Over all of history the servants of God have known the signs of the times: their times. They have seen the direction of events toward the Kingdom of God on earth replacing the kingdoms, republics and democracies of humans.

There are specific passages of Bible Prophecy that pertain to today, and could never have related to the past when they were written, or for any time since. They speak of today's news, where on one hand the EU is unhappy with Britain's Brexit vote and on the other in America Pelosi Democrat House Speaker is prevented from going to Brussels to reassure NATO chiefs. We will go through some background then get to today's news and where it fits.

Signs of the times

Amos 760–755 BC, after years of prophecy already fulfilled in the punishment on Israel for their sin, wrote,

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD has not done it? Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:6-7)

Clearly lots of events in the stream of global life are flotsam and jetsam of the less desirable aspects of mere human interaction, such as remote unenlightened peoples oppressing and or killing as they see fit. The servants are shown the edge where God interacts with Jews, Israel and the Nations to direct the global stream of events, in His Purpose to fill the earth with His Glory, as water covers the sea (Numbers 14:21, Psalm 72:19, Habbakuk 2:14). Daniel knew by books (of Jeremiah) that the time of captivity in Babylon was coming to an end (Daniel 9:2) and was shown the rise of Cyrus who would rebuild the Temple, as predicted by Isaiah (Chapter 44 and 45).

There are few ancient documents to show what people were thinking, but the servants' place in history of prophetic revelation was understood before 1692 as scholars explained Revelation 9 ‘verse 3. ‘out of the smoke of the pit came locusts’ Saracens, Arabs , Turks supporting errors of Mahomet and the tartars under Ottoman rule’ translated from Polish by Eyre, ‘Library of the Polish Brethren 1652-1692’. Certainly by the time of Isaac Newton, as shown in his book published in 1733 'Observations upon the prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse', understanding was well advanced as to what was to be expected. Newton ended his book at Revelation 9, describing the Turkish Ottomans and explains the phases of Roman Europe and 1260 years of tribulation and persecution, which was his place in history. Looking to the world future as predicted, he wrote,

“the commandment to return and rebuild Jerusalem precedes Messiah the prince 49 years: it may perhaps not come from the Jews themselves but from some other kingdom friendly to them, and proceed their return from captivity, and give occasion to it, and lastly that this rebuilding of Jerusalem and the waste places of Judah is predicted in Micah 7:11, Amos 9:11,14, Ezekiel 36... The manner I know not. Let time be the interpreter.” p133-134”

It was to be 184 years until the temporarily 'friendly' nation said it would support a Jewish return in 1917, but time has shown Newton's understanding was correct. Since mid 1967 Jerusalem has been rebuilt and Judah (Judea- aka the West Bank) has been restored from stony waste to staggering production, including dates and grapes. The 49 years from mid 1967 ended in mid 2016, but settlement of the waste places of Judah began in earnest in 1977, so 49 years would end in 2026. See here 2016: and here:

Where are we up to?

Having passed Ezekiel 36 noted by Newton, which begun to be fulfilled from the Arab riots of 1929 and is still being fulfilled today, as Israel's enemies daily taunt as predicted, where are we up to now? We have passed Ezekiel 37 where Israel as a nation is brought from the dead, literally and figuratively in 1948. We see now the trend of events pointing strongly to Ezekiel 38, where we are asked to consider a whole set of names of nations.

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, Rosh prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, Rosh prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour..: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. (Ezekiel 38:2-8)

The location of the events is very clear. It is specifically the West Bank- maps show the mountains of Israel are an exact match for what is the disputed, so called 'West Bank'. A quick look at trends of news will show that there is much press from Sweden to New Zealand disputing Jews right to that land. Jews there do come from many nations. The mountains were waste and desolate, as reported by Mark Twain in 1869. Do Jews dwell safely in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria? I might suggest, they are as safe there as they are anywhere, yet who can say what will happen there in the next year as they work for peace on Jewish terms?

Where is Magog? We know Magog must be where the sons of Japheth the ancestor of the Europeans went.

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. (Genesis 10:2)

If you type in 'Magog' and 'Germany' in google it comes up with slate roofing company in Germany. Josephus Flavius 37-100AD, Jewish historian, stated the Scythians land was Magog, “Although the classical Scythians may have largely disappeared by the 1st century BC, Eastern Romans continued to speak conventionally of "Scythians" to designate Germanic tribes and confederations” Scythians Wikipedia. We show Russia as Rosh is named here. The current leader of Russia came to power from his work in Germany, the heir to the Russian throne is German Royalty from his father. To further confirm the identification Gog must be from the North parts above Israel (Ezek 38:15).

Josephus' identification of Gomer is the Galatians, Gauls and Celts. Gaul is ancient France. Togarmah is identified with Turkey (North of Israel as required by Ezek 38:6).

Ezekiel 38 begun to be fulfilled

In February last year 2018 it was reported that Ezekiel 38 was beginning to be fulfilled (based on a shared understanding totally independent of our long held understanding, which dates back 3 generations to before 1900).

