Iran and Turkey, once staunch allies of the Jewish state as little as 30 years ago, have now committed themselves to strengthening relations as anti-Israeli sentiment grows in the Middle East. Turkey had been one of Israel's closest allies in the Middle East, and just last year was considered by the Israeli government to be trustworthy enough to act as mediator in secret negotiations between themselves and Syria. Relations between the two countries have fallen to an all time low. Last week Turkey cancelled defence contracts with the Jewish state worth billions of dollars, and ministers talked of going back to a charge d'affaires relationship with Israel. Now Turkey is cementing ties with a government that has officially called for the state of Israel to be wiped off the map, and which is an active supporter of Hizbullah in south Lebanon. Turkey has also been strengthening its relations with Syria, which also supports terrorism against Israel. 

Quote: "As both Muslim countries tighten their new-found alliance, the Iranian-funded Press TV reported that the Iranian minister also told Turkish Ambassador to Iran Umit Yardim that the "two nations enjoy great potential to further boost already flourishing ties in all areas." Yardim added that Iran now is a choice destination for Turkish tourists. The Turkish envoy returned the compliments and called for further promotion of ties between the two nations, both of which support Hamas, outlawed by the United States as a terrorist group.

What happened, you may ask? Some may point to the European refusal to allow Turkey, with a predominantly Muslim population, to become a member of the European Union. Others may point to the recent Gaza flotilla attack (as it is being called in the press), in which Israeli soldiers boarded a vessel bound for the Gaza Strip, and killed several of those on board. In reality, Turkish relations with Israel have been in freefall since last year, when the officially secular country elected a Muslim prime minister. Erdogan had an angry exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres during the World Economic Forum, stating, "When it comes to killing you know very well how to kill. I know very well how you hit and killed children on the beaches", referring to an incident in which a Palestinian family were blown up by a landmine laid by Hamas on a Gaza beach. Much like the recent tragedy aboard the Gaza flotilla, Israel bore the brunt of the blame in the world press, despite being largely innocent of the transgression. The Turkish government also recently refused to censor a Turkish television station for broadcasting an overtly anti-Semitic programme which portrayed Israeli soldiers as mass murderers. Turkey's souring relations with Israel has prompted some rabbis to express the view that the prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39, in which Turkey forms part of an invasion force with Iran against Israel, may be about to come to pass.

Quote: "The Rabbinical Council of Judea and Samaria issued a statement Thursday in which it said that the results of the incident in which Israel intercepted a flotilla trying to break the naval blockade of Gaza seem like the Biblical description of "the beginning of the Gog and Magog process where the world is against us, but which ends with the third and final redemption."

It is amazing that it is not only Christians who are saying this, but that religious Jews are also recognizing the fact that the political alliances now forming in the world closely match those described in Bible prophecy. The book of Ezekiel mentions a prophecy of a future war which is to occur after the Jewish people are back in their land.

Ezekiel 38:3-6
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

Some of these names may not be familiar to you, as the names of nations have frequently been changed throughout history. The nation of Iran was known as Persia throughout the Western world until 1935, and even today the Iranian government has declared that the names of Persia and Iran are interchangeable. Persian relations with the Jewish people have been historically good, but only since the Islamic revolution in 1979 have things taken a turn for the worse. In ancient times the kingdom of Ethiopia once covered much of the region now known as Sudan. And Libya was once the name given to the region of north Africa, from which the modern state gets its name. These two countries are both overtly hostile to Israel, Gaddafi being a prime agitator who once declared that Israel as a country did not exist, and Sudan hosting the Muslim Brotherhood, a militant organization which gave birth to Hamas. Gomer and the house of Togarmah are all identified as modern-day Turkey. Their descendents (Genesis 10:2) settled in this area. The descendents of Magog, Meshech and Tubal all settled in the Black Sea area, which includes many of the former communist satellite states which border modern day Russia. And Russia also enjoys strong ties with many of these nations, especially Iran, recently holding joint military manoeuvres with the Islamic Republic for the first time in history. 

How close are we to the war of Gog and Magog? I don't know, but as you can see, prophecy is definitely being fulfilled. The political and military alliances that Ezekiel prophesied would exist during the last days are now being formed. So why should this matter to me, you may be saying? This proves to us that what the Bible has to say about the last days is 100% accurate. It's unlike any other religious text, whether it be the Qur'an, the book of Mormon, or any other document. Regarding future events, the Scriptures can be trusted implicitly, right down to the last minute detail. And if what the Bible has to say about the last days is coming true, what about the rest of it? If God is so interested in letting us know what is to happen in the near future, what else does He want us to know? What is the bigger picture? The Bible is the unfolding story of God's relationship between Himself and His creation. It tells us in the beginning how God created everything to be perfect, and how man once walked in fellowship with God. It tells us of our sin, how that fellowship with our Creator was broken by man's disobedience, bringing about death and spiritual separation from a holy God (Isaiah 59:2). And it tells us what God has done in order for that relationship with Him to be restored, by sending His own Son Jesus Christ to bear the punishment for our sins (Isaiah 53:5). God loves you (John 3:16). Jesus Christ loves you so much, He gave His life on the cross for you (Galatians 2:20). Why don't you ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, and come into your heart today.

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Source UPI, Straits Times, Arutz 7, Arutz 7