Israel

Israel

PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
The nation and the land of Israel are the subject of many Old Testament prophecies. Many of them relate to God's plans for the nation, warnings of judgment because of their disobedience, and restoration after they were conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

There are also comforting prophecies about Israel's distant future, and especially their role in the future righteous kingdom that will be established by the Messiah.

In our lifetime we have witnessed one of the most amazing fulfillments - the promise of Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37 that the chosen people will be brought back from all over the Earth and re-born as a nation. This, of course, was fulfilled in 1948 when, against all odds, Israel declared independence, and with God's help, has been able to fight off enemies on all sides for over 65 years.

The current wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians could die out and become one of many such cycles in the area, or it could lead to more serious war. The outcome of this war could be a most welcome peace agreement.

Such a peace agreement might be just another phase in the age-old struggle between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael, or it could be the false peace mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:3. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (NIV)

When Israel finally is at peace, it will be the first time since they became a nation in 1948 that they have enjoyed such security. This could cause them to lower their guard, which would set the scene for yet another war, such as the one predicted in Ezekiel 38 and 39. (Many good Bible teachers think that war is more likely at the end of the Tribulation, but it does not correspond exactly to the Battle of Armageddon.) If it does come before the Tribulation, it will most likely correspond to the 2nd Seal of Revelation 6.

The dramatic end of this great war of the 2nd Seal could produce the treaty predicted in Daniel 9:27, which many prophecy scholars identify as the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period.

Key Scriptures
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Key Scriptures

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Current Events and Links

Prophetic Significance of Israel

See also:
The Temple
Feasts of Israel
Mid-East Conflict
Peace
Other Israel Links
Archaeology (Apologetics Central)

Notice: Sources often remove their news links after a period of time. Some of them move older stories to a subscription-only section. Even if the story is no longer on line, our summary will still be available on this page.

Names translated from other languages may have different spelling, depending on the source. For example Hizbollah may be translated "Hezbollah," "Hizballah," etc.


See more recent articles: After July 30, 2015


Israel readies Iron Dome on Lebanon border as Hezbollah anticipates arms from Iran

July 31, 2015 - Israelis have deployed its Iron Dome missile shield on its northern borders because they expect that Hezbollah in Lebanon will receive new cash and weapons from Iran.

Hezbollah already has at least 10 times the firepower and far more sophisticated technology than that available to Hamas in Gaza last summer... Most of the missiles are supplied by Iran.

Source: Fox

Prophetic Significance of Israel


Israelis Condemn Jewish Terror Attacks

July 31, 2015 -An arson attack in an Arab village killed a toddler and injured four family members. The attack came shortly after a stabbing attack at the Jerusalem gay pride march. Palestinians, who are upset about these incidents and the conflicts on the Temple Mount are calling for a response of "fury."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock over the "reprehensible and horrific" arson attack, calling it "an act of terrorism in every respect."

Source: CBN



Israel's Choice: Conventional War Now, or Nuclear War Later

July 30, 2015 -

If the objective remains to prevent Iran from getting the bomb, the only way to do so is to bomb Iran.

Unfortunately, conventional war now may be the only way to keep Iran from obtaining and using nuclear weapons.

Source: Norman Podhoretz - Wall Street Journal

Huckabee: Obama marching Israel "to the door of the oven"

July 27, 2015 - Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee told Breitbart News that President Obama's foreign policies are "the most feckless in American history."

"It is so naive that he would trust the Iranians. By doing so, he will take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven,"

This, of course, was a reference to the Nazi death camps of World War II.

Source: BBC
Cruz defends Huckabee, accuses Obama of 'gutter politics' - Fox

US Pentagon chief offers strong words of support to Israel after Iran deal

July 21, 2015 - While visiting Israel, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter promised that the U.S. will help Israel in their struggle with Iranian over support for Hezbollah.

"Hezbollah is sponsored of course by Iran, which is why the United States will continue to help Israel counter Iranian malign influence in the region," Carter told reporters after receiving an Israeli security briefing in the area.

Source: US News and World Report

UN Security Council endorses historic Iran nuclear deal despite Israeli anger

July 20, 2015 -

The United Nations Security Council on Monday unanimously endorsed the historic nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers reached last week – a move that angered Israelis who regard the Iranian regime as the greatest threat to the Jewish state.

Source: The Globe and Mail
Nuclear deal will see powers 'help Iran protect facilities' - Israel Hayom

Poll: 47 percent of Israelis back Iran strike following nuke deal

July 18, 2015 - A poll published by the Maariv newspaper revealed that a high percentage of Israelis believe the nuclear deal with Iran accelerates their development of a nuclear weapon.

