Gaza's woes

It's been seven months of destruction, devastation and deaths in Gaza. Over 35,000 dead and 80,000 injured. Considering the continued terrible scenes and reports from the war, one is left to wonder where all this leads to. As a Christian and bible prophecy enthusiast, I have tried to understand what is happening in Gaza, I have undertaken extensive research to know the historical and prophetic sides to the events and the spiritual implications on the whole of humanity. And I want to share here some of the things I have come to understand.

Let me begin with the prophecy in Amos 1:6-8

"Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them upto Edom.

But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof. And I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish."

It is widely believed that this prophecy has been fulfilled already, partly in 734BC when Gaza fell to Assyria and completely  in 168BC when the Maccabees conquered Gaza. However the above scripture paints a picture of the current conflict. On October 7th, 2023, Gaza's Hamas killed over 1200 Israelis and took away over 270 captives. Consequently, in the last seven months, Israeli army has continued to rain fire within Gaza walls devouring people and properties.

Let's look back a little into history. In bible days, Gaza was one of the five strong cities of the Philistines. The other four were Ashdod, Ashkelon,  Ekron and Gath. As we know it, the Philistines were a sworn enemy of the Israelites. Like Dr. Danny Shoham puts it, Philitia, an an ancient geographical area that contained modern day Gaza in its southern portion, was a trouble spot for the inhabitants of the Land of Israel as long as the time of Judges. Samson fought the Philistines, Saul did, David did, and many other king's of Israel did. 

Despite the fact that the ancient Philistines were destroyed and wiped out according to Bible prophecy, the Roman emperor Hadrian, who had a strong dislike for the Jews changed the name of the province of Judea to Syria-Palestina, from which the modern day name, Palestine originated. It is believed that he chose the name as a means of connecting a name (Philistine) most odious to the Jews. Though the current inhabitants of Gaza are not descended from the ancient non_arab Philistines, the continued conflicts and resistance to peaceable coexistence with the Jewish State is a reminder of the Philistines.

Now, what is the spiritual implication of this ongoing war?

Zephaniah 2:3-4

3.Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice.

Seek righteousness, seek humility.

It may be that you will be hidden

In the day of the Lord’s anger.

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken,

And Ashkelon desolate;

They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, And Ekron shall be uprooted.

The reality of this prophecy concerning Gaza in verse four, saying  it will be abandoned, should draw us to the command in verse three, to seek the Lord and His righteousness in preparation for the rapture. The rapture is the next greatest event in  God's agenda of endtime events, after which the great tribulation will ravage the inhabitants of the earth. The rapture will be the hiding of the saints from the great tribulation. Gaza is being abandoned right now by many and it is a signal that now more than ever, we must seek God and His righteousness, so we can escape the day of God's anger.

When Iran launched over 300 missiles on Israel the other day, the word in the mouth of Iranians was "total destruction of Israel" 

Psalm 83:4

They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

This attitude of Iran reminds of the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 which talks about Gog, Magog, and he coming storm, which in explanation is the alliance of Russia (Magog, Rush), the leader of Russia (Gog), Turkey (Meshec), Iran (Persia), Germany (Gomer), Sudan or Ethiopia and Lybia or Somalia, against Israel. And in this battle, God will intervene supernaturally for Israel with:

1. Earthquake

2. Panic that will make the invading army to slay each other.

3. Pestilence

4. Fire, brimstone and hails.

In conclusion, while we empathize with the Palestinians and pray for the war to end, we also pray for the peace and protection of Israel. And for wisdom to understand the times as the prophetic destiny of Israel cannot be undermined. We are in the last days. Jesus is coming soon. May he find us ready. God bless you. Happy weekend.

Evang. Joel Eyeniyan

(...a Joel Joshua's Script)