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Tag Archives: Natural disasters

Major Earthquake in Israel … When & Where It Will Strike

25 Saturday Nov 2017

Posted by garybowers in Prophecy in General

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Natural disasters

Major earthquake in Israel will cause untold damage.

This was the headline of a brief but alarming article posted on November 14th in the online Newsletter Israel Hayom.

Said official Amir Yahav, head of the Israeli government’s steering committee on earthquake readiness: “Israel is due to sustain another major earthquake, but it’s impossible to predict when or where it will hit.”

Actually, without going out on a limb, we can know where in Israel and approximately when this earthquake will strike … because it’s predicted in Scripture!

Scientists and geologists in Israel or anywhere in the world have never been able to predict precisely when or exactly where earthquakes or volcanic eruptions or tsunamis will hit or when hurricanes and tornadoes will form. However, with advanced technology and years of accumulative experience in the checking, calculating, and correlating of previous catastrophes to current demographics and geophysics, experts have become more adept in determining how much damage and loss of life could occur.

Messiah Jesus cited two of these natural calamities in his dramatic description of things that will take place during the last days of the end times … as have the prophets of the Old Testament and apostles of the New Testament.

“…There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come” (Matthew 24:7-8).

(Just One Example of an Earthquake)

Among the more to come are certainly the four mega-earthquakes found in the twenty-one plagues of the Book of Revelation—the sixth and seventh seals, the seventh trumpet, and the most massive of all described in the final 7th bowl judgment.

In Eye of Prophecy articles, Look Up, Redemption is Near, Part I & II (posted 7-11 & 7-18-15), twelve Biblically foretold events or developments are identified that have taken place in this century and the last, including the one listed as number eight: Amazing Increase of Natural Disasters.

Here is an excerpt from Part II of those articles (in italics):

In general (all kinds), five of the top ten natural calamities of all time have occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries. That’s fifty percent in the last one hundred years alone! Likewise, five of the top ten earthquakes through the ages have occurred in the 20th & 21st centuries. Or expanding that to the top twenty-five deadliest earthquakes of all time, fourteen have taken place in the last hundred years or so. Of the ten deadliest tornadoes recorded, eight have occurred in this and the last century.

Yes, it’s true that there are more people now and the death toll would accordingly increase, but that’s not the whole story. Not only has the severity increased, but also the frequency. Although the Richter scale wasn’t invented until 1935, four of the top ten measured earthquakes have taken place just since 2004.

Bringing those figures up to date, we have the following statistics on earthquakes 7.0 or higher on the Richter scale:

Nineteen in 2015. Sixteen in 2016. Eight thus far in 2017 including the: magnitude 8.2 in Mexico on September 8th; 7.9 in Papua New Guinea on January 22nd; 7.7 in Russia on July 17th; 7.3 in Iran on November 12th; 7.1 in Mexico on September 19th. We also witnessed the most destructive hurricane (in terms of dollar loss and massive flooding) in United States history when Hurricane Harvey struck Texas in late August of this year. Please see Eye of Prophecy article, Hurricane Harvey & A Year of Prophetic Milestones (2017), posted 9-9-17.

The Earthquake in Israel: Biblically & Geologically Foretold

Returning to the Israel Hayom article: “The last major tremor to hit Israel was the 1927 Jericho earthquake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was the Dead Sea, and its effects were felt in Jerusalem, Nablus, Jericho, Ramia, and Tiberius, killing 500 people and wounding 700.”

Whether casualties resulting from war, terrorist attacks, or natural disasters, Israelis are inordinately concerned and painstakingly detailed in tabulating the figures and also in projecting the number of casualties for future calamities. It has to do with Israel’s (small) geographic size; even more so her population, which is almost half of the approximate 14.5 million Jews alive in the world today.

For instance: During research for my first book—a novel entitled, O Israel … the end is the beginning for those left behind—a former Israeli Defense Force Major agreed to meet with me and provide general information (with no security breaches!) about the IDF. His specialty in the IDF was grid infrastructure and logistics. When I mentioned the opening scenes of the novel as a coordinated terrorist attack on Tel Aviv resulting in the death (and injury) of Israelis, he promptly asked me how many would die. Although partly dumbfounded by his question, I gave him the figures. He simply nodded his head in some sort of agreement; silently suggesting that if the number was too high, I should strongly consider reducing the casualties or perhaps not write the book at all.

Incredibly, he was apprehensive about the figures even though my book was a work of fiction … albeit based on reality and in the context of history and the near future fulfillment of Biblical prophecy! Thereafter, Major David Zadok and I became friends and have been since that interview in 2006. Before that, he became a Messianic Jew (accepting Jesus as Messiah and Savior), subsequently leaving the IDF to pursue a full-time ministry particularly to the Jews.

(David Zadok)

(David is Pastor of Grace & Truth Congregation Pictured Above, Near Gadera, Israel)

The Israel Hayom article mentioned earlier was one of 15-25 new articles I read weekly from several difference online sources, some of which I occasionally reference or even quote in a few Eye of Prophecy articles. Had it not been for a statistic cited toward the end of that article, it’s highly unlikely I would have used the article at all, let alone center this week’s Eye of Prophecy on it. I could hardly believe what I was reading.

Continuing with Amir Yahav’s ominous projections (the portion that I italicized is what captivated my attention):

“The most recent assessments paint a bleak picture. A major earthquake could cause the collapse of at least 28,000 buildings nationwide, with 290,000 buildings sustaining various degrees of damage. An estimated 7,000 people could be killed and almost 380,000 injured, 8,600 of them seriously. Over 170,000 Israelis could become homeless.”

*Note: Comparing, for example, Israel’s population of 8.3 million (6.5 million Jews, 1.8 million Israeli Arabs) to America’s population of 320 million, the projected loss of 7,000 Israelis in this earthquake would be proportionally equivalent to the loss of 268,800 Americans.

For some reason, I immediately made the connection of the estimated 7,000 killed to an earthquake that will certainly take place in Israel’s (near) future. I say certainly because it is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy … an absolutely sure thing. Hundreds of prophecies have already come to pass, which guarantees—through the laws of probability alone but also because what God says will happen always happens—that this earthquake will occur.

Read with me: “But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, ‘Come up here!’ And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

“At the same time there was a terrible earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city. Seven thousand people died in that earthquake, and everyone else was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:11-13, italics for emphasis).

What city (where in Israel)? Answer: Jerusalem, as the text and context of this passage denotes both directly and indirectly.

It’s a foregone conclusion that Amir Yahav’s estimated fatality count of 7,000 bore no connection in his mind or in the mind of other Israelis (for that matter, to hardly anyone else) to the prophecy in Revelation. There’s maybe a one-tenth of one percent chance that Amir even knows of the Revelation prophecy; the vast majority of Jews in Israel are non-Messianic Jews, who do not (yet) believe in Messiah Jesus nor have ever read the New Testament. Besides, he’s quoting estimated (probable) geophysical measurements of the damage and casualties. Even if he is a Messianic Jew, it’s improbable that his superiors would permit or any secular news source like Israel Hayom would print such a comparison.

Instead, I’m convinced that the (scientifically feasible and reliable) 7,000 fatalities proposed by an Israeli expert in the field of earthquake statistical probabilities was providentially directed by God in yet another other end-times correlation between Biblical prophecy and the phenomenal events and developments of these last days in which we are living. In other words, it’s not coincidental.

It’s analogous to the 6+ million Jews now living in Israel. They literally and prophetically represent the return of Jews to Israel in great numbers from the floods of Roman dispersion and the fires of Nazi death camp, in triumphant comparison to the tragedy of six million Jews slaughtered during the Holocaust. This is much more than chance. It is the unfolding of divine destiny and providential purpose. Nazi Germany has fallen into the ash heap of history. The mighty Roman Empire is long gone. Israel is alive and well! The Jews are back, this time forever!

(The Hebrew Words Say, “The People of Israel Live!”)

These examples are more of what I would term incidental correlations to Biblical prophecy than the more obvious direct connections, such as the twelve events detailed in the aforementioned Eye of Prophecy articles, Look Up, Redemption is Near, Part I & II. Another example of secondary parallels within Biblical prophecy fulfillment are the four 400-year eras found in Biblical and secular history, the fourth (last) of which is ending in our generation. (See Eye of Prophecy article, Countdown to Armageddon … End of The Fourth 400-Year Eras, posted 7-29-17).

