The Israeli war before the Great Tribulation will be a war against Islam.  At a terrible cost, they will defeat the immediate threat to their country; thereby, bringing about a short period of peace.  During that time of peace, world leaders, led by the Antichrist, will begin planning to destroy Israel.  The Antichrist will “sell” this as the need to avenge Islam, but all he really cares about will be the destruction of Israel and Jerusalem.

Zechariah speaks of a pre-Tribulation war, where two-thirds of Israel will be destroyed, and the remaining third will go through the Great Tribulation culminating in Armageddon - all the nations gathered to fight against Jerusalem.

“In the whole land, declares the Lord, two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.  This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.  They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people.’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’   A day of the Lord is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.  I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it” (Zech 13:8-14:2a).

In accordance with Ezek 38:8 Israel will fight and win a decisive war which will bring them a measure of peace.  “In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war.” (Ezek 38:8b).

This will allow the Antichrist to step in and make a covenant with them. “He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven” (Dan 9:27a). 

The signing of the covenant of peace, between the Antichrist and Israel, marks the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period.

Many people believe the United States will be attacked at the same time as Israel in the pre-Tribulation war and will not participate in any significant way in the world events of the Tribulation.  If it is necessary to attack the United States, what better way to start than by eliminating Israel’s chief defender?