Christ in Prophecy: “The Battle for Israel”

Host: Nathan Jones
Speaker: Tim Moore
Date: April 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Tim Moore’s condensed presentation from the 27th Pre-Trib Study Group conference, Dallas, focusing on the ongoing “battle for Israel.” Moore explores the conflict not simply as geopolitical or military, but as a 5,000-year, primarily spiritual war rooted in biblical prophecy. Drawing from scripture, Moore analyzes both the ancient and modern dimensions of this struggle, its implications for the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and the Church, and concludes with a call to Christian action in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Framing the Battle: Historical & Spiritual Context

[00:47]

• Tim Moore begins by referencing the 2026 Middle East war focused on Iran, placing current events within a biblical perspective.
• Emphasizes that the “battle for Israel” is an ancient, ongoing struggle that goes beyond physical conflict to a deeper, underlying spiritual war.

Quote:

“The battle is best likened to a 5,000 year war with outbursts of activity that are more attuned to individual battles... the conflict rages mostly in spiritual realms that cannot be seen by those without eyes to discern.”
— Tim Moore [02:00]

• The outcome, Moore stresses, is foretold in prophecy, destined to reach its culmination at the Second Coming of Jesus.

2. Definitions: What is Israel?

[05:35]

• Moore distinguishes between scriptural and modern references to Israel:
  • “House of Israel” (Ezekiel 36): The people/descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • “State of Israel”: The modern nation-state.
  • “Land of Israel”: The geographic land itself.
• He introduces a rhetorical question, adapting Abraham Lincoln’s famous words:

Quote:

“Will this nation Israel under God have a new birth of freedom? Or will the Jewish people chosen by God perish from the earth?”
— Tim Moore [07:10]

• Asserts 1948 as the prefillment of the regathering promise and that final fulfillment will come when Israel accepts the Messiah.

3. The Battle’s Deep Roots: Biblical Survey

[08:05 - 23:00]

• Moore surveys spiritual opposition to God’s plan from Genesis onward:
  • Satan’s repeated attempts to thwart God’s covenant promises — from corrupting mankind before the flood (Nephilim), enticing rebellion at Babel, to targeting Abraham’s lineage.
  • God’s choice of Israel was not due to their merit but “because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which he swore to your forefathers.” (Deut. 7)
  • Israel’s role: to reveal God, be a conduit of blessing, demonstrate covenant relationship, record scripture, and bring forth the Messiah.

Quote:

“God chose them to reveal himself to a sin-racked world... and most importantly perhaps, to bring forth his promised Messiah, who... would be of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David... but born as the seed of a woman.”
— Tim Moore [12:40]

• Satan’s counter-efforts:
  • Distort God’s self-revelation, snuff out the Jewish people, corrupt or discredit the line of promise.
  • Not simply physical destruction, but spiritual manipulation; enticing Israel into rebellion to disqualify them as the chosen line.

4. Spiritual Dimensions: Why Satan Still Fights

[23:01 - 34:15]

• Even after Christ’s first advent, Satan’s enmity continues because:
  • God still loves the Jews and has plans for a remnant’s salvation.
  • Destroying Israel would, in Satan’s view, make God a liar and prevent Christ’s second coming, which is tied to Jewish repentance (see Zech. 12:10, Matt 23:39).

Quote:

“If Satan can eradicate the Jews, he can thwart God’s plan of the ages and prevent Christ from coming again.”
— Tim Moore [26:50]

• The spiritual significance of the land itself:
  • Israel as “Beulah” (married land); Jerusalem uniquely chosen (“I will put my name forever”).
  • Satan covets the land “because it is the grand prize. Since God claims it, Satan wants it.”

5. Modern Manifestations: The Post-1948 Wars

[35:00 - 42:30]

• Reviews hostilities since modern Israel’s founding—1948 War of Independence through to present conflicts (2023-26).
• Sees modern wars as “a long series of battles in a much longer war that has raged since God called Abram.”

Quote:

“These modern wars are merely the latest effort to do what could not be done in biblical times.”
— Tim Moore [38:00]

• Observes that enmity against Israel in the world remains spiritually charged, illustrated by contemporary hostility and symbolism (e.g., “the image of red hands”).

6. Spiritual Warfare & the Church’s Role

[43:00 - 50:50]

• Israel’s conflict is both physical and spiritual; even professing Christians have at times contributed to Jewish resistance to the Gospel (historical anti-Semitism).
• Sees recent softening of Jewish hearts, with increased openness to Christ since October 7, 2023.

Quote:

“Satan thought he’d defeated the Messiah at Calvary, but Jesus demonstrated his power over death when he rose again. Christ will ultimately crush Satan... we eagerly await Jesus’ final victory.”
— Tim Moore [46:40]

• The danger for Christians: assuming the battle is already lost — or that victory is achieved before it’s fully won.

Memorable Moment:
Tim Moore compares the Church to a surrounded military unit, quoting General Chesty Puller:

“Boys, the enemy is in front of us and behind us. He is on our left and on our right. We’re completely surrounded. They can’t get away from us now.”
— Tim Moore [49:00]

7. Conclusion: What This Means for Christians

[51:00 - End]

• Christians are called to bless Israel and “make the Jews jealous” — i.e., to show the reality of salvation in Christ.
• The ultimate “war for the souls of mankind” (and for Israel and the Land) continues until the end.
• The spiritual battle is real, but the victory is foretold:

Quote:

“As Christian soldiers, let’s take up the full armor of God and join the battle. The victory is already his. Godspeed.”
— Tim Moore [54:05]

Notable Moments & Quotes

• On the persistent spiritual struggle:
  “...the conflict rages mostly in spiritual realms that cannot be seen by those without eyes to discern.” [02:00]
• Explaining Satan’s motivation:
  “Satan has always coveted the land because it is the grand prize. Since God claims it, Satan wants it.” [32:30]
• Warning to Christians:
  “There are two dangers... One is to think that the battle is lost before it has ended. The other is to think the battle is won while it is still raging.” [47:50]
• Mission of the Church:
  “They are not our enemies. They are the same lost souls Jesus Christ loved enough to come and die for. They are our mission field.” [50:30]

Important Timestamps

• [00:47] — Moore introduces the spiritual dimensions of the latest Middle East conflict.
• [08:05] — Survey of Israel’s biblical history and Satan’s opposition.
• [12:40] — Rationale for God’s choice of Israel.
• [26:50] — Satan’s goal to discredit God and prevent Christ’s return.
• [35:00] — Overview of modern wars and the continuity of the ancient battle.
• [43:00] — The role of spiritual warfare and recent changes in Jewish openness to the Gospel.
• [49:00] — Chesty Puller quote, encouragement for Christians amid opposition.
• [54:05] — Final charge to the Church.

Key Takeaways

• The struggle for Israel is ultimately a protracted spiritual war with physical expressions throughout history.
• Modern events fit within biblical prophecy and the age-old conflict between God’s purposes and Satan’s opposition.
• The Church is not a passive observer — Christians are called to bless Israel, share the Gospel, and engage in spiritual warfare with certainty of final victory through Christ.
• The outcome is assured: Israel will endure, and God will be victorious.

This summary captures the core arguments and exhortations from Tim Moore’s presentation, offering an accessible yet detailed guide for listeners and non-listeners alike.