Two-Edged Sword Ministries
Before you can even attempt to understand Bible prophecy; you need to fully understand the relationship between the church and the land of Israel. Israel and the church have had a short but poor relationship. Whilst there are many churches that deplore Israel's return to the land promised to them by God in the Old Testament, there are churches that realize and teach their congregation the importance of the Jews' returning to their land - Israel.
So who is right? A person can either be "for" Israel or "against" Israel. Fortunately, if we are to look into the Bible, one can easily find the answer.
The book of Romans provides interesting insights into the relationship between the Jews/Israel and the Christians/church. Paul, the apostle tells us that as Christians we should not be ignorant of a puzzle or mystery that appears to many. Paul goes on to explain that Israeli's have hardened hearts and they cannot understand that Jesus
The book of Romans provides interesting insights into the relationship between the Jews/Israel and the Christians/church. Paul, the apostle tells us that as Christians we should not be ignorant of a puzzle or mystery that appears to many. Paul goes on to explain that Israeli's have hardened hearts and they cannot understand that Jesus
was and still is their Messiah. However, he assures us that when the full number of Gentiles (Christians) have come before the Lord (The rapture), this is the time that Jesus will go forth to deliver Israeli's from their enemies' clutches. (Read Romans 9:25 - 29 & Romans 11:1 - 2)
Any arguments against Israel from a biblical perspective are quickly dismissed when Paul says, that although they are enemies to the Gospel, they are to be loved by Christians as they were the first one's elected by God. Since Gods' calling and gifts cannot be taken away, Israel still remains in Gods' ultimate plan and they should be encouraged and not persecuted by the Christians or its churches. Unfortunately, as many of Gods' children suffer because of lack of knowledge, churches lead many astray, day by day.
Before you can understand Israel's significance in future prophecy, we have to accept that we cannot call ourselves obedient Christians and passionately hate the Jews. You either believe the Bible and Christianity or you choose to reject it, but being selective, cannot be an option.
Any arguments against Israel from a biblical perspective are quickly dismissed when Paul says, that although they are enemies to the Gospel, they are to be loved by Christians as they were the first one's elected by God. Since Gods' calling and gifts cannot be taken away, Israel still remains in Gods' ultimate plan and they should be encouraged and not persecuted by the Christians or its churches. Unfortunately, as many of Gods' children suffer because of lack of knowledge, churches lead many astray, day by day.
Before you can understand Israel's significance in future prophecy, we have to accept that we cannot call ourselves obedient Christians and passionately hate the Jews. You either believe the Bible and Christianity or you choose to reject it, but being selective, cannot be an option.
The Old Testament details how God revealed himself to a group of people, that later became known as the Jews. God made it known through a covenant with Moses, that if the Jews obeyed his commandments, they would become a great and powerful nation throughout the world. Although at brief times in history, Israel obeyed Gods' laws and commandments, they quickly fell into disbelief.
Many Jews that were later taken captive as a result of their disobedience to God, turned away from God rather than towards Him in repentance. The many books of the Old Testament detail the journey that the Jews walked with God, as well as the promise that a Messiah will come from the Jews, that will not only save them, but also the Gentile nations. Finally, when Jesus came to earth and fulfilled many of the ancient prophecies, the Jews still did not turn to God. As they had long awaited a conquering Messiah that would restore them to a powerful nation; they did not realize that according to their own scriptures, the Messiah would first come as a lamb and be lead to the slaughter by his own people. God had long warned Israel, that if they failed to obey his commandments, he would turn away from them and make them a sight for sore eyes amongst the nations of the world. A scriptural reference in the book of Chronicles sums up the reason for Israel's persecution over the years.
But if you abandon me and disobey the laws and commands I have given you, and if you go and worship other gods, then I will uproot the people of Israel from this land of mine that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have set apart to honour my name. I will make it a spectacle of contempt among the nations. [ 2 Chronicles 7:19-20 NLT ]
These constant warnings culminated in the scriptures of the Prophet Jeremiah. We read in the book of Jeremiah, which was written between 626 BC and 586 BC, what was prophesied to happen to Israel as they had constantly disobeyed Gods' commandments. Some highlights of these prophecies were ...
