The War In Israel: What Does the War Mean? (Part III)

Before I begin, please forgive me for the delay in getting this post out. I intended to put these posts out relatively close to one another. However, there have been other things over the last several weeks that have dominated my time and attention.

Now, to the question at hand. As I seek to answer this question, I intend to help us think biblically about the war in Israel. Before I begin to dive in, it must be stated up front, that there are different ways to interpret the prophecies concerning Israel. I will put forth my position on the matter and I want you to know that if you disagree with me, that is okay. We can disagree on this matter and still love one another.

When seeking to think about this question biblically, most people want to know, is this a sign of the end times? Does the war in Israel mean that Jesus is going to return soon? Does it mean anything at all? I think to answer this question, we will look at some of the passages from the Old Testament and the New Testament and seek to develop an answer based on what the Bible says.

There are many verses in the Old Testament concerning Israel and war, but we are going to try to focus on the ones that seem to hold an eschatological (end times) meaning.  Here are some of the things the Old Testament says are going to happen:

• We know that when the end times comes, there will be a great distress for Israel (Jeremiah 30:7). 
• Many Jews will return to the land of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:3; Isaiah 43:6; Ezekiel 34:11-13; 36:24). 
• Israel will make a false covenant with the Antichrist (Isaiah 28:1; Daniel 9:27). 
• Many Jews will recognize Jesus as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10; Jeremiah 33:8). 
• The nations will seek to go to war with Israel (Joel 3:1-12). 

The New Testament offers many insights about Israel and what is going to happen in the end. Here are a few passages to help us understand Israel and the end times:

• The temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and there will be two prophets (Revelation 11:1).
• Many Jews will come to faith in Christ (Romans 11:25-32). 
• There will be great persecution for the Jews (Matthew 24:7-9).
• There will be wars and rumors of wars at the end (Matthew 24:5-6). 
• Many false prophets will arise to lead people astray (Matthew 24:11).  
• The Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel (Matthew 24:15). 
• There will be a time of great tribulation unlike anything ever seen before (Matthew 24:21). 

What does all of this mean? To be perfectly honest, I do not know. I do not know if the war in Israel is the beginning of the fulfillment of these prophecies or not. I know that there has been conflict in that region pretty much throughout history. But, there are some biblical prophecies that we should not ignore. If God is working His perfect plan of redemption together and we are witnessing the fulfillment of these prophecies, we must have a greater sense of urgency to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and make disciples.