VOA: US warns Israeli offensive in Lebanon could bring wider war, draw in Iran; COGwriter: Passages from the ‘Art of War’
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Voice of America posted the following:
US warns Israeli offensive in Lebanon could bring wider war, draw in Iran
June 24, 2024
U.S. and European officials are warning of the possibility of the war in Gaza expanding, with the prospect of an Israeli offensive in Lebanon against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters Monday in Luxembourg that the risk of the war spilling over is growing bigger every day.
“I think that, unhappily, we are on the eve of the war expanding,” Borrell said.
He also said a cease-fire in Gaza is desperately needed to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, saying “delivery of humanitarian assistance inside Gaza has become impossible.”
Borrell’s comments came hours after the top U.S. military officer warned an Israeli offensive in Lebanon would raise the risk of a broader conflict that draws in Iran to aid Hezbollah.
Israel has been battling Iran-backed Hamas in its offensive in the Gaza Strip for months while also engaging in daily skirmishes with Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that Iran would be “more inclined to provide greater support to Hezbollah,” describing the militants as having more resources than Hamas. https://www.voanews.com/a/us-warns-israeli-offensive-in-lebanon-could-bring-wider-war-draw-in-iran/7667590.html
Here is something from the free online book Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century (notice also a reference below which I have bolded for this post):
It appears there will likely be a regional war involving Israel, who has threatened to take preemptive attacks to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons[i] as well as retaliatory attacks because of a massive arial attack by Iran announced on April 14, 2024.[ii] Israel has promised retaliation, with Iran’s then President Ebrahim Raisi asserting that even the “tiniest” invasion of its territory would bring a “massive and harsh” response. … and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime.”[iii] While Israel did make what could be considered a tiny response, Iran suggested that the matter was now closed.[iv] This author does not believe that, but instead believes that Iran and its allies are biding their time until they launch a massive attack.
Scripture points to an attack with Iranian involvement that will cause great damage to Israel. Despite its posturing, relative military strength, and ability to damage Israel and others, Iran will be somehow effectively neutralized (cf. Ezekiel 32:24). This could perhaps be from an attack involving Israel and other nations and/or internal civil unrest — this could also include electromagnetic (EMP) or similar weapons used against Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-39).
[i] Egozi A. With Netanyahu back in charge, is a solo Israeli strike against Iran in the cards? Breaking Defense, November 08, 2022
[ii] Frankel J. Israel says it will retaliate against Iran, despite the risks. ABC, April 16, 2024
[iii] The Latest | Netanyahu says Israel will decide how to respond as Iran warns against retaliation. Associated Pres, April 17, 2024
[iv] Hafezi P, Mackenzie J. Tehran plays down reported Israeli attacks, signals no retaliation. Reuters, April 19, 2024
Now, lets look at some lines from the last listed reference above:
Tehran plays down reported Israeli attacks, signals no retaliation
April 19 (Reuters) – Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources said was an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation – a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war. Iran’s foreign minister said the drones, which the sources said Israel launched against the city of Isfahan, were “mini-drones” and that they had caused no damage or casualties.
The limited scale of the attack and Iran’s muted response appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday.
Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from air defences hitting three drones over Isfahan in central Iran. They referred to the incident as an attack by “infiltrators”, rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-missiles-hit-site-iran-abc-news-reports-2024-04-19/
I DO NOT BELIEVE that a wider war was averted because of external diplomatic efforts, though some seem to want to believe that.
Now, the headline from Voice of America suggests that Israel’s action in Lebanon related to Hezbollah might draw Iran more into war this it. However, Iran clearly wants Israel destroyed, and yes, I do believe it plans to retaliate, irrespective of what Israel is currently doing related to Hezbollah.
I believe that some of what Iran is doing is consistent with passages from the ancient book by Sun Tzu called The Art of War. Here are some lines from its first chapter:
18
All warfare is based on deception.
19
Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
20
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
21
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
22
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
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If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
If his forces are united, separate them.
24
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
25
These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
So, when there was a headline from Reuters this year that said, Tehran plays down reported Israeli attacks, signals no retaliation, I did not believe it. I believe Iran is using some of Sun Tzu’s tactics.
Here is another from chapter 3:
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Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
(2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
(3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
I assert that Iran is waiting until it believes that the time for a massive attack is right. I do not believe Iran has given up on the idea of trying to conquer Israel.
Consider that the month after Reuters reported no retaliation signals from Iran, its Iran’s Supreme leader repeated a common protest slogan and again pushed to overthrow the government of Israel:
Iran’s Khamenei tells visiting Hamas chief that Israel ‘will one day be eliminated’
May 23, 2024
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei met Wednesday with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who visited Tehran as the Palestinian terror organization’s representative at the funeral for Iran’s president Ebrahaim Raisi after he died in a helicopter crash.
“The divine promise to eliminate the Zionist entity will be fulfilled and we will see the day when Palestine will rise from the river to the sea,” Khamenei told Haniyeh during a meeting at his office.
The Hamas politburo chief responded: “God willing we will see that day together.” https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-khamenei-tells-visiting-hamas-chief-that-israel-will-one-day-be-eliminated/
So, Iran’s Supreme Leader still applauded Hamas and still wants Israel destroyed.
Partial destruction to parts of Israel, including Jerusalem is prophesied (cf. Isaiah 22:6-9).
More on what is prophesied to occur is in the following Bible News Prophecy video:
Iran and Israel Conflict
European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrel, has been brokering the nuclear negotiations involving Iran and said that he thinks the deal is “in danger.” Iran blames the United States, whereas the USA says they are not delaying it. Israeli sources stated that Israel will stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. Joe Biden says the USA would use its own military power to prevent Iran from getting such a bomb if need be. In 2021, Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill seeking the government by law to commit to Israel’s destruction by the year 2040. Does the 22nd chapter of Isaiah point to damage coming to Israel from Iran and possibly Syria? Might Iran be concerned enough about limited progress with the USA to launch some type of attack? Is Iran the prophesied ‘King of the South’? Is it reasonable to think that the prophesied peace deal of Daniel 9:27 will not happen until after a military conflict. like a regional war? Should Christians watch the Middle East? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters.
Here is a link to our video: Iran and Israel Conflict.
As the Ayatollah continues to age, he may well decide that 2024 is the year for him to attempt to fulfill his desire to eliminate Israel.
This is something to watch for (cf. Mark 13:37).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here are links to two related videos Iran In Prophecy and Iran and Israel Conflict.
Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century This is a free online book which helps show where biblical and Islamic prophecies converge and diverge.
Seeing Christianity Through Islamic Eyes This article has information from the book, Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century, as well as from the old WCG and other sources.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2031 or ? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
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