According To The Scriptures:
ISRAEL AND THE THREE WORLD WARS
"For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you [Israel] toucheth the apple of his [God's] eye" (Zech. 2:8).
When a nation jumps on Israel, they seal their doom (e.g., Germany). Isaac said to Jacob (Israel):
"Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee" (Gen. 27:29).
Israel is the wife of God the Father.
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion" (Jer. 3:14).
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion [Zion], and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads" (Rev. 14:1).
God doesn't cause Israel to suffer as they do in the three world wars, but He allows it to get them back to where they should be.
In A.D. 70, Titus led in the destruction of Jerusalem. For nearly 2,000 years thereafter Israel was not recognized as a nation; but, in World War I, General Allenby freed Jerusalem from the Turks, making it possible for Israel to eventually receive back their land.
World War II gave Israel's people back to their land. After World War II, ships carrying Jews back to Israel had to be quarantined because Jews were going home so fast and, on May 14, 1948, Israel became a "nation born in a day".
World War III will give Israel back their Lord. Israel today is probably the most discussed nation in the world. Why?
"15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains" (Matt. 24:15-16).
"And to the woman [Israel] were given two wings of a great eagle, that she [Israel] might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent [Satan]" (Rev. 12:14).
"Time" represents one year. "Times" represent two years. "Half a time" represents half a year. Therefore, "time", "times", and "half a time" represent 3 ½ years.
Why this message? When you read about the nation of Israel in the Bible, it is like reading tomorrow's headlines. As goes Israel, so goes Bible prophecy. This is a warning to Gentile churches:
"20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches [Israel], take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again" (Rev. 11:20-23).
Israel is the wife of God. The true churches make up the Bride of Christ.
"25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:25-27).
It is heart-breaking today to go to churches and have to listen to the announcements about the "play houses" -- ball games, cruises, sports, bus tours, etc.; to hear the clapping of hands because some deep throat got down low on a bass note, or some other meaningless honor to man. In most churches, about four hours a week or less are spent in church services -- and most of that time is spent on announcements or other things that have nothing to do with the worship of God. What we need to do is:
"4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).
How I long for the old-fashioned way!
"18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:18-20).
