Bobbie Jo is a close friend of mine. We work together. Her office is upstairs; mine is downstairs. Occasionally, we would have lunch together. Even though we differ somewhat in our religious beliefs, she is open-minded and listens to me some of the time. The other day, she mentioned that there are many Christian denominations that are proclaiming the rebirth of the nation of Israel in fulfillment of Bible prophecies. These prophecies, she said, are being fulfilled before our very eyes. Something BIG and incredible is about to happen.
The bloodline Jews from around the world would return to Palestine to rebuild that nation. A magnificent temple would be built. Already in the Internet, it was reported that a red heifer was born in Israel which could be a candidate to be used in the process of purification of sins mentioned in Number, Chapter 19. This is a significant step and a prerequisite in the rebuilding of the holy temple. The birth of this unblemished red heifer is also very significant because tradition recorded that 'a red heifer in our generation is a herald of the Messianic era.' Truly, the eyes of the world are being directed to the Middle East for this is the focal point where biblical prophecies supposedly would unfold.
Bobbie Jo asked me what's my take on all this. I thought for a moment then decided to explain the 2300-day prophecy in the book of Daniel, and, if necessary, I would sketch a diagram of the events and their dates. See, the 2300-day prophecy contains God's time table depicting all the pertinent events including the Messiah's appearance in Israel and his crucifixion that would take place within the 2300-day time frame and before the Second Coming of Christ. No one needs to be in the dark regarding when major events in the history of our world occurred, would occur, or occurring. The 2300-day prophecy began with the restoration of God's people to their earthly possessions, and the rebuilding of the holy city Jerusalem in 457 BC, but the Jews proved unfaithful to their trust, and the land of promise with the holy city passed from their control into the hands of the Gentiles. "...It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Acts 13:46.
Concerning what Betty Jo said about the 'future' return of the Jews to their homeland, there are some pointed questions that need to be raised: Do bloodline Jews play a key role in the fulfillment of biblical end-time prophecies? Is a literal return of bloodline Jews to their homeland constitute fulfillment of biblical prophecies? Who are the heirs to the promise given to Abraham? Who are the true children of Abraham? And where is the promised land of Canaan and how big is it?
When the scribes and pharisees told Jesus in John 8:39-47 that they were the children of Abraham, Jesus boldly told them that they were not. If they were indeed the children of Abraham they would do the works of Abraham. At this point in time, they were plotting to kill Jesus. This, Abraham would never do.
"The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God. They would not try to kill One who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God. In plotting against Christ, the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham. A mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value. Without a spiritual connection with him, which would be manifested in possessing the same spirit, and doing the same works, they were not his children.
"This principle bears with equal weight upon a question that has long agitated the Christian world,--the question of apostolic succession. Descent from Abraham was proved, not by name and lineage, but by likeness of character. So the apostolic succession rests not upon the transmission of ecclesiastical authority, but upon spiritual relationship. A life actuated by the apostles' spirit, the belief and teaching of the truth they taught, this is the true evidence of apostolic succession. This is what constitutes men the successors of the first teachers of the gospel.
"Jesus denied that the Jews were children of Abraham. He said, 'Ye do the deeds of your father.' In mockery they answered, 'We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.' These words, in allusion to the circumstances of His birth, were intended as a thrust against Christ in the presence of those who were beginning to believe on Him. Jesus gave no heed to the base insinuation, but said, 'If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God.'
"Their works testified of their relationship to him who was a liar and a murderer. 'Ye are of your father the devil,' said Jesus, 'and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. . . . Because I say the truth, ye believe Me not.' John 8:44, 45, R. V. The fact that Jesus spoke the truth, and that with certainty, was why He was not received by the Jewish leaders. It was the truth that offended these self-righteous men. The truth exposed the fallacy of error; it condemned their teaching and practice, and it was unwelcome. They would rather close their eyes to the truth than humble themselves to confess that they had been in error. They did not love the truth. They did not desire it, even though it was truth." Desire of Ages, pages 466-467.
According to Christ, the scribes and pharisees who were declaring themselves children of Abraham were not children of Abraham. Who, then, were/are the children of Abraham? What is a true Jew? We find the answer in Romans 2:28, 29: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
According to Romans 2:29 above, the descendants of Abraham, the bloodline Jews, are not even Jews. A real Jew is one inwardly (having a spiritual connection with Christ). The Jewish nation rejected Christ, so, therefore, Bible prophecies could not be fulfilled through them. The Promise was made to Abraham and his seed. Shocking as might be, Galatians 3:16 confirms Romans 2:29 in stating that Abraham's seed is not the Jews. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Notice that the word, seed is singular, not plural. The seed referred to here is Christ.
