Rockets Over Israel… Is This Bible Prophecy? | Mike Spaulding

Summary

Podcast Summary: “Rockets Over Israel… Is This Bible Prophecy?”

Podcast: Prophecy Watchers
Hosts: Gary Stearman & Mondo Gonzales
Guest: Mike Spaulding
Date: April 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delves into the unsettling escalation of conflict over Israel, with a barrage of rockets in recent international news. Gary Stearman, Mondo Gonzales, and guest Mike Spaulding analyze whether current events—especially Iranian aggression—mirror the ancient scenario foretold in Ezekiel 38–39, often referenced in Bible prophecy. They discuss the geopolitical landscape, the unique security dynamics of Israel, the roles of Turkey, Iran, and the U.S., and how contemporary developments may foreshadow prophetic fulfillment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Are We Living in the Days of Ezekiel 38–39?

• Direct Comparison to Prophecy:

  • Mike Spaulding: “I absolutely say, yes, we are. This is coming to fruition right in front of our eyes.” ([00:16])
  • Mike encourages believers to observe the geopolitical shifts and relate them to biblical prophecies, but warns against rigid dogmatism.

• The Role of Observation:

  • Mike: ”If you're not going to take time to understand what's going on geopolitically, how in the world do you think you're going to understand any of this?” ([00:45])
  • Gary Stearman notes that witnessing real-time footage of rockets over Israel constantly brings Ezekiel 38 to mind. ([01:14])

2. Geopolitics and Bible Prophecy

• Modern Scenarios Parallel Ancient Texts:

  • The group discusses how Iran's recent attack is reminiscent of the “invader from the north” detailed in Ezekiel 38. Yet, they clarify that what’s occurring now is more of a precursor than the actual fulfillment. ([01:14]–[03:12])

• On Spiritual vs. Practical Explanations:

  • Mondo: “More practical. You're too spiritual for me for a moment.” ([04:15])
  • The conversation shifts to present-day deterrents, particularly Israel’s military strength and the strategic backing of the United States.

3. The United States as Israel’s 'Big Brother'

• Mondo: “If the United States wasn't there, then they would be a little bit more tempted potentially to have a coalition because they could overwhelm little Israel by just sheer numbers. But... that's why we're saying this isn't happening right now, because Israel's alone, but they're not alone right now.” ([04:46])
• Mike concurs, emphasizing that the presence of the U.S. military is a major reason Ezekiel 38 hasn't played out fully.

4. Iran’s Role and the Coming Coalition

• Iran is depicted as a persistent but ultimately unsuccessful adversary, whose repeated failures push it toward forming a broad coalition as described in Ezekiel 38.
  • Mike: “Iran cannot take out Israel by itself. ... They're going to be driven to be a part of this coalition because they know they can't do it on their own.” ([05:25])
  • Mondo: “That revenge that they are looking to. ... That would be sweet, sweet revenge if they could jump on another bandwagon led by Turkey or others.” ([05:55])

5. Ezekiel’s Pictured 'Gathering Storm' & Israel’s State

• Gary Stearman reads Ezekiel 38's description of Israel as a land “dwelling in safety,” with others (Sheba, Dedan, Tarshish) expressing interest—a scenario he likens to a storm gathering on Israel’s borders. ([06:21]–[07:32])

• Mike: “Israel has become by God's grace... a jewel in the midst of barbarism. And all of those eyes are envious eyes. They're looking to come and capture spoil.” ([07:32])

6. Prophetic Interpretation of Israel’s Confidence

• Mondo draws from Hebrew terms in Ezekiel:
  • Israel is described as a country of “unwalled villages”—historically, an image of vulnerability.
  • The key Hebrew word “batak” means dwelling “confidently,” not necessarily in “shalom” (peace). Israel’s current posture is one of confidence, not guaranteed peace. ([08:00]–[09:35])
    • Mondo: “If you go to any village in Israel, it’s not Walled… They are, right now as we watch after this, they're dwelling confidently.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Staying Informed:

  • Mike Spaulding: “If you're not going to take time to understand what's going on geopolitically, how in the world do you think you're going to understand any of this?” ([00:45])

• On Prophetic Parallels:

  • Gary Stearman: “Everybody's going to the shelters. And that has taken many of us back to Ezekiel 38, because... we have an invader. In this case, it was Iran. But it looks like somebody else is getting ready, perhaps Turkey and some of the cohorts of Turkey.” ([01:14])

