Did God actually say, “Those who bless Israel, I will bless, and those who curse Israel, I will curse.”?
Yes and no. Let me explain.
Genesis 12:1-2 actually says,Now the Lord said to Abram, (who was later renamed as Abraham), “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”
Then, Genesis 12:3 actually says, “I will bless those who bless you (referring to Abram, a.k.a., Abraham), and him who dishonors you (that is, Abram, a.k.a., Abraham) I will curse, and in you (referring to Abram, a.k.a., Abraham), all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
God said He would bless those who would bless Abram (who is also known as Abraham). It could be said that since Jacob was later renamed Israel, that Genesis 12:3 may have been referring to the nation of Israel.
This should lead us to ask who, or which, would God have us bless? Abraham? Jacob? Or, the nation of Israel? And in which of these are we to be blessed?
Read the prophetic verse from Hosea 11:1, to find the answer: “When Israelwas a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
The meaning of “When Israel was a child”:
This phrase refers to the early stages of the nation of Israel, particularly during the time of the patriarchs and the Exodus. The imagery of Israel as a child highlights the nation’s infancy and dependence on God. In biblical context, this period includes the covenant with Abraham and the formative experiences of the Israelites in Egypt. The metaphor of a child is used to emphasize innocence and the nurturing relationship God had with Israel.
The meaning of “I loved him”:
God’s love for Israel is a central theme throughout the Old Testament. This love is covenantal, rooted in the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is an unconditional love that persists despite Israel’s frequent disobedience. The love mentioned here is not just emotional, but also involves God’s actions in history, such as delivering Israel from slavery and guiding them through the wilderness.
The meaning of “and out of Egypt I called My son”:
This phrase directly references the Exodus, when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is a foundational event in Israel’s history, symbolizing liberation and the beginning of their identity as God’s chosen people.
The term “My son” signifies a special relationship, echoing the language used in Exodus 4:22-23, where God calls Israel His firstborn son. This phrase is also seen as a typological prophecy, later applied to Jesus Christ in Matthew 2:15, where it is fulfilled in the return of Jesus from Egypt, drawing a parallel between Israel’s history and the life of Christ.
Matthew 2:14-15, “And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
The meaning of “This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet”:
This phrase emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy, a common theme in Matthew’s Gospel, which seeks to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised Messiah. The use of prophecy here underscores the divine orchestration of events, showing that Jesus’ life was in accordance with God’s predetermined plan. The reference to prophecy also serves to connect Jesus’ story with the larger narrative of Israel’s history. (BibleHub.com).
The meaning of “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”:
This quotation is from Hosea 11:1, originally referring to Israel’s exodus from Egypt. In the context of Matthew, it is typologically applied to Jesus, drawing a parallel between Israel as God’s “son” and Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this role. This typology highlights Jesus as the true Israel, who embodies and completes the mission that Israel was meant to fulfill. The calling “out of Egypt” signifies deliverance and the beginning of a new covenant, with Jesus as the central figure in God’s redemptive plan. (BibleHub.com).
Although Jacob was named “Israel”; and although Israel was the name of the Nation of the Jews; In these prophetic verses, “Israel” is referring to the coming Christ, Jesus.
The Abrahamic Covenant, in which God promises Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3), is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, who brings salvation to all nations.
Thus:
“I will bless those who bless you (referring to Jesus the Christ), and him who dishonors you (referring to Jesus the Christ), I will curse; And in You, (Jesus the Christ), all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
We can learn that by putting verses into a personal biased view, or by taking one verse out of context can lead to differing and incomplete conclusions which can bring division, disagreement, strife and even conflict. (see “Is Israel today the Israel of the Bible?”).
(Click the image above for the video of Carlson and Baldwin on Israel)
There is a hotly debated assertion that modern Israel is not the same as the Biblical Israel. Yes, there are differences as well as similarities. But that debate misses the point that Israel had ceased to exists as a state or nation for 2,000 years. Then, as foretold, Israel returned as a nation in 1948, even “with some similarities and some differences” – but God has said He would reestablish Israel as a nation even if “only a remnant” would return.
The Prophecy of the Restoration of Israel is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting God’s enduring covenant with His chosen people, Israel. This prophetic theme is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God’s promise to restore Israel both physically and spiritually after periods of judgment and exile.
Old Testament Foundations (From BibleHub.com):
The restoration of Israel is prominently featured in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The prophets, speaking under divine inspiration, conveyed messages of hope and future restoration to a nation often beset by disobedience and exile.
1. Isaiah: The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel. Isaiah 11:11-12 declares, “On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”
2. Jeremiah: Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history, yet he spoke of a future restoration. Jeremiah 30:3 states, “For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares the LORD. I will restore them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.”
On a more contemporary note:
Tucker Carlson, well known and respected American conservative, patriot, political conservative and an Episcopalian-Catholic-leaning-Christian, has gone on the record against Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a dangerous man, caring only about Israel, accuses him of controlling America and of being no friend of America. He goes to express his wariness of Israel as a U.S. ally and to explain his disdain and dislike of Zionists everywhere. WHAT IS GOING ON?
Chuck Baldwin, pastor, previous presidential candidate, American patriot has gone on record saying the Israel of today is not the Israel of the Bible, that Netanyahu and Zionists everywhere are bloodthirsty monsters.
Baldwin, with all his seminary training and his doctorate, ignores and lies about the plain words of Scriptures by saying that the Bible never says, “If you bless Israel, God will bless you” Baldwin says “that is an outright lie”! (F.Y.I., see Numbers 24:9, Genesis 49:9, Genesis 12:3). WHAT’S GOING ON?
It saddens me to say that Carlson and Baldwin are putting their Nationalist ideologies ahead of God’s published plan. They are sounding like neo-fascists, (and I astounded and deeply saddened).
There are many other theologians and respected, well-grounded pastors and Bible teachers who assert that “the modern day Israel is not the Israel of the Bible”. If this is so, then what is the point of the existence of Israel at all?
These same two people acknowledge (or, at least I hope they acknowledge) that the Bible says God will call Israel back together as a nation, and that it happened in 1948.
According to Scriptures, Israel would be dispersed, as it was in the first century, yet would be regathered to their land and reborn as a nation. This occurred when Israel became a nation in 1948. With the return of a significant number of Jews to Israel in addition to the nation being reestablished, God is preparing the world for end-time events. Israel’s present history is one of ongoing crisis and turmoil, particularly in regard to the city of Jerusalem, and this will continue until Israel’s signing of a covenant with the Antichrist. That event will mark the beginning of the final years of Daniel’s seventieth week prophecy. (see GotQuestions.Org).
Isaiah 10:20-22 tells us, A Remnant of God’s People Will Return.
Isaiah 10:20. Now on that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will no longer rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. Verse 21. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. Verse 22. For though your people, Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return”.
A remnant will return: This phrase signifies hope and restoration. In the context of Isaiah, the prophet speaks to a future time when a portion of Israel, despite the nation’s judgment and exile, will come back to their homeland. The concept of a “remnant” is a recurring theme in the Bible, indicating a small, faithful group preserved by God.
A remnant of Jacob: “Jacob” here refers to the nation of Israel, descended from the patriarch Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. This highlights the continuity of God’s promises from the patriarchs to their descendants. Historically, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been conquered by Assyria, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah faced similar threats. The mention of “Jacob” emphasizes the unity and identity of the people as God’s chosen, despite their division and sin. It also connects to the broader narrative of Israel’s history and God’s enduring commitment to His people.
Only a remnant will return: The concept of a remnant is significant throughout the Bible, often referring to a small, faithful group preserved by God amidst judgment. This prophecy was partially fulfilled when a small number of Israelites returned from Babylonian exile (Ezra 2). Theologically, it points to God’s grace and mercy, preserving a faithful group despite widespread unfaithfulness. It also foreshadows the New Testament theme of a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5).
There is a hotly debated assertion that modern Israel is not the same as the Biblical Israel. Yes, there are differences as well as similarities. But that debate misses the point that Israel had ceased to exists as a state or nation for 2,000 years. Then, as foretold, Israel returned as a nation in 1948, even “with some similarities and some differences” – but God has said “only a remnant” would return. A remnant among the hundreds of thousands. Hidden within the 806,000 Jews who reassembled in 1948 forming the nation of Israel, was a remnant. Today, among the 10,148,000 Jewish inhabitants in Israel (population numbers from the Jewish Virtual Library), exists God’s remnant. They are waiting for their moment in eschatological history
A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.
Isaiah 10:23. For a complete destruction, one that is determined, the Lord GOD of armies will execute in the midst of the whole land.
Isaiah 10:24, Therefore this is what the Lord GOD of armies says: “My people, you who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod, and lifts up his staff against you the way Egypt did. Verse 25. For in a very little while My indignation against you will be ended and My anger will be directed toward their destruction.” Verse 26. The LORD of armies will wield a whip against him like the defeat of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and His staff will be over the sea, and He will lift it up the way He did in Egypt. Verse 27. So it will be on that day, that his burden will be removed from your shoulders, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of fatness.
He shakes his fist at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
Verse 33. Behold, the Lord, the GOD of armies, will lop off the branches with terrifying power;
Those also who are tall in stature will be cut down,
And those who are lofty will be brought low.
Verse 34. He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe,
And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.
Do not be deceived. The remnant has eschatological implications, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises in the end times. The Book of Revelation speaks of a faithful group that endures tribulation and remains steadfast in their testimony of Jesus. This eschatological remnant is seen as the culmination of God’s redemptive work, where the faithful are gathered from all nations to worship and serve God eternally.
Throughout Scripture, the remnant of Israel serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and sovereign purpose. It underscores the truth that, despite human failure, God’s plans will prevail, and His people will be preserved to fulfill His divine will.
Romans 11:26 plainly says, “All Israel will be saved.” The question that arises is: “What is meant by Israel?” Is the future “Israel” literal or figurative (i.e., referring to the ethnic Jews or referring to the Church)? Those who take a literal approach to the promises of the Old Testament believe that the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be restored to a right relationship with God and receive the fulfillment of the covenants.
In the Day of the Lord, God will “reclaim the surviving remnant of his people” (Isaiah 11:11). Jesus Christ will return and destroy the armies gathered against Him in rebellion (Revelation 19). Sinners will be judged, and the faithful remnant of Israel will be set apart forever as God’s holy people (Zechariah 13:8—14:21). Isaiah 12 is their song of deliverance; Zion will rule over all the nations under the banner of Messiah the King.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
(parts of this article use various sources such as the New American Standard Bible, BibleHub.com, GotQuestions.Org, the Virtual Jewish Library).
The news of the day is the heinous attacks on innocents in Israel by the demonic terrorists, Hamas, in Gaza. There is speculation swirling in the smoke and columns of fire from the rocket attacks that this could be the ‘beginning of the end’ as prophesied in scriptures (The Last Days).
The swift, decisive and appropriately violent response by Israel would make it seem that this will at least be the end of Hamas as a terror group, and should send a strong message to Iran and other terrorist states. But if this unprovoked attack and murder of innocent men, women, children and babies spreads, it could begin to look like prophecies regarding Israel and the End of Days are coming to pass.
There are events, however, which must take place to confirm or disprove these kinds of speculations, but this could very well the precursor or harbinger, of things to come.
Revelation 12:1-17
The Woman
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was pregnant, and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
The “woman” represents Israel. According to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11), the sun represented Jacob, the moon represented Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars were the sons of Israel which bowed down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now among the other tribes of Israel.
The Child is Jesus. The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression).
The Red Dragon, Satan
Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her Child.
A red dragon “symbolically suggests” an actual person will come to power on earth, with fierce power and a murderous nature. This is a picture of the complete evil with hideous strength.”
The revived Roman Empire is in view, here. The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation who reigns over the revived Roman Empire.”
Seven diadems on his heads: This dragon (person and political power) had great power (seven heads and ten horns) and claimed royal authority (seven diadems). The crowns represent his presumptive claims of royal authority against the true King.
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven: Many believe this describes one-third of the angelic host in league with Satan (his angels of Revelation 12:9). This army of angelic beings in league with Satan makes up the world of demonic spirits.
The Male Child, Christ
And she gave birth to a Son, a male, who is going to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there [c]she would be nourished for 1,260 days.
A male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He rules the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9 and Revelation 19:15) refers to the triumphant return of Jesus. By stating the starting point and ending point of Jesus’ earthly work, John alluded to all that stood in between.
After a conflict with the Prince of this world (Satan and his evil accomplices), who came and tried Him, but found nothing in Him, the Son of the woman (Jesus the Christ) was taken up to heaven and sat on the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20). Words can hardly be plainer than these.
“She would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days” is a reference to a three and one-half year period connects these events with the final seven years of the Daniel 9 prophecy. Since Revelation 12:5 describes the ascension of Jesus, and Revelation 12:6 describes yet-to-occur events in the 70th week of Daniel, between these two verses lies hundreds of years sometimes known as the “Age of Grace” (our current period).
The Angel, Michael
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”
And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Around the mid-point and concluding near the end of the Great Tribulation period, (from the 7th Tribulation Trumpet to the 7th Tribulation Bowl of Wrath), God will turn the tide against Satan – first in heaven, then on earth. The formation of that battle is already taking place and it will deny Satan access to heaven.
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE – compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:15-28, “So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. Wherever the corpse is, there the [e]vultures will flock together.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE as seen in Luke 21
The Return of Christ
Luke 21:25-28, “There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – THE COMING INVASION OF ISRAEL?
WHO ARE THE ‘PLAYERS’?
When we see this invasion of Israel by the joint forces of Russia, Iran and her proxies, forces from Turkey, the Republic of Georgia, Ethiopia, Libya and Northern Africa, and the Caucuses, we can know this time has come. This is when God will intervene
Luke 21:20 tells us, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near.”
We can see who these hostile invading armies are, by readingEzekiel chapter 38:1,
“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Verse 2. “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog(current day Russia),the chief ruler of Meshech(southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia)and Tubal(central Turkey), and prophesy against him,
Verse 3, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal.
Verse 4. I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them magnificently clothed in full armor, a great horde with buckler (small shield) and [large] shield, all of them wielding swords;
Verse 5. Persia(Iran), Cush(Ethiopia),and Put(Libya, N. Africa)with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
Verse 6.Gomer(southern Russia)and all its troops; Beth-togarmah(the Caucuses region of Armenia and Georgia)from the remote parts of the north and all its troops–many peoples with you.
These are the 10 Nation Confederation to watch, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17. All are Islamic, the Center of which is MECCA:
Nation #1. Gog: A Reubenite, son of Shemaiah, the prophetic prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and Magog. Gog is identified as a descendant of the prophet Joel, and in Ezekiel 38–39, he is the chief prince of the tribes of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog, the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media (Russia.).
Nation #2. Magog: The 2nd son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of several tribes northward from Israel; the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media and habitation of the descendants of Magog, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah. (Russia.)
Nation #3. Rosh: “the Prince of Rosh” is Asiatic Russia receives confirmation from the Imperial Dictionary. “Evidence exists of an ancient people called Rosh, or Rhos, supposed to be the original stem from which the Russia or modern Russians have derived their race and name.” The scholar, Bishop Lowther says: “Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel, signifies the inhabitants of Scythia, from whom modern Russians derived their name. We must conclude therefore, that Ezekiel’s “episode of Gog’s invasion” (A. B. Davidson) points irrefutably and undeniably to the Russians.
Nation #4. Meschach: Was a Chaldean. The Chaldeans inhabited the coastal area near the Persian Gulf. About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans and in 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. Modern day Turkey.
Nation #5. Tubal: a region in east Asia Minor, perhaps nearly equal to Cappadocia
Nation #6. Persia:Iran
Nation #7. Cush (Ethiopia): located on either side or both sides of the Red Sea. As such, “Cush” is alternately identified in scripture with the Kingdom of Kush or ancient Ethiopia.
Nation #8. Put (Libya): Ancient Libya. In this sense, Libya was the whole known African continent to the west of the Nile Valley and extended south of Egypt. Herodotus described the inhabitants of Libya as two peoples: The Libyans in northern Africa and the Ethiopians in the south.
Nation #9. Gomer: (was the wife of the prophet Hosea (8th century BC), mentioned in the Hebrew Bible‘s Book of Hosea (1:3). Hosea 1:2 refers to her alternatively as a “promiscuous woman” (NIV), a “harlot” (NASB), and a “whore” (KJV) but Hosea is told to marry her according to Divine appointment. She is also described as the daughter of Diblaim.) The Hebrew name Gomer refers to the Cimmerians, who dwelt in what is now southern Russia, “beyond the Caucusus”, and attacked Assyria in the late 7th century BC.
Nation #10. Beth-Togarmah: Togarmah is a city mentioned in Assyrian and Hittite texts. It was north of Carchemish on an Assyrian trade route. It may be related to modern Gurun between the Halys and Euphrates Rivers. (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia.)
Because of the length and complexity of the scriptures regarding the invasion of Israel in the Last Days from the book of The Revelation, I will simply recap these events by linking to the appropriate verses, and a detailed commentary with videos by Zion’s Hope (David Rosenthal) at the end of this page..
Just know that the destruction of the Antichrist, the beast and their invading armies and demonic forces will be thoroughly defeated and cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 16 through 20) after the 7th Tribulation Bowl is poured out.
It is also worthy to note that there is some ‘controversy’ or discussion about the “2nd Coming” or the SECOND ADVENT of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:29-31 (and similarly in Luke 21) record these words, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (it is important to note the words ‘immediately after the tribulation OF THOSE DAYS’), THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” This is clearly Jesus appearing, which will occur after the 5th Tribulation Seal and at the moment of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and is spoken of in the future tense. By all appearances we are well into the 5th Tribulation Seal and are very near the 6th Seal, so the ‘future tense’ of this verse can easily be considered to be from this day (10/11/2023) until His appearing – which could be immanent.
Then, in Revelation 19:11-16 we read, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Many commentators believe these verses describe the 2nd Advent of Christ. But clearly, taking Matthew 24:29-31 into account, this would be a THIRD advent, which would be incorrect. This is NOT a new advent or a new coming of Christ, but it is Jesus, who has already returned to gather His Elect (Matthew 24:31) and is seen sitting on horse, judging and waging war against the nations!
CONCLUSION – THE LONG VIEW
The events of the “Last Days” began as early as the birth and/or the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, as reported by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy in or around 2 B.C. through A.D. 95, and found in:
These events will conclude at the end of the pouring out of the Tribulation Bowls at the end of the SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION period, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.
We are seeing clear and distinct signs of the final days before His return and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. If you are His disciple, you do not need to be afraid. He is your protector. Your weapons and shield are the words of your testimony and the Blood of the Lamb.
When the time comes, He will give you words of wisdom to say, which no one can resist. Be brave and courageous.
If you have not already, now is the time, now is the day of your salvation. Turn to Jesus in humble submission and exchange your life for His, today – this moment. Find your peace, safety, sanctuary and salvation in Him!
If you have already given yourself and your life to God by His grace and through faith in Jesus, now is the time to complete your calling.
Do not wait for others to do the work of your calling – not the preacher, pastor, deacon, elder or friend. It is your calling and your joy to serve the Living God today.
YOU,“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that He has commanded you; and lo, He is with you always [remaining with you perpetually–regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
(Links are used in lieu of footnotes or references)
This is for the select who erroneously believe that Israel is an ‘occupier’ of the area now known as Israel. Here is a map that extends back to around 975 B.C., showing Israel’s historic possession of the lands known as Israel.
King David ruled the region around 1000 B.C. His son, who became King Solomon, is credited with building the first holy temple in ancient Jerusalem. In about 931 B.C., the area was divided into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. (Let it be stated that Israel is not a current occupier or current inhabitant of this region).
Around 722 B.C., the Assyrians invaded and destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. In 568 B.C., the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the first temple, which was replaced by a second temple in about 516 B.C.
For the next several centuries, the land of modern-day Israel was conquered and ruled by various groups, including the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians, Mamelukes, Islamists and others
Then, from 1517 to 1917, what is today Israel, along with much of the Middle East, was ruled by the Ottoman Empire.
But World War I dramatically altered the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. In 1917, at the height of the war, British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour submitted a letter of intent supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The British government hoped that the formal declaration—known thereafter as the Balfour Declaration—would encourage support for the Allies in World War I.
When World War I ended in 1918 with an Allied victory, the 400-year Ottoman Empire rule ended, and Great Britain took control over what became known as Palestine (modern-day Israel, Palestine and Jordan).
The Balfour Declaration and the British mandate over Palestine were approved by the League of Nations in 1922. Arabs vehemently opposed the Balfour Declaration, concerned that a Jewish homeland would mean the subjugation of Arab Palestinians.
The British controlled Palestine until Israel, in the years following the end of World War II, became an independent state in 1947.
In 1947, after more than two decades of British rule, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into two sections: an independent Jewish state and an independent Arab state. The city of Jerusalem, which was claimed as a capital by both Jews and Palestinian Arabs, was to be an international territory with a special status.
Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but many Palestinian Arabs—some of whom had been actively fighting British and Jewish interests in the region since the 1920s—vehemently opposed it.
Arab groups argued that they represented the majority of the population in certain regions and should be granted more territory. They began to form volunteer armies throughout Palestine. (Taken from History.com)
If one chief theme in the post-1948 pattern was embattled Israel and a second the hostility of its Arab neighbors, a third was the plight of the huge number of Arab refugees. The violent birth of Israel led to a major displacement of the Arab population, who either were driven out by Zionist military forces before May 15, 1948, or by the Israeli army after that date or fled for fear of violence by these forces. Many wealthy merchants and leading urban notables from Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem fled to Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, while the middle class tended to move to all-Arab towns such as Nablus and Nazareth. The majority of fellahin ended up in refugee camps. More than 400 Arab villages disappeared, and Arab life in the coastal cities (especially Jaffa and Haifa) virtually disintegrated. The center of Palestinian life shifted to the Arab towns of the hilly eastern portion of the region—which was immediately west of the Jordan River and came to be called the West Bank.
Like everything else in the Arab-Israeli conflict, population figures are hotly disputed. Nearly 1,400,000 Arabs lived in Palestine when the war broke out. Estimates of the number of Arabs displaced from their original homes, villages, and neighborhoods during the period from December 1947 to January 1949 range from about 520,000 to about 1,000,000; there is general consensus, however, that the actual number was more than 600,000 and likely exceeded 700,000. Some 276,000 moved to the West Bank; by 1949 more than half the prewar Arab population of Palestine lived in the West Bank (from 400,000 in 1947 to more than 700,000). Between 160,000 and 190,000 fled to the Gaza Strip. More than one-fifth of Palestinian Arabs left Palestine altogether. About 100,000 of these went to Lebanon, 100,000 to Jordan, between 75,000 and 90,000 to Syria, 7,000 to 10,000 to Egypt, and 4,000 to Iraq.
Henceforth, the term Palestinian will be used when referring to the Arabs of the former mandated Palestine, excluding Israel. Although the Arabs of Palestine had been creating and developing a Palestinian identity for about 200 years, the idea that Palestinians form a distinct people is relatively recent. The Arabs living in Palestine had never had a separate state. Until the establishment of Israel, the term Palestinian was used by Jews and foreigners to describe the inhabitants of Palestine and had only begun to be used by the Arabs themselves at the turn of the 20th century. With the Arab world in a period of renaissance popularizing notions of Arab unity and nationalism amid the decline of the Ottoman Empire, most saw themselves as part of the larger Arab or Muslim community. The Arabs of Palestine began widely using the term Palestinian starting in the pre-World War I period to indicate the nationalist concept of a Palestinian people. But after 1948—and even more so after 1967—for Palestinians themselves the term came to signify not only a place of origin but, more importantly, a sense of a shared past and future in the form of a Palestinian state.
In May 1948, less than a year after the Partition Plan for Palestine was introduced, Britain withdrew from Palestine and Israel declared itself an independent state, implying a willingness to implement the Partition Plan.
Almost immediately, neighboring Arab armies moved in to prevent the establishment of the Israeli state. The 1948 Arab-Israeli War that ensued involved Israel and five Arab nations—Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. By the war’s end in July 1949, Israel controlled more than two-thirds of the former British Mandate, while Jordan took control of the West Bank and Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip.
The 1948 conflict opened a new chapter in the struggle between Jews and Palestinian Arabs, which now became a regional contest involving nation-states and a tangle of diplomatic, political and economic interests.
The PLO Is Born
In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed for the purpose of establishing a Palestinian Arab state on the land previously administered under the British Mandate, and which the PLO considered to be occupied illegitimately by the State of Israel. (taken from Britannica).
All of this is ‘said and done’ and is recorded in history. Still, there are those who, either by the desire to mislead others or out of ignorance, choose to deny the holocaust ever happened and foolishly say that Israel is an illegitimate occupier of their own lands.
None-the-less, the recent atrocities by the Hamas terrorists which are funded and trained by Iran, are not justified by the desire of the so-called Palestinian-Arabs to establish a homeland.
Nothing can justify the evil and murderous hatred of certain Arabs and peoples, who have publicly stated their desire to destroy Israel and wipe all of her people off the face of the earth. This would be a genocide on an almost unparalleled level – exceeding the evils and horrors of the holocaust perpetrated by Hitler and his Nazis.
