If Not Now, When? [Part 2]
I recently returned from a two-week trip to Israel. This was my 15th trip to the Holy Land. The last two trips since the war started on October 7th, 2023 have been unique from every previous trip. Here’s why:
Continued Deep Trauma
As I met with Israelis, many were filled with sustained trauma. Even though much of the world has moved on since the horrific events of October 7, 2023, Israelis are still reeling. Nearly two years have passed, and the emotional wounds are still raw. Nearly every Israeli feels alone and unsupported by the outside world. I wrote similar words in a June 2024 blog.
In June 2024, many people asked me “Why?” Why are people falling for the propaganda of Hamas and regurgitating their genocidal slogans? Why are college students calling Israel an apartheid state? Why is an impossible standard being used to evaluate Israel?
During this past trip in May of 2025, Israelis are no longer asking why. They see that the world has “drank the Kool-Aid.” And why wouldn’t the world believe it? There are only 15 million Jewish people in the world (less than one percent of the world’s population) trying to speak out for truth and justice . And they are so thankful when a Gentile from the nations stands with them.
A Recounting of events:
On October 7, 2023 Hamas invaded and launched a war against Israel. Hamas fired thousands of rockets, they murdered over 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250 hostages, dragging them back to their terror tunnels to be tortured and used as pawns in a cruel plot. Hamas murdered men, women, and children. They raped and pillaged. They murdered kids in unimaginable ways. And they recorded much of it on GoPro cameras, which captured them gleefully carrying out atrocities. The worst of the footage from Hamas body cams has only been shown to select groups of people.
On October 8, 2023 the Iranian-sponsored terrorist organization Hezbollah sadistically attacked Israel in her moment of vulnerability. Thousands of rockets have been fired into the tiny state from Lebanon, which borders Israel on the north. To this day, hundreds of thousands of Israelis[1] from the North and South of Israel are still displaced from their homes.
On October 19, 2023 another Iranian-sponsored terror group, the Houthis, started launching drones and missiles at Israel.
On April 13, 2024 Iran joined the fight by launching a massive attack against Israel. Over 300 missiles and drones were launched from Iran toward Israel, a country already fighting on three fronts.
On October 1, 2024 Iran launched more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
On June 11, 2025 Israel recovered two bodies of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. It is believed that there are still 53 hostages (of which 31 are presumed dead).[2]
On June 13, 2025 Israel launched a “preemptive” strike on an almost-nuclear Iran. Note: Iran had already launched an attack on Israel back in April and October 2024.
Since June 13, 2025 and continuing on to the writing of this blog, Iran has launched over 370 ballistic missiles at Israel, approximately 30 of which have not been intercepted, causing 24 deaths and leaving hundreds wounded and homeless.[3] Note: Israel is striking nuclear sites in Iran. Iran is aiming at civilian populations. It is estimated that Iran’s missiles would have already killed over 1 million innocent Israelis if the Iron Dome was not operative.
More Spiritual Openness
In Israeli chat groups, the word “Messiah” can be found over and over. Jewish Israelis are asking questions, wondering when the Messiah might come, looking at the descriptions of the end times in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). To them, with a four-front war and the world turning their backs on them, it certainly feels like the end might be near.
This is the time to pray. For a physical peace, yes, but also for a spiritual peace that can only be found through the Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
Will you also pray, “Lord, what would You have me do?” Will you join the “fight” by praying for the “Apple of God’s eye,” Israel (Zechariah 2:8) and for those who seek to destroy her?
And if not now, when?
Written by Levi, Executive Director of Life in Messiah
Though this situation seems full of despair, the Scriptures are full of hope for Israel and the Jewish people. Will you take time to read these passages? Jeremiah 29:11; 31:31-37; 32:37-44; Ezekiel 36:8-15; Romans 11:25-29; Revelation 7:4-8.
What next step is the Lord asking you to take to stand with Israel and the Jewish people?
Not sure what to do? Here are some ideas.