December 7, 1941.

The 83rd anniversary of the infamous (date of infamy) Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor will be remembered by some today.

Heavier press coverage is normally given to those anniversary dates that arrive every five years (like 70, 75, 80); therefore, media coverage will most likely be on the lighter side this year.

Why begin today’s Eye of Prophecy article with a reference to Pearl Harbor?

I want to do a, “what if” comparison with what’s happening to, in, and around Israel. And, in doing so, to rebut the malicious (false) accusations against Israel in the context of Israel’s justified war with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and now an aerial battle with Iran.

What if Americans and foreign nations had staged celebrations for Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and later protested the United States’ massive military action necessary to crush not only Japan but Germany in World War II?

A military response that resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties, although both German and Japanese civilians were by and large strongly supportive of their respective regimes that indiscriminately killed and injured civilians all over Europe (Holocaust), England, and the Far East. Not unlike the support given to Hamas by most Gaza Palestinians.

Once again: What if in 1941-1942 there were multiple incidents of American and/or foreign civilians protesting American retaliatory action against Japan for its ruthless, unprovoked assault on Pearl Harbor?

That is precisely what happened in the United States soon after Hamas invaded southern Israel on October 7, 2023, murdering nearly 1,200 Israelis and some foreigners and maiming dozens more. (*Note: Based proportionally on the Jewish population in Israel and the current population of the United States, the 1,200 massacred in Israel would be the equivalent in the United States of nearly 58,000 killed).

Then, with absurdly appalling audacity, these protesters across America (primarily in universities) have joined with Israel’s enemies by fraudulently condemning Israel of the following: Apartheid, Colonialism, Genocide, Occupiers, and Settlers. Against Israeli Jews in their own land of Israel—the only sovereign Jewish State in the world—no less!

(One of hundreds of Hamas supporter protests in the United States & Europe. They refuse to call Israel by its sovereign name. Instead, they use the term Palestine even though there is no such land or territory)

Before we get to the main theme of today’s post, as contained in the title, let’s address these bogus charges against Israel.

Which will begin with definitions from Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary so that we apply each term accurately to what is (not) taking place in Israel—including how Israel’s foes are misusing and twisting the terms. In fact, it is the Palestinian Arabs who have been guilty of these allegations.

Apartheid / Definition: “racial superiority specif: a policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of South Africa.”

Note: The reference to non-European groups is a euphemism (nice way of saying); distinctly meaning the black citizens of South Africa who were in the majority. During the peak of white-based apartheid, black South Africans had no rights at worst and limited rights at best regarding economic, political, educational, and social privileges. There were signs everywhere prohibiting blacks from certain parts of cities and countryside and from participating in every-day activities of white South Africa.

None of this can be found in Israel. Repeating for emphasis: NOWHERE in Israel can you find evidence of apartheid. Beginning with the nearly 2 million Arab Israeli citizens of Israel proper who have full voting rights, business start-up privileges, educational opportunities. free movement throughout the country; plus, the right to run for and hold governmental and judicial positions.

I’ve been to Israel and saw absolutely no signs or any other discriminatory evidence of anything resembling apartheid. Nor have I read (from reputable, first-hand authors or journalists) of either blatant or subtle discrimination of Jews against Arabs. Whereas, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has (for the record) stated (I’m paraphrasing) in the past that, “when Palestine becomes a state, not one Jew will be allowed to step foot in our land.”

If that isn’t apartheid segregation (plus ethnic cleansing) then I don’t know what is!

(One of many signs in place during South Africa’s apartheid period)

I would respectfully challenge anyone who has labeled Israel as an apartheid state to visit this wonderful land in person. I would even propose a friendly wager and gladly pay off if you can find any evidence of segregation. Of the Palestinians who deliberately have chosen not to apply for citizenship, even many of them have been given work permits to find and hold jobs in Israel proper, with much better pay than their peers in Judea/Samaria (West Bank) or Gaza Strip. Yes, they must go through checkpoints. However, these are no different than checkpoints in the United States set up by our Border Patrol or in other countries worldwide.

Colonists / Definition: “1. a member or inhabitant of a colony 2. One that colonizes or settles in a new country.”

Colony: “…a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state.

Colonialism: “the quality or state of being colonial; …  a control by one power over a dependent area or people.”

Some key points here: First, colonialism (sometimes) involves some measure of control of the colonizers over an area or people. Israel has allowed the Palestinians who live in Judea/Samaria and Gaza to have a great deal of autonomy in the governance of Palestinians.

There is the Palestinian Authority in what is referred to as the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Incidentally, they deplore each other and are constantly arguing which group should exercise control over their people. Both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas rule with an iron fist over their own people.

The measure of control retained by the Sovereign State of Israel is that of ultimate security over Judea/Samaria, i.e. to enter Part A or Part B of that central corridor of Israel in pursuit of terrorists and/or eliminating terrorist about to strike innocent Israeli Jews. Whereas, in the Gaza (prior to the 10-7-2023 Hamas invasion and massacre of Jews) no Jew including the IDF or Jewish police have entered Gaza, since the forced eviction of some 10,000 Jews from their homes in the Gaza Strip (2005). Israel’s presence now in Gaza is for the justified purpose of eliminating Hamas and assisting in the eventual establishment of a government that no longer has the capacity to attack Israel.

Area C of Judea/Samaria was (still is) designated for Israeli Jewish towns/cities and Israel has full control of this area. The A, B, and C areas of Judea/Samaria were agreed to by Jew and Arab alike in the Oslo Accords of 1993. It is the Palestinians who have not complied or have violated outright the terms of these Accords. Including building structures on land assigned to Israel proper. That is essentially an act of (illegal) colonization minus the part of “retaining ties with the parent country.”

Conversely, Jews from the four corners of the earth have returned to their homeland which was colonized / settled some 3,000 years ago, at the direct command of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That is to enter and settle in the “Promised Land.” The rebirth of Israel in 1948 caused several Arab nations to expel all Jews, most of whom moved to the fledging but sovereign State of Israel. On the other hand, the Jews did not force Arabs to move after Israel was attacked by five Arab armies (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt). It was the Arab generals and political leaders who told the Arabs to leave Israel—promising they could return after the Arabs soundly defeated Israel.

Well, we all know who won that War of Independence.

This is the historical fact: Jews immigrated to the Sovereign State of Israel from Arab nations, from Europe, from all over the world. Not to purposely “colonize” Israel. But because NEVER AGAIN could they suffer another Holocaust. They needed their own country. What better place than the land that their ancestors had inhabited for three thousand years. A country reborn in 1948!

Genocide / Definition: “the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.”

This is a preposterous and insidious claim against the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). The only deliberate destruction is that of Israel’s systematic action against Hamas, who started this war in the first place. Moreover, it’s crystal clear that Israel has done more than any other nation on earth in trying to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. It is a proven fact that Hamas methodically massacred some 1,200 Israelis in an invasion that was meant to kill as many Jews as possible, then boasted that they would perpetrate more strikes to kill even more Jews.

That is as genocidal as you can get.

Israel does not even view Hamas as a distinct racial, political or cultural group. Pure and simple, Hamas is a terrorist entity that has taken over Gaza (with the approval of most Palestinians living there). It is also a proven fact that Hamas consciously and systematically uses its own people as human shields, e.g. by digging tunnels and setting up combat sites in and under hospitals, schools, mosques, businesses, and even people’s homes.

Before any Israeli airstrikes are launched, before any ground troops prepare to attack Hamas strongholds, multiple warnings are issued to Palestinians to clear the area. Then a reasonable amount of time is allowed to comply with these warnings. Sadly, there’s no way to prevent some civilian casualties. That is a given in any war. I’ve read reports of several international military experts describing Israel as the most moral military ever assembled. Once again, to accuse Israel of genocide is ludicrous. But then there appears to be no limit to the ignorance of those supporting the Palestinian/Hamas hatred of Israel, which give rise to these blatantly false charges against Israel—the only democracy in the entire Middle East.

(Tiny Israel surrounded by Arab/Muslim nations. Nearly all these nations do not want Israel to exist as a democratic Jewish nation)

Occupation / Definition: “…the possession, use, or settlement of land … the act or process of taking possession of a place or area; the holding and control of an area by a foreign military force… the military force occupying a country or the policies carried out by it.

[Note: Concerning an in-depth analysis of who has ultimate sovereignty and jurisdictional control over the “disputed areas” within Israel proper, please refer to Eye of Prophecy articles including but not limited to: Israeli Occupation … Fact or Myth? (Published 5-16-15); United Nations Downsizing of Israel (Resolution 2334) (1-7-17); What is Palestine & Who Is A Palestinian? (12-2-17); Israel’s Controversial Nation-State Law (8-11-18); Does Israel Belong to the State of Israel? (5-4-19); Jewish Settlements in Judea/Samaria … Are They Illegal? (11-23-19); Palestine or Israel? Which Is It? Your Answer May Be in Jeopardy! (1-18-20); Israel’s Annexation of Occupied Territory? We Must Define The Terms (6-27-20).

