Prophecy Letters
"Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Matt. 13:16-17
The Prophecy Letter is a circular letter that we send out relating to the development of latter-day prophecy.
April 2024
ISRAEL STRIKES IRAN – What’s Next?
TGP Prophecy Letter – April 20, 2024
ISRAEL STRIKES IRAN
As many anticipated, Israel struck back at Iran for their recent drone attack on Israel. While we may hope that the regional war could occur any day now, the last Prophecy Letter I sent out shared some of the Scriptural reasons why I believe we are not quite there yet. The retaliation from Israel could have potentially taken the conflict to the next level, but it seems that this may have been averted (for now). Things currently appear to be going as suggested. Allow me to explain what happened and where we are now.
In the days immediately following Iran’s attack on Israel, Iran gave many grave warnings to Israel should they decide to retaliate. The following headlines aired:
Iran warns Israel against attacking nuclear sites – Daily Mail
Iran threatens to target Israeli nuke facilities – USA Today
Iran threatens to drop limits of nuclear program if Israel retaliates – World Israel News
Their talk was clear: if you do anything to us whatsoever, we will attack with immense force. Just a few days later, Israel hit back and the following was reported:
Israel strikes deep inside Iran – Israel365 News
Israel strikes Iran Air Force base with drones – The Jerusalem Post
ABC News: Israel targeted air defense system for Iran nuclear site – The Jerusalem Post
Israel carried out an incredible mission and came right to Iran’s doorstep, striking sites which were right next to their nuclear facilities. But what has been Iran’s response? Are they striking back with all of their might? Not even close. There are two articles I wish to quote from to show Iran’s response. The first is from The Jerusalem Post, bearing the headline: Tehran plays down Israeli attacks, signals no further retaliation. The article explains,
“Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war. The limited scale of the attack and Iran's muted response both appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working round the clock to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last Saturday.
“Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from Iran's air defenses hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan. Notably, they referred to the incident as an attack by "infiltrators," rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation.
“An Iranian official told Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident.”
The second article is from Newsweek and includes the response from Iran’s proxies:
“Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah partners appear to be dismissing the significance of Israel's reported overnight strike on targets inside the country, as the world again waits to see if the regional tit-for-tat attacks escalate into a broader and more destructive showdown.
“‘Iran does not need anyone to defend it; her capabilities are strong,’ a source close to the Tehran-aligned militia… told Newsweek on Friday morning, as reports emerged of multiple Israeli strikes in Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
“When pressed as to whether Hezbollah would join any retaliation by Iran—as its leaders have repeatedly threatened to do—the source responded: ‘Has Israel really done anything? We didn't feel it at all.’
“Tehran appears to be downplaying the significance of the reported attack, according to Reuters. ‘The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed,’ an unnamed senior Iranian official told the agency. ‘We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack.’”
Iran has also explicitly stated that “there’ll be no retaliation” (FOX).
There are two important things to note here:
Firstly, Iran has not admitted that it was Israel that attacked them. While it’s obvious that it was Israel, to publicly admit this brings with it the political responsibility to strike back. However, if they claim that they are “uncertain” of who attacked them and that it was some unknown “infiltrator”, they can claim that they aren’t sure who they’d need to strike back at. They can therefore simply not respond. Iran is deliberately playing dumb so they don’t have to strike back.
Secondly, Iran has down-played the extent of the strike. They claimed that very little damage was done, and that there therefore really isn’t anything to respond to, yet reports from the IDF show that many of Iran’s facilities which are needed to run and protect their nuclear sites were hit. The targets that were hit were indeed important targets. Why would Iran not acknowledge this publicly? Again, because if they admit that they were hurt badly, they are obligated to respond. To do otherwise makes them look weak.
This gets to the real meat of the issue: Iran does not appear ready to escalate the war. Israel’s strike sent a very clear message: we are fully capable of taking out your nuclear facilities. We could have if we wanted to, but we chose not to. Don’t mess with us again. The following analytical pieces point this out if you’d like to read them:
Israel attack on Iran next to nuclear site sends clear message to Iran – The Jerusalem Post
Israel's Limited Strike on Iran Sends Strong Message, Experts Say – Business Insider
It therefore seems that we might be witnessing the end of this “round” between Israel and Iran. As reported from The Jerusalem Post, “Israel and Iran appeared to step back from the brink of an all-out war…” As much as Israel would like to take out Iran, their top priority right now is to eradicate Hamas. It seems that Israel was contemplating striking Iran harder and potentially striking the nuclear sites, but the US prevented them from doing so. What ended up happening was that Israel agreed to a limited attack on Iran in exchange for US approval of an Israeli operation in Rafah (World Israel News). Israel seems to want to cool things off with Iran for now until Hamas is taken care of.
Even though it seems that this current round between Israel and Iran may be winding down, the significance of what’s happened in the past week cannot be denied. There is now a new playing field. Iran now knows for sure that Israel can strike their nuclear sites if they please. This is certain to factor into their actions should they decide to attack Israel again. It also marks a new landmark in the decades-long conflict as it is the first time the two nations have directly attacked one another instead of acting through in-direct means. It has changed the rules of engagement, and it increases the likelihood of direct attacks in the future.
What are we to make of this in light of Bible prophecy? As suggested before and more thoroughly explained in the previous Prophecy Letter, I believe there is still more that needs to develop before the nations of Psalm 83 come against Jerusalem. It’s important that Iran is not one of these nations, and I therefore conclude that they will not be part of that attack. As there is no prophecy which shows a knock-down, drag-out fight between Israel and Iran, I believe that either a direct fight between those two powers will see little or no damage to Israel, or such a conflict will not take place at all. Again, we can only go by what the Scriptures tell us, and Iran (Persia) is nowhere to be found in Psalm 83 or any other related prophecy. The current trend in events appears to line up with this.
This recent skirmish is not without significance though. It is unquestionably another move of the chess piece as the Lord arranges the nations for battle. Although we mortals may not be able to discern exactly how this will lead to what’s next, we do not need to. We can resolutely stand with what’s written in our Bibles and know that the end described therein will be accomplished.
However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t try to put the puzzle together so long as we don’t do so dogmatically and go beyond what’s written. I can’t help but ponder how this could lead to only the Psalm 83 nations attacking Israel and therefore lead to the fulfillment of that prophecy, so I’ll share my current thoughts:
The missiles and drones which came to Israel were sent from Iran itself. Israel was able to take 99% of them out, and one of the reasons why is due to the fact that Israel had multiple hours of advance notice. Israel was already anticipating an attack from Iran, so they were preparing for any possible scenario. The route Iran chose gave Israel the maximum amount of time to prepare accordingly. When I learned that Iran fired rockets and launched drones, my wife and I were heading into town for dinner. We were able to get to the restaurant, eat, shop around, drive the 45-minute drive home, and the rockets still hadn’t gotten to Israel. I can’t think of anything Iran could have done that would have given Israel more time to prep for it. The distance between the two nations is simply too long to execute a quick strike and have the element of surprise.
Therefore, I wonder if Iran will learn from this mistake and see the necessity of a quick, overwhelming attack like was seen in the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Missiles fired from the Psalm 83 entities of Hamas the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Syria will reach Israel must faster than if they were fired from Iran. Perhaps this is why Iran is not mentioned in the prophecy: they see that the most effective campaign against Israel is not waged from Iran itself, but from “the people round about” (Zechariah 12:2). Time will tell. Then again, it’s possible that by the time people read these comments, something big will have happened that makes much of this outdated. You never know!
In the Hope of Israel,
Tanner Hawkins
ANALYSIS: Iran’s Strike on Israel and Christ’s Return
TGP Prophecy Letter – April 14, 2024
IRAN ATTACKS ISRAEL
By now, most everyone is aware that around 300 drones and missiles were sent directly from Iran to Israel. Israel is basically unscathed as 99% were of the weapons were taken out before they reached the land (All Israel News).
This is significant as it marks “the most direct confrontation ever between the two longtime adversaries. It threatens to spiral into a broader regional war whose consequences could also likewise be without precedent… Because this has never happened before, what happens next is unclear ” (Jewish Telegraphic Agency).
There are two ways for things to go from here:
1. Things will continue to escalate. It seems that the ball is now in Israel’s court in this tit-for-tat confrontation. If they do so, there is the potential for the nations of Psalm 83 to get involved.
2. This round of conflict between Israel and will conclude, and Israel will continue their work fighting Hamas and Hezbollah.
While it is certainly exciting to see such important escalation and headlines, my gut feeling is that things could quiet down some between Israel and Iran. I would love to say that all of the pieces are set and the Psalm 83 war is just about to commence any day now, but reason and the Scriptures force me to believe otherwise. My reasoning can be summed up in three points:
Reason #1 – The Psalm 83 Confederacy is Not Yet Matured
In order for the Psalm 83 war to take place, all of the nations who are mentioned must be joined together and fighting Israel. If a single one of them is not present, it is not the fulfillment of the prophecy – plain and simple. The nations/peoples I understand will join together for this battle are Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the nations Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Bedouins of the Negev. The map below illustrates these players.
What is exciting is that a great deal of the confederacy has already been formed. Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq are all considered “proxies” of Iran. They do Iran’s bidding and follow their orders. The next page shows a map posted on Bloomberg of Iran and her proxies – all of which are currently conspiring together against Israel. It lines up perfectly so far with what is expected from Scripture (although I do not believe Yemen will play a major role as they are not mentioned in the prophecies concerning this war).
Since these nations are proxies of Iran, those chess pieces are set and ready-to-go. But Jordan and Saudi Arabia must get involved as well, and they have a way to go before joining. These two powers are not aligned with Iran and actually despise them in many ways. They have therefore found better alliance amongst the Western powers of the US.
Evidence that these nations still require some work was seen with this latest Iranian attack on Israel. Instead of fighting against Israel, Jordan helped Israel shoot down many of Iran’s drones and missiles (Reuters).
From foe to ally: Jordanian Air Force downs Iranian drones en route to Israel – The Jerusalem Post
It is not likely that they did so strictly out of the goodness of their hearts, but it is still the opposite response than what Scripture says they will one day take. Something has to change. Jordan is not ready to join the conflict on the Arab side.
Saudi Arabia is the other nation which requires some work. Not much has been heard from them concerning this conflict other than they express “great concern” over the current Middle East escalation (The Business Standard). Like Jordan, the Saudis also consider Iran a rival and enemy state. In the short-term, I have difficulty in seeing how they could join in against Israel in the short-term. Some further development appears to be needed.
We know that the position of Jordan and Saudi Arabia must and will eventually change, but it seems that it could take some time. As to what will cause this change, we obviously don’t know. They do not have to like Iran in order to fight alongside their proxies, although it is interesting to note that the past year has seen significant efforts to warm ties between Jordan and Saudi Arabia with Iran. Time will tell, but this is one thing that tells me that the long-anticipated prophecy of Psalm 83 is still in the development stages.
Reason #2 - Israel is Not Alone
One significant thing about this future conflict is that Israel finds themselves utterly alone, or if they do receive any kind of help or aid, it is so small or insignificant that it makes no difference and is not worth mentioning. We must emphasize that it is entirely possible for Israel to begin the war with US support but to later lose it for some reason, and that would still fit the bill. We just don’t know. While we will not delve into the particulars of the Scriptural basis (as we’ve done that in previous articles), it is an important facet of this latter conflict as Israel’s isolation is what humbles them and prepares them to call for and recognize their Messiah.
Yet with this current conflict (so far), the US has come to Israel’s aid. The gap between the two nations has certainly been widening, but it has not grown so much that America would leave Israel to destruction. In my estimation, it would take a significant event for the US to fully abandon Israel as they are the only nation in the area which even remotely aligns with Western interests. America is in a position where they are almost forced to support Israel, regardless of how much they may or may not like Israel’s policies. But as to what exactly might cause the US to not come to Israel’s aid, we’ll leave that discussion for another time as there are many interesting possibilities.
