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PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 62

WHAT IS THE NATIONALITY OF THE ANTICHRIST?

Part 1

April 5, 2002

We will eventually get around to proving the answer to this question in future parts of this update series.

We begin this series with a prophecy written more than 700 years before Christ fulfilled it in his final days.

Micah 5:1
Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

“NOW GATHER THYSELF IN TROOPS, O DAUGHTER OF TROOPS:”

There are few cities on this planet that can compare with Israel on the number of times she has been conquered over and over again in history, many times being retaken by those troops once driven out. Truly, Jerusalem has earned the title of “Daughter of troops.” This Scripture speaks of a particular time in her long history, a day during the Feast of Passover, a day when three sets of troops were in the city. The Roman Governor, who ruled from Caesarea (Pontius Pilate) had, in order to put down any rebellion that might arise at this feast, brought his Roman troops to Jerusalem, and quartered them in the Fortress Antonia, which was attached to the northwestern corner of the Temple Mount, and from which troops could overlook all the Temple courtyards from its highest level. The King of Israel, Herod, had brought his troops with him for Passover, and they were quartered in Herod’s Fortress Palace on the western side of Jerusalem, where some of its base may be seen today. The High Priest was also allowed to maintain a small contingency of Jewish troops to protect him from harm, and they could be sent to arrest religious offenders. They were found around him at public assemblies.

“THEY SHALL SMITE THE JUDGE OF ISRAEL WITH A ROD UPON THE CHEEK.”

This prophecy of Micah was fulfilled during the last Passover Jesus attended. It was fulfilled from the time the first troops arrested him to take him to the High Priest until he was placed on the cross. During this time Jesus was exchanged back and forth between the High Priest, Herod, and Pontius Pilate. On these occasions he was beaten on the head above his neck many times with rods (reeds), and struck over and over again by the hands of the troops. You will find all this recorded in the latter chapters of the four Gospels. Jesus was sent by His Father to be the judge of Israel, but they rejected him as their judge, and judged him instead, finding him guilty of the false charge of blasphemy again God. The middle portion of this verse gives God the Father’s reaction to their rejection of His only begotten Son.

“HE HATH LAID SIEGE AGAINST US:”

Micah was an Israelite. So the “us” refers primarily to Israel. God has laid “siege” (judgment) against Israel for almost 2000 years because they rejected the one He sent to judge them. There has never been a race descended from one man (Jacob) that has ever passed through such persecution, unbelievable horror, and terrifying torture, as has been experienced by the nation of Israel, the most horrifying of all being experienced at the hands of the Nazi SS during WW2. The current siege is the constant threat of terrorism by Hizbollah, the Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Fatah splinter groups.

Israel still has a final siege of terror to endure for rejecting her judge. After experiencing what appears to be an end of her suffering when what seems to be peace comes to her land, she will suddenly be viciously attacked from the north in a lightning Jihad involving 10 Arab nations. This will be her final travail before her Messiah, Jesus Christ returns to reign over her.

I Thessalonians 5:3,4
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. [4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Zechariah 12:2
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

But after Israel’s final travail, this will be the fate of those who laid siege against her.

Zechariah 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.