“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”
~Matthew 24:32-33

Friends of Jesus, I want to recognize when He is right at the door.  How about you?  True, we do not know the day or the hour in which Jesus will return, but we can certainly know and understand the season.  It is that season I want us to focus on today.  In what season do we live?  Follow along and let’s see if we can discern it together!

Ezekiel wrote a screenplay for the end times and I want to use his script as our foundation today.  To get the most out of this, take time to read Ezekiel 36-39.  For those of you short on time, here is a very brief outline:

• Ezekiel 36: God prepares the land of Israel for the return of His people.
• Ezekiel 37: God brings His people from desolation back into the land.
• Ezekiel 38: A coalition of nations or people groups form and invade Israel. (Read at least the first 13 verses of this chapter.)
• Ezekiel 39: The invaders are utterly destroyed and Israel is restored.

Let’s look at the “players” in this screenplay.

Israel

Israel is the star of the show, though the price for stardom is very high.  After Roman soldiers destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD, Jews scattered all over the world.  Then, almost 1900 years later, Hitler led a crusade to destroy every Jew…and was successful in killing 6 million of them.  However, through the prophet Ezekiel, God promised about 2500 years prior that He would bring the Israelites back into their land!  On May 14, 1948, Israel was re-born and the Jews are officially back in their land!  (The Bible says they are never again to be dispersed!  Sounds like Israel is hanging around, much to the chagrin of many in the Middle East.)

Russia

America has arguably been the world’s greatest superpower over the past few decades.  (Certainly during Israel’s 66 year history.)  However, Russia seems to be coming to the forefront and is blatantly challenging America for supremacy.  You see, when someone draws a line in the sand and that line is stepped on and re-arranged without consequence, that one loses credibility.  When world leaders thumb their noses at our administration (as Russia is doing in the crisis in Ukraine/Crimea), and nothing happens, we lose credibility and respect on the world stage.  America has opened up a power vacuum that Vladimir Putin (former KGB agent, now Russian president) is all too happy to step into.

But why did Russia invade Ukraine?  Because Russia is all about energy…and the greatest supply of gas goes through Ukraine.  In addition, Putin recently showed up in Jerusalem to meet with Israeli government officials.  The meeting was not about Iran, Syria, Ukraine or any other world hotspot.  It was about oil and gas.  Gigantic reserves of oil and gas have been discovered in Israeli off-shore territory and Russia was there to make a deal.  They would cease funding and assistance to Iran’s nuclear ambitions if Israel would “partner” with them in oil/gas production.  Israel declined.  Keep in mind that, according to Ezekiel 38, Russia (described as Rosh, Meshech and Tubal) is the leader of the northern coalition that will invade Israel in the last days.  They are just waiting for the right moment to lead that assault in order to “plunder” Israel!

Iran

Until the 1930’s, modern-day Iran was called Persia.  Ezekiel 38 clearly identifies Persia as Russia’s primary partner in crime during the northern invasion.  Today, Iran has successfully diverted attention to Hamas and other terrorist organizations who hog world headlines while Iran steadily marches their way to nuclear capability.  Some experts believe that once Iran decides to go forward with full enrichment of uranium, they are within 3 months of having a nuclear bomb.

What’s not understood so much is that Iran is the “mother of Shia Islam,” while Saudi Arabia is the “mother of Sunni Islam.”  Not only do the two sects consider one another infidels, they are bitter enemies who unite only against Israel.  Iran, though, is led by a regime who believes Allah has specifically called them to bring about the coming of the Mahdi, the Islamic messiah.  Their motivation is ideological, not political.  Thus, negotiating with Iran is pointless.  They stand poised to destroy Israel (“little Satan”)…and the United States (“great Satan”), and are simply awaiting the most opportune time to set the wheels in motion.  That time may very well be in coordination with Russia’s desire to plunder Israel…thus Russia and Iran’s partnership as described in Ezekiel 38.

Turkey

In ancient times, the area known today as Turkey was once known as Gomer and Beth-Togarmah.  You’ll find them listed among the coalition parties in Ezekiel 38.  Today, Turkey is Shia Muslim and has turned very sharply against Israel in the past few years, after being an ally.  Right now Turkey is in financial distress, similar to what America went through in 2008-2011.  In need of a diversion to take the attention off their own problems at home, they focus on disparaging Israel and stoking hostile fires between Israel and her neighbors.  Turkey seems to be more than willing to partner with Russia and Iran in issues involving Israel.

Libya

Known as Put in Old Testament times, Libya is boiling with chaos.  Al-Qaeda rules and reigns, and terrorists there partner with other al-Qaeda groups in the Middle East…all with their sights set on Israel.

By the way, remember Benghazi?  The US embassy was attacked there and America lost ambassadors while the Obama administration delayed in getting security forces there.  I don’t claim to know all that took place there, but I have a strong sense that the American public has been sold a huge bill of goods in order to protect the political aspirations of certain American politicians.  Another bit of evidence that respect for American leadership has slid right into the dumper.

Sudan

Ezekiel 38 identifies Cush or Ethiopia as a coalition partner in the northern invasion, but the Biblically described area is believed to include modern-day Sudan.  Today, Boko Haram, a Sunni Muslim terrorist group alleging ties to al-Qaeda, rules the roost in most of Sudan.  They are brutal in treatment of those who oppose Islam, including kidnapping and raping children, and indiscriminate killing.  Again, though Sunnis and Shi’ites absolutely detest one another, Iran (Shia) has routed weaponry through Sudan to supply Hamas (Sunni) in its attacks on Israel.  Indeed, Sudan is a pocket partner with Iran and will be included in the northern invasion of Israel.

Now, check out this map and notice the location of those nations:

Consider two things:

• The coalition virtually surrounds Israel.
• Some nations, such as Saudi Arabia (Sheba and Dedan) will sit on the sidelines.

But let’s close by looking carefully at one nation who will not be in the coalition, though they sit squarely in the path of the invasion.  Ezekiel 38 tells us the invasion will occur from the north (verse 15), yet Syria does not appear to be named among the northern invaders.  Isaiah 17:1-3 may hold the key.  The prophet Isaiah clearly describes the utter destruction of Damascus, Syria’s capital city, in the last days.

Today, Syria is not only mired in a civil war racked with violence and unfathomable atrocities by the Syrian government against its own people, but ISIS has staged its headquarters there and is growing in power in the area.  The nation is on the verge of implosion and any number of events could trigger the ultimate destruction of Damascus, just as Isaiah prophesied.  Once Damascus falls, yet another vacuum will be created, of which Russia may take full advantage.

Could that be the fuse that sets off the northern invasion?  If so, the season in which we live may be the very season that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, returns to take us home!  You see, believers will be raptured before that invasion takes place!  The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 teaches us to be ready for our Bridegroom.  We don’t know the day and we don’t know the hour, but at any moment there will be a shout, “Behold, the Bridegroom!  Come out to meet Him!”  Live as though that day is today!

Blessings!