An absolutely stunning prophetic fulfillment is happening quickly before our eyes: the transformation of Israel into a Jewish state. God is on the very verge of fulfilling the ancient promises made through Zechariah the prophet.
Let's begin with the end of the prophecy. In Zechariah 8:21 – 23, the Word of the Lord says, "the inhabitants of one [of the cities of the world] will go to another, saying, ‘let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I will also go.’ So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, in those days 10 men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, ‘let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
While we have not yet arrived at this place of honor for the Jew, God has promised that someday the Jew will become the most prominent (not in number but in spiritual authority) and most envied people of the entire world. In itself, that is an amazing prediction. The Jewish people have not experienced a time of prominence or blessing since the fall of the house of David. Zechariah predicted a time when the Jews would be “a curse among the nations” (Zechariah 8:13). For 2,000 years this prophecy has been fulfilled as Jews were scattered among the nations, often under persecution, with only a tiny remnant in Israel.
After 2,000 years of dispersion, one would be almost crazy to think the Jews would ever return to Israel. Even today, one would seemingly be crazy to think that the day of Israel’s prominence and Jewish leadership is close at hand. Crazy, that is, unless he or she was familiar with the Bible!
Currently, the world does not recognize that God is with Israel, as Zechariah prophesied. The world—often including the Christian world—views modern Israel as a problematic little nation with little hope for the future. Universities like Tufts, the University of Mississippi, Harvard, MIT, Colombia, and Kansas State have student and alumni campaigns to divest from Israel. Denominations like the Presbyterian Church (USA), some United Methodist conferences, the World Council of Churches, and the United Church of Christ have active divestiture resolutions. Countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada are often filled with open disdain for Israel. In all appearances, it looks like we have a long way to go before “ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying ‘let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
It may look like a long way, but look what God has been up to in the past few years.
In 1900 there were 11.2 million Jews worldwide. Of those, 80% (almost 9 million) lived in Europe. Less than 2 million lived in the North America. And—strikingly—less than 1% lived in their ancient homeland of Israel—only 78,000 Jews.
Only 100 years later—in the century that was the deadliest 100 years for Jews since the first century—things changed dramatically. Worldwide, there is a population of 13.3 million Jews (notice how the loss of over six-million affected their slow growth). Of these 13.3 million, less than 12% live in Europe (Only 1.5 million Jews, compared to 9 million 100 years earlier). Sadly, the 100 year decline of 7.5 million European Jews came chiefly through the Holocaust, in which over 6 million Jews died. The Holocaust was a direct result of the Christian church’s long-standing anti-Semitic replacement theology which caused the church to sit back and watch the wholesale slaughter of European Jewry. Behavior always grows out of theology, and bad theology always leads to bad behavior—atrocious in this case. Forty-five percent of Jews today live in North America (6 million, compared to 2 million a century ago). At the turn of this millennium, 5.3 million Jews lived in Israel—41% of all Jews, and an 8,000% increase in 100 years! Clearly, God has done a work to return Jews to Israel.
But there is more! As late as 2006 the United States had the greatest population of Jews in any country of the world. Since 2006, however, with immigration into Israel and one of the highest birthrates of any developed nation, the Jewish population of Israel has now surpassed that of any country in the world. Once again—after 2,000 years—Israel is the Jewish homeland!
As Zechariah began his prophecy about the last day’s return of the Jews to Israel, he shared how the Lord was “very much concerned for Zion.” In fact, the Lord said, “I am so concerned for her that my rage will fall on those who hurt her” (Zechariah 8:2). His stated plan was to “return to Zion and live within Jerusalem” (Zech 8:3). Notice, it was the Lord who would return, after the return of His people. When He returns, “Jerusalem will be called “truthful city,” “mountain of the Lord who rules over all,” “holy mountain.” (Zech 8:3). Zechariah speaks of a day when old men will live in the plazas of Jerusalem and the streets will be full of boys and girls playing (Zech 8:4).
For 2,000 years, such a scene seemed impossible. Before 1900 it was just a “pie in the sky” dream. Until 1967, it was an impossibility. And only in the last few years has it become a daily occurrence. The Lord also spoke of the “fat chance” nature of this prophecy being fulfilled! He said, “Though such a thing may seem to be difficult in the opinion of the small community of those days, will it also appear difficult to me?” (Zech. 8:6). Would the 78,000 Jews of Israel a hundred years ago ever dreamed that there would be almost 6 million today? Would they ever have imagined that Israel would be in their control?
Much remains to be accomplished before the Lord’s prophecy is completely fulfilled. The return of the Jews is just the beginning. In coming days, watch for a revival of Judaism in Israel (to this point it has been a largely secular state). Watch for a renewed interest in being God’s people. Watch for God’s hand to be upon Israel in dramatic ways. Watch for God to fulfill every promise ever made to Israel.
…and watch for a rapture!
___
Would you like to travel to Israel with me next June? Click here for more information.
See a clip of the videobook version of "The Antichrist" here.
As always, your comments are appreciated!
rwhite@fbckaty.com
