Israel Turns 60

[Eli Brayley]

This week the modern state of Israel celebrated its 60th anniversary. At 12am on May 14, 1948, the fledgling nation announced its statehood with the following declaration: "Our call goes out to the Jewish people all over the world to rally to our side ... and to stand by us in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the dream of generations for the redemption of Israel."

Eleven minutes later U.S. President Harry Truman announced his recognition. Jews celebrated throughout the world. In Rome they paraded under the ancient Arch of Titus, which was built almost 2,000 years ago to celebrate the conquest of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in 70 A.D. and which features depictions of Jewish captives and articles from the Jewish temple.

After two millennia of persecution, the Jews were back and they still spoke their ancient language! This is one of the most amazing events in history and proves the divine inspiration of the Bible, which predicted it 4,000 years ago. Israel's entire history was prophesied by Moses and recorded in the book of Deuteronomy.

God warned that if Israel broke His law she would be "plucked from off the land" and scattered "among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other" (Deut. 28:63-64). There the Jews would "find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life" (Deut. 28:65-66).

This is an accurate description of the last two millennia of Israel's history. Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman armies under Titus and in 135 A.D. Jerusalem was plowed under by order of Emperor Hadrian in response to the Jewish rebellion led by Bar Kochbar. The Jewish people were scattered to the ends of the earth and found no rest.

They were hated by the Muslims and hounded and persecuted by the Greek Orthodox Byzantines and the Roman Catholic Church for a thousand years.

Hitler tried to destroy them.

Giving preference to the Arabs, England tried to keep them from returning to their land after World War II. Most of the world is still opposed to Israel and the reporting in secular publications about the Middle East crisis is generally slanted against her. But Bible prophecy foretold that Israel would be brought back into her land and that she would remain a nation even after all of this, and that is exactly what happened in 1948. Never before in the history of the world has a race of people been scattered throughout the world and persecuted for 2,000 years and then come back together as a nation.

Bible prophecy describes the restoration of Israel in two parts. First, she would return to the land in a state of unbelief. Then she would be converted. The amazing prophecy in Ezekiel 37:1-14 describes these two stages. Israel is depicted as a valley of bones that are resurrected. First the bones are given sinews and flesh and they stand up but with no breath in them, and next God breathes upon these dead bones and they live.

The first part of the prophecy has been fulfilled. Israel is back in her land as a nation, but she is there in unbelief. She continues to reject her Messiah, Jesus Christ. She has no temple or priesthood and no true worship. During the Great Tribulation God will grant repentance unto Israel and will breathe spiritual life into her and she will live.

The continued existence of Israel is a very great miracle and an irrefutable evidence of the divine inspiration of the Bible, and it reminds us that we need to be ready for Christ's return.

www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=23536&forum=35

[Josh Parsley]

What do you think about what I mentioned over on SI? I'll quote it here:

Hello,

Can I be provocative?

Quote:

First, she would return to the land in a state of unbelief. Then she would be converted. The amazing prophecy in Ezekiel 37:1-14 describes these two stages. Israel is depicted as a valley of bones that are resurrected. First the bones are given sinews and flesh and they stand up but with no breath in them, and next God breathes upon these dead bones and they live.

Are there any other instances in the scripture where Israel was able to enter back into the land in a state of unbelief? Or is the sole evidence based on the interpretation of those verses you referenced?

In other words, has the general rule always been that Israel would repent then they would be placed back into the land, but for this final time it's reversed?

2Ch 30:9 For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children [shall find] compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God [is] gracious and merciful, and will not turn away [his] face from you, if ye return unto him.

I'm just being provocative, I don't have the answers.

and

My question is, why is is that in history past they always had to be right with God as a whole to enter or abide in the land and yet this time they don't? If in history past this is what happened then why didn't we see a large revival of Jews turning to Christ right before/or at the same time they were restored to the land?

[rebecca]

I was thinking that in a way it seems that when they return back to their homeland they may in a sense be turning back to God. I don't know of any Jews that do not believe that the land has been given to them by God so not in every case but in most cases they usually return for protection or provision. If they are born again Jews than they would in most cases be returning out of their love for the Lord and thier people.

[runner4jesus]

Amen, Eli. Your quote: The continued existence of Israel is a very great miracle and an irrefutable evidence of the divine inspiration of the Bible, and it reminds us that we need to be ready for Christ's return.

Amen!

[Josh Parsley]

May 16, 2008 12:14:20 GMT -7 @rebecca said:

I was thinking that in a way it seems that when they return back to their homeland they may in a sense be turning back to God. I don't know of any Jews that do not believe that the land has been given to them by God so not in every case but in most cases they usually return for protection or provision. If they are born again Jews than they would in most cases be returning out of their love for the Lord and thier people.

Well, I don't think you can turn to God without turning to Jesus Christ. I understand what you are saying though.

