prophecy

Operation Rising Lion: Modern Nations–Ancient Alliances

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Early in the morning on Friday, June 13th the state of Israel launched a dramatic attack on one of the primary nuclear reactors in Iran. In addition, a number of key Iranian military leaders and nuclear officials were targeted and killed after it was confirmed that Iran had likely reached the capacity to produce nuclear warheads.

Based on repeated public threats from the Iranian leadership, it is well established that they planned to destroy Israel and, potentially, other key nations and cities in the Arab world and the west with these weapons.

Israel titled its mission (which is ongoing) “Operation Rising Lion.” The lion of Judah is a biblical symbol drawn from Genesis 49:9. And is used in a number of places in scripture to refer both to the tribe of Judah, as well as to the ultimate descendant of that tribe, Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:5).

Indeed, while the state of Israel, which actually consists primarily of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, may leap like a lion in the days leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ, it is Christ Himself who will give the final roar to world events.

It is interesting to note the relationship that the Jews have historically had with the Persian Empire (what we, today, call “Iran”), and specifically with the Persian Emperor Cyrus (reign: 559-530 B.C.), who granted the freedom to return home to the Jews who had been taken captive by the Babylonians 70 years before (Ezra 1, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Jeremiah 25 and 29). It was through his edict, an event that was prophesied nearly two hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 44 and 45), that a small remnant of Judah and some of the Levitical priestly families were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of God.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel issued a statement late on Friday, June 13th acknowledging this debt to the Iranian people and encouraging to them to throw off their oppressive leaders: “The nation of Iran and the nation of Israel have been friends since the days of Cyrus the Great. The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime.”

In due time we will see what the ultimate outcome of this recent action by Israel against Iran’s nuclear weapons program will be, but we can know with certainty that it is all part of the staging of events that will ultimately lead to the return of Jesus Christ. The empires and nations of the past have by no means disappeared into the fog of history, they are the same players now, but with different names.

Be watchful, be vigilant (1 Peter 5:8)—it is an exciting and sobering time to be alive and watch these events unfold, but it is more exciting to anticipate the complete transformation and reclamation of humanity that will occur as the government of Jesus Christ ushers in a new era of history!

-Amanda Stiver, with Randy Stiver

*If you wish to reprint this commentary or learn more about how to do so, please contact me in the comments below. I reserve my rights to this content, it is not in the public domain for use or reprint without my permission.

**All images are property of Amanda Stiver, unless otherwise noted. Please do not re-use without permission.

How Do We Value Prophecy?

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A commentary by Randy Stiver (3-24-2023)

As we were reviewing the news last week, my daughter pointed out some interesting comments attached to a post from a Christian news aggregator (a website that collects and shares news stories with commentary). This particular news item addressed the recent, and unnerving, bank failures in California.

The comments that followed from 20-something readers were illuminating. Some admitted that their only understanding of a “bank run” was from the famous Jimmy Stewart movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, seen during the Christmas marketing season.

One commenter made an intriguing prophetic connection about events in the financial sector: “There is so much happening to prepare the way for the one world government and the beast system. This [bank collapse] is a precursor.” 

That comment was met with some agreement, but also significant, ideological resistance:  “…From a scriptural point of view, we don’t really see that happening yet, and it likely still won’t for quite a long time. There’s no need to talk about end times and fear monger amongst Christians when we aren’t quite there yet…”

Important questions and implications

A.) Do we know enough about the “Beast” system to be able to say that the financial chaos of recent years is a precursor?

Answer: Yes, we can know a considerable amount about the prophesied “Beast” power, read Revelation 13 to understand what the “Beast” is and its implications in Bible prophecy. Verses 16-17 of that chapter pertain to an all-encompassing economic system. Financial consolidation through bank failures could function as a catalyst that would allow a “Beast”-type government to arise. It is wise to be watchful of economic conditions, especially when they shift rapidly.

B.) Does Scripture instruct us to not talk about Bible prophecy if we have concluded that there aren’t sufficient signs of its fulfillment? What are the inherent dangers of that argument? 

Answer: Prophecy is a vital part of Scripture—not to be overlooked. Almost one third of the Bible, in fact, directly addresses prophecy. To neglect one of the outstanding features and proofs of the authenticity of the Bible as the revealed Word of God is unwise, to say the least.

Being well versed in all dimensions of the Bible message is vital, but watching and warning is a clear directive from our Savior, Jesus Christ (see Luke 21:35-36). If we are to watch, it follows that we must know what to watch for, and the only place to be educated in that information is through study of prophecy and prophetic events in the Bible.

C.) Another comment suggested that Christ is all about love and therefore we shouldn’t frighten His followers with scary end time prophecies and analysis. Is that a fair characterization of Jesus Christ and His love for us? 

Answer: God’s love is multi-faceted. If a child is playing near a heated stove, hot pans and skillets within reach, a parent knows instinctively that to love that child means they must intervene rather than let him or her continue in a dangerous habit. So, too, will God intervene with humanity. He won’t allow humankind to continue into sinful self-destruction.

Christ’s “tough love” warnings to mankind take up many paragraphs in the New Testament, particularly the prophecies of the end times found in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Christ knew that His followers would, through His Spirit, understand that the “scary” times are followed by a time of unprecedented peace and freedom from human suffering in His Kingdom on earth.

Aware ahead of time

One of the key elements of end-time prophecy is the unique religious deception that grows in intensity during the last few years prior to Christ’s return.

This religious deception will tempt even the faithful followers of God to abandon the truth, losing the ability to see that they are not following God, and are, instead, following the Devil and his false prophets (Matthew 24:24).

Isn’t it essential, whether Christ returns in our lifetime or not, that we remain alert, wise and warily watchful for prophesied deceptions – especially ones cloaked in apparent “Christian principles” of love, acceptance, tolerance, and diversity, etcetera? Please read thoroughly 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).  

Jesus personally forewarned all the world to be watchful of religious deception, false values and lies.

What is the inherent value of prophecy? Was it not Jesus Himself who inspired great prophecies as part of Holy Scripture to teach us His way to keenly sharpen our anticipation for, and insight into the soon-coming Kingdom of God?

End time prophecies were vitally important to the biblical Prophets, the Apostles and especially to Jesus Christ—the Lord and Savior of all mankind. Don’t dwell in denial! Those prophecies remain vitally important for us—and all mankind—today in the era leading to Jesus’ soon-to-occur second coming! (John 16:33)

Be watchful, stay vigilant, remain faithful!

*This originally appeared as a weekly note sent to my local congregation. If you wish to reprint this commentary or learn more about how to do so, please contact me in the comments below. I reserve my rights to this content, it is not in the public domain for use or reprint without my permission.