Will Israel Disappear Off The Map?

Israel is currently under a serious threat of annihilation. The threats have been made on numerous occasions and the weapons of destruction feverishly prepared by people who believe the destruction is pre-ordained by their “God”. The major question is, could this possibly happen and when? Our response is surely a definite NO, but how can we be absolutely sure? The fact is that Yaweh, the only true and living God, has actually predicted that this attempt would be made in the last days. He has also foretold what the ultimate result of this attack would be. That result will be achieved by a direct supernatural intervention that will not only save Israel from destruction but will gloriously transform and extend the borders of Israel winning an era of peace and prosperity.

Australian author Gerald Rowlands has written an intriguing and somewhat controversial book about an attack on Israel that may have an astonishing effect on Israel, the Middle East and ultimately the whole world. It presents the possibility that the next major item on God’s prophetic agenda may include a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the nation of Israel that will lead to a great spiritual transformation.

A grave situation that initially appears to threaten the future existence of Israel, may be transformed into a miracle that is even greater than what occurred in Egypt when God delivered His people with a strong and mighty arm (Psa 118:15,16). The very real possibility of this apparently inevitable and imminent attack was greatly increased by a recent speech made by the president of Iran.

On a visit to Lebanon Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently (Thursday 14th October 2010) told thousands of supporters at a rally along the Lebanon/Israel border that Israel would soon disappear, while they (Lebanon) would thrive. Ahmadinejad was in the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil which was once bombed by Israel and rebuilt by Hezbollah.

Speaking to a crowd brandishing Iranian flags and cheering, Ahmadinejad praised Hezbollah and its southern stronghold as "the foremost shield of Lebanon." He further announced that “The entire world should know that the Zionists are destined to soon disappear from the world.” His vehement views have even been aired before the United Nations on several occasions provoking very little protest.

In several of his vitriolic speeches, wittingly or unwittingly Ahmadinejad has actually quoted a Biblical prophecy that a war would be launched against Israel by all her neighbors that would be intended to literally “wipe Israel off the map.” Psalm 83:4-8

What Ahmadinejad did not quote was the conclusion of the psalm in which Israel’s enemies would become ashamed and terrified and learn that Jehovah alone is the “Most High” supreme over all the earth. Psalm 83:16-18

The attack that Ahmadinejad foreshadowed that would make Israel disappear off the map is not only predicted in Psalm 83 it is also described in Zechariah 12. However, the account that is given in Zechariah 12 adds much more detail about the attack and its amazing conclusion.

Zechariah 12:9-10 (AMP)
9 And it shall be in that day that I will make it My aim to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favor and supplication. And they shall look [earnestly] upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Faced with a vicious attack that appears to have the potential to annihilate the Jewish State, the prophet describes a direct intervention by Yaweh Sabaoth (The Lord of heaven’s armies) which achieves an astonishing supernatural victory for Israel. Immediately after the miraculous victory, the person who led Israel to that victory is recognized as - “the one who was pierced.” This totally unexpected revelation is the cause of a national time of mourning encompassing a major part of Israel’s population.

The question this book addresses is whether or not this apparently inevitable attack is the one predicted by Zechariah. If it is then according to verse ten the victory will soon be followed by the transformation of Israel through a fresh revelation of the Holy One of Israel and subsequent repentance and prayers. This “appearance” of the Messiah to Israel will not fit the prophetic perceptions of many Christians. However, according to this book, the possibility of its occurrence appears to have considerable Biblical support. Surely it is a possibility that should at least be seriously and urgently considered. If it proves to be true it will drastically change the future particularly for Israel and the Church and ultimately the whole world.