WAR WITHOUT END AND THE END OF WAR

The Second World War (WWII) ended in Europe on the 8-9^th May (depending on time zones) in 1945 when Berlin, the German capital, was surrounded by the allied armies, Hitler committed suicide and the German army surrendered.  In September of the same year the Japanese surrendered after nuclear bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

World War II, like many before it, had a beginning and an end. At the end of WWII spontaneous street parties erupted and people celebrated, except those too badly injured or in deep mourning for lost loved ones.

Here in Israel we are about to mark the 3^rd anniversary of the beginning of the current war against Iran and its proxies, and there is no end in sight. Whilst it is true there is something of a hiatus in the active fighting and the war has fallen from the international headlines, it is far from over and there are no street parties in Israel. This is a war without end, and it began long ago with the murder of Abel by his brother Cain. When mankind rebels against God’s ways, hatred, murder, violence and war are the inevitable result. This has been so since the garden of Eden and will be until the Messiah Yeshua returns. Only then will warfare cease on the Earth and peace reign.

Meanwhile, the weary war goes on.

Life in Israel has resumed a semblance of normality and we are living as if there is no war. We get up, go to work, sit in cafes with friends or go to the beach. We celebrate our festivals with family and friends. Behind it all though is the constant awareness that at any moment all could change, the sirens could blare, a car could veer towards a crowded bus stop, a passing motorcyclist could shoot you through the window of your car. It’s just that it is impossible to live on high alert all the time. You put it on to the back burner and live in denial – “it won’t happen to me”.

Jews have lived for thousands of years with wars and persecution, and have developed strong resilience in the face of danger and suffering. Strong extended family and community ties provide support. There is a deliberate choice to ‘chose life’ over despair and death. A belief in the value of every individual life and a deep belief in God exists, even amongst most of those called ‘secular’. This all creates hope, and hope makes it possible to go on.  

Nevertheless, the constant pressure, sorrow and mourning takes its toll. Marital breakups, mental illness and suicides are surging, and surveys show that about 30-40% of the adult population are experiencing at least some clinical signs of PTSD.

As I write, there are three ceasefires in effect and here in Israel we have enjoyed a cessation of incoming rocket and missile fire since April 8 this year. This however does not represent the end of the war of Israel against Iran and its proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iraqi Jihadi militias and the Houthis in Yemen. Since the ceasefires were declared, fighting sporadically continues in both Gaza and Lebanon, and in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). At least 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the ceasefire. Tensions remain high and the nation is on the highest level of alert especially as the Jewish High Holy Days are being celebrated, and the 3^rd anniversary of the October 7^th massacre is soon to be commemorated.

In Gaza, the IDF is clearing up pockets of terrorist activity and destroying Hamas’ installations in the around 70% of the Gaza Strip it currently controls. The Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict has stalled because Hamas is refusing to disarm and give up its political and administrative control over the Gaza Strip.

The Iranian front is quiet although tensions between the USA and Iran are simmering and threatening to boil over. Iran is sporadically attacking its neighbors, ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and American bases throughout the Middle East. The USA has responded with limited retaliatory attacks.  Iran has not fired any rockets, missiles or drones towards Israel since the ceasefire declared on April 8^th, 2026.   That said, Iran is refusing to surrender and hand over its nuclear material or its control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis have taken over a large swathe of the Red Sea coast of Yemen, and now control the Bab el-Mandeb (the Gate of Tears in Arabic), a narrow strait at the entrance to the Red Sea which leads to the Suez Canal, through which a large percentage of the world's shipping passes. The Houthis have not attacked Israel since June 8.

In November 2024 a trilateral agreement between Lebanon, the USA and Israel led to a ceasefire in Lebanon. The ceasefire is contingent upon a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the region south of the Litani River in Lebanon.  The ceasefire has led to a decrease in hostilities but drone attacks across the border and against IDF soldiers have occurred. The trilateral agreement was not agreed upon by Hezbollah, who refuse to surrender or give up their weapons.

