#chuckmissler

Both Iris & Toxon mean Rainbow in the Bible

By Eli Kittim 🎓

All the Evidence Points to a Christ-Like Figure in Rev. 6.2

In this study I want to focus primarily on two words, iris & toxon, in order to show how they completely change our understanding of Revelation 6.2. But before I do this, I would first like to show you some proofs concerning the implied benevolence of the White horseman of the Apocalypse. That the white horse is a symbol of purity and righteousness is multiply attested by its linguistic usage patterns. For example, the phrase “and behold, a white horse,” in Rev. 19.11, is identical to the one used in Revelation 6.2. In other words, the two white horses of Revelation 19 & 6 represent the exact same figure who “is called Faithful and True” (Rev. 19.11)! That’s why Irenaeus, a second century theologian, held the same view, namely, that the first rider of the white horse who is depicted as a peacemaker represents Jesus Christ (Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Rev. ed. [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997], p. 141).

This is also confirmed by the type of crown the rider of the white horse wears. Stephanos “crowns” are typically worn by believers and victors in Christ (see e.g. the Greek text of Matthew 27.29; James 1.12; 2 Timothy 4.8; 1 Peter 5.4; Revelation 2.10; 4.4; 14.14)! All these proofs clearly show that the white horseman of Rev. 6.2 is neither deceptive nor evil, as many Bible commentators would have us believe!

The Hebrew Bible Uses the Word Bow for Rainbow

In the New Testament, the Greek noun ἶρις (iris) means “rainbow” (see https://biblehub.com/greek/2463.htm). Curiously enough, the Greek noun τόξον (toxon), which we find in Rev. 6.2, means “bow” but——as we shall see——it also means “rainbow” (see https://biblehub.com/greek/5115.htm). Τόξον can be seen as a contraction for ουράνιον τόξον (rainbow), from Ancient Greek οὐρανός ("heaven") + τόξον ("bow").

Given that the Greek noun “iris” is the most widely used term for “rainbow” in the New Testament, some commentators argue that since the word in Rev. 6.2 is “toxon,” not “iris,” it means that “toxon” (τόξον) cannot possibly refer to a rainbow. However, many notable Bible commentators, such as Chuck Missler, have said that the “bow” (toxon) in Rev. 6.2 appears to represent the “rainbow” of Genesis 9.13. In other words, the bow (toxon) represents the peace-covenant of Genesis 9.13. The actual verse in Genesis 9.13 (NRSV) reads:

“I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Bear in mind that Genesis 9.13 uses the Hebrew phrase qaš·tî (קַשְׁתִּ֕י), which means “my bow.” It comes from the Hebrew noun קֶשֶׁת (qesheth), which means——wait for it——a bow (https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7198.htm).

The Septuagint (LXX) Translates the Hebrew Word for Rainbow with the Greek Word Toxon

Further evidence that “toxon” (bow) can mean “rainbow” comes from the Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. Lo and behold, the Septuagint translates “rainbow” as τόξον (toxon) in Genesis 9.13!

Thus, this brief study illustrates my point, namely, that “iris” and “toxon” are interchangeable in the Bible! The Septuagint (LXX) translation of Genesis 9.13 by L.C.L. Brenton reads as follows:

τὸ τόξον μου τίθημι ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ, καὶ ἔσται εἰς σημεῖον διαθήκης ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς.

Translation:

“I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of covenant between me and the earth.”

Conclusion

The Septuagint’s Clue to the Identity of Gog of Magog

By Bible Researcher Eli Kittim

The Hebrew Bible

‎כֹּ֤ה הִרְאַ֙נִי֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה וְהִנֵּה֙ יוֹצֵ֣ר גֹּבַ֔י בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת עֲל֣וֹת הַלָּ֑קֶשׁ

‎וְהִ֨נֵּה־ לֶ֔קֶשׁ אַחַ֖ר גִּזֵּ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

In the Masoretic Text, the Book of Amos, chapter 7 and verse 1, mentions ham·me·leḵ (the King). It also employs the term gō·ḇay, which means “grasshoppers” or “locusts.”

But let’s not forget that the Masoretic text arrived late on the scene. It began to circulate between the 7th and 10th centuries CE. In fact, the oldest, complete copy is the Leningrad Codex, which dates from the 11th century CE. And we also know that there was not one version but several. This can clearly be shown in the Jewish theological writings of the Talmud and the Mishnah where different versions are being adduced (see the textual history of the Hebrew Bible explained by Drs. Emanuel Tov & Michael S. Heiser).

