Merchants of Tarshish... the timing of Gog-Magog & the oracle of Damascus Part Viii & IX of "The Rise or Fall of American Empire" By Doug Krieger

MERCHANTS OF TARSHISH

…the Timing of Gog-Magog & the Oracle of Damascus

by

Doug Krieger

Parts VIII & IX

“The Rise or Fall of American Empire”

This is a second in a series of exchanges held among R.F. of Wisconsin, Pastor D.S. of Sacramento and Doug Krieger on the timing, nations engaged, etc., in the Gog-Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39 and Daniel 11:40-45 with a concentrated focus on the MERCHANTS or SHIPS OF TARSHISH mentioned in Ezekiel 38:13 (this response is somewhat embellished to add further insight into these most interesting phrases of Scripture—II Chronicles 9:21; Psalm 48:7; 72:10; Isaiah 2:16; 23:1, 6; 23:10, 1460. 10:9; Ezekiel 27:12, 25; 38:13). Likewise, I have purposed to include this somewhat elongated and rambling piece, along with its initial correspondence, into “The Rise or Fall” in that America’s prophetic role is not tangential regarding these quaint but adumbrative Biblical phrases.

Set in the backdrop of the end-times’ Gog-Magog War, America’s possible role in any Middle Eastern conflict becomes all the more significant in that its impact upon “Democratic Globalism” and the Commercial Empire would be overwhelming. Naturally, it is impossible to avoid either Antichrist, or the pre-positioning of his military in the Holy Land – the Glorious Land – the Beautiful Land – due to the inseparable nature of a “king with a kingdom” concept (i.e., every emperor has an empire; every king a kingdom; every Czar a realm, every Kaiser a Reich, every President a . . . .).

First, you must endure my initial correspondence to a local pastor in response to his concerns relative to the timing, as well as certain chronologies, connected with both the Gog-Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39 and the Oracle of Damascus of Isaiah 17 and Zechariah 9 (two of the three major conflicts specifically mentioned in the end of days – although a possible fourth is mentioned (which I affirm to be the “Campaign” of Armageddon may be so constituted and would be discovered in Daniel 11:44-45, which ultimately results in both the culmination of these military exploits as found in Revelation 9:13-21 under the sounding of the Sixth Trumpet, as well as under the Sixth Bowl found in Revelation 16:12-16 where the actual word Armageddon is used), resulting in the demise of the Antichrist-Beast at the Second Coming of Messiah and foreseen in both the events of the Seventh Bowl (Revelation 16:17-21) and at the conclusion of the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet (Revelation 11:15-18) (Cf. Daniel 11:45).

Note: A word of clarification is needed here, lest you find yourself in the midst of a most bizarre conversation—which may inevitably happen in any event . . . the pastor is concerned that if the Gog-Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39 takes place within the time frame of the 7-year/70th Week of Daniel’s prophecy (and after the Oracle of Damascus mentioned in both Zechariah 9 and Isaiah 17, accompanied by a major diplomatic peace initiative of “the MYSTERY NATION” of Isaiah 18—the “end of the war” (Daniel 9:26) between Israel and her Arab foes headed up by Syria, yet future), then, how does that happen—given certain chronological insertions into the text which may be problematic in that Ezekiel’s work must be blended with that of Daniel and ultimately with that of Zechariah?

This concern not only led to our immediate discussion regarding these possible chronological discrepancies but to a further development on modern-day Jordan’s engagement or disengagement in the Gog-Magog War. Ultimately, it descended into a somewhat vibrant exchange regarding the antagonists of Gog-Magog (namely, Sheba, Dedan and the infamous Ships of Tarshish, as well as “all their young lions”—Ezekiel 38:13 juxtaposed to the primarily Islamic consternations represented by the King of the North (the peoples of Turkey and modern-day Iran) as well as the Islamic States headed up by Egypt, including Libya and modern-day Sudan (Cush).

These Merchants of Tarshish, whose primary concerns regarding this pending invasion of the Beautiful Land, are centered on the commercial impact to their own prosperity—prosperity which would adversely be affected by such an incursion into the Glorious Land (not that they care for Israel). Therefore, and by the time this tome is completed—special interest should be shown by the United States of America, as well as the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada—all the young lions; Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Arab states of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula; as well as those nations and peoples surrounding Israel proper involved in (1) the Oracle of Damascus: Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority and Gaza; and (2) the protagonist states/peoples involved in the horrific happenings of the infamous Gog-Magog War; namely those peoples primarily populating the nations of: Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Libya and modern-day Sudan (Cush).

In that the Ships of Tarshish take center stage in this missive, those “spiritual descendants” of the ancient sea-faring Canaanites/Phoenicians/Punic people whose commercial exploits are renown—namely, Spain and Portugal, as well as their extensions throughout the earth, primarily in the Americas—do well to pay careful attention to these surmisings. And, though we exclude the other European toes of the Image who arose on the Plains of Shinar and colonized the earth—the French, Italians, Germans, Benelux Nations, Italians, Scandinavians and, of course, “news from the north” (the Russian peoples—Daniel 11:44) and ultimately “news from the east” (the Asiatic states)—they are most definitely involved in the end-times’ panoply of States mentioned in the Scripture in sometimes pristine clarity. In sum: Few, if any, escape the Biblical account!)

Dear Pastor S. –

Your focus appears to be fixated upon the chronological consequences of having the destroyed weaponry of the Gog-Magog War scattered upon the mountains/hills of the Middle East (most, apparently in either Syria or certainly Israel proper) - and, although you have rightly advised that (1) the 7-year time frame for collecting and burning this weaponry somehow used as fuel (Ezekiel 39:9-10) appears to be extended into the 1,290th day (Daniel 12:11) and possibly the 1,335th day (Daniel 12:12). Likewise you have surmised that collecting this debris and using a good deal of it for fuel in the midst of at least “Jacob's Trouble” (Daniel 12:1) would be a bit frightful and somewhat difficult for the Jews presently living there - then what are we to do with this seemingly incongruous affair (i.e., the Gog-Magog War) which conflict apparently occurs after the signing of the Treaty of Hell and Death (Daniel 9:27; Isaiah 28:15, 18)—the compact which initiates the Seventieth Week of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:27)?

Also, be it abundantly clear from the commencement of our discussions - there are clearly delineated throughout the Biblical texts of prophetic import THREE distinct conflicts – with a possible on-going “Campaign of Armageddon” which persists from the defeat of Gog-Magog until the “desolations” are ended and “the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot” has concluded (Daniel 12:11; 8:13-14).

(1) The WAR - The Arab-Israel Conflict - culminating in the ORACLE OF DAMASCUS or BURDEN OF DAMASCUS which occurs prior to the 70th Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:26).

(2) The GOG-MAG WAR - Which occurs relatively soon or perhaps immediately after the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel which commences as a result of the "Treaty of Hell and Death" between "the many" of Israel and the Antichrist or the “prince who is to come.” (Daniel 9:27; Ezekiel 38:1 through Ezekiel 39:16)

(3) The FINAL CONFLICT - The Battle of Armageddon - Ezekiel 39:17-20; Revelation 16:12-16 - the Sixth bowl, as well as Revelation 9:13-21 at the “overlapping” time frame of the Sixth Trumpet; culminating in the Second Coming of Christ on the 1,290th Day of Daniel 12:11 and confirmed by both Revelation 11:15-19 and the blowing of the 7th Trumpet which persists from the 1,260th day throughout the entire 30-days of Dan. 12:11 until the 1,290th day when Christ returns in glory--Revelation 19:11-21 and confirmed by Ezekiel 39:17-20.

