STAND FIRM: Israel Attacks Are A Microcosm of the End

      In my Truth to Stand Firm events, I begin with one image of the end of the age, that, if it is known, then not only can we know what will happen at the end but also the trajectory of the events from now until then. Of course, the image is oversimplified and there’s a much more expanded reality. That image isn’t hard to imagine because it has been repeated throughout history, pointing to the masterful history-unfolding-authorship of God and His mercy of giving ample warnings. Along the lines of His perfect real-life foreshadowing, the current attacks in Israel are not only close to resembling that final picture but also paint the picture of the expanded end of the age scenario.

      I want to share how the current events are that microcosm of the end of the age scenario, but please hear me — I’m not downplaying the current events, nor do I want to be calloused to them. In teaching and living according to Bible prophecy, one must be careful to make sure they are led by compassion.

      The one image is on a map of the Middle East with Jerusalem centered and then there are armies from other Middle Eastern nations surrounding the city. Added to those events, Jesus returns with the Army of Heaven to Jerusalem. This is the final moment of this age — the Battle of Armageddon and the Return of Jesus. The image is oversimplified but think of what we can know from it.

      We know Jews must return to the land of Israel. There must be a Jewish state, and that Jewish state must have control of Jerusalem. The Antichrist must be in power. A coalition of Middle Eastern nations would be formed. Other nations would join. From this picture, you can begin to see how the current events are a foreshadowing replica and, through this current conflict, we can see how a regional war can impact the whole world. My attempt to create that picture is shown in the graphic above.

      Scripture gives us this one image. Nearly every prophet shares it. It also appears in the New Testament. Don’t take my word for it. Read these passages and let them paint the picture for you; there are far more than two or three witnesses — Luke 21:20, Zech. 14:1-4, Psalm 2:1-2, Ezekiel 38:1-21 and Rev. 16:12-16; 19:11-20:4.

      The picture has been repeated throughout history. We see this in the Assyrian Siege, the Babylonian Invasion and Roman Invasion. Each time, a pagan empire (combined nations) encircled the city with the intent to eradicate the nation of Israel and claim Jerusalem.

      The foreshadowing of the final scene is clear in the current attacks on Israel. Nations (or terrorist groups in this moment) invading Israel, moving to take Jerusalem and ultimately the temple, and being intent on killing Jews. This current conflict also shows how this regional war could impact the whole world. Right now, the world is drawing sides. Nations are lining up to at least support Hamas and Hezbollah, and nations are lining up to support Israel. Like written in Zechariah 12, Jerusalem is a stumbling block for the world. Somehow, far more than conflicts elsewhere in the world, the Muslim-Jew clashes engulf every nation.

      Ezekiel 38 gives a great picture of how the world will draw up sides in the Antichrist’s attempt to destroy Israel. The passage lists nations who will make up the lead nations in that attack against Israel. Ezekiel also wrote that many other nations would join. In Revelation, we read that the kings of earth are deceived to fight alongside the Antichrist. Also found in Ezekiel 38, as well as in Daniel 11 is that western nations do nothing to stop this final onslaught. Ezekiel also mentions other nations, villages, islands and coastlands who remain neutral.

      As I wrote, my one image is oversimplified because the Antichrist’s campaign against Israel lasts three and half years. That campaign culminates in what the Bible calls Armageddon, but Zachariah and Joel address the campaign: “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city” (Zech. 14:2 NIV). “I will gather all nations… I will put them on trial for what they did to… my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes; they sold girls for wine to drink” (Joel 3:2-3).

      As you surely caught, Zechariah and Joel foretold the same events that happened in this current conflict — houses ransacked, women raped, people taken away and children targeted. The prophets are talking about the final invasion, but you can see how the current conflict foreshadows what is to come.

      In Zechariah 13, it says two thirds of Jews in Israel will be killed, currently that would mean that nearly five million will be killed. In Zechariah 14, it says half the city of Jerusalem will be killed or taken away which would be nearly 300,000. Though the nearly 1,000 who died from Hamas is horrific, it pales in comparison. This makes sense because this was just one small terrorist group versus the largest army assembled at the end of the age.

      I hope we don’t see how the Antichrist’s campaign will impact the rest of the world in this current conflict, but it is being threatened. Hamas declared that Muslims around the world make Friday, Oct. 13 (which is tomorrow as I write this, last week as you read it) a day jihad. I have no doubt some will take them up on it. This is where I see the universal persecution at the end of the age coming from. There are over a billion and half Muslims, and they are in nearly every country. It wouldn’t take much for a Muslim leader to call for jihad around the world. Jews, Jewish supporters and Christians would be attacked and killed. This would be especially dangerous if the leader calling for this was viewed as their Messiah called the Mahdi. Not only would Muslims take him up on this, but we also know how passionate and insensible people can be, which would cause even non-Muslims to take up arms.

      One other impact the Antichrist’s campaign will have been that world history has shown that once blood is shed, it breeds blood lust in others. This could be seen in retaliations against jihadists. It also could be seen in nations at odds finally pulling the trigger for war, such a China and Taiwan.

         — Jake is a state missionary and would love to share about the work in Northwest Arkansas and encourage your church to stand firm. (standfirmministries.com)