Friends, these are difficult days. Stick with us because there is an action step at the end of this post. But it is important to understand the impact of what we’re asking.

Jesus, the apostle Paul and others told us what the last days would be like, and we’re seeing it play out right now. For example, in talking to His disciples, Jesus described the last days in Matthew 24. Wars, rumors of wars, nations and kingdoms (ἔθνος “ethnos” in Greek, meaning tribes or ethnic groups), natural disasters….do we see any of that today?

How about the laundry list of chaos Paul describes in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Indeed those things indicate selfishness and rebellion, and we’re seeing it all around.

But, as I consider what is happening in Afghanistan, I think of another key set of prophecies. God gave particular insight to the prophet Ezekiel, and in Ezekiel 36-37 he describes the preparation of the land and the regathering of God’s people to the land of Israel. The prophecy was written in the 6th century BC while in captivity in Babylon and the Jews returned to the land after 70 years.

In 70 AD, however, Titus and his army besieged and totally destroyed Jerusalem, resulting in Jews being dispersed all over the world. The Hebrew language was left for dead and Jews assimilated into other cultures, yet managed to retain their “Jewishness.” Miraculously, Jews began regathering in the land of Israel in the late 1800’s, thus fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy.

On May 14, 1948, the prophecy given to Isaiah that Israel would be reborn in a single day (Isaiah 66:7-8) was fulfilled! In Matthew 24:32-35, Jesus referenced the budding of the fig tree (Israel’s rebirth – details here). Isaiah prophesied of it over 2,500 years before it happened, then Jesus referred to the same prophecy about 1,900 years before it occurred!

But what does bringing American’s back from Afghanistan have to do with Bible prophecy? Well, nothing directly, but there is indirect significance. Stick with me here and see what you think!

Do you know what immediately followed Ezekiel’s prophecy regarding the return of the Jews to Israel? An invasion of Israel from the north, led by Russia, Iran and Turkey! Ezekiel 36-37 was all about the Jews’ return, Ezekiel 38-39, then, describes the invasion that is yet to come, but that is perfectly staged to happen at any time.

With those very nations on Israel’s doorstep today, and particularly given the visceral statements and actions from Iran in their quest to obtain nuclear weapons to blow Israel (and the US!) off the map, what has prevented it from happening? Certainly, the first answer is the protective hand of God. Yes, it is He who has kept Israel, and He will always make a way for His people. However, on the world stage, the greatest superpower in the history of the world has stood with Israel since their rebirth. That superpower is America, and we have been a deterrent to those who wish harm to Israel.

But now we see America in swift decline. Something has to happen to remove America from our position of being able to stand up and defend Israel in such an invasion described in Ezekiel 38-39. It is too early to tell whether or not America can recover from the death spiral we are witnessing. But make no mistake, if the US now takes orders from terrorist organizations, there is little hope, short of a grand miracle of God, that will save our nation from a complete stumble off the world stage.

None of us is God, so no one has the answers. Only He who is like no other, declaring the end from the beginning, will accomplish His plan (Isaiah 46:9-10). There is no need to pray that Israel will not be attacked by those forces. The Bible already tells us they will! There is no need to pray that, in the end, America will stand with Israel. The Bible tells us no one will!

But that doesn’t mean we sit around awaiting our heavenly rescue when Jesus comes to take us out of this world! While we occupy this earth, we must be about our Father’s business. Recently, we prayed for release of Christians and others stuck in Afghanistan. We’ve even seen God grant favor to some for whom we have prayed. We must continue to pray.

But we can do more. The Biden administration has kowtowed to terrorist demands to leave Afghanistan by August 31. Biden “knocked on wood” that Americans will not die, yet there has been no commitment to do whatever it takes to get our citizens home. Absolutely, pray! But also, take a moment (literally less than 60 seconds) to tell our president to do whatever it takes to get Americans safely home. Large numbers of voices speak loudly, so be one of the many!

Ultimately, in the end, America will no longer be the world’s greatest superpower. Until then, all the power we can muster must be used righteously. Removing citizens from harm’s way, and likely certain death at the hands of the Taliban, is a step in that direction.