There are two scriptural reference passages, in the Old Testament books of Ezekiel 38 and 39, that many Biblical Scholars, including this author, believe point to present-day countries, often called the New World.  These countries, which would not have had names at the time of Ezekiel's writing, are most-likely identifiable as countries based on an identification of "young lions".

Young Lions

The "young lions" is contained in the Ezekiel 38:13 scriptural passage and the connection of the identification of the young lions is they are associated with the "merchants of Tarshish".  By identifying the merchants of Tarshish, then can lead us to the most likely identification of the young lions.

Many Biblical Scholars, including this author, believe the young lions are the modern-day countries of:

• Australia,
• New Zealand,
• United States, and
• Some other countries across the Earth.

While the scripture verse of scripture of Ezekiel 38:13 does not directly name the areas or countries to be identified with the young lions, this is  because the countries did not exist at that time.  Therefore the Ezekiel, per the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, used the description idiom pointer young lions for us to discern.

The "young" adjective of the noun "lions", indicates the young lions are not old.  Since Sheba, Dedan and Tarshish are named in the Ezekiel 38:13 passage, then this is the clue to something not in existence at the time of the scriptural writing.

In the Book of Daniel, Chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a statue with 5 parts. and then King Nebuchadnezzar has a vision in Daniel Chapter 8.  This is an example of how the scriptures will use idioms and other information for the reader to understand in advance what God wants us to know.  

In the scriptures, Daniel Chapter 2 does not name the Kingdoms but in Daniel Chapter 8, we learn more about these kingdoms by the idioms along with Daniel giving the names of two of the Empires because the places existed at that time.

Additionally, there are many places in the scriptures where the names of countries, regions and people are used as a reference to a future prophecy, even though the people and areas are no longer known as that name in modern-times.  This is not a problem, nor is a mistake in the scriptures as places have continually had their names changed in history.  Two fairly well-known examples are Cape Canaveral, in the United States, was formerly known as Cape Kennedy, and St Petersburg in Russia at one time was known as Leningrad and also Petrograd.

In the scriptures, God has given us the names of places that are relevant to the Young Lions prophecy and other associated prophecies with the Young Lions.  Also, the other extraordinary events at that time of the Young Lions, are prophecies witnessing:

• To those who do have Salvation in Jesus Christ to continue to grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ as we recognize so many areas on the Earth being prepared for prophetic fulfillments, and
• To witness to those who do not have Salvation to ask Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Even with scriptural illiteracy throughout the Earth, it would be hard to find someone who has NOT heard about Jesus Christ, and has been exposed to more than we realize about many scriptural references.

The Parable of the Foolish Virgins is a beautiful illustration of God knows that some people will go through the Tribulation Period, even unto death, because they did not make the Salvation decision before the 70th Week of Daniel began.  Jesus Christ in the scriptural passage of Matthew 24:9-14, spoke about being delivered after the time after the entire world had received the gospel of Jesus Christ.

More on names that are also dealing with the Young Lions and others after the Young Lions event:

1. The names of locations, in the past, can then determine the modern-day name based on historical information.   Gog and Magog is a fairly well-known reference by almost everyone on the Earth now, which is dealing with several countries that will be involved in war immediately before the 70th Week of Daniel.   Gog and Magog are also referenced a second-time at the end of the 1000 Year Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ. 
   (a) There are two Gog and Magog events, where in this topic on Young Lions, it is about the first Gog and Magog Event.  
   (b) Note that the  Tribulation Period is the last three and half years of the 70 Week of Daniel.
   (c) Many Biblical Scholars, that this author agrees, state the Rapture of the True Believers with Salvation on the Earth will be Raptured moments before the first Gog and Magog Event.
2. A descriptive name of a person such as the famous "666" reference of the False Trinity's Antichrist of the Tribulation Period.   The scriptures could have given us the exact name of the Antichrist, but 2 Thessalonians 3 informs us that his name will not be revealed until the appointed time.

Scriptural References

Here is a small list of scriptures that indirectly mention the countries of Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Americas and many nations.

Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39 Gog and Magog

The two chapters of Ezekiel 38 and 39 are prophetic to the end-time dealing with the time before the tribulation period where God is letting us know that there will be a northern lead configuration of nations that include several others that will come against Israel.  Biblical Scholars are not all in agreement with the invasion of Gog and Magog occurring before the Tribulation Period.  Some believe it be part and at the start off the Tribulation Period.   For a more detailed explanation, click here on Gog and Magog.

Sheba, Dedan, Tarshish, and the Young Lions Scripture Reference

Since at least the 1960s, there have been many Biblical Scholars who have stated:

• The "Sheba, and Dedan" references are the peoples from the kingdom areas of modern-day Saudi Arabia and surrounding areas.  These are the Arab descendents of Noah's son Ham.
• The "Tarshish" reference, by some Biblical Scholars, has been identified as a city and region across the sea from Israel which would most likely have been in the Western Mediterranean area or even further away. 
  (a) There is one old general theory that Tarshish might have been a primary city in Turkey that had influence and trade throughout the Mediterranean Sea.  This is not as highly accepted as it once was and contradicts the "other reference collaboration "safely in the Isles" of Ezekiel 39:6.
  (b) The prevailing and accepted theory is Tarshish refers to source of Tin from the times of the Old Testament, which would indicate the British Isles, before it was known later as the United Kingdom, as it was known in history as a source of Tin.  Tin was a highly valued source for creating weapons, cooking utensils and even jewelry in the ancient world.
• The "young lions" reference is identifying the nations that have been formed from the British Empire.  The British Empire, at one time, had a famously known quote that stated "the British Empire on which the sun never sets".  

Regarding more points to consider on the "young lions" reference:

1. Notice the "young lions" is plural reference, meaning more than just one.  As stated above in this topic, the "young" means something relatively new that did not have a name yet, which also indicates a future time-period.
2. The scripture verse is also referring to other scriptural passages dealing with the period of time during the Gog and Magog invasion, where the referenced nations (Young Lions) will come to take part:
   (a) Young Lions will attempt to be a protection of Israel,
   (b) Young Lions will be an aggressor towards those who come against Israel,
   (b) Young Lions will stop those who are attempting the plundering of Israel, and
   (c) Young Lions will protect Israel from a theft by the military opportunity that comes against Israel.

As stated above, the key verses are "dwell securely in the coastlands" (Ezekiel 39:6) and "The coastlands will wait for Me" (Isaiah 51:5) which means the "young lions" have to have coastlands.  In some translations the "coastlands" is "isles"

Many Biblical Scholars have stated that the Bible anticipates all questions and would not leave out major areas of the world from scripture if these areas had a future role and trust in God.  Therefore, many have argued this and then rely on the "young lions" reference to point to the areas and continents that the people during the times of the writing of the Old and New Testament would not have known will exist in the future. 

Can the symbol of the Lion be associated and connected to any area or country besides the British Empire in the context of the passage?  The answer is no because there is no other country with this symbol that gave birth to many other countries.  The national symbol of England and its British Empire has been the Lion since Richard 1 in 1100s, according to numerous sources.  King Richard was the king of England from 1189 until his death.  In Ezekiel 38:13, the consensus of those who take this view, as well as this author, is the primary nations that primarily came out of the British Empire which will, in some part, be affected by the scriptural verse are:

Dwell Safely in the Coastlands

Besides the Ezekiel 38:13 scriptural reference there is another scripture, Ezekiel 39:6, that most likely applies to United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and others in the young lions reference. 

Many Biblical Scholars, state the meaning of Ezekiel 39:6 is the nations that believe they are safe because they are separated by oceans and great bodies of water are fooled into a false sense of security.  Two of the primary theories, by Biblical Scholars, state that one or both of these two points are true when dealing with the nations which are referenced in Ezekiel 38:13 and the fate that is described in Ezekiel 39:6:

• Will be entangled in the defense of Israel when Gog and Magog attacks and therefore will suffer repercussions of military strikes.
• Will be attacked first by Gog and Magog so that these nations cannot come in defense of Israel.

