Israel in Prophecy
Intro Perhaps the most troubled region in the world erupted in one of the worst episodes of violence in years, yet again. Is there hope? Is prophecy fulfilling? I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on Israel in Prophecy. Message Hello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. What is called perhaps the most troubled region in the world by some is called none other than the holy land by others. Ever since May 14, 1948 when Israel declared its establishment of the new Jewish state of the State of Israel, wars have not been uncommon. Beginning with the Arab-Israeli War to the Suez Crisis to the Six Day War to the Lebanon War to the hostage taking, rocket attacks and retaliation of today violence has been more the norm than the exception. In this land where rockets and bullets are commonplace is the city of Jerusalem, the supposed city of peace. Three major religions all lay claim to this city, making is some of the perhaps the most highly sought religious real estate in the world. Islam claims the dome of the rock and its mosque as its 3rd holiest site while Jews claim the temple mount (which happens to be the same spot) as their holiest sight, and many Christians are looking to this same spot for the fulfillment of the apocalyptic prophecies. Is this spot singled out in prophecy? Should we be looking to the nation of Israel and Jerusalem in particular for the fulfillment of prophecy? I would like to study three points as we look Israel in prophecy: who are Israel’s people, where is Israel’s city and what is its country? Outline I. Israel’s people A. God promised Abraham: great nation, all blessed – Gen. 12:2, 3 1. Nation of Israel grew – Egypt, Canaan, Samuel, David 2. Rebelled again & again; God bore long w/ B. Israel was not those literally descended from Abraham 1. Neither Ishmael nor Esau were Israel; both descended Abraham 2. Both Ruth & Rahab were not from Abraham, but became Israel a. Ruth 1:16 – your people, my people; your God, my God b. Both ancestors of Jesus 3. Character determined destiny, not a caste a. John Baptist – Matt. 3:10 – God able raise from stones b. Jesus – John 8:39 – if you were Abraham’s do works of Abraham c. Paul – Rom. 9:6 – not all Israel which are of Israel C. NT – Israel not literal descendants of Abraham, but those character of Abraham 1. Not a Jew inwardly – Rom. 2:28, 29 2. Christ’s then Abraham’s seed – Gal. 3:28, 29 3. Christian church = 12 tribes – James 1:1 D. Israelites today are God’s true people 1. Israel is not those dwelling in Jerusalem, etc. 2. Israel are those who have the faith of Abraham 3. Looking to fulfillment of prophecies with literal Israel wrong direction 4. Bible times literal Israelites only special privileges because they had the truth of God; don’t anymore, just any empty shell II. Israel’s city A. What is Israel’s city today? 1. City that all faithful were looking for – Heb. 11:10 a. Abraham not looking for Jerusalem here b. Abraham looking for the eternal city 2. We are to be looking for that heavenly city – Heb. 11:22 3. True city of today is New Jerusalem – Rev.. 21:10 B. Ancient & modern Jerusalem just a symbol of that heavenly city 1. Never the real, true, promised city 2. Jerusalem only a symbol of the heavenly city which the promises were to be fulfilled C. Looking to literal Jerusalem is looking wrong direction 1. Literal Jerusalem bondage – Gal. 4:25, 26 2. Prophecies not fulfilled w/literal Jerusalem, but heavenly the new 3. Jesus prophesied that the King would send armies & burn city – Matt. 22:7 D. NT abundantly clear, like Abraham & patriarchs, the true city of prophecy is NJ III. Israel’s country A. Like people & city many are looking to nation of Israel where prophecies fulfilled 1. Nation Israel only blessed by the truth of God 2. When truth rejected, blessings & promises null & void 3. God looks at character not lineage 4. Righteousness exalts, sin a reproach – Pro. 14:34 5. Cried his blood be upon us; it has 6. No special privileges, blessings, promises, etc. 7. Blessing & promises all conditional upon obedience – Deut. 28:15 B. True country, what Abraham was seeking for – Heb. 11:14, 16 Conclusion: I. Are we seeking that heavenly country? A. Thoughts, pleasure, time here? B. Are we a Jew inwardly? 1. Church member, donations, good things no save 2. Must have true heart experience 3. Many good people lost, just an outward form 4. You can be a Jew! You can be Abraham’s seed! You can be a part of the city of God! You can be a part of God’s country! II. Need to forget about the literal places & fix our mind on things above A. Are we focusing on what is to come? B. Choose like Abraham to forget about this world & be a pilgrim & stranger?
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