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, such as the one predicted in Psalm 83. 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 The War of Gog and Magog predicted in Ezekiel 38 and 39. This war 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
Background
Current Events
Israel Links
Insight from 2010 In Review: The Year In Prophecy
Insight from 2008 In Review: The Year In Prophecy
Insight from 2012: The Year the World Didn't End


Key Scriptures

Click on one of these
references to see
the passage.
Thanks to the services of:

<I>Bible Gateway</I> And

<I>Blue Letter Bible</I>

Go To Bible GatewayGo To Blue Letter Bible
NIV & Other VersionsIncludes Commentary
Genesis 12:1-3 Further Study
Abrahamic Covenant
Psalm 105:8-11 Further Study
An Everlasting Covenant
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Further Study
Rebirth of Israel
Zechariah 12:2-3 Further Study
Future Conflict
Revelation 12 & 13 Further Study
Israel in the Tribulation
Romans 11 Further Study
Restoration of Israel

Return to Top


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 December 31, 2015


Israel warns Hezbollah: 'We stand ready for any challenge'

Dec. 28, 2015 - IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot assured his troops that they are stronger than their enemies.

Responding to threats issued by Nasrallah against the Jewish state in the wake of the assassination of arch-terrorist Samir Kuntar, Eizenkot stressed that "our enemies know if they try to undermine the security of Israel - they face serious consequences."

Source: Israel National News

Prophetic Significance of Israel


If Hezbollah attacks, go to war with Lebanon, ex-national security adviser urges

Dec. 26, 2015 - In a published opinion article, Former Israeli National Security Council chief Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland said:

If Hezbollah attacks Israel in retaliation for the alleged Israeli assassination of terror chief Samir Kuntar, Israel should direct its own response not at Hezbollah alone, but at the state of Lebanon in which it operates.

Source: Times of Israel



Turkish PM: Israel deal only meant 'to help Gaza'

Dec. 23, 2015 - According to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu a recent peaceful agreement with Israel and discussions about purchasing Israeli natural gas is only to "benefit" Palestinian Arabs.

"Our sole goal is to bring solutions to the problems of our Palestinian brothers. This is the main objective behind our talks for the normalization of our relationship with Israel."

Source: Israel National News
A Gas-Powered Rapprochement Between Turkey and Israel - Foreign Policy
Turkey Plans to Build a Pipeline From Israel - Natural Gas Europe

Israel shells south Lebanon after rocket attack

Dec. 21, 2015 - Following Israel's killing of notorious Hezbollah Samir Kantar, two Katyusha rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israel.

"The Israel Defence Forces have responded with targeted artillery fire following the rockets that hit Israel earlier today from southern Lebanon," the army said in a statement on Sunday.

There were no known casualties.
Source: Middle East Eye
Nasrallah: Israel responsible for Kuntar's death, we will retaliate - YNet News

Netanyahu Confirms: Israel Operates in Syria 'From Time to Time'

Dec. 1, 2015 -

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday “we operate in Syria from time to time to prevent Syria from becoming a front against us.”

Source: Haaretz
ISIS Is Sure to Attack Israel - It's Only a Matter of Time - Haaretz

After Paris, Netanyahu demands world also condemn attacks against Israelis

Nov. 15, 2015 -

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday drew parallels between the massive terror rampage that rocked Paris Friday and attacks against Israelis, saying the world that had rallied to condemn bloodshed in France must do so for Israel as well.

Source: Times of Israel
At least 127 killed in ISIS terror attacks on Paris, French president says - Prophecy Central's Terrorism Section

Syrian media reports Israeli airstrike near Damascus airport

Nov. 12, 2015 - Israeli aircraft struck targets near the Damascus airport, but it is not yet known whether the action was to stop the shipment of weapons to Hezbollah or some other reason.
Source: Jerusalem Post

Netanyahu on mending ties with Obama: ‘Our meeting was good, one of the best’

Nov. 10, 2015 -

On Monday, Netanyahu and Obama went to great lengths to show the public that their dueling days are over, particularly when it comes to the issue of the Iran deal, which has since been approved and executed.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Obama, Netanyahu look to mend fractured relationship

Nov. 9, 2015 - President Barack Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today. It is the first face-to-face discussion between them in more than a year.

Tensions over the U.S.-backed nuclear deal with Iran continue to strain ties between the longtime allies. But there’s also little hope of progress ... of a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians before Obama leaves office in 14 months.