The earthquake that will kill 7,000 as recorded in Revelation Chapter 11 takes place right after the two prophets were raised to life. Which caused even more terror to unbelievers who, “…will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them” (Revelation 11:10). Twice they are referred to as the two prophets, but at the beginning of Chapter 11 they are also identified as God’s two witnesses, which is how most Christians and Bible scholars refer to them.

Here is an excerpt from Eye of Prophecy article, The Two Witnesses, Part I. Posted 6-7-14. With Part II & III posted on 6-14 & 6-21-14. (In italics):

So, too with Elijah. He not only was spared providentially from Jezebel’s decree of death for him, he was told by the Lord that 7,000 others in Israel also followed the Lord, who had, “…never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” (I Kings 19:18); to assure Elijah that he was not alone … nor the last true prophet in Israel at the time. Strange or ironic that 7,000 will die in the earthquake immediately after the two prophets are raised from the dead, 3 ½ days after they are murdered by Antichrist. Undoubtedly many, if not all, of these 7,000 who die had already taken the mark of the beast and/or had bowed to the statue of the beast. And it takes the prophets 3 ½ years to, “complete their testimony” (Rev. 11:7), approximately the same amount of time Elijah stopped the rain in Israel.

Ten Intriguing Observations of the Earthquake and the Two Witnesses

(1) As detailed extensively in the trilogy of articles, The Two Witnesses, these prophets are Moses and Elijah. This convincing conclusion includes documented comparison of the description of what they do as found in Revelation 11, to several events of their lives as recorded in the Old Testament.

(2) As indicated, they are stationed in Jerusalem for 1,260 days or 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation, where and when they “will prophesy” and “strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish” (Revelation 11:3-6).

(3) Revelation Chapter 11 begins with an (interlude) introduction to the two witnesses; however, it also chronologically continues the set of trumpet judgments ending with the 7th trumpet. Because the two witnesses are killed after 3 ½ years of their time on earth and this occurs between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgments, I believe we can determine what part of the Great Tribulation during which they testify.

(4) I would encourage you to read Eye of Prophecy article, Stunning Catastrophes of the Tribulation / Their Timing and Purpose, recently posted on 11-4-17. As explained in that article: Based on the chronological sequence and evidence of all twenty-one judgments (actually twenty plagues as the 5th seal depicts slain tribulation saints, not a judgment as such) in Revelation, we can accurately estimate the approximate time duration of or gap between the judgments. The projected time between a preceding and successive judgment will be 4-5 months. Because the two witnesses are killed (and come back to life 3 ½ days later) between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgments, that would place their time of death at 48-50 months into the tribulation. They would have begun their mission 3 ½ years earlier (42 months) or about 6-8 months after the tribulation begins. Which, in turn, would be the same time-frame as the 2nd to 3rd Seal judgements (Horses of the Apocalypse).

(5) That would make perfect sense, as the two witnesses would be preaching to “those who belong to the world;” and, by great power given to them by the Lord, actually begin bringing to an end the destruction caused by the Four Horsemen, who figuratively depict the man-made catastrophes (war, disease, famine) in the first part of the Great Tribulation. Concerning those peoples and armies who try to prevent Elijah and Moses from shutting the sky so that no rain will fall, and turning rivers and oceans into blood: “If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die” (Revelation 11:5). Not until the last half of the tribulation does Antichrist Nero rise to the height of his power; thus, at first, he is powerless to take out Moses and Elijah.

(6) Antichrist Nero will begin his full reign of terror when he breaks the seven-year treaty with the Jews (Daniel 9). He and his ten-nation confederation, “…will trample the holy city (Jerusalem) for 42 months” (Revelation 11:2, parenthesis mine). Because of this increase in power and authority given to him directly by Satan (as permitted by God), Nero will finally be successful in killing Moses and Elijah, which would be about 12-14 months after the half-way mark of the tribulation. Thus, Moses’ and Elijah’s 3 ½ years will overlap the mid-point of the tribulation. Like the Lord raptures believers in Messiah Jesus just before the Tribulation begins, so will Moses and Elijah (after they are brought back to life) be spared from the final devastating full wrath of God poured out in the seven bowls, all of which are directed primarily (some exclusively) against Antichrist and his coalition. In fact, Jesus issues the same command to Moses and Elijah as he does to John, the author of Revelation (which is tantamount to and a representation of the Rapture). Do you recall that command? Hint: it was quoted earlier. Answer: “Come up here!” (Revelation 4:1 & 11:12).

(7) I’m convinced that most, if not all, of the 7,000 who die in the Jerusalem earthquake will be unbelievers—both Jew and Gentile—who have taken the mark of the beast, which Nero will implement soon after the mid-point of the Tribulation. The reason for that conclusion: “…everyone else was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:13). Many of those not killed will immediately acknowledge God as the only one who could undo what the false messiah had done (kill Moses and Elijah) by raising them from the dead. Undoubtedly, giving glory to God will also include some in Jerusalem who will embrace Jesus as the true Messiah. This spectacular resurrection of Elijah and Moses to life will prove to many Jews that Jesus is Messiah. Also that Elijah is, indeed, Elijah, and Moses is truly Moses.

(8) This earthquake in Jerusalem is not one of the trumpet plagues, as it takes place between the sixth and seventh trumpets. It is a special sentence on the city of Jerusalem. More specifically, a judgement directly against the Antichrist beast (Nero) and his coalition; which, by now, have occupied Jerusalem, including the rebuilt Temple’s “outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations” (Revelation 11:2).

(9) Although Revelation Chapters 13 & 17 contain much more information on the biographical and geographic origin of the Antichrist beast including strong clues to his identity (to be solved with wisdom and a mind of understanding—Revelation 13:18 & 17:9), the first mention of the beast is in Chapter 11. “When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them” (Verse 7). Can you imagine? Nero and his armies will declare war against two men! That’s how much power will be given to Moses and Elijah during their astounding 42 months on earth proclaiming the Kingdom of God, along with the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Revelation 7) all over the world.

(10) The Jerusalem earthquake is not one of the four major world-wide earthquakes that occur during the twenty-one seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. Remarkably ironic: the seven thousand killed is a (one thousand) multiple of seven, representing the number of God’s final judgment of evil and sin before the 1,000-year Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus on earth begins.

*Note: It is, in fact, a coincidence that I ended up with ten comments, the number of which correspond to “a tenth” of Jerusalem destroyed by the earthquake. Granted, its speculation, however, I believe we can establish a comparative link with one tenth of the city to the ten Egyptian plagues of the Exodus. The implied meaning: The Lord is judging Jerusalem (in general, for allowing the Antichrist to kill the two witnesses and also because that is where their Messiah was crucified); but also sparingly … to represented the equivalent effect of only one of the ten Egyptians plagues. This comparison to Egypt is further reinforced by the fact that Jerusalem is also depicted symbolically: “And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called ‘Sodom’ and ‘Egypt,’ the city where their Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8).

Premise: Concerning Biblical prophecy, essentially there are two kinds (extremes) of speculation. (1) That which is reasonably safe based on comparing and correlating Scripture itself. (2) That which is unreasonably risky with little or no textual or contextual evidence in Scripture or history.

The Spectacular Increase in Messianic Fervor Among Both Religious and Secular Jews

In several Eye of Prophecy articles, I’ve written about this passionate expectation in the Jewish community for Messiah’s return—what they believe is the first imminent appearance of the Messiah. At least four articles have been entirely focused on this remarkable 20th & 21st century phenomenon. (See Great Expectations for Messiah, posted 8-8-15; Amazing Anticipation for Messiah, 8-29-15; Messiah’s Arrival … On Whose Authority? 11-28-15; Where is Messiah? Is He Already Here? 6-25-16). It’s been 2 ½ years (1 ½ years for the last one mentioned) since these articles were published.

If anything, the Jewish zeal for Messiah’s arrival has intensified even more; unequaled since eager enthusiasm for Messiah’s (first) advent just a few decades before Jesus of Nazareth’s miraculous Virgin birth—which changed the very measurement of time from B.C. to A.D.