Before I commence with the writing of John Walvoord on this subject - it behooves us to review the FACT that it is imperative that Israel be in the land in “unwalled villages” - these are NOT simply kibbutzim as some in vain would so distort the Scripture’s intent - it is precisely, I believe, in reference to the current WALL surrounding Israel's “uncontested lands” in order to protect her against terrorism (and, at best, as the knowledgeable Arnold Fruchtenbaum suggests, Israel is lulled into a sense of false confidence that their peace is secured—which, may or may not necessitate the tearing down of the current wall) - likewise, she must be “dwelling in peace” - that “peace” is ill-conceived without the completion of THE WAR as mentioned in Daniel 9:26 – “end of the war.” That WAR is, I believe, the Oracle or Burden of Damascus of both Zechariah 9 and Isaiah 17.

Israel is dwelling in a relatively PEACEFUL environment (Ezekiel 38:11). Her “peace process/period” occurs from the conclusion of “the war” until the signing of the “Treaty of Death and Hell” (the infamous treaty with Antichrist—Daniel 9:27; Isaiah 28:15, 18). By the time—and we are not told how long a time shall transpire between the end of the war (i.e., the Oracle of Damascus) and the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel (i.e., the Treaty of Death and Hell), wherein the wall will come down (a false confidence shall pervade National Israel)—she shall be dwelling in “unwalled villages.”

It will be my thesis, based upon the Biblical chronology found in these prophetic books of Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah (as well as Isaiah), that the Gog-Magog War occurs at the immediate enforcement of the Treaty of Death and Hell by Antichrist and extends throughout a 40-day period of “testing” – likewise, this conflict and the build up to this invasion by the King of the North and the King of the South, wherein Israel is the subject of their convergence in Ezekiel 38 and Antichrist is the subject of their antagonism in Daniel 11:40-43, is the false “Messianic trigger” which convinces “the many” of National Israel (i.e., her majority—Daniel 9:27a), that only the West (i.e., the Antichrist) can save them—this will in fact be the unveiling of the White Horse (Antichrist) of Revelation 6:1-2 and the breaking of the First Seal, as well as the commencement of the Gog-Magog War of both Ezekiel 38:1-39:16.

JOHN WALVOORD’S CONCLUSIONS AND AMBIGUOUS WARS

I commence with the reading of John Walvoord's resolution to the enigma:

(From P. 197 of his text: Prophecy Knowledge Handbook - Prophecy in Ezekiel) -

"The figure of seven years introduces some problems as it affects the location of this war in the end-time events because it pictures Israel at peace and in safety (38:8; 39:6) (My Note: Precisely - as a result of the Oracle of Damascus (Zechariah 9, Isaiah 17-18) and subsequent SEVEN-YEAR DEFENSE-PEACE-PACT of Antichrist!). The burning of the fuel is not a prophetic event but only a statement of the amount of debris (Editor’s Note: I do not delimit the seven-year (Ezekiel 39:9) clean up void of prophetic fulfillment—indeed, it very well appears as Israel’s ability to survive the time of “Jacob’s Trouble” and is perhaps a divine provision.). A number of expositors have located this war in the first half of the last seven years leading up to the Second Coming (My Note: As have we!).

“The first half of the seven years will be a period of peace because of the covenant entered into between Israel and the Gentile ruler of that period (Dan. 9:27) (My Note: Precisely – and leading to my conclusion that this “peace” is only disturbed at the commencement of the 70th Week for a very brief period of time—see my analysis later on.). The problem of the fuel lasting seven years, however, is not a real prophetic problem because EVEN AFTER THE LORD RETURNS THEY WILL STILL NEED FUEL FOR FIRES IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM AS LIFE GOES ON (My Emphasis—although the burning of this fuel does NOT, I believe, extend into the Millennial Age; the chronologies do not merit it.). Accordingly, the seven-year figure should not be considered an obstacle to placing the war somewhere in the middle of the last seven years.” (Walvoord, Daniel – The Key to Prophetic Revelation, Chapter 11, Moody Press)

We have placed the Gog-Magog War, indeed, within the 70th Week – but more so at the commencement of the 70th Week, in that the commencement of Israel’s sacerdotal rites demand such a peace be toward the beginning of the first half of the 70th Week (making allowance for both the period of the sacerdotal rites inaugurated by the Re-dedication of the Temple on the 250th Day of the Week (1,010 days) and the “trampling of the host” for 1,290 days for a total of 2,300 days (Daniel 8:11-14) ; and before the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION after 1,010 days of “the sacrifice, for a total of 1,260 days: i.e., 40 days of the Gog-Magog War + 210 days of the 7-months of cleansing the land of the dead bodies (Ezekiel 39:11-16) + 1,010 days of the sacerdotal rites = 1,260 days (the 3.5 years or first half of Daniel’s 70th Week).

The “dead bodies” take 7 months to clean up - Ezekiel 39:11-16 - and MAY indicate that AFTER these bodies are so “cleansed from the land” AND after the Temple Mount area is likewise CLEANSED - then there will be from the time (which I calculate will be on the FEAST OF DEDICATION - FEAST OF HANUKKAH (December) precisely 1,010 days PRIOR to the actual ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (the midst of Daniel’s 70th Week) and an additional 1,290 days beyond this mid-point (Daniel 9:27) in which DESOLATIONS WILL CONTINUE (Daniel 12:11) until the actual coming of Christ to the earth (after the Church has been raptured on the 1,260th day (Revelation 11:11-12; 14:14-16; 18:4; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; I Cor. 15:51-52; Daniel 12:2a) and then the 30 days of the Wrath of the Lamb—Daniel 12:11; Revelation 11:15-19; 14:17-20; 15 (all); 16:17-21; 19:11-21) and then the final 35 days (after Messiah miraculous intervention and deliverance—Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27) wherein there will be: (1) the Judgment of the Nations by Messiah (Matthew 25:31-34); and (2) the repentance of National Israel (their “blessedness” and full restoration—Daniel 12:12; Zechariah 12:10-14; Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 13:34-35; Psalm 118:25-28), prior to the Millennial Rule and Reign of the Son of David upon the earth (Ezekiel 39:21-29; Revelation 20:1-6).

I think we can gather from this information from Dr. Walvoord a most simplistic resolution to our insurmountable problem? Of course - now, however, I am greatly intrigued by these calculations in that the issue of “CLEANSING” of the dead bodies of this conflict COULD be directly connected to the inauguration of the sacerdotal rites 250 days into the first half of the 70th Week of Daniel.

If, in point of possible fact, it takes seven months to “cleanse the land” - and perhaps prepare the Temple Mount (Note: Temple Cleansing/Construction could actually take place “informally” prior to the signing of the seven-year pact by Antichrist with Israel, which obviously will FORMALIZE the arrangement of the building of the sanctuary) - it is, therefore, noteworthy to calculate, by using the 30-month prophetic calendar used in these matters (e.g., 1,260 days ./. 30-days = 3.5 years) we have the following: 7 months = 210 days (7 months x 30-day prophetic month = 210 days) - therefore, we have the following POSSIBILITY in calculating the precise timing of the Gog-Magog War within the first half of Daniel's 70th Week:

The 250 Days (the precise starting time for the commencement of the sacerdotal rites which will last for 1,010 days to the midst of the 70th Week at the Abomination of Desolation) - This 250 days must be, because there are precisely 2,300 days from: (1) the daily sacrifices; and (2) the transgression of desolation; and (3) the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot - in other words the 2,300-day calculation commences from the initiation of the sacerdotal rites until the end of the desolation--PRECISELY 2,300 days in fulfillment of BOTH Daniel 8:13-14 and of Daniel 12:11.

