Shalom from Northern Israel!
It’s been said that Las Vegas is the “city that never sleeps.” Well, allow me to suggest that the Middle East is the region that never sleeps – for entirely different reasons. Before I provide a rundown of upcoming events for the ministry, let me highlight some of the key happenings in Israel and the surrounding area.
Russia & Syria
Last week, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad welcomed the idea of establishing a stronger Russian military presence in war-torn Syria. Moreover, the Syrian president made it clear that Russia’s military presence can plan to stay long-term. Sadly, Russia’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War is paying off for Moscow, at least for the immediate future. However, Russia isn’t the only foreigner active in Syria. The Hezbollah terror organization has begun mobilizing medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles within Syrian territory.
A senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror organization commander was assassinated in Damascus. If indeed he is related to the recent bombing at the Megiddo Junction, Israel has begun to settle the score!
Ukraine
Interestingly enough – on another front – the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Almost laughably, the Russian police opened criminal cases against the ICC judges in The Hague who issued the arrest warrant for Putin. Meanwhile, Russia is continuing its offensive in Ukraine. Last week, it carried out another assault on Ukraine via Iranian-made suicide drones, as well as incendiary bombs. Adding to the equation, Poland’s ambassador to France says that his country will intervene in the war if it sees that Ukraine is losing.
Iran
Iran’s regime newspaper, KAYHAN (linked to Ali Khamenei – the supreme leader of Iran), promoted the recent agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, touting that it “can lead to Israel’s destruction.” It also prides itself in the fact that the United States is not pleased with the agreement. Iran could not care less about the agreement. It’s just satisfied with threatening Israel and treating the US like an outcast.
Israel
Israel is facing the most dangerous reality since the Yom Kippur war in October of 1973. Three vectors should be watched:
- Global – The new axis of China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia facilitating friendship with Iran, offering them acceptance and legitimacy.
- Regional – Iranian proxies from the north (Hezbollah), the east (Iranian-backed militias in Syria), and the south (Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen).
- Internal – The liberal left that is protesting the judicial reform is calling for citizens not to go to their reserve duty, weakening the military.
I’ve been carefully examining the situation in Israel over the past three years ever since we entered into what seems to be never-ending political chaos. My conclusion is very simple:
The progressive, liberal, deceptive, and diabolical demon has completely taken over a large portion of Israeli society to the degree of what the Bible calls: STRONG DELUSION! For years I’ve struggled with the portion from Zechariah 13:8-9 where it says that two-thirds of Israel will be cut off and die and the last third the Lord will bring through fire and refine them. That’s the one third that will survive the looming tribulation, known also as Jacob’s trouble. That’s the one third that will be there to welcome the Messiah’s return as Zechariah 12:10 describes. They’ll mourn, cry, and repent! Based on what I see today, if the antichrist rises to power tomorrow, I believe two-thirds of Israel will be easily deceived to the point of eventually receiving the mark of the beast. Interestingly enough, even some major Rabbis can see the coming tribulation. Now, if the tribulation is so close, can you imagine how much closer our rapture is! Yes, the fig tree is blooming! Israel is back in the land! However, only the physical restoration has taken place. The spiritual restoration will be painful and tragic.
The idea of a two-state solution is one of the biggest deceptions ever. Most people think that it’s about a Jewish state and an Arab state. Well, it’s not. A two-state solution in the mind of the Arabs is an Arab state and another state consisting of Jews and Arabs. If you come and ask them to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state coexisting with an Arab state, they will refuse. The same logic is now in effect with the progressive left that is claiming that the judicial reform is going to bring an end to democracy. Ask them if they will stop protesting and rioting if the government will decide to freeze the reform and they’ll tell you, “No!” It’s not about the reform. They simply won’t accept the outcome of the November 2022 elections. Remember – the subtext is always more revealing than the headline!
Every few years, the ultra-orthodox Israeli parliament members propose anti-missionary legislation. A new bill that was just proposed this January is similar to the one from the former parliament. Allow me to remind you that, at the moment, the only illegal part of proselytizing is if it’s to a minor. Moreover, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted, “We will not advance any law against the Christian community.”
There was another Palestinian terror attack on Jews in Judaea and Samaria. A Palestinian terrorist opened fire on a car driven by former U.S. Marine David Stern, a Jewish resident of one of the Israeli settlements. Once shot, David pulled out his gun and emptied a magazine at the terrorist through the window of the vehicle and wounded him. The terrorist threw the weapon away and fled. Meanwhile, David improvised for himself an arterial tourniquet, bandaged himself, calmed down his wife, and went to the ambulance on his own. Respect and a speedy recovery, hero!
Two Israeli soldiers were wounded from a landmine explosion on the border with Lebanon earlier this week. Additionally, Israel hit Iranian targets in Damascus, Latakia, and Aleppo! There was serious damage done to the Aleppo airport following the Israeli strike. A storehouse of rockets and a runway were destroyed. The military base in the area was shut down due to the damage done to the runway.
Tune in to my most recent Breaking News segment for an in-depth discussion on several of the items mentioned above.
Around the World
For over a month now an Israeli citizen named Gal Luft, a respected professor and a retired Lt. Colonel in the IDF, has been held in custody by the authorities in Cyprus. Prof. Luft believes he knows why: “My only ‘sin’ is that in March 2019, before the US presidential elections, I brought to the FBI incriminating information about the business of US President Joe Biden’s family with China, and about a corruption case at the top of the FBI.” Luft (56), who specializes in security and energy, was arrested by the Cyprus police at Larnaca International Airport, while he was planning to fly back to Israel. He was arrested because of an Interpol arrest warrant, issued at the request of the United States, where they defined him as “wanted for offenses related to the export of weapons to Libya and China.” He is suspected of conspiracy to commit serious crimes, false statements, and other crimes that he has allegedly committed since 2015 until today. Luft’s response to the warrant: “The accusations against me are false and biased. I have never traded weapons or oil and I have never earned a penny from such transactions.” Could this be a move to discredit an important witness for a potential congressional investigation on Hunter Biden’s business deals with China?
I spent the last week accompanying one of my dear friends on another tour throughout the Holy Land. After spending a few days at home with my family, I will make my way to Tel Aviv to complete the audio recording for my soon-to-be-released book, Has the Tribulation Begun? The book itself is available for pre-order – and it’s one you’re not going to want to miss. This book will be a reliable resource that turns people back to the Scriptures as the ultimate source of truth concerning the future. Moreover, it’s perhaps the most evangelistic book God has given me the calling to assemble. God’s heart is for the salvation of the sinner, not the destruction of their soul. I believe Has the Tribulation Begun? will provide a greater sense of urgency for believers to have an increased burden for the lost.
There is a great need for believers to re-engage their mission around the world. In many cases, it seems the church is distracted with the cares of this world rather than preparing for eternity. What are your priorities? Do you share the Lord’s heart for the lost? Are you making the most of the opportunities He grants you?
Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
