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)

ANDY WOODS: RONALD REAGAN'S GOG MAGOG VIEW

(30) Pastors' Point of View (PPOV) 212. Prophecy update on Israel and Babylon. YT edit - YouTube

Whether Andy Woods is completely naïve, or whether he is amenable to say just about anything to justify his views is debatable. Woods' previous speculation on the Gog/Magog two-phase view, concocted by Harold W. Hoehner, defies sound exegesis. {1}  This view is rejected by Woods' contemporaries within the pre-trib camp, and it is not even mentioned or given houseroom by other prominent premillennialists in the prewrath or post-trib camp. 

Theology of desperation

In the above video, Woods presses the subject of Gog/Magog further with the astonishing claim that we should give validity to Ronald Reagan's views on Ezekiel 38 and 39. Woods stated that Reagan's understanding of Gog/Magog matches his own view. He went on to quote New York Times best-selling author Joel C Rosenberg, who wrote in his fictional book 'The Ezekiel Option' that Ronald Reagan was fascinated with the coming war of Gog and Magog. {2} 

Below are some excerpts from Rosenberg's website in which he outlines Reagan's views on the Gog/Magog battle.

“'In the thirty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel it says God will take the children of Israel from among the heathen [where] they’d been scattered and will gather them again in the promised land,' Reagan told Mills. 'Ezekiel says that . . . the nation that will lead all the other powers into darkness against Israel will come out of the north. What other powerful nation is to the north of Israel [besides Russia]? None. But it didn’t seem to make sense before the Russian revolution, when Russia was a Christian country. Now it does, now that Russia has become communistic and atheistic, now that Russia has set itself against God. Now it fits the description perfectly.' Reagan conceded that 'everything hasn’t fallen into place yet,' but he strongly believed the end of the Soviet empire and the second coming of Christ were increasingly close at hand..

..Reagan continued to talk about such things, as he had for many years.
I once asked Michael Reagan, the president’s son, if such accounts rang true. He confirmed that they did, noting that his father firmly believed he was living in history’s last days and thought that he might even see the return of Christ in his lifetime. 10
Ronald Reagan was a devout Christian. He was a student of the Bible. He was fascinated with end-times prophecies. He believed they were true. He talked about them with friends and colleagues. They helped shape his view that the Soviet Union, and the system of evil it advanced and perpetuated, was not long for this world. For a movie actor turned president like Ronald Reagan, the Bible was indeed the greatest story ever told. He had read the last chapter, and thus he knew for certain that a day of reckoning—a day of justice—was coming." {2}

Woods pressed the point that Ronald Reagan was a "devout Christian". However, he "forgot" to mention the widely known fact that as well as being members of the ecumenical Presbyterian Church in America, the Reagans were heavily involved with various psychics and astrologers, practices strongly condemned as an abomination in the scriptures. (Deuteronomy 18:11; Leviticus 19:31, 20:27 cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14). The Reagans had what we call a "mixture" of syncretistic religious beliefs, a position that cannot be reconciled with biblical Christianity. Reagan defined himself as a "born-again Christian", but it should be obvious to those of us who really are "born-again" that he and his wife Nancy had massive spiritual problems. Reagan was the very last person to have had an understanding of Ezekiel 38 and 39 or the timing of the Gog/Magog battle! 

Below is an article written in 2009 by Robert Melkonyan. 

The Shocking Truth About Ronald and Nancy Reagan's Use of Psychic Help

"Though shocking as the title indicates it comes out as no secret at all to the fact that the Reagan presidency was actually controlled by the cosmos astrological forces.

It is believed that the Reagan's while making very important decisions concerning the state and in the White House strongly relied on astrology as a savior. Joan Quigley who was the planner of almost all presidential travel, press conferences, including the Reagan cancer surgery was an astrologer and based the surgery on astrology. It is believed that one signing of a treaty between the U.S and the Soviet to eliminate the medium-range nuclear missiles was signed on astrological advice from Quigley: the treaty was signed on December 8, 1987 at 1.30 p.m.

When Reagan was a Governor of California, he signed a legislation that allowed licensed astrologers to practice their trade and removed them from the category of being fortune tellers. In this case there is one astrologer who became very famous just because of predicting the assassination of President Kennedy and of which was once an astrological advisor to the Reagan's too; was known as Jeane Dixon. By predicting that Reagan would become Governor of California in 1962 and later the President of The U.S, Dixon gained Reagan's favor but of which was later dropped by Nancy when she predicted that the husband Reagan would not win the presidential elections in 1976 of which was correct.

Joyce Jillson was another astrologer who helped the Reagan's in selecting the vice president from a list of seven candidates and George bush was the best candidate Jillson could offer; to her it was because Bush was a Gemini of which was the best or rather the most compatible sign-a Gemini that rhymed with Reagan who was an Aquarian.

In 1980, when Reagan commenced his campaign, Quigley predicted his succession to be President of the United States; but everything changed when there was an assassination attempt against Reagan in March 30, 1981; this is because Nancy came to learn that March 30 would be a terrible day for Reagan; Nancy learnt all this from Quigley. At this point Quigley was appointed the astrological protector for Reagan's life from being a casual astrologer friend, interestingly about this assassination is that Reagan had a deathbed vision while in the hospital.

This is when Nancy Reagan also became aware of the so called "residential Death Cycle" of which it involves Jupiter and Saturn but also known as the "Zero-year curse", this is because each and every president elected at this same time since the election of William Harrison has died while in office.