Source: Washington Post
Netanyahu White House Visit 2015: Israel Premier Expected To Request Billions In Military Aid As Iran Nuclear Deal Sets Off Arms Race - International Business Times
Bad tidings await Netanyahu on US trip - YNet News

Israeli Minister Resigns, Paving Way for Gas-Field Development

Nov. 1, 2015 - With the resignation of Israeli economy minister, Aryeh Deri, Israel prepares to develop their new natural gas fields.

“Today we are taking a major step toward advancing the supply of gas in the state of Israel,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “Natural gas will be the No. 1 growth engine in Israel in the coming years.”

Source: Wall Street Journal

Jerusalem mufti: Temple Mount never housed Jewish Temple

Oct. 26, 2015 -

The grand mufti of Jerusalem, the Muslim cleric in charge of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, said Sunday that there has never been a Jewish temple atop the Temple Mount.

In fact, Muhammad Ahmad Hussein claimed and that the holy site has been the home of an Islamic mosque “since the creation of the world."

Source: Times of Israel
UN, Palestinians declare Israeli holy sites Islamic - OneNewsNow

Netanyahu to Ban: Abbas has joined ISIS and Hamas

Oct. 21, 2015 -

Netanyahu placed the blame for the violence on Abbas for “joining Hamas and ISIS in claiming that Israel is threatening the Aksa Mosque.” This is a “total lie,” the prime minister said.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel arrests Hamas co-founder, accusing him of inciting recent violence

Oct. 20, 2015 - Hassan Yousef, the co-founder of Hamas, was arrested by Israeli forces for inciting the latest rash of violence that has caused the death of nine Israelis, mostly by stabbings.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told the Associated Press, "Hamas' leaders cannot expect to propagate violence and terror from the comfort of their living rooms and pulpits of their mosques."

Yousef's eldest son, Mosab, spied for Israel between 1997 and 2007. ["Son of Hamas," who became a Christian.]

Source: Fox

Hamas Asks Russia to Help Stop Israeli 'Aggression' Against Palestinians

Oct. 19, 2015 -

Hamas leader Khaled Meshal spoke with the Russian deputy foreign minister, who promised to take action against Israeli conduct, according to a statement released by the group.

Source:Haaretz
Russia warns Israel over jets detected near Syria–Lebanon border - i24

Israel Rejects Calls for International Presence on Temple Mount

Oct. 16, 2015 - Islamic radicals have caused riots on the Temple Mount for several days. The Palestinian Authority called for an international force to maintain the peace there. Israeli Deputy Ambassador David Roet told the UN Security Council,

"Let me be crystal clear -- Israel will not agree to any international presence on the Temple Mount. Such a presence would be a change in the status quo,"

The "status quo" actually gives Muslims control of the area. Muslims are allowed to pray at the site, but Jews are not.
Source: Israel National News

Palestinians burn Joseph's Tomb ahead of 'day of rage'

Oct. 16, 2015 -

Palestinians set alight parts of Joseph's Tomb in Nablus overnight Thursday as they rioted and threw Molotov cocktails, while security forces have prepared for confrontations on Friday.

Source: YNet News

Israel sending troops into cities after latest attacks

Oct. 14, 2015 - Escalating violence in Jerusalem has prompted the Israeli government to seal off parts of the city to contain potential attackers. They have also deployed hundreds of troops in Israeli cities.

The government has thus far been unable to stop the violence, carried out mostly by young Palestinians unaffiliated with known militant groups and apparently acting on their own.

Source:Fox

At least 3 dead, 20 wounded in separate Jerusalem terror attacks

Oct. 13, 2015 -

At least three Israelis were killed and 20 others were wounded in Jerusalem Tuesday in a pair of near-simultaneous attacks by Palestinians that mark the most serious escalation of a month-long wave of violence.

Source: Fox

Iron Dome Deployed Across Southern Israel in Wake of Gaza Clash

Oct. 10, 2015 -

Iron Dome aerial defense batteries were deployed in the southern Israeli cities ... due to concerns ... that Friday's deadly clash with Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border could lead to further escalation in rocket fire.

Source: Haaretz
Hamas Joins Fatah/PA Campaign Claiming Temple Mount Jewish Takeover - Algemeiner

Potentially game-changing oil reserves discovered in Israel

Oct. 8, 2015 - A massive oil field has been discovered in Israel's Golan Heights.

Afek Oil and Gas, an Israeli subsidiary of the U.S. company Genie Energy, confirmed the find ... but conceded that until the oil is actually extracted, they won’t be sure of the actual amounts and quality of the oil that has been discovered.

Source: Fox

Jerusalem streets empty after day of terror

Oct. 5, 2015 -

Jerusalem's Old City and the Western Wall were relatively empty on Sunday morning, following terror attacks on Saturday night and early Sunday morning that killed two and wounded three.

