Israel is God’s timepiece in these End Times through which we can see God’s prophetic clock counting down each day to the return of Jesus Christ her Messiah. Israel is also the fig tree that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 24 and although nobody can know the hour of His return we can sense the season.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Matthew 24:32-34)
Israel is that fig tree that budded in 1948, which poses the question, will this generation be the one that sees the Return of our Lord? No matter what you believe about the Second Coming or the timing of the Rapture, one can only stand in awe at the regathering of the Jewish People from across the globe.
After 2000 years of wandering the earth, the Jewish People finally had a homeland once more when in May 1948, the modern State of Israel was born. Only God could have accomplished so great a miracle after so many years of diaspora. What’s more, this was prophesied thousands of years before, that He would call His People back to their homeland.
In Jeremiah 31 we read how God loves the Jewish People with an everlasting love and will restore the remnant of Israel. “Behold, I will gather them from the ends of the earth… For I am a Father to Israel… He who scattered Israel with gather him and keep him as a shepherd does his flock… for I will turn their mourning to joy… when I bring them back from captivity.”
Tragically the Jewish People would first have to suffer enormous persecution through the ages and endure the horror of the Holocaust when six million Jews were exterminated on an industrial scale. This could have been avoided by the provision of a Jewish homeland by Lord Balfour in 1917 but the enemy would not let this happen without many more battles.
Israel, a nation reborn
However, on the 14th May 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel / the Land of Israel. Of course, as the enemy has always done, he came to attack the fledgeling nation. Though Israel was completely surrounded by hostile Arab nations who sought her complete obliteration, Israel stood firm. And, her covenant-keeping God provided an extraordinary victory in much the same way as with David, thousands of years before, and Goliath was slain.
Sadly more wars would follow, but each time Israel would take back new territory. In 1967, during the Six Day War, the holy city of Jerusalem was finally returned to the Jewish People and became the capital of Israel. Sadly many nations did not recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, however President Trump moved the US embassy to the city in 2017. In 2019 the US recognised the Golan Heights as being part of Israel by presidential proclamation and in days to come the State of Israel may take back parts of Judea and Samaria.
So we wait in awe to see what God is going to do next. Could it be the restoration of the Temple Mount to the Jewish People? Could it be the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple that the New Testament describes? The Book of Revelation talks about the antichrist setting up the “abomination of desolation” in the temple, which may mean that the ancient Jewish temple has to be rebuilt. Could it be the rediscovery of the ancient Ark of the Covenant that would facilitate this? We will have to see.
These are exciting times we live in when God is proving Himself to be the covenant-keeping God of His ancient people and we as gentiles are privileged to play our part. Let us support God’s plan for Israel and be a blessing to the Jewish People, knowing that this, in turn, will bring blessing upon ourselves and our families. Let us also make sure we are right with God for Jesus could return at any time.
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13; 11-12)
The Golden Gate in Jerusalem or Eastern Gate of the Temple Mount. It is has been walled up since 1541 and it is said that Jesus will enter the city through this gate when He returns.
Also read: Is God calling you to have a heart for Israel? Ruth Fazal shares how God called her to love the Jewish people and The Return Of Jesus, When Will This Happen?
Stand With Israel
"Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed" (Numbers 24:9) We aim to help readers discover the purpose of Israel as a nation in God's End Time Plan, the Jewish roots of Christianity and how God expects us to treat His ancient Covenant People, the Jews.
