President Erdogan of Turkey makes it official by signing the treaty. Israel’s cabinet has signed and agreed to normalize ties between the two nations. Ambassadors will be exchanged between the two nations to complete the deal.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/turkeys-erdogan-ratifies-israel-reconciliation-deal/
Archive for August, 2016
Trend Update: Ezekiel 38-39, Israel and Turkey, Diplomatic Ties Restored, June 2016
Posted in Uncategorized on August 31, 2016 by paulthepokeTeshuvah, 2016
Posted in Fall Feasts, Teshuvah/Repent with tags 40, Day of Atonement, Elul, flood, Genesis 6, God, Jesus Christ, Matthew 24, Nehemiah 6, Noah, Rosh Hashanah, Sabbath, Song of Solomon 6, Yom Kippur, Yom Teruah on August 28, 2016 by paulthepokeThe month of Elul initiates a 40 day period called Teshuvah. This is the Hebrew word for “repent”. The point of the season is to prepare for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. It is a time to turn toward God. People are called to turn away from their sin, repent, and change course. It is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin to obedience in God’s word. The 40 day period of Teshuvah ends on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur.
Elul 1 marks the beginning of Teshuvah. In a Gregorian calendar of the year 2016, this would be September 3 or 4 depending on when the new moon is confirmed. It is Jewish custom to blow a shofar (ram’s horn) one time every day during the season of Teshuvah. The trumpet is blown every day after the morning service except Shabbat or the Sabbath (Saturday for us in western culture) and the last day of month of Elul.
Elul is the last month of the civic calendar in Judaism. Elul is the sixth month of the religious calendar. Jewish tradition points to the name of the month to be an acronym of “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” a quote from Song of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine… In Aramaic, the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word Elul means “search”. Per Strong’s Concordance, Elul means “nothingness” in the Hebrew. The month is mentioned one time in the Bible. Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. Cultural customs per http://www.jewfaq.org, http://www.myjewishlearning.com .
Noah was the first person to experience the concept of Teshuvah with 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Noah and his family had plenty of time in the ark to focus on God. They were the only survivors of the global flood.
The reason for the flood was made known in Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. Humanity had ruined, rotted, and spoiled planet earth.
Genesis 6:12 God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.
Genesis 6:13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them;
and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”
The Hebrew word for “violence” is chamac. It is a broad term that can also mean: wrong, cruelty, or injustice.
An evil mindset results in corruption and chamac.
In Noah’s day…eating, drinking, marriages, giving in marriage, more eating, more drinking, buying, selling, planting, building…This is Noah’s witness of humanity.
There was other shenanigans taking place with fallen angels…that is a discussion for another day.
The call of Teshuvah is to turn to God and repent. Repent is not a warm and fuzzy spiritual word that causes your stomach to flutter or hair to stand on your neck.
The Greek word for “repent” is μετανοεο or metanoeo: to change one’s mind for better; heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins; change your attitude.
Matthew 24:37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Trend Update: Vladimir Putin, Peacemaker, August 2016
Posted in Antichrist/Beast, Ezekiel 38-39, Peace Plan, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Antichrist, Benjamin Netanyahu, Daniel 9, Ezekiel 38-39, Gog, Israel, lake of fire, Magog, Moscow, Revelation 19, Russia, Vladimir Putin on August 26, 2016 by paulthepokeDaniel 9:27a He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’…
August 24, 2016: Russian President Vladimir Putin has been in conversation with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding intensive peace talks.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu indicated the Prime Minister was ready to negotiate “anywhere, anytime, for direct peace talks with no preconditions.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated, “Putin has told me that he is ready to receive both [Abbas] and Netanyahu in Moscow to carry out direct talks to find a solution and solve the issue.”
Vladimir Putin wants to host the talks in Moscow, Russia. Putin is making a serious effort to replace the United States as the power broker in the region.
There is a lot of speculation that Vladimir Putin is the antichrist. Do your own homework.
Personally, I think he has a better shot of being Gog, the leader of Magog (Russia), in Ezekiel 38-39. Gog is leader who decides to a lead of coalition of nations to invade Israel from the north.
The Bible and ancient historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. See linked post.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/
All that said, Putin may have no role in the end times scenario. It simply may not be time for that. Again, do your own homework.
The antichrist and Gog have two distinct destinies. These are two different people.
Gog: He is going to die and be buried in Israel. There will be a memorial in honor of Gog. He gets an entire valley named in remembrance of his death and military loss.
Ezekiel 39:4 “You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,” declares the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 39:11 On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea, and it will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with all his horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog.