Now, knowing that there will be a time frame of seven months or 210 days to cleanse the land of these dead bodies (and perhaps the Temple Mount area as well prior to the Feast of Hanukkah and the 1,010 days of sacrifice until the Abomination of Desolation - we are ADVISED TO CONCLUDE that QUITE POSSIBLY from the time the Treaty is enforced upon “the many” until the commencement and/or finality of the Gog/Magog War there will be precisely 40 days—40 days of TESTING.

I arrive at this figure as follows: 250 - 210 = 40 days (i.e., the 40-days wherein the Gog-Magog War would transpire—this will be a period of great testing.

Thence, this FIGURE OF TESTING (for “40” is the figure in biblical numerology for testing - 40 days and 40 nights the flood - 40 years in the wilderness – Jesus was tested 40 days in the wilderness of Judea—Matthew 4:14; Luke 4:1, etc.) would be FIGURATIVELY appropriate for testing/judgment upon Gog/Magog from the Treaty of Death and Hell until the judgment of Gog-Magog!

Then after these 40 days - and who is to know if the Gog-Magog conflict is either a one-day affair or throughout the entire 40-day period from the signing of the treaty (which conflict could possibly PRECIPITATE the conflict itself) - its conclusion, however, by the 40th day of the 70th Week of Daniel would be appropriate in that there would have to be these 7-months to “cleanse the land” of the dead bodies, etc. - the fuel issue is non sequitur.

In point of glaring fact – Antichrist’s designs to save Israel - to be her protector - could easily and more appropriately find its justification as a result of an immense military buildup against Israel - the TRIGGER for the commencement of the Gog-Magog War via ACTUAL MILITARY ENGAGEMENT would be the same day that the treaty is concluded!

This 40-day period of judgment and the subsequent 7-month or 210-days of “cleansing the land” (Ezekiel 39:9) brings us clearly to the 250th day + 2,300 days (days of both the sanctuary’s sacerdotal rites (1,010 days) and the days from the Abomination of Desolation until their conclusion on the 1,290th day or 1,010 + 1,290 = 2,300 days). I've covered much of these time frames/chronologies in my text: ISRAEL'S TEMPLE SACRIFICE AND THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION.

However, I am “delightfully convinced” that these new chronological discoveries are most amazing in that they also hold within them the significance of biblical numerology as well.

If indeed, we consider, as well, that seven years are utilized for FUEL and general cleaning up of the debris - and that such purging of the land in this manner would commence at the same time that the dead bodies are purged from the land - then, there is a new calculation which comes into play!

That calculation - though apparently “miscellaneous” at this juncture of “discovery” – may ultimately be quite profound - the Bible does not throw out such calculations at random!

When would this seven-year time frame commence for FUEL? It would begin at the same time the dead bodies begin to be purged from the land or on the 40th day of the 70th Week of Daniel and extend throughout the 70th Week of Daniel into the 10th Day of the 45 days during which there is the Judgment of the Nations and Israel's recognition and acceptance of Messiah (10-days after His return or 10 days beyond the 1,290th day) - leaving an additional 30 days prior to the commencement and re-dedication of the Temple and the Messianic Era. Thus, there is absolutely no problem of “millenarian interference” of this FUEL issue for it would conclude before the time of the commencement of the Millenarian period of the 1,000-year rule and reign of the Son of David on the earth and Israel wholly fulfilled in her prophetic panoply of promises.

I do not find it incompatible for “survival” for the Jews during the time of “Jacob’s Trouble” to find a somewhat miraculous provision of fuel “here and there” in order to sustain the believing remnant as well as those of Abraham’s seed to prophetically fulfill their reception of Messiah!

There are a multitude of chronological possibilities set in the backdrop of these 40 days prior to the seven-month clean up of the “corpses” – “corpses” which the Jews are wont to immediately dispense with according to their traditions; however, the “multitude” of “bodies” appears staggering - therefore, seven-months of purging is not out of the question.

The seven-years of FUEL commencing at the time of the CLEANSING of the dead bodies brings us within the special 45-days of Messiah’s judgment of the nations (Daniel 12:12 and the “sheep and goat nations” - Matthew 25:31-34) and Israel's repentance/recognition (Zechariah 12:10-14) - which I call the UNVEILING OF THE SON OF MAN akin to Joseph's unveiling of himself to his brethren in Egypt.

In summation - I am growingly convinced that the Gog-Magog War will be:

(1) Precipitated and/or commenced at the signing of the Treaty of Hell and Death -

(2) “Officially terminate” within the 40-days from the commencement of that enforcement/treaty - allowing there to be seven-months (Ezekiel 39:11-16) in which the bodies are purged from the land from that conflict in preparation of the 250th day and the official commencement of the sacerdotal rites which, if PASSOVER marks the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel/The Treaty of Death and Hell - and, in accordance with the Jewish calendar the only 250-day time frame from Passover Feast Day until another significant Feast Day, would place the dedication on HANUKKAH (approximately April until December - PRECISELY 250 days on the Jewish Calendar) - allowing for the traditional RE-DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE day - as well as the precise 2,300 days of BOTH the sacerdotal rites so commenced and the end of desolations on the 1,290th day in fulfillment of Daniel 8:13-14 and Daniel 12:11 - as well as in keeping with the overwhelming confirmations scattered throughout Daniel chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 dealing with the sanctuary, sacrifice, desolations/abominations, etc. - my articles entitled: Jesus Christ Does the Work of Antichrist - A Perfectly Timed Heresy Says Who? and Israel's Prophetic Witness - 'To Finish the Transgression...and to Anoint the Most Holy.

I hope I have not bored you to tears - I appear somewhat enthralled over these chronological, prophetic precisions only in that they substantiate the divine inspiration of the text and confirm that knowledge of God’s prophetic purposes shall increase and become great in the end of days (Daniel 12:4 - Amplified Version).

We now must turn our attention more specifically to the Oracle of Damascus and, specifically, to the “cities of Aroer” – then onward to the Ships of Tarshish, toward which we originally committed our discussion at the beginning of Part VIII of the “Rise or Fall.”

PART IX

(Rise or Fall of American Empire)

Yes, R., IRON SHARPENS IRON - what happened here was Pastor D.S.’s challenge which sent me searching and then presto - my math background came into play – I’ve been examining these Scriptures on the Oracle of Damascus (Isaiah 17-18; Zechariah 9) and just WHY the Lord placed them in this text and how it might blend into Ezekiel concerning the Gog-Magog War.

We must realize that Ezekiel is written going into Babylonian Captivity (“Daniel and his people”—Daniel 9:24); Daniel is written in Captivity (having known Ezekiel and his writings, I am sure) and then Zechariah is written coming out of Captivity - having BOTH Ezekiel and Daniel as backdrops - these three prophetic texts are clearly the most significant prophetic texts regarding the GENTILE WORLD juxtaposed to Israel, both then and into the prophetic future.

The Almighty purposefully set Israel into this equation for a foremost purpose and understanding of heavenly and earthly realities—especially, those related to Gentile World Powers; all of which (these three texts) DOMINATE THE BOOK OF REVELATION - i.e., more direct quotes, allusions, symbolism and references to things prophetic are taken from these three prophetic books than from any other prophetic texts in the Scripture, and inserted throughout the book of the Revelation.