What is the common denominator in these three fronts? Even though Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah have been largely defeated militarily, they refuse to surrender and lay down their arms, unlike Germany and Japan in WWII. Why not?

The current Iranian ayatollah regime, Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah are all motivated by the same jihadi imperative, to fight the ‘infidel’ and conquer the world for Islam. In such a world view surrender is impossible and their weapons are the foundation of their reason for existence. What would these jihadist terror entities be without their guns? Nothing. They care for nothing else but the death of the ‘Zionist entity’, and ultimately, world domination. They make no secret of this goal.

This ideology and aggression are intrinsic and essential to fundamentalist Islam and is promoted and supported by the ayatollah regime of Iran. Neither the Iranian regime, nor Hezbollah, nor Hamas will ever admit defeat, surrender or lay down their arms. They cannot.  They will fight to the last man. They must, otherwise their whole identity and everything they have lived and fought for will be as nothing. From the cradle these terrorists have been instilled with one, and only one, life goal which is to kill Jews, and other infidels (including Christians), and die a martyr in the cause of world domination.

Today (26 September) is the first day of the Jewish festival of Succot (the Feast of Tabernacles). On the eve of the festival, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed the leaders of the nations of the world at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Before he said even one word, at least half the delegates rose and left the auditorium. It was shocking to see, and a cowardly and shameful act. Even those who stayed for Netanyahu’s speech could barely bring themselves to clap politely when he concluded.

This was not primarily a reflection of their political stand nor of their dislike of Netanyahu himself or even of Israel’s actions in this war, it was something much more insidious. It was a demonstration of deep antipathy towards the people of Israel, the Jews, God’s chosen people, and even towards God himself. It also demonstrated their unwillingness to listen or open their eyes and hearts to truth, or even to tolerate a different point of view. This is the very definition of prejudice.

It is interesting that today, in synagogues across the world, the final Bible reading is Zechariah 14: 1-21. Coincidence? I think not. This prophecy predicts a coming disaster when all the nations of the world will rise up against Jerusalem:

A day of the LORD is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city ( Zechariah 14: 1-2).

This echoes Zechariah’s earlier words, in chapter 12:1-3,

A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel.

The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.  

I once thought I would never see this prophecy fulfilled in my lifetime. I am now nearly 73 years old, and it seems this day is now very close, and drawing closer at breakneck speed. The walkout of the nations at the UN General Assembly made it seem very plausible and even imminent. From my viewpoint here in Israel I feel that nearly all the world hates us, with baseless hatred. They have bought into the lies of the enemy, and the Enemy (Satan), and have closed their ears to the truth.

Few seem to be able to discern truth from falsehood anymore, and with social media and AI, it is getting harder and harder to do so. The result is confusion and a morass of moral error.

The most moral army that has ever existed, that puts its own soldiers at great risk to ensure the safety of enemy civilians in the theatre of war, is being accused of genocide. Israel, which has allowed about 3000 calories of food aid per person per day into Gaza, far more than is necessary for health, is being accused of causing famine. Israel which evacuated every last Israeli citizen or soldier from the Gaza Strip in 2005, and ceded rule to the Gazans, is accused of occupation. I could go on, but suffice to say, everything seems to have been turned upside down.

The prophet Isaiah had this to say about this phenomenon, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

The Hebrew word אוֹי (oy), here translated as ‘woe’, has a much stronger meaning than the English word suggests. ‘Oy’ is the anguished, gut-level gasp that something is terribly wrong, and it erupts from the mouth of one overwhelmed by calamity, moral outrage, or impending judgment.

All those who buy into the propaganda of the Evil One, calling good evil, and consequently slander the innocent, are setting themselves up for the judgement of God.

The prophecy of Zechariah goes on to say that although the nations of the world will initially have victory over Jerusalem and Judah in this coming war, God himself, and his heavenly armies, will come to Israel’s aid.

Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle ... Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him (Zechariah 14: 3,5).

The nations which come against Israel need to take this very seriously. This is what will happen to them:

This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day people will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another (Zechariah 14: 12-13).

Not a very pleasant end for those nations. But for those who survive this ‘plague’, they will then be forced to acknowledge the God of Israel as sovereign and Jerusalem as His holy city.

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain (Zechariah 14: 16-17).

This victory of God over his enemies and ours is our hope, and it is this that gives us strength to go on in these dark and turbulent times. We know that the day is coming when the King Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) will come and reign over the whole earth from Jerusalem, and then warfare will cease.

I do not claim that Israel is perfect or has done no wrong, but to judge her on the basis of false accusations and slander emanating from her enemies is reprehensible. It is especially so when those who are called by His name, Jews and Christians alike, fail to discern truth and believe the lies.

According to some polls roughly 60% (nearly 2 out of 3) of self-professing evangelical Christians under the age of 30 say they do not support Israel. This is deeply disturbing. It is all right to disagree with Israeli policies, and even to criticise our actions, but as believers we are called to love the chosen people of God, Israel, the people of our Saviour, just as God does. That means we need to pray for Israel’s welfare, offer support and comfort in her times of distress, and stand against those who would slander her and accuse her unjustly.

I am pleased to say that many Christians have shown unwavering support throughout the 3 years of war we have suffered, and this is seen and deeply appreciated by most Israelis. To the others who claim to be Christians, I would say “Read your Bible – all of it”. Read it yourself, discuss it with others, study it closely and ask God to interpret it to you by his Holy Spirit. Be very careful that you do not find yourself in opposition to God on the Day of Judgement.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

"PEACE" DEAL OR WAR?

 

Today, Sunday 24 May, 2026, we stand on the edge of a precipice, not just Israel but the whole world. We are waiting for President Trump and the Iranian regime (whoever they might be right now) to make a decision. War or a Deal? I read this morning Psalm 60 and it felt intensely relevant to our current situation. David in this Psalm cried out to God, saying,

¹You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry—now restore us!

 ²You have shaken the land and torn it open;
    mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

 ³You have shown your people desperate times;
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

On the 7 October, 2023, God lifted his hand of protection over Israel for a moment, permitting the massacre of over 1200 people and the capture of 251 by Hamas. He was angry with the people of Israel because of our many sins against him, and he ‘rejected us’ or ‘abandoned us’ for a moment. When God rejects or abandons us it is not so much a punishment as it is a warning and a call to repentance given in love (see Leviticus 26: 14ff).

God’s anger against the people of Israel at this time is justified. We as a people have rebelled against him.  We are divided between the political ‘left’ and ‘right’, religious and secular, those who serve in the army and those who refuse to enlist, and as a nation we are being torn apart because we do not seek the true God of the Bible, the God of Israel, YHVH.

Many turn to New Age and Occult practices and in so doing often worship pagan idols or even demons, forbidden by God (see Leviticus 20:6). We cheat in the marketplace, we commit theft and adultery, practice widespread fornication and we even kill our unborn babies. Next week, June 4, the holy city Jerusalem will permit the Gay Pride Parade to pass through its streets, a detestable thing before the LORD (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13, Romans 1:26-27). The so-called ‘secular’ are obsessed with consumerism and hedonism, and the so-called ‘religious’ are blinded by their study of the Talmud, arguing over every ‘jot and tittle’, but failing to study the Tenach (Old Testament) and finding Truth. They reject Jesus as their Messiah and teach others to do the same.

As a people we have rejected the only one who can unite us, bring us true peace and salvation, our longed-for Messiah, and God’s only begotten son, Jesus. The land has certainly been shaken and our society torn apart by dissension, extremism and our lack of love for one another.

Why would God not be angry with us?

But God’s rejection of Israel is never final nor total.

For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life

Psalm 30:5

The prophet Jeremiah also said this,

For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3:31-33

Even during the 2 ½ years of war we have so far endured, we have suffered and truly been shaken, but we have seen over and over again God’s divine protection even in the midst of enemy attacks from 7 fronts. Many in Israel have died, been injured or displaced, but without God’s divine intervention it would haven been very much worse. The nation of Israel would probably have been destroyed.