• On U.S.-Israel Relations:

  • Mondo: “If the United States wasn't there... they could overwhelm little Israel by just sheer numbers. ...Israel’s alone, but they’re not alone right now.” ([04:46])

• On Israel’s Standing:

  • Mike Spaulding: “Israel has become by God’s grace… a jewel in the midst of barbarism. And all of those eyes are envious eyes. They're looking to come and capture spoil.” ([07:36])

• On Israel’s Current Posture:

  • Mondo: “They are, right now as we watch after this, they're dwelling confidently and relatively... most likely tour groups will go back.” ([09:00])

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Important Timestamps

• 00:16 — Mike’s affirmation: “This is coming to fruition right in front of our eyes.”
• 01:14 — Gary relates live news to Ezekiel 38.
• 04:46 — Mondo on the U.S.-Israel dynamic and prophecy timelines.
• 07:36 — Mike’s reflection on Israel as a 'jewel among barbarism.'
• 08:00–09:35 — Mondo’s Hebrew explanation of “dwelling confidently.”

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Conclusion

The hosts and guest offer a compelling, prophetic perspective on the ongoing conflict in Israel, pointing to how world events may be building toward the coalition depicted in Ezekiel 38–39. While they stop short of declaring current events as literal fulfillment, they argue that today's geopolitics closely resemble the conditions the Bible describes. Their discussion remains rooted in Scripture, historical context, and nuanced geopolitical interpretation, urging listeners to watch, learn, and reflect.

Transcript

[A]

So does that make this Ezekiel 38? Does that make this contemporary? In other words, here it is in the Bible. We've got it right before our eyes. Are we reading about something that is a contemporary event to us today?

[B]

I absolutely say, yes, we are. This is coming to fruition right in front of our eyes. And this is a good reason, as we understand Ezekiel 38, 39, this is a good reason. That's exciting. Well, it is exciting. And that's what I was going to say to keep your eyes focused on, you know, I've got some friends that have made this statement and I never quite understood it. And it's this. Well, I don't get involved in politics. I don't want to talk about politics. I don't say anything from the pulpit about politics. And my response is always the same. Well, if you're not going to take time to understand what's going on geopolitically, how in the world do you think you're going to understand any of this? I think you have to speak to the things that we're seeing, not be dogmatic about some of the things, but saying, this looks a lot like this right here and keep an eye on that, which is what we're supposed to be doing anyway.

[A]

Let me make a remark, and it may be slightly out of tune at this moment, but watching international television and watching the Israeli television output, what you find is people standing out at night with microphones and pointing the cameras up into the sky and seeing the rockets fly. Here's a rocket, here's a rocket. Everybody's going to the shelters. And that has taken many of us back to Ezekiel 38, because we're looking here and we have an invader. In this case it was Iran. But it looks like somebody else is getting ready, perhaps Turkey and some of the cohorts of Turkey. But what I'm, in response to what you said, I'm thinking I'm seeing this on TV right now. I'm seeing rockets come into Israel.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I'm thinking about, do I dare say that we're this far into Bible prophecy that we can say this is happening right now?

[B]

Well, love him or hate him,

[C]

we

[B]

were talking about this the other day, Mondo love him or hate him. And we did in your office just not too long ago. God's got his hand on the Donald Trump. And the reason that I say that is because of things that come out of his mouth, the things that he says that caused me to pause, because what he says isn't really his intention. But he's putting it out there to get people and then he's doing something else. So it's like, what is the something else he's doing? Well, if you know your scriptures, boy, he is. The Lord is using him to pave the way to bring these things to pass. So it's very interesting to me right now, the days in which we live,

[C]

you know, and I will, I will say that, you know, what we, what we aren't saying is that what we're seeing right now in Iran is Ezekiel 38. What we're saying is looking at what the description is here and how it's playing out, it does contribute ultimately to Iran's weakness. And then where Iran fits, Persia fits in the coalition here, it's not the leader. Basically, I think, I would imagine that Turkey's leader. Let me summarize something and get your guys thoughts because what in my mind, Ezekiel 38 presents this scenario where Israel is alone. You have Sheba and Dedan making a protest, which most likely is Saudi Arabia, at least according to the ancient language. So Saudi Arabia or other peoples, maybe the Gulf states, are making this protest about this coalition that's coming up. What prevents Turkey right now from coming and joining with Iran against Israel?