The following excerpt is from, Israel’s Annexation of Occupied Territory? We Must Define The Terms (in italics):

Definition of the Terms

Palestinian Territories:

At the very most, this often-used phrase would geographically apply only to Areas A & B of Judea/Samaria and the Gaza Strip which are inhabited exclusively by Arab non-citizens of Israel … Palestinians.

The Palestinians and those who blindly support their agenda with little regard to/for the League of Nations and United Nations original endorsement of the existence of the Sovereign State of Israel, would have us believe that their territory is being (illegally) usurped (annexed) by the Israeli government; based on the (false) presupposition that the Palestinians have complete (sovereign) control over those regions. They do not. Israel has that (final) sovereignty.

The following definitions are from Webster’s Dictionary and accurately reflect the relationship between Israel’s Jewish / Arab citizens and the non-citizen Palestinians, pertaining to Judea Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

Territory: “a geographical area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a government authority; an administrative subdivision of a country; a geographical area … dependent upon an external government but having some degree of autonomy.”

Despite victory in four wars in which the Arabs were clearly the aggressor (1948, 1956 and especially 1967 and 1973) Israel relinquished functional jurisdiction to Jordan, then to the PLO and later the Palestinian Authority of most of the West Bank and all the Gaza Strip (to Egypt) with that coastal area eventually taken over by an even more militant organization … Hamas. All this despite ancient Jewish claims to and presence in the land that far exceed in time and antiquity any Arab or Islamic presence.

But ultimate authority (sovereignty) still belongs to Israel.

Any reference to or use of the term “Palestinian territories” does not state or even imply that the Palestinians have final sovereignty over these areas of Israel. However, much of the world does not (either deliberately or inadvertently) get that. Rather the world at large prefers to call Judea Samaria by its Johnny-come-lately name of West Bank. With the mistaken impression that there are established (nation-like) “borders” within Israel and the Arabs of that region (plus Gaza) have “territorial rights” completely free of any Israeli sovereignty.

To further propagandize and, thereby, confuse even heads of state, PA President Mahmoud Abbas frequently refers to the West Bank as the “State of Palestine.” Even those smart enough to know there is no Palestinian State, eventually concede (capitulate) to the misleading presumption that the West Bank and Gaza Strip are sovereign Palestinian territories.

Newsflash: Although the non-citizen Palestinians comprise all the Gaza Strip population and approximately 80% of Judea/Samaria’s population, neither of these regions have ever been or are now countries (states or nations). One reason is because they are already part of a country … Israel. Nor do they qualify as sovereign territories such as large swaths of the United States were designated, e.g. Wyoming territory, before they achieved statehood.

Israel is no less a sovereign nation than the USA.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is not (repeat for emphasis, NOT) a “foreign military force” in its own country. A country that sovereignly includes the regions of Judea/Samaria and the Gaza Strip. The IDF has the same power, authority, and responsibility as the military force of any nation; to defend and maintain the domestic security of ALL land within the recognized national borders adjacent to other countries.

Thus, neither Israel’s military nor its civilian citizenry are “occupying (negative connotation implying “illegally” or “illegitimately”) Area C of Judea/Samaria. Or, for that matter, any land within Israel’s national boundaries.

Most Arabs living in Israel claim all Jews in Israel are settlers. That none of the sovereign state of Israel belongs to the Jews. However, as shown by the following definitions, the idea of settle, settlers, or settlements is entirely neutral … matter of fact.

(This is one of the most common signs/phrases used by Palestinians. Once again, they substitute Palestine for Israel. The real meaning of this slogan is clear: All Israel must be rid of Jews so that the Arabs can have all the land. Another Arab state in place of Israel, not alongside Israel)

Settle/ Definition: “to furnish with inhabitants.”

Settler: “one that settles (as a new region)”

Settlement: “the act or process of settling.”

