BILL SALUS: GOG MAGOG DANGEROUS SPECULATIONS

Bill Salus: The NOW Prophecies, Part 2
(4) Bill Salus: The NOW Prophecies, Part 2 - YouTube

Prophecy Watchers: "Do you believe the Lord still works through dreams and visions? Bill Salus does. A few months ago Bill awoke in the middle of the night after hearing these words in a dream—The Now Prophecies. Bill was convinced it was a message straight from God. As the thought of going back to sleep crossed his mind, his cell phone rang. It was a call from somewhere in Africa and they didn’t speak a word of English! Wide awake now, Bill took it as a sign and he began writing like he never had before—in complete seclusion for 4 straight months! As things come to a head in the Middle East, the nations of the world seem poised once again for battle. Israel, Russia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the USA . . . are we about to see World War 3? Is this the season? Are Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38, Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 about to be fulfilled in rapid fire succession? These are most certainly the NOW Prophecies." 

Bill Salus is a well known pre-tribulation rapture "prophecy expert" who has been on the circuit peddling his wares for a number of years. (Titus 1:11). He continues to promote his ideas through various "prophecy conferences" and also through channels like TBN and Prophecy Watchers. As the above narrative indicates, Salus' speculations are based on personal revelation and conjecture rather than on the scriptures. Recent events in Russia and Ukraine have sent various "experts" into a tailspin, increasing speculation that the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog/Magog attack against Israel could happen "very soon". According to Salus, the Gog/Magog battle is dependent upon certain preconditions, and he links these preconditions to what he describes as "Now Prophecies". In effect, Salus puts himself on the same level as Old Testament prophets with claims of epoch-making personal revelations from God. He connects these "revelations" to obscure Old Testament biblical prophecies which he alleges are applicable to "this generation".

Salus: "God's word to Noah was to prepare NOW for a worldwide flood. God's word to Joseph was to prepare Pharaoh and Egypt NOW for seven years of famine. God's word to Jeremiah was to prepare the Jews NOW for seventy years of exile into Babylon. The key word in these historical examples was NOW! What does God's Word say for us to prepare for NOW? What are the tough decisions we need to make? The NOW Prophecies book identifies the biblical prophecies that were written centuries ago for THIS GENERATION! These ancient inscriptions predict powerful events that will profoundly affect everyone. This book makes it easy to understand how to get ready NOW for what to expect in the near future!" {1}

Bill Salus' eisegesis

According to Salus, the Gog/Magog attack against Israel in Ezekiel 38-39 will precede the 70th week of Daniel. In his book The Now Prophecies, Salus makes the case that certain other imminent prophetic events will set the scene for the Gog/Magog attack. The nations in Bill Salus' speculative scenario are Israel, Russia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the USA. Salus theorizes that a "gap period" exists between the alleged pre-tribulation rapture and what he refers to incorrectly as "the seven-year tribulational period" (biblically the 70th week of Daniel). According to Salus, the seven year covenant between the Antichrist and Israel referred to in Daniel 9:27 does not indicate the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, and he proposes that a "gap period" (an unspecified period of time) will precede the 70th week. {2} Salus' proposed "gap period" is problematic and is not indicated in the scriptures. The consensus among most bible scholars is that the 70th week of Daniel will begin when the seven year covenant is made. This view accommodates the timeline of the "abomination of desolation" event at the halfway point of the 70th week, when the Antichrist will put an end to sacrifice and offering and proclaim himself to be God: 

And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:27).

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Salus' complex eisegetical "revelations" indulge his imminent pre-trib rapture view and his so called "Now Prophecies". 

Iran (Persia/Elam)

The first event Salus proposes is a "potential nuclear disaster in Iran"  based on Jeremiah 49:34-39. Salus surmises that its most likely fulfillment will occur when the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is destroyed, either by the Israelis or by an earthquake, releasing radiation that will force the evacuation of the whole area.

