Archive for the Mosul/Nineveh Category

Trend Update: Turkey on the Move in the Middle East, October 2016

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2016 by paulthepoke

As of October 19, 2016, Turkey has military operations on three fronts and President Recep Erdogan has aspirations of being more assertive in the region.

Two Greek fighter aircrafts engaged two Turkish F-16’s aircraft in a dog fight over the Aegean Sea. Military jets were reported to be armed. The incident took place southeast of Rhodes and south of Kastellorizo.

October 11, 2016: Turkish fighter jets violate Greek air space. www.ekathimerini.com

October 5, 2016: A previous dog fight between Turkish and Greek jets was reported by

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/10/05/greek-turkish-dogfights-over-the-aegean-with-23-violations-of-greek-air-space/

http://www.ekathimerini.com/213000/article/ekathimerini/news/dogfights-in-aegean-amid-tensions-with-turkey

Greece and Turkey are both members of NATO. Since the failed coup attempt in the summer of 2016, Turkey’s President Erdogan has strengthened alliances with Russia.

October 19, 2016: Turkey ground troops and air force conducted operations near Azaz, Syria. Azaz is located north of Aleppo four miles from the Turkey border.

The town of Dabiq has been captured by Turkey. Dabiq is approximately 25 miles northeast of Aleppo and 6 miles from the Turkey border.  This is the heart of ISIS. Their monthly magazine is named “Dabiq”. This is the location of the ultimate battle of the Islamic Sunni prophecy. This is where the infidels are taken out. ISIS believes the infidels to be “Rome” or western civilization.

http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/10/19/operation-euphrates-shield-update-56th-day-operation-against-daesh-terrorists-intensifies-in-azez-district

October 18, 2016: Turkey is providing air support in the Mosul Offensive against ISIS. “Our air forces took part in the coalition forces’ air operations in Mosul,” Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Turkey is not happy with their role in Mosul. They want a significantly increased role. Turkey feels obligated to help their Sunni brothers in Mosul. Their concern is the liberation of Mosul is being carried out by Shiite Iraqis.

“Military advisors” from Turkey are reported to be on the ground near Mosul, Iraq.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ankara-joins-air-operation-take-mosul-iraqis-protest-against-turkish-role-1106417056

The book of Revelation was written from the island of Patmos. Historically Patmos was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. Today the island belongs to modern day Greece. Today, President Erdogan of Turkey is calling on populism and the glory days of the Ottoman Empire.

All seven churches in the Book of Revelation are in what is modern day Turkey. Four of the seven churches in Revelation have references to Satan. Jesus is the one talking directly to the churches. Jesus got His information from a reliable source, God the Father (Revelation 1). The four churches are: Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Philadelphia. Satan clearly has a foot hold in Turkey per the comments of Jesus to the churches in Revelation. Satan has a religious system and structures in place in this geographical area. If Satan’s home land and capital are modern day Turkey, would it make sense for him to establish his kingdom with his minions here?

For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/

Look into this. Do your own homework. Form your own opinion.

Trend Update: All Roads Lead to Mosul, October 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , on October 17, 2016 by paulthepoke

Genesis 10:11 From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah…

That “he” is Nimrod. He is the one who built the ancient city of Nineveh. The city was built approximately 4,000 years ago. Nineveh is the city furthest north of those built by Nimrod. Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world.

Historically, Nineveh is the capital of the Assyrian Empire.

Nineveh is located in modern day Mosul, Iraq. The modern day region maintains it ties to the past. Mosul is located in the province of Nineveh.

For links to multiple articles regarding ancient Nineveh/modern day Mosul, Iraq…

https://paulthepoke.com/category/mosulnineveh/

October 17, 2016: The Iraqi government has announced the beginning of the Mosul Offensive to liberate the city of ISIS.

In today’s world, there are many different news sources. With advancements in technology, Twitter and Periscope are providing a view from the front lines of the conflict. Participants in the battle are issuing their own version of what is happening in the area. If interested, key word search #MosulOffensive on Twitter or Periscope. Be ready, it is raw.