What concerns us at this moment is the current state of things. America has pledged “ironclad” support for Israel (FOX News). In a move that backed up this promise, the US rushed some of their warships to the area in case Israel was attacked by Iran or its proxies (WSJ). These promises were put into action when Iran attacked Israel, for America helped Israel down the drones and rockets (All Israel News). All of this is being done in order to prevent a wide-spread regional conflict – precisely the one which the Scriptures foretell. So as of right now, America is still helping Israel, and if the Psalm 83 nations did attack right this moment, I would have to conclude that America would step in to assist. I see no evidence right now that would prevent them from intervening. My gut tells me that there are still some important things that need to happen.
That being said, this could easily change depending on whether Israel chooses to retaliate. It is too early to tell if they will or not as headlines are appearing which show both sides. Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz stated that “This event is not over” and that Israel will “exact the price” from Iran (HuffPost). They will carry this out in the “correct manner and time” (The Jerusalem Post). But the US does not want Israel to respond and has warned that the US will take no part in a counter-offensive:
US tells Israel to 'think carefully' before Iran response – BBC
US will not take part in retaliatory action against Iran, White House says – Reuters
If Israel does anything, they will have to do it on their own. This certainly has potential to isolate Israel, yet now it seems that any plans of a counter-offensive against Iran may not happen:
Biden phone call stopped an Israeli retaliation against Iran – The Jerusalem Post
The article states in very clear and strong terms that any immediate Israeli strike was halted. But then to counteract that statement, this headline showed up:
Iranian attack was a 'declaration of war,' says Israel's president | World Israel News
Bottom line is – we’ll just have to wait and see. This article from The Jerusalem Post goes over a number of possibilities if Israel does decide to attack Iran, one of which being a direct attack on their nuclear sites as we’ve been anticipating. Time will tell.
Now, the third reason seems to me to be one of the most important, for it not only is a critical piece of the puzzle, but it has the greatest implications for you and I as we await Christ’s return.
Reason #3 - The role of the saints
I find the Scriptures to teach in many ways that the immortalized saints take part in saving Israel from her enemies. This is important for a very simple reason: timing. If the saints are immortalized when Israel is saved, then this requires without question that Christ has already returned, gathered his saints, and judged those who have made a covenant with him. As the saints are with Christ and the Psalm 83 war seems as if it will be a rather quick war, I conclude that we will most likely be gathered before the Arab confederacy comes against Israel, and perhaps even before the confederacy itself is formed.
Among students of the Word, I believe it is generally undisputed that Christ saves Israel. The question which some vary on is whether the saints are with him at that time or not. Let’s examine this under its own heading.
Will the Saints Be With Christ When He Saves Israel?
Let’s first ask, what will be Christ’s very first order of business when he returns? Will it be to save Israel, or will it be to raise the dead and gather the saints for judgment? I believe that Scripture and reason lead us quickly to the latter – he will gather his saints for judgment. Consider some of the following passages:
2 Timothy 4:1 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at (not “after”) his appearing and his kingdom;
Colossians 3:4 – When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Matthew 25:31-32 – When the Son of man shall come in his glory (again, not “after”), and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Psalms 50:3-5 – Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. (What happens when he “comes”?) (4) He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. (5) Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Such is the testimony I find, and I’ve yet to find anything to the contrary. Yet it also simply seems reasonable that the gathering of his saints will be his highest priority! Christ has been away from his bridegroom since his ascension; away from those who have chosen to follow him, entered into covenant, and dedicated their lives to walking after his example and yearning for his return. When Christ returns, what will be the first thing he will desire to do? Will it be to save the Jews who are still in ignorance of him, and then to go and gather the covenanted? This has a general feeling of falseness, nor does not line up with what we’re told about Christ and his love for true, spiritual Israel which exceeds that of natural Israel (Romans 9:6, Luke 3:8). He is returning for his bride!
Therefore, I believe we can conclude that the covenanted will be gathered before Israel is saved, and if we have been judged and immortalized, the question then simply becomes, Do the saints play a role in saving Israel along with Christ, or do they not? Consider a few passages.
Let’s begin with Zechariah 12 and 14. Chapter 12:1-2 tells us that “the people round about… shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.” We’re then told in
Zechariah 12:8 – In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
We see that the LORD is certainly defending Jerusalem here, but later on we learn that it is not just him. Note that this next passage shows the moment he appears in Jerusalem as he places his feet on the Mount of Olives:
Zechariah 14:4-5 – And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Some believe that “all the saints” is referring to the Jews of Israel, yet this makes the text awkward and doesn’t make much sense. If Christ is coming to save Israel, does it make sense that Israel comes with Christ to save themselves? It is inappropriate to say that the Jews come with Christ as the Jews are already there in the land. This is clearly referring to a third party besides Israel and Christ himself. This is also testified in
Zechariah 14:14 – And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
We learn here that Judah is allowed to exact vengeance on their Arab enemies, but we here call attention to the word “also”. If it were just Israel, that word could not be there. But to say that “Judah also will fight” means that there is another party which is fighting at Jerusalem besides Judah. Who is Judah fighting alongside? It logically seems to be “the LORD my God… and all the saints”. I have heard some who believe that this is a reference to the angels and that the angels help conquer the earth, yet there are at least two issues with this. Firstly, the word for “angels” is frequently used throughout Scripture, yet the inspired-writer did not use that word here. Secondly, we are told that “unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak” (Hebrews 2:5). That responsibility will go to Christ and his redeemed.
I believe we therefore see that Christ has the saints with him, yet there are many other points which speak the same message. If we turn to the end of Obadiah, we find the same things:
Obadiah 1:18, 21 – And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it… (we see that natural Israel will have a hand in Esau’s destruction, but now note verse 21) (21) And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.
Who are these “saviours”? The Hebrew word means “to be open, wide or free” (Strong’s H3467), and it easily correlates to a group of individuals who were recently freed from all sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). We know that it does not refer to Israel, and it cannot refer just to Christ himself as the word is plural, and it also seems wildly inappropriate to make this mean “angels”, for it is difficult to see why the Spirit would here call them “free” ones. The only thing I can see it being is the immortalized saints.
