The Times of Israel reports that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has threatened the United States and Israel with “a crushing response” following Israel’s counterstrike on October 26, 2024, which focused on Iranian military targets.
The Pentagon’s press secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, stated yesterday (11/1/2024) that additional destroyers, fighter squadrons, tankers and B-52 long-range bombers would be coming to the region to deter Iran and its terror allies.
Iran’s efforts to downplay the effectiveness of Israel’s most-recent attack have faltered, as satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press showed damaged military bases associated with Iran’s ballistic missile program near Tehran, including damage at a Revolutionary Guard facility used in satellite launches.
The Times of Israel article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, the situation between Iran and Israel is far from over. Iranian leadership, for whatever flawed reasoning, feels the need to claim it is acting on behalf of the Iranian people and is pursuing war with spiritually-blinded eyes.
It seems clear that the United States has finally – more or less – come to the conclusion that was obvious to most impartial observers, that Iran and its proxies Hezbollah and Hamas have no interest in a ceasefire or any other arrangement resulting in peace with Israel. Nor does Iran choose to use its influence to provoke the release of the hostages (at least the ones that haven’t already been killed).
Israel, as a reminder, comprises the ‘Holy Land’ where Jesus was born, lived, crucified, resurrected (defeating death and bringing eternal salvation) and is the very location where Jesus will gloriously return to earth to establish His reign and peace on the earth. How any believer could ignore or minimize the plight of Israel, and by extension, the entire world, is hard to fathom!
War should be a last resort; but when thrust into a war, the goal and endgame should always be victory. Otherwise, one should not enter into a war. Following WWII, and ever since, the United States (and most, if not all, other Western countries) have become so risk-averse that the advantage in the short and medium run seems to go to the aggressor.
Forgetting our personal politics for a moment, imagine what Iran would do – as demonstrated by its own words and now actions – if it had reasonably reliable nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. Accuracy is not such a big deal when one is launching or firing a nuclear weapon, as the explosion will be dramatic and the radiation will poison the land(s) for centuries – not to mention the resulting radiation poisoning of the peoples.
War mongering is not the point nor the answer. The Answer is Jesus. The love of Christ changes hearts; however, the presence of the evil one is very real and must be acknowledged and addressed by those who know the Truth!
The evil one hates mankind and he especially hates Jesus! The Bible tells us that Satan is the deceiver of the whole world and that his purpose on the earth is to steal, kill and destroy:
Revelation 12:7-9 (ESV)
Satan Thrown Down to Earth
“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world [emphasis mine]—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief [the devil or Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Whoever desires peace must seek Jesus! The Bible tells us that the government will rest upon the shoulder of the Prince of Peace:
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
“For unto us a Child is born, [u]nto us a Son is given; [a]nd the government will be upon His shoulder [emphasis mine]. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The Bible urges us to pray for those in high positions:
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”.
The sad reality in our world today is that sometimes, war can be necessary – never desirable, but necessary. When wars were fought in the Old Testament days, they weren’t apologetically pursued, but were fought with the intention of complete victory over the enemy. The Bible reminds us that there is a time for everything, and unfortunately, sometimes that includes war:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”