Tanak Foundations-Concepts on the Natzal (Rapture)-Part 26

We know that the False Messiah is “himself also an eighth and is one of the seven” (Rev 17.11). The “seven” are Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the seventh is Revived Rome. Remember this because we are going to see other references to “the seven shepherds” and so on. These ten horns are not the heads of their countries but they receive authority from their home countries “as kings” with the beast for “one hour” (a short time). Some sort of disaster occurred and these ten representatives are sent to a meeting where the False Messiah is present, but he is not the False Messiah yet. No country does this sort of thing unless there is an extreme emergency.

In the book, “Prophecies in the Book of Esther” by Joseph Good, Hatikva Ministries, p. 86-87, we have some insight into why there are ten kings. They will be related to what is called the “Decem Viri” of ancient Rome, meaning “Ten Men.” Good writes, “Rome was founded and settled around 753 B.C.E. After a few kings, the citizens of Rome grew tired of the tyrants who had ruled. This caused the ancient Romans to form a republic. However, a problem persisted for several years, clashes between the two classes. The Patricians were wealthy and powerful. The Plebians were poor and over taxed. Each group had to serve in the military, but representation from the Plebian caste was limited. This led to a series of disputes between the two classes which lasted many years. During one such dispute, the Plebians withdrew to one of the hills of Rome and settled, insulating themselves from the Patricians. From this the Plebians formed a group known as the Tribunal. At first the Tribunes were two men, but the Tribunal later grew to include at least ten. After many more disputes with the Patricians, the Plebians commissioned the Decem Viri, ten men, to write a code of laws that would protect their rights and the rights of all Roman citizens.”

“The Decem Viri were not nobles. They represented a society promising to give legal protection that was much needed. The group formed about 450 B.C.E and remained for less than two years. The legal code they compiled was called the Twelve Tablets because the codes were written on twelve separate tablets of clay. The actual tablets have not survived, but the laws written on them have survived centuries. These laws, developed by the Romans, were among the most complete and complex system of laws in the ancient world. The laws have likewise strongly influenced the character of the laws in virtually every nation of Western Europe, with the exception of England.”

“Following the fall of the Roman Empire, and through the Middle Ages, the ancient laws fell into disuse. However, late in the eleventh century, the ancient Roman law was rediscovered and studied by scholars. Today, even the United States has been influenced by this old code. For example, the ancient Tribunes had the power to forbid certain action on part of the Roman Senate, comprised of Patricians. By calling out, “Veto” (I forbid) action could be stopped. The veto has become a powerful part of the legal system of the United States.”

“The Decem Viri provided a service to Rome. However, their corruption and misuse of power forced them from this position less than two years after their commission. This corresponds directly to the False Messiah as described in Daniel and Revelation as having ten kings who direct his empire.” The “ten” can be seen in Dan 7.7-8, 24; Rev 13.1, 17.12. They will have “one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast” (Rev 17.13). With that in mind, let’s look at a brief overview of the Birth-pains.

The False Messiah comes to power in “one hour” (Rev 17.12) and this panic could only be caused by the fear caused by the destruction of Babylon (USA-Rev 17.10, 15). The ones that destroyed Babylon will also attack Israel three years later, called the invasion of Gog and Magog (Russia and her allies in Ezek 38-39). Europe will enter into a three year war with Gog and Magog (Isa 20.1-6 prophecy-more on this later).

We have seen in the teaching “Is America Babylon” on this site that Babylon is the USA, but there will be other nations represented by ancient terms. Another way of seeing this is the Scriptures have what is called the “Code of Nations.” For example, in Ezek 38.17-18 we are told that this invasion is “in that day” or the Day of the Lord. We are also told, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through my servants the prophets of Israel who prophesied in those days for years that I would bring you against them?”

But now we have a problem. Before this chapter we do not have any Scriptures about Gog and Magog. So, how can God say he has spoken about Gog and Magog for years through the prophets? Where is it? The ancient scholars of Israel asked the same question.

In the book, “Everyman’s Talmud” by Abraham Cohen it says in a comment on Isa 9.7 that “the Holy One wished to make Hezekiah the Messiah and Sennacherib Gog and Magog.” Now, God never wished to make Hezekiah the Messiah, that was rabbinical thought, but it tells us something. The Assyrian king Sennacherib was seen as a picture of Gog and Magog. This concept can also be seen in the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 94a.

If you compare what is said about Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39 and what is said about the invasion of Israel by Assyria in Isaiah, Micah, 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, you will find that the two match. You can even go to Josephus and find out what happened during the Assyrian invasion with Sennacherib. Everything you need to know about the invasion of Gog and Magog was previously described with the invasion by Assyria, thus giving us insight into Ezek 38.17. Ezekiel only gives us two chapters, but these other books give us many chapters. Eschatologically, Assyria is Russia (Gog and Magog).

So, we have seen that Babylon is the United States, Assyria is Gog and Magog and Egypt will be a picture of Europe and the False Messiah (Leviathan, Rahab, Pharaoh). We have said before that “Cush” could be either Ethiopia or Mesopotamia, depending on the context.

After the destruction of Babylon (USA) there will be survivors who were outside of the country when the attack came. These survivors will join themselves to Europe and the kingdom of the False Messiah (Rev 17.3). eventually, he will turn against these survivors (Rev 17.16). Who are these survivors? They will be the U.S. military and government agents outside of the country, They will be tourists, business people and others who are outside of the country. Once the destruction hits the mainland of the United States, they will have no other place to go. Naturally, they will find refuge and support in Europe because many have European ancestry and they speak English there. The military will come under NATO agreements.

In Isa 20.1-6 we see an Assyrian officer coming from Sargon to Ashdod, and he captures it. Yehovah spoke to Isaiah and told him to go “naked and barefoot.” He then said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and token against Egypt (Europe) and Cush (Babylon, or the survivors of the attack on the USA), so the King of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered to the shame of Egypt. Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast. So the inhabitants of this coast land will say in that day (the Day of the Lord), ‘Behold, such is our hope, where we fled for help to be delivered from the King of Assyria, and we, how shall we escape?'”

This chapter tells us in the Sowd level (hidden, secret) that the False Messiah and the “exiles” from Cush (USA) will be fighting a three year war with Russia (Assyria/Gog and Magog) and will be losing. We know that Egypt was called the “iron furnace” in Deut 4.20; Jer 11.4 and 1 Kings 8.51. After the Holocaust in Europe and the iron furnaces of the concentration camps, the remaining Jews left for the land of Israel and they called it the “Exodus.” A movie by that name was made with Paul Newman that had this “Exodus” as a theme.

In Psa 74.13-14 we have Leviathan (Rev 13.1) and it will be a picture of the False Messiah. It talks about how Yehovah “broke the heads” (plural) of Leviathan (Pharaoh) at the Red Sea and being delivered from Egypt. What does Pharaoh have on his crown? A “serpent” or cobra. So, we have seen that Babylon is the United States, Egypt is Europe, Assyria is Russia and Gog and Magog, and Israel is Israel.

In Part 27 we will pick up here with more concepts on this.

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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