Summary

Rumours of War Word on the Week 31st May 2025.
We live in times where there are wars and rumours of wars. This was forecast by Jesus on the Mount of Olives and recorded in Matthews Gospel chapter 24.
A description of these ‘last days’ is recorder in Mark Chapter 13 and Luke Chapter 21. All three gospel passages end with the text ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away’. Such monumental words spell out the durability of the Bible and underline the necessity of knowing what it says throughout history.
In the Old Testament there were many wars as Israel first formed as a nation in Egypt then through many miracles came to conquest the Promised Land. Through the centuries the tribes of Israel prospered when they obeyed God and perished then they disobeyed Him. Psalm 111 portrays Israel prospering.
In 1948 in the aftermath of the holocaust the state of Israel was formed. This fulfilled the long-standing Zionist movement's desire for a Jewish homeland, and ended British rule in Palestine. The United Nations also played a crucial role, dividing Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
Now Israel has outgrown its land and sought to populate the West Bank of the Jordan. It has also tried to take charge of Gaza from the ruling Hamas, an Islamist terrorist group which made war on Israel. They have created an underground city in Gaza making their removal by Israel very difficult.
Scripture foretells a day when all Israel will be saved (Romans 11 verse 25 to 27). This predicts a turning to Christ of the Jews in the last days.
At present we have continuous reporting of the horrors of war. There is a rise in anti-Semitism fueled by the behaviour of Israel’s leader and a desire by the American President to turn Gaza into a Riviera! Let’s conclude with the Romans Doxology. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.