“The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70); and if by reasons of strength they be fourscore (80) years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
Psalm 90:10
Today, May 14, 2018 Jews and Christians alike celebrate the 70th birthday of the actual refounding of the modern day state of Israel. Jews celebrate because of the foretold Promise God made to Abraham:
“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram (Abraham), saying ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.”
Genesis 15:18
“I will give to you and your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning’s, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Genesis 17:8
Christians celebrate because of the long-awaited, coming fulfillment of the prophecies Christ made regarding the re-creation of the new Israel in the Last Days:
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree (Israel): When its branch has already become tender and put forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
Matthew 24:32-34
The generation that sees these things Jesus spoke of on the Mount of Olives WOULD NOT PASS until ALL these things take place! In the Bible, a generation is often referred to as a time of 70 years. In the beginning Scripture above a generation is referred to as 70 years, unless “…by reasons of strength” it is 80 years! Think about this for a moment! Between 2,000 to 2,600 years ago, while the Jews were still in Israel, there were many prophecies regarding them being dispersed and then “…in the last days” ultimately brought back to their God Promised land. For almost 2,000 years it was viewed by most secularists for the Jews to return to Israel would be an impossible feat. After all, they had been scattered throughout the world for many, many centuries They were and still are the most persecuted group of people in the history of the world and yet through the Grace of God were still able to hold together as a single people with a common faith and language. In fact, when King Louis XIV asked Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal in the 1600’s to prove the existence of God, Pascal’s simple answer was “The Jew”. Even though dynasties and tyrants throughout history have tried to eradicate the Jews as part of Satan’s attempt to disprove God’s covenant with Abraham, they have always failed to finalize Satan’s wishes:
“They have said, ‘Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
Psalm 83:4
Even though many Christian leaders doubted the 100% accuracy of God’s prophecies and instead created what became known as “replacement theology”, they believed it would be impossible for the Jews to ultimately fulfill the prophecies God intended for them because of their global dispersion and their rejection and sins against Jesus Christ. Instead they taught the Promise God made to the Jews was actually to apply to Christians who had now “replaced” the Jews as His chosen people. Of course, as always, God’s Word is Final and Everlasting. As promised, the Jews returned to the land of Israel and re-created their promised land.
“And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.”
Jeremiah 23:3
Most of us were not alive during the events which led up to their return. World War II and the decision by Adolf Hitler to eradicate the Jews as part of his Final Solution killed 6 million Jews in the Nazi death camps. Remember at the same time, Jews were also being massacred in many other places like Russia, China, the Mideast, etc. It is estimated that approximately one third of all Jews in the entire world were killed in the early to mid-1940s. And yet, a relatively small group of them were still able to return to Israel by way of the United Nations and the British Mandate; and, were able to re-establish the country of Israel a mere THREE years after their mass killings ceased. Can you imagine that? After one third of their world wide population were viciously murdered they were still able to come together from all around the world and form a nation IN ONE DAY!
“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once?”
Isaiah 66:8
It easily can happen when God has your back! Not only were the Jews able to re-create the Nation of Israel but within days they were able to then fend off vicious invasions by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, et.al. who had over 100 million people (compared to only 2.8 million Jews and Arabs in Israel) and much stronger militaries. But, the Jews had God! Guess who won that one? Since that time, not only have the Jews ALWAYS defeated the enemy nations that despise her, but in doing so have also fulfilled other prophecies (e.g., regaining the land promised to Abraham by God, including the entire city of Jerusalem in the 1967 war). When all these things are taken together, it surely proves the 100% accuracy of the Bible and Gods Promises to the Jews as well as the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Last Days that we Christians have been anxiously waiting.
We are in a unique time period! 101 years ago Great Britain proclaimed the right of the Jewish people to have their own country in Palestine. 70 years ago TODAY the nation of Israel was born. 51 years ago the Jews recaptured the city of Jerusalem. Coincidence? Only God knows but we should always be looking up!. One thing we do know about how we should treat Israel…
“And I will bless those who bless you, and the one that curses you I will curse.”
Genesis 12:3
Just as President Truman recognized the Nation of Israel within a few minutes after they proclaimed their independence, President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel last December. This recognition was passed by the U.S. Congress in the 1990’s but President’s Clinton, Bush and Obama refused to act on this citing “security concerns”. Today, the U.S. Embassy is officially being moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This move has been replicated by a number of other countries who are also relocating their embassies based solely on American leadership regarding our close relationship with Israel. This is another prophetic milestone as it will encourage the Jews to now rebuild their 3rd Holy Temple, something they have not been able to do since they gave the Palestinian Authority control over the Temple Mount.
In addition, over the past year we have witnessed stunning events in Israel. American support for Israel has come back strongly which had been dramatically damaged by President Obama with his Iran Nuclear deal; his decision to abstain from voting against the UN decision to name Israel as an “occupier”; the use of State Department money to try to negatively influence the Israeli election of Benjamin Netanyahu; looking the other way as Russia, Turkey and Iran mobilized their forces in Syria; etc. In fact, over the last year Russia, Turkey and Iran have now signed a collaborative agreement unheard of in history but prophesied in Ezekiel 38 & 39. While no one is allowed to give exact dates of prophecies happening, we are all warned by Jesus to be on the lookout for these prophecies and their fulfillment. By knowing the accuracy of all of God’s prophecies and also being witness to their unbelievable complete fulfillment in our lifetimes with God’s Promise that the generation who witnessed these things would not pass until ALL these things have happened, that to me is very comforting! And, I hope we can all continue to “…therefore, comfort one another with these words.”
May God Bless you and may God continue to Bless Israel! Happy 70th Birthday!