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March 12, 2008
GOG-MAGOG & THE ORACLE OF
DAMASCUS
From: Pastor D.R.S.
Hi
Guys,
As we get ready for our radio
program, it's important for us
to iron out as completely a few
of the objections our
protagonists might raise.
(1) We need to nail down the prophecies regarding the Syro-Phoenician
war - which we are insisting will prompt the Treaty of Hell and Death.
We're a little shaky here. Can we firm it up a bit?
(2) The Gog/Magog War (Ezekiel
38 - 39) - which we will be insisting
follows the Treaty of Hell and
Death (Daniel
9:27; Isaiah 28:15, 18) and, consequently, occurs after the
Tribulation has begun. If that’s the case, how can we account for the
seven years required to burn the refuse left behind by this war? Of
course, we can extend it beyond the Tribulation as such - into the 30
days following and perhaps into the 75 days following. But it's still
a bit shaky to suggest that during the second half of the Tribulation
the Jews, who will then be caught up in panic and fear and fighting
for their lives, will find the time to bury the dead - even if they
are so inclined - which is itself a bit doubtful.
Pastor D.R.S.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Pastor S. –
Since your focus
appears to be fixated upon the chronological consequences of having
the destroyed weaponry of the Gog-Magog War scattered upon the
mountains/hills of the Middle East (most, apparently in either Syria
or certainly Israel proper) - and, although you have rightly advised
that (1) the 7-year time frame (Ezekiel
39:9-10) is extended into the 1,290th day (Daniel
12:11) and possibly the 1,335th day (Daniel
12:12) - and, as well, you have surmised
that collecting this debris and using a good deal of it for fuel in
the midst of at least "Jacob's Trouble" (Daniel
12:1) would be a bit frightful and somewhat
difficult - then what are we to do with this seemingly incongruous
affair which (i.e., the Gog-Magog War) apparently occurs after the
Treaty of Hell and Death has initiated the Seventieth Week of Daniel's
prophecy (Daniel
9:27), etc.?
Also, be it abundantly clear from the commencement of our discussions
- there are clearly delineated throughout the Biblical texts of
prophetic import THREE distinct conflicts:
 (1) The
WAR - The Arab-Israel Conflict - culminating in the ORACLE OF DAMASCUS
or BURDEN OF DAMASCUS which occurs prior to the 70th Week of Daniel (Dan.
9:26).
(2) The GOG-MAG WAR - Which occurs relatively soon or perhaps
immediately after the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel which
commences as a result of the "Treaty of Hell and Death" between "the
many" of Israel and the Antichrist or the "prince who is to come." (Daniel
9:27; Ezekiel 38:1 through Ezekiel 39:16)
(3) The FINAL CONFLICT - The Battle of Armageddon -
Ezekiel 39:17-20;
Revelation 16:12-16 - the Sixth bowl, as
well as
Revelation 9:13-21
at the "overlapping" time frame of the Sixth Trumpet; culminating in
the 2nd coming of Christ on the 1,290th Day of
Daniel 12:11
and confirmed by both
Revelation 11:15-19
and the blowing of the 7th Trumpet which persists from the 1,260th day
throughout the entire 30-days of
Dan. 12:11
until the 1,290th day when Christ returns in glory--Revelation
19:11-21 and confirmed by
Ezekiel 39:17-20.
Before I commence with the writing of John Walvoord on this subject -
it behooves us to review the FACT that it is imperative that Israel be
in the land in "unwalled villages" - these are NOT simply kibbutzim as
some in vain contemplate - it is precisely, I believe, in reference to
the current WALL surrounding Israel's "uncontested lands" in order to
protect her against terrorism - likewise, she must be "dwelling in
peace" - that "peace" is ill-conceived without the completion of THE
WAR as mentioned in
Daniel 9:26
- "end of the war." That WAR - which is not the subject (although you
have requested it be of this exchange, as well) is the Oracle or
Burden of Damascus of both Zechariah 9 and
Isaiah 17-18.
Suffice it to say--Israel is dwelling in a relative PEACEFUL
environment (Ezekiel
38:11) and that "peace process/period"
occurs at the conclusion of "the war" and it is BETWEEN the conclusion
of this war and the signing of the "Treaty of Hell and Death" (the
infamous treaty with Antichrist) that both the wall will come down and
there will be this seemingly euphoric sense of peace in the land
confirmed by Antichrist's ultimate treaty--that time frame is
unresolved; however, I could conjecture it is of sufficient "space" to
produce this "peaceful and unwalled" environment in Israel proper.
