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ANALYSIS: Iran’s Strike on Israel and Christ’s Return

IRAN ATTACKS ISRAEL

By now, most everyone is aware that around 300 drones and missiles were sent directly from Iran to Israel. Israel is basically unscathed as 99% were of the weapons were taken out before they reached the land (All Israel News).

This is significant as it marks “the most direct confrontation ever between the two longtime adversaries. It threatens to spiral into a broader regional war whose consequences could also likewise be without precedent… Because this has never happened before, what happens next is unclear ” (Jewish Telegraphic Agency).

There are two ways for things to go from here:

1.     Things will continue to escalate. It seems that the ball is now in Israel’s court in this tit-for-tat confrontation. If they do so, there is the potential for the nations of Psalm 83 to get involved.

2.     This round of conflict between Israel and will conclude, and Israel will continue their work fighting Hamas and Hezbollah.

While it is certainly exciting to see such important escalation and headlines, my gut feeling is that things could quiet down some between Israel and Iran. I would love to say that all of the pieces are set and the Psalm 83 war is just about to commence any day now, but reason and the Scriptures force me to believe otherwise. My reasoning can be summed up in three points:

Reason #1 – The Psalm 83 Confederacy is Not Yet Matured

In order for the Psalm 83 war to take place, all of the nations who are mentioned must be joined together and fighting Israel. If a single one of them is not present, it is not the fulfillment of the prophecy – plain and simple. The nations/peoples I understand will join together for this battle are Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the nations Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Bedouins of the Negev. The map below illustrates these players.

What is exciting is that a great deal of the confederacy has already been formed. Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq are all considered “proxies” of Iran. They do Iran’s bidding and follow their orders. The next page shows a map posted on Bloomberg of Iran and her proxies – all of which are currently conspiring together against Israel. It lines up perfectly so far with what is expected from Scripture (although I do not believe Yemen will play a major role as they are not mentioned in the prophecies concerning this war).

Since these nations are proxies of Iran, those chess pieces are set and ready-to-go. But Jordan and Saudi Arabia must get involved as well, and they have a way to go before joining. These two powers are not aligned with Iran and actually despise them in many ways. They have therefore found better alliance amongst the Western powers of the US.

Evidence that these nations still require some work was seen with this latest Iranian attack on Israel. Instead of fighting against Israel, Jordan helped Israel shoot down many of Iran’s drones and missiles (Reuters).

It is not likely that they did so strictly out of the goodness of their hearts, but it is still the opposite response than what Scripture says they will one day take. Something has to change. Jordan is not ready to join the conflict on the Arab side.

Saudi Arabia is the other nation which requires some work. Not much has been heard from them concerning this conflict other than they express “great concern” over the current Middle East escalation (The Business Standard). Like Jordan, the Saudis also consider Iran a rival and enemy state. In the short-term, I have difficulty in seeing how they could join in against Israel in the short-term. Some further development appears to be needed.

We know that the position of Jordan and Saudi Arabia must and will eventually change, but it seems that it could take some time. As to what will cause this change, we obviously don’t know. They do not have to like Iran in order to fight alongside their proxies, although it is interesting to note that the past year has seen significant efforts to warm ties between Jordan and Saudi Arabia with Iran. Time will tell, but this is one thing that tells me that the long-anticipated prophecy of Psalm 83 is still in the development stages.

Reason #2 - Israel is Not Alone

One significant thing about this future conflict is that Israel finds themselves utterly alone, or if they do receive any kind of help or aid, it is so small or insignificant that it makes no difference and is not worth mentioning. We must emphasize that it is entirely possible for Israel to begin the war with US support but to later lose it for some reason, and that would still fit the bill. We just don’t know. While we will not delve into the particulars of the Scriptural basis (as we’ve done that in previous articles), it is an important facet of this latter conflict as Israel’s isolation is what humbles them and prepares them to call for and recognize their Messiah.

Yet with this current conflict (so far), the US has come to Israel’s aid. The gap between the two nations has certainly been widening, but it has not grown so much that America would leave Israel to destruction. In my estimation, it would take a significant event for the US to fully abandon Israel as they are the only nation in the area which even remotely aligns with Western interests. America is in a position where they are almost forced to support Israel, regardless of how much they may or may not like Israel’s policies. But as to what exactly might cause the US to not come to Israel’s aid, we’ll leave that discussion for another time as there are many interesting possibilities.

