Israel — 60 Years toward forever
 May
14, 1948 is the day Israel became a nation again. The
Arabs call it “naqba”, Arabic for catastrophe,
and for the most part the entire world agrees. Though
not everyone wants to see Israel nuked by the Arabs,
yet general thinking is that things would be much better
on this planet if Israel had quite simply been destroyed
at her birth.
Headlines on many news websites today
are announcing the continued plight of “displaced
Arabs” who are still confined to refugee camps
as a result of the 1948 War of Independence. On each
anniversary world media focus on lost houses, lands
and businesses in their undying efforts to portray the
whole struggle for Israeli independence and acceptance
as a horrible exercise in Jewish domination of the loving
and peaceful Arab people and the land of their heritage.
Is that, in fact, the truth? Is it
the real picture? Or, is it Arab propaganda orchestrated
to play on the emotions of a world that hates the Jews
to begin with? Most people, and sadly many Christians,
are not only neck-deep in ignorance regarding the facts
surrounding the reestablishment of Israel, but when
they are brought face-to-face with the truth they steadfastly
refuse to accept it. It is nothing less than amazing
to see how deeply rooted anti-Semitism is in the hearts
of so many Christians who, at the same time, loudly
claim allegiance to the world’s greatest Jew,
Jesus.
Most preachers very seldom, if ever,
expound Bible prophecy in general, much less specific
texts relative to the re-birth of Israel. For some of
them just being reminded of the Israeli state is hateful
in their thinking. Do you suppose my words might be
a little too strong? Not at all! I have had, on several
occasions, self-described conservative, evangelical
preachers grimace at the mention of Israel and nearly
spit out the accusation, “God is finished with
the Jews, and they are just criminals in that land they
stole from those poor Arabs!”
It is almost beyond belief, yet since
holocaust-denying has become the in vogue thing among
the anti-Semitic elite many self-professing Christians
are blindly buying into that same world-class lie. One
such semi-famous radio “Bible teacher” said
to me in a telephone conversation, “The Nazis
didn’t do it...it is all just a Zionist lie...the
Allies are responsible for the deaths of the Jews in
the camps because the U.S. Army Air Corp was always
strafing the railroads and prevented the SS from getting
food and medicine to the Jews in the camps!” With
such a warped belief system becoming so common it is
no wonder America’s pulpits are silent about the
Jews, Israel and the rebirth of their nation. It is
amazing how some Christians willingly buy into a bold-faced
lie, and at the same time soundly reject the clear truth
of prophecy!
The 60th anniversary of the most important
prophetic fulfillment of the 20th century will go unnoticed
in the overwhelming majority of pulpits, Bible classes,
lesson commentaries, etc. It does not even rate a quick
blip on the radar screen of modern Christendom. Why
might this be the case? Perhaps there are too many other
issues demanding our attention presently; things more
feel-good and social in nature than biblical. Further,
there are those issues of personal opinion that have
been made into icons of division and sectarianism that,
of course, must be addressed on a regular basis to keep
people on the right track. It is both sad and frustrating
that many of the same people who will fight to the death
over the issue of musical instruments in the assembly,
the number of cups in the Communion service or having
a kitchen facility in a church building will willingly
roll over and buy into anti-Semitism without giving
it a second thought.
Back in 1948 America played a very
significant role in the reestablishment of the Israeli
state, and the account of how this all worked together
is a rather amazing story. Space will not allow sufficient
attention to the details, so we will get just an overview
in this newsletter. However, one of the best accounts
of how it all happened can be seen on Dr. David Reagan’s
Christ In Prophecy TV series on Israel’s
60th anniversary. Contact Lamb
& Lion Ministries for more information.
I believe the events surrounding the
presidency of Harry S. Truman were orchestrated by the
hand of God. The details would require a book, but the
gist is God put Truman in the White House “for
such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). In 1948, when
the British pulled out of so-called Palestine, Truman
was under intense pressure to not recognize Israel.
The entire world knew the Jews were going to declare
their independence and that war would no doubt break
out. The critical moment for Israel’s survival
from the international political perspective would be
when Truman would say either “yea” or “nay”;
to recognize the newly born State of Israel or to not
recognize her. If not, the Arabs would have a much easier
job of destroying her, for non-recognition would block
Israel’s legitimacy in the eyes of the world and
the result would be isolation and no support in the
war effort. But, if Truman said “yes”, then
the weight and credibility of the U.S. would be behind
the new nation.
Many years before Truman became President
God allowed his path to cross that of a Jew named Eddie
Jacobson while they were in the Army posted at Camp
Doniphan near Lawton, Oklahoma. Later they went into
business together, a haberdashery. A close friendship
between the two was formed in those days; a friendship
that would prove vital to Israel’s recognition
later. In 1948 Jacobson, who never used his friendship
with Truman for self promotion, and who also knew the
pressure Truman was under to not recognize Israel, asked
his old friend to hear what another Jew had to say about
Israel’s quest for independence. This man was
a very famous British chemist named Dr. Chaim Wiseman.
