Gog And Magog?

Until recently, Israel had no choice but to import all its energy whether oil, gas, or coal. Golda Meir often joked that God led the Jewish people to the only land in the Middle East without oil. To date, little on-shore oil has been found.

However, this picture has changed dramatically. Recently, a Houston company known as Noble Energy along with the Israeli Delek Group has found several gas fields in the Israeli waters under the Mediterranean Sea. Today, Israel's known gas reserves are 30 trillion cubic feet, with twice that amount still to be discovered. This will exceed Israeli's energy needs for the next 30 - 50 years. Praise The Lord!

Obviously, this discovery will greatly strengthen Israel's economy and go a long way to eliminate pressing needs in housing and helping the poor. Another issue or question resulting from the discovery. . . could this set the stage for the Battle of Gog and Magog as illustrated in Ezekiel 38 - 39?

This battle describes a coalition of nations including Russia, Turkey, Iran, Libya, Algeria, Sudan and Ethiopia who invade Israel and do battle on the mountains of Israel. The leader of this coalition is described as Gog, Prince of Rosh, which is modern day Russia.

A question in theological circles has always been - what would prompt Russia to invade Israel? Current news reports show that Russia already has  economic and military ties to the nations in the Gog - Magog coalition. Additionally, Israeli's newly found gas deposits threaten Russia's hold over the natural gas supply lines.

The good news is our Lord God wins a mighty victory for the residents of Israel as described in Ezekiel 38:21 "I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all my mountains," says The Lord God.  Let us be those who provide love and support to the residents of Israel by reciting portions of Psalm 23 as a prayer, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank