All posts by Kameel Majdali

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Resurrection Matters


1 Corinthians 15:1-5 (The Gospel in Summary)

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

The Easter or Resurrection season is more than cute bunnies who lay chocolate eggs or a long weekend. It is a celebration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and stems from the most important events in human history. In summary, the Gospel can be summarised in four main points:

  • Death: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures
  • Burial: He was buried;
  • Resurrection: He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures;
  • Witnessed: Acts 1:3: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Two or three credible witnesses are sufficient to establish a testimony (Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1). In the case of Christ and His resurrection, He was seen by Peter, the Twelve, five hundred, James, all apostles, and finally Paul (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Case closed!

Anyone who believes and receives the Gospel has eternal salvation. That’s what Good Friday and Easter Sunday (Resurrection Day) are all about.

Why Did Jesus Go to the Cross?

Without the cross, there would be no resurrection and crown. Jesus was the Passover lamb who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and caused the ‘death angel’ to pass over everyone who had been cleansed by his blood (1 John 1:7). He endured fiery hatred to manifest God’s everlasting love; estranged from His own nation (John 1:11) so that He might bring reconciliation to the world (Ephesians 2:16). The cross was a curse to those who hung on it (Deuteronomy 21:23) but it released blessing on all who believe (Galatians 3:13-14). 

Christ endured the most painful, humiliating and horrible death so that we might live an abundant life (John 10:10). The notion of a cursed and crucified Saviour was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. Yet faith in the gospel turns these impediments into the wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). God uses the ‘foolishness’ of preaching Christ crucified to destroy worldly wisdom, overthrow temporal realism, and reveal His own irrefutable celestial wisdom. 

Weakness, always shunned and rejected, becomes magnified in death. Indeed, there is nothing weaker than death itself. The weakest living man is mightier than the strongest dead man. The message of the cross is that God uses the weakness and death it brings to reveal God’s power: the power of the resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the power of changed lives.

Cross-induced power destroys every known foe, no matter how formidable and universal they once were. The cross crucifies and destroys sin, sickness, worldliness, danger, the devil, death and hell. Nothing else can do this. Jesus Christ is a great Saviour who gives us a great salvation.

The Scripture Must Be Fulfilled

Christ took a high view of Scripture — every word of it (Matthew 4:4; Proverbs 30:5). The scripture must be fulfilled & cannot be broken. Here is a sample of Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection – the Gospel in cameo:

  • Betrayed by a close friend Ps 41:9/Lu 22:47
  • Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver Zech 11:12/Matt 26:14-15
  • Accused by false witnesses Ps 35:11/Mark 14:57,58
  • Silent to accusations Is 53:7/Mk 15:4-5
  • Spat on and struck Is 50:6/Matt 26:67
  • Hated without reason Ps 35:19/Jn 15:24
  • Vicarious sacrifice Is 53:5/Rom 5:6,8
  • Crucified with malefactors Is 53:12/Mk 15:27
  • Pierced through His hands & feet Zech 12:10/John 20:27
  • Sneered & mocked Ps 22:7,8/Lu 23:35
  • Reproached Ps 69:9/Rom 15:3
  • He prayed for His enemies Ps 109:4/Luke 23:34
  • Soldiers gambled for His clothing Ps 22:17/Mt 27:35,36
  • Forsaken by God Ps 22:1/Matt 27:46
  • His bones were not broken Ps 34:20/John 19:32,33,36
  • His side pierced Zech 12:10/John 19:34
  • Buried with the rich Is 53:9/Matt 27:57-60
  • To be resurrected Ps 16:10/Ps 49:15/Mark 16:6

What’s At Stake? If the resurrection of Christ was ‘fake news,’ we would be in serious trouble. There would be no atoning death, no new birth, no forgiveness of sins, no Christian faith and no future resurrection from the dead. 

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:13-18 a real catalogue of woes. 

If there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ did not rise either. There is no such thing as a one-time, one-person resurrection. If Christ did not rise, then our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Furthermore, we would be violating the ninth commandment by bearing false witness of God: that He raised up Christ from the dead. Again, no resurrection of Christ, your faith is in vain and you are still in your sins. Frightfully, those who committed their souls to a crucified, dead, buried, and un-resurrected Messiah are eternally lost. Paul concludes this catalogue of woes by stating if only in this life do we have hope in Christ, we are the most pitiful people on the planet.

Despite all these dreadful ‘what if’s,’ they are the ultimate ‘fake news.’ We have nothing to fear. In 1 Corinthians 15:20 Paul triumphantly announces that Christ is indeed risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who sleep (a metaphor for death). When you see the first fruits on the crop, you know the rest of the harvest is coming. Christ is the first fruit of the dead, then those who belong to Him when He comes back to earth. On earth He will go about destroying all enemies: dominion, authority, and power (1 Corinthians 15:24). The final enemy assigned for destruction is death. Once accomplished, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to God the Father (v. 24).

The splendour and glory of the coming kingdom are so indescribably wonderful that we will vaguely remember the troubles we had in this fallen world. Yet it was all made possible by crucifixion, burial, and an empty tomb – He is not here for He is risen (Luke 24:6).

That is why the resurrection matters: yesterday, today, and forever.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Israel at War: Prophecy Fulfilled?

Gog & Magog (Part 02)

We continue to explore the fascinating and vital topic of end-times prophecy. One of the major themes is that Israel will be ‘at war’ during the last days. We have a few wars to choose from including Psalm 83, Armageddon and Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38-39. In Part 01, we learned that this conflict was instigated by an enemy from the ‘north quarter’ and in the ‘latter days.’ The identity of Gog has traditionally been Russia but another strong contender is modern-day Turkey. 

To read Part 01, click here:

http://majdali.blogspot.com/2024/02/israel-at-war-prophecy-fulfilled-gog.html

Other major points about this prophecy include (all references are from Ezekiel):

Israel the People shall be living in the land of Israel at the time of the invasion: After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel … (38:8 KJV). Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?  (38:14 KJV). The remarkable thing is that Ezekiel was writing from exile when most of his people no longer lived in the land. In faith, he saw that one day the Israelites would return, not as Israel and Judah but as one nation (see Ezekiel 37). ‘Upon the people that are gathered out of the nations’ (38:12 KJV) shows that this re-gathered Israel will not just return from the Babylonian captivity, but from the global Diaspora it has endured since the time of the destruction of the second temple in AD 70. Today, Jewish migrants to modern Israel come from over one hundred different nations.

