Foreword

The key issue is one that calls us to vigilance and preparation, “ESTOTE PARATI” (Be ready, Be prepared). This message resonates in numerous passages of Scripture, such as in Revelation 3:14-22, 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-11, 2 Peter 3:10-18, Matthew 24:42-51, and many others.
The certainty of this statement is rooted not only in God’s Word but also in history. A prime example is the Judaic War of A.D. 70, which led to the destruction of the Jewish state, the collapse of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the worldwide dispersion of the Jewish people. This tragedy has had a lasting impact, and continues to have repercussions to the present day, in the context of the seventh church in Laodicea described in Revelation 3:14-22.
This church represents a time when humanity, spiritually distant from God, believes it is rich and self-sufficient, when in fact it is miserable, poor, blind and naked. Its fate seems sealed, as it is on the verge of being “vomited up” (i.e., excluded) by the rapture that will take place at the beginning of the 70th Week.
The world, today, is in the very era prophesied, the one described in Revelation 13:1-10 (politically) and 13:11-18 (religiously), in which humanity is preparing to face its final destiny. A destiny that will see the imposition of the mark of the beast on all the inhabitants of the earth, a decisive choice between God and the beast, with eternally final consequences (as expressed in Revelation 13:15-18, 19:19-21, 20:1-3, 14:8-11 and other passages).
The Judaic War of 70 A.D. is recounted in detail by Josephus Flavius, a privileged historian who witnessed those events, giving us a lasting memory of what happened during those years. An experience that, although distant in time, serves as a warning to all of us, especially those who are not ready to face the second coming of Christ. Luc. 21:20-24 warns us of those days, which will be followed by far more terrible ones, as described in the ^70th week of Daniel 9:27, and in chapters 4-20 of Revelation, including also Daniel 12, Zechariah 14, and Joel 3.
Indeed, in these days, the end of times will be accompanied by the judgment described in Matthew 25:31-46, which will mark the eternal fate of every individual. This judgment is not to be confused with the final judgment, which will take place a thousand years later, as described in Revelation 20:11-15.
The Judaic War of A.D. 70, besides being a historical tragedy, is a powerful symbol of what will happen at the end of time, when the great tribulation and wrath of God will be unleashed. As written in Revelation 8:1-6, when the seventh seal is opened, a terrible silence will reign in heaven, followed by the sounding of the seven trumpets and the pouring out of the seven plagues. The throne of grace will be transformed into the throne of wrath, which no one will be able to access to obtain salvation.
The fact that Jesus’ prophetic words were fulfilled on time in what happened in A.D. 70. , reinforces the certainty that what was announced about the ^70th week and the end times will happen with the same precision and determination. The signs are already visible in the world today, as described in Acts 1:6-12.
In 66-70 A.D., Jerusalem was surrounded by Roman legions and the inhabitants were massacred or forced into captivity. This scenario will be repeated in the second half of the aforementioned week, when the threat, instead of coming from Rome, will hit the Jews and Christians, who will be persecuted by the forces of the Antichrist. These events are also prophesied in Daniel 7:25, 12:7, Revelation 12:14, 13:16-18.
Jerusalem, in fact, was “trodden down by the Gentiles” Lk 21:20-28, until 1948, when Israel was reborn as a state. This is a sign of the times preceding Christ’s return and the beginning of the ^70th week. At the end of this period, with the return of Jesus described in Revelation 19:11, the Kingdom of God will take the place of human kingdoms, as prophesied in Matthew 6:10.
Christ’s return will also mark the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, destroyed in 70 A.D. by Titus Vespasian, as predicted in Revelation 11, where the two Witnesses will bear witness and the rebuilding will be accomplished. This event, which is already reflected in the return of Israel as a state, is a fundamental sign of the rapture of the Church and the beginning of the end times.
The Judaic War of 66-70 A.D., which had a profound impact, is also witnessed in theArch of Titus in Rome, a monument to the glory of the Roman Empire, but at the same time reminding us that it stands temporally in the beginning of the end.

