The Signature of God -- Part Two

In part one of this series, we looked at the incredible detail with which the prophecies concerning the Messiah's First Advent were fulfilled in the life and times of the Lord Jesus Christ. We also discussed that movement within the Church that says all prophecy was fulfilled by AD 70 and that the Church has replaced Israel as the recipient of the promised blessings. (But none of the corresponding curses).

It was an easy enough sell in previous generations, when it seemed like that was the case. There had been no significant activity in the area of Bible prophecy for almost 2000 years, during which time, the only thing that fell on Israel were the curses.

But then, following the Second World War, a miracle occurred, setting the stage for a whole series of events, all prophesied by Scripture for the last days. Moreover, those events were lining up with Bible prophecy as specifically and with as much detail as did the prophecies regarding the First Advent. Remember Professor Stoner's illustration of the odds that ten prophecies could be fulfilled in the life of one individual?

One chance in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000.

What are the odds regarding the restoration of Israel to the same piece of ground from which she had been expelled twenty centuries earlier? Unfortunately, I don't know. Nobody has calculated them, to my knowledge. Especially since those ancient prophecies are continuing to be fulfilled before our eyes.

The Bible prophesied of the nation of Israel;

1. Disobedience would lead to the nation of Israel being scattered amongst all nations. (Deuteronomy 28:64, Leviticus 26:33, Jeremiah 9:16, Ezekiel 12:15)

2. No rest for their souls while in exile amongst the nations (Deuteronomy 28:65-66) For nearly 2000 years following the destruction in AD 70, the 'wandering Jew' has lived without a homeland, flag, or national identity, apart from being a Jew. subject to the strongest racial prejudice and torment suffered by any ethnic group in all recorded history. The first nation to ever extend full citizenship to the Jew was the United States of America in 1776. To this day, in many nations, simply being a Jew is a crime.

3. God himself would restore the Jews to the land of Israel from all the nations. (Jeremiah 16:14-16. Jeremiah 3:14, 31:8-9, Isaiah 60:8-9, Deuteronomy 30:3, Amos 9:15.)

4. The desolate land of Israel would again blossom and be fruitful in the last days. (Zechariah 7:14, Leviticus 26:14, Ezekiel 15:8 Jeremiah 9:12-13, 23:10, 44:22 Isaiah 32:13, 35:1, Ezekiel 36:35) Israel is the single largest exporter of citrus fruit to Europe – indeed, Israel exports tulips to Holland. But until the Jews returned to the land in the 20th century, it remained a barren desert.

5. God Himself would defend Israel and cause Israel to be mighty in battle. (Zechariah 12:8) Israel’s military might is ranked among the great nations of the world. The rag-tag survivors of the Holocaust, equipped with obsolete war surplus arms and equipment, defeated the combined might of the Arab legions in 1948, then again in 1956, 1967 and 1973.

6. In the last days, Jerusalem would be a burden to the entire world. (Zechariah 12:2-3) Israel is just 0.01% of the world’s population, but has been the object of one third of all resolutions passed by the UN.

7. In the end, all nations shall come against Israel. (Zechariah 14:2, Revelation 16:14-16)

8. The final battle will be over Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2) – Is there a city on the face of the earth whose ownership is more hotly contested?

9. The antichrist will come to power by confirming a seven-year covenant between Israel and her enemies. (Daniel 9:24) – This is a prize sought after by all the nations of the earth and all the world’s most ambitious diplomats – peace in the Middle East.

10. Israel in the last days will be restored a pure language. (Zephaniah 3:9) Hebrew, a language dead since the days of ancient Rome, is today the working language of the Israeli state.

Assessment:

All these events have been fulfilled, or are clearly on the verge of being fulfilled, in this generation. There is no foreseeable outcome to the Arab-Israeli conflict, which is precisely the way the Bible said it would be when the antichrist makes his power play.

The conflict is the center of global attention at all times. And there is nobody who is neutral. Any nation who does not back Israel, actively works to destroy her. Those nations who do support Israel are immediate targets of terrorism.

"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces . . ." (Zechariah 12:3)

Those who assert that all Bible prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 and that Israel's blessings transferred to the Church almost invariably despise Israel and support the Palestinian 'cause'.

That much is evident from the exchanges that take place in our unregistered forums. The venom with which they advance their argument is ample evidence of its source, and we'll leave it there. "By their fruits, ye shall know them" saith the Scriptures.

Clearly, Bible prophecy has been fulfilled literally concerning the First Advent and it is certain that God has not abandoned Israel as His plan for His Chosen People continues to unfold.