Chapter 39:  “Trial by Combat” is a Type of “Spiritual Warfare” that Israel is forced to engage in here on earth when their Spiritual Enemies REFUSE to negotiate.

It is a Biblical Principle that Israel cannot win a Spiritual Battle via Negotiations or in a Courtroom.   More to the point:  Israel can only win their present day Spiritual Battles with Hezbollah and Hamas on the battlefield – hence “Trial by Combat”.  And, in “Trial by Combat” the God of Israel Himself will judge between Israel and their enemies as to who the land in question belongs to.  Judges 11:26-27 is the Scriptural Basis for “Trial by Combat”

“Trial by Combat” is the Type of “Spiritual Warfare” that Israel is Engaging in with their present day battles with Iran and their proxies including the terrorist organization Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis:  October 1, 2024 was a notable moment, an extraordinary moment in Israel’s History when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced to the World that since they had not been able settle their differences with Hezbollah through Diplomatic means, specifically UN Resolution 1701, then they would settle their differences with Hezbollah on the Battlefield inside Lebanon’s Borders – in essence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was declaring that Israel would settle their differences with Hezbollah via “Trial by Combat.”

October 1, 2024 was a Defining Moment in Israel’s History when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it Public Knowledge that Israel had taken the Battle to the Battlefield and crossed over into Lebanon’s Borders where the battle with Hezbollah would be settled.  In fact, for the past eight months, the IDF had been making cross-border excursions into Lebanon and dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure on the 18 miles of land that UN Resolution 1701 decreed that Hezbollah was to vacate 18 years ago.  More to the point, the IDF had already taken the battle to the battlefield via “Trial by Combat” – albeit “undetected” by Hezbollah.

What is the Idea Behind “Trial by Combat”: Trial by Combat is an ancient belief dating back to the days of Jephthah who judged Israel for six years.  When the Ammonite King accused Israel of stealing land from the Ammonites and Jephthah was unable to settle the disagreement via Diplomatic means – Jephthah appealed to Israel’s Judge, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to decide whose cause was righteous – Israel’s claim that the land in question belonged to Israel or the Ammonites who were accusing the Israelites of stealing their land.  (Judges 11)

Judges 11:26-27 ²⁶ “Israel has been living here for 300 years, inhabiting Heshbon and its surrounding settlements, all the way to Aroer and its settlements, and in all the towns along the Arnon River. Why have you made no effort to recover it before now? ²⁷ Therefore, I have not sinned against you. Rather, you have wronged me by attacking me. Let the LORD, who is judge, decide today which of us is right—Israel or Ammon.” NLT

And, so it is today. 

Like Jephthah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried in vain to settle Israel’s disputes with Hezbollah via diplomatic means – specifically UN Resolution 1701 – to no avail.  Hezbollah has refused to comply with UN Resolution 1701and move 18 miles away from Israel’s borders beyond the Litani River where they would be less of a threat to the northern villages in Israel and the UN has refused to enforce their own Resolution, UN Resolution 1701, and make Hezbollah comply.   Diplomacy has been to no avail!

Like Jephthah, present dayIsrael attempted to end hostilities and land disputes between Israel and Lebanon via a “Diplomatic Solution” and in 2006 Israel agreed to UN Resolution 1701. However, when the UN, including the United States, would not enforce UN Resolution 1701 – in 2024 Israel was forced to enforce the resolution via “Trial by Combat” because Lebanon has refused to honor UN Resolution 1701 and instead, chose to continue to attack Israel.  Now, like Jephthah – Israel’s Prime Minister had no choice but to cross Lebanon’s border with boots on the ground to enforce UN Resolution 1701 via a battle. 

The IDF would settle Lebanon’s Land Disputes and Hostilities with Israel in the same way Jephthah, a Judge of Israel, settled the hostilities and land disputes with the Ammonite king when Diplomatic measures would not work (Judges 11).  Just as Jephthah crossed over the border into Ammonite territory – the IDF has crossed over the border into Lebanon to settle their land disputes!

After 18 years of not complying with UN Resolution 1701, Israel is over “Playing politics with Hezbollah.”   It was only after the IDF actually crossed over the border into Lebanon that Hezbollah understood that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was serious and that if Hezbollah would not comply with UN Resolution 1701 or the UN would not enforce UN Resolution 1701 that was passed 18 years ago – then Israel would enforce UN Resolution 1701 on the battlefield via “Trial by Combat”!   Interestingly, and unexpectedly, only one week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it official that the IDF was going to take the battle with Hezbollah to the battleground inside Lebanon’s borders – Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem went on the defensive and was publicly calling for a cease fire.

The only reason that Hezbollah now wants a cease fire is because they are getting battered by the IDF and according to a US. Representative, Hezbollah is now on the “back foot.”  Realizing they have been outmaneuvered by the IDF and are now at a disadvantage, Hezbollah now feeling threatened has gone on the defensive and is now seeking a cease fire.  Hezbollah’s priority at the moment is a halt to Israel’s offensive attacks inside Lebanon’s border before they are completely destroyed.  And, this is the first time that Hezbollah dropped its demand for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

It was only after Prime Minister Netanyahu made it public knowledge that Israel was taking the battle inside Lebanon’s borders that he announced to the world that the IDF had been secretly crossing over the border into Lebanon for the past year and dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities thus diminishing Hezbollah’s threats to northern Israel on the very land they were to have withdrawn from. 

How humiliating for Hezbollah that the IDF’s cross-border excursions had gone undetected by Hezbollah’s elite units that had been pushed away from this swath of land at the beginning of the war with Hamas!

This humiliation happened immediately after Hezbollah was humiliated when their walkie-talkies and pagers, meant to prevent the IDF from spying on them, exploded from devices that the IDF had managed to embed in 6,000 walkie-talkies causing the deaths of many Hezbollah terrorists, as well as 500 being blinded and many others disfigured.  Then within days, to add to their humiliation, Israeli intelligence and the IDF managed the unthinkable: they were able to eliminate Hezbollah’s entire leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah, a Lebanese cleric and politician who served as the secretary-general of Hezbollah and who led Hezbollah for more than three decades and who was thought to be invincible.  To add to their humiliation, the IDF was able to eliminate Nasrallah’s replacement and then eliminate the replacement’s replacement. And, not just of Nasrallah, however, Hezbollah’s entire leadership

How could Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem not see the hand writing on the wall and seek the unthinkable – a cease fire?  How humiliating it must be for Hezbollah to have been humbled in front of the world in such a way knowing anyone who assumed a position of leadership was “a dead man walking.”  Seeing the hand writing on the wall, Hezbollah realizes their days are numbered and their reign as Iran’s most valuable proxy is coming to an end. 

And, that is the only reason Hezbollah is no longer tying their fate to the fate of Hamas and Gaza. They are fighting for their own survival.

However, Hezbollah has waited 18 years too long to settle their conflicts with Israel.  At this point in time Israel knows that a military, rather than diplomatic, solution is their only solution – hence, “Trial by Combat.”

Israel knows that once they took the battle out of the political arena and onto the battlefield that Hezbollah began to retreat and wanted a cease fire.  Israel recognizes they are now in a position of power and that a ceasefire will be on Israel’s terms – not Hezbollah nor the United Nations.  Israel will demand that Hezbollah withdraw beyond the Litani River and the dismantling of all Hezbollah’s military sites near Israel’s northern borders

Again, October 1, 2024 was a a notable moment, an extraordinary moment in Israel’s History when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced to the World that if the UN would not enforce UN Resolution 1701 and force Hezbollah to comply with the Resolution to withdraw from the 18 mile Security Buffer Zone set forth by the United Nations to the north of Lebanon’s Litani River which Hezbollah agreed to – then Israel would Settle their Disputes with Hezbollah Via “Trial by Combat” and put boots on the ground inside Lebanon and force Hezbollah to comply with UN Resolution 1701 and withdraw 18 miles away from Israel’s border to north of the Litani River. 

Pause and consider how defining of a moment it was in Israel’s history when on October 1, 2024 the IDF Crossed over the Border they share with Lebanon and put Boots on the Ground in South Lebanon to settle their Hostilities and Land Disputes with Lebanon via “Trial by Combat.” 

More to the point, because Israel could not settle their conflicts with Hezbollah via “Diplomatic” means (UN Resolution 1701), then War with Hezbollah was inevitable.

Because the United Nations could not or would not resolve the conflict and hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel by enforcing UN Resolution 1701,then Israel would have no other choice than take their cause to the battlefield and settle their disputes with Hezbollah on the battlefield:  hence, Israel’s decision to take the battle to the battlefield and settle their conflicts via “Trial by Combat.”

Just like their predecessor Jephthah, Israel was left with no other choice then to put boots on the ground inside Lebanon and enforce UN Resolution 1701 themselves by forcing Hezbollah to withdraw from the 18 mile Buffer Zone in accordance with UN Resolution 1701 that Hezbollah agreed to withdraw from – however, did not.

War with Hezbollah was inevitable!  Israel would go on the offensive and put puts on the ground in Lebanon before Hezbollah could implement their plans and put boots on the ground in the Galilee and carry out an attack on Israel in the same manner Hamas did in the south of Israel.  And, without a doubt, that was indeed Hezbollah’s plans.

Interestingly, just eight days after the IDF made it public knowledge that for the last eight months or so the IDF had been making cross-border excursions into Lebanon onto land inside Lebanon that according to UN Resolution 1701 was supposed to be a Buffer Zone between Hezbollah and Israel and destroying Hezbollah’s military infrastructure – that Hezbollah wanted a cease fire.  Hezbollah was shocked at Israel’s revelation.  And, for the first time since Hamas declared war on Israel, Hezbollah came to the realization that they were losing their battle with Israel and for the first time since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah announced to the world that they were seeking a cease fire via mediation that was not based on Israel ending their war with Hamas. 

The headlines of a news article posted on “Newsmax World” Tuesday, October 8, 2024 read, “Hezbollah Now Talking Cease-Fire Without Hamas Condition.”  Following are Excerpts from this particular news article:   

“In a televised speech, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem, said he supported attempts to secure a truce, and for the first time did not mention the end of war in Gaza as a pre-condition to halting combat on the Lebanon-Israel border.

Qassem said Hezbollah supported attempts by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, to secure a halt to fighting, which has escalated in recent weeks with the Israeli ground incursions and the killing of top Hezbollah leaders.

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem, said he supported attempts to secure a truce:  "In any case, after the issue of a ceasefire takes shape, and once diplomacy can achieve it, all of the other details can be discussed and decisions can be taken," Qassem said.

"If the enemy (Israel) continues its war, then the battlefield will decide."    End of Excerpts

Needless to say, Hezbollah deputy leader, Naim Qassem, also believes in concept of “Trial by Combat”:

According to numerous articles Qassem is quoted as saying “We are persevering, and we will be victorious, God willing” .  Qassem goes on to say:

“If the enemy continues their war, then the battlefield will decide, and we are the people of the battlefield.

We will not beg for a solution. This is a war of who screams out in pain first. We will not yell out in pain. We will continue, we will sacrifice, and God willing you will hear the screams of the Israeli enemy…our only solution is resistance, endurance, our people embracing us. This is our option to achieve victory. We will defeat Israel, God willing.

[Israel] will not accomplish its goals. Did not our martyred commander sayyed Hassan Nasrallah say ‘the era of defeats has past, and the era of victories has dawned?’ Do you not believe him? He was an inspired person, and this will happen, God willing.

Just as you proved during July 2006 to be people of endurance, and as you have proven over a year to be a people of endurance and patience. O people, we trust in victory, through the endurance of the resistance and the patience of our supporters and their backing. The prophet Mohammad says that victory comes through patience, and salvation through anguish, and through hardship emerges ease…we want direct clashes to occur with the Israeli enemy – at the frontline or further…through direct clashes, we will prove on the battlefield that the Israeli army will suffer heavy losses, and they may be the preface to ending the war. The ground will quake, God willing, under their feet….Through hardship comes ease. We must endure in the battlefield, we are the people of endurance, and no one should think we will leave our positions or our rifles. And Israel will fall.”  Resource:  FDD’s Long War Journal

Trial by Combat is a “Religious War”:  Naim Qassem’s declaration that "If the enemy (Israel) continues its war, then the battlefield will decide" and that Hezbollah will defeat Israel, God willing is in accordance of settling a dispute via “Trial by Combat!”  In essence, Naim Qassem was declaring that if Israel would not settle their differences with Hezbollah via Diplomacy, then the battle between Hezbollah and Israel would be settled via “Trial by Combat.”

And, it’s only because Israel had already taken the battle to Lebanon’s soil where they are dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure that will prevent Hezbollah of being a threat to the towns like Metulla that are located on the border Lebanon shares with Israel that Hezbollah now wants a diplomatic solution.  Their change of heart is because of the rude awakening and stark realization that they are losing to Israel.

What, after 18 years of not complying with UN Resolution 1701, only because they are now suffering humiliation and risk being destroyed by the IDF, Hezbollah is now willing to settle their disputes with Israel via a diplomatic solution?  Otherwise, according to Hezbollah, they will let the battlefield decide and God willing, Hezbollah will defeat Israel – hence, the religious war via “Trial by Combat” on the battlefield of Lebanon.

However, after 18 long years the time for a Diplomatic Solution is over!  Israel has already decided to take their differences to the battlefield where the battle between Hezbollah and Israel will be decided by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Hezbollah is correct about one thing:  the conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah will be decided on the battlefield.  And, Israel is winning the battle, and that’s the only reason Hezbollah wants a cease fire before Israel can destroy Hezbollah.  The following was posted on X:

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem’s declaration that “If the enemy [Israel] continues its war, then the battlefield will decide” is a characteristic of “Trial by Combat”

The following are my comments and notes on the above post on X.

Trial by Combat: 

Naim Qassem’s declaration that “If the enemy [Israel] continues its war, then the battlefield will decide” is a characteristic  of “Trial by Combat”

However, the time for “Diplomacy” is over!  After, 18 long years of waiting for Hezbollah to comply with UN Resolution 1701and move 18 miles away from Israel’s northern border north of Lebanon’s Litani River or worse yet, waiting for the United Nations to enforce their own resolution – the time for Diplomacy is over!.  The time now is for to enforce UN Resolution 1701 and take their “righteous cause” to the battlefield and let God, their heavenly commander in chief decide whether its Israel or Hezbollah!

What is “Trial by Combat”?  In Chapter 39 I go into detail to explain what “Trial by Combat” is and I include an example from Scripture when Jephthah, a Judge of Israel for six years, settled a dispute between Israel and the Ammonites after “Diplomatic” means were rejected by the Ammonite king.  When Israel could not settle their dispute with the King of the Ammonites as to who owned the land, Israel or the Ammonites, via Diplomatic means – Jephthah was forced to settle the dispute via “Trial by Combat” on the battlefield and let God decide whose cause is righteous, Israel’s or the Ammonite – hence, Trial by Combat” is a religious war fought on the battlefield.

American Civil War:  The Confederates went to war in the belief that God would decide between the Union and the Confederacy via “Trial by Combat.”  And, I explain why Rudy Giuliani referenced “Trial by Combat” on January 6, 2021when he encouraged thousands of Trump supporters to “Fight like Hell” and go to the US Capitol to settle the question of the election via “Trial by Combat."

The point Giuliani wanted to make was that if President Trump couldn’t settle who won the election in the courts – then they would win by taking their battle to the US Capitol – hence, “Trial by Combat.”  More to the point:  Giuliani and Trump believed God was on their side and would rule in their favor.  They were wrong.

After 18 years of not complying with UN Resolution 1701Israel is over with “Playing politics with Hezbollah”:  The only reason Hezbollah wants a cease fire is because they are getting battered by the IDF and according to a US representative Hezbollah is now on the “back foot.”  Realizing they have been outmaneuvered by the IDF and are now at a disadvantage, Hezbollah now feeling threatened has gone on the defensive and is now seeking a cease fire.  Hezbollah’s priority at the moment is a halt to Israel’s offensive attacks inside Lebanon’s border.  Hezbollah is no longer tying their fate to the fate of Hamas and Gaza.  This is the first time that Hezbollah dropped its demand for a ceasefire in Gaza.

However, Hezbollah has waited 18 years too long to settle their conflicts with Israel.  At this point in time Israel’s knows that a military rather than diplomatic solution is their only choice – hence, “Trial by Combat.”

Israel knows that once they took the battle out of the political arena and onto the battlefield that Hezbollah began to retreat and wanted a cease fire.  Israel’s recognizes they are now in a position of power and that a ceasefire will be on Israel’s terms – not Hezbollah nor the United Nations.  Israel will demand that Hezbollah withdraw beyond the Litani River and the dismantling of all Hezbollah’s military sites near Israel’s northern borders.

Trial by Combat:  The following two quotes in this text box are from this page of the news article made by Hezbollah’s representative and both are characteristics of “Trial by Combat:”

· If the enemy continues its war, the battlefield will decide [between us],”

· We will continue to make sacrifices, and Inshallah [God willing’], you will hear the screams of the Israeli enemy,

Qassem calls for a cease fire via Diplomacy; however,, the time for “Diplomacy” is over!  After, 18 long years of waiting for Hezbollah to comply with UN Resolution 1701and move 18 miles away from Israel’s northern border north of Lebanon’s Litani River or worse yet waiting for the United Nations to enforce their own resolution – the time for Diplomacy is over!.  The time now is for Israel to enforce UN Resolution 1701 and take their “righteous cause” to the battlefield and let God, their heavenly commander in chief decide whether its Israel or Hezbollah!

What is “Trial by Combat”?  In Chapter 39 I go into detail to explain what “Trial by Combat” is and include an example from Scripture when Jephthah, a Judge of Israel for six years, settled a dispute between Israel and the Ammonites after “Diplomatic” means were rejected by the Ammonite king.  When Israel could not settle their dispute with the King of the Ammonites as to who owned the land Israel or the Ammonites via Diplomatic means – Jephthah was forced to settle the dispute via “Trial by Combat” on the battlefield and let God decide who would win.  God ruled in Israel’s favor.

American Civil War:  The Confederates went to war in the belief that God would decide between the Union and the Confederacy via “Trial by Combat.”  And, I explain why Rudy Giuliani referenced “Trial by Combat” on January 6, 2021when he encouraged thousands of Trump supporters to “Fight like Hell” and go to the US Capitol to settle the question of the election via “Trial by Combat"

The point Giuliani wanted to make was that if President Trump couldn’t settle who won the election in the courts – then they would win by taking their battle to the US Capitol – hence – “Trial by Combat.”  Giuliani and Trump believed God was on their side and would rule in their favor.  They were wrong!

After, 18 long years the time for a Diplomatic Solution is over!  After 18 years of no one willing to enforce UN Resolution 1701 – the UN’s diplomatic solution to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel  – Israel decided to take their “righteous cause” to the battlefield and let God, their heavenly commander in chief decide whether the victory belongs to Israel or Hezbollah!

What is “Trial by Combat”:  Again, Trial by Combat is referring to a legal matter that is settled on the battlefield because the legal matter cannot be settled in the courts or by “Diplomatic” means.  For example, UN Resolution 1701that was voted on and passed by the United Nations including the United States in 2006 was the UN’s “Diplomatic” solution to the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel; however, the UN has never been able to enforce UN Resolution 1701!  Hence, Israel’s decision to take the battle with Hezbollah to the battlefield!

Again, for those not familiar with the concept of “Trial by Combat,” to understand what it means that Israel will resolve their conflicts with Hezbollah via “Trial by Combat” on the battleground inside Lebanon’s borders, I need to go all the way back to Judges 11.  The Biblical account of “Trial by Combat” is recorded in Judges 11 when Jephthah, a Judge of Israel for six years, settled a dispute between Israel and the Ammonites after “Diplomatic” means were rejected by the Ammonite king.  When Israel could not settle their dispute with the King of the Ammonites as to who owned the land Israel or the Ammonites via Diplomatic means – Jephthah, a Judge, was forced to settle the dispute via “Trial by Combat” on the battlefield and let God decide whose cause was a righteous cause.

The Spiritual Aspects of “Trial by Combat”

On Earth as in Heaven:  “Trial by Combat” is a battle that is being fought in the Spiritual Realm at the same time it is being fought here on earth.  The belief is that God will decide who wins the battle.  Judges 11 and Ephesians 6

Judges 11:21-27 ²¹ But the LORD, the God of Israel, gave his people victory over King Sihon. So Israel took control of all the land of the Amorites, who lived in that region, ²² from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, and from the eastern wilderness to the Jordan. ²³ “So you see, it was the LORD, the God of Israel, who took away the land from the Amorites and gave it to Israel. Why, then, should we give it back to you? ²⁴ You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you, and we will keep whatever the LORD our God gives us. ²⁵ Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he try to make a case against Israel for disputed land? Did he go to war against them? ²⁶ “Israel has been living here for 300 years, inhabiting Heshbon and its surrounding settlements, all the way to Aroer and its settlements, and in all the towns along the Arnon River. Why have you made no effort to recover it before now? ²⁷ Therefore, I have not sinned against you. Rather, you have wronged me by attacking me. Let the LORD, who is judge, decide today which of us is right—Israel or Ammon .”

Ephesians 6:10-12 ¹⁰ In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. ¹¹ Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. ¹² For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.  Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Trial by Combat is an ancient concept dating back to the days of Jephthah who judged Israel for six years.  When the Ammonite King accused Israel of stealing land from the Ammonites, Jephthah was unable to settle the disagreement via Diplomatic means.  On two separate occasions Jephthah sent a delegation to the king of the Ammonites in an attempt to settle who owned the land by “Diplomatic” means – however, his diplomatic attempts were in vain.

War was inevitable! 

And, so it is with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Just as the king of the Ammonites paid no attention to Jephthah’s message to settle their differences via Diplomatic means – Hezbollah has paid no attention to UN Resolution 1701 or Israel’s message to cease their cross-border attacks against the northern towns of Israel!

Just as war was inevitable with the Ammonites – war between Israel and Hezbollah was inevitable.

Thus, Jephthah had no other choice than to settle the land dispute by literally crossing over into the Ammonites borders and settle the dispute on the battlefield. 

And, so it is with Lebanon and Israel.  Israel’s attempts to settle their differences with Hezbollah and Lebanon via Diplomatic means (UN Resolution 1701) have been in vain.  Israel is left with no choice but to settle their differences as to who owns the land – Lebanon or Israel – via the ancient custom of “Trial by Combat”!

The matter of who owned the land, the Ammonites or Israel, would only be settled by taking their differences to the battlefield and let the God of Israel decide who owned the land.  Hence, Jephthah’s decision to settle who owned the land, Israel or the Ammonites, via “Trial by Combat.”  When hostilities could not be settled by “Diplomatic” means Jephthah was left with no other solution other than let God decide via “Trial by Combat,” which meant that Jephthah had to cross over the Ammonite’s borders and go to war with the Ammonites before the Ammonites crossed over Israel’s borders.

Judges 11²⁴ You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you, and we will keep whatever the LORD our God gives us. ²⁵ Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he try to make a case against Israel for disputed land? Did he go to war against them? ²⁶ “Israel has been living here for 300 years, inhabiting Heshbon and its surrounding settlements, all the way to Aroer and its settlements, and in all the towns along the Arnon River. Why have you made no effort to recover it before now? ²⁷ Therefore, I have not sinned against you. Rather, you have wronged me by attacking me. Let the LORD, who is judge, decide today which of us is right—Israel or Ammon .”

Jephthah appealed to Israel’s Judge, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to decide whose cause was righteous – was Israel’s claim that the land in question belonged to Israel a righteous claim or the Ammonites who were accusing the Israelites of stealing their land? 

Isaiah 33:22 ²² For the LORD is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us. NLT

Jephthah told the Ammonite King “You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you, and we will keep whatever the Lord our God gives us and “Let the LORD, who is judge, decide today which of us is right—Israel or Ammon.” Judges 11:23-27.

We find in Judges 11:29-32 that after the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, he crossed over into Ammonite territory where the Lord gave him victory over the Ammonites.

Thus, to fight a battle via “Trial by Combat” means that Israel believes that God will decide the outcome of war on the battlefield and if their cause is a righteous cause, then God will rule in their favor.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a “Type” of Jephthah

Netanyahu was the only world leader who could see the spiritual aspects of what is going on in the Middle East when he met with other Heads of State and World Leaders who gathered at UN Headquarters in New York in September 2024 to address the Dire Straits of the Middle East. 

Netanyahu’s Address to the United Nations rose above the speeches of all other world leaders.  Prime Minister Netanyahu was the only world leader who could see the spiritual aspects of the conflicts between Israel and those in the middle east who want to see the destruction of the State of Israel.

Unlike other world leaders, Netanyahu sees world events through the eyes of Scripture – that Scripture is a Living Word in his life.  He was able to express his concerns for the State of Israel through God’s Word.  He was steadfast in his belief that just as God gave the ancient Israelites victory over their enemies, that God would give Israel the victory in their present-day war with Iran and Iran’s proxies that are there so consistently to vex and harass Israel at every turn.

Throughout his address it was obvious that Netanyahu believed that Israel’s spiritual legacy is as relevant to Israel’s survival today as it was during Biblical times – that Israel’s spiritual past is forever tied to Israel’s present and future survival.

Netanyahu’s speech echoes the belief that the “government rests on the shoulders of the Messiah” (Isaiah 9:6) and that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  And, just as the Lord was the Commander of Israel’s armies during Biblical times (Jeremiah 29:4; Jeremiah 50:33-34; Isaiah 9:7), the Lord is the Commander of Israel’s armies today. 

Netanyahu’s address rose above the political beliefs and opinions of the world leaders assembled that day.  He reminded the world leaders that Israel’s very existence and survival is part of a much larger spiritual picture – one that has been unfolding since God created the world and chose the Israelites as His chosen people above all other people on earth.  He reminded the world leaders that it is God’s will that Israel exists and will always exist.

Netanyahu was a witness unto the Lord that the God of Israel is a covenant keeping God and that the State of Israel will always exist because it is according to God’s will for the nation of Israel.  That Iran and their proxies wish to wipe Israel off the face of the earth is nothing more than vain imaginations – winds of confusion.

In a letter to the IDF soldiers Netanyahu quoted from Psalm 18:40.  Psalm 18:40 is a powerful Scripture – it is a powerful declaration of Netanyahu’s trust in God's deliverance and his confidence in God's ability to grant present-day Israel victory over their enemies.

Psalm 18:37-42

³⁷ I pursued my enemies and overtook them;

    I did not turn back till they were destroyed.

³⁸ I crushed them so that they could not rise;

    they fell beneath my feet.

³⁹ You armed me with strength for battle;

    you humbled my adversaries before me.

⁴⁰ You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,

    and I destroyed my foes.

⁴¹ They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—

    to the Lord, but he did not answer.

⁴² I beat them as fine as windblown dust;

    I trampled them like mud in the streets.  NIV

Verse 40 reads:  You made my enemies turn their backs in flight.

Back Foot:  According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Hezbollah is on the “Back Foot.”

And, this is what we see in Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem’s message to the world posted on X as well as numerous news article posted on October 8, 2024 – Hezbollah is seeking a Diplomatic solution to their present-day conflict with Israel because they are being trampled like mud in the streets.  Hezbollah’s message to the world is clear – they are turning their backs in flight, as well they should! 

Just as Jephthah reminded the Ammonite King, a world leader at the time, that the land he accused Israel of stealing was land that God gave Israel – Netanyahu reminded today’s world leaders that all of Israel is land that God gave to Israel and like Jephthah – Netanyahu will fight for the land that God gave to Israel’s forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their descendants.  Netanyahu, being one of their descendants, understands the land that the State of Israel occupies is Israel’s spiritual heritage.

The World Leaders who want Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to a cease fire is to ask Netanyahu to surrender.  Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel want to win the war with their enemies – not surrender!

Just as it was with Jephthah and the Ammonites – so it is with Israel and Lebanon – the hostilities between Lebanon and Israel is over who owns the land that Israel is occupying.  Hezbollah refuses to accept the findings of the United Nations that when the IDF withdrew from the Security Zone inside southern Lebanon in 2000, that the IDF withdrew from all land in southern Lebanon.  Even though the United Nations confirmed that Israel had completely withdrawn from Lebanon, Hezbollah refuses to accept that Sheba Farms, the Al-Ghajar Village and Metulla, is land that belongs to Israel.  And, even though Lebanon and Hezbollah agreed to abide by UN Resolution 1701 passed by the United Nations in 2006, including their findings that Israel had completely withdrawn from southern Lebanon, Hezbollah refuse to do so.

Like Jephthah, Prime Minister Netanyahu understands that the conflict with Hezbollah is a spiritual conflict and that neither Spiritual Battles nor Religious Wars can be Settled via Diplomatic Means!  Prime Minister Netanyahu understands that’s why the UN was unable to enforce Resolution 1701 and why Hezbollah refused to abide by UN Resolution 1701 because Spiritual Battles can only be Settled via “Spiritual Warfare,” hence, “Trial by Combat” by taking the Battle to the Battlefield!

“Trial by Combat” is a Type of “Spiritual Warfare” Seeking Divine Justice

– a Religious War that is Fought on the Battlefield where God Decides who wins!

In essence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was declaring that Israel would settle their differences via “Trial by Combat” and take the battle to the battlefield where God will decide the outcome of the battle. 

Again, “Trial by Combat” a Type of Spiritual Warfare:  On the other hand, Secularly speaking, Trial by Combat is referring to a legal matter that is settled on the battlefield when the legal matter cannot be settled in the courts or by “Diplomatic” means.  Again, I go back to UN Resolution 1701that was voted on and passed in 2006 by the United Nations including the United States was the UN’s “Diplomatic” solution that was meant to resolve the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel that the UN has not been able or is willing to enforce.

Hence, Israel’s decision to end Lebanon’s hostilities towards Israel via “Trial by Combat” and put boots on the ground inside Lebanon’s borders and to push Hezbollah 18 miles away from Israel’s borders to the north of the Litani River as determined by UN Resolution 1701.

If the United Nations, including the United States, will not enforce UN Resolution 1701 that was passed in 2006 that was intended to settle the hostilities between Lebanon and Israel by creating an 18 mile buffer zone inside Lebanon’s borders – then the IDF would.

Israel’s goal is to enforce UN Resolution 1701, UN’s “Diplomatic Solution” that was meant to bring peace to the area; however, the UN’s Diplomatic solution meant to bring peace to the area was never enforced by the UN, which leaves Israel no choice but to settle the matter via a battle on the ground – hence, “Trial by Combat.”  Israel’s goal is to take it upon themselves to enforce UN Resolution 1701 and create an 18 mile buffer zone and push Hezbollah 18 miles away from Israel’s border to the north of Lebanon’s Litani River where Hezbollah would pose no immediate threat to Israel.

After 18 long years the time for a Diplomatic Solution is over!  It is time for Israel to take the battle to the battlefield and settle their issues via “Trial by Combat” on Lebanese soil.  Because Israel could not settle the boundary dispute with Lebanon through Diplomatic means Israel will now settle their disputes with Hezbollah via “Trial by Combat” and put boots on the ground in south Lebanon “before” Hezbollah implements their plan to put their boots on the ground in Israel’s Galilee and do to the Galilee in the north what Hamas did to Israel in the south. 

Again, neither Spiritual Battles nor Religious Wars can be Settled via Diplomatic Means!  That’s why the UN was unable to enforce Resolution 1701 and why Hezbollah refused to abide by UN Resolution 1701.  Spiritual Battles can only be Settled via “Spiritual Warfare” hence “Trial by Combat” by taking the Battle to the Battlefield!

Israel’s “Trial by Combat” actually began on October 8, 2023 but went Undetected by Hezbollah’s Elite Radwan Forces because the IDF had driven them away from the Border

It was not until October 1, 2024 that the IDF made it public knowledge that they had been conducting cross-border excursions into Lebanon dismantling Hezbollah’s Infrastructures they had been building over many years in preparation for the day Hezbollah would cross over the border into Israel and implement their plans to attack Israel in a manner similar to Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023.

The IDF Cross-Border Raids went Undetected even by Hezbollah’s Elite Radwan Forces:  Shortly after the Israel-Hamas war began, IDF Commandos were successful to push Hezbollah’s elite Radwan fighting forces away from the border Lebanon shares with Israel.

Israeli commandos (Special Forces with the IDF) were then able to carry out cross-border raids beginning early in the Israeli-Hamas war.  After pushing Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces back from the border area, Israeli commandos were then able to enter Lebanon undetected.  And, for that reason, the IDF troops were able to avoid direct clashes with Hezbollah operatives during their cross-border raids into Lebanon.  All the while, Lebanon had no idea.  Just one more humiliation Hezbollah was forced to endure, in front of the world, because of the superiority of the IDF.

According to intelligence gathered by Shin Bet and the IDF, Hezbollah’s plans were to invade Israel’s Galilee in a matter of weeks if not just days in the same way Hamas attacked Israel in the south:  And, for that reason Israel was left with no choice but to go on the offensive and put boots on the ground in south Lebanon to push Hezbollah away from their border before Hezbollah crossed over the border and put boots on the ground in the Galilee and carry out an attack in the north of Israel in the same way Hamas did in the south of Israel on October 7, 2023 – which Hezbollah vowed they were going to do.  Shin Bet and the IDF via intelligence gathering found out that Hezbollah had positioned their troops near the border Lebanon shares with Israel to storm the Galilee and in support of their ally Hamas unleash their carnage on northern Israel.

Eighteen years have gone by since UN Resolution 1701 was passed by the UN in August of 2006 – yet the UN, including the United States, have failed to enforce the Resolution allowing Hezbollah to continue to attack Israel’s northern towns from the very 18 mile buffer zone they were to vacate.  The UN’s failure to enforce UN Resolution 1701 has allowed Hezbollah to not only continue their attacks on Israel’s towns on their northern border, but also has allowed Hezbollah to dig tunnels that reached into Israeli neighborhoods in Metulla and store missiles underground that are pointed at Israel in what was supposed to be a buffer zone for Israel. 

Over the past 18 years, because UN Resolution 1701 was never enforced Hezbollah was able to create a “Military Base” in the 18 mile Buffer Zone set aside by UN Resolution 1701 to take away the threat of any attack on Israel by Hezbollah:  And, because the IDF anticipated an invasion from Lebanon from this buffer zone at any moment, they began to conduct silent cross-border raids to destroy Hezbollah war machines.  It was only on October 1, 2024 that the IDF made it public knowledge that the IDF had conducted dozens of under-over cross-border raids throughout the current war beginning on October 8, 2024 destroying many of Hezbollah’s weapons, positions, tunnels and other sites on land and in tunnels that according to UN Resolution 1701 was supposed to be an 18 mile buffer zone to ensure Israel’s safety.  Again, because UN Resolution 1701 was never enforced in 2006 – over the next 18 years Hezbollah was able to create a military infrastructure in what was supposed to be an 18 mile Buffer Zone  Israel’s border – a war machine, that would have caused mass destruction to Israel’s Galilee had it gone undetected and destroyed.

