The following was taken from prophecy in the news...
Many Christians continue to watch the Middle East, and Israel in particular, for indications that might point to the approach of certain key events. They know developments there will one day initiate the Tribulation. Just before that, the church will be caught away.
For the last fifty-six years, prophecy watchers have maintained the central belief that modern Israel, born on May 14, 1948, is God’s timepiece for the latter days. Hundreds of books have laid out proposals for prophetic fulfillment. As early as 1893, E. W. Bullinger viewed Israel as God’s timepiece. In, The Witness of the Stars, he used eclipse cycles to calculate the years from the foundation of Babylon to the end of the Muslim possession of Jerusalem. He predicted, "From this it appears that 1896-97 would mark an important year in connection with the "times of the Gentiles."
And indeed, it did. That was the year of the First Zionist Congress, convened in Basle, Switzerland. This series of meetings left a major mark in Israel’s timeline. From that date forward, the idea of a regathered Israel attained growing prominence. Toward the end of his book, Bullinger wrote, "Therefore we are not dealing here with the coming of the Lord; either for His saints, or with them. We are not referring to what is commonly and erroneously called ‘the end of the world.’ We are merely pointing out that the end of Gentile dominion over Jerusalem is drawing near!"
How right he was! On the 24th of Chislev (Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication), Jerusalem was taken from the Turks. The Gentile date was December 9th, 1917. Troops led by British General Edmund Allenby swept across Israel toward Damascus. A little over a month before, Arthur James Balfour, writing from the British Foreign Office, had drafted a letter to Lord Rothschild, who represented the Zionist cause. Its key phrase was momentous: "His Majesty’s Government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people …"
God has placed a certain excitement in the hearts of His people. It is intimately connected with the progress of latter-day Israel. We know that the Lord has a special plan for Jerusalem. We remember that, "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob" (Psalm 87:2).
Indeed, there is even a special blessing for those who diligently attempt to unravel the timing enigmas of Christ’s coming for the Church. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:8, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Not everyone loves His appearing with such zeal that they are deeply motivated to study prophecy. Some, however, take Scripture at face value, and find it natural to follow a line of thinking that leads to discernment of the times and seasons. This is not a bad thing. Quite the contrary, the Bible urges watchfulness.
A good example of such vigilance is found in Volume Three of Kenneth Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament. Dr. Wuest, department chairman of New Testament Greek at Moody Bible Institute, wrote many interesting biblical articles. One, entitled, "Jesus of Nazareth – His Coming for His Church," laid out various terms that describe the rapture. The tone of his comments was strongly influenced by the recent emergence of Israel as a nation.
In that context, he noted, "The language [of New Testament prophecy] is clear that the believer is to expect Him at any moment, not to look for Him in connection with some predicted event for which signs have been given to Israel and not to the church."
He continued, "Events on earth are not yet in readiness for the Great Tribulation. Indeed, at this writing (1951), that period cannot come for years yet. But the Lord may return for His church at any moment."
But then he added, "All indications point to the fact that the Second Advent is near at hand. The Church has been in existence almost two thousand years. It would seem logical that God would repeat His custom of doing something of great importance at or near the turn of these two millenniums, that is, within the next half-century or so. That would be His coming to earth a second time. But the Rapture must take place before the Second Advent. All of which, means that we are fast approaching the wind-up of things. The rapture should occur within the next fifty years or so."
We are now about three years beyond Dr. Wuest’s estimate. But after all, he did say, "… half-century or so …," therefore, it’s quite possible that his opinion wasn’t really that far from the actuality. What must be remembered is that he was enthusiastic about the Lord’s return.
Should We Look Toward Israel?
Wuest’s idea that signs have been given to Israel, not the Church, is absolutely correct, and it leads to some intriguing questions. First, is it still legitimate and profitable to observe contemporary Israel, with an eye toward latter-day timing?
The answer to this question lies in simply observing the politics of the Middle East. For well over a century, Jews from all over the world have returned to Israel. Hebrew emerged as a living language. This is just as the Bible predicted:
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land" (Ezekiel 36:24).