Well - may I commence with the reading of John Walvoord's resolution
to the enigma:
(From P. 197 of his text: Prophecy Knowledge Handbook - Prophecy in
Ezekiel) -
 "The
figure of seven years introduces some problems as it affects the
location of this war in the end-time events because it pictures Israel
at peace and in safety (38:8;
39:6) (My Note: Precisely - as a result of
the Oracle of Damascus (Zechariah
9, Isaiah 17-18) and subsequent SEVEN-YEAR
PEACE of Antichrist!). The burning of the fuel is not a prophetic
event but only a statement of the amount of debris. A number of
expositors have located this war in the first half of the last
seven years leading up to the Second Coming (My Note: As have
we!). The first half of the seven years will be a period of peace
because of the covenant entered into between Israel and the Gentile
ruler of that period (Dan.
9:27) (Precisely – and leading to my
conclusion that this “peace” is only disturbed at the commencement of
the 70th Week for a very brief period of time—see my analysis later
on.). The problem of the fuel lasting seven years, however, is not a
real prophetic problem because EVEN AFTER THE LORD RETURNS THEY WILL
STILL NEED FUEL FOR FIRES IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM AS LIFE GOES ON
(My Emphasis—although the burning of this fuel does NOT, I believe,
extend into the Millennial Age). Accordingly, the seven-year figure
should not be considered an obstacle to placing the war somewhere in
the middle of the last seven years (which we have done as well – but
more so at the commencement of the 70th Week - but before the
Abomination of Desolation) with the possibility that it may
occur earlier in the seven-years period (which we have most
definitely done) and justify the approximate figure of seven years
(Note: The "dead bodies" take but 7 months to clean up -
Ezekiel 39:11-16
- and MAY indicate that AFTER these bodies are so "cleansed from the
land" AND after the Temple Mount area is likewise CLEANSED - then
there will be from the time (which I calculate will be on the
FEAST OF DEDICATION -
FEAST OF HANUKKAH (December)) precisely
1,010 days PRIOR to the actual
ABOMINATION OF
DESOLATION (the midst of Daniel's 70th Week)
and an additional 1,290 days beyond this mid-point of DESOLATIONS WILL
CONTINUE until the actual coming of Christ to the earth (after the
Church has been raptured on the 1,260th day and then the 30 days of
the Wrath of the Lamb) and then the final 35 days wherein there is (1)
the Judging of the Nations and (2) the repentance of Israel (their
"blessedness").
I think we can gather from this information from Dr. Walvoord a most
simplistic resolution to our insurmountable problem? Of course - now,
however, I am greatly intrigued by these calculations in that the
issue of "CLEANSING" of the dead bodies of this conflict COULD be
directly connected to the inauguration of the sacerdotal rites 250
days into the first half of the 70th Week of Daniel.
If, in point of
possible fact, it takes 7 months to "cleanse the land" - and perhaps
prepare the Temple Mount (Note: Temple Cleansing/Construction could
actually take place "informally" prior to the signing of the 7-year
pact by Antichrist which will, obviously, FORMALIZE the arrangement of
the building of the sanctuary) - it is, therefore, noteworthy to
calculate, by using the 30-month prophetic calendar used in these
matters (e.g., 1,260 days ./. 30-days = 3.5 years) we have the
following: 7 months = 210 days (7 months x 30-day prophetic month =
210 days) - therefore, we have the following POSSIBILITY in
calculating the precise timing of the Gog-Magog War within the first
half of Daniel's 70th Week:
250 Days (the precise starting time for the commencement of the
sacerdotal rites which will last for 1,010 days to the midst of the
70th Week @ the Abomination of Desolation) - This 250 days must be,
because there are precisely 2,300 days from: (1) the daily
sacrifices; and (2) the transgression of desolation; and (3) the
giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot -
in other words the 2,300-day calculation commences from the initiation
of the sacerdotal rites until the end of the desolation--PRECISELY
2,300 days in fulfillment of BOTH
Daniel 8:13-14 and of
Daniel 12:11.
Now, knowing that there will be a time frame of 7 months or 210 days
to cleanse the land of these dead bodies (and perhaps the Temple Mount
area as well prior to the Feast of Hanukkah and the 1,010 days of
sacrifice until the Abomination of Desolation - we are ADVISED TO
CONCLUDE that QUITE POSSIBLY from the time the Treaty is enforced upon
"the many" until the commencement and/or finality of the Gog/Magog War
there will be precisely 40 days.
I arrive at this figure as follows: 250 - 210 = 40 days (i.e., the
40-days wherein the Gog-Magog War would transpire.
Thence, this FIGURE OF JUDGMENT (for "40" is the figure in biblical
numerology for judgment - 40 days and 40 nights the flood - 40 years
in the wilderness, etc.) would be FIGURATIVELY appropriate for
judgment upon Gog/Magog from the Treaty of Hell and Death until the
judgment of Gog-Magog!
 Then
after these 40 days - and who is to know if the Gog-Magog conflict is
either a one-day affair or throughout the entire 40-day period from
the signing of the treaty (which conflict could possibly PRECIPITATE
the conflict itself) - its conclusion, however, by the 40th day of the
70th Week of Daniel would be appropriate in that there would have to
be these 7-months to "cleanse the land" of the dead bodies, etc. - the
fuel issue is non sequitur.
