Gaza Strip - Become a Blessor of Israel

Hamas has Turned the World Against Israel

Well, it only took 171 days for Hamas and its proxies at the United Nations (U.N.) and in the media to turn the world against Israel. One hundred seventy-one days.

Please remember that on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis, injured thousands of Jews, and kidnapped 253 people.

But on Monday, March 25^th, 171 days later, the 14 members of the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 2728. The United States should have vetoed the resolution, but abstained instead and paved the way for its adoption.

What does Resolution 2728 declare?

The non-binding resolution “Demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs, and further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain” (TheNationalNews.Com).

First, it is important to note that Hamas is not a member of the U.N. Therefore, Hamas is not bound by the dictates of the U.N.

Second, please notice that Resolution 2728 does not condition a ceasefire upon the release of the hostages. As a result, any motivation for Hamas to negotiate with Israel and release the hostages was weakened by Resolution 2728.

And that’s exactly what happened immediately after Resolution 2728 was adopted. Israel and Hamas had been negotiating a hostage deal and truce but talks came to an abrupt halt once Resolution 2728 passed (The Times of Israel).

The next day, the head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. During their meeting, Haniyeh celebrated the approval of Resolution 2728, saying this “indicates the unprecedented political isolation experienced by the Israeli occupation” (The Jerusalem Post).

By the way, the Jerusalem Post observed that Haniyeh conveniently “neglected to mention the resolution’s demand that his movement ‘immediately and unconditionally’ release the Israeli hostages it kidnapped during the October 7^th massacre.” Why? Because Haniyeh knows that Hamas is not bound by any U.N. resolution so it does not have to release the hostages, especially since the wording of Resolution 2728 does not condition a ceasefire upon the release of the hostages.

Haniyeh rightly observed the significance of Resolution 2728 when he added that Israel had “failed to achieve its political and military goals” in Gaza, and that “We are going through a historical stage and a fateful turning point in the context of the historical context with the Zionist entity in the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood (Hamas’s name for the October 7 massacre)” (The Jerusalem Post).

During their meeting, Khameni complimented “the propaganda and media measures” of Hamas and other Palestinian terrorists groups (The Jerusalem Post). It was quite appropriate for the Ayatollah Khameni, the leader of the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, to compliment Hamas and its proxies. Hamas’s global propaganda campaign is working. In fact, the results of their campaign can be seen in the latest Gallup poll.

In November of last year, 50% of Americans surveyed approved of Israel’s military action in Gaza and 45% disapproved. But in March 2024, only 36% approve and 55% disapprove. Please keep in mind that this Gallup poll was taken before Resolution 2728 was approved. Imagine what the numbers will look like as Hamas and its proxies ramp up their efforts to demonize Israel as Israel seeks to defeat Hamas and remove the terrorist threat from its border.

Last week, I noted a recent survey of Palestinians living in Gaza and how the Gazans support for Hamas to continue to “rule the Gaza Strip has increased by 14 points to more than 50% since December, with nearly 60% believing the terrorist group will remain in control of the territory” (Jewish News Syndicate). Based on what we are witnessing, there is good reason to believe the Gazans have it right. Truly we are witnessing a historic shift against Israel on the world stage.

But while the nations are aligning against Israel, we must see that this is part of God’s plan. God is preparing Israel for the return of Jesus Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation. Zechariah 12:10 declares, “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” On that day, God’s grace will be poured out on Israel as they call upon the name of the Lord and are saved.

May this Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday bring about a world revival because, like never before, our world needs Jesus Christ.

Will you please join me in praying for Israel and for the nations, that all will hear the Good News and place their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life? This is why Jesus came, “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). May this Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday bring about a world revival because, like never before, our world needs Jesus Christ.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | March 27, 2024

The polling numbers say it all. According to a survey conducted of 1,580 Palestinians living in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria, 93% believe that “Hamas did not commit atrocities during its mass invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023.”

The Jewish News Syndicate reports this survey was conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research between March 5 and 10. The Palestinians surveyed were interviewed in-person and the margin of error was 3%.

Of those polled, 72% still support the Hamas terrorist attack of Israel on October 7^th. These results show that support for Hamas among Palestinians remains just as high as it was three months ago. In fact, support for Hamas by Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip rose by 14 points. What’s also interesting about the polling results is that “among Palestinians who watched videos of the atrocities filmed by the perpetrators themselves, 81% still did not believe atrocities were committed” by Hamas terrorists against innocent Israeli men, women, and children.

Now, please remember that on October 7^th, 1,200 Israelis were murdered, thousands were injured, and 253 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. On that horrible day in Israel’s history, terrorists “committed acts of mass rape, necrophilia, beheadings, torture, mutilation, desecration of corpses and other atrocities.”

And after all the Palestinians in Gaza have endured because of Hamas; being used as human shields, having humanitarian aid stolen from them by Hamas terrorists, and being threatened with personal harm or even death if they did not obey the oppressive dictates of Hamas leaders who are living in the lap of luxury in Qatar, the survey found that 71% believe Hamas made the “correct” choice in attacking Israel on October 7^th, which is an increase of 14% since the survey was last taken in December of 2023. By the way, the Gazans’ support for Hamas to continue to “rule the Gaza Strip has increased by 14 points to more than 50% since December, with nearly 60% believing the terrorist group will remain in control of the territory.”

Even the Ramallah-based survey group was surprised by their findings, stating, “Given the magnitude of the suffering in the Gaza Strip, this seems to be the most counterintuitive finding of the entire poll. . . Nonetheless, it is consistent with the increase in the percentage of Gazans who think Hamas will win the war.”

Question: With this kind of support for Hamas by Palestinians living inside of Gaza, why would anyone think a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will work?

Don’t get me wrong. I want peace as much as the next person and it breaks my heart to see the suffering in Gaza because Hamas leaders have doubled-down and are unwilling to admit defeat, lay down their weapons, and return the hostages. But even if Hamas leaders did admit defeat, released the remaining hostages, and lived in exile, these polling results make it clear that Hamas ideology will live on in the hearts of those Palestinians who remain in Gaza the day after Hamas is defeated. And we must never forget that the likes of Iran will gladly fund any efforts to terrorize and ultimately defeat Israel so that from the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.

Will you please join me in praying for Israel and her people at this critical time?

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | March 22, 2024

Barbarity. Crimes against humanity. Genocide. These are just a few of the accusations leveled against Israel after it commenced its campaign to remove Hamas, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization, from Gaza after it was brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023; an attack which resulted in the murder of 1,200 people, the burning and beheading of babies in front of their parents, the barbaric rape women and young girls, and the kidnapping of 240 people.

Tragically, Reuters announced today that 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the IDF embarked on defeating Hamas so that the terrorist regime would never pose a threat to the citizens of Israel again. Of those 30,000 deaths in Gaza, Israel estimates that 12,000 were Hamas terrorists along with another 1,000 terrorists who were killed on October 7. But Hamas claims that only 6,000 terrorists have been eliminated since that horrific Saturday last October (Israel National News).

This last Sunday, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was interviewed about Israel’s war against Hamas on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” Regarding the status of war and specifically the IDF’s operation in Rafah, which is located in southern Gaza, Netanyahu said, “[O]nce we begin the Rafah operation, the intense phase of the fighting is weeks away from completion, not months, weeks away from completion. . . [W]e’ve already destroyed 18 of the 24 Hamas terrorist battalions. . . four of them are concentrated in. . . Rafah. We can’t leave the last Hamas stronghold without taking care of it. . . But understand, too, that I’ve asked the army to submit to me a double plan, first. . . to enable the evacuation of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and, obviously, second, to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions. That gets us a real, real distance towards the completion of our victory, and. . . we’re not going to give it up. If we have a deal, it’ll be delayed somewhat. But it’ll happen. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway. It has to be done. Because total victory is our goal, and total victory is within reach. Not months away, weeks away once we begin the operation” (Breitbart).

Please notice what Netanyahu said. Israel is only weeks away from defeating Hamas once it begins its Rafah operation but it is seeking to protect and preserve the lives of innocent women and children in Gaza as it pursues victory.

Barbarity? Crimes against humanity? Genocide? Clearly these are false accusations.

In fact, John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and co-author of Understanding Urban Warfare, recently praised Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties while seeking to defeat an entrenched enemy.

Spencer observed,

“Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has inevitably drawn comparisons to other battles or wars, both modern and from the past. These comparisons are mostly used to make the case that Israel’s operations in Gaza are the most destructive in history, or the deadliest in history.

Yet while the use of historical analogy may be tempting for armchair pundits, in the case of Israel’s current war, the comparisons are often poorly cited, the data used inaccurate, and crucial context left out. Given the scale and context of an enemy purposely entrenched in densely populated urban areas, as well as the presence of tunnels, hostages, rockets, attackers that follow the laws of war while defenders purposely do not, and proximity between the frontlines and the home front, there is basically no historical comparison for this war. . .

The truth is that Israel has painstakingly followed the laws of armed conflict and implemented many steps to prevent civilian casualties, despite enormous challenges. Israel’s military faced over 30,000 Hamas militants in over 400 miles of defensive and offensive tunnels embedded in and under civilian areas, populations and protected sites such as hospitals, mosques, schools, and United Nations facilities across multiple cities” (Newsweek).

Yet, the same cannot be said when it comes to Hamas and how they view and value the lives of innocent women and children living under their iron fist in Gaza. Now, before you question what I just said, please listen to the confessions of the notorious Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar.

Today it was reported that Sinwar is quite pleased with the progress that Hamas has made in its efforts to defeat Israel and lobby the world to champion its cause. He sent a message through a carrier to the terrorists hunkered down in the network of tunnels under hospitals, mosques, schools, and United Nations buildings in Gaza and to any terrorists hiding among the civilians in Gaza.

Listen to this message of hope and encouragement to Hamas from their leader. . . Sinwar said, “Don’t worry, we have the Israelis right where we want them.” (Israel National News)

When I read that quote, I have to ask, “What does Sinwar know that Netanyahu does not know?”