In fact, according to a news article and video  https://twitter.com/i/status/1710654684644389322 posted  by “i24NEWS English” and “The Jerusalem Post,” a large group of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles tried to breach Metulla’s borders on October 7 while I was still in Metulla.  The news article and video confirm my “Word of Knowledge”/prophecy in an email I sent to myself on August 17, 2023 where I ask the question meant to make a point rather than just to elicit an answer: if Hezbollah’s terrorists would be “bold enough” to attempt to cross the border into Metulla while I was still in Metulla. 

And, in the first paragraph of the August 17, 2023 email titled “Spiritual Warfare in the Galilee (Ephesians 6), I sent to myself 45 days “before” Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 and before Hezbollah attempted to breach Metulla’s borders where I was staying – I wrote:

“There is no doubt that One (and only one) of the reasons the Lord is sending me to the Galilee is to “Push the Principalities operating behind Hezbollah back away from the Galilee” – just as the Lord did when I was at the Iranian Embassy in 2000 and in Metulla -the Galilee on October 11, 2022.”

A copy of the email is included in this chapter

And, just as the Lord used the IDF to push the convoy of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles away from Metulla and the Galilee on October 7, 2023 – and ever since then – unbeknown to the UN, the International community and even unbeknown to Hezbollah, the Lord has been using the IDF for the past eleven months to keep Hezbollah from breaching Metulla and the Galilee by sending the IDF under cover over the border into Lebanon to destroy numerous Hezbollah positions, tunnels and sites near Israel’s northern borders.  By putting boots on the ground inside Lebanon’s borders on land that UN Resolution 1701 had declared to be an 18 mile long “Buffer Zone” between Hezbollah and Israel, the IDF has been successful in dismantling the immediate threat to Israel and drive Hezbollah away from Israel’s northern borders and out of the supposed “Buffer Zone.” 

And, they are accomplishing their goal of preventing Hezbollah from putting boots on the ground via “Trial by Combat”!  If the UN would not enforce UN Resolution 1701 then Israel would!

On October 1, 2024 the IDF made it official that they were going to Settle their Disputes with Hezbollah via “Trial by Combat”:  The IDF only made it official on October 1, 2024 that they had been putting boots on the ground in south Lebanon dismantling much of the infrastructure Lebanon had constructed in preparation of attacking Israel on what was supposed to an 18 mile long buffer zone between Israel and south Lebanon.

The following image of the above mentioned video was posted by the Jerusalem Post on October 7, 2023 at 9:53 AM just a little over 3 hours after Hamas attacked Israel in the south. 

At the bottom of the post you can see that the video was posted on “October 7, 2023” – the day Hamas attacked Israel in the south.  The following picture confirms that I was in Metulla, Israel on October 7, 2023 when the convoy of Hezbollah terrorists attempted to breach Metulla’s borders.  If Hezbollah had been successful and not pushed back by the IDF, Hezbollah could have been at the door of my hotel room in four minutes.

Again, in the prophetic email that I sent to myself 45 days before Hezbollah attempted to breach Metulla’s borders I wrote:

“There is no doubt that One (and only one) of the reasons the Lord is sending me to the Galilee is to “Push the Principalities operating behind Hezbollah back away from the Galilee” – just as the Lord did when I was at the Iranian Embassy in 2000 and in Metulla -the Galilee on October 11, 2022.”

The following picture confirms that I was in Metulla, Israel when Hamas attacked Israel in the south on October 7, 2023.

Below is an excerpt from the above mentioned email that I sent to myself on August 17, 2023 – approximately 45 days before Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 and before the convoy of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles attempted to breach Metulla’s borders.  The full annotated email follows this excerpt: 

Spiritual Warfare in the Galilee - 2023 Feast of Tabernacles

Yahoo/Galilee Israel 20

Gwen Thomas

From:gwenthomasva@verizon.net

To:Gwen - Rhema Word,Gwen Thomas

Thu, Aug 17, 2023 at 9:04 AM

Spiritual Warfare in the Galilee (Ephesians 6): There is no doubt that One (and only one) of the reasons the Lord is sending me to the Galilee is to “Push the Principalities operating behind Hezbollah back away from the Galilee” – just as the Lord did when I was at the Iranian Embassy in 2000 and in Metulla -the Galilee on October 11, 2022.

The key words in the first paragraph of this email are “Spiritual Warfare in the Galilee (Ephesians 6) and “Push the Principalities operating behind Hezbollah back away from the Galilee” because that’s exactly what the IDF did when Hezbollah attempted to breach Metulla’s borders
In this email I ask the question if Hezbollah’s terrorists would attack or be “bold enough” to attempt to cross the border into Metulla while I was still in Metulla.  The question was meant to make a point and given that we know in part and we prophesy in part, the answer to my question could only be answered after I arrived in Metulla.  And, on October 7, in support of Hamas, when Hezbollah attempted to breach Metulla’s border and began to attack the Galilee with rockets while I was still in Metulla – it became clear that the answer to my question was, “YES!” Even though I wondered as to the exact day when Hezbollah might attack the Galilee and be bold enough to attempt to cross over the border into Metulla while I was there – I knew I would have to wait until I arrived in Metulla.  All I needed to know was that God gave me the understanding that “I was to go to Metulla” and in obedience to God, I went to Metulla and did not leave until October 8, 2023 when we were told we had to leave Metulla.  Then and only then, with the sound of Hezbollah’s rockets over head, I left Metulla and went down to the Sea of Galilee.
	According to a news article and video  https://twitter.com/i/status/1710654684644389322 posted  by “i24NEWS English” and “The Jerusalem Post,” a large group of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles tried to breach Metulla’s borders on October 7 while I was still in Metulla.  The news article and video confirm my “Word of Knowledge”/prophecy in this email I sent to myself on August 17, 2023 where I ask the question meant to make a point rather than just to elicit an answer: if Hezbollah’s terrorists would be “bold enough” to attempt to cross the border into Metulla while I was still in Metulla.  Spiritual Warfare in the Galilee:  Going back to the Subject of this email – this video confirms Hezbollah did try and breach Metulla’s borders while I was still in the Galilee – but were thwarted by the IDF.  Spiritually, it was because they were pushed back in the Name of Jesus!
Prophetic Travel:  There are many Biblical examples of God instructing His servants to travel somewhere for a Kingdom Purpose.  Acts 10 is an account of God commanding the Apostle Peter to go to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, where God would reveal the meaning of a vision He gave Peter.  And, so it is with us.  At times, we too need to just go where God directs us to go to “fully” understand the vision, dream or word of knowledge He gave us.  I explain in my email that I went to Israel’s Galilee and Metulla at the direction of God and for His Kingdom purposes.

Spiritually speaking:  October 7, 2023 was a Defining Moment in Israel’s History when the spirit prince and kings of Ancient Persia Operating behind Hamas, Declared War on Israel. 

Spiritual Warfare on Earth as in Heaven

On Earth The IDF’s Warfare is both spiritual warfare and warfare here on earth:

The Lord used the IDF to prevent Hezbollah from breaching Metulla’s borders and putting boots on the ground in Metulla where I was staying in the Galilee!

Just as the Lord used the IDF to push the convoy of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles back away from Metulla’s borders – so it is today.  The Lord is using the IDF to push the Hezbollah terrorist away from Israel’s northern borders.  They are accomplishing their goal of preventing Hezbollah from putting boots on the ground via “Trial by Combat”!  If the UN would not enforce UN Resolution 1701, then Israel would!

Spiritually speaking, at the same time the IDF is pushing Hezbollah back on the ground – the IDF is pushing the spirit prince and kings of Persia operating behind Hezbollah away from Israel’s borders.

As in Heaven                   My spiritual warfare in Metulla was in the Spiritual Realm

Again, the subject of my email was:  Spiritual Warfare in the Galilee (Ephesians 6).

The Lord sent me to Metulla in the Galilee to “Push the spirit Principalities operating behind Hezbollah back away from the Galilee,” and I did this in the Name of Jesus as I stood on the border that Metulla shares with Lebanon. 

Ephesians 6:10-12:  the Armor of God

Verse 12:  We “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of this world; against wickedness in high places.”