David understood that God’s rejection is never final and therefore he had the boldness to call out to God for restoration in his time. He asked God to mend the fractures. He knew that his only hope was in the LORD.

Nothing has changed. As we stand at this crossroads of history today, our only hope is in the LORD. David goes on to say,

⁴You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
⁵ That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and hear me.

Verse 4 would perhaps be better translated as “You have given to those who fear you a banner to brandish before the bow, Selah”.

נָ֘תַ֤תָּה לִּירֵאֶ֣יךָ נֵּ֭ס לְהִתְנוֹסֵ֑ס מִ֝פְּנֵ֗י קֹ֣שֶׁט סֶֽלָה׃

In other words, we who fear God, have been given a banner proclaiming the Name of God, with which we can overcome and conquer the weapons brought against us. We need, at this time, to stand up, proclaim God and His Messiah, and appeal to His grace and mercy. This is the only weapon needed to defeat the foe. Selah – pause and meditate on this truth.

When God consecrated the Temple, he said to Solomon,

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

The current war, in its essence, is a spiritual war, a war between God’s people, Israel and all those who stand with her, and Satan’s minions, the Iranian Ayatollah regime and its proxies. All the guns, missiles and drones aimed against us will have no power over us if we repent and call upon the name of our God.

What is more, if God’s name is lifted up and is shown to be more powerful than the god of Islam, many will turn away from their bankrupt and evil religion and find salvation in Jesus. This is already happening to some degree, so let’s pray that more and more people in the Middle East will find Truth in the God of Israel. Only then will there be peace in this war-torn part of the world.

David, in Psalm 60, continued and called upon the LORD for mercy and help and he recorded God’s reply:

⁶God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
⁷ Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet,
    Judah is my scepter.
⁸ Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

God has already conquered Israel’s enemies. The final victory is the LORD’s. We just have to claim that victory and walk in faith until it takes form and substance.

David continued,

⁹Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
¹⁰ Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?
¹¹ Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.

 

David acknowledges that human help is worthless. Today too we cannot trust or depend upon human help, whether it comes in the form of President Trump or any other ally. Only God can save us at this time, but

¹²With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.

So what will it be Deal or War? It seems that both options have potentially horrendous consequences. It’s not surprising then that the voices we are hearing are confused and even self-contradictory. All I can say is, “May God’s will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”, as Jesus taught us to pray.

Our hope then is this – that God will again have mercy and compassion upon Israel and will hear our prayers, as he has done so many times in the past and has promised for the future also. God spoke to the prophet Zechariah, prior to the Babylonian exile, and said,

“I will strengthen Judah
    and save the tribes of Joseph.
I will restore them
    because I have compassion on them.
They will be as though
    I had not rejected them,
for I am the Lord their God
    and I will answer them”.

Zechariah 10:6

Amen, may it be so today also.

 

 

 

WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS

 I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;

    they will never be silent day or night.

You who call on the Lord,

    give yourselves no rest,

 

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem

    and makes her the praise of the earth.

Isaiah 62:6-7

 

This morning, Sunday 22 February 2026, the world is teetering on the edge of a crucial moment of decision. The negotiations with Iran have clearly failed, and US President Donald Trump is poised to give the order to attack Iran.  A military intervention now seems inevitable, and the question remaining is "When?". The words 'imminent' and 'within days' are prominent in the media. 

 

The Iranian regime has again and again threatened to attack Israel with massive missile barrages should the U.S. or Israel strike. We know the regime will try, and they may even risk a pre-emptive strike. They are also likely to attack US bases and interests (oil) across the Middle East, threatening also to attack any country that will help the US-Israel attack by providing bases or air corridors for the passage of aircraft, for example.

 

We are used to hearing such bombastic rhetoric from Iran, but it remains to be seen whether it has sufficiently rebuilt its defensive and offensive military arsenal since the 12-Day War of June 2025 and has sufficient firepower to make good on its threats. Estimates are that Iran still possesses around 1500 long-range missiles and 200 launchers. They may also resort to using non-conventional weapons.

