Will Nuclear War Happen?

Today is the 75th anniversary of an atomic bomb devastating Nagasaki, Japan. Three days earlier in 1945, the first atomic bomb used in warfare was dropped on Hiroshima. Historians have debated whether the United States was justified in using those bombs. It’s tragic how the bombings killed tens of thousands of people. However, many more lives would have been lost had the U.S. needed to invade the country that four years earlier initiated hostilities with the attack on Pearl Harbor. President Truman’s goal for authorizing the bombings was to convince the Japanese to surrender and bring a quicker end to World War II.

I grew up during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Fears of a nuclear exchange were triggered by watching made-for-TV movies like “World War III” and “The Day After.” Although the USSR dissolved in 1991, Russia still has nukes as well as a few other countries. Rogue nations like Iran have made progress in developing their own weapons of mass destruction. It’s scary to think about what would happen if they follow through on their numerous threats against Israel and the West.

However, I believe prayer plus a strong military has protected the United States and other countries from a nuclear attack. God wants to bring in a large end-time harvest of souls. Things will be different once the church is raptured. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 says, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Certain Scriptures some scholars have considered symbolic could be descriptions of a nuclear conflict. Revelation 6:12-13 says, “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.” The “stars from heaven” could be missiles from space.

Zechariah 14:12 gives an accurate description of someone exposed to an atomic explosion: “And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.” This and similar prophecies could be about the Battle of Armageddon or another future conflict like the war of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38.

Do these scenarios frighten you? They shouldn’t if you know Jesus. Psalm 91:7 says,“A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.” God knows how to protect His people. If you are uncertain of your eternal destiny, don’t delay getting your life right with the Lord. Tomorrow may be too late.

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Acts of God?

A fellow evangelist I know used to be employed by the U. S. Postal Service. I heard him talk about a time when a massive winter storm prevented coworkers from showing up on the job. Some of them were atheists but still marked “an act of God” on a form as their reason for missing work so they could get paid. One dictionary defines act of God as “an instance of uncontrollable natural forces in operation (often used in insurance claims).” 

Many people who won’t live for God still blame Him for disasters such as tornadoes and floods. Obviously, the Lord has some control over the weather. Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” However, I don’t believe killer storms are “acts of God.” Keep in mind we live in a fallen world largely ruled by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4) who comes to “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Jesus came to give us life and “have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Self-appointed prophets have labelled the recent hurricanes hitting the U. S. “divine judgments.” You think God would allow His judgments to be predicted by weathermen and warn people to flee? That would mean judgment is upon those without the means to evacuate. Also Jesus rebuked a storm at sea. If the storm was from God, wouldn’t Jesus be going against His Father's work? I personally know people who saw storms disappear after speaking to them.

Sometimes Christians have to go through difficulties because of bad decisions made by people above us. One example in Scripture is the Apostle Paul getting shipwrecked in Acts 27 despite warning the ship’s authorities of pending danger. In recent years, storms often resulted when the U. S. Government enacted unfavorable foreign policy toward Israel. Then again, when the ten plagues in Exodus afflicted the Egyptians, God kept His people safe.

Natural disasters are from the enemy…not “acts of God.” So until these current storms pass, I'm praying nonbelievers affected by them will realize there are more important things than their earthly possessions. That's their eternal destinies!

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:17

Love the Jews

Some believers are reluctant to share the gospel with Jews because of past atrocities done to them in Christ’s name. Nevertheless, they still need to hear the Good News to be saved. A Jewish convert named Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 (NLT), “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes–the Jew first and also the Gentile.” 

Once I lived with a family in Virginia that had a Christian mother and a Jewish father. The mother originally didn’t want me witnessing to her husband because other believers tried forcing the gospel upon him. Three days before I moved out, the Lord instructed me to witness to this man. After mentioning this to his wife (who gave her approval), I asked him questions about his eternal destiny. He wouldn’t pray with me but listened politely as I mentioned a few Old Testament prophecies pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.

