As our Journeys of Paul tour continues through Greece and the Greek Isles, I’ve found myself reflecting back on some of the earliest moments of our trip — especially our time in Thessaloniki. Even now, several days later and far from home in the United States, the lessons from northern Greece continue to stay with me. One evening while overlooking the Gulf of Thessaloniki along the city’s beautiful waterfront, I was reminded that this modern harbor city was once one of the great centers of the early church. Long before the cafés, cruise ships, and busy boardwalks, the Apostle Paul walked these streets carrying the message of Jesus Christ into Europe for the very first time. According to Acts 17, Paul arrived here after receiving the Macedonian Call while ministering across the Aegean in Asia Minor. Scripture tells us: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” — Acts 17:2 That phrase — “as was his custom” — reveals something important about Paul’s ministry. Wherever he traveled, he began with Scripture. He met people where they were, opening the Word of God and showing them how Jesus fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament. Traveling through these biblical regions has a way of making the New Testament feel remarkably alive. The Roman roads, the harbors, the ancient cities — they are no longer just names on a page. They are real places where real people encountered the transforming power of the gospel. And Thessaloniki became one of the defining moments of that mission. While some rejected Paul’s message, many Gentiles responded with faith. A church was born here in Macedonia — one that became deeply meaningful to Paul throughout his ministry. Later, he would write the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians to encourage these believers during seasons of confusion, persecution, and uncertainty. And honestly, that makes Thessaloniki feel surprisingly modern. We also live in uncertain times. We wrestle with fear. We wonder what the future holds. We need hope. Standing there beside the harbor earlier in our journey, I found myself thinking about Paul’s encouragement to these believers: “The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 Those words carry special weight when read in the very region where the church first received them. Paul wrote these promises not from comfort, but into the lives of ordinary believers facing pressure, hardship, and uncertainty. He reminded them — and us — that history is moving somewhere. Christ will return. Hope is not lost. The gospel still changes lives. One of the great gifts of traveling through places like Thessaloniki is realizing that the Bible did not happen in mythological lands disconnected from reality. These are real places. Real roads. Real harbors. Real churches. Real believers whose faith carried the gospel across continents and through generations. And now, by God’s grace, we have the privilege of walking through these places ourselves — opening the same Scriptures and remembering the same Savior. The story continues.

Every time conflict erupts in the Middle East, people begin asking questions about Israel and Bible prophecy. Does Israel still matter in God’s plan? Are the events unfolding today connected to Scripture? And why does this tiny nation continue to stand at the center of world attention generation after generation? Those are important questions. And the Bible speaks to them far more directly than many people realize. Israel’s Story Did Not End in the Old Testament One of the misunderstandings many people have is assuming that Israel’s significance ended once the church was established. But throughout both the Old and New Testaments, Scripture consistently points toward a future for the Jewish people and the land of Israel. The prophets repeatedly described: a physical return to the land, a spiritual awakening, and a future kingdom centered in Jerusalem. For centuries, those promises may have seemed impossible. The Jewish people were scattered throughout the world. Jerusalem was conquered repeatedly. The land itself often appeared barren and forgotten. Yet in 1948, something remarkable happened. The modern state of Israel was reborn. For students of Scripture, that moment carried enormous significance. The Land Came Back to Life One of the most striking things about visiting Israel today is seeing how the land has flourished. Deserts bloom. Agriculture thrives. Cities have expanded. Technology and innovation continue growing rapidly. That renewal reminds me often of the words of Ezekiel, who described the land itself coming back to life after long desolation. But the prophets also make clear that physical restoration is only part of the story. The greater promise still ahead is spiritual renewal. A Future Spiritual Awakening Throughout Scripture, God promises a future turning of many Jewish people toward their Messiah. Ezekiel spoke of God giving His people “a new heart.” Zechariah described a future repentance and mourning. And Paul reaffirmed those promises in Romans 11 when he wrote: “And so all Israel will be saved.” — Romans 11:26 That does not mean every Jewish person is automatically saved apart from faith in Christ. Scripture is clear that salvation comes only through Jesus. But it does point toward a future work of God among the Jewish people unlike anything the world has yet seen. God’s story with Israel is not finished. Why Jerusalem Continues to Matter One reason Israel remains at the center of world tension is because Jerusalem itself carries enormous spiritual significance. The prophet Zechariah described Jerusalem as “a cup of trembling” for the nations. That description feels remarkably current. Few cities in the world attract more global attention, political controversy, or spiritual significance than Jerusalem. And according to Scripture, that will continue in the days ahead. The Bible teaches that Jerusalem will one day become the center of Messiah’s earthly reign when Jesus rules as King. That future kingdom remains one of the great hopes woven throughout prophecy. Prophecy Should Lead Us to Trust God Sometimes people approach Bible prophecy merely as speculation or headline interpretation. But biblical prophecy is ultimately meant to strengthen our confidence in God. It reminds us: that history is moving somewhere, that God remains sovereign, and that His promises can be trusted. Israel’s survival alone is extraordinary. Empires have risen and fallen. Nations far more powerful have disappeared. Yet the Jewish people remain. And the land of Israel continues standing at the crossroads of world history exactly as Scripture described. What This Means for Us Today For Christians, understanding Israel’s future should never produce fear or obsession. Instead, it should produce: confidence in God’s Word, compassion for people, urgency about the gospel, and hope for the future. The Bible makes clear that difficult days will come. But it also makes clear that God remains fully in control. One day, the Prince of Peace Himself will reign from Jerusalem. And until that day comes, we continue watching, praying, studying Scripture, and trusting the God who keeps His promises.