Jewish Heritage Revival

Update - At the time of the writing of this article (2007) many things that were valid. In over three years many things have changed. In that this is an article addressing future events, it is necessary to provide an update based on these changes. As a result of three additional years, additional information through study can be applied to the question of When will Messiah return.

Prior to proceeding with this article, I would like to emphatically state that this is NOT an article of prophecy, predicting when our Messiah will return, but an article of preparation. We need to be aware of His instructions to us and be aware of the signs that he conveyed to His talmadim.

We will look back at some of the past predictions as to when our Messiah would return. We will also explore some possibilities as to when He will return. The underlying focus of this article is to emphasize that His return is both close and can happen at any moment, but we need to be aware of the signs.

There are several theories as to when a "rapture" (removing of believers) and / or return will occur.

Please note that the origins of the "rapture" theory are in question. Even though there is debate as to when it first surfaced. Here is a brief and recent history of supporters:

The first believers of our Messiah as accounted in the Book of Acts didn't talk about a removal of believers, but focused on our Messiah's instructions in presenting God's Truth to the world. Focus wasn't lost on His promise to return. Through the centuries, the waters have been made cloudy by many outside of the Jewish community. Today it is considered fact that their will be an earlier exit for believers in Messiah. An escape from a period of great tribulation to come. How are we any different today, from the first Messianic believers and their persecution at the hands of the tyrannical Roman empire? One could say that those were times of great tribulation. When we look at the various theories of the "rapture", it in essence implies that our Messiah is actually returning twice. Nowhere in scripture does it state that our Messiah will return twice. Some have called this the "yoyo" theory.

When Marta is questioned by Yeshua regarding seeing her brother Lazaras again, after he has been dead for four days, Marta says:

"Yeshua said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Marta said, "I know that he will rise again at the Resurrection on the Last Day."" John 11:23 - 24

"Yeshua said to her, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life! Whoever puts his trust in me will live, even if he dies; and everyone living and trusting in me will never die. Do you believe this?"" John 11:25 - 26

"She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."" John 11:27

The concept of Messiah, resurrection and a time when this age will come to an end are fully Jewish ideas in that they are presented in the Tenach, through Torah and the Prophets, revealed to the people of Israel, for the purpose of being a light to the nations.

When taken out of context, scripture can be used to support just about any theory. The rapture theory takes into account the following:

When we look at the prophetic scripture leading up to Yeshua appearing on earth, specifically Daniel 9:27 - 29 and Isaiah 61:1 - 3, we have a better understanding, in context. Before Messiah came, there were many beliefs as to who he would be, when He would come and What He would do. The rapture debate is no different.

Compare the reading of the Haftorah portion by Yeshua in Luke 4:16 - 20 and the entire passage found in Isaiah 61:1 - 3. First from Luke:

"He stood up to read, and He was given the scroll of the prophet Yesha`yahu (Isaiah). Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,

"The Spirit of ADONAI is upon me; therefore he has anointed me to announce Good News to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned and renewed sight for the blind, to release those who have been crushed, to proclaim a year of the favor of ADONAI."

After closing the scroll and returning it to the shammash, he sat down; and the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. He started to speak to them: "Today, as you heard it read, this passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled!" Luke 4:16 - 21

"The Spirit of Adonai ELOHIM is upon me, because ADONAI has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark; to proclaim the year of the favor of ADONAI and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness planted by ADONAI, in which he takes pride." Isaiah 61:1 - 3

Notice where Yeshua had stopped reading - "to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai" separating "and the day of vengeance of our God". These are two very distinct and separate missions for Messiah. A year of favor and a day of vengeance.

A year of favor, in that He would be that final sacrifice for the remission of sin, for all who would believe and follow. Favor was given to those who most certainly didn't merit favor, but was granted to us.

The first part of Messiah's mission is complete. We await His return and the completion of the second part of His mission. Many have attempted to predict or forecast when His return would happen. For a rather complete list of failed predictions relating to the return of our Messiah, you may click on the following link. There are a total of 61 documented incorrect predictions as to the return of our Messiah from this date, looking back. The table also includes three future predictions whereby the time has not yet come.

Here are a few of the more memorable predictions that failed to be fulfilled by our Messiah.

