Israel Retaliates Against The Gaza

By Ray Gano

This morning I woke up to a plethora of news sitting on my desktop and 90% was about Israel and Gaza.

The latest news was that Gaza has launched over 70 Qassams Missiles and 2 Katyusha Rockets.

DEBKA Files report that military sources, after being knocked sideways by three days of massive Israeli air strikes, and more than 315 dead, Hamas appeared to have recovered its bearings sufficiently to pound Israel with more than 70 Qassam missiles and two Grad Katyusha rockets Monday, Dec. 29, on Day 3 of the operation.

Yep, it looks like things are escalating big time and in fact word is from a Foreign minister in Iran that the Iranian military is starting to ramp up with the anticipation of attacking Israel as well.

I have gotten several emails pointing to Bill Salus’ theory dealing with Psalms 83 and Ezekiel 37:10 in his book “Isralestine”; asking what I think.

In times like these is it easy to allow the news and information to cloud ones judgment and point to things saying “this is Bible Prophecy.”

Hey, I am willing to say that I have done it myself too.

But what I want everyone to remember is what Acts 17:11 states:

Act 17:11 (KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

While I was in Dallas a few weeks ago I appeared on Dave Reagan’s Show, “Christ In Prophecy.”

Dave invited about 12 or so of us to come on and he gave us 10 questions to answer.
One of those questions was about Psalms 83.

Here is what he asked…

What do you think of the new thesis that Psalm 83 prophesies a war that Israel will win against its Arab neighbors, resulting in true peace for Israel?

Good question.

As many of you know, I work hard to really examine scripture and apply proper hermeneutics.

One of the best definitions of proper hermeneutics is found in the introduction chapter of "In The Footsteps Of The Messiah: a Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events" by Dr. Arnold G.Fruchtenbaum.

Similar rules are also found by Dr. C.C. Ryrie’s well acclaimed book "Systematic Theology" as well as his book "The Premillennial Faith".

The basic rules are as follows…

• First rule is what is called The Golden Rule of Interpretation,
• The second rule of interpretation is The Law of double reference.
• The third rule of interpretation is The law of recurrence.
• The fourth and last rule A text apart from the context is a pretext

So how did I answer Dave Reagan?

I said I find many faults with this theory on many counts.

1. First and foremost, the theory is not based in proper Biblical hermeneutics.

2. It rejects the “Golden Rule of Interpretation.”

When the plain sense of Scripture males common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning, unless the fact of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.

3. It rejects the rule of “a text apart from the context is a pretext.”

To explain further, the theory pulls scripture seriously out of context and is being presented as meaning something that it is not.

The primary leg on which the theory stands is taken from Ezekiel 37:10 where three words are pulled from the verse… “Exceedingly Great Army.” Clearly this is not speaking of a military force when viewed in context. It is talking about a large body of people.

4. It takes from the allegorical and applies it literally and takes from the literal and applies it allegorically.

We see this in Ezekiel 37:10 where the allegory “Exceedingly Great Army. “ is being made into a real army or the IDF as the theory proposes

It makes allegorical the IDF when in Psalms 83 it is God who is being addressed and petitioned. It is also God through Christ Jesus who executes the judgment upon the enemies of Israel in the Last Days, not the IDF.

5. The lens this theory uses is the lens of global events trying to prove scripture. Where proper interpretation is when one looks through the lens of scripture and reviews global events.

It is scripture which is the absolute truth, we do not need outside sources or events to prove what is already plain and true…God’s Word.

Now, although scripture is used to try to prop up this theory, it falls short regarding rule #1 and #4 of hermeneutics as I have pointed out.

6. Finally, and I have to say this is kind of stickler for me. If it is the IDF who wipes out the enemies of Israel as the Psalms 83 / Ezekiel 37:10 theory proposes. Why does Christ need to come back in victory saving Israel when Israel can do it herself?

That was the major contention I had with this theory, it has stolen Christ’s victory in saving the apple of His eye the people of Israel. It is Christ who is the victor as it states clearly in scripture, not the IDF.

I say all of this because often when things “outside” are taking place, we tend to lean upon our own understanding vs. what God’s Word REALLY SAYS.

Again, I have done this myself.

We so badly want to know the “secrets of the ages” and come up with “new things,” theories and ideas. But when one bends the rules or tosses them out completely like this theory has, you can basically use the bible to prove that grass is blue and the sky is green.

Now probably many of you read this book and think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. But I challenge you to go back and look at it with proper hermeneutics in mind.

In regards to the show I did with David Reagan, I did not want my answer to come as a surprise to the author of the theory, so I sent him a copy of my notes.

His reply” I appreciate your honesty, but still respectfully disagree. - Bill

Today so many people are stepping away from solid Biblical hermeneutics because they “respectfully disagree.“

Hey, I didn’t write the rules, I just apply them trying to be a good Berean vs leaning upon my own understanding.

Personally I blame many of the seminaries who are teaching “feeling and emotion” over the written word of God, logic and critical thinking.

Because of a very loose view and lack of proper interpretation of scripture “new theories” like the Psalms 83 / Ezekiel 37:10 are rising to the surface.

Scripture tells us about “new things”…

Ecc 1:9 (KJV) The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Because of what is taking place in the Middle East right now, it has given people the cause to jump on board this and other wild ideas.

People need to give pause for what is true and not run on emotions or stand on a world’s view.

People have forgotten about being a good Berean like we are called to be in Acts 17:11.

A world’s view has won out over having a Biblical view.