Author's Book Explores Biblical Implications of Russia-Iran Alliance
by Chad Groening
October 9, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A Middle East expert and best-selling author says the new military alliance between Russia and Iran could be the sign that an ancient Old Testament prophecy may be fulfilled in the current generation's lifetime.Joel Rosenberg, a Messianic Jew and Mideast scholar, recently released a book called Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future (Tyndale House). He believes the recent arms pact between Tehran and Moscow is a dangerous development, with Russia clearly joining Iran in the "axis of evil."
Rosenberg believes this new military alliance may have biblical implications. "The ancient Hebrew prophet Ezekiel, writing 2,500 years ago, described an alliance between Russia, Iran, and a group of other Middle Eastern countries that would encircle Israel in the last days and try to destroy her," he notes.
"Now the strange thing about that prophecy," the author points out, "is that there has never been a Russian-Iranian military alliance since the prophecy was written, until now.' However, he is quick to add, "Now, does that mean that the prophecy's imminent, in terms of coming true? I would be hesitant to draw that conclusion yet."
But, even though he is not prepared to state that what Ezekiel 38 and 39 foretold is on the verge of fulfillment, Rosenberg says, "I've got to tell you, it's certainly worth noting, because this is a relationship that has never existed." Never, in the 25 centuries since the ancient prophecy was written, has a military alliance existed between Russia and Iran.
"Now it does," the Middle East expert says, "and you have to start to wonder, 'My goodness, is it possible for this major cataclysmic Bible prophecy to literally come true in our lifetime?' It's a question I explore in Epicenter."
Rosenberg says it is quite possible that the battle predicted in Ezekiel could happen before the Rapture -- the time when, according to some interpretations of Bible end-times prophecy, born-again believers will be taken from the Earth into Heaven. If the prophesied battle does precede the Rapture, the author notes, then Christians would still be on the Earth to see it.
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
