Terry James Commentary
Regions directly north of Jerusalem are being stirred to turmoil by the whirlwinds of prophetic destiny. Therefore it is the responsibility of watchmen on the wall to closely examine all things powerfully affecting that area so concentric to Bible prophecy yet to be fulfilled.
The specific prophecy, of course, involves that given about the Gog-Magog battle in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. We have been watching the stage setting for some time. Russia, which we believe to be Rosh, Iran (the greatest part of which is almost certainly Persia), and Turkey, which we believe to be a reference to most of what was ancient Togarmah, have been coalescing to Israel’s north for quite some time. This alone can be seen as nothing short of astonishing. Now, with the whole region directly to Israel’s north lighting up with what looks to be prophetic pyrotechnics, the spiritually attuned discerner’s observational powers should be fully turned on and in focus.
We have some from the Christian media community making declarations of what developments mean.
Pat Robertson said the following on his 700 Club show: “I am absolutely appalled that the United States is going to betray those Democratic forces in northern Syria, that we possibly are going to allow the Turkish to come in against the Kurds.” In typical “word of knowledge” power he claims to have, he offered further: “The President of the United States is in danger of losing the mandate of Heaven if he permits this to happen.”
While I can’t and don’t wish to be able to claim such “word of knowledge” ability to pontificate, I’m concerned, but not necessarily against, the president’s decision. I certainly don’t believe his decision to withdraw America from the immediate region of hostilities will doom Mr. Trump to a loss in the 2020 presidential election.
It might just be that the move is by the very hand of God. We can know for sure that America withdrawing in such a manner has in no way slipped up on the Creator of all things. This has not escaped His omniscience.
Turkey invading northern Syria to get at rebels of the region is a serious matter. The Kurdish people are in danger. Many among them are Christians, and that is one reason for many concerns among we who pray for our brothers and sisters there. But so should we pray for all who face death and destruction in this or any military incursion. So, I, like you, don’t view all this lightly.
I do, however, consider these matters from a particularly focused perspective. Things taking place in that biblically important part of the world at this late hour in this quickly fleeting Age of Grace must be critically important. In view of all other converging signs we are discerning, any such apparent stage-setting should light up the eschatological radar screens.
It is proper to consider, I think, whether this president’s decision to remove American involvement from that specific area is God-ordained. I don’t mean that Mr. Trump might be aware of it possibly being a directive from on high. That in no way is part of this bit of prophetic pondering on my part.
We know that America is not mentioned by name in Ezekiel’s Gog-Magog prophecy, just as the nation isn’t mentioned in any prophecy by name. Here is what we do know God’s prophetic Word says about the nations observing that attack from the sidelines –the attackers we believe to be led by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
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? (Ezekiel 38:13)
My scenario-pondering is wrapped up in the following. I claim no “word of knowledge.”
With America removed from that region of interminable conflict, the other nations that presently comprise NATO and all other countries of combatant-loaning sorts might not be willing to intervene against the assault. Most consider Israel as the problem in the world. Think about the UN being almost totally against Israel on every issue.
If America isn’t there at the time of the Gog-Magog assault, these nations will almost without question not seek to oppose the coalition, led by a powerful Russia.
The removal of America at this time from this theater of future war is most interesting to contemplate. God tells in this prophecy that He, alone, will save His chosen nation. There will be no doubt about who does the rescue.
America’s military might won’t do so. That’s for sure.
