The prophets of Israel warned that a day would come when the nations would gather against Jerusalem. These warnings were not spoken by foreign prophets or enemies of Israel. They came through Israel’s own prophets and were preserved in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Yet the modern government of Israel appears to conduct its affairs as though military superiority, nuclear weapons, intelligence operations, and American support will always guarantee its security. Israeli leaders recognize the military dangers around them, but they apparently do not recognize—or do not accept—the prophetic meaning that some Christians see in these developments.
In my opinion, Turkey and Egypt will eventually become involved in a major conflict with Israel. That conflict could unite several countries against Israel and help bring about the gathering of nations foretold by the prophets.
I am not setting a timetable. I am not saying every present event is the final fulfillment of prophecy. I am saying that current events appear to be preparing the political, military, and spiritual conditions for what the prophets warned would come.
The Nations Will Gather Against Jerusalem
The prophet Zechariah wrote:
“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
—Zechariah 12:3, KJV
Zechariah later declared:
“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle.”
—Zechariah 14:2, KJV
Joel also spoke of a gathering of the nations:
“I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat.”
—Joel 3:2, KJV
These passages tell us that a great gathering will occur. They do not give us a modern calendar or name every government that will participate. Therefore, we must be careful not to claim more than Scripture says.
Nevertheless, prophecy gives us a pattern, and current events show that the nations surrounding Israel are moving into new relationships. Countries that have disagreed with one another may eventually discover that hostility toward Israel gives them a common cause.
Turkey Is Becoming a Regional Power
For years, I have believed Turkey will play an important role in the events leading to a great Middle Eastern conflict. Turkey possesses one of the largest and most capable militaries in the region. It is a member of NATO, has an expanding defense industry, and occupies a strategic position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Turkey’s influence in Syria is growing. The new Syrian government increasingly looks toward Ankara for military assistance, security cooperation, reconstruction, trade, and political support.
Israel clearly sees this growing Turkish presence as a danger. Israel’s attack upon the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria was reportedly intended to prevent Turkey from establishing a military presence or placing air-defense systems there. Turkey denied having personnel at the base, but the reason Israel gave for the attack is significant.
Israel was not merely responding to an Iranian or Hezbollah presence. It was acting because of what Turkey might do.
This demonstrates that Turkey has become part of Israel’s security calculations. Syria may now become the ground upon which Turkish and Israeli interests collide.
Turkey claims that it is cooperating with the Syrian government by invitation. Israel continues to strike Syrian territory in the name of its own security. These opposing positions cannot continue indefinitely without creating the danger of a direct confrontation.
The greatest danger may not be that Turkey or Israel deliberately decides to begin a major war. The danger is that an Israeli strike could kill Turkish military personnel. Turkey might then retaliate to protect its national honor and regional credibility. Israel could answer that retaliation, and the conflict could grow beyond the control of either government.
Wars often begin through escalation and miscalculation rather than through a carefully announced decision to start one.
Egypt Must Not Be Overlooked
Egypt presently has a peace treaty with Israel. It also receives American assistance and has serious economic problems. These considerations restrain Egypt from entering a military confrontation.
However, treaties do not guarantee permanent peace.
Egypt cannot remain untouched by what is happening in Gaza. It is deeply concerned about the possibility that Palestinians might be forced into the Sinai Peninsula. Such displacement would create an enormous humanitarian, political, and security crisis for Egypt.
If Israeli military operations threatened Egyptian territory, pushed large numbers of Palestinians toward Sinai, or produced a confrontation along the border, the Egyptian government could face overwhelming public pressure to take a stronger position.
Egypt might not begin as the leader of a coalition against Israel. It could be drawn into one by events.
We should remember that national relationships can change quickly. Countries that appear restrained today may act differently after a border incident, a change of government, an economic collapse, or a regional war.
A Coalition Could Form Around a Common Enemy
Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Syria, and Iran do not agree on everything. They have different governments, religious interests, alliances, and national ambitions. At present, they are not one united military coalition against Israel.
However, alliances are not always formed because nations trust one another. Sometimes they are formed because those nations fear or oppose the same enemy.
Israel’s continuing military operations throughout Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and other areas may defeat immediate targets, but they also increase anger throughout the Muslim world. Every new attack may encourage countries with different interests to cooperate against Israel.
Israel believes aggressive military action will preserve its security. In the long term, those same actions may help create the coalition Israel fears.
This is the great danger. Israel may win battle after battle while gradually losing the wider political struggle. Military victories can weaken an enemy temporarily while producing greater hostility for the future.
Why Does Israel Not See What Her Own Prophets Foresaw?
That is the question troubling me: Why does Israel not recognize the danger described by her own prophets?
The first answer is that modern Israel is largely governed as a secular state. Israel identifies itself as a Jewish nation, but its leaders generally make decisions based upon intelligence reports, military strength, national interest, political survival, and foreign alliances.
Many Israeli leaders may honor the Hebrew Scriptures as part of their history without submitting their policies to the spiritual warnings of those Scriptures. Possessing the writings of the prophets is not the same as believing and obeying them.
Ancient Israel did the same thing.
