Israel's Gas Finds and Bible Prophecy
Written: 8-20-10
by Michael G. Mickey
In Ezekiel 38-39, we're told of an incredible military attack that is set to take place against Israel in the prophetic future. Those on tap 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? There is every reason to believe it may be.
According to Ynetnews.com, 1.5 billion barrels of oil have been discovered near Rosh Ha'Ayin. While it is yet unclear how much of that oil is recoverable, when you add this find to the huge natural gas reservoir located some time ago off the coast of Haifa, 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.
Israel Today reported on April 12, 2010 that Israel was, quite possibly, going to soon experience an "oil and gas rush". A mere four months later and it appears more likely than ever this is going to be the case.
In bible prophecy we're told that Israel's silver and gold, its material wealth, is going to lead to fulfillment of the Gog-Magog prophecy of Ezekiel 38, 39 and here we are! We are seeing with our very eyes how the conditions necessary for fulfillment of this prophecy may be developing in the world around us at this very hour. Amazing!
Demonstrative of the kind of greed that will lead to the battle of Gog-Magog, Lebanon, the government of which is greatly influenced by the terrorist group Hezbollah at the very least, is already at odds with Israel in relation to the natural gas find. Many, including Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries, believe military conflict may erupt on the Israeli-Lebanese border before summer's end.
Another interesting aspect of the Gog-Magog prophecy is what appears to be a standoffish response to the attack by other nations around the world (Ezekiel 38:13). Of note, Israel's most consistent ally in the world, the United States, is beginning to waver in its sense of loyalty.
A recent Haaretz report shows how rapidly Israel-U.S. relations are faltering under the leadership of the Obama administration:
"In August of 2009, 63% of Americans polled said that the U.S. does need to support Israel. In June of this year, 58% of respondents shared the same view; by July only 51% of respondents said the U.S. needed to support Israel."
All in all? It looks like everything is currently posturing for fulfillment of the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39, which is going to occur in "the latter years" or end times as we're told in Ezekiel 38:8.