Introduction

Many scholars over the centuries have applied themselves to the study of biblical prophecies, and thousands of documents have been written around the end of all things, intending to interpret the language of Scripture to understand unveil the secret prophetic symbols . The disciples themselves intended to know the end times and asked the Lord Jesus:
“Lord, is it at this time that you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or the moments that the Father has reserved for His own authority.”
(Acts 1:6-7)
Many, studying the Holy Scriptures have claimed to understand the assessments that The Lord makes about the times, but they have failed miserably since He has reserved for Himself the appointed times for the return of the victorious Christ and His reign on earth. Therefore, it is not possible to know the exact time of His coming, but we are encouraged to study Scripture to understand its signs that announce events that we probably place in a distant time but are instead imminent and may surprise us unprepared. This study aims to provide the reader with a path to recognize prophetic symbols , formerly secret and hidden, now revealed more and more clearly to those who seriously and sincerely study Sacred Scripture as we approach the end. These prophetic symbols undoubtedly lead to the end days, i.e., the “Day of the Lord” heralded by various prophets (Zech 14), (John 3) the symbols, prophecies that all flow together and complement each other and shed light on the crucial events of the last times for Israel and the whole world.
Jesus was still saying to the crowds: “When you see a cloud rising from the west, you immediately say, Rain is coming, and so it happens. And when the sirocco blows, you say, There will be heat, and so it happens. Hypocrites! You know how to judge the appearance of the earth and the sky, how is it that you do not know how to judge this weather?”
Luke 12-54-56
In reasoning around these things, we hope to arouse in those who have no knowledge of these events an intense search for God and a repentance that leads to Him according to how it is written :
Isaiah 55:6-7; Eze.18:27-32;Lu 24:46-47;Ro 11:32-33;Mi 7:20; Gr:31:7-14

6 Seek the LORD, while he may be found;
call upon him, while he is near.
7 Let the wicked man leave his ways
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD who will have mercy on him,
to our God who is not weary of forgiving.
For those who already have in their hearts the hope of glory that consists in His return , I hope this study will make their faith firm through deeper knowledge.

Crucial times

We don’t know the exact time of the coming of the Lord Jesus , but the days are coming , and events in the world portend that Christ’s return is more imminent than ever . Jesus spoke to his own about the need to discern the signs of the times .
Matthew 16:3 : ” in the morning you say, “Today is a storm, for the sky is darkly reddening!” Can you therefore discern the appearance of the sky, and the signs of the times can you not discern them?”
We want to take this word of the Lord seriously and treasure it . Many scholars and interpreters of Scripture regard various modern geopolitical events as potential “signs of the times,” linking them to biblical prophecies about the end of the world and the return of Christ. These signs come mainly from texts such as the Book of Revelation, the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 24), the Book of Daniel and the Letters of Paul. Here are some recent geopolitical events that some believers link to these prophecies:

Prophecy: According to many, Israel’s existence and centrality in world events is linked to biblical prophecies (Zechariah 12:3, Ezekiel 38-39). Jesus himself speaks of “Jerusalem being trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).
Recent events: The founding of the State of Israel in 1948 is often seen as a prophetic sign, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and its neighbors, such as Gaza and Iran, is seen as a possible fulfillment of prophecies about conflicts in the Middle East.
Implications: Some link these events to the future “War of Gog and Magog” described in Ezekiel 38, with possible references to Russia and Iran as participants in this final conflict.
We want to carefully examine the events of recent times to draw our own conclusions , which will lead us to a more careful evaluation of our way of living Christianity. Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars ; well the last conflicts of the last century have been “worldwide” they have affected the whole earth and all nations and this has never happened before. Also , it is central what happens in the Middle East , which according to the prophets will be the scene of the final clash between the , good and evil in the final battle of Armagheddon. Referring to wars , we see that in the world and in the Middle East there are hundreds of conflicts; this evidence certainly reminds us that the prophetic word announced by the Lord Jesus is already fulfilled and is now history , and suddenly , now we may find ourselves involved in events that we have placed in a distant time but that will surprise us in a single moment.
It is crucial for our reflection on the end time , to focus our attention and see what is taking place around Israel now returned to being a sovereign state in the land of its origin since 1948.

Here is a list of Israel’s major wars since 1948, with the sides involved and the outcome of each conflict:
1. 1948 Arab-Israeli War (War of Independence).
Period: 1947-1949
Deployments:
Israel vs. a coalition of Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Yemen)
Palestinian irregular forces
Causes: The war began as a result of the rejection of the UN plan to partition Palestine, which would have created a Jewish state and an Arab state.
Outcome: Israel’s victory. Israel conquered greater territories than those allocated by the UN plan. Jordan occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip. The state of Israel was declared.
Consequences: Creation of the State of Israel and displacement of some 700,000 Palestinian refugees.

2. Suez Crisis (1956)
Period: October 29-November 7, 1956
Deployments:
Israel, France and the United Kingdom v. Egypt
Cause: Nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egyptian President Nasser. Israel also aimed to end the incursions of the Fedayyin ,an Iraqi paramilitary formation, from the Sinai.
Outcome: Anglo-French-Israeli military victory, but political failure. International pressure (especially US and USSR) forced France, UK and Israel to withdraw.
Consequences: Strengthening of Nasser’s position and consolidation of UN peacekeeping presence in Sinai.