Antichrist: He does not die. He is thrown alive into the Lake of Fire. The antichrist and the false prophet spend 1,000 years all by themselves before they get any company.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Trend Update: Turkey Moves Into Syria, August 2016
Posted in Euphrates River, Ezekiel 38-39, Kurds/Medes, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Beth Togarmah, Euphrates River, Euphrates Shield, Gog, Gomer, Incirlik Air Base, Jarablus, Kurds, Magog, Meshech, Russia, Syria, Tubal, Turkey, Yildirim on August 24, 2016 by paulthepokeFor Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/
The Bible and ancient historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. See linked post.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/
The Prime Minister of Turkey made some news at a press conference over the weekend of August 21, 2016. Prime Minister Yildirim of Turkey has indicated Turkey will take a more active role in Syria in the next 6 months. He stated that current President Assad of Syria has no role in the future government. Assad’s current role is temporary.
Russia continues to gain a hold in the region. Russian ships are reported to launch cruise missiles from the Mediterranean to targets in Syria.
News reports state Russia wants to use Incirlik Air Base for air strikes on ISIS in Syria. Yildirim said Moscow did not make such a demand but said “if necessary Incirlik can be used”.
The US State Department says they are aware of these comments and seeking clarification.
Incirlik Air Base is currently home to US and NATO air support for air sorties against ISIS in Syria.
The air base is also home to a nuclear arsenal of 50-90 US nuclear weapons. Reports continue to be conflicting regarding the movement of these weapons. Some reports say the nukes remain in Turkey. Others claim they have been relocated to Romania. There appears to be confusion on the issue.
Moving the nuclear weapons to Romania would not please Moscow. It would move more weapons closer to Russia.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/syria-turkey-1.3729345
http://www.jordantimes.com/news/region/turkey-vows-more-active%E2%80%99-syria-role-coming-months
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160823/1044570093/usa-clarity-incirlik-airbase.html
August 24, 2016: Turkey has launched their military into Syria. Tanks, planes, and troops are involved in the maneuver. This is the first time Turkey has introduced troops and tanks into Syria. President Erdogan states the focus of the strikes is towards Kurdish militants and ISIS. The name of the operation is Euphrates Shield. The United States is supporting the operation with special forces and air power.
ISIS has been in control of the area in Jarablus, Syria. Jarablus is on the Euphrates River. It is reported that Turkey has captured Jarablus and moved ISIS out of the town.
Syria is upset with Turkey moving into their country. Syria says it is a violation of their sovereignty. They are upset and launching a protest to the United Nations.
Kurdish forces have recently crossed west of the Euphrates. This movement west of the Euphrates is not acceptable to Turkey. The Turks want the Kurds east of the Euphrates.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37171995
https://www.rt.com/news/357060-syria-condemn-turkey-operation/
ISIS is getting squeezed. All the while, more military troops and equipment move further south creeping closer to the Promised Land.
Millennial Kingdom: A Just and Truthful Leader
Posted in Isaiah, Millennial Kingdom, Prophecy with tags Apostle Paul, Belt of Truth, Ephesians 6, eternal, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 42, Isaiah 9, Jeremiah 23, Jesus Christ, Peace, Shalom, Trinity on August 21, 2016 by paulthepokeIsaiah 9:7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
A focus of this verse is the eternal nature of the rule of Jesus, the Messiah. His rule will increase continually in abundance and it will never end.
There will be peace or shalom in the Hebrew. As described by Strong’s Concordance, this is the idea of peace: completeness, soundness, welfare; safety; health, prosperity; quiet, tranquility, contentment; absence of war; friendship of human relationships; with God especially in covenant relationship.
There will be an abundance of peace with unlimited growth.
Isaiah 11:5 Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist.
This would be an example where our translators have opted for political correctness. The Hebrew word for loins and waist can also be translated as testicles. This Leader owns “a pair” and He will demonstrate it when it comes to doing things the right way.
The belt is equated with righteousness and truth. This is the case in Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth… and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…The Apostle Paul is quoting Isaiah 11:5 and 59:17.
Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.
Jesus will not be flying around and holding pep rallies. He is not going to give speeches on policy and hollow promises. The Messiah will be a man of action.
…act wisely…He will be the agent of change and cause. He will have insight. He will be prudent. He will be a wise teacher. Success and prosperity will be the result.
…do justice…Jesus will act as a judge. He will decide cases and execute judgment with perfection against the laws. See Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. It will be absolutely fair.
…do righteousness…The Lord will do what is morally and ethically right. This is the same word that describes the leader from the line of David, a righteous Branch. Truth will be on display.
Isaiah 42:1-2 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street.”
Jesus is not going to scream and yell at us like politicians (plural) of the 2016 American Elections. He will not be seeking attention to Himself. Look at me! Look at me! Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk…
He will take care of business and just simply do it.
1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
Trend Update: Incirlik Nukes On the Move? Iranian Troops Move West, August 2016
Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Beth Togarmah, Chemical Warfare, Elam, Gomer, Incirlik Air Base, Iran, ISIS, Israel, Magog, Meshech, Nuclear Weapons, Persia, Russia, Tubal, Turkey on August 18, 2016 by paulthepokeFor Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/
Conflicting reports are coming out of Turkey regarding US nuclear weapons at Incirlik Air Base. The air base has stored 50-90 nuclear weapons. Some outlets are reporting the nuclear weapons are safe and secure at the Turkey air base. Other news sources are reporting the nukes have been moved to Romania. There has been no official word out the United States military or the Pentagon. Romania is denying the movement of the nuclear weapons to their country. News sources include: Breitbart News, Haaretz, RT, Radio Free Europe, Debka just to mention a few. The US main stream press is silent.
For Scripture support indicating Persia and Elam are modern day Iran, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/28/trend-update-iran-elam-and-israel-january-2015/
Per the United States military, approximately 100,000 Iranian troops are now involved in Iraq. These are Shiite troops. It is believed these forces are targeting Mosul (Sunni Muslims). The Iranian troops are likely to have Russian air support from Hamadan Air Base in western Iran. Iranian troops and hardware are now moving out of Iran towards the west in the region.
The Bible and ancient historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. See attached post.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/
Vladimir Putin has moved military hardware, fighter jets, missile defenses, and 40,000 Russian troops to the Ukraine border. There appears to be multiple staging areas on the eastern border of Ukraine.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-tension-1.3724892
ISIS is getting squeezed from the east, north, and northeast. Speaking of ISIS, they have recently obtained chemical weapons.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/08/17/how-the-islamic-state-seized-a-chemical-weapons-stockpile/
All of this military activity and hardware is also getting closer to Israel. We know how this story ends. For complete details, see Ezekiel 38-39.
Trend Update: Russian Air Power, Incirilik & Hamadan Air Bases/Nuclear Weapons, August 2016
Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Beth Togarmah, Cyprus, Elam, Gomer, Hamadan Air Base, Incirlik Air Base, Iran, Khmeimim Air Base, Magog, Meshech, NATO, Nuclear Weapons, Persia, Russia, Stimson Center, Syria, Tubal, Turkey, US Congress on August 16, 2016 by paulthepokeRussia will be joined by several countries with their future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39).
The Bible and ancient historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. See attached post.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/
For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/
For Scripture support indicating Persia and Elam are modern day Iran, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/28/trend-update-iran-elam-and-israel-january-2015/
It would appear the balance of power is rapidly changing in the Middle East.
August 15, 2016: Russia acquired its first permanent air base in Syria. The Khmeimim Air Base is located near Latakia, Syria on the Mediterranean Sea. With this move, some believe the balance of power in the Mediterranean has shifted to Russia.
August 16, 2016: For the first time, Russia is launching air strikes from Iran. The Iranians have agreed to give Russia access to the Hamadan Air Base in western Iran. Russia is the first foreign country allowed access to the air base. This is being reported by news outlets around the world (The Guardian, RT, Reuters, Jerusalem Post, France 24, New York Times).
RT is reporting Cyprus has offered Russia use of its air base.
Moscow, August 16, 2016: A member of Russia’s upper house of parliament and a member of Russia’s Federation Council Defense and Security Committee indicated Turkey could allow Russia access to the Incirlik Air Base. This is the same air base that is home to United States and NATO air forces. The Incirlik Air Base is alleged to house at least 50 American nuclear weapons.
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160816/1044330202/turkey-russia-incirlik.html
August 15, 2016: A report from the non-partisan Stimson Center to the US Congress was issued. Congress was briefed about the safety of the nuclear weapons at the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. It was stated the weapons were at risk to being stolen by terrorists, the Turkey government, and/or hostile forces.
http://www.businessinsider.com/congress-briefing-nuclear-weapons-at-incirlik-air-base-2016-8
Tisha B`Av, 5776
Posted in Trend Update with tags faith, God, Israel, Moses, Numbers 13-14, Promised Land, Tisha B`Av on August 14, 2016 by paulthepokeTisha b’Av: to the Jew, this is a date, the 9th of Av. Av is a Hebrew month. It is the 11th month of the civil calendar or the 5th month of the religious calendar. It usually occurs during July or August in the Gregorian calendar. This year, the 9th of Av begins at sunset on Saturday August 13th, 2016. The month is not named in the Bible.
