Despite the
surprising and amazing events experienced in these days, the greatest of all
signs of the end times-and yet the least emphasized-is the return of the Jewish
people to the promised land and the founding of the State of Israel.
The testimony
of Charles Spurgeon
It is
necessary to look more thoroughly into the restoration of this nation in the
light of prophecy.
In the course
of time, was small number of servants of the Lord who followed him with all my
heart and to which was given the ability to recognize the future events.
Charles Spurgeon was one of those people. Before Israel again
become a nation, when apparently it was impossible that the Jews return to the
promised land, Spurgeon taught that this was going to happen, just like it says
in Ezekiel 36 and 37:
The meaning
of the biblical text, as the context reveals, is very evident. On the meaning
of these passages, there will be first a political restoration of the Jews in
their own land and a return to its own national identity. Secondly, is there in
the text and in its context a very clear statement that there will be a
spiritual restoration, a real conversion of the tribes of Israel to the Lord.
They will
enjoy a national prosperity that make them famous; Moreover, it will be so
glorious that Egypt, Greece and Rome, forget Shooting his own glory in the
light of the great splendor of the throne of David. If words have real meaning,
this must be the meaning of this chapter.
I would never
want to learn the art of twisting the meaning that God has assigned to your own
words. If the Bible says something in a clear and crystalline, so that's what
we must understand. The literal sense and the meaning of this passage-that
cannot be denied or spiritual ones-, make it clear to us that both the two as
the ten tribes of Israel will be restored to their own land, and a King shall
rule over them.
The desire of
Israel for peace
Let us look
at the progressive development that is happening and that will lead Israel to a
Union with the "new world order" dominated by Europe. Despite the
constant conflicts, we see Israel seeking peace with your enemies, not because
they adopted a new philosophy that makes them love each other, but the longing
for a negotiated peace.
Many in
Israel are fascinated by the possibility of living in peace with its Arab neighbor. They think that peace can really be
achieved. But the Bible says: "When walking around saying: peace and
security, behold, they shall sudden destruction, how come the labor pains that
is about to give birth; and in no way escape "(1 Ts 5.3).
Israel: the
object of prophecy
We do well to
understand that the signs of the end times given by Lord are specifically
targeted at Israel. When Jesus explained the events of the end times to his
disciples along with the signs that would happen before his return, he
addressed these words to the people of Israel.
We have two
very clear characteristics mentioned in Matthew 24, that identify these people:
1. "so
those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (v. 16). This is a
geographical reference, and does not concern the Church of Jesus Christ. If we
live in the United States, in Canada, in Europe, or in other parts of the
world, we're not yelled to flee to the mountains of Judea, because the words
were directed at "in Judea".
2.
Furthermore, Jesus is mentioning a reason of prayer: "pray that your
flight will not take in the winter, neither on the Sabbath" (Mt 24.20).
The Sabbath was given only to the Jews. We read in Sacred Scripture, in
relation to the Sabbath: "You therefore speak unto the children of Israel
and say to them: surely ye shall keep my Sabbaths; because it is a sign between
me and you in your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord, who
sanctifies "(Ex 31.13).Therefore, Israel is the great sign of the times of
the end for the Gentiles and to the Church.
The old sin
of Israel
What are the
goals of Israel for the future? Today the nation of Israel is being confronted
with his old sin, the sin that you've done as a nation. Nearly 3500 years ago
the people of Israel was already in the promised land. God had fulfilled
everything you promised them with respect to entry on Earth, but Israel refused
to be the people chosen by God, refused to be a singular and different nation,
and left to do his will.
God
identified the deeper reason this rejection by saying that the people of Israel
simply does not want the God ruled. They openly rejected the words of God
spoken through Moses: "because you are holy people unto the Lord thy God,
and the Lord chose of all peoples that there is on the face of the Earth, to be
his own people" (Dt 14.2). That promise tremendous! Israel should be above
"... of all peoples that there is on the face of the Earth".
Throughout history we know that many nations have
sought to override all the other Nations. Today this is very evident in the
United States. The Americans believe that the U.S. is a special nation. The
majority of Americans claim that the United States are the greatest nation in
the history of the world. Many Nations before they committed the same sin, but
the dust of its ruins witness against them. A Holy nation of Christians
Who are we
Christians? The answer lies in 1 Peter 2.9: "but ye are a chosen race, a
royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people of exclusive property of God, the end
of may proclaim the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light." We, the Church of Jesus Christ, we are a chosen people.
We are a chosen generation. We are a Holy nation. But this Holy nation cannot
be compared to or identified with any political Nations, like the United
States, the Canada, the France, England, China or another nation in the world.
This Holy nation dwells among the Nations of the world, and every Member of
this Holy nation is known personally by the Lord himself.
Everything
indicates that this Holy nation is about to be completed, and when that
happens, when the last of the Gentiles is added to the Church will be raptured
by the Lord, to be in his presence for eternity!
The outcry
from Israel for a King
The
rebellious yearning of Israel in ancient times, when asking for a King to the
Prophet Samuel to be like the other Nations "(see 1 Sm 7-8.5), not simply
disappeared. On the contrary, he reached its climax 1000 years later. In John
19.15 is written: "...We have no King but Caesar! " The entire weight
of the affirmation of the ancestors, reflecting the desire to be part of the
family of Nations, they are like any other people, hit, so, the realization:
"...We have no King but Caesar! " Israel will still be confronted
with this statement when the Nations of the earth they came together to battle
against Jerusalem.
Israel setups towards peace
It seems that
the only solution in relation to the Holy Land is to follow the path of a
negotiated peace. Despite the clashes with the Palestinians, finally there
won't be another alternative. The possibility of increased trade across borders
of countries is very tempting, and there is no doubt that Israel's economy will
continue to grow strongly.
These
positive expectations never change the prophetic Word. Jesus said: "I have
come in my father's name, and ye receive me not; If another comes in his own
name, certainly, ye shall receive "(Jo 5.43). Israel is on its way to
becoming an integral part of the final Empire and Gentile will accept the
Antichrist.
Only when we
understand these events by spiritual Prism, we can begin to understand what is
occurring in the political, economic and religious world. With that in mind, we
will better understand the unfolding political events in the world today. If we
don't have knowledge of final results, we can easily be blown away by the
enthusiasm of the false peace which will be announced.
The
Antichrist: the master of deception
When the word
of God identifies the work of Antichrist, we read in 2 Thessalonians 2.7 -11:
"Indeed, the mystery of iniquity already operates and waits only to be
away that which now holds; so it is, in fact, revealed the wicked, whom the
Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the
manifestation of his coming. However, the appearance of the wicked is according
to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all
deceit of unrighteousness unto those who perish, because they do not have the
love of truth to be saved. It is for this reason that God sends them the error
operation, to give credence to the lie ".
This biblical
text leaves two points quite clear: first, the work of the Antichrist will
succeed through deception and, second, the rejection of the offer of the love
of God (John 3.16) is the reason that people will believe a lie.
For this
reason, now more than ever we must record in our minds and in our hearts that
the Lord Jesus taught his disciples: "it's like a man who, absent from the
country, leaves his house, gives authority to his servants, every one to his
obligation, and the doorman commands that you watch. Watch ye, therefore, for
ye know not when the master of the House cometh: If in the afternoon, if at
midnight, to sing of the cock, if in the morning; for that, coming not
unexpectedly find him asleep. What, however, I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
"(Mc. 13.34-47).
Rev. Jesué Francisco da Silva.
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