Showers upon the Grass

“Let us go speedily to … seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also … strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem … We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:21‑23).

— David Rice

We are progressing toward God’s Kingdom. There is time to pass yet. But circumstances respecting Israel are progressing. There is a lovely song in Hebrew, sung by a throng of Israelis in 2018, marking the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel. “Hallelujah” is the title and the oft-repeated word of the song, praising God.¹

(1) Google “Hallelujah YouTube 70th anniversary Israel” for a moving video. The opening words, “Halleluyah La Olam,” mean “Hallelujah to the world.” Optional versions give the English words.

Things look good for Israel. Since the crisis of October 7, 2023, Israel’s enemies have been weakened — Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and now Syria. We watch with interest what may develop in the years approaching. However, it is generally agreed that the introduction to the kingdom will follow a final conflict in Israel, as described in Ezekiel 38.

Notably, the nations composing the enemies of Israel in Ezekiel 38 do not include their close Arab neighbors. The three times Israel’s Arab neighbors did attack Israel — in 1948, 1967, and 1973 — are now past. Egypt and Jordan have made formal peace agreements with Israel, Saudi Arabia has done so informally, and a scattering of others entered the Abraham Accords of 2020.

Shiite Iran and her partners, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen, are significantly reduced. Another Iranian associate, the Assad regime of Syria, has been overthrown by Sunni powers from within. subsequently, Israel and the US destroyed Syria’s air force and naval powers.

Ezekiel 38

The coalition in Ezekiel 38 is Gog, Persia, Cush, Libya, Gomer, and Togarmah (Ezekiel 38:3-6). They are often associated with Russia, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Germany, and Turkey. This expresses our best judgment also. However, there have been some thoughtful articles with variations, for example, in Beauties of the Truth, November 2022, “The House of Togarmah, Is Modern China a Cultural Descendant?” So, we watch as time passes.

In the list above, the suggestion is that Gomer of Ezekiel is Germany of modern times. If this is correct, then as Germany is the leading country in Western Europe, it suggests a change of circumstances. For presently Russia (Gog) and Germany (Gomer) are on opposite sides of the Ukrainian conflict. If the connections above are correct, it seems to require that as time passes, a more cooperative spirit will develop between Russia and Europe.

This seems likely, for the final conflict against Israel, described in Ezekiel 38, apparently will have a Western influence allied with it. This we draw from Revelation 16 and its mention of the Armageddon conflict. Revelation 16:13, describing plague six, says “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” These are generally recognized as influences from Western culture. The beast is Papacy, and the dragon is Satan’s control over Western political powers. According to Revelation 19:20, the false prophet is connected to the two horned beast of Revelation 13:11. This is customarily thought to represent the Church of England also part of Western culture.²

Revelation 16:14 describes the effect of this three party coalition. “They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Where is that battle? Verse 16 says, “He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon.” That appears to refer to the final gathering of Ezekiel 38.³ If so, Ezekiel 38 apparently includes some European force. That would be consistent with Gomer being Germany.

(2) This is also the view of this article’s author. However, some thoughtful brethren suggest that the two horned beast is connected to Islam, which comes in two branches, Sunni and Shiite.
(3) In a lesson given at the 2024 San Diego Convention, Br. David Doran noted that in Revelation 16:16, the mention of “Hebrew” suggests that natural Israel is involved in this text. That would be consistent with the view that Armageddon is the conflict mentioned in Ezekiel 38.

The Winepress

Another factor also suggests some European involvement in the final conflict. Revelation 14:14 describes the harvest, with Jesus seated on a cloud, a crown on his head, and a sickle in his hand. Subsequently, after “the earth was reaped” (verse 16), comes the treading of the winepress, the final judgment on forces of Christendom.

Revelation 14:20 says, “The winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” The number 1600 is 40 x 40, expressing the extremity of final judgment on Christendom.

But where does this judgment begin? Verse 16 says it begins “without the city.” The city of Babylon is mentioned in the same chapter and is the only city named there. But how can Christendom be trodden outside of Babylon? The answer is that the power of the coalition — Dragon, Beast, False Prophet — is lured to assemble at Israel, where the last judgment begins.

