Dear friends:This morning, as I often do, I was pondering the imponderable question, "When will Jesus return?"
I even asked, "Jesus, when are you returning?"
I heard no audible answer, But looking through some old files, I was reminded that I have a September, 1997 fax from an Orthodox Hasidic rabbi in Jerusalem. In 1995 he testified that Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) had shown him from the Torah that Yeshua is the Messiah. In the fax he said he thought he had a revelation. He said he saw the timing of Israel entering its end-time priestly role as dictated by God's own pattern for priesthood -- that priests had to be at least 30 years old and not more than 50, according to Numbers, chapter 4. He saw Jerusalem "at least 30" in June, 1997 (30 years from its capture) and Israel "less than 50" until its 50th year, which would be 1998, or 1999 depending on how you count..
1998? Hmmmm. Remember my February 4 messages, Part 1 and Part 2, about the possible prophetic significance of the years 1998-2012? See:
http://www.injesus.com/Groups/ViewMessage.cfm?MessageId=GB006V3L&GroupID=2A004N9G&UCD=dx0 and http://www.injesus.com/Groups/ViewMessage.cfm?MessageId=HB006V3L&GroupID=2A004N9G&UCD=dx0
Then I remembered that God told Ezekiel he was a sign and model for Israel -- that whatever happened to him would also happen to Israel (24:24). Here we have another 30-50 situation possibly pointing to 1998. We know that Ezekiel was in his 30th year (at least 30) when he began his ministry (1:1). Then when he was less than 50, at age 49 (calculated from 40:1), he had an experience when "the glory of the Lord filled the house" (or temple, 43:5). This may symbolize the glory of the Lord returning to Israel in the last days.
In his article, "The Gospel of the Holocaust," Bible teacher/writer Jack W. Langford shows a striking parallel and pattern. The word "holocaust" means "whole burnt sacrifice" a term used in Scripture referring to types of Christ's suffering. His suffering was, indeed, a holocaust, as was the Jews' suffering in the 1940s, ending in 1945. Jesus was resurrected after three days. Israel was resurrected after three years in 1948. Jesus gave birth to the church on Pentecost, after 50 days. Will the same pattern hold, with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit since Israel's Pentecost year, after 50 years? My article on spiritual awakening and revival at the turn of the millennium offers evidence at http://www.choicesforliving.com/spirit/part4/revival.htm .
Then I remembered that in the years since May 14, 1998, we have seen:
1. The Intifida initiated in September 2000 when CNN headlined, "THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM HAS BEGUN." Archaeologist Vendyl Jones wrote, "September 27-28, the present Amalek crisis began. That very date is the beginning of the Shmittah (Sabbatical) year. This is the seventh Shmittah (Sabbatical) year since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948." (By Amalek crisis, he means Intifada, or uprising of the sons of Amalek.)
2. About that time, the rabbis in Israel declared that we are now in the "the time of Jacobs trouble."
3. September 11, 2001 has been interpreted as a "final warning," in my opinion, to the Gentile world, especially to America and the West. The wild, hate-filled sons of Amalek are on a bloody killing spree all over the world.
4. Early in his first term, President George W. Bush became the first U.S. President to openly advocate the creation of a Palestinian state taken from biblical lands that God gave to Israel as a permanent possession.
4. The ancient Sanhedrin was restored in Tiberias on October 14, 2004.
All these things indicate that we are in a very special period of history and on God's time line. Be encouraged, even if your hoped-for dates may pass. Jesus is coming!
To be sure, it makes Peter's words to this generation all the more relevant:
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:7-11, NIV).
Jim