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| The East |
23 August 2022: It's been twelve years since the original The Kings of the East was published on Eschatology Today, so with recent events (strong rumors of war) an update would be most appropriate. The above link is for your reference to that original, and to contrast with this update.
Before beginning a series of notations, none of these notes have been at the forefront of any eschatological treatment published to date and to my knowledge. These notes are things that have come to mind, rather swiftly out of the blue in the past couple of days. I asked the Lord, "What have I missed? How can this subject possibly be updated?" Swiftly came His response, praise God!
The first thing to note is that the prophetic reference is to multiple kings of the east. This reference does not indicate just the Communist Chinese of the People's Republic of China (PRC) even though that nation remains the most militant threat to nations on the Pacific Rim.
The second thing to note is that the word "kings" is plural, indicating several countries of the eastern hemisphere are involved, and their involvement in the events of the 70th Weeks of Years is specific to that time.
Thirdly, and most importantly to note is the God-breathed Biblical defining from the text of The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, is that these multiple kings (a grouping of Asian nations) all exist to the east of the River Euphrates. Even a cursory glance at a world map will illustrate how many nations exist on the continent of Asia to the east of the Euphrates River.
There is also a fourth note to make, all too briefly touched upon in the original linked posting above. That is the prophetic fact that their involvement in Middle Eastern or even global conflict, occurs at a minimum of two specific points in the span of the seven years of the 70th Weeks of Years. The first point is at the start of the Megas Thlipsis (Great Tribulation), or three and one-half of the 70th Week.
We see this in Daniel 11:40-44, when the Western antichrist commences his empowerment in the final 42 months. Here the antichrist is at war with the king to the South and the king of the North. And then again at the end of those 42 months when the Euphrates has been dried up to prepare the passing of the massive army under the command of the kings of the East. This is the final battle at Har Megiddo (Armageddon).
Also worthy of being noted: there is no mention of the kings of the East within the context of Ezekiel 38/39. This is true even though some of the allied nations with Gog of Magog are, by geographic definition, found in Central Asia. Russia itself is both a European and an Asian nation as we've noted previously in the Ukraine war SITREPs.
Hopefully, this SITREP will have put some meat on the bare bones of what has been put forward thus far regarding the prophetic kings of the East.
Thanks Sean,
ReplyDeleteGetting the clearest picture possible helps put aside all the "opinions" that are floating around.
Pointing out the plural "kings" is an important tidbit.
In the 2nd and 3rd centuries the Christians must have thought a 200 million man army something to ponder. Yet, here we are with the "kings" of the east who can muster that army today. The logistics of such an army is still mind numbing.
Since we know these "kings" are around at the 2nd half of the 70th week we can surmise no large scale war (nuclear)will decimate that part of the world.
Thanks for the update.
Thanks Jmoll, this was a very necessary update!
DeleteEven at this late date, with minimal doubt, there are many who have not done any analysis of what Scripture says in plain text or strongly implies when multiple Scripture verses are placed side-by-side.
Talk about the Bible being the Living Word of God!!!
This is a nutshell example of why Eschatology Today exists.
Hassan Nasrallah (Lebanese Hezbollah) is threatening war with Israel "in a few more days."
ReplyDeleteIsrael is to begin taking on NATGAS at the Karish rig within the next week.
Yesterday, in a demonstration of NATO military solidarity, a pair of USAF B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers overflew Croatia, North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro.
ReplyDeleteNeighboring Kosovo has suddenly come under a new military threat by Russia-aligned Serbia.
46,000 NATO troops have been stationed in Kosovo and known as KFOR peacekeepers for the past 23 years keeping Serbia at bay. Russia is instigating in Serbia to create problems for NATO. (A really bad idea.)
And I'm wondering why there's so little inquiry about the "king of the South" in Daniel 11.
ReplyDelete"So little" is a poor choice of words on my part, as said inquiries about this "king" are non-existent.
So, who does the antichrist go after in war and pass through after being attacked? Who dares make war against the beast? Inquring minds should want to know; Daniel 11 provides clues in abundance.
I believe it would be Egypt
DeleteAfter Alexander's death and his four Generals split up his kingdom, Ptolemy went south to Egypt. I assume Egypt today would be the ones to resist the A/C and cause the A/C to pass through Israel to get to them.
DeleteYes?
Egypt would be a choice that is consistent with most of the Daniel 11 narative given by Gabriel. The nareative concerns the series of wars fought by the heirs of Alexander the Great's Empire, specifucally Seleucia (North) and Ptolemaic Egypt (South).
DeleteHowever that narrative shifts from ancient to future. The shift from the precursor antichrist (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) to the true 70th Week antichrist.
Recall this text is about events occuring after Ezekiel 38/39 has been fulfilled, that's when Phut and Cush armies would have been destroyed, and none of them would be a match for the antichrist's military forces a few short years later.
Perhaps, this new "king of the South" is a new riser; perhaps an Islamist caliphate in sub-Saharan Africa? Most westerners completely ignore this volatile region and it's wars, rumors of wars and anti-Israel politics. Food for reflection about current events there.
Daniel 11:41-43 (NKJV) has clear, concise details.
DeleteThey make Daniel 11:44 stand out, but the battle of Har Megiddo is still 42 months in the future.
As ya'll can probably see now, this is a study of Scripture and eschatology that requires due diligence. Great pass time while we wait for the trumpet with a voice like an archangel!
DeleteInteresting about the new king of the south. Worthy of study!
DeleteYup, and the reason this "king of the South" is "new" is that very, very few eschatologists have written on the subject. And those that have missed the point in Daniel 11 where Antiochus IV Epiphanes (the Macedonian-Greek precursor AC) suddenly becomes the 70th Week AC within a span of few verses, at Daniel 11:29-30. At verse 31 we see the 70th Week AC at the mid-point of that week of years in the 3rd Temple for the AoD.
DeleteThis king of the South is found only once in the Bible. In Daniel 11 - and he is actually to people, one historical and one about to be revealed, the son of perdition.
This has been covered before, in the topic "Origin of the Antichrist" on ET, and a couple other mentions as well. It's a DEEP study for sure!
Just finished reading Origen's of the Antichrist , another good read. I came across chis interesting article. It's rather interesting the former PM Alexis Tsipras could be coming in power next year and Israel is about to start sending their Nat Gas to Greece.
Deletehttps://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/former-pm-alexis-tsipras-vows-comeback-after-historic-vote/
Hi Sean. I'm just now reading this and the question about king of the south IMMEDIATELY popped into my head before even reading the post. Most "scholars" I read simply assumed the king of the North is Syria and the king of the south is Egypt. No explanation, that's just who they are. That's impossible because Isaiah 17 would already be fulfilled by this time as well as the prophecies about Egypt. So my question remains, who's the king of the north and king of the south?
DeleteJmoll,
DeleteThis is a most important development in my view!!! The return of Alexios Tsipras as the Greek leader, a man who comes and takes power in his own name!
Folks would be very hard pressed to find in media today what was included in the 2015 update of Eschatology Today's
"THE ORIGIN OF THE ANTICHRIST"
I urge a re-read of the topic by all!
Jon,
DeleteWe've covered this before, but I now see clearly (Thank God!) that a refresh of ALL interpretive, eschatological data presented on Eschatology Today is a must do task. I'm on it urgently!
Quick answer for your question, and which Daniel 8:8-9 is the Bible's point of reference.
There are four (4) last days military world powers (i.e. "kings").
West - Antichrist beast empire,
East - the topic of this SITREP,
North - Russia and former Soviet republics,
South - muslim nations of Africa, with whom both Russia and China are deeply invested and militarily embedded today.
Here is a very interesting factoid!
DeleteAlexis Tsipras was born on Tisha B'Av 5734 (28 July 1974)!
I've gotten fixated on Daniel 8, and the reason why is that I woke up today with a strong leading.
DeleteCould Daniel 8:1-23 be a type of "past as prologue"? Not exact, but a type of that which we see in many prophecies, but most especially in Daniel, and most, MOST especially in Daniel 8.
Here we have a prophecy centered in Elam (Persia, Iran).
Once again as in verse 4, Iran is again pushing militarily to the West, North and South as in ancient times.
Opposition to Iran's military expansionism, (airborne no less!) once again comes from the West, and then...
In verse 9 there emerges in the West a "little horn."
Wow.
You're right - the revelations in God's Word are endless...
DeleteIt definitely shows that Elam's fate comes before the little horn rises and the beginning of Daniel 8 is happening in real time. I would day a double WOW is in order.
Delete.
Chuck,
DeleteAs I learned first-hand again upon waking and reading God's Word anew this morning... YES, the revelations within His prophetic word are endless!!
Jmoll,
Wow and Wow!!
"At President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today. These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on August 15 against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups."
ReplyDeleteMilitias under the control of the IRGC have attacked US forces several times in recent days in eastern Syria. The counter-strikes by CENTCOMs Operation Inherent Resolve aviation assets gave the U.S. response.
US attack helicopters on Wednesday struck several targets used by Iran-backed militants to fire rockets at bases housing American troops in northeastern Syria.
