Could this be the prophetic Psalm 83 conflict?
We all know the basic story. It was in the early morning hours that hundreds of fighters from the terror group Hamas breached the Israeli barriers and launched attacks against at least 29 different sites. Some floated in on hang gliders. Others cut their way through the barriers. The attack followed a massive bombardment now calculated at around 3,000 rockets and missiles. The terrorists knocked on doors and dragged out civilians to take as hostages or just slaughtered them where they stood. Women were raped, one girl 15 times. They were loaded in vans or driven off on motorcycles. The Israeli death toll is up over 900 with .
Some IDF soldiers surrendered. Tanks were captured. The Gaza border was left relatively defenseless. Sonja Elijah reported: “Israeli Defense forces that were supposed to be around Gaza were placed around the West Bank because of security concerns so the Gaza envelope was left unoccupied with military.”[i] The Hamas terrorists targeted festival goers at a music festival being held near the border with Gaza. Rescuers found 260 bodies and an estimated 150 were taken as hostages.
Israel began responding with airstrikes on Gaza, with about 1,100 sorties flown by the afternoon of October 9th. Gaza is located along the Mediterranean in the southwest of Israel. Hezbollah, began bombarding across Israel’s northern border. Many analysts can hardly believe that Israel could be surprised in this way. Mossad is one of the best intel agencies in the world. Some blamed electronic suppression of the Israeli radar systems, which they argued could only be achieved by Russia. On Saturday, the first day of the attacks, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu declared Israel to be at war. “Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces that infiltrated our territory and restore the security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked.
The second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy, within the Gaza Strip as well.”[ii] Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “They (the terrorists – ed.) saw no difference between women, children and the elderly, they harmed everybody. Soon [Hamas] will understand that it made a serious mistake and will pay for it…We will change the reality in Gaza 50 years ahead.”[iii] Meanwhile, celebrations of the Palestinian attacks on Israel broke out in many countries including Iraq, Iran and Lebanon to name a few. Several cities here in the US saw pro-Palestinian rallies. In New York City, groups of supporting the Palestinians and Israel faced off against each other but there was no violence, just chanting. Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh also saw pro-Hamas rallies.
ESCALATION
Immediately, the situation began to escalate with nations and terror groups coming in to support both sides.
- The Taliban is reported to be seeking permission to transit through other Muslim countries to join the fight against Israel. When we pulled out of Afghanistan, the US effectively “supplied the Taliban terrorist organization and their Islamist accomplices with billions of dollars worth of US weapons, armed vehicles, helicopters, ammunition, and piles of cash.”[iv]
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Hezbollah is massing troops and there are reports that “If Israel launches a ground war into the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah will attack from the north.” All things were quiet on this front on Tuesday, October 10th.
- Report: “US weapons left behind in Afghanistan were used to attack Israel.”
- Hal Turner Radio: “Intel sources are now urgently reporting that Muslims will be on the rampage in Europe shortly; burning every major city in protest of the coming Israeli offensive into GAZA…. Intelligence sources say worst hit will be Paris, Brussels, London, and Marseille.”[v]
- The US is sending the Gerald R Ford Carrier Group to the region to support Israel.
- Turkey, a NATO ally, has warned the United States not to militarily support Israel.
- Iran is threatening to activate its’ Syrian fighters to attack Israel.
- Egypt is calling back all personnel on leave and upgrading to combat readiness status.
- Israel is calling up 300,000 reserves.
- In addition they are evacuating areas around both Gaza and Lebanon to the north.
- Israeli Defense Minister Gallant announced a full siege of Gaza. “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel. We are fighting human animals and we will act accordingly.”
- An Israeli airstrike has killed a member of Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
- From The Gateway Pundit: “The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), claimed responsibility for a recent infiltration operation on the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
- The dominant Lebanese branch of Hezbollah has communicated to certain Middle Eastern sources, that it will enter the war in full, once Israel launches its’ ground offensive into Gaza.
- Moscow told the Israelis that if America should enter the combat phase, that Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran would enter the war.
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It was found that Hamas abducted a number of children in the attack. These included a 9-month-old and a 3-year-old from one family – and 5-year-old Raz and 3-year-old Aviv from another. Hamas has threatened to begin executing the hostages – including toddlers – if Israel continues its’ air strikes.[vi]
- Israel has marshalled a force of 300 tanks, 600 warplanes and 173,000 troops, ready to enter Gaza.
