AFP reports that Russia, Turkey and Iran have signed an agreement to establish safe zones in Syria that may lead to bringing peace over that nation. The pact provides for a ceasefire in hostilities, a ban on all flights over the areas, and the distribution of humanitarian aid to returning refugees.
Russia and Iran have been supporting Syria in the civil war between Syria's dictator Bashar Assad and Islamic rebel factions. The rebels, many of which are part of terrorist groups that have been supported by both the previous White House and Turkey, vowed to continue fighting. They don't agree that Iran and Turkey have authority to decide their actions. This agreement could be a type and shadow of end time prophecy.
Ezekiel 38:2 says, "...set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against them." Magog, Meshech, Tubal are all located in what is now modern Turkey. Verse 5 says, "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them..."
Persia is modern day Iran.Turkey and Iran are rivals as they are positioning for control of the Middle East. We know, however, that Magog (Turkey) eventually leads and Persia follows. These players represent both Shiite and Sunni Muslims who unite against Israel in the "acharit-hayamim," meaning the end of days.
God will destroy them with earthquakes, fire and brimstone. Ezekiel 38: 21 says, "...every man's sword shall be against his brother."
In Chapter 2 of the prophetic book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that perplexed him and none of his astrologers, magicians or sorcerers could interpret it. Daniel was called upon to do so in what has become a keystone of prophetic end time interpretation for the Day of the Lord.
Daniel describes a statue with a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, and Verse 33 says "His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay." He is talking about the kingdoms or empires leading to the end of days. Verse 44 explains "And whereas you saw iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."
Another use of the word "cleave" means "be united."
Turkey and Iran both figure prominently in the end of days, and one must come into submission to the other for prophecy to be fulfilled. Some Bible scholars and end time watchmen see Turkey and Iran as part of that mixture of clay and iron that can hold strong for a time, but is destroyed by the Lord, "and they shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 38:23)."
Turkey brings Iran into agreement to attack Israel. But the Lord destroys them and in the process they turn on one another. With the agreement regarding Syria, we may be seeing how such an end time alliance can be created with the influence of other nations such as Russia and the US.
Let's keep an eye on these developments.
Watch and pray.
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