Perspective

   By L. Jim Tuck

   May 11, 2023

 When You See Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies

Greetings from Phoenix,

             Israel’s declaration of independence on May 14, 1948, was quickly recognized by the United States, the former Soviet Union, and many other governments, fulfilling the dream of an internationally approved Jewish state. 

            It has been uphill for Israel ever since.  Immediately neither the United Nations nor other world leaders could keep Israel from a quick onslaught invasion by the armies of the five Arabic nations of Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Transjordan (now Jordan), and within a few days the state’s survival appeared to be at stake. The Arab invaders by far outnumbered the Israelis, which fielded only a few well-trained units. Against all odds, because of the will of Israel to survive, they have remained despite the conflicts with their neighbors.  

            Since their declaration in 1948, Israel fought against the Palestinian Fedayeen insurgency, which was an armed cross-border conflict backed by Egypt, and peaked between 1949 and 1956.  There was the Suez crisis of October 1956, the 6-Day War of June 1967 with neighboring Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, while the nations of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, and others also contributed troops and arms to the Arab forces. Following the war, Israel significantly increased its territory to include the West Bank which included East Jerusalem from Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the Sinai and Gaza from Egypt.

            Then came the Yom Kipper War of October 1973. The war began with a surprise joint attack by Egypt and Syria on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur or Atonement. Egypt and Syria crossed the cease-fire lines in the Sinai and Golan Heights. Israel defeated the Arab forces, and there were no significant territorial changes.

            There have been ongoing conflicts with the same character nations nonstop year by year as Israel fights for its survival. Some nations have softened their position against Israel, but the animosities and bitterness against what they consider to be an illegal state, are still there. They would like to blot Israel out and push them into the Mediterranean Sea.

            The prophet Zechariah gave a prophecy about end-time Jerusalem, “And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” (Zechariah 12:3)

            The Arabic nations and many other nations of this world would like to see Israel blotted out and pushed into the Mediterranean Sea. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen do not recognize Israel as a state. As well, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan do not recognize Israel as a state.

            Saudi Arabia has had close ties with the United States, but seem to be moving away from the friendship the two countries have enjoyed. An even more concerning move on the part of the Saudis, haaretz.com reported on May 10, 2023, “Saudi Arabia has invited Syrian President Bashar Assad to the upcoming Arab League summit in the oil-rich kingdom, the Syrian president's office said on Wednesday. The news comes as Damascus continues to slowly return to the Arab fold, following a 12-year-period of political isolation.”

            Old alliances, perhaps seeing the weakness of the United States shown with the awful withdrawal from Afghanistan, do not see the U.S. as the powerhouse it used to be. Is it possible they intend to band together to bring about the destruction of Israel? It certainly is what they hope will happen eventually.

            Jesus Christ gave us a warning sign of the end of the age: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-22)

            When the final assault on Israel begins, it will be the time when all will be fulfilled. Jesus goes on to say, “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:23-24)

            This indicates that many of the Jewish people will be slaughtered and those remaining will also enter a captivity, just as we believe the modern Israelite nations of U.S., Britain, and others will go into a captivity into other nations. Our booklet, United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy, explains this very well. Gentile (non-Israelite) nations will dominate the world prior to the return of Jesus Christ, and Jerusalem will be under the control of Muslim nations.

            These events will culminate when all life could be blotted out, and it will be a time when God will take vengeance on all the nations who were so cruel against modern Israel.

            The events could yet be several years off, but we need to carefully watch our spiritual condition so we are not caught unprepared for what could come sooner than we think. Events are coming together before our eyes, but most are blind and do not notice. It behooves us to make sure we are wisely keeping our spiritual lamps filled with oil. (Matthew 25:1-13)

 

            Have a great Sabbath rest and a nice weekend.