- Egypt closed the Border crossing at Rafah into Egypt, the only way out of the Gaza Strip. This effectively traps the residents of Gaza. Israel has set a deadline of October 10, 2023 to release all hostages or operations will begin to ‘flatten’ Gaza. 3 million Palestinians live in that area.[vii]
This comes unconfirmed, but from regularly reliable sources. Terror cells, which have been “allegedly” infiltrating the border over the last year or so have now gotten the “go” word. According to this report, the Hamas cells, within the US have been given instructions to attack targets within this country. No targets were specified nor was the timing of these attacks given. So, take it for what it’s worth. Again, this is unconfirmed.
THE PROPHETIC TAKE
Like all events – and especially those involving Israel, what we are watching going on is fully in the permissive will of God. All of this is happening with a purpose. And a central part of that purpose is to advance God’s prophetic plan for Israel and the world. I am not alone in recognizing that this may be signaling the start of the Psalm 83 War. [I am joined in this belief by Perry Stone among others. Here’s the set up. Right now, Israel is at war with Hamas in the south. Hezbollah, based across Israel’s northern border in Lebanon is already firing artillery and rockets and has said they are ready to come in. Arab fighters in Iraq and Syria are moving forward on Israels eastern frontier. Egypt is calling in its’ forces. There is a coalition forming – and we yet don’t know who will be all the way in – with the express purpose of destroying Israel as a state.
First some context. Scripture tells us clearly that the nation of Israel faces a tough road in the last days. It appears that there are two prophetic wars facing the Jewish nation before the return of Messiah Jesus. Most are aware of the famous Gog-Magog prophecies found in Ezekiel, chapters 38 & 39. The players are clear, even after about 2,600 years; Russia (in the view of many) / Turkey, Iran, some of the former Islamic Soviet Republics. However, Syria, Egypt and the Palestinians are pointedly missing! Yet we know from Micah 5, Isaiah 19, Ezekiel 31 and Obadiah that these nations will suffer devastating defeat after they come against God’s people in the end times. Many prophecy scholars have concluded that there will be a prior war in which Israel will be facing this inner-ring of Arab / Islamic nations: Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians. After that, there will be a time of peace, after which Israel will face the infamous Gog-Magog invasion. They are basing this on Psalm 83. Now, there has been some debate over which specific countries may be involved, there exists general agreement on the vast majority of the ten listed peoples.
But specific countries there are – all listed in scripture. Now, this began as an attack by a single power. But it turns out there is a little bit more to this. The attack against Israel was not conceived by Hamas alone. The Wall Street Journal reports: “Iranian security officials helped plan Hamas’s Saturday surprise attack on Israel and gave the green light for the assault at a meeting in Beirut last Monday, according to senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah.” The whole thing was part of a “broader plan” to “strangle Israel” from all sides. “The IRGC’s [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] – broader plan is to create a multi-front threat that can strangle Israel from all sides—Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in the north and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank, according to the senior Hamas and Hezbollah members and an Iranian official.” Though we are still not sure, this revelation brings it a closer to the demands of scripture.
“‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.’ With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you- the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:4-8) Thus has been the battle cry of the Arab nations that surround the State of Israel ever since its modern inception in 1948. “Let us destroy them as a nation!” There have been many calls in the past to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth.” There is a clause in the Palestinian Charter that denies Israel its existence.
So, who are these nations mentioned in Psalm 83 that will be going against Israel. The Scripture is very specific. Edom refers to Jordan. The Ishmaelites are Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Moab again is Jordan. The Hagrites” refers to the Egyptians and possibly other North African peoples. Ammon yet once more refers to Jordan, Philistia is the Palestinians, Tyre is in Lebanon. Finally, Assyria takes in part of the areas of Syria, Iraq and Iran. Who can deny this is the purpose of these Arab / Muslim nations? Certainly not they! Like I said, there is some disagreement as to the exact list but this is the general list.
Then look at the nations that are becoming potential foes in this fight. Hamas checks the Philistine box. Tyre is in Lebanon where Hezbollah resides. Egypt is moving toward mobilization. Fighters from Syria and Iraq, areas once controlled by the Assyrians. Yes, Jordan is missing right now. There are however around 2 million Palestinians living in Jordan. So, is this the prophetic Psalm 83 War? Not yet. But the conditions could evolve into fulfilling that prophecy. That could serve as the entrance ramp to further End Times events. So, we know it is the purpose of Arab / Islam to drive Israel into the sea. Three wars have proved it.
