1 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: Welcome to Inside the Epicenter weekend edition with New York 2 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: Times bestselling author and Mid East expert Joel Rosenberg. This 3 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: is a radio program of the Joshua Fund, the ministry 4 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:16,799 Speaker 1: funded by Joel and his wife Liam that's dedicated to 5 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:21,120 Speaker 1: blessing Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus. 6 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 1: This is a program where we don't just talk about 7 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: faith and current events. We dive right into the spiritual 8 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: pulse of the Middle East and the God who is 9 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: moving so powerfully in it. Every week we unpack the headlines, 10 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: the prophecies, and the hope of Christ that's rising in 11 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: a region so often misunderstood because what happens in the 12 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: Epicenter doesn't stay there. It's after shocks ripple across the world. 13 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: Today we are featuring a fascinating and deeply biblical message 14 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: from Joel Rosenberg, exploring a remarkable question few believers have considered. 15 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: Could peace between Israel and Lebanon actually be part of 16 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: God's prophetic plan before the last great wars of history. 17 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 1: As direct talks between Israel and Lebanon begin for the 18 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: first time in decades, many are asking whether this moment 19 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 1: could reshape the future of the Middle East. Does this 20 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: Bible prophecy leave room for peace before the War of 21 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: Gog and Magog? Did Israel and Lebanon ever enjoy peaceful 22 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: relations in biblical history? And what role would the weakening 23 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:38,279 Speaker 1: of Iran and Hezbolah play in opening a new chapter 24 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: for the Lebanese people. Let's join Joel Rosenberg as he 25 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: examines what the Bible says about Israel, Lebanon and the 26 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 1: hope found in God's prophetic plan. 27 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 2: Is peace possible between Lebanon and Israel? That's the big 28 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 2: question that's being asked in the man of all the 29 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 2: challenges with Iran. 30 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 3: This is a huge. 31 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 2: New question, and I want to talk about it tonight. 32 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,920 Speaker 2: Lot's going on, but this is the focus tonight. Direct 33 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 2: peace talks between the governments of Lebanon and Israel are underway. 34 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 3: They begin in Washington, and this. 35 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 2: Is not only historic, it also raises three critical questions. First, 36 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 2: is there any serious chance really that Lebanon will really 37 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 2: make peace? I mean a real piece, a true piece, 38 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 2: a warm piece, and abraham Accords style peace and normalization 39 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 2: agreement with Israel? Is that even remotely possible? After all, 40 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: for decades Lebanon has essentially been a slave state under 41 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 2: the merciless control of the wicked Iranian regime and jas Blah, 42 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 2: Iran's largest and most powerful terror proxy army. Second, does 43 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 2: Bible prophecy give us any hope of peace between Israel 44 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 2: and Lebanon in the last days of history? I mean, 45 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 2: Jesus warn us that we would have wars and rumors 46 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 2: of wars, kingdom rising against kingdom, nation against nation in 47 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 2: the last days. 48 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 3: Yes, he did, and don't The. 49 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 2: Prophecies like Ezekiel thirty eight indicate quite clearly that the 50 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: forces of Russia, Iran, Turkey and others will be coming 51 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 2: against Israel in the prophetic future from the north and 52 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 2: thus presumably through Lebanon and Syria. 53 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 3: Yes, that is what the scriptures say. 54 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 2: So we're going to ask that question, well, is there 55 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 2: any prophetic biblical evidence that peace is possible between these 56 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 2: two countries? And Third, was there ever peace and quiet 57 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 2: between Israel and Lebanon in biblical times? I mean, is 58 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 2: there any president at all for common quiet on Israel's 59 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 2: northern border? All great questions and timely ones, given that 60 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 2: peace talks, like I say, have just begun in Washington 61 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 2: and there are no shortage of pessimists watching that process. Okay, 62 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 2: let's take these questions one by one. First, is there 63 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 2: any serious chance of peace between Lebanon and Israel? And 64 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 2: I want to put my cards on the table. I 65 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 2: am an optimist when it comes to the possibility a 66 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 2: piece between Israel and Lebanon in the near or medium term. 67 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 3: I mean long term. 68 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 2: Yes, we're heading to very horrific apocalyptic prophetic wars, including 69 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 2: Armageddon and. 70 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 3: Obviously Gog and mcgog. But before that, is it possible? 