 

This is not only a pivotal moment for Israel and the Middle East, but potentially for the whole world. No one knows how an attack on Iran will play out. Will Iran succeed in a massive attack on Israel? Will Iran's remaining proxies, Hezbollah and the Houthis, join in the fray? Will Iran attack Europe and the US? Will Pakistan, Russia or China get involved supporting Iran? Is this the beginning of World War III? Or can the hostilities be contained in Iran only? Can the Ayatollah regime in Iran be toppled, and a workable alternative be established? That is the hope, but no one knows what the outcome will be. 

 

Here in Israel, we are collectively holding our breath for the moment the red alerts sound. There is no panic, no hysteria but there is concern. On the surface there is calm and people are just getting on with their lives, but there is some tension and trepidation. To some extent we are all suffering from the 'boy who cried wolf' syndrome. There have been so many warnings of imminent attack, and nothing has happened, that now many are failing to take such warnings seriously. However, in the fairy tale, the wolf does eventually arrive. I hope we will not be caught out. 

 

That said, we have been quietly preparing. The IDF is operating on the highest level of readiness both offensively and defensively. Our defensive array has been strengthened, updated and prepared. It has also been and augmented by the American military with the positioning of three naval aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East. Many U.S. fighter planes are also now sitting at the ready across Europe and in some Middle Eastern countries.

 

The Home Front in Israel has been running drills and hospitals are on 'war readiness', but the instruction to civilians so far is 'business as usual'.  Individuals are checking their food, water and medical supplies, and rechecking their 'grab bags' for use in case of evacuation. We know the drill. But that may be our weak point. It is easy to be a bit nonchalant. We have survived 2 years and 4 months of war so far, including the 12-Day War with Iran, Operation Rising Lion, as it was called here. I hope we are not being overconfident. 

 

I confess I have grown weary of the war, now into its 871st day, and guilty of ‘falling asleep’ from time to time.  Perhaps you feel the same? This morning however the LORD has prompted me to write this and is also challenging me to wake up and take prayer more seriously, even though there are many other things in my life clamouring for attention. 

 

If you are called to be an intercessor for Israel, and that includes “all who call upon the Lord” (see v. 6 above), NOW is our time to pray fervently, to stand on the walls of Jerusalem as watchmen.

 

In a week's time we will be celebrating Purim, the Feast of Esther. At the time of Esther, the Jews, the captives from the Kingdom of Judah, were in Persia and an edict went out for their total annihilation. They were saved because Esther, a Jewish member of the harem of King Xerxes, at the risk of her own life, dared to intercede on their behalf. Ester's uncle encouraged her to do so, saying, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,... And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Ester 4: 14). 

 

Are you here in this world, at this time, as part of the royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9), ‘for such a time as this’? If so, do not be silent.

 

King Xerxes reigned over the Medo-Persian Empire from the capital city, Susa.  Susa lies in the western region of modern-day Iran. In ancient times Susa was the capital of the empire of Elam. The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed this against Elam.

 

 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:

 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“See, I will break the bow of Elam,

    the mainstay of their might.

I will bring against Elam the four winds

    from the four quarters of heaven;

I will scatter them to the four winds,

    and there will not be a nation

    where Elam’s exiles do not go.

I will shatter Elam before their foes,

    before those who want to kill them;

 

I will bring disaster on them,

    even my fierce anger,”

declares the Lord.

“I will pursue them with the sword

    until I have made an end of them.

 

I will set my throne in Elam

    and destroy her king and officials,”

declares the Lord.

 

“Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam

    in days to come,”

declares the Lord.