Most of the activity is taking place on the highways and villages leading towards Mosul. Heavy fighting appears to be outside of the city at this time.

The following information is from an ISIS twitter stream. “Martyrdom Operations” have been completed south of Mosul in Qayyara. The location is about 35 miles south of Mosul. Translation for “Martyrdom Operation” is suicide mission. Video of a Martyrdom Operations can be found on Twitter and YouTube.

Military operations have been reported east of Mosul.

Kurdish forces are reported to be on the outskirts of southeast Mosul in Al Kuwayr. Villages between Erbil, Iraq and Mosul have been cleared of ISIS.

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/peshmerga-forces-now-7kms-from-mosul-military-sources/666688

 

Trend Update: Mosul Offensive Begins? October 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on October 15, 2016 by paulthepoke

Nahum 2:4 The chariots race madly in the streets, they rush wildly in the squares, their appearance is like torches, they dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

Nahum lays out the prophecy concerning the destruction of Nineveh. The book was written around 660 BC. What does this have to do with anything? Mosul, Iraq is the modern day town of ancient Nineveh. As of early October 2016, Mosul is controlled by ISIS.

Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. Today in the early 21st century it is home to 1.3 million people (Wikipedia).

As of October 15, 2016, the Mosul Offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS apparently has begun. Pictures and tweets are emerging on the internet (search Mosul Offensive on Twitter). Reports of United States air strikes are noted.

The following groups have military personnel in the immediate area of Mosul, Iraq. The list includes at least the following: Kurdish Peshmerga, Turkey, Russia, Iraq, United States, ISIS, Iran, and Hezbollah. How in the world is anyone going to determine the battle lines? Political alliances and religious affiliations are clearly blurred. Obviously, there are concerns of the fighting escalating and spreading.

God is not messing around in His description. Nahum 3:5-6 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of hosts, “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace. I will throw filth on you and make you vile, and set you up as a spectacle.” The translation is politically correct. In other words…I will strip you completely naked. I will throw crap on you and put you on a pedestal for all the world to see.

Keep in mind, Mosul is on the Tigris River.

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

Thirty-five (35) miles north of Mosul is the Mosul Dam. The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. The foundation of the dam is in a constant state of repair and maintenance. This dam has been in serious trouble since March 2016.

An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill up to 150 million people and displace millions more per estimates.

The city of Mosul could be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad could be targeted by flood waters.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

Encouragement is offered to read the Book of Nahum. The prophet is a short read of three chapters and will only take 5-10 minutes. We all have the time.

The short version of the story is this. There will be war, fighting, significant destruction, and massive death. Nahum 3:3 Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies. They stumble over the dead bodies!

In the end, Mosul/Nineveh will be washed away with a massive flood.

It is October 15, 2016…

Trend Update: Nineveh/Mosul Dam, March 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on March 10, 2016 by paulthepoke

Genesis 10:8-12 Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

This is the city planning resume of Nimrod. He built cities along the Tigris River over 4,000 years ago. The city furthest south was Babylon (30 miles south of Baghdad). The city furthest north was Nineveh or modern day Mosul, Iraq (220 miles north of Baghdad). All of this could be destroyed in less than a week if the Mosul Dam breaks.

mosuldam

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/03/11/trend-update-assyrian-empirenimrod-march-2015/

Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn them of pending judgment. The Assyrian people ultimately listened to Jonah and changed their attitude and actions towards God and others.