Zephaniah 3:9 speaks of what many Jewish scholars believe to be a reference to the reemergence of Hebrew as the official language of Israel:
"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent."
There are literally dozens of similar references to regathered Israel. It would be strange if we were not interested. Furthermore, Scripture makes it abundantly clear that Israel is regathered for a specific purpose. Namely, that she be cleansed and purged of unbelievers prior to the establishment of the Kingdom.
The Tribulation Period is precisely aimed at accomplishing this end. The books of Daniel and Revelation are coordinated texts, laid out to clarify the details of the Tribulation. Daniel 12:1 reveals that Daniel’s people, the Jews, will be divinely delivered during that dark period:
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."
Here, Daniel’s people … regathered Israel – are specifically named as the central objects of the Tribulation. Without divine help, they would be headed for certain death. But the archangel Michael musters forces, which come to their rescue. Daniel 12:7 adds another important detail from this period:
"And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."
The Tribulation will bring judgment to the nations. Equally as important, it will cause Israel to realize that without their God, they are nothing. Over the years, they have been a proud people, convinced that their own talent and initiative will deliver them safely into the Kingdom.
Here, we learn that their power will be scattered (or broken), and they will at last, admit that they need to place the Lord at the center of their lives.
Jesus’ own words tell us that all this activity will center around Jerusalem. The terrors of the Tribulation will take the Jews completely by surprise. Just as the angel told Daniel, the Jews will one day be assaulted in a fierce and unrelenting barrage of cataclysmic events.
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand
"Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains" (Matthew 24:15,16).
These verses pinpoint the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel as the focus of the Tribulation. Detailed in the book of Revelation, the Jews must flee for their very lives. But, as Daniel said, divine forces will intervene on their behalf, and they shall be delivered.
Over the years, many Bible scholars have pointed to key dates, which they sincerely believed were end-time indicators. Recalling the 1917 capture of Jerusalem, many believed that the 24th of Kislev was a direct fulfillment of Haggai 2:18:
"Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’S temple was laid, consider it."
This date marks the festival of dedication. It recalls the oppression of Antiochus IV, Epiphanes, when the Jewish Temple was rescued by the Maccabees. Did Allenby’s capture of Jerusalem fulfill the prophecy of Haggai? Some would say that it does, since Allenby’s action was similar to the Maccabean liberation of Jerusalem. Some would dismiss it as insignificant.
Christians were especially excited when Israeli forces regained the Temple Mount in 1967. In the decade following this event, there was widespread anticipation that the Third Temple would soon be built. That, of course, would establish conditions thought to be necessary for the Antichrist to set up his headquarters in Jerusalem.
Roadmap To Peace?
For the last ten to fifteen years, there has been the general sense that Israel is a house divided. Because of this, and because of the "remote-control" foreign policy that is forced upon them by the U.S. State Department, they seem powerless to act.
Moreover, the dominant secular, left-wing Labor Party has been gradually supplanted by conservative and religious parties. The result is vitriolic squabbling in the Knesset, and a failure to unite on critical policy issues. Surrounded by an enemy that desires their extinction, they temporize in the hope that some "Roadmap to Peace," will appease the adversary. History teaches us that this policy invariably leads to a climactic conflict. In Israel’s case, prophecy teaches that every nation on earth will eventually come against them.
Israel was founded on the basis of early 20th-century social doctrine, with collective farms [kibbutzim], state-controlled housing and policies designed to give Jewish immigrants balanced and equal opportunities in the new country.
After centuries of exile, Israel’s founders also deeply believed in the establishment of a peaceful community. One of their first actions was to extend the olive branch to their new neighbors.
As the 1978 Near East Report – Myths and Facts put it, "On May 15, 1948, Israel’s Declaration of Independence extended friendship to her neighbors. On the same day five Arab armies invaded the partitioned territory. As Egyptian and Jordanian armies swept into Israel, they also occupied the land that was to have been the Arab state. Jordan later annexed the West Bank and Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip. Thus, it was Egypt and Jordan, not Israel, which thwarted the birth of a Palestinian Arab State. Israel in 1948 claimed only those areas allotted to her by the partition plan and the adjustments caused by the cease-fire lines of the 1948 war. That is all Israel held for almost 20 years."