So the promise to Abraham of the land of Canaan was given to Christ and His followers or spiritual Israel. Bible prophecies would be fullfilled through spiritual Israel, not literal Israel or bloodline Jews. Now, if a bloodline Jew accepts Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour, he would be part of spiritual Israel and heir according to the promise.
Galatians 3:27-29 say "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs, according to the promise."
Let's consider what was God's purpose in calling out Abraham and promised him the land flowing with milk and honey. Genesis 12:1-3 state: "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Notice that the promise to Abraham was given on condition: that he get out of his country, etc. The key statement that we need to focus on in these texts is found in the last part of verse 3 - 'and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.' What does this mean-- 'in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed'? Let's find out.
Galatians 3:8-9 states "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."
The Amplified version of the texts above renders it even better: "Know and understand that it is (really) the people who live by faith who are the true sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify--declare righteous, put in right standing with Himself--the Gentiles in consequence of faith, proclaimed the gospel (foretelling the glad tidings of a Savior long beforehand) to Abraham in the promise saying, In you shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.)"
Galations 3:14 states: "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Did you notice that the gospel of Christ was preached to Abraham? The same gospel that was preached by Jesus' disciples in the New Testament dispensation was preached to Abraham in the Old Testament dispensation. In fact, the first ones to hear the gospel were Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve slew the first animals because of their sins, in faith, they looked forward in time when the Lamb of God should come to die and save them from their sins.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 state: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." The gospel here is the preaching of the Cross which is the power of God unto salvation.
In John 8:56 we read: "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." What did Abraham see and what was he glad about? Abraham saw Christ's day and was glad because he saw salvation through Jesus Christ. By faith he saw the Cross of Calvary, and every heathen or Gentile, who also, by faith, see the Cross of Christ will, together with Abraham be blessed with salvation. "...in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Without faith there is no gospel.
In the book, Everlasting Covenant by E. J. Waggoner, Page 48, we read these words: "All the misunderstanding of the promise of God to Abraham and his seed have arisen through a failure to see the gospel of Christ in them. If they will consider and remember that all the promises of God are in Christ to be enjoyed only through His Cross, they will understand that these promises are spiritual and eternal in their nature. If this is understood, the study of the promises to the forefathers will be a delight and a blessing."
God specifically called out Abraham and separated him from his idolatrous kinfolk because he loved God and was obedient. God knew that he would instruct his children and his household as well as the other people around him the Oracles of God. Abraham's great household consisted of more than a thousand souls, many of them heads of families, and many were newly converted from heathenism.
Wherever Abraham pitched his tent, he set up beside it the altar for sacrifice and worship. When the tent was removed, the altar remained; and many a roving Canaanite, whose knowledge of God had been gained from the life of Abraham, tarried at that altar to offer sacrifice to Jehovah. By faith he looked forward to the time when the Son of God would come to die on the cross for his sins. Abraham disseminated a knowledge of God, His character, and His gospel to the people in his day.
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom by an unseen hand. Matthew 27:51. This signified that the type met the antitype, the shadow reached the substance, and no longer are the animal sacrifices (lambs, bullocks, turtle doves, red heifers, etc.) essential for purification of sin. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world offered Himself, once and for all, the final Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
"When the Jews sealed their rejection of Christ by delivering Him to death, they rejected all that gave significance to the temple and its services. Its sacredness had departed. It was doomed to destruction. From that day sacrificial offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless. Like the offering of Cain, they did not express faith in the Saviour. In putting Christ to death, the Jews virtually destroyed their temple. When Christ was crucified, the inner veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, signifying that the great final sacrifice had been made, and that the system of sacrificial offerings was forever at an end. Desire of Ages, page 165.
Did the Jewish Nation, Abraham's descendants, do what Abraham did? Did the scribes and pharisees preach the gospel of Christ to the world? Instead of disseminating a knowledge of God and His gospel to the nations, they crucified the Source of the gospel. They had their rounds of ceremonies which they religiously observed but were meaningless without Christ.
Had the Jewish nation done what Abraham did in proclaiming the gospel to the nations around, they would have been greatly blessed by God. The Gentiles would have gained a knowledge of the true God (long before New Testament dispensation), and the prophecies in Isaiah and others would have dual fulfillment in literal blessings as well as spiritual blessings for them. By keeping the Oracles of God to themselves, the Jews forfeited their blessings and brought a curse upon them.
When Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalen riding upon a young colt, the happy throng welcomed the Teacher by shouting acclamations fulfilling the prophecy in Zecharia 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
"When the procession reached the brow of the hill, and was about to descend into the city, Jesus halted, and all the multitude with Him. Before them lay Jerusalem in its glory, now bathed in the light of the declining sun. The temple attracted all eyes. In stately grandeur it towered above all else, seeming to point toward heaven as if directing the people to the only true and living God. The temple had long been the pride and glory of the Jewish nation.
"Jesus gazes upon the scene, and the vast multitude hush their shouts, spellbound by the sudden vision of beauty. All eyes turn upon the Saviour, expecting to see in His countenance the admiration they themselves feel. But instead of this they behold a cloud of sorrow. They are surprised and disappointed to see His eyes fill with tears...
"It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus--Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to be convinced by His mighty miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her wound. He had come to save her; how could He give her up?
"Israel had been a favored people; God had made their temple His habitation; it was 'beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth.' Ps. 48:2. The record of more than a thousand years of Christ's guardian care and tender love, such as a father bears his only child, was there. In that temple the prophets had uttered their solemn warnings. There had the burning censers waved, while incense, mingled with the prayers of the worshipers, had ascended to God. There the blood of beasts had flowed, typical of the blood of Christ. There Jehovah had manifested His glory above the mercy seat. There the priests had officiated, and the pomp of symbol and ceremony had gone on for ages. But all this must have an end.
"Jesus raised His hand,--that had so often blessed the sick and suffering,--and waving it toward the doomed city, in broken utterances of grief exclaimed: 'If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!--' Here the Saviour paused, and left unsaid what might have been the condition of Jerusalem had she accepted the help that God desired to give her,--the gift of His beloved Son. If Jerusalem had known what it was her privilege to know, and had heeded the light which Heaven had sent her, she might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power. There would have been no armed soldiers standing at her gates, no Roman banners waving from her walls. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before the Son of God. He saw that she might through Him have been healed of her grievous malady, liberated from bondage, and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of peace would have gone forth to all nations. She would have been the world's diadem of glory.
"But the bright picture of what Jerusalem might have been fades from the Saviour's sight. He realizes what she now is under the Roman yoke, bearing the frown of God, doomed to His retributive judgment. He takes up the broken thread of His lamentation: 'But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.'
"Christ came to save Jerusalem with her children; but Pharisaical pride, hypocrisy, jealousy, and malice had prevented Him from accomplishing His purpose. Jesus knew the terrible retribution which would be visited upon the doomed city... Well might the Saviour weep in agony in view of that fearful scene.
"Jerusalem had been the child of His care, and as a tender father mourns over a wayward son, so Jesus wept over the beloved city. How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction? Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity? One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance; but here was a whole nation to be lost. When the fast westering sun should pass from sight in the heavens, Jerusalem's day of grace would be ended. While the procession was halting on the brow of Olivet, it was not yet too late for Jerusalem to repent. The angel of mercy was then folding her wings to step down from the golden throne to give place to justice and swift-coming judgment. But Christ's great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood. If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late. While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour's love, and avert her doom? Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,--her day of mercy was almost spent!
"Yet again the Spirit of God speaks to Jerusalem. Before the day is done, another testimony is borne to Christ. The voice of witness is lifted up, responding to the call from a prophetic past. If Jerusalem will hear the call, if she will receive the Saviour who is entering her gates, she may yet be saved.
"Reports have reached the rulers in Jerusalem that Jesus is approaching the city with a great concourse of people. But they have no welcome for the Son of God. In fear they go out to meet Him, hoping to disperse the throng. As the procession is about to descend the Mount of Olives, it is intercepted by the rulers. They inquire the cause of the tumultuous rejoicing. As they question, "Who is this?" the disciples, filled with the spirit of inspiration, answer this question. In eloquent strains they repeat the prophecies concerning Christ:
"Adam will tell you, It is the seed of the woman that shall bruise the serpent's head.
"Ask Abraham, he will tell you, It is 'Melchizedek King of Salem,' King of Peace. Gen. 14:18.
"Jacob will tell you, He is Shiloh of the tribe of Judah.
"Isaiah will tell you, 'Immanuel,' 'Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' Isa. 7:14; 9:6.
"Jeremiah will tell you, The Branch of David, 'the Lord our Righteousness.' Jer. 23:6.
"Daniel will tell you, He is the Messiah.
"Hosea will tell you, He is 'the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is His memorial.' Hosea 12:5.
"John the Baptist will tell you, He is 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:29.