This seems supported by a prophecy in Joel. Chapter three describes the final gathering of nations against Israel. “I will also gather all nations and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat,” where judgment will fall on them. Verse 12 continues, let them “be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat … Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe … the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.” The winepress is trodden in Israel.

Revelation 16:19 then explains that Babylon, Christendom, is divided. The coalition of Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet united in verse 13 is divided as a consequence of Armageddon. “The great city was divided into three parts, and the city of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath” (verse 19). They are further troubled back at home (verses 20, 21). But the impact that breaks the coalition evidently begins with their defeat at Israel.

Jehoshaphat’s Deliverance

2 Chronicles 20 contains an account that seems parallel to this. Three forces — Ammon, Moab, and Edom — gathered against Jehoshaphat to overwhelm him. “All Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children,” praying for God’s care, much as in Joel 2:12-14. In 2 Chronicles 20:14, the prophet Jahaziel speaks to the congregation on behalf of God, affirming that God would deliver Israel — much as the Ancient Worthies will appear at the proper time to assure Israel that God will intervene on their behalf.

Then Jahaziel adds something remarkable. “The battle is not yours, but God’s … Ye shall not need to fight in this battle … stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD … fear not.” Whereupon “Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground … Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem … worshipping the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17, 18).

In the morning, as they watched from the heights, gazing down at the approaching enemy, they saw Moab and Ammon fight against Edom, and then turn on each other. All three enemies were defeated without Israel fighting.

Hezekiah’s Deliverance

A similar story of miraculous deliverance occurred later in the time of King Hezekiah, recorded in Isaiah chapters 37 and 38. The might of Assyria, under King Sennacherib, called for the surrender of Jerusalem. Hezekiah carried Sennacherib’s letter to the temple, spread it before God, affirmed that Israel had insufficient strength to resist, and pleaded for God’s deliverance — which He gave. The enemy soon lost 185,000 men as God defended Israel, once again without Israel fighting (2 Kings 19:35, Isaiah 37:36). “So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh,” where he later lost his kingdom (verses 37, 38). Again, Israel did not fight. God delivered them.

Hezekiah’s Micah 5:5-7

The prophet Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah. Both prophets lived at the time of Hezekiah’s deliverance. Micah chapter five speaks of the same experience. Verses 2-4 speak of Jesus’ birth, of Israel’s diaspora, and of Jesus’ glory during the Gospel Age. Verse 5 then speaks of Jesus’ deliverance of Israel at the end of the age.

“This man shall be the peace.” That is, Jesus will deliver Israel from their final peril. “When the Assyrian shall come into our land [the Sennacherib invasion] and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight princes [margin] of men.” The word “shepherd” is an idiom for “king.” God would raise seven kings and eight princes to deliver Israel. The seven kings, the Church Class developed during seven stages, will intervene from above. The eight princes are the Ancient Worthies, “eight” because they are raised after the seven stages of the church. These will point Israel to their deliverer, Jesus, leading to national repentance, earnest thanks, and grateful hearts turning to God. Israel will eagerly appreciate Messiah and spread the blessings of the Kingdom to the world.

Delivered Without Fighting

Notice — Israel does not fight in its final deliverance. Israel will be attacked, with no hope but prayer to God — and then, a remarkable deliverance. Jesus, together with the Church, will deliver them. Not only will the hearts of Israel be roused, humbled, and thankful, but the world will see God’s hand protecting them, without Israel fighting in their defense. Verse 6 explains that “they,” God’s powers from above, will “waste the land of Assyria … the land of Nimrod … thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian.”

And Israel? “The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.” The world will see it. Israel will appreciate it. The Ancient Worthies will turn Israel to Messiah. As Jehoshaphat did, Israel will bow to the earth in repentant reverence and thanksgiving.

Then, the sweet influence of a morning “dew,” the quiet and refreshing “showers upon the grass,” will open to a weary world. They will have observed God’s miraculous care. Gradually, the world will open incredulous eyes to see a stream of life flowing outward through the people of God. “Let us go speedily … we will go with you … to seek Jehovah in Jerusalem.”