Wills and Details of the Lord in Jeremiah 49:34–39.
The Lord will break the bow of Elam / at the foremost of Elam’s might.
The Lord will gather the four winds from the four quarters of heaven / and scatter the Elamites worldwide.
The Lord will cause Iran to be dismayed / before the eyes of its enemies.
The Lord will create a disaster inside Iran / because Iran has fiercely angered Him.
The Lord will send the sword after the Iranians / until they are defeated.
The Lord will destroy the Iranian leadership / and establish His throne in Elam.
The Lord will restore the land of Elam / and return the exiles to Elam.
(Taken from a document for media use to promote Bill Salus’ NOW Prophecies book and DVD)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long stated, in every relevant forum, that Iran will never be allowed to produce nuclear weapons. Now his declaration is backed by the US president, whereas the previous American administration did everything within its power to resist Netanyahu’s efforts to thwart the Iranian ayatollah’s determination to produce nuclear military capability.
Current developments bring Jeremiah 49:34 into view as we consider the following report:
Iran has placed its missile defense systems on high alert, anticipating potential Israeli and US airstrikes on nuclear sites, The Telegraph reported. The report follows a Bloomberg report citing the International Atomic Energy Agency, which found that Iran’s uranium stockpile has surged in recent months.
The Telegraph cited two high-level government sources that say Tehran has been expanding missile defense coverage around nuclear and missile sites for fear of potential joint military strikes by stealth fighter jets by Israel and the US.
“They [Iranian authorities] are just waiting for the attack and are anticipating it every night, and everything has been on high alert—even in sites that no one knows about,” one source told The Telegraph.
“Work to fortify nuclear sites has been ongoing for years, but it has intensified over the past year, particularly since Israel launched the first attack,” he added.
“Recent developments, including Donald Trump’s comments and reports about potential plans from his administration to strike Iran, have further intensified activities.” (“Iranian Nuke Sites on ‘High Alert’ for Stealth Jet Attacks; Enriched Uranium Stockpiles Near Level for Bomb,” Zero Hedge, Tyler Durden, February 26, 2025)
The times of the signs cannot be missed by those who “watch.” Jesus instructed us to “watch,” as referenced above, in order to assure us that “our redemption is drawing near” when we see “all these things begin to come to pass.”
Here, again, is God’s call to all people who don’t know Jesus Christ for salvation. These lost souls are facing living under Antichrist and the horrors of the Tribulation unless they accept this call to redemption from the eternal consequences of unrepented sin.
“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10 9-10).
“Iran has never been more vulnerable to strikes against its nuclear capabilities,” the official said.… The official added that Israel will not allow a nuclear Iran and, therefore, will continue to prepare to strike the nuclear project.” (Jerusalem Post – 11/22/24)[i]
Don’t be surprised to wake up one nearby morning to this sort of headline, “Israel Conducts Pre-emptive Strikes Against Iran’s Nuclear Sites.” Day by day this scenario becomes more likely. In fact, on October 26, 2024, Israel struck and destroyed Iran’s top-secret nuclear weapons research facility in Parchin.
“The facility in Parchin was completely destroyed during Israel’s Oct. 26 attack on Iran, according to satellite imagery.” (JNS – 11/16/24)[ii]
This timely article will explore the menu of reasons why Israel will likely soon strike Iran’s nuclear site(s). The reasons will be identified numerically below in no specific order of importance and then expounded upon subsequently.
The Menu of Reasons Israel Will Likely Strike
Israel has a history of striking nuclear facilities.
Israel holds to the “Begin Doctrine” established by Menachem Begin in 1981.
Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Israel has destroyed Iran’s primary missile defense systems, rendering Iran vulnerable to an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.
Israel will likely have America’s approval through the presidency of Donald Trump.
Israel will not likely face severe retaliation from Iran’s proxies.
Israel has destroyed most of Syria’s missile defense systems, which enables more freedom to fly safely to Iran over Syrian air space.
Israel has to act now because Iran is on the fast track to obtaining several nuclear bombs.
An ancient Bible prophecy in Jeremiah 49:34-39 may foretell of such a nuclear strike.