Harry Truman being a common man with principals he maintained of which we can actually see the same on Reagan. Harry being a Baptist, the Reagan's were into psychics and the Presbyterian church of America. Though Reagan opened the diplomatic relations with the Vatican for the first time and managed to put Rome and the USA on equal international ground; Harry signed the Vatican guest book as 'Harry S. Truman, Baptist." {3}

The above information can easily be verified by a number of other sources.

When bible teachers resort to blatant untruths and manipulation of the facts, it is time to reassess their honesty and competency. (1 Timothy 3:2). Woods' Gog/Magog machinations will hopefully convince his followers within the pre-trib camp to question his teachings in other areas!  

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: ANDY WOODS: GOG MAGOG TWO-PHASE VIEW (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Fiction | Joel C. Rosenberg (joelrosenberg.com)
3. The Shocking Truth About Ronald and Nancy Reagan's Use of Psychic Help (ezinearticles.com)

Further Links

Nancy Reagan tried to cover up White House’s use of clairvoyant, documentary claims |
The IndependentHow Nancy Reagan let her astrologer control the presidency (nypost.com)
White House Confirms Reagans Follow Astrology, Up to a Point - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Reagans Catholic Connections (catholiceducation.org)

ONE CHURCH LEICESTER (FORMERLY TRINITY LIFE CHURCH) DAVID HIND WANNABE MEGACHURCH PASTOR

 (13) One Church Online | 1st May 2022 - YouTube

The fall of the megachurch

Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezekiel 34:10 cf. 2 Peter 2:1).

Over the last few years, we have seen a number of megachurches fall due to false leaders that are not submitted to Jesus Christ. Two blatant examples are Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, and more recently, Carl Lentz and Brian Houston of Hillsong Church. I have recently become aware of the shocking allegations against Stovall Weems and his wife Kerri at Celebration Church, one of the biggest churches in the Jacksonville area of the US. The ungodly leadership of many megachurches has not been without significant damage to the witness of Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 2:2). Many poorer members of megachurch congregations are exploited and are expected to support the extravagant lifestyles of these wolves. Finally, people are beginning to wake up to pastors who feed themselves instead of the flock. (Ezekiel 34:1-10; Hosea 4:7). The downward spiral of the apparently unstoppable megachurch model is a powerful example of how God brings false teachers to nothing. (Psalm 37:7). 

The rise of "hipster" pastors, is, in reality, a sad collection of entitled middle-aged narcissists who find their identity, not in Jesus Christ, but in the outward appearance of skinny jeans, chic websites, hip worship bands and cool coffee shops. Megachurches have always been about image and youth as against sound doctrine, in depth bible study and true discipleship. (2 Corinthians 5:12, Isaiah 16:7). Unhappily, David Hind fits the superficial profile of a wannabe megachurch pastor complete with spiked hair and skinny jeans, albeit that he is in his mid 50s. 

Hind has changed his multisite definition from "campus" to "site", no doubt because the campus model has come to have a very bad reputation. 

 

One Church ~ The "merger" between Trinity Life Church and All Nations Church in Leicester.

The new One Church website informs us that All Nations Church Leicester (ANCL) has been through a "shipwreck".  {1} ANCL was heavily involved in the fake "Toronto Blessing" during the 1990's, they aggressively promoted tithing, and they participated in the diabolical New Apostolic Reformation. (See Further Links)  It was inevitable that the ANCL blight would eventually become a shipwreck, their false Word Faith model having been based on doctrines of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1 cf. Luke 3:9,17). The present concern is that the equally apostate Hinds have not been slow to take advantage of the ANCL "shipwreck"  and have moved in lock stock and barrel. Hind is keen to tell us that this is not a "takeover" but a "marriage".   

Hind's description as a "leader of leaders" is one of the most pretentious statements I have come across. {2} An essential qualification for church elders/leaders is to be able to teach sound doctrine and to rightly divide the word of truth. ( Titus 1:9;1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:15). Hind does not qualify as a leader, much less a "leader of leaders". 

David Hind's "vision" for Leicester. 

The error of appropriating Old Testament promises specifically made to Israel 

Hind claims that the Lord has "clearly spoken to us at this time" and he refers to the many "prophecies" they have allegedly received for Leicester over the last ten years. Hind: "People from many parts of the world have spoken of what God is about to do here. We believe He is going to bless this city. God speaking to the Israelites in Jeremiah spoke about what the city was to become, and I want to just appropriate that verse to us as a city.."

And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it. (Jeremiah 33:9). 

Jeremiah 33:6-18 is a prophecy about Millennial Jerusalem and the future restoration of national Israel. The context of Jeremiah 33:6-9 concerns the Lord's eternal covenant with Israel and millennial blessings. The appropriation of a single verse of scripture from Old Testament prophecy completely out of context is highly irresponsible, it violates every method of sound hermeneutics and it goes beyond what it written. (Proverbs 30:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6). Since the New Testament does not accommodate Hind's agenda, the only way he can justify his "vision" is by using inappropriate Old Testament scriptures out of context. The commission given to the church by Jesus Christ is to preach the true gospel and make disciples as outlined in Matthew 28:16-20. God gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Church leaders should not be building empires or seeking to expand their numbers by ungodly methods and unholy alliances, for example: ecumenism, tithing, soliciting funding from government grants and the National Lottery Community Fund. (Jeremiah 2:13) ..what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). ..it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Romans 9:16-18).

There is no example of a multisite church in the New Testament. The clear scriptural model is that of Paul and Barnabus, whose practice was to plant new churches, to appoint leaders with prayer and fasting, and to release them into the care of the Lord: And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23 cf. 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5). 

Hind: "We believe there is a harvest coming.. God has amazing plans for Leicester and we are to remain expectant.. God has an amazing plan for One Church.. My dear friend Martin who leads a brilliant church in Coventry.. prophetically recently said to our staff..  He has decided to bless us, expand us and move us to another level... "

Hind's "appropriation" of further Old Testament passages of scripture:

* Deuteronomy 1 ~ This chapter concerns Israel's possession of the land of Canaan. 

* Ezekiel 37 ~ ..these bones are the whole house of Israel. (Ezekiel 37:11).

* Ezekiel 47 ~ is a millennial passage and concerns the millennial river under Gods temple.  

* Isaiah 54-55 ~ concerns the future blessings of Zion during the millennium. 

None of the above passages are applicable to the New Testament church. These speculations are extremely concerning and cannot possibly warrant serious consideration. Repetitive statements that "This is God's will", manic presentations complete with unnatural hand gestures and exaggerated body language do not impress God and will not make "revival" happen! For the first time today, it struck me that Hind's behaviour should provoke our genuine concern about his spiritual and mental condition. 

In their own words..

The gospel was not preached at all by Hind during this message; rather, it was a graphic demonstration of the usual hype we have heard repeatedly from false megachurch leaders and wannabes. 

Hind: "He has an amazing plan for One Church. We believe we are about to grow, plant out, see hundreds of people finding Jesus, being baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. We are expectant of a move of God and a fresh demonstration of His healing power." 

Hind also read aloud various "prophecies" received from members of his congregation:

Simon at One Church: "I saw a giant sword that was wide and long. Its handle was studded with many gemstones, and as I looked at the sword I saw that within it there were many smaller swords of different sizes and shapes. And I saw written down the blade of many blades 'One Church".. and I heard the Lord say 'Your willingness to steward  the many small swords has now opened the way for you to steward the big. And I heard Him say 'The significance of the big is found because of the empowerment of the many'. And I saw a network of works birthed that reached beyond the borders of the UK, and I also saw blades you had not forged added into the large blade. And I saw one sword was rooted in Leicester, yet its reach went far beyond. Then as I watched I saw many broken swords. They came and were re-forged and fixed. They came and walked alongside for a time then they went out again, and I heard the Lord say 'You will be known as a house of healing and a house of restoration.' I saw leaders, churches, ministries and businesses coming and being restored and I saw people streaming to the building. They came in rags, but were sent away re-dressed. And I heard the Lord say 'There are words you have held for many years that have been on hold that will now begin to come into manifestation. This is a fulfilment season, an outbreak season.'"  (33:00 mark)

Mary an elder at One Church: "I sensed the Lord was speaking to us from Psalm 84.. I sensed that we should not settle but that we should fix our hearts on the pilgrimage. As we do this, we will find strength in Him and know His blessing together.." 

Susan Hind: "Susan wanted to say.. from Joshua 3:3 where Joshua said to the people 'Purify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.. God is doing a new thing and we have not been this way before.."  

I will not comment on the above, except to say that Hind et al have now openly committed themselves to an early fulfilment of the long awaited prophecies of revival in Leicester. Lets see if genuine revival comes to pass in the near future shall we? 

End time revival or apostasy?

The revival mantra of the false prophets has no biblical foundation whatsoever. No prophecy of an end time revival exists in the New Testament. The New Testament prophesies rampant spiritual deception, apostasy, false prophets, lying signs and wonders, birth pains.. and ultimately worldwide spiritual deception under the Antichrist. (Revelation 13:14). We should be very wary of those who prophesy "revival" or "awakening". False prophets tickle itching ears and tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3). 

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:14-15)

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24).

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; (Acts 20:29).

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.. (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons.. (1 Timothy 4:1).

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1).

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).

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

TLC (One Church) still manage to include 666 in their coffee shop photos, despite having replaced the third 6 with 108. The historic connection between TLC and 666 is bizarre and highly disturbing.

1. Our Story | One Church Leicester
2 . About | One Church Leicester

Further Links

15 Famous Pastors That Fell From Grace: Scandals, Crimes, & More (ranker.com)
Willow Creek Cuts Staff Amid Steep Drop in Attendance | The Roys Report (julieroys.com)
I-TEAM: Celebration Church releases findings of explosive investigation into founding pastor (news4jax.com)

Why tithing is not a Christian Doctrine (Part 1) (churchwatchcentral.com)

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: AZUSA STREET: A DIFFERENT SPIRIT (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE FALSE TRUMP PROPHETS (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: All Nations Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com) 

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Trinity Life Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

ANDY WOODS: GOG MAGOG TWO-PHASE VIEW

(4) GOG AND MAGOG: Ezekiel 38-39 - YouTube

Andy Woods (Sugar Land Bible Church) adds a novel interpretation to various eisegetical speculations concerning the Gog/Magog battle in Ezekiel 38 and 39. He originally presented this view in 2015, and it is also included in the latest episodes of his recent series Middle East Meltdown - YouTube

Woods' view on the timing of the Ezekiel 38-39 battle is known as the "two phase view" which he has adopted from Harold W. Hoehner. Essentially, Woods locates Ezekiel 38 at the opening of the second seal of Revelation (Revelation 6:3), and Ezekiel 39 at the end of the 70th week of Daniel. (Revelation 19:19-21,16:16). Those who support a Gog/Magog battle during the early part of the 70th week of Daniel include John Walvoord, J. Dwight Pentecost, Charles Ryrie, Herman Hoyt, Charles Dyer, and Mark Hitchcock. As far as I can ascertain, apart from Woods, no other bible teacher supports Hoehner's two-phase view. I do not necessarily reject minority views, but the fact that bible scholars generally do not give any weight to Hoehner's view indicates that it is problematic.