YEAR	PREDICTION
1967	When the city of Jerusalem was reclaimed by the Jews in 1967, prophecy watchers declared that the "Time of the Gentiles" had come to an end.
1988	The book, "88 Reasons Why the Rapture is in 1988", came out only a few months before the event was to take place. What little time the book had, it used effectively. By the time the predicted dates, September 11-13, rolled around, whole churches were caught up in the excitement the book generated. I personally had friends who were measuring themselves for wings. In the dorm where we lived, my friends were also openly confronting all of the unsaved. It became my job to defuse situations. In one case, an accosted sinner was contemplating dispensary action against my now-distant friends. Finally, the days of destiny dawned and then set. No Jesus. The environment was not the same as Miller's 1844 failure. To my surprise, the taunting by the unsaved was very brief. I took it that people have very little understanding of the Bible, so they had nothing to taunt my friends with. I made one other interesting observation. Although the time for the rapture had been predicted to fall within a three-day window, September 11-13, my friends gave up hope on the morning of the 12th. I pointed out that they still had two days left, but they had been spooked, nonetheless
2000	Numerology: If you divide 2,000 by 3, you will get the devil's number: 666.66666666666667. The names of the people and organizations that called for the return of Christ at the turn of the century is too long to be listed here. I would say that if there were a day on which Christ could not return, it must have been January 1, 2000. To come at an unknown time means to come at an unknown time. I think January 2, 2000 would have been a more likely day for Him to call His Church home--right after the big let down. On May 5, 2000, all of the planets were supposed to have been in alignment. This was said to cause the earth to suffer earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and various other nasty stuff. A similar alignment occurred in 1982 and nothing happened. People failed to realize that the other nine planets only exert a very tiny gravitational pull on the earth. If you were to add up the gravitational force from the rest of the planets, the total would only amount to a fraction of the tug the moon has on the earth. According to Michael Rood, the end times have a prophetically complicated connection to Israel's spring barley harvest. The Day of the Lord began on May 5, 2000. Rood's fall feast calendar called for the Russian Gog-Magog invasion of Israel to take place at sundown on October 28, 2000.
A thorough list of past predictions can be viewed through this link.

Be careful that you are not deceived by some teachings. As you can see from the list provided, there have been many incorrect predictions regarding Yeshua's return.

We ultimately won't know which "theory" is true until it actually happens. Ask anyone what they believe and they will likely tell you with some level of conviction. Ask them to support what they believe and you may not have that same level of conviction. Many have been spoon fed to believe a certain theory with compelling evidence conveyed by their teacher. In many cases, a Jewish context is missing from the presentation of scripture used to support a specific theory. When understood in its proper context, there is not a separate rapture and resurrection/return. I would convey that there is one return of Messiah that will bring forth an assembly of resurrected believers, and we who remain.

Yeshua warns us through one of His parables, "the sower and the seeds", regarding those who are on the rocky ground:

"The ones on rock are those who, when they hear the word, accept it with joy; but these have no root -- they go on trusting for awhile; but when a time of testing comes, they apostatize." Luke 8:13

"But in connection with the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and our gathering together to meet him, we ask you, brothers, not to be easily shaken in your thinking or anxious because of a spirit or a spoken message or a letter supposedly from us claiming that the Day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day will not come until after the Apostasy has come and the man who separates himself from Torah has been revealed, the one destined for doom. He will oppose himself to everything that people call a god or make an object of worship; he will put himself above them all, so that he will sit in the Temple of God and proclaim that he himself is God." 2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 4

It is the rejection of one's beliefs. In rejecting what they once believed they will either turn towards something that opposes those beliefs, or simply reject what was once believed and not replace those beliefs with anything at all.

Many will fall away before our Messiah returns. Could the catalyst of this falling away from what they once believed be rooted in such teachings as a promised early exit that doesn't happen? In essence a pre-tribulation rapture that many are expecting, but what turns out to be going through great tribulation.

We need to be careful. False doctrine that has the appearance of truth will cause many to turn away.

"But when that day and hour will come, no one knows -- not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father." Matthew 24:36

There have been many predictions made by many men, as to when our Messiah will return. Looking at all of the predictions up to this date, they have ALL been incorrect, further emphasizing our Messiah's statement that no man knows when He will return.