Here is an excerpt from, Great Expectations for Messiah … beginning with the opening paragraph of that article (in italics):

What does Aliyah, the blood moon tetrad, the Shemitah, hidden Bible codes, the third Jewish Temple, a red heifer, and Jonathan Pollard’s release from prison have in common, one with the other? If you desire a short easy-to-remember response to that question, then the answer is: Israel’s Redemption Is Very Near. If you prefer a one-word explanation for the common-ground connection between these seemingly diverse subjects and events, we can do that too:

MESSIAH!

Later in that article, more details were given for each of those seven events to further explain how and why both religious and secular Jews have linked them, and many others, to Messiah’s imminent appearance.

Continuing with the excerpt:

Jews all over the world, especially observant Jews in Israel, are becoming exponentially excited over Israel’s redemption. They see this restoration as both physical—rescue from and protection against their enemies—and spiritual … individual and national return to God through renewal of the sacrificial system lost to them when the second Temple was destroyed. No matter what form this revival takes and no matter whether a Jew is religious or secular, there is one prevailing and passionate premise: Messiah will make all these things happen upon his glorious appearance.

Then later in that article:

For those of us, Jew and Gentile, who have been redeemed by Jesus’s atoning sacrifice on the Cross, it will be the glorious reappearance of our Lord. For the greater number of Jews in Israel and world-wide, they believe of course, that it will be Messiah’s first advent. But during the time of Jacob’s trouble (the Great Tribulation) they, too, will fully realize that Messiah and Jesus are one and the same.

For now, suffice to say that Jews (particularly rabbis) are seeing Messianic connections between seemingly unrelated events… I firmly believe that when Jews, especially rabbis, begin making these associations in such large numbers and to such a level of intensity; this is God’s sovereignty in action … by planting the seed of Messianic passion within the hearts and minds of his people just as he did before Christ came the first time.

A Recent Example of the Non-Messianic Jewish Focus on Messiah’s Arrival

As we’ll see from excerpts in the following article, this time a rabbi has gone so far as to claim that Messiah’s identity will be soon revealed. For millions of Gentile Christians and thousands of Messianic Jews down through the ages, we know who Messiah is! Therefore, it’s a matter of proclaiming that truth, and praying for and bearing witness to the Jewish community that they would see this, too; if they would objectively examine the testimony of the Scriptures (such as Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and Psalm 110). Then compare that evidence to the amazing 100% fulfillment of messianic prophecies by Jesus of Nazareth when he came to earth 2,000 years ago.

The title of this article written by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, posted November 9th in the online newsletter, Breaking Israel News, was: Mystic Rabbi Describes How Will Messiah Be Revealed To World. The article begins:

“Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi, a well-known Israeli mystic leader, made a remarkable statement last Sunday predicting that the identity of the Messiah would be revealed in the very near future, even giving specific details on how the revelation would occur.

‘Messiah is at work right now,’ Rabbi Ben Artzi said in a sermon. ‘Jews, be happy! Very soon, the Messiah will be revealed to everyone!’

*Note: He’s right, but for the wrong reasons! For example, Messiah has already been revealed (Jesus of Nazareth). His soon arrival will be his second coming, but that won’t occur until seven years after the astonishing Rapture of believers, Jew and Gentile alike. See Eye of Prophecy article, Messiah’s Return & The Rapture (Same or Separate Events?). Posted 12-3-16.

The article continues to quote Rabbi Ben Artzi:

“‘The Holy One, Blessed be He, will come to the rabbis in a dream with a vision and inform them of whom He has chosen for the King Messiah … There will be a yellow card and holy letters inscribed on a parchment like a Torah scroll, where they will be told in Aramaic who is King Messiah,’ the rabbi continued. Aramaic is no longer spoken, but it is the language of the Talmud (oral law). ‘Then they will have no choice and they will recognize the King Messiah.’

‘Either you reveal him or the Creator of the world will cause you great trouble and will not let go until you reveal this and tell it to the people of Israel … Then they will follow the instructions laid out in the dream and acknowledge who the Messiah King is.’”

(Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi)

Once again, we find a rabbi who doesn’t quote even one passage of Scripture to substantiate his claim (how Messiah will be revealed). Although some rabbis will cite a verse or two, invariably it doesn’t track with nor is it pertinent to whatever event the rabbi may refer or prediction he makes. A few have been relevant to Scripture in a general context, but with specific details inaccurately applied to, not found in, and/or contradicting the Bible.

Here is an excerpt from the aforementioned Eye of Prophecy article: Where is Messiah? Is He Already Here? (In italics)

Indeed, there will be great joy when Messiah appears, not just with the Jews but with all the surviving tribulation saints who are on the brink of Armageddon-ish destruction.

Sadly, before the rejoicing, there will be great sorrow and mourning throughout Israel and with Jews globally. I’ve sometimes quoted the following verses and will cite them again, because it is a passage that you seldom hear or see quoted by Jews, especially the Orthodox among them. It is one of several Messianic passages in the Old Testament that Judaism unfortunately ignores or tries to explain away. See Eye of Prophecy articles, Does God Really Have a Son, Part I & II (published 10-31-15 & 11-7-15) for some of these key passages.

When reading the following passage, pay special attention to the personal pronouns. The context is clearly the very last days just before and during Messiah’s magnificent appearance. Actually, his return; which is, as indicated, the main emphasis of today’s article … reappearance versus appearance.

“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David, and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me 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. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo. All Israel will mourn…” (Zechariah 12:10-12).

Messiah is speaking, and he tells Israel that they will, “look on me whom they have pierced.” Then switches to the 2nd person and states, “…and mourn for him…”

The piercing was literally fulfilled when the Romans cruelly staked Jesus to a cross with spikes driven into his wrists and feet—a form of execution not yet invented (at least not like the Romans “perfected” it) when Zechariah made this prophecy.

Considering the anxious anticipation and eager expectation for Messiah and the wonderful things he will do to restore and redeem Israel, why on earth would Israel mourn when they first see him? If the Jews are right that this will be Messiah’s initial appearance, what then would produce such great sorrow, before their joy of being delivered from their enemies?

The text is explicitly clear: They will recognize that it was Jesus all along who was and is their Messiah. Their personal redemption had been purchased long ago, which is why they will mourn for him individually and separately (see the rest of Zechariah 12). Grief will flow from their (and their ancestor’s) rejection of Messiah and their decision to ignore the New Covenant that Isaiah and Jeremiah had promised would come.

There is no Scriptural evidence whatsoever for Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi’s vision to be given credibility. He is but one of several Jewish rabbis who purport to have visions or dreams or messages from heaven concerning Messiah’s arrival. Many of these predictions are based on and interpretations of the Oral Law of Judaism written down in the Talmud. Most of these rabbis belong to the Kabbalistic branch of Judaism, which is a mystical, sometimes even paranormal, attempt to correlate the Old Testament and (mostly the) Talmud to modern-day events and developments.

(Many Volumes to the Babylonian Talmud)

More often than not, these psychic projections or problematic predictions are extra-Biblical in origin and application to whatever event is being cited to “prove” that Messiah is on his way.

Nevertheless, there is a profound positive perspective that both Gentile Christians and Messianic Jews can and should possess with regard to this exponential growth of Messianic fervor in Judaism. At the very least, most observant and even some non-observant Jews are generally tuned in to the prophetic events taking place, not the least of which was the miraculous rebirth of the State of Israel as a prelude to Messiah’s imminent arrival. And, that is good!

However, the Jewish ardent anticipation for Messiah needs to be placed in the context explicitly explained by the Apostle Paul. Reason: By and large, Jews and Judaism still refuse to believe and receive Jesus as the (their) Messiah. Read with me Paul’s passionate words which are every bit as relevant and applicable in the 21st century as the 1st century:

“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, the cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:1-4).

Things to Ponder

I trust you had a happy Thanksgiving Day, continuing throughout this weekend.

Whether a Jewish or Gentile believer in Messiah Jesus—saved by personally accepting his substitutionary sacrifice on a cruel cross—or an unbeliever who will hopefully reach out to Jesus for redemption, we have much to be thankful for. Despite all of the internal strife and polarization in America and all over the world, we still have the freedom to live for and share whom and what we love and believe in.

As born again believers, we certainly are not better than anyone else. But, according to the powerful and precious promises so wonderfully presented in the Bible, we are (in the context of eternity) better off. I say this with utmost humility, because believers are simply sinners saved by the Grace of God. We have a hope that is grounded in the sure word of Biblical prophecy, whether those promises pertain to the present or future or both.