The 9th of Av is a day of mourning in Israel. Tragedy came about because of the account of Numbers 13-14. This event occurred immediately after God had delivered Israel out of bondage in Egypt. The short story is the Lord told Moses to send a group of spies to go scout the Promised Land. The spies came back and proclaimed the Jews could not take the land because of the inhabitants of the land were too big and too strong. The people rebelled against Moses. The people stated they would rather go back to Egypt. The nation (except Caleb and Joshua) did not believe God to give them the Promised Land. We know it occurred during the grape harvest per the text (Numbers 13:20). This event is said to have occurred on the 9th of Av. God pronounced judgment on the nation at that time. And this date is said to be a reminder of nation Israel’s lack of faith in God.
Here is a list of Jewish history on the 9th of Av.
- 586 BC, the first Temple was destroyed.
- 70 AD, the second Temple was destroyed.
- 135 AD, Betar fell. It was the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt.
- 136 AD, one year after the fall of Betar, the Temple area was plowed.
- 1290 AD, Jews were expelled from England.
- 1492 AD, King Ferdinand of Spain issued the expulsion decree, setting Tisha B’Av as the final date by which not a single Jew would be allowed to walk on Spanish soil.
- 1914 AD, World War I began the downward slide to the Holocaust.
- 2005 AD, Israel turns over the Gaza Strip.
References for dates courtesy of (http://www.jewfaq.org, http://www.chabad.org, https://www.templeinstitute.org).
Trend Update: Calls to Close Incirlik Air Base??? Turkey/Russia/Iran Uniting, August 2016
Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Beth Togarmah, Democracy and Martyrs' Rally, Elam, Erdogan, Ezekiel 38-39, Gog, Gomer, Hassan Rouhani, Incirlik Air Base, Iran, Magog, Meshech, Persia, Russia, Tubal, Turkey, Vladimir Putin on August 12, 2016 by paulthepokeEzekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
The Bible and ancient historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. See attached post.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/
For Scripture support indicating these areas being Turkey, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet…
Russia will be joined by several countries with their future invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). Chief among those countries is Persia. This is modern day Iran. The country was known as Persia until the name change in the 20th century.
For Scripture support indicating Persia and Elam are modern day Iran, see the link below.
https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/28/trend-update-iran-elam-and-israel-january-2015/
Iran and Turkey have struggled in the past for regional power and dominance.
In a strange twist, Iran supports the President Erdogan in Turkey. Strange in that Erdogan and Turkey are Sunni Muslims and the Iranian regime is Shia. These two countries disagree on how to manage Syria. History says Shia and Sunni do not get along and are competing factions of Islam.
August 7, 2016: Over 1 million Turks participated in the Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally in Istanbul. President Recep Erdogan announced he was in support of reinstituting the death penalty. This act is a step away from Europe.
He was also able to get all three of Turkey’s political party on the same page. This is being hailed as an incredible display of unity. There was worldwide media coverage of the event.
August 8, 2016 a lawmaker in Turkey has called for the closure of the Incirlik Air Base. He says the US/NATO occupied air base is a “virus” in the Middle East. It is viewed as a threat to the security of Turkey. President Erdogan is uniting Turkey.
http://sputniknews.com/news/20160808/1044039812/turkey-incirlik-nato-erdogan-nukes.html
August 8, 2016 Vladimir Putin met the leader of Iran Hassan Rouhani to increase military ties. Iran received military equipment including defense missiles. They continue to agree on the management of Syria. The meeting took place in Azerbaijan.
August 9, 2016 President Erdogan traveled to Russia to meet with “his good friend” President Vladimir Putin. “This is a historic visit, a new beginning,” Erdogan said. The two countries look forward to restoring economic trade and ties. Let troubles of the past and downed aircraft be gone…
President Putin is now playing both sides of the Muslim equation, Sunni (Turkey) and Shia (Iran).
Russia, Turkey, and Iran are strengthening their political, economic, and military ties.
http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-turkey-erdogan-visit-putin-petersburg/27908642.html
Is this blog identifying Recep Erdogan as the antichrist? NO!
Is this blog identifying Vladimir Putin as Gog? NO!
Is this blog stating current events of 2016 are the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy from Ezekiel 38-39? NO!
Is the group of nations assembling as written approximately 2,700 years ago by the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 38? YES and it definitely merits our attention. This group of nations has never been allied in the past. They have spent their history fighting against each other.
