Time and again, countless events unfold in our world, and many of them seem to align in ways that echo ancient biblical prophecies. One of them, which usually triggers riots but because of the war in Gaza seems to have been overlooked, happened this past Wednesday when some 180 Jews entered the Temple Mount and prayed there with their tallits, their prayer shawls. The media spoke about the presence of some 1000 Jews in all who were up there at the Temple Mount. Before this, no more that 30 Jews were allowed to go and quietly, since it is under Muslim jurisdiction. But this time they were there, praying out loud without riot or opposition from the Israeli police.
A member of the Knesset, one from the parliament in Israel, who was also present, spoke of tremendous change that is taking place. Prophetically speaking, this is in fact a major change, because, for the end time prophecies to occur, the third Jewish Temple is needed. As we often mentioned in the past, Daniel, Paul and even Jesus Himself spoke of its presence during the Tribulation period, during Jacob’s trouble.
It seems that Jews are getting closer to building it and for many, their deepest desire is to do just that, as it has been part of the daily Jewish prayers for the last 2000 years. And why was the date of Wednesday the 18th of Nissan chosen for so many Jewish people to gather on the Temple Mount? They believed that it was on this day that Pharaoh was informed that the Israelites had escaped Egypt, marking the beginning of the Exodus. It was stamping it a day of freedom.
Around the world, we also hear about how coalitions of countries as prophesied by the prophets, are slowly forming in front of our eyes. Speaking of the war in Ukraine, they caught two Chinese soldiers fighting alongside the Russians. They caught them with their passports and cards. The Ukrainians say that they have information that many more Chinese are fighting on the Ukrainian front. What interest do the Chinese have in Europe? Before this, they caught North Korean soldiers on the same front. These are major escalations in the world news because here we have three nuclear countries, represented by Russia, China and North Korea who are now present in Europe.
While the prophets speak of a war between the countries aligned with the King of the North, that is Russia against those aligned with western Europe, it speaks of the presence of the Kings of the East or of the Rising Sun, joining the war of Armageddon, but the Bible does not say on which side they will be. Today we have a strong indication that they are on Russia’s side, spoken of as the King of the North who will lead the war of Gog and Magog. And seeing these things, we can also perceive the shadow of the antichrist’s rising: if there is a time when he is needed in Europe, is it now.
And this coming Wednesday evening until Thursday April the 24th, the Jews around the world will commemorate Yom Ha Shoah or the annual Holocaust Memorial Day which considers the genocide that resulted in the deaths of 6 million Jews and 11 million others just 80 years ago. On this day of Yom Hashoah, in Israel, at 10 am, sirens will sound across the country and a moment of silence will be observed. Buses and cars will halt on streets and highways as Israelis will step out of their vehicles and stand with heads bowed. But the most striking thing is that the word Shoah is one that the prophets of the Bible used to describe the suffering of the Jews in the Diaspora and especially in the end times.
It is mentioned by Ezekiel to describe the coming war of Gog and Magog. The Lord is here speaking to Gog, the leader of this coalition, as we read in Ezekiel 38:9 and says: “You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” The words like a storm, is in Hebrew, shoah the designation of the Nazi Holocaust.
Another prophet is more to the point putting so much emphasize on the end times. It is the one we are getting to study today, the prophet Zephaniah. In his description of the 7 year Tribulation, also called the Day of the Lord, Israel’s last war before the coming of the Messiah, it is in chapter 1:15 where the Lord speaks of the shoah in very similar terms as it is called today; He calls it Yom Shoah u Meshoah יוֹם שֹׁאָה וּמְשׁוֹאָה a day of destruction and desolation. The term shoah, when used in the Scriptures, has a ring of prophecy in it and is associated with an increase of antisemitism before the Second Coming. These things have not reached its apex.
And so, this year, more than any other since WW2, Yom HaShoah carries even greater weight, as we witness a disturbing rise in antisemitism and the growing tensions of nations preparing for war. And we remember that the Holocaust did not put an end to antisemitism for only Yeshua will when He comes back. Let us then be in prayer, especially this coming Thursday. Should you meet a Jewish person, let them know of the love of God and of the coming prophecies and especially of the full salvation we have in Yeshua.
In the New