Read Online Israel at War: Inside the Nuclear Showdown With Iran by Joel C. Rosenberg - Free Book Online Page B
Book: Israel at War: Inside the Nuclear Showdown With Iran by Joel C. Rosenberg
Read Free Book Online
Authors: Joel C. Rosenberg
Ads: Link
been completely destroyed and left uninhabited. Yet that is exactly what the Bible says will happen.
How exactly will Damascus be destroyed? When will it happen? What will that look like, and what will be the implications for the rest of Syria, for Israel, and for the region? The honest answer is that the Bible does not say. In Damascus Countdown , I consider one possible scenario of how these prophecies could come to pass in the context of an Israeli first strike against Iran and a massive retaliation by Iran, Syria, and their allies. In the meantime, I am tracking events in Damascus and Syria very closely. I am also praying much for the Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on the people of that great city.
How Should Christians Respond?
When I look at the prospect of traumatic events coming to pass, I feel compelled as a follower of Jesus Christ not simply to write about such things but to take practical action to care for those in need and to mobilize others to do the same.
The Joshua Fund is the nonprofit Christian aid organization that I started with my wife, Lynn, in 2006. Our mission is “to mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to Genesis 12:1-3.” These are the famous verses in which God said he would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. We take that passage very seriously. But we also know that Jesus commanded his followers to “love your neighbor” and to “love your enemies.” Thus, while we feel a special calling to bless Israel, we also are honored to find ways to bless the Palestinians and others in the region, as God directs us.
In the current geopolitical environment, our operating principle is very simple: Pray for peace but prepare for war.
In Psalm 122:6, God tells us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Like millions of other Christians around the world, I’m praying for the peace of Jerusalem. I know that we serve a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God, a wonder-working God. I believe that God has heard our prayers in recent years, and I’m grateful that an Israeli-Iranian war that has seemed in the past few years like it might break out at any moment has been forestalled time and time again.
That said, the Bible is clear that sometimes God allows wars to happen. In Matthew 24 and Luke 21, Christ taught that in the last days, we will see a rise of wars, rumors of wars, revolutions, violence, and lawlessness. I don’t want Iran to get the Bomb, but I don’t want war either. I am asking the Lord to neutralize the Iran threat, remove the evil regime in Iran (and Syria and Egypt and Lebanon and elsewhere), and liberate the people currently trapped by such wicked leaders—and to do so without making war necessary. I believe this is the right way to pray. We are, after all, commanded in Scripture to pray for peace, and Jesus himself said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Still, sometimes God says no to our prayers. Sometimes he allows war. We don’t always know why. We can’t always see what he sees. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We simply need to trust that he is sovereign and that he will accomplish his perfect plans. What man plans for evil, God can turn for good.
If war does come, then we should be ready, not blindsided. Here are some of the steps The Joshua Fund has been taking to prepare for what may be coming. Over the past few years, we have
established twelve humanitarian relief distribution centers throughout Israel
provided humanitarian relief to both Jews and Arabs
purchased trucks and vans for local Jewish and Christian organizations to help them care for the poor and needy
purchased and distributed to the poor and needy approximately forty-five tons of food and relief supplies per month
helped other Christian organizations in Israel purchase and distribute food and relief supplies
equipped The Joshua
How exactly will Damascus be destroyed? When will it happen? What will that look like, and what will be the implications for the rest of Syria, for Israel, and for the region? The honest answer is that the Bible does not say. In Damascus Countdown , I consider one possible scenario of how these prophecies could come to pass in the context of an Israeli first strike against Iran and a massive retaliation by Iran, Syria, and their allies. In the meantime, I am tracking events in Damascus and Syria very closely. I am also praying much for the Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on the people of that great city.
How Should Christians Respond?
When I look at the prospect of traumatic events coming to pass, I feel compelled as a follower of Jesus Christ not simply to write about such things but to take practical action to care for those in need and to mobilize others to do the same.
The Joshua Fund is the nonprofit Christian aid organization that I started with my wife, Lynn, in 2006. Our mission is “to mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to Genesis 12:1-3.” These are the famous verses in which God said he would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. We take that passage very seriously. But we also know that Jesus commanded his followers to “love your neighbor” and to “love your enemies.” Thus, while we feel a special calling to bless Israel, we also are honored to find ways to bless the Palestinians and others in the region, as God directs us.
In the current geopolitical environment, our operating principle is very simple: Pray for peace but prepare for war.
In Psalm 122:6, God tells us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Like millions of other Christians around the world, I’m praying for the peace of Jerusalem. I know that we serve a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God, a wonder-working God. I believe that God has heard our prayers in recent years, and I’m grateful that an Israeli-Iranian war that has seemed in the past few years like it might break out at any moment has been forestalled time and time again.
That said, the Bible is clear that sometimes God allows wars to happen. In Matthew 24 and Luke 21, Christ taught that in the last days, we will see a rise of wars, rumors of wars, revolutions, violence, and lawlessness. I don’t want Iran to get the Bomb, but I don’t want war either. I am asking the Lord to neutralize the Iran threat, remove the evil regime in Iran (and Syria and Egypt and Lebanon and elsewhere), and liberate the people currently trapped by such wicked leaders—and to do so without making war necessary. I believe this is the right way to pray. We are, after all, commanded in Scripture to pray for peace, and Jesus himself said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Still, sometimes God says no to our prayers. Sometimes he allows war. We don’t always know why. We can’t always see what he sees. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We simply need to trust that he is sovereign and that he will accomplish his perfect plans. What man plans for evil, God can turn for good.
If war does come, then we should be ready, not blindsided. Here are some of the steps The Joshua Fund has been taking to prepare for what may be coming. Over the past few years, we have
established twelve humanitarian relief distribution centers throughout Israel
provided humanitarian relief to both Jews and Arabs
purchased trucks and vans for local Jewish and Christian organizations to help them care for the poor and needy
purchased and distributed to the poor and needy approximately forty-five tons of food and relief supplies per month
helped other Christian organizations in Israel purchase and distribute food and relief supplies
equipped The Joshua
Similar Books
![Zurlo, Michele - Riley [Daughters of Circe 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)](https://fs.dianahicksbooks.com/518427/thumbs/152x264/zurlo-michele-riley-daughters-of-circe-3-siren-publishing-menage-amour.jpg)