Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
On This Week in Prophecy… Iraq is breaking down. Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has announced he is stepping down from politics. The result is a violent power grab. The Green Zone is Baghdad is a war zone. The violence is spreading throughout the country. A nationwide curfew has been imposed. The United States appears to be air lifting personnel from their embassy facility within the Green Zone.
Iran and Russia continue to strengthen their economic ties. Both countries have agreed to complete financial transactions with rials and rubles. India, China, and Saudi Arabia have signaled they are willing to complete economic transactions apart from the US Dollar. Other currencies include the yuan and the rupee.
China’s Yangtze River is running dry. Drought and a heat wave is gripping China this summer. Crops do not have water to grow. Pressures continue to mount on food security around the globe. Hydroelectric plants are no longer producing energy.
Shocking pictures from China: World’s third-largest river dries up in drought 👇pic.twitter.com/1rXKa01quq
Floods are devastating Pakistan. Over 1,000 are dead. 33,000,000 people have been affected. Basic provisions of food, water, and shelter have been significantly disrupted.
A regional energy emergency has been declared. Gas prices in the upper Midwest of the United States are going up. A major fire at a refinery has severely affected gas distribution in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The refinery accounts for 20-25% of gas to the four states.
Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2022, that starts on sundown Wednesday, March 16th and ends the next day on Thursday, March 17th. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated annually.
The setting of the story is in the book of Esther. The author of the book is unknown. Celebration of Purim is not part of the Mosaic Law. The events of the story took place from 483-473 BC. God’s name is never mentioned in the book. The location is Susa of the Persian Empire. This is modern day Iran.
Esther 3:1-2 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him.And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.
Haman was the prime minister for King Ahasuerus. He answered to only the king. Haman was a very powerful political figure and officer. He was the right hand man to the king. Haman clearly lorded his clout over others as he demanded others bow down and pay homage to him at the gate. This action was mandated by Ahasuerus. Haman was on a serious power trip.
Haman was a source of evil. His name means tumult or noise. Haman came by his attitude honestly. His father was Hammedatha, which is translated as “The Medatha” or “The Double” (A Dictionary of the Bible: Aaron Juttah). At any rate, Haman’s father was important enough to have a definitive article as part of his identity… like father, like son.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Esther 3:9 “If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” -Haman
Not only was Haman a power hungry, blood thirsty leader, he was exceptionally wealthy. His anger and resentment towards Mordecai and the Jews were so intense, he was willing to part with 10,000 talents of silver. Despite being second in command of the Persian Empire, he would pay blood money to make this happen. Haman was dedicated to killing off a race of people for being disrespected as he saw it.
10,000 talents of silver… 1 talent is equal to roughly 75 pounds.
10,000 X 75 = 750,000 pounds of silver!
At today’s silver prices, 1 ounce = $25
1 pound = 16 ounces X $25 = $400/pound of silver.
750,000 pounds X $400/pound = $300,000,000
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This level of hate still emanates from what is modern day Iran. Modern day Iranian leaders, like Haman, are looking to wipe Israel from the map and eradicate its people. Haman was willing to pay to eliminate the Jewish people. Unlike the past, the world is giving Iran resources to achieve their goal.
March 12, 2022: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles into Erbil, Iraq against the “strategic center of the Zionist regime’s conspiracies and wickedness”.
“If the Zionists want to respond to the attack on the Mossad headquarters in Erbil, it will face a harsh response”. -IRGC
Iranian intelligence reports they have broken up “spy (Mossad) network that recruited hooligans to do sabotage operations inside Iran”.
“By God! Israel Will Not See Next 25Years!” -Ayatollah Khamenei
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Despite current attitudes, the Biden Administration continues to give Iran concessions in negotiations in Vienna with regard to the Nuclear Agreement. Iran is sure to gain economic freedoms which will likely result in billions of dollars in revenue and gifts.
Here is what Iran does with their resources.
🇮🇷Map of Iran's regional proxy forces in the Middle East, controlled by its IRGC-Quds Force extraterritorial organisation. The infographic provides an overview of the largest and well-known militia groups in countries which form part of the Iranian 'Axis of Resistance'. pic.twitter.com/d1yVlpMkjL
Multiple news sites are confirming. Video has emerged of ballistic missiles hitting the US Consulate in Erbil, Iraq. The Fateh-110 missiles are believed to be launched from the East Azerbaijan Province in Iran.
The Fateh-110 is an Iranian short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant ballistic missile.
