Events

This week, every day, there are images of the power of nature's destruction and news of the increasing toll from the floods in Kerr County, Texas. Most mention the Girl's camp Mystic. Without any focus at all we can avoid unpleasant things and live perpetually in the house of Mirth. Those who open news each day, when they think on it and internalise the suffering, go into the house of Mourning.

In the sixth century BC Daniel and Ezekiel, an Israeli Priest, both were given prophecies related to the destiny of the nation of Israel. Daniel’s prophecy was concerned with the rise of the nations that would follow the fall of Babylon, and, Ezekiel’s was specifically related to the nation of Israel and its destiny.

They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of Yahweh

We saw on the news that there was a quake of note while the UN was in session. Enquiry found that the UN was debating the war in Gaza. We have been waiting for matters to develop as expected in prophecy, where Israel dwells safely.

Yet another year has gone and our Lord has not returned- yet as we see events we know that the time is ever closer, as we live in the era of fulfilling of long hoped for prophecy. We know the end, but we are often surprised at the manner of prophecy fulfilling.

Though the events of 1948 and 1967 in Israel were momentous in their day, in retrospect they are even more momentous. Already the events of 2023 are understood as momentous. There are many who speak of the 'right side of history' as if they see the future – but the Bible student knows the Heavens laugh.

What have the Elgin Marbles to do with the Bible? The same question might be asked: why are the Elgin Marbles in the news now when Israel is in the news? They are in the news to the point of the disruption of National relations between Greece and UK – and so we take note as to what the Bible says – about Greeks.

As Israel battles Hamas, which in Hebrew translates as violence, we see Israel in the valley of Achor which means 'Trouble'. Through this trouble there is a door of Hope.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

We are living in the days spoken of by Ezekiel:

Son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of Yahweh: Thus saith the Lord Yahweh; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession: Therefore prophesy and say,

Thus saith the Lord Yahweh; Because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people: (Ezekiel 36:1-3)

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War in the 75th year of Israel as a nation, 56 Years to the Reunification of Jerusalem and the return to the mountains of Israel, we can look forward and back.