The modern day region maintains it ties to the past. Mosul is located in the province of Ninevah (ABC News). Nineveh is located in modern day Mosul, Iraq. ISIS destroyed the tomb of Jonah the prophet in Mosul.

http://paulthepoke.com/2014/07/16/trend-update-assyrian-empireninevehjonah-july-2014/

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/14/trend-update-assyrian-empireninevehjonah-january-2015/

The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. Translation, the dam is built on a shifting, poor foundation. The Mosul dam is located 35 miles north of Mosul, Iraq. ISIS previously managed to take control of the Mosul Dam in June 2014. Currently, the Mosul Dam is managed by the Kurdish peshmerga. The issue is ISIS took the maintenance equipment and supplies. And the Kurds are busy fighting back ISIS to maintain control of the dam. As of March 2016, the dam is in serious trouble.

This dam manages the Tigris River in Iraq. An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill up to 150 million people and displace millions more per estimates.

The city of Mosul could be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad could be targeted.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2016/mar/10/the-mosul-dam-is-crumbling-if-it-bursts-it-would-be-a-disaster-on-a-biblical-scale

Archaeological and cultural sites along the Tigris River could be flushed and destroyed.

http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/02/29/mosul-dam-breach-karadsheh-lklv.cnn

Fear not, the Iraqi government has a plan…

Trend Update: Assyrian Empire/Nimrod, March 2015

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 11, 2015 by paulthepoke

Genesis 10:8-12 Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

Nimrod is the great grandson of Noah. The family tree looks like this: Noah, Ham, Cush, Nimrod (Genesis 10:1, 6, 8).

nimrod_copper

Per Strong’s Concordance, Nimrod means: rebellion or valiant. Three times, Nimrod is described as mighty, strong, and brave in the Hebrew. Some interpretations indicate Nimrod was possibly a “hunter of men” in addition to game. This guy was the original antichrist long before the term was coined.

These were the directions given to Noah and family after the flood. Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” God said fill the earth, spread out. Nimrod rebelled and built cities. Nimrod brought people to cities. He had a significant opinion of himself. A city bears his name.

Nimrod was a real person. He built towns along the Tigris River. The first town Nimrod built was Babylon (south of modern day Baghdad). Shinar is the area of southern Iraq. Assyria is the area of northern Iraq following the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The towns mentioned in the Bible are real towns. Nimrod is effectively the founder of modern day Iraq. These towns were built roughly 4,000 years ago. Fast forward to March, 2015. These towns are back in our headlines.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/world/middleeast/isis-bulldozing-of-ancient-nimrud-site-in-iraq-stirs-outrage.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share&_r=0

ISIS views the archaeology of the ancient city is idolatrous.

http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/03/06/islamic-state-militants-bulldoze-ancient-nimrud-ruins-as-idolatrous/

Irony: ISIS has effectively occupied the territory of the Ancient Assyrian Empire noted in the Bible. Nimrod and Nineveh were two important cities of antiquities. The modern day Assyrian Empire (ISIS) is doing all it can to destroy and erase the history of the Ancient Assyrian Empire.

Trend Update: Assyrian Empire/Nineveh/Jonah, January 2015

Posted in Gospel, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 14, 2015 by paulthepoke

Jonah 3:4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

Jonah 4:11 “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

nineveh

Blowing up the Prophet Jonah’s tomb is not enough for ISIS. They are now proclaiming they are going to blow up the walls of the ancient city Nineveh. The 7.5 mile (one day’s walk) brick wall and rampart surrounds what used to be the ancient city of Nineveh. The majority of the wall is still present and standing. ISIS states the destruction of the wall is necessary because the cultural museum of Nineveh has “distorted” the view of Islam. Works of art and archeology artifacts have been stolen by ISIS from the museum. Nineveh is effectively modern day Mosul, Iraq.