The Septuagint

By contrast, the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), an early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, was translated between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. So, it’s a much older text than the Masoretic. Not surprisingly, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back to roughly 200 BCE, corroborate the accuracy of the Septuagint’s translation!

When comparing the Masoretic text with that of the Septuagint (aka LXX), we know from Deuteronomy 32.8, for example, that the LXX has the correct reading (sons of God) as opposed to the Masoretic text which has (sons of Israel), a late theological redaction. We can demonstrate the correct reading by comparing these texts to the older Dead Sea Scrolls, which corroborate the LXX version. The point is that the LXX is a lot older than the Masoretic and we need to pay closer attention to this text!

The Prophetic Book of Amos in the LXX

Amos 7.1 (LXX English translation by L.C.L. Brenton) reads:

ΟΥΤΩΣ ἔδειξέ μοι Κύριος ὁ Θεός, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐπιγονὴ ἀκρίδων ἐρχομένη ἑωθινή, καὶ ἰδοὺ βροῦχος εἷς Γὼγ ὁ βασιλεύς.

Translation:

Thus has the Lord God shewed me; and, behold, a swarm of locusts coming from the east; and, behold, one caterpillar, king Gog.

So, the LXX gives us an insight into Bible prophecy and eschatology. The name Γὼγ (Gog) is also referenced in Ezekiel 38.2 ff. (LXX):

υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, στήρισον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου

ἐπὶ Γὼγ καὶ τὴν γῆν τοῦ Μαγώγ, ἄρχοντα

Ῥώς, Μοσὸχ καὶ Θοβέλ, καὶ προφήτευσον

ἐπ’ αὐτὸν.

Translation:

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, and

the land of Magog, Rhos, prince of Mesoch

and Thobel, and prophesy against him.

As I’ve mentioned in previous publications, the LXX translates the term “Rosh” (Ezek. 38:2) with the Greek word Ρως, which stands for Ρωσία (the Greek word for Russia). Furthermore, the LXX’s Μοσόχ seems to be a close approximation to the modern-day term Μόσχα (the Greek word for Moscow, the capital and largest city of Russia). The earlier Ezekiel quotation referred to “the land of Magog.” In ancient times, it comprised the lands where the Scythians once lived, and thus represents contemporary Russia. Wikipedia confirms that this view was held by some credible historians of antiquity:

Jewish historian Josephus knew them as

the nation descended from Magog the

Japhetite, as in Genesis, and explained

them to be the Scythians.

Today, most Bible Prophecy scholars identify Magog as a reference to modern day Russia! Moreover, Amos corroborates Gog’s location as “coming from the east” (7.1 LXX).

(For further evidence, see “The Magog Identity” by Bible-prophecy expert Chuck Missler: https://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/427/print/).

The Gog of Amos (LXX)

The prophet’s use of the name Γὼγ (Gog) in the LXX suggests that Amos 7 may be a dual fulfilment of prophecy, that is, it may have both a short-term (prophecy of the northern kingdom of Israel) and a long-term fulfilment (prophecy of the end-times invasion of Israel). Similarly, Ezekiel 38 names a confederacy of nations that will invade many countries, including Israel, in the last days. According to Ezekiel 38 (LXX), the leader of that powerful coalition will be Γὼγ (Gog), the leader of Ῥώς (Gk. Ρωσία = Russia) and Μοσὸχ (Gk. Μόσχα = Moscow). If that’s the case, then Amos’ Gog would suggest that certain Biblical references to “locusts” and “grasshoppers” might have some relevance to Ezekiel 38 and the battle of Gog and Magog (cf. e.g. 1 Kings 8.37; Psalm 105.34; Isaiah 33.4; Joel 1.4; 2.25; Nahum 3.15).

Gog: The King of the Locusts

If Gog (Γὼγ) is the king of the locusts, according to Amos 7.1 (LXX), then the 5th trumpet of Revelation 9, which talks extensively about an invasion of locusts, may be about Gog of the land of Magog. In other words, Amos 7.1 (LXX) would suggest that the king of the locusts in Revelation 9.11 may represent the Russian Gog (Γὼγ) of Ezekiel 38. Perhaps the famous saying in Proverbs 30.27 (ESV) means that the king of the locusts is not a mere mortal:

the locusts have no king, yet all of them

march in rank.

