Israel in the news

The United Nations Security Council’s recent adoption of Resolution 2334, which condemns Israeli settlements in the West Bank, has brought to our collective attention yet again the unique role assigned to Israel in world affairs.That a country no bigger than Wales, with a population the same size as Switzerland, can so consistently be the centre of international political intrigue is on the surface of things quite remarkable.

However, for those of us seeking to see things from God’s perspective and eager to learn from what has already been revealed to us about Israel in the Bible, we really should not be surprised at all. In fact, we should rejoice as we see played out before our eyes events that repeatedly confirm to us the truth of God’s word and the significance of the hour in which we live.

The eyes of the world will continue to be fixed upon Israel right up to the very end of the age. In fact, the fate of entire nations, indeed every nation, is tied up with the destiny of this unique place and people. The prophet Zechariah revealed these truths to us more than 500 years before Christ was born during his ministry to the Jews returning to their ancient homeland from exile in Babylon. Of specific concern to Zechariah was the capital city Jerusalem, which he said will be at the centre of world affairs at the end of the age.

A day is fast approaching when God will, ‘…gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle,’ when, ‘…the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped.’ (Zechariah 14:2)

What reason could so large a force have to strike so small an opponent? The material gains would no doubt be negligible. The only explanation is that this is an ideological conflict aimed at removing, in one commentators words, ‘…a non-cooperative element that blocked the way to an international world order.’ According to Zechariah, there will come a day when the nations of the world will move on from passing resolutions and engage instead in direct military conflict.

It is important for us to be reminded, particularly in the light of Resolution 2334, that Jerusalem will be subjected to a degree of international hatred unique in all of human history.

It is important for us to remember as well that all this is a necessary precursor to Christ’s return to earth as King. Just when things look most bleak for Jerusalem, ‘…the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east…’ (Zechariah 14:3-4) ‘And the Lord will be king over all the earth.’ (Zechariah 14:9)

No doubt this is why so small a country generates such considerable interest. One day Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of Christ’s kingdom on earth. Events like the adoption of Resolution 2334 only confirm to us the unique significance of Israel and Jerusalem and that history is moving forward toward God’s desired end. The nations of the earth will continue to organise against Jerusalem and will endeavour to build international consensus against Israel.

Behind all this is not just a hatred of Israel but a hatred of God. The nations and their leaders will stop at nothing to ensure that God’s anointed Servant, Jesus Christ, cannot one day rule the only true one-world government from his appointed capital. Until that happens they will endeavour to frustrate his global leadership through counterfeit unity and hatred of Israel.

Psalm 2 expertly expresses these themes of human rebellion, the lordship of Christ and the significance of Jerusalem:

'Who do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits int the heavens laughs:

the Lord holds them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

“As for me, I have set my King

on Zion, my holy hill.”’ (Psalm 2:1-6)

Much has been said about the Security Council’s recent decision to condemn Israel and their settlement program but little had been made of God’s overarching purposes, which we are now witnessing being played out before us. Unless we take a step back and see things from heaven’s perspective we will miss an important opportunity to align our hearts and minds with God’s will. Indeed, Jesus commands up to, ‘…straighten up and raise your heads…’ (Luke 21:28) when we see events occur that confirm the truth of biblical prophecy. Let us, therefore, take courage and rejoice that the kingdom of God and our redemption is near!

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