Ezekiel 28:20-29:16

“They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the LORD their God.” (Ezekiel 28:26, NLT)

In all history there has not been a nation that has been more despised and tormented than Israel. Anti-Semitism has not merely been the problem of one generation but has existed in every generation since the Hebrews lived in Egypt. By the hand of Joseph, they saved the land during the seven years of famine, and then the Egyptians rewarded them by making them slaves and oppressing them with bitter bondage.

Anti-Semitism reached a pinnacle in the 20th century when Adolf Hitler sought to exterminate them as a race and killed over 6 million Jews. While in Israel, we visited the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. It was one of the most emotional and heartbreaking experiences I’ve ever had.

Today we see Anti-Semitism reaching levels that we have not seen World War II—only now the outcry against Jews is coming from the entire world. This surely is a strong indicator that we are living in the last days, for the prophet Zechariah prophesied this.

“Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.” (Zechariah 12:2–3, ESV)

We are watching the conflict in the Middle East escalate, as Iran backs various groups that have become known as “the Axis of resistance.” The Axis includes Hamas, the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Shi'ite armed groups in Iraq and Syria. As Israel fights to protect her people and free her hostages, she is being severely criticized by world leaders and protested against by pro-Palestinian groups worldwide.

What will happen next? Will this escalate into a regional conflict where Iran takes on a more direct role? Or will the hostilities subside as they have done in times past? God only knows. But we do know that the day is coming when all the nations will gather against Israel. And then Christ will return to make war against them and defeat them. He will establish His thousand-year reign on earth, and Israel will dwell safely in her land. Then they will know that Yahweh is their God and Jesus is their Messiah.

When we see the world attacking Israel both militarily and verbally, then we know our time is short. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, come!