60th Anniversary of the Rebirth of the State of Israe.
The rebirth of the State of Israel is the greatest world event in the past 1,900 years. Miraculously after 1,878 years Israel came back to life just as the Prophets of Scripture predicted. Jesus Christ himself gave us a time-line of events that would precede his return. The most definitive event is the rebirth of the State of Israel as predicted in Matthew 24:32. On May 4th we have an opportunity to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of this tremendous e vent.
Over the past 1,900 years many great events have occurred. Some would argue that the Cannon of Scripture in the 4th Century is the greatest. Others would suggest the abolishment of slavery or the birth of democracy that has given us so much freedom. The information explosion of the past 100 years and worldwide communication also may be considered. If we focus on the temporal these events rise to the top however if we look at the eternal we must turn to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24:32. “Now learn from the parable of the fig tree.
When its branches are tender and its putting forth leaves, look up for the summer draws near.” Throughout Scripture the fig tree is symbolic of Israel. In 70A.D. the Roman Emperor Titus destroyed Jerusalem and ended the Kingdom of Israel. Most of the Jews were dispersed throughout the world but some remained. In May, 1948 the dry bones came back to life. The fig tree is now alive and growing with “tender braches”. Just as Jesus Christ predicted as the most definitive sign of His Return.
A few years ago the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Maer Lau came to Toronto and lectured on the topic “The unprecedented, unique bond between Christians and Jews”. I attended the lecture and was astounded to hear this proclamation. He spoke of the expected appearance of the Messiah as stated in Isaiah 11. He believes that soon the Messiah will appear and God’s Glory will be so strong upon the earth that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. The Rabbi said it is not so hard to believe that peace will come earth, that the lion will lie down with the lamb and the child will play with the snake and no harm will come to them. He stated that peace on earth was once achieved during the Flood so if it happened once it can happen again.
The Chief Rabbi went on to explain that peace during the flood was different as it not the result of the Glory of God. Peace was achieved on Noah’s Ark due to the fact that the people and the animals all faced a terrible enemy that was threatening their destruction. They all united to fight withstand the attack of the Flood. If they had not bonded together they would have all been destroyed. Today, as Christians and Jews we face the same terrible enemies. If we do not bond then hatred, disease, war and terrorism will destroy us.
The Rabbi’s then challenged us saying “surely we are as smart as the mice on the Ark”.
After the lecture I met with Rabbi Lau in a board room at Shari Shemim Synagogue and we discussed ways to bond as Christians and Jews. Israeli diplomats asked me to gather the 20 most prominent Christian leaders that support Israel and travel to Jerusalem for high level talks in the Knesset and with spiritual leaders of Israel. The heads of the six major denominations including Christian Missionary Alliance, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada along with television leaders such as David Mainse and Grant Jefferies, all cleared their schedules and traveled to Israel. As a result the bond between Christians and Jews is growing.
The fig tree, Israel is putting forth leaves, preparing for spiritual fruit and the great harvest of the coming of the Messiah. Since the rebirth in 1948 a spiritual uprising has brought massive military and terrorist forces in an attempt to wipe Israel off the map. Remarkably Israel has been able to withstand the attacks for 60 years. Almost every day rockets are fired upon them or terrorists set off bombs to kill their citizens. Just as predicted by Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39, descendants of certain grandsons of Noah, are attacking Israel in preparation for a massive war known as the Battle of Gog and Magog. Israel is suffering tremendously to give birth to that day of Peace, when the Messiah will reign for 1,000 years and even the animal world will live in peace.
National Co-Chairman
As Christians we must stand with Israel as it suffers. Everything we have comes from Israel including every page of the Bible. The Prophets, Priests and Kings are all a gift to us from Israel. Even Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Disciples and the Apostles such as Matthew, John, Mark, Paul, Peter and Timothy are all Israelites. We worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is unconscionable to worship the God of Israel and not love Israel. In Genesis 12:3 God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. In Romans the Apostle Paul says that the Jews have blessed us spiritually therefore we must bless the Jews materially. As we watch the news every night we see reports of the relentless attacks against Israel and we must stand with them.
On Sunday, May 4th we as Christians have an opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jews as together we will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of this supernatural event, the greatest event in the past 1,900 years, the rebirth of the State of Israel.