There are yet many other things which have lead me to this conclusion, but let me simply list two:
1. The saints are given the role of executing judgment and warring:
Psalms 149:5-9 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. (6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; (7) To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; (8) To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; (9) To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
I find this to be one of the most straight-forward passages on the subject. I have heard of some who believe that Israel is intended by “all his saints”, and I’ve heard of a few who think it is the angels, yet I personally find no evidence of either. The word “saints” is the same one used in Psalm 50:5 we quoted earlier in relation to Christ gathering them for judgment, and it therefore does not seem right to apply it to the Elohim or natural Israel. But if it is spiritual Israel, there is no confusion with the usage of the word. The context of the last chapters of the book of Psalms also suggests this understanding as well as the attention focuses on the Lord and his elect.
2. Christ comes from the regions of Sinai and conquers along the way (see Habakkuk 3 – CP to Deuteronomy 33:2, Isaiah 63:1-6). For what purpose would Christ start in the regions of Mt. Sinai if it were only he who came to Israel’s aid? The prophecy of Deuteronomy 33:2 even says, “The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints.” For a more thorough consideration of this, please consider this Q&A article.
There are yet other things, but these must suffice for now for time and length.
Conclusion and Meaning For Us
Considering the testimony of the Word concerning the timing the gathering of the saints in relation to this war, it is my belief that if we see this battle in its mature state, we will do so as immortals. We don’t know exactly how the long the judgment will take (a subject we will delve into at another time), and depending on how it is executed, it is possible that it could take a while. That being a possibility, we should be astonished that we are even seeing the stage being set as it currently is. What we are seeing now is what we might call “tremors before the earthquake.” I wonder whether our Father is giving us just a taste of what is to come in order to show us how close Christ is? His purpose may be as follows:
“I know that you are expecting the Psalm 83 war to take place, but you will all be gathered before that occurs. However, since the importance of that conflict is understood, I am going to give you multiple things which show that the war is getting close. Even though you will not see the confederacy fully mature in your mortal frame, I will allow you to see many of these nations begin to join together. That way, you will know just how close My Son is.”
It could be the same kind of exhortation which Christ gave us concerning the many other signs we are seeing:
Luke 21:28 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
We are truly beginning to see the pieces fall into place, and we should therefore not wait to see other things, but “lift up our heads”!
In truth, it does not matter now much we will see in the days of our mortality. We should avoid having a mindset of, “When I see _______ happen, then I’ll know that Christ is near,” for that mindset inherently breeds slothfulness and laxity as we are waiting for that event. Christ could gather us any second now, and our responsibility is to be exercised by all of the signs our Lord gives us. There are certainly many for us in these last days.
While these words were directed at the disciples of Christ’s day, they are certainly applicable to us today:
Matthew 13:16-17 – But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (17) For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
The question we need to ask ourselves now is do we consider ourselves blessed in this regard? Do we really esteem these signs as momentous, incredible signs which those before us would have given almost anything to see? Or do we simply see this as our “normal”. If our minds can only focus on what’s right in front of us, then it is likely that we do not see what’s so special about these signs. But if our minds are enlightened by the Word to consider things from God’s revealed plan, these events can now take context and bear out their wonderful message, “CHRIST IS SOON TO ARISE. Prepare to meet your Master!” That’s something to rejoice over!
In the Hope of Israel,
Tanner Hawkins
REMARKABLE: Signs & Wonders of All Kinds
TGP Prophecy Letter – April 9, 2024
Oh, the signs we are being blessed to witness! They not only fill the figurative heavens and earth, but the literal as well! Both will be the subject of this letter.
BREAKING: Israel and Iran to Go Head-to-Head?
For years, we have wondered why Persia is not a Psalm 83 confederate nation, yet they still appear in the later conflict of Ezekiel 38. Their sponsorship of many of the Psalm 83 nations would naturally lead us to conclude that Iran will actively and directly be involved in such a war, yet the black and white text remains: Persia is nowhere to be found in the Psalm, nor are they mentioned in any other war-prophecies except for Ezekiel 38. As all Scripture is written as it is for a Divine purpose and there are no accidents, we conclude that there must be a reason why Iran is not involved in this first conflict even though the current circumstances would naturally cause us to conclude that they would be.
Although we can’t know for sure at this moment why this is the case, it has been our thinking that the most likely scenario would be a brief, head-to-head conflict between Israel and Iran involving an Israeli attack on Iranian soil which would temporarily render Iran incapable of direct warfare. Iran would then have no other option than to exact vengeance through their proxies (something which they are already doing), and the regional war of Psalm 83 would therefore officially commence. As prophecy often gives us a “snapshot” of the future, this is a scenario that not only seems likely, but fits perfectly with the text. This would explain how Iran could be involved in the sense of influence, but as they are not the ones actually the firing missiles and bullets, only Iran’s proxies are mentioned as they are the direct attackers.
This scenario now seems more likely than ever, and it’s thanks to Israel’s recent assassination of an Iranian general in Damascus. In response to the assassination, Iran clearly stated that “Iran had placed all its armed forces on full high alert and a decision had been made that Iran must respond directly to the strike attributed to Israel in Damascus” (Israel National News). They have also vowed the following:
Iran: 'We will make Israel regret its actions' – Israel National News
Iranian general promises ‘maximum damage’ to Israel – All Israel News
Iran's goal is to isolate Israel and to deter US involvement in region – The Jerusalem Post
Iran was happy to harm Israel from afar by using their proxies as puppets. But now, Iran is wanting to do something more. They’re now even more of a threat to Israel than before as they are actively seeking a way to strike back. Israel knows this, and The Jerusalem Post is now reporting,
“Israel can no longer make do with fighting Iran’s proxies but rather must target Iran itself in response to Tehran’s key role in the current attacks on Israel and destabilization of the region. Israel must now strike directly within Iran, while also taking further action against the Quds Force. Iran’s self-perceived shield of impunity must be pierced.”
