Israel as the remnant seed of the “woman” (Revelation 12:16) is singled out for satanic wrath, for many reject the worship of antichrist and will embrace the Messiah before the end of the Tribulation Week. “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:16-17 KJV). Excitement bristles in the Unseen Realm as all eagerly anticipate how the Almighty will conclude the story, while keeping His promise to Abraham of blessing his descendants, as well as the Gentiles (Genesis 22:17-18). Even the earth miraculously helps the fleeing fugitives of Israel, who refuse the worship of the antichrist, and who now “have the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17). Many speculate these flee to Petra, and pray the prayer, “Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?” (Psalm 60:9). Yahweh will “let none of his words fall to the ground” (1Samuel 3:19), as He secured for Samuel. National conversion awaits Israel (Isaiah 66:8), as her Messiah comes the second time. LORD, Your faithfulness astounds us in fulfilling all Your prophecies. May Israel be preserved and saved to their joy and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Israel
Israel: Pariah of the World
Following the Holocaust of WW2, sympathy for the downtrodden Jew was most prevalent. The modern Jewish state of Israel has repeatedly fought and won wars with neighboring Arab nations since its 1948 reincarnation. With the most recent invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, it was unreasonable for Hamas to defeat and occupy Israel, but Hamas could fight a limited war, sacrificing the lives of an estimated 36,000 Gazan fighters and residents, in exchange for a growing sympathy from the world for the plight of Gaza and an increased hostility toward Israel. Now, Israel is the pariah or outcast for its war in Gaza. Anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment is now acceptable among the liberal establishment that once championed the right of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or age. What has changed? The secular world is governed by satan, “the god of this world” (2Corinthians 4:4 KJV), who hates Israel because Israel is loved by the LORD, who says, “My kindness shall not depart from thee” (Isaiah 54:10). It may take a bizarre, otherworldly change of events for Israel to have friendly relations again with its near neighbors, much less to fulfill the End Times predictions of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27). But, the Almighty is positioning all things for this certain confrontation. LORD, You are the God who overrules the wicked one. Cause Your Church to be taught about what will come to pass. Help us to understand the capabilities of Your enemy. Cause us not to be blindsided by our foes from the Unseen Realm. Grant to Your Church the ability and the understanding to appreciate what You are about to do. Even so, return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
Wrong Side of God
“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV). An inexplicable truth of history is the relationship of God to Israel. At first glance, Israel is only one of 193 countries of the United Nations; however, it is distinguished as a people scattered by God among all nations in the second century after Christ (Deuteronomy 28:64), only to be reconstituted on May 14, 1948. In actuality, human political mandates accomplished “to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:28). Though modern, secular Israel and Zionism are not the OT Israel of King David, Jehovah’s blessing and cursing are still upon those who stand with or against Israel’s right to exist. With American college campus protests against Israel in support of Hamas’ slogan, “From the river to the sea,” Israel is erased from nationhood, which God will not allow. When the Biden administration halted a US heavy munitions shipment to Israel, it impedes a final IDF push to eliminate Hamas (Hebrew, chamas, violence, cruelty) in the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. America is in the dangerous position of being on the wrong side of God. The question is not simply, ‘Will Russia and China view this as weakness for the US lack of support of another ally?’; but, ‘Will God Almighty reciprocate and remove the US from End Times contention as a nation?’ After all, He removed Israel as a nation, in judgment for their treatment of the Messiah. Beware of national policy based solely upon political expediency! LORD, be merciful upon America. Open the eyes of our leaders that You may continue to shed Your grace upon us. Confusion upon Your enemies, and may we be written down as Your friends. Grant Your peace to Jerusalem, and may Your peace also be felt by all our brothers and sisters in Christ in that troubled region. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.
Peace in the Middle East
When will they ever learn? If the enemies of Israel dedicate their existence to the destruction of Israel, then Israel does not have the ability to coexist with her enemies. A stalemate exists without a natural resolution. Only a supernatural solution would work. Supernatural is the Unseen Realm of Almighty God; but also, it is the realm of the adversary the devil and whomsoever is empowered by that wicked one. Peace in the Middle East will initially come through the Antichrist, who is the “prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26 KJV). Satan or the “dragon gave him his power” (Revelation 13:2). He will usher in a period of peace to begin the Seventieth Week of Daniel. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27). Only time will tell, when the Almighty chooses this solution for Israel’s problems. Father God, even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
If I Were Israel
If I were Israel, in the Israeli Gaza Conflict (2023-2024). I would not let anyone stop me from recovering the hostages, dismantling visible Hamas in Gaza, protecting my borders, and preparing for the inevitably larger conflict with Hezbollah in the north. I would be courting the good will of Christian evangelicals, especially in the United States, to continue American support for Israel. I would continue the shadow war with Iran, assuring them I know where they live. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV). And, I would be reminding Jews worldwide that their survival is represented in the survival of Israel. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). I would do this without giving in to Islam or converting to Christianity. But, I am not Israel.
Rapture: The Blessed Hope
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV). Sure, I’d like to go, if there’s a Rapture, but how do you know it’s so? Harpazō is the NT Greek for catching up or rapture. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Here, harpazō is understandably connected with the “coming of the Lord” (4:15). We will be “caught up” (4:17) to the Lord in the air to reunite with our predeceased brothers and sisters before we all return with Christ. Harpazō also occurs in Revelation 12:5, where the “woman” (12:1), representing Israel, brings forth the Messiah, who is “caught up” (12:5) to the throne of God. Likewise, the Church as the Body of Christ will be raptured to Heaven, after which Israel will be forced to flee “into the wilderness” (12:6). May the Spirit of Christ “comfort” you (1Thessalonians 4:18) with these words, but let us not be impatient or contentious with one another, least of all, about the Rapture. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).
What’s So Unique About Antisemitism?
Hate never feels good directed against yourself. Hatred directed against Jews and Israel is in a category by itself. Islamophobia or indifference to the plight of Gaza feels no different, but for the simple observation that the satan especially hates Israel. “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1 KJV). This is not secular news analysis, but strictly biblical reasoning. “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes” (Romans 11:28). Satan’s rage against Yahweh is so great, he hates whatever God loves. And, it’s kind of strange, since modern, secular Israel is not the Israel of King David. It is as if the Almighty is allowing Israel’s circumstances to become so dire, they will have to acknowledge Him, again. But, the Christians will also have to come to terms with their understanding of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:27). How will Israel and the world receive the one who delivers world peace, but later requires worship as God on penalty of death (Revelation 13:15)? LORD, teach Your children who to trust and deliver them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Earthquake Rattles Northeast Cities (US)
Not the San Andreas fault of California, but New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC were hit with a 4.7-4.8 earthquake on Friday morning April 5, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Little damage or injuries, but the shallowness of the quake (5 km depth) made it easier for everyone to feel the shaking. The epicenter was just NE of Lebanon, NJ. As if the LORD is trying to get the attention of Americans to the grave crisis playing out in Lebanon of the Middle East, where the Israelis just assassinated senior Iranian commanders in Syria, threatening further enlargement of the proxy war Iran is conducting against Israel and the United States in Gaza and US military bases in the Middle East. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7 KJV). Remember, fulfillment of prophetic events, such as earthquakes, should calm us that the Father has everything under control. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Exposing Antisemitism
Disagreeing with Israeli conduct in Gaza is not necessarily antisemitism. Differing with a Two State Solution does not necessarily oppose or support the Jews. Antisemitism is hatred of the Jews because they are Jews. Jews are racially traced back to the biblical Hebrews, are religiously adherents of Judaism, or both. Antisemitism is sin because it hates the Jews for being Jews, whom God loves. “Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15 KJV). Even in the NT, God continues His love for the Jews. “I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1). “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Not only will you find peace, but Gaza will, too.
When Everything Fails
“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1 KJV). David speaks for all the godly but especially for Israel in the future time of Jacob’s Trouble in Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:24). It is then, when everything familiar seems out of place and our desperate attempt to resolve the situation is failure. Pray and trust God to do as He always has done — deliver His people. “But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded” (64:7). He is the Immutable and Unchanging God Worthy of Our Trust. “The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory” (64:10). Hallelujah!
We Need A Miracle 
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