Limited U.S. airstrikes with bunker-busters to take out Iran’s Natanz or the Fordow underground nuclear facility? – YES.
Defending American troops overseas and responding with devastating lethal force if even one of our people is attacked or killed over there? – YES! YES! YES!
U.S. boots on the ground in Iran? – NO! NO! NO!
U.S. led push for regime change in Iran? – NO! NO! NO!
Nation building after the war between Israel and Iran? – NO! NO! NO!
The conflict between Israel and Iran is definitely heating up, and many observers in the faith community believe that the modern Jewish state of Israel is the subject of much Old Testament prophecy. Some even believe that current events in the Middle East are a precursor—perhaps even an immediate precursor—to the biblical Armageddon.
On the other hand, there are many sincere Christians with deep knowledge of the Bible who argue that today’s modern Israel, as constituted since 1948, is not the “apple of God’s eye” as it was in ancient times. They contend that, since the destruction of the Temple and the razing of Jerusalem in 70 AD—and the resulting Jewish diaspora—Jews today are not the same bloodline as the children of God’s covenant with Abraham.
It’s an interesting argument and one worth considering, but here’s where the rubber meets the road: Does America (and the rest of Western Christendom) have an obligation to spend our blood and treasure defending Israel simply because they are considered by some to be “God’s chosen people”?
In my opinion, the answer is no.
But here’s the big “but”: America should be ready to defend and support Israel with weapons and intelligence because she is our greatest friend and ally in the Middle East. Our obligation to Israel stems from modern geopolitical realities, not verses from the Old Testament.
Furthermore, our involvement in the current conflict should be limited to intelligence and material support—not boots on the ground. Israel is fully capable of handling the military personnel side of the equation, and there is no reason for American young people to fight and die in another Middle East killing ground.
Recent U.S. intelligence and media reports indicate that Israel is preparing for a possible unilateral strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming days. Although no formal decision has been made, Israel appears fully prepared to act—even without direct U.S. military involvement, though Washington may still play a supporting logistical or intelligence role. In response, the U.S. has evacuated nonessential personnel from its embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, tightened travel restrictions in Israel, and repositioned troops across the region to mitigate potential retaliatory threats.
Iran has responded with stern warnings, pledging “forceful and destructive” retaliation—including possible strikes on U.S. bases and interests—should Israel move forward. The IAEA recently censured Iran for breaching nuclear obligations, revealing that Tehran is enriching uranium at 60% purity and planning to open a third, concealed facility. Iran has escalated military exercises and advanced air- and missile-defense drills to prepare for a potential imminent attack.
This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of renewed negotiations in Oman between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials, yet disagreements over uranium enrichment persist—dramatically raising the stakes. Analysts caution that Israel’s air campaign would be both technically demanding and risky; Iran’s facilities are deeply fortified and geographically dispersed, meaning even a well‑executed strike could fail to incapacitate the program completely—while risking a broader regional conflict. Historically, such Israeli threats often serve as leverage, pressuring Tehran ahead of critical diplomatic rounds, and may still function primarily as strategic messaging—unless American support or internal Israeli pressure tips the balance toward action
Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on national and world news and events. Here’s the latest recap from the Middle East.
U.N. experts reported today that Israel has committed the crime against humanity of “extermination” by targeting civilians sheltering in schools and religious venues in Gaza. The latest findings, which will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council on June 17, 2025, highlight that over 90% of Gaza’s schools and universities have been destroyed. U.N. Chair Navi Pillay warned this campaign could devastate Palestinians’ cultural and educational future. – From reuters.com
On June 10, 2025, General Erik Kurilla, leader of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told Congress the U.S. military is actively reviewing “a range of options” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He emphasized the readiness to use overwhelming force if necessary. The remarks came amid stalled diplomatic efforts and Iran preparing a counteroffer to a U.S. proposal. – From reuters.com.
