The hope of the Jew and the Gentile
Last year in the Desert Storm war, it was amazing to see that Israel was not permitted to fight. There was a "land shadowing with wings... beyond the rivers of Ethiopia" which entirely took up Israel's cause (Isa. 18:11Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: (Isaiah 18:1)). The understanding of this prophecy should be very simple. Ethiopia is Cush and his descendants who settled along the two rivers of the Euphrates and the Nile (Gen. 10). The land, then, of which the prophecy speaks is beyond these two rivers, and we can easily determine, in going beyond these rivers, some land on the other side of the world must be addressed in this prophecy.
The protection (shadowing with wings means a protection) and massive support of America and the coalition forces has so far kept the little nation of Israel from destruction by her many enemies.
During most of this 20th century, powerful nations of the west have taken up, more or less, the cause of the Jew. Each of these nations has tasted a little of what will later be fully known in the time of "Jacob's trouble" in the last days. Zech. 12 describes it: "In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces.”
In view of the fact that God has revealed the coming judgments of the tribulation period that fall especially upon Jerusalem and Judea, but also upon nations around, what, we ask, should the Christian do? We know that our portion is distinctly heavenly. We are just waiting to hear that call, "Come up hither." This takes place before the prophecies concerning Israel can be fulfilled. God's Word is given to us, and understanding by His Spirit. So we can be undisturbed by the troubles coming upon this judged world. Even now we see things taking shape according to the prophetic word.
Knowing this, as a Christian, could I build my aspirations here in this world? Would I want to help Jews to return to Palestine, knowing that that land will be the very center where God's wrath will be poured out?
"The Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act." Isa. 28:2121For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. (Isaiah 28:21). God does not delight in judgment. It is His strange act, but although He waits long, when He judges He does it properly. He "shall... go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle." Zech. 14:33Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Zechariah 14:3).
At that time one of the notable enemies of God's people will be the fierce king described in Dan. 8. His location is north from Jerusalem, and likely is Syria or Turkey. He is subtle, and his craftiness for a while is successful. At length he stands up against the Prince of princes, and then will be destroyed.
When the Son of man arises and destroys all the Gentile powers gathered against Jerusalem (Zech. 12:99And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:9)), He "will bring the third part [of the remnant of Israel] through the fire." Then further on He says, "They shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." Zech. 13:99And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. (Zechariah 13:9).
Earthly blessing for 1000 years comes with the King, the Lord of hosts, the Lord of all the earth. "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." Zech. 14:1616And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:16).
This blessedness is coming, but before it comes the Israelis are in for disappointment and vexation and disaster. They labor much in Palestine now, but it is not of the Lord. Mostly they are modernists, and God is not in all their thoughts. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Psa. 127:11<<A Song of degrees for Solomon.>> Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (Psalm 127:1).
As we see men striving to build that which God will tear down, we surely cannot join in such enterprises. The gospel of the grace of God is the only hope for Jew or Gentile. Now salvation gathers a heavenly people. Jesus is our deliverer from the coming wrath (1 Thess. 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)).
C. Buchanan
Rise up, my love,
my fair one,
and come away.