71 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 2: And I think yes, it's possible that there could be quiet, 72 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 2: calm and even a treaty. And that's not just because 73 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,359 Speaker 2: I have a Lebanese evangelical brother in law, which I 74 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 2: do and we love him very much. It's not just 75 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:49,840 Speaker 2: because Lynn and I have many dear friends who are 76 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,840 Speaker 2: Lebanese born and raised there, some of them still there. 77 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 3: And it's not just because that for. 78 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 2: Nearly twenty years, the ministry that my wife and I started, 79 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 2: the Joshua Fund, has invested in strengthening the evangelical Arab 80 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:08,159 Speaker 2: church in Lebanon and in Lebanese ministries that preach the 81 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 2: Gospel and make disciples there. All true, but that's not 82 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 2: only why we love Lebanon. We love Lebanon because God 83 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 2: loves Lebanon. The Father loves Lebanon so much that he 84 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 2: speaks of a prophetic future when he will save the 85 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 2: people of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and wait for it, 86 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 2: Lebanon Isaiah nineteen, Verses twenty three and twenty four. In 87 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 2: that day, there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. 88 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 3: Pause. What is Assyria. 89 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 2: Well, ancient Assyria was an empire that included. 90 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 3: Lebanon. 91 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 2: The country we know today is Syria, Jordan, and even 92 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 2: part of Iraq. So prophetically, what Isaiah nineteen is telling 93 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 2: us that in the future, not only will Egypt have 94 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 2: this amazing awakening where Egyptians will come to faith in 95 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 2: Jesus and Israelis will come to faith in Jesus, the 96 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: people that live in these areas, including Lebanon, in this 97 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,840 Speaker 2: territory in ancient times known as Assyria, they will come 98 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:14,359 Speaker 2: to faith in Jesus too. Let's pick up the text. 99 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 2: There'll be highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians 100 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:22,839 Speaker 2: will come into Egypt, and the Egyptians will come into Assyria, 101 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:27,600 Speaker 2: and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day, 102 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:32,119 Speaker 2: Israel will be the third party, with Egypt and Assyria 103 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:35,719 Speaker 2: a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the 104 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 2: Lord of Hosts has blessed, saying, blessed is Egypt my people, 105 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 2: and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance. 106 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 2: I love that passage Isaiah nineteen. There are hard things 107 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,559 Speaker 2: that get us to that point. But God is saying 108 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 2: he loves Egypt and Israel and these countries around Israel 109 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 2: previously known as Assyria, and he has great plans for us. 110 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 2: He plans to bless us, and I believe He's going 111 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: to pour out his Holy spirit and draw many, probably 112 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 2: not all, but many in this region to himself. Okay, 113 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 2: that's exciting. That's what the Word of God says. But 114 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 2: there's more. The Father loves Lebanon so much that he 115 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 2: speaks of the glory of Lebanon and demonstrates in the 116 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 2: scriptures his heart of compassion and mercy and his desire 117 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 2: to bring salvation to both Israelis and to the Lebanese people. 118 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 2: We see this in Isaiah thirty five, verses one through ten. 119 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 2: I'm gonna show you some of those verses. The wilderness 120 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 2: and the desert will be glad, and the arava will 121 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 2: rejoice and blossom like the crocus. It will blossom profusely 122 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 2: and rejoice with rejoicing and shouts of joy. 123 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 3: That's a lot of joy. 124 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 2: The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty. 125 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 3: Of Carmel and Charon. 