Now, please compare what you are about to hear from Sinwar with what Netanyahu said on Sunday.

Speaking of the casualties in Gaza, Sinwar said that “high numbers of civilian casualties are one of Hamas’ main goals in the war, since such numbers would increase international pressure on Israel to end the fighting, after which Sinwar would be able to come out of hiding and announce Hamas’ victory and continued rule in Gaza.” (Israel National News)

Barbarity? Crimes against humanity? Genocide? Clearly, Sinwar and his followers are willing to do whatever it takes to defeat Israel, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, even if that means using innocent civilian women and children in Gaza.

And yet Israel is continually accused of being barbaric, genocidal maniacs. This is pure evil. This is demonic. May the lies be revealed as the truth shines its light upon them.

In times such as these, it’s important to remember that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is on the throne. He is the God who sees all, hears all, and knows all. Nothing escapes is watchful eye. And I am confident that our God is answering our prayers for Israel in her hour of need.

But I also ask that you join me in praying for the innocent women and children in Gaza, that God will shine His light upon them and draw many to saving faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Our God is mighty to save.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 29, 2024

The Knesset - Israel's Parliament — The Knesset

Earlier today, Israel’s governing body, the Knesset voted 99-11 against any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State. Here’s the text of the statement approved by the Knesset:

1. Israel utterly rejects international diktats regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. A settlement, if it is to be reached, will come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions.

2. Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition in the wake of the October 7th massacre would be a massive and unprecedented reward to terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement. (Jewish News Syndicate)

Prior to today’s vote in the Knesset, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, made it clear that he strongly opposed any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state when he said, “In the last few days we are witnessing a new type of pressure: An attempt to unilaterally impose upon us the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger the existence of Israel. We reject it outright. My position was and remains clear, and only got stronger after the terrible massacre of October 7^th.” (Jewish News Syndicate)

What was the source of this “new type of pressure” that Netanyahu was referring to?

Last week, the Jewish News Syndicate reported that the Biden administration and “its Arab partners are ‘rushing’ to finalize the plan to establish a Palestinian state – a plan that could be announced in the next few weeks with hopes that a deal to release the remaining 134 hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza in exchange for a six-week pause in fighting takes effect before Ramadan,” which begins on or around March 10^th.

The Biden administration believes that a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State may pave the way for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and other Arab states. At the same time, the White House is confident that a demilitarized Gaza can be achieved and maintained so that Israel’s security will never be threatened.

What precipitated the Knesset’s vote was the fact that the U.S. has not included Israel in its dialogue with other Arab nations. And the Knesset’s vote reflects the vast majority of Israeli Jews who are opposed to a Palestinian state after Israel was attacked by Hamas on October 7^th.

During an interview this week on the Caroline Glick Show, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli said that “92% of Israeli Jews” are opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state because they do not believe that Israel state can peacefully co-exist with a Palestinian state as its neighbor.

Question: What do Netanyahu, the Knesset, and the Israeli Jewish population recognize about the Palestinian problem that the Biden administration and the rest of the western world refuse to acknowledge?

Answer: The Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank do not want to peacefully co-exist with Israel because they are committed to a One-State Solution; a.k.a., Hitler’s “Final Solution” for the Jews, meaning the annihilation of the Jews.

During an interview earlier this month, Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal confirmed that Hamas and the majority of Palestinians reject any Two-State Solution when he said,

“I would like to say two things about the two-state solution. First, we have nothing to do with the two-state solution. We reject this notion, because it means you would get a promise for a state, yet you are required to recognize the legitimacy of the other state, which is the Zionist entity. This is unacceptable. We demand to be liberated, to get rid of the occupation, and to have our independence, and our state. . . I believe that October 7 has enhanced this conviction, has narrowed the disagreements, and has turned the idea of liberating Palestine from the River to the Sea into a realistic idea that has already begun. It is not something to be expected or hoped for. It is part of the plan, part of the agenda, and we are standing on its threshold, Allah willing” (MEMRI).

Netanyahu, the Knesset, and Israeli Jews get it. They understand that Israel will never have peace if terrorism is rewarded.

But let’s be clear, even if the U.S. were to officially recognize a new Palestinian state or refuses to veto its full membership by the U.N., do you honestly believe the likes of Iran or Hezbollah will quietly stand down and welcome the establishment of a Two-State Solution?

And if a new Palestinian state is demilitarized, do you honestly believe it will stay that way for very long? Who will keep the weapons out Gaza and make sure it stays that way? The United Nations? Hasn’t this been tried before in places like Iran? How well did is that working when it comes to monitoring Iran’s nuclear program?

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel and the leaders of the United States.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 21, 2024

Russia, Iran, and the Battle of Gog and Magog

On Tuesday, February 13, it was reported that Russia and Iran are in the final stages of completing a long-term, comprehensive, strategic, partnership between the two nations. Russian Ambassador to Iran, Alexey Dedov told Sputnik, “This is truly the most important fundamental document, which may determine Russian-Iranian interaction for the coming years, and perhaps decades” (Al Mayadeen.net). Dedov also noted that “Russian energy companies are successfully working in the Iranian market, while Russia has taken the first place in the foreign investment in Iran. . . This illustrates the real level of our relations.”