Similarly, in Revelation 9, the king of the locusts is likened to “a star that had fallen from heaven” and who holds “the key to the … bottomless pit.” Later on in the chapter, he’s identified as the king of the locusts, “the angel of the bottomless pit,” whose “name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek … Apollyon,” meaning “destroyer” (i.e. Antichrist)! Revelation 9.1-11 (NRSV) reads as follows:

And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I

saw a star that had fallen from heaven to

earth, and he was given the key to the shaft

of the bottomless pit; he opened the shaft

of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft

rose smoke like the smoke of a great

furnace, and the sun and the air were

darkened with the smoke from the shaft.

Then from the smoke came locusts on the

earth, and they were given authority like the

authority of scorpions of the earth. They

were told not to damage the grass of the

earth or any green growth or any tree, but

only those people who do not have the seal

of God on their foreheads. They were

allowed to torture them for five months, but

not to kill them, and their torture was like

the torture of a scorpion when it stings

someone. And in those days people will

seek death but will not find it; they will long

to die, but death will flee from them. In

appearance the locusts were like horses

equipped for battle. On their heads were

what looked like crowns of gold; their faces

were like human faces, their hair like

women's hair, and their teeth like lions'

teeth; they had scales like iron breastplates,

and the noise of their wings was like the

noise of many chariots with horses rushing

into battle. They have tails like scorpions,

with stingers, and in their tails is their power

to harm people for five months. They have

as king over them the angel of the

bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is

Abaddon, and in Greek he is called

Apollyon.

Conclusion

Thus, if we read the Bible in canonical context and according to the principle of expositional constancy, we will come to realize that both the linguistic and symbolic elements of Scripture with regard to Gog, the king of the locusts, refer not only to the Russian Gog of Magog in Ezekiel 38 but also to the king of the locusts in Revelation 9.11, namely, “the angel of the bottomless pit,” whose “name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek … Apollyon,” meaning “destroyer” or *Antichrist*!

—

(P.S. I’d like to offer a supplementary observation of Revelation 9.9-10. The aforementioned images of “iron breastplates” with noisy “wings” and “tails like scorpions” would certainly suggest some type of modern aerial warfare)!

Is Russia on the Brink of Nuclear War?

By Author Eli Kittim

Who or What is Gog?

Joseph Stalin——the Soviet Union’s longest serving ruler from 1927 until 1953 (for nearly 3 decades)——was born in Gori, Georgia. Curiously enough, in both English and Russian, the initials of Gori, Georgia would be Gog or ΓοΓ (i.e. Гори, Грузия). If the Bible wanted to symbolize the terror of Communism in the 20th century, as well as the final empire on earth, what better way to do so than by pointing to its cruelest and most infamous leader, who was born in the land of Gog and Magog.

In the Bible, Γώγ or Gog symbolically represents the final leader of the last superpower on earth. The last-days prophecy of Ezekiel 38.1-2 (LXX) reads:

ΚΑΙ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρός με λέγων·

υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, στήρισον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου

ἐπὶ Γὼγ καὶ τὴν γῆν τοῦ Μαγώγ, ἄρχοντα

Ῥώς, Μοσὸχ καὶ Θοβέλ, καὶ προφήτευσον

ἐπ’ αὐτὸν.

Translation (NKJV):

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land

of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and

Tubal, and prophesy against him.

The term Γώγ might actually be an abridged version of the word Γεωργία (Georgia), the country that has a northern border with Russia and was once part of the Soviet Union. Based on both linguistic and historical studies, the rest of the names indicate a Russian connection: prince of Ρώς (Gk. Ρωσία/Russia), Μοσόχ (Gk. Μόσχα/Moscow) and Θοβέλ (Tobolsk). In his book The Footsteps of the Messiah (p. 70), the biblical scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum provides a supplementary elaboration of Ezekiel 38:

The identification of Magog, Rosh,

Meshech, and Tubal is to be determined

from the fact that these tribes of the

ancient world occupied the areas of modern

day Russia. Magog, Meshech and Tubal

were between the Black and Caspian Seas

which today is southern Russia. The tribes

of Meshech and Tubal later gave names to

cities that today bear the names of

Moscow, the capital, and Tobolsk, a major

city in the Urals in Siberia. Rosh was in what

is now northern Russia. The name Rosh is

the basis for the modern name Russia.

