From War Zones to Worship: A Journey Through Israel’s Prophetic Landscape

When most people think of Israel today, they think of war headlines and international controversy. But in this powerful episode of Good News, hosts Duke White Jr. and Dr. Lee Kanter take us beyond the noise of the media and into the soul of the Holy Land—showing how God’s prophetic promises are alive and unfolding in real time.

Fresh from a transformative journey to Israel, Dr. Lee shares not only what he saw, but what he felt—from the tears of tragedy to the thrill of standing on the very soil where the Bible was written, lived, and fulfilled. His experience at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, time spent in Tel Aviv, Galilee, and the Negev Desert, and visits to sacred historical sites like the Dead Sea Scroll caves and Mount of Beatitudes reveal a living, breathing testimony to God’s faithfulness.

The Truth About Israel: Beyond the Headlines

The media often presents a distorted image of Israel, focusing solely on conflict. But Lee’s report breaks through that narrative. Contrary to common portrayals, the streets of Tel Aviv are filled with life—children playing on beaches, people surfing, enjoying coffee shops, and celebrating life. What the world often fails to see is a nation resilient, thriving, and walking in its prophetic identity.

Lee recounts how even amidst tension and the memory of recent attacks—such as the October 7 massacre by Hamas at a music festival—Israelis continue to live with purpose. He and his group visited the kibbutz areas near Gaza, saw the scorched earth of the attacks, met with locals, and bore witness to the trauma and the hope that coexist side-by-side. One of the most moving moments was visiting Shiva Junction, where volunteers created a field outpost to care for Israeli soldiers returning from the front lines.

The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Divine Revelation Preserved

One of the most spiritually stirring parts of the journey was seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947—right before the reestablishment of the nation of Israel in 1948. These ancient texts, some dating back over 2,000 years, include every book of the Hebrew Bible except a few, and are an undeniable testimony of the unchanging Word of God.

Lee reflects on how the scrolls remained hidden and untouched for millennia, perfectly preserved in clay jars in desert caves. When compared to modern Scriptures, they are almost identical, showing the supernatural care God took to preserve His Word—a confirmation that what we hold in our hands today is trustworthy and divinely inspired.

Also housed in the same museum is the Aleppo Codex, one of the oldest and most complete versions of the Hebrew Bible, which survived attempts at destruction during Israel’s independence era. Together, these artifacts serve as a stamp of divine approval on both the Jewish identity of Scripture and the continuity of God’s covenantal promises.

A Unified Body: The One New Man Revelation

One of the strongest themes throughout Lee’s journey was the unfolding of Ephesians 2 and 3, where Paul reveals God’s eternal plan to create “One New Man”—a united body of believers from both Jews and Gentiles.

At the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, Lee witnessed leaders and pastors from all over the world—including Germany, Finland, Indonesia, and even Arab believers from Nazareth and Bethlehem—praying together in the name of Yeshua. These prayers were not superficial gestures but heartfelt cries of repentance for past divisions, especially for the error of replacement theology that historically sought to detach the Church from its Jewish roots.

This unity among believers across denominational, national, and ethnic lines is not just symbolic—it is deeply prophetic. According to Paul in Ephesians 3, it is through the unified Body of Christ that God reveals His wisdom to the powers and principalities. This unity isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Walking Where Jesus Walked: Galilee, Magdala & the Tabernacle

The trip wasn’t just about prayer and politics. It was deeply spiritual.

Lee visited the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water and conducted most of His earthly ministry. At the Mount of Beatitudes, he stood where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. At Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene, Lee explored ancient synagogues unearthed from the very era of Christ, with stunning mosaics telling Gospel stories—many of which are being discovered anew by visiting Israelis.

Even more moving was the visit to a full-scale reconstruction of the Tabernacle, built to the specifications described in the Torah. Guided by a Messianic Jewish believer, Lee experienced firsthand how each element of the tabernacle points to Yeshua as the greater High Priest. From the Holy of Holies to the mercy seat, everything in the tabernacle speaks of God’s plan to dwell among His people—not in stone temples, but now within our very hearts.

Jerusalem: The Apple of God’s Eye

Duke and Lee delve into the significance of Jerusalem—not just historically or geopolitically, but prophetically. Positioned at the intersection of Africa, Europe, and Asia, Jerusalem has always been a meeting point for the world. It’s not a coincidence. It’s divine design.

Scripture calls Jerusalem the apple of God’s eye, and throughout the Bible, God’s dwelling places evolve—from the Ark of the Covenant, to the Temple, to the hearts of believers, and finally to the corporate Body of Christ, which is now being built into a holy temple (Ephesians 2:21).

The Time Is Now: God’s Prophetic Clock Is Ticking

The return of the Jewish people to their homeland, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the growth of Messianic Jewish believers, and the global call for unity in the Body of Christ all point to something greater. We are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy.

Lee shares how even secular rabbis and Orthodox Jews are now asking questions about Jesus—realizing that many of the messianic signs were fulfilled before the destruction of the Second Temple. As scales fall from eyes, the Church must be ready to embrace her Jewish roots, support Israel, and repent for theological errors of the past.

Final Thoughts: From Conflict to Covenant

This episode isn’t just a travel story—it’s a prophetic wake-up call. A call to study the Jewish roots of our faith. A call to unity. A call to repentance. And most of all, a call to remember that God’s Word is trustworthy, His promises are eternal, and His plan is unfolding right before our eyes.

Whether you’ve been to Israel or not, whether you’re Jewish or Gentile, the story of God’s people is your story too. As Duke and Lee reminded us, it’s time to walk in that story together—united in Yeshua, surrendered to the Spirit, and anchored in truth.