The Gog coalition does not invade willingly: ‘I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out…’ (38:4 NKJV). During the Cold War, the old Soviet Union did not rub its hands with glee in great anticipation of invading Israel. Besides, this tiny nation had the distinction of being one of the top six military powers in the world with an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Israel’s Operation Samson, for example, means that a successful Arab-Iranian invasion of Israel, which effectively means the end of the Jewish state, will be met with lightning-fast nuclear retribution on the major cities of the Middle East (may it never be). What this prophecy says is that God will put a hook in Gog’s jaw and lead him out. You do not put hooks in domestic animals, which could cause great pain and infection. Hooks are reserved for those animals that are slated for destruction. So God will drag Gog into a knee-jerk, spontaneous invasion that will lead to his demise.

The Gog Confederacy is highly armed: ‘And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords’ (38:4 KJV). Probably no area of the world is arming more rapidly than Asia: East Asia, South Asia, China, Russia and the Middle East. While other regions are demilitarising, this continent is not. It would not be an exaggeration to call some areas an arsenal. 

References to horses could be symbolic but remember that horses can be used in steep and mountainous areas where mechanised forces cannot reach. Horseback warfare occurred even in the twentieth century. In October 1917, the Australian Light Horsemen captured the city of Beersheba from the Ottoman Turks. This was the end of four hundred years of Turkish rule in Palestine and paved the way to the British Mandate (1917-1948). As the name implies, they had this stunning victory on horseback. In any case, the Arab Muslim world and Russia have enjoyed great cooperation for many decades. Israel has no lack of enemies from this part of the world and the possibility of long-term peace is dim. As Joseph de Courcy says, ‘The Arabs do not—and never will—accept Israel’s right to exist.’ 

The Invasion Force will be as numerous as a cloud that covers the land: ‘You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land’ (38:16 NKJV). Gog, in concert with its allies, will be so numerous as to cause a blackout. Gog will be a massive and well-aimed bowling ball with Israel as the sole pin in the alley.

The allies of Gog might be recent and present-day antagonists of Israel: ‘Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet. 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you’ (38:5-6 NKJV). Persia is clearly Iran. Historically known as Persia until 1935, it was kind to the Jews like in the days of Cyrus the Great, or murderously hostile like in the time of Haman in the days of Queen Esther. In the twentieth century during the era of the Shah, there were strong and friendly bilateral ties. However after the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, Israel obtained a new and major enemy. Ethiopia as ‘Cush’ may also mean Sudan or possibly Eritrea. Libya is Phut, Gomer may mean the people north of the Black Sea, and Beth Togarmah can be in the Caucasus Mountains. Some commentators suggest Turkey could enter into the fray. Turkey, once a secular western-leaning Muslim majority country which until recent years had strong bilateral relations with Israel. Yet its current leadership has caused a major tilt towards Islamism. Add to that the probable future European Union rejection of Turkey’s European Union membership application, would change the balance of power in the Middle East.

What is the purpose of this invasion: ‘To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?’ (38:12-13 KJV). What is the motive for this massive and unprovoked invasion? The apparent reason is spoils. What spoils could Israel have? First, it has a technologically advanced market economy, its own hi-tech Silicon Valley, and a large per-capita income. Then ‘livestock and goods’ could refer to its successful agricultural sector. Next, the Dead Sea has forty-five billion tons of sodium, chlorine, sulphur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromide. To top it all up, Israel was considered to be ‘resource-poor’ until recently when some amazing news came: natural gas was discovered off the coast of Israel. According to Israel Today Magazine: 

The natural gas field in the Levant Basin (the western Mediterranean) is estimated to hold 122 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas, making it the largest natural gas resource ever found. The area is also believed to contain at least 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil. 

Israel, as the land bridge to Africa and Eurasia, plus its proximity to Middle Eastern oil fields which contain seventy per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves, could make it a strategic toehold. ‘Sheba and Dedan’ could refer to modern Saudi Arabia, and ‘merchants of Tarshish’ maybe Lebanon, whose forebears, the Phoenicians, were the great ancient maritime people. The text implies that Israel will be in peace (or, at least, security); if so, its resources will no longer be soaked up by the military. Thus, a ‘peaceful Israel’ is a ‘prosperous Israel,’ thus creating more spoils.

To be continued (The third and final part will be in our May edition).

These three articles come from our book At the Door: Key Nations, Last Days and the Coming King, published by Teach All Nations. 

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Patience: Key to the Promises of God Part 03

‘Patience: Why You Need It; How To Get It’

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise – Hebrews 10:36.

Patience matters. It is a Biblical virtue, part of the fruit of the Spirit, and indispensable for surviving and thriving in the last days. Most importantly, along with faith, it is a key to obtaining the promises of God. 

This is our third and final part of the series on patience. Part One was an introduction to this subject with an amplified definition and description. To access Part One, click this link. http://majdali.blogspot.com/2023/09/patience-key-to-unlocking-blessings-of.html

Part 02 spoke about the patience of Job; he is a great case study of patient endurance and experiencing the mercy and compassion of God during trials. For Part 02, click this link:

http://majdali.blogspot.com/2024/02/patience-key-to-promises-of-god-part-02.html

In Part Three, we focus on the practical side: the benefits of patience and why you need it. Also on how to harness patience in your life.

Benefits of Patience

Promotion and enlargement: Everyone likes the notion of ‘getting ahead,’ making progress, reaching and exceeding goals, winning the race and obtaining the prize. The reason many fail to reach their goals is because they do not know or are not prepared to pay the price of achievement. David learned a key secret: if you are going to be enlarged in personal capacity or opportunity, you must pass the stress test. Psalm 4:1: ‘Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.’ (also Psalm 18:18-19; 118:5). Patiently endure the trying times and you will graduate to the next level.

Fruitfulness for God: God looks for much fruitfulness from those who are redeemed in Christ. It is no mystery how to be fruitful: abide in the vine (John 15:1-14). But remember that the journey is often longer than we imagine. You don’t just plant the seed in the morning and expect a harvest that evening – you have to patiently wait. In explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us in Luke 8:15: But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Patiently keep God’s Word in your heart and you will have a bumper crop.

Reigning with Christ: Much of the patient endurance we must exhibit is in relation to the coming of the Lord (James 5:7-8), either His parousia which is His second coming; a visible, personal, bodily return. Or it could be His spiritual visitation in revival or renewal (Acts 3:19). If, in the walk of faith, we suffer for Christ, we will also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). Twice in the Book of Revelation it calls us ‘kings and priests’ to God (1:6; 5:10).