Ephesians 6 ¹⁰ In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

The Principle of Spiritual Warfare on earth as it is going on in the heavens is a concept echoed throughout Scripture:   Ephesians 6; Judges 5; Revelation 12 and Daniel 10, as well as other Scriptures, all speak of spiritual warfare happening here on earth at the same time the battle is going on in the heavens: 

Revelation 12 – then there was war in the heavens:

Revelation 12:7-9 ⁷ Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. ⁸ And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. ⁹ This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

Revelation 12:10-12 ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. ¹¹ And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. ¹² Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

The conflict between angelic beings is echoed throughout Scripture:  Daniel 10:13 as well as Revelation 12 has its corresponding conflict of angels battling in the heavens.  

People die, however, spiritual beings do not die:  Like Revelation 12, Daniel 10 gives an account of “War in the Heavens”:  According to both these Scriptures, there is war in the supernatural realm!  And, the prince and kings of Persia are the same “Supernatural Beings and Powers” that are influencing and operating behind Iran’s leaders today, just as they did in the days of ancient Persia.  These spirit prince and kings of Persia are spirits of evil – angels of darkness under the power of Satan.  The kingdom of darkness that represented the Persian world continue to influence Iran’s leaders and the worldly leaders that make up the United Nations!

Daniel 10:10-11:1 ¹⁰ Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. ¹¹ And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. ¹² Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. ¹³ But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” ¹⁵ While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. ¹⁶ Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. ¹⁷ How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.” ¹⁸ Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. ¹⁹ “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” ²⁰ He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come. ²¹ Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince. ¹ I have been standing beside Michael to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.) (NLT)

Judges 5:20 ²⁰ The stars fought from heaven. The stars in their orbits fought against Sisera. NLT)

Divine intervention:  God’s Army is made up of more than the IDF.  Just as God’s angels came to the assistance of the army led by Deborah, a Mother of Israel, the same angels will assist the IDF. 

Joshua 5:13-15 gives us an insight into spiritual warfare during the days of Joshua when the “Commander of the Lord’s Army does not always come to the aid of Israel’s armies here on earth.

Joshua 5:13-15 ¹³ When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”
¹⁴ “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”  ¹⁵ The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told. NLT

The Captain of the Lord’s Host himself appeared to Joshua:  The Commander of the Lord’s heavenly army appeared to Joshua as a soldier with his sword drawn in his hand.  Though the Commander of the Lords’ heavenly army is not for Israel’s adversaries – Israel needs to be careful and obey God’s Commands – to be obedient to God’s Word to ensure that God will always fight for them.

Joshua 1:4-8 ⁴ from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’
⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. ⁶ “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (NLT)

God is Represented as an Armed Warrior Going Forth to Vindicate His People: God puts on His Armor, His Breastplate of Righteousness and His Helmet of Salvation to Fight for Israel

Isaiah 59:15-20 ¹⁵ Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. ¹⁶ He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He Himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him. ¹⁷ He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion. ¹⁸ He will repay his enemies for their evil deeds. His fury will fall on his foes. He will pay them back even to the ends of the earth. ¹⁹ In the west, people will respect the name of the LORD; in the east, they will glorify him. For he will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the LORD. ²⁰ “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the LORD.  NLT

"The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name"

In the Old Testament we find that Israel was often at war with enemies such as the Egyptians.  In Exodus 15, Moses reveals that God fought on Israel's behalf, freeing them from slavery in Egypt. And, for that reason after Israel escaped, Moses led the people in a hymn of praise to God, proclaiming "The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.”

Exodus 15:1-3 ¹ Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously; He has hurled both horse and rider into the sea. ² The LORD is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him! ³ The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is His name! NLT 

Isaiah 42:13 ¹³ The LORD will march forth like a mighty hero; He will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all His enemies. NLT

Jeremiah 20:11-12 ¹¹ But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before Him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten. ¹² O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, you test those who are righteous, and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets. Let me see your vengeance against them, for I have committed my cause to you. NLT

Judges 6:11-12 ¹¹ Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. ¹² The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”

The Spiritual Armor of the Christian is the Armor of God

Isaiah 59 is echoed in Ephesians 6 where the great Apostle Paul commands us to put on the “Whole Armor of God”:  Righteousness is the Lord’s , body armor, His coat of arms, salvation is His helmet. Now take note of the Christian’s armor which Paul tells us is the Armor of God.  Among the pieces of a Christian's armor we find the breastplate of righteousness, and for our head, the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:14-17).  It is called the Armor of God, because God wore it first and found it appropriate and necessary for the Christian who is called to engage in Spiritual Warfare to put on. 

I will come Back to Israel’s Campaign that can be likened to “Trial by Combat” that is currently taking place at Israel’s northern Border they share with Lebanon where the “Fatima Gate” known as the “Good Fence” by the Israelis that at one time was the official bordered crossing between Lebanon and Israel is regarded by Hezbollah as their “Front Line” with Israel. 

However, I want to include the following two examples from America’s history when Americans sought to resolve their differences via “Trial by Combat” because they could not resolve their differences via mediation or the legal system.

Trial by Combat in America

The Battlefield was the U.S. Capitol

President Trump and his Personal Attorney sought to settle their differences with the Democrats via “Trial by Combat”:  On January 6, 2021 President Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani encouraged the thousands of Trump supporters who had gathered for Trump’s rally in front of the White House to march to the U.S. Capitol and “Fight like Hell” to settle the question of who won the 2020 Presidential Election via “Trial by Combat.”   Much to their surprise they found out that God did not consider their cause a righteous cause!

Addressing Trump supporters, Giuliani is quoted as saying “Over the next 10 days, we get to see the machines that are crooked, the ballots that are fraudulent, and if we’re wrong, we will be made fools of, but if we’re right, a lot of them will go to jail,” he told the crowd that day. “So, let’s have trial by combat.”  Well, Giuliani made a fool of himself and the only ones to go to jail were many of those who did go to U.S. Capitol to fight like hell.  Sadly, one woman was killed.  Giuliani himself has been faced with multiple lawsuits for encouraging Trump’s supporters to “fight like hell.”

Giuliani’s attorneys argued that Giuliani wasn’t literally advocating for an insurrection over the 2020 election results – however, neither Trump nor Giuliani stopped Trump’s supporters from storming the U.S. Capitol and forcing Lawmakers to go into hiding.

The Confederates Believed the Civil War was a “Trial by Combat”

Their Battlefields were all throughout the South

Interestingly, many of those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 carried “Confederate Flags,” which is the only time in America’s history that a confederate flag was raised at the U.S. Capitol.  And, that brings me to the Confederates who believed the Civil War was a “Trial by Combat” and that God would rule in the Confederates favor.

The Confederates Believed the Civil War was a “Trial by Combat”:  Like Giuliani, the Confederates believed they could resolve their differences via “Trial by Combat.”  Their battlefield was all throughout the South.

More to the Point:  If President Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani couldn’t win in the Courts – then they believed that if they fought like hell they would win via “Trial by Combat.” 

By definition, “Trial by Combat” means that if President Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani couldn’t win in the Courts – then they would win by combat.  Their battlefield was the U.S. Capitol.

The following excerpt is from the book, “The American Civil War as a Trial by Battle” by Cynthia Nicoletti, published online by Cambridge University Press – February 15, 2010, and gives us an insight into the beliefs of the Confederates who believed that the Confederacy would win the Civil War via “Trial by Battle” because they believed that God was on the side of the Confederacy.

Extract: 

Confined alone in a cell in New York's Fort Lafayette in the heat of the summer of 1865, former Confederate naval secretary Stephen R. Mallory had little to do but reflect on the fate of the defeated Confederacy. Convinced that his life might be forfeit if the United States government made good on its threat to try him for treason, Mallory composed a lengthy letter to President Andrew Johnson petitioning for a pardon and seeking to explain his views on the demise of the Confederacy and the fate of the states' right to secede from the Union. While Mallory stressed his opposition to disunion in 1861, on the grounds of its inexpediency, he admitted that he had placed loyalty to his state above his duty as a citizen of the United States. He had “regarded the commands of my state as decisive of my path of duty; and I followed where she led.” Nonetheless, Mallory went on to disclaim his belief in the principle of secession in very striking terms, describing the death of secession in the crucible of the Civil War as the result of a trial by battle. Mallory never specifically denied secession's constitutionality; instead, he told Johnson that because he “recognize[ed] the death [of the Confederacy] as the will of Almighty God, I regard and accept His dispensation as decisive of the questions of slavery and secession.”

What?  The Confederates believed that the American Civil War was a Trial by Battle and that God would be the one to decide who the winner was?

The Confederates whole heartedly believed the South would win the war via “Trial by Combat,” meaning if they couldn’t settle their issues on slavery through the courts, then they would settle their differences on the battlefield with God as their Judge.   In other words, whoever won the war – then that’s whose side God was on.

In the letter written by Confederate Naval Secretary Stephen R. Mallory to President Johnson, Mallory described the Civil War as a “Trial by Battle” to describe the Fall of the Confederacy.  And, in his letter he explains that it was only after the Fall of the Confederacy that he realized that slavery in America was not according to God’s will.

