On six separate occasions God clearly told Abraham His prophetic plan and intention (Gen. 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-18; 15:4-5, 13-18; 17:1-8; 18:17-19; 22:15- 18). This same plan was repeated both to Isaac (Gen. 26:4, 23-24) and Jacob (Gen. 28:14-15; 35:9- 12). God has bound Himself by solemn oath to perform His promise to Abraham. In this covenant, God promised Abraham three things — possession of the land of Canaan (Gen. 17:8; 15:18-21), an heir of the promise (a son, Gen. 17:19), and that he would become a great nation (Gen. 12:2; 13:16; 15:5). Furthermore, God revealed that it would be through Israel that all nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:3). As a result, it is this covenant that provides the prophetic blueprint for God’s entire program for human history. God is working to fulfill this covenant in all its aspects when Christ returns at His second coming to establish His earthly kingdom for 1,000 years. At that time, the believing nation of Israel will possess the Promised Land under the rule of Jesus Christ, the promised son of Abraham, who is also the Son of David (Ps. 2:4-9; 110:1-7; Isa. 11:1-9; Luke 1:32-33; Rom. 11:25-29).

Because of the strategic place of Israel in God’s plan, current events that involve Israel take on a heightened importance. Whether the restoration of Israel as a nation in 1948 or the reinstitution of a functioning Sanhedrin in January 2005, events in Israel have significant prophetic implications.

Second, the Middle East conflict is significant because it reminds us that these Israeli conflicts are predicted.

The prophet Daniel predicted that Israel would experience “great conflict,” warfare and turmoil, during the entire era between the first coming and the second coming of Christ (Dan. 9:26b; 10:1). Even in ancient times, Israel had Middle Eastern enemies whose stated resolve was “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more” (Ps. 83:4). Hence, the Word of God reliably describes the fact that from the time of Christ’s ascension to the time of His second coming, Israel will be subject to great suffering and seasons of warfare that will even threaten her existence.

The Bible also predicts that, at some point in the future, the Middle East turmoil will be successfully brought to an end by a peace treaty (Dan. 9:27).

The person who negotiates this treaty will arise out of the region formerly controlled by the Roman Empire (Dan. 7:7-8, 20, 23-25). Referred to as the Antichrist, his ability to bring peace to the Middle East testifies to his great military power and political influence (Dan. 11:36-39). During this era, Israel will dwell with a false sense of security in the land, and temple worship will be restored. In light of this, it is prophetically significant that the Temple Institute was founded in 1987 for the expressed purpose of building the temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. In April 2001, a red heifer was born in Israel — the animal sacrifice prescribed by the Law to purify the restored sanctuary (Num. 19:1-10).

However, this future peace is going to be shortlived, in that the Antichrist will break his treaty three and one-half years after making it (Dan. 9:27). Scripture predicts that the present Middle East conflict is but an ominous portent of an even greater time of future distress, a “time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation [of Israel] until that time” (Dan. 12:1). Our Lord predicted this future time would be characterized by great tribulation, a time of global war and tumult “such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now” (Matt. 24:21). Thus, the present Middle East conflict is but a foretaste of the worst era of human suffering this world will ever experience — the Great Tribulation. During this three and onehalf year period, believers will be martyred (Rev. 20:4), two-thirds of Israelis will be slain (Zech. 13:7-9), and one-third of the world’s population will be destroyed (Rev. 9:15).

Third, the Middle East conflict is significant because it reminds us that the Lord is in control amid peril.

Political instability, societal unrest, and economic crisis are pointed reminders that we live in a fallen world. Often they result in a sense of despair and hopelessness that causes people to turn to the true and living God for help (II Chron. 20:7-9; Isa. 45:7, 22-23; Acts 17:24-28). One of the major themes of the Book of Daniel is the fact that the Lord is absolutely sovereign over human history (Dan. 4:25, 34-35) and that He acts in power to deliver those who trust in Him (Dan. 6:25-27). Therefore, while the Jews are indeed God’s covenant people, national Israel has rejected Jesus Christ as her Messiah. God made it very clear to the nation that lack of faith and disobedience would result in divine chastening and removal from the Promised Land (Deut. 28:64-66; 30:1-10). Sadly, while the Israelis are fighting valiantly to protect their land, they do so in unbelief. Relying upon their military and their rituals, they have forsaken the true and living God as revealed in their Messiah, Jesus (Isa. 53:3; Matt. 27:25). As a result, all such efforts are ultimately doomed to failure. God is in the process of chastening His beloved people, Israel (Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:1-11). While individual Jews regularly come to faith in Christ through the witness of the Church, Israel as a nation has hardened her heart against God (Rom. 11:25). The Middle East conflict serves to remind us that peace can only come through faith in Christ. One day national Israel will turn to her Messiah, Jesus Christ, in repentance and faith (Zech. 12:10; Rom. 11:25- 27). At the second coming, our Lord will decisively intervene on Israel’s behalf, delivering her from her oppressors, restoring her to the full boundaries of the Promised Land, and ushering in a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity in the kingdom (Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-16; Dan. 7:13-14; 12:1).

Finally, the Middle East conflict is significant because it reminds us that believers are to be constantly prepared.

The Bible reveals that Christ is coming for His Church (in an event commonly called the rapture) prior to His coming to establish the kingdom promised to Israel (the second coming). While the Middle East conflict is prophetically significant, it is not a sign for Christ’s coming in the rapture. The rapture can occur at any moment and is a signless event. Like a master who suddenly returns from his trip (Luke 19:11-27) and a thief who arrives unexpectedly in the night (I Thess. 5:2), Christ is going to return without warning. All is ready — nothing must happen before Christ can return. So whether the war in the Middle East intensifies or diminishes, we are to be constantly “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Titus 2:13). As we look, there is to be an attitude of eagerness, a strong yearning for our Lord to return (Phil. 3:20). This positive attitude of expectation should motivate us to purify ourselves (I John 3:3), living righteous and godly lives (Titus 2:12). It should also motivate us as aliens in this world and ambassadors for Christ to proclaim the good news that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died for our sins and rose again (II Cor. 5:18- 21). For it is only through faith in Him that true and abiding peace is possible (Col. 1:19-20).