“Israel and Iran made direct military contact on Saturday for the first time, signaling a significant escalation in the multinational entanglement in Syria... last week, two other aircrafts were shot down. One of the aircrafts, a Turkish plane, was shot down on Saturday and a Russian close-support SU-25 one week earlier. Rabbi Winston (said). “There are two stages to redemption,” “P’keda (preparation) and zechira the (actualization).” “P’keda clearly culminated in the formation of the State of Israel and included the building up of the land,” he continued. “The only thing missing right now is the stage of zechira which includes the War of Gog and Magog. This is a much more active process that culminates in the return of the shechina (divine presence) to Israel.”

“The Arabs will play a major role in zechira because they are from Ishmael, which means ‘hear God,’” Rabbi Winston added. “Their function is to make the Jews listen to God and to wake us up to action.” “Since Israel became a state, we have faced coalitions of Arab states that joined together against us. This is the first time that a coalition of foreign nations faces another coalition of foreign nations, precisely as the War of Gog and Magog is described.”

Rabbi Haim Shvili, a 20th-century Jewish mystic wrote a book of predictions concerning the Messiah in 1935. Remarkably, Rabbi Shvili understands the prophet Ezekiel to foresee the War of Gog and Magog as being launched by a Russian-led coalition. Rabbi Shvili predicted that the Russian-led coalition will be opposed by a coalition of comparable size, comprising soldiers from all 70 nations. www.breakingisraelnews.com

There are now more than 70 nations… but it draws our attention to the next section of Ezekiel 38.

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? (Ezekiel 38:13)

Sheba is sometimes disputed, but thought to be in South Arabia. Dedan is understood as Arabia.

On one hand we have the Russian led coalition out of Germany, next to Iran, Ethiopia and Libya with France and Turkey.

On the other hand Arab nations leading the Merchants of Britain and India with their young nations (see here)

You will note Egypt is totally missing. It is not an accident. We have to go to a parallel prophecy to understand why.

And at the time of the end ... the king of the north shallcome against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land (Israel), and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon (Modern Jordan). 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: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain (Jerusalem); yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:40-45)

The Soviets had a stong connection to Egypt, and that historic presence in Egypt is again a reality with Russia since 2017 able to use Egypt's air bases, as it was written they have power over Egypt, they have complete air superiority - Egypt just handed power over! (see www.alaraby.co.uk)

Historically there has never at any time been any possibility of any such combination or nations. For the first Russia historically has fought Iran and Turkey. As recently 2016 Russia and Turkey were enemies, making Turkey a key contributor to NATO (the alliance built against Soviet Russia). France fought Russia in 1812 and it's not been exactly cordial since, with WW1 and WW2 being uneasy 'alliance' against Germany. Who would have thought to put France or Russia with Iran? Here October 27, 2018 are the leaders of Russia, Germany, Turkey and France – holding hands over the issue of Syria. presstv.com

Recently it would be unheard of that the Arabs of Arabia might even back Jews, let alone lead calls to do something about an invasion of Israel - they were backing a war to the death of all Jews as recently as 1973. The alliance of Saudi Arabs to the US was in question from 2001 to as recently as 2016, and the historic alliance with pro-Arab Britain was missing in action.

But the years 2016/7 changed all that history.

NATO and its Problems

NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an alliance of 29 states from North America and Europe. It was established at the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949. Article Five of the treaty states that if an armed attack occurs against one of the member states, it shall be considered an attack against all members, and other members shall assist the attacked member, with armed forces if necessary…Turkey joined 1952. The United States has a larger defense expenditure than all other members combined… (after US President Trump pointed out out few member nations are meeting treaty Commitments) Pew Research Center's 2016 survey among its member states showed that while most countries viewed NATO positively, most NATO members preferred keeping their military spending the same. The response to whether their country should militarily aid another NATO country if it were to get into a serious military conflict with Russia was also mixed. Only in the US and Canada did more than 50% of the people answer that they should”. Wikipedia.

If there is no consensus that in the event of an attack on any member, that anyone but US and Canada would activate the treaty- it is officially, as of 2016, dead. It is worse than dead as it is being undermined by three key members.

Turkey decided on a day to cease thinking Russia was an enemy in June 2016.

For hundreds of years the Turks were against the Russians and vice versa, with a number of Russo-Turkish wars. It was thought that Russia would need to invade for Turkey to be with them.

