I've been seeing a lot of videos being recommended to me lately that appear to be on the topic of whether this battle between Israel and Hamas/Hezbollah is the beginning of the battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38 or the battle of Armageddon described in Revelations. This is, frankly, something that I've seen for a long time: any conflict involving Israel will immediately produce articles, lectures, or some video from someone claiming that it is the beginning of that great, last battle.
People seem to forget Christ's admonition from Matthew 24:6: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." This conflict fits into the "wars and rumours of wars" category.
There are many things that must occur before the Battle of Armageddon, not the least of which is the rise of the Anti-Christ, the implementation of the Mark of the Beast, and the rise of a coalition intent on invading Israel with an army numbering 200 million (see Rev. 9:16).
Another key sign to proceed Armageddon is that the Time of the Gentiles must be fulfilled (Romans 11:25). There are several indicia that have been raised concerning the fulfillment of the Time of the Gentiles, including the reestablishment of Israel, that Jerusalem will no longer be under the control of Gentiles, and that the Gentiles will reject the Gospel. How you interpret these signs depends on what is the meaning of Gentiles. Some consider the Gentiles to be Europeans and those of European descent. If that is the case, then Jerusalem ceased to be "trodden down" by the Gentiles at the time the British gave up their control over Israel (after an intense terrorist and assassination campaign by Jews, I would add); and while Americans continue to be religious, Europe has largely drifted into a post-Christian era.
But some LDS general authorities have pointed to when Israel captured Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967 as when Jerusalem was no longer trodden down by the Gentiles. If that is the case, then Gentiles would seem to include at least some of the Middle-Eastern peoples. But if that is correct, then I would contend that Jerusalem is still under the partial control of "Gentiles" as Temple Mount is still under the control of Muslim authorities. This current conflict may well see the end of that arrangement, but only time will tell.
For my LDS readers, I would recommend a couple videos from the Gospel Lessons YouTube channel. Both of these videos were released recently, but I think they are updates and/or re-releases of older videos. My LDS readers may also want to read “Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord” which discusses D&C 45 and related scripture.
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