Some 20 relatives of Israelis taken as hostages on October 7 by Hamas and still held captive somewhere in Gaza gatecrashed a Knesset finance committee session in Jerusalem, pleading, protesting and also yelling at lawmakers to do more in order to free the captives (ref. 1).
Hamas kidnapped 253 men, women and children on October 7. A truce in November saw 110 returned, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. But today, 132 or thereabouts remain in captivity.
“Release them now, now, now!” the protesters chanted.
I am sure the government would do more if it could.
For now, Israel must continue with its military campaign so as to secure the southern half of the country, as much as possible. Because far worse is coming.
He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
Nahum 2:1
Indeed, there will be more of this sort of thing when the caliphate forms – both the massacring of Jews, and the taking captive of Jews. The other side will do both of these things to scatter the people of Israel and empty the land, in order to occupy it themselves.
… my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Joel 3:2
… for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
Nahum 2:2
The southern half of the state of Israel must be able to withstand the onslaught when it comes. The south was once more or less Judah. As Hamas in Gaza is weakened, Judah around the Negev becomes stronger. If Judah is sufficiently fortified, the military situation at the time of the end will be that of a siege.
It is Bible prophecy that both Judah and one half of Jerusalem will be besieged when the Antichrist and his armies pour into Israel. 10 nations against 1!
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:2
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zechariah 14:2
When the time comes, it is very important for Jews in Israel to run to either the southern stronghold of the IDF or to the part of the city of Jerusalem that will not fall. Jews that find themselves elsewhere, in places that the IDF cannot hold, will surely be killed or else taken captive.
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:16-21
Those who are taken captive must endure and wait for the end. This is a matter of faith.
Those in captivity will be set free on the day of the LORD or shortly afterwards.
At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:20
This is because, at that time, the enemies of Israel will have to contend with Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of Israel.
Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
Isaiah 49:22-25
For those who haven’t realised it yet, in heaven, the Son Jesus Christ and the Father are actually one and the same.
When Jesus Christ returns to the earth on the day of the LORD, he will be followed by the armies of God, both the angels and the 144000 saints. At that time, a saint will be a new creature of Jesus Christ, essentially a fiery weapon of God.
In Isaiah 49:26, it is prophesied that on God’s command, the saints will make some of these captors eat their own flesh and drink their own blood.
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob
Isaiah 49:26
In case you are wondering how is it that someone can be made to eat their own flesh and drink their own blood, imagine someone being burnt alive starting around his mouth but the brain area is left intact for as long as possible so that as he moves his jaws while screaming in pain or gasping for air, in effect he will begin to eat his own tongue and drink his own blood as the tongue melts due to the intense fire.
All this is also described in Zechariah 14:12.
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Zechariah 14:12
The melting of the wicked is again mentioned in Psalms 112.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalms 112:10
It can even be found in Exodus 15.
The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone…
Exodus 15:14-16
God the Father redeeming ancient Israel from Egypt and leading that Israel to the promised land in Exodus was a picture of the end. Indeed, it was the first step of a long journey towards holiness and the kingdom of God.
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Exodus 15:11-13
Throughout history, Israel has been captive to Satan through six kingdoms. The Fourth Beast and Mystery Babylon in these last days are the remaining two (ref. Revelation 17:10-11).
In due course, the redemption of Israel will be complete.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:27-28
References:
1. Reuters (23 Jan 2024), “Release them now, now, now: Gaza hostage relatives storm Israeli parliament”, sbs.com.au