What The Terror Attacks On Israel Mean For End Times Prophecy

Greg Laurie: What The Terror Attacks On Israel Mean For End Times Prophecy

Is the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, backed by Iran, connected to end times Bible prophecy? In this urgent teaching, Pastor Greg Laurie explains what the Bible says about Israel in the last days, how current events align with prophecy, and why believers should remain watchful and hopeful.

He also calls us to obey Scripture and “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6), standing with Israel while trusting God’s prophetic plan for the future.

What The Terror Attacks On Israel Mean For End Times Prophecy

I woke up yesterday morning and was shocked to read the headline: Israel is at war. This comes near the anniversary of the last time Israel was officially at war—in what is known as the Yom Kippur War back in 1973, when she was attacked by Egypt, Syria, and others.

But this is a very different kind of war. Thousands of rockets rained down on Israel from multiple directions. Hamas gunmen invaded by land, sea, and air. Hundreds of people were murdered and kidnapped. They used what could only be described as ISIS-like methods—specifically targeting young women and children. They launched massive, indiscriminate rocket fire at civilian centers while sending terrorists into towns and settlements near the Gaza border.

They literally went door to door, looking for the young and the elderly. Some of the women they took as hostages were Holocaust survivors. When it’s all said and done—and tragically, this number will only grow—over 600 people are dead and more than 2,000 wounded. This is unprecedented, causing Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to declare: “We are now at war.”

So who is Hamas? They are a terrorist organization funded by Iran. That’s no secret. In fact, Hamas leaders publicly admitted this attack was funded by Iran. Iran has long declared its objective: the destruction of Israel. One Iranian leader celebrated the attacks, saying, “We stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem is completed.”

Iran has also signaled its intent to develop nuclear weapons. Their leaders have threatened to “wipe Israel off the map” and have even spoken of a world without America or Zionism. Isn’t it interesting how it always comes back to Jerusalem?

The Bible predicted thousands of years ago that the end-time events would revolve around Jerusalem—not Irvine, not Riverside, not San Francisco, not Los Angeles, not Moscow, not Paris—but Jerusalem. This small city in this tiny sliver of land will play a central role in the last days.

In Zechariah 12, God says: “I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem. On that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world, and none of the nations who try will be able to lift it.”

And yet, what did the United States recently do? The Biden Administration released $6 billion to Iran—a nation that openly funds terrorism. What a mistake.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting for students of Bible prophecy. Scripture tells us that Israel would be scattered and then regathered. That has happened. In fact, the “super sign” of the last days—the event that set the prophetic clock ticking—was the rebirth of Israel as a nation.

Who would have imagined that after the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were killed, the Jewish people would return to their homeland? Yet, on May 14, 1948, Israel was reborn as a nation. The United States was the first country to acknowledge her. God said she would be regathered—and she was. And God also said she would come under attack.

Ezekiel 37 and 38 speak of this. First, the regathering of Israel. Then, a powerful force from the north attacks her. That force is identified as Magog. Many Bible students and prophecy teachers believe this points to modern-day Russia. Directly north of Israel on a map is Russia.

Why would Russia want to invade Israel? Ezekiel also identifies one of Magog’s allies as Persia—the ancient name for modern-day Iran. The Bible predicted hundreds of years ago that after Israel’s regathering, a coalition including Iran and a northern power would attack. Only in recent years have Russia and Iran developed a close military alliance.

Russia has sold weapons to Iran, while Iran has provided Russia with drones for use in the Ukraine war. Prime Minister Netanyahu has called this cooperation “very disturbing”—Iran supplying drones to Russia, and Russia helping Iran with nuclear development.

Now, how does Israel respond? Civilians were deliberately targeted—young women, children, and the elderly taken hostage. If Israel were to strike Iran directly for funding this attack, it could spark a much larger conflict—possibly the one described in Ezekiel 38, where hooks in Magog’s jaws draw her into battle along with Persia (Iran).

I’m not saying this current war will lead to Ezekiel’s prophecy being fulfilled, but it’s certainly very interesting. If you wake up one day and read the headline, “Russia Attacks Israel,” fasten your seatbelt—you are watching Bible prophecy fulfilled before your very eyes.

So how should we respond? Jesus said: “When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption is drawing near.” He didn’t say panic or give up—He said look up.

Let’s pray together.

Prayer:
Father, You told us in Your Word to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and we do that right now. These are Your people—the Jewish people—whom You regathered into their land, just as You promised. Now, Lord, they are under attack. You call them the apple of Your eye. You promised to bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them.

We ask for Your protection over Israel. Give wisdom to her leaders. Help them recover the hostages. Bring an end to this horrific violence. We pray for Your intervention in that region.

And as Your Word commands, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus. Amen.