Last month Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi worked through the details of expanding the cooperation between the two nations on political, trade, and military fronts during five hours of talks in December of 2023. And last November, the Kremlin said that Russia was working with Iran to strengthen their relations, “including in the field of military-technical cooperation.” At that time, Reuters noted that Iranian authorities had said that “military cooperation with Russia is expanding day by day. . .” and that “Iran. . . had finalized arrangements for Russia to provide it with Su-35 fight jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters and. . . pilot training aircraft.”

Both the United States and Israel have expressed concern about the deepening ties between Russia and Iran. This is due to the fact that Iran is committed to the destruction of the United States and Israel.

For example, less than a month after Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis, raped women and young girls, and took over 240 people hostage, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni, declared, “The situation between America and Iran is this: When you chant ‘Death to America!’ it is not just a slogan – it is a policy. . . . “If it were not for America’s support, if it were not for the support of U.S. weapons, the corrupt and artificial Zionist regime [Israel] would have been destroyed in the first week. It would have collapsed. The Americans are behind this.”

Though I have done so in a previous article, it’s worth reviewing what Putin has said and his government has done since Hamas attacked Israel on that horrific day in Israel’s history:

October 13, 2023 – Putin equated Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip with Hitler’s “siege of Leningrad during World War II.” (Jerusalem Post)
October 26, 2023 – Russia hosted representatives from Hamas and Iran in Moscow. The purpose of their meeting was to address the ongoing war with Israel and to discuss ways to stop the “Zionist crimes supported by the United States and the West.” The Times of Israel reported that the “Hamas delegation praised the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the efforts of Russian diplomacy.”
November 1, 2023 – Russia’s representative to the United Nations said during an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, “The only thing they can muster is continued pronouncements about Israel’s supposed right to self defense, although as an occupying power, it does not have that power. . .” (Jerusalem Post)
December 14, 2023 – Putin praised Turkish President Erdogan after Erdogan declared his support for Hamas and insisted that Hamas is “not a terrorist organization.” Putin said of Erdogan, “He is certainly one of the leaders of the international community who is paying attention to this tragedy and doing everything to change the situation for the better, to create conditions for long-term peace. God bless him.” (Breitbart)

Again, I ask, “Is Putin a friend of Israel?” Clearly the answer is “No!” But you might be wondering, “Why are these developments important when it comes to Israel and the events of the latter days?” Because Russia and Iran will play significant roles in the events leading up to the Great Tribulation.

As I shared yesterday during Episode 34 of the Blessors of Israel Podcast, the Battle of Gog and Magog will precede the Great Tribulation. During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, will be part of that alliance which will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:5, 8). These nations will “devise an evil plan” against Israel and with overwhelming force “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

First, God will send a “great earthquake in the land of Israel. . . and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My [God’s] presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.”

Second, the invading armies will turn against each other because God will “call for a sword against him on all My [God’s] mountains. . . Every man’s sword will be against his brother.”

Third, God will send a deadly “pestilence” upon Israel’s enemies and “with blood I [God] will enter into judgment with him.”

Finally, God will rain down upon the invading armies “a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies will be so severe that it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies and seven years to gather and destroy their weapons (Ezek. 39:9-16). This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

So, the developments between Russia and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Will you please join me in praying for Israel and for the leaders of the United States?

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 15, 2024

Yesterday, the Jewish News Syndicate reported that Saudi Arabia “clarified that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until there is a Palestinian state, an end to the war against Hamas and a complete military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”

The Saudi’s response was a direct counter to comments made on Tuesday by White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby.

During his daily briefing, Kirby struck an optimistic tone regarding normalization talks between Israel and the Saudis.

Kirby said, “We certainly received positive feedback from both sides that they’re willing to continue to have those discussions.”

The Saudi foreign ministry promptly issued the following statement clarifying its position regarding any future normalization talks with Israel:

“The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip.”

The Saudi’s stance not only stalls the Biden administration’s efforts to establish peace between its two Middle Eastern allies, it also signals that the Saudis have aligned themselves with China and Iran against Israel and the U.S.

If Israel were to agree to Saudi Arabia’s demands it would signal the beginning of the end of the state of Israel as we now know it.

First, Israel would have to return the land it won during the Six-Day War in 1967 when it was attacked by Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. At that time, Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria, Jordan’s West Bank (i.e., Judea and Samaria) which included East Jerusalem, and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip. Israel later withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 and then from Gaza in 2005. Such a withdrawal would open the floodgates for the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority, which are Iranian proxies, to mount an endless barrage of attacks against Israel.

Second, East Jerusalem, which includes Israel’s sacred Western Wall, would be handed over to the Palestinians and made the capital of the new Palestinian state.

