Gaza, Prophecy, and the Unfolding Story of Israel.

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The modern story of Israel.

We have witnessed the miraculous rebirth of the State of Israel after centuries, the regathering of the Jewish people to their homeland, and the restoration of the Hebrew language. As the prophet Zechariah proclaimed, Jerusalem has indeed become a focal point for the nations. These are not just historical events; they are fulfilled prophecies that affirm the truth of God's Word and set the stage for what is to come. Recent headlines from Gaza are more than just political or military news—they are significant markers in this ongoing prophetic timeline.

A Sobering Moment: The Evacuation Order.

On August 21, 2025, Israel issued a directive that sent ripples across the globe: hospitals, medics, and humanitarian groups in northern Gaza were ordered to prepare for evacuation. The city of Gaza, home to over a million people, is now bracing for yet another major military offensive. This move signals a potentially final phase in a long and painful conflict. For the world, this is a humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies warn of catastrophe, and international bodies have voiced strong condemnation. But for those who view current events through a biblical lens, this moment carries a deeper, spiritual significance.

Echoes of an Ancient Enmity.

This modern conflict is not an isolated event; it echoes an ancient rivalry. The coastal strip of Gaza was once the territory of the Philistines, long-time adversaries of Israel. Scripture contains profound prophecies concerning this very region in the latter days. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Messianic age, when Jesus Christ will return as King to rule with righteousness (Isaiah 11:1, 4). In that context, we read a striking promise: “But they [Israel] shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west...” (Isaiah 11:14). This suggests that at the dawn of Christ's kingdom, a hostile presence in the ancient Philistine territory will still need to be subdued. Similarly, the prophet Joel foretells a time when God would restore Judah and Jerusalem—a promise miraculously fulfilled in 1948 and 1967. In the same passage, God pointedly addresses the actors in this region: “Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?” (Joel 3:4). These passages point to a sobering reality: a spirit of opposition and violence in Gaza in the time of the end. The enmity exhibited by groups like Hamas today can be understood as a modern manifestation of the same ancient Philistine hostility foretold by the prophets.

War or Terrorism? Discerning the Reality.

It is crucial to understand the context. It has been nearly two years since the horrific attack on October 7th 2023, by the terrorist group Hamas during a Sabbath morning. This was not an act of war between two militaries. War targets military assets; terrorism targets innocence. The attackers at the Nova festival did not assault military bases. They intentionally tortured and killed unarmed civilians—families, children, the elderly, and young people enjoying a day of rest. This distinction is vital and is often blurred by Western media. What Israel is engaged in is not a traditional war but a fight against terrorism, a conflict with deep prophetic roots.

Through the Prophetic Lens.

The Bible is clear that in the last days, Israel and Jerusalem will remain at the center of global attention and conflict. What we are witnessing aligns powerfully with this scriptural framework: Zechariah 12:2-3 declares Jerusalem a… "cup of trembling" and a "burdensome stone for all people." The international pressure and focus on Gaza and Jerusalem today perfectly embody this ancient prophecy. Matthew 24:6-7 warns of … "wars and rumors of wars." The escalating conflict and the constant tension in the region fit the pattern of turmoil Jesus said would precede His return. Joel 3:2 foretells a time when God will judge the nations for how they treated His people and His land. The global response to Israel’s actions today is a foreshadowing of that final gathering. The order for healers and medics to evacuate is not just a military tactic; it is a profound spiritual symbol. It echoes the warning in Amos 8:9 of a day when light is withdrawn and darkness falls at noon. Mercy is receding, and the reality of judgment is coming into sharper focus.

A Call to Believers: How Then Shall We Live?

As we watch these events unfold, our response should not be one of fear, but of faithful vigilance. Watch and Pray: Jesus commanded us in Luke 21:36 to… "Watch ye therefore, and pray always." Discern the Times: We must have the discernment to see beyond the news and opinions of those not of Christ and remain steadfast to our beliefs. Hold Fast to Hope: The shaking of nations is not a sign of God's absence, but of the working out of his sovereign will. He is moving history toward His appointed end. The evacuation order in Gaza is more than a headline. It is a signal. The nations rage, systems falter, but God’s Word stands true. As we witness these things, may we be found faithful, discerning, and hopeful, knowing that every event brings us one step closer to the return of Christ. We expect the situation in the West Bank to conflate the whole Israel issue, with Jewish developments on the West Bank seemingly going ahead despite international condemnation, and it is to this area that we now focus our attention. It is in the territory of Judah, then, the territory that today is known as the West Bank, that Christ's kingdom will first be established. It is to these Mountains of Israel that Gog comes down upon in the prophecy of Ezekiel 38, we read in verse 8: "After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them." Let us stay sober and vigilant as we see these things unfold as prophesied, examine our lives for fault, and if necessary, change our ways, for the Lord's return could be any day. The words of Ezekiel 38:11 read: "And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates." The passage does not describe the situation in Israel today. Whatever the outcome of the present conflict between Hamas and Israel, Israel is not yet dwelling safely, at least as v11 describes. But, for us, we will not necessarily see this before our Lord returns - Let us be ready! Admin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/gaza-prophecy-and-the-unfolding-story-of-israel/?feed_id=100386&_unique_id=68c19a6f4f394