Assyrians claim to be Iraq’s original indigenous people. Their history goes back to 4,750BC. Assyrians are approximately 95% of the country’s Christian population. Close to 200,000 Christians were forced to leave their homes around the Nineveh plain during the summer of 2014 due to ISIS. They are now refugees in the Dohuk and Erbil regions of northern Iraq that border Turkey and Iran. The region is also known as Kurdistan.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2900530/ISIS-plan-destroy-walls-Nineveh-capital-Assyrian-Empire-one-important-archaeological-sites-Iraq.html

http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/27400/isis-planning-to-destroy-ancient-walls-of-nineveh-middle-east/#gmIbPcIweWOJXItV.99

The Book of Jonah is dated roughly in the first half of the eighth century BC. The prophet Jonah travelled to the brutally violent people of Nineveh with a message of judgment if their ways were not changed. For intimidation purposes, the Assyrians would tie people to the stake and filet them. The people of Jonah’s day responded to the message of Jehovah. God cared for Gentiles in the Old Testament too; this is not a New Testament phenomenon.

In the Hebrew language, Jonah’s name means “dove”. In the Bible, the dove is a symbol of peace. The dove is likened to the descent of the Holy Spirit onto Jesus at His baptism. Luke 3:22a and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove…

…there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” One can tell by the pictures in the articles referenced, the Assyrians were skilled architects, designers, and laborers who built a massive brick wall with towers. Historically, these people were barbaric but they were not stupid. I take it those who do not know the difference between their right and left hands were children. Animals were included in the context of the ignorant. God does not judge the innocent bystanders with guilt by association. Remember the conversation between the Lord and Abraham in Genesis 18. God swore to Abraham He would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were righteous people remaining in the city. God’s messengers removed the righteous, Lot and family. We know the rest of that story.

The Holy Spirit, like a dove of peace, descends on sinners offering a message of mercy and undeserving forgiveness. Just believe in the sign of Jonah: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 12:39-41).

Trend Update: Assyrian Empire/Nineveh/Jonah, July 2014

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , on July 25, 2014 by paulthepoke

I guess a sledgehammer did not do enough damage. Jonah’s tomb was blown up.

http://news.yahoo.com/video-shows-isis-blowing-iraqs-tomb-jonah-161117640.html;_ylt=AwrSyCVsitJT_SMAsI_QtDMD

Trend Update: Assyrian Empire/Nineveh/Jonah, July 2014

Posted in Gospel, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 16, 2014 by paulthepoke

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2685923/Shocking-moment-ISIS-militants-sledgehammers-Mosul-tomb-Prophet-Jonah-50-blindfolded-bodies-massacred-south-Baghdad.html

To the critic who says Jonah was not a real person, ISIS and Muslims disagree with you. Jonah was a prophet and a real human being in the Old Testament who died. This is what ISIS thinks of Jonah. They are destroying his remains. They want to remove and delete as though he never happened or existed. ISIS militants believe giving special veneration to tombs and relics is against the teachings of Islam. The Book of Jonah is about a prophet who was called to warn a foreign country, an enemy of Israel, of God’s coming judgment. The people of Nineveh responded to the prophet’s call during their day and changed their minds and ways as a nation. God’s judgment was spared on that generation in Nineveh. The Book of Jonah demonstrates God’s mercy and grace to a nation who was behaving in a destructive and brutal nature.

Jesus Himself points to Jonah as a sign or a shadow of His death, burial, and resurrection. Matthew 12:39-41 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREENIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

That “any” includes terrorists. Even terrorists can avoid eternal judgment in Christ. We are all made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26).

What does it mean to repent? It is the Greek word “metanoia”. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: to change one’s mind, compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal of decision.

Things do not have to continue on their current path. We have the capacity to change our minds as individuals and corporately as humanity.

Trend Update: Assyrian Empire/Euphrates River, June 2014

Posted in Euphrates River, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 26, 2014 by paulthepoke

The Assyrian Empire of history originates from the city of Ninevah, modern day Mosul, Iraq. Genesis 10:11 From that land he (Nimrod) went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah… The modern day region maintains it ties to the past. Mosul is located in the province of Ninevah (ABC News). This region of real estate has been in the news with the Civil War taking place in Syria (September 2013). Major oil and gas pipelines run from the Kirkuk Oil Fields to the border of Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Once in Turkey, the pipeline runs to the west before stopping in the Mediterranean Sea where oil and gas are exported primarily to Europe. The security of these pipelines is constantly being challenged by multiple groups. At this time (June 2014), the violence and regional instability has spread and now includes northern Iraq.

