Invitation to Free Bible Presentation:

God’s answer to Middle East turmoil

 

Sunday 28 April 2024 at 7pm at Mt Waverley Christadelphians, 354-358 Waverley Rd, Mt Waverley

 

All welcome

On the night of 13-14 April, Iran sent some 300 or so missiles and drones to attack Israel. These were visible in the night sky, for example over the Dome of the Rock (see picture at the left).  Previously Iran’s proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah have been regular attackers of Israel.  But this is the first time Iran has directly attacked Israel.   Although Israel managed to  knock out 99% of missiles and drones, Middle Eastern insecurity has become further elevated.  What will be the consequences? What is the answer? 

The Bible actually has all the answers.  You are invited to come and hear these answers and what it means for  your life.    The future movements of Iran are given in the book of Ezekiel in the Bible in Ezekiel chapter 38.  The future of Hamas and Hezbollah are outlined in the Bible too.  See the section below.  In Ezekiel chapters 36 & 37, God prophesied the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in clear and unmistakeable terms.  eg: Ezekiel 36:24 (ESV) “I (God) will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.”  This amazingly happened in the 20th century.  Ezekiel chapter 38 goes on to reveal what will happen after the Jews have re-established the nation of Israel.  it prophesies of a Russian led invasion of Israel in which Iran (called by its old name “Persia”) is a key participant.  This invasion triggers the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, who becomes King of the world and causes there to be universal peace.  There is much more in these prophecies in the Bible some of which will be discussed on Sunday 28th April.

Hamas Israel War 

The Hamas Israel war is another part of the turmoil in the Middle East.  This tragic war began on 7 October 2023 and still continues.  This war began when Hamas broke out from Gaza and attacked Israelis in a most brutal manner.  Why did this happen?  Was this unexpected?

This is no surprise to those know the truth of Bible teaching.  It is part of Bible prophecy that Gaza should be an arch enemy of the State of Israel. In the prophecy of Joel chapter 3 it describes the re-establishment of Israel in the latter days (our times) and the vehement opposition of Gaza and some in Lebanon.

In Joel 3:4 (ESV) What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily

  • Philistia – The territory of the Philistines which is modern day Gaza.  The Philistines were enemies of Israel from ancient times.  Hamas is in the same territory and acting the same way.
  • Tyre and Sidon – is the territory of Hezbollah, a sworn enemy of Israel

So what is the time setting of this prophecy?  

Joel 3:1 (ESV) For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

  • The restoring of the fortunes of the Jewish people happened in that order. 
  • Judah was restored in 1948 when the Jews returned to their ancient homeland and the state of Israel was proclaimed. 
  • Jerusalem was restored to Israel, when in the 6 day war of 1967, Israel took control of Jerusalem.

What is the overall time setting of this Prophecy in Joel 3?

It’s the latter day time when all nations come against Jerusalem (Joel 3:2) and when God intervenes to save Israel (Joel 3:16 ESV)  The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

So although the Hamas Israel war is tragic it is also exciting to see Bible Prophecy in process of fulfilment leading to the return of Jesus Christ.  Want more information?  Want to make a comment?  Contact us on this page. 

What is Bible Truth and why is it important?

GOD

Is there a God?  Who is God?  What is God like?
The Bible contains much evidence that there is a God, that he really cares about all people in the world and that he gave his son Jesus Christ so that those who follow him can have eternal life.  Read more→ . 

The Bible

What is the Bible?  Is the Bible believeable? The Bible is the most amazing book in the world.  It reveals how mankind has come about, it tells us about God and it tells us how Jesus Christ opened the way for us to have eternal life.  The Bible is believable and it provides many proofs that show that it can be trusted.   Read more →

The Kingdom of God

The Bible reveals that when Jesus Christ returns to the earth he will establish the kingdom of God on earth for 1000 years.  The capital of the world will then be Jerusalem and a large temple will be built so that all people can come and worship God.  It will be a time of great happiness and prosperity for all the peoples of the world.  Read more →

Is the Bible true?  Is there a God?

Bible prophecy gives the answer  of “Yes” to both questions. How?

  • Detailed and specific Bible prophecies about the destiny of ancient cities and peoples have all come true. There are prophecies about the return of the Jews to the land of Israel which started to be fulfilled from 1948 onwards.

Is it just by chance that events in the world have happened the way the Bible says they would?

  • That’s exceedingly unlikely – hundreds of events were prophesied hundreds of years before they came to pass. Can that happen by chance? No man can predict detailed events hundreds of years in advance.  The Bible has to be written by God

Do you want to investigate Bible Prophecy for yourself? 

Is it important to know the true teaching of the Bible?

Yes it is.  Why?

God requires that our worship of Him is according to Truth.

  • Jesus Christ said, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV)

It is also important that what we believe, and what we teach, is Bible Truth:

  • The Apostle Paul wrote, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8 ESV)

So if what we believe and teach is not true, Paul says we will not be saved; we will not have eternal life.

What is the Truth of the Bible?

In essence the truth of the Bible is not complicated.  Jesus Christ taught that if we believe the Gospel and are baptised we will be saved.  This is what he commanded disciples just before he went to heaven:

Mark 16:15-16 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (every person). He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned”.

Some important considerations that flow out of this are:

  • What is the Gospel that has to be believed to be saved?
  • What is the baptism that Jesus is referring to here?

The Truth about the Gospel

To work out what is the Gospel that we must believe to be saved, we need to look at what Jesus and the Apostles taught as the Gospel.

What was the Gospel that Jesus preached? The gospel that Jesus preached was about the coming Kingdom of God, which will be on the earth.

Matthew 4:23  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom

Matthew 9:35  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom

Jesus also prophesied that his true disciples would preach the Gospel of the Kingdom

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;

What was it that the apostles of Jesus Christ preached?  They preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God and the work of Jesus Christ:

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years (in Rome) preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ,

So what do we need to believe to be saved?  Not just the good news about Jesus, but rather the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God and the things concerning the work of Jesus Christ.  

More information about the Gospel is here

What is the Kingdom of God?

Its rather important to know what the Kingdom of God is, because its part of the Gospel and unless we believe the Truth about this we cannot be saved.

The kingdom of God will be established on this earth after the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth.  Here are some Bible passages about this.

In Luke 1:32-33, the angel that came to Mary to announce the conception of Jesus to her said:

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

This Bible passage shows that:

  1. Jesus Christ will be given the throne of his father David.  That makes him a king.  It also makes him king over Israel, because that is the position that king David occupied
  2. Jesus Christ will rule over the house of Jacob.  This confirms he will be king over Israel, and also indicates that this kingdom will be on earth.
  3. Jesus Christ is going to rule for ever.  This will not therefore be a brief passing thing – it will last for ever.

When preaching at Athens, the apostle Paul said:

Acts 17:31 Because he (God) hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge (rule) the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

This Bible passage shows that:

  1. It is God’s kingdom – he will rule the world
  2. Jesus Christ will be the one who will rule the world on behalf of God.

Who will rule the world with Jesus Christ?

Those who have believed the Gospel and who have been baptised will rule the world with Jesus Christ.  Jesus promised that his apostles would be resurrected from the dead when he returns and would rule over the twelve tribes of Israel:

Matt 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

All other true believers will have rulership roles in the coming Kingdom of Christ:

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

What are true Bible teachings and what are not true?

There is a summary of true bible teachings contrasted with false teaching at this page.