Devotional – “We have heard all this before,”….the world has no idea!
“Come Quickly, Lord Jesus”
The United States has now officially entered the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. US President Donald Trump has confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers have struck Iran’s three key nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. According to The New York Times, US officials later confirmed that bunker-buster bombs were deployed on both the Fordow and Natanz facilities.
In the immediate aftermath, President Trump warned of further attacks if Iran does not surrender, stating ominously: “Remember, there are many targets left.”
Straight after our Sunday morning service, several of the men in our fellowship informed me of this serious development—that the United States has now engaged militarily in this conflict in an undeniable, official capacity.
Now, the world watches. We wait to see the reaction of other Western nations—including our own, Australia. Sadly, our country seems increasingly isolated from global alignment, especially with our most important ally, the United States. We have not meaningfully increased our military spending, the AUKUS agreement lies in peril, and our support for Israel in its current war has been negligible. Australia, once a nation that stood firm, now hesitates on the world stage—and it places us in a dangerously passive position.
On Sunday, I shared from Ezekiel 38, where I believe the Bible hints that this present conflict may come to a pause, and that Israel will again experience a season of peace. The prophetic Scriptures say:
Ezekiel 38:8
“After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.”
Ezekiel 38:11
“You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.’”
These verses suggest that before the great battle described in Ezekiel 38–39, Israel will be living in relative peace and safety.
What then is the next piece of the prophetic puzzle?
I believe it is the Rapture of the Church.
Sadly, many churches today remain unaware—or choose to ignore—the reality of the Rapture, even though nearly one-third of the Bible deals with prophecy. There is an intentional silence in many pulpits on the subject of the Last Days.
I am praying that peace will indeed come to Israel soon. Since October 7, 2023, they have remained on a war footing. Hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, and Israel continues to fight daily for its right to exist.
As the Church living in these Last Days, we are called to remain steadfast in prayer, grounded in fellowship, and alert in spirit—for I truly believe the Rapture could take place at any moment.
When the newspapers or evening news break a story, we as believers have the joy and the responsibility of holding those headlines up to the light of God’s Word. The Bible helps us discern what is truly happening in our world.
So hold fast to Scripture. Don’t waver. For the Apostle Peter warned that a time would come when people would scoff at the very idea of the Lord’s return:
2 Peter 3:4–9
“…Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old…
But the heavens and the earth which are now are preserved by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment…
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years…
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
What an extraordinary time to be alive! Let us lift up our eyes, encourage one another, and cry out together—
“Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!”