Tag: middle east

Prophecy Pieces

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There is much going on in the continents of Europe and Asia. The nations of NATO continue to grapple with Russia’s horrendous war on Ukraine. Turkey has experienced devastating earthquakes. Unrest continues ad infinitum with Israel and surrounding countries. China and America are at odds over spy balloons.

Please think about something. The world began in the Middle East. Over there between the Tigris and Euphrates River is where the Garden of Eden was likely located and where the Tower of Babel incident occurred. Where God started the world, is where it will end.

Russia and Turkey are part of the nations of Gog and Magog, a league of powers that will come against Israel in the end-times but will be utterly destroyed by a miraculous intervention of the Lord. (Ezekiel 38-39)

Turkey boasts the home of Mount Ararat, where Noah’s ark landed. Also, the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are sourced in this country.

Ukraine is on the border of Russia and European nations. Russia will stand against the antichrist, who himself will be aligned with a western confederacy of leaders based in the area of Europe. Antichrist will temporarily protect Israel and promote the reinstatement of temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. Once Russia and other nations are defeated by the Lord, even as they come against Israel and antichrist, the door will be opened for antichrist to become a world leader during the second half of the tribulation, known as “The Great Tribulation.” (Revelation 13, Matthew 24:21)

China will no doubt be a part of “the kings of the east” who march over the newly dried Euphrates River for the Battle of Armageddon in Israel. (Revelation 16:12-16) Of course, King Jesus will utterly destroy all the powers that unite against Him in the end-time war. Then, comes the Millennial Reign of Christ!

It is incredible to realize how the Bible has prophesied events that are yet to happen, but as good as done. We see every piece sliding into place.

Read the news through the lens of the unchanging and eternal Word of God!

– Shelli Prindle

Shelli Prindle on YouTube (Revelation Playlist)

Tracing God’s Heart through Geography and History: The Mount of Olives

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Today in the Middle East, just to the right of Jerusalem, stands the Mount of Olives. This mountain is separated from the great city by a narrow area called the Kidron Valley. The Mount of Olives is approximately one mile long and rises to 2,680 feet above sea level. This mountain tells us much about the heart of God. For, God is the God of geography and history. Too many people today think the true God is “spiritual only,” but He is God over every realm! He is Lord over geography because He made this terrestrial ball and the entire universe (Psalm 121:2), and He is Lord over history because He stands outside of time as the “Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13).

What does this actual, geographical location reveal to us about the heart of God? Let’s look at three things:

    1) In Luke 21:37, we learn that Jesus would actually rest on the Mount of Olives following long days of teaching disciples. Our Savior would close His eyes and sleep on the mount at night. This amazes me, because Matthew 26:38 reveals that at this same place – the Mount of Olives – Jesus was nearly overwhelmed by the weight of the sacrifice He would make for the sins of the world. You see, the Garden of Gethsemane – where Jesus prayed right before His arrest and crucifixion – lies on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. Our Savior commenced His unimaginable suffering at the very place He rested so many other days before. I am ashamed to say that there have been times I can hardly sleep at night if I know I have an impending difficult time ahead; yet, Jesus rested in the very place He knew He would carry the weight of human sin. Jesus Christ could rest because He knew that His plan would prevail in the end, no matter how dark the time at hand.

    The Mount of Olives reminds us that we can rest in the midst of difficult circumstances and while facing an unknown future because God is in control.
    2) The words of Acts 1:9-12 tell us that Jesus Christ left this earth from the Mount of Olives. After instructing the disciples that they should concentrate on spending their lives as a testimony to God by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, Jesus was taken up into a cloud and was drawn out of sight. The disciples no doubt stood dumbfounded. They had finally wrapped their minds around His divinity because He had risen from the dead just as the Scripture promised, and He had walked on the earth for forty days following His resurrection. Now, after those seemingly short forty days, He was leaving! Their mouths probably hung open as they watched Him go. Perhaps they were thinking, “Why is He leaving us after rising from the dead?” and “Why is He not fixing this world system right now; why is He allowing the Romans to continue in their plot?” and “When will we see Him again?” As those disciples stood there, two angels informed them that “this Jesus” will come back the same way He left.

    I love it! “This Jesus”! Not another Jesus, but the very same One who walked with them, hugged them, ate with them, was nailed to a cross for them, resurrected for them, walked with them again in His new, glorified body; and ate fish with them in His new, glorified body – this Jesus would return to this earth! The Jesus that was put in the tomb is the Jesus that came out of the tomb and is the Jesus who will return on day. Similarly, the same me that dies physically is the same me that will rise physically and enjoy what Jesus prepares one day. Because of Him, we live too!

    The Mount of Olives reminds us that a very real Jesus is coming back to this earth to make a home of righteousness for us to enjoy with Him in very real, glorified bodies.
    3) The prophet Zechariah declares in Zechariah 14:4 that one future day the feet of Jesus will stand again on the Mount of Olives. At some point before the second coming of Christ, great armies will go to battle against Jerusalem. The city will be captured, and the end of Jerusalem and its inhabitants will seem inevitable. But, just when things seem hopeless – and not before – Jesus will descend on that mount. His feet will cause the Mount of Olives to split in half, producing a valley between the newly formed northern and southern halves of the mountain. That valley will be the way of escape for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Zechariah goes on to explain that the inauguration of the millennial reign of Christ will mean the people of Jerusalem will dwell securely, with no more curse (Zechariah 14:11).

    Just as God provided a way of escape for His people when they were caught between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptians, so He will provide a way of escape when the Antichrist and all the godless armies seek to destroy God’s remnant of people. Nothing stops God’s plan. In a real and tangible way, Jesus will once again be seen on the Mount of Olives.

    The Mount of Olives reminds us that Jesus is in charge of this world and all of history. He will provide the way of escape for His people and usher in the beginning of His, perfect kingdom.

Allow the God of all history and geography to strengthen your heart with the truths about one, particular location in the Middle East. The Mount of Olives is very important to Jesus, and it should be very important to us, too.