Here is an excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article, Jewish Settlements in Judea/Samaria … Are They Illegal? (In italics):

The term “settlements” and “occupying” must be understood in the traditional (neutral, even positive) meaning. They are those neighborhoods which are entirely legal because the land has been purchased by Jews and because Judea/Samaria was originally part of the British Mandate from which the State of Israel was reborn. As opposed to the negative connotation that the Jews are occupying (trespassing by building illegal homesteads) on land that doesn’t belong to them.

They are not trespassers.

There is no such thing as “Palestinian territory” in the legal or geopolitical sense. Because there is no such thing as Palestine… Therefore, there is (really) no such thing as a Palestinian … by birth, race, passport, language, or citizenship.

Instead, there are about four million Arabs living within the legal national boundaries of the sovereign state of Israel who have refused to even apply for Israeli citizenship. And neighboring Arab nations (such as Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia) have declined to allow any more of these “Palestinians” to migrate to their country and become citizens with their fellow Arabs.

If anyone needs further proof, listen to this statement from a Palestinian Liberation Official, Zuheir Mohsen, which is just as relevant today as when first uttered in March 1977:

“The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct ‘Palestinian people’ to oppose Zionism.”

Since Muslims sometimes refer to their religious text (Koran) to try to explain why they are essentially rewriting history, let’s now defer to the highest authority of all, The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. By the way, did you know that Jerusalem itself is not mentioned in the Koran … not once. Whereas in the Bible, Jerusalem, Zion, and Israel are referenced hundreds of times.

Referring to the true and living God: “Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land” (Psalm 69:34-35), italics for emphasis).

The Jews have occupied and settled the land of Israel going back to the glory years of King David and King Solomon LONG BEFORE THE ARABS ARRIVED. You cannot be occupiers or settlers or so-called colonists (in the negative sense of the words) in land that already belongs to you. That’s why the above passage reads: “settle in their own land.”

Furthermore, the Palestinian Arabs have turned down an offer to establish their own state at least three times since 1947. As I and others have repeatedly said: The Palestinians do not want a state alongside of Israel. They want a state in place of Israel.

Brief Refresher from Previous Eye of Prophecy Article

In the previous Eye of Prophecy article entitled, Universal Preoccupation with Israel (11-2-2024), I presented the following premise:

Global focus on Israel is unprecedented. To the point where there’s little to no room for increased attention. Individual and national obsession with and polarized opinion (mostly negative) about Israel has brought Planet Earth as close as it can get to the Rapture.

Four prominent prophetic passages plus companion passages were matched to what is happening in our world. Not the least of which is a stunning world-wide fixation on the tiny state of Israel and the Middle East in general.

God has a two-part plan for humanity, confirmed by the world’s incessant attention on Israel. Both plans go through the Promised Land of Israel and the chosen people (Jews) of that land. Or what Scripture calls God’s special possession.

Plan A / Salvation for Mankind:

Because of the Jews unique covenants with God through antiquity (with Abraham, Moses, and King David), the New Covenant of Grace was first extended to the Jew, then later to the Gentiles.

Wrote the Apostle Paul: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News (Gospel) about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life’” (Romans 1:16-17, quoting Habakkuk 2:4, parenthesis mine).

Again, listen to the Apostle Paul speak of the New Covenant: “As I briefly wrote earlier, God, himself, revealed his mysterious plan to me…. And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus….

“I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning” (Ephesians 3:3,6, & 9).

God’s mysterious plan (no longer a mystery as it has been extraordinarily revealed through the birth, life, death, burial, and magnificent resurrection of Messiah Jesus) was first announced by Isaiah, with more details later given to Jeremiah.

Here, the Messiah is speaking of the LORD (his Father, see Psalm 2 and Psalm 110): “He says, ‘You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Isaiah 49:6).

Plan B / Jewish Possession of Israel Forever: Also, through Abraham as the Progenitor of the Jewish race to inhabit, occupy, and settle the Promised Land of Israel and to their descendants in perpetuity.

With a special emphasis on the word occupy (used by the antisemitic world at large with a deliberate negative connotation).

Moses speaking: “He proclaimed his covenant—the Ten Commandments—which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets. It was at that time that the Lord commanded me to teach you his decrees and regulations so that you would obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy” (Deuteronomy 4:13-14, italics for emphasis).

To that end let’s look at Israel’s remarkable Rebirth, (return); Redemption (repentance); and Restoration (resettlement).