126 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 2: They will see, They, the people of these areas, including Lebanon, 127 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 2: they will see the glory of the Lord. 128 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 3: The majesty of our God. 129 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 2: And the text says the prophet says, encourage the exhausted, 130 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:09,239 Speaker 2: and strengthen the feeble. 131 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 3: Say to those with an anxious heart, take courage. Fear not. 132 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 2: Behold, your God will come with vengeance. The recompense of 133 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 2: God will come. In other words, God will bring justice 134 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: on the enemies. But God says he will save you. 135 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 2: Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and 136 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 2: the ears of the death will be unstopped. Then the 137 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 2: lame will neep like a deer, and the tongue of 138 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 2: the mute will shout for joy, And the ransomed of 139 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 2: the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, 140 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 2: to Israel, to Jerusalem, to this city that I'm in 141 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:50,679 Speaker 2: with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness 142 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 2: and joy, and sorrow and sign will flee away. That's 143 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 2: the perphetic future of Israel and her neighbors, including Lebanon. 144 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 2: Nowesus loved the people of Lebanon so much that the 145 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 2: New Testament tells us the Gospels tell us that Jesus 146 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 2: traveled there to Lebanon. He said, he came for the 147 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 2: you know, for the to save the lost sheep of 148 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 2: the House of Israel. But he went to Lebanon, and 149 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 2: Jesus ministered there in what I believe was a partial 150 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:24,959 Speaker 2: fulfillment of Isaiah thirty five. Consider the First Gospel, count 151 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: the Gospel according to Matthew chapter fifteen. Let's look at 152 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 2: verses twenty one through twenty eight. Okay, Jesus went away 153 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:37,599 Speaker 2: from there and withdrew from Israel into the district of 154 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 2: Tire and Side. Those are the two most famous ancient 155 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 2: cities in the country we call Lebanon today. Verse twenty two. 156 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 2: And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and 157 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 2: began to cry out, saying, have mercy on me, Lord, 158 00:09:54,120 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 2: son of David, My daughter is cruelly demon possessed Jesus 159 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 2: did not answer her a word, and his disciples came 160 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 2: and implored Jesus, saying, send her away, because she keeps 161 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 2: shouting at us. But Jesus answered and said, I was 162 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 2: sent only to the lost. 163 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,319 Speaker 3: Sheep of the House of Israel. Right. 164 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 2: So there you see the very verse I just cited. 165 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 2: We see it among other places in the Gospels. We 166 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 2: see it right here, verse twenty five. 167 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 3: But I love this. This butt is wonderful, and Hebrew 168 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 3: means ava. We would say a vah. 169 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 2: However, however, she this Lebanese woman, she came and began 170 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 2: to bow down before him, before Jesus, saying, Lord, help me. 171 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 2: And he answered and said, it is not good to 172 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:51,959 Speaker 2: take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. Now, 173 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:55,439 Speaker 2: I'll note that that feels harsh, right, Jesus saying, why 174 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 2: should I give the bread of the Word of God 175 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,599 Speaker 2: and the blessings of God from the God of Israel 176 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 2: to the people of visual Why should I give it 177 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 2: to the neighbors? 