Will Gaza fall again soon?

By Craig C. White

For the past few years the Sunni Muslim terrorist organization Hamas has been firing missiles at Israel from the annexed city of Gaza. Israel has been forced to retaliate on several occasions. Today (August 8th 2018) Hamas continually fired unguided missiles into southern Israel causing the entire region to take to bomb shelters. Israel has tried to implement a ceasefire but the situation is only getting worse. This leads me to recall two passages in the Bible that predict the destruction of Gaza.

Here are two passages that prophesy the destruction of Gaza. Both of these passages describe the defeat of the Philistines by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC. But like many Bible prophecies these passages may also apply to an end time destruction of Gaza.

In the verses below the cities of Gaza, Asdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron are all located on the Mediterranean coast of southern Israel. These cities comprised the nation of the Philistines. Only the city of Gaza is representative of modern day Gaza.

Amos 1:6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver [them] up to Edom: 7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: 8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

These events have already happened but considering the way that things are going, Gaza could be in for another downfall soon. Hamas controls Gaza. We know for certain that Hamas in Gaza will be defeated when Jesus returns to rule in Jerusalem.

Amos chapter one seems to also describe the path of vengeance that Jesus Christ will take when he returns at his second coming. Read my commentary titled Revelation Wrath Path

Allow me to offer my opinion. Gaza may suffer significant damage in the near future. Perhaps the conflict in Gaza will even ignite a broader war. Turkey is the chief supporter of Hamas. The Turkish Army is poised to attack northern Syria and Turkish President Erdogan vowed not to leave Syria until he has removed Syrian President Assad from power in Damascus. So a large scale attack on Hamas may provoke Erdogan to continue his conquest of Syria. Don’t forget that Erdogan also called on all of Islam to conquer the Golan Heights of northern Israel and also to conquer Jerusalem. The Golan heights is only thirty miles from Damascus. Who knows, perhaps Erdogan has instructed Hamas to provoke Israel to retaliate as an excuse to make war against Israel. Do I think that Gaza will be destroyed now? No. Zechariah chapter 12 describes the men of Judea fighting in Gaza after Jesus returns at his second coming. So Hamas will most likely continue to occupy Gaza until Jesus returns. Read my commentary titled Fire of Judea

The book of Nahum says that Jesus is coming in a fiery whirlwind to fight on the Golan Heights. This verse concludes this description “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” I think that Jesus will return to turn back the Turkish Army as they lead the forces that are now fighting in Syria into northern Israel. I think that the Rapture will happen at that time!