Scripture defines three distinct groups of powers which will be prominent in relation to Palestine in the last days. They are the last great confederacies which will bring to a climax the "times of the Gentiles." Their fall will mark the end of Gentile dominion in the earth.

The first group is that of the Roman empire, revived after being non-existent for many centuries. It is the "Beast that was, and is not, and shall be present" (Rev. 17:8). According to the prophetic Word it will consist of ten nations allied together. We find this notably in Daniel (chs. 2:40-43; 7:23-25) and Revelation (chs. 13:1; 17:12). It would appear from the present alignment of powers in western Europe that the empire of the future will occupy about the same geographical boundaries as the old Roman Empire.

Exactly what powers will comprise the future alliance may not be certainly stated, but it is not difficult to count ten powers, large and small, of which it may consist. Conditions in Europe would seem to be rapidly shaping for the rise of this empire of which the prophet Daniel spoke so precisely twenty-five centuries ago. It is evident from the extremity to which the European nations have been reduced that the hand of God is heavy upon them, and when the time arrives, by His permission, the alliance to which prophecy points will immediately spring into being.

Of the second group, Russia will be the chief power. It is well known that "Gog.. .the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal" (Ezek. 38:3) is Russia. Linked with her will be Germany, which is indicated by "Corner and all his bands" (ver. 6). In Genesis 10, where the peoples were divided according to their nations, we find their beginning among the sons of Japheth. There were Corner, and Ashkenaz, his son; also Togarmah who is mentioned with Gog in the end times. The descendants of the sons of Corner are the German peoples of to-day, and their alliance with Russia grows daily nearer of accomplishment.

At present Germany is a member of the League of Nations, but this is not where prophecy places her. In the final line-up she will be found in her place with the central powers. A Dictator has arisen in Germany who is hostile to the Jews. This is consistent with her identification with the central powers, whereas the western alliance of which we have spoken, will be friendly to the Jews and will doubtless be instrumental in restoring them to their land in unbelief (see Isa. 18). Of this we see a forecast already in Great Britain's present attitude toward them.

Finally, the third group will consist of an alliance of the kings of the East. This union would appear to be an assembly of the yellow races, but may not be limited to them. China's troubles grow more acute as the years roll on, and just now Japan is threatening her northern borders. All this may be a part of the birth-throes which will eventually produce the unification of the vast masses of population of central Asia. We may also visualize the millions of India as included in this alliance. Their number is said to be, "two hundred thousand thousand." These are prepared for "an hour and a day and a month and a year" (Rev. 9:15,16), and when the predetermined moment arrives these vast armies will begin their march to cross the Euphrates toward Palestine. The river Euphrates represents some obstacle or opposing force in their path. In days of old the Assyrian was likened to a river which overflowed, and swept over "Immanuel's land" (Isa. 8:7,8). In the future the drying up of the Euphrates clears the way for the onward sweep of these vast hordes. This will occur under the sixth trumpet and vial judgments (Rev., chs. 9,16), and the object of their attack would seem to be the armies of the Roman empire who will also be in the land at that time. The Euphrates was the boundary of the old Roman empire, and it is also the boundary of Israel's future inheritance (see Num. Bible, Hebrews to Revelation, p. 414).

The judgment of all these armies will take place in the land of Palestine. The leader of the western confederacy, called the "Beast," will become the object of the special judgment of God. The friendship to Israel will have turned to hatred, as under Satanic influence he will break the covenant made with them at the beginning and become their bitter persecutor, so that, in common with other nations, they will say, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance" (Ps. 83:4). This will be met by the glorious appearing of the Lord, with the armies of heaven, so graphically portrayed in Revelation 19. It is at that time that this great political leader called the "Beast," together with the "false prophet," will be cast alive into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:19, 20).

The remaining alliance, that of the central or northern powers, will meet their doom some time later. They will see the restored people of Israel dwelling defenseless and in peace in the land, and will propose to march upon them and secure immense riches in silver and gold, cattle and goods (Ezek. 38). As Pharaoh pursued Israel when they left Egypt, and came to an ignominious end in the Red Sea "That the Egyptians may know that I am Jehovah" (Exod. 14:4), so Russia and her many bands will sweep down "upon the people that are gathered out of the nations," and here again the Lord will intervene in their behalf, pouring out judgment upon their old persecutors, "That the heathen may know Me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes" (Ezek. 38:16).

The ways of God are consistent with, and true to, His written Word. "When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance…. He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel" (Deut. 32:8). He told Abram, in the first promise made to him, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:3). Centuries later, by the prophet Jeremiah, He says, "Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase. All that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord" (Jer. 2:3). This has been consistently adhered to in God's dealings with the nations all down the centuries. Nor could it be otherwise, since, in the purposes of God, the world's blessing is bound up with, and dependent on, the blessing of His chosen people, Israel. So in the final judgment of the living nations, God will mete out to them according to the attitude they have assumed toward the people of His choice. R. B. Eames