1.Israel has a history of striking nuclear facilities.
In modern history, Israel has destroyed two nuclear reactors in the Middle East. One in Iraq and the other in Syria.
Operation Opera in (Iraq): In a surprise attack on June 7, 1981, which was the 14-year anniversary of Israel’s Six-Day War against Egypt, Syria and Jordan, Israel destroyed Iraq’s unfinished Osirak nuclear reactor. This is when the “Begin Doctrine” was established. This doctrine will be discussed next.
Operation Orchard (Syria): Acting in accordance with the “Begin Doctrine,” on September 6, 2007, Israel conducted a preemptive airstrike that destroyed a suspected nuclear reactor at the Al Kibar site in Syria.
2.Israel holds to the “Begin Doctrine” established by Menachem Begin in 1981.
“The Begin doctrine is the common term for the Israeli government’s preventive strike, counter-proliferation policy regarding their potential enemies’ capability to possess weapons of mass destruction (WMD), particularly nuclear weapons…. The doctrine itself was enunciated by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in June 1981, following Israel’s attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor Osirak in Operation Opera. The doctrine remains a feature of Israeli security planning.” [iii]
The Wikipedia quote above provides a good explanation of the Begin (Menachem) Doctrine. The interesting story behind the implementation of this doctrine was told to me by Israeli envoy to the USA Yoram Ettinger in 2014 at a breakfast meeting. White House correspondent Bill Koenig and I sat down together with Yoram and asked him if he thought Israel would strike Iran’s nuclear site(s). His response is provided in the story below.
Sometime in the first half of 1981, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin called together all of Israel’s top military and key political leaders in a closed-door meeting to discuss how to handle Iraq’s nuclear program. The potential of Iraq possessing a nuclear weapon posed an existential threat to the Jewish state.
Begin sought the leader’s opinions about the potential outcomes of an Israeli pre-emptive strike upon Iraq’s Osirak unfinished nuclear reactor. They were not in favor of such a strike for the following reasons:
It could incite the entire Muslim world to unite against Israel in a massive war that might potentially wipe Israel off of the map.
It could cause strong condemnation by the international community, including America and the Western world, because they were mostly supporting Iraq in its war against Iran.
This international condemnation could lead to harsh sanctions that could topple Israel’s economy.
Additional adverse conditions were also mentioned and the consensus was that this would be a BAD MOVE! Begin respectfully thanked all of his top confidants and then responded by saying something along the lines of, “If we don’t destroy the reactor and Iraq gets a nuclear weapon, this could result in the end of the Jewish state.” He concluded by stating, “We will strike Iraq NOW!”
Shortly thereafter, Israel destroyed the Osirak reactor, and none of the above concerns manifested as a result. This scenario is what led to the implementation of the Begin Doctrine, which is still in place and understood by Israel’s present political and military leaders. Thus, a pre-emptive strike on nuclear reactors has a historical precedent with Israel.
3.Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
The Reuters quote above dates back to 2021, which shows that for a long time, Israel has pledged that Iran will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. As the headline below evidenced, this pledge even dates back before the JCPOA Iranian nuclear agreement was implemented in 2015. Presently, this pledge is still in effect.
“Sources tell Fox News airstrikes destroyed remaining three S-300 batteries; Israeli official says ‘majority of Iran’s air defense was taken out’” (Times of Israel – 10/30/24)[vi]
On October 1, 2024, Iran launched about two hundred ballistic missiles at targets in Israel. Fortunately for Israel, they were mostly ineffective. Subsequently, in a retaliatory strike into Iran on October 26, 2024, Israel destroyed a majority of Iran’s missile defenses rendering it essentially defenseless to a future Israeli strike upon Iran’s nuclear sites.
5.Israel will likely have America’s approval through the presidency of Donald Trump.
According to the WSJ headline above, Donald Trump is already considering the option of airstrikes upon Iran’s nuclear program. Thus, it would be unlikely that he would oppose an Israeli strike. In fact, the headline below suggests that Trump is in favor of Israel going after Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Syria, under the leadership of Bashar al-Assad was a major proxy of Iran. Assad allowed Iran to send weapons through Syria to Hezbollah. However, Assad’s government has fallen, and Assad has fled to Russia for asylum. In addition, Israel has destroyed the Syrian shipping corridor that Iran used, which has restricted Iran’s ability to further supply Hezbollah with much needed missiles and weapons.