Source: YNet News
Netanyahu Bars Palestinians from Jerusalem Old City After Attacks - NewsMax

Israeli planes hit Gaza after rocket fired at south

Oct. 5, 2015 -

Israeli jets bombed a target in the Gaza Strip early Monday morning after a Palestinian terror group launched a rocket into southern Israel

Source: NewsMax

Report: Jordan king shuns Netanyahu 'until further notice'

Sept. 26, 2015 - Jordan's King Abdulla evidently blames Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for recent violence on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and refuses to speak to him until further notice.

King Abdullah has stepped up its rhetoric recently, saying after a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron that unless Israel changes course, its bilateral relations with Jordan will be damaged.

Source: YNet News
Netanyahu says Israel will keep Temple Mount order amid report Abdullah won't talk to him - Jerusalem Post

Barak Says U.S. Should Give Israel Iran Strike Capability

Sept. 23, 2015 -

Former Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he would expect the United States to equip Israel with the arms that would enable it to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities if needed.

Speaking at Harvard University, Barak also called for a regional alliance with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the Gulf States and Turkey that would coordinate the battle against extremist Sunni Islam.

Source: Haaretz

Israel calls up reservists following holy site violence

Sept. 21, 2015 -

Israel made a rare decision on Friday to call up a few hundred border police reservists to beef up security, following Palestinian riots at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site and outbreaks of violence elsewhere in the city.

Source: Business Insider

'Israel should be annihilated,’ senior Iran aide says

ug. 26, 2015 - According to Hussein Sheikholeslam, a foreign affairs adviser to parliament speaker Ali Larijani, “Our positions against the usurper Zionist regime have not changed at all; Israel should be annihilated and this is our ultimate slogan.”

Source: Times of Israel
Iranian Intel chief: Israel's Mossad plotting to undermine stability in Iran - Jerusalem Post
IDF ‘more ready than ever’ to strike Iran, security official says - Times of Israel

RON'S BLOG
Aug. 18, 2015
RonGraff.jpg - 6668 Bytes PLEASE, MR. PRESIDENT
An Open Letter to the President


It is with a mixture of the greatest respect for the office you hold, and a profound disappointment with some of the decisions you have made, that I must plead for you to face the realities of the course you are taking with Iran, the self-proclaimed enemy of the United States and Israel.

I don’t have any illusions that you will actually read this letter, but I hope that if you did, I would have the courage to stand face to face with you—for the sake of my own children and grandchildren, and for the multitude of others who love our country and God’s Chosen People in Israel.

As President of the United States, you are the most powerful person in the world. But there are untold millions of people who follow the most Powerful Person in the Universe: Jesus Christ. We are not afraid that Christianity will fail, because Jesus promised, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

However, we do fear for the future of our country, which was founded on Christian principles. God’s blessing of nations is based on the Abrahamic Covenant.

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. – Genesis 12:3

Most Americans still believe that God has blessed America. But if we turn our back on Israel, which was miraculously reborn in 1948 in fulfillment of prophecy (Ezekiel 36 and 37), we know we cannot expect the continued divine assistance and protection that we have enjoyed for so long.

World War II could have been avoided if Great Britain’s Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, had not made a deal in 1938 with Hitler, called the Munich Agreement. He thought that he had defused the problem, but it only allowed Hitler to continue his preparations for a war that cost more than 50 million lives.

Many prominent observers of today’s dangerous world are warning you that this deal with Iran will lead to a nuclear holocaust—the very thing you are trying to avoid. Numerous military experts oppose this agreement, and it is almost certain that Congress, including many Democrats, will vote their disapproval of the plan. But you have already said you will veto any such congressional action.

It is my earnest prayer that you will reconsider your position, and that your real legacy will be your courage in stopping the aggression of our greatest enemy.


Trump: Israel was sold out by Kerry and Obama

Aug. 17, 2015 - Speaking to an Iowa crowd, Donald Trump voiced harsh disapproval of the Iran nuclear deal.

"Israel was sold out by Kerry and Obama. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. You can't have it. When they march down the street saying death to Israel, death to the United [States]. You can't let it happen."

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel expects US Congress to block Iran nuclear deal, top Likud figure says

Aug. 11, 2015 - When Congress returns from its August recess it will take up the issue of approving or disapproving the deal made with Iran over their nuclear plans. The head of Israel's powerful Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee told Israel Radio that he believes the US Congress will reject the plan.

"I'm convinced that the American Congress will reject by a large majority the nuclear agreement with Iran," MK Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) said. "There is a plethora of explanations and reasons as to why the agreement weakens the United States."