178 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 3: Right? But he says it in what seemingly a very 179 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 3: harsh wave. 180 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 2: However, avau, However, she says, yes, Lord, but even the 181 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 2: dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their master's 182 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:21,839 Speaker 2: table wow verse twenty eight. Then Jesus said to her, 183 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 2: oh woman, your faith is great. It shall be done 184 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:31,319 Speaker 2: for you as you wish, and her daughter was healed 185 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 2: at once. Now Christians today make up between thirty and 186 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:40,079 Speaker 2: forty percent of the Lebanese population. I think in part 187 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: because Jesus actually ministered there and he loves the people 188 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 2: of Lebanon, and it has been torn by civil war 189 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 2: and all kinds of horrors over the years. But there 190 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 2: are many Christians there praying. They're praying for peace. We 191 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 2: need to be praying for peace with them, and we 192 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 2: need to be a blessing to the people of Lebanon, 193 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 2: just like Jesus was, because we always follow his model 194 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 2: his lead. Right now, just because we're praying for Lebanon 195 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 2: and we should. That's not a guarantee that they'll be peace, okay, 196 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 2: But these are some of the. 197 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:13,239 Speaker 3: Reasons that I'm an optimist. 198 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 2: Because God loves Lebanon, the Father loves Lebanon, Jesus loves Lebanon. 199 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 2: There are thirty to forty percent of the Lebanese people 200 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 2: who love Jesus, who love the Lord and are calling 201 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 2: out to him for mercy, and we should be doing 202 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:28,000 Speaker 2: that too. 203 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 3: I certainly am. I hope you are. But there's more. 204 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: You're listening to Inside the Epicenter Weekend edition with Joel 205 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: and Lynn Rosenberg. If today's program is encouraging you, you'll 206 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 1: find more than three hundred and fifty episodes of Inside 207 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:53,840 Speaker 1: the Epicenter available on your favorite podcast app. Joel and 208 00:12:54,000 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 1: Lynn explore topics like Israel, Bible prophecy, theology, current events, 209 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 1: practical ways many believers can pray for peace and spiritual 210 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 1: awakening throughout the Middle East, and so much more. Just 211 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: search for Inside the Epicenter on your favorite podcast app, 212 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 1: or visit joshuafund dot com slash Radio, and while you're there, 213 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 1: learn more about the Joshua Fund and how Joel and 214 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 1: Lynn are strengthening believers throughout Israel and her neighbors. Now 215 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: back to Joel as he explores how biblical prophecy may 216 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 1: point toward a season of peace before the final conflicts 217 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 1: of the Last Days. 218 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 2: I want to get right back to the three questions 219 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 2: that we've been asking. One is do I have Is 220 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 2: there any hope of a peace between Lebanon and Israel? 221 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 2: And I think there's a growing interest by the Lebanese 222 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 2: people for peace, and now direct. 223 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 3: Historic talks are underway. But there's another question. 224 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 2: Does Bible prophecy give us any hope of peace between 225 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 2: Israel and Lebanon in the last days of history? That's 226 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 2: a great question, and the answer is yes. 227 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 3: The scriptures do tell. 228 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 2: Us that in Ezekiel thirty eight and thirty nine that 229 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 2: there will be a terrifying and apocalyptic war known as 230 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 2: the War of Gog and Magog in the last days 231 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 2: of history. Okay, that's true, and that's going to be devastating. 232 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 2: And yes, the Russian, Iranian, Turkish alliance against Israel in 233 00:14:33,560 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 2: the last days will come primarily, not exclusively, but primarily 234 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 2: come from the north, Okay. So that means those troops 235 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 2: and those forces will be coming through Lebanon and probably 236 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 2: through Syria too. But before that war unfolds, the ancient 237 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 2: Hebrew prophet Ezekiel tells us that number one, the Jewish 238 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: people will be regathered from exile into the land of Israel. O. 239 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 3: That's important. 240 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 2: That's what happened starting in the late eighteen hundreds and 241 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 2: right up to the present, and of course, the prophetic 242 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 2: rebirth of the modern nation state of Israel happened on 243 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 2: May fourteenth, nineteen forty eight, which we are celebrating, and 244 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 2: that's important. Okay, that's already underway, so that's good. Second, 245 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 2: Ezekiel tells us that God will help the nation of 246 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 2: Israel rebuild the ancient ruins. Okay, and that's clearly underway. 