DeleteThis heliborne strike follows the strike noted above on Tuesday. A handful of enemy combatants were killed in this action.
For Iran, currently one of the westernmost of the "kings of the East" it is crunch time.
ReplyDeleteIsrael will not abide with the EU and US capitulation to Iranian demands.
It is midnight.
BREAKING: Israel has conducted missile strikes in Syria within the past few minutes. Targets were IRGC and Hezbollah in Masyaf and Tartus.
ReplyDeleteThis strike resulted in the destruction of more than 1,000 Syrian and Iran-made ballistic missiles. Secondary explosions and ordnance cook-off detonations destroyed and killed numerous civilians and civilian homes in close proximity to the missiles warehouse. Iran and Syria are both using civilian habitation areas as "human shields."
DeleteThis is indicative to what will occur in Lebanon when the coming war erupts.
How many times has it occurred where Israel, or EU, or US or UN IAEA spokespersons have said Iran is just "weeks away" from attaining nuclear weapons capability?
ReplyDeleteAs Eschatology Today has tracked and catalogued these media reports, the "just weeks away" pronouncements have amounted to several months thus far.
In fact, they date back closer to 17 years in total than "just weeks away."
I smell smoke.
I hope that this post isn't to far off base. But I just read something that the Head of the Mossad said in a recent interview that made me go....Say What?????!!!! He said that with this new JCPOA...Iran will have amassed enough nuclear material for a bomb within a "few years". (jaw drop) A few years. Then what was with all the recent talk about that they had already reached that level. This is per a source I read: "The Iranians for the first time admit on camera that they are a threshold nuclear country with the ability to put a bomb together within days as they have enough enriched uranium for this purpose!
ReplyDeleteJust like the elusive "Red line" (arrgggggg!!)
This kind of silliness is exactly what I'm referring to.
ReplyDeleteAnd... to top it off, DM Gantz on Friday told Washington DC "think tank" chiefs that Iran would have its bomb in 2031.
That's a lot of "just weeks." 9 years worth of just weeks!
It's all smoke. As if Iran a reputation worthy of trust. Where's the common sense, on vacation?
Exactly my Brother!!! Utter and complete silly lip-service! I am however really taken-a-back that even the Mossad is on board this looney tunes train. Tha...tha...tha that's all folks!
DeleteFinally, the fact of the matter is published!
ReplyDeletePrepare for War With Iran AND its Proxies
I realized awhile ago that a lot of news coming out of Israel is off the mark... We can see the same worldwide too... I’m not ready to say Israel’s is intentional or if it’s part of their blinding....but I’m aware that it’s not always on target.
ReplyDeleteRomans 11:25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
AM
I love that verse, it not only promises the church but also Israel is still here at the end of this era. Something to hold onto.
DeleteHezbollah is on the hook to attack when Israel begin natgas extraction ops at the Karish rig (detailed in a recent SITREP and updated in more recent comments).
ReplyDeleteNatgas pumping is scheduled to begin in a very, very few days, perhaps even hours. This is how I think dominoes begin to topple.
So, to be perfectly clear, it is not just the Karish FPSO platform that Hezbollah is threatening to strike with missiles, but also two others that are very neatby.
DeleteThey are the Arendal Spirit and the Stena Icemax platforms. Hezbollah published a video on 31 July which revealed precise geo loc data on all three which their precision missiles have targeted. An attack will trigger war.
I hope the men and woman working on that rig are paid very, very, VERY well, because can you imagine what it would be like to work on what is essentially one huge explosive platform that has already been essentially declared a military target by one's adversaries?
ReplyDeleteIran's president announced an ultimatum to the world this morning:
ReplyDeleteThe will be no nuclear agreement as long as the U.N. IAEA is conducting investigations of the Iranian nuclear program.
Therefore, irregardless of what the U.N. IAEA does with the Iranian ultimatum, the State of Israel has no other course of action than to execute comprehensive military strikes on Iranian nuclear, ballistic missile and air defense sites.
DeleteUkrainian Armed Forces have begun the long-awaited counter- offensive in southern regions along multiple axes of advance. Enemy troops have retreated from their forward defensive positions.
ReplyDeleteEven the Shi'a of Iraq want the interloper Iranian Shi'a out of their country.
ReplyDeleteUkraine Update:
ReplyDeleteAfter a few weeks of battlefield shaping operations in the south of the country, Ukrainian forces have captured Russian defensive positions north of Kherson in their counter-offensive. The proxy forces from Donetsk and Russian paratroops abandoned their lines as indefensible since ammo, supply and commo lines were severed; officers fled southward weeks ago, and Command Posts were destroyed by US-supplied HIMARS. Also, Ukraine's MiG-29C have been adapted to launch US-made HARM missiles which have devastated Russian battlefield air defenses and thus giving Ukraine local air superiority. Russian reinforcement columns from Crimea will soon be under devastating HIMARS attack. Kherson will soon fall leaving the liberation of occupied Crimea a real possibility.
Ukrainian OpSec has been and remains excellent. This is a big reason why 6 months of defensive battlefield successes are now translating into counter-offensive successes.
DeleteUkrainian forces are on the offensive from Kharkiv to Luhansk to Donetsk to Kherson north of Crimea. In other words, the entire front line is engaged in driving Russia out.
It's half-past 9 PM in Israel, meaning we're 2.5 hours from learning if Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah is all smoke and no fire.
ReplyDeleteSo... what happened? Why are Hezbollah's missiles still on their launchers as of evening 2 September?
DeleteHere's the key. Hezbollah has no way of knowing if the Karish FPSO is sending NATGAS into Israel.
They only way they'll know the NATGAS is flowing is when a certain ship ties up along side of the FPSO to remove excess oil and petroleum-soiled sea water for environmental recycling and cleaning. This ship will arrive at the Karish FPSO every two weeks for this purpose. That's how Hezbollah will know Karish is producing NATGAS.
This recycling ship could arrive any day now, but certainly prior to roughly 14 September, if the Karish FPSO commenced ops as planned on 1 September.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteI read a article that said Hossein Salami is saying they need to attack Israel in a ground war because that is where they are not prepared...
Ken B
Salami sandwich is referring to Iran's desire for Hezbollah, HAMAS, PIJ, et al, to engage Israel in a ground war.
DeleteWe're expecting it to occur under the general heading of "Pslam 83."
Been reading Israel bombed the Aleppo Int. Airport. Any idea what the mission was? Was it preemptive against Hezbollah, or was there something else that was going on?
ReplyDeleteMore recently arrived Iranian cargo for Hezbollah, now just so much charred scrapmetal.
DeleteIt's piecemeal work for the IAF these days since Russia took their S-300 and other AD out of Hmeimim to use in Ukraine.
US-made HARM missiles on Ukrainian MiG-29s are turning them into charred scrapmetal too.
"Israel has full freedom to act as we see fit to prevent the possibility of Iran becoming a nuclear threat."
ReplyDelete- Israeli PM Lapid at Nevatim Air Base this morning confirming the agreement between the U.S. and Israel.
Important announcement coming shortly from Zelenskyy regarding Ukrainian Army victories in Kharkiv, Luhansk and Kherson Oblasts.
ReplyDeleteNegotiations between Israel and Lebanon on the maritime border issue will resume in a day or so with the arrival of the US mediator.
ReplyDeleteMultiple reports claim the IAF struck Aleppo Int'l Airport six times last night. A half-dozen killed. Aleppo airport taken out of service due to damaged runway and other structures. No doubt Iran had flown in new war materiel for Hezbollah.
ReplyDeleteIsrael has total air superiority over Syria with Russia having re-deployed its best aircraft and air defense systems in its lost cause war against Ukraine backed by NATO.
DeleteThe result is the great vulnerability of IRGC and proxy forces everywhere in Syria.
This vulnerability has resulted in a shifting of the IRGC and proxy forces to new locations. They are on-the-move. What is unknown is if the movement is out of Syria, or to jump off points for the Psalm 83 war.
Wake up folks, nap time is over.
Rumors of War: Erdogan of Turkey has repeated his threats to invade Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, saying "one night we may [suddenly] come down.
ReplyDeleteGreece has a mutual defense treaty with Israel.
Russian forces in Ukraine are being devastated in the eastern, southeastern and southern fronts. Those in Kherson and Izium are all but surrounded, many are in danger of starving and frostbite - if not freezing to death - in the rapidly approaching winter. No provision was made by Moscow for winter warfare. Wholesale surrender of batallion tactical groups (BTGs) is a real possibility as compnay-sized surrenders are already occurring.
ReplyDeleteWhat's worse is Putin's military brass are recruiting the unfit and mentally incapable to make new a corps. Cannon fodder.
Thanks for your hard work keeping us informed and up to date
DeleteRDCRANE
Looking forward, more than ever before, to hearing "Mission Complete."
DeleteFrom Arutz Sheva brief this morning:
ReplyDelete"Sheikh Kamal Khatib, the deputy leader of the Northern Faction of the Islamic Movement, has warned that violent clashes may develop on Rosh Hashanah on the Temple Mount.
In a speech he gave at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Khatib claimed that "Palestinians have thwarted 19 plans to occupy the Mosque."
He warned against "Jews' intentions to blow the shofar, bring animal sacrifices, and desecrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah."
Rosh Hashanah 2022 begins the weekend of 25 September.
In light of real-world events that have taken place in the course of just the past 6 months, is there now any doubt, any question, about why Ezekiel 38/39 prophesies that Gog of Magog (Russia) will lead a military coalition against Israel for the purpose of taking spoils and riches?
ReplyDeleteIs this prophetic truth not obvious even though we're in the brief span of time prior to Israel having recovered from war; living in peace and security and fearing no nation?
Something for folks to consider as the annual two-week vacation time has arrived.
ReplyDeleteAll FYSA:
ReplyDeleteThe sheer volume of disinformation across the entire spectrum of secular media is unprecedented in my lifetime; never seen anything like it before. Foreign and domestic.
As always, I only post vetted OSINT data here.
Just to be perfectly clear...
ReplyDeleteMy phrase
"Mission Complete"
is synonymous with
"Come Up Hither!"
Brother Sean, The death of Queen Elizabeth is a major prophetic time??
ReplyDeleteHave read quotes She was gods queen and defended the faith.
Her son likes to do things the United Nations Way excluding God.
What's your thoughts !
The passing of QE II is a major event in this world. That she was allowed by God to remain the Queen of England for 70 years, and I believe all of those years were guided by her faith in Jesus Christ, as attested to by the Reverend Billy Graham.
DeleteHowever, is her death of prophetic import?
No doubt what follows is 100% of prophetic importance, especially in Europe on the coronation of King Charles III.
Thanks Sean , for your comments. We are one step one day closer to the greatest event .
DeleteALL -
ReplyDeletePer the BBC:
"At the moment the Queen died, the throne passed immediately and without ceremony to the heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales."
Thus as of yesterday, 08 September 2022, King Charles III is the King of England, as well as the regent of the Church of England.
King Charles III official ascension will occur Saturday at St. James in London.
Ukraine Update:
ReplyDeleteMy comment of 7 Sep was based upon vetted info as of that time. For invader Russian forces in Ukraine the situation is even worse as of this morning.
It appears that the Armed Forces Ukraine (AFU) blitzed their way into occupied Kharkiv Oblast, and in so doing forced a mass surrender of the Russian Army West Group. Among those troops who surrendered in the retaking of Balakliya was the top commander of Russia's Western Military District, one Lt.Gen. Sergei Sychevoi who is now a POW.
The collapse of all of Russia's military forces in Ukraine may occur in the coming days or weeks. Mutiny of Russian troops is occurring, with many refusing to fight any more.
Ukraine says all Russian troops need to do to surrender and survive is lay down their arms, display white flags and wait for arriving AFU units.
Russian invasion forces have been routed in Kharkiv Oblast, less than 18 hours since my comment above. Izyum has fallen which was the major Russian anchor in eastern Ukraine. A full Russian retreat is now in progress.
DeleteIsraeli DM Gantz will be returning to the US this Sunday for his second visit in as many weeks.
ReplyDeleteSince it was made clear two weeks ago that Israel no longer requires a US approval to strike Iran, what might the urgency be for this visit?
Waste fuel? I mean, what else can it be? To tell the US how they plan on attacking Iran?
DeleteThe leasing of four (4) KC-10 Extender refuelers from the USAF while Israel's KC-46 Pegasus are in production. The IAFs F-35I pilots are well-trained to refuel from these tankers.
DeleteToday:
ReplyDeleteIDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi has warned Hezbollah that "any attempt to harm Israel, in any arena, will be met with a harsh response or with a pre-emptive initiative."
Russian forces in Ukraine are in the midst of an utter catastrophe. A rout not seen in modern times since the crushing of the Iraqis in 2003. Ukrainian troops continue to advance at a rapid pace, even into Luhansk and Donetsk.
ReplyDeleteGlobal SITREP D1-22 is up next.
ReplyDeleteRussian commanders in Kherson Oblast are attempting to negotiate surrender under terms specified by international law.
ReplyDeleteHow rich!
Funny how Russia appears to be the "bad boy" (Gog/Magog) on the block in the end times, and yet seems or should I say "appears" to be a weak link in the grand scheme of things. Or perhaps, could it be some sort of a diversion, deception all the while they get stronger somewhere's else???? Syria perhaps? I'm probably way off base, but just thinking out loud.
DeleteYou bring up the very issues and specific location where I assess the "rubber will hit the road" in the coming SITREP... hope to have it online this evening.
Delete