So, I want to conclude by saying that if you or anyone you know, and to those who would say that the recent attacks on and the slaughter of innocent Jewish men, women, children and babies by Hamas and Hezbollah and other maniacal murderers in that area are justifiable, YOU ARE EITHER TRAGICALLY MISTAKEN OR ARE FILLED WITH AN EVIL THAT MUST BE ERADICATED.
I will endeavor to make peace with all people, but for those who are filled with lies, rage and the desire to see the destruction of Israel and her people, I will avoid you. I will expose you. I will fight against you.
I pray for the peace of Israel – I stand with Israel.
Michael Young
“And I, God, will bless those who bless you Israel,
And the one who curses you, I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
(Paraphrased from Genesis 12:3)
(Please comment if you agree. A simple “yes” will suffice.)
Matthew 3:10, says, “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Verse 11. “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Verse 12. “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Olive Tree, specifically, comes to mind when talking about prophecy and about Israel. It is mentioned frequently in the Bible with regard to fruitfulness, health, and blessings. It is one of the seven species with which the land was blessed.
Jewish people associate it with the concept of “putting down roots” in the Holy Land. As such, olive trees appear in the emblems of both the State of Israel, as well as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The olive tree has also been used as a motif in many works of art and in Jewish culture throughout history.
Here are some specific examples of ways the symbolism of the olive tree is represented in the Jewish faith:
Peace: The olive tree has become a consistent symbol of peace over the years, thanks to the story of Noah’s Ark and the dove that brings back an olive branch as a way to inform Noah that the rain had subsided. Olive branches even became used as a means of showing peace to other leaders/nations.
Love and celebration: Olive branches were used to make wreaths for the heads of young people on their wedding days, and at festivals in biblical times. The pilgrims who brought their first fruits to Jerusalem decorated the horns of the bull that led the procession with olive branches.
Life and vitality: Throughout the Bible, there are consistent references to olive trees as symbols of life and vitality. For example, the people of Israel are referred to as “a green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit” in the book of Jeremiah. When King Solomon dies, the trees of the garden mourn, shedding their leaves.
“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees”. Verse 10 is saying judgment is now at hand. The prophesied Messiah is here. Your salvation is at hand. You cannot depend on your traditions, rituals, good works, heritage or lineage to be saved from the coming wrath. It is time to repent and bear fruit of Righteousness which is in Jesus the Christ, for your salvation, or you will perish.
Matthew 3:11, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John is pointing the way to Jesus. He baptizes with water for repentance which requires that you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, so you will be saved and escape the coming wrath; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
Interestingly, and important to this prophetic word, is that it is binding. Jesus has told us that whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
Baptism is a form of binding. Once complete, it is irreversible. We may fail to remember our oaths or to take them seriously, but God never forgets. God will remember the oath, and He will keep His Word. You and I are bound. The following words from the book of Matthew and the account of John the Baptist and of Jesus are a binding oath.
READER BEWARE:
Matthew 3:12, “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
THERE ARE FIVE POINTS GIVEN IN VERSE 12. THEY ENCAPSULATE THE ENTIRE TRIBULATION PERIOD, BEGINNING WITH THE BREAKING OF THE TRIBULATION SEALS, CONTINUING THROUGH THE TRUMPET AND BOWL JUDGMENTS, INCLUDING THE WHITE THRONE Judgment AND CULMINATING WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE 1ST HEAVEN AND THE FIRST EARTH WITH INTENSE HEAT. THEY ARE A BINDING OATH AND PROPHECY.
Jesus has told us that His coming will it be just like in the days of Noah. The days before the Great Flood people were eating and drinking, marrying, unconcerned about the warning of the coming wrath, that is until the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not understand the accuracy and the gravity of the warnings until the flood came and took them all away; so it will be with the return of Jesus.
So, what can you do with what you now know? Stay with me in this teaching and I will show you from scriptures how you not only can, but must, endure to the end of these days of trouble, and actually OVERCOME them. Stay with me on this, it’s important and could be lifesaving!
Then, Genesis 12:3 actually says, “I will bless those who bless you (referring to Abram, a.k.a., Abraham), and him who dishonors you (that is, Abram, a.k.a., Abraham) I will curse, and in you (referring to Abram, a.k.a., Abraham), all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
The Red Dragon, Satan
The Angel, Michael
