Russian Fleet Sails for Final Blowout in Syria, Increasing Tension With the US - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Russian warship preparing to sail (Photo by Shutterstock)

Russian Fleet Sails for Final Blowout in Syria, Increasing Tension With the US

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 21, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” Ezekiel 38:2 (The Israel Bible™)

Against a backdrop of increasing tension with the US, the Russian fleet passed through the English Channel on Friday en route to Syria in the country’s largest surface deployment since the end of the Cold War. The British Royal Navy is “man marking” the Russian fleet as it passes their shores, keeping a distance of about five miles in order to monitor it.

According to Western intelligence reports, Russia is sending its entire Northern Fleet and part of its Baltic Fleet, a total of eight warships including one aircraft carrier. The armada is sailing to the Mediterranean to reinforce the Russian military presence in Syria.

A senior NATO diplomat told the Telegraph, a major British news service, that the deployment was part of a renewed Russian attack in Aleppo.

“They are deploying all of the Northern Fleet and much of the Baltic Fleet in the largest surface deployment since the end of the Cold War,” the diplomat said.

“This is not a friendly port call. In two weeks, we will see a crescendo of air attacks on Aleppo as part of Russia’s strategy to declare victory there.”

Russia and the United States are at odds in Syria, with Russia supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad and the US supporting anti-Assad rebels. Both countries have a military presence in the region, though Russia has a more substantial military commitment including advanced anti-air systems. Confrontations have already come close to sparking a multi-national conflict. In November, Turkey, a NATO member and American ally, shot down a Russian bomber over Syria, killing the Russian pilot and a rescue serviceman. War was averted through diplomatic negotiations. Russia initiated severe economic sanctions.

Friction between the two super-powers is growing on the home-front as well. Last Friday, Vice President Joe Biden US Vice President Joe Biden threatened Russia with a cyber-attack in a Meet the Press televised interview.

“We’re sending a message,” Biden warned. “We have the capacity to do it. It will be at the time of our choosing, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest impact.”

The vice-presidential threat comes as a result of claims  Russian  interfered with the American elections by launching cyber-attacks and hacking more than 100 Democratic Party officials and groups.

Russia is taking the cyber-threat seriously. Sergei Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the US, told SCMagazineUK , an online news service for computer security professionals, that the US government has not yet provided proof that the cyber-attacks on the Democratic National Convention was perpetrated by Russia. Yuri Ushakov, the Russian presidential aide, told SCMagazineUK that Russia has already begun designing protective measures.

Ivan Beregovoy, a senior IT engineer of CyberZahita, a Russian developer of IT solutions, said to SCMagazineUK that the US is unlikely to conduct massive cyber-attacks on Russia’s critical infrastructure due to its own vulnerability to such attacks. The US is considered to have a higher level of vulnerability since its businesses and infrastructure are much more dependent on computerization than Russia.

Outpouring of Christian Support for Israel, Decrying UNESCO Resolution - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

The Old City of Jerusalem (Photo: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com)

Outpouring of Christian Support for Israel, Decrying UNESCO Resolution

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 21, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Yerushalayim shall go up from year to year to worship the King Hashem of hosts and to keep the Sukkot.” Zechariah 14:16 (The Israel Bible™)

An outpouring of Christian support for Israel and decrying the UNESCO vote began during Sukkot, a Jewish holiday prophesied to have multi-national relevance.

The resolution passed last week on the day after Yom Kippur, and was ratified by UNESCO’s Executive Committee on Tuesday. It referred to the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, in Arabic terms, erasing any Jewish or Christian connection to the sites. It also solely blamed Israel (referred to as an “occupying nation”) for the violence in the past year, destructive construction on the Temple Mount by the Muslim Authority, and for its self-defensive blockade against shipping into Gaza.

The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (ICEJ) issued a statement last Saturday decrying UNESCO’s “scandalous resolution”.

“This is tantamount to rewriting history and stripping these sites of their 4,000 years of Jewish and 2,000 years of Christian connection,” ICEJ Executive Director Dr. Jürgen Bühler wrote. “This represents a calculated insult against the Jewish people as well as an affront to over two billion Christians worldwide who know full well that as a faithful Jew, Jesus regularly visited the holy Jewish Temple on this site, taught there, and was zealous for its calling as a ‘house of prayer for all nations’.”

The ICEJ is currently hosting it’s 37th annual Feast of Tabernacles conference which brought over 5,000 Christian representatives from all over the world in support  of Israel. The conference culminates in a spectacular parade displaying multinational support for Israel.

In an open act of defiance, 15 Christian parliamentarians from Europe, Africa and Latin America visited the Tomb of the Patriarchs and other parts of Jewish Hebron on Thursday.  They are in Israel to participate in the annual Israel Allies Foundation conference, which is co-sponsored by the World Jewish Congress. This annual conference held during Sukkot brings Christian and Jewish pro-Israeli lawmakers from various countries. The tour of Hebron,  organized by the Council of Judea and Samaria (Yesha), was the first time a group of foreign parliamentarians visited the Jewish community of Hebron.

The UNESCO resolution establishing an Islamic religious monopoly over the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron clearly rejects the Bible which states that Abraham purchased the site.

And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Avraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth. Genesis 23:20

The participants included MEP Bas Belder, MEP Branislav Škripek, MP Jeppe Jakobsen of Denmark, MP Antero Laukkanen of Finland, MP Inga Bite of Latvia, MP Kees van der Staaij of the Netherlands, MP Peter Östman of Finland, MP Pablo Casado of Spain, MP Marek Krajčí of Slovakia, MP Alfred Heer of Switzerland, Minister Ruperto Long of Uruguay, Congressman Gerardo Amarilla of Uruguay, Congresswoman Karla Prendas of Costa Rica, MP Kenneth Meshoe of South Africa, and MP Reverend Matanga of Malawi.

On Thursday, 19 parliamentarians from 17 countries participating in the conference signed a declaration against UNESCO’s resolution, presenting it to Deputy Minister Michael Oren (Kulanu).

In addition to the visiting diplomats, over 30,000 Israelis visited the Biblical city in a call to protest the UNESCO resolution. It has been 50 years since Israel conquered Hebron and the Temple Mount in the Six Day War.

PHOTOS: 50,000 Receive Priestly Blessing at Kotel, Reaffirm Jewish Dedication to Jerusalem - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Jews Gather at Kotel in Jerusalem for Priestly Blessing during holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

PHOTOS: 50,000 Receive Priestly Blessing at Kotel, Reaffirm Jewish Dedication to Jerusalem

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 20, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Hashem thy God in the place which He shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the Shavuot, and on the Sukkot.” Deuteronomy 16:16 (The Israel Bible™)

In a powerful display of the glory that once was the Jewish Temple, tens of thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, in Jerusalem on Wednesday to be blessed by hundreds of Kohanim (Jewish men from the priestly caste). This biannual event recreates a mitzvah (Torah commandment) as it was once performed in the Temple.

About 50,000 people gathered at the Kotel for the priestly blessing. during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

This year, the event took on special significance as it graphically reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the Jews and the Temple Mount, a connection last week’s UNESCO vote sought to erase.

Jewish worshipers praying with great devotion during the holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Sebi Berens/Flash90)

Jews took the traditional four species – lulav, or palm frond; hadas, or myrtle; aravah, or willow; and the etrog, a citron – and performed the ritual shaking in six directions.

Jewish worshippers wave the Lulav and Etrog in front of the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem’s Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The blessing of Israel, once an integral part of the Temple Service, is now performed on a regular basis in synagogues around the world. The Kohanim, Jews who have a family tradition of patrilineal descent from Aaron, the first High Priest, remove their shoes, have their hands washed by men who have a family tradition of being from the tribe of Levi, and stand in front of the congregation, completely covered in their prayer shawls.

The words of blessing are recited with hands outstretched in a particular manner, with the first and second fingers joned, and the third and fourth fingers joined, while they recite the blessing.

Kohanim cover themselves with prayer shawls and raise their hands to bless Israel in front of the Western Wall, during priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Hashem bless thee, and keep thee; Hashem make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; Hashem lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This event comes less than one week after a UNESCO resolution passed which denied any religious or historical connection between Judaism and Jerusalem, renaming the Kotel as Al Buraq Plaza. Israel’s Minister of the Interior, Aryeh Deri (Shas), called for Israelis to protest this resolution by worshiping en masse at the site.

“This year, we’ll come, in our masses, to Jerusalem, to the Western Wall, to the Priestly Blessing. This Wednesday… we’ll all be there. We’ll send a clear message — nobody will separate us from our holy places,” wrote Deri in a Facebook post.

Kohanim cover themselves with prayer shawls as they pray in front of the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem’s Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

It was estimated that more than 50,000 were in attendance, and millions more viewed the event live via kotel cams.