What concerns us at this moment is the current state of things. America has pledged “ironclad” support for Israel (FOX News). In a move that backed up this promise, the US rushed some of their warships to the area in case Israel was attacked by Iran or its proxies (WSJ). These promises were put into action when Iran attacked Israel, for America helped Israel down the drones and rockets (All Israel News). All of this is being done in order to prevent a wide-spread regional conflict – precisely the one which the Scriptures foretell. So as of right now, America is still helping Israel, and if the Psalm 83 nations did attack right this moment, I would have to conclude that America would step in to assist. I see no evidence right now that would prevent them from intervening. My gut tells me that there are still some important things that need to happen.

That being said, this could easily change depending on whether Israel chooses to retaliate. It is too early to tell if they will or not as headlines are appearing which show both sides. Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz stated that “This event is not over” and that Israel will “exact the price” from Iran (HuffPost). They will carry this out in the “correct manner and time” (The Jerusalem Post). But the US does not want Israel to respond and has warned that the US will take no part in a counter-offensive:

If Israel does anything, they will have to do it on their own. This certainly has potential to isolate Israel, yet now it seems that any plans of a counter-offensive against Iran may not happen:

The article states in very clear and strong terms that any immediate Israeli strike was halted. But then to counteract that statement, this headline showed up:

Bottom line is – we’ll just have to wait and see. This article from The Jerusalem Post goes over a number of possibilities if Israel does decide to attack Iran, one of which being a direct attack on their nuclear sites as we’ve been anticipating. Time will tell.

Now, the third reason seems to me to be one of the most important, for it not only is a critical piece of the puzzle, but it has the greatest implications for you and I as we await Christ’s return.

Reason #3 - The role of the saints

I find the Scriptures to teach in many ways that the immortalized saints take part in saving Israel from her enemies. This is important for a very simple reason: timing. If the saints are immortalized when Israel is saved, then this requires without question that Christ has already returned, gathered his saints, and judged those who have made a covenant with him. As the saints are with Christ and the Psalm 83 war seems as if it will be a rather quick war, I conclude that we will most likely be gathered before the Arab confederacy comes against Israel, and perhaps even before the confederacy itself is formed.

Among students of the Word, I believe it is generally undisputed that Christ saves Israel. The question which some vary on is whether the saints are with him at that time or not. Let’s examine this under its own heading.

 

Will the Saints Be With Christ When He Saves Israel?

Let’s first ask, what will be Christ’s very first order of business when he returns? Will it be to save Israel, or will it be to raise the dead and gather the saints for judgment? I believe that Scripture and reason lead us quickly to the latter – he will gather his saints for judgment. Consider some of the following passages:

2 Timothy 4:1 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at (not “after”) his appearing and his kingdom;

Colossians 3:4 – When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Matthew 25:31-32 – When the Son of man shall come in his glory (again, not “after”), and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  (32)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Psalms 50:3-5 – Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. (What happens when he “comes”?) (4)  He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.  (5)  Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

Such is the testimony I find, and I’ve yet to find anything to the contrary. Yet it also simply seems reasonable that the gathering of his saints will be his highest priority! Christ has been away from his bride since his ascension; away from those who have chosen to follow him, entered into covenant, and dedicated their lives to walking after his example and yearning for his return. When Christ returns, what will be the first thing he will desire to do? Will it be to save the Jews who are still in ignorance of him, and then to go and gather the covenanted? This has a general feeling of falseness, nor does not line up with what we’re told about Christ and his love for true, spiritual Israel which exceeds that of natural Israel (Romans 9:6, Luke 3:8). He is returning for his bride!

Therefore, I believe we can conclude that the covenanted will be gathered before Israel is saved, and if we have been judged and immortalized, the question then simply becomes, Do the saints play a role in saving Israel along with Christ, or do they not? Consider a few passages.

Let’s begin with Zechariah 12 and 14. Chapter 12:1-2 tells us that “the people round about… shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.” We’re then told in

Zechariah 12:8 – In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

We see that the LORD is certainly defending Jerusalem here, but later on we learn that it is not just him. Note that this next passage shows the moment he appears in Jerusalem as he places his feet on the Mount of Olives:

Zechariah 14:4-5 – And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  (5)  And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Some believe that “all the saints” is referring to the Jews of Israel, yet this makes the text awkward and doesn’t make much sense. If Christ is coming to save Israel, does it make sense that Israel comes with Christ to save themselves? It is inappropriate to say that the Jews come with Christ as the Jews are already there in the land. This is clearly referring to a third party besides Israel and Christ himself. This is also testified in

Zechariah 14:14 – And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

We learn here that Judah is allowed to exact vengeance on their Arab enemies, but we here call attention to the word “also”. If it were just Israel, that word could not be there. But to say that “Judah also will fight” means that there is another party which is fighting at Jerusalem besides Judah. Who is Judah fighting alongside? It logically seems to be “the LORD my God… and all the saints”. I have heard some who believe that this is a reference to the angels and that the angels help conquer the earth, yet there are at least two issues with this. Firstly, the word for “angels” is frequently used throughout Scripture, yet the inspired-writer did not use that word here. Secondly, we are told that “unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak” (Hebrews 2:5). That responsibility will go to Christ and his redeemed.