 

Jeremiah 49: 36-39

 

This prophecy has never been fulfilled historically. Is it now about to be fulfilled? In ancient times, the Persians were known for their skill with the bow and arrow (see v. 35), but what is the modern equivalent of an arrow, if not a missile?  Will nations from the 4 corners of the earth join in this attack? That remains to be seen, but already several nations are helping the US and Israel in this venture. Will the people of Elam be scattered to the 4 winds? Already around 3 million Iranians have fled and are scattered amongst almost all the nations of the world (v. 36). Will God shatter Elam and make an end of the leadership (v. 37)? Watch this space!  

 

Will God set up his throne in Elam? We know that when Messiah returns he will set up his throne in Jerusalem, not Susa or Teheran, so what can this mean? Simply that God will rule over Iran. Already we know there are at least 1 million Iranians who know Jesus and worship the God of Israel. This is perhaps the fastest growing 'church' in the world, and these new believers are strong and fearless in spite of much persecution.  Many Iranians are growing disillusioned with Islam. If a coalition of Christian and Jewish nations defeat Iran, the current 'god of Iran', Allah, will be shown to be weak. This may cause even more to turn away from Islam, and YHWH, the God of Israel will be enthroned on the hearts of many in Iran. 

 

Will the leadership of Iran be overthrown (v. 38)? This is one of the goals of this coming war. The people of Iran are already rebelling against the current ayatollah regime and demanding a new leadership. The economic and ecological situation in the country will inevitably destroy the regime, even if the military intervention does not. 

 

The ultimate hope for Iran is promised in v. 39, 

“’Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come’ declares the Lord.”

 

Many of the protestors in Iran are waving the pre-revolution Iranian flags together with the Israeli flag. Many, if not most, Iranian people are looking to Israel for rescue. Israel has no issue with the people of Iran, and historically we were friends. This can happen again. Genesis 12:3 states, “ I will bless those who bless you...”. Iran will yet come into a time of great blessing according to this prophecy.

 

In the meantime, are you willing to take up position on the walls of Jerusalem as a watchman?  Prior to the Babylonian conquest of Judah, Isaiah said this,

 

Israel’s watchmen are blind,
    they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
    they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
    they love to sleep.
 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
    they never have enough.

 

Isaiah 56: 10-11

 

I feel convicted by these verses. Judah’s watchmen failed and Judah was overcome and taken into exile at that time. Will we fail again?

 

May we not be blind, lacking knowledge, mute, asleep and consumed with hedonistic appetites. Instead, may all of us who call upon the LORD, the God of Israel, be fervent in prayer and intercession, as never before. 

 

Iran's 'Final Solution' - war by proxy - and why it failed. 

“Turn to me and be saved,

    all you ends of the earth;

    for I am God, and there is no other.

23 

By myself I have sworn,

    my mouth has uttered in all integrity

    a word that will not be revoked:

Before me every knee will bow;

    by me every tongue will swear.

24 

They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone

    are deliverance and strength.’”

All who have raged against him

    will come to him and be put to shame.

25 

But all the descendants of Israel

    will find deliverance in the Lord

    and will make their boast in him.

Isaiah 45: 2-25

For followers of the Twelver sect of Shiite Islam, such as the ayatollahs of Iran, the existence of a Jewish State on what they regard as 'Muslim soil' is an abomination and a hindrance preventing the return of the Mahdi.

The Mahdi is a kind of a messiah figure who is the twelfth imam, currently in 'occultation' (secret seclusion), who according to Shiite eschatology will emerge in the end times to bring about justice and peace in a world overwhelmed by oppression and corruption, and to establish global Islamic rule.

The Mahdi will precede the coming of the Prophet Issa (Jesus) who will rule the world either with the Mahdi or alone (opinions vary). 

According to the Hadiths (the collected sayings of Mohammed) the "last hour will not come unless the Muslims fight against the Jews, and the Muslims would kill them..." (Sahih Muslim 41:6985, also Sahih al-Bukhari 4:56:791).

Clearly, according to these beliefs, the Jews must be conquered and eradicated. The existence of the Jewish State, Israel, is anathema and must be destroyed. 

The current Ayatollah, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, sees himself as the forerunner preparing the way for the reappearance of the Mahdi. He believes he has a divinely sanctioned imperative to destroy Israel, and he formulated a brilliant plan to do just that, his 'final solution', a war to end all wars, opening the way for the Mahdi.