A direct attack on Iran would have profound consequences, and this is something that many are realizing. The recent strike in Damascus has shown that Israel has incredible intelligence about Iran, and they also have the ability to strike in Iran itself (Reuters, The Jerusalem Post). It’s merely a matter of whether Israel sees fit to attack or not, and that is becoming more of a necessity for them. Axios just reported that “A direct Iranian strike on Israel would be unprecedented and could lead to a regional war in the Middle East.” Brothers, Sisters, and friends, is this not precisely what the Scriptures foretell? So many passages talk about a war between Israel and the “heathen/nations round about”, the result of which is the salvation of Israel and the establishment of the Kingdom of God in Jerusalem. Allow the following passage to suffice for now:
Joel 3:12, 16-17 – Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about (note the distinction between nations who are “nigh” to Israel and “far off” – Deuteronomy 13:7, 20:15-17. The nations of Ezekiel 38 are not “nigh” and are therefore never called nations “round about”)… (16) The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (17) So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Although we certainly don’t know the day or hour, the prospects of this happening soon and likely as a domino-effect of Israel’s strike in Damascus are encouraging. Note how the other nations are talking about it:
Strike on Iran's consulate in Syria is 'turning point,' Hezbollah says – The Jerusalem Post
US on brink of new war as Iran-Israel tension at 'perilous point' – Express
White House 'Very Concerned' About Prospect of Israel-Iran War – Newsweek
Simply put, if Israel strikes Iran, it’s likely that the Psalm 83 war will soon commence, and as the Scriptures indicate that Christ and the saints save Israel from this conflict, it means that Christ is soon to reappear. What’s so exciting is that we do not need to bend or twist Scripture or the news headlines to make it fit a narrative and conclude that this could be at our very doorstep. It is right there, plain and clear for all to see.
UPDATE: Just hours after this Prophecy Letter was distributed, the following news was reported that was too important to leave unmentioned:
Israel will hit Iran's nuclear sites if attacked: Report – World Israel News
It says,
“Israel will launch devastating strikes against Iran’s sensitive nuclear development sites, should Tehran directly attack Israel, according to media reports.”
Now note this:
“However, U.S. intelligence indicated that the likelihood of Iran directly attacking Israel is low, because such a move would lead to a dramatic escalation in the ongoing shadow conflict between the two countries and possibly trigger U.S. intervention.” THEREFORE, “Tehran will likely activate its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, to attack Israel.”
How incredible is this!!! It’s being said that for fear of US involvement, Iran will not attack Israel directly, but will do so through their proxies. This would perfectly explain why Persia is not mentioned in Psalm 83! We wait to see what will happen, but this is beyond exciting!
All of this is made more exciting by
The Further Decline in US-Israel Relations
Tensions between the US and Israel stem from many points, but the two most prominent lately are Israel’s prevention of aid that’s headed to Gaza and Israel’s planned operation in Rafah. The rift between the two allies continues to grow as prophecy suggests. As I mention so often, I’m expecting something to occur that will cause the US to abstain from helping Israel when the Arab “heathen round about” come against her. We’re looking for Israel to be isolated from all allies. In light of this, consider the following headlines which have been posted since last Prophecy Letter, all from secular sources:
Israel is feeling ‘abandoned’: Michael Oren – FOX News
The United States and Israel Are Coming Apart – The Atlantic
A blinking red light for Israel in American politics – POLITICO
Global pressure grows on U.S. and Germany to stop arming Israel – The Washington Post
Biden Threatens US Support for Israel in Gaza War During Netanyahu Call – Business Insider
There are many more besides these which we could include, yet they paint a clear enough picture. The rift is growing, and Israel is increasingly on their own.
Now, surprising news was posted the other day which indicated that Israel might finally be caving to US pressure. Israel announced that they had opened more aid routes to allow it to reach Gazans (NBC). They also announced that the IDF was halting the invasion in the Gaza Strip and withdrawing troops from southern Gaza (The Jerusalem Post). At first thought, I wondered if Israel was giving into Biden’s pressure and might end the war, and then things might “calm back down”.
But it’s not what it seems! Instead of withdrawing to end the war and therefore make an invasion of Rafah unnecessary, they’re withdrawing specifically to prepare the Rafah operation. World Israel News reports that “The IDF’s recent withdrawal of forces from the southern Gaza Strip is a prelude to other major operations in the coastal enclave, including the much-anticipated Israeli ground incursion into Rafah, Israel’s defense minister said Sunday.”
Instead of softening his stance on the Rafah invasion, Netanyahu has taken it to the next level and declared in a public video address that “This victory requires entering Rafah and eliminating the terrorist battalions there. This will happen; there is a date” (The Jerusalem Post). If anyone wonders whether he is serious or is simply trying to have a loud bark, it’s worth noting that his support in the government has been made contingent upon a Rafah operation, for Ben-Gvir and others have threatened to withdraw their support of him if Israel doesn’t invade Rafah (The Jerusalem Post). If Netanyahu is to retain the hold on the Prime Minister’s office, he must enter Rafah. Adding fuel to this flame is that Israelis in general fully support the war! It was just reported that “Fully 83% of the public thinks the fighting should continue until nothing is left of the terror organization and all the hostages are returned” (World Israel News). The world looks on and scoffs at Israelis for wanting to eliminate the terrorist, but it’s interesting that the nations who voice the loudest criticism rarely, if ever, have their day interrupted by a stabbing attack or a rocket. This is a normal occurrence for Israelis.
Although we don’t know what date Netanyahu has set, we need to be watching this carefully, for there is no telling what the US or the other Arab states will do once Israel commits to this. Should Isael carry it out, I really feel that this operation could be one that we will look back on as a critical point in latter-day prophecy. Looking back at history, it was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – just one man – that is considered the start of WWI. It was the invasion of Poland by Germany that is considered the opening act of WWII. It could well be that Israel’s invasion of Rafah sets in motion the events that would cause the final Arab-Israeli war which saints have been awaiting for many years.