That doesn't mean that our Messiah has left us without signs of the events to come. To the contrary, there are signs already in place which indicate His return can happen at any moment, however, regardless of what theory you believe, there are still events yet to occur. One such sign that has occurred is the fig tree, otherwise known as the regathered Israel, which became a nation again in 1948:

"Now let the fig tree teach you its lesson: when its branches begin to sprout and leaves appear, you know that summer is approaching. In the same way, when you see all these things, you are to know that the time is near, right at the door. Yes! I tell you that this people will certainly not pass away before all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:32 - 35

You can also look at Israel as the valley of dry bones described by Ezekiel 37:1 - 14

"With the hand of ADONAI upon me, ADONAI carried me out by his Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. He had me pass by all around them - there were so many bones lying in the valley, and they were so dry! He asked me, "Human being, can these bones live?" I answered, "Adonai ELOHIM! Only you know that!" Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones! Say to them, 'Dry bones! Hear what ADONAI has to say! To these bones Adonai ELOHIM says, "I will make breath enter you, and you will live. I will attach ligaments to you, make flesh grow on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you. You will live, and you will know that I am ADONAI."'" So I prophesied as ordered; and while I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound; it was the bones coming together, each bone in its proper place. As I watched, ligaments grew on them, flesh appeared and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. Next he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath! Prophesy, human being! Say to the breath that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'Come from the four winds, breath; and breathe on these slain, so that they can live.'" So I prophesied as ordered, and the breath came into them, and they were alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army! Then he said to me, "Human being! These bones are the whole house of Isra'el; and they are saying, 'Our bones have dried up, our hope is gone, and we are completely cut off.' Therefore prophesy; say to them that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'My people! I will open your graves and make you get up out of your graves, and I will bring you into the land of Isra'el. Then you will know that I am ADONAI - when I have opened your graves and made you get up out of your graves, my people! I will put my Spirit in you; and you will be alive. Then I will place you in your own land; and you will know that I, ADONAI, have spoken, and that I have done it,' says ADONAI."

In both prophecies, we have witnessed their fulfillment in the nation of Israel being regathered.

There have been many prophecies (predictions) as to our Messiah's return that precede 1948. They were all in error because the one primary piece was not yet in place - a regathered nation of Israel. Even after 1948, the regathered nation of Israel wasn't complete. The city of Jerusalem was a divided city. It wasn't until 1967, after the Yom Kippur war when the regathered nation of Israel regained complete control of the holy city of Jerusalem.

As we stand today, we have seen both prophecies of the valley of dry bones becoming alive again and the fig tree bring forth its leaves, regarding the regeneration of the people in the land of Israel. However, can we truly say that the fullness of Israel and bearing fruit in terms of Israel becoming a complete nation again is truly complete?

When you examine the boundaries of the land given to Abraham, you will notice that the current state of Israel is far from the promised boundaries.

"That day ADONAI made a covenant with Avram: "I have given this land to your descendants - from the Vadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River - the territory of the Keni, the K'nizi, the Kadmoni, the Hitti, the P'rizi, the Refa'im, the Emori, the Kena'ani, the Girgashi and the Y'vusi." Genesis 15:18 - 21

Additional information regarding this land promised by Adonai can be found in Numbers 34 and Joshua 13.

Israel, a nation created by God through one man - Abraham, whose covenant is eternal. Even though the nation has fallen away, blinded from the truth of Messiah, in part by God and in part as a result of the current presentation through the church being unrecognizable to the Jewish eye. Although God has revealed the truth to thousands of Jewish people regarding Messiah, there are still many blinded by this truth.

First, what many in the church believe as Israel being replaced by the church is simply false:

"In that case, I say, isn't it that God has repudiated his people?" Heaven forbid! For I myself am a son of Isra'el, from the seed of Avraham, u of the tribe of Binyamin. God has not repudiated his people, v whom he chose in advance. Or don't you know what the Tanakh says about Eliyahu? He pleads with God against Isra'el, "ADONAI, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I'm the only one left, and now they want to kill me too!" But what is God's answer to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not knelt down to Ba'al." It's the same way in the present age: there is a remnant, chosen by grace. (Now if it is by grace, it is accordingly not based on legalistic works; if it were otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.)" Romans 11:1 - 6

"What follows is that Isra'el has not attained the goal for which she is striving. The ones chosen have obtained it, but the rest have been made stonelike, just as the Tanakh says, "God has given them a spirit of dullness eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, right down to the present day." And David says, "Let their dining table become for them a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a punishment. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can't see, with their backs bent continually.” Romans 11:7- 10

"In that case, I say, isn't it that they have stumbled with the result that they have permanently fallen away?" Heaven forbid! Quite the contrary, it is by means of their stumbling that the deliverance has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy. a Moreover, if their stumbling is bringing riches to the world - that is, if Isra'el's being placed temporarily in a condition less favored than that of the Gentiles is bringing riches to the latter - how much greater riches will Isra'el in its fullness bring them!" Romans 11:11 - 12

"For, brothers, I want you to understand this truth which God formerly concealed but has now revealed, so that you won't imagine you know more than you actually do. It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come upon Isra'el, until the Gentile world enters in its fullness." Romans 11:25

They are a people that when our Messiah does return, all Israel shall be saved.