Similarly, according to Wikipedia:

Josephus refers to Magog son of Japheth

as progenitor of Scythians, or peoples north

of the Black Sea [Josephus, Antiquities of

the Jews, Book I, Chapter 6]. According to

him, the Greeks called Scythia Magogia.

The Scythians were a group of nomadic warriors who lived in what is now southern Russia. More importantly, the Bible seems to point to Russia as the birthplace of the last-days Antichrist (see e.g. Ezekiel 38). In order to understand the historical reasons for tying the Ezekiel 38 narrative to Russia, see “The Magog Identity” article by Chuck Missler: https://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/427/print/

The Septuagint Conflates the Biblical References to Gog and Agag

In Numbers 24.7 of the Septuagint, Agag is called Gog (Γώγ), and the LSV translation of the Bible uses the two titles interchangeably in Numbers 24.7 (cf. Amos 7.1 LXX; Rev. 9.3, 7-12):

He makes water flow from his buckets,

‘And his seed [is] in many waters; And his

King [is] higher than Gog [or Agag],’

And his kingdom is exalted.

Here’s the Septuagint version of Numbers 24.7:

ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος

αὐτοῦ καὶ κυριεύσει ἐθνῶν πολλῶν, καὶ

ὑψωθήσεται ἢ Γὼγ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ, καὶ

αὐξηθήσεται βασιλεία αὐτοῦ.

In Hebrew, the pronunciation of Agag is Ag-awg, similar to that of Gog (gawg). Some scholars think that Agag represented a dynastic name for the kings of Amalek, much like the title Pharaoh that was used for the Egyptian kings. Interestingly enough, according to scholars, the root of the word Georgia (Γεωργία), which, as mentioned earlier, may represent the biblical Gog (Γώγ), is the Persian word gurğ (“wolf”), a possible cognate of Agag. One of Agag’s descendants is Haman the Agagite (Esther 3.1), whose cruel plot against the Jews can only be matched by those of Hitler and Stalin. Thus, the name Agag (or, alternatively, “Gog”) has become synonymous with antisemitism and with evil! It seems, then, that the titles Gog and Agag are interchangeable.

Old & New Testament Prophecies About the Same Cataclysmic Event

Even though in Ezekiel 38 the term Gog is an appellation of rank and status, notice that in Revelation 20.8 Gog and Magog (Γώγ και Μαγώγ) are references to nations (ἔθνη), not titles:

καὶ ἐξελεύσεται πλανῆσαι τὰ ἔθνη τὰ ἐν

ταῖς τέσσαρσι γωνίαις τῆς γῆς, τὸν Γὼγ καὶ

Μαγώγ, συναγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν

πόλεμον, ὧν ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτῶν ὡς ἡ ἄμμος

τῆς θαλάσσης.

Translation (NRSV):

and will come out to deceive the nations at

the four corners of the earth, Gog and

Magog, in order to gather them for battle;

they are as numerous as the sands of the

sea.

And the next verse (Rev. 20.9) is seemingly talking about the exact same event that Luke 21, Zechariah 14, and Ezekiel 38 are describing, namely, “Jerusalem [being] surrounded by armies” (Lk 21.20), or a gathering of “all the nations against Jerusalem to battle” (Zech. 14.2; cf. Ezek. 38.16):

καὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐπὶ τὸ πλάτος τῆς γῆς, καὶ

ἐκύκλευσαν τὴν παρεμβολὴν τῶν ἁγίων καὶ

τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἠγαπημένην. καὶ κατέβη πῦρ

ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ⸃ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτούς ·

Translation:

They marched up over the breadth of the

earth and surrounded the camp of the

saints and the beloved city [Jerusalem].

And fire came down from heaven and

consumed them.

This so-called “fire” may refer to a nuclear blast that causes the desolation of Jerusalem (cf. Ezek. 38.19-20; 39.6, 8; Dan. 11.31; 12.11; Zech. 14.11; Mt. 24.15-22).

Notice that the exact same word that is used in Revelation 20.9 to refer to the armies of Gog and Magog that “surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city [Jerusalem],” namely, the word ἐκύκλευσαν (derived from the word κυκλόω, meaning to encircle, besiege, or surround), is also used in Luke 21.20 (κυκλουμένην) to describe “Jerusalem surrounded by armies.”