Source: Jerusalem Post

Ya’alon: Israel ‘not responsible’ for Iran nuke scientists’ lives

Aug. 7, 2015 - In an interview, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon implied that covert assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists might resume.

Ya’alon told German newspaper Der Spiegel that Israel would do anything necessary in order to assure Tehran does not get atomic weapons, including taking military action.

Source: Times of Israel

Iran Publishes Book on How to Destroy Israel

Aug. 2, 2015 - Iran's Supreme ruler Ayatollah Khamenei has written a book called Palestine, in which he explains that Israel must be wiped out. He claims that present Israel once belonged to Islam, and therefore can never belong to someone else. He says, "The solution is a one-state formula." The land should be called "Palestine," but those who can prove they are Jews could remain as a minority.

On the back cover of the book Khamenei is called "The flagbearer of Jihad to liberate Jerusalem." He says that Israel is especially bad because it is an "ally of the American Great Satan," which has fought against Muslims on many occasions. In addition, Israel occupies Jerusalem, "Islam’s third Holy City."

Khamenei says this position is not "anti-Semitic," which he considers a European notion.

Source: NewsMax
Editor's Note: Iran does not consider itself anti-Semitic, because it is allied with the Arab world, which is also Semitic, having descended from Shem and Joktan, and also from Abraham and Ishmael. (Genesis 10:21-31; Genesis 16:15; 17:20)
Ayatollah publishes book calling to wipe out Israel, give Iran full reign in the Middle East - Jerusalem Post

Older Articles: Before Aug. 1, 2015


























New: Red Skies: Bible Prophecy and World Events
"I'm amazed at how current the information is." - Reader


Revelation commentary!



THE CHURCH IN PROPHECY AND HISTORY
Amazing predictions. . .
Astonishing fulfillments!




God's plan
for the future



CONNECTING THE DOTS
A Handbook of Bible Prophecy

Also available:
Free
Study Guide.






Notice: Ads are not necessarily endorsed by Prophecy Central.






Check out Today's News







Background:Israel's History


History of the Land (partial)

Canaan - Canaanites, Hittites, Perizites, Amorites
Philistia - "Gaza Strip"
Israelite Conquest
Divided Kingdom
Assyrian occupation
Babylonian occupation
Medo-Persian occupation
Greek occupation
Syrian occupation
Roman occupation
Moslem occupation
Crusader occupation
Ottoman occupation
Zionism (1896)
Balfour Declaration (1917)
British Mandate (1922)
Nazi Persecution (1930's-1940's)
Independence "Israel" - May 15, 1948


Israel: The Center of Divine History

Study this 15 part series from Zola Levitt's site on the History of Israel by Dr.Thomas S. McCall.

Israel: History of conflict

BBC timeline from 1948 to the present time

History of Middle East Conflict - BBC


History of Israel: Key events - BBC



ISRAEL LINKS


From The Jerusalem Center...


Window on the Wall

The Temple Mount In Jerusalem

Virtual Jerusalem

Bridges For Peace

Stratford Mid-East Intelligence

Jerusalem Post


Other Links

Israel Today Magazine
Western Wall Webcam - Mindfactory
Feasts Of Israel
Demonstrates the historical reliability of the Bible through archaeological research and related apologetic investigation.
Judaism and Jewish Resources
Extensive list of links
Israeli Culture - From About.com
Christian Friends of Israel
War of Gog and Magog
More information about Israel's future - Ezekiel 38 & 39
Middle East Maps

ONLINE BOOKS
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah - by Alfred Edersheim, 1883
The Temple - Its Ministry and Service - by Alfred Edersheim

Helpful Articles

Why Palestinians Should Learn About the Holocaust - Robert Satloff and Mohammed Dajani Doudi
Will there ever be peace for Israel & her neighbors? - Joel Rosenberg
The Evil of Replacement Theology: The Historical Abuse of the Jews by the Church - David Reagan - Lamb and Lion Ministries
Understanding the Evangelical Christian's Support for Israel - Christian Post 2013
Myths of the Middle East - Joseph Farah, 2000
More myths of the Middle East - Joseph Farah, 2000
When 'Palestine' meant 'Israel'- Joseph Farah, 2001
Author: Bible predicted date of Israel's return - 'Covenant' book finds May 1948 date hidden in prophecies - WND
Declassified: Israel nearly used nukes in Yom Kippur War - Israel Today




Return to Top | Prophecy Central Home

Last Updated: 1/21/16
Copyright 2004-2016 by Ron Graff. All rights reserved.