A week from today, we may witness one of the most important elections in our lifetimes…if not in the history of the world.  That is a rather bold statement, so let me explain.  We are seeing Bible prophecy line up like no other time in history.  For example, it wasn’t until 1948 that Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning the re-birth of Israel was fulfilled.  (That prophecy is found in Ezekiel 36-37.)  That had to occur before the end of days, and it has occurred.  Since that time, and for the first time in history, Russia is working in tandem with Iran in pursuit of nuclear capability.  (Russia has supplied technology, scientists and funding for nuclear reactors in Iran.)  Those two countries are key players in the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion of Israel.

In addition, for the first time in history, we have Sunni (ISIS) and Shi’ite (Iran) Islamic factions on a collision course to determine whose “flavor” of apocalyptic Islam will triumphant into a world-wide caliphate.  We are watching a significant movement toward one world government under the banner of Islam, and we are seeing false messiahs emerging from each faction.

Meanwhile, a single tiny democracy sits precariously in the midst of an Islamic empire, and will one day endure an attack like no other.  Though I pray that God will grant a great awakening throughout the US and the world, short of that, current events are lining up to match Bible prophecy.  Indeed, though we can’t know for sure, what the Bible describes as the rapture of the church and the subsequent tribulation could very well be around the corner.

Thus, there has never been a more critical time for Israel to have strong leadership than now, and that is the decision before the people of Israel next Tuesday.  The current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been in power for almost 6 years (as well as several years in the late-1990’s) and could be re-elected.  However, major “Anybody but Bibi” campaigns are taking place around Israel, he is being strongly attacked by political parties on the left, and the Israeli media seems to be doing everything possible to discredit him.  Whether or not you are a Netanyahu fan, the fact remains that he has his work cut out for him, and may not be re-elected.

Perhaps most disgusting is the way the US has approached this election.  When Netanyahu came to Washington to speak before the joint session of Congress, President Obama sent his VP (Joe Biden) and Secretary of State (John Kerry) out of the country.  (Kerry traveled half way around the world to meet with Iran, Israel and America’s greatest enemy.)  Obama not only boycotted the speech, but encouraged his cabinet members and many members of Congress to do the same.  He didn’t even watch or listen to Netanyahu’s speech, yet judged that there was “nothing new,” and thus went on with his business of trying to push a deal with Iran.

Now, the real tell-tale:  Obama stated that his reason for opposing Netanyahu’s speech was because it was too close to Israeli elections and he did not want to engage in electoral politics.  However, he sees no harm in sending top campaign aides to Israel for the purpose of ousting Netanyahu from power.  Unbelievable!  With allies like that, who needs enemies!

Though Israel is democratic like America, elections are a bit different there.  Every eligible voter has one vote and all are equal.  The vote is not for a person, but for a party.  (There are currently about a dozen active parties in Israel.)  Each party has a list of representatives and the leader of the winning party typically becomes Prime Minister.  The remainder of the list becomes members (chosen proportionately according to the percentage of votes for each party) of the 120-member Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

You may or may not be a Benjamin Netanyahu fan, but I believe the Lord truly has blessed him with wisdom.  Interestingly, Netanyahu has, at times, quoted Scripture in major speeches and understands prophecy.  (See here and here)  Furthermore, Netanyahu seems to be a man who understands the times and knows what Israel should do.  (1 Chronicles 12:32)  Finally, he risked his political future by agreeing to speak to the US Congress at such a critical time.  His party, Likud, is currently in a dead heat with the Zionist Union, a more liberal party.

May God bless Prime Minister Netanyahu, and may God grant Israel the wisest, most effective Prime Minister possible.  Israel needs the support of praying believers.  Will you join me in prayer this week to petition our Great God to place the absolute best person in power in Israel?