Promises of God: This is the prime benefit of patience – you will see with your eyes the fulfilment of the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12, 15; 10:36). Fruitfulness comes to the mature who are willing to wait. 

How to Be Patient

This list is by no means comprehensive but it provides a good start. 

Fruit of the Spirit: Remember that patience is one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), though it may be translated as long-suffering or endurance. Learn to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and you get the fruit as a bonus.

Submit to God while simultaneously resisting the devil – who will flee from you (James 4:6-10). God will give you ‘more grace’ and in it will be all the patience you need.

Rejoice always (Philippians 4:4) and especially in times of trial (Romans 5:3; James 1:2-4). It is possible to rejoice in trouble when you have the fullness of the Spirit and ‘more grace.’ Trouble leads to patience, which leads to experience of approved character, which leads to hope, and hope does not shame us (Romans 5:3-5). If you choose the way of joy and rejoicing, God will work in the heavens while you are celebrating on earth. 

While this is not a Bible verse, it is consistent with Biblical living. It is the British war-time slogan: Keep calm and carry on. Patience is developed in the crucible of life’s challenges. Keep going – in grace and patience – and you will see the glory of God.

Finally, we end this article with an excerpt from The Word for Today quarterly devotional that serves as a parable on patience:

‘and let us run with patience the race that is set before us — Hebrews 12:1ff

SUCCESS: Just beyond the splat:

The story is about a traveller who met a leadership expert along the road and asked him, ‘Where’s the road to success?’ The expert didn’t speak but instead pointed to a place off in the far distance. The man, thrilled at the prospect of quick and easy success, rushed off in the direction indicated. Splat! Down he went! He limped back, bruised and stunned. Assuming he must have misinterpreted the message, he repeated his question, and again the expert pointed silently in the same direction. So the traveller took off once more. This time the splat was deafening. Crawling back bloodied, broken and angry, he shouted at the expert, ‘I asked you which way is success! I followed the directions you indicated, and all I got was splattered! No more pointing—talk!’ 

Finally, the expert opened his mouth and spoke. ‘Success is that way. It’s just a little beyond the splat.’ 

The fact is, all of us have experienced ‘the splat’. There’s no way to avoid it. But it’s what we do after the splat that makes all the difference. And perseverance always wins. The Bible says: and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.’

The Word for Today 29 May 2021. Courtesy of Vision Christian Media vision.org.au

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Israel at War: Prophecy Fulfilled? Gog & Magog

Ezekiel 38:2 (KJV)

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.

2 Peter 1:19 (KJV)

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary of Ezekiel 38 

… this prophecy, it is most probable, had its accomplishment some time after the return of the people of Israel out of their captivity … If the sacred history of the Old Testament had reached as far as the prophecy, we should have been better able to understand these chapters, but, for want of that key, we are locked out of the meaning of them.

Introducing Gog and Magog

With war in the Middle East raging and potential apocalyptical scenarios remaining a possibility, it is prudent to explore the vital subject of Bible prophecy. It is a light that shines in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19). A significant part of the last day’s prophecy focuses on Israel at war. We already looked at Psalm 2 and Psalm 83 for insight; now we are looking at TheBook of Ezekiel to one of the most famous and fascinating of all prophecies: Gog and Magog.

This remarkable prophetic passage, found in Ezekiel 38 and 39, after the famous Valley of Dry Bones in Chapter 37, speaks about a massive latter-day coalition attack of Israel from the North. This invasion is so overwhelming and unexpected that the only way the nation survives is through divine intervention. It is a remarkable prophecy for its details, description, and final destiny.

In the above quote Matthew Henry, famous for the commentary that bears his name,  writing in 1712, was totally at a loss as to ascribing a date in history for the fulfilment of this prophecy. He was offering only an educated guess. One option that did not occur to him is that the prophecy could have a future end-time fulfilment. Even one hundred and fifty years ago, scholars would have probably come up with the same conclusion as Henry. Yet the earthshaking changes that have happened in the geopolitical world since the end of World War II mean that today, virtually all the major ingredients for the fulfilment of this prophecy are already in the cupboard, waiting to be mixed, baked and served.

Definition: ‘Gog’ means ‘rooftop’ and maybe even mountain. ‘Magog’ simply means ‘from Gog,’ so Gog and Magog refer to ‘Gog from the land of Gog.’ Gog represents anti-God and antichrist forces which are violent in their antagonism to the Word of God and the people of God. But which nation or nations represent Gog today? Let us look at this prophecy more closely. 

Gog & Magog Step By Step

1. WHEN: It will be in the latter days: Ezekiel 38:8: ‘After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land’ (NKJV). This seems to be clear enough: the invasion will happen in the latter days (verse 16) or years (verse 2), probably the end of this age. But the big question is ‘when’ in the last days? Here are the options:

  1. Before the Great Tribulation?
  2. In the middle of the Tribulation?
  3. At the end of the Tribulation, namely ‘Armageddon?’
  4. After the Millennium (Revelation 20:8)?

Remember that as you look at the details of this prophecy, almost all the components are present today. As such, it could very well have a pre-tribulation fulfilment, as affirmed by some Hebrew Christian scholars like Arnold Fruchtenbaum and Lance Lambert. The fact that there is no mention of the Messiah in this passage lends credence to this view.

The Million Dollar Question: Who is Gog?

2. The enemy will come from ‘the north quarter’: ‘Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters (38:6 KJV); ‘And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts (38:15 KJV); (God) will cause thee (Gog) to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel (39:2 KJV). 

Can we correctly identify Gog? The most popular choice is Russia, arguing from modern translations that the text says Gog comes from the ‘far north.’ What can be more ‘north’ of Israel than Russia? Before 1991, the overwhelming consensus for the identity of Gog was the Soviet Union, which was a tailor-made villain for an Ezekiel-like invasion. The USSR could theoretically invade Israel without a coalition of far-flung nations (remembering it was itself an empire encompassing fifteen nations along with the Warsaw Pact alliance).

Is Russia Gog?

Today the Russian Federation is the successor state of the once-powerful Soviet Union. With the current frostiness in relations between Russia and the Western world, including NATO and the European Union, ‘Russia = Gog’ continues to be the most favoured interpretation. But is this correct? The key to solving this mystery is the place names used, like Mesech, Tubal, and the House of Togarmah.