Beginning with a powerful panoramic prophetic passage given by God through Moses during his extensive summary farewell address to the Israelites, comprising the entire book of Deuteronomy:

“Today I call on heaven and earth as witnesses against you. If you break my covenant (and they did), you will quickly disappear from the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. You will live there only a short time; then you will be utterly destroyed. For the Lord will scatter you among the nations, where only a few of you will survive….

“In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the Lord your God and listen to what he tells you. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you (permanently) or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors” (Deuteronomy 4:26-27 & 30-31, parenthesis mine, italics for emphasis).

REBIRTH OF ISRAEL (to include return of the Jewish people to their Promised Land)

First, another magnificent miracle reminder to establish just how Israel was birthed as a nation the first time—long ago:

“Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your eyes. He showed you these things so you would know the Lord is God and there is no other.

“He drove out nations far greater than you, so he could bring you in and give you their land as your special possession as it is today” (Deuteronomy 4:34-35 & 38).

In equally miraculous fashion, the Lord has brought about the rebirth of the Sovereign State of Israel in one day—May 14, 1948. Listen to the phenomenal description by God himself through the prophet Isaiah, some 2,700 years ago, regarding the amazing reversal of natural birth (delivery, then birth contractions).

“Before the birth pains even begin, Jerusalem gives birth to a son. Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in mere moment?

“But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born. Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth and then not deliver it? asks the Lord. No! I would never keep this nation from being born, says your God” (Isaiah 66:7-9).

Which is precisely what transpired when Israel declared statehood on May 14, 1948. After the Arabs flatly rejected the United Nations offer of a state alongside the Jewish state, five Arab armies (Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon) attacked Israel without provocation. This attack took place the very next day, May 15^th. The Arabs told their people to leave Israel until they conquered the ragtag Jewish army with the goal of “erasing Israel from the face of the earth.”

Well, that didn’t happen, and it never will!

Israel lives!

Three more conventional wars followed: the Suez War of 1956, the Six-Day War of 1967, and the Yom Kippur war of 1973. Each won with a miraculous Israeli victory over superior (quantity) troops and armaments of the Arab armies.

Just like God said would happen, the Promised Land of Israel was born (reborn) a second time and it happened by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts (Deut. 4:34, as quoted before). The difference is that Israel’s trials and turmoil (birth contractions) have come after her rebirth in 1948.

*Note: There were dozens of incidents that only can be described as divine intervention during battles fought in Israel’s wars of 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973. Likewise in subsequent engagements with her enemies, right up to today’s war in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Arise Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance. Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home” (Isaiah 60:1-4).

The past, present, and future role of Israel in the destiny of planet Earth cannot be emphasized enough. As said in the previous Eye of Prophecy article:

Please understand: The end times revolves front and center around Israel! The beginning of the end took place at Israel’s rebirth in 1948. It’s ALL ABOUT ISRAEL! The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not the descendants of Ishmael (the Arabs).

REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL (those, a remnant, who repent—change their mind and acknowledge Christ Jesus as their (the) Messiah.

Though there are thousands of Jews worldwide (sadly, not so many in Israel itself) who have believed and received Jesus Christ as their Messiah, most Jews still do not know Him as personal Savior. By and large, the world’s Jewish population—deliberately or from lack of knowledge—do not recognize that the life-changing New Covenant arrived some 2,000 years ago and was put into effect (fulfilled) by Messiah Jesus.

Listen to Jeremiah’s splendid declaration from the Lord himself:

“The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife, says the Lord.

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:31-33).

The first century Jewish religious leaders failed to confirm that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, refused to believe his miracles (or rejected them out of hand), and denied the obvious fact that Jesus arose from the dead—despite hundreds of witnesses who saw Jesus after his death and resurrection.

Another key prophetic passage regarding a phenomenal prediction when the Messiah would arrive was missed (dismissed) by the scribes and Pharisees. As follows:

“Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time that the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes….

“After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One (Messiah) will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple…” (Daniel 9:25-26a, parenthesis mine).

Not just once, but twice, the angel tells Daniel that the Anointed One (Messiah) would come (1) when 69 sets of seven (483 Jewish calendar years or 173,880 days) elapses from the time the command is given to rebuild (the walls) of Jerusalem (see the book of Nehemiah). This was determined to be April, A.D. 32 when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and was hailed as the Messiah by many of the common people.

And (2) the Messiah would be killed followed by the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the armies of a ruler. That ruler was none other than Nero, who ordered his Generals Vespasian and Titus to crush the Jewish uprising in A. D. 66 resulting in the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. Thus, the second part of this time-locked prophecy clearly predicted that Messiah would arrive BEFORE the Temple was demolished.