In point of glaring fact - Antichrist's designs to save Israel - to be
her protector could easily and more appropriately find its
justification as a result of an immense military buildup against
Israel - the TRIGGER for the commencement of the Gog-Magog ACTUAL
MILITARY EXCHANGE would be the same day that the treaty is concluded!
This 40-day period of judgment and the subsequent 7-month or 210-days
of "cleansing the land" (Ezekiel
39:9) brings us clearly to the 250th day +
2,300 days (days of both the sanctuary's sacerdotal rites (1,010 days)
and the days from the Abomination of Desolation until their conclusion
on the 1,290th day or 1,010 + 1,290 = 2,300 days). I've covered much
of these time frames/chronologies in my text:
ISRAEL'S TEMPLE
SACRIFICE AND THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION.
However, I am "delightfully convinced" that these new chronological
discoveries are most amazing in that they also hold within them the
significance of biblical numerology as well.
If indeed, we consider, as well, that 7 years are utilized for FUEL
and general cleaning up of the debris - and that such purging of the
land in this manner would commence at the same time that the dead
bodies are purged from the land - then, there is a new calculation
which comes into play!
That calculation - though apparently "miscellaneous" at this juncture
of "discovery" – ultimately may be quite profound - the Bible does not
throw out such calculations at random!
When would this 7-year time frame commence for FUEL? It would begin
at the same time the dead bodies are purged from the land or on the
40th day of the 70th Week of Daniel and extend throughout the 70th
Week of Daniel into the 10th Day of the 45 days during which there is
the Judgment of the Nations and Israel's recognition and acceptance of
Messiah (10-days after his return or 10 days beyond the 1,290th day) -
leaving an additional 30 days prior to the commencement and
re-dedication of the Temple and the Messianic Era. Thus, there is
absolutely no problem of "millenarian interference" of this FUEL issue
for it would conclude before the time of the commencement of the
Millenarian period of 1,000-year rule and reign of the Son of David on
the earth and Israel wholly fulfilled in her prophetic panoply of
promises.
I do not find it incompatible for "survival" for the Jews during the
time of "Jacob's Trouble" to find a somewhat miraculous provision of
fuel "here and there" in order to sustain the believing remnant as
well as those of Abraham's seed to prophetically fulfill their
reception of Messiah!
There are a multitude of chronological possibilities set in the
backdrop of these 40 days prior to the 7-month clean up of the
"corpses" - "corpses" which the Jews are wont to immediately dispense
with according to their traditions; however, the "multitude" of
"bodies" appears staggering - therefore, 7-months of purging is not
out of the question.
The 7-years of FUEL commencing at the time of the CLEANSING of the
dead bodies brings us within the special 45-days of Messiah's judgment
of the nations (Daniel
12:12 and the "sheep and goat nations" -
Matthew 25:31-34)
and Israel's repentance/recognition (Zechariah
12:10-14) - which I call the UNVEILING OF
THE SON OF MAN akin to Joseph's unveiling of himself to his brethren
in Egypt.
In summation - I am growingly convinced that the Gog-Magog War will
be:
(1) precipitated
and/or commenced at the signing of the Treaty of Hell and Death
(2) "officially
terminate" within the 40-days from the commencement of that
enforcement/treaty - allowing there to be 7-months in which the bodies
are purged from the land from that conflict in preparation of the
250th day and the official commencement of the sacerdotal rites which,
if
PASSOVER
marks the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel/The Treaty of Hell
and Death - and, in accordance with the Jewish calendar the only
250-day time frame from Passover Feast Day until another significant
Feast Day, would place the dedication on HANUKKAH (approximately April
until December - PRECISELY 250 days on the Jewish Calendar) - allowing
for the traditional RE-DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE day - as well as the
precise 2,300 days of BOTH the sacerdotal rites so commenced and the
end of desolations on the 1,290th day in fulfillment of
Daniel 8:13-14
and
Daniel 12:11
- as well as in keeping with the overwhelming confirmations scattered
throughout Daniel chapters
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
dealing with the sanctuary, sacrifice, desolations/abominations, etc.
- my articles entitled: "Jesus
Christ Does the Work of Antichrist? - A Perfectly Timed Heresy Says
Who?" and "Israel's
Prophetic Witness - 'To Finish the Transgression...and to Anoint the
Most Holy.'"
I hope I have not bored you to tears - I appear somewhat enthralled
over these chronological, prophetic precisions only in that they
substantiate the divine inspiration of the text and confirm that
knowledge of God's prophetic purposes shall increase and become great
in the end of days (Daniel
12:4 - Amplified Version).
We shall prolong our discussion of the Oracle of Damascus and the "end
of the war" at a later date; hopefully, in time and prior to the
actual fulfillment of the Burden of Damascus!
Doug Krieger
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