Constable's Expository Notes: Harold W. Hoehner, "Ezekiel 38 refers to events in the middle of the Tribulation and chapter 39 to events at the end of the Tribulation.] Some advocates equate Gog with the king of the North (Daniel 11:40). Some of Ezekiel’s descriptions of Gog’s invasion recur in Revelation 19:17-21, which describes the end of the Tribulation. However other aspects appear in Revelation 20:7-10, which describes the end of the Millennium. Israel is dwelling securely in the land that Gog will invade, but at the end of the Tribulation Israel will have been under intense attack for three and a half years Daniel 9:27)." {1} 

To avoid confusion, I will clarify some pre-trib definitions for the sake of anyone reading their material. The pre-trib camp define the entire 70th week of Daniel as "the tribulation", and when they speak about the rapture, they refer to a "pre-tribulation rapture". The prewrath position, which is my view, refers to "the tribulation" or "the great tribulation" biblically as 1260 days or 42 months. This period takes place during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel. (Daniel 12:7; Matthew 24:21; Revelation 12:6,14; 13:5). The prewrath position maintains that the rapture takes place between the sixth and seventh seal of Revelation. 

Woods suggests that Ezekiel 38 and 39 follow a progressive pattern rather than a single event. The reasoning behind the two-phase view is that Ezekiel often describes eschatological events as part of a prolonged process. Woods: "For example, in Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37:1-14), the prophet describes the bones assembling, the flesh appearing on the bones, and finally the breath of life entering this newly formed body. Most would not understand this as being fulfilled in a singular prophetic event. Rather, it is likely a prophecy involving a prolonged process. First, Israel is returned to her homeland beginning in 1948. Then, she will experience a time of discipline known as the Great Tribulation. Through such discipline, she will come to know Christ and will consequently be regenerated leading to the millennial age. So in Ezekiel 37:11-14, Ezekiel foresaw a singular in a singular prophecy spanning arguably several decades. The same prolonged process is also in view in the prior chapter (Ezek. 36:24-28). Ezekiel 36:24 describes the Jews first being regathered back to their own land. Then the prophet narrates Israel's spiritual regeneration (Ezek 36:25-28) as a result of the Tribulation period. Notice, once again, Ezekiel is making reference to a process arguably beginning in 1948 and then spanning several decades." {2}

Whilst a prolonged process is indicated in the dry bones prophecy of Ezekiel 37, I am doubtful that we can separate Ezekiel 38 and 39 and make the presumption that assumes a "process" of two distinct phases, or whether this interpretation conveniently solves a difficult problem for Woods. There is no biblical evidence to corroborate the theory that the Gog/Magog battle is anything other than a single event. 

Mark Hitchcock: "Harold Hoehner contends that Ezek 38–39 will be fulfilled in two phases.[40] He believes that Ezek 38 will be fulfilled early in the tribulation and that Ezek 39 will be fulfilled at the end of the tribulation. The strength of this view is that it harmonizes the text well with other related texts such as Rev 19. However, the main weakness of this view is that Ezek 38 and 39 appear to be describing the same invasion and its aftermath not two distinct phases separated by several years." {3} 

According to Woods, the Gog/Magog battle will occur after Israel's initial regathering in unbelief, but before her final restoration. He bases his argument on Ezekiel 38:8b and Ezekiel 39:22,29. 

After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely. (Ezekiel 38:8).

From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God... And I will no longer hide My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 39:22,29).

Problems with this view

Woods' reasoning is that this battle will occur following the period of pseudo peace initiated by the Antichrist at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel when Israel is apparently dwelling securely. (Ezekiel 38:14-16). Woods claims that the first seal represents peace, and that this peace is shattered by the unleashing of the second seal i.e. the red horse of war. (Revelation 6:2-4). 

And he shall make a strong (gābar) 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).  

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". "Many" suggests that he does not have the support of "all". 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 will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates.. 

For Gog and his coalition to come against Israel at the breaking of the second seal would necessitate a challenge to the covenant between the Antichrist and Israel. The strong covenant the Antichrist makes with Israel at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel is a critical point in the prophetic timeline that sets in motion the final events leading up to the end of the present age. There is no indication in the scriptures that a coalition of nations will attempt to derail the critical covenant between the Antichrist and Israel. The first seal sees the Antichrist coming out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2). During the first half of the 70th week, the Antichrist will invade many countries sweeping through them like a flood. The only countries that escape the Antichrist's attention are Edom, Moab and the leaders of the Ammonites (modern day Jordan). As such it is unlikely that a coalition of nations will be in a position to attack Israel or to contemplate "taking the spoil". (Ezekiel 38:13). 

