"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (Luke 21:22)
Posted on 06/21/2007 12:04:21 PM PDT by topcat54
Joel Rosenberg is a very popular writer who tells a compelling story. His books are even endorsed by Rush Limbaugh. In his book Epicenter, which ranks high up on the Amazon best-selling chart, Rosenberg argues that the current animus between Israel and Iran is actually foretold in chapters 38-39 of the famous prophecy of Ezekiel regarding Gog and Magog.
As Rosenberg sees things, one day soon Israel will find itself cornered by a Russian-Iranian-Arab alliance which will threaten Israel's very existence. To prove his point he cites from a number of military, political and journalistic sources. He is probably right about the animus and the Islamic designs upon Israel. But my interest in this post is with Rosenberg's appeal to the prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39.
Typically, dispensationalists like Rosenberg appeal to this passage as a yet unfulfilled prediction of a Russian-backed Islamic invasion of the modern nation of Israel, at or about the time the seven-year tribulation begins.
(Excerpt) Read more at kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com ...
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (Luke 21:22)
ACTUALLY,
I found his books exceedingly Biblical and kosher in terms of Scripture, logic, history, analysis etc.
Rev. Riddelbarger or Mr. Rosenberg?
Rosenberg.
hogwash . . .
Now that the obligatory hogwash is out of the way . . .
I wish to say . . .
The nonsense about God and Magog may not be Gog and Magog is moot, imho.
One of the prophecies of that ilk asserts that it’s
THE NORTHERN MOST COUNTRY FROM ISRAEL.
Check the map . . . that would be . . . drum roll . . .
Moscow/Russia.
What does Arab "alliance" mean? Syria? Egypt? Saudi Arabia? That statement leaves the whole context rather opened ended and safe to make that prediction, doesn't it? I'm surprise he doesn't say Russian-Arab alliance. Well, then again, I'm not surprised.
It means whatever the Humpty Dumpty wishes it to mean, Alice.
THE NORTHERN MOST COUNTRY FROM ISRAEL.
Bit late reply, but, could I point you to a book you might find interesting: God, Heaven and Har Magedon, specifically his discussion of Mt. Zaphon.
Thanks for the bother of your suggestion. I looked it over.
It appears to be full of types, symbols, typologies etc.
I’m not impressed.
I get very weary of folks who go to great lengths—exhaustive lengths in that author’s case—to avoid the plain literal meaning of Scripture—evidently—to the max, in his case.
I don’t think I’ll waste my time or money on his book. But I appreciate your caring to bother mentioning it.
It's fascinating to me. You characters take a very few Scriptures you interpret as comprehensively insisting on an absolutely NO CHOICE DETERMINISTIC theology--and JUMP OFF THE LITERAL CLIFF with them maximizing their literalness way out of whack.
Yet in areas of end times prophecies--obviously many of them meant to be taken exceedingly literally with repeated mentions of specific numbers of days between certain events etc. . . . and you refuse to take them 1/100th literally.
And then you have the . . . unmitigated cheek to expect us to take your theology seriously as a consistent whole!
LOL. GTTM.
Thanks for the ping!
Actually, Rev.20:8-9 is referring to the post-Millennial age, after Satan is released and sparks a world-wide revolt against Christ.
After this final revolt is put down, then the Great White Throne judgement occurs and then the eternal state, with the New Heavens and Earth. (Rev.21-22).
It would seem that there are two references to Gog and Magog in the Bible.
I agree that there appear to be 2 attacks by Gog & Magog . . . one at the end of the Millenial reign.
I’m not looking at the moment . . . off the top of my head, is Ezek 38’s war the other one? Some believe that may be one of the not too far off . . . “next up” “main events.”
Yes, but it should occur after the Rapture.
Isn't Rosenberg a pre-wrath guy or am I thinking of someone else?
IIRC, he’s at least pre-wrath but also holds out the possibility of pre-trib. I don’t think he’s dogmatic on it.
Could Gog Magog happen before the Rapture? Would that take away from the scriptural teaching of the imminent return of Christ? Also, Gog Magog may be the reason the Antichrist makes a treaty with Israel because that would be the only way he would suppose he could control God after God so overwhelmingly shows the world that Israel is his chosen people through his protection of them in the Gog Magog invasion.
You could be thinking of Marv Rosenthal who used to be pre-trib but after much study changed his mind to pre-wrath. He wrote a book about it called the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. He came to our church once for a conference and spoke about it. It convinced me. He took a LOT of flack from his pre-trib friends (lost a lot of them) over this. I think he even lost his job. Maryxxx
Have often pondered on that. Plausible, to me. We shall see.
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