The End Times has develop into a subject of interest for a lot of recently because the events happening within the Middle East seem like the achievement of biblical prophecy. The Bible lays out events, occurrences, and perimeters that must happen before Jesus returns again. That leads us to ask, is the war in Israel an indication of the End Times?
What Are the “End Times?”
After Jesus rose from the dead after His crucifixion, He didn’t return to Heaven immediately. We are told in Matthew 28:16-20 of how He ascended and what He commanded of those left on Earth and for believers yet to be born. Known as The Great Commission, He shared: “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And after they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus got here and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go due to this fact and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them within the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to watch all that I actually have commanded you. And behold, I’m with you mostly, to the tip of the age.”
This is significant for us to acknowledge not only the importance of how Jesus returned to Heaven, as He will return to Earth again one day, but in addition what’s exceedingly vital for us within the meantime. We are called to share the Good News of Christ and hold fast that He will indeed return. Since He left, the “end time clock” began. Therefore, we’ve got been living within the End Times since Jesus returned to Heaven.
Fulfillment of Israel Becoming a Nation Again
One of essentially the most pivotal and vital bricks to be laid out for the return of Christ was the need for Israel to develop into a nation again. After World War II and the Holocaust, several nations rallied together to revive Israel to its homeland once more. On May 14, 1948, Israel once more became home to 1000’s of Jewish people, thus bringing forward the prophecy specified by Ezekiel 34:13, “I’ll bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I’ll bring them into their own land. I’ll pasture them on the mountains of Israel, within the ravines and in all of the settlements within the land.”
With the restoration of Israel as a nation many believers began to contemplate just what else was crucial before His return.
Gog and Magog Battles
In the book of Ezekiel, lots of the End Days prophecies explain what’s to come back before Christ’s return. Ezekiel 38-39, specifically, speaks of a rustic, Magog, to the North of Israel invading Israel. We were also told that this country would form an alliance with Persia. Persia modified its name in 1935 to Iran, and plenty of scholars agree that Magog is what we call modern-day Russia. One of essentially the most prevalent calls toward prophetic signs here is the alliance of Iran and Russia. According to John Kiry of the National Security Council, “Since mid-2022, Iran has develop into Russia’s top military backer.” This formed alliance is a big indication of setting the stage for things to come back, especially with the attacks that occurred within the Fall of 2023 and essentially the most recent attacks previously few weeks. This shouldn’t be to be confused with the battle mentioned in Revelation 20, for that can involve all nations, not only those to the North.
Antisemitism
The Bible shares there shall be antisemitism happening in the ultimate days as well. Zechariah 12:3 conveys, “Moreover, in that day I’ll make Jerusalem a large stone for all of the people. All who attempt to lift it’s going to be cut to pieces. Nevertheless, all of the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against her.”
In a time of immense division and conflict, there may be an incredible rise in antisemitism and hatred of the Jewish people. As Christians, we must take the stand to face with Israel, for the Jewish individuals are God’s chosen nation. Deuteronomy 7:6 reminds us that Israel belongs to God, “For you’re a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all of the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” As Christians, we must stand with God’s chosen people and nation, even within the face of opposition.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Luke Franzen
What to Watch For
Scripture lays out that many things are crucial before the return of Christ. One is the constructing of the Third Temple, which is yet to occur. Another is a large earthquake prophesized about in Ezekiel 38:19 during a battle against Magog. Magog won’t win the battle; God will intervene with this earthquake. We should be diligent to check the Word and what’s to come back to concentrate on the events occurring around us, unfolding just as He said they’d.
Red Heifer and Other Mysteries
Other signs aligned with the recent attacks and imminent war in Israel invite great suspicion that these are the events prophesized about. One is that of the red heifers, “An enormous buzz reverberated worldwide the week of September 12, 2022, when five red heifers arrived in Israel.” The Jerusalem Post described how a Christian farmer in Texas raised and shipped five unblemished red heifers to the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. The heifers were inspected and approved by Jewish rabbis. Upon the arrival of those five red heifers, a bunch of roughly 300 people welcomed them. One person blew the shofar, a horn utilized in Judaistic ceremonies. The red heifers at the moment are secured on a farm in Haifa.“
This is something that has not been seen in 2,000 years. This matters to End Times prophecy as many imagine Christ’s return is imminent because the Red Heifer is very important for the Third Temple. The Third Temple should be rebuilt before Christ’s return. Another is that of the prophecy laid out in Zechariah 14:1-21 where attacks against Jerusalem would occur throughout the feast of Tabernacles, which occurred throughout the attacks on Israel back in October 2023. The verses also describe a curious plague that might potentially be telling of nuclear war to come back. This shouldn’t be to invoke fear but somewhat to be diligent in awareness of what’s to come back coinciding with what has already taken place.
What Should We Do?
With all of this considered, what should we do? Should we fill up on food and create bunkers in fear? No. We should look as much as God! Remember the words He shared in Luke 21:28, “Now when this stuff begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
As Christians, we should always take this time to be intentional with sharing the gospel with those around us; we should always proceed to cultivate our own relationships with God and be diligent in prayer. This shouldn’t be a time to fear; it’s a time to live the life God has called us to live. Not even the Son knows the precise time He will return to Earth, but we will still concentrate on these incredible prophecies coming to pass. Let it strengthen us that our faith is true and our God keeps His Word. Let us proceed to hope for Israel in the times to come back.
More on Israel:
How Can Christians Pray for Israel?
4 Miracle Prophecies Christians Should Know about Israel
Why Did God Choose Israel to Be His Chosen People?
Sources:
https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2023/feb/24/iran’s-deepening-strategic-alliance-russia
https://harvest.org/resources/gregs-blog/post/was-irans-attack-on-israel-bible-prophecy/
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Fatima Shbair/Stringer
Cally Logan is an writer and US History teacher from Richmond, Virginia. Her works have been featured on “The 700 Club Interactive” and Christine Caine’s “Propel Women,” amongst several notable outlets. She served as a mentor for young women for several years and enjoys difficult ladies to develop deeper relationships with God and to live fearlessly and authentically. She received her B.A. Degree from Regent University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, having real chats over coffee, and woodworking. Her latest book, The Wallflower That Bloomed, shall be available in every single place on May 1, 2024. It is about to be featured in Jesus Calling and on The 700 Club on May 28, 2024. @CallyLogan Instagram CallyLogan.com