247 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 2: We joke here in Israel that the crane is the 248 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 2: bird of Israel, the national bird of Israel. What we 249 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 2: mean is the cranes that are building all these apartments 250 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 2: and factories and office buildings. 251 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 3: It is happening. 252 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 2: God is being merciful and helping Israel rebuild the ancient ruins. Third, 253 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 2: the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel tells us in Ezekiel thirty eight 254 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 2: that God will also help israelis not only resettle our 255 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 2: ancient homeland, but the tech says that we will be 256 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 2: increasingly peaceful and prosperous. Yes, there are other prophecies of 257 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 2: war coming, including in Ezekiel thirty eight the War of 258 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 2: Gog and Magog. But before that happens, Israel has to 259 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 2: become a country again. Jews have to be regathered. We 260 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 2: have to be becoming peaceful and prosperous. And then watch 261 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 2: this verse eleven. The text tells us that enemies will 262 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 2: come against en Israeli people quote, who are at rest, 263 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:29,400 Speaker 2: that live securely, all of them living without walls and 264 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 2: having no bars or gates. 265 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 3: That's amazing. 266 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 2: What that's telling us, in a sort of a poetic way, is. 267 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 3: Israel's going to be quiet. 268 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 2: Isra's gonna have peace on all of its sides, at 269 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 2: least for a season, at least for a period of 270 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 2: time before the Gagan Magog war kicks in. Now, I 271 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 2: think that it's very possible that this horrific war that 272 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 2: erupted on October seventh, twenty twenty three, has set into motion. 273 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 2: This exis that prophetic future, a future in which just 274 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 2: railies live calmly and quietly and securely with all of 275 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:11,400 Speaker 2: our immediate neighbors. Now, I want you to study Ezekiel 276 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 2: thirty eight on your own. I want you to look 277 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 2: at what's happening. I want you to look at the 278 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 2: context of scripture, and I want you to ask for yourself, 279 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 2: is am I right? Okay, I'm making an assessment. 280 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 3: Right. 281 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 2: I can't prove it, but I'm saying I think all 282 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:31,440 Speaker 2: this devastation is leading to peace and quiet of all 283 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 2: of our sides. Okay, it may not be a perfect piece. 284 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:38,240 Speaker 2: It's a you know, a modern contemporary piece. And whether 285 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 2: that has an actual peace treaty, I don't know. But look, 286 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 2: if this is the case, if my assessment, my analysis, 287 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 2: my interpretation of Ezekiel thirty eight is correct, then imagining 288 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 2: a calm border with Lebanon, or even a formal peace 289 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 2: and a normalization treaty, a deal like we have with 290 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 2: the United Arab Emirates, like we have with bah and Morocco, 291 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 2: it's not so. 292 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 3: Far fetched at all. 293 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 2: Again, if you think about when Jesus says there's gonna 294 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 2: be wars and rumors of wars, well, there certainly are right, 295 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:11,880 Speaker 2: and nation will rise against the nation, kingdom against kingdom. 296 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:13,119 Speaker 3: All those things are true. 297 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 2: But Ezekiel thirty eight, before you get to the apocalyptic war, 298 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 2: tells us things will be quiet, things will be calme. 299 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 2: I can't say that the Abraham Accords is going to 300 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:28,119 Speaker 2: happen in every single country in the region, right. I 301 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 2: can't tell you that the that Rezapa Navi, the crown prince, 302 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 2: the exiled crown Prince of Iran, is actually gonna come 303 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 2: to power in Iran. That'd be awesome, I think, and 304 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 2: then and bring about a Cyrus Accords. Maybe, yes, I'm 305 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:44,439 Speaker 2: praying for that. I hope you are too. But the 306 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 2: question is do we at least get calm and quiet. Well, 307 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 2: that would require Iran's regime and its offensive military capabilities 308 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:58,400 Speaker 2: to be crushed, maybe not vanquished, but crushed. It would 309 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 2: also mean that Hasboa would have to be crushed, and 310 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 2: Hamas and the Lebanese people to rise up and regain 311 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 2: their sovereignty from their Iranian and. 312 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 3: Husbandaw slave masters. 313 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 2: I think that's possible, more possible than ever, which brings 314 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 2: us to the next critical question. Was there ever peace 315 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:25,919 Speaker 2: between Israel and Lebanon in Biblical history? And the answer 316 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 2: is a resounding yes. The Bible teaches us that in 317 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 2: ancient times God raised up King David to be the 318 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 2: king of all Israel and Judah. 319 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 3: By the age of thirty. Okay, that's pretty amazing. Now. 320 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,199 Speaker 2: The text of scripture tells us that David made peace 321 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 2: with whom with Lebanon's king, Hiram. Hiram was the king 322 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 2: of Tire, which was the most powerful city in the 323 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 2: country we would call Lebanon today, and then it had 324 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 2: multiple little kingdoms around, but This is pretty amazing that 325 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 2: David not only becomes king, but he makes peace with Lebanon, 326 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 2: and David goes on to reign for thirty three years. 327 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 2: God blessed the nation of Israel as well as David's 328 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 2: alliance and his peace treaty with Lebanon, through his friendship, 329 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 2: his really devout and sincere deep friendship with King Hiram 330 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: of Tire. I want to wrap this up and I 331 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 2: want to say that, look, in light of all these 332 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 2: biblical prophecies and this biblical history and current geopolitical developments, 333 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,680 Speaker 2: how should we as Christians be praying? And I think 334 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:36,479 Speaker 2: the key is to realize how big a deal this is. 335 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:41,640 Speaker 2: The leaders of Lebanon increasingly, and the people of Lebanon increasingly, 336 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,639 Speaker 2: they want to set themselves free from the slavery of 337 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,960 Speaker 2: the Iranian regime. They see the United States and Israel 338 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 2: bringing the Iranian regime down. They see the United States 339 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 2: and Israel destroying Iran's capacity to project terror and tyranny. 340 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 2: And they also see Israel destroying Hasbola. This is good, okay, 341 00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 2: And they're starting to think, maybe we should rise up, 342 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 2: maybe we should regain the sovereignty of our country. In Lebanon, 343 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,360 Speaker 2: and maybe we should have a negotiated end to all 344 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:19,640 Speaker 2: these hostilities, and we should disarm Hasbola, and we should 345 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:22,840 Speaker 2: make peace with Israel. Okay, this is what the leadership 346 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 2: of Lebanon is doing. That is encouraging, and we should 347 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:27,119 Speaker 2: be praying for it. 348 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 3: Now. 349 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:30,840 Speaker 2: How exactly it's all going to play out? Yes, we're 350 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:33,399 Speaker 2: gonna you know, we're gonna see right. I don't have 351 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 2: all the answers for you tonight, but I want you 352 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:36,479 Speaker 2: to see. 353 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:38,880 Speaker 3: This is a big deal. And I think it has 354 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:40,679 Speaker 3: prophetic implications. Okay. 355 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 2: I think Israel's about to become the dominant superpower politically, militarily, 356 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 2: and I think economically in the Middle East. And I 357 00:21:49,359 --> 00:21:54,199 Speaker 2: think that's the prelude to the War of Gog and Magog. 358 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 2: And this may last for a few years, It could 359 00:21:57,560 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 2: last for a decade, It could last for several days 360 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:04,200 Speaker 2: decades before the War of Gog and Magog takes place. 361 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 2: The scriptures don't tell us exactly when and how Gog 362 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:10,680 Speaker 2: and Magog is going to irrupt, but it tells us 363 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 2: clearly the Israel's living securely. 364 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:15,160 Speaker 3: The people of Israel feel secure, they feel. 365 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:18,880 Speaker 2: Quiet and calm, and I believe that's where we're going, 366 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 2: even though the last several years have been brutal, okay, 367 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 2: And so how should we be praying. We should be 368 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:26,159 Speaker 2: praying for calm, We should be praying for quiet. We 369 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 2: should be praying for full victory over the Iranian regime, 370 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:37,160 Speaker 2: over a total vanquishing of Iran's offensive military capabilities that 371 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 2: threaten the United States, Israel, and. 372 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:40,479 Speaker 3: Our Arab allies. 