THOUGHTS ON ISRAEL…

EZEKIEL 28:25-26: “This is what the Lord God says: “When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and show Myself holy among them in the sight of the nations, then they will live on their land which I gave to My servant Jacob. They will live on it securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards, and live securely when I execute judgments upon all around them who despise them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.”

OBSERVATION: Just a few days ago savage terrorists attacked the nation of Israel and performed horrific acts of violence against innocent civilians, women, and children. Israel responded immediately and declared war against the terrorist group Hamas which is responsible for these horrific acts.

In the world, there are two responses to these current events. Some are taking a strong stand for Israel and against terrorism. Others are siding with the terrorists and the ugly head of antisemitism is rising once again. Those who oppose Israel claim that they have stolen this land and do not belong there.

The Bible, history, and the prophets like Ezekiel do not agree. It was God who gave the land of Israel to the Jewish nation. And, it was God who judged Israel for their sin and hardness of heart and caused them to be dispersed in both the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.

The Jews were restored briefly in Israel under the reign of the Medes and the Persians. The Jews would live again in Israel for just over 600 years only to be expelled once again in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the second Temple and the Jews were dispersed from their homeland once again.

For over 2000 years they wandered without a home. At the end of World War II, after the great atrocities of the Holocaust orchestrated under Germany and Adolph Hitler, the Jews were gathered once again and allowed to return to their homeland as the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.

God has gathered His chosen people back to their homeland once again. He has made covenant promises to the Jewish people which are recorded throughout Scripture and in these verses from Ezekiel.

• ‘‘This is what the Lord God says: “When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and show Myself holy among them in the sight of the nations, then they will live on their land which I gave to My servant Jacob. They will live on it securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards, and live securely when I execute judgments upon all around them who despise them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.”  Ezekiel 28:25-26

The first exile was the judgment of God for the idolatry of Israel. The second exile was the judgment of God for their hardness of heart and rejection and crucifixion of The Messiah. Yet, once again God has gathered the Jewish nation to Israel. It is not the work of man but the sovereign hand of God. He has prospered and protected them and will continue to do so in these end times.

All of history will turn its focus on this tiny nation. The nations of the world will try to destroy Israel but ultimately they will fail. When Jesus Christ returns with the armies of heaven to establish His Millennial Kingdom – it is from Jerusalem that He will reign.

• “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south…On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” Zechariah 14:3-4,8-9

We are living in the days of fulfillment. The rapture of the church is imminent. The final days and the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation are at hand. Jesus taught us that when these things begin to take place we are to look up for our redemption is drawing nigh. May all God’s people begin to look up, make their hearts ready for the return of the Lord, and may we all in unity pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

In Jesus’ Name!