This is presumably the same event prophesied by Jeremiah the prophet (10.22):

Hear, a noise! Listen, it is coming— a great

commotion from the land of the north to

make the cities of Judah a desolation.

For a detailed study on the nuclear implications of the phrase, “the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place” (Mt. 24.15), see my article “What is the Abomination of Desolation?”: https://eli-kittim.tumblr.com/post/651654379241406464/what-is-the-abomination-of-desolation

If experts claim that it wouldn’t be difficult for terrorists to build and detonate an improvised nuclear device, how much easier would it be for an invading army to do likewise?

According to Wiki:

Since 1947, the Doomsday Clock of the

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has

visualized how close the world is to a

nuclear war. As of 2021, the current time to

'midnight,' (midnight representing nuclear

war,) is 100 seconds.

See the following article: “Are we on the brink of nuclear war? Un researcher says yes”: https://www.google.com/amp/s/sofrep.com/amp/news/are-we-on-the-brink-of-nuclear-war-un-researcher-says-yes/

Nostradamus and the Bible Seemingly Predict the Coming of Putin

By Author Eli Kittim

For those of us who are skeptical of prophets and prophecies, this brief article contains certain extra-biblical predictions that are far too similar to those of the Bible to be dismissed as mere coincidences. So, let’s begin.

The Bible seems to point to Russia as the birthplace of the last-days Antichrist (see Ezekiel 38). In order to understand the historical reasons for tying the Ezekiel narrative to Russia, see The Magog Identity article by Chuck Missler: https://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/427/print/

During the early part of the 20th century (1917) Russia became the world's first constitutionally communist state on the face of the earth. Similar to the “red dragon” in the Book of Revelation, it’s fiery red flag became the symbol of its power (cf. the red horse of Rev. 6.3-4). Five years later it incorporated other territories and became the Soviet Union. It was the rise of a new superpower on earth whose famous symbol, the sickle, is peculiarly associated with the “harvest” of the end-times in the Bible (see Joel 3.13; Rev. 14.14-19)!

The famous French 16th-century seer named Nostradamus offers us some interesting prophecies that parallel those of the Bible. For example, when we look at the third seal in the Book of Revelation, we are told that there’s “a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand” (Rev. 6.5). Scales are instruments for weighing things. Curiously enough, Nostradamus offers us a sign, similar to the “scales” of Revelation, through the use of a cryptic aphorism: “the Dragon’s head in Libra” (Epistle to Henry II). What is of interest is that the symbol of Libra is also depicted as a *scale*, thus tying this astrological sign in the Zodiac to the “scales” in the Book of Revelation! Moreover, the symbol of the “great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns” (Rev. 12.3) can also lend itself to an astrological interpretation that seems to demystify the identity of the little horn (i.e. “the Antichrist”; cf. Dan. 7.8, 11, 20; 8.9)! So, on another level of interpretation, the 7 heads and 10 horns could signify the 7th day of the 10th month. Astoundingly, that happens to be the birthday of Russia’s sitting president, Vladimir Putin (i.e. 7 October), thus indicating that his astrological sign is indeed *Libra.* But there’s more. Elsewhere, Nostradamus says:

“Peace and semblance the spy will simulate” (Century 9, Quatrain 88).

Astoundingly, Putin was a KGB spy for 16 years, who rose to the rank of Lieutenant *Colonel.* In another Quatrain, Nostradamus writes:

“A colonel with ambition plots,

He will seize the greatest army”

(Century 4, Quatrain 62).

Similarly, Daniel 8.23 calls the Antichrist “a master of intrigue,” while Daniel 8.25 refers to him as “a master of deception,” obviously implying that he’s trained in secret plans, underhand plots and schemes. In short, a spy! And in a parallel passage with the Bible, Nostradamus writes:

“The year 1999 [666?], seventh month,

From the sky will come a great king of terror”

(Century 10, Quatrain 72).

Astonishingly, Putin came to power at the turn of the century, in 1999 (666), which marks the end of a thousand-year period. This important timeframe coincides with a Biblical prophecy in which the Antichrist will not appear “until the thousand years . . . [have] ended” (Rev. 20.3, 7-8)! Daniel 11.21 suggests that he’s originally appointed, not elected, and that he starts off with a small following (cf. v. 23):

“In his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue.”

