Iran and Armageddon

Top of Megiddo and Related Valley (Joe Freeman)

Not all in Israel support an attack against Iran, though some do. Here are basically four views from some who live in the area many call Armaggedon:

It is just an 18-mile journey from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in luxurious Caesarea on the shores of the Mediterranean, to Har Megiddo – Armageddon, the hilltop ancient ruins of one of King Solomon’s palaces from where the Bible suggests the final battle between good and evil will be viewed…

A man who identified himself as Mordechai, who was giving away copies of a free newspaper outside local shops in Caesarea, said he fears the seemingly inevitable confrontation.

“I’m frightened” Mordechai said. “I don’t think we should attack Iran; it will start another world war. It’s also a big mistake to be talking about it here in the media.”…

Just a short drive down the road, in the Arab village of Baqa-Al-Gharbieh, few people were prepared to speak their mind. ‘Eid’, a shopkeeper, gave an insight into local Arab opinion.

“If he (Netanyahu) attacks Iran it will be a very big mistake,” Eid said. “The Jewish people don’t want to face facts. If the Palestinian problem was solved, Iran would have no reason or support to threaten Israel. We (Arabs) want peace. In life it is give and take, not like the Israelis, who take and take.”

At a gas station in another Arab town of Umm El Fahm, Samir bemoaned what war could do the already high cost of a gallon of gas. “If Netanyahu starts a war, $8 will seem cheap!” he observes. “It would be an economic disaster.”…

In the souvenir shop ‘Maya’ and ‘David’ (not their real names), gave the perspective of 30-something Israeli Jews.

“I believe Iran is close to getting the bomb,” David said. “Israel must not allow another Holocaust to happen. We must act first.”

Maya agreed: “I do” she said. “We must be sure though to bomb Iranian military targets and not civilian areas. And we must do it soon; before it’s too late.” http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/08/25/taking-pulse-armageddon-as-israel-iran-showdown-looms/

Let us briefly look at each of those views.

First, if Israel attacks Iran it will not be World War III. Nor will this be directly related to the troop gathering in Armageddon that the Bible tells of. Notice what the Bible, in the only place that mentions the word Armageddon, actually says:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)

Since the above does not happen until more than 3 years AFTER the start of the Great Tribulation, and the Great Tribulation itself cannot start for years, if Israel launches an attack against Iran within the next several years, this is not ‘Armageddon’ as that event cannot occur until probably at least seven years from now.

Second, it is not true that the Palestinian issue is what drives Iran. The leaders of Iran believe that it is their destiny to help usher in a leader that they call the Imam Mahdi, and that Iran needs to cause chaos/war for this to happen. The President of Iran actually credits this mystical Imam Mahdi for his election to that office (Iran’s President-elect wants to negotiate with the USA and credits the ‘Islamic messiah’ for his election). Palestine is really only a side issue for the Iranian leadership–it is not the driving force for Iran’s military and/or nuclear development.

Third, it is true that inflation economic, and other problems face Israel if it gets involved in a conflict with Iran. The cost to Israel will exceed what many of the Israeli leaders seem to want to believe it will be.

Fourth, Israel most certainly is at risk from any Iranian nuclear weaponry. However, the cost to Israel will likely be higher than those who advocate attacking Iran realize. Furthermore, considering the situation in Syria, Syria itself is likely to release chemical and/or biological weapons during such a conflict, which would increase the cost and damage. Syria’s capital Damascus is prophesied to be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).

As I have long warned, the cost to Israel (and likely the USA) for a regional war involving Iran and/or Syria will be higher than many in the USA or Israel believe. Israel, and possibly the USA, will be weakened by a regional conflict involving Iran. Between terrorist acts, sustained resistance, chemical weapons, biological weapons, emp-type bombs, and/or even disruptions of the internet, Iran and/or Syria can inflict significant damage to their enemies. Yet, the USA and the tiny of nation of Israel would not be “eliminated” by that–it will come later, by the King of the North (cf. Daniel 11:39) before he takes on the King of the South (Daniel 11:40).

Currently, Iran seems to be putting forth a diplomatic posture suggesting that it is reasonable and really is not working on producing nuclear weapons. Others believe that Iran is pursuing a military nuclear agenda, and that the agenda must be stopped (e.g. No time left for negotiations with Iran: Israeli minister).

Since Iran will not be the King of the South and Syria apparently will support that King, the situation in those countries will change–and this certainly could happen from an attack involving Israel. However, this would not be the battle associated with Armageddon in the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Why do many say a peace deal will be in place before the Great Tribulation begins. Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? See also the video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.