THE CITIES OF AROER – THE ORACLE OF DAMASCUS

And, yes, I’m getting - in light of these findings - a SCRIPT (for multi-video use/charts) together as we had discussed. I have thought about the “Cities of Aroer” - it was a part of the old Syrian territory (the Kingdom of Aram Damascus), along the River Jabbok in the VALLEY OF AROER. It is not, I affirm, connected to the Aroer of modern-day Jordan, which was an Amorite city on the river Arnon due east of the middle of today's Dead Sea (in modern Jordan).

The Cities of Aroer in the VALLEY OF AROER are clearly located in Syria (ancient) as well as in today’s modern Syria where the River Yarmuk flows into the River Jordan just a bit to the south and east of the Sea of Galilee. This area constitutes today’s Southern boundary of the so-called Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights as well as the boundary between Syria and Jordan; therefore, we are altogether safe to say that Hamath is considered in northern Syria (juxtaposed to Damascus) and that the Cities of Aroer in the Valley of Aroer are the southern most portions of Syria and ipso facto: ALL LOCATED IN SYRIA!

The map on this site (please link here) gives the Syro-Jordanian border along the River Yarmuk with the modern cities of Irbid in Jordan and Dar’a in modern-day Syria. The dotted lines are the current cease-fire UN zone separating Israel and the Golan Heights to the left-facing; and Syria to the right-facing.

The map to my right also gives the location of the Yarmuk River as the southern boundary of modern-day Syria, which is, once again, Biblically astounding in that Isaiah 17:2 mentions “the cities of Aroer are forsaken” right after it states: “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1). It was the Tribe of Gad which built the city of Aroer: “And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer” (Numbers 32:34)

The Yarmuk River is a major tributary of the Jordan River (see The Jordan Valley). Their junction is located on the east side of the Jordan, about 4 miles / 6 kilometers south of The Sea Of Galilee. Although not mentioned specifically by name in The Bible, in Bible History the Yarmuk River was located within the assigned territory of the eastern half of the tribe of Manasseh (see Tribal Lands and Bible Places – but also a portion of the Tribe of Gad who built the aforementioned cities in this area extended to and over the River Yarmuk). Today, it serves as part of the border between Syria, to the north, and the Kingdom of Jordan, to the south. The last 14 miles / 22 kilometers of the Yarmuk came under Israeli control during the Six-Day War in June 1967.

The Yarmuk River is only about 20 miles / 32 kilometers in a direct line from beginning to end, but because of its very winding course, the river itself measures nearly 50 miles / 80 kilometers over its steep descent - 180 feet / 55 meters above sea level at the start to 830 feet / 250 meters below sea level at the Jordan.

Wesley's Notes clearly demarcate this Aroer as pertaining to Syria:

“Isaiah 17:2 Aroer - Of that part of Syria, called Aroer, from a great city of that name. These cities were possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites, whom Tiglath-pilneser carried into captivity, 1Chron 5:26. These he mentions here, as he doth Ephraim in the next verse, because they were confederate with Syria against Judah. Afraid - Because the land shall be desolate, and destitute of men who might disturb them.”

That said - these “cities of Aroer” could also mean those lands in Jordan proper in that the Jabbok River in Central Jordan (near Amman) flows into the Jordan River at this point . . . while Aroer is here mentioned as well—but it is doubtful that this is the same Aroer of Isaiah 17:2.

The cities of Aroer which are mentioned in Isaiah 17:2 are located inside Jordan just to the south of the capital city of Jordan, the city Amman.

If perchance this is the Aroer to which Isaiah 17:2 refers (although I am inclined to embrace the “Syrian-connection” in that Damascus is initially mentioned in Isaiah 17:1), then modern-day Jordan would be considered as one of the belligerents in the Oracle of Damascus – along with, of course,
modern-day Syria (Isaiah 17:1); the “West Bank” and/or Palestinian Authority (Isaiah 17:3 – “The fortress also will cease from Ephraim” – Ramallah); and – at the commencement of the “Messianic Scenario” found in Zechariah 9 – which extends until the final chapter of Zechariah 14 – Tyre and Sidon (Zechariah 9:2-4 – modern-day Lebanon); also Gaza (Zechariah 9:5-6).

As some have conjectured: “For this reason Jordan, in spite of the peace treaty of broad nature which it recently made with Israel (1994), supports Syria in the case of war and gets defeated along with Syria as Isaiah 17:2 states “The cities of Aroer are forsaken....”

This very definitely can be the case - and, in any event, in “ancient Israel” these lands could have meant BOTH those of immediate Jordan or northern Jordan’s border area in the VALLEY OF AROER along the Yarmuk River valley.

Again, however, I tend to affirm that these “Cities of Aroer” are those along the Yarmuk River valley basin or the border area between Syria and Jordan. Aroer of the Tribe of Reuben and due east of the Dead Sea near the River Arnon is an unlikely candidate in that the Tribe of Gad built Ataroth/Ashtoreth along the Yarmuk River; however, Gad also built Dibon (Numbers 32:34) which is next to Aroer near the Arnon River of Jordan proper.

If indeed this Aroer is in modern-day Jordan - then the CIRCLE WOULD BE COMPLETE insofar as Israel’s foes in the Oracle of Damascus which now surround her and would NOT conflict with the Daniel 11:40-45 scenario of what I believe to be the Gog-Magog War (this conflict follows the Oracle of Damascus – and, as I have pointed out, “Edom and Moab . . . shall escape from his (Antichrist’s) hand” (Daniel 11:41).

Let me be perfectly clear - the lands of south-western Jordan, along the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, are INITIALLY (so it might appear—although I favor their total disengagement in that Isaiah 17:1-2 amalgamates Damascus with the “cities of Aroer”) aligned against Israel in the Oracle of Damascus; but in the Gog-Magog War they are clearly not in the cross-hairs of Antichrist; for a reason they have been either neutralized and/or they are solidly within the Arabic underbelly with Sheba and Dedan (Ezekiel 38:13—“Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you (Gog), Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”)—these are the ancient nations of the Saudi Arabia Peninsula who are aligned with the “merchants of Tarshish” which is clearly the West.

IDENTIFYING THE GOG-MAGOG CONFLICT

In Daniel 11:40-45 the King of the south and the King of the North have “come up against him” (i.e., Antichrist) but he will defeat this constellation of Islamic nations to Israel’s North and South – “but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon” (Dan. 11:40-41) – Note: All these ancient designations are in modern-day Jordan.

Of prominent interest here and confirmed by Robert D. Culver in his text: DANIEL AND THE LATTER DAYS - the battle in Dan. 11:40-45 bespeaks of the Gog-Magog War – with the focus upon Antichrist; whereas in Ezekiel 38-39 the focus of the Gog-Magog War is upon Israel. Daniel 11:40-45 matches those texts found in Ezekiel 38:1 - 39:16 (only - not those of Ezk. 39:17-20 which depict the final Battle of Armageddon - whereas the Gog-Magog War occurs at the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel’s prophecy (as our previous correspondence describes) - the Battle of Armageddon occurs at the terminus of the 1,290th Day just prior to the Second Coming of Messiah/Christ, thirty days beyond the end of the 70th Week of Daniel.

I quote Culver’s seminal work to substantiate that this war involves the presence of Antichrist. The text was done in 1954 (Culver, at the time was with Trinity Seminary in the Chicago area). His text “touches” upon those nations which escape the hand of Antichrist during the Gog-Magog War and moves into Antichrist’s establishment of his “pavilion” in Israel proper – perhaps as an “initial guarantee” of her peace, the rebuilding of the Temple, and then turning on her in the midst of Daniel’s 70th Week. Although Culver does not specifically focus his efforts upon the Gog-Magog conflict, he does illuminate the literal nature of Antichrist and of those nations mentioned in Daniel 11:40-45 and elsewhere in the chapter – all this occurring in the “Latter Days.” (Note: We have extensively covered this in Chapter 21 of the Gog-Magog Scenario.)

