If you’ve ever read Barbara Tuchman’s Guns of August about the outbreak of WWI you will recognize what is occurring right now. We don’t have the formal alliances of that earlier day. But we can follow the day by day, almost hour by hour, intensification of what is going on. And sadly, we are learning more about the horrific intensity of the original attack by Hamas. It has now been discovered that in one particular kibbutz – a communal Israeli farm – Hamas had attacked and murdered 40 babies. Many of them had been beheaded. The slaughter of the innocents was discovered at Kibbutz Be’eri. Hamas hit several of kibbutz during the attack. The residents were defenseless. There is no equivalent of the 2nd Amendment in Israel and therefore very few of them are armed. The terrorists knew that the Israelis on these communal farms – as well as the youthful dancers at the ‘Rave’ party where over 200 were killed and over 100 taken hostage would not be able to defend themselves. Hamas was looking for maximum effect.
- We’ve already reported the aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford is heading to the Mediterranean near Israel. Two other American carriers are leaving port very shortly with at least one headed in that direction. They will likely be joined by a British carrier, HMS Prince of Wales and NATO Maritime Group #2. We know Iran is behind the entire assault on Israel and there is speculation that they may be the target. Some are talking about hitting Iran’s oil refineries. Israel has existential interest in taking out Iran’s nuclear program. Actions against either of these could lead to a much bigger war. Though not quite a client state, Iran has been supported by Russia.
- Israel has now affirmed that “Invasion of Gaza is now imminent.” By the time you are reading this it may be history.
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Hezbollah has said they will enter the war against Israel when the IDF enters Gaza. The US warned against this. Hezbollah reaffirmed they will fight and said, “Our naval fleet with cruise missiles and torpedoes is ready for war with Israel.”
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has said it is ready to “go to war with Israel” in support of Hezbollah.
- Turkish President Erdogan put out a stern warning to Israel and one Turkish government official told Prime Minister Netanyahu, “You will die.”
- Pakistan has said it is ready to provide ballistic missiles to the Palestinians.
- Reports of shelling from Hezbollah in Lebanon – Denied by IDF – Confirmed by sources on the ground.
- Israelis in border areas have been told to evacuate.
- “Hezbollah has informed the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL international peacekeepers to immediately evacuate all positions on the border with Israel.” They are getting ready for something big….
- Hezbollah suicide drone from Lebanon has struck Dimona Nuclear Power Plant.
- Some quick recent developments:
- There is video of Iran moving dozens of long-range missiles to launch sites.[i]
- Quatar is threatening to cut off oil supplies if/when Israel invades Gaza…..Qatar produces about 2% of the world’s annual oil supply….But if this spread to other oil producing countries in the region it could have a catastrophic effect on the global economy.[ii] For instance, if Iran closed down the Strait of Hormuz that would stop about 21% of the world’s oil supply from being distributed.
- Jordan is moving tanks and troops to the border with Israel – to prevent Palestinians living in that country from joining the fight against Israel.[iii] If those Palestinians would succeed in opening another front, it would be another example of another Psalm 83 nation coming against Israel – bringing that prophecy closer to fulfillment.
- From Michael Caputo: “My take: when the US steps in to assist our longtime ally Israel, tens of thousands of fighting-age Palestinians who crossed the US border with BidenCo assistance will execute a long-planned and coordinated attack inside America.”
- That fits right in line with the warning just given by Hamas leader Khalid Mashal, who called for “Muslims to attack Jews – and to start in the countries that surround Israel….He went on to call for a worldwide jihad to begin this Friday, the 13th of October, calling it “the Friday of Al-Aqsa flood.” He said, “Funds are important but today we are asking for your blood and souls [to be sacrificed for Palestine].” Will something start this Friday – or is this just a false alarm? I can’t say. But Israel was certainly taken by surprise….[or were they?][iv]
- According to one security training website, there is a real danger that Islamic cells, could be activated against targets like grocery stores and churches. Hezbollah has for years been in partnership with Mexican drug cartels and have brought military grade firearms and grenades and other explosives across the border. Hezbollah sleeper cells have had a long-standing presence in this country. In addition, Border Patrol officers have reported what they believed to be significant numbers of Chinese operatives, military-aged men, entering this country with impunity. Christian Warrior Training cited the special danger to churches as generally being especially soft targets.[v]
SO WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN RESPONE?
First of all, it is not to panic. “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) So, we have God’s assurance in that.
Then, go to a place of repentance. Jesus said it in his first sermons. John the Baptist preached it too….. “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)….We are a nation in need of repentance…In need of turning….In need of giving up our sinful nature….Our sinful practices ….We are a nation and a church – once dedicated to God but no longer walking that path….We need Jesus….If you don’t know Him as your Lord & Saviour – You need to do that business. To take care of that now!….Admit you are a sinner, turn from your sin, (that is repentance) – and confess that belief.
And even if you believe you are in a good place with God, we can participate in a corporate, national repentance. Daniel repented for the sins of his nation of Israel – for sins he did not personally commit. So, it is time to repent – And Scripture has given us the formula. It is a call to action and a promise found in 2Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” If we are faithful to do those things, God has promised that He would hear us and heal our land. Let’s not miss that opportunity.
[i] Iran Convoys Moving Long-Range Missiles to Launch Points, Hal Turner Radio, October 11, 2023
[ii] Qatar to Cut Oil/Gas Supply if Israel Invades Gaza, Hal Turner Radio, October 11, 2023
[iii] Jordan Moving Tanks and Troops to Israel Border, Hal Turner Radio, October 11, 2023
[iv] Hamas calls for global Jihad, American Military News, October 11, 2023
[v] Hezbollah Sleeper Cells and the Risk to American Churches, October 8, 2023
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