Third, Israel would have to end its war against Hamas and remove its forces from Gaza. Once this happened, Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists would regroup and attempt to finish what it started on October 7, 2023, meaning from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, Palestine will be free of the Jews.

While the demands by Saudi Arabia are troubling at best and the likelihood of Israel signing off is nil, let’s be clear, the Bible declares that one day, Israel’s borders will go well beyond the Jordan River. In fact, Israel’s border will extend to another river, the Euphrates River.

In Genesis 15, God established a Grant Covenant with Abram which means God bound Himself by an unconditional, unilateral oath to give the Promised Land to Abram and his descendants forever.

In verse 18, God declared what the borders of the Promised Land would be: “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.”

God later confirmed the Promised Land borders to Moses in Deuteronomy 1:6-8 and then to Joshua in Joshua 1:4.

Let’s identify the borders that God promised to Israel through His covenant with Abram.

The western boundary is the “Great Sea” which is the Mediterranean Sea (Joshua 1:4).
The southern border is the Nile River in Egypt.
The eastern border is the Euphrates River.
The northern border is Lebanon.

In today’s context, what countries would be included in the borders listed in Genesis 15?

First, the territory currently occupied by the Palestinians, the West Bank and Gaza, is included.
Second, a portion of Egypt to the south.
Third, some of Saudi Arabia to the southeast.
Fourth, all of Jordan to the east.
Fifth, a portion of Iraq to the east.
Sixth, some of Syria to the north.
Lebanon to the north.
And possibly the southeastern portion of Turkey as you follow the Euphrates River north by northwest.

Question: Has Israel ever fully occupied these boundaries?

Answer: No. Some of the regions were controlled by King David and King Solomon but they were never fully possessed or occupied by Israel.

Question: Why didn’t Israel fully occupy the Promised Land according to the borders of Genesis 15?

Answer: Because Israel failed to obey God’s command and allowed their enemies to remain in the Land which ultimately tempted them to sin against God by worshipping idols.

Question: Will Israel’s borders ever extend to what God promised Abram in Genesis 15?

Answer: Yes. Please remember that since God bound Himself by an oath, His promise to Abram must be fulfilled and it will be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns to establish His Millennial Kingdom. During Christ’s 1,000-year reign, the Promised Land will experience peace, tranquility, and blessings as Jesus reigns on the throne of David from the capital city, Jerusalem.

What a glorious day that will be.

Will you please join me in praying for the return of Jesus Christ, the peace of Israel, and for the leaders of the United States?

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 8, 2024

Axios reported yesterday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked the State Department to conduct a review and present policy options on possible U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state after the war in Gaza according two U.S. officials briefed on the issue.

While the U.S. officials were quick to add that there has not been an official policy change, this maneuver by the State Department to consider recognizing a Palestinian state signals a shift, one that will have great ramifications both domestically and internationally.

For decades, the U.S. has been opposed to the unilateral recognition of Palestine as a state and has pushed for the recognition of a new Palestinian state through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Why the sudden shift? Because President Biden believes Israel’s war with Hamas is taking too long and he is being pressured by his Pro-Palestinian staff and voting base to end the war.

So, the Biden administration is attempting to link normalization with Saudi Arabia to an “irrevocable” pathway to a Two-State Solution. But, in order to remove the Palestinian state obstacle from the negotiation table, the State Department is now considering the possibility of making the recognition of the state of Palestine the first step in the normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

How could the U.S. make a recognized Palestinian state a reality on the world stage?

First, the U.S. could bilaterally recognize the state of Palestine. Second, the U.S. could allow the United Nations Security Council to grant the state of Palestine full membership to the U.N. and not use its veto power to block it. Third, the U.S. could encourage other nations to recognize Palestine.

And as if on cue, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said on Monday, “We should be starting to set out what a Palestinian state would look like — what it would comprise, how it would work. As that happens, we, with allies, will look at the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations. This could be one of the things that helps to make this process irreversible” (Al Arabiya News).

The British government insisted yesterday that its stance on the Middle East peace process remained unchanged after Cameron suggested the UK could soon recognize a Palestinian state (Al Arabiya News). Nevertheless, the seed has been planted.

This is not the first time that there have been attempts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. In fact, it was attempted in 2002, 2007, and 2017. But each time negotiations were terminated due to a terrorist attack against Israel.

On March 27, 2002, Arab leaders traveled to Beirut and offered to Israel to, “consider the Arab-Israeli conflict over, sign a peace agreement with Israel, and achieve peace for all states in the region” (Asia Times). But negotiations ended later that same day after a Hamas terrorist detonated a bomb in a hotel in Netanya which killed 30 Israelis who were observing a Passover dinner.

Another angle the U.S. State Department is considering is a demilitarized Palestinian state so that Israel will never have to fear an invasion by land, sea, or air ever again. Netanyahu proposed this idea in 2009 and 2015, yet without success.

But what all of these options fail to admit is that there is a historical pattern when it comes to peace agreements between Israel and her Muslim neighbors and this historical pattern brings to light a glaring problem with the Palestinian state and the proposed peace negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Question: What is the glaring problem?