373 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,200 Speaker 2: We should pray for the liberation of the Iranian people. 374 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:45,879 Speaker 2: We should pray for the liberation of the Lebanese people 375 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 2: from Iran and Hasbolla, and that Lebanon and Israel actually 376 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:54,760 Speaker 2: make a peace deal, a peace of normalization deal. Whether 377 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,159 Speaker 2: it'll be literally called part of the Abraham Accords, I 378 00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 2: don't know. That'd be awesome, But maybe there's some maybe 379 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 2: it's the Psiteords, maybe it's the Hiram Accords. I don't know, 380 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 2: but I think there is reason for optimism. But let's 381 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:10,359 Speaker 2: also be praying for the spiritual blessing of Lebanon, for 382 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:14,200 Speaker 2: the strengthening of the Church in Lebanon, and the growth 383 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:18,640 Speaker 2: and the maturity and the boldness of the Christians of Lebanon. 384 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:20,640 Speaker 3: It's a it's an inn battled. 385 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 2: Minority, the Shia Muslims have been dominating and terrorizing the 386 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 2: people of Lebanon, terrorizing She has been dominating in the Christians, 387 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:32,600 Speaker 2: but also dominating and terrorizing the Sunnies and others. So 388 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 2: let's be praying for the complete political and spiritual liberation 389 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:37,720 Speaker 2: of Lebanon. 390 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:39,119 Speaker 3: Will it last forever? 391 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,639 Speaker 2: No, the scriptures have us more hard times or ten ahead, 392 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:45,439 Speaker 2: but maybe that's years away, maybe that's decades away or 393 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 2: more so, let's pray without ceasing. That's what the Joshua 394 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:52,080 Speaker 2: one is about, blessing Israel and her neighbors in the 395 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 2: name of Jesus, including Lebanon. And I'm encouraged. I'm an optimist. 396 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 2: Maybe it cautious optimist, but I wanted you to know why. 397 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 2: And that's our show for tonight. Thank you so much 398 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:07,400 Speaker 2: for watching. I'm so grateful that you're with us, Grateful 399 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,760 Speaker 2: that you spent the time kind of walking through these 400 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:12,399 Speaker 2: scriptures and walking through these issues. I pray that you 401 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 2: would have a great week, you and your family and friends, 402 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:17,959 Speaker 2: spending time in the Word of God, walking with Jesus, 403 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 2: walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, praying for 404 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 2: the peace of Jerusalem and peace between Israel and Lebanon 405 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:26,600 Speaker 2: and peace and quiet throughout the rest of the region 406 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:29,399 Speaker 2: and a full victory over these wicked. 407 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 3: Terrorists and their terror regimes. Have a great week. 408 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:38,560 Speaker 1: Well, and that's our program for this week. But before 409 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:40,959 Speaker 1: we go, we want to encourage you to check out 410 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:44,639 Speaker 1: Joel and Lynn's podcast, Inside the Epicenter, which is in 411 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:47,359 Speaker 1: the top one percent of all podcasts in the world. 412 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:51,680 Speaker 1: Just search for the Inside the Epicenter podcast on your 413 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:56,280 Speaker 1: favorite podcast app or visit joshuafund dot com slash radio. 414 00:24:57,200 --> 00:25:00,679 Speaker 1: We've released over three hundred and fifty episodes. It's all 415 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 1: with the goal of helping you learn, pray, give, and go, 416 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,560 Speaker 1: advancing the Kingdom of Christ in the very place where 417 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:13,440 Speaker 1: scripture was birthed and continues to come to life again. 418 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:17,399 Speaker 1: Simply search for Inside the Epicenter with Joelsey Rosenberg on 419 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 1: your favorite podcast app or visit joshuafund dot com slash radio. 420 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: Thanks for joining us on Inside the Epicenter weekend edition 421 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:33,000 Speaker 1: with Joel Rosenberg on behalf of the entire Joshua Fund team. 422 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:35,760 Speaker 1: We invite you to join us again next week as 423 00:25:35,800 --> 00:25:40,439 Speaker 1: we continue to unpack the headlines, the prophecies and the 424 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 1: hope of Christ that's rising in the Middle East. Until then, 425 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:50,840 Speaker 1: stay watchful, stay prayerful, and keep your eyes on the 426 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: epicenter