Asked “Do you support independent military action by Israel against Iran if such action is needed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon?” 47 percent said yes, 35% said no and 18% expressed no opinion.

Source: Times of Israel

Israel Air Force strikes terrorist target in Gaza after rocket attack

July 16, 2015 -

The Israel Air Force struck terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, in response to a rocket that was fired on Israel a few hours earlier.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Done deal? Iran nuclear agreement to be announced Monday, report says

July 13, 2015 - Some agreement about Iran's nuclear future will probably be announced today.

Two diplomats involved in ongoing talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna told the Associated Press Sunday that final details of the pact were still being worked out.

Source:Fox

Sissi: Ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict would stabilize Mideast

July 8, 2015 -

Ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would make the Middle East safer and more stable, as it would eliminate a recruitment tool used by extremists, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi told a delegation of American Jewish leaders in Cairo on Monday.

Source: Times of Israel

ISIS in Sinai is a serious threat to Israel

July 2, 2015 -

Analysis: The impressive fighting abilities demonstrated by the Islamic State in northern Sinai pose a new challenge to the IDF. The use of simultaneous suicide bombings, imported from Syria and Iraq, could one day be directed at Israel.

Source: YNet News
Netanyahu: We see ISIS at the gates in Sinai and Golan - Israel Hayom
Analysis: Egypt, Hamas, ISIS and Israel after the latest rocket attack - Jerusalem Post
Israel must eliminate ISIS while it's still small - YNet News

Netanyahu: World Silent as Israel Again Under Attack by Gaza Rockets

June 7, 2015 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the whole world is silent about three rocket attacks from Gaza over the past two weeks.

"It will be interesting to see if this silence continues when we use all our strength in exercising our right to defend ourselves," Netanyahu said at his weekly Cabinet meeting.

Netanyahu added that this hypocrisy will not keep Israel from defending Israel.

Source: NewsMax
IDF retaliates for rocket fired from Gaza with air strikes - Jerusalem Post

Amnesty: Hamas guilty of war crimes against Palestinians during Gaza war

May 27, 2015 - Amnesty International has released a report titled, “Strangling Necks: Abduction, torture and summary killings of Palestinians by Hamas forces during the 2014 Gaza/Israel conflict.”

The report reveals that Hamas carried out at least 23 extrajudicial executions during the war. Some of the executions were documented at the time by Palestinian journalists and photographers, prompting Hamas to halt the public killings.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Vatican recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty

May 13, 2015 - A new treaty between the Vatican and "Palestine" concerns the activities of the Catholic Church in Palestinian territory.

The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the U.N. General Assembly in 2012 to recognize a Palestinian state and had referred to the Palestine state since.
The treaty caused an angry reaction by Israel that it will inhibit the peace process.

Source: AP
Israelis' security 'compromised' by Vatican recognizing Palestine - WND

Netanyahu, Bayit Yehudi strike coalition deal just before deadline

May 6, 2015 -Just two hours before the final deadline, Benjamin Netanyahu put together a ruling government for Israel with a narrow, 61-seat coalition.

MK Uri Ariel will be agriculture minister and MK Ayelet Shaked justice minister. Bennett succeeded in pressuring Netanyahu to give Shaked the Justice Ministry, because a coalition could not be formed without Bayit Yehudi’s eight Knesset seats.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel reportedly hits Hezbollah, Assad targets in Syria

Apr. 25, 2015 -

Israel reportedly hit several targets belonging to Hezbollah and the Syrian army in a series of air attacks Saturday morning . . . allegedly targeting two sites believed to have been Syrian army missile depots.

Source: Times of Israel

Israel celebrates 67 years after its dramatic, prophetic rebirth. A few thoughts to mark the occasion.

Apr. 23, 2015 -

Today, Israelis are celebrating our Independence Day. On the Western calendar, we remember May 14th, 1948. But on the Jewish calendar, today marks 67 years since the dramatic, prophetic rebirth of the Jewish State.

Source: Joel Rosenberg

Egypt TV to Israel: 'Trust in God and bomb' Iran

April 16, 2015 - After a news clip of Israeli Prime Minister explaining that Iran cannot be trusted, Egyptian TV personality, Tawfik Okasha, called Netanyahu “our dear friend” and then suggested that Israel should take out Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor.

“Put your trust in God and bomb it,” Okasha said, CBN reported. “We are with you and if you need fuel for the jets, we will give it to you.”

Source: WND

Netanyahu likens Iran to the Nazis on Holocaust memorial day

Apr. 16, 2015 - Speaking at a ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu observed the 70th anniversary of World War II's Holocaust, when some 6 million Jews were killed. He said,

"As the Nazis strived to trample civilization and replace it with a 'master race' while destroying the Jewish people, so is Iran striving to take over the region and expand further with a declared goal of destroying the Jewish state."