We eagerly wait to see, but we must remember that we, meaning those who have entered into covenant through baptism, may not see the Arab nations come against Jerusalem. At least, we may not see it as mortals. If Christ and the immortalized saints are indeed the saviors of Israel from this conflict as the Scriptures teach (Joel 3:16-17, Zechariah 12:5-7, 14:5, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Ezekiel 28:26, and others), then we cannot stress enough the necessity that we be gathered and judged before we come to Israel’s aid. We do not know how long the judgment will take or whether it will even take place on man’s timetable, and the prophecies of the final Arab-Israeli war seem to indicate that the Arabs’ movements might be sudden as in the Yom Kippur War. It therefore seems logical (and perhaps necessary) that we be gathered before the Arab confederacy even comes against Israel, or perhaps even before the confederacy itself is fully mature. We simply don’t know, but we do know for a fact that we must be gathered and judged before we are immortalized. The message is clear: we could be gathered at any moment now.
Earthquakes and “Natural” Phenomena
If one can scroll past all of the news concerning Israel, they will see that the earth and the heavens are joining in chorus, all singing to the tune of “THE REDEEMER IS SOON TO RETURN!”
During a UN Security Council meeting in New York, the earth visibly shook and halted the meeting. The speaker was forced to stop for a moment as the cameras shook. You can watch the video from The Associated Press. There was also an earthquake in Taiwan that is the largest the area has suffered in 25 years (NBC). Nine were killed.
But the most incredible spectacle that’s been on most people’s minds was the total solar eclipse that was visible from the central US. My family and I were just barely outside the line of totality, but it was as close as it could get.
The occurrence is, of itself, a testimony to the Creator. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon perfectly blocks 100% of the sun. In order for a solar eclipse to occur, a number of specific criteria must be met. The moon must be proportional to the sun and placed at a distance between the earth and the sun so that, from earth, the moon appears to be the same exact size as the sun, and thus barely and perfectly blocks it out. It is not as if that moon appears much larger than the sun and easily blocks it out or is much smaller and therefore incapable of blocking the sun. It does so just barely. The orbit of the moon must also be so that it passes perfectly in front of the sun from our view – not partially. What’s even more remarkable is that this phenomenon doesn’t occur on just any planet; it occurs on the only planet that has only one moon. Saturn has 146 moons, but not a single one of them ever perfectly blocks out the sun and causes a total eclipse. Only earth experiences this wonder.
But perhaps the most meaningful thing is that it occurs from the only planet that has life. If it occurred on Mars, this does little for man. Big whoop. But as it occurs here and only here, this indicates that there is a purpose and message behind it, that being that “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). The Lord created the heavenly hosts for many reasons, one of them being “for signs” (Genesis 1:14). The precision of the event is testament of a Creator, and the only logical explanation is that the Lord placed them there. Indeed, we’re told this very thing in
Psalms 8:3 (ESV) – When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
Yet beyond this wondrous message, it may be that the Lord has used the tools of nature to communicate other things to the kingdoms of men. In 2017, a total solar eclipse occurred which ran across the US. Now in 2024, it has happened again. What’s interesting is that the paths of these two eclipses together mark a giant X across the heartland of America. What’s even more interesting is that this has happened in the past, and cataclysmic events soon followed. Prophecy News Watch recently published the following article and comments:
Will History Repeat? The Last Time Two Eclipses Formed A Giant X – Prophecy News Watch
“In 1811, a solar eclipse finished the giant ‘X’ over the heartland of America that a solar eclipse in 1806 had started, and meanwhile Tecumseh's Comet was making headlines all over the nation as it raced through the heavens. Approximately three months after the giant ‘X’ over America was completed, cataclysmic earthquakes began erupting along the New Madrid fault… To this day, we have never seen earthquakes of such destructive power in the continental United States...”
The earthquake was so great that it caused the Mississippi to run backward. The question remains, will a similar event occur later this year? While we are merely speculating, the Lord often uses His creation to execute His will, and it coincides perfectly with America’s efforts to rid the nation of God and wallow in moral depravity and filth. Perhaps a terrible earthquake will erupt along the New Madrid fault that will cripple the US. If this occurs, this could be another contributing factor to America abandoning Israel. Not only do they disapprove of Israel, but now they would have “bigger issues” at home they’re dealing with which require their full attention and resources. Time will tell.
The Meaning For Us
As always, there are many other things I wish we had time to discuss, but we simply don’t. By the time I write on other subjects, so many other things happen that another letter is already due. This is a wonderful problem to have as we watch for the signs of Christ’s return! While it makes it difficult to comment upon, we hope for so many signs that we can’t report on them all, and that is the situation we are now facing. But we can talk about the return of Christ as much as we want, yet it does us no good unless we lay it to heart.
Speaking personally, life for me is better than it has ever been. I have been blessed with a job that allows me to control my schedule and provide for my growing family so my wife can stay at home, and the temporal blessings continue to abound as we have another daughter on the way. To top it off, the long-awaited turkey season is just around the corner! My natural mind therefore thinks like the rich fool and says, “I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:20). These are good times, and it is this kind of life that I have hoped for. It is not the kind that I’d love to be spared from.
Yet I must continually remind myself that I am a stranger here who should look “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). These blessings, however wondrous, are merely gifts of grace intended to “get us by” until the final outpouring of blessings at our Lord’s coming. When our Lord returns to gather his saints, I must be ready to drop what I’m doing and go without looking back. What can we do with the remaining time to examine ourselves and truly prepare for Christ’s return? Are there things that we have been “putting off for another day”? Do them now. Have we noticed that our spiritual vitality is not what it used to be? Immediately address it with a liberal dose of the Word.
These are all things that we should be doing on a regular basis, yet it is characteristic of our human nature to be lazy, half-hearted, and make excuses so we can kick our responsibilities down the timeline a little further. Yet the day will come when the Lord will return to require of his servants what is due unto him. Following the parable of the talents, he will enquire as to how we have increased that which was given to us, and our time to grow it will be up (Matthe 25:14-30). This day is fast-approaching, and while there is never an excuse which will truly justify our slothfulness, we of all people who have been so blessed to see so many signs will be even more without excuse. “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required,” and we, brethren, have been given a lot (Luke 12:48). Now truly is the time to “gird up the loins of our minds” and ensure that we finish this race with all of our strength (1 Peter 1:13).