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might. I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go. So I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who seek their lives. I will bring disaster upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the LORD. “I will send out the sword after them until I finish them off. I will set My throne in Elam, and destroy its king and officials,” declares the LORD. “Yet in the last days, I will restore Elam from captivity..” (Jeremiah 49:34–39).

The Elamite Empire covered a large swath of modern day Iran along the Persian Gulf. Although little is known about the history of the Elamites, they are nevertheless included in the various judgements against Israel's hostile neighbours in Jeremiah 49. The above prophecy is believed to have been issued by Jeremiah in 597 BC, one year prior to Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Elam in 596/5 BC. The Elamites and Medes subsequently became part of the Persian Empire when Cyrus the Great took control of the area in 539 BC. Salus has capitalized on the fact that details are sketchy regarding the fulfillment of this prophecy, and his wild speculations concerning a nuclear disaster cannot be corroborated by the scriptures. A significant problem with Salus proposed nuclear disaster is that this prophecy declares that Iran will be utterly "scattered, shattered and finished off". If Iran is "finished off" in the near future, how will they play a role in the alleged Gog/Magog coalition against Israel before the 70th week of Daniel? Persia, Cush, and Put will accompany them, (Ezekiel 38:5). 

 The destruction of Damascus

An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins. (Isaiah 17:10 cf. Jeremiah 49:23-27). 

There is a lot of hype in various quarters concerning the complete destruction of Damascus. Salus prophecies a nuclear attack upon Damascus by Israel. The claim that Damascus has "never been destroyed" is a fallacy. According to Vitringa, Damascus has been destroyed more often than any other city. Isaiah 17:10 probably refers to the destruction of Damascus by Sargon (possibly the son of Tilgath-Pilneser). "Sargon besieged the city, took it, and reduced it to ashes ('Records of the Past,' l. s.c.)." {3}

Gill: "Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city; a kingdom, as the Targum; it was the head of one, but now its walls were demolished, its houses pulled down, and its inhabitants carried captive; this was done by Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, 2 Kings 16:9 it had been a very ancient city, see Genesis 15:2 and the head of the kingdom of Syria, Isaiah 7:8, and though it underwent this calamity, it was rebuilt again, and was a city of great fame, when destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah 49:24 after which it was raised up again, and was in being in the apostle's time, and still is, Acts 9:22, 2 Corinthians 11:32." {4} 

The toppling of Jordan

Behold, I will bring terror upon you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, from all who are around you, and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, with none to gather the fugitives. (Jeremiah 49:5 cf. Obadiah 1:1-14; Numbers 24:18).

According to Josephus, in 581 BC, Nebuchadnezzar made war against the Ammonites and the Moabites and brought them under subjection. {5} By the middle of the sixth century BC Ammon had ceased to exist as an independent nation. (Jeremiah 49:20-21). It is important to note that Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites (Jordan) are very much in existence during the times of the Antichrist.  ..but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. (Daniel 11:41). Daniel's prophecy hardly facilitates Salus' claim that Jordan will be toppled prior to the 70th week of Daniel. 

The collapse of Egypt 

Isaiah 19:1-18 and  Ezekiel 29:1-21) 

I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of harsh masters, and a fierce king will rule over them,” (Isaiah 19:4).

Isaiah 19:1-18 was subsequently fulfilled by various "harsh masters". It is not possible to identify precisely which "fierce king" Isaiah was referring to in the above verse. There are three possibilities:

Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal (Assyrians) 

Nebuchadnezzar (Babylonians)

Cambyses and Alexander the Great (Greeks)

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 29:19-20). 

A clay cuneiform tablet in the British Museum gives a historical report of Nebuchadnezzar II's campaign against Egypt in his 37th year. {6} This campaign would have occurred two years after Ezekiel's prophesy.

At the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel the Antichrist comes out "conquering and to conquer". (Revelation 6:1). The opening of the first seal initiates the Antichrist's campaign against various near eastern nations. In Daniel 11:40 we read about the king of the south i.e. Egypt. Egypt will play a significant role during first half of the 70th week of Daniel. At the time of the end, Egypt will clash with the unnamed the king of the north who is widely believed to be the Antichrist. 

