Thursday, February 16, 2017

FULFILLED PROPHECY PROVES THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE cont.

Continuing our study regarding fulfilled prophecy…

Finally, there are the words from Paul to Timothy, warning him of a coming degenerate moral culture. 

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof….”

Yes, it is true that these traits (in part or in whole) have characterized many cultures throughout history; but I think we are quickly seeing these characteristics become the norm throughout all cultures.  Following is how I see it as noted in my journal.

“Lovers of their own selves” speaks of selfishness.  Who can deny that today the focus is on the right to please self without regard as to how it may impact others.  Marketing is based on presenting products based on fulfilling the desires and needs of the flesh in support of this love of self.  The primary motivating factor for most people today—What’s in it for me?

The Greek for “covetous” is connected to avarice, the love of money and greed for wealth.  Again, can we deny that the desire for more money as evidence of one’s success and to provide the ability to fulfill selfish desires is an apt description of the overall culture of today?

A “boaster” is a braggart, someone who shows excessive pride in his/her accomplishments, possessions, or abilities.  I think there is a difference in having a healthy pride and an unhealthy pride.  A healthy pride regarding one’s accomplishments, possessions and abilities is based upon personal investment of time and energy according to one’s God-given talents and acknowledging that you have because you have been given.   An unhealthy pride is evidenced by basking in recognition of one’s accomplishments, possessions and abilities without regard to God and thinking that this places you in an elite status compared to others.  

Being “proud” is a reference to haughtiness, considering oneself as superior to others and looking down with contempt on those you consider unworthy of your attention.

“Blasphemers” are those who speak out with slander and disrespect against God.  This is especially obvious among the new atheists of today.  It is also prevalent in so-called art and entertainment today in America and other parts of the world.  Sadly, however, it is also true of many who profess themselves to be Christian, but call God’s word a lie and/or twist or manipulate its truth to support their own objectives.  

I liked this comment by David Guzik on boasting, pride and blasphemy:  “When I boast, when I am proud towards others, and when I express my pride towards God in blasphemy, I am the center of my universe. You don't matter and God does not matter. All that matters is me.”

“Disobedience to parents” means what it says.  The Greek included the idea of being unpersuadable.  This seems to reference having a stubborn heart that is not teachable or open to reasoning.  I am afraid the evidence of the truth of that statement is ever more evident in the youth of today.  They are more likely to respond to their peers and/or be led by the example and/or expressed beliefs of popular cultural figures than to parents.      

“Unthankful” is the equivalent of ingratitude and, I believe, again ties directly to selfishness.  Kids today are growing up with an attitude that indicates they feel they are deserving without regard to their treatment of others or the effort they put forth.  To my observation, in America at least, this attitude has had a great negative impact on the work ethic of today in comparison to when I was growing up (in the 50’s and 60’s).

To be “unholy” is to be wicked (from the Greek).  Webster states that to be wicked is to act contrary to the moral or divine law.  One only has to look at the Ten Commandments to conclude that unholiness is an apt description of the culture in most of the world today.  God is certainly not acknowledged as Lord.  Taking God’s name in vain has become part of everyday speech in America at least.  Killing the unborn is excused as the woman’s right to choose.  Sexual immorality is an accepted lifestyle.  There is a growing attitude of “the ends justifies the means” when it comes getting what we want.
  
The Greek defines being without natural affection as being hard-hearted towards your relatives; it is showing a lack of sympathy, cruelty and lack of pity (from the Greek).  Again, this falls right in line with being “lovers of self.”  I believe that the many nursing homes that are found to have employees that are abusive to those that live there are indicative of this characteristic.  Parents and relatives are often placed in these institutions and then forgotten or pitifully neglected by their “loved ones.”  I also believe this attitude is manifest by most women that choose abortion; relatively speaking, very few women choose abortion for life-threatening medical considerations.  These women do not have the “natural affection” you would expect to go with expectant motherhood.

The Greek for “trucebreakers” stated “literally, without libation….”  When I looked up the root word, this was a reference to devoting one’s life as a sacrifice.  My definition:  Making a deal or promise without true commitment to fulfill it at point of sacrifice to self.  Scripture is clear in stating that we should honor our word.

Zechariah 8:16 “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor….”

Proverbs 3:27 “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”

1 Peter 1:15–16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [behavior]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

“False accusers” are those that tell lies about someone to destroy their reputation.  I think that the media in general in America today is full of people who are willing false accusers in pursuit of promoting their own agendas, and the public as a whole seems to be willing to believe their lies.  In politics it has become the norm for candidates to lie about their opponents in order to gain a political advantage.  These are but a couple of examples that evidence a growing lack of integrity that permeates our culture today.

