Tag: prophecy

During his previous term, President Trump proclaimed that he recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. It led to some people here calling him “Cyrus the Second.”

This current term Trump starts with a surprising statement regarding Gaza. Completely out of the box. Beyond what even the far-right in Israel had imagined. According to Trump, America will take responsibility for the evacuation and reconstruction of Gaza.

^{An AI depiction of what signage leading to the new Gaza strip may look like –
Holit and Sufa are two of the Kibutzim in the Gaza Strip that were attacked on October 7th}

Shortly after the war broke out on October 2023, and after the fog that enveloped my mind cleared enough to enable me to connect a few dots together, I wanted to understand what Gaza’s purpose is, what it was originally destined for in God’s plan.

The Answers I Was Looking For

Once the IDF had set the goal of destroying Hamas, I wondered what did that mean for Gaza and its inhabitants. After all, not everyone who lives in that strip is a member of Hamas. I wondered if their fate tied to that of Hamas terrorists, and what God had to say about them.

I delved into my Bible to find some answers to these troubling questions. I examined all the verses related to Gaza and its surrounding area, in an attempt to ascertain its original purpose and how to pray for this destiny to be fulfilled.

The full account of my findings is in my post from November 2023 – Can Out of the Strong (Gaza) Come Something Sweet?)

The Future of Gaza and Philistia – A Short Summary

God promised that after gathering the outcasts of Israel, He would put an end to the enmity between Judah and Ephraim, and that together they would conquer that Philistine territory (Is. 11:13-14).

Jeremiah prophesied that the Philistines would drink from the cup of God’s wrath (25:15) until they would fall, never to rise again because of the sword He will send among them (v. 27).

Ezekiel declared that God would stretch out His hand against the Philistines, cutting them off and bringing a great vengeance upon them (25:17). Amos (1:8), Obadiah (v. 19), and Zephaniah (2:4-5) prophesied the destruction of Gaza by fire that would consume its magnificent houses and walls.

Zephaniah further stated that the house of Judah would settle where the Philistines once lived (2:6-7). Notice the phrase “…when I return your captives” (end of Zep. 3:20). This is a triple promise: God will restore the captives, return them to their land, and most importantly, will bring them back to Himself. In Hebrew, all these motifs are encompassed in this short prophecy.

Zechariah Vs. Trump

The prophecy I want to elaborate is Zechariah’s (9:1-8). It became my constant declaration in the past months. When I first studied it, on November 2023, Israel did not fight in Lebanon yet, Assad was still on the throne in Syria, and Sinwar was alive. Today this prophecy seems so timely and accurate, knowing what took place to all the regions mentioned in this portion.

Zechariah prophesied that the cities of the Philistines (Gaza Atrip) will witness the destruction that God will bring upon Lebanon and Syria. Back then I thought it’s the opposite, as Lebanon and Syria were watching what was happening in Gaza. But so much had happened since, and that makes this prophecy so accurate.

Zechariah said that they will be filled with fear and shame. The senior leader of Gaza will perish. God will cut off their pride, and will remove their thirst for blood and the abominations from between their teeth. Yes, it’s God who is going to put an end to the monstrous regime, not our forces and leaders, not even Trump.

What excites me the most is the following promises: whoever will remain there will belong to God and will be like “a leader” or “a champion in Judah.”

God goes on and promises that He will encamp around His house right there, just like a military force, and will protect it from every passerby, so that no oppressor will ever pass through or strike them again (vs. 8).

All these have been promised by the very God whose words are always Yes and Amen. Can He use Trump for that? Can Gaza be cleansed and even become an Altar to the God of Israel, the biggest Christian Center in the Middle East, led by mighty people who are like the leaders and champions of Judah? Looks like it is possible more than ever before, and Zechariah provides us with great and accurate language to combine in our prayers for that miserable region.