At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, invading many countries and sweeping through them like a flood. He will also invade the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall. But these will be delivered from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites. He will extend his power over many countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt, and the Libyans and Cushites will also submit to him. (Daniel 11:40-43 cf. Revelation 13:4).

In Ezekiel 38, it appears that Gog's intention to invade Israel is unopposed. There is perhaps a weak objection from Saudi Arabia and the merchants of Tarshish (Spain?), but there is no tangible opposition that deters Gog and his hordes from attacking Israel. (Ezekiel 38:13). Hoehner's two-phase view completely overlooks (or underestimates) the obstacle of the Antichrist's strong covenant with Israel. Israel is under the "protection" of the Antichrist during the first half of the 70th week, so where is Gog's motivation to invade?  

The mid point of the 70th week of Daniel marks the end of the period of pseudo peace initiated by the Antichrist. The abomination of desolation event will occur in the middle of the "week" when the Antichrist seizes control of the Jewish temple and proclaims himself to be god. This will mark the onset of the period known as Jacob's trouble i.e. the great tribulation. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1). Many Jews and Christians will flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:16), and two thirds of the Jewish people who remain in the land will perish. (Zechariah 13:8). Hoehner's ill-conceived two-phase view assumes that the progressive nature of Gog's invasion will continue throughout this period, and that it will also continue during the devastating trumpet and bowl judgements. 

The sacrificial bird feast

At the 2:08 point of his 2015 video, Woods changes tack from the "Where" question in relation to Ezekiel 38 and 39 to the "What" question. This is where his reasoning becomes totally irrational.

Although there are some similarities between the sacrificial bird feast described in Ezekiel 38:4,17-20 and the feast described in Revelation 19, the differences demonstrate that these two passages do not describe the same event. Woods describes the sacrificial bird feast as the "aftermath" of the Gog Magog battle in Ezekiel 39. Problematically for Woods, Revelation 19 refers to Armageddon and involves the beast (the Antichrist) and his forces, not Gog.

The beast (the Antichrist) and his armies gather at Armageddon to make war against Jesus Christ and his visible armies. The beast and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire. The remainder of the armies of the Antichrist are slain by Jesus Christ Himself. There is no mention of pestilence, torrential rains, hailstones, fire and sulfur in Revelation 19. The Gog Magog armies will fall on the mountains of Israel, in the open field, and Gog and all his multitude will be buried in the Valley of the Travelers in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:2-6,11

And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. 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. You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. 6I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the LORD.. “On that day I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the sea. It will block the travelers, for there Gog and all his multitude will be buried. It will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. 

Ezekiel 38:22

With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. 

Revelation 19:19-21 cf. Revelation 16:16

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Woods' baffling presentations on this subject are short on specifics. The irrational view that a "progressive two-phase Gog/Magog war" will continue to develop right through the entire period of the 70th week of Daniel, culminating with the bird feast of Revelation 19 (Armageddon) is untenable. Hoehner's two-phase view is one of most improbable interpretations of Ezekiel 38 and 39 I have heard to date. 

The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore Jacob from captivity and will have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name. They will forget their disgrace and all the treachery they committed against Me, when they dwell securely in their land, with no one to frighten them. When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them out of the lands of their enemies, I will show My holiness in them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, when I regather them to their own land, not leaving any of them behind after their exile among the nations. And I will no longer hide My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 39:25-29). 

 

Expositors Bible Commentary: "39:25-29.-The closing verses do not strictly belong to the oracle on Gog. The prophet returns to the standpoint of the present, and predicts once more the restoration of Israel, which has heretofore been assumed as an accomplished fact. The connection with what precedes is, however, very close. The divine attributes, whose final manifestation to the world is reserved for the far-off day of Gog’s defeat, are already about to be revealed to Israel. Jehovah’s compassion for His people and His jealousy for His own name will speedily be shown in "turning the fortunes" of Israel, bringing them back from the peoples, and gathering them from the land of their enemies. The consequences of this upon the nation itself are described in more gracious terms than in any other passage. They shall forget their shame and all their trespasses when they dwell securely in their own land, none making them afraid. The saving knowledge of Jehovah as their God, who led them into captivity and brought them back again, will as far as Israel is concerned be complete; and the gracious relation thus established shall no more be interrupted, because of the divine Spirit which has been poured out on the house of Israel."  {4} 

Conclusion

Mark Hitchcock recognizes, but understates, the problem of "varying opinions" regarding the Gog/Magog prophecy in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Hitchcock: "Unfortunately, varying opinions have been offered by capable Bible scholars on this point, and there has been considerable disagreement." {3} 

While many conservative teachers rightly condemn the charismatic/NAR movement for their dangerous speculations and unbiblical practices, I wonder whether there is an element of hypocrisy at play here. There is no benefit to the body of Christ when conservative teachers speculate on matters they don't fully understand, and when they manipulate the scriptures to suit their own presuppositions. (Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). I find the arrogance of some of these teachers very difficult to deal with. (Isaiah 5:21). They literally spend hours and hours teaching and defending questionable theories that reflect nothing but their own imaginations. The pre-trib rapture theory is another one of Woods' pet doctrines that he spends an inordinate amount of time defending. Woods is a tragic example of a supposedly sound bible teacher misleading believers regarding critical eschatological events.

At the end of his life, after almost completing Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas likened his work to straw. {5} There is a lesson here for some of us. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8).