Answer: The Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank do not want to peacefully co-exist with Israel because they are committed to a One-State Solution ( a.k.a., Hitler’s “Final Solution” for the Jews), meaning the annihilation of the Jews.

During an interview earlier this month, Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal confirmed that Hamas and the majority of Palestinians reject any Two-State Solution when he said,

Netanyahu understood this was true when he cautioned the U.N. against appeasing the Palestinians by giving them veto power over peace last year.

And if a new Palestinian state is declawed and defanged, do you honestly believe it will stay that way? How will the United Nations keep the weapons out? And who will monitor it to ensure it stays that way? Hasn’t this been tried before in places like Iran? By the way, how well did that work when it came to monitoring Iran’s nuclear program?

Again, Nasrallah’s threat to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world five days prior to October 7^th is the resounding answer to these questions.

Please join me in praying for the peace of Israel and the leaders of the U.S.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | February 1, 2024

Will Turkey play “a positive, productive” role for postwar Gaza? The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, thinks so. On Saturday, January 6, 2024, Blinken said that Turkey has expressed its commitment to playing “a positive, productive” role for postwar Gaza (Associated Press).

Recently I wrote an article for Blessors of Israel sharing my reservations about Blinken’s confidence in Turkey especially after reviewing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s post-October 7^th comments about Israel’s war against Hamas and Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration is rewarding Turkey for its anti-Israel and anti-NATO actions. Last Friday, the BBC reported that the U.S. has approved a $23 billion sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets along with upgrades to 79 current jets in Turkey’s fleet. Why? Because Erdogan’s government ratified Sweden’s membership to NATO (BBC).

And it was reported today that the U.S. may sell F-35’s to Turkey as well even though Turkey was ejected from the F-35 program after it purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system (The National Interest).

Speaking of NATO, Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952 and it also has NATO’s second largest army. But does this member of NATO align with its fellow NATO allies in standing with Israel while opposing Hamas, Iran, and even Russia?

Let’s look recent actions by President Erdogan for some answers.

December 17, 2023 – The Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas leaders held secret meetings in Turkey because “it was deemed safe enough for the leaders to meet there” (Jerusalem Post).
January 24, 2024 – Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi met with Erdogan in Turkey because Iran’s President said, “Iran and Turkey have a common position in supporting the Palestinian people and the resistance of the oppressed, powerful Palestinian people” (RUDAW).
And today it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Erdogan in Turkey on February 12, which marks the first time that Putin has met with a NATO member since Russia attacked Ukraine in February of 2022 (USA News).

So, again I ask, why is the U.S. rewarding Turkey when Turkey is clearly not playing “a positive, productive” role as a member of NATO?

And how could Erdogan possibly play “a positive, productive” role for postwar Gaza when he has clearly taken the side of Hamas and Iran?

These developments are important for us to keep in mind as we pray for Israel because Turkey will eventually join forces with Russia and Iran to attack Israel in a significant event that will precede the Great Tribulation.

As I have shared repeatedly, both in print and during the Blessors of Israel podcasts, the Battle of Gog and Magog will precede the Great Tribulation according to Ezekiel 38-39. During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, and “Beth-togarmah,” modern-day Turkey will be part of that alliance (Ezek. 38:5-6). They will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:8) after they “devise an evil plan” against Israel. The Scripture reveals that Israel will be attacked by an overwhelming force that will “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

In the midst of this great opposition, God will come to Israel’s rescue and pour out His “blazing wrath” upon her foes in order to deliver Israel from certain destruction through a series of cataclysmic judgments (Ezek. 38:18-23). First, God will send a “great earthquake in the land of Israel. . . and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My [God’s] presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.” Second, the invading armies will turn on each other because God will “call for a sword against him on all My [God’s] mountains. . . Every man’s sword will be against his brother.” Third, God will send a deadly “pestilence” upon Israel’s enemies and “with blood I [God] will enter into judgment with him.” Finally, God will rain down upon the invading armies “a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies will be so severe that it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies and seven years to gather and destroy their weapons (Ezek. 39:9-16). This divine deliverance will be in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3).

These developments between the Turkey, Russia, and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Please join me in praying for the leaders of the United States and for the peace of Israel.

Dr. Matthew Dodd, Executive Director

January 31, 2024

Prior to October 7, 2023, there were rumblings of a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Before that horrific day in October when Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis, raped women and young girls, and took approximately 240 people hostage, the Biden administration had been pushing Israel and the Saudis towards a peace agreement which included “upgrading U.S.-Saudi relations with a defense treaty. . . and an agreement on a civil nuclear energy program on Saudi soil” (Axios).

The Saudis also conditioned any peace agreement with Israel upon the establishment of a Palestinian state. During an interview with Fox News on September 20, 2023, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman noted that any normalization with Israel would require a plan for the Palestinians, “Every day we get closer, it seems it’s for the first time real one serious. . . . If we have a breakthrough of reaching a deal that give the Palestinians their needs and make the region calm, we’re going to work with whoever is there” (Israel National News).