Daniel 11:40-45 specifically mentions the king of the south i.e. Egypt. The ruler of Egypt will attack the Antichrist and will be soundly defeated by him. These events happen during the first half of the 70th week of Daniel. The Antichrist's agenda during the first half of the 70th week is to gain ascendency in the Middle East, specifically the nations surrounding Israel. These conflicts follow the pseudo peace treaty the Antichrist makes with Israel. (Daniel 9:27). As such Egypt appears to be an independent nation prior to the 70th week of Daniel, until it comes under the subjection of the Antichrist. 

 

At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him. (Daniel 11:40-45). 

Psalm 83 

According to Salus, the Gog/Magog battle will follow the alleged Psalm 83 invasion of Israel when they are supposedly at peace and secure. (Ezekiel 38:11). {7} Psalm 83 is not presented within a prophetic framework and there is no evidence to suggest that it is a future event. In common with Psalms 79, 80, 82, and 85, Psalm 83 is a "lament” written by the psalmist in the present tense.

Before Bill Salus came up with his theory and published his book Isralestine in 2008, the consensus among bible scholars was that the ten nation confederacy poised to attack Judah in Psalm 83 was the 2 Chronicles 20 incident during the reign of Jehoshaphat (note the reference to Asaph in 2 Chronicles 20:14). The apparent mismatch between the three nation tribes in 2 Chronicles 20 and the ten nation confederacy in Psalm 83 is not strictly accurate due to overlaps. {8}

Gog/Magog - Russia?

Today we have a profusion of false "teachers/prophets" swamping the internet, making various claims about Russia and the end times. (Psalm 119:36). The Gog/Russia speculation rests on whether Hebrew נְשִׂ֕יא (rosh) refers to the leader/prince of Meshech and Tubal, or whether rosh is a proper noun and refers to modern Russia. CS Scofield introduced the Rosh/Russia notion in 1917, having taken the idea from 19th century Hebrew scholars, Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm Gesenius and Carl Fiedrich Keil. This interpretation has led to widespread speculation that Putin (or a successor of Putin) is Gog, that Rosh refers to Russia, and that Russia will come against Israel in the end times. The dispute regarding the interpretation of rosh painfully demonstrates the far reaching implications and confusion that arises from making "adjustments" to supposedly small details of the scriptures. (Proverbs 30:6). In my view Russia will probably not play a major part in the future Gog/Magog battle. I have written about this subject in more detail in a previous post and I have included the original sources where possible: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: DOES GOG MAGOG REFER TO RUSSIA? (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)  

Saudi Arabia and the USA?  

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’ (Ezekiel 38:13).

Salus speculates that "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof" (Ezekiel 38:13, KJV) is a reference to Great Britain and its colonies, including the USA  (all the young lions thereof). This interpretation finds no confirmation in the scriptures and is another one of Salus' speculations. 

Sheba and Dedan are ancient names for the Arabian Peninsula, especially Saudi Arabia, and Tarshish was probably a city near Gibraltar in Spain. (Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekile 27:12). 

Encyclopedia of The Bible: "It has been considered the same as Tartessus (Herodotus 4:152), the city to which Jonah fled (Jonah 1:3; 4:2). A Phoen. inscr. of the 9th cent. b.c., found in 1773 in Sardinia, notes a Tarshish in the island. Tarshish ships traded there, as also in Eziongeber." {9} 

The interpretation of "young lions" as Great Britain and the USA, is, in my view, a gross misrepresentation of the text. The Hebrew word kə·p̄i·re·hā (villages) has been interpreted "young lions" in some translations. The ESV has "and all its leaders". {10} Logically, these "villages" consist of various neighbouring allies of Sheba and Dedan and Tarshish. As such "with all the young lions thereof" refers either to allies of Spain in southern Europe/Africa and/or to allies of Saudi Arabia. Geographically, the Arabian Peninsula includes Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen, as well as the southern portions of Iraq and Jordan. It is unlikely that Ezekiel 38:13 includes "neutral countries" on an entirely different continent such the USA.

Gill: ..with all the young lions thereof; which some interpret of sea pirates, for their cruelty and voraciousness. The Targum paraphrases it, all the kings thereof; and so Kimchi thinks kings and princes are meant; but the Septuagint version renders it, all their villages; and so the Syriac version, all the cities.. {11} 

The question: "Have you come to seize spoil?" may be a protest against Gog's proposed invasion of Israel. However, a number of commentators have noted, the interpretation of the question is ambiguous i.e. it does not necessarily denote their disapproval or censure of Gog's intentions.  

The Gog/Magog battle cannot happen either before or during the 70th week of Daniel 

So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. (Ezekiel 39:7).

The most obvious rebuttal to Salus and others who make the claim that the Gog/Magog event will happen "soon" is that God's name will be profaned by national Israel right up until their repentance following the abomination of desolation event at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel. (Matthew 24:15 cf. Jeremiah 30:7). The covenant that Israel makes with the Antichrist is in itself a profanity. (Daniel 9:27). The Jews will therefore continue in their rebellion against God right up until they are converted soon after the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel. This definitive information makes it impossible for the Gog/Magog battle to happen "soon". 

Unwalled Villages

This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a tranquil people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— in order to seize the spoil and carry off the plunder, to turn a hand against the desolate places now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and possessions and who live at the center of the land.’ (Ezekiel 38:10-12).

There is no time in history when national Israel have dwelt securely. Israel has been threatened by its near neighbors from the time of the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. This continues to be the case to this day, and it is unlikely to change until the period of pseudo peace initiated by the Antichrist ensues at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel.  

The Hebrew verb gābar suggests that the Antichrist imposes a strong covenant with many for seven years, which he will break at the mid point of the "week". The covenant appears to relate primarily to the protection of Israel and the reinstitution of the sacrificial system. It may be that an uneasy peace is imposed upon Israel by the Antichrist, and that Israel agrees to it, perhaps under coercion. In any event, the "security" claimed does not appear to be the unsurpassed security spoken of in Ezekiel 38:11.

I therefore submit that the only time the elusive Gog/Magog battle can happen is when the bible says it does i.e. at the end of the millennium. (Revelation 20:7-9).

Why are Salus' speculations so dangerous?

Rather than following the complex "revelations" of Salus and others, it would be wise to heed Jesus warnings in the Olivet Discourse. (I Corinthians 4:6). Jesus referred to various unspecified wars, rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes during the first half of the 70th week of Daniel. The information concerning these wars in Daniel 11:40-45 conflicts with Salus' "revelations". The "birth pains" referred to by Jesus will be followed by the great tribulation which occurs during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel. There is nothing in the New Testament that specifies particular preceding conflicts and disasters leading up to the 70th week. Salus' speculations are a dangerous diversion from authentic biblical prophecy and keep people very busy with newspaper eisegesis.

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:4-14 cf. Romans 8:22).

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1).

1. The Now Prophecies : Bill Salus : 9780988726079 (bookdepository.com)
2. (14) Bill Salus: The Rapture Gap - YouTube

3. Isaiah 17 - The Pulpit Commentaries - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org

4. Isaiah 17:1 Commentaries: The oracle concerning Damascus. "Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city And will become a fallen ruin. (biblehub.com)

5. Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews, Book X (uchicago.edu)

6. tablet | British Museum

7. PSALM 83, The Missing Prophecy Revealed - How Israel Becomes the Next Mideast Superpower eBook : Salus, Bill: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
8. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: BILL SALUS: IS PSALM 83 PROPHETIC? (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

9. Tarshish - Encyclopedia of The Bible - Bible Gateway

10. Strong's Hebrew: 3724. כֹּ֫פֶר (kopher) -- 17 Occurrences (biblehub.com)

11. Ezekiel 38:13 Commentaries: "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"' (biblehub.com)