"and that it is in this way that all Isra'el will be saved. As the Tanakh says, "Out of Tziyon will come the Redeemer; he will turn away ungodliness from Ya'akov 27 and this will be my covenant with them, . . . when I take away their sins."” Romans 11:26 - 27

However, as mentioned above, there are thousands of Jewish people that have come to accept Yeshua as Messiah, just as thousands did after His resurrection.

Let us look further into the parable of the fig tree, whereby our Messiah states "this generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled." Just how long is a generation that our Messiah is talking about?

Let us look at two scenarios found in God's Word that could relate to the time frame of a generation:

1. 40 years - it took 40 years for the generation that came out of Egypt to be replaced by the generation that would enter into the promised land. It took 40 years to replace an old generation with a new generation.

"ADONAI's anger blazed up on that day; and he swore, 'None of the people aged twenty or more who came out of Egypt will see the land I swore to Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov; because they haven't followed me unreservedly - except Kalev the son of Y'funeh the K'nizi and Y'hoshua the son of Nun, because they have followed ADONAI unreservedly.' Thus ADONAI's anger blazed against Isra'el, so that he made them wander here and there in the desert forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of ADONAI had died out." Numbers 32:10 - 13

"because the people of Isra'el walked forty years in the desert until the whole nation, that is, the fighting men who had left Egypt, had died out; because they had not heeded what ADONAI said. ADONAI had sworn that he would not allow them to see the land which ADONAI swore to their ancestors that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey." Joshua 5:6

2. 70 to 80 years - Psalm 90 "A Prayer of Moses" states that a lifetime is between 70 and 80 years. " The span of our life is seventy years, or if we are strong, eighty; yet at best it is toil and sorrow, over in a moment, and then we are gone." Psalm 90:10

Now that we have identified two possible scenarios of generation length, what will this generation see after the nation of Israel has been regathered into its fullness? Specifically all things stated in Matthew 24:4 - 28 that precede Our Messiah telling of the parable of the fig tree:

"Yeshua replied: "Watch out! Don't let anyone fool you! For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Messiah!' and they will lead many astray. You will hear the noise of wars nearby and the news of wars far off; see to it that you don't become frightened. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come. For peoples will fight each other, nations will fight each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various parts of the world; all this is but the beginning of the `birth pains.' At that time you will be arrested and handed over to be punished and put to death, and all peoples will hate you because of me. At that time many will be trapped into betraying and hating each other, many false prophets will appear and fool many people; and many people's love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah. But whoever holds out till the end will be delivered. And this Good News about the Kingdom will be announced throughout the whole world as a witness to all the Goyim. It is then that the end will come." Matthew 24:4 - 14

There have been many wars and rumors of war throughout the centuries. There have been famines, pestilences and earth quakes in various places. Could it be that we are going through the beginning of sorrows? There is currently a great deal of hatred in the world for believers in Messiah - both Jewish and non-Jewish. Are we to the point where it is all nations? We could be getting close. Regarding hatred for the Jewish people, it has been ongoing. Recent activities regarding peace talks between Israel and the Palastinian Authority, have escalated the animosity towards Israel from the world community.

"For there will be trouble then worse than there has ever been from the beginning of the world until now, and there will be nothing like it again! Indeed, if the length of this time had not been limited, no one would survive; but for the sake of those who have been chosen, its length will be limited. "At that time, if someone says to you, `Look! Here's the Messiah!' or, `There he is!' don't believe him. For there will appear false Messiahs and false prophets performing great miracles -- amazing things! -- so as to fool even the chosen, if possible. There! I have told you in advance! So if people say to you, `Listen! He's out in the desert!' don't go; or, `Look! He's hidden away in a secret room!' don't believe it. For when the Son of Man does come, it will be like lightning that flashes out of the east and fills the sky to the western horizon. Wherever there's a dead body, that's where you find the vultures." Matthew 24:21 - 28

Beware of the false messiahs and false prophets that our Messiah warns about in verse 24. Here is a sample of some of the more recent claimants:

Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), a Lubavitch rabbi who tried to "prepare the way" for the Messiah; some followers believe him to be the Messiah.

