Just an exercise?
In yesterday’s edition of Israel Today Online a headline read; “Israel Holds Emergency Drills, Preparing for War on Six Fronts.” The article went on to say; “Last week at the graduation ceremony for new Israeli naval officers, IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Aviv Kochavi said that the Jewish state was preparing for war on no fewer than six fronts. Kochavi did not list those fronts, except to say that Iran is among them. The others can be guessed at: Egyptian Sinai, where ISIS holds sway; Hamas-ruled Gaza; Lebanon; Syria; and the cyber realm. Of course, many of those other threats are being encouraged and even financed by Iran. This week, Israel launched massive war drills together with 2,500 visiting American soldiers. As part of those drills, air raid sirens sounded throughout the country on Tuesday, unfortunately frightening those who were unaware it was just an exercise.”
A fight is coming!
I have already addressed this issue between Israel and Iran in previous posts but in the light of this article appearing yesterday in Israel Today Online I wanted to recap some important things to keep in mind at this time. As I understand Daniel Chapter Ten the Messiah, before He became flesh, spoke to Daniel about a great future war with Iran followed by one with Turkey. This Great future war to be fought in the latter days would not only be fought on earth but in the unseen spiritual realm.
Fighting with ‘principalities’
(Daniel 10:20-21) “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince (Principality) of Persia (Elam/Iran); so I am going forth, and behold, the prince (principality) of Greece (‘Yavan’ ‘Ionia’ or ‘Turkey’) is about to come. “However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.” Michael being the protector of Israel (Daniel 12:1) The revelation given to Daniel was concerning “a great war” (Daniel 10:1) It would be a war that would occur “in the latter days” (Daniel 10:14)
A False peace
Once Iran has been defeated the other nations will become very wary about attacking Israel and after this war with Iran Israel will prosper and flourish and become a land recovered from war, a land without walls and bars and with many Israelis having made their way home to Israel from all of the nations. It will be a nation of peaceful and unsuspecting people (Ezekiel 38:8b, 11) It will seem that war is over for Israel, at least for a time. There will be a false peace and possibly one that the nations make with Israel recognizing Israel’s military capability and prowess in battle, but it will not last. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) When the Israelis are least expecting it the invasion from the North will come suddenly and without warning. (Ezekiel 38:10-11) At that time Israel will have been trusting in their own prowess, strength and self-confidence and not in the LORD and it will take the Time of Jacob’s Trouble to bring Israel to the point where they desperately need the LORD’s intervention. Once they have encountered their Messiah the Lord Jesus Himself will save them out of this time of Great Tribulation. (Zechariah 12:10-14) (Jeremiah 30:1-7)
Israel’s enemies will fall
Daniel also tells us that after the Messiah and Michael have fought with the principality over Iran that the principality over Turkey will come and bring with him Iran and all of the Islamic nations in the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel. (Ezekiel 38:1-16) For three and a half years (Time, times and half a time) wars and desolations that has been determined within the purposes of God for Israel will be at Jerusalem but when the Lord Jesus comes back. Israel’s enemies will fall on the mountains of Israel, also they will fall in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and all the way down into Saudi Arabia, the heart of the Muslim world. (Isaiah 63:1-6) (Joel 3) (Ezekiel 39:4-6)
He will be saved out of it!
This year 2018 marks 70 years since the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948. The number seven in the Bible is always associated with a complete and finished work of God. This year may well see a major development concerning Israel and the nations. The coming war with Iran may well happen this year. However, if this happens it will not be the last war israel will have to face. The time will come when Israel passes through the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. It will be a time of great tribulation and distress for Israel but He (Israel as a nation) will be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:1-7)
Keep reminding the LORD
As the LORD says;; “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; And give Him no rest until He establishes And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7)
