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QUESTION 47
Israel is not yet dwelling safely, and at rest, in the land. As a nation, could Russia invade Palestine in fulfillment of prophecy, before the church is taken out?

ANSWER:
The background of this question is in Ezekiel 38, where a northern power will invade the land of Israel when she is dwelling safely in her land. The church being taken out refers to the catching ‘up of believers into the air at the coming again of Christ.

In Ezekiel 38, the nation that invades Israel in the last days, will be from the extreme northern parts (Hebrew: for north parts) and could hardly mean any other than Russia. In fact there is no northern nation from Jerusalem, but Russia. At the time of this war Israel will dwell securely in the land. In Ezekiel 38:11 we read, “And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates”. The “I” of this verse is the northern nation. The following verse tells us why she comes, “To take a spoil, to take a prey...”. There is something there she wants bad enough to invade the land for it. Israel is in the land. Russian which did not exist at the writing of Ezekiel is there. This part of the stage is set. That Russia is no friend of Israel is common knowledge. That the land is prospering and producing after so many years of desolation is true. But Israel is not unarmed and dwelling safely in the land.

This will take place only after the seven years of troubles begin as prophesied in Daniel 9:24. In the middle of the seven year prophetical week “the prince that shall come” (antichrist) will make a covenant with Israel, Daniel 9:26-27. She will then be at rest and dwell safely in her land. In that time period Russia will invade the land and will be defeated by supernatural intervention, Ezekiel 38:22-23 and Ezekiel 39:1-5. This will not and cannot happen before the catching up of the church. Since the seven year period of Daniel's prophecy cannot start until the church age is completed. It is likely the same war mentioned in Revelation 6:3-4 under the breaking of the second seal. A rider on a red horse comes to take away the false peace established by the rider on the white horse, Revelation 6:1-2, who is the antichrist. It will take place during the first three and a half years. The true born-again Christian can look up as the Lord is coming for us before then.

Dear readers, are you ready? Trust the Saviour today.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen