Terrorist activities and border clashes are flaring again between Syria and Israel. How long can the UN police forces prevent a full-scale war?
Jerusalem, Jordan THE Middle East is ready to explode at any moment. World leaders fear recent skirmishes between Israel and Syria could rupture the delicate fabric of Middle East peace and security. The situation is precarious! On the same day I arrived here in Jerusalem, the local newspaper Jerusalem Star blazed forth the headline, "Explosive Situation." Since then, the United Nations have intervened to save the peace. Syria suddenly became involved with internal strife within its own government. But at any moment, fresh border clashes could inflame this Middle Eastern tinderbox into a major conflict.
What the Syrians Plan
Here are the facts. The Syrians are set to make war on Israel. Syrian leaders now plan: (1) respond to every Israeli provocation by striking at targets inside the State of Israel (2) no longer resort to the Security Council of the United Nations and (3) pin their hopes of victory on guerrilla action inside Israel — a "people's liberation war" modeled after the variety used in Vietnam and Algeria. This new policy is not mere bluff. It represents the concerted efforts of the Ba'ath Party extremists who now run Syria. This party is socialist. It is devoted to Arab Nationalism — a modern Arab version patterned after the National Socialist (Nazi) Party of Hitler's Germany. The young men in this party are becoming impatient with Egyptian President Nasser's cautious Palestine policy. Their aim is to carry the war into Israel whatever the cost. As we go to press, tension on the Syrian-Israeli border has reached a new peak. In a broadcast on October 11, the Syrian Prime Minister Dr. Z'Ayyen boasted: "In the event of Israeli aggression against Syria, we shall set the area on fire and turn it into a cemetery for Israel, imperialism and imperialist agents." The situation is explosive! Few realize the meaning of these events now taking place in the Middle East. Most people have their eyes only on Vietnam. They simply don't grasp Bible prophecy — that the area of prewar Palestine is about to play the BIG role in world affairs.
The Importance of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jordan — with its dire poverty and many beggars — and its half-sister Jerusalem, Israel, are soon to become of prime interest to all nations. Most tourists coming to Jerusalem are only interested in the traditions and relics of the past. They have no idea what role this city will play in the future — the next few years. But you can know! You can know definitely and specifically what is going to take place in this part of the world. You can know how and why Jerusalem will be involved in the political maneuvers of the major nations. You can know what will happen to Jerusalem in World War III that is now looming on the horizon. It's all prophesied and revealed in the Bible. The course of future events to take place around Jerusalem is laid out step by step in the very Book scoffed at, ridiculed and rejected by the world — the Holy Bible. Almost no one, it seems, understands what the Bible is. It is a revelation of God to man of essential knowledge we could not otherwise find out. It's a book that lays bare the future in plain, understandable terms. But before you can properly understand Bible prophecy, there are certain keys you must know first.
Duality in Prophecy
One key that unlocks Bible prophecy is the identity of such modern nations as Britain and the U.S. Read our free booklet, The United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy which explains it. Another important key is in understanding that prophecy is dual. The events mentioned in the prophecies may have been already fulfilled as a type sometime in the past. But the major fulfillment will take place in this twentieth century — in the next few years! This duality is a master KEY which unlocks dozens of prophecies. (For proof of this, write for our free articles, "Why Prophecy?" and "Seven Keys to Understanding the Bible.") When you know these keys and study the prophecies from this viewpoint, you can see what is about to happen to the Arab world. You can know who will ultimately control it. And you can know which nations will be allied together against the Jews in Palestine. First, look at the Jewish-Arab situation. Jesus Christ foretold that the Jewish people would be scattered throughout the world, and that the old city of Jerusalem would remain trodden down under the heel of the Gentiles "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). Other prophecies show that the "times of the Gentiles" have not yet ended. Gentile Arabs still possess the old city of Jerusalem. The prophecy in Zechariah 14:2 reveals that Jerusalem would be a divided city in the time of the end. Half of the city is to be taken into captivity — the other half is not. The Jews will have growing troubles with the Arabs. The United Nations will undoubtedly be called in from time to time to settle disputes, but without lasting results. Other nations will become involved. Germany and the European nations will become vitally interested. The Communist nations will also enter the picture. Alliances will be formed. Your Bible reveals a powerful union of Arab nations is developing which ultimately will not cooperate with either the U.S. or Russia, but with the new United Europe.
David's Amazing Prophecy
Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel's enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name "Israel" from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) "For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee..." (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. "Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot" {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe. But what of Egypt? She is not directly mentioned in Psalm 83. Egypt controls the vital Suez. She will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the "king of the north" in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the "glorious land" of Palestine (verse 41). "And the land of Egypt shall not escape" (Dan. 11:42). These events were foretold by Jesus Christ. In His Olivet prophecy, He said: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh" (Luke 21:20). When you see a coming resurrection of the old Holy Roman Empire — a United States of Europe — the coming third power bloc in central Europe — marching into Palestine, then realize that this final desolation of Jerusalem is beginning! Egypt will be subdued as a satellite nation — her sea gate used by the Europeans. The Libyans and Ethiopians will also be forced to submit (Dan. 11:43). Syria will be punished (Isa. 17:3). But all will not go well with Europe. The book of Daniel, chapter 11, reveals threatening news from the Soviet Union — east and north of Palestine — will trouble the European dictator (verse 44). This coming dictator over a United Europe will then move his headquarters to Jerusalem — "in the glorious holy mountain" (verse 45). From there, he is forced to launch a blitzkrieg against the Communist offence. The Bible says that this attack becomes his "Waterloo" — and no one helps him (verse 45). For a more detailed explanation of these prophecies in Daniel 11, write for our free article, "The Middle East in Prophecy." Other prophecies give more details about this climactic struggle for world power. As we have just seen, this battle will involve the armies of Europe and the Communist nations. These armies will converge in the area of Palestine. So says your Bible!