It is beyond the scope of this article to explore the Biblical place names in-depth. But there is a credible school of thought that says that all the main players in Last days prophecy are all from the Middle East, not Europe. Even if there is a revived Roman Empire in the end times, remember that the Empire had two spears of power: Rome in Europe and Constantinople which is both in Europe and the Middle East. Rome East outlasted Rome West by a thousand years (1453 v. 476 AD).

Furthermore, in the original Hebrew of Ezekiel 38:6, it does not say ‘far north.’ The Hebrew phrase is tsapone (north) yereka (translated part, quarter, side). Hence the KJV translates this as Gog comes from the ‘north quarters,’ not the far north. The point is that there is room to include other countries as candidates for Gog besides Russia.

Note: Russian Christians greatly dislike the interpretation of Russia being Gog. They have been an (Orthodox) Christian country for over a thousand years. Since 1991 churches have grown, both Orthodox and Evangelical. They nominate another northern power: China … and China, they add, is still communist.

So if Russia is not Gog, who is? A viable option is a nation also North of Israel and the current state of its relationship is rock-bottom: Turkey. The place names of Ezekiel 38 could very well be in Asia Minor. Turkey is one of the most important nations in the world due to its strategic location, history, heritage, its de facto Turkic highway and commonwealth from Central Asia to the Balkans in Europe. Whether Turkey is Gog or not, it is very important to ‘watch Turkey.’

To be continued.

(From our book At the Door: Key Nations, Last Days and the Coming King, published by Teach All Nations)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Patience: Key to the Promises of God Part 02 ‘The Patience of Job’


That you do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises – Hebrews 6:12

In our changing, trying times, the one thing we need above all else is divine patience; it can help you plough through the obstacles and keep going unto victory. More than that, it is a key to receiving the promises of God. Abraham had it, and so did Job – what about you?

In Part One we defined and described what is Biblical patience, based in part from James 5:7-11. You can read it for yourself at http://majdali.blogspot.com/2023/09/patience-key-to-unlocking-blessings-of.html

The paragon of patience was the patriarch Job. Few people have suffered as much as this man. He was exceedingly blessed by God and then tragedy hit on many fronts: in one calendar day, he lost his flocks, workers, and children. If that weren’t enough, he lost his health. His wife told him to let go of his integrity: just curse God and die. Fortunately for him and us, he did not listen to her. 

And there’s more: three friends came to ‘comfort’ him in such a manner that they made the situation much worse – bad enough that God rebuked them in the end. Then a young man named Elihu rebukes the older Job as having justified himself and not God. Yet, outspoken Elihu does not get divinely rebuked at all.

Finally, mercifully, God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind. He does not tell Job why He allowed all that suffering but because He is God, Sovereign of the universe, we are called to trust Him even when it makes no sense to the natural mind.

How did Job respond to God’s lengthy message? He returned to the fear of the Lord, committed himself to obedience, and repented in dust and ashes. In addition, he also prayed for his friends (42:10). 

What was the result of Job’s patience? In one word: restoration. His net worth was restored: The Lord caused his friends and extended family to come visit and they were compelled to give him money and jewels. His lost livestock was replaced by double the amount than before. 

His family was restored: Job had another ten children to replace the ones who were killed.

Job’s legacy was patient endurance that caused him to be blessed and restored more than ever. James 5:11 says God also was glorified as a merciful and compassionate to him.

Gems of Job

Like silver and gold tried in the fire, so was patient Job. Once the fire ceased, the silver and gold, now purified, remains and are enhanced. Job’s suffering and the book that bears his name have given us some great gems in the Word of God. These include:

Job 42:5-6: I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

The patience that was forged in the furnace of affliction afforded Job an audience with the Lord, which impacted him and others to our day. No doubt Job was humbled by this experience and such humility is a magnet to ever-increasing grace.

Job 19:25-26: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

What a great Messianic and eschatological statement! Job speaks of a divine redeemer who is coming to ‘stand at the latter day’ upon the earth. Job believed that if death preceded the redeemer’s appearance, and worms ate his body, he spoke with perfect faith that ‘in his flesh’ – namely, his resurrected body – he would see God. 

This is perhaps the earliest statement affirming the bodily resurrection of all humanity (Daniel 12:2). And as Paul clearly affirms in 1 Corinthians 15, if the dead do not rise, then Christ didn’t rise either (v. 13). Fortunately for us all, Christ did rise as the first fruits of many more to come. As a Biblical principle when you see the first fruits early in the harvest season, it is your guarantee that the resMesst of the harvest fruit is coming. A down payment is a putative assurance that the rest of the money is on the way.

Job 23:10: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Speaking of ‘tried as gold,’ that was Job’s experience in summarized form. This verse tells us that if you want the gold, hold tight, be patient, trust God, and He will do the rest. It is a clarion call to patiently persevere or, as UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the nation during the Second World War: Never give up.

In Part 03, we will learn about the benefits of patience and how to acquire it in your life.

—TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Prophetic Forecast: An Open Door in ’24

Jesus Christ to the church at Philadelphia in Asia Minor -Revelation 3:8: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

For a person who is an organic pessimist, there is plenty to be pessimistic about:

  • A furious war in the Middle East rages with the possibility of going regional, if not global (and let’s not forget Russia and Ukraine are in a similar situation).
  • Economists warn of an economic crash – not a correction – the biggest since the stock market crash of 1929.
  • A US Presidential election is in November; even at this early date, it is shaping up to have much turbulence and drama.
  • The UK goes to the polls this year and the outcome is anyone’s guess.
  • The culture war is going into a higher gear, pitting the woke left against conservatives and their new allies – common sense liberals. 
  • The great universal shaking (Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:25-29) continues, though this is good news – this shaking heralds the arrival of the unshakeable everlasting kingdom of God.

The waters are deep and uncharted but like everything else in the life of faith, there is the visible temporal realm and there is the invisible spiritual eternal realm. Trust and hope in God are our anchors to counter the choppy seas. 

And there is a silver lining. The path of the just gets brighter and brighter to the perfect day (Proverbs 18:10). God is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7). We will see the greatest revivals in church history (Acts 2:17; Revelation 14:6)

The above passage from Revelation 3 was written on the eve of tribulation (though not the ‘great tribulation’) to a God-fearing spiritual church at Philadelphia in Lydia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey). They were given a fantastic promise that is available for us in 2024. God sets before them – and us – ‘an open door.’ Open door means opportunity, answered prayer, breakthrough, insight, anointing and authority,

Almost like an escape hatch, during times of trouble, God prepares for His people – the bride of Christ who is watching and waiting for the bridegroom – an open door. We need to be clear that the open door is God’s doing, not ours. No one can shut the door God has opened for us; however, we would be fools not to go through it.