*** The greatest threat that most, if not all countries, in the world are most vulnerable to, is a small-scale atomic weapon exploding in the atmosphere that can cause an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP).  An EMP can destroy anything that use electronic circuitry. The significance of the after-math of an EMP could cause the collapse of almost all major infrastructure communications, power grids, transportation system including all vehicles, food distributions, hospitals and so much more.  It is very hard to guard against a missile that is launched in international waters where the height of the explosion can send the EMP pulse a significant distance reaching inland.

**** Note that God will defend Israel in the first Gog and Magog invasion and God will not share credit with the Young Lions and even Israel's Military abilities as read in Ezekiel 38:22-23.  In this author's opinion, God actions will start the awaking of Israel to recognizing their Savior which is the Tribulation's Purpose, which ends the blindness pronounced by Jesus Christ in Matthew 23:37-39.

Billy Graham's Wife Quip

Note: As a proud and patriotic citizen of the United States, it is unfortunate that there is some derogatory information that has to be explained, where most Christians would agree with this author's explanation of Billy Graham's wife comment.  If you are a proud citizen of another country and a Christian, then you also will see and understand the comments which your country might be dealing with also.

Back in 1965, there is a quote from the wife of the very well-known, respected and loved evangelist and bestselling author Billy Graham.  Billy Graham's wife, Ruth Bell Graham stated the following about the United States of America (USA):

"If God doesn t judge America, he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology."

Many people familiar with Bell's comment, have pointed out that this was before the United States became the prevailing creator, example, accepter and exporter of many evils:

1. Devaluing life in the elderly and the unborn.
2. Acceptance of illegal drug usage, consumption and profiteering that has destabilized communities in the United States and entire countries that supply narcotics. 
   (a) This has also lead to human-trafficking and illegal immigration where the blame is 100% on the consumer in countries like the United States. 
   (b) With soft penalties then there is no deterrent and while we all remember the prohibition on alcohol, in the 1920s, did not work, there can be some areas where legalization make sense such as marijuana in some cases.,
   (b.1) Note that marijuana studies are showing that marijuana is a dangerous drug that use can cause different types of mental illness. 
   and Marijuana - Rates and Predictors of Conversion to Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Following Substance-Induced Psychosis
   (b.2) There can be no legitimate recreational use and leniency for narcotics like Crystal Meth, Heroin and even Cocaine which eventually will permanently damage the brain and body of a user.
   (c) Illegal narcotic trafficking has and is causing murder over control of delivery routes for those involved and law enforcement.  The recreational or addicted user may feel that innocuous usage is not hurting anyone, but they are absolutely wrong.
3. Corrupt business practices that:
   (a) rewards only some individuals,
   (b) takes advantages of labor,
   (c) treats employees as merely an asset that can be discarded,
   (d) steals intellectual property,
   (e) uses lawyers to steal, conquer, bankrupt and subjugate others.
4. Open sexual lifestyles where anything is acceptable as long as it is consensual, which:
   (a) Ultimately hurts one or both involved in emotional aspects,
   (b) Spreads sexual transmitted diseases, and
   (c) Hurts families and others that were not directly involved.
5. Peoples perceptions as shown and glorified in movies and television on adultery, murder, revenge and pornography.
   (a) Adultery destroys families, scars and effects the full life of everyone involved and those who suffer because of it.
   (b) Murderers in the United States and many countries are never executed, which prevents the healing of the land, jobs and so much more.
   (c) Revenge causes an escalation of evil.
   (d) Pornography is a gateway to many type of satanic evils that causes the loss of so many blessings. 
   The general attitude that has changed and is pervasive is "do unto others before they do unto you", and this is evil!
6. Acceptance of Evolution which is very easily proven false.
7. The method being taught school systems that purposely has goals that are against God and teaches there is no God.    
8. Chief designer and creator of computer software games that glorify murder / killing, theft, violence and rape.

Bell Graham's comment was based on the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah as compared to the United States, where the evidence of the direction headed for the United States was very plain to see even back in the year of 1965.

What is Protecting Countries from Judgment?

