“Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? SHALL A LAND BE BORN IN ONE DAY? SHALL A NATION BE BROUGHT FORTH IN ONE MOMENT? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children.” (Isaiah 66:7-8)
The miracle of THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL occurred in 1948 as a fulfillment of prophecy. That is when God began regathering Jewish people FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD to Israel. Here’s what happened: The British took control of the land that became Israel after WWI, and this League of Nations agreement was known as the “Mandate for Palestine.” It was set to expire on May 14, 1948. Before this day arrived, the British had announced they would withdraw their armed forces from the region. As they prepared to release the territory, fighting broke out between Jews and Arabs, and invading armies began to attack Israel. But President Harry Truman and the United States gave word that the U.S. recognized Jewish sovereignty over the land. At midnight, (in one day) David Ben-Gurion, head of the Jewish Agency, announced the establishment of THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
“For behold, in those days and at that time, When I BRING BACK THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH AND JERUSALEM, I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT; And I will enter into judgment with them there on account of MY PEOPLE, MY HERITAGE ISRAEL, whom they have scattered among the nations; THEY HAVE ALSO DIVIDED UP MY LAND.” (Joel 3:1-2) God calls Israel HIS LAND and the Jews HIS PEOPLE. Areas of land in Israel are in dispute right now where thousands of Jewish homes have been built and they are being told they have to move.
Mark Twain was not very impressed by the land of Israel when he traveled there in 1867. He described Israel as a “desolate country whose soil is rich enough but is given over wholly to weeds-a silent mournful expanse” and said that he “never saw a human being on the whole route…There was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere. Even the olive and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.” “THE FOREIGNER (Mark Twain) who comes from a far land, would say, when they see the plagues of that land and the sicknesses which the Lord has laid on it: ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there…’” (Deuteronomy 29:22-23) Today in Israel they are exporting very clean water and large amounts of vegetables Huge quantities of natural gas and many other ingénues devices.
Why should we care about this? Because Jesus said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, (Israel is the fig tree, when it once again becomes a nation) 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 (the people who see this take place) will BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY till ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.” (Matthew 24:32-34) THIS MAY 14th WAS THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL BECOMING A NATION. “All the things…” include “the abomination of desolation” which occurs 3½ years after the rapture of the church. So, let us take heed to “…when you see all these things, you can know His return is VERY NEAR, RIGHT AT THE DOOR.” (Matthew 24:33)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham