‘Is This Attack on Israel…A Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy?’—Pastor Greg Laurie Answers

Laurie said that thousands of years ago, the “Bible predicted the end times would revolve around Jerusalem.”

“Here’s where it gets interesting for students of Bible prophecy,” he said. “The Bible tells us, in the end times, that Israel would be scattered and regathered. This has happened.”

“The sign that sets the prophetic clock ticking is the regathering of the nation of Israel in their homeland,” Laurie said, recounting that after the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were lost, “In 1948, Israel became a nation.”

Laurie then referred to Ezekiel 37 and 38 for another prophecy that Israel would come under attack “from her north,” referring to “Magog.” Many Bible scholars believe this attacker, Magog, to be modern-day Russia. The Bible also refers to Persia, which is the name for modern-day Iran, being an ally to Magog. “It’s only recently,” Laurie said, “that the Iranians and Russians have developed a special connection.”

“If you get up in the morning and read this headline, ‘Russia Attacks Israel,’ fasten your seatbelt,” Laurie said. “You’re seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled in your lifetime, in real-time, before your very eyes.”

Laurie Asks, ‘So What Should We Do Now?’

Laurie provided hope in the midst of tragedy. “Jesus said, ‘When you see these things begin to happen, look up because your redemption is drawing near,'” he said. “So, that’s what we need to be doing. Looking up.”

While Laurie called the attack “an act of pure evil and Israel has every right to defend herself,” he called God’s people to pray. “The Jewish people are back in their homeland as a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The Bible tells us to ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Ps.122:6).”

Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.'” Laurie quoted this Scripture to challenge his congregation, and Christians everywhere, to join him in prayer for Jerusalem. Laurie then gave specific points to pray over the land: that “they arrive at some kind of peace,” “this horrific terrorism stops,” and “they’re [Israel] able to get their hostages back.”

“Pray for the citizens of Israel as well as for the many tourist groups that are there from around the world,” Laurie added. “May God protect them and give wisdom to their prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.”

“Father, you told us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and we do that right now. Lord, these are your people, the Jewish people that you have regathered in the land, according to what your word predicted,” he said.

“And now, Lord, we see them under attack. You have described them as ‘the apple of your eye.’ And you have said that you would bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them,” Laurie continued. “We pray for your protective hand to be on the nation of Israel. Give wisdom to her leaders. Help them to get back their hostages. Help this insanity to stop. And intervene in that part of our world right now.”