The ASSYRIAN in Micah 5
RIGHT:
1. The Revived Roman Empire--Europe only
2. The Revived Roman Empire--Euro-Asia
#2 depicts the actual geographic span of the original Roman Empire. It is predicted to Revive in the Last Days by the vision of the giant statue Daniel saw described in Daniel chapter 2. The statue had 2 legs (not 1 leg) depicting the two halves of the ancient Roman Empire.
Assyria was in the Eastern Roman Empire.
“...at the time of the first advent of Christ Rome already was geographically spread over the East and the West. Prophetically it indicates that at the time of the end Rome again will involve both the East and the West.”
John F. Walvoord, Daniel, the Key to Prophetic Revelation, a Commentary, 1971, p.73.
The "ASSYRIAN" MICAH 5
HERE’S WHY I EXPECT TO SEE…
The Antichrist arise…
…in the Revived Roman Empire
…in the Eastern-Leg
…in the “Land of the North”
…which is in Syria-Iraq
…in Biblical “Assyria”
MICAH 5:2-8
“The events described here are difficult to place historically;”
Gaebelein, Frank E. and Polcyn, Richard P., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 7. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1985, p.429.
“such a Messianic deliverance has never been accomplished in the past”
J. Barton Payne, Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1973, p.83
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel…
5) And this One will be our peace.
When the Assyrian invades our land,
When he tramples on our citadels…
6) And they will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,
The land of Nimrod at its entrances;
And He will deliver us from the Assyrian
When he attacks our land And when he tramples our territory.
7) Then the remnant of Jacob …
8) And the remnant of Jacob Will be among the nations…
CONCLUSION: The prophetic fulfillment of this Micah 5 passage would have to include a major prophetic role at the End Time for Syria-Iraq (Assyria).
Here is why “the Assyrian” should be seen as a literal term in Micah 5:
1. “Assyria” is used side-by-side with a literal “Egypt” in Micah 7:12.
2. In Micah 5:2 we have the famous Messianic prophecy about a literal “Bethlehem”. Three verses later we find mention of Assyria 3 times. One literal, the other not? Why?
3. In a two-verse span (5:5-7) we see “Assyria,” “land of Nimrod,” and “remnant of Jacob” interwoven with one another. The last two are clearly literal terms. It is purely arbitrary to call the thrice-mentioned “Assyria” symbolic.
4. The “land of Assyria” is equated with the “land of Nimrod.” This could not be plainer than pointing your finger to a map of Iraq, which IS the “land of Nimrod”—and Assyria.
5. In view of the above, Micah 5:5-6 says Christ will deliver the remnant of Jacob from the Assyrian, of the land of Assyria, which is the land of Nimrod. CLEAR LITERALISM.