The plans against Israel have been long in the making. You go back to December of 1996, and the U.S. House of Representatives’ Task Force On Terrorism And Unconventional Warfare compiled a report that revealed a plan for a Palestinian “uprising” to begin the festivities. Once the IDF was fully engaged internally against Palestinian Security Forces, Syrian and Egyptian forces would cross the border to finish the job.[viii] Whether planned or not, this situation could certainly unfold in this manner. Israel is fully engaged in Gaza right now. Scripture tells us of a Syrian invasion to come in the last days. The result will be that nation’s utter defeat. “And as I have purposed, so it shall stand: That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains tread him underfoot.” (Isaiah 14:24-25) Of course, any Syrian invasion of Israel would come across the mountains to the north. Micah 5:6 speaks directly to Israel’s triumph in this invasion. “They shall waste with the sword the land of Assyria, And the land of Nimrod at its entrances; Thus He shall deliver us from the Assyrian, When he comes into our land.” The references to the “land of Nimrod at its entrances” suggests that Israel will at the same time deal with a threat across the Iraqi border, the home of ancient Babylon. The war with Syria will also likely feature the destruction of the world’s “…oldest perpetually inhabited city”; – Damascus. “The burden against Damascus. ‘ Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap.’” (Isaiah 17:1) [ix] Is this a nuclear attack against the Syrian capital? It may be so. Jeremiah 49:26-27 describes the scene. “Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.’”
There are reports out there that Netanyahu threatened Damascus with destruction if Hezbollah would come into the war. But these reports are at this point unconfirmed.
To many scholars, the aftermath of the Psalm 83 War is what opens the door to and accelerates the timing of the rise of Antichrist and the beginning of the Tribulation. The outcome of the war against Syria, the Palestinians, Jordan, the terrorists of Lebanon and possibly Egypt is one of total victory for Israel. There are many scriptures that attest to this. It brings a great annexation of ‘Promised’ land and a time of peace before the next war. Scripture tells us that that one will come when Israel is feeling secure. The Gog Alliance will come against a “land of unwalled villages.” (Ezekiel 38:11) That peace and sense of security is made possible by Israel’s total victory over the Palestinians and her other Arab neighbors, so totally dedicated to her destruction. Perhaps it is the time of the 7-year treaty confirmed by Antichrist, guaranteeing that peace. In the event, it leads to the great Gog-Magog invasion.
WHAT WE CAN KNOW
But beyond those speculations, what is our course to be right now? Israel’s way forward will be hard. There will be much opposition to any course they take, but especially one that puts a premium on eliminating the threat of Hamas terror in the future. It will come with a high price in civilian casualties. The terror groups put little value on human / civilian life. They will be used as pawns and shields. We’ve already pointed out that executions were threatened. Hamas is counting on the outrage of the world when they see the heavy civilian toll. It is part of the deception of the Last Days.
Our call is to be true to God’s People – to be true to Israel. Genesis 12:3 reads, “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” The people that committed these terror acts are enemies of God. They are enemies of His People. They will hate anyone who supports Israel and the Jewish people. In Genesis 3:15 God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed.” There is coming a time of testing, centering on Israel and specifically Jerusalem, but involving the entire world. “The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: ‘Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and 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 12:1-3)
As we face this gathering darkness we need remember that God is faithful to all those that are His, Jew and Gentile alike. When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses told the people, “The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you.” (Deuteronomy 31:3) This fight is God’s fight! And he finished with this promise. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
[i] Mark Crispin Miller, This “surprise attack” on Israel seems just as sketchy as the “wildfires” in Lahaina, The Burning Platform,
October 8, 2023
[ii] As Israeli PM Netanyahu Declares State of War, Town Hall, October 7, 2023
[iii] Israel calls upon residents of Giza Strip to evacuate, Ukrainska Pravda, October 7, 2023
[iv] Taliban seeks to help Hamas destroy Israel, Gateway Pundit, October 7, 2023
[v] Israeli Radar KNOCKED-OUT in the North, HTR, October 8, 2023
[vi] Hamas threatens to execute Israeli hostages, New York Post, October 9, 2023
[vii] No Way Out, Hal Turner Radio, October 10, 2023
[viii] The Next Arab-Israeli War”, by Emanuel A. Winston, A Middle East Analyst and Commentator, The Jewish Press, Week of January 31, 1997, Vol. XLVII, No. 5, p. 43 and 53, as detailed in Cutting Edge News, #1056 David Bay,
[ix] Glenn Allen, The Destruction of Damascus
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