The facts that Wiseman presented along with the urging
of his special counsel, Clark M. Clifford, all helped
Truman come to his decision to grant U.S. recognition.
But, there is no question that the hand of God was there,
overruling the pro-Arab arguments of Secretary of State
George Marshall and working in the quiet recesses of
the President’s heart that only he could hear
and appreciate. The result was Israel made their declaration
at 4:00PM and the U.S. issued the recognition at 4:05PM.
That God sees the beginning from the
end is a no-brainer. That He also sets in motion seemingly
benign events in the lives of His people for later use
and impact is also a no-brainer. Who knows the insignificant
conversations between Field Artillery Lt. Harry Truman
and his company clerk, Pvt. Edward Jacobson? Yet, they
eventually went into business together and maintained
a life-long friendship. It would appear that Esther
4:14 applies equally in the life of Jacobson.
Any number of important questions could
be asked relative not only to Israel’s 60th anniversary,
but to her future. Questions that are seldom addressed
in Sunday School classes, Sunday morning sermons, home
Bible studies, etc. Consider only a couple.
Why is the modern church so neutral
toward Israel at best, and even virulently anti-Israel
at worse? It is somewhat difficult to say this, but
most in the modern church just do not give a rip about
Jews. The vapors of satanically-inspired anti-Semitism
have drifted up from the pit of hell and have permeated
the camp of the saints. A profound lack of biblical
knowledge has left multitudes of minds open to just
about any deception that comes along. Most Christians
have no idea what the New Testament says about Israel
(specifically Romans 9-11) much less what the ancient
Hebrew prophets said! As a result most typically resort
to the very weak, but commonly accepted by-line, “Well,
everybody knows the facts of the matter — that
God washed His hands of the Jews when they rejected
and killed Christ, and of course, the church has now
taken their place.” The next time that happens
to you, kindly ask them exactly and specifically what
facts they are basing their conclusion upon. Then watch
for their response. They will either stammer while searching
for a credible source, or become quite miffed that you
would dare ask such a question.
Another fair question has to do with
the reason God has allowed the reestablishment of Israel.
Consider first what is not the reason. That is, Israel
does not deserve God’s blessings in any form or
fashion. They are not always good people thus making
them worthy of God’s blessings. They are presently
in rebellion against God and His Christ. As a nation
they believe their survival is because of their own
military power and technology. They see no need of God
in their affairs of state. Most in Israel today are
either agnostics or atheists with their last religious
prime minister being Menachem Begin in 1983. So why
did God allow the reestablishment of the nation?
Because He said He would do it (Ezekiel
37). Because He made an unconditional promise to Abraham
and the Patriarchs (Genesis 15; Galatians 3:17,18).
Because the honor of His name is associated with the
promise (Ezekiel 36). Because of all the unconditional
promises God made to them in Jeremiah 30 and 31. The
list could go on, but the thrust is that God said it
and He will do it. The old adage that says, “God
said it. I believe it. That settles it.” is hog-wash!
God said He will do it, and that settles it whether
someone believes it or not!
Every major leader in the Moslem Arab
world stands in opposition to Israel. They reject the
Bible as the Word of God, thus they reject the warnings
of Genesis 12:3, Joel 3:1,2, etc. (Interestingly, many
who call themselves fervent Christians also reject those
same warnings.) At this very moment the late Yasser
Arafat, the bloodiest terrorist of the 20th century,
knows the truth along with Hitler, Stalin, Amin al-Husayni
the late Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and all the rest who
relished the flowing of Jewish blood. Soon Ahmadinejad
and all his Hezbollah consorts along with Abbas and
all the others will also come to know the truth. And
they will regret for all eternity their anti-Semitism
and the lies they believed and perpetuated.
Further, the UN, that impotent financial
parasite that exists solely for its own perpetuity,
stands against Israel. In short, though most would not
say it directly, the world in general would like to
see Israel go away. Except for the hand of God overruling
in men’s affairs that would indeed happen. In
fact, a no-holes-barred effort will be put into motion
at the middle part of the Seven Year Tribulation period
with its culmination described in Zechariah 14 and Revelation
19.
We can go to sleep with these facts
in mind: Jews will continue to exit the Gentile world
and return to their land, Israel will not be destroyed
and those who go against Israel by forcing her to give
away her land “for peace” will be severely
punished by God (America take note!). The last 60 years
of Israel’s existence is only the beginning, and
for those who grimace at the thought all I can say is
get used to it, for as God was in the burning bush,
so is He in that nation. DLM |