Hezbollah, one of Iran’s strongest proxies has been severely damaged by Israel in their year-long war that Hezbollah initiated on October 8, 2023. With the supply lines cut off in Syria, Hezbollah’s fighting power has been drastically reduced.
“The IDF estimates that “80% of Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal within a range of up to 40 kilometers has been destroyed.” (Jerusalem Post – 11/10/24)[xii]
Hamas, like Hezbollah, has become severely weakened in its war with Israel. They have mostly been reduced to fighting in guerilla warfare for their survival.
The dynamics have changed in Israel’s favor as now Iran’s primary proxies have suffered devastating blows. As such, Israel will not likely face severe retaliation from Iran’s proxies should they strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.
As I author this article, the Houthis are steadily launching missiles from Yemen into Israel, but Israel has vowed to make an end of this Iranian proxy as well.
“The Iran-backed Houthis are stepping up their missile attacks, sending hundreds of thousands of Israelis scrambling for shelter in the middle of the night, scaring away foreign airlines and keeping up what could be the last major front in the Middle East wars.” (AP – 1/2/25)[xv]
8.Israel has to act now because Iran is on the fast track to obtaining several nuclear bombs.
With the weakening of Hamas, Hezbollah and collapse of the Assad regime, Iran appears to be focusing more of its efforts toward developing nuclear weapons.
“Expert says Iran ‘is moving towards building the bomb at a rapid pace’” (Fox News – 12/20/24)[xviii]
9.An ancient Bible prophecy in Jeremiah 49:34-39 may foretell of such a nuclear strike.
According to a biblical prophecy issued around 596 BC found in Jeremiah 49:34-39, a disaster is going to happen in Iran in the latter days. Jeremiah 49:37-38 declares this disaster is caused by God as a direct result of bad Iranian leadership doing something, or intending to do something that fiercely angers Him.
The prophecy involves the ancient territory of Elam. The modern-day location of Elam where this disaster takes place is in western Iran, hugging the Persian Gulf. (Refer to the map image).
Today, Iran is comprised of the historic lands of Elam and Persia. These are two distinctly different territories that have always been geographically separated by the Zagros Mountains.
But why does God get “fiercely angry” with the leaders of Iran? The verse below holds the key that unlocks the answer to this question.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, (at), The foremost of their might.” (Jer. 49:35, NKJV; emphasis added)
The New Living Translation (NLT) says it this way,
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “I will destroy the archers of Elam— the best of their forces.”
The modern-day inference is that the bad Iranian leaders want to launch lethal missiles, perhaps tipped with nuclear payloads, somewhere and these evil plans will be denied. God declares that He will, “break the bow,” or in other words, destroy these missile launchers beforehand in order to prevent these deadly rockets from being dispatched.
As per the verse below, this catastrophe appears to cause a humanitarian crisis because in the aftermath the affected Iranians are forced into a worldwide dispersion, which suggests that this disaster could be nuclear-related.
“I will bring enemies from all directions, and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. They will be exiled to countries around the world.” (Jer. 49:36, NLT)
Elam (Western Iran) just so happens to be where most of Iran’s missile silos and portable rocket launchers are positioned. These launchers are mostly aimed at Israel. It is also the location of the following important Iranian military and nuclear-related sites.
Isfahan: Iran’s largest nuclear research facility.
Natanz: Iran’s primary enrichment facility.
Bushehr: One of Iran’s nuclear reactors.
Shiraz: Iran’s special weapons and missile development facility.
These four sites are high-profile targets for Israel to strike. In fact, on April 19, 2024, Israel already conducted a limited drone attack at Isfahan.