Hebrews 10:35-37 – Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
In the One Hope,
Tanner Hawkins
Enemies Increase & Allies Dwindle – An Isolated Israel
TGP Prophecy Letter – April 2, 2024
I wish to open this Prophecy Letter with something that weighs heavily upon my mind as I write these. I often close these articles with the dissatisfaction of not having thoroughly explained the Scriptural basis for the thoughts shared here. I wonder how many new readers think, “Why on earth is this guy talking about the Arabs? What do they have to do with the Bible?” Although the subjects have been explained many times in former letters, new readers may not have seen have them. I therefore desire to be explain such basis. Yet this takes up more space, and for those who have been readers for a while and do understand the basis, I try to be brief so as not to sound like a broken record. A balance of the two is what I aim for, but it is certainly not possible to please everyone. It is my earnest hope and prayer that all can come away with at least something. And so please, if you ever have questions as to the reasoning behind a thought or claim, email me personally and I will be more than happy to explain the Scriptural basis for it. It might take me a little while to respond, but I will do my best to respond to all emails as promptly as possible.
That being said, let’s get to it.
Update on the Hamas War
The Hamas conflict rages on, and it seems that we have yet to see the climax of this war. Many wonder why there has not been a ceasefire or why terms have not been agreed to, and Israel is often painted as the bad guy. Yet, Hamas has turned down every compromise that has been proposed by the United States (Israel National News). There is now talk about cease-fire talks reopening, but we wait to see the result. But it is clear that Hamas will not relent, and it’s therefore necessary for Israel to keep at it. Indeed, it seems that Israel’s desire to push forward into Rafah will escalate the situation to a level not yet seen.
The planned operation appears to create a “make or break” situation for Israel. If Israel proceeds with the operation, they will be even more alienated from the world than they currently are. We’ll discuss this more in depth, but here we will simply point out that Israel’s operation in Rafah appears imminent. Israel is preparing for it:
Israel orders 40,000 tents for Rafah evacuees as IDF prepares for operation – World Israel News
But before we talk about the larger effects of a Rafah operation, we must first consider how the
The Hamas War Is Spreading to Other Fronts
We have discussed the prophetic explanation of the Psalm 83 conflict in countless other letters, so we will not go into depth here as far as Scriptural explanation goes. We’ll simply provide an update on some of the nations involved to see how the Lord is working amongst the nations to gather them together so that the prophecies of old become reality.
If what we are witnessing is the onset of Psalm 83 and many other prophecies (which remains to be seen), then certain other nations must get involved, namely Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia (Psalm 83:5-8). If these nations do not enter the war, then we must conclude that it is not the Psalm 83 war we’re witnessing grow. That being said, it just so happens that most of these nations are intimately connected to Hamas, and we’re being warned by governments and news outlets that the war looks like it will expand to these specific fronts very soon. Newsweek recently reported,
Israel Warns Iran Is Stepping Up War on Four More Fronts Beyond Gaza – Newsweek
The article explains where these other fronts are, and it’s precisely what the Scriptures say:
“While the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) campaign against the Palestinian Hamas movement and allied factions in Gaza continues, well-armed militias aligned with the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance” in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen have continued to strike targets within Israel, putting further pressure on the country's defense systems.
“‘The connection between Hezbollah, the Houthis, the militias in Iraq, Syria, some militias in Syria and not just militias in Syria: all controlled by Iran’…
“‘Iran in a very sophisticated way has occupied Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria, using those countries to wage war against Israel…’”
We believe that Iran (Biblically known as Persia) will not be directly involved in this coming war as they are not named in any of the prophecies relating to this conflict, but it’s apparent from the fact that they sponsor the Psalm 83 nations that they are involved indirectly. As their proxy states are the ones carrying out the aggression, they are the only ones mentioned in prophecy and not Iran.
On that note, it’s interesting that Hezbollah and other terror factions have assured Iran that this is “their fight, and Iran does not need to get involved.” While Iran may not get involved directly (or at least in a way that is significant enough for prophecy to mention), it’s certain that they will call upon their proxies to do more fighting in the very near future, for Israel has just taken out another top Iranian commander (FOX News). This is incredibly important!
The commander was in Damascus, likely meeting with Hezbollah officials to advise on an attack on Israel. Israel then took the opportunity to take him out (Israel hasn’t claimed responsibility yet, but everyone knows it was them). This commander was not just any official, but answered directly to the supreme leader! He is the highest-ranking Iranian official to be assassinated since Soleimani in 2020. Iran has therefore vowed swift and terrible revenge:
Iran says it will retaliate for Israeli attack on its Damascus consulate – The Jerusalem Post
Israel braces for 'harsh' Iranian revenge after general's assassination – World Israel News
Iran will retaliate, it’s just a question of how. Using Scripture, we suggest that they will retaliate through their proxies. This is logical given that even the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas is being called a “shadow conflict with Iran” (World Israel News). But note the following paragraph from Jerusalem Post article which explains which entities Iran is likely to use to exact their revenge:
“[As an Iranian asset] Hamas is currently at a disadvantage because of the fighting in Gaza, and this does not mean that tomorrow morning, the Iranians will try to do something impulsive. They will perhaps try to activate their militias in Syria or the Houthis in Yemen.”
Hamas is already involved in the conflict, but as they’re already tied up fighting Israel, Iran likely views them as ineffective as a retaliatory force and may therefore see it necessary to act through their Syrian militias. Could this be how some of the other Psalm 83 nations join the conflict? How interesting it is to watch the angels at work, tweaking things here and there to achieve the desired results through seemingly natural, cause-and-effect events!
The next stage of war indeed looks like it will be on Israel’s northern front. Consider the following news items which show how near and real this conflict is!
Hezbollah launches 50 missiles at northern Israel – World Israel News
WATCH: Hezbollah attacking Iron Dome batteries in northern Israel – World Israel News
It’s easy to see how Lebanon and Syria could enter the war full-scale, particularly if Iran commands it.
