Israel had failed to obey God, by not observing the land’s one-year-in-seven sabbath for 490 years, so the term of the Babylonian captivity was set at 70 years to make up the deficit. While in captivity a Jew named Mordecai, who had a beautiful, adopted daughter, Esther. Many young virgins were being prepared to be queen, “The king liked Esther more than he liked any of the other women. So, he put a royal crown on her head. HE MADE HER QUEEN…” (Esther 2:17) An evil leader, Haman under the king hated the Jews because of Mordecai, so Haman tricked the king into KILLING EVERY JEW IN THE KINGDOM IN ONE DAY. Because of God using Esther, Haman was destroyed, and the Jews were spared.
Then in 70 AD, GENERAL TITUS of Rome destroyed the second Temple, KILLED OVER A MILLION JEWS and took all the rest out of their home and dispersed them all over the world. Then Hitler came along with a hatred for the Jews KILLING OVER 6 MILLION OF THEM. But God said, “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made TO GIVE BIRTH IN ONE DAY? Or shall a nation be born AT ONCE?” (Isaiah 66:7-8) On one day, May 18th, 1948. IN ONE DAY, Israel became a nation.
In June of 1867, Mark Twain embarked on a journey to what is now Israel. Unimpressed, he described the Holy Land as “picturesque” and “unsightly”, even “desolate”. Jeremiah prophesied, “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment…I will bring on that land ALL MY WORDS which I have pronounced against it” (Jeremiah 25:11-13) Jesus said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree (Israel): 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) Read Joel 3:1-3
NOW WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN, LOOK UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR. (Luke 21:28)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham