#888

When Prophecy Paints A Bullseye

From Bad To Worse

I usually start with an example from history or a personal story, but this time around I am just going to jump in because I sense a heightened urgency about a prophetic sign Jesus gave us that some don’t see as a major indicator that we are living in the last of the last days. And it starts with a basic concept that Jesus laid out in these verses:

If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.

19 If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you.

20 Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.

21 But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 Whoever hates Me also hates My Father. (John 15:18-23, AMPC)

This hatred is a prophetic sign as well. It wasn’t just meant for His disciples, but for all believers going forward. And Jews will also see it happen in increasing measure the closer we get to the return of Jesus. I know that Jews are also targeted mainly because they too play a key role in end time prophecy. Here is another verse to highlight that:

Moreover, in that day I will make Jerusalem a massive stone for all the people. All who try to lift it will be cut to pieces. Nevertheless, all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against her. (Zech 12:3, TLV)

Right now, we’re seeing this be fulfilled right before our eyes.

A Very Old Hatred

We read in an article from the Jewish Voice that this targeting of Jews and all who support Israel started a long time ago:

Anti-Semitism has existed since the time that Abraham was set apart by God’s call to be a blessing to the families of the earth. There has never been a time when the Jewish people have not been victimized by Satan’s savage attacks against them. Even today in America, the Anti-Defamation League reports the highest level of anti-Semitism since World War II (ADL Global 100- Index of anti-Semitism http://www.adl.org).

And the article also notes who is behind it all and it’s not a surprise to anyone who knows their Bible:

At its core is Satan fomenting hatred among men against the Children of the God of Israel, generation after generation. He cleverly disguises each campaign with a compelling lie wrapped in a plan designed to rid the world of a perceived ill blamed on the Jews. From the very first attempt to destroy the Jews—Pharaoh’s murder of all the male Hebrew babies—to Herod’s order to kill all male babies under two years old 2,000 years ago, the serpent’s scheme was to defeat God’s plan to bring forth the Messiah of Israel. He failed—miserably!

The author then bridges the gap to our time this way:

Yet, the campaign of hatred marches on because the great redemption story is not over. Because the Jewish people and Israel play a major role in Last Days prophecy, Satan is still hard at work opposing God’s plan. The impetus he is using to rally hatred against the Jewish people today is a powerful anti-Israel (and pro-Palestinian) deception, wrapped in false humanitarian claims and causes. Understand: Deception is a hallmark of the Last Days (Matthew 24:11). For the minuscule size of the country, the lack of natural resources, or strategic seaport, one has to question why Israel is always at the center of world controversy—her existence continually hanging in the balance. We see Israel at the epicenter of a boiling cauldron of increasingly violent factions rising up within the vast Arab lands surrounding her. The world has been told, and has almost mindlessly accepted, claims that all unrest in the Middle East is Israel’s fault—that if the Jews would give the Land “back to the Palestinians,” there would be peace in the world, and terrorism would end. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Current Hatred

Fast forward to today and we see that same logic playing out as three nations are condemning Israel for how they are waging their war against Hamas. France, Canada, and Britain issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s current offensive in Gaza as being too harsh and causing a humanitarian crisis. Here is what their statement says:

Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.

We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.  We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

They try to walk a fine line of saying that Israel was attacked in a brutal massacre on October 7th of 2023, but they are also trying to appease the international committee who feels that these people who call themselves Palestinians deserve a place to live ignoring how they’ve acted when given that place. If Hamas is allowed to survive in Gaza they will go back to what they did in 2023 again and again. They’ve actually said so. And these citizens are hardly the innocent bystanders they are portrayed as. They want Israel destroyed and all Jews killed, too. Ever hear that phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free?” The river is the Jordan and the Sea is the Mediterranean Sea which means all the borders of Israel. There are no two states to those who chant this, there is only one and it doesn’t include Israel.

Big And Little Satans

Iran, who sponsors terrorists in the Middle East, refers to Israel as the little Satan which begs the question who is the big Satan. Think America. And they’re not the only ones who see things that way. When Jesus said they would hate you because you love Him He saw into the future and knew the times we are living in now. He foresaw that the world would come against Israel and all who support her. And although they don’t know this, they are doing so because they are being influenced by the spirit of the Antichrist who will be the biggest antisemite the world has ever seen. And his spirit is in the world today working in all avenues of life including the political realm. Just as there was a Prince of Persia and of Greece back in Daniel’s time, there are these rulers in high places today pushing an agenda that is against Israel because Satan knows Bible prophecy and if Israel is eliminated then God’s plans are thwarted. While we know that the Devil will lose he will still fight because it’s his nature. The battle between God and Satan started before time began and will continue until time ends. As we see this war in Israel play out, remember that there are bigger things going on. And prepare for more hatred against Israel not less. When Israel wins this current war the antisemitism will increase massively. And after God delivers Israel from total annihilation in the war of Gog and Magog seen in Ezekiel 38 it will only escalate this Jewish hatred even more. My friends, if we pray for the peace of Israel as we’re told to do in Psalm 122:6 we will also be the target of this hatred. But the good news is that God promises to bless us for that support as also seen in Genesis 12:3:

I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and the entire world will be blessed because of you.” (TLB)

Your mileage may vary on this, but I’ll take my chances by supporting Israel who is still the apple of His eye.