To this end, Khamenei patiently, over a period of at least 30 years, prepared his battle plan, moving his 'chess pieces' into place for a war by proxy. He 'groomed' various terror groups and Shiite entities to go to war against Israel, providing funding, weapons and training. According to his master plan these proxies would carry out a massive, simultaneous invasion of Israel, while he backed them with thousands of missiles, drones and at least 10 nuclear bombs. 

Hezbollah in Lebanon, perhaps the strongest of the proxies, had around 150,000 rockets, ballistic missiles, as well as hundreds of drones, and thousands of rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and other smaller munitions. Hezbollah also had a sophisticated army of Iranian (IRGS)-trained soldiers numbering approximately 20,000 full-time soldiers, and an equivalent number of reservists. 

Hamas, though Sunni, joined with Iran in order to fulfill its desire to eliminate Israel and the Jewish people. Before October 7, 2023, Hamas and the other terror groups in Gaza, had around 50,000 operatives, about 30,000 medium and short-range rockets capable of hitting almost every part of Israel, in addition to many thousands of RPGs and mortars and other short-range weapons, hidden in at least 200 km of underground tunnels and command centers, and protected by civilian 'human shields' above. 

The Houthis in Yemen were, and still are, being continually supplied by Iran with sophisticated, long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, all capable of hitting Israel. 

Iraq had ready an invasion army of around 50,000 soldiers. 

Iran has close to 1 million military personnel. It also had a massive arsenal of around 2,000 - 4,000 (estimates vary) ballistic and cruise missiles capable of reaching Israel and was busy manufacturing more, aiming to reach a total stockpile of at least 8,000. It also had thousands of UAVs (weaponized drones). It was also furiously enriching uranium in order to produce nuclear warheads. At the outbreak of the war it was estimated that it could make, within weeks, around 10 nuclear bombs with the 600kg of enriched uranium it had already made.

Had all these 'armies' attacked Israel simultaneously in surprise, according to the master plan, Israel would have been quickly overwhelmed, outnumbered and outgunned. Most Israelis would have been killed or captured, and the State of Israel pushed into the sea - 'from the River to the Sea'. This would have been genocide on a grand scale. So what went wrong? 

On October 7, 2023 Hamas and other Gazan terror groups, together with many 'civilians' stormed the Israeli border communities killing around 1200 and taking 251 as hostages. At the same time, thousands of rockets were fired into Israel. Although caught by surprise, many IDF personnel, police and armed civilians sprang into action and somehow managed to prevent a much greater disaster. Hamas had planned to reach Tel Aviv, capture the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, capture military bases and installations, and destroy or capture the nuclear reactor at Dimona. They expected Iran and the other proxies to join their attack. But they did not. Iran sat back. Hezbollah the next day began firing rockets into Israel, but didn't invade, nor did Iraq, and the Houthis did not join until much later. Why?

I do not know the official explanation, if there is one. I have heard a theory that Hamas 'went off half-cocked' before the others were ready because of leaked information about the existence of the booby trapped communication devices that later decimated the leadership of Hezbollah. I have also heard that Iraq failed to receive the go-head from Tehran. Perhaps because the communication network failed for some reason. 

I do know that since the October 7 invasion and massacre, Israel has fought back with courage, determination and has devastated the enemy forces. Much of this amazing success can be attributed to our incredible air force, its coordination with the superb ground forces, and our technological superiority both in terms of intelligence but also in the field of battle. Our military personnel have shown exemplary courage, resilience and skill in battle. Not only that, they know they are fighting a battle for our very survival as a nation, and the survival of their own loved ones. This is a big advantage in warfare. 

We also have another big advantage - the most important. Yahweh, the God of Israel is fighting on our side. It is the only explanation for our overwhelming success so far. If I hadn't already believed in God before the war, I would now. We have witnessed so many things that could only have occurred by divine intervention. 