The movement is spear headed by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This group is a splinter off of Al-Qaeda. CNN completed a story which stated that ISIS is considered too violent for even Al-Qaeda. The video shown on TV validates their commitment to violence.

The leader of ISIS is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He was detained by the United States in a terrorist camp in Iraq, Camp Bucca. Al-Baghdadi was captured in 2005. In 2009, we released him. Military officials at the camp state Al-Baghdadi was not the worst of the worst. For more details click on the following link. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/14/isis-leader-see-you-in-new-york.html

With the capture of Mosul, ISIS now manages the Mosul Dam. This dam manages the control of the Tigris River in Iraq. Keep in mind, Turkey cut off flow of the Euphrates earlier in the month of June 2014. Lake Assad (another damming of the Euphrates River in Syria) has already been impacted in Syria. Lake Assad and surrounding territory in Syria is under the control of ISIS. People are already suffering the effects with no electricity and fresh water. Now, this organization effectively controls the water supplies of the nations of Syria and Iraq.

Revelation 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.

Look at the maps below and draw your own conclusions.

June 14, 2014 per http://i.dailymail.co.uk/

isis

Assyrian Empire per http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/m/images/mesopot_assyr_map_lg.jpg

assyria

Goal of ISIS

isisgoal

 

Isaiah 10:5-7 Assyrian Empire and Modern Day Geography

Posted in Isaiah, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 29, 2013 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 10:5-7 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hands is My indignation I send it against a godless nation and commission it against the people of My fury to capture booty and to seize plunder, and to trample them down like mud in the streets. Yet it does not so intend, nor does it plan so in its heart, but rather it is its purpose to destroy and to cut off many nations.

Nimrod founded Nineveh as noted in Genesis 8:10-12. Assyria lay along the middle Tigris between the Kurdish Taurus Mountains and Jebel Hamrin and formed an area about the size of the state of Connecticut (modern day northern Iraq; Iraq, Turkey, and Iran mountainous borders). On the west bank of the Tigris lay a single plain, while on the east bank the country was divided into three sections: the area between the mountains and the Great Zab River, the sector between the Great and Lesser Zab rivers, and the region between the Lesser Zab and the mountain Jebel Hamrin (modern day Kirkuk Oil Field in Iraq).

The land is fertile and undulating and has enough rainfall to support dry farming. Assyria had abundant supplies of limestone and alabaster and some marble. This region of real estate was recently in the news with the Civil War taking place in Syria (September 2013). A major oil and gas pipeline runs from the Kirkuk Oil Field north to the border of Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Once in Turkey, the pipeline runs to the west before stopping in the Mediterranean Sea where oil and gas are exported primarily to Europe. The security of this pipeline is constantly being challenged by multiple groups.

The major cities were Asshur (son of Shem and Hebrew people, Genesis 10:22, modern day between Mosul and Bagdhad, Iraq) on the west bank of the Tigris and Lesser Zab River; and Nineveh (modern day Mosul, Iraq), and Calah to the southeast on the Tigris a few miles from Nineveh.

The height of power of the Assyrian Empire was during the seventh century BC. The Assyrians built an empire that stretched from Egypt on the southwest to Persia (modern day Iran) on the east and from the Persian Gulf on the southeast to Anatolia (modern day Turkey) on the north.

Resources: New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Holman QuickSource Bible Atlas, Holman QuickSource Bible Dictionary, MapsofWorld.com

Assyria had specific directions from God. Go get Israel. But that was not enough. Assyria wanted more. Their attitude and plans were the conquest of multiple nations. Assyria’s punishment crossed the line and exceeded the expectation God had set. If Assyria would have followed directions and stuck to Israel, Assyria would have avoided judgment themselves. With their actions, Assyria is as good as dead.