Source: Fox
A day of reflection and tribute as Israel remembers the Holocaust - Times of Israel

Russia Lifts Its Ban on Delivery of S-300 Missiles to Iran

Apr. 12, 2015 - In 2007 Russia agreed to sell advanced S-300 missiles to Iran, but in 2010 then-President Dmitry Medvedev prohibited the sale because of a UN embargo against sale of military equipment to Iran. The change of policy was apparently because of the possible deal with Iran to limit its nuclear development.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Israel alarmed at news Russia to supply Iran advanced air defense system - Times of Israel

Israel could send Iran ‘back to the stone age’ with electromagnetic bomb

Apr. 12, 2015 - An American expert was quoted by London's Sunday Times saying that Israel could use an EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) bomb if they need to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

An electromagnetic bomb of this sort would be detonated above the ground, creating an electromagnetic pulse that would “disrupt all the technological devices working on the ground.”

The report indicated that this nonlethal weapon could send Iran “back to the stone age,”

Source: Times of Israel

US Declassifies Document Revealing Israel's Nuclear Program

Mar. 25, 2015 - Last month the Pentagon quietly declassified portions of a 1987 document called "Critical Technological Assessment in Israel and NATO Nations." By doing so, it revealed details about Israel's nuclear program that have never been made public.

The timing of the revelation is highly suspect, given that it came as tensions spiraled out of control between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama ahead of Netanyahu's March 3 address in Congress.

The information breaks the silent agreement between the U.S. and Israel not to comment on Israel's nuclear status. Making the situation even more suspicious, the document kept sections on Italy, France, West Germany and other NATO countries classified.

Source: Israel National News

Israel 'closer than ever' to decision on hitting Iran

Mar. 19,. 2015 - The strong surprise winner in Israel's parliamentary elections was Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says that Netanyahu is now on a much firmer base if he decides to use force against the Iranian nuclear weapons program. In the past Israel has twice attacked nuclear weapons sites being developed by hostile states.

The vote was a “stinging defeat” for President Obama that will make Iran far more nervous and probably lead to more appeasement from the U.S. in nuclear negotiations.

Obama did not congratulate Netanyahu on Likud’s victory but he did congratulate current Iranian President Hassan Rouhani after his victory in 2013. Bolton said he thinks Obama can't stand Israel.”

Source: WND
Obama Planning Drastic Shake-Up in Policy Toward Israel - NewsMax
Netanyahu backtracking on Palestinian statehood stand? - OneNewsNow
Israel PM Netanyahu softens stance on Palestinian state - BBC

An Open Miracle in Israel: Netanyahu Crushes Opposition, Wins Election

“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies,
to give you the victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:4)

Mar. 18, 2015 - Polls before Israel's elections showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party trailing, but the voting gave them a stunning and crushing victory. His party has apparently won an astounding 30 seats out of a possible 120.

The Likud announced that Netanyahu hopes to form a coalition with the Jewish Home, Kulanu, Yisrael Beytenu, Shas, and United Torah Judaism. Should all the parties agree to be part of the right-bloc coalition government, Netanyahu would be able to govern with some 68 seats.

Source: Breaking Israel News
BIBI’S BLOW OUT: Netanyahu miraculously surges to 30 seats. Has 6-seat lead over Herzog. Obama campaign against Bibi backfires. - Joel Rosenberg
Netanyahu scores crushing victory in Israeli elections - Times of Israel
Gulf official: Security fears over Iran gave Netanyahu election win - Jerusalem Post
CBS, NBC bash Netanyahu victory - 'Could destroy' chances for peace, 'not a lot of optimism' - WND
Netanyahu's Easy Win Adds to Difficulties for White House - NewsMax

With Israel election over, Netanyahu likely to remain thorn in Obama's side

Mar. 17, 2015 - US President Obama had evidently hoped for a repudiation by Israeli voters of Netanyahu's influence.

A better-than-expected showing by the Israeli prime minister in Tuesday's closely fought election raises the prospect that he could remain a thorn in Obama's side, with the two men increasingly at odds over Iran diplomacy and Middle East peacemaking.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israeli polls open with Netanyahu's power hanging in the balance

Mar. 17, 2015 -
Israelis voted Tuesday in parliamentary elections that would decide if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be returned for a third consecutive term as premier after he made a dramatic last-minute pledge to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Source: Fox
Live coverage of Israeli elections
Herzog-Livni ticket implodes at 11th hour. Who is Isaac Herzog and is he ready to be Israel’s next Prime Minister? Netanyahu says no Palestinian state if he is re-elected. - Joel Rosenberg

Republican Senators Warn Obama on Iran in Open Letter

Mar. 9, 2015 - Forty-seven Republican senators and three potential 2016 presidential contenders (Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul) have issued an open letter to Iran's leaders that any nuclear deal offered by President Barack Obama's administration will be revoked or revised after President Obama has left office.

