ISRAELI OIL-- THE HOOK IN GOG'S JAWS?
By Raymond Finney, Shomair Yisrael Prophecy Teacher
Prophecies foretell horrific end-time wars.
One of these wars is the Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39). Gog is the leader of Magog. Study of Scriptures (including Genesis, chapter 10) and historical evaluation clearly establish Russia as Gog. God says He will "turn [Gog] around, put hooks in [his] jaws," and cause Magog to attack Israel. With Russia will be Persia (Iran and part of Iraq), Cush (Ethiopia and nearby African nations), Put (Libya and northern African nations), Gomer (Ukraine; possibly Germany?), Beth Togarmah (Turkey and nearby nations), and "many [other] nations." This alignment of nations is precisely the Russia-Muslim confederation which is today anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli.
These nations will invade Israel-- "a land that has recovered from war, whose people are gathered from many nations to the mountains that have long been desolate-- with a mighty army when Israel is a land of 'unwalled villages' (feeling safe and secure) to plunder her wealth."
Sheban and Dedan (Saudi Arabia) and the merchants of Tarshish (possibly the United Kingdom) will question the attack, but will provide no opposition. This lack of assistance may describe an ineffective United Nations.
What could set hooks into Gog's jaws, that he would attack Israel?
In February 2003, Hal Lindsey advanced an interesting possibility. Israel has long been a geographic prize, straddling the eastern border of the Mediterranean Sea at the crossroads of three continents. But, if Israel should become an oil-producing nation, she would be an even greater prize. And, if an upcoming Middle East war should contaminate Middle East oil fields (radioactive fallout? anthrax spores?) so that workers could not reach Arabian oil wells, Israel would become even more important.
In 1981, a Christian, John Brown, heard Reverend James Spillman deliver a series of sermons, entitled "The Treasures of the Deep." Spillman shared his belief that God would provide Israel with oil in the last days. His text was based on Genesis, chapter 49. Jacob addressed his sons (Genesis 49:1-2), prophesying God's blessing on their descendants in the last days.
Jacob's prophecy about Joseph and his two sons (Genesis 49:22-26) was of interest. God promised that Joseph would be a "fruitful bough by a well." ("Well" in the King James Version translates ah-yin, which is more commonly translated "fountain" or "spring.") Joseph's descendants would be blessed with "blessings of the deep that lies beneath,... blessings of the ancient mountains, ...the bounty of age-old hills."
John Brown could not get this sermon and the Scriptures out of his mind. Although highly successful in a tool-making business, he sought God's guidance. He felt God's calling that he should move to Israel and help her find oil for the last days. In the ensuing two decades, he founded Zion Oil & Gas, and began "Project Joseph"-- a search for petroleum reserves in the land given to the descendants of Joseph.
He began purchasing petroleum rights along the Mediterranean Sea, between Tel Aviv and Haifa. No one except John Brown believed there could be oil beneath this land. He now has drilling rights to 98,300 acres of land.
Recent geologic assessment has discovered a large dome beneath his leased land, which is thought to hold enormous quantities of petroleum and natural gas. Drilling has commenced.
If a rich petroleum reserve is found in Israel, this would make her a target for invasion to supply a petroleum-hungry world. Israeli oil may be the hooks God will set in Gog's jaws, causing Russia and her Muslim confederates to attack.
Scholars are uncertain about the timing of the Battle of Gog and Magog. Some feel it will occur before the Rapture, and others during the Tribulation-- possibly as the first phase of Armageddon. I feel it may be before the Rapture because Ezekiel does not mention the dominant leader of the Tribulation (the Antichrist), but he does mention that Israel will burn the enemies' fuel (captured nuclear warheads?) for seven years, which is precisely the time period of the Tribulation. The Battle of Gog and Magog may provide the turmoil which ushers the Antichrist onto the world stage, as he confirms a seven-year peace pact between Israel and her neighbors. This peace pact is the trigger for the seven-year countdown of the Tribulation.
God has seen the end times and has made provisions for it since the foundation of the world. Would it not be conceivable that He has placed tremendous wealth under the lands of Joseph-- wealth to be discovered only in the last days and to provoke an envious Gog to attack Israel?
For more information:
Read Hal Lindsey's essay at http://www.hallindseyoracle.com/article_print.asp?ArticleID=1735 .
Read about Zion Oil & Gas at http://www.zionoil.org . See a map of John Brown's oil leases at http://www.zionoil.org/propsect.htm .
Maranatha!
Raymond Finney - 2119 Middlewood Dr. - Maryville, TN 37803-6375
(865) 984-1424 zip378036375@yahoo.com Also: http://www.prophecyfulfillment.com, http://www.prolifetoolkit.com, and http://www.abortion-and-bible.com. GOD, CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, LOVES YOU!