[rebecca]

May 16, 2008 13:11:51 GMT -7 Josh Parsley said:

May 16, 2008 12:14:20 GMT -7 @rebecca said:

I was thinking that in a way it seems that when they return back to their homeland they may in a sense be turning back to God. I don't know of any Jews that do not believe that the land has been given to them by God so not in every case but in most cases they usually return for protection or provision. If they are born again Jews than they would in most cases be returning out of their love for the Lord and thier people.

Well, I don't think you can turn to God without turning to Jesus Christ. I understand what you are saying though.

Yes, you cannot turn to God without turning to Jesus. Most of them turn to God but not fully just like some professing christians. I have always believed that God has a remnant now just as He always has had. I cannot prove this using scripture but it's just something that I believe. Right now I believe it's possible that only 10% of professing christians really are christians but I don't want to go off on a bunny trail.

Most christians that I have talked to do not seem to have God's interests as their interests. They are not looking for the betterment of themselves a christians or their fellow brother. They neglect the two greatest commandments to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself.

Getting back to the subject though I believe it's the remnant that God pays attention to and these are they that will return to the Lord.

Hope that makes sense. I have alot going on in my house right now.

[Eli Brayley]

Actually, Margie, I didn't write this, but copied it from someone's post on Sermonindex. Amen though! Israel is indeed such a statement.

Josh, that is an excellent question, and I'm glad you asked it. The idea of Israel returning and being established in the land in a state of unbelief is only and absolutely drawn from Scripture. First of all, consider that Israel as a nation has never existed in a state of true covenantal obedience to God. Their numerous captivities never once produced the change of heart that is required for them to be the inheritance of God He intends them to be. Consider the results of the Holocaust: Jewish sentiments after 1/3 of them had just gone through one of the most appalling sagas of history was not "God, we repent", but "Never again!" And not a "never again" because God will be with us, but because "we won't ever allow something like that to happen again. Our own arm will see to that." Not a disposition of contrition that we would expect necessary for Israel to return to the land after 2000 years! But they have returned. What does this mean, in the light of Scripture?

The solution to the Jewish question is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Israel has been blind ever since they became a people; they have never truly known the God of their covenant, nor have they understood their election by grace. "Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you." (Deut. 9:24) What is required for them to turn, and what is prophesied to come? Nothing less than the second coming of Jesus Christ, following the unparalleled time of Jacob's trouble.

Jeremiah 30 and 31, which has to do with this event of tribulation and revelation, begins first with a command for Jeremiah to write the prophecy down in a book and seal it for days in the future. I believe those days refer to our days today. Such language signifies an extended period of time between the giving of the prophecy and its fulfillment, seeing past much farther than the end of the Babylonian captivity (for none of the Jeremiah 30-31 prophesies were fulfilled in that time; Jacob's trouble, the nation's regeneration, etc.). But what does God say immediately after this sealing, and immediately before the verse concerning Jacob's trouble (the great tribulation)?

"For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it." (Jeremiah 30:3)

Here you'll find no language describing repentance, humility or godly return to the land. There is no language of returning to an everlasting possession like in Isaiah 60:21. It's just a fact. God is stating that they shall return to their land in the days to come immediately prior to the great tribulation (verses 5-8).

Notice another, or second, return prophesied here in 30:10, "Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid." AFTER the great tribulation, when Israel shall AGAIN be scattered from the land into the Gentile nations, as the Scriptures have foretold, Christ shall appear in glory and will gather them back to Himself and to His land. "He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock." (Jeremiah 31:10) So there are two comings spoken of here in this one chapter, a return in unbelief, and a return in grace. A return in preparation for Christ's return, and a return in consequence of Christ's return.

Israel becoming a nation again in 1948 should cause every Christian believer to rejoice and lift up their heads for their redemption draws nigh. It is one of the greatest signs of the times, and though there are many very evil days ahead of us, whatever darkness there shall be is but a momentary light affliction in comparison to the weight of glory that shall be revealed when our Lord Jesus shall come. Praise God!

For Christ to come, first antichrist must revealed. For antichrist to revealed, first the temple must be built. For the temple to built, first Israel must be a nation again. That happened in 1948. When will the temple be built? Let us watch and pray, and occupy ourselves in preaching the gospel to every creature, that we may be found in Him, doing His will, patient in faith, waiting in hope.

[rebecca]

Just in case you weren't aware there is a sight that has an exhibit of all of the artifacts ect... they are creating for the temple mount.

www.templeinstitute.org/gallery.htm

It's interesting to see the last link titled "Tomorrow": www.templeinstitute.org/gallery_49.htm . It looks as though they are ready. I think it's also very possible that they may even try and use this mock replica of the ark of the covenant. Anything is possible...

www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery_14.htm

[rebecca]

Here's some great pictures of the temple mount.

www.templeinstitute.org/recent_visit_video.htm