At the Mall of America near Minneapolis, some of their kiosk workers are from Israel. When I advised one of them to read Isaiah 53 (which talks about the suffering Messiah), the young man didn’t understand what I was talking about. I realized “Isaiah” is pronounced differently in Hebrew. Using my smartphone, I logged onto biblegateway.com and showed this man Isaiah 53 in the Hebrew language. He then knew what I was talking about. It was another seed planting opportunity. 

One Jew I led to the Messiah happened at a Panera Bread near Dallas, Texas. After initially ordering only a bagel, I decided to get a coffee as well. An employee handed me a cup for free. Later I ministered salvation to this employee while he took a break. Interestingly enough, Sam had been given a Bible a week before. Originally I planned to leave Panera Bread at a certain time but my host emailed me asking to pick me up a half-hour later. God set up this “divine delay” so I wouldn't miss a harvest for His kingdom.

Sadly, there are ministers who discourage Christians from witnessing to God’s Chosen People. “Dual covenant theology” is a belief that Jews don’t have to convert to Christianity but simply keep the Law of Moses because of the “everlasting covenant” between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:13). Yet the New Testament has numerous Scriptures showing no one can be saved through obeying the law. Romans 3:20 says, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Just before he passed away, Jews for Jesus founder Moishe Rosen wrote the following in a farewell letter...

“As I go, one of the things that concerns me deeply is how much misunderstanding there is among believers. I never thought I would live to see the day when those who know the Lord and are born again were supporting the efforts of rabbis who, frankly, not only don’t know Christ, but don’t want to know him.

“To be an honest ministry, it can only come from the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit can only indwell those who have the new birth and are born again. Therefore, I would urge you to think very seriously before you support any ‘ministry’ that involves Jewish people and doesn’t actually bring the gospel to the Jews.”

I have friends who go out of their way to be a blessing to Jewish businessmen in response to Genesis 12:3. But to really love the Jews, Christians must also speak the truth regarding the only way to heaven…through Yeshua Hamashiach.

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” – Romans 10:2-3

The Six-Day War...50 Years Later

Tomorrow will be the golden anniversary of a noteworthy event relating to end-time prophecy. On June 5th, 1967, Israel launched attacks on six neighboring countries that amassed troops near their borders threatening invasion. The war ended just five days later. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Israel routed her enemies and possessed additional territory including the eastern half of Jerusalem. For the first time in 2,000 years, the entire city was in Jewish hands.

Since the Six-Day War, Israel has given up some of her territory in hopes of lasting peace with her neighbors. Shortly after the Gaza Strip was turned over to the Palestinians in 2005, rockets from there were fired upon Jewish settlements. The PLO’s charter still calls for the destruction of Israel.

This past week, President Donald Trump delayed his promise in moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. According to a White House statement, this was done “to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians.” Well-meaning politicians need to wake up to the fact you cannot negotiate with terrorists.

There will be a temporary peace in the Middle East when the Antichrist oversees the signing of a seven-year treaty (Daniel 9:27). Ultimately, war will cease in this region once the Lord Jesus Christ returns to see up His Millennial reign upon the earth. 

Are you ready for His return?

“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 12:3

The Fig Tree

One sign often cited by Bible prophecy teachers that we are living in the last days is Israel becoming a nation again. This is interpreted through Jesus’ Parable of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24 (also mentioned in the gospels of Mark and Luke)…

32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 

33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 

34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away

People have differences regarding how long a generation is in Scripture. Some have defined that as 40 years, 70 years, or 100 years. One fellow prophecy buff suggested it could last as long as the man’s lifespan during a particular time period.

Other Old Testament passages associated God’s people to fig trees…

“And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” - 1 Kings 4:25

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent out of this place for their own good, into the land of the Chaldeans.” - Jeremiah 24:5

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, and separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.” - Hosea 9:10

“For a nation has come up against My land, strong, and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a fierce lion. He has laid waste My vine, and ruined My fig tree; He has stripped it bare and thrown it away; Its branches are made white.” - Joel 1:6-7

Another passage in Matthew 21 mentions a fig tree that Jesus cursed…

18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 

19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 

22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

The main lesson we can learn from the withered fig tree is that our words have power in the spiritual realm. It can also be pointed out if our lives aren’t fruitful, it will eventually be exposed. Fig trees are unique in that they normally produce fruit before the leaves appear. It’s interesting that Adam and Eve tried using fig leaves to cover up their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:7). In other Bible verses, figs symbolize prosperity, wellbeing, and security.

What fruit are you bearing for the Lord? One of them should be a supportive attitude towards the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.’” - Psalm 122:6-7

A Deal With Destruction

Romans 12:18 says we should aim to “live peaceably among all men.” However, that’s not always possible. Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to set up His millennial kingdom, there will always be people influenced by demons who seek to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

This past Tuesday, President Obama announced a deal made with Iran that will supposedly curb their ambitions to make a nuclear weapon. Known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the agreement would give Iran 24 days (not hours) to prepare for U. S.-led inspections of their nuclear facilities. This is comparable to a drug dealer given three weeks notice before the police search his home for illegal substances. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal a “bad mistake of historic proportions.” Bible prophecy expert Perry Stone wrote on Facebook this “...may be the stupidest agreement with any nation, ever penned on paper...at least in my lifetime.”

This echoes an infamous treaty made in 1938. British prime minister Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler and declared, “I have returned from Germany with peace for our time.” A year later, Hitler's armies triggered the start of World War II by invading Poland. Chamberlain’s successor Winston Churchill later said, “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”

Since their Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has sponsored terrorist activities around the world including countless murders of American military personnel, diplomats, foreign aid workers and other civilians. Nevertheless, Iran will receive $150 billion in “sanctions relief” while they continue to hold American citizens captive.

Just as Hitler was vocal about his intentions toward European Jews and Christians, Iranian leaders have made repeated declarations to “wipe Israel off the map” and encourage their citizens to chant “Death to America!” This nuclear deal may help set the stage for an end times war prophesied in Ezekiel 38. Persia (the former name of Iran) is mentioned in verse 5 as one of the nations that will unsuccessfully attempt to conquer Israel.

Barring an Israeli airstrike or Congress blocking this deal, it will be a matter of time before Iran will be capable of exploding a nuclear missile over U. S. airspace. The resulting electromagnetic pulse could take out the nation’s power grid and disable our infrastructure. Some experts predict nine out of ten Americans would die within a year following an EMP attack. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Regardless of the present state of the world, protection and provision are available to God’s people. Make sure you are in right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. You certainly don’t want to leave earth without Him!

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” - Psalm 4:8

This Land Is My Land

Despite my spending much time in Florida, I never experienced a hurricane there. The only time I have was in September 2003 while staying with friends just outside Washington, DC. That month, Hurricane Isabel hit the area with high winds, torrential rains, and flooding. I questioned how a storm that like could come to the nation’s capital until seeing on TV then-President George W. Bush hosting King Abdullah of Jordan at Camp David with the purpose of discussing the so-called “road map to peace."

Over the last two decades, other disasters have occurred at the same time the U.S. government enacted foreign policy against Israel (for the latest information on this issue, check out www.watch.org). This week Hurricane Earl approached the east coast of the United States while President Obama met with Middle Eastern leaders in an attempt to negotiate a peace settlement. The President said from the White House, “I have the utmost confidence in him [Mahmoud Abbas - President of the Palestinian National Authority] and his belief in a two-state solution in which the people of Israel and the Palestinians are living side by side in peace and security.” Perhaps the President needs to be reminded of a statement made last year by Abbas, “A Jewish state, what is that supposed to mean? You can call yourselves as you like, but I don't accept it and I say so publicly.” (Source: Arab News - April 28, 2009)

When will political leaders wake up and realize you cannot negotiate with terrorists? Nonetheless, additional talks are scheduled to take place in two weeks. Therefore, we need to continue praying that the Obama Administration come to the realization that the Holy Land belongs to Israel. Trying to pressure them to give up land will bring additional judgment upon the United States.

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.” – Joel 3:1-2