Everyone is aware of President Trump's visit to the Middle East as well as Rome. This is prophetic! Trump really wants peace for Israel and the Palestinians, and is working towards that goal. But quite frankly, there will be no true peace in the region until the Prince of Peace (Jesus) returns and sets up His Millennial Kingdom.
After the Rapture of true believers ( the Church, the Bride of Christ) the antichrist will make a covenant for peace with Israel which will begin the 7 year Tribulation, but it will be a false peace and a temporary one at that. After signing the 7 year covenant with Israel, the antichrist will break it after three-and-a-half years.
"And he (the antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. " - Daniel 9:27
It should be mentioned here that although Israel will have a brief, false peace under the antichrist, there will no doubt be wars in other parts of the earth, as the antichrist goes conquering (Revelation 6:2)
But Christians living now will not have to worry about the antichrist or who he is, because we will be raptured before he comes on the scene, or is revealed. We believers need to focus on Jesus and His soon return and live godly lives and be ready to meet Him in the air.
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 2 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Therefore what is next - for believers - is the Rapture. For those unbelievers who are left behind, more wars, cosmic disasters, and the wrath of God as He judges the ungodly left on earth to suffer the horrors of the Tribulation.
Following is a video by prophecywatchers.com featuring Andy Woods' opinions on the "Middle East Meltdown", in which he discusses the Gog/Magog war and Ezekiel 38 as well as other insightful thoughts and conclusions.
It is Mr. Woods' opinion that Islam is furnishing the theological motivation for the Gog/Magog attack.
"What the situation will be like in the world before the Lord returns, namely, Christ will be despised, and the preachers of the Gospel will be regarded as fools." - Martin Luther
"Such are the conditions prior to Judgment Day. We need to learn from this and not fret when we see these things happening, but say: Christ predicted beforehand that the world would become so savage, coarse, greedy, and so on. Well then! That's the way it is; and it is even going to get worse." - Martin Luther
The above two quotes by Martin Luther sound very negative, but you have to admit what he said is very true of today...these last days we find ourselves living in now. Read Matthew 24.
The good news is, Christians have a blessed hope ! (Titus 2:13) The hope of being raptured to heaven to be with the Lord forever! We should be full of zeal to witness about Jesus to lost souls, especially since the time is short before His return.
Following is an uplifting song about when we shall see Jesus.
Let us remember that only Jesus can bring lasting peace to this world. If you give your heart, soul, and life to Jesus and believe He is your Savior and repent of your sins and ask for God's forgiveness, you will have a certain degree of peace right now. Peace in your soul, knowing you are right with the Lord. You may still have trials and tribulations on this earth, but with the Holy Spirit's help, you will have endurance and strength to persevere.
"(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" - 2 Corinthians 6:2
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - Jesus at John 14:27
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" - Titus 2:13
