Is the United States Starting World War III?

Are we currently in World War III? Many pundits claim that we are. What brings them to this conclusion? Yes, the U.S. is currently engaged in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, these engagements are a prelude to a coming major conflict. We live in a world that faces global terrorism. However, many countries don't see terrorism as a threat. During the last world war, the world didn't see Hitler as their problem; the Holocaust occurred while nations did nothing. Now history stands to repeat itself. Nations are not presenting a united front against terrorism, even as terrorists openly threaten them. The next tragic event may likely bring the world into a full-fledged world war. Ezekiel 38 and 39 contains one of the most popular Biblical prophecies regarding the destruction of many nations after a major war. After this war, the geographical and landscape of the Middle East will be considerably different.

The prophet Ezekiel was taken captive after the Babylonian conquered Jerusalem. It was during the years 592 to 586 BC that he wrote his prophecies. Chapter 38 of Ezekiel opens with:

"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: 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. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" (Ezekiel 38: 1-6, 13)

Most Bible scholars agree that the countries Ezekiel's describes are Russia, Persia (Iran), North Africa, and other Islamic surrounding nations. In his book, Epicenter, Joel Rosenberg outlines the countries listed in Ezekiel Chapter 38: Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal are Russia and the former Soviet Republics. Persia is Iran. Gomer is Turkey and possibly Germany and Austria. Beth-togarmah is Turkey and Armenia. Sheba and Dedan are Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and Gulf States.

Some may ask why Russia would attack Israel. Let's not forget Russia's past behavior towards Israel. Recently released White House documents show during the 1967 war, Russia came quite close to invading Israel. It wasn't until the United States stepped-in that Russia backed off. Also, Russia was less than willing in allowing Russian-Jews to return to Israel during the Diaspora. There has been a constant underlying friction between the countries. One would have to been under a rock not to notice the new found buddy-buddy friendship between Russia and Iran. Russia's selling of nuclear arms and fuel to Iran may not be seen as an alliance, but it is. This alliance has all the ingredients for an unimaginable confrontation. When the Gog / Magog war occurs, Russia, Iran, North Africa, and other Islamic nations will pay a heavy price. Chapter 38 of Ezekiel leaves off with all these countries receiving a relentless judgment for God.

"And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 38: 21-23)

Reminiscent of His defense of the Israelites during the Exodus, the Lord will once again come to Israel's rescue and soundly defeat her enemies. He will send confusion into the camps and all the nations will know that He is the Lord. I believe this will be the beginning of a great spiritual awakening for the Jews and Gentiles. Think about it! Once observing surrounding nations' line up against her, political commentators will conclude that the nation of Israel is a goner. All will declare it's a miracle that the state of Israel still stands. The question is will they give God the glory? The evidence will be indisputable to deny and as His word says, "Then they shall know that I am Lord."

On his DVD, Israel and the Battle of Gog and Magog, Perry Stone describes a four-fold plan of the enemy described in Ezekiel's prophecies:

-"To take a spoil."
-"To turn your hand on the places now inhabited." (Ezekiel 38:12)
-"To take away silver and gold."
-"To take away cattle and goods." (Ezekiel 38:13)

Due to a warning the Holy Spirit gave his father, Stone believe a major famine will hit the Middle East forcing Russia, Iran, and other Islamic nations to invade Israel for her goods and resources.

Chapter 39 of Ezekiel continues in detailing the complete and utter destruction against Gog and the other nations against Israel. Destruction will be so bad that 1) Israel will burn the weapons of their enemies for seven years, 2) in order to cleanse the land it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies, 3) the Lord will allow birds and beast of the field to feast on the sacrificial meal He has prepared for them from the corpses of Israel's fallen enemies, and 4) the Lord will allow only 1/6 of the invaders to live. (Ezekiel 39: 9, 12, 17)

In my opinion, World War III has begun. Casualties of war are occurring everyday. The aftermath of Gog and Magog will leave a vastly different Middle East. Not surprisingly, terrorist do not believe Ezekiel's prophecy or the Bible. For as long as the nation of Israel exists, her Arab brothers will proudly shed their blood to try to prove God's Word is untrue and to make the nation of Israel disappear. Sadly, they don't know that they are fighting a loosing battle. Don't forget there is perpetual spiritual warfare that ensues every day.

In this devastating war, it appears the beast of the field will be feasting on the flesh of Israel's fallen enemies located in a place named Bashan. "Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan (Ezekiel 39:18). If one were to do an internet search for the site of Bashan, you would find that it's the Golan Heights. The area of the Golan are in a current dispute between Israel and Syria. On July 7, 2207, a top Syrian official said that if Israel doesn't vacate the strategic Golan Heights before September, Syrian guerrillas will immediately launch "resistance operations" against the Golan's Jewish communities (worldnetdaily.com). For some strange reason, Syria is not mentioned among the nations in Ezekiel's prophecies. Syria must have already met her destruction. (Isaiah 17:1)

Ezekiel 39 closes with: " ²⁷ When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; ²⁸Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. ²⁹Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD." Verse 27 and 28 has already occurred. The Jewish people are once again in their homeland and countless Jews are returning to Israel. Verse 29 declares that in the near future, the Lord will pour His spirit upon the house of Israel. Will you be ready?