“On April 19 at approximately 3:00 AM local time the Israeli Defense Forces launched drone strikes on targets in and around the Iranian city of Isfahan.” (Military Watch Magazine – 4/19/24)[xix]
There is no evidence that Jeremiah’s Elam prophecy has found historical fulfillment, for which, in light of current events, makes this a potential prophecy to be on the lookout. The absence of historical proof is pointed out in my article available online entitled, “Has the Prophecy of Elam in Jeremiah 49:34-39 Been Historically Fulfilled?”
Thus, if the complete destruction of Elam has not happened historically, then logically this means the prophecies of Elam in Jeremiah 49:34-39 will take place sometime in the future. Who could God be so fiercely angry at now in modern-day Iran? Could it be the rogue Islamic regime who wants to wipe Israel off of the map using nuclear ballistic missiles?
In Jeremiah 49:35, God says He is going to bring about a great disaster in Western Iran. It causes a calamity that necessitates the worldwide dispersion of the indigenous population. Could this likely allude to a future great catastrophe in Iran that destroys their missile launching capabilities and some nuclear sites in the territory of Elam?
In these turbulent times, things are rapidly changing in the Middle East, making it difficult to predict the next major Mideast headline. Who would have thought the Assad regime would collapse so quickly.
Maybe Iran will negotiate another nuclear deal, or there might be a regime change in Iran, but for the menu of reasons identified in this article, it would be no surprise to see an Israeli pre-emptive strike upon Iran’s nuclear sites, and likely SOON!
For the studious readers, below are a few comments and quotes about these four strategic nuclear-related targets and their connections with ancient Elam.
Isfahan: Isfahan province is one of Iran’s 31 provinces. Isfahan or Espahan is the capital city in this province and is Iran’s third biggest city, hosting a population of about 1.5 million people. Below are a few quotes connecting Isfahan with the territory of Elam.
“Located in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, Isfahan is a city formed at a major crossroads of trans-Asia trade and military routes. As such, the city emerged gradually over the course of the Elamite civilization (2700 – 1600 BCE), though artifacts found at Isfahan date back to the Paleolithic period.” [xx]
“In the Pre-Islamic era, Isfahan was home to the settlement that developed into the Elamite civilization (2700 BC) and was the home of the Median dynasty until Cyrus the Great unified Persian and Median lands into the Achaemenid Empire ~ 600 BC.” [xxi]
Natanz: is also located in the Isfahan Province and is about seventy-five miles north of Isfahan, which is also in Elam.
Bushehr: is a province in Iran and is where Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor is located.
“The oldest evidence of settlement in Bushehr province dates back to the era of Elam (2700-539 B.C.), an ancient pre-Iranian civilization.” [xxii]
Shiraz: The city of Shiraz in the province of Fars. The quote below pinpoints Fars in Elam.
“The Elamites’ homeland is a region known as Khuzestan in southwestern Iran. The geographical and political center of most of Elamite history was the city of Susa and its surrounding environs. However, the region of Fars in the Zagros Mountains and Anshan were also considered part of historical Elam.” [xxiii]
For more information about this Jeremiah prophecy you can read about it in my book entitled, Nuclear Showdown in Iran, Revealing the Ancient Prophecy of Elam. This book also comes with a teaching DVD with the same name. These products are available at Amazon or our online store at www.prophecydepot.com
As we head into the new year, several stories transpired at the end of 2024 that we weren’t expecting. The world watched in disbelief as the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which had ruled Syria for over five decades, collapsed in a shockingly rapid and dramatic turn of events. Rebel forces, a coalition of various terror groups united in their goal to overthrow the dictator, stormed the capital, Damascus, and declared the city and country “liberated.”
Several governments have fallen into ruin in the region in recent years including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups have been decimated thanks to Israel. Now Syria has fallen as well, but when evil replaces evil, only more horror follows—unless the region is being primed for stability. Unless the residents are being primed for a savior of sorts.
Here is the take away: The region needs a peace maker. The question on the mind of prophecy watchers is this: With the new Trump administration, is a new level of peace negotiations in that region on the horizon? And could this lead to the ultimate peace deal of Daniel 9:27?
If the church were to be removed in the rapture, would it not be timely for the Antichrist to arise and heal the Middle East—and then the world?