“In pursuance of this contention I present a brief of the evidence that the prophecy concerning the willful king in Daniel 11:36-45 is an eschatological prediction relating to the career of the final Antichrist . . . . There is nothing known in history which corresponds to the prediction of Daniel 11:36-45. Evidence of this is the utter confusion in the commentaries of those who insist that Antiochus (IV) is the chief figure down to the end of the chapter (Daniel 11) . . . . This predictive section corresponds so precisely with other unquestionable predictions of antichrist that the identity of the reference can hardly be doubted . . . . the behavior of the ‘little horn’ of chapter seven (Daniel), the ‘man of sin’ of II Thessalonians, and of ‘the beast’ of Revelation 13 is so strikingly similar that on this basis of correspondence alone a strong case could be built . . . . Neither is there any evidence that the other nations (Egypt, Ammon, Moab, Edom, Libya, Cush/Sudan) in the chapter (Daniel 11:41-43) are symbolical only (i.e., they are literal and occur at the “time of the end”).

“The conflict of Antichrist with Israel (Daniel 11:41, 45) – The passages involved are now presented, as follows:

‘He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the Children of Ammon . . . . And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him’ (Daniel 11:41, 45, A.S.V.).

“Premillennialists have a reasonable explanation of this passage. The passage means literally what it says. He (Antichrist) shall seek to destroy Israel in his own glorious land’ (Palestine) and to obliterate the then revived worship of Israel in the land. This is the most obvious explanation of the statements that ‘he shall enter also into the glorious land,’ and that ‘he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain.’ Most commentators of all schools admit that this is, indeed, the literal meaning. We further believe that the prophecy, ‘he shall come to his end, and none shall help him,’ is fully explained in a literal fashion by Paul (II Thess 2:2 ff.) and by John (Rev. 19:11 ff.). This interpretation accepts the doctrines of a final Antichrist, of a restoration of Israel to the land in the latter part of this age, and of a millennium during which Israel is blessed to follow this age.” (Robert D. Culver, Daniel and the Latter Days, Chapter 5).

We are not talking here of the IMMEDIATE turning against Israel by Antichrist – for his “entering the Glorious Land” and the planting of “the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain” (Daniel 11:45) will occur during the first half of the 70th Week; however, it is precisely at the Abomination of Desolation that we clearly know that he will commence his desolations and Jacob’s trouble will initiate.

JOHN WALVOORD’S CONCLUSIONS:

Dr. John Walvoord, late president of Dallas Theological Seminary, clearly sets forth the focus of the battle in Daniel 11:40-45 is Antichrist. He identifies this conflict as subsequent to Gog-Magog and designates it “The Final World War” which erupts (but not as necessarily as Armageddon) . . . this enables Walvoord the eschatological luxury to place Armageddon (which clearly takes place during the time frame between the 1,260th day and the 1,290th day – the latter half of Daniel’s 70th Week and immediately prior to the Second Coming of Christ) somewhere beyond the mid-point of the 70th Week.

However, this conflict which Walvoord calls a “World War” is clearly within the “Gog-Magog” matrix and comes, as we have indicated, during the first 40-days of the 70th Week of Daniel—allowing for a 210-day (7 months) “cleansing of the land” of the dead bodies, bringing us to the 250th day at the commencement of the sacerdotal rites and then an additional 2,300 days (Daniel 8:13-14) leading us to the 1,290th day of the second half of the 70th Week (i.e., 30-days beyond the 1,260 days of the latter half—Daniel 12:11) and has everything to do with the constellation of antagonists facing Antichrist which both correspond and expand upon those belligerents found in Ezekiel 38; nothing is in conflict on these national designations – they compliment each other (i.e., Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11:40-45).

Walvoord . . .

“The time of the end introduced in verse 35 is again mentioned in the opening portion of verse 40 to make clear that the military struggle here is that which will characterize the end of the age. The general nature and location of the warfare is also specified. The king mentioned in 11:36-39 is now attacked by ‘king of the south’ and ‘the king of the north.’ Earlier in this chapter, the king of the south is uniformly Egypt and refers to the warfare of the third and second centuries B.C. which has already been fulfilled. Here the king of the south is clearly the leader of a political and military force that comes from the south of the Holy Land, but the probability is that it involves much more than only Egypt and can be identified as the African army. There is no mention whatever of such campaigns in the Maccabean books or by Livy, Polybius, and Appian. No such warfare is described in history.

“The king of the north, identified as Syria in the prophecies fulfilled in the second and third centuries B.C., is obviously more than the small territory possessed by Syria at that time and probably includes all the political and military force of the lands to the north of the Holy Land; hence the term could include Russia as well as related countries.” (Walvoord, Daniel – the Key to Prophetic Revelation, Chapter 11)

Although Walvoord says the nations under the “King of the North” could include Russia, he is not adamant about it; however, he goes into greater detail as to those nations which are affiliated:

“A natural question is the relation of this struggle to the battle described in Ezekiel 38-39, where a great military force coming from the north attacks the land of Israel. The context in Ezekiel describes the time as a period of peace for Israel (Ezekiel 38:8, 11, 14), which probably is best identified as the first half of Daniel’s seventieth week when Israel is in covenant relationship with the Roman ruler and protected from attack. This period of peace is broken at the midpoint of the seventieth week when the Roman ruler becomes a world ruler, and the great tribulation begins with its persecution of Israel. (My Note: We concur – the first half of Daniel’s seventieth week is ostensibly a time of peace – for the building of the temple, its cleansing and the reinstitution of the sacerdotal rites, all demand peace; however, PRIOR to that peace, and as a result of the Gog-Magog War at the commencement of the seventieth week (40 days) and the simultaneous signing of the Treaty of Death and Hell, there will be this brief time of turmoil in the land of Israel.)

“The chronology of Daniel 11:36-39 refers to the period of world rule, and, therefore, is later than Ezekiel 38 and 39 (My note: A careful reading of Daniel 11:36-39 does NOT demand it precede Ezekiel 38 and 39; it simple identifies the rise of Antichrist and his characteristics.). Hence, it may be concluded that the battle described here, beginning with verse 40, is a later development, possibly several years later than the battle described in Ezekiel. (My note: Of course, here we do not concur with Walvoord.) If a Russian force is involved in the phrase, “the king of the north,” it would indicate that, in the period between the two battles, Russia is able to reassemble an army and once again participate in a military way in this great war. In any event, this battle is quite different from that of Ezekiel as, according to the Ezekiel prediction, the invader comes only from the north, whereas in this portion, the Holy Land is invaded both from the north and south, and later from the east.” (Ibid.)

(My note: Russia would have been exhausted by the Gog-Magog War if she were engaged; therefore, aside, perhaps, advisers, she is simply not included in the constellation of nations in the Gog-Magog War – but she very well could be engaged in “news from the east and the north shall trouble him.” No, this battle is NOT quite different from Ezekiel. Also, the invader in Ezekiel comes not only from the north but ALSO from the south—just as in Daniel 11:40-43.)

“‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia (north), Ethiopia (modern-day Sudan from the south), Libya (south) are with them, all of them with shield and helmet.’” (Ezekiel 38:3-5).