1. Ezekiel 39 - Dr. Constable's Expository Notes - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org2. Microsoft Word - Woods-Middle_East_Meltdown-Paper.doc (deanbibleministries.org)
3. The Battle of Gog and Magog - PDFCOFFEE.COM
4. Ezekiel 39 Expositor's Bible Commentary (biblehub.com)
5. I can write no more | InContext | Christian History Institute

Further Link

J Paul Tanner: Daniel's "King of the North": Do we owe Russia an apology?

https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/35/35-3/JETS_35-3_315-328_Tanner.pdf

MICHAEL HEISER'S ALLEGED LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON

 (12) ARMAGEDDON Is Not A Battle Fought Where You've Been Taught - YouTube

Michael Heiser is an Old Testament scholar and author. His area of "expertise" is the nature of the spiritual realm in the Bible, namely the Divine Council and hierarchy of the spiritual order. Heiser's podcast is The Naked Bible and he also runs a ministry called Miqlat. 

Heiser opens this short video with the assertion that the typical understanding of Megiddo as the location Armageddon is false. Megiddo or Megiddon is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Traditionally this has been taken to be the logical interpretation of Revelation 16:16. I have heard Heiser's view a couple of times recently from different teachers, but I am not convinced. Heiser launches into the above video with the argument that Armageddon must be a transliteration. His thesis is based on two doubtful premises: 1 - the final conflict occurs at Jerusalem; 2 - Megiddo is a plain and not a mountain.

Heiser: "It is crystal clear that the final conflict occurs at Jerusalem, not Megiddo. Megiddo is referenced only to compare the awful mourning that will result. Not only does Zechariah 12 place the final battle where the nations see the risen, pierced Christ at Jerusalem, but verse 11 tells us explicitly that Megiddo is a plain, not a mountain!"1

The word Armageddon appears only once in the New Testament:

And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:16).

There are two possible interpretations of Armageddon: city or mountain.

Bengel's Gnomen: "Magedon or Megiddo was a city, of which there is frequent mention in the books of the Old Testament. The copyists, as it appears, had reference to these passages, who took away the first syllable from the word Ἀρμαγεδὼν in the Apocalypse: but on account of this very syllable, in particular, the word Ἑβραϊστὶ appears to be used. Armagedon signifies either ער, the city Megiddo, as Hiller teaches in Syntagmatis, p. 229, or הר, the mountain Megiddo. for where there is בקעה, a valley, as the valley of Megiddo, 2 Chronicles 35:22, there is also a mountain."2

lexiconcordance.com: "Megiddo or Megiddon = "place of crowds" 1) ancient city of Canaan assigned to Manasseh and located on the southern rim of the plain of Esdraelon 6 miles (10 km) from Mount."3

Pulpit Commentary: "..possibly refers to Carmel, at the foot of which lay the Plain of Megiddo, which was well known to every Jew as a gathering place for hostile hosts and as the scene of many battles. It is referred to in Zechariah 12:11 as a type of woe, on account of the overthrow and death of Josiah having taken place there (2 Kings 23:29). Ahaziah also died there (2 Kings 9:27); and there also the Canaanitish kings were overthrown (Judges 5:19). The name is, therefore, indicative of battle and slaughter, and intimates the complete overthrow in store for the dragon and the kings of the earth, which is described later on (Revelation 19.)."4 

Tel Megiddo, literally "Mound of the Governor" is the site of the ancient city of Megiddo, the remains of which form a tell (archaeological mound). Heiser's claim that Megiddo is a plain is incorrect, Megiddo overlooks the Plain of Esdraelon (Valley of Jezreel).5 Megiddo is traditionally identified as the site where the kings of the earth prepare to wage war on the forces of God under the satanic leadership of the Antichrist at the end of the present age. 

However, Har Megiddo does not necessarily indicate a single mountain or hill; the meaning of har is a mountain or range of hills. Because Har Megiddo is actually situated within a mountain range, it seems likely that this is what John was referring to. In Zechariah 12:11 Megiddo is spelled Megiddon in Hebrew, which appears to corroborate the association with Armageddon. Megiddo is located some 56 miles north of Jerusalem and was originally an ancient fortress city that dominated the Plain of Jezreel. Megiddo was a critical location to the Israelites in that it dominated the Aruna Pass (Wadi Ara or Megiddo Pass) the entrance to one of the few passes through the Carmel Mountains. 

The Valley of Decision

I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land.. Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. (Joel 3:2, 14-15 cf. Zephaniah 3:8; Revelation 6:12-14).

The grammatical meaning of the Valley of Jehoshaphat is "the judgement of Jehovah". These verses are generally thought to allude to the judgement inflicted on God's enemies by King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. The location of the Valley of Jehoshaphat has not been identified by historians. The imagery and context of the above verses are eschatological, and Joel confirms that the final battle will be in a valley. It is therefore reasonable to surmise that the location of this "valley" is Megiddo in Revelation 16:16.

The merging of two mountains - Zaphon / Zion  ?

I have no argument with Heiser's basic Hebrew/Greek lesson per se. However, I do have difficulty with his convoluted proposal that Armageddon is a corruption of the Hebrew Har Mo'ed  i.e. mount of assembly as per Isaiah 14:13.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15).