The collapse of the Syrian government and the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime is not only a geo-political turning point, but could be a moment of profound prophetic significance in light of Isaiah 17.
The passage in Isaiah describes an utter obliteration of Damascus—something that only nuclear weapons could bring about, probably in the campaign of Armageddon. But keep your eyes on this scenario in the new year. And pray without ceasing for Syria’s many Christians—of all denominations. Syria’s “liberators” have their sights on anything and anyone Christian.
For believers who examine global events through the lens of Scripture, the situation in Syria requires serious attention.
Wolves Among the Flock—Again
Late in 2024, a Daystar executive was accused of child sexual abuse and another scandal exploded onto the scene. The details are horrific and we will spare you from them, but Christians, once again, shamed the name of Jesus Christ and further tarnished Christian media.
The network features a few sound ministries that provide moments of escape from the endless hours of heresy, prosperity teachers, hucksters, and fraudsters. When the root of such calamities is the love of money and earthly pleasure, mankind can sink to new lows as evidenced in the details of this story.
But ultimately, more wolves among the flock were exposed. We haven’t seen the end of this yet. It would be good if Christians turned off these outfits and opened their Bibles instead.
Strange Signs in the Heavens
I’m referring to the citing of mysterious drones all over America in late 2024! How bizarre. The Biden spokesmen played dumb—nothing new for them. What could potentially be more evil than eyes in the sky watching our every move? And, over some sensitive areas!
One compelling theory gaining traction and spreading rapidly across the web involves the use of these drones as sophisticated nuclear radiation detectors. Aerospace expert John Ferguson, founder of Saxon Aerospace, suggests the drones’ flight patterns and nighttime operations could indicate missions to detect gamma radiation or other hazardous materials.
Senior Biden administration officials, including representatives from the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Security Council, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense all wanted to play this down! Even though they’re peering into your attic window and back yard!
Conclusion: Government thinks we are stupid sheeple who fall for anything, and that is why Americans said “enough” last election day and chose to change the channel!
The Jeremiah of Our Time Passes
That is the title Time Magazine gave author and prophecy scholar Hal Lindsey, who passed away November 25. We weren’t expecting it, but Hal was 95 years old. His classic book, The Late Great Planet Earth, sold 35 million copies and strongly influenced so many, including this author.
Once Hal opened the door for end-time discussion, two-dozen writers followed him, including Chuck Missler, Tim LaHaye, Dave Hunt, Ron Rhodes, and many more. Publishers were eager to help readers understand how the last days played out due to the success of Lindsey’s first book.
Olive Tree Ministries brought Lindsey to the Twin Cities in 2004 and 2005. He was a bit eccentric but many of us are more than thankful that he impacted our lives. None of these stories were anticipated in 2024. I can’t imagine the surprises that are coming in 2025!
To “psych out” means to insinuate a sense of intimidation into the psyche or cognitive process. At least that term encompasses the achieved ramification, to my way of intended meaning.
Perhaps you might think of better examples, but here are a couple.
Bobby Fisher, an undefeated chess champion in the early 1970s, was a reclusive, thus unknown, player who many say “psyched out”his Russian-Soviet opponent, Boris Spassky, in their July 1972 world championship match. Fisher was a strange, eccentric man holding anti-Semitic views. His brooding reclusiveness and odd ways apparently had a tendency to intimidate opponents who had to face him in their matches.
Another, more familiar, case of “psyching out” opponents might be when Goliath, the giant warrior, intimidated the Israelites—that is, until he came up against young David, Israel’s future king.
And this brings us to thinking about recent cases of Israel’s enemies who seek to destroy the Jewish nation and eradicate the chosen people of God.
We’ve witnessed God dealing with Israel’s enemies within the past few weeks in ways almost as dramatic as when He dealt with them in Israel’s ancient past.
And I’ve mentioned recently Israel’s defense force bringing Iran’s nuclear-weapons program to a standstill by introducing a computer worm called Stuxnet into the technology used to run Iran’s centrifuges.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently said Iran never will be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Implied within that statement is the threat of using whatever military or other means necessary to keep the Israel-hating Iranian regime from developing nuclear bombs.
