For the first time since the start of the Gaza war, the UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, this one for the month of Ramadan, which is significant to Islam. The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. The resolution passed because America, as 1 of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, abstained from exercising its right to veto (ref. 1).
Hamas, for its part, welcomed this UN resolution (ref. 2).
Despite the position of the UN, Israel is pressing ahead with Rafah.
But, in response to America’s decision not to veto the resolution, Israel has cancelled its high level delegation that was scheduled to travel to Washington to discuss the IDF’s plan for its military operation in Rafah (ref. 1). The meeting was requested by the Biden administration.
In other news, several European countries – Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia – have taken steps towards recognising a Palestinian state (ref. 3).
It seems as if the whole world has now turned against Israel.
The Bible does prophesy to the Jews that in the last days they will be “hated of all nations”.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Matthew 24:9
A Jew is someone of the tribe of Judah. These are “the people of the LORD”. For those who don’t know, the “Ye” of Ye-huda is the same “Ye” of Je-sus. (ref. Ezekiel 36:20-21).
So, Israel was attacked and afflicted on 7 October 2023, but now the world hates Israel.
To those upset by the death toll on both sides so far, let me remind that this is only the beginning.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:8
Before this is over, the death toll worldwide will be in the billions!
War is about killing the enemy. If enough of the enemy dies, then the conflict comes to an end and there is peace, simply because there is no one else on the other side to continue the conflict.
Certainly, this is how things will be in the war between God and Satan, the contest between good and evil.
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
Nahum 1:6-9
Now is a good time to point out that God has chosen Israel to be his people, unique in the world, a people that will do “great” and “terrible” things, essentially for the sake of the world. By terrible, I suppose, what is meant is terrifying.
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
2 Samuel 7:22-23
O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
1 Chronicles 17:20-21
Even in Joshua’s day, Israel was a nation that did tremendous and terrifying things for God.
And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Joshua 2:9-11
In time to come, the kingdom of God and the army of the saints will be fiercer still.
Notice, as a hidden weapon of God (ref. Isaiah 49:2), I, the servant of Isaiah 49, will also be despised by this world: “to him [whose soul] whom man despiseth”. The Hebrew word “Nephesh” or “Nefesh” means “soul”. So, it is not so much that the world despises me as I am now, but that the world will despise me for whom I will become and for the things that I will do for God.
Thus saith the LORD [God the Father], the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One [Jesus Christ], to him [the soul of the servant of Isaiah 49] whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
Isaiah 49:7
When the war between good and evil finally ends over a thousand years from now, the world will rejoice. At that time, there will be glory, for me and also all of Israel.
And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Isaiah 49:3
And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
Ezekiel 39:21
References:
1. Richard Roth et al (26 March 2024), “Israel cancels Washington visit after US allows UN Gaza ceasefire resolution to pass”, cnn.com
2. Reuters (26 March 2024), “Hamas welcomes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire”, reuters.com
3. Reuters (25 March 2024), “Israel warns 4 European countries against Palestinian statehood recognition”, reuters.com