The interpretation of Isaiah 14:13 has been a matter of considerable discussion amongst bible scholars. In newer bible versions, verse 13 is translated directly as "the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon". (NIV, NAB, NET Bible. NRSB). In other versions, Zaphon not Zion, is identified in the footnote. This difficult verse reveals the haughty thoughts of the king of Babylon (with allusions to Lucifer). As such verse 13 is generally thought to be an allusion to Zaphon, a mythic mountain of the Babylonians.

In Canaanite mythology Mount Zaphon was the most sacred mountain of the storm god Baal or Baal-Hadad, allegedly the site of Baal's royal palace. Zaphon has been identified as Jabal al Aqra’ (known as Kel Dağı in Turkish) and is located about 25 miles north by northeast of Ras Shamra near the mouth of the Orontes River in the border region between the modern states of Syria and Turkey. 

The interpretation that "the mount of the congregation" in Isaiah 14:13 as the mount of the Divine presence, Mount Zion (Exodus 25:22; 29:42–43) was originally challenged by Keil and Delizsch. 

Keil and Delizsch: "The har hammōēd (mount of assembly) cannot be Zion, as is assumed by Schegg and others, who are led astray by the parallel in Psalm 48:3, which has been entirely misunderstood, and has no bearing upon this passage at all. Zion was neither a northern point of the earth, nor was it situated on the north of Jerusalem."6 

Cambridge Bible: "The sacred mountain of our God is not in the remote recesses of the north, but in the very midst of the city of His choice. Zion is in reality all that the Assyrians claim for their fabled mount of the gods. Their king too may style himself ‘great,’ but Zion is the citadel of One Who is in truth the great King, for He is the King of all the earth (Psalm 47:2; Psalm 47:7). 'The great king' was a title claimed by the king of Assyria (Isaiah 36:4); and the word for ‘great’ is not that used in Psalm 48:1 (gâdôl) but rab, which corresponds to the Assyrian title sarru rabbu (Schrader, Cuneif. Inser. p. 320). ‘City’ (citadel) is not the same word as in Psalm 48:1 (‘îr), but ḳiryâh, a word which does not occur again in the Psalter, but is found several times in Isaiah (Isaiah 22:2; Isaiah 29:1; Isaiah 33:20). To many commentators it seems inconceivable that the Psalmist should allude to Assyrian mythology. But a writer of Isaiah’s time might easily have become acquainted with the religious ideas of the Assyrians, and the author of the Book of Job does not hesitate to introduce popular mythological ideas. See Prof. Davidson’s note on Job 26:12 : and cp. Isaiah 27:1.7 

Heiser:  "..in Psalm 68:15–16, Yahweh desired 'Mount Bashan' as his own—that is, he wanted to defeat the forces of darkness and claim their customary abode as his own. The same is true of Zaphon."1 

Hesier's skewed interpretation of these verses is antithetical to the meaning of the Psalmist. Zion maintains its honour over against the mountains of Bashan. Bashan looks with hatred, literally, Bashan fumes with envy at Mount Zion. Mountains are often symbols of nations. (Psalm 46:2; 65:6). Bashan is described in grandiose terms compared to the relative low elevation of Zion.

O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the LORD will dwell forever? Psalm 68:15-16).

The KJV brings out the meaning of verse 15 more accurately: The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. (Psalm 68:15 KJV).

Heiser: "The result in the case of Armageddon is dramatic. When John draws on this ancient Hebrew phrase, he is indeed pointing to a climactic battle at Jerusalem. Why? Because Jerusalem is a mountain—Mount Zion. And if Baal and the gods of other nations don’t like Yahweh claiming to be Most High and claiming to run the cosmos from the heights of Zaphon/Mount Zion, they can try to do something about it."1

Heiser: "Psalm 48 makes a bold theological statement. It evicts Baal from his dwelling and boots his council off the property. The psalmist has Yahweh ruling the cosmos and the affairs of humanity, not Baal. Psalm 48 is a backhanded smack in the face to Baal."1

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah (Psalm 48:1-8).

Zion is indicated in Psalm 48. 

Keil and Delitzsch: "We therefore take the expression 'sides of the north' to be a topographical designation, and intended literally. Mount Zion is thereby more definitely designated as the Temple-hill; for the Temple-hill, or Zion in the narrower sense, formed in reality the north-eastern angle or corner of ancient Jerusalem. It is not necessarily the extreme north (Ezekiel 38:6; Ezekiel 39:2), which is called ירכתי צפון; for ירכּתים are the two sides, then the angle in which the two side lines meet, and just such a northern angle was Mount Moriah by its position in relation to the city of David and the lower city."8

Verse 4 refers to "kings of the earth" who are not specifically identified. Some commentators believe them to be Sennacherib’s vassal kings (Isaiah 10:8); others suppose the kings of Ammon, Moab and Edom (2 Chronicles 20:25); yet others suppose Pekah and Rezin (2 Kings 15:37). The kings came intending to attack Jerusalem, but they did not even attempt it ~ they were astounded at the sight of it and fled in terror.

Benson: "Psalm 48:4-6. For lo, the kings were assembled — The neighbouring princes confederate against Jerusalem: see the contents. They passed by — In their march toward Jerusalem. They advanced, and marched on, not doubting but they should presently make themselves masters of the city. Or, they passed away together — Departed without the success which they desired and expected. They saw it — They only looked upon it, but did not enter it, nor shoot an arrow there, nor cast a bank against it, as was said upon this or the like occasion, 2 Kings 19:32. They marvelled — Not so much at the structure or strength of the city, as at the wonderful works wrought by God on its behalf. They were troubled, and hasted away — God impressed such terrors upon their minds as made them retire with precipitation."9

Zechariah 12:9-11 does not refer to the conflict at Jerusalem

Heiser: "Zechariah 12:9–11, which plainly sites the conflict at Jerusalem.. Not only does Zechariah 12 place the final battle where the nations see the risen, pierced Christ at Jerusalem.1

And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves. (Zechariah 12:9-14).

