War Update for Tuesday, October 17th

Israel’s ground invasion on Gaza is still on hold for now. With Iran’s threat to open another attack upon Israel from the North, it is apparent that leaders in Israel are studying all their options before they invade the Hamas stronghold in Gaza. They must be ready to fight on more than one front.

The Times of Israel gives the following update: “It seems inevitable that Israel will embark on a massive ground operation in Gaza in the coming days, potentially its largest in four decades.

“Israeli leaders haven’t exactly tried to hide what’s coming. The IDF said on Saturday it was finalizing its preparations for a ‘coordinated attack from the air, sea and land.’

“The Israeli Air Force has been flying top ground forces commanders over the Gaza Strip to familiarize them with the territory and provide them a bird’s eye view of the territory in which the military is expected to maneuver, … Brigade and battalion commanders were shown, from combat helicopters, where ground troops are expected to enter and advance during the looming ground offensive.

‘“Our responsibility now is to enter Gaza, to go to the places where Hamas is preparing, acting, planning, launching. Attack them everywhere, every commander, every operative, destroy infrastructure,’ IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said while visiting soldiers in southern Israel. ‘In one word: win’” (www.timesofisrael.com, October 16, 2023).

For 75 years the nation of Israel has been a nation that has had a proven track record of being militarily strong. Their military forces have been powerful enough to win the victory over nations and terrorists that were stronger and had the backing of a population that significantly outnumbered the tiny nation of Israel. Israel’s intelligence gathering and analysis has been impeccable. However, the recent attack by Hamas has come as a shock to Israel and the entire world. What happened to Israel? How did they fail to anticipate Hamas’ surprise attack?

Many are asking these kinds of questions. However, the bottom line is that the One who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4) permitted the enemy of Israel to successfully attack His people. Why would the God of Israel do this? We cannot pretend to have a complete answer to this question. Israel did fail in many ways. However, the real answer lies in the hands of the God of Israel. Perhaps He is allowing His people to suffer to teach them to be humble and trust Him. Most of the people in Israel are secularists, who reject the Word and are not longing for Messiah to come. This was the foundational problem for the last 10 months that brought deep division and hatred in Israel, that brought the nation to the brink of civil war.

According to the Word of God, during the wars of the last days, the Lord will display His power to defeat the overwhelming forces that will come against Israel. This work of God will humble Israel. It will be a display of power in which the Lord will glorify Himself before the eyes of Israel and all the world. Read Ezekiel 38:23; 39:7, 21-22. This work will ultimately bring tens of thousands of Israelis into a personal relationship with Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-32; Revelation 7:1-8).

In light of this, would you please join me in prayer? I am praying that the Lord will continue to lovingly humble His people. This humility is important to bring them to repentance to be saved. Repentance is not produced in a heart of pride. Repentance grows out of a personal spirit of brokenness over our personal weakness and sins.

In addition to this, pray with me that the Lord will demonstrate His powerful presence and help to the Israeli soldiers as they enter into battle with the enemy. Help them, and all of us, to learn that the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:15). Pray that the Lord will show His power and presence to the entire world (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

I want my Lord and God to demonstrate to all the wicked, unbelieving world that He is on the throne in heaven!

War Update for Monday, October 16th

(Picture courtesy IsraelToday Magazine)

Just as many of us have expected, there seems to be much intelligence gathering that indicates Israel’s declaration of war against Hamas, an Islamic terrorist group that is funded and controlled by Iran, is about to erupt into a full-scale war in the Middle East, and perhaps WW III. Israel Today (published by Messianic Jews in Israel), reports, “There are strong indications that the attacks carried out by Hezbollah last week on were only a prelude to something much bigger. …The situation along Israel’s northern border is rapidly deteriorating after Hezbollah stepped up its attacks on the IDF and attempted to infiltrate Israel a number of times. Rockets were also fired at Israel from the Syrian Golan Heights.

“[There] are the indications that a major war is about to break out [on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and Syria]. The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Brigade, Esmail Qaani, is in Syria overseeing the activities of Shiite militias there. These militias are now moving from eastern Syria to the border with Israel on the Golan Heights” (Israel Today, October 15, 2023). Is this the first movement of troops that will lead to Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39)?

Rumors are being circulated throughout the radical Islamic world that Hamas’ stunning attack on October 7th has revealed that Israel is very weak and is not prepared for war. They believe that the growing presence of U.S. military forces in the Mediterranean also support their view. These radical Islamic elements are like sharks swimming in the water. They smell blood and they believe it is time to attack their enemy that is bleeding. Listen to their chatter, “Israel is on the verge of collapse,” and this is “the last war with Israel.” They believe it is their sacred duty to destroy Israel for the sake of Allah. The radical Islamic regime in Iran is telling their people that this war with Israel “is now or never” (Israel Today, October 15, 2023).

Israel believes that they must proceed with their planned ground invasion of Gaza. This invasion was to begin yesterday. However, they have delayed this invasion for reasons they are not disclosing. They are almost sure that when this invasion begins it will cause Iran’s proxy militia groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and even the West Bank to openly beginning their attack upon Israel. Israel has known about this planned attack against them for months. The events of October 7th appear to be the beginning of this multifront war against Israel. This intelligence was shared with the U.S. several weeks ago and that is why President Biden has committed three aircraft carrier divisions to be prepared off the coast of Israel in the event that Israel’s needs U.S. assistance.

The FBI sent out a warning this morning to all American citizens in the U.S. to be aware of a possible terrorist attack on American soil. It is believed there are many Iranian-backed sleeper cells already in the U.S. Many have come across our open southern border. Our intelligence is asking us to be vigilant as we watch our surroundings as we anticipate this possible development. This does not come as a surprise to me. One of Iran’s greater goals is to destroy the United States, whom they call “The Great Satan,’ while Israel, they say, is “the little Satan.” Iran is very deceptive. It would be just like them to conduct a ground war against Israel and the United States as a diversion, while they finalize their manufacturing of nuclear bombs. Just a few weeks ago, we were told that Iran has the ability to create the nuclear material they need for a bomb in about two weeks.

Friends, I am calling out to you to pray like you have never prayed before. It is obvious that our world is about to enter into a time of violence, danger, and war like we have never known. I hope I am wrong about this. However, there seems to be too much evidence to conclude anything otherwise. Our world is about to be thrust into the Tribulation Period. We must share the gospel with family and friends. Be compassionate and bold. Weep before God! Pour your heart out to Him for our unsaved friends and family members. Our time is short. We are going home in a short while. Prepare your soul to stand in our Lord’s holy presence. Occupy until He comes, but be ready for our imminent departure!

Be Careful What You Say

While in Lebanon, “Iran’s foreign minister on Saturday [October 14] called on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza, warning that the war might expand to other parts of the Middle East if Hezbollah joins the battle, and that would make Israel suffer ‘a huge earthquake.’” When I heard this threat, I laughed with God (Psalm 2:4). This Iranian diplomat should be very careful about his choice of words. Read Ezekiel 38:18-23. When Iran and her friends come against Israel, Iran will suffer a massive earthquake. Iran also sits upon several major earthquake fault zones in the Middle East. Earthquakes are part of God’s great judgment upon the wicked in the last days. What he has said about Israel will in reality be upon him and his own people.

Israel needs our prayers

Israel is still in shock. They are still wondering how they were caught off guard to experience the most devastating day in the history of the modern state of Israel. More Israelis were murdered on Saturday, October 7th than any day during the historic wars Israel has suffered during its return to the Promised Land. This sudden defeat did not come at the hands of an enemy nation but was perpetrated by an Islamic terrorist entity.

On the last day of the Jewish peoples’ celebrated Feast of Tabernacles, Hamas, a radical and dangerous Islamic terrorist enemy, struck twenty-two Jewish communities and several military camps near the southern border with Gaza. It is estimated that about 1,000 terrorists entered Israel by land, air, and sea. In 24-hours, they killed more than 800 Israeli citizens and military personnel. The grim pictures shared by Israel give testimony to the demonic and brutal savagery of the invading forces. They raped and tortured women, killed parents in front of their children, and slaughtered people while desecrating their bodies. Many were beheaded. It is believed that they captured 100 or more men, women, children, and elderly people and forced them to flee to Gaza where they are being held hostage. They raided and pillaged the Jewish communities, leaving behind a massive destruction.

They launched more than 5,000 missiles into Israel. A few of these missiles reached the intended targets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is believed by some that some type of electronic device was used to interfere with Israel’s Iron Dome antiballistic system. Some analysts are saying that Iran and Russia helped Hamas to plan this deadly attack and provided the funds, munitions, orders, and technological ability to make it happen.

The Israeli government has declared war on Hamas. Tens of thousands of reservists have been summoned for duty. They have warned the people that the war against Hamas in the streets of the densely populated streets of Gaza will be a long-protracted war. There will be many Israeli casualties in this effort.

Most of us who live in the United States cannot begin to fathom what the Israelis are going through. We have not suffered from wars and rumors of wars as the Jewish people have had to endure for many generations. I was moved by the following report. “What we are experiencing now is unthinkable, unimaginable. The horror, the evil, the pain. It is more than we can bear. Parents and children are slaughtered. Elderly people and their nurses are slaughtered. Teenagers at an outdoor party, slaughtered. For those who are far away, who may not grasp the enormity of this horror – this is Israel’s 9/11.

Throughout Israel, sons and fathers are running to war. The situation is so dire that men in their forties are being called up to action. Yesterday, I stood on my porch watching mothers and wives all over my neighborhood hug their sons and husbands with tears in their eyes, as they rushed from their homes to join their units for battle.

Everyone has a loved one at the front. Some of my friends’ children have been wounded, and others are missing. We are living in a nightmare. Israel is in crisis, in a way many of us have never experienced in our lifetimes” (Israel365news.com, October 8, 2023).

