ESCALATION
At 4:30 this morning (10/2) I was rudely awakened by the sound of the Code Red missile alarm on my phone. I grabbed the phone and headed to my bathroom - my 'safe room'. It was only then that I noticed the Code Red was for the region of Beit Shean and the Jezreel Valley in the lower Galilee, and not for the Jerusalem region. This Code Red was followed by several others over the next two hours. Clearly this was no false alarm or exercise. I turned on the TV to see what was happening.
As the day has passed the picture has clarified. At about 4:30 an unmanned drone was launched from Syria, crossed over Jordanian territory and turned into Israel. An Israeli helicopter succeeded in shooting it down. In response, Israel scrambled its airforce and attacked the site from which the drone was launched. One of the fighter planes, a F-16, was apparently hit by at least one of the tens of anti-aircraft shells fired from Syria. The pilots nearly managed to return to their base, but didn't quite make it and had to ditch the plane to crash just 100m or so from a school on a kibbutz. It was Shabbat so thankfully there were no students in the school. The pilots managed to eject before the plane crashed and burned. One was only lightly injured but the other suffered deep puncture wounds to his stomach and is described as being in a serious condition, though stable at present. All the other antiaircraft shells landed in open areas and no one was injured. In response, Israeli forces attacked some 12 military installations in Syria, killing at least 6 military personnel.
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| The crashed F-16 near Harduf at 4:30 this morning. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5103264,00.html |
This attack represents a serious escalation on the already tense northern border. The drone crossed the border and spent about 1 1/2 minutes in Israeli territory before it was shot down. The drone was captured and is a drone, with a wingspan of about 2-3 m, made in Iran where it was copied from an American drone they captured some time ago. The anti-aircraft artillery is also supplied by Iran and its backer Russia. The possession of these weapons by Syria is a game changer and represents a serious danger to Israel.
The situation seems to have quietened down now but we are all waiting to see what comes next. One thing that seems certain however is that war with Iran and/or its proxies, Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah is inevitable. The only question is "When?". Although all sides are saying they do not want war now (meaning they want to build up their arsenals even more), the situation remains very tense and volatile. Some cross-border incident could spark all-out war at any moment. Not only that, the situation in Gaza is also reaching flashpoint. The humanitarian situation is reaching crisis proportions in Gaza and Hamas wants to attack Israel to deflect attention away from its inability to govern the Strip. In the coming war Israel can expect to be attacked both from the north and from the south. There will be no place in Israel out of reach of enemy missiles. The map below shows the range of Hezbollah's missile arsenal and the time it would take for a missile to reach regions in Israel if fired from Lebanon. Notice it would take just over a minute for a missile to reach Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, less to reach Haifa.
In the event of war, Hezbollah would try to do as much harm as possible to Israel within the first few hours. It is estimated that they have between 130,000 to 150,000 short, medium and long-range missiles and rockets (1) and the ability to fire 1500 to 2000 into Israel per day (compare: 130-180/day in last Lebanon war). The potential loss of life and damage to infrastructure (power stations, water distribution etc) is likely to be catastrophic, not only to Israel but also to Lebanon and Syria, since Israel would also respond with enormous firepower. For more on the likely scenario see this article http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Rockets-missiles-and-more-Predicting-the-third-Lebanon-war-542171 It doesn't bear thinking about.
And this is just what most Israelis appear to be doing - not thinking about it. Even during this last incident many thousands of Israelis continued to visit the Golan to enjoy the perfect weather, see the beautiful wildflowers and play in the snow on Mt Hermon. This is both our strength as a nation, and our weakness. Our strength lies in the determination not to allow the enemy to stop us from living life to the full, a kind of defiance, that I have seen over and over again here. However it is our weakness too in that it means we are somewhat not prepared psychologically nor practically should war break out. I well remember the days leading up to the Gulf War of 1991 when half the population did not believe it would happen - until the first missile landed. Only then did people rush to the shops to buy essential supplies, causing chaos. Even the hospital in which I was working at the time had not made preparation!
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| https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155327045069352&set=p.10155327045069352&type=3&theater |
And this is just what most Israelis appear to be doing - not thinking about it. Even during this last incident many thousands of Israelis continued to visit the Golan to enjoy the perfect weather, see the beautiful wildflowers and play in the snow on Mt Hermon. This is both our strength as a nation, and our weakness. Our strength lies in the determination not to allow the enemy to stop us from living life to the full, a kind of defiance, that I have seen over and over again here. However it is our weakness too in that it means we are somewhat not prepared psychologically nor practically should war break out. I well remember the days leading up to the Gulf War of 1991 when half the population did not believe it would happen - until the first missile landed. Only then did people rush to the shops to buy essential supplies, causing chaos. Even the hospital in which I was working at the time had not made preparation!
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| http://www.hermon.com/mt_hermon/17.jpg |
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| https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/0a/35/780a35a8ff8ee5c6d0f10a42d2420219.jpg |
O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants.
Psalm 83: 1-8
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| https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Kingdoms_around_Israel_830_map.svg/1200px-Kingdoms_around_Israel_830_map.svg.png |
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord,
for the day of the Lord is near.
The Lord has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.
Zephaniah 1:7
“I will stretch out My hand against Judah,
And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place,
The names of the idolatrous priests with the priests— Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops;
Those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord,
But who also swear by Milcom;
Those who have turned back from following the Lord,
And have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him
And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place,
The names of the idolatrous priests with the priests— Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops;
Those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord,
But who also swear by Milcom;
Those who have turned back from following the Lord,
And have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him
Zephaniah 1:4-6
It is interesting to note that the word here translated (in NKJV) as 'idolatrous priests' is 'chemarim' which comes from an ancient Hebrew root meaning 'he who wears black'. In modern Hebrew this root is used to describe Christian priests, comarim, but here in this prophecy it refers to those priests in Jerusalem who wear black to draw attention to their piety whilst practicing idolatry and astrology, and failing to seek after the LORD. The word translated 'priests' (the NKJV inserts 'pagan' before the word - erroneously) is cohanim, the legitimate priesthood of Israel, which is also guilty of the same sins. I cannot help but relate this verse to the false priesthood of the modern rabbinical system which distorts true Biblical Judaism and mixes it with all kinds of occult and pagan beliefs and practices - the synagogue of Satan (see Revelation 3:9).
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| Ultra- orthodox in Jerusalem protesting compulsory draft for army service. https://www.vosizneias.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RTX333A1-layout-comp-725x479.jpg |
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that Judaism is satanic nor all those who practice it, but I am saying that those who, while claiming to be pious, break God's laws and teach others to reject the Messiah, Yeshua, stand to be judged, and furthermore bring us all, as a nation, under God's wrath.
This week we saw a shameful example of their hypocrisy when two young women wandered into Mea Shearim, and because they were not dressed according to the 'rules' of the ultra-orthodox community, were physically attacked with rocks and firecrackers, and verbally insulted (2). I ask, what is the greater sin- dressing 'incorrectly' or violence against defenseless women? I could cite many such examples of the hypocrisy of the religious. One Shabbat I was driving down a main thoroughfare which runs next to Mea Shearim (but not through it) and my car was stoned by a group of ultra-orthodox boys, shouting abuse at me. I asked which is the greater sin? And how can they justify picking up rocks to throw on a Shabbat, which surely constitutes 'work' which is after all strictly forbidden in a community that even bans the tearing of toilet paper on a Shabbat? Jesus spoke out boldly against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees of his day because he understood the harm they did to the people. The Pharisees of today are no better.
Of course the true priests, the cohanim, will also come under judgment and according to the New Testament, all who follow Yeshua are considered priests (Revelation 1:6). We too will come under judgment so we need to watch ourselves and keep 'short accounts' with God.
In Israel today there are very few who follow the LORD God of Israel. The religious sector has the appearance of piety and great zealousness but are not enlightened by Truth, therefore attempt to attain salvation by good works of the Law and this brings them under the curse of the Law, death, and bondage. At the other extreme the secular Israeli is caught up in hedonistic materialism which leads into all kinds of other sins, covetousness, fraud, theft, adultery and so on. Many so-called secular people, having rejected modern Judaism, have turned to foreign gods, and are caught up in the idolatrous pagan practices of Eastern mysticism, New Age and the Occult. We as a nation are very sinful. We will be judged for our sin and therefore we need to call out to God for his great mercy.
Thankfully God has provided a way of salvation available for all. In view of the coming judgment God warns us, saying, He says,
"Gather together, gather yourselves together,
you shameful nation,
2
before the decree takes effect
and that day passes like windblown chaff,
before the Lord’s fierce anger
comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s wrath
comes upon you.
3
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord’s anger."
Zephaniah 2: 1-3
Please pray that all of Israel will gather together before the LORD, humble ourselves and seek His righteousness. We could do no better than echo the fervent prayer of Daniel:
Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land...
All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.
Daniel 9: 4-6; 11; 17-19
PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray for national repentance for Israel, that people will turn away from deception and seek Truth in humility. Pray that religious leaders will repent of leading the people to reject Truth and will humble themselves before God.
- Pray for our political and religious leaders that they will have God's wisdom, that they will act with measured restraint but with courage in the face of the threats of our enemies. A quote from Netanyahu after his recent meeting with Putin gives us food for thought : “We are now on the cusp of a watershed moment of whether Iran will entrench itself there or if the process will be stopped. I told Putin that if it isn’t stopped by itself, we will act to stop it. In practice, we’re already operating.” (3)
- Pray that we as individuals and as a nation will be prepared for war should or when that comes upon us.
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Judah and all Israel.
- Pray for our enemies who seek our destruction. They do not know they stand against the all-powerful God, creator of the Universe and the Judge of all. Pray that the lies and deception they have been fed will be exposed and more and more of them have a revelation of Yeshua and find salvation.
- Pray for more rain. This year's rainfall has so far been way below average leaving us in a drought situation worse than ever before. Already 85% of our drinking water is coming from the desalination plants (which would be prime targets in case of war). Agriculture and the natural ecosystems are in dire straits. With the end of the rainy season drawing close, time is running out for the good rain we so badly need. There is also very little snow on Mt Hermon this year.
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| Israel and Egypt from space at night (Photo: NASA) https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4858225,00.html
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