A SIGN OF THE TIMES

Considering the fact that thousands and thousands of Jews are returning to their native country, Palestine, from all parts of the world, this may also be called a sign of the times. Is this not the hand of God, Who says, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure?” Isa. 46.10. Nothing in this world and in our life happens without that wonderful and divine Providence of God.

Has the time arrived for many Jews to be brought into the Gospel Church-state, as was the belief of the apostle Paul? Did not the blessed Spirit of prophecy lead him into this mystery, when he wrote to the Romans “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” Etc. Does not the apostle Paul argue here the possibility of the Jews being brought into a Gospel Church-state? Have not his fervent prayers been to the Almighty God, that He would turn back to His covenant people, Israel, with repentance unto life? Have not many after him, been praying for the returning of Israel to the God of their fathers? Is the All-powerful God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not mighty to take away that cover of darkness and blindness that lays upon them, and bring them out of their state of darkness and infidelity? Have we not been informed that thousands of Bibles, especially New Testaments, are being sent to Palestine, and read by many Jews?

Here are some important questions for our earnest consideration. May God place us upon a watchtower that we may see what God is bringing about in the evening tide of a deep-sunk world.

I believe that an article on this very subject which appeared in the Christian periodical, “Old Faith Contender,” will prove very interesting to our readers. I quote as follows:

“Perhaps the greatest miracle of this generation is the return of the Jews to Palestine and their coming to life as a nation. When we learn the truth of what has taken place it will be seen that a miracle has occurred before our eyes, but of far more significance is what it means to every inhabitant of the earth in the light of Bible prophecy. Jesus said, “When these things come to pass, then you may know that I have told you.” Prophecy is not understood in detail until it takes place. Regardless of our understanding, or lack of understanding, we are now being shown by the fulfillment of God’s purposes in the earth, that this age is rapidly drawing to an end. If we are what we hope we are, we are highly favored to witness these things. — W. J. B.”

“The following quotations are from ‘Israel Returns Home According to Prophecy,’ by George T. B. Davis.

“Over one million Jews have now been regath-ered to the land of their forefathers. They have their own Parliament, their own President and Prime Minister, their own army, navy, and air force, their own flag, their own language, and their own currency. The return of the Jews to their ancient heritage, after having been wanderers among the nations for nearly two thousand years, is one of the greatest miracles of our time. Nothing like it has ever occurred in the history of mankind.

“Again the prophet says: ‘The cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: and I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginning: and ye shall know that I am the Lord’ (Ezek. 36:10,11).

“The scriptures are being fulfilled today before the eyes of the entire world. In the brief space of 31 years great multitudes of the children of Israel have gone back to their ancient heritage; and have founded an independent Jewish State—for the first time in 2500 years.

“There are now over one million Jews in the land of Israel, regathered from all parts of the world. And week by week and month by month, by ship and plane, great throngs of sons and daughters of Abraham are arriving at the ports of Israel. And all this modern migration of the Jews to the land of their forefathers is taking place today before our eyes exactly as predicted by the Old Testament prophets long centuries ago.”

“The faith of the Yemenite Jews is strong. They are returning to Israel, not because they are greatly interested in Zionism, but because they believe that the coming of the Messiah is near, and they want to be in the land when the Messiah comes.

“One of the greatest assets of the Negev is the fabulous wealth of the mineral salts of the Dead Sea. Some years ago the editor of the magazine called Chemistry estimated the potential wealth of the mineral salts of the Dead Sea at one trillion, two hundred and seventy billion dollars. This is the richest body of water in all the world. The Jews still possess the lower end of the Dead Sea, but the Arabs have the northern part.

“Long ago, God led the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land by a series of miracles that were the most remarkable in the history of the world. It is little wonder that for generations afterward people exclaimed, “The Lord liveth!”—Who did those great and wonderful things.

“Today, 2500 years later, the Lord is taking the Jews back to the land of their forefathers, not from one country, but from all parts of the world. It is a miraculous manifestation of God’s power that is causing people to exclaim once more, as they did long ago, ‘The Lord liveth.’

“The wondrous way in which the Lord is leading the Jews back to their ancient homeland was predicted, not once, but many times, by the Old Testament prophets 2500 years ago. This fulfillment of prophecy today, before the eyes of the entire world is proof positive of the supernatural inspiration of the Word of God.”

Many years ago, a converted Jew, Isaac Levin-sohn, left England and visited the land of his Fathers, establishing a mission among the Jews. He spoke freely about the Christian religion to the Jews, and some said, “If, indeed, what you have told us be true, may God crown your effort with success. If, however, you are mistaken, and your teaching is not true, may God frustrate your endeavours.”

He concludes the description of his journey through the land of his Fathers, as follows: “We pray that through the mercy of God much blessing may result to many of my own people through the preaching of the Gospel in the land of my Fathers.

The isles of the deep shall lift up their voice,
And nations afar shall hear and rejoice;
The harp that was broken sweetly shall ring,
And Judah return to her Saviour and King.
Go sound it abroad, the tidings proclaim,
Salvation is purchased through Him that was slain.”

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