The final phase of Armageddon, prophetically described as, “Jacob’s trouble”

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away (who would see its demise) will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” (Zech 12:2, 3)

“Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; it is THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE, but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jer 30:7)

“In Ezekiel’s prophecy (Ezek 38:1-13) the Lord names the chief actors in the struggle in Palestine; but we may not be too positive in our identifications.

Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomar, Togomar, Javan and Tarshish were names of children of Noah’s son Japheth’ supposed to be the original settles of Europe. Sheba and Dedan were descendants of Noah’s son, Ham’ supposed to be the original settles of Northern Africa. Abraham and his posterity (Israel) were descendants of Noah’s son, Shem, and are supposed to have settled Armenia ‘Western Asia. (See Gen 10:2-7) This would seem to indicate in a general way that the attack will come from Europe the “north quarters” with allied mixed peoples.” (Volume 4, The Battle of Armageddon, page 556)

The various groups thus described by the Prophet Ezekiel as the ones who will be participants in “Jacob’s trouble,” are now actively participating in the present struggle of the nations, but it seems reasonable that there may be a lull in the present storm, during which Israel will occupy Palestine in greater numbers and will become even more prosperous there than they are now. But the hatred of the Jew now so manifest in Europe, and the lust for wealth and power on the part of the aggressors, impoverished by their vast expenditures in their war efforts, will still exist. This can easily lead later to the march against the holy land which will represent the final phase of Armageddon. It will be in this struggle that divine power will be manifested for the deliverance of Israel’ not however, until they have been severely chastised.” (“The Jew and the War” )

“According to Ezek 38:8, this attack from the “north” (Ezek 38:15) takes place AFTER Israel has been “brought back from the sword” and is dwelling safely in the land, this is still future. Israel is not yet recovered from the “sword.” The Israelites have possessed the land by means of their military strength. Today they are depending upon the same source of security as the other nations of the earth, which is the power of the sword.

Because of this, Israel is not now yet dwelling “safely.” The people are in constant fear of being attacked. Just what developments will occur in the international picture to change this situation; we will know only when they occur. But the prophecy reveals clearly that when they do dwell “safely” a vicious attack will be made upon them from under the leadership of God from the “north.” (Ezek 38:14-16)” “Israel Fulfilling Prophecy”

“As stated there is considerable discussion as to the identification of the participants in the battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39. This is largely because of the various methods of interpretation used in arriving at an answer to this question. Two methods of approach are the most predominant. (Geographically and Linguistically)

The Geographical approach seeks to locate the areas occupied by these tribes in Ezekiel’s day, and identify the participants in this battle as being those living there at the present time. The Genealogical method traces the migrations of these people to their present locales, thus identifying modern day participants.

While a number of opinions prevail as to the precise identification of the nations involved in this battle, many agree on the following:

THE INVADING CONFEDERACY

* Rosh (Heb. “chief prince”, i.e. Russia)
* Meschech (Northern Turkey)
* Tubal (Georgia)
* Persia (Iran)
* Ethiopia (Cush) Central Africa
* Libya Northwest Africa
* Gomer Northern Turkey, (Armenia)
* Togarmah (Turkestan)

THE SECOND CONFEDERACY

*Tarshish

Tarshish is variously identified with southern Spain or the British Isles. In either case, it represented the westernmost reaches of civilization and thus is identified with Imperial England and her “young lions” or colonies, including the United States and Canada.

* Sheba (Saudi Arabia)

* Dedan (Yemen)

Beauties of the Truth Volume 2, Number 1 Jan 1991, Israel, Iraq and the Gulf Crisis A Land Brought Back from the Sword, by Carl Hagensick

In our next post we will take another look at this second confederacy and who they might represent as explained by Brother Frank Shallieu