Israelis fear that a war with Hezbollah will break out on the northern border at any moment. This war will dwarf the attack by Hamas. The Iranian-back terrorists in Lebanon have more than 150,000 missiles. All of Israel will be under attack in a matter of a few hours. This is a very serious moment in the history of Israel and in the developments of God’s purposes for the end-times.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord has a major purpose behind these events in Israel. He has declared to Israel, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10). He is using these times to prepare the Jewish people for a time of outpouring of His Spirit, bringing them to salvation. At the beginning of the Tribulation Period 144,000 young Jewish men will be saved (Revelation 7:1-8). During the midst of the battle of Armageddon, the entire living nation will call out to Him for salvation (Zechariah 11:10-13:9).

Pray for Israel and her leaders to make wise decisions. Pray for many who have lost family and friends. Many funerals will be held in the next few hours and days and the people of Israel will be crying out to the Lord for His help. Pray for the Israeli soldiers as this war continues to escalate. Pray that the enemies of Israel will be defeated for the honor and glory of God. Pray that this will unite the nation of Israel. Pray that the church will wake up and understand the lateness of the hour!

Marching To Armageddon

The Lord has promised that when the last days come, He will cause His people to return to the land that He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He said, “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24). A multitude of passages declare that the Lord will settle His people upon “the mountains of Israel” (Ezekiel 36:1, 4, 6, 8). An examination of the map of ancient Israel will demonstrate that this is a reference to the mountains of Samaria and Judea. These mountains are currently a part of what the world refers to as “the West Bank.” This area is the very heartland of the land that God promised to His people 4,000 years ago. This area was the location of the majority of biblical accounts recorded in the Bible.

The Bible informs us that at the end of this age, during the final weeks of the Tribulation Period, the armies of all the nations (Zechariah 14:2) will converge on Israel, attempting to force the Israelis to surrender their land and the city of Jerusalem. According to Ezekiel 36:1-7, the nations that surround Israel will resist the Jewish effort to resettle their ancient homeland in the last days. In this conflict, God will defend His people against this aggression and defiance that is opposing His eternal land covenant with Israel (Genesis 13:15). He has warned the Arab/Islamic nations that “they shall bear their shame” (Ezekiel 36:7). This simply means they will suffer a continual humiliating defeat that will bring disgrace upon them.

According to the Bible, the regional war against Israel over her land will ultimately involve all nations. God has declared that the reason for Armageddon is because the nations “have scattered [His people] among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2). This war over the land of Israel is about to become very intense.

The world continues to reject the biblical truth and push for Israel to allow the creation of a Palestinian State upon the heart of the Promised Land. It seems no nation really wants to protect and defend the Jewish nation. Instead, they are supporting the creation of another Arab Islamic terrorist state, rather than defending the democratic nation of Israel. More importantly, they are choosing to rebel against the eternal work of God, while ignoring His promises to Israel and their right to their land.

I am convinced here are six factors that are about to cause this conflict to escalate and create the march of the nations toward Armageddon. (1) For five decades Israel has cooperated with the global demand for a two-state solution to resolve the conflict over the land. However, most Israelis realize that this is now impossible. The new biblically conservative Israeli government, which includes the religious parties, are now pushing for more new Israeli towns and villages to occupy the disputed territory of the West Bank. These plans are enraging the nations. The world views this as a roadblock that prevents the creation of a viable Palestinian State on the West Bank. (2) Those who have been following the efforts of creating a two-state solution over the last five decades are realizing that the Palestinian leadership has never been serious about establishing a Palestinian State along side a Jewish State – Israel. There is much proof that demonstrates the real goal of the Arab nations and the Palestinian leadership has been the refusal to recognize the continued occupation of the Jewish nation in the Middle East. The Palestinians do not want to only occupy the West Bank, but all the land “from the River to the Sea.” The proof of this is the incitement of hatred against the Jews in the Palestinian mosques, schools, media, and the entire Palestinian culture. Terrorists who kill Israelis are rewarded and glorified in the Palestinian territories. (3) Recent polls throughout the Palestinian territories demonstrate that most Palestinians would rather conduct terrorist attacks against Israel, rather than to promote peace. (4) The armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinians on the West Bank is now escalating rapidly. It is reported that more than 400,000 Palestinians have rifles that have been smuggled into the country by Iran. In recent days, a few Palestinian terrorist groups have launched rockets into Israel from the West Bank. Israel has answered with great military force in several of the towns that are controlled by radical terrorist groups. (5) Global anti-Semitism is escalating and reaching very dangerous levels in the West, especially in Europe. As a result, more Jewish people are immigrating to Israel. Since about one-half of Israel’s territory is desert, the new immigrants need more room to settle. The answer is to allow them to occupy biblical Judea and Samarian (the West Bank). (6) In recent days, President Joe Biden commented that the current Israeli administration is the “most extreme ever.” He made these comments because Israel is ignoring the U.S. warnings about building on the “West Bank.” Israel’s answer was, “We will not compromise on the land of Israel. … It is ours. … The Land of Israel is for the People of Israel, according to the Torah [Law] of Israel. … The United States wants two states for two peoples and we think it’s suicide” (World Israel News, July 10, 2023).

I have been following this conflict for five decades and it is very clear to me that we are about to enter the final phase of the war for the Promised Land. Considering all of the other global developments, we are getting very close to “the shout that will take us out.”