The following expresses my personal understanding of biblical prophecy and current events. It is not intended as an expression of hatred toward Jewish people, nor is it an endorsement of violence against Israel. It is a warning given out of concern for every soul affected by war.
There comes a time when silence is no longer kindness. There comes a time when the watchman must sound the trumpet, even when people do not want to hear it.
I write today with a heavy heart—not with hatred toward Israel, but with sorrow for Israel. I do not rejoice over her troubles, nor do I desire suffering for Jerusalem. I pray for the Jewish people, the Palestinians, the Syrians, the Lebanese, the Iranians and all the innocent people caught in this terrible storm.
Yet love does not remain silent when danger is approaching.
Israel’s leaders appear to be repeating the same tragic mistakes recorded throughout the Old Testament. They are trusting in military strength, foreign alliances, advanced weapons and political influence while failing to recognize their greatest need: repentance before Almighty God.
The LORD warned Israel long ago:
“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”
—Isaiah 31:1, KJV
Today the names of the nations and the weapons have changed, but the spiritual danger remains the same. Israel may trust in aircraft, missiles, intelligence services, nuclear weapons and the military protection of the United States, but none of these can protect a nation that has placed itself under the judgment of God.
Being Chosen Does Not Mean Being Exempt
Some Christians speak as though the modern government of Israel can do no wrong because Israel is God’s chosen nation. That is not what the Bible teaches.
Israel’s covenant relationship with God did not exempt her from judgment. It brought greater accountability. The LORD repeatedly disciplined Israel when her rulers became proud, shed innocent blood, oppressed the weak, trusted foreign alliances and refused to hear His prophets.
The prophet Amos declared:
“You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
—Amos 3:2, KJV
Israel’s special relationship with God was never permission to practice injustice. The prophets did not tell Israel that everything she did was righteous. They stood before kings, priests and rulers and called the nation to repentance.
Nathan confronted David. Elijah confronted Ahab. Isaiah warned Judah. Jeremiah stood at the gate of the temple. Ezekiel exposed the sins of Jerusalem. John the Baptist rebuked Herod.
True prophets do not flatter political power. They declare the Word of the LORD.
God Has Been Merciful to Israel
God has shown Israel extraordinary mercy. Through centuries of persecution, exile and suffering, the Jewish people survived when many other ancient peoples disappeared. Israel was restored as a nation, Jerusalem returned to Jewish control, and the country developed remarkable military, scientific and economic strength.
These things should have produced humility and gratitude. Instead, strength can tempt a nation to believe it is untouchable.
Moses warned Israel about this very danger:
“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God.”
—Deuteronomy 8:17–18, KJV
God’s mercy must never be mistaken for His approval of everything a government does. His patience is not indifference, and delayed judgment is not canceled judgment.
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”
—Ecclesiastes 8:11, KJV
The LORD has been merciful, but the opportunity to repent does not remain open forever. God’s merciful character never changes, but a nation can exhaust its opportunity to turn back before consequences arrive.
The Cry of Innocent Blood
The Bible repeatedly warns that God hears the cry of innocent blood.
“The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
—Genesis 4:10, KJV
No government can continually kill civilians, destroy homes, displace families and leave children suffering without answering to God. The LORD does not value an Israeli child more than a Palestinian child, nor a Jewish mother more than an Arab mother. Every human being bears the image of God.
This standard applies to everyone. Hamas must answer for murdering civilians and taking hostages. Iran and its allied militias must answer for their violence. Syria’s rulers must answer for the blood shed under their authority. America must answer for the destruction caused by the weapons it supplies and the wars it supports.
Israel must also answer for its actions.
God does not judge one nation by a different moral standard because of its ancestry, religion or political alliances.
“For there is no respect of persons with God.”
—Romans 2:11, KJV
Jerusalem Has Been Warned Before
Jerusalem has repeatedly been warned, yet its rulers have often rejected the warning.
Jeremiah stood near the temple and told the people that religious claims would not protect them while they practiced injustice:
“Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.”
—Jeremiah 7:4, KJV
The people believed Jerusalem could not fall because God’s temple stood there. They confused possessing a sacred place with obeying a holy God. But the LORD allowed Babylon to enter Jerusalem and destroy the temple.
Centuries later, Jesus looked upon Jerusalem and wept:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee… behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”
—Matthew 23:37–38, KJV
Jesus did not rejoice over Jerusalem’s coming destruction. He wept because the people did not recognize the time of their visitation.
