Look Up Fellowship "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

Say what you will about the subject matter explored here in recent days, but I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit is moving within the Body of Christ like never before! He's led me to some discoveries in the Word that are utterly amazing and that continue to renew and strengthen my faith on a daily basis.

I mean, there's just no other way to explain what I believe to be sudden "spiritual convergence" let alone the beautiful mystery of how I will be studying and writing about truths that another brother or sister in Christ is studying and writing about at the very same time, yet, we had absolutely no idea that that was the case. To me, that speaks to the nature of divine providence at a moment such as this.

I could never properly communicate the depths of awe that I've felt during this experience, but maybe I'm not supposed to. Maybe that's a journey that each of us has to take on our own in our attempts to apply what we read in Proverbs 25:2.

Lately, I've been doing a lot of reading on Ancient Mythology and its connection to the Bible and Bible prophecy especially as it pertains to the Bottomless Pit. As you know, the most glaring connection is the fact that "Appolyon" who's mentioned in the Book of Revelation is a derivative of the name "Apollo".

All of this, as fascinating as it is, led me to a quick study on the "Prince of Persia", the "King of Persia", and the "Gog-Magog" War. What I was left wondering was whether or not the Gog-Magog War was in anyway inextricably linked to the Bottomless Pit, and everything we've been witnessing around the world lately that speaks to the so-called "Alien/UFO-Full Disclosure Meme".


WHY THE GOG-MAGOG WAR IS CLOSE WHETHER OR NOT LINKED TO PIT


First, let's establish that Persia is synonymous with modern day Iran. Obviously, Iran is in the news a lot these days. That is no mere coincidence. Instead, it's the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. How so? Let's recall what we're told in the Book of Ezekiel. As Darrell G. Young wrote back in 2004:


It is fascinating to watch Russia being slowly, inexorably drawn into the Middle East conflict, almost against its better judgment, and forced by its economic need and its competitive drive to outflank the US and the West for global dominance, into what could easily become a showdown of the nations in the Middle East.

Russia has its own problems in the Caucasus region with Islamic terrorists, some of whom even have ties to Iran and Al Qaeda. Still, Russia envisions a more sinister threat from the European theatre for control of the Mid-east oil reserves than it does from any other sphere. The current situation mirrors the precise imagery that Ezekiel conveyed with the 'hooks in the jaws' analogy, and the even more fascinating is the statement emanating from God himself: 'I will bring thee forth'.

The key to Russia’s thrust into the Middle East quagmire rests with its major client partner and western agitator in the region, Iran. Ezekiel's roster of nations for the Gog-Magog war continues to align perfectly for the first time in history. 'Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.' The other nations on Ezekiel's Roster are all either Russian client states or old Soviet client states, with the exception of Turkey, which is rapidly being pushed back into the Islamic world by the European Union.


That was 2004. Now, contrast that with what we just saw in the "Positioning Gog-Magog's Final Piece" about Turkey's threats against Israel. How much more relevant are these statements from 2004 to today especially in light of all of this?

Let me just come right out and say it: At this point, where I am in my studies is a place where I have a sneaking suspicion that this nation (the United States) is about to be destroyed through divine judgment (or at least rendered powerless for a time), and once we're reduced in power and stature that's when the Psalm 83 War, followed almost immediately by the Gog-Magog War, will take place. The quick succession of these wars, one right after the other, is what would surely make the rest of the world believe they must've just experienced Armageddon, which would then set the stage for the rise of the Antichrist and his New World Order. And who would argue with such a conclusion? Scientists just changed the "Doomsday Clock" today.

Yes, I'm also at a place currently where I think the "Psalm 83 War" interpretation has some merit. I'm certainly open to the idea that Bill Salus' interpretation of Psalm 83 and its timing (and my acceptance of it) could be wrong, but where I do not waver is when it comes to the infamous Gog-Magog War. This most certainly has to occur at the beginning of Daniel's 70th Week (the start of the Tribulation and at the beginning of those final 7 years) given what we're told in the Book of Ezekiel about the aftermath and end result of the Gog-Magog War:


Ezekiel 39:9 (KJV) And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: (emphasis mine)


Of course, the fall of the U.S. could also be due to a sequence of events that involves the sudden disappearance of Christians from the world stage due to an "escape" like the Rapture. Regardless, we know that there remains one giant stumbling block to the Moscow led invasion upon the mountains of Israel, and Russia is nobody’s fool, not even Iran’s.

Russia is lying in wait anticipating the day when the U.S. is dislodged from its prominent perch as the world’s premier force in geo-politics, and destabilized internally to such an extent that it cannot utilize its great military machine. At least, that's my take on things.

So, if this analysis is correct, then Ezekiel’s scenario as recorded in chapters 38-39 must be an event that comes after a fatal blow is struck against the United States, greatly diminishing the position of the U.S. in the world.

Certainly, such a thought provides a grim outlook for America, but I think it is well within the scope of likelihood, both from a current-events perspective, and also from a perspective rooted in Bible prophecy. Plus, it's exactly what we've all been warning about for months now -- this impression that great judgment was about to fall upon this nation for her sins and rejection of God. In any event, something of world significance must happen that removes any obstacles that would hinder Russia from making its calculated move to lead a coalition of nations, including Iran against Israel.

What form of "destruction" might we see in this nation? Well, it may well revolve around the usual suspects involving a nuclear, chemical, or biological nightmare perpetrated by international terrorists. Or, it could involve those Russian nuclear subs off the East Coast of the United States that we read about in the news back over the summer. It might even be a "false flag" event designed to make us point the finger of blame somewhere else.


WHAT ABOUT A SPIRITUALLY DEMONIC CONNECTION TO GOG-MAGOG?


With all the high strangeness occurring around the world these days it seemed like a pretty timely project. Specifically, I've been examining the likelihood of one theory that says that the Bottomless Pit will be opened to release the demonic locust creatures just as prophesied, and they will wreak havoc upon the world, but only until the "good Aliens/UFOs" come down to "save the day" and "save us" by stopping those evil creatures.

I just noticed something else about the coming Gog-Magog War mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel. Russia has traditionally supported Syria’s claims to the Golan’s mountainous region. Yet, Syria is not mentioned by Ezekiel in the Gog-Magog scenario! The absence of Syria in this coalition is a key clue for us I think.

The absence of Syria from the Magog coalition indicates that the prophesied burden of Damascus event is perhaps something that happens just before the Gog-Magog War.


Isaiah 17:1 (KJV) The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap

14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.


Jeremiah 49:24-25 (KJV) Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!


Of course, all of this takes on a greater significance now because it was only a few weeks ago on December 12th when Iran and Syria signed a mutual defense pact against 'predator' Israel. First, Turkey lashes out at Israel and now Iran and Syria fall into lockstep.

Another observation that I hadn't noticed before is how some interpret the origin of Gog. The sudden appearance of "Gog" in Ezekiel’s text, without any apparent background from any other passages, has puzzled prophecy commentators for centuries.

From the context, it is clearly the title of the "leader of the people of the land of Magog", right? Still, it seems inconsistent with God's established style to have such a key figure emerge in the text without a linkage of some sort.

There is, however, a provocative reference that has been widely overlooked I think in the Book of Amos according to Young that simply must be mentioned here. The traditional rendering of Amos 7:1 reads as follows:


Amos 7:1 (KJV) Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.


An earlier translation of the Old Testament into Greek, known as the "Septuagint", embodies a different rending of this same verse:


Amos 7:1 (Septuagint) Thus has the Lord God shewed me; and, behold, a swarm of locusts coming from the east; and, behold, one caterpillar, king Gog. (emphasis mine)


Many eschatological writers assert that Gog is none other than the Antichrist, but the identification of Gog as the king of the locusts would have profound implications especially in light of our recent studies of Ancient Mythology and specifically Apollo!