"The great Jehovah has proclaimed from His throne, 'This is My beloved Son." Matt. 3:17.
"We, His disciples, declare, This is Jesus, the Messiah, the Prince of life, the Redeemer of the world.
"And the prince of the powers of darkness acknowledges Him, saying, 'I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God.' Mark 1:24. --Desire of Ages, pages 575-579.
Oh, had Jerusalem accepted the Messiah, the Redeemer of Israel, how different things might have turned out. Going back to what my friend said about bloodline Jews returning to their homeland as a fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. Let's just suppose that that is true. Consider the following: How much land did God intended to be the land of Canaan?
The Jordan Valley and its lakes divide Palestine (the land of Canaan) into western and eastern Palestine. The combined size of western and eastern Palestine is 10,000 square miles, only slightly larger than the state of Vermont (9609 square miles). The distance between the northernmost city of Dan to the southernmost city of Beer-sheba is only 140 miles. Palestine is a very small country. Let's see what the Bible says the size of the land God promised to Abraham.
In Romans 4:13 we read: "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." The land of promise is the whole entire world!
Let's look up another text that shows the kind of people that would inhabit this promised land. In Isaiah 60:21 we read: "Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified."
What God promised Abraham and his heirs was the earth made new--the New Earth inhabited only by righteous people. Only through Christ could people be made righteous. Sin and sinners (rejectors of God's mercy) would be obliterated from it. They would be ashes under the soles of the feet of the redeemed. Malachi 4:3.
Genesis 17:8 says: "And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." This promise was for Abraham and all who accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. This includes bloodline Jews, Muslems, Buddhists, Shintos, etc. Christ died for the sins of the whole world. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
In the book, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 169-170, we find these words: "The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world. Abraham had no possession in the earth, 'no, not so much as to set his foot on.' Acts 7:5. He possessed great substance, and he used it to the glory of God and the good of his fellow men; but he did not look upon this world as his home. The Lord had called him to leave his idolatrous countrymen, with the promise of the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession; yet neither he nor his son nor his son's son received it. When Abraham desired a burial place for his dead, he had to buy it of the Canaanites. His sole possession in the Land of Promise was that rock-hewn tomb in the cave of Machpelah.
"But the word of God had not failed; neither did it meet its final accomplishment in the occupation of Canaan by the Jewish people. 'To Abraham and his seed were the promises made.' Galatians 3:16. Abraham himself was to share the inheritance. The fulfillment of God's promise may seem to be long delayed--for 'one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day' (2 Peter 3:8); it may appear to tarry; but at the appointed time 'it will surely come, it will not tarry.' Habakkuk 2:3. The gift to Abraham and his seed included not merely the land of Canaan, but the whole earth. So says the apostle, 'The promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.' Romans 4:13. And the Bible plainly teaches that the promises made to Abraham are to be fulfilled through Christ. All that are Christ's are 'Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise'--heirs to 'an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away'--the earth freed from the curse of sin. Galatians 3:29; 1 Peter 1:4. For 'the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;' and 'the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.' Daniel 7:27; Psalm 37:11.
"God gave to Abraham a view of this immortal inheritance, and with this hope he was content. 'By faith he sojourned in the Land of Promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.' Hebrews 11:9, 10.
"Of the posterity of Abraham it is written, 'These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.' Verse 13. We must dwell as pilgrims and strangers here if we would gain 'a better country, that is, an heavenly.' Verse 16. Those who are children of Abraham will be seeking the city which he looked for, 'whose builder and maker is God.' --Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 169-170.
So, what's going on in the Middle East today? War, hate, prejudice, religious intolerance, suicide bombers killing innocent civilians, etc. What's the solution to the problem? There's only one permanent solution--Jesus Christ. When Jesus reigns in the hearts of people--guiding, molding and embuing them with His attributes, whether they be common people or leaders of nations--peace, sweet peace, will be experienced here and now, PLUS they will have a place in His Kingdom that is not of this world.
And, yes, Bobbie Jo, Bible prophecy is being fulfilled in the Middle East right before our very eyes. Matthew 24:6-8 read: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
True, something big and dramatic is going to happen, but the genuine one would occur after the thousands years are finished when New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:2; Rev 20:5-7. Anything before that, however big and incredible, Bobby Jo, you can count as counterfeit.
I invite those who are non-Christians and Christians who do not believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ to click here for proofs of His Divinity. Someday soon Jesus Christ, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, will return to this earth to take His people home--the true children of Abraham--for they have long waited for Him; they have long looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
