So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
I keep hearing that the war between Israel and Hamas is about territory, but it’s not. Hamas doesn’t want a two-state solution; they want the annihilation of the Jews.
Why?
It has to do with the unseen war between the one true God, Yahweh, and Satan. This war is made visible by Hamas at the moment, but it began back in the Garden of Eden.
As believers, we can’t lose sight of this fact. We must keep in mind what Scripture says and realize that God is fulfilling His purposes.
Table of Contents
God’s Original Plan
God designed humanity to rule the earth and live in fellowship with Him. But it didn’t take the first man and woman (Adam and Eve) long to mess it up.
When Satan deceived the woman, and they both ate the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve sinned and gave their right to rule over to Satan.
And that’s where we still are today. Satan currently has ruling authority over this world.
When Satan gained his authority, God’s original plan was paused but not abandoned. He will still fulfill it, as seen in Revelation 20-22.
God Will Fulfill His Plan
After Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the serpent (Satan) and told him that He would send Someone who would crush his head (Gen 3:15).
Furthermore, God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:1-21). That through him and his descendants, Isaac and Jacob, restoration would take place.
These descendants are the Jewish people. And from that moment on, Satan wanted to destroy them.
When you see irrational hatred for the Jews, you know it is Satanic. You’ve learned about Hitler and his attempt to exterminate the Jews, and you hear terrorist groups and countries like Iran make continual threats to kill them. But now you’re seeing Hamas slaughter innocent Jews.
Make no mistake; Satan is behind this attack.
He is the god of this world for now (Jn 12:13; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4), but God will defeat him once and for all at the right time. After that, those who live in eternity with God will rule with and fellowship with Him forever. His original plan will finally be fulfilled.
Satan’s Plan
Satan has authority over this world. Ultimately, God is in control, but Satan gained the right to rule by taking it away from Adam and Eve through deception.
Since that time, he has made it his goal to usurp God and His plan.
Before he was Satan, he was a beautiful angel named Lucifer. He was created to worship and serve God, but instead, he wanted to be like the Most High. He rebelled, and God cast him out of heaven (Is 14:12-14).
After he rightfully gained ruling authority over the world, he began building his own kingdom, one that didn’t include the true God.
His plan is still to be like God and have final authority over everything. He has many strategies and is good at making them look appealing. He sells his God-free system by appealing to our desires for pleasure, power, and comfort. And we are easily tricked because of our sinful nature that puts “Self” first.
Jesus says that Satan is a liar and the father of lies; he has no truth in him (Jn 8:44). Furthermore, John adds that he (aka the Devil) deceives the world (Rev 12:9; 20:3, 8, 10).
Those who hate God’s covenant people tell blatant lies and constantly deceive.
Satan is also a murderer (Jn 8:44). He hates God’s people, especially the Jews. It explains why the enemies of Israel love bloodshed and want to eradicate the Jews.
Where Jesus Fits In
God began revealing his plan for redemption when he cursed the serpent (Satan). He said in Genesis 3:15, “I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” God was talking about Jesus, the Messiah.
It would be around 4000 years before that prophecy came to pass. Jesus was the promised Messiah, but Israel rejected Him. They crucified Him, and to this day, most don’t believe He is the Messiah.
However, God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham, and some of his descendants do believe Jesus is the Messiah. God will use the Tribulation to open the eyes of many more to the truth.
We tend to focus on the Tribulation being when God judges and pours out His wrath on an unbelieving world. It is about that but God doesn’t need seven years to execute His judgment. Look at how swiftly He dealt with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). But time is needed for people to be saved.
During the seven years of tribulation, God will deal with Israel, and they will be saved by the millions. Then they will be “a light to the Gentiles,” resulting in millions of Gentiles being saved too. At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will return and reign from Jerusalem for 1000 years.
Jesus is God’s plan to redeem a world that is lost.
RELATED > > > > > How is Jesus the Promised Seed? – Genesis 3:15
What Happens to Satan
When the seven-year Tribulation ends, Satan will meet his final fate. Jesus will return and defeat the god of this world in a final battle. The battle of Armageddon will take place on the plains of Megiddo outside of Jerusalem.
Jesus captures Satan and binds him into the abyss for a thousand years. He then sets up His kingdom on earth and rules.
At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released and goes out to deceive the nations. He gathers a great army to defeat Jesus, but fire comes down from heaven and consumes the armies. Satan is thrown into the lake of fire where he will be tormented forever (Rev 20:7-10).
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is an unseen war going on at all times.
We see a physical war unfolding, and we know that the god of this world is using Hamas for his purposes…to murder and deceive. Satan seeks to destroy Israel even though he knows he has been defeated by Jesus on the cross.
On the other hand, God’s purposes will be accomplished and happen in His timing and way.
Regarding biblical prophecy, it’s unclear where this war fits in. There is no description of it in Scripture. Therefore, it’s impossible to know where it will lead, and it’s unwise to make predictions.
It is good to pay attention and keep end-time prophecy in mind. And to trust God.
If you do not yet know Jesus as Messiah, it is not too late. God is rich in mercy and continues to offer His gift of eternal life.
God can do this because Jesus’ death on the cross paid the debt our sin required. He rose from the grave on the third day, and He defeated Satan, sin, and death (Col 2:13-15).
Pray that many in Israel will be saved and receive God’s gift of eternal life.