“Incontinence” is a reference to lack of self-control.  Again, this is an outworking of selfishness.  One who lacks self-control is obviously not concerned about how his/her actions may affect others.  The growing lack of self-control goes hand-in-hand with the use of drugs and alcohol and is the foundation for the success of the porn industry.  Sadly, this lack is also the motivating factor behind the horrendous crimes of rape, sexual abuse of children and human trafficking, among others.

One who is “fierce” is aggressive and characterized by uncontrolled violence. Frankly, I believe the great increase in aggressive and violent behavior evidenced in society today is spawned by the entertainment industry.  Movies and video games have caused people to become desensitized to aggression and violence and made them much more likely to emulate such actions without feeling guilt.  This type of behavior is also directly connected to lack of self-control.

The phrase “despisers of those that are good” is basically self-explanatory.  This too is becoming more dominant in the news today.  The persecution of Christians is growing throughout the world.  Christians in America are being categorized by public officials with radical terrorists and characterized as intolerant (implied, and therefore dangerous).  Those who live in disobedience to God’s word are always going to despise those that are obedient to God’s word.  Jesus predicted this hatred.

Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake….”

John 15:18–19 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
  
A “traitor” is one who betrays or violates the confidence or trust of another.  In today’s society this often goes hand-in-hand with the love of money.  The tabloids and increasingly the mainstream media produce headlines and make profit by seeking out people who are willing to betray friends, lovers, bosses, etc.   A traitor is almost always motivated by selfish purposes of some type.

One who is “heady” is rash; he/she is prone to acting before thinking.  Sometimes I think that must be an unwritten qualification for running for office in Washington D.C.  I was totally appalled to learn that our congressional leaders think it is normal and reasonable to pass legislation that they have not read.  How can we possibly expect the people to be careful, deliberate and reasonable in making decisions when those who lead us operate with such rashness.  Webster adds that “heady” actions affect the head and are intoxicating.  I believe that is what affects those in leadership in our government today.  They become intoxicated with power and lose all sense of integrity and reason.

One who is “highminded” is inflated with self-conceit and lifted up in pride (from the Greek).  

As Paul gets to the end of his list, he gets to the main problem in the lives of the types of people being referenced in this list—they love pleasure more than God.  Scripture acknowledges that sin results in pleasure—but only for a season.

Hebrews 11:24–25 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season….”

Psalms 73:3 & 17 “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked….Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”

Scripture is also clear in declaring that those who love God will suffer in this world, but it also declares that our obedience will be well rewarded in eternity.

John 16:33 “….In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Matthew 5:10–12 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:”

Colossians 3:23–24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Those that “have a form of godliness” are professors of faith but not possessors of faith; they are hypocrites.  These people deny the power of God to save souls and change lives.   This is the most discouraging aspect of the “church” today.  It is the most telling trait on this list in my opinion regarding the “last days.”   The “church” today is in the process of “emerging” and morphing into the ecumenical church of end times.  The word of God is being misused.  The focus of the church is more on social work than on teaching the truth of God’s word and spreading the gospel.  The practices of mysticism are being incorporated into worship.  Tolerance and unity among faiths are being promoted in disregard of the exclusive truth of scripture.

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

The power of God is being disregarded for the power of men and evil spirits.  Many popular “Christian” books promote the wisdom of the author—not the wisdom of God as revealed in scripture.  Others present God and/or spiritual teaching according to their own imagination and desires rather than as instructed or described in scripture.  Many  “new age” beliefs are being promoted and marketed in writings openly identified as revelations from spirit guides.  Visions of the Virgin Mary and mysterious phenomena are identified as “from God” when it is obvious that they are contrary to scripture and, therefore, are occurring according to the powers of the “god of this world”—Satan.  I am reminded that scripture warns us that our fight is with evil spirits and that Satan has the ability to work lying wonders within the parameters that God allows him (as evidenced by Job).

Ephesians 6:11–12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

2 Thessalonians 2:9 “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders….” [speaking in context of the Antichrist]

Deuteronomy 13:1–3 “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Matthew 7:22–23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” [“wonderful works” = miracles in the Greek]

As I come to the end of these blog series, I pray that fellow believers have been encouraged as they are reminded of these truths and that those who have not yet chosen to place their faith in will be encouraged to do so.  God’s word is true.  It is not true that everyone will go to heaven.  In fact, the scripture indicates that there will be few relative to the whole that choose that path.

Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Not everyone that claims to be a Christian is truly a follower of Jesus.

Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Salvation is a gift that is yours for the asking.  You cannot earn it. 

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”


Don’t put it off…the time is short!

Monday, February 13, 2017

FULFILLED PROPHECY PROVES THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE cont.

Continuing our discussion regarding fulfilled prophecy…

Jeremiah, along with other prophets, foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the people of Israel.

Jeremiah 25:11–12 “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.”

Secular history affirms the truth of this prophecy.  The following is from an article on Reuters, “Ancient Tablets Reveal Life of Jews in Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon,” from February 3, 2015.

A new exhibition of ancient clay tablets discovered in modern-day Iraq is shedding light for the first time on the daily life of Jews exiled to Babylon some 2,500 years ago.  The exhibition is based on more than 100 cuneiform tablets, each no bigger than an adult's palm, that detail transactions and contracts between Judeans driven from, or convinced to move from, Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC…. Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful ruler famed for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, came to Jerusalem several times as he sought to spread the reach of his kingdom.  Each time he came -- and one visit coincided with the destruction of Jerusalem's first temple in 586 BC -- he either forced or encouraged the exile of thousands of Judeans.”

The prophet Isaiah identified Cyrus as the king that would allow the Jews to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple.  This prophecy was made some 150 years before Cyrus was even born.

Isaiah 44:28 “That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.”

Following is a quote from Josephus, “Antiquities of the Jews – Book XI.”

“Thus saith Cyrus the King: since God Almighty hath appointed me to be King of the habitable earth, I believe that He is that God, which the nation of the Israelites worship. For indeed he foretold my name by the Prophets, and that I should build him an house at Jerusalem, in the countrey of Judea.”  This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Isaiah left behind him of his Prophecies. For this Prophet said, that God had spoken thus to him in a secret vision: “My will is, that Cyrus, whom I have appointed to be King over many and great nations, send back my people to their own land, and build my temple.” This was foretold by Isaiah one hundred and forty years before the temple was demolished. Accordingly when Cyrus read this, and admired the divine power, an earnest desire and an ambition seized upon him, to fulfil what was so written. So he called for the most eminent Jews that were in Babylon, and said to them, that “He gave them leave to go back to their own countrey, and to rebuild their city Jerusalem, and the temple of God; for that he would be their assistant; and that he would write to the rulers and governours that were in the neighbourhood of their countrey of Judea, that they should contribute to them gold and silver, for the building of the temple; and besides that, beasts for their sacrifices.”

This correlates to information recorded on the Cyrus Cylinder in the British Museum.  According to the Iranian Heritage Foundation (IHF) blog regarding the USA tour of the cylinder:  “…it talks about Cyrus’s efforts in repatriating displaced people and restoring temples across Mesopotamia, letting them worship the god of their choice, not the god of the conqueror. It tells the story of letting people living their lives even after their country was conquered, something that was not heard of at the time….Cyrus claims to have achieved this with the aid of Marduk, the god of Babylon. He then describes measures of relief he brought to the inhabitants of the city, and tells how he returned a number of images of gods, which Nabonidus had collected in Babylon, to their proper temples throughout Mesopotamia and western Iran. At the same time he arranged for the restoration of these temples, and organized the return to their homelands of a number of people who had been held in Babylonia by the Babylonian kings. Although the Jews are not mentioned in this document, their return to Palestine following their deportation by Nebuchadnezzar II, was part of this policy.”

The prophet Daniel foretold when the Messiah would be revealed, using the date of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.

Daniel 9:25 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

In his book “The Creator Beyond Time and Space,” Chuck Missler provides documentation establishing that date as March 14, 445 BC. (http://xwalk.ca/king2.html)
Begin Excerpt:  In the fifth century B.C. a Hebrew named Nehemiah, then cup bearer to the Medo-Persian king Artaxerxes, wrote of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem:

‘And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore, the king said to me 'why is your face sad, since you are not sick.’ Nehemiah 2:1-2 (NKJ)

Nehemiah went on to explain that he was sad because he had heard reports that the city of his people, Jerusalem, was still desolate. Nehemiah, requested that he be allowed to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. King Artaxerxes granted his wish on the spot and gave him official "letters" or documents for easy passage. This occurred, we are told in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus' reign.

Artaxerxes Longimanus ascended to the throne of the Medo-Persian empire in July 465 B.C. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1990 ed.). The twentieth year of his reign would have begun in July 446 B.C. The decree occurred approximately nine months later in the month of Nisan (March/April on our calendar). By Hebrew tradition when the day of the month is not specifically stated (as in Artaxerxes decree), it is given to be the first day of that month. Consequently, the very day of Artaxerxes' decree was the first day of the Hebrew month Nisan in 445 B.C. The first day of Nisan in 445 B.C. corresponds to the 14th day of March. These dates were confirmed through astronomical calculations at the British Royal Observatory and reported by Sir Robert Anderson (Robert Anderson, "The Coming Prince", Kregel. Reprinted in 1984.).

The prophecy states that 69 weeks of years (173,880 days using the 360 day prophetic year) after the command goes forth to restore and rebuild the city of Jerusalem the Messiah will come. If we count forward 173,880 days from March 14th 445 B.C. we arrive at April 6th 32 A.D…. The first Passover of Jesus' ministry would have been in the Spring of A.D. 29. The fourth Passover of His ministry was the day of his crucifixion and would have fallen in the year A.D. 32. The Passover in that year fell on April 10th (The Passover holiday always occurs on the 14th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. This corresponds to the first full moon after the Spring equinox.). Remarkably, according to Robert Anderson and the British Royal Observatory, the Sunday before that Passover was April 6th-The very day that Jesus presents himself as King and exactly 173,880 days after the decree of Artaxerxes!!  End excerpt.

The prophet Daniel also foretold the succession of kingdoms following the fall of Babylon.  His prophecies concerning events after the death of Alexander the Great were so specific that many have tried to discredit them saying that they were written after the fact.  Garry K. Brantley provides a scholarly explanation concerning the authorship of Daniel at  http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=357.  His argument is based on evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls.  In this article he states, “The relatively copious remains of Daniel indicate the importance of this book to the Qumran community. Further, there are clear indications that this book was considered ‘canonical’ for the community, which meant it was recognized as an authoritative book on a par with other biblical books (e.g., Deuteronomy, Kings, Isaiah, Psalms). The canonicity of Daniel at Qumran is indicated, not only by the prolific fragments, but by the manner in which it is referenced in other materials. One fragment employs the quotation, ‘which was written in the book of Daniel the prophet.’ This phrase, similar to Jesus’ reference to ‘Daniel the prophet’ (Matthew 24:15), was a formula typically applied to quotations from canonical Scripture at Qumran…. The canonical acceptance of Daniel at Qumran indicates the antiquity of the book’s composition—certainly much earlier than the Maccabean period. Hence, the most recent publications of Daniel manuscripts offer confirmation of Daniel’s authenticity; it was written when the Bible says it was written.

As to the succession of kingdoms that would arise on the world stage, Daniel foretold that the Kingdom of Babylon would be followed by the rise of the Medo-Persian Kingdom and then Greece.

Daniel 8:1–8 “In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. And I saw in a vision…. and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two horns….and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.”

Daniel 8:16–22 “And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision….The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.”

History reveals that Alexander the Great was the “great horn,” the ruler of the Kingdom of Greece.  When Alexander died (was broken), his kingdom was divided among his four top generals.  History records that division as follows: 
·      Seleucus = Syria, Israel, Babylonia, and Media
·      Cassander = Macedonia and Greece
·      Ptolemy = Egypt, Cyprus, and parts of Asia Minor
·      Lysimachus = Thrace, Lydia, Cappadocia, and the northern parts of Asia Minor

Though I won’t take the time to detail it here, chapter 11 of Daniel provides a great bit of detailed history, focusing primarily on the Ptolemies and Seleucids. (See my website for more details.)

The prophet Ezekiel foretold the rebirth of the nation of Israel, describing it as a resurrection of very dry bones, indicating that they had been dead a very long time.

Ezekiel 37:1–14 “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.”

This is the first of these fulfilled prophecies to have occurred in recent times.  History records that the Romans evicted most of the people of Israel from their homeland when they conquered Jerusalem in 70 AD.  For almost 2000 years they were a people without a nation.

Wikipedia provides a record of the fulfillment of this prophecy as follows:  “On 29 November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Partition Plan for Mandatory Palestine. This specified borders for new Arab and Jewish states and an area of Jerusalem which was to be administered by the UN under an international regime.  The end of the British Mandate for Palestine was set for midnight on 14 May 1948. That day, David Ben-Gurion, the executive head of the Zionist Organization and president of the Jewish Agency for Palestinedeclared ‘the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel’, which would start to function from the termination of the mandate.”

The prophet Isaiah even foretold the rebirth of the nation of Israel as occurring on a single day.

Isaiah 66:5–8 “Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Ezekiel also foretold of a coming alliance between Russia, Iran, Turkey and others that is being fulfilled as declared by recent news headlines and discussed in my previous blog series.

Other prophecies in scripture speak of a time when the human race could be annihilated (e.g., nuclear weapons)…

Matthew 24:21–22 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

…the inference of a cashless society requiring high tech capabilities…

Revelation 13:16–17 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

…and global communication.

Revelation 11:3–9 “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth….And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.”

(to be continued…)