I believe we therefore see that Christ has the saints with him, yet there are many other points which speak the same message. If we turn to the end of Obadiah, we find the same things:

Obadiah 1:18, 21 – And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it… (we see that natural Israel will have a hand in Esau’s destruction, but now note verse 21)  (21) And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. 

Who are these “saviours”? The Hebrew word means “to be open, wide or free” (Strong’s H3467), and it easily correlates to a group of individuals who were recently freed from all sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). We know that it does not refer to Israel, and it cannot refer just to Christ himself as the word is plural, and it also seems wildly inappropriate to make this mean “angels”, for it is difficult to see why the Spirit would here call them “free” ones. The only thing I can see it being is the immortalized saints.

There are yet many other things which have lead me to this conclusion, but let me simply list two:

1.     The saints are given the role of executing judgment and warring: 

Psalms 149:5-9  Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.  (6)  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;  (7)  To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;  (8)  To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;  (9)  To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

I find this to be one of the most straight-forward passages on the subject. I have heard of some who believe that Israel is intended by “all his saints”, and I’ve heard of a few who think it is the angels, yet I personally find no evidence of either. The word “saints” is the same one used in Psalm 50:5 we quoted earlier in relation to Christ gathering them for judgment, and it therefore does not seem right to apply it to the Elohim or natural Israel. But if it is spiritual Israel, there is no confusion with the usage of the word. The context of the last chapters of the book of Psalms also suggests this understanding as well as the attention focuses on the Lord and his elect.

2.     Christ comes from the regions of Sinai and conquers along the way (see Habakkuk 3 – CP to Deuteronomy 33:2, Isaiah 63:1-6). For what purpose would Christ start in the regions of Mt. Sinai if it were only he who came to Israel’s aid? The prophecy of Deuteronomy 33:2 even says, “The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints.” For a more thorough consideration of this, please consider this Q&A article.

There are yet other things, but these must suffice for now for time and length.

Conclusion and Meaning For Us

Considering the testimony of the Word concerning the timing the gathering of the saints in relation to this war, it is my belief that if we see this battle in its mature state, we will do so as immortals. We don’t know exactly how the long the judgment will take (a subject we will delve into at another time), and depending on how it is executed, it is possible that it could take a while. That being a possibility, we should be astonished that we are even seeing the stage being set as it currently is. What we are seeing now is what we might call “tremors before the earthquake.” I wonder whether our Father is giving us just a taste of what is to come in order to show us how close Christ is? His purpose may be as follows:

“I know that you are expecting the Psalm 83 war to take place, but you will all be gathered before that occurs. However, since the importance of that conflict is understood, I am going to give you multiple things which show that the war is getting close. Even though you will not see the confederacy fully mature in your mortal frame, I will allow you to see many of these nations begin to join together. That way, you will know just how close My Son is.”

It could be the same kind of exhortation which Christ gave us concerning the many other signs we are seeing:

Luke 21:28 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We are truly beginning to see the pieces fall into place, and we should therefore not wait to see other things, but “lift up our heads”!

In truth, it does not matter now much we will see in the days of our mortality. We should avoid having a mindset of, “When I see _______ happen, then I’ll know that Christ is near,” for that mindset inherently breeds slothfulness and laxity as we are waiting for that event. Christ could gather us any second now, and our responsibility is to be exercised by all of the signs our Lord gives us. There are certainly many for us in these last days.

While these words were directed at the disciples of Christ’s day, they are certainly applicable to us today:

Matthew 13:16-17 – But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  (17)  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The question we need to ask ourselves now is do we consider ourselves blessed in this regard? Do we really esteem these signs as momentous, incredible signs which those before us would have given almost anything to see? Or do we simply see this as our “normal”. If our minds can only focus on what’s right in front of us, then it is likely that we do not see what’s so special about these signs. But if our minds are enlightened by the Word to consider things from God’s revealed plan, these events can now take context and bear out their wonderful message, “CHRIST IS SOON TO ARISE. Prepare to meet your Master!” That’s something to rejoice over!

In the Hope of Israel,

Tanner Hawkins

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