God will send the enemy of the North to conquer Israel. (Jer 25 : 9 - 10)
Israel will be a desolate land and shall serve the kings of Babylon for "seventy years. “ (Jer 25 : 11)
God will make the city a curse to all nations of the earth (Jer 26:6)
And when you seek me, I will turn away your captivity and will gather you from all nations and places that have driven you out and bring you back to Israel (Jer 29 : 12 - 14 ; Jer 30 : 2)
Israel will be a desolate land and shall serve the kings of Babylon for "seventy years. “ (Jer 25 : 11)
God will make the city a curse to all nations of the earth (Jer 26:6)
And when you seek me, I will turn away your captivity and will gather you from all nations and places that have driven you out and bring you back to Israel (Jer 29 : 12 - 14 ; Jer 30 : 2)
As predicted above and in many other scriptures, the army of the North was first represented by the Assyrian army and then by the Babylonian army which conquered Israel and destroyed its temple in 586 BC. After the conquests of the Babylonian army, Israel returned to their homeland for short intervals as prophesied by many other scriptures. However, shortly after Jesus was crucified, Israel's rebuilt temple was once again destroyed by the armies of the Roman Empire and the Jews were cast out to all nations.
This lasted for a period in excess of 1850 years - The Jews refer to this period as the Great Diaspora.
During this period, many wars were fought over Jerusalem; and many countries temporarily occupied this area. It was only after the Nazi Holocaust of World War II that the Jews returned to their homeland; thereby fulfilling the prophecy that in the last days they will be gathered from all nations and re-establish their homeland. As further prophesied, today, Israel is a thorn in the side of many nations.
We are also warned, that if we harm Israel or turn against her, we will be subject to punishment.
This lasted for a period in excess of 1850 years - The Jews refer to this period as the Great Diaspora.
During this period, many wars were fought over Jerusalem; and many countries temporarily occupied this area. It was only after the Nazi Holocaust of World War II that the Jews returned to their homeland; thereby fulfilling the prophecy that in the last days they will be gathered from all nations and re-establish their homeland. As further prophesied, today, Israel is a thorn in the side of many nations.
We are also warned, that if we harm Israel or turn against her, we will be subject to punishment.
After a period of glory, the Lord Almighty sent me against the nations who oppressed you. For he said, ‘Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.
[ Hebrew : Harms the apple of my eye ][ Zechariah 2:8 NLT]
[ Hebrew : Harms the apple of my eye ][ Zechariah 2:8 NLT]
We have already seen from the Bible, that God cannot change what He has decreed. This should serve as a warning to all those that are against Israel. So there should be no doubt in our minds, that the Jews being restored to their homeland, is a significant step towards fulfilling the prophecies that relate to the end of human rule, so why is this the case?
Israel's regathering is such a significant prophesy, that without them returning to their homeland, Christians would feel very strained in these prophetic days. Jesus himself stressed the importance of Israel in prophecy in relation to His return ...
Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When it's buds become tender and it's leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. [ Mat 24:32-34 NLT]
We know biblically that Israel was often referred to as either figs or a fig tree. See Jeremiah 29:17, 24:5, 8; etc. Similarly we have seen in our generation that Israel has indeed begun to sprout like a nation. When Israel returned to its' homeland, it was initially desolate and barren. After many wars, the land was not fit for occupation - water had to be purified and carried to many homes. However look at Israel today - an entire State with trees, water, buildings, etc. Consider now what Jesus says concerning the generation that will not pass away.
Many scholars believe that Jesus was referring to the destruction of the temple and Israel's dispersal in 70 AD. But let us consider the context of Jesus' message in Matthew 24 - we must bear in mind that this was said immediately after Jesus described his return to the earth and what terrible sufferings would be experienced on the earth at that time, just before he returned.
The scriptures clearly say that when we see the beginning of the End Time events taking place, the generation seeing these things won't pass away until all is fulfilled. Israel is today a thorn in the side of many nations. The United Nations, European Union and most Arab countries constantly blame Israel for defending their God-given land - given thousands of years before the Palestinians owned the occupied territories. We know that Israel will never again be uprooted from their land without biblical prophecies being fulfilled.
After all, there re-gathering was not a shot in the dark, but was prophetic right from the start.
Many scholars believe that Jesus was referring to the destruction of the temple and Israel's dispersal in 70 AD. But let us consider the context of Jesus' message in Matthew 24 - we must bear in mind that this was said immediately after Jesus described his return to the earth and what terrible sufferings would be experienced on the earth at that time, just before he returned.
The scriptures clearly say that when we see the beginning of the End Time events taking place, the generation seeing these things won't pass away until all is fulfilled. Israel is today a thorn in the side of many nations. The United Nations, European Union and most Arab countries constantly blame Israel for defending their God-given land - given thousands of years before the Palestinians owned the occupied territories. We know that Israel will never again be uprooted from their land without biblical prophecies being fulfilled.
After all, there re-gathering was not a shot in the dark, but was prophetic right from the start.
Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa
Copyright © May 2003 [ T.E.S. Ministries ]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, United States of America. all rights reserved. [6]