This idea may sound strange in this world of metal, plastic, fiberglass and carbon fiber weapons, but weapons are coming full circle. There is recent and new technology that is bringing back wooden weapons. Not necessarily bows, spears and shields, as mentioned in the Bible and history class, but similar uses.
The Dutch developed a high-tech wood material named Lignostone back in the 1980s. According to Meyers (2004), “The Russians have adopted it for military use. It is relatively lightweight, virtually invisible to radar, said to be stronger than steel, and resists nuclear radiation. It was originally developed as a fuel source.” This Lignostone is an extremely durable “cast stone” product made from finely ground wood. Heat and intense pressure are applied. It can be hand cast, which means that a wide variety of shapes can be produced to meet individual design needs. Lignostone is a material that closely resembles natural stone, with a significant cost advantage. It also burns more efficiently than coal.
Another material with great potential is nanocellulose. It’s a useful material that can come from just about any plant product including wheat stalks, trees, flax stocks, hemp and many others. Brazilian scientists have already used nanocellulose from bananas to make a type of plastic that is 30% lighter and 4 times stronger than petroleum-based plastic. The car company Ford is thinking about replacing the plastic parts of cars with this new nanocellulose material, which could cut the weight of the car by 250-750 pounds. This would increase the fuel economy and the durability of the parts, according to Andrews (2012).
What’s this have to do with wooden weaponry? Well, all the conventional wood, plastic, fiberglass and other materials on modern weaponry could be replaced by either Lignostone or Nanocellulose parts. This would include gun stocks, optics, helmets, riot shields, riot batons, body armor and even larger things like vehicle parts, boats and aircraft.
Nanocellulose is completely clear, harder and stronger than plastic, so it can also be used in protective eyewear, windows and display cases, according to Morris (2015). Bullet proof windows thanks to the plant life God designed and created.
This nanocellulose material is also insoluble in water, so it resists water yet accepts oils, which makes it perfect for small firearms and many other applications. More importantly Borjesson and Westman (2015) said they’re cheap, durable, burnable and biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly. Environmentally friendly weapons - what will they think of next?
Ezekiel 39:9-10 says, “And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord God.”
Some feel that the war of Gog and Magog will be fought with
actual weapons of wood, like bows and spears, and if the war happens during the tribulation, I would not disagree. The first few years of the 7 year tribulation will knock most of the world back to the technology of the early 1800s or possibly further back.
Others believe that the weapons will be modern weaponry with abundant burnable wood product parts. After Israel decisively wins the Gog and Magog war, it will burn these parts, including body armor, riot shields, gun stocks, disposable missile tubes and much more for 7 years. I believe that this is the most likely scenario, because the war would have to start at least 3½ years before the tribulation to allow Israel enough time to burn all the weapons.
I don’t know exactly how the Gog and Magog war will play out. I don’t know what weaponry will be used and finally burned by Israel as fuel. I do know that God is always right. His prophesies within the Holy Bible are always true and accurate. The war will be won by Israel and they will burn the weapons for 7 full years. This would probably bring Israel to about the 3½ year point of the Tribulation. Then the Antichrist will proclaim himself God and the second Jewish holocaust will commence. It’s all there in scripture folks. It will happen!
I will not be here to see this war. I will be raptured out of this world with the rest of the church. Those left behind will see “Hell on Earth” and about half of the population of earth will died. This is real folks and time is getting short. Accept Christ and live, or fail to accept Christ and you have only a 50/50 chance of making it through the Tribulation. All those left behind will be affected by all the judgements of God. The tribulation will be horrific, terrifying and agonizingly painful.
I pray that each of you take this warning from the Bible to heart. I also hope you see this new technology as credible proof of Ezekiel’s prophesy. I love all of you and I hope to see you in Heaven. Have a blessed day.
References
J. Meyers. (September 2004). The Straight Dope. In Russian military's use of Lignostone . Retrieved 8/11/17, from http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=277351
Crispin Andrews. (September 17, 2012). E&T Engineering and Technology. In Wood in Warfare. Retrieved 8/11/17, from https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2012/09/wood-in-warfare
Amanda Morris. (October 2, 2015). Science Daily. In Nanocellulose materials by design. Retrieved, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151002191734.htm
Dattatreya Mandal. (September 2, 2014). Hexapolis. In 6 Potential future uses of nanocellulose. Retrieved 8/11/17, from https://www.hexapolis.com/2014/09/02/6-potential-future-uses-nanocellulose-ultimate-wonder-material
Mikaela Börjesson and Gunnar Westman. (December 9, 2015 ). Intech. In Crystalline Nanocellulose — Preparation, Modification, and Properties. Retrieved 8/11/17, from https://www.intechopen.com/books/cellulose-fundamental-aspects-and-current-trends/crystalline-nanocellulose-preparation-