3. Six-Day War (1967)
Period: June 5 – 10, 1967
Deployments:
Israel vs. Egypt, Jordan and Syria
Indirect support of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Algeria for Arab countries
Causes: Growing tension, Arab mobilization and Egypt’s blockade of the Straits of Tiran.
Outcome: Crushing Israeli victory. Israel captured the Gaza Strip and Sinai from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.
Consequences: Beginning of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian and Syrian territories. The UN called for Israeli withdrawal in Resolution 242, but the territories remained under Israeli control.

4. Kippur War (1973)
Period: October 6 – 25, 1973
Deployments:
Israel vs. Egypt and Syria
Indirect support of Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria and Libya for Arab countries
Cause: Attempt by Egypt and Syria to regain territories lost in 1967.
Outcome: After an initial Arab advance, Israel was able to repel the attacks. On the Egyptian front, Israeli troops crossed the Suez Canal, while on the Syrian front they maintained control of the Golan Heights.
Consequences: Peace talks led to the Camp David Accords (1979), with the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai and the signing of a peace treaty with Egypt.

5. Invasion of Lebanon (1982)
Period: June – September 1982
Deployments:
Israel against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Syria.
Pro-Israel Lebanese militias, such as the Lebanese Forces and the Phalangist Party, were also involved.
Cause: Repeated PLO attacks from Lebanon and attempted assassination of the Israeli ambassador in London.
Outcome: Israel invaded southern Lebanon and besieged Beirut. The PLO was forced to evacuate from the capital.
Consequences: Prolonged Israeli presence in southern Lebanon until 2000. The intervention contributed to the rise of Hezbollah.

6. First Intifada (1987-1993)
Period: 1987-1993
Deployments:
Palestinian population of the occupied territories against Israel.
Causes: Growing Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and lack of prospects for peace.
Outcome: Not a conventional war, but a popular uprising. The Intifada led to negotiations between Israel and the PLO.
Consequences: Oslo Accords (1993), which established the Palestinian National Authority and provided for a future two-state solution.

7. Second Intifada (2000-2005)
Period: 2000-2005
Deployments:
Palestinian population vs. Israel
Causes: Failure of the Camp David negotiations (2000) and Israeli leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Esplanade of Mosques.
Outcome: Violent clashes and terrorist attacks, Israeli military crackdown and construction of a security barrier in the West Bank.
Consequences: Heavy deterioration of Israeli-Palestinian relations. The West Bank remained occupied and the conflict remained unresolved.

8. Lebanon War (2006)
Period: July 12 – August 14, 2006
Deployments:
Israel against Hezbollah (supported by Iran and Syria).
Cause: Capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah and rocket attacks on Israeli territory.
Outcome: Military stalemate. Israel bombed South Lebanon extensively, but Hezbollah maintained its operational capability.
Consequences: The UN Security Council imposed a ceasefire with Resolution 1701. Hezbollah emerged politically strengthened.

9. Military Operations in Gaza (2008-2023)
Several operations have taken place in the Gaza Strip since 2008 against Hamas and other militant groups:
Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)
Operation Pillar of Defense (2012)
Operation Margin of Protection (2014)
Subsequent operations (2021, 2023)
Deployments: Israel against Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.
Causes: Rocket launches from Gaza into Israel, political and religious tensions.
Outcome: Brief conflicts characterized by intense shelling and heavy civilian casualties. Strategic stalemate, with Gaza under Hamas control and continuing tensions with Israel.


10. Israel-Hamas conflict of 2023
Period: October 2023
Deployments:
Israel against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
Cause: Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on Israel, causing numerous Israeli civilian and military casualties, in response to rising tensions.
Outcome: In progress at the moment.

The destruction and desolation of the cities in the Gaza Strip devastated by the Israel-Hamas war, which has claimed more than 46,000 lives , reminds us of a verse from the prophet Zechariah that speaks of the condemnation on the ancient people of the Philistines and the Gaza Strip and the territories in the historical region of Palestine , which mirrors what is reported today in the war reports in that region .
Zechariah 9:5 Ascalon shall see it, and be afraid;
Gaza also, and shall be wrung with great sorrow;
and so Ecron, for his hope shall be disappointed;
and Gaza shall have no more king,
and Ascalon shall be no more inhabited.

The 4/11/2023 newspaper La Repubblica in fact writes
Ashkelon, the ghost town on the border with the Strip. “Everyone is gone from here,” reported in :
https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2023/11/04/news/ashkelon_citta_fantasma-419522582/

We stop here, for the moment , in this episode. We will resume in the next episode our thoughts on this topic, which is of great and vital importance.

Francesco Pastone