Thousands of Christian Pilgrims Gather in Jerusalem to Affirm Support of the Nations on Sukkot - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles Conference commences at Ein Gedi (Vimeo Screenshot)

Thousands of Christian Pilgrims Gather in Jerusalem to Affirm Support of the Nations on Sukkot

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 19, 2016   BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Yerushalayim shall go up from year to year to worship the King Hashem of hosts and to keep the Sukkot.” Zechariah 14:16 (The Israel Bible™)

In a clear fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah, over 5,000 Christians from more than 90 nations came to Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, which began Sunday evening October 16.

In what has become an annual pilgrimage, thousands came to participate in the 37th annual Feast of Tabernacles conference and celebration, hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). The week-long festival, held from October 16-21, is an unmitigated outpouring of Christian support for Israel.

ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles conference in Jerusalem 2015 (Photo Breaking Israel News/ Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz)

This year, in light of the UNESCO vote last week that granted Islam exclusive religious claim to Jerusalem, the conference takes on an even more urgent note.

The conference coincides with the week-long holiday of Sukkot, which, in Jewish tradition, has significance for all the nations of the world. During the holiday, a total of 70 bull sacrifices were brought to the Temple. In the Talmud, it is taught that Rabbi Eliezer said, “Why are 70 offerings brought on Sukkot? For the [merit of the] 70 nations of the world.” Sukkot is unique among all the Jewish holidays for this international element.

ICEJ 2016 Feast of Tabernacles showing international Christian support for Israel (Photo Vimeo Screenshot)

This year’s conference will feature several dozen pro-Israel Christian parliamentarians and government officials from more than twenty countries. Many of these visiting officials are affiliated with the Israel Allies Foundation, while several African nations are sending government delegations to represent their countries at this year’s Feast. The ICEJ also will host the largest ever groups of pilgrims from Chinese- and Spanish-speaking countries, continuing the trend in recent years of increasing attendance from Latin America and Asia.

The theme of the conference is “All the Families”, referring to the family of nations that trace their lineage back to Biblical Abraham.

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing. Genesis 12:2

The conference opened with a reading of Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones by the ICEJ national directors.

The hand of Hashem was upon me and Hashem carried me out in a spirit and set me down in the midst of the valley and it was full of bones. Ezekiel 37:1

The timely significance of the conference was emphasized when Apostle Rene Terra Nova from Brazil told of an amazing answer to prayer in his country. He proudly announced that as a result of their prayers, the Brazilian government retracted their vote of approval cast last week at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on a resolution saying that the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had no connection to Judaism.

ICEJ Feast f Tabernacles 2016 Ein Gedi (Vimeo Screenshot)

The first night of the conference was celebrated Sunday evening at Ein Gedi, a natural spring on the shores of the Dead Sea. With song and dance, several thousand Christian pilgrims displayed their love and support for the Holy Land.

A prayer session was held on the second day at the Garden Tomb, a rock-cut tomb considered by some Christians to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.

The conference will culminate in the spectacular Parade of Nations, in which thousands of pilgrims, many dressed in their nation’s traditional garb, will parade through Jerusalem.

Parade of Nations 2015 (Photo Breaking Israel News/Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz)

The  conference also gives practical support to Israel. It is Israel’s largest annual

tourist event and the largest solidarity mission to Israel this year, injecting an estimated $16 million into Israel’s economy.

The ICEJ was founded during the first Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in October 1980, in response to the last thirteen national embassies leaving Jerusalem under threat of an Arab oil boycott. Today, the Christian Embassy is considered the world’s largest pro-Israel Christian organization, with established branches in over 85 nations and a reach into more than 160 nations worldwide.

Fiji delegation to Feast of Tabernacles Parade of Nations 2015 (Photo Breaking Israel News/Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz)

Trump Supports Jewish Claim To Jerusalem, White House and Clinton Decry Resolution - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

(Photo: Wikipedia)

Trump Supports Jewish Claim To Jerusalem, White House and Clinton Decry Resolution

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 14, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“And it shall come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Yerushalayim.” Zechariah 12:9 (The Israel Bible™)

The UNESCO resolution erasing all connection between Judaism and Jerusalem generated strong reactions from all quarters, with the two presidential candidates stating unequivocally what their policy will be concerning Israel.

Donald Trump came out strongly against UNESCO’s vote, vowing to make Jerusalem Israel’s capital. In a Facebook post, the Republican presidential candidate vowed that, if elected, he would “recognize Jerusalem as the one true capital of Israel”. He also criticized President Barack Obama for striking out the world ‘Israel’ on the copy of his speech released to the media, reinforcing the official American policy that does not recognize Jerusalem as part of Israel.