Walvoord’s disregard for Sudan and Libya (ancient Cush and Put), which are clearly to the south of Israel, is puzzling and a blatant oversight. Daniel 11:40-43 simply adds Egypt as part of the constellation of nations to the south of Israel – thus, Sudan, Libya and Egypt (Daniel 11:42) are involved in Gog-Magog to the south. The “Libyans and the Ethiopians shall follow at his heels” are mentioned, and consequently repeated, in Daniel 11:43—confirming the association between these two portions of Scripture as the Gog-Magog War.

Notwithstanding Walvoord’s confusion regarding the timing of this conflict and of the association of these passages – he is clear that the Antichrist bears the antecedents of Daniel 11:40-45 . . . allowing the pincer movement and the pre-positioning of Antichrist’s forces in the Glorious Land to be the target of the attack.

“A major exegetical problem is the reference in verse 40 to ‘and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over,’ The question is whether ‘he’ refers to the king of the south, the king of the north, or the former world ruler who is defending his empire. In the light of the context which follows, it is preferable to take the ‘he’ as referring to the king of Daniel 11:36, the world ruler . . . . The identification of the subject of the action of verse 41 and following as the king of 11:36 seems to be most in keeping with the entire tenor of this passage which presents the last world ruler. Alternative suggestions have been made, which would greatly alter the meaning of this passage.” (Ibid.)

Walvoord’s additional insights are beclouded in the remainder of Daniel 11:40-45. There is, however, clarity regarding additional conflicts of the Willful King – after this “World War” launches, annihilating conflicts break out to the north and east – “But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many” (Daniel 11:44). Clearly, peace could be the initial and deceitful outcropping as a result of the Gog-Magog War; however, Antichrist will continue his exploits both to the east and west after he claims victory over his Islamic foes.

Again, as we have brought out in the past, Antichrist takes credit for the defeat of Gog-Magog (for he is a “house divided against itself”) and then assails his foes in the “north” (obviously Russia is NOT engaged in the Gog-Magog conflict for why would he hear of such rumors to the “north”) and the east contend with Antichrist.

THE MERCHANTS OR SHIPS OF TARSHISH

Our research on the Ancient Canaanite peoples (i.e., the 11 sons of Canaan juxtaposed to the 12 sons of Jacob - note the significance of these numbers in that the "11" in Bible numerology is connected with the 11th Horn of Daniel 7:8 (clearly the Antichrist in context) and/or Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus, making the number of the disciples 11. God’s complete number is 12; one less than 12 is 11. Therefore, we have the 12 Apostles, the 12 Patriarchs, and the 24 Elders of the Revelation - (2 sets of 12).

First of all, the word Canaan means merchant – that implicates our entire thesis! Therefore, the phrase, Land of Canaan, means land of the merchant(s).

Now, these people (the Canaanites) migrated throughout the Mediterranean Sea with their original base in Tyre (modern-day Lebanon) and with Jezebel (I Kings 16:31) they were clearly known as Canaanites but eventually they took on the Greek name: Phoenicians (Not Philistines) – although the name of Canaanite means “merchant” - the Phoenician name means purple to the Greeks due to their association of these people with the dye made from mollusks which were in abundance near Tyre and from whence a purple/reddish dye was extracted to make “purple garments” (i.e., the color of royalty).

These Canaanites under King Solomon became slaves in the Land of Israel (I Kings 9:20-21—“forced labor”); and, King Hiram, the King of Tyre (I Kings 9:11) who traded with Solomon . . .

“Hiram the king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress and gold, as much as he desired, (for) that King Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. Then Hiram went from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him but they did not please him. So he said, ‘What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul (meaning “GOOD FOR NOTHING”), as they are to this day” (I Kings 9:11-13). (Note: The Bible makes it clear that the King of Tyre is never satisfied with less, but that his own mouth condemns the nature of the King of Tyre.)

Israel’s commercial cooperation with King Hiram of Tyre were extensive enabling King Solomon to amass a fleet of ships crafted under the supervision and ultimate navigation of the Canaanites (see I Kings 9:26-28) – ships which became the “Red Sea Fleet” involved in trade throughout those regions of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula and Africa. No doubt the Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s exploits as a result of these joint commercial endeavors – thence the famous account of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (I Kings 10:1-13)

TOMMY ICE AND AMERICA IN BIBLE PROPHECY

Tommy Ice conjectures, then seriously diminishes any role that America will play a predominate role in the end-times . . . but his insights into the Ships of Tarshish almost, it appears, divorces him from what has become the dominate denial of far too many American eschatologists—and that is a hopeful sign.

“First, merchants of Tarshish refer to the Phoenician maritime and trading community located in Spain during the general time of King Solomon, 3,000 years ago. Second, the merchants of Tarshish, during the last 500 years, developed into the modern mercantile nations of Western Europe like Spain, Holland, and Britain. Third, the phrase “with all its villages” or the variant rendering “with all its young lions,” would be a reference to its trans-Atlantic colonies, which would include America. Thus, it is reasoned, because America is the most dominant of these Western nations, this must be a reference to America.

“This view is strongly espoused by Steuart McBirnie, who concluded:

‘In the light of such conclusive scholarship, coming to light most significantly at this time when the nations indicated by Ezekiel to be involved in a great Middle Eastern war, we can now say with definite assurance that the merchants of Tarshish and " the young lions (colonies) thereof" must include the Western nations of Europe and the Americans, particularly the United States.’[6]

“David Allen Lewis agrees:

‘So the young lions of Tarshish would definitely refer to the North American colonies as well as the European colonies, and hence bring the U. S. into this prophecy as one of the nations that will strongly protest the Russian invasion of Israel in the last days.’[7]

          The Merchants of Tarshish

“What does the phrase ‘the merchants of Tarshish’ mean? Tarshish appears to be a wealthy trading community on the extremity of the Mediterranean world. ‘Tarshish is ancient Tartessus in the present-day nation of Spain. This view is supported by standard Hebrew language reference books.[8] One work states:

‘We read often in the OT of ‘ships of Tarshish’ which were large, oceangoing vessels (Ezk. 27:25) that carried all sorts of precious cargo, especially metals such as silver and gold (I Kings 10:22; 22:48; II Chron. 9:21; Isa 60:9; Jer 10:9; Ezk 38:13) as well as iron, tin, and lead (Ezk 27:12).[9]

“Harvard Professor, Barry Fell, has done extensive study on these matters and their relation to activities in pre-Columbus America. Dr. Fell says:

‘From the Bible we learn that the ships of Tarshish were the largest seagoing vessels known to the Semitic world, and the name was eventually applied to any large ocean-going vessel. . . . The ships of Tarshish became proverbial as an expression of sea power. . . .

‘. . . It is not unlikely that the merchants of Tarshish may have been associated with the trans-Atlantic migration of the Celts who came to America. Indeed James Whittall, with whom I have discussed the decipherment of Tartessian inscriptions here in America, thinks that the American Celts were deliberately brought here by Phoenicians, who wanted mining communities to exploit American natural resources, and with whom they could then trade. If this hypothesis is correct, then Tartessian vessels would surely have played a major role in the Celtic migration to New England.’[10]

“There does appear to be a significant basis to support the notion that the merchants of Tarshish are connected with the seafaring Phoenicians of 3,000 years ago. These merchants naturally established trading posts scattered along their various routes. Dr. McBirnie may well be right when he concludes:

‘Only in the past half-dozen years has much light been thrown on the historic location of ancient Tarshish. Books and articles in learned archaeological journals written before that time now seem to have rather limited value. In some instances, they are more confusing than helpful, despite the prestige of their authors. The reasons for certainty of identification are found in recent archaeological discoveries which confirm that ancient authorities were right all along in their identification of Tarshish as a Western European colonizing power based in Spain.’[11]

Ice appears to substantiate America’s role by presenting further evidence from well-known Premillenarians adroit on the subject:

The other important phrase in this passage refers to the ‘villages’ or ‘young lions’ of Tarshish. First, is the Hebrew word kepire best translated into English as ‘villages’ or ‘young lions?’ There is no question that the Hebrew text favors a rendering of ‘young lions.’ [12] Some English translators were apparently influenced by early Greek and Syriac translations of the Hebrew which support the reading of ‘villages.’ However, the original Hebrew is authoritative, not a translation, regardless of the age of other translations.

