Nelson Walters' "The US Navy is anchored around the Strait of Hormuz. Prophecy tells us that the Western navies and the USA Navy will be destroyed, but is this the time? ..Before they are destroyed, the US Navy does something that sets the prophetic clock in motion. It enrages the Antichrist so completely that he abandons his military campaign, storms into Jerusalem and sits in the temple declaring himself that he is God.. The US Navy does that? Where is that found? The answer is in Daniel 11:30. Western ships, navy forces, including the United States Navy, block the Antichrist and force him to back down, and that is the trigger for the abomination of desolation, and that is the trigger for the flight of Israel on Passover, and that is the trigger for the destruction of the US Navy."
At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate..(Daniel 11:29-31 cf. Isaiah 46:9-10))
And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.
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 11:36-45).
The king of the North is traditionally understood to be the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The "South" refers to Egypt, ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty. The term "Kittim" historically refers to the people of Cyprus and, by extension, the western maritime powers. In the context of Daniel 11, it likely represents Roman forces. This phrase indicates a military intervention by a powerful naval force, which historically aligns with Roman intervention in the region. The "ships of Kittim" symbolise a formidable opposition that disrupts the plans of Antiochus IV. This intervention is a turning point, as it halts his campaign against Egypt.1
Many interpreters argue that Daniel 11:36–45 shifts from describing Antiochus IV to focus on the Antichrist, claiming that the text introduces a new figure whose arrogance and blasphemy exceed those of all previous rulers. My hesitation is the closing statement, “he shall come to his end with none to help him”, which reads more like a historical reference to Antiochus’ death rather than an eschatological conclusion about the Antichrist.
Walters connects Daniel 11 with Balaam’s fourth oracle in Numbers 24:15–19, and identifies Agag with Gog.* While Gog and Agag share thematic links as archetypal enemies, there is no reason to connect either passage with modern geopolitical events.
ASV: Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. (Numbers 24:7)
Septuagint: There shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased.
Walters refers to Gog as "the last great enemy of God's people, the final tyrant, the Antichrist himself". The bible never explicitly identifies Gog as the Antichrist. This is a much-debated subject; some interpreters equate the two figures, while others see them as distinct. In Ezekiel 39, Gog falls on the mountains of Israel and is devoured by birds of prey. However, Revelation 19:20 records that the Antichrist and the false prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20). This settles the matter; the Gog of Ezekiel 38-39 is not the Antichrist as some allege.
You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. (Ezekiel 39:4).
I hold the minority view that the battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 will take place at the end of the millennium, as outlined in Revelation 20, where Gog is specifically named. Similarities between Revelation 19 and 20 suggest the possibility of a typological prefiguration of the Gog-Magog War at Armageddon, which explains why some argue for the Armageddon-Gog view. Others argue that the Gog-Magog war will happen during the brief covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, which represents a deceptive false peace at the beginning of the 70th week. However, this view is difficult to sustain if we follow the pattern of Daniel 11:36 ff. The Antichrist is unassailable after the covenant with Israel is made; it is therefore doubtful that Israel will be attacked while under the Antichrist’s protection. (Daniel 9:27). Advocates of a pre‑seventieth‑week Gog war consistently overlook Ezekiel’s explicit description of Israel “dwelling securely… in unwalled villages, without walls, and having no bars or gates” (Ezekiel 38:11, 14). That condition bears no resemblance to the present geopolitical landscape, nor does it align with any other pre‑70th‑week Gog scenario. The text itself rules such speculation out.
Walters goes on to speculate about the "ships of Kittim" in Numbers 24:24. This verse does not specify when the aggressor is destroyed. It simply declares that the Western power, symbolised by the ships of Kittim, will ultimately fall under God’s judgment at the end of the age.
But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction. (Numbers 24:24).
Ellicott: "The western power that afflicts Asshur and Eber is the one God brings to its end."
Benson: "The Grecian and Roman empires — the scourge of Asshur and Eber — are the ones God causes to perish."
Gill: "The destroyer of Asshur and Eber “shall perish for ever,” ultimately by the hand of the Messiah.
Keil & Delitzsch: "The final overthrow of this western power is part of God’s end‑time judgment."2
Walters attempts, but fails to manufacture an additional prophecy from the Dead Sea Scrolls by appealing to Joel 2:20, claiming that the Scrolls refer to a king titled “the king of the grasshoppers”, whom he equates with Gog. This construction collapses immediately. Joel 2 contains no reference to any king, and no such title appears anywhere in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The “northerner” in Joel 2 describes a historical threat from an invading northern army—typically linked to Assyrian or Babylonian forces—and functions as a precursor to eschatological judgement, the Day of the Lord, following the tribulation. Walters’ proposed title has no textual foundation in either source and can be dismissed outright. Walters then links this invented "king of the grasshoppers" with Abaddon, the leader of the abyss forces in Revelation 9:11, associated with the fifth‑trumpet judgement, the first woe. The locust army of Revelation 9:7–10 represents a demonic host. Abaddon/Apollyon (destroyer) and Gog are never identified with one another in the biblical text; they are entirely separate figures with distinct roles, contexts, and literary functions.
DSS: But I will remove the northern army far away from you,
and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,
its front into the eastern sea,
and its back into the western sea;
and its stench will come up,
and its bad smell will rise.”
Surely he has done great things.3
ESV: I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things. (Joel 2:20).
There is little value in pursuing further critique of Walters’ reckless speculations. His proposed 2028 date for the abomination of desolation is simply another instance of baseless date‑setting and should be rejected outright. Daniel’s seventieth week requires two observable markers: a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, and the reinstatement of Mosaic sacrifices. (Daniel 9:27). Neither of these conditions presently exists. Walters' handling of scripture is consistently unreliable, culminating in a fabricated claim about a fictional "king of the grasshoppers” in Joel 2:20 allegedly found in the Dead Sea Scrolls—no such reference exists. Eschatological events cannot be stitched together haphazardly or forced onto current geopolitical tensions, including the situation with the ships near the Strait of Hormuz. We should bear in mind that the ten-king confederacy must exist before the seventieth week of Daniel and the appearance of the Antichrist. (Daniel 7:24). Furthermore, the present conflict between Israel‑America and Iran does not involve the full coalition described in Ezekiel 38–39—notably Turkey, Ethiopia, and Libya are absent. Walters’ approach reflects a pattern of mishandling scripture and promoting spurious claims without any exegetical basis. He fits the profile of a false teacher who, according to Romans 16:17–18, should be marked and avoided.
*The reference to the king being “higher than Agag” symbolizes victory over adversaries, as Agag was a notable king of the Amalekites, representing a formidable enemy. This imagery conveys that Israel’s king and kingdom will be exalted above opposition, ensuring protection, honor, and success.
Agag is often associated with Gog in biblical texts. In the Book of Ezekiel, Gog is described as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and in the Book of Esther, Haman, who was an enemy of the Jews, is referred to as an "Agagite," which connects him to the Amalekites, the descendants of Agag. Additionally, the Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) equates the terms Agag and Gog, further linking them in biblical prophecy. Thus, Agag and Gog are indeed related in biblical contexts.
1. Daniel 11:30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and rage against the holy covenant and do damage. So he will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
2. Numbers 24:24 Commentaries: "But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction."
3. Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls - Joel 2
At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate..(Daniel 11:29-31 cf. Isaiah 46:9-10))
And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.
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 11:36-45).
The king of the North is traditionally understood to be the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The "South" refers to Egypt, ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty. The term "Kittim" historically refers to the people of Cyprus and, by extension, the western maritime powers. In the context of Daniel 11, it likely represents Roman forces. This phrase indicates a military intervention by a powerful naval force, which historically aligns with Roman intervention in the region. The "ships of Kittim" symbolise a formidable opposition that disrupts the plans of Antiochus IV. This intervention is a turning point, as it halts his campaign against Egypt.1
Many interpreters argue that Daniel 11:36–45 shifts from describing Antiochus IV to focus on the Antichrist, claiming that the text introduces a new figure whose arrogance and blasphemy exceed those of all previous rulers. My hesitation is the closing statement, “he shall come to his end with none to help him”, which reads more like a historical reference to Antiochus’ death rather than an eschatological conclusion about the Antichrist.
Walters connects Daniel 11 with Balaam’s fourth oracle in Numbers 24:15–19, and identifies Agag with Gog.* While Gog and Agag share thematic links as archetypal enemies, there is no reason to connect either passage with modern geopolitical events.
ASV: Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. (Numbers 24:7)
Septuagint: There shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased.
Walters refers to Gog as "the last great enemy of God's people, the final tyrant, the Antichrist himself". The bible never explicitly identifies Gog as the Antichrist. This is a much-debated subject; some interpreters equate the two figures, while others see them as distinct. In Ezekiel 39, Gog falls on the mountains of Israel and is devoured by birds of prey. However, Revelation 19:20 records that the Antichrist and the false prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20). This settles the matter; the Gog of Ezekiel 38-39 is not the Antichrist as some allege.
You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. (Ezekiel 39:4).
