Iran stages a missile attack on Israel

Iran fired at least two hundred ballistic missiles at Israel today, lighting the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and causing sirens to sound across the country. People were told to stay near shelters or other protected areas. At this writing, the Israeli military believes the attack is over. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted Israel in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others. However, Israel and the US have both warned that an Iranian attack would have severe consequences for Tehran.

It is hard to imagine that Iran’s leaders think today’s missile launch will deter Israel in its fight against Hezbollah, Hamas, or other terrorists threatening its people and nation.

Why, then, did Iran provoke a wider conflict in this way?

“The greatest string of triumphs since the Six Day War”

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins tonight. If Iran’s leaders had their way, this would be the Jewish nation’s last new year.

In 2015, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei predicted that Israel would not exist in twenty-five years. He has been pledged to Israel’s destruction for many years, in large part because he and many in Iran are convinced that the “Mahdi” (their version of a messiah) will reappear to dominate the world for Islam only after Israel is eradicated.

As US officials have noted, Iran is “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.” Today’s missile launch, directed not at soldiers but at the nation and its civilians, makes the point. Iran launched because Israel dared respond to the threat posed by their terrorist proxy in Lebanon.

As Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker reminds us, Israel is “a country smaller in area than New Jersey, with a population less than North Carolina’s and an economy smaller than that of Washington state.” It is barely 1 percent the size of Iran in land and just over 10 percent in population.

And yet, as Walter Russell Mead writes, this tiny nation has recently staged their “greatest string of triumphs since the Six Day War” in neutralizing terrorists who seek the destruction of their nation and the West. Now, as Israelis near the anniversary of the October 7 atrocities, Baker states that “we should not only redouble our expressions of sympathy and solitude” but also “show them our gratitude.”

“Israel stands with you”

As I have written often, I am convinced that the Jewish people deserve to have a homeland and the right to defend it. Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East and America’s most strategic partner in the region. It is the home of our spiritual ancestors and the land our Savior walked.

In so many ways, this tiny country is the hinge of history. Now, war is escalating there once again, not just between Israel and Iranian proxies in the region but with Iran itself.

However, such a war is not Israel’s wish or desire. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared yesterday in a video addressing “the noble Persian people,” Israel looks forward to a day when the terrorist regime subjugating Iran is gone and Iranians regain their freedom.

On that day, he stated, “Our two ancient peoples, the Jewish people and the Persian people, will finally be at peace.” He added: “When that day comes, the terror network that the regime built in five continents will be bankrupt, dismantled; Iran will thrive as never before.”

What would come then? “Global investment. Massive tourism. Brilliant technological innovation based on the tremendous talents that exist inside Iran. Doesn’t that sound better than endless poverty, repression, and war?” he asked. He urged the people: “Don’t let a small group of fanatic theocrats crush your hopes and your dreams. You deserve better. Your children deserve better. The entire world deserves better.”

Netanyahu concluded: “I know you don’t support the rapists and murderers of Hamas and Hezbollah, but your leaders do. You deserve more. The people of Iran should know: Israel stands with you.”

“I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem”

Let us remember: God loves Iranians and Lebanese as much as he loves Jews. His Son died for every person engaged in this conflict, whatever their ethnicity or religion (Romans 5:8).

Consequently, I am asking God to redeem this conflict by using it to turn people on all sides from the scourge of war to the Prince of Peace.

One day we will join “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages [in] standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). Please join me in praying for millions of Iranians, Lebanese, and Jews to join us there.

When I led more than thirty pilgrimages to Israel, our group would always enter Jerusalem via an overlook on Mount Scopus that gave us a marvelous view of the city. Here I read to the group John’s ancient prophecy:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:1–5).

I reminded them that our eternal destiny rests on events that took place in this ancient city. It was here that our Savior taught, ministered, died, and rose from the dead. One day he will return, and we will all live in the “new Jerusalem.” On that day, we will be well, and we will be home.

Then, with the Holy City behind me, I said to our group, often with tears in my eyes, “Welcome home.”

Let us pray today for millions to join us there, to the glory of God.