Hamas and its allies in Gaza alone have fired 19,000 rockets at Israel, and Hezbollah approximately 3,000 from Lebanon. Iran has fired around 700 ballistic and cruise missiles, and an unknown number of UAVs at Israel, and the Houthis 52 missiles and many drones. Some of these failed en route or were intercepted by Israel's defense systems, and those of her allies. Only a few reached Israel and, though there have been casualties, mostly civilian, the number is far, far fewer than one might expect given the intensity of the barrages and the potential destructive power of the missiles. Even the one missile that impacted Ben Gurion Airport somehow 'contrived' to fall in the only open space there and caused only a few minor injuries. This is just one of the many, many such miracles we have seen, not to mention the many we may not have seen nor recognized.

It seems that God has been supernaturally protecting Israel. He has allowed us to suffer to some extent in an effort to cause us to repent of our sins and return to him, but he has been great in his mercy, not because we deserve it in any way, but because we are still his chosen people, called by his name, Israel (which means he who struggles with God). God does not fail to fulfil his promises and his prophetic word. Israel still has a role to play in God's redemption plan. He will not allow our enemies to overcome us. The Mahdi will not come (unless he is the Antichrist) and Islam and Allah will be shown to be a false deception. All the world will see and recognize Jesus and bow down to him. It is Jesus who will bring in a millennium of world peace and he will reign the whole earth with his saints from Jerusalem. It is the God of Israel who will bring down the new heaven and the new earth as described in the Book of Revelation.

So what now? Our enemies have been weakened and wounded, the Iranian master plan is shattered, and as I write U.S. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu are meeting in Washington D.C. to discuss Trump's vision of the Abraham Accords and peace in the Middle East. 

Can there be peace in the Middle East? Perhaps for a time, but our enemies are still alive, still have a large arsenal of weapons and still believe that Israel must be destroyed so that the end times era of 'peace' under Islam can be ushered in. Surrender to the infidels, Jews and Christian, is unthinkable, as is the concept of defeat or failure in a shame-based society. They may make deals, negotiate 'peace' but only to give themselves time to regroup and rearm so that they can attack again. 

Shiites teach and practice the principle of Taqiyyah. For them Taqiyyah means 'the religious obligation to conceal the truth and not showing openly that which may lead to negative consequences in religious or worldly terms'. In other words, it is not only permissible but obligatory to lie to the enemy, make false declarations or false agreements or treaties, if it is advantageous in terms of their ultimate goal of global jihad.

This is something Western leaders do not seem to understand. Negotiated treaties and deals made with Shia jihadist entities are not worth the paper they are written on. For Shia jihadists a ceasefire can only be temporary, and peace with the 'infidel' unthinkable. I fear for the gullible West. It is a huge mistake to  think that jihadis value life and peace as we do. They value death, martyrdom and war above peace, as long as jihad is incomplete. Their sole overriding goal is world domination and the subjection of all mankind to Islam.

Iran, even after its humiliating defeat in the recent 12-day war with Israel, declared 'victory' and is still openly declaring its intention not only to destroy the 'little Satan', Israel, but also the 'big Satan', America and the rest of the 'corrupt and infidel West'. 

Iran may be 'down' but it is not yet defeated. A wounded lion is a dangerous beast. Iran still has a sizeable arsenal and reports vary about the degree of damage done to Iran's nuclear program. Around 600kg of enriched uranium is still 'missing'. Russia and China have promised to help them restock their arsenal and repair their damaged military sites and factories. 

Hezbollah is not only refusing to disarm as required by the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, it is actively rearming and regrouping. 

The Houthis are still firing missiles at Israel on an almost daily basis. 

Estimates are that though the Hamas military apparatus is dismantled, and perhaps 90% of its leadership killed, there are still around 50,000 Hamas operatives carrying out a guerilla-style war against the IDF, and rockets are still sporadically being fired into Israel. Hamas still holds 50 Israeli hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be still alive. 

The war is far from over, and a true, lasting peace will only come when the true Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), returns.