The significance of this letter is that Mallory described the Civil War as a “Trial by Battle” – a Trial where God was the Judge. 

And, all throughout history, those who believed in settling their differences via “Trial by Battle” or “Trial by Combat” believed that if they couldn’t settle their differences in a Court of Law, then they would take their differences to the battlefield and let God decide who was in right standing. 

The Confederates were Professing Christians who would have been acquainted with Judges 11:  In using the term “Trial by Battle” to describe the fall of the Confederacy, Mallory was referring back to the Biblical account of Jephthah in Judges 11 when Jephthah, a judge of Israel for six years, went to war with the Ammonites  to settle their differences after Diplomacy failed.  Mallory, as well as many other confederate soldiers who professed being Christians, would have been well aware of the Biblical account of Jephthah.

In other words, Mallory believed that because the Confederacy lost – then it was because it was God’s Will that the Union won – that the Union’s cause was more righteous than the South’s cause.

Mallory went on to say given that it was the will of Almighty God that the Union won – then he accepted the fact that both slavery and secession were wrong. 

From the letter written by Confederate Naval Secretary Stephen R. Mallory we know the Confederates were not only aware of Trial by Combat, but they believed that the American Civil War was literally a Trial by Combat.

There is no doubt, that  Mallory, as well as the Confederacy, would have been aware that “Trial by Combat” was legal in Colonial America, as was the “Burr-Hamilton” Duel in 1804 when two of America’s Politicians settled their political differences via “Trial by Combat.”  Unfortunately, Hamilton did not survive the duel.

Like other Confederates, at the beginning of the war Mallory whole heatedly believed that God would take His wrath out on the North – hence, the motto of “Deo Vindice” engraved on the Great Seal of the Confederacy, which means “God will Avenge or God will Vindicate.” 

The Confederates wholeheartedly believed that the South would be vindicated and that God would take His Vengeance out on the North who opposed slavery.

And, it’s obvious from Mallory’s letter, that he believed that the Civil War was a “Holy War.”

Whether Rudy Giuliani realized it or not, when he called for “Trial by Combat,” in essence he was calling on God to settle the dispute over who won the 2020 Presidential Election.  And, God did decide.  The election results stood.

Both the North and South Believed America’s Civil War was a “Holy War”

The belief of the Confederacy was that as war approached, God would decide the outcome of war.  Whoever won meant that God was on their side – that their cause was the righteous cause.  Needless to say, the Confederates believed that God was fighting for the Confederacy and that the war would end in their victory. 

However, according to Scripture, oftentimes, the righteous were overthrown – just ask Daniel and the Prophet Jeremiah – two righteous men who were not always victorious – at least according to secular thinking.   I said that to say this:  Just as the South was guilty of supporting slavery in many parts of the South – the North also supported slavery in many parts of the North.  And, New York was one of the more cruel places for slave trading. 

Even though the South lost the war – they were correct on this point:   “whoever won the war it was because God and God alone determined the outcome:  the result was with God alone.”

The Confederates justified their actions to kill on the battlefield, even though they knew to kill was a sin because they convinced themselves that “it was a just war, a holy cause against an evil enemy.”  Thus, the belief that God would forgive them for killing.

It is well worth noting that both the Union and the Confederates believed the Civil War was a “Holy War.”  Both sides believed that God ordained the War and the victor would prove whose side God was on.

And, it is well worth noting that Religion was at the heart of the Civil War for both sides. 

The Confederates believed that the Civil War was a holy war against the North’s fanatics and Abolitionist who refused to acknowledge the authority of the Bible or the Constitution of the United States.  Neither were true.

Needless to say, the South’s wartime belief that God would vindicate their cause via “Trial by Combat” on the Civil War battlefields had been unfulfilled.

The Confederate Flag for the First time was flown inside the US Capitol Building on January 6, 2020:  Again, it is well worth noting that many Civil War Confederates really believed that the American Civil War was a Trial by Battle and that God would be the one to decide who the winner was.

And, the only time the Confederate flag was flown even near the US Capitol Building, let alone inside, was on January 6, 2020 – never during the Civil War.

It is well worth noting that several of Trump’s supporters who took the “Trial by Combat” to the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 were pictured with raised Confederate Flags.  And, it is well worth noting that before January 6, 2021 the Confederate Flag had never been raised inside the United State Capitol – even during the Civil War.  Pause and think about that!  

We know from Naval Secretary Mallory’s letter to President Johnson that the Confederates believed that the American Civil War was a Trial by Combat. 

And, that’s why the symbolism of the two pictures of the Confederate Flag being raised in the halls of Congress on January 6, 2021 is so significant.  Note where the two men in the above picture are standing.  They are standing between a portrait of Charles Sumner and John C. Calhoun with their Confederate Flags, which is profound. 

The oil painting to the right is a portrait of Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, an ardent abolitionist and to the left is an oil painting of South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, a defender of slavery who also held the office of Vice President.   

We know from Ecclesiastes 1:9 that History repeats itself.  Those things of the past just manifest in a way that each and every new generation can relate to.  And, so it is with America. 

And, so it is Israel.  Just as Jephthah’s battle with the Ammonite king was settled via “Trial by Battle” because the Ammonite king rejected settling their dispute with Israel via diplomacy (Judges 11) – so it is with Hezbollah today!   

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 ⁹ History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. ¹⁰ Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.  ¹¹ We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now. (NLT)

Even unbelievers know that our past history has a bearing on the present and the future.  The only thing that people don’t understand is that our “Spiritual” past also has a bearing on where we are in America today and will to do so unless our politicians change.

Back to Israel’s Campaign that can be likened to “Trial by Combat” that is currently taking place at Israel’s northern Border they Share with Lebanon where the “Fatima Gate” (known as the “Good Fence” by the Israelis) once the official bordered crossing between Lebanon and Israel located in Metulla is regarded by Hezbollah as their “Front Line” with Israel. 

Many news articles have reported that Israel began their land operation from the area of Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town surrounded by Lebanon on three sides – in essence Metulla is surrounded by Hezbollah on all three sides.

In Conclusion:

Neither Spiritual Battles nor Religious Wars can be Settled via Diplomatic Means!  That’s why the UN was unable to enforce Resolution 1701 and why Hezbollah refused to abide by UN Resolution 1701.  Spiritual Battles can only be Settled via “Spiritual Warfare,” hence, “Trial by Combat” by taking the Battle to the Battlefield!

The Israel-Lebanon Conflict that began on October 8, 2023 is much more than a border war, it is an “International War” with Iran that is being fought along the Israel-Lebanon Border:  the Israel-Lebanon conflict is a “War with Iran” that is being fought on the borders that Israel shares with Lebanon and will only be settled via “Spiritual Warfare.”  The Unrighteous Road from Iran to the “Front Line” of Lebanon’s Fatima Gate, once the official border crossing between Lebanon and Israel, is the Road that has led to the “International War” that is being fought on the Israel-Lebanon Border that began on October 8, 2023.

War was Inevitable:  On October 1, 2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the war with Hezbollah would be decided on the battleground, in essence “Trial by Combat.”  Israel has crossed over Lebanon’s boundary and taken the battle to the battleground inside Lebanon’s borders to enforce UN Resolution 1701, Diplomacy that was meant to end hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.  However, because the UN has failed to enforce Resolution 1701 that was passed 18 years ago – then Israel had no choice but to take the battle to the battleground inside Lebanon’s Borders and enforce UN Resolution 1701 themselves.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that after 18 years the time for “Diplomacy” is over – War with Lebanon was Inevitable!  The Battle would be settled on the battleground – in essence “Trial by Combat.”

In essence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was declaring that Israel would settle their differences with Hezbollah via “Trial by Combat.” 

After 18 long years the time for a Diplomatic Solution is over!:  Because Israel could not settle the boundary dispute with Lebanon through Diplomatic means (UN Resolution 1701) anymore than Jephthah was able to settle a land dispute with the Ammonite king (Judges 11), then like Jephthah, the IDF has been left with no choice but to cross over into enemy territory and settle the land dispute between Israel and Hezbollah/Lebanon via “Trial by Combat”!

If the UN and International Community will not Enforce UN Resolution 1701then Israel will Enforce UN Resolution 1701 and drive Hezbollah North of the Litani River via “Trial by Combat” – otherwise, the UN and the United States will stand by and allow Hezbollah to not just destroy the northern border towns – but to invade the Galilee with boots on the ground.

Israel’s objective of sending troops into southern Lebanon is to enable Israel’s 60,000 plus residents who have been evacuated from their homes on the northern border to return home almost a year after they were evacuated. 

UN Resolution 1701 was a Failed Diplomatic Solution because neither the UN nor the United States of America would enforce their own Resolution that was supposed to bring peace to the region.  Why not enforce the Resolution? Well, no one really believed that Hezbollah would abide by the Resolution.  UN Resolution 1701 was supposed to be the Diplomatic Solution to resolving the border and land disputes between Israel and Lebanon that really go back to Biblical times.