“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.”
—Luke 19:41, KJV
That should be the spirit of every Christian warning Israel today. We do not speak with hatred. We speak with tears.
Jerusalem Will Not Be Saved by America
Many political and religious leaders seem to believe that American money, weapons and diplomatic protection can guarantee Israel’s security. Scripture gives no such promise.
America is not Israel’s Messiah.
No American president can replace the LORD. No congressional resolution can cancel divine judgment. No military alliance can protect a nation from the consequences of injustice.
The psalmist declared:
“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
—Psalm 146:3, KJV
Israel’s final hope is not Washington. It is not military superiority. It is not political Zionism. Israel’s only lasting hope is the LORD and the Messiah whom He sent.
The Nations Are Turning Against Israel
The prophets warned that Jerusalem would become a burdensome stone among the nations:
“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people.”
—Zechariah 12:3, KJV
We are watching anger toward Israel increase throughout the world. Some of that anger has become sinful antisemitism, which must be condemned. Jewish people must never be blamed collectively for decisions made by a government.
However, not every criticism of Israel is antisemitism. When governments bomb neighboring countries, occupy territory, destroy civilian communities or disregard international boundaries, people have a legitimate right to question those actions.
Israel’s attacks upon Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran are not making the Jewish people safer in the long term. They are increasing resentment, creating new enemies and isolating Israel from nations that once supported it.
Military victories can produce political defeat. A nation may win battles while losing its moral standing before the world.
More importantly, it may win battles while losing the favor of God.
A Warning to Israel’s Leaders
To the leaders of Israel, I would say: Do not mistake military power for divine approval. Do not believe that possessing superior weapons means the LORD supports every decision you make. Do not assume that America will always be able—or willing—to rescue you from the consequences of your actions.
Remember the words of the prophet:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
—Zechariah 4:6, KJV
Stop the shedding of innocent blood. Stop treating every neighboring nation as though it can be bombed without consequence. Stop believing that overwhelming retaliation will produce lasting peace. Humble yourselves before God. Seek justice. Show mercy. Recognize that every government, including yours, must answer to the Judge of all the earth.
Jerusalem must not presume upon God’s patience.
“Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
—Jeremiah 26:13, KJV
Judgment Is Not Something to Celebrate
I take no pleasure in warning that judgment may be approaching. If judgment falls, ordinary people will suffer. Mothers will bury children. Families will lose their homes. Young soldiers will die. Innocent Jewish people who had no part in making government policy will bear terrible consequences.
That is why the warning must be given now.
God told Ezekiel:
“As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”
—Ezekiel 33:11, KJV
The purpose of a biblical warning is not to celebrate destruction. It is to call people to repentance while mercy is still available.
God’s warning contains an invitation:
“Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?”
—Ezekiel 33:11, KJV
The Same Warning Applies to America
America must not stand proudly and point its finger at Israel. Our government supplies weapons, provides political protection and participates in military actions that take innocent lives. We also will answer before God.
If we finance injustice, defend injustice or remain silent because injustice serves our political interests, we become morally involved in it.
The warning to Jerusalem is also a warning to Washington: No nation can shed innocent blood indefinitely and escape accountability.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
—Proverbs 14:34, KJV
My Prayer for Jerusalem
I do not pray for Israel’s destruction. I pray for Israel’s repentance and salvation. I pray that her leaders will turn away from pride, vengeance and dependence upon military power. I pray that the Jewish people will recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Prince of Peace.
I also pray for Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese and Iranians. Christ died for them too. Their children are precious in His sight. Their suffering matters to God.
The warning is urgent, but mercy is still being offered.
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
—Isaiah 55:6, KJV
Jerusalem, the LORD has been merciful. He has been patient. He has sent warnings through His Word. But His patience must not be interpreted as permission to continue along a destructive path.
The hour is late. The danger is growing. The nations are becoming restless, alliances are weakening, and Israel’s enemies are multiplying.
Turn to the LORD while He may be found.
Choose justice before judgment comes. Choose mercy before violence produces an even greater harvest of sorrow. Choose the Prince of Peace before the weapons of war bring consequences that cannot be reversed.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
—Matthew 23:37, KJV
The heart of this warning is not hatred. It is grief.
The message is not that Israel is beyond hope. The message is that Israel must not continue rejecting the One in whom its only true hope can be found.
Jerusalem, return to the LORD—before it is too late.
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