Isaiah 58:4 – The Fist of Wickedness

 

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isaiah 58:4

 

Dear Friends,

In 2014 I published a book called Dragon Slayer Jesus Christ. The main theme of this book is the rise of the new world order depicted in Bible prophecy. In Daniel 2, king Nebuchadnezzar was given a dream which foretold the history of the world from Daniel’s time to the end of the age—what Jesus called the times of the Gentiles. Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a metallic image, the components of which represented five successive kingdoms:

Head, Gold                                  Babylon
Arms and chest, Silver                Medo-Persian Empire
Belly, Brass               Greek Empire
Legs, IronRoman Empire
Feet, Iron mixed with Clay   New World Order (revived Roman empire)
Rock destroys image Jesus sets up his kingdom on earth

I believe at this point in history, 2020, we are just below the ankles in the legs of iron, transitioning into the feet of iron mixed with clay. The transition will be complete when the world is ruled by ten kings, represented by the ten toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s image.

In the book, I cited Isaiah 58:4 to show that God disapproves of the seemingly endless wars that the US has engaged in since the September 11 WTC attack. I know that was not the original intent of this verse, but I believe the application is sound in principle. While enriching the military-industrial complex, these wars have created horrific situations everywhere they have taken place. Yet, there is another biblical aspect to the conflicts that followed 9/11; I believe they have had a catalyzing effect, bringing us closer to the fulfillment of the Magog prophecy in Ezekiel 38, 39. For example, the conflict in Syria has brought both Russia and Iran to Israel’s doorstep. Here is how things currently stand as I see it:

President Trump has scaled back US military involvement in the Middle East, a policy which he campaigned on. In his rhetoric, he has said he wants to stop the endless wars. However, in recent months there has actually been a 20,000 troop surge ‘to deter attacks by Iran’. You could therefore say that the situation in the Middle East is fluid with respect to US military intervention. There is talk of moving troops from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific to counter threats from Red China, but it seems to be more of a long term plan than anything to expect immediately. Add in the following factors and the prophetic picture begins to appear, like a photo in a tray of developer.

• Following the death of Gaddafi in 2011 (achieved with the help of US air support provided by the Obama administration) Libya was engulfed in a civil war. The two main belligerents in this war are currently the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). The US unofficially supports the HoR and their military leader, FM Khalifa Haftar. Turkey, on the other hand, has been sending Syrian mercenaries, Turkish warships, anti-aircraft missiles, and air defense systems to Tripoli in support of the GNA. The US also supports the GNA in their efforts against ISIS, but not against the HoR. If it sounds confusing that is because it is. For background on how we got here see chapters IV, XI, and XIV of Dragon Slayer Jesus Christ. Libya and Turkey are, of course, both listed as aggressors in the Magog invasion of Israel—something to keep an eye on.

• Vladimir Putin is restructuring the Russian government in a manner that will give more power to the both the Federal Assembly (Russian Parliament) and the State Council, an advisory board which Putin will be given control of when his term expires in 2024. Putin has an amicable relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, but with a shift in the Russian power structure and Israel holding elections in March, the dynamic between Russia and Israel could easily change.

• With yet another round of elections on the way for Israel on March 2 and the Trump peace plan now in play (which the Palestinians responded to on Wednesday with a ‘day of rage’), the situation in Israel is fluid. Turkey immediately denounced the offer to the Palestinians of $50 billion and their own state, just as the Palestinians themselves did. PM Netanyahu, however, said Israel will move forward on Sunday with a vote to annex the Jordan Valley, something that Israel’s enemies will see as a provocation, to say the least.

Therefore, given the state of flux in the Russian government (Magog) and the nearly ubiquitous turmoil throughout the Middle East, the situation concerning a possible Magog invasion seems to me to be continuing its slow march toward the inevitable conclusion of Ezekiel 38, 39.

In related news reported by Steven Guinness, earlier this month while the World Economic Forum was holding their annual meeting in Davos, The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) announced they are collaborating with several central banks as they “assess the potential cases for central bank digital currency.” In other words, the central banks are beginning the process of phasing out the traditional currencies we all use. According to Agustín Carstens, General Manager of the BIS, “At first glance, not much changes for someone, say, stopping off at the supermarket on the way home from work. He or she would no longer have the option of paying cash. All purchases would be electronic.” He said this in a speech he gave last year in Ireland. Of course, the next step after that will be to usher in the mark of the beast.

In 1 Thessalonians 4, the apostle Paul explained how we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord will be caught up together in the clouds along with them which are asleep, to meet the Lord in the air. In Chapter 5 he wrote:

16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Father, thank You for your precious and unparalleled word and the blessed hope we have in Christ. Thank You, Father, that we need not worry about the hype and hysteria, sorrowing as those who have no hope. Thank you, Father, that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. May we love Him back with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Update 2/2/20: It was reported on Wednesday that Israel will postpone the Sunday vote to annex parts of the West Bank. On the same day, it was also reported that Benny Gantz said he would bring it for a vote in the Knesset next week. (The week beginning on Sunday, 2/2/20.)