And there are reports the Fateh-110s were used tonight, which also made a cameo appearance in the Soleimani revenge attack on U.S. forces in #Iraq on 01/08/2020. Would note #Iran has also launched Fateh-110s before on #Iraq, e.g. in September 2018 on KDPI HQ in Koya. 2/2
#BREAKING A Telegram channel affiliated to IRGC has released this footage with this caption: “First footage of the damages caused by missile attack against Mossad’s den of espionage in Erbil.” pic.twitter.com/kvxP5P7Nye
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 12, 2022
Mark 13:7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. -Jesus
Will this draw the United States into a world with many conflicts?
Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet…
2,600 years ago, the Prophet Ezekiel said ancient Persia or modern day Iran would play a role in the end times scenario…
An assassination attempt was made on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Efforts failed and al-Kadhimi survived. Riots have taken place near the Green Zone in Baghdad. Isaiah 13 prophecies of a time of complete desolation of the area in the Day of the Lord. Modern day Iraq is a prophetic hot spot for the end times scenario.
Military hardware continues to pour into Syria and the northern border of Syria. Russia and Turkey continue to move more resources closer to Israel. Ezekiel 38-39 tells what the future holds. The military build will continue to the point is looks utterly hopeless for Israel. But God has other plans…
Ezekiel 39:9-10 “Then those who inhabit the cities of Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them, both bucklers and shields, bows and arrows, war clubs and spears, and for seven years they will make fires of them. They will not take wood from the field or gather firewood from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will take the spoils of those who plundered them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them,” declares the Lord GOD.
Ethiopia appears to be on the verge of civil war. Could this have implications for the region and ultimately the southern front of Ezekiel 38-39 with Libya and Sudan??? It’s worth watching. Governments are de stabilizing in various places. What about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project? This is going to be the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa. Isaiah 19 says the Nile River goes dry in the end times scenario.
Keeping a close eye on the Pacific theater with Australia, South Korea. The US, UK continue to forge military alliances in the region. This week, the US and South Korea initiated unannounced air force war games. More wars and rumors of wars just like Jesus said.
Australia makes a move on personal property, bank accounts, and driver’s licenses in response to COVID related violations and fine collection. China encourages the population to store up food in case of an emergency. China’s goal is zero COVID infections before the Winter Olympics coming up in February 2022.
Kabul has fallen. The talking heads are chattering as they will. ‘Jihad is back’ some say, they might be right. “Again Jihad” examines the contemporary phenomena of Jihad and where we go from here in combatting it.
Czekmate is a must follow if you want to stay up to date with what is happening in the Middle East. He posts articles, videos, analysis and opinion. See the link below.
Czekmate is wired into the Middle East and follows the region closely. He is up to date with current events and provides excellent analysis in the theater.
The Fighting Czekmates is a home for people with an unconventional outlook on world affairs. Get in touch with your instincts and don’t get married to your opinions. We welcome good natured argument, we tolerate stubbornness, but not rudeness or trolling. It is proctored by a seasoned practitioner. Gauge your audiences above all. We value information exchange and patriotic teamwork.
Czekmate is a nom de guerre for a Washington DC based consultant who specializes in International affairs and national security regulatory matters. He holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. He has worked in Republican politics, Congress, and the Departments of State & Defense for the bulk of his career. In those endeavors he received awards for research pertaining to international illicit weapons networks.
He is a Christian and a practitioner of charismatic faith whose current work involves advising clients on cyber security compliance in the defense arena.
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America is stepping away from the world stage. And every place America has left, a vacuum is created. Something will fill the vacuum.
As America left Afghanistan, the Taliban took its place. As chaos rules, the Taliban is supported by players in end times Biblical prophecies, specifically Russia, Iran, and China.
In this edition, we go around the region and look at the void left by American departure and who has taken its place. The recent histories of Libya, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Lebanon are covered.
Ezekiel 38-39 are in play, big time!
How close are we to these events unfolding and prophecy being fulfilled?
These questions and more are answered on This Week in Prophecy.
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.
First things first. The current events to be discussed below are not the fulfillment of the Revelation prophecy. Currently, the seven year tribulation has not begun. The seals have not been broken let alone the bowl judgments poured out. Bet yet another example, we are trending in this direction.
Basra, Iraq: Salt water from the Persian Gulf is pushing inland due to the lack of water flow from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers north of town. Farmers are going north looking for fresh water.
“Salinity has gone up in recent years and it’s killing the farmlands. Before, we could sell our dates in the Gulf and as far as the United States. Now, you can see with your own eyes. This whole river died.” Abu Shaker, a 70-year-old date palm farmer.