Putin fits that description perfectly since he was initially appointed by Boris Yeltsin, not elected, and was virtually unknown. With a small following, he came “in a time of peace” and appeared to “seize the kingdom by intrigue.”

To summarize, all these parallel Biblical and extra-Biblical passages point to one particular person who is today probably the most powerful man in the world, if not the richest. He was actually born on October 7th (7 heads, 10 horns [Rev. 12.3]), his astrological sign is Libra (the “scales” of Revelation), and he is “a master of deception,” given that he was a former intelligence officer (spy) and a colonel, who appeared on the world stage in 1999—-appointed, not elected——precisely as foretold, namely, the notorious autocrat and incumbent Russian President, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin! In fact, the year that he came to power (1999) may be a cryptic reference to the number of the beast, namely 666! Now that’s extraordinary, given that the prophetic clues from the various spiritual traditions all point to him, and him alone! Coincidence? I’m afraid not!

The books of Daniel (chs. 2 & 7) and Revelation (ch. 17) also suggest a revived Roman Empire (Russia), described as 10 toes (kings) that seemingly arise out of the eastern leg (of iron) of the Roman Empire (Byzantium). In retrospect, that would be Moscow (Russia), which was called the Third Rome: see https://www.instagram.com/p/BYr5b5HgBq1/?igshid=av5bf5ov58f

If you check out the Soviet leaders up to the present time, they are 10, with Putin being the 11th, just as the Bible predicted (see https://www.instagram.com/p/BqRDTWHgOIQ/?igshid=81zdol99mymn)!

And Russia is currently at war with the west, making nuclear threats, supporting and defending Syria & Iran militarily, controlling the Middle East, building Iran’s nuclear plants, and is allied with many Muslim nations, while forming a strong partnership with China and North Korea!

Most Bible prophecy experts agree that Ezekiel 38 is talking about an end-times global conflict that will be instigated by Russia! In fact, Ezekiel 38.2 calls the Antichrist “the Prince of Rosh,” which the Septuagint renders as ἄρχοντα Ῥώς, or Prince of Ῥώς (i.e. Rus' = Greek: Ῥῶς), a contraction of the term Ρωσία, the Greek name for Russia! Moreover, Revelation 13 and 18 point to a one-world government that may come at the heels of a global economic collapse, which in turn may be triggered by a long-drawn-out world war!

Conclusion

It is rather extraordinary that all the prophetic signs from both Nostradamus and the Bible match perfectly with the historical facts pertaining to Vladimir Putin and Russia (see https://www.instagram.com/p/BYvP6n9gQ2N/?igshid=15h3s9824t8fl)!

40 Days of Reconciliation: Season 2, Episode 4

In a recent episode of the 40 Days of Reconciliation podcast, host Emmanuel Manishimwe sat down with Texan author Mark Wood to discuss his deeply theological book, The Bride, The Wise Virgins and The Last Adam: The Greatest Love Story No One Knows. Wood shared a gripping personal journey from running away from his faith to a radical reconciliation with God, offering a sobering look at the urgency of the times we live in.

A Journey Through Fire and Faith

Mark Wood’s path to authorship was anything but conventional. Despite being raised in the church by a "very charismatic" pastor grandfather, Wood spent decades running in the opposite direction. His turning point came through a series of intense, often supernatural trials:

- Spiritual Warfare: In 2005, Wood experienced physical manifestations of demonic attacks in his home that drove him to seek God’s voice. - The Voice of the Spirit: While opening his Bible, he heard the Holy Spirit tell him to keep his heart "steadfast on Jesus," marking the true beginning of his spiritual journey. - A Brush with Mortality: A 2017 cancer diagnosis and the occurrence of Hurricane Harvey created a "deep fear of dying without knowing God," pushing him to study the scriptures for three days a week. The Mystery of the Bride

The core of Wood’s work revolves around the Rapture—the "snatching away" of the Church—and the specific identity of "The Bride". Wood challenges the common assumption that all who identify as Christian will be part of this event:

