2018 is quickly coming to a close. Each year seems to pass faster. We are confined by time! God is not! This is the 70th year since Israel became a nation in 1948. In that great prophetic passage of Matthew 24 Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (Matthew 24:34) “This generation” speaks of a coming generation in Israel. The demonstrative pronoun “this” (Gr. aute) seems to stress the generation Jesus was addressing as future and prophetic. Israel was not a nation after 70 A.D. until May 14, 1948. A generation among the Jews was usually 70 years and could be up to 100 years, but 70 was the norm. Therefore, many scholars today are looking with expectation for the coming of the Lord.
Three recent events in Israel have been brought up by Orthodox Rabbi’s concerning the coming of the Messiah. First, there was the birth of the red heifer in Israel in accordance to Numbers 19:2. Breaking News Israel’s September 5, 2018 article stated, “Last Tuesday, the Temple Institute’s Red Heifer program was blessed with results; an entirely red female calf was born, paving the way for re-establishing the Temple service and marking the final stage of redemption.” The Israelites burned the red heifer to obtain ashes that they would add to the water of purification to make it more effective ritually as a cleansing agent. A heifer is a young female cow older than a calf. Recent reports I have read from Orthodox Rabbi’s declare that this heifer must be between 3-4 years old for sacrifice. That has led some in Israel to believe the Messiah is coming in the next three years.
Second, a recent report of fresh water pools found in the Dead Sea supporting aquatic life has given rise to many in Israel saying that the prophecy of Ezekiel 47:8,9 is being fulfilled and the Messiah will soon come. This prophecy in Ezekiel no doubt speaks of the Dead Sea and that one day the waters will be healed. Since through the years this sea has had a mineral content of 24-26% and no life in it, some had speculated that this passage must be referring by a picture of the living water Christ brings to a person’s life when they get saved. However, a literal fulfillment may be on the way! The Jews believe the Dead Sea shall teem with life as believing this prophecy will be literally fulfilled.
Third, as reported by several news outlets, on November 1 of this year, some among the rabbi’s in Jerusalem believe that the prophecy of Micah 7:17 has been fulfilled. Ynet News reported on this serpent coming out of the Western Wall as a prophetic indication that the Messiah was soon to appear. This passage does clearly teach that because of divine intervention (i.e. the Messiah’s return) the nations shall be humbled before God. Many Jews believe this event at the Western Wall was a sign that the Messiah is coming.
Also, recently, in Jerusalem, the nascent Sanhedrin have been pushing both candidates for mayor to be committed to building the Third Temple. While the Jews are adamant on building this temple, Christians should realize that according to 2 Thessalonians 2, the antichrist is described as one….Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
Just this week, I read about an elite group of soldiers being readied in Israel. They are presently training. This elite group is special. The headline reads: IDF: A SPECIAL ARMY PREPARING FOR GOG AND MAGOG. The Bible student will look at Ezekiel 38 and know that the prophecy of an end day war with Gog and Magog has been identified with the King of Rosh or as most agree is modern day Russia. Breaking News Israel says, “For the present, the IDF is charged with protecting the state of Israel, but in the future yet-to-be-revealed, the IDF will take on a new role; the War of Gog and Magog. Rabbi Pinchas Winston, a prolific end-of-days author, stated that this mission may arrive at any moment without any warning. The rabbi suggested that even a seemingly small skirmish like the one that took place in Gaza on Sunday night could spark the War of Gog and Magog.”
So, it seems there are many things happening which are causing a heightened awareness of the Messiah. Israel looks for the Messiah to come. He has already come! Christ Jesus shall come again. We are jettisoning toward the end. It is time for all believers to get ready for the soon coming of Christ.
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