www.christadelphians.co.uk - The third of a four part series exploring Israel and its significant position in the world. In this presentation we look at the significance of the events of May 1948 when Israel's independence was declared; we see how this occasion was prophesied hundreds of years ago, and more importantly, the bearing these events have on the future.
The Powerpoint slides can be downloaded from our website.
12. We already have several reasons why the Jews’ return to the land is significant
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15. The return of the Jews to the land of Israel is the first step in a sequence of events culminating in the final fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham, and the establishing of his Kingdom
16. A closer look at prophecy Jeremiah 32:37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely :
17. A closer look at prophecy Jeremiah 32:37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely : Ezekiel 34:11-16 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep [Israel], and seek them out. 12. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
18. A closer look at prophecy Ezekiel 34:25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace , and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. Ezekiel 34:28-29 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen , neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely , and none shall make them afraid . 29. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. Israel’s return to the land was prophesied to be a time of everlasting peace and safety – an end to all their troubles
21. The BBC’s Christian Fraser at the talks says there is little hope for the Israeli – Palestinian peace deal Mr Bush wants by the time he leaves office [end of 2008].
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23. Israel has had periods of peace, but nothing lasting and the threat of future oppression has never gone away
24. God’s prophecy concerning the Jews’ return to their land is only partially fulfilled – there must be more to come!
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26. The coming kingdom of Israel Isaiah 2:1-4 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Revelation 21:2-4 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
27. The coming kingdom of Israel Isaiah 11:1-9 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
28. This time of peace and safety will come when the kingdom of God is re-established by Christ in Israel in the future
44. What is the significance of the Jews’ return to Israel?
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46. The return of the Jews to the land of Israel is the first step in a sequence of events culminating in the final fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham, and the establishing of his Kingdom
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48. The significance of these things is not just something of academic interest. It concerns the future of each and every one of us. God’s Word deserves our full attention!