The Rising Lion & Bible Prophecy

By. Dr. August Rosado

The scene here takes place on the eastern part of the Dead Sea in what is today central Jordan in the mountains of Moab. In Hebrew they would say “Moav”. 

Balak, the king of Moav is distressed at this point because the Israelites are encamped in the valley, and he knows of Israel’s past victories over their enemies.

Instead of waging war against the Israelites he figures he can use divination to obtain victory over Israel and curse the Jewish people and drive them out.

In Numbers 22 Balak summons a diviner named Balaam who was a false prophet hired by the king of Moav to curse the Israelites during their wilderness journey and encampment. 

His name appears 50 times between Numbers chapters 22 through 24. His name appears in both the Old and the New Testaments. He is mentioned in Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, and Micah. 

Balaam is classified as a “soothsayer”, (Josh 13:22), who conspired with the Midianites and Moabites against Israel. He is the epitome of a hireling and false prophet. 

 Balaam was later killed by the Israelites in Numbers 31:8. The Jewish writers of the New Testament had nothing positive to say about Balaam due to his wickedness. 

We read in 2 Peter 2:15, KJV

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”

Jude 11

“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

In His message to the Church at Pergamos Jesus mentioned Balaam in Revelation 2:14, 

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

In the New Testament he is a symbol of avarice and false religion. There are many like him today who use the gospel for prosperity  purposes to live a wealthy lifestyle. 

In Numbers 23 Balak wants Israel eliminated and he hires Balaam to curse Israel by means of divination. But what Balak fails to realize is that the Abrahamic Convent is in force here.

The fact of Israel’s blessing by God is the major theme of this passage and the foundation of the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:1-3. This passage in Numbers 23 is a test case for the Abrahamic Covenant in its most elemental and fundamental level. 

The last thing you want to do is put God to the test. Balak wants to test that covenant and hires Balaam to try God. Whenever Balaam went to curse Israel only blessings came out, (Num 23:11).

You cannot reverse what God has put forward. The Abrahamic Covenant is in force today as it was some four thousand years ago when God revealed it to Abraham, (Num 23:20). 

Such practices of divination or enchantments are powerless against the people of God. Just as Balaam and Balak had to learn the hard the way the enemies of Israel in the future will learn the hard way as well. 

Friday the 13th is known as being a date of misfortune. Friday the 13th is considered superstitious due to a combination of cultural and religious beliefs.

The number 13 is often associated with bad luck, and the day Friday has also been linked to misfortune. The crucifixion of Jesus is believed to have occurred on a Friday. 

In the Bible, the number 13 is often associated with rebellion, sin, and lawlessness. It can also represent a departure from divine order and defiance against God's authority. The number 13 can also signify a negative symbol, such as evil or wickedness. 

All Israel News Reported: Friday the 13th - Timing of Israel's strike on Iran coincidence or intentional? What are the chances that Israel would go to war against her most dreaded enemy, Iran on that fated date of Friday the 13th? 

This operation named, “Rising Lion,” is based upon the scripture found in Numbers 23:24, 

“Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.” 

This is the history of the people who, today, on Friday the 13th, are, once again, faced with a foe who is set on the destruction of God’s chosen.  Does anyone have any doubt how it will end?

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly placed a note between the stones of Jerusalem’s Western Wall hours before the strike began, inscribed with the phrase that inspired the operation’s name: “Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion.”

L. Why attack on Friday the 13th? It is an unlucky day and a day of misfortune for Iran as Israel decimated their nuclear program and sent them back decades to say the least.

Why call the military operation strike on Iran, “Rising Lion?” Because Israel rose up like a great lion, a young lion, and will not rest until his prey is slain and devoured.

When you look at Balaam’s third prophecy in Numbers chapter 24:17 we see an Eschatological prophecy. The star is used metaphorically to refer to a King who will destroy Israel’s enemies. 

This King is confirmed by the scepter being a part of a royal insignia prophesied in Gensis 49:10. This King of Israel shall smite the corners of Moav. The word corners, in Hebrew, פֵּאָה, (peah), To strike at the extremities of His enemies. 

It can also be understood to strike at the head or skull. The King of Israel would strike at the at the head of the enemy countries and deliver a fatal head blow they would not recover from.

Numbers 24:17 is parallel with Revelation 22:16, 

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

At His second coming back to earth at the end of the 70th Week of Daniel’s prophecy, Revelation 5:5 tells us the Lion of the tribe of Judah will come to unleash the wrath of God.

Revelation 17:14 says the nations will declare war on the Lamb but the Lamb will destroy those nations because He is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. 

Revelation 19:11-16 says when the Star of Jacob, the Lamb returns He will come to judge and make war. Iran is foretold in Bible prophecy when they invade Israel in Ezekiel 38. 

They will be destroyed upon the mountains of Israel along with Russia, Turkey, Ethiopia, and Libya. This Israeli strike on Iran on June 13, 2025, Friday the 13th, is just a foretaste of things to come. The invading nations will have their due comeuppance. 

The Messiah of Israel, Yeshua Hamachiach will come and subjugate the nations and rule them with a rod of iron. He will establish His Kingdom from Jerusalem.

The recent Israeli attack on Iran is a precursor for what is to come. Israel’s enemies are furious as to what recently happened and will make a move against Jewish state. 

However, the God of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. He will keep Israel as the apple of His eye. Jesus is coming soon, and the Rapture must be close at hand!