Hamas and Israel cannot seem to coexist without each feeling the need to destroy the other. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken supports a Two State Solution, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas do not. Others advocate a Two State Solution, where both coexist as sovereign political entities. I heard a clip of America’s former Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who maintained that she never heard at the UN (from the nations surrounding Israel) that anyone but Israel (at that time, and of course, the Palestinian Authority) was supporting a Two State Solution. As a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States (2024), she is advocating letting Israel seek a solution to insure the safety of their borders. Would America feel the same about a terrorist threat on our own borders? “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12 KJV).
Israel
Enigma of Peace
As much as Christians may support the existence of a nation state of Israel, it is difficult to envision a time where Palestinians and Israelis would be at peace. Yet, the prophet Ezekiel speaks of a future time when Gog, who is Russia, and her allies will come against Israel, which will be a nation dwelling “safely” (Ezekiel 38:11 KJV). But, safety comes only after the one who turns out to be the Antichrist comes to Israel’s aid to “confirm the covenant with many for one week” (Daniel 9:27 KJV). Peace with the Palestinians will be a justifiable part of the attraction for the Israelis, but Antichrist’s true motive will be seeking all to worship him as God — in the middle of the Tribulation Week (Daniel 9:27, Mark 13:14). “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). Prophecy is being played out like a cosmic chess match.
Repurposing the Messiah
Jehovah gave His Messiah to Israel for the same reason He gave the Spirit of Christ to the New Covenant Church. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). The intention of the LORD has always been to create a willing heart in His people. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power” (Psalm 110:3 KJV). It has always been about His children giving their heart to Yahweh. “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26 KJV). It has not been simply to build a nation or church but to join Himself to His people. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
Praying for the Fulfillment of Prophecy
In Scripture, where can we see the necessity of praying for the fulfillment of prophecy? In the Babylonian Captivity, Daniel interceded for Israel to be allowed to return after 70 years (Daniel 9:2-3), just as promised by Jehovah (Jeremiah 29:10). If prophecy will be fulfilled because God promised it, why do we still need to pray? “I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them” (Ezekiel 36:36-37 KJV). In spiritual warfare, prayer is commanded, but it most importantly draws us to God, as well as extends His supernatural influence in this world. May Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.
Antisemitism Is Not New
Antisemitism is hatred of the Jewish people, but even Jehovah hates His people, when they become arrogant and sin. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [or, perverse] mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13 KJV). Satan especially hates the nation of Israel because God set His love upon Israel to bless them as a people representing Himself to the nations. “I say then, Have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy” (Romans 11:11 KJV).
Significance of Israel-Hamas Conflict (2023)
What is Israel’s importance, in light of the Israel-Hamas Conflict (2023)? Israel must somehow exist in the prophetic future. For Jehovah, Israel is the “apple of His eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10), not because they are stubborn, rebellious, or murdered His Son the Messiah; but simply because, He sovereignly chose them. Israel is the prophetic clock for gauging upcoming End Time events. Israel must continue to be a nation (1948) with a yet to be rebuilt Jerusalem Temple for Antichrist to desecrate with the “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15 KJV). But, Israel will be converted from their rabid unbelief by the End of the Tribulation Week. Quite a miracle! “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8 KJV).
Canary in the Coal Mine
Just as canaries warned of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas in coal mines, antisemitism on American college campuses in support of Hamas and condemning Israel in the wake of the 2023 attacks against Israel from Gaza predict a future hatred for Christianity. Jews were initially targeted in Nazi Germany, but next Christians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer were silenced, too. “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).
Son of Hamas
“Son of Hamas” (2010) is the story of Mossab Hassan Yousef, son of a founding leader of Hamas. Mossab experienced his father’s humanity, witnessed Hamas’ duplicity torturing its own in Israeli prisons, was recruited as a spy for the Israeli Shin Bet for about ten years, then was converted to Christ. He wrote, “As long as we continue to search for enemies anywhere but inside ourselves, there will always be a Middle East problem.” “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Another Nation Invaded
On the morning of October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel, killing more than 1,300, injuring thousands, and kidnapping more than 100. Hamas’ 1987 founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel (Psalm 83:4). Even as the LORD had discontinued Israel’s political identity (70 AD) and brought it back into existence (1948), may we all remember His warning, “He that toucheth you [Israel] toucheth the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8 KJV). “We’re Going to Die Here” tells us what it was like for some in the early hours of this conflict.
We Need A Miracle 