Yet, to be fair, Proverbs 30:27 reveals that "the locusts have no king" so how do we reconcile this since the Bible does not contradict itself? Well, just as we've seen on several occasions already, this implies that the "locusts" of Amos 7 are not intended to be natural locusts, but an idiom for something else perhaps.

We encounter this theme when we read a similar passage in Revelation 9 where locusts are described as having a king, indicating that they are actually demons under the authority of "Abbadon" - "Apollyon" - "Apollo" who emerge from the Bottomless Pit! The passage in Amos 7:1 suggests that Gog is the king of the demon locusts, and this would put an entirely new light on the Gog scenario of Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Let's remember that it is not the first time we have heard about demonic forces behind kings and kingdoms. Take a look at the Book of Daniel:


Daniel 10:10 (KJV) And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.


Consider Daniel 10, where Daniel has prayed and fasted for 21 days, then an Angel appears to him. The Angel comes and tells Daniel that he had been dispatched by God 21 days earlier (when Daniel began his prayer and fast), but was "withstood" by a demonic force that he refers to as, "The Prince of Persia".

The Prince of Persia, was the angel of darkness that represented the Persian world power, to which Israel was then subject. Daniel even goes on to say Michael (the Archangel /one of the Chief Princes) came to help him. He then gives Daniel the visions, and concluded by informing Daniel that he must continue on to contend with another "prince of the power of the air", "The Prince of Grecia" (Greece).

The Greek empire was another world power that would rise after Persia, but it points out the reality of the fact that there are battles ensuing in the Heavens over earthly events! Every nation on earth is involved in a supernatural struggle, and each nation has unseen agents from the angelic world assigned to it.

So, Iran (or Persia) has been in the center of an unseen warfare ever since the ancient times. Daniel, being highly favored of God, was privileged to have God pull back the curtain of history and time and briefly expose him to the wars that continue in Heaven, and that affect events here on the Earth. Daniel prayed for divine insight into the meaning of some prophecies God gave him about the future of his people Israel.

Daniel’s vision reveals the fact that there are mighty Fallen Angels called demons that influence earthly leaders. And under God's permission, they even control them. The true "Prince of Persia" was able to hinder God’s Archangel Gabriel. It was only with the help of the Archangel Michael that Gabriel was able to subdue his hindrances.

Second, the Archangel Michael is said to be the special guardian angel of Daniel and the Israeli people. As it is written:


Daniel 12:1 (KJV) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.


BUT THIS OCCURS WHEN THE FIFTH ANGEL BLOWS HIS TRUMPET...


If we're going to do a study like this justice, then we need to try to be as consistent and thorough in our study as we can be.

Revelation 9:1-11 describes what happens when the Bottomless Pit is opened. It only happens when the "Fifth Trumpet" is sounded. So, naturally, that means that the first Four Trumpets had to have happened already.

Some would argue this means that the Gog-Magog War cannot be linked to the Trumpet Judgment of the Bottomless Pit especially if we believe that the Gog-Magog War occurs at the very beginning of the Tribulation. Is that really the case though? I tend to disagree.

When God was delivering Israel the first time, the last three plagues were locusts, darkness, and death -- all in a very quick succession.

I think that's what will happen once the Tribulation begins -- a quick succession of fulfilled prophecy that overwhelms the world in such a way to prepare them to accept a savior-like figure in the Antichrist.

Anyway, I'm still trying to go over this line of thinking to try and see if there are any "holes" in such a position. I desire the truth and a deeper understanding of God's Word and His plan for us in these end times, but I don't want to mislead myself or others during the process of self-discovery.

A piece like this is more or less to share with everyone what I'm currently thinking and studying in the hopes that other believers in Christ might be able to refute and or support such a perspective with Holy Spirit inspired insights of their own.