Young lions are often used as figures of energetic rulers. Such would most likely be the case if this translation were used in this text. ‘Villages’ would certainly make sense in the geographical context of Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish. Either rendering would fit. Again, perhaps it would be best to remain with the MT [Hebrew Masoretic Text] (a somewhat harder rendering, though sensible).[13]

“Mark Hitchcock says, ‘‘Young lions’ are often used in the Scripture to refer to energetic rulers. Therefore, the young lions who verbally oppose God’s invasion are strong military and political leaders who act with Tarshish.’ [14]

“Although young lion is to be preferred, whether it is the villages that are protesting or their leaders—young lions—the point is the same. Dr. McBirnie summarizes the significance of this interpretation:

‘‘Young lions’ is, in the Hebrew, ‘whelps’ or ‘cubs’; obviously offspring or colonies. The ‘Merchants of Tarshish’ were definitely colonizers. This is the plain and logical meaning of the phrase Ezekiel used.

‘After all, what else could he say if the mysterious vision was for a future time? He must perforce have used the terms and names of his own day. He probably did not understand the full implication of what he wrote. But he surely would say that, long after his time, a new confederacy of power would arise from the Western Atlantic nations, whose armies, riches and power might also provide the means of a future role in the reservation of Israel.’[15]

ICE’S FINAL DIMINUTION OF AMERICA IN BIBLE PROPHECY

Alas! Once again, we are left to drift and bereft in the sea of prophetic ambiguity on the part of America’s prophetic pundits . . .

“I believe that if America is referenced in Bible prophecy, this passage is the best bet. However, this passage could include the entire Western Hemisphere. This does not mean that America will have become an insignificant nation during the tribulation. That may be true, but it also could be that she is somehow part of the Revived Roman Empire of the Antichrist, since our country originated as colony established by Europe. In spite of the apparent biblical silence on this subject (my emphasis), it does not mean that America’s role in end-time prophecy is not clear, for it is very clear. The United States will be included in the prophetic destiny of the Gentile nations. In the meantime, believers are to be about the work of preaching the gospel, living a godly life, and looking for the blessed hope and appearing of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Maranatha!” (Tom Ice, Is America in Bible Prophecy, Pre-Trib Research Center)

CANAANITE – PHOENICIAN – PUNIC – IBERIAN – AMERICA

But the Phoenicians eventually transversed the Mediterranean to extend their commercial empire through colonization - a multitude of cities sprang up, especially in Northern Africa near modern-day Tunisia, and eventually heavily colonized the silver mines of what is now modern-day Spain along the southern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula.

They became known as the Punic people by the Latin/Romans and it was the famous Hannibal who assaulted (nigh 16 years—and never lost a battle) early Rome in the 200’s B.C. and nigh decapitated their possibilities; however, he eventually fled back to mother Tyre and from there to modern Turkey where he committed suicide - having been chased there by Scipio Africanus.

Now of primary attention here - in that the Punic Peoples/Phoenicians settled in modern-day Spain along the Tarshish basin and thence the name—ships of Tarshish—is much more accurate than the area where we hear of “Paul of Tarsus”—therefore, the “ships of Tarshish” are far more connected to modern-day Spain than to modern-day Turkey - the WEST. The Prophet Jonah’s Tarshish was as far removed from Nineveh as he could find! (Jonah 1:3)

Now - the BREAKTHROUGH I have discovered - not just from the fact that these 200’+ long boats transversed the horn of Africa - perhaps extending into the Philippine and Indonesia archipelago - as well as evidence that their excursions (according to National Geographic) appear to have extended to Brazil’s coastline, and especially, due to numerous Phoenician script discoveries in North America--especially the USA—had, most probably up through 200 B.C. an extensive “trading empire” in those lands beyond the Pillars of Hercules near the Straits of Gibraltar.

All this to say - I find it altogether fascinating that the first explorers of the New World hailed from the IBERIAN PENINSULA! Columbus and all the earliest sea-faring peoples came from the same lands as those of the ancient Punic/Phoenician peoples! I believe that this bears MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE in the identification of the “Ships of Tarshish” and why no one has put this together up to this time evades me! The British, French, Dutch came much after and did not consider serious colonization for years after the Spaniards and Portuguese had made their mark in the New World.

More recent discoveries appears to confirm the location of Tarshish . . .

"Recent archaeological work suggests that Tartessos included a number of small proto-urban settlements largely dependent on agricultural and mineral (particularly silver) exploitation. This is probably what attracted the Phoenicians and formed the basis of Tartessian wealth.

“Exactly when the Phoenicians arrived remains in question. According to ancient sources, such as Strabo (c. 60 B.C.–21 A.D.) and Pliny (23–79 A.D.), they arrived in the late 12th century B.C. and laid the foundations of sites such as Cadiz (Gadir) and Utica. But archaeological excavations at these sites have not uncovered remains earlier than the eighth century B.C.b The first-century B.C. historian Diodorus Siculus (Diodorus of Sicily) writes that the Phoenicians arrived on the peninsula while searching for silver but only settled there much later (Library of History 5.35.1–5, 5.20.1–2).

“Some scholars identify biblical Tarshish with Iberian Tartessos. The prophet Isaiah, who lived in the latter part of the eighth century B.C., may refer to the Phoenicians’ sailing to the Iberian Peninsula and reaching Tartessos/Tarshish:

“The Lord poised his arm over the sea and made kingdoms quake; it was he decreed destruction for Phoenicia’s strongholds …Howl, O ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is destroyed.” (Isaiah 23:11–15)

“Although the location of biblical Tarshish is much debated, an inscription of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon (680–669 B.C.) suggests that it was located on the Mediterranean coast: ‘All the kings from (the islands) amidst the sea—from the country Iadanana [Cyprus], as far as Tarsisi [Tarshish], bowed to my feet and I received heavy tribute (from them).’1 Many scholars have connected Tarshish to Iberian Tartessos;2 it is possible that both names, the Semitic ‘Tarshish/Tarsisi’ and the Greek ‘Tartessos,’ derive from the same Iberian root, trt/trd. Nonetheless, the connection between Iberian Tartessos and biblical Tarshish can only remain a matter of speculation until new evidence is found.

“The core area of Tartessian civilization comprised the modern Spanish provinces of Cadiz, Seville, Huelva and the Algarve in modern Portugal. After the seventh century B.C., Tartessian influence expanded, reaching the Guadiana Valley (where Cancho Roano is located) and a considerable portion of the southeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the Tartessians never formed a united country, nor did they create independent city-states. What bound the Tartessians together as a people over this large territory were their ethnic and cultural traits—and, especially, their religious beliefs. One of the key institutions for understanding the Tartessians is the sacred sanctuary, or shared religious precinct.