The above passage does not refer to the conflict at Jerusalem. Rather it refers to God's intention to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem: I will seek i.e. I will make it my aim.. Following the "abomination of desolation" event at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel, the Antichrist will launch the greatest persecution of all time against the Jewish people. (Daniel 9:27). This marks the time known as "the time of Jacobs trouble" i.e. the great tribulation spoken of by Jesus. (Matthew 24:21). On that day God pours out a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This refers to the time when Israel repents and recognizes Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The actual conflict does not occur until the end of the 70th week of Daniel. The nations will not literally see the risen pierced Christ until the sixth seal of Revelation i.e. towards the end of the 70th week. (Revelation 6:15-17). 

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.(Luke 21:20-24 cf. Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15).

Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7 cf. Jeremiah 30:11,22,24).

In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. (Zechariah 13:8).

Conclusion

The leaders of the whole world and their armies assemble for a specific battle against the Lord of Hosts and his visible armies at the end of the 70th week of Daniel. To assemble or to gather is not to surround. If Jerusalem is intended, this is an odd phrase. The way the phrase is worded does seem to refer to somewhere other than Jerusalem: "..the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon". John clearly identifies Zion in Revelation 14:1 and New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:2. He also identifies Jerusalem in Revelation 11:8. Why would John identify Jerusalem or Zion with a cryptic phrase on this occasion? 

Commentators generally agree that Armageddon alludes to the hill country surrounding the plain of Megiddo where many previous battles were fought by Israel. (Judges 5:19; 2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22, cf. Zechariah 12:11). The object of the Antichrist's stand at Armageddon is to come against Jesus Christ and His visible armies (Revelation 19:19), it is not to take Jerusalem.

Having read chapter 41 of Heizer's book "The Unseen Realm" a number of times, I find his hermeneutics perplexing and impossible to corroborate biblically. (1 John 4:1). Heiser employs the cosmic mountain motif and refers to Isaiah 14:13 as the "cosmic mountain" or "the cosmic north". Heiser: "It is the place where God is. And not only that, it is the place of the Divine Council". In other words, he identifies "the dwelling place of Yahweh and his divine council—the cosmic mountain" as both Mount Zion/Jerusalem and Mount Zaphon which is on the Syrian–Turkish border. He then identifies this location as Armageddon due to alleged coincidental consonants m-g-d. Heiser substitutes m-g-d with m-'-d and shoehorns it to fit the “mountain of assembly” (har mo’ed). He finds the final nun of the spelling in Zechariah 12:11. I do usually follow logical arguments, but on this occasion I find Heiser's reasoning incomprehensible. 

My observation is that Heiser chips away at the scriptures, and consequently, he chips away at, and undermines, our faith. He often leaves his hearers confused and unsure of their ground. In my view, the plain meaning Megiddo is intended rather than Heiser's convoluted thesis. Heiser presents himself as "cutting edge" and he appears to understand obscure and difficult passages of scripture. However I find many of his speculations are based on questionable eisegesis.

Heiser's  problematic theology

narwatchisrael.info identify a number of red flags associated with Heiser's theology, including his nod to universalism. 

Heiser does not believe in a literal millennium.10

Heiser endorses the problematic recapitulation theory regarding the seals, trumpets and bowls:

Heiser: "Revelation may not even be intended to be read chronologically (in linear fashion), but instead as repeating cycles (i.e., the seals, bowls and trumpets all express the ideas in similar, but not identical, ways). One’s willingness to accept this cyclic repetitive view ('recapitulation') depends on being comfortable with 'joining' them instead of 'splitting' them." (11)

1. Excerpt from Dr. Mike Heiser’s Book “The Unseen Realm” | Talmidimblogging (wordpress.com)
2. Revelation 16:16 Commentaries: And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon. (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Number 4023 Hebrew Dictionary of the Old Testament Online Bible with Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Brown Driver Briggs Lexicon, Etymology, Translations Definitions Meanings & Key Word Studies - Lexiconcordance.com
4. Isaiah 14:13 Commentaries: "But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. (biblehub.com)
5. Tel Megiddo - Wikipedia
6. Isaiah 14 Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary (biblehub.com)
7. Psalm 48 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (biblehub.com)
8. Psalm 48 Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary (biblehub.com)
9. Psalm 48:4 Commentaries: For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together. (biblehub.com)
10. (13) Premillennial and Amilllennial: Ruling and Reigning - Michael Heiser - YouTube
11. Seventy Weeks of Daniel (aka, The Pit of Despair) - Dr. Michael Heiser (drmsh.com)

Further Links

5 Reasons Why 'Armageddon' (Har-magedon) Refers to the Mount of Megiddo | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)

Examining Heiser’s Divine Council theories / Dr. Wave Nunnally Hebrew Early Judaism Professor (youtube.com)
Concerns about Michael Heiser’s teachings from Hebrew & Systematic Theology Professors and Pastors (youtube.com)