The questions for us is "what is protecting the countries like the United States and any other country from a full judgment?"  In the minds of many Biblical Scholars, the protection thus far from a Sodom and Gomorrah type of consequence is the United States and other countries allegiance and protection of Israel.  The history of nations that have mistreated, hurt, killed and attacked the Jewish People and Israel have all had their nations suffer greatly. 

The history of countries in Europe, with their treatment of Jewish people, can be traced with their prominence that diminished along with national problems because of their participation, neglect and actions against Jewish people.  It is astonishing that many do not recognize the patterns in history that have happened against the countries and peoples who have done evil against Jews and Israel. 

Another belief, supported by the scriptures, is God is waiting for all of those who will chose Jesus Christ as their Savior before allowing a punitive judgment against the young lions.

Yellowstone's Volcano in North America, and E.M.P. Anywhere

On January 28, 2023 a Chinese Air Balloon entered USA Airspace and continued until February 4, 2023.  When the balloon was over the eastern coastal city of Myrtle South Carolina, the Air Force shot down the balloon.  There was many questions on the purpose where some analysts believed the balloon to be a test of penetrating USA airspace before being neutralized. 

This author in 1990s worked for one of the major Oil Exploration companies in the United States.  This Oil Exploration company has Down-Hole drilling equipment where in certain stages will have devices that contain small radioactive sources that are used in the detection of the surrounding materials in a drilling hole into the earth's surface.  These devices are highly dangerous if not contained in protection containers.  When in storage bunkers the door entering into the bunker is often fitted with a door like a nuclear powered submarine for protection that this author witnessed.  When sources are being transported to and from storage into the drilling down-hole device, there are highly regimented procedures.  The well-known aspect of these radioactive sources is they can also be used in what is known as dirty-bombs and even potentially used in some small scale EMP devices based on some specific types of radioactive sources.

The containers for down-hole drilling radioactive sources can still have omissions of some radioactive trace elements. This author designed and programmed the software that tracked all the global air, land, and sea transportation with the permits and the personnel who handled the transportation and handling for the drilling radioactive sources.  Many governments have detection devices strategically placed all over their country that will pick up movements of radioactive containers.   Government agencies will have routine detections occurred and the detections are matched with filed permitted routes that are currently in transit.  My company was contacted a few times for a radioactive trace alerts in Chicago where there was no registration by any company shipping permits which caused a national security alert.

Three points on the Chinese Air Balloon and EMPs:

1. As the United States and many countries have the ability to detect radioactive interiors in land, sea and air transportation, so it would be assumed that the Chinese Air Balloon had no EMP potential threat.  The problem is a very small amount can be possibly not detectable and what if there was a large scale amount of poison, such as cyanide, that could have been planned to be dropped or have the balloon descend into a municipality's water reservoir?  Most people do not know that industrial cyanide, used in industrial pipe fabrication and other manufacturing is somewhat easily obtainable.
2. With advancement of containers for radioactive source, that would elude detection, could any country's enemies infiltrate borders with small EMP components and radioactive sources?  The United States virtually has thousands of miles of unprotected borders from Mexico and Canada.
3. Many countries have community hot air balloon festivals, where an infiltration by a hostile rogue terrorist group can easily get into a recreational hot air balloon festival.  The hot air balloon could essentially be used like a combatant drone.  How fast could an Air Force plane intercept the balloon to explode it with a missile before an EMP or poison event happened?  Exploding the hot air balloon could also have the potential of collateral damage and deaths.

In another area of vulnerability, unbeknownst to many people in the United States, Canada and Mexico there is a very real possibility that the volcano located in the Yellowstone Park of the northwest area of the United States could one day have a super-eruption with severe ferociousness that can cause earthquakes and cataclysmic consequences for much of North America. 

The United Sates Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any predictions about this happening in the near future and this author does not think it is eminently going to happen.  The Yellowstone Volcano is mentioned because God could use this natural event for judgment before the Rapture.  Also the enemies of the United States could use a small-scale atomic device to trigger a volcano event from Yellowstone. 

What to read next?

What is Salvation?  Is it is possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life.  Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?