This threat, and Iran’s insistence on using proxies to harass and attack the Jewish state and its people through actions such as on October 7, 2023, has the diplomats of the world in a near panic.
To this point, the all-out war that might be necessary to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons hasn’t happened. Israel has, it seems, been able to thwart Iran’s destructive intentions.
As stated above, we saw this with Stuxnet some years ago, and we continue to see Israel’s almost-magical thwarting of the genocidal aspirations of Iran and its proxies. The remarkable feat of causing the Hezbollah pagers and other communications devices to explode almost simultaneously, killing many terrorists and wounding many others, has put, it seems, an even more virulent “worm” than Stuxnet into the nefarious minds of the devilish Israel haters.
The following excerpt demonstrates the effects of this mind virus. If not such a serious matter of keeping Israel from the dastardly plans of the likes of Iran’s regime leaders, it would be hilarious to consider the paranoid reaction Israel’s “magical” doings have inflicted on those devoted to the destruction of the Jewish state and people.
As Israel continues to demonstrate impressive intelligence capabilities by eliminating much of the leadership of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, some of its enemies are reportedly attributing supernatural powers to the Jewish State.
Iranian opposition news site Iran International published a recording from a televised interview given by an Iranian cleric close to the Ayatollah’s regime accusing the Jewish people of trapping and employing jinn, or genies, for three thousand years, as well as using science fiction technology.
Iranian Shia seminary teacher Mostafa Karami claimed, “Considering the Zionists’ history of subjugating genies, they carry out many of their missions through this means, and demons are their secret army.”
“They [the Jews] have had access to genies and cosmic science since the time of David and Solomon,” he added. “Historically, they have always used genies, their documents and traditions proved that. They have used genies and demons for warfare and intelligence operations throughout history.”
Karami detailed his magical conspiracy theory in response to the elimination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah last week. (Arutz Sheva, “Iranian Cleric: ‘Jews have had access to genies since Davidic time’,” Israel National News)
It’s amusing that this Islamic cleric fanatic believes in Israeli magic. He isn’t far from wrong, in that it is supernatural in its reality, rather than the nonexistent “magic”to which he attributes Israel’s ability to perform things that seem miraculous.
In fact, the feats are miraculous. The God who calls this strange miracle nation His “chosen people” has imbued Abraham’s seed with His own power at points in history of His own choosing.
So the Islamic Jew-haters have had their evil minds invaded by the “magic” worm, as the cleric has complained. They’ve been “psyched out” by the God of Israel, about whom the Holy Scripture says: “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).
All of this involving hatred of Israel and the Jewish people at this moment means Jesus is about to intervene against the evil ramping up in the Middle East as well as in the rest of the world.
That intervention will be the Rapture of all believers into Christ’s presence in the clouds of Glory.
You don’t want to be left behind when that any-moment call to believers is made. Here, once again, is how to go to the Lord and to Heaven when that call issues forth, as Jesus told about in John 14:1–3.
That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Reading Salem Kirban’s novel, 666, many decades ago, I was somewhat incredulous that he portrayed the Ezekiel 38–39 Gog-Magog attack on Israel as he did. The author had it that the Russian-led coalition came down into the area on horseback—and with more or less primitive weapons, exactly as the prophet described. There were no modern-day weapons.
The reason only primitive weapons were used, he gave as a new heat-ray development of some sort. I can’t remember the exact technology. The heat-ray technology, a laser of some sort, I suppose, heated up the metal and fuel, making the advanced weapons—the tanks, aircraft, even the hand-held weapons—too hot to handle, I guess. So the force had to invade using mostly wooden or non-heat-affected weaponry. Neither human flesh nor horseflesh could be affected by the weapon, as I remember.
This article is intended to look a bit into why Ezekiel’s Gog-Magog prophecy does in fact seem to say, on the surface at least, that there one modern weapon will be absent from the invading force’s repertoire.
The force doesn’t use nuclear weapons, according to the prophecy. The force seems to be strictly conventional.