Here is one of those many promises that assure born-again believers in Messiah Jesus that our salvation is permanent; it cannot be taken from us, nor can we lose it. Because it’s based solely on God’s unconditional love and our eternal position in Christ (what he did for us that we could not do for ourselves) the moment we trust him as our personal Savior.

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ….

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).

One day soon God’s great love which gave us so great a salvation will lead believers to a change of address from earth to heaven, through a brand new body just like our Lord and Savior, Messiah Jesus!

On the wall above my desk, I’ve attached a note with these words:

Things Precious to Me:

The Lord’s Promises, Protection, Patience, and (above all) Presence

Come quickly, Lord Jesus. We are ready.

Hurricane Harvey & A Year of Prophetic Milestones (2017)

09 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by garybowers in Current Events

≈ 1 Comment

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Natural disasters

Natural Disasters … Questions of Correlation

This week’s article will examine some remarkable prophetic anniversaries taking place in 2017 which is the Jewish calendar year 5777-5778. But first, we’ll look at some startling time-proximity correlations between catastrophes in the United States and America’s political strategies (to bring peace to the Middle East) that are contradictory to God’s plan for Israel.

I will begin with a disclaimer: These correlations are not meant to inflexibly state that there is a divine causal connection between the peace conferences and the calamities which occurred within a short time span. Obviously, the implications are yours to make.

Could there be a link? Yes, because Scripture is replete with examples of God using the natural elements he created to supernaturally capture the attention of both Israel and Gentile nations. Such as the ten plagues against Egypt. Or the years of debilitating drought in Israel during Elijah’s time. Through miracles or by the sheer scope of some natural disasters, God periodically intervenes in the affairs of the human race to providentially accomplish his ultimate plan.

As stated in prior Eye of Prophecy articles, this plan has two parts. First: selection and separation of Israel as God’s special possession and the Jews as his chosen people to bring God’s light and truth to the world—specifically through the promised Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Included in this design is return of the Jews to the Promised Land in preparation for Israel’s final redemption; a prelude to establishing the Kingdom of God on earth, headquartered in Jerusalem. Second: to unite Jew and Gentile into one new person through the substitutionary sacrificial death of Jesus to bring personal salvation to all who believe and receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior.

Thus, if individuals and especially entire nations challenge or compromise God’s prophetic purpose for Israel, there will be long-term consequences. But also periodic short-term results possibly related to some specific and unusually severe catastrophes—hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and droughts. With all the other random or regular disasters a general result of an earth dramatically changed when sin entered the world, and especially with the Great Flood that altered some of the geophysical dynamics of nature … such as rain.

“Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:20-22).

Let’s look at two nation-shaking events in America that have riveted the attention of the entire world in just the past few weeks.

The August 21st Total Eclipse of the Sun

Did you watch it … with, of course, the proper set of sunglasses? Were you aware of the historical significance of this phenomenal event? Did you know that, in an unprecedented manner, it will happen again in seven years … 2024? Let’s look at some intriguing facts and figures with which you may not be familiar.

It’s the first total eclipse of the sun that cut a (diagonal) path across the continental United States since 1918, ninety-nine years ago.

Total darkness enveloped a swath across the country that consisted of a few dozen miles in width; the eclipse began mid-morning in Oregon then progressed on a southeasterly path ending in South Carolina. In 2024 the same thing will occur, but it will be a southwest to northeast path that will move toward the Atlantic states. The most centralized point where the 2024 eclipse will intersect with the 2017 eclipse (marking it with an “X”) is an area in southern Illinois known as, “Little Egypt.” This name came about in the mid-19th century due to a famine in northern Illinois, which drove the residents to southern Illinois to seek food, much like Jacob and his family moved to Egypt where Jacob’s long-lost son Joseph saved them from starvation. But then Egypt became the object of God’s wrath because the Egyptians had forgotten all about his rescuing them through Joseph.

The composite land mass in which the intersecting “X” of these two eclipses conceals parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky is approximately 9,000 square miles—very similar to size of New Jersey. Which is the state that is closest in land mass to Israel! (See Eye of Prophecy article, United Nations Downsizing of Israel … Resolution 2334, posted 1-7-17).

What comes to mind is the next-to-last (9th) plague that God inflicted on the Egyptians; one of total darkness for three days, “…so thick you (the Egyptians) can feel it” (Exodus 10:21). “…But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived” (Verse 23).

There’s another horrific darkness soon to come. Read with me:

“Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. His subjects ground their teeth in anguish, and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God” (Revelation 16:10-11).

Speaking of correlations, this is the fifth bowl judgement, one of several that is levied exclusively against Antichrist and his followers … the 19th of twenty-one calamities (seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls). Which makes it mathematically equivalent to the 9th plague against Egypt (both periods of intense darkness are 90% through the total number of plagues/judgments).

The Number Four Hundred

A recent Eye of Prophecy article entitled, Countdown to Armageddon … End of the Fourth 400-Year Era, posted 7-29-17, explains the significance of the number four in both Scripture and the universe, with added emphasis on the Biblical factors of forty and especially four hundred. Beginning with the 400-year Hebrew enslavement to the Egyptians which had been foretold by God to Abraham.

On August 22nd, the day after the eclipse, an article—one of many articles from several sources on the subject of the eclipse, both before and after it occurred—was posted in the online news source Aish.com entitled, The Next Solar Eclipse in 2014: A Startling Message for the World, written by Rabbi Benjamin Blech. Interestingly, he referred to that same prophecy to Abraham. The following excerpt from Rabbi Blech’s column provides more intriguing insight on the number 400, in the context of the 2024 eclipse crossing the August eclipse in Little Egypt:

“There is an all-important number associated with the Torah account of the Egyptian exile. It was a prophecy to Abraham that God informed our patriarch of the time that would first bring darkness to his descendants: ‘You shall surely know that your seed will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will enslave them and oppress them for 400 years’ (Genesis 15:13).

“A solar eclipse is predicated on that very number. The sun, as the Bible told us, is larger than the moon… (Genesis 1:15). To be exact we know that the sun is exactly 400 times larger than the moon. How is it possible for the moon, so much smaller, to cover the sun to our eyes in an eclipse? That is because the sun is also 400 times further from us than the moon—a relationship of distance exactly parallel to that of size!”

Another article grabbed my attention (not related to the eclipse) on the subject of the epic 400-year eras. The article written by Yoram Ettinger, published in the online news source Israel Hayom on August 25, 2017 was entitled: 400 years of special affinity. Ettinger’s underlying theme was that the recent incident at Charlottesville, North Carolina involving “Nazi-saluting white supremacists” did not represent American values. He states:

“These episodes defy the civic, moral and religious foundations of the U.S. … which have demonstrated high esteem for Judaism from the era of the Pilgrims through the Founding Fathers until today.”

The final paragraph of Ettinger’s post corresponds to the aforementioned Eye of Prophecy article:

“While there is only one Hebron in the land of Israel—King David’s first capital—there are 18 Hebrons in the U.S., among the thousands of locations in the U.S. bearing biblical names. This reflects the state of mind of the early colonists and the Founding Fathers, who considered themselves to be ‘the modern-day chosen people’ and viewed the New World as ‘the modern-day Promised Land.’ They established the 400-year old foundation for the special affinity of the American people for the Jewish state and for America’s high esteem for the Old Testament, which dwarf the significance of supremacists and any other form of anti-Israel or anti-Semitic sentiments.”

Here is an excerpt from Countdown to Armageddon … End of the Fourth 400-Year Era (in italics):

At the outset of this week’s article, it occurred to me that there very well could be a final span of 400 years that would track with the generational prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24 (based on two Biblical definitions of a generation … 100 years and 70 years), ending somewhere close to the year 2020….

For that to be even a possibility, I would need to backtrack 400 years to determine if there was a huge milestone event that dramatically impacted human history.

There is such an event! It would certainly qualify as historic, something that billions of people know or have heard about, although not necessarily when it took place. It came after 1,000 plus years of spiritual darkness (Dark Ages) in what scholars commonly call Christendom, in which the Bible was available only to the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. One result of that Biblical illiteracy was widespread persecution of Jews all over the world, not the least of which was perpetrated by the massively misguided and doctrinally deprived Crusaders, as well as the Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church.

Do you know what that exceptional episode was?