With the filling of the Ilisu Dam, Turkey is slowly cutting off water to Iraq. Water levels behind Mosul Dam in northern Iraq have dropped by three billion cubic meters. Water flow from Turkey has been reduced by 50%.
The Ilisu Dam is one of 22 dams being constructed in southeast Turkey. The dams are impacting both the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Syria is feeling the brunt of the decreased water flow of the Euphrates.
Iran is cutting off water from the Sirwan and Little Zab Rivers which dump into the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad.
To make matters worse, the water hyacinth is taking over the two rivers. The “Nile Flower” was introduced about 20 years as a decorative plant. The purple flowered plant is native to South America’s Amazon basin.
A plant is estimated to drink up to 1.3 gallons of water per day. The water hyacinth also blocks sun and oxygen from life on the rivers. As a result, fish are dying and water levels are dropping further. This has been devastating to carp fisherman. Carp supplies have been cut in half. Carp is a delicacy in Iraq.
A 1,000 square foot area weighs up to five tons. The thick vegetation blocks water from reaching fields for farming.
“During this harvest, our vegetable sales in the local market were down by a third,” Ahmed Yasser, farmer.
And with COVID-19, the wild flower is spreading unchecked.
Today, Hamadan is believed to have approximately 554,000 people per 2016 census numbers. Hamadan is home to the tombs of Esther and Mordechai.
May 16, 2020: The tombs of Esther and Mordechai have been set on fire. Allegedly, there was not significant damage.
“Since February, members of the Iranian Basij militia have once again threatened to raze the tomb of historic Jewish heroes Mordechai and Queen Esther. It appears that these domestic terrorists attempted to carry out this outrageous act of desecration with this premeditated attack,” Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
The Basij is a volunteer militia of the Iranian government. The Basij was set up by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. The stated purpose of the Basij is as follows: “create the necessary capabilities in all individuals believing in the Constitution and the goals of the Islamic Republic to defend the country, the regime of the Islamic Republic, and aid people in cases of disasters and unexpected events.”
The role of the Basij is to handle “resistance areas” within Iran…
Here is a quote that likely best describes the role of the Basij in Iran. This is a group of enforcers.
“But because they receive less training than other Iranian security forces, their tactics are often the toughest against dissidents—and in turn generate more public anger that could weaken rather than strengthen the regime long-term.”
If interested (highly recommended) in more detail of the Iranian Basij, click on the link below.
Kifl, Iraq: An ancient synagogue at the tomb of Ezekiel has been replaced by a Shiite Mosque. Ezekiel is a prophet listed in the Quran as well as the Bible. He is called Thel Kifl in the Quran. Hence, the town in Iraq is named after Ezekiel. Iraqis call him Hidkel.
Kifl is located about an hour and 45 minutes south of Baghdad on the Euphrates River.
It is thought Ezekiel died in 569 BC.
Now it is Muslims making the trip to Ezekiel’s tomb instead of Jews and Christians.
Esther, Mordechai, and Ezekiel were real people. They lived and died and they were buried. Esther and Mordechai were buried in what is modern day Hamadan, Iran. Ezekiel was buried in the middle of Iraq and has a town named after him. The book of Esther and Ezekiel are not fables or a fairy tales. Shiite Islam is trying to erase their memory from history.
January 26, 2020: Five rockets are reported to be fired at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Three of those rockets allegedly were direct hits. As of this post, there are no reported injuries or deaths.
“I am closely monitoring reports of a rocket attack targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Violent acts against our diplomatic facilities are simply unacceptable. We must ensure the safety of American diplomats, troops and other Americans in Iraq.” -LR @RepMcCaul
January 7, 2020: In response to the death of General Soleimani, Iran has launched a series of missiles from Iran towards American military bases in Iraq. American soldiers and resources have been targeted. Multiple waves of missiles are reported to be fired.
The locations of attack were al-Assad in central Iraq on the Euphrates River and the oil rich ares of northeast Iraq near Erbil. It should be noted that Turkish troops are in the area of northern Iraq as well.
Liveuamap: Iraq
The Pentagon has confirmed the reports. President Trump is acutely aware of the developing situation. Trump has not tweeted regarding the attack at the time of this post.
Damage reports and casualty information are not present at this time.
Iran has released a statement. If the United States retaliates, Iran will target Haifa, Israel and Dubai among other targets. See the tweet below from Richard Engel of NBC News.
Iran making threats of mass escalation. To attack more bases in Iraq. To unleash Hezbollah. To unleash shiite militias in Iraq. To attack Israel and Dubai. Making it clear it is ready for a widespead campaign if this escalates further with a US response.
Update with recent President Trump tweet on damage assessment.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