Many times we are not aware that a door exists at all until we feel trapped and call out to the Lord. Here are some Scriptural precedents:

  1. Pharaoh’s double-dream led to the opening of the door for Joseph so in one calendar day, he was catapulted from prison to the palace (Genesis 41:12-15).
  2. The plagues of Egypt opened the door of freedom and Moses led the children of Israel through that door (Exodus 11:1).
  3. The power of the Spirit and angelic strength raised Christ from the dead. The stone at the mouth of the tomb was rolled away and Jesus walked through that open door (Matthew 28:2; Romans 8:11).

The challenges of 2023 – listed above plus many more – are still with us. They are big, numerous, complicated, and, in some cases unsolvable, humanely speaking. These challenges have been rolled over into 2024. 

Yet remember this: the more pressure and intensity, the more glory. We are being prepared for a glorious kingdom. Our capital is the city with foundations, whose splendour is so overwhelming that we will be speechless (see Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 4; 21; 22). God’s glory replaces the pain, burden, and hopelessness with light, life, and love. Troubles, trials and tribulations will be easily and quickly forgotten. The shame, stain, and stench of sin will be replaced with the sweet incense of the prayers and praises of the saints. And that’s why we need to focus on the open door because it is the gateway to glory.

We can learn a lot from the Philadelphian church about the open door, the glory, and the refuge. Here was their pre-requisites: 

  1. They had little power, 
  2. They kept Christ’s Word;
  3. They did not deny His name (Revelation 3:8). 
  4. Most importantly, they patiently endured. They kept believing, trusting, and walking with the Lord. This separates the mature fruit-bearing believer (John 15:8) from the barren immature believer. Churchill was known to say ‘Never ever give up’ and as the old British war motto says: ‘Keep calm and carry on.’ That’s patient endurance. It makes you an overcomer and earns you an unfading crown.

Here is a shopping list of four things you need to do to patiently endure and go through the open door of glory. They are called the ‘Four ‘W’s’

  1. Wake: Ephesians 5:14: The ‘sleeping saint’ is told to wake up, arise from the dead, and Christ will give him/her light. Revival starts when we are asleep to the world and awake to God.
  2. Watch: Mark 13:35-37: 35. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36. Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Once you are awake, it is time to watch what’s happening and heed the prophetic signs
  3. Wait on God: This means to cultivate the lost art of ‘waiting on God.’ It says in Psalm 62:5: My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Only God is the only One Who can direct, guide, provide, and protect you. Isaiah 40:31 says those who wait on God shall renew their strength. Those who actively, passionately, devotionally, and prayerfully ‘wait on God’ will not fail to get to the next level.
  4. Work: Nehemiah 4:6: …the people had a mind to work. Once a person waits on God and He speaks to them, it is time to go to work. In Acts 13:2: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted (this is part of waiting on God), the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. This dynamic duo was deployed into the mission immediately.

Back to the church in Philadelphia, Christ promised to keep them from the hour of temptation which will come and try those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:10); in other words, God is providing a way of escape. He does not outline exactly what it is but the church is called to trust Him with the details. The reason He is providing this escape is because they kept the word of His patience. Do your part and God will do His.

Finally, if you want the benefits and blessings of the open door in ’24, then remember in command in Psalm 24:9: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

When you open the door of your heart to the King of glory, He will reciprocate by opening His door to you. As a bonus, God will give you a transfusion from ‘red blood to blue blood’ as He makes us ‘kings and priests’ (Revelation 1:6 and 5:10). 

It is truly the offer too good to refuse.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Israel at War: Prophecy Fulfilled? Part 03 – Psalm 83

As of this moment, Israel is at war. Not just the ‘state of war’ it has been in since its birth in 1948. It is an actual hot, fierce, and furious war. And unlike earlier wars in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1969-70, 1973, 1982, 2006, and earlier Hamas wars (2008, 2012, 2014), this current war presents an existential threat to the Jewish state and the world.

We have learned that Israel’s current war is multi-dimensional: 

  1. Bi-lateral Dimension: This war is between Israel and Hamas; 
  2. Regional Dimension: Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran to the east are also part of this conflict; 
  3. Civilisational Dimension: It is a fight between ‘Christianised’ Western civilisation and the part of the non-Western world that is rabidly anti-Judaeo-Christian. 
  4. Theological Dimension: Judaeo-Christian (Biblical) eschatology vs. Islamic eschatology. Eschatology is the doctrine of last things or end times;
  5. Spiritual Dimension: Ultimately this earthly conflict is a proxy war for the heavenly spiritual war. Daniel 10 (Prince of Persia) and Ephesians 6:10-18 have much to say on this topic.

The current war keeps foreign secretaries, military officials, defence contractors and economists abuzz with concern, speculation, and forecasting. To this, we add another group: Bible prophecy teachers. They are eagerly observing these events to get insight into the future

It bears emphasising that Bible prophecy is good for the Christian believer and the Church collectively. It is a ‘light that shines in a dark place’ (2 Peter 1:19), an incentive for holy living and evangelism, builds up and comforts the Church, and provides a heads up to the future. Prophetically awake and aware believers are better equipped to face tomorrow with confidence since they already know what to expect.

When it comes to Israel – a name used 2,568 times in the Bible – it is a prominent subject in the last days (Daniel 9:24). Some of the events surrounding it involve war. There are several armed conflicts to choose from. Psalm 2, which we covered in an earlier article, speaks of general end-time turmoil and resistance to the coming of the King and His Kingdom to earth. There is Ezekiel 38-39, popularly known as the ‘Gog and Magog’ War. Zechariah 12 and 14 provide fascinating details of the last great war awaiting the appearance of the Messiah. Then, of course, is the campaign of Armageddon, mentioned in Revelation 16:16 and detailed in Revelation 19, when Christ appears as the rider on the white horse. 

Our focus in this article will be Psalm 83.

Psalm 83: The Neighbours are Restless

One of the lesser-known but significant last-day prophecies involves an invasion of Israel by the neighbouring nations, found in the Eighty-Third Psalm. Due to its geographical location as a land bridge between Africa and Eurasia, the nation of Israel has been subject to all kinds of invasions, from near and far, throughout the millennia. Did Israel experience the Psalm 83 invasion historically? Or is it yet to come in the future? 