Israel deported climate activist Greta Thunberg after its navy intercepted her charity boat—the “Madleen”—en route to Gaza with humanitarian aid. This occurred following her detention aboard the vessel, as Israeli forces continued detaining other activists on the boat. – From Middle East Eye
Under pressure from Qatar, Hamas is reconsidering a response to the current ceasefire proposal, which is reportedly based on U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s framework. The proposed agreement would exchange the release of 10 hostages for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. From The Jerusalem Post
Bible Rebel continues to monitor important news and events from around the world so we can bring the latest information to our readers.
From MSNBC – Two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The suspect reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during the attack, raising concerns about rising tensions.
From AL Monitor – The Israeli army has ordered evacuations in 14 neighborhoods of northern Gaza as it intensifies its military operations. The move comes amid international condemnation and humanitarian concerns, with the UN struggling to distribute aid in the region.
From The Palestine Chronicle – A group of Italian lawyers has filed a formal complaint against the automatic renewal of Italy’s military cooperation agreement with Israel. They argue that continuing the agreement violates Italy’s constitutional principles and international obligations, given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.
From PBS – Despite mounting international criticism, Israel has launched a new military offensive in Gaza, resulting in at least 85 Palestinian deaths. The offensive has led to further humanitarian concerns, with aid deliveries struggling to reach those in need.
Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on world events, here’s the latest from the Middle East.
Top US general in Israel for talks amid massive American military buildup in region
United States Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), who arrived in Israel earlier this week for an official visit, held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli military said Thursday. The IDF says the meeting focused on “strategic security issues across the region.”
From the Times of Israel
Israel launches air attacks on Syria’s Damascus and Hama
Israeli military aircraft have carried out attacks in Syria’s capital Damascus and in the central province of Hama, Israel’s army and local media have said, in the latest string of strikes on the war-torn country.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said the attacks on Wednesday targeted the vicinity of the scientific research centre in the Barzeh neighbourhood of the capital, as well as the airport in the Syrian city of Hama.
From Al Jazeera
Turkiye detains over 1,100 as Erdogan blames ‘evil’ opposition for protests
Turkish police have detained 1,113 people across the country over five days of protests as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames the main opposition party for the unrest sparked by the detention of his main political rival.
From Al Jazeera
Netanyahu says IDF carving new corridor across Gaza to cut off Rafah, pressure Hamas
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that advancing IDF forces were carving out a new security corridor across southern Gaza that would likely cut off the city of Rafah from the rest of the Strip, as Israel seeks to pile pressure on Hamas to free the hostages.
From the Times of Israel
As reported in Bible History Daily from the Biblical Archaeology Society, a recent discovery has unearthed, literally, a stamped clay bulla bearing the seal of King Hezekiah.
From the article:
“The royal seal of King Hezekiah in the Bible was found in an archaeological excavation. The stamped clay seal, also known as a bulla, was discovered in the Ophel excavations led by Dr. Eilat Mazar at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The discovery was announced in a press release by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology, under whose auspices the excavations were conducted...
King Hezekiah in the Bible, son and successor of Ahaz and the 13th king of Judah (reigning c. 715–686 B.C.E.), was known for his religious reforms and attempts to gain independence from the Assyrians.“
As always, Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on the latest news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers. Stay tuned.
There’s a very interesting and informative article published recently on the Jewish Press website by Dr. Harold Rhode titled “Most Palestinian Families Come from Immigrants from the Past Two Centuries“.
Here are a few excerpts from his piece.
“Prior to 1948, the date when the Jewish state was re-established, practically the only people who referred to themselves as Palestinians were the Jews who lived there. The others there, mainly Muslim Arabs, referred to themselves as Muslims.”
“…The modern Palestinian identity was largely invented in 1964, when the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was created.”
“…By the 19th century, much of what is now the West Bank and Gaza was sparsely populated and underdeveloped. Travelers such as Mark Twain and former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant described the region as barren and largely uninhabited. These accounts, written without political bias, provide insight into the state of the land before the demographic shifts that followed.”
