ISRAEL IS 70 YEARS OLD

(Final part)

According to some friends of mine, a visit to Yad Vashem (still in my bucket list), Israel's national Holocaust museum, is perhaps one of the most insightful and impactful experiences one can share. Israel's history is throughout the centuries full of persecution reaching its higher peak with the Holocaust, so it is no wonder that the majority of Jews today see the state of Israel as of necessary concern and importance to their self-preservation. Israel has become a safe haven for the Jewish people, wherever they might be. It is not on easy terms, but even with a horror factor in it that Herzl's words were proven to be so true. While his vision for a modern Jewish state may be described as prophetic, it is of extreme importance to realise that the position that Israel finds itself in the world today is in fact a constituent part and completely fill the requirements of Bible prophecy, confirming the veracity of the Word of God.

In any way I want to say that Israel has been justified in every military action or that God will assure, protect or provide immunity to any attack, but rather that God has permitted and guided world events according to His larger plan.

In my book 'Apocalypse Unfolding Now', it is factual and shows the calamity, the dreadfulness and the terrible circumstances that lie ahead for the modern nation of Israel and specifically the city of Jerusalem.

It is recorded in Luke 21:20-22 the coming devastation and the terrible 'end time', Jesus warned that "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near … For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled”. The Old Testament goes even further and tells us that “half the city will go into captivity” (Zechariah 14:2). Many theologians as well as many Christians see the fulfillment of God's promises of a second exodus by the return of the Jews to the land in the last 100 years. (Isaiah 11:11-12)

This is not to say or that we should understand that the Jewish presence in the land of Israel presently is not quite yet the Jewish dream of ages realised. The resettling still remains a far cry from what God declares in His prophetic messages. Not only Jews, but all the tribes of Israel scattered around the globe to live securely from all enemies with the pouring out of His Spirit upon them in order that all will have a deep understanding of His truth, including the restored worship in a new Jerusalem temple while the rest of the world looks and follow their example.

It is obvious, that presently, not only are the Israelis in perpetual danger, but the Jewish people are still prevented from freely worshiping God on the Temple Mount as they lament its desecration by Muslim shrines. The plea of “Next year in Jerusalem” is still uttered by millions. Clearly the Israelite return is far from complete.

It is this particular fact that it is vital for Jews to have a controlling presence in the Holy Land in order to fulfill particular end-time prophecies, such as those in the book of Daniel that indicate a re-institution of sacrifices, stating that these will eventually be cut off at a time of invasion and severe tribulation.

But again, the very fact that this terrible time is yet ahead shows that the great promises of Israel’s restoration to the land in perpetual peace, prosperity and safety have not yet come.

Thankfully, these promises assuredly will be reality. In the meantime, we should observe that the state of Israel’s formation 70 years ago and its continued existence have been according to God’s plan—and consider that greater developments in this plan lie ahead! And as we contemplate the dark times that will precede this awesome future, let us all be on guard, assured by evidence of the clear hand of God in history that He will indeed confirm His Word in the future.

END