One mandatory requirement is that a nation-state called ‘Israel’ had to be in the promised land during this invasion. Such a nation-state ceased to exist after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. To the best of our knowledge, the closest possible fulfilment happened in the Arab invasion of the newly declared State of Israel in May 1948. Yet, even here, it appears that Psalm 83 has a more extensive list of invaders than what transpired in 1948. If this is the case, then fulfilment is yet for a future time.

The psalmist is calling upon God to take action against this neighbouring conspiracy against His people. Their goal is simple: to cut Israel off from being a nation so that its name will no longer be remembered. In other words, it is an unprovoked, gratuitous war of annihilation. 

Psalm 83 Invaders

Invader

Location

Edom

Southwest Jordan

Ishmaelites

Arabia

Moab

Central West Jordan

Hagarenes

Sinai

Gebal

Northern Lebanon

Ammon

Northern Jordan

Amalek

Southern Israel or Northern Sinai

Philistia

Southwest Palestine

Tyre

Southwest Lebanon

Assyria

Syria and Northern Iraq

Children of Lot

Moab & Ammon

There is a significant nation that is not listed in the Psalm 83 invasion coalition: Egypt. This is a big omission. It is not as if Egypt is unknown in Scripture; indeed, it is mentioned 611 times in 558 verses in the KJV. Why is Israel’s most important and populous neighbour overlooked? That is an important question but beyond the scope of this article. One guess: the 1979 Israel-Egypt peace treaty stays intact – miraculously.

The 1948 War against Israel involved Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, though the participation of the last four nations was very limited. If our interpretation is correct, Assyria, Gebal, the Ishmaelites and the Hagarenes were not involved either. In Psalm 83, it appears that every nation that shares a border with Israel is part of the invasion force (except for Egypt)

As we consider the plausibility of a Psalm 83 invasion happening in our lifetime, consider this. The historic Abraham Accords of 2020 gave Israel peace treaties with four Arab nations: Morocco, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia is waiting to make peace, too. Yet, despite this breakthrough of peace and moderation, Israel’s enemies today are as ferocious and dangerous as ever, particularly Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah. This current war proves it. So if the Hamas war continues, other parties might join the conflict, making it regional. This means a Psalm 83-style invasion becomes all the more plausible.

What is the result of this unprovoked spontaneous invasion of Israel? The text does not say; however, it offers this curse:

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth — Psalm 83:9-11; 16-18 (KJV)

In summary, Psalm 83 involves a coordinated last-day invasion of Israel by its neighbours, but without the involvement of Egypt. How does Psalm 83 fit into the bigger prophetic picture? One possible outcome is that the neighbours invade and lose the war. They are thus put out of action. This allows for the Gog and Magog scenario with a secondary ring of nations joining a coalition to destroy the Jewish state.

Despite these and other strong words, there is a redemptive side to it all. The last verse is a prayer asking that all involved will know that God alone, named Jehovah, is the Most High over all the earth. As we observe the current unfolding drama in the Middle East, remember that we are called to ‘watch and pray’ (Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:35-37) that the people of the Middle East and nations of the world will come to know the Most High God in their personal lives.

 

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Israel @ War: Prophecy Fulfilled? Part 01: Psalm 2

The horrifying terrorist attack on Israel was planned with deadly detail and executed with horrifying haste. Even the date of deployment, 7th October 2023, was planned: it was one day after the fiftieth anniversary of another existential surprise military attack on Israel – the Yom Kippur War of 1973. This earlier war nearly brought the world to the brink of a nuclear armageddon.

Make no mistake about it: this is not just a war between Israel and Hamas or Hamas’s allies like the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Iran. It involves the entire world. Consider this: peaceful prosperous Australia was put on an Israeli travel advisory because of the shocking public displays of anti-Semitism in Sydney and Melbourne. 

The ‘fishers’ and ‘hunters’ are loosed (Jeremiah 16:16).

Why did Hamas attack Israel with unprecedented barbarism? Why did major nations, the United Nations, and prominent lobby groups fail to condemn the October 7th attack? Why is anti-Semitism raging worldwide in a latter-day version of Kristallnacht? Why is the Israel-Hamas War different and more dangerous than previous conflicts? Most importantly, are we seeing the fulfilment of Bible prophecy? 

Bible prophecies of the last days speak of Israel at war leading up to the coming of Messiah. Some prominent last-day prophecies include Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38-39, Zechariah 12, 14, and Revelation 19. Let’s not forget Christ’s Olivet discourse found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 – which speaks of ‘wars and rumours of wars.’ While Bible prophecy is a lifetime of study, discussion and reflection, we can start this series with a classic Messianic passage: Psalm 2.

Why the Fuss?

The second psalm rhetorically begins: why do the heathen (nations) rage? Good question.

The answer is both bad news and good news, depending on your spiritual state. For those who live and love this present evil world, it is catastrophically bad news. Yet for those who know and walk with the Lord, it is the best news possible, called the ‘blessed hope’ of the church (Titus 2:13).

The reason for the rage is that the King – the Son of David, Son of God – is coming back to earth (vs. 6-7). Furthermore, the King is coming to Zion.

‘Zion’ is an important but highly misunderstood word. While it is the name associated with Zionism, it can mean ‘Jerusalem,’ ‘Israel,’ or ‘the Jewish people,’ depending on the Biblical context. For our purposes, it means the royal section of Jerusalem the capital. The Lord dwells in Zion (Joel 3:21). Remember that one of Jerusalem’s most famous and honoured titles is ‘City of the Great King’ (Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35

In short, the prophetic prospect of Messiah, the Son of David, taking His rightful place on David’s throne in Zion, is causing an international storm. When He comes, the Lord will ask for – and receive – the nations of the world as His inheritance (v. 8). He will rule with a ‘rod of iron’ (v. 9, a phrase repeated three times in Revelation). Messiah will clean up the mess of criminality, corruption, tyranny, and unrighteousness. Complete obedience will be required (v. 11-12). No wonder the rebels of this world are panicking. 

Now, of course, the world powers neither know nor care about ancient prophecies and their fulfilment. Yet, there are spiritual powers that both know and care about these events: Satan and the demons. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the multitudes loved Him but were unclear about his true identity: was he John the Baptist, Elijah, Elisha or one of the other prophets? However, the demons were one hundred per cent clear on His real identity: ‘You are the Son of God,’ they exclaimed repeatedly (Matthew 8:29; Mark 3:11; 5:7; Luke 4:41; 8:28). 

Like Satan, these malevolent spiritual forces know the Bible and tremble at the thought of God’s forever King coming to Zion. It means their time is up and reign over. And they are adept at stirring up the kingdoms of this world to rise up in futility to stop the transition to the kingdom of our Lord and Christ.

After observing the collective global tantrum below, the Lord’s reaction is a derisive laugh (v. 4). The rebels in charge are confused, fearful, and striking back furiously. They probably realise that their resistance cannot stop the inevitable divine takeover but they want to slow it down and trip it up for as long as they can.

Maybe now we can get a greater understanding of why there is a massive outbreak of anti-Semitism and persecution of Christians worldwide. Or why there is the naggingly persistent question of Israel’s right to exist? Or why most of the world, including the Western world, rejects the notion of a united Jerusalem under the sovereignty of Israel. 

Just look at Australia’s track record on this topic: at first, Australia recognised only Tel Aviv as Israel’s capital. Then the Morrison Coalition government recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital; after some blowback, they modified that recognition to include only ‘West Jerusalem.’ The government promised to move the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem only when a peace treaty was signed with the Palestinians. Then the Albanese Labor Government came into power and rescinded the recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Australia has gone full circle: from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to West Jerusalem and back to Tel Aviv.

Consider this: a united flourishing capital city, the City of David, the City of the Great King, is the ideal place for the Son of David/Son of God to return. 

As is written in Psalm 102:16: 

When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 

When this happens, then Revelation 11:15 comes to pass:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

And all the saints said ‘Amen.’

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

O Little Town of Bethlehem: Where Prophecy Was Fulfilled

As a city of only 25,000 at the fringe of the great Judean wilderness, it is the focus of international tourism and pilgrimage, which normally peaks in December. Though it once was lost in obscurity, it has become a global household name. All this because of a single event that happened on its soil two thousand years ago. The city in question? Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In this article, we focus on the city that on a single day of the year attracts the world’s attention as we remember the birth of the One who put it on the map. Its second gift to humanity is fulfilled prophecy. 

Bethlehem comes from the Hebrew word בֵּית לֶחֶם Beth Lechem, translated ‘House of Bread,’ which in itself makes the city prophetic (explanation forthcoming). In Arabic, Beit lehem بيت لحم means ‘house of meat.’ It was also known by the name ‘Ephrath’ (fruitful) and the ‘city of David.’ Bethlehem became a storehouse for food, natural and spiritual.

A Quick History Lesson

The first mention of Bethlehem in Scripture had to do with the tragic and untimely death of Rachel, the favoured wife of the patriarch Jacob. She was in childbirth with his last son Benjamin. The baby survived but the mother did not. Genesis 35:19: And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. The traditional tomb of Rachel is near the city and attracts pious visitors to this day.

The next significant mention is found in the Book of Ruth. Bethlehem was the home of Naomi and Elimelech and their near kinsman Boaz. It was in his barley fields to the east of the city that he met Ruth the Moabitess, widowed daughter-in-law to Naomi, and it was love at first sight (for Boaz, that is). Yet there was more than romance in the air; it was redemptive love since the Messianic lineage was linked and strengthened by their marriage. Ruth, a Gentile from a despised race, became an honoured ancestor of Messiah, explicitly named in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). The stage of this redemption was Bethlehem.

The city’s favourite son was none other than David, the son of Jesse. He was born in Bethlehem. It was here that the prophet Samuel anointed the shepherd boy to be the next king of Israel after Saul, the son of Kish (1 Samuel 16:4-13). While hiding in the Cave of Adullam (where some of the psalms may have been written and the gathering place of David’s mighty men – 1 Samuel 22:1-2), his mighty men broke through enemy lines so they could retrieve for their leader the refreshing water of the well at Bethlehem (2 Samuel 23:13-17). 

Bethlehem’s Greatest Honour

David of Bethlehem was given a great honour by the LORD – he became king of His people Israel. Then he was granted a greater honour – he was called a ‘man after God’s own heart’ (Acts 13:22). Perhaps the greatest divine honour of all was that God gave David a binding agreement called ‘The Davidic Covenant,’ found in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. This is of the utmost importance to every believer. In short, the Lord promised David that his special son would be the heir to his throne, rule forever, and simultaneously be God’s Son, too. This singular individual is known as The Messiah or Christ, ‘The Anointed One.’ The four gospels were indeed written as an apologetic that Jesus of Nazareth is that singular person.

Yet there was an event that put Bethlehem on the global map. And it was prophesied seven hundred years before it occurred. The prophet Micah declared an astounding prophecy (5:2): 

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Micah’s prophecy in essence said that the little town of Bethlehem would be honoured as the place from where God’s forever king would come. This verse also implies His deity by saying He had an ancient, indeed everlasting preexistence. That is why John 1 speaks of the pre-existent Christ, as the Word of God, who put on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). We call this miraculous event ‘the incarnation.’

The holy family of Joseph and Mary were from the house of David but did not live in Bethlehem and, in all probability, neither did their ancestors for generations. They lived in an equally obscure Galilean village called Nazareth, a four-day journey by foot to the north of Bethlehem. 

So how was Micah’s prophecy going to be fulfilled? God used the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, who decreed that the whole empire should be registered – presumably for tax purposes – so everyone was compelled to return to their home city (Luke 2:1-5). 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child (vs. 4-5).

No one was exempted from this census, not even the heavily pregnant Mary of Nazareth. Yet God used this heathen decree to fulfil Micah’s prophecy. Messiah, Son of David, kept His prophetic appointment by being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 cf. Matthew 2:6). 

The wise men from the East inquired of King Herod the Great, based in his luxurious Jerusalem palace, where was He who was ‘born King of the Jews.’ Informed by the priests about Micah’s prophecy, the monarch sent them to Bethlehem, ten kilometres down the road. The irony was that while Herod, the part-Jewish, Roman appointed ‘king of the Jews,’ living in imperial splendour, the nearby prophesied incarnate Word, Son of David, came into the world in the most humble of settings. 

Yet the mad monarch was threatened by this Bethlehem-born, prophecy-fulfilling Messiah. Since the wise men did not return to him, as instructed, to tell him where the Christ child was, Herod in a rage ordered the deaths of all the toddlers of Bethlehem. This dreadful event was known as the ‘slaughter of the innocents.’ This, too, tragic and outrageous as it was, fulfilled prophecy (Jeremiah 31:15). 

