We sat down at the Sea of Galilee with an Israeli special forces commander just hours after he returned from the front lines in Gaza. What followed wasn’t just a conversation - it was a collision of war, faith, and the kingdom of God.

In this powerful and emotional episode, we talk about everything from blowing up terror tunnels and rescuing hostages to the unseen spiritual battle raging behind the headlines.

Our guest, a Jewish believer and elite IDF soldier, shares how he’s been sustained through nearly 600 days of combat, what the Bible says about Gaza, and why the real hope for peace isn’t political - it’s prophetic.

You won’t hear this anywhere else.

• Gaza holds ancient, prophetic significance - and the war there today is deeply spiritual.
• Ceasefires often backfire, giving terror groups time to rearm.
• Political deals and military action can’t fix what only the return of the Messiah can.
• True peace comes when hearts are transformed - not just borders.

• 00:01 – Sea of Galilee intro with the IDF Sergeant Major
• 00:21 – On-the-ground details from Gaza tunnel operations
• 04:11 – What it really takes for a military mission to succeed
• 07:33 – The illusion of ceasefires and international pressure
• 12:56 – How a Jewish believer in the army sees God’s hand in the chaos
• 17:49 – Pulling back the mask: the theo-political battle behind the war
• 24:17 – Why only the Kingdom of God can bring lasting peace
• 26:48 – A former radical Muslim's transformation and the future hope

Stay connected as we continue to unpack the prophetic story unfolding in real-time. Visit thejewishroad.com to learn more, support the mission, and get access to teaching and resources that help Christians reconnect to the Jewish roots of their faith.

What happens when a Muslim from Iran meets Jesus in America - then watches his homeland go to war with Israel?

Shah Afshar was born and raised in Iran, shaped by a shame-based culture, a devout Muslim family, and the pressure to uphold family honor. But everything changed when he encountered a group of joyful American college students and heard the name of Jesus - not as a prophet, but as Savior.

In this episode, Shah shares his powerful journey from Islam to Christianity, the cultural weight of honor and shame, and what he sees unfolding in the Middle East today.

With a foot in both worlds, he gives insight few can offer: why 80% of Iranians quietly cheer when Israel strikes military targets…and why Persians and Jews have a deeper shared history than most realize.

• Why Shah sees honor and shame as central to understanding Iranian culture
• What it’s like to leave Islam and follow Jesus as a Persian
• The truth about Iran’s Jewish population - and how Persians and Jews once lived side by side
• Why many Iranians support Israel in secret
• How Jesus - not politics - is the only path to true peace in the Middle East

00:00 – Meet Shah Afshar: From Iran to the U.S. 03:00 – Growing up Muslim in a shame-based culture 05:45 – Depression, academic pressure, and thoughts of suicide 08:00 – The hippies who introduced him to Jesus 10:30 – Calling on Jesus without theology - and finding peace 13:15 – Starting the first Iranian Christian church in America 15:00 – What changed after the revolution in Iran 18:30 – Why many Iranians secretly support Israel 21:00 – The cost - and hope - of a Persian uprising 24:00 – Jesus as the only answer to generational hate 26:00 – Persians are not Arabs: cultural and ethnic clarity 29:00 – Are the Jews still God’s chosen people? 32:00 – One new man: Jew and Gentile united in Messiah

To learn more about Shah’s work and story, visit shahzamfactor.com.

For more episodes, teaching, and insights into the Jewish roots of your faith, head to thejewishroad.com.

Be a light. Be a voice. Be a blessing.

The ground is shaking beneath Israel. And most of the world isn’t paying attention.

Fresh off a 17-day trip through the land - along war-torn borders and ancient prophetic fault lines - we return with a warning: something is building.

The people are exhausted. The hostages are still missing. Iran is preparing for war. And while embassies evacuate, the Church scrolls past in silence.

This episode isn’t casual listening. It’s a wake-up call. The stage is being set. And if we’re not watching, praying, and standing with Israel, we’ll miss what God is doing right in front of us.

• Many Israelis aren’t just calling for a ceasefire - they’re simply done.
• There’s a growing sense of urgency around Iran and a potential escalation.
• The church plays a vital role in this unfolding story, whether it realizes it or not.
• Israel needs friends. More specifically, Israel needs the church to be alert and engaged.

00:00 - Back from Israel: Roommates, jetlag, and setting the tone 04:12 - Why this trip was different: Not just places, but people 07:50 - The current state of Israeli life: Between rockets and recreation 11:05 - The war and the hostages: What Israelis are really saying 14:25 - Iran’s rising threat and U.S. response 18:10 - Biblical prophecy, Russia, and where this could all lead 20:30 - A call to the church: Wake up, pay attention, and stand with Israel

Stay connected with The Jewish Road as we continue to share firsthand accounts, prophetic insights, and biblical context from Israel. Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode, and don’t forget to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.