And in his conclusion to the article, Dr. Rhode states: “The historical connections between the people of Gaza, the West Bank and British Mandate Palestine are complex—shaped by centuries of migration, trade and political shifts. They are not one people, but a hodge-podge of peoples with no prior connection to pre-1948 Palestine, who settled there during the past two centuries.”
The biblical history of the region is clear – the land and the blessing were given to Abraham and his seed through Isaac by God’s covenant.
Genesis 17:18-21 (KJV) – 18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
The following was recently posted on the Thomas Sowell Foundation page by Mr. Sam Fregiato.
“A crash course on history of PALESTINIAN STATE:
1. Before Israel, there was a British mandate, not a Palestinian state
2. Before the British Mandate, there was the Ottoman Empire, not a Palestinian state.
3. Before the Ottoman Empire, there was the Islamic state of the Mamluks of Egypt, not a Palestinian state.
4. Before the Islamic state of the Mamluks of Egypt, there was the Ayubid Arab-Kurdish Empire, not a Palestinian state.
5. Before the Ayubid Empire, there was the Frankish and Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem, not a Palestinian state.
6. Before the Kingdom of Jerusalem, there was the Umayyad and Fatimid empires, not a Palestinian state.
7. Before the Umayyad and Fatimid empires, there was the Byzantine empire, not a Palestinian state.
8. Before the Byzantine Empire, there were the Sassanids, not a Palestinian state.
9. Before the Sassanid Empire, there was the Byzantine Empire, not a Palestinian state.
10. Before the Byzantine Empire, there was the Roman Empire, not a Palestinian state.
11. Before the Roman Empire, there was the Hasmonean state, not a Palestinian state.
12. Before the Hasmonean state, there was the Seleucid, not a Palestinian state.
13. Before the Seleucid empire, there was the empire of Alexander the Great, not a Palestinian state.
14. Before the empire of Alexander the Great, there was the Persian empire, not a Palestinian state.
15. Before the Persian Empire, there was the Babylonian Empire, not a Palestinian state.
16. Before the Babylonian Empire, there were the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, not a Palestinian state.
17. Before the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, there was the Kingdom of Israel, not a Palestinian state.
18. Before the kingdom of Israel, there was the theocracy of the twelve tribes of Israel, not a Palestinian state.
19. Before the theocracy of the twelve tribes of Israel, there was an agglomeration of independent Canaanite city-kingdoms, not a Palestinian state.
20. Actually, in this piece of land there has been everything, EXCEPT A PALESTINIAN STATE.”
Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.
You can contact Stephen Daniels at Bi***********@********il.com
Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 1
Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 2
Did Israel’s founding in 1948 fulfill Old Testament prophecy, thereby inevitably setting modern Israel on the path to conflict in the Middle East?
As we explore this question, Part I examined five key passages often cited to support this claim—passages fundamental to Christian Zionism. We asked: When these and other prophecies are read in their proper context, do they truly describe 1948, or do they instead point to The Day of the Lord?
In Part II, we examined the Day of the Lord—the most anticipated and most misinterpreted event in Israel’s prophetic history. ‘In that Day,’ God, under the reign of the Messiah, will resurrect the remnant of Israel—those who lived by faith in the Christ-line, just as their father Abraham instructed.
Now, in Part III, we will examine these five disputed passages to determine where they truly belong in the prophetic timeline of world history.
“Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” (NIV)
Some claim this verse refers to Israel’s declaration of statehood in 1948. However, Isaiah 66 is the final chapter of the book, describing the New Heavens and New Earth—the ultimate restoration of Israel, not a political event.
Verses 15-16 speak of cosmic upheaval and divine judgment, placing this prophecy in the Day of the Lord. The “nation born in a moment” refers to the instantaneous resurrection of Israel at Christ’s return, not the gradual formation of a modern state through political processes.
“Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations…and will gather them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all.” (ESV)
This passage is often used to support 1948, but the prophecy explicitly connects Israel’s gathering with a resurrection and the reign of one king—Christ.
Verse 13 makes this clear: “Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves…and brought you up from your graves.”
Since this resurrection has not yet occurred, this prophecy remains future and is tied to Christ’s return, not 1948.
“In that day the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people… and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel.” (KJV)
The phrase “in that day” is a prophetic marker for the Day of the Lord. The chapter describes a world where “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God” and Christ reigns in peace.
This has not happened, as 1948 was strictly a political event. This passage speaks of a supernatural gathering under the Messiah.
“I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken… Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.” (ESV)
Some link this to Israel’s modern wars, but the context reveals that this battle occurs at Christ’s return.
Verse 4 removes all doubt: “On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives.”
Modern Israel’s wars are not this final battle. The Day of the Lord is a supernatural event where Christ Himself fights for Israel. This has not happened yet.
“At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.” (NIV)
The phrase “at that time” points to The Day of the Lord—when God gathers His faithful remnant.
Verse 12 clarifies: “They will trust in the name of the Lord.”
This gathering is spiritual and global, taking place at the final resurrection. Modern Israel remains politically contested and far from receiving the global “honor and praise” described here. This prophecy awaits its full fulfillment.
When read in context, these scriptures do not refer to 1948. Instead, they describe the future Day of the Lord, when:
None of this occurred in 1948. While that event may have set the stage for the world-altering events described in the Book of Revelation, it was by no means the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies.
In fact, there is no mention of 1948—or even recent centuries—anywhere in the Bible. Any attempt to link these passages to modern political events is mere speculation.
When examined in their contexts, these popular Christian Zionist scriptures appear to describe—not the founding of Israel in 1948—but rather the end-times Day of the Lord, still future. While 1948 may have laid the groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and its occupancy by the Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:3-4), the obvious lack of resurrection and renewal, lasting peace, and the Messianic reign precludes it from being the fulfillment of these prophecies. These prophecies describe events that can only be realized at the Second Coming of Christ to the earth.
As one can imagine, a plethora of Old Testament verses can be leveraged to justify war in the Middle East and beyond.
Our endless wars in the Middle East are fueled not only by diplomatic failures, but just as much by doctrinal distortions—scriptural misinterpretations used to manipulate public sentiment. The neoconservatives, governments, and industries that profiteer from these never-ending wars rely heavily on Christian Zionism to rally the troops back home and secure financial and political backing.
While we as pastors may not agree on every interpretation of scripture, one thing we should agree on is that entering a world war based on doctrinal error would be both tragic—and the devil’s greatest triumph. We as Christian ministers must stand against any further global conflicts justified by Old Testament prophecies, to prevent the bloodshed of our children and proclaim the pathway of peace.
Here is Jesus, in Matthew 24:6-7, teaching his disciples about the end times. But also encouraging them to ‘see that ye be not troubled’.
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (KJV)
After a call between Trump and Putin, Russia agreed to a limited ceasefire targeting energy and infrastructure. This step is seen as a precursor to potential full-scale peace talks, with further negotiations planned.
From USA Today – A call between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin ended with a limited agreement for Russia and Ukraine to cease attacks on energy infrastructure, but stopped short of a U.S. proposal for a temporary truce.
Hundreds of people have been killed in clashes between Syrian forces and Assad loyalists. The violence has escalated significantly, with accusations of civilian executions.
From NBC News – More than 1,300 people have been killed in an eruption of violence in Latakia and Tartus in the last 72 hours, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Israel has cut electricity to the last facility in Gaza receiving Israeli power, affecting a desalination plant. This move has been criticized as part of a “starvation policy” by Hamas.
From CNN – Gaza’s fragile ceasefire was shattered early Tuesday as Israel carried out what it described as “extensive strikes” on Hamas targets. After the ceasefire ended, far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir said he would rejoin the government. Separately, several Arab nations accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.