When you think of Bethlehem, of course, it is the birthplace of Christ. It is also the place of fulfilled prophecy. And most importantly, it is the ‘House of Bread,’ for within its boundaries came the One who is ‘the bread of life.’ Eat this bread and you will never hunger. Indeed, you will live forever (John 6:35, 51). Let us remember this ‘bread of life,’ on Christmas Day, and every day.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Israel at War – Part 02: A Multi-Dimensional Conflict


Of all the many challenges we face in this ‘world on fire,’ nothing has our attention more than the conflict between Israel and Hamas. My phone regularly ‘pings’ notifications of rocket sirens sounding across the country. The war is definitely ‘On.’ 

In our quest to know what is going on, we need to go a step higher and understand why it is going on. Like the sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32, when you understand the what and the why, the Lord will download to you what you need to do.

While the war is in danger of going from single-front to multi-front, especially in the North, one thing is certain: this war is already multi-dimensional. Here are four reasons:

This is a Blood Feud

By definition, a blood feud is an inter-family squabble with a cycle of retaliatory violence. Arabs and Jews are cousins and neighbours, with a history of harmonious community interaction for centuries, even up to now. Yet if violence erupts, vengeance is a possibility. Middle Eastern memories are long and strong. The ‘tit-for-tat’ mindset is a factor, but not the only one.

This is a Civilisational War 

The Israel-Hamas war may appear to be localised but it really is a global conflict with the Western nations on the frontlines. Without exaggeration, it is the ongoing war for the survival of Western civilisation. Based on Biblical Judaeo-Christian principles, the classic West represents some powerful and revered institutions like (monogamous) marriage, family, religious freedom, private property ownership, rule of law, equality of opportunity, human rights, minimal government, and maximum freedom. Contrast this with the neo-Marxist revolutionary anarchic/Islamist front (a Berkley professor confirmed that Hamas and Hezbollah were part of the ‘progressive global Left’) which detests the West and all that it stands for.

The neo-Marxists/cultural Marxists dream of a utopian world of equality of outcomes, a big government that wants to sever the individual’s allegiance to faith, family, and freedom. In their place, it promises to meet your needs, keep you safe, and make you equal and happy. But to obtain these benefits, they demand total compliance. Dissent will not be tolerated. Coercion is their modus operandi. Those who fall out of line will be dealt with swiftly and severely. In short, the Left wants you to trust and obey big government like a Christian trusts in the Lord. 

The Islamist is very similar to the neo-Marxists and also desires a global realm, except they dream of a worldwide caliphate with Jerusalem as the capital. If the neo-Marxist/Islamist-Jihadi alliance succeeds in their goal, there will be an inevitable power struggle between them. 

Which side do you think will prevail? 

In summary, this is not merely a nationalist conflict, though nationalism is a factor. It is a global clash of civilisations. This war is not just Israel’s problem- it is a problem for the West and the world. Israel, which represents the West, is merely the first pin in the bowling alley. Aim the bowling ball at the correct angle, roll it with skill, and not only will the first pin fly but so will all the other pins with it.

This is a Theological War

While the founders of modern Israel were staunch secularists, pious Jews and evangelical Christians saw a prophetic element in the rebirth of the Jewish state. Jeremiah 16:14-15, Isaiah 11:11, and Amos 9:14-15 speak of God gathering the dispersed of Israel for the ‘second time,’ from all lands they have been scattered, and planting them in their own land, never to be uprooted again. 

Hamas and many mainstream schools of Islamic law have a very different theology. The unchanged 1988 Hamas Charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and of all Jews worldwide. They believe that Palestine, captured by the Caliph Omar in 638 AD, became Islamic waqf, a sacred and perpetual trust to be reserved for future generations of Muslims until Judgment Day. Once a land comes under Muslim rule, it must remain so permanently. For the waqf to fall into non-Muslim hands is unacceptable, if not blasphemous. Therefore it is the Muslim’s sacred duty to liberate Palestine from the occupation of the ‘infidel Zionists,’ whom they consider an ‘illegitimate entity and usurper of Muslim territory. (Note: In theory, the same logic applies to Spain and India, which were once part of ‘Dar al Islam’ but have since broken away).

According to Israel Today Magazine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quoted the Bible stating that the Israel-Hamas war was like the battle of Amalek, an ancient enemy. Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah saw this as a declaration of holy war. The latter made a video, quoting from Surah al -Isra (Surah 17) of the Quran, Islam’s holy book. It says Allah will punish Israel and Islam will defeat the Jewish people, enter their homes, and establish the word of Allah.

This is a Spiritual War

For the mature, Bible-based and Spirit-led Christian, this should come as no surprise. According to Ephesians 6:10-18, we are to put on the whole armour of God because the real fight is not with flesh and blood like Hamas, the Iranian ayatollahs, or the secular Western Left. The battle is with invisible spiritual powers and hosts of wickedness in the heavenly realm.

Daniel 10 speaks of the ‘prince of Persia,’ a powerful entity that temporarily halted the angelic visitation to Daniel, who prayed and fasted. Decades later this same spiritual principality instigated Haman’s devilish scheme to murder all the Jewish people in the Persian empire. The story is in the Book of Esther.

It is no coincidence that Gaza is in the ‘land of the Philistines.’ They, like Amalek, were Israel’s ancient enemy whose name the Greco-Romans translated into Palestine, as a replacement for the name ‘Judaea.’ Today’s conflict mirrors that which happened long ago during the time of the judges and the reigns of kings Saul and David.

We are seeing the most horrific manifestations of anti-Semitism in our lifetime. Who would have guessed that protestors at the Sydney Opera House would chant ‘Gas the Jews’ less than eighty years after the ‘never again’ Holocaust? Since 7 October global anti-Semitism rose 1,180% and in London alone it has skyrocketed 1,350%. If the Jewish people have an end-time prophetic future, then it is no surprise that the forces of darkness seek to destroy them so that these prophecies will not come to pass. Despite their strength and ferocity, they will nevertheless fail, according to those same prophecies.

It’s war, alright, a multi-dimensional one. In the latter arena – the all-important spiritual dimension – the church is best equipped to fight. Its armoury is unbeatable (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-14; 1 John 3:8; 4:4). 

Intercessors will save the world. It’s time to be strong in the Lord, put on the whole armour of God, and go to work.