Israel, A Cup Of Trembling
By George Stroh, Senior Pastor
August 24, 2009
The burden of the Word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, "Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all peoples around..." - Zechariah 12:1,2
Israel is a relatively small country with a population of only about 7 million people and a little more than 8,000 square miles of land mass, about the size of the State of New Jersey. Yet Israel is in the news almost every day and continues to command the attention of the whole world (nearly 7 billion people).
For Christians, Israel's world prominence should not be surprising in light of the prophecies of Zechariah and other Old and New testament Prophecies. From a Biblical perspective, the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem have always been the focus of the world. The major world wide empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were all significantly impacted by Israel, God's chosen people. And, according to Biblical prophecy, Jerusalem is where Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will return and establish His final and eternal Kingdom on earth. Then the prayer that has been prayed by the saints for nearly 2,000 years will be answered... "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Mark 6:10).
The fact that Israel even still exists as a nation after all the persecutions and wars is a testimony to God's sovereign protection of His chosen people and His perfect fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. God is not finished with Israel and some day He will open the spiritual eyes of the Jews who will then finally understand that Jesus is indeed their promised Messiah... "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10).
God promised Abraham... "And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). Until then, as Zechariah prophesied, Israel and those who stand with her can expect even greater hostility, trials and tribulations as the return of Jesus Christ draws closer... "It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it". (Zechariah 12:3).
As you look forward to the imminent return of our Lord, keep your eyes on what is happening with Israel, but more importantly, keep you eyes on Jesus... "You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near." (James 5:8). Maranatha!
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