One of the amazing aspects about the times we live in is that Biblical prophecies about Israel, that were once viewed in Christianity as allegory or poetic writings, are now coming to pass in the most literal way possible. To continue to believe that God is finished with Israel, one must ignore the last 70 years of modern history. Portions of the biblical books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others, whose words have laid dormant for 2600+ years, are tangibly coming to pass in our lifetime. If you join me on an Ezra Adventures Expedition, you will see it yourself. While proven examples of this will come in future blogs, I would like to suggest a possible unfolding scenario.
Zechariah 14 describes the setting for the Messiah’s arrival in Jerusalem and says “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle…” (14:2). Before Messiah appears on the Mt of Olives to defend His people and establish His Kingship over the earth, there is a nation of Israel (check), a Jewish presence in Jerusalem (check), and all nations are gathered against Jerusalem for war (we are getting there). Regardless of previous US/Israeli relations, AT SOME POINT, “all the nations” (which I assume would include the US) will gather against Israel hastening the Messiah’s appearance. Whether it’s this administration or a coming one, whether this agreement starts the process or another, it will happen. This isn't fear-based doom- This is God telling us what to expect so we're not taken off guard.
Secondly, 2014 was the first time in over 2000 years that the largest Jewish population in the world was within the borders of the land promised to Abraham. This alone is a dramatic miracle that defies world history of any displaced people groups. Prior to 2014, the US had the largest Jewish population on earth. While the rising anti-Semetic storm in Europe is causing an exodus of sorts to Israel, France being chief among them, most American Jews are still quite comfortable and unaffected. Yet Ezekiel 39:28 says this: “Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer.” If we follow the pattern of Jewish history and the spikes of Jewish immigration to Israel in the 80 years, we can expect that AT SOME POINT, the climate in the US will also change against the Jews as God fulfills His promise and “gathers them to their own land and leaves none behind.” If you take 5 mins to watch this video, you will see the shocking Jewish hatred that is already gripping campuses across the country:
So how do we respond to this crazy Iranian nuclear deal, the apparent crumbling of US/Israeli relations and rising hatred of Jews (and Christians)? We can be passive complainers of the negative or be active participants of the most glorious unveiling of God’s faithfulness the earth has ever seen. As we continue to oppose evil in our day, know that God has a plan in the Bible to show Israel that He is “the Lord their God”, that He is faithful to His promises, and has invited those in the nations to join Him in the process. Sign me up. Join Ezra Adventures as we do a small part to get involved…
The Bible is real. The Bible Israel. You cannot separate the two.
Israel is real,
Doug