Wars and Rumors of Wars

 

"From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is a genocidal war cry. The river is the Jordan, the sea is the Mediterranean and freedom is the death of every Jew in between. Jesus and the prophets of old said these days were coming, but I had no idea war would break out a month after my last entry. Allow me to reiterate: 

"In the midst of widespread antisemitism, I'm foremost compelled to affirm my allyship with Israel. I believe in the Jewish people's right to exist as a sovereign nation and, I pray, they will soon take full possession of the land God promised long ago." 

A biblical perspective

For those who lack biblical knowledge or spiritual understanding, the following discussion probably won't make sense...but keep reading anyway. What's happening today was prophesied thousands of years ago. Let's see how Scripture breaks it down:

• Gen. 12:1-9—God tells Abram to go to Canaan and promises to give the land to his descendants (Canaan is modern-day Israel, Gaza, parts of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the West Bank which is Judea/Samaria)
• Gen. 16—Ishmael is born to an Egyptian slave named Hagar 
• 16:12 says, "This son of yours will be a wild man, as tamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. He will live in open hostility against all his relatives." (Also, see Gen. 25:18)
• Gen. 21—Isaac is born; Ishmael is excommunicated, settles in Paran (eastern Jordan) and marries an Egyptian (enemies of the Jews)
• Gen. 25—Ishmael becomes the father of 12 sons (tribes); his descendants occupy Havilah (Sudan), Shur (Arabian Peninsula/Saudi Arabia) and Asshur (Assyria/Iraq)

Abram sired Ishmael before God sealed the covenant with circumcision and changed Abram's name to Abraham. Thus, he was not a Jew when Ishmael was born, and Ishmael is not of Jewish descent. Genesis 21 also says Ishmael was disinherited when Abraham sent him out of the land. Yet, Muslim tradition and the Quran (written 600 years after the New Testament) uphold Ishmael as the son of promise. Jews and Christians believe the Hebrew Bible account affirming Isaac as the promised son of the Abrahamic covenant (see Gen. 17:9-21). 

When God brought Abraham into the land, there was tension with certain tribes. However, he didn't have to go to war with the Canaanites to build an altar or set up a tent (Joshua and the Israelites would face that challenge 500 years later). Nevertheless, the Lord promised His chosen people more territory than they presently occupy. So, from the river to the sea, it's unmistakably clear who God ordained to govern the Middle East.

Hamas

It's worth noting that the Hebrew people have a long history of signing peace treaties and giving land rights to enemy nations. Here are just a few Old Testament examples: 

• Josh. 9: Joshua allowed Gibeonites to remain in the Promised Land—Israel's first (wicked) king was from this region (see. 1 Sam. 10:26, 11:4)
• Josh. 16: the tribe of Ephraim allowed Canaanites to remain in their territory—Ephraim eventually succumbs to genocide (see Isa. 7; Hos. 9:16-17; Rev. 7)
• 1 Sam. 15: King Saul spared King Agag—Haman, who tried to exterminate the Jews, was a descendent of Agag (see Est. 3)
• 2 Kgs. 20: King Hezekiah showed his wealth to the Babylonians who returned to raid, kill and enslave Israelites a few generations later

Furthermore, Palestine is derived from Philistine—the antisemitic nation that birthed a prize fighter giant who lost his head to a Jewish shepherd (see 1 Sam. 17). Modern archaeological interpretations indeed confirm Gaza was Philistine territory. Coincidence or prophetic? For generations, Jews have lived in proximity to numerous terrorist organizations like Hamas. These are the earthly front for ancient, bloodthirsty, land-grabbing, satanic principalities. The Hebrew word for violence is literally hamas. Look it up (e.g. Gen. 6:13).

In recent history, the Israeli government has only continued to bow to Islam.  It's just as foolish today as it was in the time of Joshua and the kings to dwell with those who want you and your descendants dead. Israel should not accommodate any displaced Palestinians but rather negotiate their refuge with Muslim nations in the region. If Israel wants to survive, they must stop appeasing that demon called Allah under the guise of "tolerance" and "democracy." These social and political ideas are found nowhere in Scripture (side note: America is NOT a democracy!). 

Israel's legacy of disobedience explains why Islamic extremists occupy Gaza and surrounding territories. This also alludes to a soon-coming Antichrist who will overthrow and destroy the Jews by first offering them peace (see Dan. 7-9; Rev. 13). By no means should we blame innocent children and families for the recent Hamas massacre, but we cannot ignore how serious and deadly sin is and how timeless the consequences can be.

Redemption for Ishmael

If it isn't obvious, I'll state it plainly: Arabs, Muslims, Palestinians, those who practice Islam are all descendants of Ishmael. They are disinherited, uncircumcised, unregenerate enemies of YHWH, Jews and Christians. Yet, Abraham fathered them and Christ died for them. Consider the case of Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a Hamas co-founder. Yousef—who practiced Islam and fought in Hamas armed forces—defected to Israel and eventually the United States. He forfeited his allegiance to the Arab state, converted to Christianity and now advocates for Jewish and Islamic people.

Yousef's life is a testament to God's extension of mercy to the Ishmaelites; a sign that God still wants reconciliation if only they would denounce their false gods and put faith in Jesus Christ. Let me clarify that I believe mercy is for innocent children and the ignorant, sinful Muslims who voted terrorists into power. As for Hamas—those who behead and shoot infants, burn victims alive, slaughter families, savagely rape women until their pelvis breaks, use hostages as human shields—these can burn in the lake of fire. 

Although I morally support Israel's response, I discern corruption in their government. On the morning of October 7, why was the Gaza border unsecured? Why did the militia take eight to 24 hours to respond to the cries of its citizens? Why did sirens fail as bombs rained down? If the U.S. is going to fund this war and occupy Gaza, the American people deserve answers (we're still awaiting a serious investigation of 9/11 that justifies our 20-year occupation in Afghanistan).

Israel can blast demonized terrorists into oblivion—as they relentlessly and disproportionately should—but it will not negate Bible prophecy. For a time, the Hebrew people will persist in their denial of Jesus Christ as Messiah and continue to suffer tragic consequences. If He said desolations are decreed, then it is so (see Mk. 13). Believers everywhere must pray for Israel, Palestinians and all peoples who do not know the Lord.