Is Prophecy Being Fulfilled Now?
Does anyone really understand prophecy? Most Bible teachers I know claim to have a firm grasp on prophecy and adamantly defend their position. I used to be one of those people. I mastered a prophetic scheme that I was taught and became a skilled defender of that system using the original languages. As I continued to grow and learn I kept finding prophetic passages in the Bible that would not fit into my system nor could I explain them away.
Then I went to Israel! I saw inscriptions from the Early Church that shivered me to the core. Although most of these Early Church inscriptions had not been translated, I could read them because of my years of studying Ancient Greek. The writings the Early Church left behind contradicted my view of the Early Church and my understanding of prophecy. I had to either ignore the archaeological artifacts or take a long serious look at my understanding of the Church and its place in prophecy.
I realize that I still have much to learn about prophecy. I do not want to speculate on prophetic passages or try to make them fit our current world conditions; however, we can look at some of the prophetic portions of Scripture that are clear. In the next few articles I want to share with you from the Bible tangible movements that God says will transpire in the end times.
#1 The Nation of Israel will be Resurrected
Ezekiel 37 records Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones. God showed Ezekiel a valley full of dry bones. When Ezekiel prophesied, the bones they came together. Tendons, ligaments, muscles, and organs wrapped around the bones then they were covered with skin. Then God put life in the bodies. They stood up on their feet and became a great army.
God tells Ezekiel (verse 11) this is the house of Israel. Israel did return after the Babylonian exile but never returned to her former glory like she was… until today. On May 14, 1948 David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the state of Israel. This is the first time in almost 2,000 years that Israel has been a state.
In 70 A.D. Titus Vespasian seized the Temple Mount, which was the last stronghold of the Jews. Rome then controlled the land of Israel until 634 A.D when the Arab Muslims took over the region. The Crusaders gained control of the area in 1099 until 1291 when Egyptian Mamluk conquered the area. The Ottomans ruled the area from 1517 until 1920 when the British established rule in Israel. They remained in control until Israel became a state again in 1948.
Today Israel has not only become a strong modern country, it is a major world power. It has one of the strongest armies in the world and has become a leader in the development of technology. It is a major tourist attraction drawing more than 3.5 million visitors each year.
Isaiah 27:6 prophecies that Israel will blossom and the whole earth will be filled with her fruit. Israel is quickly rising as a world leader. Her influence is touching many people in the world. Several other prophecies are very clear that God will re-establish Israel as a mighty nation. These prophecies are happening today!
Jeremiah 16:15 I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Jeremiah 30:3 I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah says the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers and they shall possess it.
Jeremiah 23:3 I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Ezekiel 34:13 I will bring them out from the people and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land
Ezekiel 37:21 Thus says the Lord God, Behold , I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and I will gather them from all around , and bring them to their own land and I will make them one nation in the land.
This prophecy concerning the re-birth of Israel is happening now. We are living in the most exciting times in history! We are seeing the prophecies of the Bible being fulfilled in front of our eyes!
In my next article I will address another prophecy from the Bible that will happen in the end times. Several prophecies are being fulfilled right now. We are seeing the end time events that believers throughout history have longed to see. We are witnessing the events that will lead to the return of the Messiah!
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016
Then I went to Israel! I saw inscriptions from the Early Church that shivered me to the core. Although most of these Early Church inscriptions had not been translated, I could read them because of my years of studying Ancient Greek. The writings the Early Church left behind contradicted my view of the Early Church and my understanding of prophecy. I had to either ignore the archaeological artifacts or take a long serious look at my understanding of the Church and its place in prophecy.
I realize that I still have much to learn about prophecy. I do not want to speculate on prophetic passages or try to make them fit our current world conditions; however, we can look at some of the prophetic portions of Scripture that are clear. In the next few articles I want to share with you from the Bible tangible movements that God says will transpire in the end times.
#1 The Nation of Israel will be Resurrected
Ezekiel 37 records Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones. God showed Ezekiel a valley full of dry bones. When Ezekiel prophesied, the bones they came together. Tendons, ligaments, muscles, and organs wrapped around the bones then they were covered with skin. Then God put life in the bodies. They stood up on their feet and became a great army.
God tells Ezekiel (verse 11) this is the house of Israel. Israel did return after the Babylonian exile but never returned to her former glory like she was… until today. On May 14, 1948 David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the state of Israel. This is the first time in almost 2,000 years that Israel has been a state.
In 70 A.D. Titus Vespasian seized the Temple Mount, which was the last stronghold of the Jews. Rome then controlled the land of Israel until 634 A.D when the Arab Muslims took over the region. The Crusaders gained control of the area in 1099 until 1291 when Egyptian Mamluk conquered the area. The Ottomans ruled the area from 1517 until 1920 when the British established rule in Israel. They remained in control until Israel became a state again in 1948.
Today Israel has not only become a strong modern country, it is a major world power. It has one of the strongest armies in the world and has become a leader in the development of technology. It is a major tourist attraction drawing more than 3.5 million visitors each year.
Isaiah 27:6 prophecies that Israel will blossom and the whole earth will be filled with her fruit. Israel is quickly rising as a world leader. Her influence is touching many people in the world. Several other prophecies are very clear that God will re-establish Israel as a mighty nation. These prophecies are happening today!
Jeremiah 16:15 I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
Jeremiah 30:3 I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah says the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers and they shall possess it.
Jeremiah 23:3 I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Ezekiel 34:13 I will bring them out from the people and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land
Ezekiel 37:21 Thus says the Lord God, Behold , I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and I will gather them from all around , and bring them to their own land and I will make them one nation in the land.
This prophecy concerning the re-birth of Israel is happening now. We are living in the most exciting times in history! We are seeing the prophecies of the Bible being fulfilled in front of our eyes!
In my next article I will address another prophecy from the Bible that will happen in the end times. Several prophecies are being fulfilled right now. We are seeing the end time events that believers throughout history have longed to see. We are witnessing the events that will lead to the return of the Messiah!
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016