Word of the Week - Biblical End time Events and Timeline - Prophecy part 3

“In that day, the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of His people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.  He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”  Isaiah 11:10-12

In follow up to my “Word of the Week” on Prophecy part 1&2 – see below, this week I want to frame the significance of Hamas and Gaza as referenced in biblical prophecy.  This give more context to current events we are witnessing in Israel/Gaza with Hamas, and how they fit into God’s bigger plan as referenced in God’s word through the prophets.

Israel today stands as the End Times prophetic super-sign.  Biblical predictions for the last days all center on the Jewish people and nation.  As noted in Isaiah 11 above, God faithfully preserved a remnant of the Jewish people (Israel) through the centuries, which finally led to a miraculous 20th Century rebirth in 1948.  For almost two millennia, the Hebrew people were scattered around the world.  They have shown a remarkable ability to both survive and thrive through times of blessing and extreme persecution.  Ezekial 36: 24-28 also prophesy’s a latter day return of the Jewish people to the ancient Holy Land and the rebirth of the modern state of Israel, culminating in a spiritual restoration of the nation.  “I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.  I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all the uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God”.

Gaza is mentioned in the Bible 20 times. The Gaza strip is at forefront of the war in Israel. The first biblical reference to Gaza is in Genesis 10, where it is described as part of the territory occupied by the Canaanites, who were the enemies of God and Israel.  “And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon in the direction of Gerar as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.” Genesis 10:19  Bible prophesy has lots to say about Gaza.  Four Old Testament Hebrew prophets to include Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, and Zechariah warned Gaza of impending doom and judgement.  In Jeremiah 47, one of the Pharaohs of Egypt conquered Gaza.  This began a long, difficult relationship between Gaza and Egypt that continues to this day.  Currently Egypt has a blockade wall to prevent people from Gaza entering Egypt.  This blockade stems from the fact that Hamas, which currently rules Gaza, grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt that was expelled by the Egyptian government.  So, the conflict between Egypt and Gaza seen in Jeremiah 47 still echoes today in strained relations.  “For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted.”  Zephaniah 2:4

The “Day of the Lord” refers to a time when God dramatically intervenes in human affairs to bring judgement or blessing.  It contrasts with ordinary human history when humans seem in control.  This concept appears frequently in Scripture.  But Zephaniah uniquely emphasizes the coming “Day of the Lord” when God will directly intervene to judge.   Because of the universal scope described, it is likely Zephaniah 2:4 is not the destruction of Gaza as a past event, but a future event.  Current events may foreshadow the coming judgement of Gaza prophesied by Zephaniah and other prophets.  The current Gaza conflict probably does not fulfill Zephaniah’s prophecy, because he foretells judgement coming on Gaza along with Jordan, Ethiopia, and Assyria/Iraq simultaneously in the future “Day of the Lord”.  Acts 8:25-26 talks about an angel of the Lord sent Philip to Gaza to share the good news.  Though judgement waits for Gaza, God loves the people of Gaza and desires for them to embrace Jesus before it is too late.  Jesus commands us to love both Israel and her neighbors, including Palestinians.  God’s heart is for all to repent and know Him.

Hamas - The name Hamas comes from an Arabic acronym meaning “Islamic Resistance Movement”.  In Hebrew, however, the word Hamas means violence or wrongdoing.  In Genesis, it says God saw the violence (Hamas) on the earth in Noah’s day and was grieved in His heart before sending the flood.  Jesus likened the end times to the days of Noah, indicating a rise in violence and terror like Hamas. Hamas was born in 1987 with the stated goal of destroying Israel.  It is, in fact, a violent terror proxy for Israel’s supreme enemy, Iran, and receives funding from Tehran.  The recent brutal atrocities and horrific war crimes committed unashamedly against all ages of Israeli civilians showcases the barbaric intent of Hamas.  Despite Hamas’s intentions, biblical prophecy gives believers confidence and assurance that these staged events will ultimately fail to destroy Israel or supersede God’s plan and purpose for all humanity.  Palestine will not replace Israel.  Islam will not spiritually eclipse the Jews before Christ return.  Evil will not outmaneuver God.

In God’s sovereignty, He is setting a chessboard exactly as the prophets foretold.  Anti-Israel sentiments continue erupting as hostile nations position themselves for a role in the final chapter.  God and those who stand with Him will overcome.  Though most Israelis do not accept Jesus, God is sovereign.  He has preserved and restored Israel to set the stage for His ultimate purposes.  Scripture foretells a national turning of the Jews to Christ.  In the meantime, as Christians we should support Israel and stand with her.  God keeps His promises completely in His timing. The existence of modern Israel is an act of God’s grace, not human merit.  Its prophetic significance remains intact.

Next week, I will try to connect the dots for how the current war in Israel sets the stage for the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel and many unfulfilled prophecies that will follow.

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:23

Be encouraged, we are victorious in Christ!!!!  Have a great week….

Thanks,

-Duane