I hold the minority view that the battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 will take place at the end of the millennium, as outlined in Revelation 20, where Gog is specifically named. Similarities between Revelation 19 and 20 suggest the possibility of a typological prefiguration of the Gog-Magog War at Armageddon, which explains why some argue for the Armageddon-Gog view. Others argue that the Gog-Magog war will happen during the brief covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, which represents a deceptive false peace at the beginning of the 70th week. However, this view is difficult to sustain if we follow the pattern of Daniel 11:36 ff. The Antichrist is unassailable after the covenant with Israel is made; it is therefore doubtful that Israel will be attacked while under the Antichrist’s protection. (Daniel 9:27). Advocates of a pre‑seventieth‑week Gog war consistently overlook Ezekiel’s explicit description of Israel “dwelling securely… in unwalled villages, without walls, and having no bars or gates” (Ezekiel 38:11, 14). That condition bears no resemblance to the present geopolitical landscape, nor does it align with any other pre‑70th‑week Gog scenario. The text itself rules such speculation out.
Walters goes on to speculate about the "ships of Kittim" in Numbers 24:24. This verse does not specify when the aggressor is destroyed. It simply declares that the Western power, symbolised by the ships of Kittim, will ultimately fall under God’s judgment at the end of the age.
But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction. (Numbers 24:24).
Ellicott: "The western power that afflicts Asshur and Eber is the one God brings to its end."
Benson: "The Grecian and Roman empires — the scourge of Asshur and Eber — are the ones God causes to perish."
Gill: "The destroyer of Asshur and Eber “shall perish for ever,” ultimately by the hand of the Messiah.
Keil & Delitzsch: "The final overthrow of this western power is part of God’s end‑time judgment."2
Walters attempts, but fails to manufacture an additional prophecy from the Dead Sea Scrolls by appealing to Joel 2:20, claiming that the Scrolls refer to a king titled “the king of the grasshoppers”, whom he equates with Gog. This construction collapses immediately. Joel 2 contains no reference to any king, and no such title appears anywhere in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The “northerner” in Joel 2 describes a historical threat from an invading northern army—typically linked to Assyrian or Babylonian forces—and functions as a precursor to eschatological judgement, the Day of the Lord, following the tribulation. Walters’ proposed title has no textual foundation in either source and can be dismissed outright. Walters then links this invented "king of the grasshoppers" with Abaddon, the leader of the abyss forces in Revelation 9:11, associated with the fifth‑trumpet judgement, the first woe. The locust army of Revelation 9:7–10 represents a demonic host. Abaddon/Apollyon (destroyer) and Gog are never identified with one another in the biblical text; they are entirely separate figures with distinct roles, contexts, and literary functions.
DSS: But I will remove the northern army far away from you,
and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,
its front into the eastern sea,
and its back into the western sea;
and its stench will come up,
and its bad smell will rise.”
Surely he has done great things.3
ESV: I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things. (Joel 2:20).
There is little value in pursuing further critique of Walters’ reckless speculations. His proposed 2028 date for the abomination of desolation is simply another instance of baseless date‑setting and should be rejected outright. Daniel’s seventieth week requires two observable markers: a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, and the reinstatement of Mosaic sacrifices. (Daniel 9:27). Neither of these conditions presently exists. Walters' handling of scripture is consistently unreliable, culminating in a fabricated claim about a fictional "king of the grasshoppers” in Joel 2:20 allegedly found in the Dead Sea Scrolls—no such reference exists. Eschatological events cannot be stitched together haphazardly or forced onto current geopolitical tensions, including the situation with the ships near the Strait of Hormuz. We should bear in mind that the ten-king confederacy must exist before the seventieth week of Daniel and the appearance of the Antichrist. (Daniel 7:24). Furthermore, the present conflict between Israel‑America and Iran does not involve the full coalition described in Ezekiel 38–39—notably Turkey, Ethiopia, and Libya are absent. Walters’ approach reflects a pattern of mishandling scripture and promoting spurious claims without any exegetical basis. He fits the profile of a false teacher who, according to Romans 16:17–18, should be marked and avoided.
*The reference to the king being “higher than Agag” symbolizes victory over adversaries, as Agag was a notable king of the Amalekites, representing a formidable enemy. This imagery conveys that Israel’s king and kingdom will be exalted above opposition, ensuring protection, honor, and success.
Agag is often associated with Gog in biblical texts. In the Book of Ezekiel, Gog is described as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and in the Book of Esther, Haman, who was an enemy of the Jews, is referred to as an "Agagite," which connects him to the Amalekites, the descendants of Agag. Additionally, the Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) equates the terms Agag and Gog, further linking them in biblical prophecy. Thus, Agag and Gog are indeed related in biblical contexts.
1. Daniel 11:30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and rage against the holy covenant and do damage. So he will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
2. Numbers 24:24 Commentaries: "But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction."
3. Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls - Joel 2
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