Israel is the SUPER SIGN of the last days and really the sign that sets the prophetic clock ticking is THE REGATHERING OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL INTO THEIR HOMELAND. This is what GOD said to Abraham: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I WILL MAKE OF YOU A GREAT NATION, and I will BLESS YOU and make your name GREAT, so that you will be a BLESSING. I will BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU, and him who dishonors you I WILL CURSE, and in you all the families of the earth SHALL BE BLESSED” (Genesis 12:1–3) “…it is impossible for God to lie…” (Hebrews 6:18)
Even though Israel rebelled, several times, against God, He is very faithful to keep HIS PROMISE. Because of Israels rebellion God sent King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to destroy the First Temple that was constructed by King Solomon, based on detailed plans that God had given to his father, King David. Nebuchadnezzar captured the Israelites and took them to Babylon where they stayed for 70 years. “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon SEVENTY YEARS.” (Jeremiah 25:11) The Meads and Persians captured Babylon and the grandfather of Cyrus, King Astyages of Persia, having had a dream that the baby would grow up to overthrow him, ordered Cyrus slain. His chief adviser, however, instead gave the baby to an ISRAELITE SHEPHERD, whose baby had just died, to raise. When he was 10 years old, Cyrus, because of his outstanding qualities, was discovered by Astyages, who, in spite of the dream, was persuaded to ALLOW THE BOY TO LIVE. Cyrus, when he reached manhood, revolted against his grandfather, and became King. Because of his relationship with Israel, he had a TENDER HEART TOWARD THEM. And SOMEONE READ (Isaiah 44:24-28) to Cyrus written 150 YEARS BEFORE he became king, CALLING HIM BY NAME. Cyrus is famous for FREEING THE JEWISH CAPTIVES in Babylonia and allowing them to return to their homeland, with ALL THEIR NEEDS to REBUILD the TEMPLE AND WALL around Jerusalem, met by Cyrus. “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be INHABITED,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be BUILT, and I will raise up their ruins’; WHO SAYS OF CYRUS, ‘He is my SHEPHERD, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’” (Isaiah 44:24-28) Nehemiah said to the king, “If it pleases the king, I ask that you SEND ME TO JUDAH, THAT I MAY REBUILD IT.” (Nehemiah 2:1-5)
So, the first temple was rebuilt but then because of Israel’s continual rebellion and finally crucifying our Lord and savior, in 70AD General Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the second temple, killed over one million Jews, and dispersed the rest of the Jews all over the world, all because of Israel’s rebellion against God.
God caused President Truman to approve Israel as a nation on May 14th, 1948, for the second time, the Hebrew language was lost but now is the official language. Israel was a dry desert land, but now there are continually flowing springs in northern Israel that supply, in the desert, great water flow (they even export water) and billions of gallons of natural gas to supply that whole area and here we are 76 years later waiting on the promise of Jesus, “Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION will by no means pass away till ALL THESE THINGS (in Matthew 24 & 25) take place.” (Matt. 24:34)
SO, BE PRAYED UP AND READY FOR JESUS IS COMING SOON!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham