Raising the Standard

Biblical Prophecy Update

“The Prophetic Implications
Surrounding Israel’s War with Hamas”
1 Thessalonians 5:3-4

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

While the actual date of the Rapture of the Church is unknown, many Christians were saddened that it did not occur during this year’s observance of the Feast of Trumpets.

• However, as the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
• In verse 14, Peter said that instead of being overly concerned about the date of the Rapture of the Church, “looking forward to these things,” Christians should, “Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
• And in verse 17, Peter gave this final exhortation: “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

   The world is in such turmoil even secular people are asking:

• Are we witnessing the winding up of human history?
• Could we be headed toward a nuclear holocaust?
• Is the world spinning out of control?
• Are we headed toward WWIII?

We now understand Jesus’ warning in Luke 21:25-28 about the severity of events during the time of Tribulation.  “There shall be…upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

• At the end of those events, Jesus said, they shall see “the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
• The Rapture of the Church is always imminent; there are no prophetic signs to warn us of that event, other than the signs leading to the time of Tribulation.
• However, that doesn’t mean the Rapture is immediate, and we need to stop our everyday responsibilities in anticipation of the call to “come forth!”

   Over the past few months, students of Bible prophecy have been examining current events to discern if there are any prophetic implications relative to Israel’s war with Hamas.

• The concern was to see if this peace deal between Israel and Hamas had any connections to the peace covenant which will be made between the Antichrist and Israel as prophesied in Daniel 9:27, and there are none.
• However, with Israel’s hostile neighbors subdued, some see a connection to the Psalm 83 war, which would be the final culmination of Israel’s wars for survival since 1948.
• If this current peace deal holds, the nation of Israel will have a brief time of peace, while the greater Islamic world continues to plan for the horrific Gog-Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38-39.
• It is difficult to talk peace to those who have no fear of death and no reluctance in killing others to achieve their agenda.

In Daniel 9:27, the Bible says a future world leader known as the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with the leaders of Israel for seven years of peace.

• However, under the dominion of Satan, after 3.5 years, the Antichrist will break that covenant and wage war against the Jews to conquer them.
• Satan will require a statue to be built of the Antichrist and demand everyone to worship that statue or be put to death.
• He then will require everyone to receive a number on their right hand or in their forehead which indicates the name of the beast, and that number is the number of man, 666.
• The dragon imitates God the Father,
• The first beast imitates Christ (rising from a fatal wound),
• The second beast imitates the Holy Spirit (promoting worship of the first beast).
• This unholy trinity demonstrates the enemy’s strategy of counterfeit spirituality to deceive the world.
• Though these beasts will have temporary authority, their power is not autonomous. God remains sovereign over all, even during the tribulation, as He allows evil to reach its climax to demonstrate its utter depravity before final judgment.
• God is in total control. He is not only allowing, He is creating the tension in the world to accomplish His sovereign purpose, and we need to find our rest in Him.

God has chosen us to live in the most exciting time in human history; we now live on the edge of eternity. Over the last century:

• The Jewish people have regathered in unbelief from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:11-12.
• The State of Israel was re-established on May 14, 1948. Isaiah 66:8, Ezekiel 27:21-22.
• The land of Israel has been reclaimed from its desolation and has become a land of agricultural abundance. Ezekiel 36:34-45.
• The Hebrew language has been revived from the dead. Zephaniah 3:9.
• The Jews have reoccupied the city of Jerusalem and have made it their capital. Zechariah 8:4-8.
• All the nations of the world have come together against Israel over the issue of who controls Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Zechariah 12:1-3.
• We have witnessed the Arab nations attacking Israel repeatedly in a coordinated effort to annihilate the state, but they have all failed. Zechariah 12:6, Psalm 83.
• Israel has proven it will never be removed from its promised land. Amos 9:15, Ezekiel 38:11

While we wait to see if Israel’s war with Hamas was prophetic, we can know these prophecies will be fulfilled.

• Gog-Magog Invasion of Israel – Ezekiel 38-39.
• Destruction of Russia and Islam – Ezekiel 38-39.
• God Reveals Himself to the World – Ezekiel 38-39.
• Antichrist Makes a Peace Covenant with Israel – Daniel 9:27.
• Antichrist Desecrates the Third Temple – Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
• The Second Holocaust – Revelation 12:13-17, Zechariah 13:8-9.
• Remnant Delivered by the Messiah – Romans 11:25-27, Zechariah 12:10, Romans 9:27-28.
• Messiah Blesses the Believing Jewish Remnant – Deuteronomy 30:1-9.
• Messiah Rules From Jerusalem –Isaiah 2:1-4, Micah 4:1-7.
• Israel Receives Her Inheritance –Isaiah 60:1-62:7,

Zephaniah 3:17-20, Isaiah 49:22-23.

• World Blessed by the Jewish People – The blessings of God will flow out to all the nations through the Jewish people during the millennial rule of Jesus Christ. Zechariah 8:22-23.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.”

2 Peter 3:10-11