God Controls Nations
We are watching a lot of nation-posturing right now. They are sizing Israel up and publicly taking sides. It’s fascinating to watch in light of the prophetic future. And by “nations,” I mean the national leaders who represent their flag. Let’s see. How many are standing with Israel? A better question: What’s in the future for those nations who stand against Israel? The Bible is quite clear.
But before we get to the future of those countries, there is a sovereignty issue to weigh here. Who is to credit for a national position against Israel? Is it their leader or God? That’s a trick question. God is in control, and His ultimate purpose is His glory—however it unfolds.
Take Pharoah, who enslaved the children of Israel and wouldn’t let them leave. You remember the 10 plagues in Egypt? Before even the first plague, God already told Moses in Ex. 4:21 that He would harden Pharoah’s heart so he wouldn’t let them go. Pharoah just couldn’t help himself—through nine plagues. Now why did God do that?
At the seventh-inning stretch (the seventh plague), God told Moses to declare His reason directly to Pharoah! Ex. 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. That glory came beyond the tenth plague and the death of all the first born. Pharoah DID let them go, but God wasn’t done getting glory. In Ex. 14:4, God told Moses He was hardening Pharoah’s heart to change his mind and pursue after the children of Israel at the Red Sea. You know the story. They pursued per God’s unction, and were all drowned in the sea.
In the New Testament, Paul repeated the summary: Rom. 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
God’s Pattern is Set
We know in the Bible, God declares the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10). Let’s call the Exodus episode the beginning. Egypt was just one nation that God used as the future pattern. Many of the prophets foretell the future magnitude of nations rising up against Israel, but especially Zech. 14:2-3 where it says: For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; … and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. What day of battle was that? It’s the same Exodus battle that Moses made into a song in Ex. 15:1-6. And that same song will be sung again at the final victory per Rev. 15:2-3 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Let’s go back to our original thought on the current nation-posturing against Israel. Who is it that is causing all these country leaders to turn their back on Israel? Let there be no hand-wringing about this global uprising. The conclusion to this is already in the books. God is in charge. We are SO close to the end that we can smell it. Look up!
R&J Shee