Is the Israel and Hamas War a significant marker in the timeline of the events of Revelation and Jesus’ return?

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The Israel and Hamas War is a Meaningful Sign of the Times

The situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel has been smoldering for years and sparking over the last few years. Those who know Biblical prophecy expect a showdown between Israel and the surrounding nations at any time. Is Israel’s ground war in Gaza the kindle that enflames the invasion of Israel by these nations?

Israel has always been the center of the battle between God and the rebellious angels. This is because of God’s covenants and promises for Israel and the promise for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to return and rule the earth from David’s throne in Jerusalem. Therefore, we need to watch Israel closely because everything that happens in Israel affects the rest of the world. We see this through the media coverage every single day.

From the nations to the UN, to political parties, college campuses, and the streets, Israel is a dividing line. More specifically, it is a battle line between forces of good and evil. This does not mean that the state of Israel is without fault. The state is also under the enemy’s influence – most of its people are under delusion. But God has promises for Israel and a glorious future in the works. So this is where the spiritual battle centers and where the most important events of the end of this age will occur.

So, what does this war tell us about the prophetic timeline for the end of this age?

The War in Gaza as a Prelude to the Invasion of Israel

One thing most people who study Bible prophecy can agree on is the invasion of Israel by surrounding nations. Both Jews and gentiles agree that this is a significant prophecy to be fulfilled. Ezekiel 38, Zechariah 12, and Zechariah 14 prominently speak of this invasion.

There is some debate as to when this invasion occurs. Some people equate this invasion to the battle of Armageddon, while a few place it at the end of the 7th Millennium. However, it best fits as a prelude to the Beast’s 3 1/2-year reign. I see this invasion leading to the Antichrist revealing himself as God in the temple per 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

What triggers this invasion? It is clear that God lures the nations to act. He does this so ultimately; He can destroy these nations’ armies. Ezekiel 38:4 states, “I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen…”

Zechariah 12:2-3 states, “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.“

While Hamas invading Israel does not meet the level of invasion described in these prophecies, it may be connected.

Israel and Hamas War – Foreshadowing of What’s to Come

When I heard of the accounts of the Hamas invasion, I was reminded of Ezekiel 38 and Zechariah 14.

“…and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates…” – Ezekiel 38:11

“…and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.” – Zechariah 14:2

Foreshadowing the more extensive invasion yet to come, Hamas entered “unwalled” villages in peace. They entered the houses, murdered people of all ages, “ravished (raped)” women, and took 242 hostages into “exile.” But the invasion to come will be on a much larger scale. Can you imagine the horror of the events of October 7th playing out across the country?

Other prophecies about this age may speak of Hamas. The Hebrew word used for violence in these prophecies happens to be Hamas (ḥā·mās). Was this a hidden sign, a mystery planted by God for what was yet to come?

Amos 6 is such a prophecy. It speaks of Gaza and Hamas. “Then go down to Gath (Gaza) of the Philistines. Are they better than these kingdoms, Or is their territory greater than yours? Do you put off the day of calamity, And would you bring near the seat of violence (ḥā·mās)?“

It speaks of a time when Israel is living in great prosperity, but God is about to bring ruin. It states, “I loathe the arrogance of Jacob and detest his citadels; therefore, I will deliver up the city and all it contains.“

So these prophecies could be telling us that the larger invasion is growing near.

But I also see this as part of a more extensive geographical sign – one that embroils the world in war.

The Wars of the Second Horseman

The days of the second horseman are upon us. Peace has been taken from the earth in every institution. Peace is dwindling from our classrooms and boards of education to our legislatures and international relations. We see violence in our streets and explosive rhetoric in social media on issues from race, gender, sexuality, abortion, religion, climate change, and energy. Meanwhile, war and talk of wars are spreading across the world, and new alliances are forming.

As I have written about in more detail in this post on the second horseman, this horseman takes peace from the whole earth in the broadest sense. He is given a “great sword” from the root word megas, as in mega, meaning large in the widest sense. The horseman’s removal of peace will happen on a grand scale, just as we see in our society today.

Will we have another world war? It is certainly possible. It is the type of event that may be required to tear down the current world powers in great destruction and leave room for a new power to rise. This power would be strong enough to band the remnants of today’s societies behind one leader – the Antichrist. Having been decimated by the four horsemen’s devices, including false kings, wars, famine, social conflict, pestilence, and death, they will cling to the power that promises safety and security.

The Hamas invasion and war in Gaza, like the war in Ukraine, are raising tension and animosity between nations. These seeds could be the beginnings of a final world war.

But in addition to preparing the climate for the rise of the Antichrist, I also see the Hamas attack playing a part in preparing the way for the False Prophet.

Opening the Door for the False Prophet

Attacks like this are further convincing Jews that the Messiah is about to arise. One article I read in Israel 265 News discussed the prophecy of Zechariah 9.

Zechariah 9 is a prophecy about Israel’s neighbors and how God will act against these. It speaks of Tyre, where Lebanon now sits and where Hezbollah reigns, funded by Iran. To Tyre, it states, “He shall smite her wealth in the sea, and she shall be consumed by fire.“

And to Gaza, where Hamas reigns, Zechariah prophecies a great shaking. “Gaza too will writhe in great pain;… Moreover, the king will perish from Gaza…“

The writer interprets Zechariah 9:8 as stating that God will support His people against an army that is just passing by, presumably Hamas, and be with this returning, the Jews. “But I will camp around My house because of an army, Because of him who passes by and returns; And no oppressor will pass over them anymore…“

The writing attributes Zechariah’s prophecy to be for today because it references the coming Messiah. “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: He is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey— on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.“

And the prophecy appears to have a direct rebuttal to the Palestinian saying about liberating the land of Palestine from Israel from the “river to the sea.” “And His dominion will be from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.“

But what this writer and most Jews don’t know is that Jesus already fulfilled the prophecy of the king coming on the back of a donkey. So if the Jews are expecting this, and the False Prophet enters Jerusalem on a donkey, as Jesus did, will they not see this as a sign that the False Prophet is the Messiah?

A Dangerous Time

We are in one of the most volatile times in history, and Israel is at the center. I had a vision a couple of years ago of a stone hitting a flat body of water, and then the ripples extended outward. I heard in the vision that what happens in Israel will ripple out to all the world. Israel is the pupil of God’s eye. If Israel is at war, can the rest of the world possibly enjoy peace?

As Zechariah 2 states, “For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: ‘For His own glory he has sent me to the nations that plundered you—for anyone who touches you touches the pupil of His eye.‘”

Vengeance is His.

The second horseman has taken peace from the earth. Alliances are solidifying, and wars are inevitable.

Democracy is under attack from the outside and from within, and the institutions we have once trusted are crumbling under corruption and lawlessness.

As these things happen, persecution against Christians will increase. Accept that your comfortable life may become uncomfortable.

But do not despair. This is the time to “come in,” to build a relationship of love with the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. In this time, learn how to pray in faith. Practice walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Relentlessly fight the spiritual battles to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Forgive and be made whole. And lastly, learn how to love all people. Walk in these things now before tribulation comes, and you will hold firm like a rock. And when the Bridegroom calls his bride, your lamp will be full.

Coming Soon: the podcast of this post at

www.westcloudsrisingpodcast.com

Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Related Posts:

Eyes on Israel – the Heart of the End Times

Wars of the Second Horseman and the Christian Call to Arms

The Approaching Wars that Must Come

Judgment at Hand: Tragedy, War & Collapse – Is There Hope?

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