“It has come to our attention while observing your nuclear negotiations with our government that you may not fully understand our constitutional system … Anything not approved by Congress is a mere executive agreement,” the senators wrote.

the letter also states that the next President could revoke such an agreement or future Congresses could modify the terms at any time.

Source:NewsMax
Obama mocks Republican letter to Iran over nuclear talks - BBC
GOP senators called 'traitors' over letter to Iran on nuke deal - American Thinker

Poll: U.S. favors Netanyahu’s strength over Obama’s weakness

Mar. 8, 2015 - Following Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to Congress various polls showed that Americans agreed with Netanyahu' message and disagreed with President Obama's stance. A Fox poll indicated that Netanyahu's approval increased from 26 percent to 32 percent, and Obama's approval dipped from 53 percent to 42 percent.

The largest group of Americans (41 percent) believe that the Obama administration is not supportive enough of Israel, with only 14 saying he is too supportive of the Jewish State. About 35 percent said his support is “about right.”

Source: OneNewsNow

Iran's Supreme Leader Hospitalized in Critical Condition

Mar. 6, 2015 - It just so happened that on Purim, the Jewish holiday commemorating a Persian plot to annihilate the Jews, the Supreme Leader of the modern-day Persians, the Iranians, was reportedly hospitalized in critical condition. He has stage four prostate cancer, and is likely to only live two more years.

Source: Israel National News
Call it a Purim Miracle - Jewish Press

Possible 'Place of the Skull' loses its nose

Mar. 4, 2015 -

Recent storms and erosion caused the collapse of the skull’s “nose” on Feb. 20, reported BiblePlaces.com.

Source: WND

On eve of Purim, Netanyahu warns of rising Persian threat to Israel & the world and danger of making a bad deal with Tehran.

Mar. 4, 2015 - Joel Rosenberg, who attended the Netanyahu speech to Congress, said it was a historical event, comparable to Winston Churchill's warnings before World War II. The timing of the event was also significant since it was just before the Jewish observance of Purim which begins at sundown today.

On the eve of Purim, the Jewish holiday remembering the Biblical book of Esther and the Persian plot to annihilate the Jewish people 2,500 years ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned the world of a new Persian/Iranian threat to Israel and the world.

Source: Flash Traffic
Purim 2015 reflects political struggles in Israel - Jerusalem Post
The Feasts of Israel - Prophecy Central

Netanyahu warns Congress: Deal will lead to Iranian nuclear bomb

Mar. 3, 2015 - In a dramatic address to the U.S. Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned . . .

. . . that a proposed agreement between world powers and Iran was "a bad deal" that would not stop Tehran from getting nuclear weapons -- but would rather . . . leave the Jewish State in grave peril.

Source: CNN
TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO: Netanyahu's Full Address To Congress - Fox
Netanyahu: Deal will pave way to Iranian nuclear bomb - CNN
Netanyahu warns against 'bad' nuclear deal with Iran; Obama disagrees - Los Angeles Times
Reaction to Netanyahu Speech Divides Along Partisan Lines - Time
Obama Says Netanyahu Speech Offered No New Ideas - NewsMax

Netanyahu ready to take Iran case to Congress in controversial speech

Mar. 3, 2015 -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday will make his case to Congress – and the American people – for why a pending nuclear agreement with Iran would risk his country’s security, in a controversial address that is drawing immense interest.

President Obama and other members of the administration will not be attending.

Source: Fox
Live Coverage of Netanyahu Speech - Fox
Obama and Netanyahu: A clash of world views, not just personalities - CNN
Report: Obama Threatened to Shoot Down IAF Iran Strike - Israel National News
Why does Netanyahu want to address Congress? - "Hitler embarked on a world conflict and then sought to achieve nuclear weapons, where as the leading Radical Islamic regime – Iran — is seeking to first acquire nuclear weapons and then embark on a world conflict." - Joel Rosenberg
'One Iranian Nuke, 3 Million Dead Israelis' - Israel National News

Netanyahu warns Iran deal could 'threaten the survival' of Israel

Mar. 2, 2015 - Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington one day before his scheduled message to the US Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Iran the world's "foremost sponsor of state terrorism."

"Iran envelops the entire world with its tentacles of terror," he said, displaying a map showing various connections between Iran and terror groups. He warned Iran could pursue Israel's destruction if it obtained a nuclear weapon.

Source: Fox

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