Watching reports of the damage caused by Iranian missiles in Israel distresses me, especially after I heard about the one that struck a hospital. Governed by the satanic tenets of Islam, Iran’s objective is not just to defeat Israel, but to murder as many Jews as possible.
Daniel Cohen, in a recent article on Harbinger’s Daily, quoted pastor Jack Hibbs’ explanation of Islam’s murderous rage toward Jacob’s descendants:
[The religion of Islam also demands that] “all Jews must be killed globally. “The Earth must be rid of Jews. Why? Because if there’s no Jerusalem and if there’s no Israel, then the Messiah—Yeshua Hamashiach, Jesus Christ—does not return to establish His kingdom.”
“People don’t understand that, but Satan does. If there is no Israel, then where will the Messiah return?”
God’s Word, and in particular Bible prophecy, explains the devil’s rage against Israel as currently manifested through the Iranian leaders. Yet so many believers dismiss prophecy as stale theology, tertiary (of third-rate importance), or irrelevant. If one follows today’s popular doctrinal teachings regarding Israel, he or she will not only miss the why of what’s happening in the Middle East, but also the calming reassurance that comes from recognizing that God remains in control of all things.
The Bible doesn’t provide us with all the specifics of the current war between Israel and Iran or what might happen in the coming weeks and months. However, God’s Word tells us what lies ahead for Israel as well as for us as New Testament saints.
The War and Israel’s Future
What reassurance doe we find in Scripture regarding the future of Israel?
First, Israel will survive. No matter what happens during the remainder of the current war or in its aftermath, the nation will not only remain viable, but will also continue to attract the world’s attention (in most cases unwelcome). While we have yet to see the complete fulfillment of Zechariah 12:1-3, we already witness the world’s baffling passion for meddling in all things pertaining to Jerusalem.
Scripture also tells us that someday, God will restore a glorious kingdom to Israel. At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will return to Israel and a repentant remnant will welcome Him (Matthew 23:37-39). He will destroy Satan’s kingdom and reign over all the nations of the earth. Once we understand what lies ahead for Israel, it makes sense that our adversary would do all he can to thwart God’s plans, which by the way, signal his demise.
Second, although the current conflict is not the Gog/Magog war foretold in Ezekiel chapters 38-39, it’s preparing the way for it. For the past several years, we have watched as nations involved in this future invasion of Israel have align precisely as predicted by ancient prophet. We don’t know when, but it appears that this invasion lies in the not too distant future.
The Lord revealed to His prophet that the Gog/Magog invasion will happen when Israel resides securely (38:11). Should Israel soundly defeat the current regime in Iran along with its allies, which seems probable, it’s likely that such a victory could lead to the peaceful conditions that will precede this future war.
Third, the current conflict is continuing to condition Israel to accept the peace accord that antichrist will offer to its leaders. I can’t imagine what it’s like to go into bomb shelters two or three times a day and listen to intercepted missiles exploding in the air and feel the impact of those that get past the defenses. All this is on top of the October 7, 2023, barbaric massacre and the constant warfare that has ensued since then, which already has a war-weary Israel longing for peace.
Daniel 9:27 tells us that the coming antichrist will initiate a peace agreement with Israel, which he will break three and a half years later (see also Matthew 24:15).
I agree with the many prophecy experts who believe the Gog/Magog invasion will occur just before antichrist appears on the world scene. By then, Israel’s leaders will be all the more willing to agree to the terms of someone who’s able to guarantee an extended period of peace for them. Should he include the rebuilding of the temple in his deal, that will make his offer all the more enticing.
After God thwarts Satan’s attempts to destroy Israel militarily, the devil will resort to peace as the pretext to destroy the nation and stop God’s purposes for His people. After three and a half years, antichrist will show his true nature and begin a fierce wave of deadly persecution against the Jewish people.
Bible Prophecy’s Consoling Message for Us
The certainty of God fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel is extremely good news for us. It reminds us that He remains in control of all things. Just as He able to bring Israel to repentance and restore a kingdom to its people in the future, so He’s able to keep all His promises to us. Jesus will surely come for us and take us home to the place He’s preparing for us (John 14:1-3). Count on it!
God cannot lie. He will not fail to bring all those He justifies to Heaven above (Romans 8:28-39). Just as the Lord exercises His sovereignty on behalf of Israel, so He will do the same to bring us safely to glory before the start of the coming seven-year Tribulation.
The reassuring message of Bible prophecy is this:
God is sovereign over all human affairs; He’s in total control of all the outcomes that impact His people whether it be Israel or us as New Testament saints.
Regardless of what we experience between now and Jesus’ appearing, He will not fail to rescue us and at that time give us immortal bodies like that of His own (1 Corinthians 15:47-55; Philippians 3;20-21).
No matter how bleak things might look for Israel or for us in days ahead, we can rest in the certainty of His promises for both. He’s both willing and able to keep all His promises.
I don’t understand why so many believers and even pastors dismiss Bible prophecy as irrelevant for their lives. Its promises bring sweet relief amid the wars, rumors of wars, violence, and rampant lawlessness of the day in which we live. Those who deprive their congregations of its message do a great disservice to the body of Christ.
There’s no greater encouragement for perilous times in which we live than the consolation that comes from understanding and believing what the Bible reveals about our future and Jesus’ return to deal with the rampant lawlessness, corruption, deception, and evil of our day.
Why don’t most Christians understand what’s happening in the Middle East? In most cases, it’s because their pastors fail in correctly explaining Bible prophecy and connecting the dots between Satan’s opposition to God’s plans and current events.
My new book, Invitation to a Lavish Feast – Wisdom’s Path to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is available on Amazon. In it, I provide a compelling defense of interpreting Bible prophecy according to the intent of the prophets and apostles. My book brings to life the necessity of watching for Jesus’ appearing in the day in which we live.