Unleashing the Beast

M EGIDDO : B ATTLE AT THE G ATES / 165

the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them (Ezekiel 38:8). The Jews were dispersed twice. In 606 B.C., Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. It was destroyed the second time in 70 A.D. by the Romans, who burned the Temple and the city, and took the Jews captive. After the death of six million Jews at the hands of the Nazis, God brought the Jewish people back to their original homeland. Although terrorist attacks bring fear to many, Israel has a strong military force and today, the Jews have returned from their captivity. W HEN I SRAEL D WELLS IN S AFETY And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates (v. 11). Four times Ezekiel refers to Israel dwelling safely (vv. 8, 11, 14; 39:26). The word safely can also allude to security. Some would contend that Israel is not dwelling safely since she is surrounded by aggressive Muslim neighbors who seek her destruction, and is exposed to the blasts of suicide bombers. After visiting Israel 21 times, I have visited most areas in daylight and at night without