It's almost midnight. Several prophetic events are about to take place that will take an unprepared world by storm. s the prophetic clock ticks inexorably forward, history is swiftly speeding to its  inevitable end. There is much discussion going on within and without the Church, but   precious little truth is being brought forward. The Church, as was prophesied, is  mostly asleep and uninterested. The world, in an orgy of New Ageism, is bringing forth much end-of the-millennium nonsense or dusting off old staples like Nostradamus. The blind leading the blind.

Bible prophecy, graciously given to us by God, is the only beacon of light and compass in the present and increasing spiritual darkness. And while this heralds the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth, getting there will prove to be the most traumatic and trying time ever since man walked the earth. Two thirds of mankind will perish during this time of unbelieving devastation and only the return of the Lord Jesus Christ will prevent the total  destruction of mankind. God is about to pass His Judgement upon a sinful, unrepenting (and proudly-so) mankind.

Biblical prophecy has always had the nation of Israel as its main focus and objective.  Since 1948, Israel, after an exile of about 2000 years, was re-established as a nation,  a case unique in human history. This event had, of course, been predicted by the  prophets of the Old Testament and, all by itself, it constitutes the most important  single event of the End Times, because it allows for the fulfillment of the  remaining prophecies.

     The Rapture of the believers can occur at any time, since there is no prophecy that must be fulfilled before its taking place.

The next event that we will probably see is the attack upon Israel by a coalition of  Arab and ex-Soviet states, as written over 2500 years ago by the prophet EZEKIEL (see chapters 38, and 39), who describes this attack and identifies these nations as:  Gog of the land of Magog, of Rosh, Mesheck and Tubal, (this area corresponds to   parts of the ex Soviet Union) - Persia, (Iran) - Cush, (Ethiopia) - Put, (Libya) -   Gomer, (parts of eastern Turkey and Ukraine) - and the house of Togarmah,  (southern Turkey).

In this list we find some of Israel's most rabid enemies of our days. The ex-Soviet  Moslem states have intensified contacts with fundamentalist Moslem countries like Iran, certainly one of the most fanatical enemies of Israel. We also have heard that Iran has acquired nuclear expertise and fission material from Russia and is always  shopping for more. (At of the writing of this article, come the news of Russia's sale of a powerful submarine to the Iranian fleet and a news report from the Iranian State
Agency that Iran has just developed a missile capable of hitting Israel). Soon these  nations will join together with the sole purpose of destroying Israel once and for all. But they are in for a big surprise, as also is the rest of the world.

 The Bible expressly states that these nations will be defeated and  destroyed, by a direct Act of God, both their armies and their home countries. .

                         “ I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall
                          see My judgement which I have executed, and My hand
                          which I have laid on them. So the house of Israel will
                          know that I am the Lord their God from that day forward.”
                          Ezek. 39:21-22

Though the verses in Ezekiel 38 and 39 explain these events quite graphically, they will, nonetheless, leave the whole world gasping as they will unfold. Many will be the outcomes of this defeat, but we can name two main ones: 1) the end to Islam's expansion, (today easily the fastest growing religion) and to Arab bloody fundamentalism. (I will go one step further and say that this will be the end of Islam).

2) Israel will become the most influential nation on earth. Only after this will Israel be able to build the Temple and experience a spiritual awakening, a prelude to her final conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Or does anybody in his right mind believes that Israel will be allowed to build  the Temple as things stand presently, and with the two Moslem Mosques standing in the Temple area? Furthermore, presently, Israel is as worldly and apostate as she  can be, with only a small percentage of orthodox Jews desperately clinging to their beloved Torah. This situation will reverse itself after the supernatural victory that God will grant Israel over their enemies.

The Temple must be built, because it is fundamental to the Tribulation period. The Antichrist will use it and so, it is obvious that before it can be built there must be a shakedown of the present situation. We know that preparations are being made for  the sacrifices, (the "red heifer" news is very recent). It is also reported from  knowledgeable sources that all the sacred vessels and the priest's garments are ready, as are the the priests who will perform the rites.

So, as we study the End Times prophecies, we must keep our eyes focused upon Israel, God's timepiece.