Jung Myung Seok (b. 1945), claims to be the Second Coming of Christ, founder of Providence Church, and fugitive wanted for rape among other crimes.

James Warren (Jim) Jones (1931-1978) In 1978 Jim Jones forced 913 of his followers to commit mass suicide at his enclave The Peoples Temple in Jonestown, northern Guyana.

David Koresh (Vernon Wayne Howell) (1959-1993), leader of the Branch Davidians.

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy (b. 1950) claims that Jesus replaced the Father, the Father replaced the Spirit, so Pastor Apollo now replaces Jesus. He is called "His Appointed Son" by thousands in the Philippines and now in other countries.

A thorough list of past claimants to be messiah can be found at this link

Regardless of the time, what should we be doing to make ourselves aware of where we are in this future account given by our Messiah?

"So when you see the abomination that causes devastation spoken about through the prophet Dani'el standing in the Holy Place" (let the reader understand the allusion), "that will be the time for those in Y'hudah to escape to the hills. If someone is on the roof, he must not go down to gather his belongings from his house; if someone is in the field, he must not turn back to get his coat. What a terrible time it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that you will not have to escape in winter or on Shabbat" Matthew 24:15 - 20

When the Temple is completed, the "abomination of desolation" otherwise known as the anti-messiah will be able to fulfill this prophecy spoken of by Daniel and referenced by our Messiah. Therefore, keep your eye focused on Jerusalem and the construction of the third temple.

"The word of ADONAI came to me: "Human being, turn your face toward Gog (of the land of Magog), chief prince of Meshekh and Tuval; and prophesy against him. Say that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshekh and Tuval. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all completely equipped, a great horde with breastplates and shields, all wielding swords. Paras (Persia...today's Iran), Ethiopia and Put (Libya) are with them, all with breastplates and helmets; Gomer with all its troops; the house of Togarmah in the far reaches of the north, with all its troops - many peoples are with you. Prepare yourself, get ready, you and all your crowd gathered around you; and take charge of them." Ezekiel 38:1 - 7

Could this be the predicted third world war...Russia, Iran and other Arab nations come against Israel, bring America and other western nations into the conflict, defending Israel? For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Matthew 24:7

(Updated) - There are many who have interpreted the battle that Israel will have with Gog and Magog as Russia and Iran...myself included. Through additional research, I now ask...

Many consider Gog to be the nation of Russia in that it is geographically north of Israel and considered to be an ally to Iran. Is Gog a nation, or will it be a person? In verse 2, Ezekiel depicts Gog as the chief prince of Meshekh and Tuval. The influence of this person will bring many nations together with a common purpose - the elimination of Israel and the Jewish people. Could Gog be who is known as the anti-christ?

As a unique nation, separated by God and His Word from the other nations and their humanistic and / or pagan ways, have had many enemies. Will Gog, who is the prince of Meshekh and Tuval (Persia) be the one who leads an axis of the enemies against Israel? For some additional insight, we look at Psalm 83:

1 A song. A psalm of Asaf: God, don't remain silent! Don't stay quiet, God, or still;

2 because here are your enemies, causing an uproar; those who hate you are raising their heads,

3 craftily conspiring against your people, consulting together against those you treasure.

4 They say, "Come, let's wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Isra'el be remembered no more!"

There is a plot by Israel's enemies to destroy the nation and eliminate the people from the face of the earth. The hatred towards the nation of Israel is a fact. Radical Islam will not rest with a peace treaty, but until Israel has been destroyed. Does this sound at all familiar to the mission of the third reich?

5 With one mind they plot their schemes; the covenant they have made is against you

6 the tents of Edom and the Yishma'elim (Ishmalites), Mo'av (Moab) and the Hagrim (Hagarenes),

7 G'val (Gebal), 'Amon (Ammon) and 'Amalek, P'leshet (Philistines) with those living in Tzor; (Selah)

Other countries will follow the lead of gog. Who are these other nations mentioned above. They are familiar from our bibles, but how do they relate in today's geography?

