The Holy Land

Watchdog Middle East Alert

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Picture via Lara Jameson pexels.com

Whether or not you believe that the Holy Land holds any modern day relevance in biblical prophecy, that region of the world is most definitely vitally important when it comes to global affairs and geo-politics.

Because we are always to be vigilant and aware, Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on events around the world and here in America.

Here’s the latest from the Middle East.

Mass starvation looming in Sudan

“More than 600,000 people in Sudan are “on the brink of starvation” as famine stalks the war-torn country, the United Nations has warned.” – More from Al Jazeera

Hamas ready to negotiate Phase II

“Hamas said Thursday it was ready to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after a swap overnight in which it handed over what it said were the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of more than 600 Palestinian detainees held by Israel.” – More from gwire.com

Israel underestimated Hamas’ terror intentions and abilities

“An investigation by the Israeli military has determined that Hamas was able to carry out the deadliest terrorist attack in Israeli history on Oct. 7, 2023, because the much more powerful Israeli army misjudged the militant group’s intentions and underestimated its capabilities.” – More from CBS News

Terrorist injures 13 in car attack in Northern Israel

“A Palestinian man steered his car into a crowd of people waiting at a bus stop in northern Israel on Thursday in a terror spree that left 13 people injured, including a teen hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.” – More from the Times of Israel

Watchdog Alert: Riviera of the Middle East?

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Picture via Lara Jameson pexels.com

Bible Rebel is keeping a watchdog’s eye on events around the world. Here’s some of the latest from the Middle East.

Trump’s ‘out of the box’ Middle East policy is being well-received, says Israeli ambassador

Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Leiter was on ‘Fox News Live’ Sunday to discuss President Donald Trump’s proposing nuclear talks with Iran, his plan for rebuilding Gaza, and the condition of released hostages which sparked outrage in Israel. 

Trump’s suggestion to turn Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East” has also sparked a lot of controversy.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6368564940112

Gaza Ceasefire Deal and Prisoner Swap

Israel and Hamas have conducted a fifth prisoner swap under the Gaza ceasefire deal, exchanging three Israelis for 183 Palestinians.

Israel and Hamas conducted a fifth exchange of prisoners and hostages Saturday as part of a ceasefire agreement that has paused 16 months of war in Gaza.

Hamas released three civilian Israelis and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. It was the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the ceasefire began on Jan. 19. Twenty-one hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners have now been freed. – AP News

Iran Ready to Negotiate with the U.S.

Iran’s Foreign Minister has stated that Iran is ready to negotiate with the U.S., but not under the “maximum pressure” policy, which Iran views as surrender.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement on Saturday that “the lifting of sanctions requires negotiations, but not within the framework of a ‘maximum pressure’ policy, because it would not be a negotiation but a form of surrender”. Al Jazeera

Sudan Army Claims Major Advances in Greater Khartoum

The Sudanese army has made significant advances in Greater Khartoum, marking one of the most substantial progressions since the conflict began between army chief al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The army, at war with the RSF since April 2023, has in recent weeks won back large swaths of the capital and its surrounding areas from the paramilitaries. – Al Jazeera

Current News Of Wars And Rumors Of Wars

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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)

Much of what our Lord was prophesying here had to do with the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple, which would happen within 40 years or so of this prophesy and his imminent death and resurrection.

However there is no reason not to consider that he was also making a double prophecy, which is fairly common in the Bible, extending the meaning here to also warn of the time immediately preceding the Final Judgement, which is still future as of this blog post.

Let’s remember though, that people and nations in all times and places have experienced wars, famine, earthquakes, and pestilence. This prophecy is referring to a specific people in a specific place and time(s)- the people are those disciples living in the place, Jerusalem and Judea, at the time preceding the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD and also in some future time right before The End.

Even so, as watchdogs living in this time and place we should always keep our ears tuned ‘rumors of wars’ and be aware of the seasons of God’s plans and purposes.

So here is a brief recap of some of the international war news happening right now.

Ukraine-Russia War

Russian drones targeted Kharkiv, but Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a Shahed drone during the attack. Additionally, Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed 21 North Korean soldiers supporting Russian troops in a standoff in Russia’s Kursk region: Sky News

Gaza Conflict

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza for the first time since the early weeks of the war with Hamas. The ceasefire remains fragile as both sides trade blame over deal violations: AP News

Democratic Republic of Congo

Rebels have moved into the key city of Goma, leading to thousands fleeing the fighting as the situation continues to escalate: AP News

Sudan’s Darfur Region

About 70 people were killed in an attack on a hospital in Sudan’s Darfur region, according to the WHO chief. The ongoing conflict in Darfur continues to cause significant humanitarian crises: Associated Press

The Davidic Dynasty And Biblical Archaeology

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Photo via Виктор Соломоник at pexels.com

Here’s a brief recap of some of the more recent discoveries and news items from the world of Biblical archaeology. Stay tuned for this regular feature appearing in the Bible Rebel blog.

Tel Dan Stele Displayed in Oklahoma
The Tel Dan Stele, an artifact confirming the historical existence of King David, was exhibited at Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma, from September 22 to November 25, 2024. This significant artifact provides evidence of the Davidic dynasty mentioned in the Bible.
The Jerusalem Post

Ancient Stone with Greek Inscriptions Discovered in Upper Galilee
A 1,700-year-old volcanic stone bearing ancient Greek carvings was found in Upper Galilee, a region associated with Jesus’ miracles. The stone, serving as a boundary marker from the Roman Empire, references two previously unknown settlements, Tirathas and Golgol, dating back to the reign of Caesar Marcus Aurelius Alexander. This find offers insights into Roman administration and land ownership in the area.
The Sun

Discovery of a 2,700-Year-Old Seal in Jerusalem
In September 2024, archaeologists uncovered a 2,700-year-old seal in Jerusalem. Such seals offer valuable insights into the administrative practices and personal identities during the First Temple period.
Bible Archaeology

Wars, Rumors Of Wars, And Earthquakes

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‘Israel at war day 457: What happened in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon?’

Some of the latest troubling news from the Jerusalem Post, including the possibility of a return to full-scale war with Hezbollah in the North and and the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the South.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/2025-01-05/live-updates-836097

Major Earthquake in Tibet

6.8 magnitude earthquake near holy city in Tibet leaves at least 128 dead and many injured.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/68-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-holy-city-tibet/story?id=117405149

Reading current news and events, especially lately, makes me think of passages like these from Matthew:

Matthew 24:6-8 – You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (NIV)

Is the current unrest and violence in and around the land of Israel an example of biblical prophecy being fulfilled? Well, yes and no.

Yes, in the sense that we have been living in the ‘end times’ since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago.

But no, not specifically – because there have been wars and earthquakes and famine and pestilence all over the world, including in the Holy Land, on a regular basis for all of those 2000 years.

I hope to make the topic of biblical prophecy and its relevance, or non relevance, to current events a priority topic for discussion, commentary, and study on the biblerebel.com blog going forward. So stay tuned.

Latest Holy Land Updates – 12/17/24

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Israel’s Occupation of Syrian Buffer Zone

Israel has occupied a buffer zone within Syria, coinciding with ongoing Israeli military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

In Syria, the new rebel administration has expressed willingness to cooperate with the UN on humanitarian aid, and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have proposed demilitarizing Kobani to address Turkey’s security concerns. Despite these developments, efforts for a permanent ceasefire have failed. Additionally, countries like Qatar and France have reopened their embassies in Damascus, indicating a shift in diplomatic relations following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The discovery of mass graves in Syria has further highlighted the atrocities committed during Assad’s rule.

Meanwhile, Hamas remains hopeful for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza amid ongoing international efforts to resolve the conflict stemming from Hamas atrocities against Israeli citizens and the taking of hostages, including Americans, on October 7, 2023.
AP News

Discovery of Ancient Chinese Inscription in Jerusalem

Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a porcelain bowl at Mount Zion bearing the oldest-known Chinese inscription in the city. Dating back to the 16th century, likely from the Ming Dynasty, the inscription reads, “Forever we will guard the eternal spring.”

This finding underscores historical trade relations between Imperial China and the Ottoman Empire, with records indicating Ottoman delegations visiting Beijing and Chinese merchant colonies in regional cities like Beirut, Tripoli, and Jerusalem. The discovery highlights Jerusalem’s historical significance and its extensive trading connections.
New York Post

Vatican’s Nativity Scene Controversy

A Nativity scene in the Vatican featuring a manger draped with a keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian identity, has garnered significant attention. Unveiled on December 7 and crafted by Bethlehem-based artisans, the scene initially included the keffiyeh. However, by December 11, both the keffiyeh and the infant Jesus were removed, aligning with Vatican tradition of placing the infant on December 24.

A Palestinian official confirmed the removal without providing an explanation. The Vatican reiterated the adherence to tradition, while the Israeli Embassy did not comment on potential complaints regarding the keffiyeh. Pope Francis has reiterated his call for peace and recognition of Palestine’s struggles and is scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican soon.
AP News