America, Israel and Islam
Though Iraq dominates the world news, Israel is the central issue. Like a magnet, it is drawing influences together that will reach critical mass and ignite. Is it a coincidence that at this crucial moment in history, the U.S. has extended its influence to the territory of ancient Babylon? At the same time, we are Israel’s primary support. Our wealth and weapons have long provided for the Zionist dream.
In the most vitriolic way, the Arabs detest the Zionist cause. The PLO Charter denies Israel’s right to exist. Their current Foreign Minister, Farouk Kaddoumi, was interviewed in April, 2004, by the Jordanian newspaper, Al-Arab. His comments, quoted in WorldNetDaily, constitute a rare, honest appraisal of what Palestinian leaders really believe.
He said, "There is no doubt that the Palestinian revolution supports the Iraqi resistance and we have seen demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories in backing the intifada and resistance in Iraq. I’m in charge of this issue and I condemn the American position."
Referring to the Israeli–U.S. plan to withdraw from Gaza, he said, "If Israel wants to leave the Gaze Strip, then it should do so. This means that the Palestinian resistance has forced it to leave. But the resistance will continue. Let the Gaza Strip be South Vietnam. We will use all available methods to liberate North Vietnam." Asked whether the PLO would halt terror attacks to achieve peace with Israel, he replied, "They can go to hell!"
At the same time, PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat reasserted that the Palestinians will never retreat from their aspiration to achieve national sovereignty. He also mentioned that "holy Jerusalem" will soon be the Palestinian capital.
Gaza, Today’s News
In today’s Israel, the hot issue is Gaza. In mid-April, Ariel Sharon and George Bush met to discuss Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. The central question involved the wisdom of appeasing the PLO. Sharon returned to Israel, determined to convince Knesset factions that withdrawal would be a wise move. So far, they have refused to allow his plan to become a reality.
One might react with the thought that this is only one more Israeli argument that will go unresolved. But it’s more than that. The prophet Zephaniah, writing about the "day of the Lord," visualizes Israel in ways that are startlingly similar to 21st-century realities:
"Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
"For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
"Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
"And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
"And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity" (Zephaniah 2:3-7).
The territory of Gaza, the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod and the land of region of Ekron are in the news every day. They are the "South Vietnam" of the Arab struggle to overthrow all of Israel.
Zephaniah’s prophecy assures the overthrow of this portion of Israel, and its return to the Jews! Furthermore, he places it in the context of the Tribulation.
Especially, note verse three. Its advice to Israel, is that they should return to the Lord, in order to escape the rigors of the Tribulation.
This prophecy even calls attention to the "Cherethites." In Hebrew, this word means "running assassins." In modern parlance, it means "terrorists!" The event is set, the people are in place and the names are contemporary. The "Philistines" – the ancient people of the sea – are symbolic of their modern namesakes, the Palestinians. Though the two aren’t genetically related, they both function in the same role. They wish to defeat Israel.
The message is plain. The Palestinians will still inhabit Gaza at the beginning of the Tribulation! The time must be very near! Should the Church watch Israel to gauge the nearness of the rapture? Of course, since we know that it will be caught away by the Lord long before the dawning of the Tribulation.
There are many prophecies that tell us the time is short. Look for them. Remember that in this day of "peace and safety," crucial events are drawing us toward the awaited hour.
Oh man after reading this from Zephaniah 2 3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger. 4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. 5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. 6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. 7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
Something is SOOOON to happen whoo hoo even so come Lord Jesus
Posted by: Hitch
Jesus said that, most folks seem to agree he was speaking of the Second Advent, that only the Father knows the time.
Isnt it reasonable to think this implies, if not proves, that such information is not contained within the Scriptures? After all if it were in the Scriptures is it possible Jesus coulld have missed it?
I always at a loss to know why everyone expects 'signs' etc,,, there were none when he left and the angels there reported he would return the same way. Bodily and without prior notice.
There is a great deal invested in trying to guess when this event will occur, despite our Lord's plain statements that it is not possible, and it is all wasted if indeed the information is held personally by the Father and was never passed through inspiration to the authors of the Scriptures.
