Japan's Role in biblical Prophecy

Last week, i saw a Tv documentary called, "Of Rites & Rituals 2" which featured a village in Japan celebrating a fire-God day. All men who hit the ages of 25 & 43 are said to be most prone to Demon's attack. Hence they must drag several sacred tree logs to the countryside, build a big altar, then burn it to appease the Fire God. For me, i do not condone such "works". Japan is a nation which heavily worships Gods of the weather elements, e.g. fire gods, river gods, mountain gods,their ancestors and shinto shrines. For a nation where most citizen are bound by religious laws and Works, i ponder what is Japan's future in biblical prophecy.

I found an article[1] on this issue and will attempt to do a summary. Ezekiel 38-39 prophesies the fate of nations in the end of days prior to the return of Jesus Christ. It speaks of a world war between two blocs. The attacking bloc will be led by Russia, China, Iran, ex-Soviet states in Central Asia, radical Islamic states in Central Asia and northern Africa etc. The bloc under attack belongs to the 10 tribes of Isreal. They comprises of modern day European and Scandinavian nations, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. It also includes allies such as the modern day Israelis, Eastern and Southern European nations and moderate Arab states.

Then Ezekiel 38:13 prophesies:

"Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto you [to Gog, the Russian-led alliance], Have you come to take a spoil? Have you gathered your company to take a prey? To carry away silver and gold, to take cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?". The modern day nations of Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions will oppose this global war with all of their might.

In the Author's view, "merchants of Tarshish" infers modern day Japan because 1) the people of Tarshish is identified in genesis 10:4 as descendants from Japheth, whose offsprings now populate mostly Asia; 2) Japan pioneered the export-driven model of mercantile sales to other nations as a national policy so much so they have been called a nation of "merchants". The article also explains how Sheba & dedan refers to India, and all the young lions refer to nations such as South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, etc.

This bloc of Asian nations (India, Japan & young lions nations) could be an ally of the ten tribes of Israel; or as a neutral bloc between two warring alliances. Nonetheless, the author believes Japan will be a military ally of the USA in this final world war. Even if Japan, India and other Pacific Rim nations are not initially attacked, the USA would surely retaliate with forces based in Japan. Also, Japan, India, etc. should realize that if the US and the West fell, Japan, India and the other nations would next be targeted for attack by Russia, China, Iran, etc.

Matthew 24:21-22 calls this climactic world war at the end of our age (prophesied in Ezekiel 38) the "Great Tribulation," a time which would result in the death of "all flesh" if God were not to Divinely intervene to stop it. Ezekiel 38-39 prophesies that God will intervene in this final world war to fight on the side of the ten tribes of Israel and their allies. The nations who are on the side of Russia, China, Iran, etc. will suffer a death rate of 5/6ths of their populations, according to Ezekiel 39:1-6.

I finally understand what is Japan's destiny.. and Singapore's destiny as well... in Abba's plan.

[1]Source: Steven M. Collins (May 23, 2007), “What is Japan's Role In Biblical Prophecy?”, The Bible Study
website at Biblestudy.org Url: http://www.biblestudy.org/prophecy/what-is-role-of-japan-in-bible-prophecy.html

Click here to download: http://andrewsmu2005.googlepages.com/JapansroleinBibleProphecy_2007_.pdf

[2] Ezekiel 39:1-11 explains in detail how Abba will intervene in this great war & make the enemies lose. In particular refer to Ezekiel 39:11 The number of dead bodies left after the great catastrophe which God will send upon Gog and his hosts would necessarily amount to several millions. Their graves would naturally interfere with traffic on the interstate highway. The dead will not be slain in battle. God will slay them by a great "cosmic catastrophe" (Ezek. 38:18-23). And not just some, but "all" of Gog's multitude will die then (Ezek. 39:4, 11); before they have had a chance to use their weapons, God will strike them from their hands (Ezek. 39:3). That one-sixth of the horde from the north will be left alive, as the King James Version says (Ezek. 39:2), is without noted exception conceded to be a mistaken translation by all authorities of modern times.

url:http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2038-39%20;&version=45