The battle in Gaza for Israel’s right to exist continues!  Now two American born Israeli soldiers have died in the ongoing battles against Islamic hatred toward Israel through Hamas.  We should now realize how America is going to be very much a part of the end time scenario, especially as we relate to Israel!  This shows how true it is that we can, through the unfolding of events, certainly see America in prophecy.

As for how things are shaping up in the Israeli-Gaza War, we may view Hamas, and aggressive anti-Semitic Palestinians of today as representing the evil spirit and intent of the ancient Philistines.

The ancient land of the Philistines (KJV, “Palestina”), were enemies of Israel. They had five kingdoms along the coastal plain which stretched from the Gaza on the South to Joppa in the North. One of these kingdoms was in Gaza. God predicted the ultimate destruction of the Philistines! But their descendants are fighting Israel’s descendants from ancient times still today! The Philistines, or present day “Palestinians,” now no longer worship the “grain” god. The particular god they now worship, Allah, is, according to the Quran, an adversary of the Jews. This is completely different from the God of the Bible, that loves Israel and purposes to protect them from destruction. (Genesis 12:1-3)

This is one important thing that the ancient Philistines had in common with those of the present day: A common and theologically based anti-Semitism. Bible prophecy abounds promising the destruction of any nation that seeks Israel’s destruction, like, present day Philistines of Hamas. The prophetic principles are clearly laid out in Isaiah 14:28-32.

“Do not rejoice, O Philistia, all of you,
            Because the rod that struck you is broken;
            For from the serpent’s root a viper will come out,
            And its fruit will be a flying serpent. (29)

      Israel’s ancient King Ahaz, who had just died, struck harsh blows against the Philistines! Now they thought they could at last destroy Israel now that they were vulnerable. So, today, the descendants of the Philistines seek to take any advantage of Israel’s vulnerability to terrorize and to destroy them.  This is why they are firing Iranian missiles into Israel by the hundreds! And this also explains why Palestinian rooted and Iran backed Hamas has dug over thirty extensive and elaborate tunnels into Israeli territory.

But there is a perennial principle in this prophecy that should be remembered.  It is a promise that the descendants of the Philistines will be destroyed by the descendants of the ancient Jews who are restored to and occupying the ancient land of Israel.  Notice how the statement even qualifies the type of attack that Israel will have at its disposal.  In the King James Version we find that an attack against Israel will be met with a “fiery flying serpent.”  This can certainly be seen to manifest today as Israel’s sudden and devastating strikes through their jet fighters.

This prophecy  was fulfilled with the coming of the Assyrian army to destroy the ancient Philistine kingdoms. But it also shows a future application to their descendants who will occupy that territory, Palestina, and who also will desire the destruction of the Jews and Israel. Isaiah further details the result of the self-destructive attitude and activity of Hamas, when he writes:

“Those who are most helpless will eat,
            And the needy will lie down in security;
            I will destroy your root with famine,
            And it will kill off your survivors. (30, NASB)

God is always desirous to be merciful to the “most helpless,” and here especially with His covenant people, Israel, He assures them that “the needy will lie down in security.”  But God assures and warns the Philistines of the future times, “I will destroy your root with famine, and it will kill off your survivors.”

Bible prophecy shows that God has established Israel and He intends to protect  them against Philistines, or Palestinians.  God promised to protect Israel from their enemies, past, present and future!

…That the LORD has founded Zion,
            And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.” (32)

Even in the Great Tribulation Period God will see to the protection and preservation of Israel.  The future Antichrist will overflow with hate for the Jews.  He will, like Hitler in the past, and  the Nazi-like Islamists of today, attempt to systematically murder all the Jews. (Revelation 12:13-17) Yet God will provide hiding places for them, and even cause earthquakes to protect the Jews! (Revelation 12:14-16)  There are three places that Daniel predicts will not be accessible to the Antichrist.  These will be places accessible by many Jews during the Tribulation Period: “But these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.” (Daniel 11:41).  22)  And added to all of this will be the sealing of 144,000 mighty Jewish witnesses for Jesus Christ who will win countless multitudes to faith in Jesus Christ during that time. (Revelation 7) And, for a time, the Antichrist will not be able to stop them!

As the recent shoot down, by Russian forces, of the Malaysian airliner over Ukraine indicates, Russia is very much a powerful influence behind current situations in the Middle-East.  Russia has been an enemy of the Jews and of Israel for centuries.  Ezekiel 38 predicts that they are preparing, in the “latter years,” to attack Israel with the assistance of many Islamic nations as strong allies, especially Iran. (Ezekiel 38:1,7-8, Gog and Magog, “Prince of Rosh [Russia],” NASB).  A great deal more than most realize is going on today with Russia’s distinct ok through Vladimir Putin’s authority and direction behind the scenes.

Yet, God the Father, in spite of, and even through the wicked plans of man, is also preparing for the return of His Son.  Through His prophetic Word in the Bible, He lovingly promises that any people, Palestinian, Arab, Lebanese, Syrian, Russian, Iranian, American, etc., can find refuge in “Zion,” through faith in the one true God of the Bible and the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who is coming again! (Isaiah 14:32; Zachariah 2:11, 14:16-21)