All Nations Attack Jerusalem
- Asher Intrater
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Tikkun Global
Jerusalem, Israel
A major pattern in Scriptures (both OT and NT) is that all the nations of the world attack Israel. I will cite below 15 biblical passages.
Sometimes these attacks are outside the Land of Israel, such as in the case of Pharaoh, Amalek, Haman, etc. But the more important battles are the ones which take place in the Land, focusing on Jerusalem.
An attack on Jerusalem has increased significance in that Jerusalem (Zion) is the capital city of the Messianic kingdom on earth. Therefore, that attack at times is considered a rebellion and rejection of God's authority. (Psalm 2)
Attacks on Jerusalem have two possible outcomes: destruction of Israel or a miraculous victory. The destruction is a severe judgment on Israel's sin. Victory is a step forward in establishing the Messianic kingdom.
There are two time dimensions of the judgments against Israel: one in the period of the Tanakh, and one in the period of the New Covenant. The first was the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC; the second was the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 AD.
These judgments on Israel have huge importance in the biblical worldview. They are spoken about by the prophets as the "end of the age." They are compared to the flood of Noah in which the known world came to an end.
Examples of miraculous victory are found in many passages. One outstanding example is the destruction of the Assyrian army when they attacked Jerusalem at the time of Isaiah and Hezekiah. Assyria was the greatest empire of that age.
At that time, the Angel Yahweh intervened and killed 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night. That victory is recorded 3 times (Isaiah 37, II Kings 19, II Chronicles 32). We see the Angel Yahweh as pre-birth appearances of Yeshua, the Son of God. This event provides startling insight as to what will happen at the time of the 2nd Coming.
Human history--in our present stage-- ends up with the 2nd Coming of Yeshua. All the prophecies describe an attack of all the nations against Israel at that time. This apocalyptic battle is referred to by different names, such as Gog and Magog, Armageddon, the terrible day of YHVH, the valley of Jehoshaphat, the battle over Ariel, and the clash on the Mount of Olives.
The fact that this battle will take place is irrefutable from an exegetical point of view. It could be argued that this battle will end up in yet another destruction and exile for Israel. Some biblical scholars support that view. It would certainly be the view of Shia Islam, the United Nations, and today's progressive elite.
However, the 2,000-year history of the exile and regathering of Israel, the formation of the international Church, the restoration of the Messianic remnant, and just plain common sense would say just the opposite.
Here are 15 citations of the attack of the nations against Israel:
Joshua 9:1-2 – When Joshua enters the promised land to begin to establish covenantal ownership, all the surrounding people attack. Joshua wins.
Joshua 11:1-4 – As Joshua completes his campaign, all the nations from the north attack. Joshua wins.
II Samuel 5:17 – After years of internal conflict, David is finally anointed as king over Judah and Israel. All the Philistines attack. David wins.
II Chronicles 20:2 – At the height of Jehoshaphat's kingdom, the surrounding nations attack. God intervenes for a supernatural victory.
Isaiah 36:12 – At the time of Isaiah and Hezekiah, the Assyrian empire attacks. The angel Yahweh descends to destroy their soldiers.
Psalm 83:2-4 – A poetic prophecy describes the peoples of the world consulting together to "wipe Israel out from being a nation."
Isaiah 29:7 – All the nations join together to destroy Ariel (Jerusalem) but are supernaturally foiled in their attempt.
Ezekiel 38:8-9 – Two whole chapters describe the attack of all the nations against Israel. They are destroyed and immediately the Messiah's kingdom is set up. Amazingly this battle repeats itself at the end of the Millenium, showing just how deep and satanic this rebellion is.
Joel 3:2 – On the great and fearful day of YHVH, in the valley of Jehoshaphat, God will punish all the nations for their evil treatment of the Jewish people and dividing up the promised land of Israel.
Zechariah 12:2-3 – In the end times, Jerusalem will become the focus of global political conflict. The nations will attack and be destroyed by God. There is an extended section of 4 chapters (Zech. 11-14) that describe this conflict in detail.
Zechariah 14:2-4 – This is perhaps the clearest description of the battle at the 2nd Coming of Yeshua in the whole Bible. YHVH will stand with his "feet" on the Mount of Olives after annihilating the nations who attack, in what sounds like a nuclear meltdown.
Luke 21:20 - When asked about the end of the age, Yeshua replied that one of the clear signs will be seeing "Jerusalem surrounded by armies." This is true of both the Second Coming and destruction in 70 AD.
Revelation 16:14, 16: - This is the famous battle of Armageddon. Human armies and demonic forces will attack Israel. Yeshua will utterly destroy them.
Revelation 17:14 – The armies of the Beast-Antichrist government will attack Israel, and thus attack Yeshua. He will destroy them because he is Lord of Lords.
Revelation 19:19 – The armies of the Beast-Antichrist will gather "on the earth" to attack. But the One riding the white horse and his angelic armies will descend from heaven to destroy them.
This last reference in Revelation 19 describes the battle at the time of the 2nd Coming. Yeshua's eyes are filled with fire. He is coming to make war, to punish sin, and to execute the wrath of God.
He is the one winning the war, not the army of Israel. Israel will be overwhelmed. That is the moment the Almighty Savior will intervene. There is no question as to whether this will happen.
The pressing questions are: Do you know this Yeshua described in the book of Revelation? Will you be ready to meet him? Whose side will you be on at this final confrontation? Do we think that we can take a neutral stance in the light of this apocalyptic war?