Hence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no choice but to go war via “Trial by Combat” – go up to Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town – go through the Fatima Gate – and put boots on the ground inside Lebanon’s borders!

And, that brings me to Chapter 40: 

“Trial by Combat” at the “Fatima Gate.”

The new stage of the war will usher in a New Type of War, “Trial by Combat,” that will forever alter the way Israel will fight their wars in the Middle East.  A new type of war that could reshape a new Middle East.

Many news articles have reported that Israel began their new stage of warfare that will usher a new type of war that will reshape the Middle East from Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town surrounded by Lebanon on three sides – in essence Metulla is surrounded by Hezbollah on all three sides.

The significance of Metulla is this is where the Fatima Gate is located.  And, it was here at the Fatima Gate, a gateway of the enemy that God told Abraham his seed would stand in, that Hezbollah drew their “Front Line” of attack threatening to cross over the border and invade Metulla and the entire Galilee. 

And, it was here at the “Fatima Gate” that the Muslims named in honor of the daughter of Islam’s Prophet  Mohammad that at one time was the official border crossing between Israel and Lebanon, that the IDF went on the offensive and crossed over the border into Lebanon before Hezbollah could cross through the Fatima Gate and invade Metulla and the Galilee.

Just as God told Abraham that his seed would stand in the gate of their (spiritual) enemies – the IDF took Possession of the Fatima Gate “before” Hezbollah could cross through the Fatima Gate onto Israeli soil.

In Chapter 40 I have included images from a video posted online by Hezbollah of the IDF advancing toward the Fatima Gate on October 3, 2024.

As I end Chapter 39 and move on to Chapter 40, I want to remind the reader of the following as it is relevant concerning where the “Trial by Combat” is taking place:

The Road from Iran to the Front Line of Lebanon’s Fatima Gate

Is the Broad Path that Jesus spoke of –

it is the Highway of Hell that leads to Destruction and Eternal Loss

And, the Fatima Gate

the spiritual gate of Israel’s enemies that God told Abraham his seed would possess)

Is the Broad Gate that Jesus spoke of

That Hezbollah the Iranian-backed Terrorist must go through to reach the Highway of Hell

The Highway of Hell – the Broad Path that Jesus tells us leads to Destruction and Eternal Loss

Is the Spiritual Path the Evil Spirit Prince and Kings of Ancient Persia

and those under their influence travel on

from Iran to Gaza to the Front Line of Lebanon’s Fatima Gate )a Gateway of Israel’s Spiritual Enemy)

At one time known as the “Good Fence Border Crossing”

When it was the Official Border Crossing between Kfar Kila, Lebanon and Metulla, Israel

During the 1982-2000 Israeli-Lebanon Conflict

The Fatima Gate is the Broad Gate that Hezbollah must go through to reach the Broad Path – the Highway of Hell

that Jesus spoke of that has led to the Ongoing Spiritual Battles

between Israel and Iran via Hamas and Hezbollah

And Israel’s Spiritual Battles in the Mideast over Land can only be Settled by taking the Battle to the Battlefield

and putting Boots on the Ground – Hence, Israel’s “Spiritual Warfare” is “Trial by Combat” (Judges 11)

This “Unrighteous Road” from Iran to Gaza to the “Front Line” of Lebanon’s Fatima Gate is where the IDF will wage a new type of war that will reshape the Middle East:  “Trial by Combat”

The Israel-Lebanon Conflict that began on October 8, 2023 is much more than a border war, it is an “International War” being fought along a border:  the Israel-Lebanon conflict is a “War with Iran” that is being fought on the borders that Israel shares with Lebanon.  The Unrighteous Road from Iran to the “Front Line” of Lebanon’s Fatima Gate is the Road that has led to the “International War” that is being fought on the Israel-Lebanon Border that began on October 8, 2023.

It’s an “International War” with Iran that is being fought at Lebanon’s Fatima Gate – once the official border crossing between Lebanon and Israel – now Hezbollah’s “Front Line” of attack.  It is an “International War” being fought along a border.

It’s important to keep in mind that neither Spiritual Battles nor Religious Wars can be Settled via Diplomatic Means!  That’s why the UN was unable to enforce Resolution 1701 and why Hezbollah refused to abide by UN Resolution 1701because the conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel are Spiritual.  Spiritual Battles can only be Settled via “Spiritual Warfare,” hence, “Trial by Combat” by taking the Battle to the Battlefield!  Exodus 14:13-14; Joshua 5:13-15Judges 11; Isaiah 58:15-21; Ephesians 6; Revelation 12

Iran and Hezbollah – The Spiritual Forces operating behind them

The Prince and Kings of Persia – evil satanic spirits who were able to exert their influences over both political and religious people such as the Iranian leaders and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah was more than a Physical Foe – they were a Spiritual Foe

The Prince and Kings of Persia:  The Book of Esther and Daniel 10 are two Biblical accounts of Persia that gives us all we need to know about the satanic spirits that still operate through the political and religious leaders of Iran.

Given that Iran is the real power behind Hezbollah, then we know that the Prince and Kings of Persia (the satanic Spiritual Powers) who exercised their influence over the Persian realm in the interests of Satan when Daniel wrote the tenth chapter of the Book of Daniel – then we know that they are the same satanic beings who were exercising their influence over and through both Iran and Hezbollah, specifically the ancient Prince and Kings of Persia as described in Daniel 10.

At the time Chapter 10 of the Book of Daniel was written, the Persian King Cyrus had conquered the Babylonian Empire.  At this time in Israel’s history, the Israelites had been in captivity in Babylon when Cyrus, King of the Medes and the Persians defeated Babylon and took over as their captors.

The Prince and Kings of Persia, as recorded in Daniel 10, are geographical principalities (spiritual beings) whose nature is both religious and political and who try to influence human beings to oppose God’s will and purposes for Israel.  They are in reference to evil spiritual entities that wield authority over any geographical area under the domain and authority of Iran, including the Iranian Embassy in the United States, or in areas where they are not confronted.

Spiritually speaking:  October 7, 2023 was a Defining Moment in Israel’s History when the spirit prince and kings of Ancient Persia Operating behind Hamas, Declared War on Israel. 

And, that brings me to Chapter 40. 

The Focus of Chapter 39 is on the Spiritual Aspects of “Trial by Combat” as a Specific Type of “Spiritual Warfare.”  On the other hand, the Focus of Chapter 40 is Specifically on the “Gateway of the Enemy” that God told Abraham his seed would possess – hence the focus of chapter 40 is on Lebanon’s  “Fatima Gate” itself and the Spiritual Aspects of the “Front Line” of Lebanon’s “Fatima Gate”

September 9, 2025:  The following has been added since I wrote Chapter 40:  On September 9, 2015 Israel sent a message to the International Community regarding any further negotiations with Hamas. 

The Message was clear:  Negotiations are over!

On September 9, 2025 Israel bombed the building where Hamas’s negotiating team was meeting in Doho, Qatar where they felt they were invincible.  Hamas confirmed on September 10, 2025 that two senior Hamas officials were wounded, one in critical condition and that five of its top members were killed in the Doha operations, including their lead negotiator Hunnam al-Hayya, son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya.

The International Community was shocked.

Israel’s strike on Doho, Qatar was unprecedented.  Israel’s airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Doho, Quatar was also unprecedented. 

A news report posted in the Jerusalem Post said it all:  The Airstrike was speaking the language the Middle East actually understood.  More to the point:  Israel has finally shifted away from the “Diplomatic Norms” that is expected of them by the International Community.  Israel will no longer negotiate with terrorists regardless of the location they are meeting at. 

And, Israel is ready to act unilaterally

The following article is from The Jerusalem Post:

The Doha message: Israel’s Qatar strike shows it speaks the language of the Middle East - analysis

Tuesday's strike in Doha may mark a fundamental shift: Israel speaking the language the Middle East actually understands.

Smoke rises after several blasts were heard in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025.

(photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA) By ALEX WINSTON

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 11:35 Updated: SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 13:45

For decades, Israel has attempted to hold its conduct to Western standards. Diplomatically, it has looked to the West as a model for democracy and military, operated within the constraints of Western diplomatic norms. These include measured responses, careful escalation ladders, and endless rounds of negotiations that often reward the very actors who orchestrate violence against Israeli civilians. Tuesday's strike in Doha may mark a fundamental shift: Israel speaking the language the Middle East actually understands.

The assassination attempt against Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, including acting leader Khalil al-Hayya, former head Khaled Mashaal, and finance chief Zaher Jabarin, was a declaration that the rules of engagement have changed.  End of Excerpt

Finally, Israel has made the declaration that the rules of engagement have changed!  And, that declaration is long overdue. 

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