As you may know, I love Israel. I have been to the Holy Land many times, and every time is so breathtaking and God-inspiring. It is called “The Land,” and God’s hand has always been on His people and this Land. For every Christian, Jew and ultimately every person in the world, there is no denying that this is the most sacred place on the planet. This has been the very dwelling place of God in the Tabernacle, the Temple, and then where Jesus literally walked, ministered, died and was resurrected. There is no place more special or significant in the world.
When the terrorist attacks came against Israel just a few days ago, I was heartbroken. I immediately reached out to my Israeli guide and friend, Yoni. Yoni lives in Jerusalem, and he leads our Israel teams when our church goes every two years. Yoni told me that everyone in his family was okay but that the attacks were real and terrifying. Yoni said that Israel has not seen anything like this since the Yom Kippur attacks over twenty years ago. Yoni has two children in the Israeli military, and he shared details about the surprise attack as well as how there are at least 900-1,000 terrorists who made it through the wall and are still lurking in Israel.
Why is any attack on Israel so significant? God’s people have always been under attack. Going back to the Old Testament, the people of God, these Israelites, were constantly at war with the Philistines, the Amorites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians and the list goes on. There is a greater spiritual battle that is taking place. The world is constantly at war with the people and movement of God. When Jesus came into the world, He was confronted by the Romans and even His own people who were against the agenda of God in salvation. There is an enemy that wars against God and His people, so this is what we are seeing again.
The goal of Hamas in the South, Gaza, and Hezbollah in the North, based in Lebanon, is to destroy Israel. They feel they are the rightful owners of the land, and especially Jerusalem. Even though in history, this has always been Israel’s land, and then in 1948, after the Holocaust and WW2, the entire world returned the Jews to their land. These terrorist groups, many funded by Iran, are engaging in this spiritual battle. They will not stop until they eradicate Israel from the planet. In their spiritual beliefs, the right to the land justifies the killing of men, women and children. What we saw five days ago was simply pure evil. This is why we must pray, and as a nation stand with Israel. This evil will not stop with Israel. It will continue to Christianity and the West (as we see in Afghanistan – the US pulls out and looks at the result with women, children, education and freedom) until all the “infidels” are destroyed and their “religion” and “ideology” reigns over a blown-up world. These radicals are willing to sacrifice their lives, families and their own land to destroy Israel, Christianity and the West. It is truly war.
Revelation 16:16, talks about the kings who will gather for war at the place called Armageddon. Many have believed that this is the Valley of Armageddon, on the plain of Megiddo, north of Jerusalem in Israel. This is the Land Bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa. In fact, more battles have been fought in this valley and more bloodshed than any place on earth. However, I believe as you read fully in Revelation as well as Matthew, Daniel and Isaiah, you find that the actual place of Armageddon is Jerusalem. This is where the final battle will take place, and where Jesus will return, through the Eastern Gate. This is why this war, and every war that involves Israel, is so significant. The enemy’s goal is Jerusalem, and so is God’s. Now, I am not saying that this is Armageddon that we are seeing right now – but, it could be. With what is taking place in Ukraine with Russia, possibly in Taiwan with China, you can start to see this alignment coming together of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran against the United States, Europe, Israel and the rest of the world. Again, I’m not saying it is now, but it would be good to be ready – to be prayed up, sharing Jesus and getting your spiritual house in order.
Even saying all this, it is not a call for us to fear. Our God is Sovereign, and He is in control. He has won every battle, and He will win this one. Israel has triumphed over the most powerful armies in world history – Egypt, Assyrians, Persians, Nazis and more. God’s people will win this battle. But, also, there is eternity to come. And, one day, God tells us in Revelation 21 there will be a new Jerusalem. A city with no pain, no suffering and no war. Everything will be made right.
Until the new Jerusalem comes, let’s be diligent in praying for the city, the country and the people of Israel today. What happened a few days ago was horrific. There are still hostages – Israeli men, women and children, as well as Americans who are still missing. Pray for a safe release for these and for protection for all innocent Israelis and Palestinians. There are many Palestinians who just want to live in peace and are not causing all of this. Pray for God’s protection and for peace to come quickly. Also, personally, I would like to ask you to please pray for my friend, Yoni, and his family, as well as Annais, our bus driver, and all our friends in Israel. Our world needs Jesus today more than ever. Come, Lord Jesus, and take care of Your people and Your Land.
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