Answer: The King James Bible!

This next portion of the excerpt tracks with the above quoted portion of Yoram Ettinger’s article:

If you prefer, as an alternative (same basic time frame), the beginning of the 400 years also could be attributed to when America got its historical start with the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620, nine years after the King James Bible was introduced. Our forefathers firmly believed that America was the promised land of a new nation, akin to the original and still-standing Promised Land of Israel.

In the closing remarks of the Countdown to Armageddon… article I wrote:

The more I wrote, then edited, this week’s article, the more I’m convinced that we are at the end of the fourth and final (remember the significance of the number four in terms of completeness, continuity, and finality) 400-years of this age of human history. Regarding the historical impact, the King James Bible was one of the biggest events of all time. The written Word of God became accessible to millions more than before, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ began to spread exponentially.

The Solar Eclipse & Hurricane Harvey

Texans, especially in Houston, are still digging and drying out from one of the most devastating natural disasters in our country’s history. Not so much in loss of life (thankfully) compared to other huge storms, but in the mind-boggling Biblical proportions of rain and the sheer expanse of the flooding, along with what could be the largest economic cost/loss of all time.

(Downtown Houston, Texas)

Most Jewish Rabbis place as much weight on the Talmud—a written collection of oral traditions, commentaries, and interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures—as they do on the Old Testament itself. Although I certainly have not read the entire Talmud (a huge task), I have read quite a few excerpts from and commentaries on select sections. Many portions of the Talmud accurately (even profoundly) analyze the Old Testament; others do not. Meaning there is nothing in Scripture to support some of the Talmudic conclusions or applications, or make a convincing correlation between the commentary and the Bible itself.

Thus, concerning the possible connection between the solar eclipse and Hurricane Harvey, I would recommend that you consider placing the following statement from the aforementioned article written by Rabbi Benjamin Blech more in the context of the opening remarks in today’s Eye of Prophecy article. Keep in mind that Blech’s article was written after the eclipse but before Harvey struck Texas and Louisiana.

“The relationship between the sun and the moon and the years predicted for the Egyptian exile share the number 400 so that we be attentive to a powerful divine message. An eclipse, the Talmud teaches us, is a heavenly sign. An eclipse of the moon, the rabbis tell us, is a bad omen for the Jewish people, an eclipse of the sun is a bad sign for the non-Jewish world. I dare to suggest that an eclipse across the continental United States of America linked to Little Egypt may well serve as a warning of the darkening of the American Spirit….”

He then references Time Magazine headlines immediately after the Charlottesville incident (that Yoram Ettinger also cited as seen in excerpts from his article): “Hatred Across America.”

Although there could be a connection between the August 21st Solar Eclipse and Hurricane Harvey which struck on August 25-26th, I believe there is the stronger probability of an association between Harvey and the very latest U.S. delegation to Israel. For example, the total eclipse in the United States of 1918 could be considered a good sign, as World War I was coming to an end, and it followed soon after the Balfour Declaration of 1917. Also, Israel experienced a significant eclipse of the moon in early August of this year with no dramatic or traumatic time-proximity events in Israel.

Correlations between Hurricanes in America and U.S. Interference with Israel’s Sovereignty

First, it’s vital to realize and remember that the United States, far beyond any other nation on earth, has by and large supported Israel—spiritually (Christian Zionists), culturally and economically (millions of American tourists to Israel and aid to Israel), and militarily (equipment including the most sophisticated fighter jets). But not always politically, which more than anything else can affect international relationships and the destiny of some nations.

This is especially true regarding America’s pervasive political ignorance of the Biblical God-given mandate that all of Jerusalem, all of Judea/Samaria, all of the Gaza Strip … all of Israel belong to the Lord’s chosen people. The single biggest error that this country has made is to harbor the same unbiblical narrative of Israel’s enemies; that many of the Jews living in the so-called West Bank, which includes (according to the Palestinians) the eastern part of Jerusalem are “illegal settlers.” Or that Jews are “occupiers.”

Paraphrasing my commentary responses in some previous Eye of Prophecy articles: Occupiers of what? Palestine? There is no such thing as Palestine. There is only Israel. How, then, can Jews occupy—in the negative connotation of the word—their own land?

In fact, I ‘m going to state this Biblically based premise more emphatically than phrased in prior articles (in italics for emphasis): Nor will there ever be a Palestinian State in perpetuity; whether God divinely prohibits it outright, or whether he allows such a state to be established for only a few years just before or during the Great Tribulation.

Over the years, I’ve read several articles that noted an astonishing link between natural disasters in the United States that occurred very soon after our executive staff attempted to impose conditions and restrictions on the Israeli government with regard to settlements and internal boundaries that were artificially and ambiguously assigned to Israel (through international pressure) despite the fact that Israel won the 1948 and 1967 wars against Arab nations.

Not long after his book Eye to Eye – Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel was published in 2004, I met William (Bill) Koenig at a prophecy conference held in Phoenix, Arizona.

He was born in Phoenix, Arizona but has lived much of his life in Washington D.C. serving as a White House news correspondent and consultant. His wife, Claudia, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. I’m sure she is even more saddened by Hurricane Harvey’s devastation for that reason. She, too, was at the conference and opened it with one of the most heart-felt unpretentious powerful public prayers I’ve ever heard. She truly is a prayer warrior. I can relate to Bill Koenig because he, too, is an avid student of the Bible and of the Middle East. He loves Israel, as do I.

If memory serves, he was one of the first (if not the first) to make these startling correlations between huge natural disasters in America and peace conferences—involving the United States, Israel, the Palestinians, and other nations—that were held in close time-proximity to those catastrophes … the biggest of which was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The above referenced book that he wrote was revised and updated in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

At that same conference, I also met and spoke with well-known author and expert on Israel and Biblical prophecy, Randall Price. I purchased a copy of Randall’s latest book, but by the time I got to Koenig’s book, the supply was gone. For whatever reason that is hidden away under these gray hairs of mine, I never followed up on obtaining a copy of his book; however, I have read some commentaries on the book.

(Left … Former Governor Mike Huckabee with Claudia & Bill Koenig)

For purpose of today’s article, I’ll provide a couple of excerpts from a Breaking News Israel column written Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, posted August 28th. His article tracks with William Koenig’s books and articles on the subject and very likely was based on Koenig’s book, others who had read his book, or perhaps a few rabbis who have made similar observations.

Wrote Berkowitz: “Hurricane Harvey, described as the ‘worst disaster’ in Texan history, fits into a troubling pattern of natural disasters striking America at times when the country’s leadership is attempting to push Israel into negotiating with its Palestinian neighbors for a peaceful two-state solution involving Israeli concessions….

“The storm coincided with the Trump Administration’s Middle East negotiating team, led by Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt visiting the region in yet another attempt to jump-start peace talks. The devastation of Hurricane Harvey thus follows a long line of natural disasters that have accompanied the anti-Israel political process of negotiating with the Palestinians.”

Berkowitz then itemized previous natural disasters eerily coinciding with ill-advised and ill-fated efforts to achieve an elusive peace which requires the Jews to give up precious Israeli land.

As commentary to his article, I will add the following in italics for emphasis. Palestinians demand for more land is made without any willingness to stop attacking Israelis or to recognize Israel as a sovereign state in the family of nations.

In addition to Hurricane Harvey, Berkowitz goes on to identify the following incidents. Some of the wording/elaboration is my own, as I’m only summarizing, not quoting him verbatim at this point:

  • On October 31st, the day after President George H.W. Bush signed the Madrid Peace Agreement, the full force of a hurricane labeled, The Perfect Storm (also called the No-Name Storm) hit the east coast of the United States, destroying Bush’s house in Kennebunkport, Maine. Who hasn’t seen the movie of the same name, starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, released in 2000?
  • Attempted implementation of the Madrid Peace Conference agreements (land for peace in Israel) intensified when the Madrid Conference continued in Washington D.C. on August 23, 1992. The very next day, Hurricane Andrew, the worst (still) natural disaster in America’s history ravaged Florida.
  • Georges, a category 4 hurricane, pummeled the Gulf Coast in 1998 causing $10 billion in damages and killing 604 people. Just a few days before that, Secretary of State Madeline Albright announced an American-sponsored deal requiring Israel to relinquish 13 percent of Judea and Samaria.
  • Less than one month later when PLO President Yasser Arafat met with the Israeli Prime Minister to further discuss the “agreement” brokered by the United States, Hurricane Madeline tore into the coast of Texas, killing 31 people.
  • In August, 2005, Hurricane Katrina relentlessly pounded several Gulf States, with devastating damage and horrific loss of life (nearly 2,000, including 135 classified as missing). Just before that, under intense pressure from the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that every single Jewish resident (about 10,000 in all) of the Gush Katif settlement in the Gaza Strip would be uprooted from their houses and relocated throughout the rest of Israel.

Summary

In recap of this portion of today’s article, I refer you to Eye of Prophecy article: Is President Trump Wavering on the Waiver? Posted 2-4-17. That article was followed by: Trump, Cyrus, and the Jewish Temple (2-18-17). Then more recently: Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem … a Broken Promise? (6-10-17); written not long after President Trump signed the waiver delaying the US Embassy move for another six months. No different than Presidents William Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama had done twice a year during their administrations.

I was among those willing to give President Trump the benefit of the doubt in postponing his campaign promise to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. That move would have been a literal and symbolic signal that the United States was finally following through on its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital; mandated by the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which the US Senate and House of Representatives passed by a huge margin.

Now, I’m inclined to think that our president’s decision was perhaps more permanent. I hope I’m wrong, but Donald Trump seems determined, albeit with his own distinctive style, to pursue the failed peace path of his predecessors. He is wavering on his statement that either a one state or two state solution would be fine with him—as long as the agreement was negotiated directly between Israel and the Palestinians. He seemingly has switched to the already failed tactics of imposing a peace plan on Israel that would to some extent or another result in Israel’s untenable return to the 1967 or even the 1948 borders that are nothing more than cease-fire boundaries.

Fortunately, Trump is holding serve with regard to his and the U.S. Congress demand that the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stop paying monthly salaries to the families of terrorists killed or imprisoned because they attacked and murdered Israelis. On the other hand, our executive staff appears to be buying in to the twisted Palestinian narrative: to the victors (Israel in its defensive wars against Arab nations) belong little or even less than what they had won in war. And to the defeated belong everything they had to begin with and more (such as dividing Jerusalem into two capitals).

That is no different than what Barack Obama promoted during his presidency.

It needs to be stated once again: Sponsoring a two-state solution at Israel’s expense is both a futile and dangerous path to pursue. No nation will be spared the consequences of unilaterally pushing such a plan.

Listen once again to the true and living God, the God of Israel:

“At the time of those events, says the Lord, when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for dividing up my land” (Joel 3:1-2, italics for emphasis).

When will the Palestinians and nations of the earth who insist on Palestinian statehood ever realize that the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem could be theirs, too; if they only would recognize the right of a Jewish State, with Jerusalem its capital? Down deep, Israeli-Arab citizens of Israel know that they are (far) better off inside a Jewish State. That the Palestinians will never agree, short of civil war, whether Hamas or the Palestinian Authority would govern a Palestinian State. Which doesn’t matter anyway, because neither of these two corrupt regimes will voluntarily agree (this side of the Rapture) to recognize Israel as a sovereign state.

Is there a correlation between the Perfect Storm, Andrew, Georges, Madeline, Katrina, and Harvey and America’s determination to bring peace to the Middle East, which is a noble endeavor? But with an ignoble, unbiblical, and one-sided scheme of forcing Israel into “dividing up my land.”

Whose land? God’s land given to the Jews. The entire earth belongs to the Lord; indeed, the universe. When he says that a tiny area of 9,000 square miles (size of New Jersey) belongs to Israel, then we would do well to keep the Jews where they belong.

(Look Hard to Find Israel!)

Remarkable Anniversaries in 2017

Concerning the matter of Israel’s past, present, and future that Scripture clearly shows will impact world history, there are some remarkable milestone anniversaries in 2017. Although mentioned before in a few Eye of Prophecy articles, they are worth looking at again in the context of what appears to be a pivotal year of end-times prophecy. Here they are, with one more added to the list, which is:

Anniversary (120th) of the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland on August 29th, 1897

Organized by Theodor Herzl, who many believe to be the father of Zionism (return of the Jews to Israel) and attended by 200 Jewish and Gentile delegates (including two Christians) from European countries and even from the United States, this milestone event in Israel’s history took place 120 years ago last month.

Taken from an article posted on August 28, 2017 written by the founder of Breaking Israel News, Rabbi Tuly Weisz, including a quote from Theodor Herzl, we read:

“Were I to sum up the Basel Congress in a word—which I shall guard against pronouncing publicly—it would be this, wrote Herzl in his diary on September 3, 1897. At Basel, I founded the Jewish state. If I said this out loud today I would be greeted by universal laughter. In five years perhaps, and certainly, in 50 years, everyone will perceive it.”

Then Rabbi Weisz writes: “Indeed, in just over 50 years … the Jewish state was established…”

He, of course, was referring to the sovereign State of Israel reborn on May 14, 1948. I would clarify Weisz’ clarification of “just over 50 years” by adding that it was 50 years—if we identify the UN Resolution of November, 1947 as the pivotal point in Israel’s rebirth as a state.

Concerning the significance of 120 years (2017 anniversary of the Basel Conference), where in Scripture do we see this number?

Correct: The lapse of time between God’s instructions for Noah to build an ark to the time when God’s judgment was poured out on a perversely wicked world. The Great Flood was a divine purge of the earth. Scripture tells us explicitly that there will be another (final) mighty judgment of the earth and its inhabitants. Following the flood, God chose Abraham to be the father of a nation set apart for him to be a light to the Gentiles and to bring Messiah to the nations. Could it be that this same time-lapse prototype was also the pattern that began with the first Zionist conference 120 years ago? One that resulted in the building of the ark of refuge for the Jews … the nation of Israel. One that will (soon) end with God’s final cleansing of the earth.

Anniversary (100th) of the Balfour Declaration of 1917

Near the end of World War I, Great Britain seized control of “Palestine” from the Ottoman Empire. England’s government approved Lord Balfour’s declaration that the Jews would be afforded the official right to make (a portion of) Palestine their homeland again alongside of the Arabs. The Jews agreed. The Arabs disagreed.

As indicated in Eye of Prophecy article, The Omega Generation (posted 2-15-14) and also the two-part article The Balfour Declaration … Beginning of the Omega Generation (5-13 & 5-20-17), I’m convinced The Balfour Declaration was the beginning of the (100-year) generation foretold by Jesus (see Matthew 24:32-34). It was the first date-dedicated fulfillment of hundreds of Biblical prophesies of the Jewish return to Israel.

The August solar eclipse in America—the Gentile nation Biblically patterned after and representing, not replacing, Israel—(see Eye of Prophecy article, America the Beautiful Is Getting Ugly, posted July, 2016) occurred 100 years, rounding it off, after the last total eclipse.

Anniversary (70th) of November, 1947 United Nations Resolution

This time not just Great Britain, but the newly formed United Nations voted statehood rights to Israel and to the Arabs.

Same thing happened. The Jews accepted. The Arabs refused.

(Map to the Right–The “Seizure” by Israel Was a Direct Result of Defending Herself From Arab Attacks in Two Wars. Also, the Black Dot Representing Jerusalem Should Be Placed Just Inside the Lavender Shaded Area. Accurate Maps Except That One Dot. Notice the Source From Which These Maps Were Drawn)

This was the beginning of the 2nd generational period of time as defined by Scripture—seventy years. It was another monumental milestone fulfillment of prophecy concerning Israel’s destiny, but also the fate of Gentile nations. For this resolution was passed by the world’s largest international body after the defunct League of Nations. Although the UN Resolution of 1947 was providentially directed by the Lord, little did or do the “united” nations of the world understand the Biblical end-times implications of their decision. One day soon they will experience firsthand the final results of what it means to bless Israel or to curse Israel (Genesis 12:1-3). They will learn what God’s own people learned the hard way for forty years in the wilderness, when the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land. They, “…will discover what it is like to have me (God) for an enemy” (Numbers 14:34).

Also, next year will be the 70th year anniversary of the actual rebirth of Israel on May 14, 1948.

Anniversary (50th) of Israel’s Liberation of Jerusalem

This was the crowning achievement of the prophetic fulfillment concerning Israel. Again referring to the Omega Generation and the trilogy of Eye of Prophecy articles preceding it (Seven Times Seven to the 4th Power), returning the Holy City Jerusalem to Jewish sovereignty in the Holy Land of Israel signaled the end of Gentile domination over the Jews that began during the Babylonian Captivity some 2,600 years ago. I’m convinced that the Lord unilaterally reenacted the Year of Jubilee for his chosen people in 1967; having restored the Jubilee with the Balfour Declaration in 1917, fifty years earlier.

See Eye of Prophecy article, Jubilee and Messiah … They Go Together! Posted 1-23-16.

Things to Ponder

Jesus said no one knows the “day or hour” of his return—meaning the Rapture. But he challenged us to discern the signs of the last days.

The time is soon. The time is near. The time could be here … even this year. Or next year or the one after. But it won’t be long.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

When Messiah Jesus came from heaven to the earth 2000 years ago, he brought with him the New Covenant promised by Jeremiah. With it he brought God’s grace, love, and forgiveness in a whole new way—by simply trusting in Messiah’s sacrificial death. When Jesus returns he will bring God’s final wrath on an ungrateful, ungodly world. Between these two times, God moves in individuals and nations to get us to listen to his Son.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, God spoke in an audible voice:

Are we listening?

Repeating the question while we wait and watch: Is there a correlation between the devastating hurricanes that have struck the United States since our government’s strategy of pushing peace in Israel that diametrically opposes God’s plan for his people?

God has richly blessed the United States of America. Will that continue? To whom much is given, much is required.

Or should we be asking the question: How many national disasters will it take to get our attention?

What about Irma’s ominous path to Florida as today’s article is being posted?

If we seek to bless Israel and not harm her, perhaps the Lord will once again rebuke the wind and say to the waves:

‘“Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).

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  • BREXIT … What’s It All About?
  • Bring Back Our Boys
  • Build The Temple! Will Messiah Come?
  • Can A Murderer Be A Martyr?
  • Christ or Antichrist … who will it be?
  • Comparing A Phenomenal Prophecy in Leviticus With One in Zechariah
  • Conspiracy Theories … A New World Order
  • Countdown to Armageddon … End of the Fourth 400-Year Era
  • COVID-19 / Just Another Plague?
  • COVID-19 / Just Another Plague? (Part II)
  • Cunning Makeover of the Great City (Revelation 17)
  • Daniel’s 70 Prophetic Weeks & The Number Seventy!
  • Day of Infamy
  • Did God Really Appear to People? When & How?
  • Diplomacy With Israel Despite Anti-Semitism / A Puzzling Paradox
  • Divine Consequences of Iran’s Arrogance (Part I)
  • Divine Consequences of Iran’s Arrogance (Part II)
  • Does Christmas Really Need Christ?
  • Does God Really Have a Son? … Part I
  • Does God Really Have a Son? … Part II
  • Does Israel Belong To The State of Israel?
  • Does The Holy Spirit Restrain (the Man of) Lawlessness?
  • Don’t Seal The Book of Revelation!
  • Double Israel’s Trouble & Double Her Blessings!
  • End of the World Events … In Chronological Order!
  • Ethnic Cleansing of Jews … The Real Palestinian Agenda
  • Exposing Antichrist’s Identity … More Compelling Evidence (Part I)
  • Exposing Antichrist’s Identity … More Compelling Evidence (Part II)
  • Extraordinary Biblical Prophecies w/Predicted Times of Fulfillment (Part I)
  • Extraordinary Biblical Prophecies w/Predicted Times of Fulfillment (Part II)
  • Festival of Tabernacles … Part I
  • First Century Existence of Christ and Antichrist & Their 21st Century Return
  • Five Life-Changing Meals in the Bible
  • For or Against Israel?
  • For Such A Time As This
  • Fountain of Youth & Fountain of Life … Is There a Difference?
  • Four Locust Kingdoms!
  • Freedom … What Does It Really Mean?
  • Fulfilled Prophecy Proves We Can Trust The Bible
  • Gateway to the World
  • Giving Thanks … What is it all about
  • Global Obsession with Jerusalem … In Biblical Proportions!
  • Globalism or Populism … Which Will Antichrist Prefer?
  • God Is Great & Yet He’s So Good!
  • God Is in Control
  • God’s New Covenant with Israel … Minus the Temple (Part I)
  • God’s New Covenant with Israel … Minus the Temple (Part II)
  • Gog, Magog and Leviathan
  • Gog/Magog’s Prophetic Clock Is Ticking, Ticking….
  • Grace and Law … A Biblical Balance
  • Great Expectations for Messiah
  • Hanukkah & Christmas / Do They Have Anything in Common?
  • Hanukkah … The Festival Born of a Prophecy!
  • Happy New Year … Jerusalem Style!
  • Has Antichrist Already Died … How, When & Why
  • How and When Does The World End?
  • How the Rapture
  • Humiliating End of the Great City (Revelation 17)
  • Hurricane Harvey & A Year of Prophetic Milestones (2017)
  • Intriguing Comparisons Between Antiochus IV & Antichrist (Nero)
  • Israel Is Again The Head, Not the Tail (The Deal of the Century)
  • Is President Trump Wavering On “The Waiver”?
  • ISIS, Nero, and Rome
  • Israel Is Here To Stay … Forever!
  • Israel’s Annexation of Occupied Territory? We Must Define The Terms
  • Israel’s Controversial Nation-State Law
  • Israel’s Government in Limbo … Unprecedented!
  • Israeli Occupation … Fact or Myth?
  • Italy’s New Government / A Thorn in the EU’s Side
  • Jerusalem … A Capital Without a Country?
  • Jerusalem … City of Peace?
  • Jerusalem / City Above All Cities
  • Jerusalem’s Mysterious Eastern Gate … Making Headlines
  • Jesus’s Stunning Statements While on the Cross… A Summary of Salvation!
  • Jesus Is The Very Essence of Prophecy
  • Jewish Christian / Christian Jew … An Oxymoron?
  • Jewish Settlements in Judea/Samaria … Are They Illegal?
  • Jewish Sovereignty on Temple Mount (Part I)
  • Jewish Sovereignty on Temple Mount (Part II)
  • Jubilee and Messiah … They Go Together!
  • Judea/Samaria & Gaza Strip / Who Has Sovereignty?
  • Just How Imminent is Messiah’s Imminent Return?
  • King David’s Tomb
  • Kingdom of God
  • Las Vegas Massacre … A Broader Perspective
  • Lazarus and Lazarus & The Sign of Jonah
  • Let’s Celebrate … Forever!
  • Let’s Make a Deal
  • Light of The World (Sequel To: The Incomparable Power & Authority of Jesus Christ)
  • Look Up, Redemption Is Near … Part I
  • Look Up, Redemption Is Near … Part II
  • Major Earthquake in Israel … When & Where It Will Strike
  • Melchizedek … A Man of Mystery!
  • Merry Christmas … What’s It All About?
  • Messiah and the Jewish Festivals … An Extraordinary Connection!
  • Messiah’s Amazing Appearances Before He Was Born
  • Messiah’s Arrival … On Whose Authority?
  • Messiah’s Ascension & Coronation … Seen Long Before It Happened!
  • Messiah’s Millennial Reign … Incredible Changes on Earth
  • Messiah’s Number & Its Prophetic Value
  • Messiah’s Return & The Rapture (Same or Separate Events?)
  • Messianic Jews … Who Are They?
  • Modern Day Antichrist?
  • Moral Equivalency
  • More Palestinian Lies
  • More Than One Messiah?
  • Moses & Elijah vs. Antichrist & The False Prophet
  • Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem … A Broken Promise?
  • NERO & The Remarkable Revival of His Name
  • O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!
  • Old & New Testament Saints … Is There a Difference?
  • One Global Language … Coming Soon! (Part I)
  • One Global Language … Coming Soon! (Part II)
  • One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Messianic Jews … Part I
  • One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Messianic Jews … Part II
  • One Nation Under (the wrath of) God
  • One World Government?
  • One World Religion?
  • Palestine or Israel? Which Is It? / Your Answer May Be In Jeopardy!
  • Palestinian Propaganda Is Pure Poison
  • Palestinian Refugees… Are They Really Refugees?
  • Palestinian Terrorism & UN Resolutions … Neither Will Defeat Israel
  • Palestinian Terror Tunnels & Poetic Justice
  • Passover & Messiah Are Inseparable!
  • Passover … an Enduring Legacy
  • Peace Between Israel and Judah … Then World Peace!
  • Peace on Earth … Is It Really Possible?
  • Peace or a Palestinian State … Which Will It Be?
  • Powerful Proof of Messiah’s Identity & Arrival in The First Century!
  • Preach the Gospel … But Not to the Jews!
  • Prince of Peace
  • Prophecy & A Jewish Holiday
  • Prophetic Fate of Israel’s Friends and Foes
  • Prophetic Implications of the Fires in Israel (Part I)
  • Prophetic Implications of the Fires in Israel (Part II)
  • Proportional Warfare
  • Reappearance of Satan, a Roman Emperor & Two Ancient Prophets … Bodily!
  • Reappearance of the Beast (Antichrist)
  • Reexamination of Messiah’s Imminent Return & The Omega Generation
  • Remember December (Kislev) … A Hidden Gem of Prophecy!
  • Removing Christ From Christmas … What Are The Consequences?
  • Replacement Theology (Part I)
  • Replacement Theology (Part II)
  • Resurrections / How Many Will There Be? One, Two, Or Could There Be Three?
  • Rome and Jerusalem … friends or foes?
  • Russia & Iran versus Israel
  • Russia’s Shocking Invasion of Ukraine … A Preview of Gog/Magog’s Attack on Israel?
  • Salvation … “To The Jew First!”
  • Satan in Bodily Form … When & Why (Part I)
  • Satan in Bodily Form … When & Why (Part II)
  • Scripture Says Everyone Will Die / But What About the Rapture?
  • Separation of Church and State … For or Against? (Part I)
  • Separation of Church and State … For or Against? (Part II)
  • Sequel to Stunning Catastrophes & Shocking Statistics of the Great Tribulation
  • Seven Essentials of The Rapture (Part I)
  • Seven Essentials of the Rapture (Part II)
  • Seven Times Seven (to the 4th power)! Part I
  • Seven Times Seven (to the 4th power)! Part II
  • Seven Times Seven (to the 4th power)! Part III
  • Seven Wonders of The Millennium
  • Seven Wonders of The Millennium (Part II)
  • Shameful Saga of the Great City (Revelation 17)
  • Shocking Statistics of the Great Tribulation
  • Significant Sets of Twos in the Bible
  • Six Million Reasons … To Trust the Bible
  • Soon Comes the Antichrist … Straight From the Abyss (Part I)
  • Soon Comes the Antichrist … Straight From the Abyss (Part II)
  • Spiritual Bodies … A Contradiction of Terms? (Part I)
  • Spiritual Bodies … A Contradiction of Terms? (Part II)
  • Stand Still & Watch God Fight for Israel!
  • Stunning Catastrophes of the Tribulation / Their Timing & Purpose
  • Sudden Appearance of Antichrist … Why So Different?
  • Sukkot … The Forever Festival!
  • Superhuman Bodies for Believers / How & Why?
  • Tell a Big Lie Long Enough….
  • Terror, Terror, Terror (Part II)
  • Terror, Terror, Terror! (Part I)
  • The “Right of Return” … For Palestinians or Jews?
  • The Ark of the Covenant … Part I
  • The Ark of the Covenant … Part II
  • The Balfour Declaration … Beginning of the Omega Generation (Part I)
  • The Balfour Declaration … Beginning of the Omega Generation (Part II)
  • The Beast and His Name
  • The Birth of a Nation
  • The Child of Promise (Part I)
  • The Child of Promise (Part II)
  • The Cross and the Torn Curtain (Part I)
  • The Cross and the Torn Curtain (Part II)
  • The End of the Age … how close are we?
  • The False Prophet (Part I)
  • The False Prophet (Part II)
  • The Final Treaty of Rome … Part I
  • The Final Treaty of Rome … Part II
  • The Gog/Magog Countdown Has Begun!
  • The Heart & Soul of Israel
  • The Incomparable Power and Authority of Jesus Christ
  • The Jewish Dichotomy In & Outside Israel
  • The Legacy of Temple Mount
  • The Legendary Return of Nero
  • The Liberation of Jerusalem
  • The Magnificent Millennial Reign of Believers with Messiah
  • The Most Panoramic Prophecy in the Bible (Part I)
  • The Most Panoramic Prophecy in the Bible (Part II)
  • The Most Significant End-Times Sign Of All
  • The Myth of Al Aqsa Mosque
  • The Number of the Beast
  • The Omega Generation
  • The Peace Treaty That Will Guarantee War
  • The Phenomenal Thousand Years/One Day Parallel
  • The Prince and the People That Destroyed the Jewish Temple / Who Were They?
  • The Prophetic Endgame of Gog/Magog
  • The Rapture / Before or After The Great Tribulation?
  • The Real Reason for Palestinian Terrorism
  • The Reign of Terror
  • The Remarkable Rebirth of a Nation
  • The Rest of the Story … Bibi’s Speech to the United Nations
  • The Right to Life?
  • The Russians Are Coming!
  • The Seal of Approval
  • The Second Exodus
  • The Seven Year Treaty
  • The Shout Heard Around the World
  • The Shroud of Turin … Real or Fake? / A Decisive Answer
  • The Shroud of Turin … Real or Fake? / A Decisive Answer (Part II)
  • The Terrible Trio of Gog and Magog
  • The Three Greatest Trials of All Time
  • The Tremendous Transfiguration of Believers!
  • The Two Witnesses (Part I)
  • The Two Witnesses (Part II)
  • The Two Witnesses (Part III)
  • The Vatican and Islam … A Perfect Match for Antichrist
  • The Virgin Birth of Messiah … How and Why?
  • The Whole Truth
  • The Woman and the Beast
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part II)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part III)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part IV)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part V)
  • The Woman and the Beast (Part VI)
  • The Wonder Of It All … Birth of the Child!
  • The World Wants a Messiah … But It Needs (The) Messiah
  • There’s No Place Like Homs
  • There’s Resurrection; And There’s Resurrection!
  • Three … A Divine Number of God!
  • Times of & Fullness of the Gentiles … What Do They Mean?
  • To Be or Not To Be … in Heaven?
  • To Be Or Not To Be … In Heaven? (A Revisit)
  • Trump, Cyrus, and the Jewish Temple
  • Turmoil, Tragedy, & Terror in Israel (Part I … Turmoil)
  • Turmoil, Tragedy, & Terror in Israel (Part II … Tragedy)
  • Turmoil, Tragedy, & Terror in Israel (Part III … Terror)
  • Two-State Solution & The Seven-Year Treaty … Impossible?
  • Two Thirds of the Jews Killed … Past or Future?
  • U.S. President Agrees with God … Jerusalem Is Israel’s Capital!
  • Under the Radar
  • UNESCO / “Theatre of the Absurd” Against Israel
  • United Nations Downsizing of Israel (Resolution 2334)
  • Value of Prophecy
  • West Bank or Judea/Samaria? What’s In A Name?
  • What Is A Saint?
  • What Is Done To Israel Will Be Done In Return / The Iran Nuclear Deal
  • What Is Done to Israel Will Be Done in Return / Dangers of a Divided Jerusalem
  • What is Palestine & Who Is A Palestinian?
  • What is the Rapture?
  • What Is The Unpardonable Sin?
  • When the Rapture?
  • Where is Messiah … Is He Already Here?
  • Where Is The Temple? Part I
  • Where Is The Temple? Part II
  • Where is the Temple? Part III
  • Who is Messiah?
  • Who Is the Antichrist & How Will He Appear (Part I)
  • Who Is The Antichrist & How Will He Appear? (Part II)
  • Who the Rapture?
  • Whom Do You Most Want To See In Heaven?
  • Why the Rapture?
  • Why the Rapture? (A Revisit)
  • Why The World Idolizes Antichrist & How It Reacts To The Tribulation
  • Wiles of the Woman
  • Will All Children Be Taken in The Rapture?
  • Will Believers Go Through the Great Tribulation? (Part I)
  • Will Believers Go Through The Great Tribulation? (Part II)
  • Will There Still Be Unbelievers Throughout Eternity?
  • Yom Kippur / With Or Without Atonement?
  • Zechariah’s Dramatic Description of Antichrist’s Fatal Wounds

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