“And he said unto them, These are the words which I (Jesus) spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, AND IN THE PSALMS (capitals mine), concerning me. Then opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”

Luke 24:44-45

Over 30 years ago I heard an interview on the Southwest Radio Church program about a book titled Hidden Prophecies in the Psalms by J.R. Church. Its main premise that there were many prophecies in the Book of Psalms intrigued me. I bought the book and read it in a very short period of time. I heartily recommend it to anyone who finds this post interesting because it highlights up to 1986 (when it was published) a number of prophecies spoken of in the Book of Psalms, and perhaps, a more definitive timeline for future End Time events. My intent here is not to revisit the contents of the book but rather to move forward with its stated belief that there are hidden prophecies in the Book of Psalms and many more which have occurred since its publication in 1986.

First of all, Mr. Church was surprised by the scripture because he was not aware of any prophecies in the Book of Psalms, much like what you see in the books of Daniel, Isaiah, Matthew, Revelation, etc. The more he delved into it however, the accuracy of those events foretold applying to today became very obvious and he felt a written explanation of how it pertained to today was in line. As he began his study he was surprised at how prophecies BY CHAPTER aligned with actual fulfillment BY YEAR starting in the twentieth century. For example, if you read the despair the Jews felt in Chapter 44 (“Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.” – verse 11 and, “Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter” – verse 22), it corresponds exactly with how they must have felt in 1944 as they were being persecuted and killed by the Nazis. If you then read Chapter 46, in 1946 after the end of World War II (“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. “ – verse 1 and, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” – verse 7) you can probably relate to the joy they felt when finally being freed from their despair of Chapter 44.

The key thing, to me, that Mr. Church relates in his book, is the accuracy of Jewish events occurring since 1900 by chapter. So, 1901 relates to the first chapter of Psalms; 1902 relates to the second chapter; and so forth. Coincidence? Go to your Bible and count the number of books until you get the Book of Psalms. I will give you a hint. It is NOT the 4th or 12th book of the Bible. It is the 19th book of the Holy Bible!! Could it be in God’s infinite wisdom He gave us prophecies in the Book of Psalms that directly relate to the Jewish nation and people since 1900? Just a few more examples of how these dates correspond to the chapters of the Book of Psalms does require remembering various events in the history of the Jewish people since 1900 when the Zionist movement started working on getting the Jews back to their God Promised land of Israel:

• 1917 (Psalms 17) – At the end of WWI General Allenby stood outside the City of Jerusalem waiting to defeat the Ottoman Turks who held the city and were aligned with Germany. Afraid of the destruction that would fall upon the holy sites of the city if he attacked, he prayed to God to show him how he could expel the Turks and regain the city. At a time when many in the world had never seen an airplane, he had planes fly overhead dropping leaflets telling the occupiers to give up. Feeling the message was directly from allah, the Turks fled the city and General Allenby took the city WITHOUT firing a single shot. “Hear the right, O Lord attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.” – verse 1. It is also interesting that verse 8 asks God to “…hide me under the shadow of thy wings (airplane?)”
• 1938 (Psalms 38) – The start of the rounding up incarceration of the Jews in the death camps in Germany and Poland. “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.” – verses 11-12.
• 1948 (Psalms 48) – The rebirth of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948 fulfilling God’s Promises that the land of Israel was ALWAYS to be for the Jews. “As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah.” – verse 8. “Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” – verses 13-14.

Again, I suggest you read his book for more clarity and events per year but the purpose of this post is to see if the prophecies from 1987 (after its publication) continue. It actually is relatively easy to determine. Go to Google and search Israel and the year to see what happened to the Jews in Israel that year. Then read the corresponding Psalm to determine if those events are mentioned. Or, simply read below a few of the things I discovered…

1987 (Psalm 87) – Israel and Jordan sign a historic  peace agreement in London. “His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” – verse 1-2

1989 (Psalm 89) – One of the largest forest fires in Israel’s history breaks out. “Then I will visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.” – verse 32

1990 (Psalm 90) – The U.S. approves a $400 million load to Israel to house Soviet Jews retuning to Israel – “Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return ye children of men.” – verse 3

1991 (Psalm 91) – Iraq launches 8 SCUD missiles into Israel hoping to provoke a war – “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” – verse 5

1992 (Psalm 92) – 415 Hamas activists are deported to Lebanon – “For lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.” – verse 9

1994 (Psalm 94) – Some of the most horrific suicide bombings in Israel’s history occur with increasing frequency – “They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.” – verses 5-6

2000 (Psalm 100) – For only the second time in history, a Pope visited Israel and placed a note praying for forgiveness for those acting against the Jews at the Wailing Wall – “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” – verse 4

2002 (Psalm 102) – Israel builds their “wall” separating the West Bank from Jewish population centers resulting in a 90% drop in terror attacks in Israel – “Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.” – verse 8

2005 (Psalm 105) – There are numerous military engagements between Israel and Hezbollah in Syria and Lebanon after Israel is attacked – “He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved  kings for their sakes; Saying, touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” – verses 14 – 15

2006 (Psalm 106) – The infamous Lebanon War was fought – “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” – verse 8, “And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” – verse 10

2017 (Psalm 117) – President Donald Trump visits Israel and becomes the first ever sitting President of the U.S. to visit the Western Wall, praying for peace in Israel – “O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.” – verse 1

2018 marks a historic year for modern day Israel. Seventy years ago this coming May 14th, the Nation of Israel declared their independence in total fulfillment of Christ’s prophecies on the Mount of Olives where He mentioned that we should all be on the lookout for the “rebirth” of Israel in the Last Days (Matthew 24:32-33). As you know, seventy is a special number in God’s Creation and is mentioned specifically as the age of a generation. So, what does Psalm 118 (equal to 2018) say? “Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth forever.” – verse 2. “I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.” – verse 5. “All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.” – verse 10. “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” – verse 17. “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” – verse 29.

While I do not believe it is up to me or anyone else interested in Biblical prophecy to set times and dates, I do believe God has spoken of what will be and have told us to be on the watch for the end time events He has related to us. Is it possible on the 70th anniversary year that the War of Gog and Magog will happen? I don’t know! But, I also would not be surprised retrospectively to be able to go back afterwards and reread Psalm 118 and be able to say, “We should have seen that coming.”

The beauty of the Holy Bible is there are so many, many prophecies. Some have occurred exactly as it said they would. Others are happening today and we are told to be aware because it will come as “…a thief in the night” to those who are not aware or watching. Are you scared or comforted knowing what God has told us? If you are like me, I encourage you to “…comfort one another with these words.”

May God Bless You!!!