From a theological perspective, this is an extremely interesting video released by Netanyahu’s press office account on Instagram. I took the screen record myself from their account, because I wanted to ensure it was genuine, not AI, etc. The traditional Jewish perspective is that the enemy of the Jewish... people, “Edom,” is now identified with “Rome” (which is often associated with Christendom, the Catholic Church, etc.). This identification is because of Rome’s destroying the Temple in AD 70, etc. There will be a final end times clash between the Jewish people and “Edom” in which the “Messiah” will defeat Edom. I’ve found many Rabbis discuss this in my own study of Jewish eschatology. This is all the more interesting given my study of the “katechon,” or “restrainer” mentioned by St. Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2, which holds back the coming of Antichrist. The majority interpretation of the Church Fathers is that the “katechon” is in some sense the Roman Empire. This was further refined by various Fathers, theologians, scholastics, etc. to indicate something connected with the Church. I personally believe it is preeminently Christendom, and that Christendom—centered on the Church of Rome (i.e. the Catholic Church, in both its spiritual and temporal aspects)—is the primary thing which “restrains” the coming of Antichrist. Additionally, the Fathers are unanimous that the Jews will (at least at first) believe Antichrist is the Messiah (see note below). It’s a huge topic I can’t do justice to in a short post, but I have been researching and writing a great deal about it for several years now. I will have more in the coming months. Suffice it to say, once this “katechon” is removed, Antichrist comes; and if the “katechon” is in some sense Rome, and Antichrist is initially received by the Jews as Messiah—well, “that’s interesting,” as they say. The convergence of Jewish and Catholic interpretation on this question—though obviously expressing it from opposite sides, where apparently the Messiah of one is the Antichrist of the other—is something that should not be ignored. An important note: ultimately, the Church Fathers unanimously say the Jews will INITIALLY receive Antichrist as Messiah, who will deceive them. The whole point is that he must convince them he is the actual Messiah. But they will ultimately realize they’ve been deceived, they will reject Antichrist, and will then undergo a mass conversion to Christ, their true Messiah. This, I believe, will be the true reconciliation between Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edom at the end of time. It is also absolutely fascinating to me that Netanyahu speaks of losing the last war against Rome (presumably referring to the Jewish rebellions of the first and second centuries), and the need to win “the next one.” I’d be very curious for a theologically literate interviewer to ask him who this “Rome” is that he seeks to defeat.show more

Joshua Charles🇻🇦

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