Now to the question of Jordan and where they stand. The nation of Jordan does not appear to be quite as close to all-out war with Israel as these other players are, but they are progressing to it very quickly. It was reported a few weeks ago that Jordan’s military was conducting exercises on the Israeli border. Even more recently, Jordan chose to commemorate a small battle from 1968 that’s considered a victory by Jordanians and Palestinians and is compared with the current war in Gaza (The Jerusalem Post). Jordanian activists are also beginning to protest the Gaza War and Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel which it entered in 1994, wanting them to sever ties with Israel (Al-Monitor). Jordan is ramping up for war, and if things continue this way, I would expect them to end their peace deal with Israel.
There are other things we could mention on these topics, but let these suffice to show that the movements of these nations are precisely the kind we expect from the Scriptures. Sometimes the movements are slow, and other times they are quick, but they are continually progressing toward the fulfillment of prophecy. Therefore, we must soberly conclude that all present evidence points to the conclusion that the Psalm 83 war is soon upon us (if not already in its infant stages), and since that war is the war which Christ saves Israel from, we must also conclude that our Lord is indeed nigh!
The fact that the latter-day enemies of Israel are lining up as foretold is a powerful point to this fact, yet there are other things that lead us to that conclusion, one being that
US-Israel Relations Continue to Worsen as Expected
What makes this Gaza conflict significantly different than previous ones is the lack of support Israel is getting. It’s normal for Israel to be criticized by the world for defending itself, but Israel can usually count on US support if nothing else, even if that support is weak and back-handed. But it’s difficult to recall a time when US-Israel relations were this bad. Not only does the US not support Israel in achieving a total victory over Hamas, they are actively opposing it, and Israel is more isolated than ever.
The reason this is important to prophecy is that the prophesied Arab-Israeli war shows Israel fighting on their own, only receiving help from Christ and the saints. As with the Psalm 83 war, we have discussed this many times before and will therefore merely cite a few of the relevant passages (Isaiah 63:1-6, Zechariah 14:5, Obadiah 18-21).
We understand the Scriptures to show that Israel will receive no carnal help, and as America has historically been Israel’s greatest ally, we have been looking for what might cause US-Israel ties to sever, and it seems that Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah might be this very thing. In warning Israel, America has been using a strength of language and threats which we have not yet seen:
US Warns Israel Against 'Enormous' Mistake in Gaza – Newsweek
Kamala Harris hints at 'consequences' for Israel if IDF enters Rafah – World Israel News
Yet Israel believes that such an operation is necessary for their security, and they have said that they will invade Rafah “no matter what the US says” (Bloomberg). As a result, Israel is becoming more and more isolated just as prophecy shows. Consider what the US is now telling Israel:
Rafah op will harm your security, isolate you, US tells Israeli officials – The Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu claims 'whole world is ganging up on' Israel, forgets Oct. 7 – New York Post
All of these threats are based on Israel’s planned Rafah operation, and Netanyahu appears determined to carry it out. The following article from All Israel News sums up Israel’s position: 'Only a decisive victory will bring to an end of this war,' Israeli DM Gallant tells top US officials amid escalating rift.
These tensions have led to America taking drastic measures and effectively stabbing Israel in the back at the United Nations. The UN just passed a resolution which calls for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, and instead of vetoing or voting against the resolution as America normally would for their ally, America chose to abstain. These headlines show what happened and how Israel perceives it:
US defies Israel, declines to veto UN ceasefire resolution – World Israel News
Israel slams US for allowing UN resolution to pass, emboldening Hamas – World Israel News
US, Israel Tensions Boil After UN Ceasefire Vote, Rafah Plans – Business Insider
The Biden regime's latest move to stab Israel in the back – World Israel News
It’s becoming incredibly easy to see how America would not come to Israel’s aid in their time of need. If Netanyahu defies the US, proceeds with a Rafah operation, and it leads to greater trouble for Israel, the US may say, “We tried to tell you to stop, but you wouldn’t. You got yourself into this mess and it isn’t our job to clean it up.” This is obviously speculation, but it’s becoming more and more plausible.
Either way, it’s important to note that this is not just a personal clash between Biden and Netanyahu. Just like the rest of the world, America as a whole is growing more and more anti-Israel:
Majority In U.S. Disapprove Of Israel's War In Gaza, New Poll Finds – HuffPost
ADL: 2000% increase in antisemitic incidents at California’s campuses – JNS
Biden: Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel hecklers 'have a point' – World Israel News
Are US, Israel Heading for Divorce? – Energy Intelligence
Even Donald Trump – one of Israel’s staunchest supporters – has criticized Israel and said that they made “a very big mistake” with the destruction they’ve caused in Gaza (The Hill).
We see antisemitism growing in every nation on earth, yet it is making particularly large strides in the US since “wokeness” and liberalism are thriving there. Seeing this, Israel feels isolated enough from their “ally” that they have begun seeking out other suppliers for weapons and arms:
Top US general admits Israel hasn't received all the weapons it requested – World Israel News
Amid Rafah criticism, Israel looking for non-American weaponry – The Jerusalem Post
It was just reported that the US is considering another arms sale to Israel, so it could be that Israel doesn’t have to pull the trigger on other suppliers, but the very fact that the conversation is taking place is important. And while America is distancing themselves from Israel, they’re strengthening their ties with the “Palestinians”:
Blinken to Abbas: US ‘looks forward’ to engaging with new PA government – Israel365 News
The article states that “Secretary of State Blinken ‘underscored the U.S. commitment to the realization of the creation of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.’” It’s comical that they even include the phrase “security guarantees for Israel” as the very concept of a Palestinian state is a security threat for them.
We do not know if or when Israel will enter Rafah exactly, but we expect there to be some major events which occur as a result. Many delicate pieces of the puzzle are moving right now, and it will not take much to throw the entire Middle East into another war. This is exactly what we expect from the prophecies of Psalm 83, Zechariah 12, 14, Obadiah, and many, many others. These signs all reiterate one of the closing messages in our Bibles:
Revelation 22:12 – behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Indeed, our Master appears to be at the threshold. The eclipse which will take place next week is yet another point to this fact. Yet there are countless other signs in the political heavens we’d like to discuss such as the upcoming US election, how Britain is also turning away from Israel, growing fears of WWIII, and more still, but we will save that for the next Prophecy Letter.
In the One Hope of Israel,
Tanner Hawkins