Israel's Gas Finds and Bible Prophecy Redux
Written: 8-30-10
by Michael G. Mickey
In Ezekiel 38-39, we're told of a massive invasion attempt that is set to take place against Israel in the prophetic future. Expected to participate, according to many respected theologians, are the following nations:
Magog - Most agree this is a reference to Russia.
Meshech - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia, but some say it refers to the Moscow area.
Tubal - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia.
Persia - modern Iran
Ethiopia
Libya
Gomer - eastern Europe or Turkey
Togarmah - southeastern Europe or Turkey
What will serve as the motive for this attack? Based on Ezekiel 38:12-13, it will be to take a spoil, a plunder. It is for this reason that many have been awaiting a time when Israel would enter into a period of great prosperity. Could that time be coming around now? On 8-20-10 I noted that there is every reason to believe it may be and today we'll build upon that earlier commentary.
In the 8-20-10 commentary I documented that Ynetnews.com was reporting that 1.5 billion barrels of oil have been discovered near Rosh Ha'Ayin. While it is yet unclear how much of that oil is going to be recoverable, when you add this find to the huge natural gas reservoir located some time ago off the coast of Haifa, which is the subject of today's commentary, it seems likely Israel is on its way to an unprecedented period of economic prosperity. The natural gas find alone is set to:
meet Israel's natural gas demands for two decades.
reduce Israel's dependence on natural gas imports from outside sources.
result in Israel going from being a natural gas importer to becoming an exporter to Europe and Asia at the very least.
reduce Israel's electricity costs.
invigorate Israel's economy for generations to come.
What you've read thus far is essentially a cut and paste of my 8-20-10 commentary with a few added remarks for clarity, but what follows is the very latest on the developing topic of Israel becoming an energy exporter and, potentially, wealthy enough to raise the ire of its enemies to the point of warfare breaking out.
Israel National News is reporting, as of 8-29-10, that a potential 4 billion barrels of oil lies in the Leviathan energy field off the coast of Haifa. What does the I.N.N. report forecast for Israel if the numbers hold up and Israel is indeed sitting on another large find of "black gold"?
"The ramifications of the discovery are immense. If the estimates materialize, Israel will become self-sufficient in energy, enjoy a boon of employment for engineers and laborers, and will become an exporter of gas and oil. The shekel, barring a conflict with Hizbullah or Iran, may become rock-solid, dropping the representative rate; Israel's shekel is now worth about 26.3 cents (3.8 shekels) to the dollar."
A boon of employment, the exporting of gas and oil, and a rock-solid shekel? Simply put, the forecast is great wealth for Israel and this, once again, points toward us drawing closer to the prophesied battle of Gog-Magog which, in review, will be largely motivated by greed.
Ezekiel 38:13 foresees nations asking the Gog-Magog confederacy why it has or is attacking Israel in the prophetic future (emphasis added mine):
"Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?"
Through the news of our world today, we are seeing glimpses of where bible prophecy says we're headed. In a time when most major currencies around the globe are unstable, the potential that Israel's shekel is going to become "rock-solid" should jump right off the page at those of us familiar with bible prophecy and remind us that our God is alive, on His throne, and in perfect control. Isn't it good to know that in uncertain times like these?
Keep your eyes on the skies! Jesus Christ is Lord and He's coming soon!
