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GN Commentary: January 6, 2009 - Israel Retaliates Against HamasWhat is so important about this part of the world? The Bible provides the answer.
Related ResourcesThe Middle East in Bible Prophecy The Middle East: Worlds in Collision The Middle East in Conflict: How Will It End? When Will the Middle East Find Peace? Seven Prophecies That Must Be Fulfilled Before Jesus Christ's Return Israel's Amazing Story: Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy The Future of Jerusalem Can Israel Survive?
Video TranscriptJust after sunset on Saturday, January 3, 2009, Israeli ground troops entered the Gaza Strip and once again captured the attention of the world. Gripping news accounts showed tracers, bombs and incendiary devices in the darkness as troops and tanks made their way into northern Gaza. Gaza, a densely populated area, home to 1.4 million Arabs, is an amazingly small stretch of real estate—approximately 25 miles long and 4 to 7 miles wide. It is controlled by the Palestinian Authority, but not recognized internationally as part of any sovereign country. It is also the stronghold for Hamas, a militant Arab organization that attained power in 2006. Hamas has refused to recognize the state of Israel and continues to call for the annihilation of all Jews. Since January 2008, Hamas has launched over 1200 rocket attacks and an equal number of mortar attacks into Israel, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1/8 of the Jewish population is now within range of the increasingly sophisticated rockets that are being used by Hamas. Israel is determined to stop these attacks. One must ask, why so much attention on such a small area with no known strategic value? Globalsecurity.org claims that 8 major wars are underway in the world today, a major war defined as one having more than 1000 battlefield deaths. While these wars rage, the world is preoccupied with Israel and the tiny Gaza Strip. What is so important about this part of the world? The Bible provides the answer. Israel is the "holy land" for three conflicting major religions. Anything that happens in this area has repercussions throughout the Christian, Jewish and Muslim worlds. According to Bible prophecy Israel is in the middle of end-of-the-world scenarios prior to the return of Jesus Christ. In speaking of the end time,
the prophet Zechariah foretold, "And
it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy
stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut
in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it" (Zechariah
12:3). Israel
and the city of Jerusalem dominate Bible prophecy. Peace in the Middle East will come with a high price, but it won't come without divine intervention. According to God's Word, the Middle East will continue to be the focal point until the end of the age, Christ's return, and the coming Kingdom of God. For GN magazine, I'm Jim Franks.
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