Israel has powerful friends today. But will it always? That question becomes especially important when we compare what is happening in our world with what Scripture says about Israel’s future. For decades, the United States and other Western nations have provided Israel with important diplomatic, military, and economic support. Yet today, attitudes toward Israel are shifting dramatically in many parts of the world. We see growing hostility toward Israel on college campuses, in public demonstrations, across social media, and increasingly within political movements around the world. All of this raises an important question for students of Bible prophecy: Does Scripture describe a future in which Israel becomes increasingly isolated from the nations around her? The prophet Zechariah gives us a remarkable glimpse of what lies ahead. And while we should always be careful about claiming that a particular headline is the fulfillment of prophecy, the direction Scripture describes deserves our attention. Jerusalem Will Become the Focus of the World More than 2,500 years ago, the prophet Zechariah recorded these words: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling… On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations.” — Zechariah 12:2–3 Think about how remarkable that prophecy is. Jerusalem is not one of the world’s largest cities. It is not the center of global finance. It does not possess the population or geographic size of cities like New York, London, Beijing, or Tokyo. And yet few places on earth consistently command as much international attention. Again and again, Jerusalem becomes the center of political controversy, religious tension, diplomatic negotiations, and international debate. According to Zechariah, that attention will not diminish as history moves forward. It will intensify. An “Immovable Rock” Among the Nations Zechariah uses an interesting description for Jerusalem. God says He will make the city an “immovable rock.” The picture is of something the nations attempt to move but cannot. They struggle against it. They attempt to solve what they see as the “problem” of Jerusalem. But they ultimately injure themselves trying. There is something deeper happening here than geopolitics. Jerusalem matters because God has attached His purposes to this city and this land throughout Scripture. It was Jerusalem where David established his throne. It was Jerusalem where Solomon built the Temple. It was Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified and rose again. And according to Bible prophecy, Jerusalem will continue to occupy a central place in God’s future purposes. The prophet Zechariah looks forward to a day when the Lord Himself will reign as King: “The Lord will be king over the whole earth.” — Zechariah 14:9 Jerusalem’s importance, therefore, is not simply about ancient history. Jerusalem has a future. And so does Israel. Israel Is Learning a Difficult Lesson Modern Israel has always understood the importance of defending itself. Surrounded for much of its modern history by hostile neighbors, Israel has developed one of the most capable militaries and sophisticated defense systems in the world. But recent years have reinforced a difficult reality: Political alliances can change. Governments change. Public opinion changes. Military partnerships change. Even longtime allies can become less dependable. That reality has encouraged Israel to pursue greater independence in military technology, intelligence, defense production, and other areas critical to its survival. From a human perspective, that makes perfect sense. But Scripture points toward something even deeper. There may come a day when Israel discovers that no military system, political alliance, or foreign government can ultimately guarantee its survival. And that realization may become part of something God has been moving toward all along. Israel’s Greatest Need Is Not Another Ally Christians who support Israel need to understand an important distinction. Biblical support for Israel does not mean believing that everything the Israeli government does is right. Israel is a nation governed by imperfect human beings, just like every other nation. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly confronted Israel’s leaders when they acted unjustly or rebelled against Him. So why should Christians still care about Israel? Because our confidence is not ultimately in the Israeli government. It is in the promises of God. God made covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. The prophets repeatedly describe both Israel’s dispersion and its restoration. And the New Testament makes clear that God has not finished with the Jewish people. Paul asks the question directly: “Did God reject his people?” His answer is equally direct: “By no means!” — Romans 11:1 That means Israel’s greatest need is not simply stronger alliances. It is not better weapons. It is not greater international approval. Israel’s greatest need is ultimately the same as ours: to turn to God. Zechariah’s Prophecy Doesn’t End With War This is where the story becomes especially important. If we stop reading Zechariah after the nations gather against Jerusalem, we miss one of the most beautiful parts of the prophecy. God promises to intervene. Zechariah writes: “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.” — Zechariah 12:9 But what follows is even more significant. God says: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced…” — Zechariah 12:10 Notice what happens. There is not merely national deliverance. There is spiritual awakening. That distinction is essential to understanding Israel’s future. Scripture does not simply describe a Jewish people who survive. It describes a people whom God ultimately draws back to Himself. The Apostle Paul points toward this same future hope in Romans 11, describing a day when God’s purposes for Israel reach their culmination. Israel’s story is not finished. When Israel Can No Longer Depend on the Nations Perhaps there will come a moment when Israel has exhausted every other option. When alliances have failed. When military strength is insufficient. When international opinion has turned overwhelmingly against her. When there is nowhere else to look. And perhaps that is when Israel will finally look up. We should be cautious about constructing a detailed timeline beyond what Scripture clearly tells us. But the direction of biblical prophecy is unmistakable. Israel will face tremendous opposition. God will remain faithful. And ultimately, Israel’s hope will be found not in the strength of the nations, but in the God of Israel. That is why Zechariah can say: “The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.” — Zechariah 12:5 What a day that will be. Why Christians Should Pray for Jerusalem All of this should affect more than the way we interpret the news. It should affect the way we pray. The psalmist tells us: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” — Psalm 122:6 We should pray for Jewish families. We should pray for Palestinians and other innocent people throughout the region who live with the consequences of conflict. We should pray for wisdom and justice among leaders. We should pray for believers who faithfully follow Jesus in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. But above all, we should pray for spiritual awakening. Because the deepest peace Jerusalem needs will never ultimately come through another treaty, another military victory, or another political agreement. True and lasting peace will come through the Prince of Peace. Today, Israel may look to its military. It may look to America. It may look to other allies. But Scripture points toward a remarkable day when Israel will ultimately look to the Lord. The nations may turn against Jerusalem. The political landscape may change. Israel may increasingly find itself standing alone. But Israel will never stand outside the promises and purposes of God. And that is why we continue to watch. That is why we continue to study His Word. And that is why we continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

What do Iran and Turkey have to do with Bible prophecy? Explore Ezekiel 38, the future battle of Gog and Magog, and what Scripture reveals about Israel’s future.