Frankly, this is overwhelming evidence that the risen from the dead Jesus of Nazareth was/is the MESSIAH! Moreover, that it would be the Messiah who would bring God’s New Covenant to both Jews and Gentiles.

(For an in-depth look at Daniel Chapter 9, please refer to Eye of Prophecy articles: The Most Panoramic Prophecy in the Bible (Part I & Part II). Published 1-13-2018 & 1-20-2018.)

Listen to these wonderful words of Jesus just a few hours before he was unjustly arrested, falsely accused, unlawfully tried and convicted, brutally beaten, shamefully crucified. Then gloriously he rose from the dead.

“After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you’” (Luke 22:20).

Once again, sadly, this same mindset of denial or disinterest or distrust in Christ Jesus is prevalent among most Jews, especially the Orthodox, in today’s world. Yet, from the time Jesus ascended back to heaven and the Good News began to be preached throughout Israel, there have been Jews who have accepted the historical evidence that Jesus is their Messiah Savior.

The Apostle Paul (a former devout Pharisee whose life was forever changed by the risen Jesus) quotes the prophet Isaiah: “Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore (down through the ages), only a remnant will be saved” (Romans 9:27, quoting Isaiah 10:22-23, parenthesis mine).

That remnant, during the latter part of the Great Tribulation, will finally represent the vast majority of Jews worldwide. “And so all Israel will be saved…” (Romans 11:26a).

They will be those who will respond to the Lord when he “…pours out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me (the Messiah is speaking) whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died” (Zechariah 12:10, parenthesis mine).

Their deep sorrow is clearly a sign of repentance … changing of their mind and heart by recognizing that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah, their Savior.

Listen to the spectacular result of Israel’s redemption—individually and nationally:

“Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation (New Covenant), think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it” (Romans 11:12, parenthesis mine).

RESTORATION OF ISRAEL (to include resettlement of the Promised Land, predominantly underway since the rebirth of Israel in 1948)

The birth followed by rebirth and final restoration of Israel itself, the land, is the second part of God’s covenant with Abraham. With, as discussed earlier, salvation through the Jewish Messiah Jesus made available through a (the) new covenant for Jew and Gentile alike as the other part of God’s blessings to those who believe and receive His Son as Personal Savior.

Listen to this marvelous prophecy concerning Israel’s final restoration in which Israel and Jerusalem will be the center of God’s Kingdom on earth.

“In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all—the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’

“For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. Everyone will live in peace and prosperity…” (Micah 4:1-4a).

It will be none other than Messiah Jesus who will, “…do more than restore the people of Israel to me (to God the Father). I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised (see Isaiah 53) and rejected by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: ‘Kings will stand at attention when you pass by…” (Isaiah 49:6-7a, parenthesis mine).

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshipped” (Zechariah 14:9).

Things to Ponder

In one of the more obscure books of the Old Testament, we find one of the most spectacular prophecies regarding what is now the Sovereign State of Israel. The following excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article, Does Israel Belong To The State of Israel? (posted 5-4-2019) is an expanded version of that prophecy. In italics:

The last three verses of Obadiah describe much (but not all) of Israel’s original land mass. In parenthesis, the modern-day portion of Israel will be inserted to match the Biblical names, some of which are still the same. Notice that the passage uses the word “occupy.” And does so with a matter-of-fact positive connotation. Not the negative occupation accusation by Israel’s enemies (and even some of her “friends”) that is patently false … Biblically, historically, and currently.

“Then my people living in the Negev (still called the Negev … southern part of Israel next to the Sinai Peninsula which is part of ancient Israel that bordered Egypt and Arabia) will occupy the mountains of Edom (southern Jordan and western part of Saudi Arabia). Those living in the foothills of Judah (land and cities south of Jerusalem, including Hebron) will possess the Philistine plains (Gaza Strip) and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria (the West Bank). And the people of Benjamin will occupy the land of Gilead (portion of northwestern Jordan and southwestern Syria).

“The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath (ancient Tyre and Sidon … the coast of Lebanon). The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev. Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem (Temple Mount which has belonged to the Jews in perpetuity but currently under administrative control of Jordan and the Palestinians) to rule over the mountains of Edom” (Obadiah 1:19-21a).

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen!” (Psalm 41:13).