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SIGNS OF THE TIMES

God's Hand on Israel

Natural disasters, epidemics, electronic money, and the near-future National Identity Card are signs and precursors of the one-world government and cashless society that will usher in the reign of the antichrist. The most telling signs, though, are in connection with the Nation of Israel.

The Nation itself was literally 'born in a day' as prophesied by Isaiah (66:8). Jesus told his followers that the generation that witnessed the fig tree blossom would be the generation that would see His return (Matthew 24:32-34). Jesus said this concerning the birth of the Nation of Israel, G-d's fig tree (Joel 1:7).

Israel, at the time the Jews began returning from their long exile, was a wasteland as Moses said it would be (Leviticus 26:31-33). In fact, in 1869, after his journey there, Mark Twain wrote that Israel was a "G-d-forsaken land". The Bible promised, however, that Israel's desolation would end. Both Ezekiel (36:34-35) and Isaiah (35:1) record the prophesied blossoming of the Land:

The Jews who returned to Israel in the last century filled in the swamps and planted trees and crops to reclaim the wastelands. Today, the Negev desert is blooming and Israel is able to export produce to many countries of the world.
Mark Twain's fascination with the Jews sparked him to write:

"If the statistics are correct, the Jews represent merely one percent of humanity­­an irrelevant spark in the light of the Milky Way...Normally speaking, the Jews should hardly be heard of... [yet] They can rival any people on Earth for fame...in no ratio to their population...Their contribution to the list of great names in literature, natural science, art, music, finance, medicine, and profound learning is amazing......Everything is mortal except the Jew. All other powers perish but he remains. What is the mystery of his immortality?"

Then, there is the 'knowledge explosion' prophesied by Daniel (12:4) which began when Jews started moving back to the Land of Israel:

Scientists point out that for almost 6000 years men lived rather primitive lives. Then, in the middle of the eighteenth century, G-d began stirring in the European Jews a longing to return to Israel. From that time, from 1750 to 1900, spanning only 150 years, knowledge doubled.

In 1900, Theodore Herzl held the first Zionist Congress to establish a homeland for Jews in the former Israel. Within only fifty years from that time, knowledge doubled again. Then, when Israel became a nation in 1948, within only a ten-year period, knowledge doubled once more. Since then, scientists say, knowledge has been doubling every two years!

The Scriptures (Deut. 30:3 & Ps. 14:7 for example), promise that G-d will restore the former prosperity of the Jews. Recently, in fulfillment of His Word, the negligence of Swiss bankers (and others) in not returning the wealth of holocaust victims to their heirs has come to the attention of the international community. Several countries are currently negotiating with Israel to restore their lost fortunes.

Signs are also appearing in connection with Israel's spiritual restoration. When the Temple Mount was returned to Jewish hands in 1967, observant Jews began a campaign to see the Temple rebuilt. Since that time, amazing things have been occurring that would make possible the restoration of worship in a rebuilt Temple­­the Third Temple. Two particular groups have formed in Israel to take on the responsibility of this dream: The Temple Institute, which has been preparing all the articles necessary for the Temple and Priesthood; and The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful whose work includes broadcasting to all who will listen, that it is time to rebuild G-d's House!

God's Signature on Jerusalem

Because G-d said that He put His name on Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5; 2 Chron. 6:6; 33:4; 2 Kings 21:4); the devil wants that city in order to displace G-d. Consequently, Jerusalem has seen more wars than any other city on the face of the earth:

"Jerusalem has known the hosts of thirty-six wars. She has been reduced to ashes seventeen times. She has risen eighteen. She has been sanctified by blood and martyrdom. She knew the hoofbeat of Assyrian war chariot, chilled to the besieging battering machines of Rome, heard the hissing arcs of Saladin's sabers and the rattle of crusader mail...and the tattoo of Israeli paratroop gunfire. She has seen more passion and love and more human savagery than any other place in the world." (Jerusalem, Leon Uris, p.9)

The Bible teaches that the Battle of Armageddon, the war of all wars, will be fought over the city of Jerusalem. That is why the nation of Israel serves as a barometer to measure how close we are to the coming of the L-rd. An amazing phenomena that has become known only in the current century, is that the name of G-d actually appears on the physical city of Jerusalem.

The name of G-d, Shaddai, meaning the All-sufficient One, is written with three Hebrew letters­­shin, dalet, yod. These letters form the acronym Shomer Daltot Yisrael meaning Watchman of Israel's gates or Protector of the doors of Israel. Oftentimes, the letter shin alone is used to represent G-d's signature, such as on many of the mezuzot that are placed on doors in obedience to G-d's command of Deuteronomy 6:9. It is said that G-d looks down from heaven and sees His signature, the letter shin, on Jerusalem.

• KIDRON VALLEY (RIGHT)
• TYROPEAN VALLEY (CENTER)
• HINNOM VALLEY (LEFT)

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