PCG’s Flurry Proclaims a Prophetic Fulfillment with Egypt and Iran, But…
Gerald Flurry
The self-appointed “prophet” Gerald Flurry of the improperly named Philadelphia Church of God wrote the following in the October-November 2012 edition of the Philadelphia Trumpet:
Egypt Unites With Iran and Fulfills a Bible Prophecy…
Over the last 20 years, I have been explaining the prophecy in Daniel 11 which says that Egypt would fall to radical Islam, ally itself with Iran, trash its peace treaty with Israel, and become a violent enemy of Israel and the United States.
In August, that prophecy was fully and totally fulfilled! It is now reality!
Egypt and Iran are now allies…
A Fulfilled Prophecy
In a January 2006 letter to co-workers, I wrote: “We have said for years that Egypt has been a friend to the West, but because of this prophecy [Daniel 11:42], we also said that could change. … As the MB grows more popular it will strengthen its ties with Islamic powers throughout the region—especially Iran. … [W]atch for Cairo to distance itself from America. Should the MB ever take control, there is no doubt that a strong alliance between Iran and Egypt will be built.”
That is a fulfilled prophecy.
Egypt and Iran are not now strong allies. His “prophecy” has not been fulfilled. Simply do a google news search and you will find many articles explaining that Egypt is still a rival to Iran and that they are not strong allies. Gerald Flurry may disagree, but the Iranians mainly support Shi’a Islam and the Egyptians Sunni Islam–and the two groups are not close enough together to consider them “strong” allies.
Furthermore, the meeting in August between leaders of those two nations did not fulfill any biblical prophecies in Daniel 11. Gerald Flurry may wish to believe otherwise, but that does not change the geographic fact that Iran is east, and not south, of Jerusalem. Hence, Iran is not the prophesied King of the South of Daniel 11:40-43 as Gerald Flurry has long insisted.
Gerald Flurry further wrote:
Libya and Ethiopia Are Next…
This Iran-Egypt axis is going to change the game in the Middle East—particularly in Libya and Ethiopia.
Put simply, this means that we can expect Egypt—with Iran’s help—to lead Libya and Ethiopia into the Iranian camp!…
But notice verses 42 and 43. These dramatic verses tell us what to expect next in the Middle East: “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt ….” Notice how the emphasis is on Egypt.
The next part of the scripture is almost like an afterthought: “… and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.” Libya and Ethiopia (including Eritrea) will be at the steps of that king of the north, the German-led European power.
While it is true that those of Iran and Egypt want Ethiopia (which is only partially Islamic), Libya, and other Islamic nations to unite, Gerald Flurry’s understanding here is also somewhat in error.
Notice a more literal translation of the relevant passages:
42 ‘And he sendeth forth his hand upon the lands, and the land of Egypt is not for an escape;
43 and he hath ruled over treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the desirable things of Egypt, and Lubim and Cushim [are] at his steps. (Daniel 11:42-43, Young’s Literal Translation)
The word often mistranslated in Daniel 11 as Ethiopia does not need to mean the modern nation of Ethiopia. The word translated as “Ethiopians” in Daniel 11:43 is the plural of the word Kuwshiy, which according to Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary means descendants of Cush. Or in other words, people of dark color–and it is commonly translated as Cush or Cushite in many Old Testament passages, and shown as Cushim in Young’s Literal Translation of Daniel 11:43.
The late evangelist Raymond McNair also realized that the term referred to the Cushites as he wrote:
Daniel 11 also mentions some of the Mideast peoples who will be involved in that struggle among the nations at the close of this age. The belligerents will include the “King of the North,” the leader of the European Union (or its final outgrowth, called the “Beast”). The “King of the South” (an Islamic leader—apparently from Egypt {or} some other Muslim state) is also referred to. The following lands/peoples are specifically mentioned: Egypt, the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), the Ethiopians (modern Cushites, south of Egypt) (McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! Copyright Raymond F. McNair 2005, Church of God—21st Century).
Also, while the word Libya in Daniel 11:43 may refer to modern Libya, it more likely also includes some additional modern North African nations.
While it is slightly possible that modern Ethiopia (or at least parts of it) will support the King of the South, it is not necessary to have Ethiopia itself as a direct supporter.
Time and events will prove Gerald Flurry wrong as Bible prophecy disagrees with him on many points. Including the identity of the final King of the South. The King of the South will not be Iran and Egypt and Iran are not currently strong allies (though if Iran is ever neutralized, it may decide to support Egypt as well as get Egyptian sympathy).
Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
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?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” or a variety of other titles make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now best essentially represented by the Living Church of God.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
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