Ashur	Located in present day Iraq
Moab	Located in Southwest Jordan
Edom	Located in Jordan
Ammon	Located in Jordan
Gebal	Present day Lebanon
Amalek	Nomadic tribe that bordered present day Egypt
Philistine	Well documented and long standing enemy of the Jewish people
Tyre	Present day Lebanon
Ishmalites	One of the seven nations that came from Hagar
Hagarenes	Descendents of Hagar, Abraham's second wife who bore Ishmael, and comprised seven other nations: Ishmael, Zimran, Ishbak, Shuah, Medan, Midian and Jokshan

11 Make their leaders like 'Orev and Ze'ev, all their princes like Zevach and Tzalmuna,

14 Like fire burning up the forest, like a flame that sets the mountains ablaze,

17 Let them be ashamed and fearful forever; yes, let them perish in disgrace.

18 Let them know that you alone, whose name is ADONAI, are the Most High over all the earth.

In 2007, America was still a staunch supporter of Israel. It is amazing what has changed (up to 2010), The primary catalyst initiating this change was the election of new leadership. Keep in mind that new leadership was the wind that filled the sails of a media bias that has existed for decades. A country that is a beacon of democracy in the middle east, in stark contrast to the other countries, led by dictators and monarchies, is being presented as the villain. Using their means and technology to defend itself, Israel, is being depicted as the bully in the playground. The winds have changed, whereby, for Israel to expect support from America is no longer a guarantee, and the possibility that all nations (including America) will come against Israel is now possible.

What is not fully conveyed by the media, regarding Israel is that Arabs living in the land of Israel have more rights and higher quality of living than those living in Arab nations.

Campaign promises to the Jewish community, stating its continued support for Israel appears to be political double speak. The actions of this administration do not follow the words conveyed. Increased support by this administration for the muslim nations that surround Israel, and the label of diplomacy in the disguise of brokering peace regarding the Palestinian question that would favor land being obtained from Israel for a new Palestinian nation is entirely contrary to the promises made at the time of the election in 2008.

Muslim leaders will not be satisfied with a piece of land for the Palestinians. Their ultimate goal is for the complete elimination of Israel and the Jewish people from the face of the earth.

This is spiritual warfare. Eliminate the Jewish people and the Word of Adonai becomes irrelevant. The Word of Adonai establishes the nation Israel. The Word of Adonai conveys covenants between Him and the people of Israel. These covenants include Messiah Yeshua. In establishing a people to be His representative in this fallen world, a light to the nations, the people of Israel have been chosen by Adonai, and thus given the responsibility to show the truth of Adonai to the nations.

Eliminate the Jewish people and you nullify the covenants of Adonai, thus bringing victory for Ha Satan. This plan to eliminate the seed of Abraham has been attempted for centuries by the adversary going as far back as the garden.

"I will put animosity between you and the woman, and between your descendant and her descendant; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15

The battle of spiritual warfare between Adonai and Ha Satan has raged on and will continue to, until Messiah returns to Israel and establishes His throne before all mankind. He will rule from Jerusalem. In order for that to happen, there has to be a Jerusalem and a Jewish people for Him to return to.

Is the battle to come the tribulation or the Wrath of God, in the form of judgment that He will pour out on all those who have come against Him. This is a topic for another article. Needless to say, if you are one who is looking for an early exit, you might be extremely disappointed.

Until then, our Messiah warns us directly and through parables to be prepared:

"So stay alert, because you don't know on what day your Lord will come. But you do know this: had the owner of the house known when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you too must always be ready, for the Son of Man will come when you are not expecting him." Matthew 24:42 - 44

"The Kingdom of Heaven at that time will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. The foolish ones took lamps with them but no oil, whereas the others took flasks of oil with their lamps. Now the bridegroom was late, so they all went to sleep. It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, `The bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!' The girls all woke up and prepared their lamps for lighting. The foolish ones said to the sensible ones, `Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' `No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both you and us. Go to the oil dealers and buy some for yourselves.' But as they were going off to buy, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Later, the other bridesmaids came. `Sir! Sir!' they cried, `Let us in!' But he answered, `Indeed! I tell you, I don't know you!' So stay alert, because you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1 - 13

Our Messiah clearly states that no one knows the day or hour in which He will return, except the Father. As believers, we are to press on in this walk of faith that we have both chosen and been chosen for. Are you doing what He has called you to do?

If you are interested in learning more about Yeshua's return, you will want to read our article on Rosh Hashanah.

Permission has been granted to Jewish Heritage Revival for the use of Scripture quotations in its articles, taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, Maryland 21029. www.messianicjewish.net/jntp