[B]

The supernatural hand of God. Okay, timing. Yes, timing.

[C]

More practical. You're too spiritual for me for a moment. In a practical sense, what would prevent, in a geopolitical sense right now, who's the biggest?

[B]

Well, Israel really has, has flexed its muscles right now. And I think that that has put Erdogan, Turkey and anybody else who's in the background with designs on Israel. It's given them pause because they understand as this, the status quo right now is they don't stand a chance.

[C]

But think bigger, think bigger. Well, I'm leading the witness now in my mind, the United States. Yeah, the United States is the big brother with all of its things out there. If the United States wasn't there, then they would be a little bit more tempted potentially to have a coalition because they could overwhelm little Israel by just sheer numbers. But what we see is, that's why we're saying this isn't happening right now, because Israel's alone, but they're not alone right now. And so Ezekiel portrays a future where they get attacked by a huge coalition. Right, all your bands. And Israel will not have the big brother of the United States there. That's kind of where I was thinking.

[B]

And I agree with that, Mondo. And just one other thought I want to throw in there, talking about this coalition. I think what we're witnessing right now is the fact that Iran cannot take out Israel by itself. It has tried. It has proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah and the Houthis, but they've learned we don't stand a chance. They're going to be driven to be a part of this coalition because they know they can't do it on their own.

[C]

And they're obviously eating crow right now. And imagine here where they see another coalition that is seeking to come down at a future time, and they're like, we want a part of that. Because that revenge that they are looking to. Well, obviously they hate Israel. That would be sweet, sweet revenge if they could jump on another bandwagon led by Turkey or others. They're not going to forget what's happening right now.

[B]

Yeah, that's now.

[A]

Gog says, I'll go up to the land of unwalled villages among the people that are rested well, safely. You know, Israel has, until very recently, dwelt in great safety. Tourism exploded and businesses of various kinds blossomed in Israel. Everybody was saying it's full speed ahead for Israel, except Islam hates the very sight or the thought of Israel. And you go down to the 13th verse here, it says, Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish will all the young lions thereof shall. Well, let's just say this group looks and says, can I get something out of this, too? So what we've got here is a picture of a gathering storm. It starts in the north, it comes down, and now it goes to Sheba and Deda, and there's a gathering of invaders all around Israel. Do we see something like that shaping up right now?

[B]

Well, Israel has become by God's grace.

[C]

They don't deserve it.

[B]

Let's just be honest. They don't deserve it. That's right. They have become a jewel in the midst of barbarism. And all of those eyes are envious eyes. They're looking to come and capture spoil. They see Israel as very attractive to them, and they don't understand what's behind it.

[C]

And the hooks and the jaws as they're drawing us down. Yeah, they get drawn. It's interesting, too, that, you know, if you get our magazine, the upcoming magazine, I talk about this particular passage in the sense of without walls. And if you go to Israel today, Israel, there's a very small border wall, and then the rest of it is just fence. But Israel is a. It says unwalled villages. And if you go to any village in Israel, it's not Walled. I mean, especially if you think about, in my mind, from Ezekiel's day, in Ezekiel's time context, right? If your village wasn't walled, you were sitting duck. And so today that's not how we do war. And so they are. At least that verse is true, they're on walled villages. But the second thing as I highlight in there is the Hebrew word batak and the Hebrew word shachat, you know, that they will be dwelling. It doesn't say peace. Some versions will say peace. That's not the word shalom. And so it says they'll be dwelling confidently and quietly. Shakat is the idea of, like I would tell my girls, I know some modern Hebrew and I remember when I was in Israel doing some excavations, there was a woman there who was the leader of some of the younger students. And I would hear her say, shek it, Shek it, you know, And I was like, I think I know what that means, you know? And so it's like, shut up, it's quiet, it's be quiet, settle down. And so you have this idea that Israel is going to be dwelling confidently over. Confidently, I would say, especially what we're seeing now. I mean, Israel is. They're flexing, like you said. So they are. Right now, as we watch after this, they're dwelling confidently and relatively. Again, most likely tour groups will go back the word. This idea that this requires some peace, universal peace agreement. I don't necessarily. That's not required by the text. That might happen, but so people say, oh, this will never happen until there's comprehensive Abraham records. They go, I know that's not what the text is saying. But nevertheless, they are dwelling confidently for sure.