A teaching from the 18th century Rabbinic sage known as the Vilna Gaon further strengthens the pivotal role of Russia at the End of Days. “When you hear that the Russians have captured the city of Crimea, you should know that the times of the Messiah have started, that his steps are being heard. And when you hear that the Russians have reached the city of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul), you should put on your Shabbat clothes and don’t take them off, because it means that the Messiah is about to come any minute.” breakingisraelnews.com

However whereas Russia captured Crimea in February–March 2014, Turkey handed themselves across to Russia in a day, thus allowing the Russians to 'reach Constantinople'! It was not a lucky guess, he understood the prophecy! Turkey's purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system was a gamechanger as it cannot be integrated into Europe’s defense networks. Now Russian ships convey arms right though Istanbul (Constantinople) to Syria and Russian planes are welcome in Turkey, but the US is no longer welcome in Turkey, with threats being made, see thedrive.com

Germany is now highly reliant on Russia for Gas, and is soon likely to be even more reliant. Gazprom exports to Germany in 2016 and 2017 were high, with the country receiving 53.4 bcm last year alone. Germany is the largest buyer of Russian natural gas, and makes up 27.5% of Gazprom’s total exports in 2017… if the disappearing coal and nuclear energy is replaced by Russian gas, it would quickly be in a situation where it is (controlled by Russia). forbes.com .There can be no conceivable attack on any other NATO member that could make Germany favour attacking Russia and cutting of its own gas! It is worse than that. Back in 2014 many learnt with some surprise that Germany was selling arms to Russia.

France in 2014 had considerable arms sales to Russia. France and Russia now have a relationship which is not at all in keeping with NATO. 11. Mar 2014 Eurobserver noted,

A few years ago, the Baltic states were considered “hysterical” for raising objections to the French agreement to sell Moscow its state-of-the-art Mistral-class amphibious assault (also known as “projection and command”) ships.

The deal came soon after the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 - a conflict which unnerved many Nato Allies.

The Mistral, as it turned out, was also - figuratively speaking - an ice-breaker. Other projects and deals followed, such as joint Franco-Russian development of a new generation of Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Thales, a French electronics and defence technology giant, is also helping to equip the Russian armed forces with thermal-vision, or night-operations, capability.

As recently as last month, Dmitri Rogozin, Russia’s first deputy prime minister in charge of the defence industry, declared a new era of Franco-Russian military co-operation, involving joined competences and deeper exchange of information. https://euobserver.com/opinion/123411

It would be absurd to think the French expect these weapons will be used against them. It is then not much of a shock to read on 28 Aug 2018 that,

"French President Emmanuel Macron is calling on the European Union to boost military cooperation and stop relying on the United States for defense while reaching out to Russia to develop a "strategic partnership." rferl.org

NATO is dead, it just hasn't been buried yet.

This last week it was revealed by the New York Times that American president Trump couldn't see the point of the NATO military alliance. He isn't alone. Fox News Tucker Carlson agrees. Yesterday in the UK parliament Michael Gove said UK Opposition leader Corbyn "wants to leave NATO." (Fox News). Not normally a clear thinker, Corbyn noticed in 2014 that NATO was merely “perpetuating promoting a Cold War with the Soviet Union”. By mid 2016 the lack of any point to NATO was clear! Most of leading EU nations are now selling arms to Russia and buying Russian gas, it is patently absurd that one would invade the other, and if none, not one, would jump to America's defence if attacked by Russia, it seems illogical to spend American debt and be so extended on their defence.

Into this trans-Atlantic double feature of NATO comes, with perfect timing, the fact that American Democrat House Speaker Pelosi is being prevented from visiting NATO to reassure them at a critical time, because of disputes leading to them not being able to reach a budget agreement.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the trip that President Donald Trump is canceling was intended to express appreciation to U.S. troops and reaffirm the United States “ironclad commitment” to the NATO alliance. apnews.com

NATO is indeed dead. Trump showed that domestic defence of borders is more important than appearance of the mythical mutual defence of NATO nations' borders.

In fact, with eyes on the alliances suggested in Ezekiel 38, we note there is another more important alliance, one entered into without any fanfare, that is actually working: The Five Eyes, often abbreviated as FVEY, is an anglophone intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. These countries are parties to the multilateral UKUSA Agreement, a treaty for joint cooperation in signals intelligence en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Eyes

EU and Brexit

At the same time the issue of NATO is raised and questioned in the US, all the while the EU leading nations have been selling their military expertise to Russia and buying Russian gas while mouthing platitudes, the EU was severely disappointed by the UK parliament dramatically rejecting its 'deal' by a massive 230 votes. This means the only position in UK law is the default 'no deal'. Europeans saw the debate as well as Britons. There was little tact in what was said of the deal with Europe in the heat of debate. This will further divide the UK from the EU.

Not long ago, before 2016, this would have seemed absurd, yet the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 required a merchant nation with young lions to oppose Germano-Russia and France.. Britain and its Commonwealth of 53 nations, and the US which was founded as a commonwealth nation, answers the description.

The Conclusion

The Apostle Paul speaks of seeing in a glass darkly (1 cor. 13:12), but how dark is it when the expected nations as understood from ancient prophecy, prophesied to be acting at the time when Israel is a nation on the mountains of Israel, which is now, are now, and indeed this week, behaving not as they have done in the past, but as prophesied?

The key players of Russia and Iran/Persia are already active with weapons deployed in Syria, with the compliance now of both Germany and France, in order to establish 'peace'. The Persians have already exchanged live fire with Israel.

Isaac Newton wrote, 'the manner I know not. Let time be the interpreter'. It is clear to us now that as we can see the manner, the time must be near.

For more see Gog prince of Rosh

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