“Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3. NKJV
Contained in this passage is one of the most important promises, along with a warning, that I believe God has given to the nation of Israel and all the other nations that inhabit the earth. In simple terms God says that any one person or nation that blesses Israel will be blessed, but to those who curse Israel, they in turn will be cursed. The United States and Israel have been allies since the inception of the Jewish state in 1948, and throughout the intervening years of both war and peace in the middle east we have continued to support the independence of Israel.
Anyone who has taught the subject of eschatology, or what the Bible has to say about the end of the world as we know it, has at one time or another encountered the same question over and over again, and that is "where is the United States in prophecy?" Since it would appear that we are not mentioned specifically, those who teach on this subject have been left to come to conclusions based on what we do find in scripture and also on what we don't. The position I have chosen to teach over the years is really a simple one, and it goes something like this. The United States is not mentioned in the end times scenarios written in scripture for one of two reasons. One, we don't exist as a nation, or two, we exist but choose to not get involved.
Now since we have always been allies with Israel, the logical conclusion would be that we suffer some sort of an attack or at least are threatened with one serious enough to force us to question our support and then choose to withdraw. This is the conclusion most would come to based on the fact of our past strong support for Israel. Recent events on the political front initiated by our current president, however, may be signaling a radical shift in our foreign policy which in turn might suggest that in any future conflict the United States may choose to withdraw it's longstanding support for Israel.
President Donald Trump reportedly warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call on Monday that further military escalation against Iran could leave Israel increasingly isolated, as new details emerged about growing disagreements between Jerusalem and Washington during the latest regional crisis. According to Israel’s Channel 12, Trump told Netanyahu, “You better be very careful with what you do because you might soon be left alone against Iran.” https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-warned-netanyahu-you-may-be-left-alone-against-iran/
Already in Israel the feeling is emerging that the United States is "rethinking" its historical support of Israel. They see our president attempting to influence the policy making of the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Slowly but surely it would appear that a shift is occurring in regards to our relationship with Israel, and Israel is fully aware of it. There are signs that Israel is preparing to address the threats from Iran without the support or approval of the United States, which in the past has been a major concern. Does Israel feel abandoned already?
President Trump says that Prime Minister Netanyahu will accept whatever deal his administration makes. Maybe, maybe not. Netanyahu could see the approaching November midterm elections in America and even Israeli elections in October, and declare that this is the moment for a new Israeli Independence Day. https://harbingersdaily.com/a-time-to-act-is-now-the-moment-for-netanyahu-to-declare-a-new-independence-day-for-israel/
There is no other way to take this statement than President Trump telling a sovereign nation that he alone calls the shots and Israel has no choice but to accept them. I would suggest that is a grave miscalculation on his part as the Bible tells us that there is coming a time where the entire world is against Israel and they will defend themselves without any help from anyone other than God.
Iran & Israel cease fire for now, PM Netanyahu warns: If Iran attacks again we’ll respond with ‘overwhelming force ’https://allisraelnews.com/iran-israel-cease-fire-for-now-pm-netanyahu-warns-if-iran-attacks-again-well-respond-with-overwhelming-force
“And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the LORD. Jeremiah 31:28 NKJV
“We are no longer scattered among the nations, powerless to defend ourselves. We restored our sovereignty in our ancient home. And the soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish people, can defend ourselves. This is why -- this is why, as a prime minister of Israel, I can promise you one more thing: Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand. But I know that Israel does not stand alone. I know that America stands with Israel. I know that you stand with Israel. You stand with Israel, because you know that the story of Israel is not only the story of the Jewish people but of the human spirit that refuses again and again to succumb to history's horrors. Facing me right up there in the gallery, overlooking all of us in this (inaudible) chamber is the image of Moses. Moses led our people from slavery to the gates of the Promised Land. And before the people of Israel entered the land of Israel, Moses gave us a message that has steeled our resolve for thousands of years. I leave you with his message today, (SPEAKING IN HEBREW), "Be strong and resolute, neither fear nor dread them.''
Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to Congress 3/3/15
Israel can defend itself.
I would certainly not argue that point even when looking at the list of enemies the nation of Israel faces at the present time, and I would remind you that I and many others believe the next major event on Israel’s prophetic calendar is the destruction of Damascus revealed to us in Isaiah 17. Yet when it comes to defending itself, I would also point out that it is one thing to defend against a smaller, weaker opponent than it will be when the entire world comes knocking at their door. This will be the case after their destruction of Damascus, as it is explained to us in Ezekiel 38-39 where God allows the armies of Gog and their allies to mass for an attack on Israel in order to reveal Himself to both Israel and the world as the true defender of His people.
“The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. “According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them.” ’ “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name—‘after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. ‘When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, ‘then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. ‘And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 39:23-29 NKJV
In this instance, Israel will not find it necessary to take on the responsibility of defending itself as God chooses to do that Himself by supernaturally confusing the enemy to the extent that they turn on each other and destroy themselves. Personally, what I find most intriguing about what God has to say in this passage is that the entire nation of Israel, everyone, will “know that I am the LORD their God”. Some might think it surprising, or somehow miraculous that the coming antichrist will be able to enforce a peace between Israel and its enemies, but I want to suggest that might be rather easy given the fact that the entire world just watched God defend Israel! I don’t believe too many of Israel’s enemies would need to have their arms twisted to agree to a peace with Israel after watching what God can do.
“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. “For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, ‘so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ “I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. “And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ Ezekiel38:18-23 NKJV
Who defends Israel? God Almighty. Does Israel really need America as its ally when they have the God of the universe on their side? The simple answer is no. This is only my opinion, but as someone who has studied the words and watched the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu for many years, my belief is that he has a personal relationship with God and knows full well who defends Israel. As a politician, he might desire the friendship and support of the United States, but as a believer, he knows full well who really defends Israel.
“Tell you what, if there wasn’t me, there would be no Israel right now”… Those were the words of President Trump in an interview on Wednesday.https://harbingersdaily.com/no-israel-without-trump-mr-president-god-isnt-looking-for-a-partner-to-share-his-glory/
I would have to say that I personally believe that to be an incredibly naive statement that demonstrates a rather large ignorance of Bible prophecy. If I were to give any advice to our president I would strongly suggest he read and become intimately familiar with the passage from Genesis which begins this post. Should a major conflict, which we know from scripture is on the near horizon, occur in the Middle East and we choose to withdraw our support, God is very clear that we will be cursed. The only question is what form our judgement would take.
The Bible states in no uncertain terms that Israel is the apple of God’s eye and He will not only defend them but promises that He alone will judge them at the end of this age. Their survival is guaranteed and no one individual or any nation on earth can change that. Considering we are told that all of the nations of the earth will be against Israel, and it’s biggest ally, the United States, is threatening to withdraw its support, one can’t help but wonder just how close we are to the end of this age.
There is no question in my mind, and many others as well, that we have arrived at that point in time which the Bible speaks so much about and that the removal of the Church to spend eternity with God by way of the rapture will shortly occur. Becoming part of the body of Christ, the Church, is the result of our choice to accept the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for our sins. If you haven’t made that choice, what better time than right now to do it, before it’s too late.
Simply pray a prayer like this; Jesus I know that I am a sinner, and have sinned against you. I believe you loved me enough to send your Son Jesus to die for my sins, and that He rose from the dead so that I can live. Forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to live for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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