- The One in Seven: Analyzing the seven churches in Revelation, Wood notes that only the Church of Philadelphia is promised to escape the "Hour of Temptation". - Defining the Bride: He points to Mark 16:15-18 and the Church of Acts as the blueprint for the Bride, characterized by preaching the gospel, baptism, and signs following those who believe. - The Trap of Idolatry: Wood warns that modern distractions—like social media or even loving one's spouse more than God—act as "lifestyle traps" that drain a believer's spiritual oil. Urgency and the "Harvest Time"

Wood emphasizes that we are living in a prophetic "harvest time". He uses a variety of biblical timelines to suggest that the end of the current age is near:

- The Budding Fig Tree: He identifies the rebirth of Israel in 1948 as the "budding of the fig tree," signaling that the generation witnessing this event will see all things fulfilled. - The 2033/2040 Timelines: Based on the concept of "one day is as a thousand years," Wood discusses the significance of 2,000 years (two "days" on God’s calendar) since the crucifixion, pointing toward potential milestones in 2033 and 2040.

"The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom... if we don’t fear God, we’re going to lean towards disobedience in our lives."

A Call to Action

Ultimately, Wood’s message is one of preparation and intentionality. He urges believers to move beyond casual reading to intentional Bible study, which he calls the "foundation of faith".

For those interested in supporting a cause, Wood has dedicated half of the proceeds from his book to Be’ad Chaim, an Israeli charity providing abortion counseling and support.

Find the Book: The Bride, The Wise Virgins and The Last Adam is currently available exclusively on Amazon.

https://youtu.be/I9mgGpl1ags

Podcasts Mentioned

Season 2, Episode 4

In a recent episode of the 40 Days of Reconciliation podcast, host Emmanuel Manishimwe sat down with Texan author Mark Wood to discuss his deeply theological book, The Bride, The Wise Virgins and The Last Adam: The Greatest Love Story No One Knows. Wood shared a gripping personal journey from running away from his faith to a radical reconciliation with God, offering a sobering look at the urgency of the times we live in.

A Journey Through Fire and Faith

Mark Wood’s path to authorship was anything but conventional. Despite being raised in the church by a "very charismatic" pastor grandfather, Wood spent decades running in the opposite direction. His turning point came through a series of intense, often supernatural trials:

- Spiritual Warfare: In 2005, Wood experienced physical manifestations of demonic attacks in his home that drove him to seek God’s voice. - The Voice of the Spirit: While opening his Bible, he heard the Holy Spirit tell him to keep his heart "steadfast on Jesus," marking the true beginning of his spiritual journey. - A Brush with Mortality: A 2017 cancer diagnosis and the occurrence of Hurricane Harvey created a "deep fear of dying without knowing God," pushing him to study the scriptures for three days a week. The Mystery of the Bride

The core of Wood’s work revolves around the Rapture—the "snatching away" of the Church—and the specific identity of "The Bride". Wood challenges the common assumption that all who identify as Christian will be part of this event:

- The One in Seven: Analyzing the seven churches in Revelation, Wood notes that only the Church of Philadelphia is promised to escape the "Hour of Temptation". - Defining the Bride: He points to Mark 16:15-18 and the Church of Acts as the blueprint for the Bride, characterized by preaching the gospel, baptism, and signs following those who believe. - The Trap of Idolatry: Wood warns that modern distractions—like social media or even loving one's spouse more than God—act as "lifestyle traps" that drain a believer's spiritual oil. Urgency and the "Harvest Time"

Wood emphasizes that we are living in a prophetic "harvest time". He uses a variety of biblical timelines to suggest that the end of the current age is near:

- The Budding Fig Tree: He identifies the rebirth of Israel in 1948 as the "budding of the fig tree," signaling that the generation witnessing this event will see all things fulfilled. - The 2033/2040 Timelines: Based on the concept of "one day is as a thousand years," Wood discusses the significance of 2,000 years (two "days" on God’s calendar) since the crucifixion, pointing toward potential milestones in 2033 and 2040.

"The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom... if we don’t fear God, we’re going to lean towards disobedience in our lives."

A Call to Action

Ultimately, Wood’s message is one of preparation and intentionality. He urges believers to move beyond casual reading to intentional Bible study, which he calls the "foundation of faith".

For those interested in supporting a cause, Wood has dedicated half of the proceeds from his book to Be’ad Chaim, an Israeli charity providing abortion counseling and support.

Find the Book: The Bride, The Wise Virgins and The Last Adam is currently available exclusively on Amazon.

https://youtu.be/I9mgGpl1ags

Podcasts Mentioned