Hillary Clinton opted to voice her disapproval via a spokesperson. Clinton’s foreign policy adviser, Laura Rosenberer expressed disappointment in the UNeSCO resolution in a statement:

“It’s Outrageous that UNESCO would deny the deep, historic connection between Judaism and the Temple Mount,” Rosenberer said. “As Secretary of State, Hillary fought to defend Israel against biased resolutions like there at the United Nations and other international organizations and would proudly do so again as President.”

The White House expressed concern about the politicizing of the UNESCO vote. A senior official told the Jerusalem Post:

“The recurring highly politicized use of the UNESCO Executive Board meetings only further underscores the urgent need for the United States to restore its leadership at UNESCO, which has been considerably undercut since the United States ceased funding UNESCO in 2011,” the senior official said. “We will continue to explore with Congress options for resuming payment of our dues, which will allow the United States to play a full role in this organization going forward and advance UNESCO’s work on issues like Holocaust education and countering terrorist narratives.”

State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said, “One-sided anti-Israel resolutions have been a recurring challenge at UNESCO in recent years.”

On Monday, a bipartisan group of American Lawmakers wrote a letter to UNESCO condemning the upcoming vote as a “blatantly biased resolution”.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been highly critical of the UN recently but his cynical response to yesterdays resolution seems to indicate frustration.

5 Biggest Temple Stories of Year Prove Third Temple is Closer Than Ever as Yom Kippur Approaches - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

(Breaking Israel News)

5 Biggest Temple Stories of Year Prove Third Temple is Closer Than Ever as Yom Kippur Approaches

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 11, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto Hashem.” Leviticus 23:27 (The Israel Bible™)

While today, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, means long hours of intense prayer, the modern holiday service is really a stand-in for Biblical sacrifices performed by the High Priest as he entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple in order to beg forgiveness for the Jewish people. While the Temple was standing, thousands would gather to witness the holy offerings and pray for atonement. Though the Temple was not built this year, many significant events have brought us closer than ever before to its prophesied rebuilding, and all over the world, Jews are praying that this time next year, the Yom Kippur service will take place in the Third Temple!

1. Sanhedrin Appoints High Priest in Preparation for Third Temple

In preparation for the High Holidays, the nascent Sanhedrin selected Rabbi Meir Kahane in August to perform the function of the High Priest, should the need arise. Rabbi Kahane has led many reenactments of the Temple Service, and is prepared to perform the service. If a Yom Kippur service is performed on the Temple Mount this year, Rabbi Kahane will not be acting alone. The Temple Institute has initiated a registry of Kohanim (priests) and an institute to educate them, bringing us closer than ever to actualizing our 2,000-year-old dream.

2. Lost Stone From High Priest’s Prophetic Breastplate Thought Found After Incredible Journey

In a remarkable journey that took 1,100 years, a sardonyx was rediscovered in September that many experts believe is actually from the High Priest’s breastplate. The engraving of a Hebrew letter ‘bet’ floats below the surface and has baffled scientists, who have no idea how the engraving came to be. The stone was acquired in Jerusalem in 1189 by a French Templar Knight and was passed down from generation to generation. It has finally resurfaced, and a group of businessmen is working to bring it back home to Jerusalem.

3. Second Temple “Reappears” in the Western Wall Plaza [PHOTOS]

A new attraction at the Kotel Plaza has Temple-minded tourists going wild. A project from The Temple Mount Heritage Foundation and ArchTour opened September 19, recreating the Second Temple in a virtual reality 3-D experience. The virtual tour begins in the Old City marketplace, entering the Temple courtyard through the southern gate, and brings the visitor right into the Temple, where he witnesses the Temple service, up-close and firsthand.

4. Sanhedrin Revives 2,000-Year-Old Blessing for Counting of Jubilee Year

The nascent Sanhedrin jump-started the Torah commandment of counting the 50-year Jubilee cycle as Rosh Hashana went out last year. Not only did this give Jews an opportunity to perform an additional Torah mitzvah, but it officially marked the third arrival of the Jews in the Promised Land. The Sanhedrin counted the first year in a closed room with only a few people to witness it. This year, this special Torah commandment was performed by thousands of Jews, as they marked the second year of the 50-year cycle with its proper blessing, not heard for over 2,000 years.

5. For First Time EVER, Undeniable Evidence of Jewish Temple Discovered [PHOTOS]

A group of archaeologists and volunteers pieced together spectacular marble tiles from the Second Temple courtyard, giving incontrovertible proof that the Temple Mount was home to the Jewish Temples. The tiles were found in piles of refuse taken from the Temple Mount during illegal construction by the Waqf (Muslim Authority). A group of archaeologists and volunteers dedicated themselves to saving the irreplaceable artifacts endangered by the intentionally reckless actions of the Waqf. In September, they completed the painstaking process of piecing together the tile fragments. The result: a glimpse of the glory that once was the Temple.

ISIS Fighting End-of-Days Battle in Dabiq to Bring Muslim Messiah - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

(Shutterstock)

ISIS Fighting End-of-Days Battle in Dabiq to Bring Muslim Messiah

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 6, 2016   BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“Therefore son of man prophesy and say unto Gog: Thus saith the Lord GOD: In that day when My people Yisrael dwelleth safely shalt thou not know it?” Ezekiel 38:14 (The Israel Bible™)

While God’s judgement of the world hangs in balance during the Days of Awe between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, a battle is being fought in a small, dusty town in Syria that ISIS and many of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims believe will usher in Mahdi, the Islamic concept of Messiah.

ISIS believes Mahdi will come after the final apocalyptic battle between “Rome” (or America, in its modern incarnation) and Islam is fought in Dabiq, Syria. Though the current has little strategic military importance and the outcome seems certain, as a small group of ISIS fighters face off against American-led troops, the Koran prophesies that this battle, win or lose, will set off a process resulting in all infidels choosing between conversion and death.

One expert sees this battle as a catalyst setting off intensified ISIS terror attacks around the world in an attempt by the Islamic State to fulfill the prophecy.

Dabiq, Syria (Google Maps)

“ISIS believes quite strongly that the primary eschatological battle between the Muslims and the Christian forces will be fought there,” Dr. Timothy Furnish, an international media commentator and author on radical Islam, explained to Breaking Israel News. “They have been trying to goad the West, primarily the US, into inserting ground forces at that locale.”

Dr. Furnish cited a hadith (Islamic teaching attributed to Mohammed) which states that the “Last Hour would not come” until a vastly superior Roman army composed of “the best soldiers of the people of the earth at that time” came to battle Islam in Dabiq.

Islam’s vision of Messiah is the resurrection of a Muslim Jesus, who will convert all Christians to Islam. Those who do not convert will be killed.

Dabiq is a small Syrian town with a population of 3,000, about 10 miles from the border with Turkey. Rebel troops, including 300 US Special Forces, are currently moving to take the town back from ISIS. Fighting has been fierce and casualties are already high on both sides. Despite its relative unimportance, Islamic State has been focusing all of its efforts on the city.

The battle began on Monday, when the Free Syrian Army – Syrian rebel forces supported by America and Turkey – captured Turkman Bareh, four miles east of Dabiq. The anti-ISIS forces predicted they would capture Dabiq within 48 hours, but their advance slowed after they encountered extensively mined areas, mortars, and explosive devices in their path. Fighting was reported to be especially fierce as ISIS reinforcements poured into the region.

ISIS has put great effort into attracting American attention to the backwater of Dabiq, naming its online propaganda magazine after the town of Muslim armageddon. The magazine’s front cover quotes former terrorist leader and killer Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who proclaimed in 2004, “The spark has been lit here in Iraq, and its heat will continue to intensify – by Allah’s permission – until it burns the crusader armies in Dabiq.”

The first issue of ISIS’ English-language magazine, Dabiq. (Wikimedia Commons)

The small town was prominently featured in a video of Mohammed Emwazi, a British citizen dubbed “Jihadi John“, who joined ISIS and murdered five Western hostages in 2014. He taunted American viewers with the severed head of American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, a former US Army Ranger, at his feet.

“Here we are, burying the first American Crusader in Dabiq, eagerly waiting for the remainder of your armies to arrive,” Emwazi said in the video.

Their efforts to attract America’s attention seems to have succeeded, as the US-led coalition brings “the best soldiers of the people of the earth” directly to Dabiq. Nonetheless, it is not holding onto the city or even winning the battle that is significant to ISIS, but the fact of the battle itself.

Dr. Mordechai Kedar, an Israeli scholar of Arabic literature and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, believes that ISIS will not relinquish its twisted version of Messiah, even if it is defeated in the prophesied Battle of Dabiq.

“No doubt, Dabiq carries a very heavy Islamic meaning,” Dr. Kedar told Breaking Israel News. “I think that the Islamic State will not turn Dabiq into a fight for eternity, and will withdraw eventually from Dabiq as well as from other parts of Syria.”

But Dr. Khedar believes an ISIS defeat in Dabiq will be even more catastrophic for the West than an ISIS victory.

“They will claim that the war on Dabiq can be carried out in the streets of Paris, London, Berlin, Washington DC and Jerusalem,” Dr. Kedar warned. “Meanwhile we can see a war between Russia and the US on Syria. Put simply, Gog and Magog.”