ISRAEL and our last days on this earth
“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” -Zachariah 12:2,3-
Jerusalem, this tiny little city, in this tiny sliver of land, will play a key role in the events of the last days. It's the focal point of end times events. The Bible tells us in the end times that Israel would be scattered and regathered. This has happened, and this really was the sign that set the prophetic clock ticking.
Israel was regathered (in 1948), the Lord said she would come under attack. Specifically in Ezekiel 37 and 38, the Bible speaks of the regathering of Israel, and then it speaks of a large force from her north attacking her. That force is identified as Magog. Who is Magog? Listen, no one can say with absolute certainty, but many believe Magog is modern day Russia located to the north of Israel. One of the reasons many believe Magog is Russia is that the Bible says Persia will march with Magog. Persia is now modern day Iran.
Something increasingly alarming is the sign of a global growing anti-Semitism. On American college campuses, in the streets of our large cities and around the world: France, London, Germany, all across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, South America.
In Bethlehem Jesus was born. In Nazareth He grew to maturity. In Galilee He walked and taught on the mountainsides and beside the Sea. In Jerusalem our Lord was crucified, buried and rose from the dead. From the Mount of Olives He ascended. And to the Mount of Olives He will return; His feet will first touch down upon the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4).
When Jesus returns, He will be ready for war (Revelation 19:11–16). The nations will be gathered to fight against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2) in what we call the battle of Armageddon. But that will be the day Jesus returns: “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south” (verse 4). It will be a unique day in the history of the world: “On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness . . . a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light” (verses 6–7). God’s enemies will be defeated, and the Antichrist and the false prophet will be “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). Jesus will set up His kingdom, and “The Lord will be king over the whole earth” (Zechariah 14:9).
Time on earth will end and eternity will begin. Our opportunity to affect our eternal destiny is in TIME. When eternity begins it will be too late. Our opportunity to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is in TIME. When eternity begins the destiny will be set for everyone. While we can look around and see the rise of evil on our planet, we can also see the rise of GRACE. God is giving us this window of opportunity to make an eternal decision.
For all born again Christians this is the most exciting time to live on planet earth. Our redeemer is coming soon!
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”-Luke 21:28-
If you are reading this article and are not sure you are ready for HIS return, it is not too late to change the course of your destiny. The gospel is good news for everyone. It requires we repent and turn from our sin, we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we ask Jesus to be Lord and leader of our lives and choose daily to follow HIM in obedience for the rest of our lives. You can speak to Him right now. He wants to hear your voice and see the sincerity of your heart toward Him. If you would like us to pray with you can reach out to us at: info@gp.church.