Cricket, Australia, Israel and Two Holes in One
This letter highlights a very unusual coincidence involving cricket in Australia and Israel. On Tuesday 25 November 2014 an Australian cricketer, Phillip JOEL Hughes, was knocked unconscious by a bouncer - he suffered a very rare head wound and died on Thursday 27 November, just three days before his 26th birthday. This has shocked and saddened the nation of Australia and many cricketers and others throughout the world. His funeral was held in his home town of Macksville on Wednesday 3 December 2014 (telecast on national television).
In a very strange coincidence, two days later a cricket umpire officiating at a match in Ashdod, Israel and the last match of the season, also died as a result of a being hit by a cricket ball. The umpire Hillel Oscar, a former Israel cricket captain, like Hughes, died from a catastrophic head wound. This accident happened shortly after a minute’s silence in memory of Phillip Hughes at the cricket ground in Ashdod.
Whatever this very unlikely coincidence means, it is noteworthy that it happened close to 29 November, the date for the UN Resolution to establish the State of Israel (1947) and the UN recognition of Palestine as an observer (2012). Some European nations have recently moved motions to recognise Palestine as a separate State. Phillip Hughes’ middle name is Joel, and Joel 3(1-3) - see below - speaks of the Lord’s punishment for dividing Israel, and casting lots (voting) for God’s people Israel. This can really only be interpreted as the nations of the world imposing the Palestine State unilaterally, not through Israel and Palestine agreement.
The United kingdom voted 274 in favour and just 12 against establishment of a Palestinian State!!! In 1947, the United Kingdom abstained from the vote for Israel Independence.
(Joel 3:1-3) For behold, in those days and at that time when I shall reverse the captivity and restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and there will execute judgment upon them for [their treatment of] My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and have divided My land.
3 And they have cast lots for My people, and have given a boy for a harlot and have sold a girl for juice [of the grape] and have drunk it.
Two Holes in One in One Round!!
Then on Monday 1 December 2014, in Canberra (Australia, where I live) an exceptionally rare event took place - a golfer scored two holes in one in one round!! The odds of this are given as 67 million to one!! The holes in one were scored on hole 14 (first) and hole 7 (second). Now this seems unfair - I would love to score just one hole in one!! However, what is interesting is the mathematical representation of two holes in one: 11 (eleven). This event happened just a week or so before another important Israel date: the liberation of Jerusalem from the Turks on 11 December 1017.
Convergence Towards 2017!!
We seem to be in the midst of so many converging signs pointing to the imminent Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ!! The Rapture (of the overcoming Church) could take place at any time, as many of the dates relate primarily to Israel! It is worth looking at some prophetic dates/signs during 2017 - remembering this is just three years away (or even less for some dates.
7 February 2017 (an Australian sign) : 50 years from catastrophic fires in Tasmania (exactly 42 years later there were even more catastrophic fires in the State of Victoria on 7 February 2009).
7 June 2017: 50 years from liberation of Jerusalem on 7 June 1967, during Six Day War.
21 August 2017: total solar eclipse, centred rarely and remarkably on the United States.
29 November 2017: 70 years from UN Resolution to establish State of Israel.
11 December 2017: 100 years from liberation of Jerusalem on 11 December 1917 (from Wikipedia: On 11 December (1917), General Edmund Allenby humbly entered the Old City on foot through the Jaffa Gate instead of horse or vehicles to show respect for the holy city.
Jewish holidays (selected) - 2017 (start at sunset previous day)
Thursday, September 21: Rosh HaShanah (and following day)
Saturday, September 30: Yom Kippur
Thursday, October 5: Sukkot (first of seven days)
Thursday, October 12: Shemini Atzeret
Friday, October 13: Simchat Torah
Wednesday, December 13: Hanukkah (first of eight days)
(Note: from total solar eclipse on 21 August 2017 to Yom Kippur on 30 September 2017 is around 40 days)