Two days later, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed normalization progress with Saudi Arabia during his address to the 78^th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Netanyahu shared his optimism for an agreement, stating, “I believe that we are at the cusp of a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Such a peace will go a long way to ending the Arab Israeli conflict” (Israel National News).

Part of Netanyahu’s optimism was based on what a peace agreement would mean for Israel and the entire region because it would include “a planned corridor connecting the Arabian peninsula, Israel, and Europe, to allow for travel, shipping, and energy pipelines between all of the countries involved” (Israel National News).

But Netanyahu also added this cautionary note about any peace agreement with Saudi Arabia when he said, “Many decades of efforts to make peace with Arab Nations have failed because they were based on one false assumption – that the Palestinians must be appeased as a precondition to peace. The Palestinians have much to gain from new peace agreements. They should be part of these agreements, but they should not have a veto on peace” (Israel National News).

The potential for peace between Israel and the Arab nations was not welcomed by all in the Middle East. On October 2, 2023, during a speech marking the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah warned Saudi Arabia and other nations that might follow the Saudis lead, “Any country that might sign a normalization agreement should be condemned and held accountable for its actions” (Israel National News).

Five days later, not only did the peace negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia come to a screeching halt, the Middle East and the rest of the world were set on edge as well, fearing any regional escalation could lead to World War III.

Four months post October 7^th and with a presidential election less than a year away, the Biden administration is aggressively looking for a way to motivate Israel to end its war against Hamas. One way the White House has sought to bring Israel back to the negotiation table is by dangling a peace agreement with the Saudis.

Recent reports have revealed that the Saudis are open to resuming talks with Israel as long as certain conditions are met. On January 18, 2024, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. told members of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, that Saudi Arabia welcomes dialogue with Israel but that any peace agreement must include a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of an “irrevocable” path to a Palestinian state (Axios).

Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud said that the Saudis have extended an olive branch to Israel but that the Saudi kingdom also has a responsibility for the Palestinian people, “The Palestinian people deserve a state…they deserve a pathway that is irrevocable… We recognize the need for Israel to feel safe but it can’t be at the expense of the Palestinian people” (Axios).

It is important to keep in mind that this is not the first time that Israel and Saudi Arabia have engaged in normalization talks. The Saudis took the lead in similar negotiations in 2002, 2007, and 2017. Each time, Saudi Arabia offered an olive branch to Israel in exchange for the return of territories occupied by Israel after it won the Six-Day War in 1967 (i.e., the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and the Golan Heights). But each time negotiations were terminated due to a terrorist attack against Israel.

For example, on March 27, 2002, Arab leaders traveled to Beirut and offered to Israel to, “consider the Arab-Israeli conflict over, sign a peace agreement with Israel, and achieve peace for all states in the region” (Asia Times). But negotiations ended later that same day after a Hamas terrorist detonated a bomb in a hotel in Netanya which killed 30 Israelis who were observing a Passover dinner.

There is a historical pattern when it comes to peace agreements between Israel and her Arab neighbors and this historical pattern brings to light a glaring problem with the proposed peace negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Question: What is the glaring problem with any peace agreement between Israel and the Arab nations?

Answer: The Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank do not want to peacefully co-exist with Israel because they are committed to a One-State Solution (a.k.a., Hitler’s “Final Solution” for the Jews).

During an interview earlier this month, Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal confirmed that Hamas and the majority of Palestinians reject any Two-State Solution when he said, “People are saying now that the October 7 war has opened a new horizon for a vision of a political settlement. Here, they pull out their old ‘merchandise’ of the two-state solution. I would like to say two things about the two-state solution. First, we have nothing to do with the two-state solution. We reject this notion, because it means you would get a promise for a [Palestinian] state, yet you are required to recognize the legitimacy of the other state, which is the Zionist entity. This is unacceptable. We demand to be liberated, to get rid of the occupation, and to have our independence, and our state. [Israel] is my enemy. It is not my concern. . . Obviously, the position of Hamas, and the position of the vast majority of the Palestinian people, especially following October 7, I believe that the dream and the hope for Palestine from the River to the Sea, and from the north to the south has been renewed. . . the Palestinian consensus – or almost a consensus – is that we will not give up on our right to Palestine in its entirety. . . I believe that October 7 has enhanced this conviction, has narrowed the disagreements, and has turned the idea of liberating Palestine from the River to the Sea into a realistic idea that has already begun. It is not something [merely] to be expected or hoped for. It is part of the plan, part of the agenda, and we are standing on its threshold, Allah willing” (MEMRI).

Netanyahu understood this was so when he cautioned the U.N. against appeasing the Palestinians and giving them veto power over peace.

But let’s be clear, even if the Palestinians are not appeased or given power to veto peace, will Iran or Hezbollah quietly stand down and welcome the establishment of a Two-State Solution? Again, Nasrallah’s threat to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world five days prior to October 7^th is the resounding answer to that question.

In fact, Nasrallah’s answer was recently confirmed by Former Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali-Akbar Salehi during an interview with Russia Today TV on January 22, 2024. When asked about the possibility for an end to the current tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Salehi said, “As long as the [Israeli] entity exists and is active in our region, the crisis will remain between Iran and the regime that is occupying Jerusalem, even if a Palestinian state is established. I am referring to the proposed two-state solution. We can never recognize the plundering Zionist entity. So this confrontation will continue until the Zionist entity ceases to exist. I do not see the end of this confrontation on the horizon” (MEMRI).

To make matters worse, it appears that the Iranian regime’s commitment to the complete annihilation of Israel will be getting a boost. On March 1, Iran will be holding “parliamentary elections as well as elections for the 88-member, eight-year term Assembly of Experts. This round of the Assembly of Experts is expected to select the next Supreme Leader given that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni is nearly 85 and has been sick repeatedly” (Jerusalem Post).

In order to maintain their ideological grip on the Iranian people, Iran’s Guardian Council has disqualified virtually all moderates and “pragmatists” from running for public office, including former president Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani criticized his disqualification, stating, “the minority that rules officially and publicly wants to reduce people’s participation in elections” (Associated Press).

This new development led one commentator to conclude that the Guardian Council’s decision “makes ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran’s proxies a virtual certainty, and war more likely than ever” (Jerusalem Post).

Please join me in praying for our leaders and for the peace of Israel.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | January 26, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (MediaLine.org) — Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi

The Foreign Ministry of Russia reported on January 17, 2024 that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is expected to sign a new interstate treaty with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi. According to Reuters, the new treaty was “in the final stages of being agreed.”

Last month, Putin and Raisi worked through the details of expanding the cooperation between the two nations on political, trade, and military fronts during five hours of talks.

According to Maria Zakharov, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, “This document is not just timely, but also overdue. Since the signing of the current treaty, the international context has changed and relations between the two countries are experiencing an unprecedented upswing.”

Last November, the Kremlin said that Russia was working with Iran to strengthen their relations, “including in the field of military-technical cooperation.” Reuters notes that “Iranian authorities have said military cooperation with Russia is expanding day by day. Iran said in November it had finalized arrangements for Russia to provide it with Su-35 fight jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 pilot training aircraft.”

Both the United States and Israel have rightly expressed concern about the deepening ties between Russia and Iran. As noted in my last article, “Iran Only Needs One Week to Make Enough Weapon-Grade Uranium for Its First Nuclear Weapon,” Iran is committed to the destruction of the United States and Israel.

By strengthening ties with Iran, Putin is sending a clear message to Israel, the United States, and the West. In fact, Putin’s upcoming treaty with Iran reinforces the message that he has been sending to Israel since October 7, 2023. Let’s review what Putin has said and his government has done since Hamas attacked Israel on that horrific day in Israel’s history:

October 13, 2023 – Putin equated Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip with Hitler’s “siege of Leningrad during World War II.” (Jerusalem Post)
October 26, 2023 – Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Putin’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, hosted representatives from Hamas and Iran in Moscow. The purpose of their meeting was to address the ongoing war with Israel and to discuss ways to stop the “Zionist crimes supported by the United States and the West.” The Times of Israel reported that the “Hamas delegation also praised the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the efforts of Russian diplomacy.”
November 1, 2023 – Russia’s representative to the United Nations (UN), Vasily Nebenzya, stated during an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, “The only thing they can muster is continued pronouncements about Israel’s supposed right to self defense, although as an occupying power, it does not have that power. . .” (Jerusalem Post)
December 14, 2023 – Putin praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after Erdogan declared his support for Hamas and insisted that Hamas is “not a terrorist organization.” Putin said of Erdogan, “He is certainly one of the leaders of the international community who is paying attention to this tragedy and doing everything to change the situation for the better, to create conditions for long-term peace. God bless him.” (Breitbart)

Is Putin a friend of Israel? No. Why are these developments important when it comes to understanding the events of the latter days? Because Russia and Iran will play significant roles in the events leading up to the Great Tribulation. As I have shared repeatedly, both in print and during the Blessors of Israel podcasts, the Battle of Gog and Magog will precede the Great Tribulation according to Ezekiel 38-39. During the Battle of Gog and Magog, there will be an alliance of nations against Israel which will be led by the leader of Russia, “Gog, prince of Rosh” (Ezek. 38:4). “Persia,” modern-day Iran, will be part of that alliance which will attack Israel “in the latter years” (Ezek. 38:5, 8). These nations will “devise an evil plan” against Israel and with overwhelming force “come like a storm. . . like a cloud covering the land” (Ezek. 38:9-10).

These developments between Russia and Iran are setting the stage for the events prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel 2,600 years ago. And through it all, God will reveal Himself to Israel and the many nations so that they will know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 38:23).

Watch and pray. Stay alert and intercede for Israel.

by Dr. Matthew Dodd | January 18, 2024

Hamas has Turned the World Against Israel

Join Today and Become a Blessor of Israel

Join the Signs of the Times Newsfeed

Donate Now and Bless Israel

Join Today and Become a
Blessor of Israel

Join the
Signs of the Times Newsfeed