Israel has a special place in LDS theology, both as a people and as a state. Part of our tenth Article of Faith states, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes” We believe that the gathering started many years ago and will continue to take place until the state of Israel fills the boundaries prophesied in the Bible. Obviously that will not sit well with the people who currently occupy those lands.
Genesis 15:18 – “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” Hmmm… The river of Egypt I know but where is the river Euphrates? Why, isn’t that Iraq? Actually, it starts in Turkey, runs through Syria, then Iraq before emptying into the Persian gulf. It kind of cuts the region in two. And Israel’s Northern border will extend up to the Euphrates?
Let’s see, so Israel’s borders will include Damascus someday. If you think the Arabs hate the Jews now, just wait until Israel takes over the land that surrounds it on the Northeast including the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. We also believe that a temple will be built or rather rebuilt where the Dome of the Rock now stands. The stone under the Dome of the Rock is the site where Abraham fulfilled God’s test to see if he would be willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. That is also the site where the Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven. Technically the Dome of the Rock is currently under Israeli control but administered by the Muslim Council.
Update: Here is a great quote from David J. Ridges from 50 Signs of the Times and the Second Coming. “This is a most unfortunate rumor because it causes additional animosity between Christians and Muslims. There is nowhere in the scriptures where it is stated that the Jerusalem Temple has to to be built on the exact site of the Dome of the Rock, a mosque which is so sacred to Muslims. There is plenty of room on the so called ‘Temple Mount’ for both.”
Someday the world, including the United States, will turn against Israel and will gather in huge numbers (200 million) to fight the battle of Armageddon against a defiant Israel. In a sense that battle has already started. It is a religious war between those who believe in God and Jehovah and those who are the enemies of such faith. It is a battle between good and evil. It will be a holy war with men fighting for their religion on all sides. Israel and Jerusalem will host the final battle but the war will be worldwide and has already commenced.
What do you think? Will we see this great battle take place in our lifetime?
