Paris Attacks and Prophecy

Last weekend’s carnage in Paris was devastating and sobering. Watching people suffer who are made in the image of the Almighty God (Genesis 1:26) should sadden everyone. The day after the attacks, the Islamic State (IS) redistributed a video that contained threats against France and “called on French Muslims to carry out attacks” (Reuters, November 14, 2015). The message to France was, “As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear traveling to the market…” (ibid.). The video attempted to mobilize IS fighters by saying, “There are weapons and cars available and targets ready to be hit. Even poison is available, so poison the water and food of at least one of the enemies of Allah. Terrorize them and do not allow them to sleep due to fear and horror” (ibid.), and fear is having an impact on tourist travel to Paris (Financial Post, November 16, 2015). Le Figaro reported this week “We are going to live a long time with this terrorist threat” (November 16, 2015).

What few realize today, the IS comments about raining terror on France directly relate to Bible prophecies about Israelite nations that turn away from God: “if you despise My statutes… so that you do not perform all My commandments…  I will even appoint terror over you” (Leviticus 26:15-16). The prophet Isaiah also foretold, in a prophecy that has a dual application today, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has seized the hypocrites” (Isaiah 33:14). We are watching these prophecies coming alive today in Israelite nations that have turned away from God. For more insight about the future of France and Europe, read our Web commentary “Paris Attacks ‘Act of War.’”