“But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets.”
—2 Chronicles 36:16, KJV
Israel had the prophets, but the people frequently refused to hear them. They accepted promises of blessing while rejecting warnings of judgment. They wanted prophets who would approve their policies rather than call them to repentance.
Human nature has not changed.
Different Interpretations of Prophecy
Jewish religious leaders do not necessarily interpret Ezekiel, Joel, Daniel, and Zechariah in the same way that Christians do. Some understand these passages as referring to ancient enemies. Others see them as symbolic descriptions of suffering and deliverance. Still others place them in a distant Messianic age that cannot yet be connected with present events.
Most importantly, Judaism rejects the Christian confession that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah. Therefore, the Jewish prophetic framework is fundamentally different from a Christian interpretation centered upon Christ.
Israel may see Turkey, Iran, Syria, and other countries as military threats without believing that they are part of a prophetic gathering. Its leaders believe those dangers can be managed through airstrikes, intelligence operations, deterrence, nuclear weapons, and American support.
They see a security problem where some Christians see the possible preparation for prophetic fulfillment.
Trusting in Chariots
Modern Israel possesses a powerful military, advanced technology, sophisticated intelligence services, air-defense systems, and nuclear capability. It also receives extensive military and political support from the United States.
These advantages can create a dangerous sense of security. Israel may believe that no coalition can defeat it because its weapons are superior and America will never abandon it.
The Psalmist warned:
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
—Psalm 20:7, KJV
Military strength cannot replace obedience to God. Political alliances cannot cancel prophecy. Nuclear weapons cannot save a nation from a crisis that the Lord has allowed.
Israel’s final deliverance will not come because its military is stronger than the combined forces of its enemies. According to Zechariah, the Lord Himself will intervene:
“Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.”
—Zechariah 14:3, KJV
The Prophets Also Called for Justice
The prophets did more than predict the movements of nations. They warned Israel about pride, injustice, oppression, violence, and misplaced confidence in military alliances.
It is possible to claim the promises of the prophets while ignoring their calls to repentance. It is possible to rejoice in promises of national deliverance while refusing to hear God’s condemnation of injustice.
The prophet Isaiah declared:
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
—Isaiah 1:17, KJV
The prophets did not teach that national identity excused wrongdoing. They taught that greater spiritual privilege brought greater accountability.
If the modern government of Israel reads only the promises and ignores the warnings, it is repeating the mistake of ancient Israel. But Christians must also be careful. We cannot point at Israel’s blindness while refusing to examine our own.
American Christians may trust in military power, political leaders, and national alliances just as easily. We may study prophecy to identify the sins of other nations while refusing to repent of hatred, partiality, and indifference in our own hearts.
This Is an Observation, Not a Timetable
Let me state my position carefully.
I am not claiming that the present conflict is the final gathering of the nations. I am not setting a date for the fulfillment of Zechariah, Joel, or Ezekiel. I am not saying that every current leader understands the part he may be playing.
I believe we are witnessing a change in regional power that may prepare the way for later prophetic fulfillment.
Turkey is increasing its influence in Syria. Egypt is under growing pressure because of Gaza and the possibility of Palestinian displacement. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are developing closer relationships with Turkey. Israel is becoming increasingly isolated while continuing military operations throughout the region.
These developments do not prove that the final gathering has arrived, but they show how such a gathering could eventually become possible.
Conditions are changing. Old alliances are weakening. New partnerships are forming. Hatred is increasing. Military confrontations are expanding. Nations that once appeared divided are finding reasons to cooperate.
The pieces are moving, even if we cannot yet see the completed picture.
Israel’s Final Hope
My concern for Israel does not come from hatred of the Jewish people. I do not desire Israel’s destruction, nor do I rejoice in the suffering of Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, or anyone else.
Every human life is precious. Every Jew and every Muslim is a soul for whom Christ died. Christians must never rejoice when civilians are killed, homes are destroyed, or children suffer.
My warning is that Israel cannot bomb its way into permanent peace. It cannot depend forever upon American weapons and political protection. It cannot create security by producing greater hostility in every surrounding country.
If Turkey and Egypt eventually become involved in a great regional conflict, other nations may join them. What begins as a dispute over Gaza or Syria could become the coalition foretold by the prophets.
Israel’s own prophets warned that such a day would come. Yet Israel appears to trust the strength of its army more than the words of those prophets.
The final answer will not be found in Washington, NATO, nuclear weapons, or military superiority. Israel’s hope—like the hope of the Muslim and the Gentile—is found in turning to God.
The present events may not be the final fulfillment, but they are a warning. The road Israel and the surrounding nations are traveling is filled with hatred, pride, retaliation, and bloodshed. Unless there is repentance and a change of direction, that road will lead to a conflict no human government can control.
The prophets foresaw the gathering of the nations. We may now be watching the early development of the conditions that will someday make that gathering possible.
Therefore, the Church must remain watchful, prayerful, and faithful. We must proclaim Christ rather than celebrate war. We must pray for Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, Turks, Egyptians, and all the people of the Middle East.
The signs should not make us hateful. They should make us ready.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
—Matthew 24:42, KJV
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