Armies Gather at Armageddon
Just before the return of Jesus Christ, all the nations of the whole earth will marshal their armies at a place called "Armageddon" in the Greek pronunciation of the Hebrew name (Rev. 16:16). This will be in preparation for fighting the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" (verse 14). "Armageddon" comes from the Hebrew word, Har Megiddo. Har means "fortified," or "fortified hill." Megiddo is a small town approximately 55 miles northwest of Jerusalem, situated in a large bowl-shaped valley once called the Plain of Esdraelon, but now commonly called the Valley of Jezreel. The hill of Megiddo was strongly fortified in the days of King Solomon (I Kings 9:15). It was a literal fortress arising above the surrounding plain.
Just before God intervenes in human affairs, armies will gather in Valley of Jezreel, around Megiddo, Bible prophecy reveals. They will then converge on Jerusalem to fight against Jesus Christ who is coming to enforce peace on a war-torn world.
I saw the archaeological excavations of Tel Megiddo while in northern Israel. The fortress hill Megiddo serves as a type, or forerunner, of the bristling fortifications that shall soon envelop the whole surrounding area. The vast plain of Megiddo in the Valley of Jezreel offers a natural gathering place for armies because of its extensive flat area. It is just a few miles southeast of Haifa — a natural port and industrial center that could provide ideal facilities for any troops landing there. Historians have said that more battles have been fought in the Valley of Jezreel than anywhere else on earth. This is where the armies gather. From this natural gathering place, the armies spread southward towards Jerusalem. The actual battle takes place in the environs of Jerusalem — against Jesus Christ. Notice Zechariah 14:2, "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle." Jerusalem will be the focal point for the armies of all nations. Here the coming reborn Holy Roman Empire — a United States of Europe — and its allies will make their final stand. There, too, will be the vast Communist Russian, Mongolian and other Oriental hordes of Eastern Europe and Asia. The nations, already engaged in an all-out struggle for world domination, will be angry and furious when they see Christ has come to intervene in human affairs. They will call him the anti-Christ. So instead of fighting against each other, both Fascists and Communists will turn their attack against Christ.
Last Climactic Battle
In a frenzy of rage, these nations will prepare to unleash all of the nuclear destruction at their disposal in an attempt to thwart the supernatural government of Almighty God. They will even dare to challenge Jesus Christ in battle to determine who will rule the earth. It is this climactic battle — the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty — that will determine who will rule the earth forever. This battle is described in Revelation 19:11-21. Notice verse 19: "And I saw the beast [the coming fascist dictator in Europe] and the kings of the earth [his allies], and their armies, gathered to make war against him [Christ] that sat on the horse and his army." And who composes Christ's army? Verse 14 of Revelation 19 and Matthew 25:31 say that the holy angels are Christ's army. The focal point of the battle will be near Jerusalem in the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:1-2, 9-14). This valley is a deep ravine having very steep sides, and borders the city of Jerusalem on the east. (Compare Rev. 14.19 with Joel 3:13) What will be the outcome of this battle? Read the answer in the 12th chapter of Zechariah. Verse 3 says: "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered against it." All nations involved in this struggle will be "cut to pieces." Jesus Christ will punish all the nations that attack Jerusalem (verse 9). Christ will first strike them with a plague that will consume their flesh (Zech. 14:12, 15). Then, just as God dealt with the people at Babel, Jesus Christ will cause confusion in the minds of both man and beast (Zech. 12:4 and 14:13). They will fight blindly among themselves and utterly destroy one another. There will be so much bloodshed the blood will rise as high in some places as horses' bridles (Rev. 14:20 compared with Joel 3:13).
Jesus Christ the Victor
The victor will be Jesus Christ. He will overcome the rebellious nations and establish Himself as Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 19:19-21 and 17: 14). He will establish His government on this earth to bring peace and prosperity at last. Jerusalem means "City of Peace." Jesus Christ, the "Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6), will take control of the "City of Peace." He will make it the capital of the earth (Jer. 3:17) — the world headquarters of His government. Jerusalem ultimately will have the greatest influence of any city on the destiny of mankind. Being near the geographical center of the land surface of the earth, it is the ideal focal point for world control. It will be rebuilt to perfection. No city of the past will equal its splendor and magnificence. It will become the future model city to set the pattern for cities throughout the world. From the temple on Mount Zion, God's laws will go forth, bringing peace to the earth (Isa. 2:2-4). From here in Jerusalem, Christ — and those true Christians who qualify now — will rule and bring peace, prosperity and eternal salvation to the world. This wonderful world tomorrow will soon be here. Will you be qualified for a place in that new world?
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