Many have conjectured that this is because the Gog leader has in his mind the evil thought to come and take “great spoil” from Israel. Petroleum and natural gas, it is thought by many–myself included—might be the chief spoil on which the invaders place their crosshairs. Thermonuclear weapons would: 1) destroy any and all things in their path, and/or would contaminate things for centuries with radiological contamination; and 2) ignite all petroleum/gas assets except, perhaps, for those underwater in the Mediterranean.
Israel now has vast such fields, and this is, some believe–again, including me—the reason a Russian leader would want to plunder those assets. Israel almost certainly is more and more to be supplying all of Europe, while Russian oil and gas seems to be a diminishing commodity–especially since the obviously American-inspired, and perhaps carried out, destruction of the Russian underwater pipeline some years ago.
Another important matter in looking at the question of why no nuclear weapons’ usage during the Gog-Magog assault is the current situation with regard to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. This is of utmost concern to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has vowed that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapons arsenal–or even one bomb.
It’s a matter, literally, of life and death to the Jewish state, according to Netanyahu and most all of the IDF general staff.
We who believe God’s prophetic Word is absolutely Infallible know that Israel will never be destroyed–by any weaponry brought against it–nuclear or otherwise. But, apparently, for all the Israeli Defense Force people we know about, they don’t hold the same view. I’m sure there are some who believe Israel is invincible due to God’s promises, but for the most part those in charge of Israel’s defense look through a nonspiritual prism in their planning and concerns.
To that point, consider the following:
Iran recently tripled its enrichment of uranium to 60%, reversing a slowdown earlier this year, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported on Tuesday.
Tehran has “increased its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous output reduction from mid-2023,” said the U.N. watchdog, summarizing a confidential report sent to member states and obtained by Reuters.
Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) in Natanz and at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), which is located deep in a mountain, according to the report…
Iran already has enough enough high-enriched uranium, if enriched further to 90%, to make three nuclear bombs, Reuters reported, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency’s theoretical definition…
Uranium enriched to 60% purity is just a short technical step away from 90%, considered weapons-grade…
Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi warned in September that Jerusalem will have no choice but to act if Iran enriches uranium above 60% purity.
“If Iran moves to enrich uranium above 60% and we identify it—and there is no possibility that we won’t, that the world would not recognize it—the result is that Israel would act out of necessity,” said Hanegbi. “There would be no choice” (“IAEA: Iran accelerates production of near-weapons-grade uranium,” 12/26/23, JNS)
Iran’s nuclear centrifuges are, it is said, deep in the Bushehr Mountains to protect against attacks. Israel has in the past inflicted cyberattacks that disrupted Iran’s progress in doing their nuclear production work.
The Bushehr facilities are also used to hide progress from the AIEA investigations, as the above report in its full scope indicates.
We have written previously that Bible prophecy says this area of Persia (Iran) will be so devastated that people will have to scatter to places far away. Is this nuclear contamination from an attack Israel is almost certainly about to launch?
That would explain why Iran, as part of the Gog-Magog coalition, would be without nuclear weaponry. But Russia would continue at that time to have its arsenal of nukes, it seems. So it remains a mystery why there is apparently no advanced nuclear-type weapons in the coming Ezekiel 38–39 assault on God’s chosen nation.
Maybe Kirban will be proven factual with his fiction. However, my own thought is that, as God will intervene to save Israel from the Gog-Magog forces, He will cause any and all such thermonuclear weaponry that might be launched toward Jerusalem to stray from Israel’s direction and instead land on the Magog environs and on the isles, as those areas are indicated in the prophecy to suffer “fires” of some mysterious sort.
And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. (Ezekiel 39:6–7)
Here, I believe the Holy Spirit urges me to appeal to you if you are a nonbeliever. Jesus is the answer to all of your anxieties, to all of your worries. He is willing and ready to forgive all sin that separates you from God the Father in Heaven. Simply do the following. I have put it in today’s English, rather than the King James Version.
(If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart (your mind and spirit) that God has raised him (Jesus) from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart men and women believe and are made righteous by God, and with your mouth confession is made that saves you from sin and its consequences, which separate the soul of unbelievers from God for eternity. (This is my paraphrase of Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 