Who are the Kings of the East?

Dr. Couch, during the tribulation the book of Revelation mentions the invasion of the "kings of the East" into the Middle East. Could this be the Chinese? ANSWER:  It could be the Arabic peoples from the region of Saudi Arabia or beyond, and it could also be the Chinese. Many forget that less than 100 years ago, China was divided up into kingdoms that were fairly independent, with some being extremely large. We read: "When the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east" (Rev. 16:12).    The reason I believe it could be the Chinese is because the Arabs are involved with Gog and Magog in the war against Israel. This would leave the "Far Eastern" people, the Chinese, for this battle that is one of the last ones. Since I wrote my Handbook of Revelation the Chinese have come on the stage of historical events at a rapid rate, far faster than I or anyone else could have imagined. Things are changing so fast that it is difficult to keep up with it!    By the way, the kings of the east could be the Japanese. The Greek text in verse 12 actually reads: "the way of the kings who were from the rising of the sun might be prepared." The full orbed sun is put on the Japanese flag! And through the centuries, they have been the most dominate of peoples in the Far East! Robert Thomas adds: "This bowl looks to the future and the last conflict of world empires against God and His Messianic people (Joel 3:2; Zeph. 3:8)."    I believe we could be closer to the end-time events than we could have possibly thought just a few years ago. We are moving deeper and deeper into the apostasy of the church and of the culture than could have been guessed. The rapture of the church is very near!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6-10)

Translation of Joel 3:21

Dr. Couch, what is going on in the translation of Joel 3:21? There is a different word used: "I will acquit," or "I will pardon," or "I will avenge." Which word should be used? ANSWER:  The Rabbis translate this as "I will hold as innocent their blood that I have not held as innocent." The point of the passage is that God has not avenged the Jews because of all the terrible treatment they experienced from the Egyptians and the Edomites, as mentioned in verse 19. But He will someday!    Unger prefers "avenged" and says about this word NaCHaT: "The Lord had not cleansed. Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon." "Zion will have come into salvation and fellowship with her Redeemer [in the future kingdom], and her Redeemer will make His dwelling place with her."    In the Hebrew this verb is a Piel form and should be translated "I will definitely, intensely avenge" Israel. God is going to do this someday when Israel is being blessed in the kingdom with the Messiah reigning! We are getting closer to this great Day! He is coming soon.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Jan., 10)