“The hardest decision any leader has to make is to thwart a danger before it is fully materialized. Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time. They were paralyzed by the horrors of World War I. They were determined to avoid war at all costs.
“And they got the worst war ever. They adopted a policy of appeasement. They closed their eyes and ears to all the warning signs.
“That failure to act resulted in World War II, the deadliest war in history. It claimed the lives of 60 million, including 6 million Jews, a third of my people. After that war, the Jewish people and the Jewish state vowed, never again.
“Well, never again is now. Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke those words as part of a seven-minute video, moments after Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear weapon program.
Netanyahu pledged, “This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel’s destruction.”
Iran’s dangerous regime has been busy amassing nuclear weapons supplies for years. Along the way, they offered lame excuses, suggesting that they were only enriching uranium for their internal power grid. The world knew better.
Even the U.N., certainly no friend of Israel, warned world leaders about Iran’s troubling nuclear supply months before Israel attacked. The U.N. issued another international warning that Iran was not complying with nuclear obligations, just hours before Israel attacked.
The Spiritual Battle Behind this Conflict
The spiritual forces of evil have tried to stamp out the Jewish people for thousands of years. Satan would love to thwart God’s plans and force God’s prophecy to cease. But, try as he might, he never will. The Bible says that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Evil entities attempt to overthrow God’s promises and make Him a liar. If Satan destroyed Israel now, some Bible prophecies would be overturned. If Satan destroyed the church now, God would be a liar. This explains the spiritual assault taking place today. The root of this spiritual battle is a Satanic attempt to make God a liar, and thus a sinner. But Satan is no match for Almighty God. One day, Jesus will defeat him and cast him down once and for all (Rev. 20). God will never sin. God will never fail. Satan’s doom is sealed.
The Jewish people have faced annihilation more than any other people group in world history, yet they survive to this present day. This fact alone affirms that God is keeping His promises to Israel.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been surrounded by enemies seeking its destruction. Iran failed in defeating Israel via Hamas, Hezbollah, and other proxies. So, they took a more direct route in 2024. But God miraculously delivered Israel in April and October 2024 when Iran fired deadly missiles and drones toward Israel. Now, Iran’s devastating nuclear plans appear to be thwarted as well. God ensures that His prophetic Word stands.
Is this the Ezekiel 38 War?
Many Christians are asking this question as they try to connect the dots between these events and Bible prophecy. The short answer is no; this is not the Ezekiel 38 war.
This chapter teaches that Israel will dwell safely and securely when that attack takes place (for example, read Ezek. 38:10-12, 14-17). With the likes of Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah fighting against Israel, this is certainly not the case right now. Israel has been on high alert for several years. The Ezekiel 38 war will happen when Israel is at peace.
Could these events set the stage for Ezekiel 38? Certainly, it could. What if the Iranian regime is toppled through this conflict, and Israel makes peace with its enemies? Israel proved to the world yet again that it is a nation not to be trifled with. Its sophisticated military prowess is vastly superior to its neighbors. Netanyahu pledged to fight this battle as long as it takes to put down this threat. Israel’s enemies could quietly retreat to the shadows, forming the Ezekiel 38 alliances necessary to attack Israel, just when it seems peace has finally arrived.
Please note, I am not wishing these things to happen. I’m not predicting that this will happen. I am merely attempting to show a scenario by which these events could set the stage for the Ezekiel 38 war.
By the way, if you would like to study what the Bible says about Israel’s future wars, my friend, Dr. Lonnie Shipman, has written a wonderful new book on that subject called Israel in Crisis: Her Future Wars and Final Peace.
A Prayer for Israel
In my regular Bible reading plan, I read Psalm 129 the morning after Israel attacked Iran. It reminded me that God has answered this prayer numerous times since it was written thousands of years ago.
“Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up: Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.”
Friends, join us in praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Pray that this would be a Gospel opportunity for many people to turn to Jesus across the Middle East, because true peace only comes from the Prince of Peace!
