When the Enemy Comes in Like a Flood
(Daniel
9:24-27 NKJV)
This is
a much studied, commented on, and often misunderstood passage concerning Israel
in the last days. I do not intend to
explore it fully here. Instead, I want
to comment on a couple of verses for the purpose of revealing what might be
relevant to this present time. In the 26th
verse, it states that the “people of the prince who is to come” will destroy
Jerusalem and the temple. “People of the
prince” may mean those of his homeland and race, or the ones who make up his
army or even an elite inner circle. The
“prince” mentioned here is obviously the Antichrist. His people will destroy
Jerusalem and the temple and they will accomplish the destruction by means of a
flood.
When I
read this section during my devotion and prayer time, I was suddenly made aware
of several points. First, why would
these people destroy Israel by flood?
The answer reveals why it is very unlikely that Israel will be attacked
by a nuclear device. If Iran or some other
nation destroyed Israel with a nuclear device the land would be uninhabitable
for an extremely long period.
Additionally, the Islamic nations that surround Israel would be greatly
afflicted by nuclear fallout. There would be much death and destruction of
Muslims, not to mention that the countries surrounding Israel would become
uninhabitable. A flood would destroy the Israeli population while sparing the
land. Muslims want to eradicate Israel
from the face of the earth and they want to occupy the land.
But
where are they going to get the water for such a flood? The only nearby source large enough to
destroy Israel is the Mediterranean Sea.
I did some research and discovered that (according to the Oceanographic
Institute) the Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the world’s most
dangerous bodies of water in terms of tsunamis. Not only do 25 percent of all
tsunamis occur in the Mediterranean, but one disastrous tsunami occurs there
every century. Israel has set up early
warning devices to detect an earthquake that could cause a tsunami. Israeli experts estimate that the nation will
have a 90-minute advance warning following an earthquake near Crete or
Rhodes. However, an earthquake in the
region of the Dead Sea will reduce the early warning time to only 10
minutes. Most of those earthquakes occur
in the region of the Dead Sea and affect mostly Greece and Italy.
Recently,
scientists have discovered two long-lost ancient cities off the coast of Egypt
that were most likely destroyed by earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis. However, I do not believe that the Tsunami
that floods Israel in the last days will be natural phenomena. I believe that it will be a man-caused event
for the purpose of driving Israel from their homeland. God’s word clearly declares that the flood
will be caused by individuals. The only
possible way to flood Israel would be to bring a massive amount of water very
quickly from the Mediterranean Sea. Obviously,
the sea floor is poised precariously on the verge of a massive tsunami. If a powerful explosive device were detonated
near one of the primary faults affecting Israel, it could trigger a massive
earthquake. The result would be a towering
wall of water racing toward the shores of Israel with the volume and force to
flood the entire nation. Scientists have
determined that at least one ancient tsunami over 130 feet tall and racing at
450 mph has risen out of the Mediterranean Sea.
If such
a tsunami hit Israel, where would the population evacuate to? In Luke 21 where Christ taught about the last
days, He referred to the same event that Daniel wrote about in Daniel 9:26-27. He informed the disciples that not one stone
would be left on another in Jerusalem, which describes catastrophic and
widespread damage. Some people believe
that this part of the prophecy has already been fulfilled. However, Christ spoke it in regard to the
final days. Then He said, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then
know that its desolation is near. Then let those who
are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her
depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.” (Luke 21:20-25)
Now it
is clear why the Golan Heights is essential to Israel for more than a military
advantage. Israel must run
to the Golan Heights because prophecy cannot be dismissed. It will occur just as Daniel and Christ
prophesied. If it were not for
the Golan Heights, Israel would have no safe place to run to. Surrounded on all side by enemies, they would
be crushed or drowned by such a massive flood.
However, Israel controls about 580 square miles of the Golan
Heights. If every man, woman, child and
animal were to be evacuated to the Golan Heights, the population density would be
about 11,000 per square mile, similar to Manila, Philippines, or Delhi,
India. It would be possible for them to survive
there for a period. There might not be
much food, but Israel gets about 15 percent of its water from the Golan
Heights.
But
all is not well simply because Israel may escape from the tsunami. I believe that it will be at this point that
Israel will be surrounded by armies. Forced
to flee to the Golan Heights, they will not be able to take their tanks, their
large guns and other weapons. Fighter
jets may scramble, but they can only stay in the air so long. Their Navy would be of little use in the case
of a tsunami. The ships that are
anchored in the harbors and ports would not have time to get out to sea before
being destroyed. The remaining ones
would be insufficient to deter a large army moving forward up the Golan
Heights. On the Golan Heights, Israel
would be surrounded by Mount Hermon to the north, and Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon,
on other sides. Also, they would be
blocked on
the west by a rock escarpment that drops 1,600 ft to the Jordan River
valley and the Sea of Galilee. No doubt,
Israel’s enemies will stack up on the
borders before the tsunami is initiated.
They would converge with a pent-up rage on the trapped nation. It is easy to see how Israel could “fall
by the edge of the sword”. Their women
and children would be led into captivity to become Muslim slaves.
20 "But
when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is
near. 21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the
midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22
For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be
fulfilled. 23 But woe to
those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For
there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24
And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all
nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the
Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 And there
will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth
distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;” (Luke
21:20-25)
However,
Satan’s victory over Israel will be short-lived. It is at this point that signs appear
signaling that the wrath of God is about to be poured out on the nations.
Christ returns with flaming fire taking vengeance on the ones who have rebelled
against God and that persecute His people.
He fights against and destroys the nations gathered in the valley of Armageddon.
It is apparent to me that we are nearing
the time when last days prophecy about Israel could be fulfilled. It certainly is not a time to be mired in the
world system, complacent and apathetic about ones relationship with God. The series of events described in prophecy could
begin in an instant. We could wake up
one morning to the breaking news of Israel trapped on top of the Golan
Heights. There will be no time to
prepare for it spiritually or otherwise.
God is warning and preparing His people
right now. We must heed the warnings and
allow the Holy Spirit to condition us for the coming storm.
So
shall they fear the name of the Lord
from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes
in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord
will lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV)
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