[2026 Ramadan] Day 30, Palestine to complete the time of the Gentiles! Israel to become a blessing to all nations! Rise as the last disciples!

Israel means “to struggle with God and prevail, God reigns.” In 1948, according to God’s covenant word, the Jewish people who had been scattered across the world returned to their ancient land of Canaan and established a nation. The gospel that began when Jesus came to this land 2,000 years ago has been delivered to the nations and is now returning again to the Jewish people.

Palestine means “the land of the Philistines” and consists of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Its official name is the “Palestinian National Authority.” Currently, the West Bank is governed by Fatah, an organization established for the recovery of Palestine’s lost territory and national liberation, while the Gaza Strip is ruled by Hamas, a radical fundamentalist party.

The establishment of the independent state of Israel in 1948 was, for the Jews, “the fulfillment of the covenant of the Lord of Israel,” but for the Arabs who had lived on that land, it was the beginning of invasion and suffering. Palestinians were deprived of their livelihoods, and more than half of the population became refugees, scattered to neighboring Arab countries. After several wars and uprisings, this became not only an issue between Israel and Palestine, but a global conflict between Western nations and 57 Islamic countries, and the war continues to this day.

On February 28, for the first time in Ramadan history, the Israel–Iran war has caused continuous sounds of missiles and bombs, with airstrikes unceasing. Iran is expanding the front by attacking neighboring Sunni Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and Israelis are taking shelter in bomb shelters.

In Palestine as well, during Ramadan, the azan from mosques grows longer, and there is an atmosphere of keeping prayer times, hoping for the war to end. Even in this war, where Palestinian Muslims feel anxious and become poor in spirit, God is bringing about an amazing work of salvation among Israel and Palestine until the full number of the Gentiles returns.

Hallelujah! This winter, many Jews listened to the gospel with open hearts. Some people, unable to leave upon hearing Hebrew praise songs in the streets, confessed with tears, saying, “Thank you for praying for Israel.” An ultra-Orthodox Jewish young man also received Jesus after hearing the gospel. Especially, we see Jews from religious backgrounds not only believing in Jesus but also understanding God’s vision and dedicating themselves.

Among them, Jewish brother A grew up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family but left the oppressive religious life and was denying God. After meeting us and hearing the gospel, he accepted Jesus. Through missionary training afterward, he deeply realized God’s love for the nations and embraced even Muslim peoples whom he had regarded as enemies, confessing, “I want to go wherever the gospel is needed.”

Jewish sister B also grew up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family, but after believing in Jesus, she went on a short-term mission to the Maghreb in North Africa following this missionary training. On the first day of arrival, a soul she met and shared the gospel with accepted Jesus. The Lord’s word that He would make Israel a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation to the ends of the earth is being fulfilled.

Last week, while visiting a Palestinian church to mobilize youth for an Arab mission camp, we met and had fellowship with brother H. His father had been martyred while preaching the gospel in the Gaza region. When the Arab mission camp was introduced, brother H initially planned to participate for only one day, but after receiving great grace during worship, he stayed until the end. All three Palestinian youths who participated with him committed themselves to serve as missionaries for more than one year!

With physical eyes, it is war, but as we look at the work of God, the sovereign of history, we believe that the time of the Gentiles is being completed, and that the gospel which began in Jerusalem is returning again to Jerusalem, going toward the remaining descendants of Ishmael and the Jewish people, descendants of Isaac. Through this time, God will open the door of the gospel even wider, many souls will return to the Lord, and He will grant an unprecedented revival in Israel and Palestine.

[Today’s Prayer]

1. In the long-standing conflict and strife between the two peoples, war has begun again during Ramadan. The hearts of Jews and Arabs are becoming poorer and longing for peace. In the name of Jesus, the true King of peace, let the work of salvation arise, and may God’s true shalom cover the peoples of Israel and Palestine.

2. Through this winter’s short-term mission teams, many souls in Israel and Palestine heard the gospel. Furthermore, through the youths who confessed their desire to go wherever the gospel is needed, let there be a revival of youth missions that brings salvation to the ends of the earth as a light to the Gentiles.

3. Let the Lord’s disciples who will complete the time of the Gentiles arise like fire, so that the peoples of Israel and Palestine and the churches of this land may prepare the way for the Lord’s coming in the last days!