“Most of these sanctuaries are in the core of the Tartessian world, but there are also many in the periphery (as distant as modern Portugal). One of these peripheral sanctuaries is the extraordinary site of Cancho Roano (“Reddish Rock” in Spanish), which functioned from the end of the seventh century B.C. to the end of the fifth century B.C.” (Tharsis or Tartessos)

All of this to say that I am convinced that the “Ships of Tarshish” are clearly connected with the West and the present-day and altogether similar INTERNATIONAL TRADING/COMMERCIAL EMPIRE of the King of Tyre (Satan himself) - and that these UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are clearly in view with regard to the western progression of that “spirit.”

Indeed, it is an admixture of both Greco-Roman - the Roman’s who defeated the Carthaginians and absorbed them into their collective, but who did not fully inherit the full mantle of their commercial expertise because of their own greed and anger towards the Punic Peoples—having destroyed virtually all vestiges of their civilization!

So - a bit all over the map but clearly in the ballgame!

May the Lord bless us abundantly in these prophetic discoveries - the latest being the very clearly delineated connection of the Iberian Peninsula with the initial discoveries and colonization of the New World, etc. - which, I believe, wholly implicates the USA as the commercial interest of Ezk. 38:13 who are unified with the Saudi Arabian Peninsula nations, including Jordan, in their suspicions of Gog-Magog!

IMPLICATING EARTH’S FINAL COMMERCIAL EMPIRE

Some of the most prophetically profound, incriminating and implicit exposure of these MERCHANTS and their end-days empire was done nearly 150 years ago by my beloved Lutheran brother, Joseph A. Seiss, in his exposition of Chapter 17 in his commentary on the Apocalypse. Connecting the dots has been assisted by archeologist and historian—and most definitely by this theologian, that if he were living today would not hesitate to declare the identity of Babylon the Great in all its charade and prostitutions . . . having corrupted the earth with her fornications! Bear with it—this is perhaps one of the most significant readings on this topic I have ever read and, I am sure, that you will be shocked at Seiss’ accuracies.   He commences his dissertation on the subject by uncovering the Woman of Wickedness found in Zechariah 5 . . .

“Just at the time when he (Zechariah) sees the great flying roll of the curse of God going forth over the face of the whole earth to cut off transgressors, he beholds an ephah, the common bushel measure, and a talent of lead, the flat rounded weight used in the calculation on tonnage, put upon the mouth or top of the bushel measure, whilst on each side of it was a woman, having wings ‘like the wings of a stork,’ with the winds in their wings; and they two lifted up the ephah between earth and heaven to bear it away. Besides, in the midst of the united measure and weight was another woman called Wickedness, the Lawless Woman, answering to the Great Harlot of these chapters (Revelation 17-18).

“The prophet wondered what it all meant, and asked the angel in converse with him what these intended to do with the measure and weight inclosing the Woman of Wickedness. The angel said: ‘To build it an house in the land of Shinar; and it shall be established and set those upon her own base.’ (Zechariah 5:1-11).

“Now this joined measure and weight, with the two winged women bearing them, and the winds in their wings, is unquestionably a symbol of commerce; not so much as it was then, but as it was to become in the period verging on the end, and as it has become in our day. The building of a house for it, and the establishment and settling of it upon its own base, can mean nothing less than the creation for it of a great independent center, with its own ruler, king, or government. The place of this house is specifically stated to be ‘the land of Shinar’ . . . . (which) then, is Babylon; and in this Shinar the angel said this commerce, borne by the favoring winds on mighty wings, was to be established and settled on its own base.

“It is also distinctly prophesied that Babylon shall be the very last of the powers of the earth compelled to drink of the cup of the divine wrath in the great day of the Lord . . . . The city here described (in Revelation 17-18) is pre-eminently, if not exclusively, a commercial city,-a great commercial city,--a mart of nations. There is nothing military, nothing ecclesiastical, nothing education, alluded to in the account (found in Revelation 18); everything is commercial, or merged into the one idea of exchange, trade, and what relates to mercantile aims and accumulations. Ships, merchants, commodities, are the main subjects of the description. And when this city falls, it is ‘the merchants of the earth’ that ‘mourn and weep over her,’ and with them such as are most concerned with commerce,--‘every ship-master, and everyone who goeth by sea, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea,’ for ‘all who had ships in the sea were made rich from her costliness.’

“The lamentation is of the same character as that over the fall of Tyre (Ezek. 26:15-18), and we know that Tyre was the great mercantile metropolis of its time; therefore this city must also be a corresponding commercial center. It cannot, therefore, be Rome, for Rome never was a great center of commerce. In all the Bible we never read of ‘a ship of Rome,’ or of one sailing from or to Rome.

“The whole world is rapidly developing a system of things which, in the ordinary working of human affairs, must inevitably result in something of the kind. In what, indeed, does the mightiest and furthest reaching power on earth now already center? A power which looms up in all lands, far above all individual or combined powers of Church, or state, or caste, or creed? What is it that today monopolizes nearly all legislation, dictates international treaties, governs the conferences of kings for the regulation of the balance of power, builds railways, cuts ship-canals, sends forth steamer-lines to the ends of the earth, unwinds electric wires across continents, under the seas, and around the world, employs thousands of engineers, subsidizes the press, tells the state of the markets of the world yesterday that everyone may know how to move today, and has her living organizations in every land and city, interlinked with each other, and coming daily into closer and closer combination, so that no great government under the sun can any longer move or act against her will, or without her concurrence and consent?

“Think for a moment, for there is such a power; a power that is everywhere clamoring for a common code, a common currency, common weights and measures; and which is not likely to be silenced or to stop till it has secured a common center on its own independent basis, whence to dictate to all countries and to exercise its own peculiar rule on all the kings and nations of the earth. That power is COMMERCE (Seiss’s emphasis); the power of the ephah and the talent—the power borne by the winged women, this one with her hand on the sea and the other with her hand on the land,--the power which even in its present dismemberment is mightier than any pope, any throne, any government, or any other one human power on the face of the globe.

“Let it go on as it has been going, and will go, in spite of everything that earth can interpose to hinder, dissolving every tie of nationality, every bond of family or kindred, every principle of right and religion which it cannot bend and render subservient to its own ends and interests; and the time must come when it will settle itself down somewhere on its own independent base, and where Judaism and Heathenism, Romanism and Protestantism, Mohammedanism and Buddhism, and every distinction and nationality,--English, German, French, Italian, Greek, Turk, Hindu, Arab, Chinese, Japanese, or what not,--shall be sunk in one great universal fellowship and kingdom of commerce.” (Joseph a. Seiss, The Apocalypse, An Exposition of the Book of Revelation, 1865, Chapter 39)

CONCLUSION

Yes, if Joseph Augustus Seiss were alive today—could he not see that this ephah has transversed the whole earth with her message and her minions – with military and her music – with her awful putridity and commercialism run amuck. Where, oh where, has this Woman of Wickedness been borne – the answer is devastating: “This is their resemblance throughout the earth . . . . This is Wickedness . . . And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth. Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork (unclean), and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven . . . . To build a house for it in the land of Shinar (Babylon); when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base” (Zechariah 5:5-11).

Is it ready? As the young people I teach say: I AM SOooooo READY! Notwithstanding, America is not in ‘Bible prophesy:

“America faces threats from mad bombers, mad dictators, a unified Russian-Chinese military adversary and a host of other threats. Who wants to be the one to say that, biblically speaking, there is no reason to think one of them isn't going to happen? But America is not a major player in the last days -- she hasn't even a bit part.” (Hal Lindsey, Where is America in Bible Prophecy, RaptureAlert.com)

May I leave you with this?

“And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, ‘Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!’ . . . . In that day ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’ shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts” (John 2:14-16 Zechariah 14:21) . . .

                                                . . . . Listen and Observe