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We are a Christian Fellowship meeting in North London with a strong interest in teaching the Bible and understanding our time in
the light of Bible prophecy
Israel’s crisis - is there an answer?
The hope that the differences between Israelis and the Palestinians could be
resolved peacefully has all but disappeared. An article on the Aish website
speaks of 'fear of unbridled and senseless terrorism, and, depression from
what appears to be a no-win situation for the State of Israel. Now, more
than ever before over the last 50 years, the Jewish people, and even the
world in general, need a saviour. We need someone who can, somehow --
perhaps even mystically -- bring about more than just a tenuous cease-fire
between two warring peoples. We need someone who can, once and for all,
bring an end to all human conflict, especially in the Middle East.' The
article goes on to describe this person as Moshiach or Messiah.
How can anyone, even Messiah, bring an end to human conflict? The only way
is through dealing with the cause of it. Ultimately the cause is not to be
found just in matters to do with territory, ideas / religion or economics.
It is to be found in our own nature as human beings - our selfishness,
hatred, lack of forgiveness, greed etc. Neither armies nor international
mediators can deal with this problem. A peace settlement imposed on people
who want to make war may hold back conflict for a while, but it cannot
prevent it from breaking out again once the restraining influence is
removed. Sadly the Palestinians and much of the Arab world are constantly
being taught to hate and destroy Israel.
So the Messiah, if he is to create peace in the Middle East and indeed in
the whole world, has to deal with this problem first. Is this possible? If
so, how? Does he wave a magic wand and banish all evil thoughts and
attitudes? Does he teach people to be good to each other? If so what does he
do with those who refuse to comply?
Suppose the Messianic programme is not quite how we imagine it ought to be.
Suppose God realises that humans can't live in peace with each other and
can't do what He wants us to do. So he sends Messiah once to be despised and
rejected, to be a man of sorrows and grief who would be wounded for our
transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Suppose the Lord lays on Him
the iniquity of us all as He is put to death as a sacrifice. Suppose He then
rises from the dead and grants forgiveness of sins and new life to all who
repent and believe in Him. Suppose that this message is carried to the ends
of the earth and made available to Israel and the nations.
Suppose many years later He returns to judge the world, including Israel,
according to how we have responded to this message. Suppose He comes at a
time when Jewish people are back in the land of Israel and Jerusalem is the
centre of world controversy. Suppose that at this time the whole world is in
a state of confusion and is heading for a time of terrible trouble. Suppose
He then judges the world and sets up a kingdom in which peace and justice
are finally established and swords are beaten into ploughshares and the
nations do not learn war any more. Suppose this is the actual programme
prophesied by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and the rest of the
Hebrew Prophets.
Suppose the Messianic programme really does fit with the claims of Yeshua,
Jesus, of Nazareth. A few days before His execution by the Romans, He spoke
these words to Jerusalem: 'If you had known, even you, especially in this
your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from
your eyes.' While He prophesied the coming destruction of the Temple in
Jerusalem by the Romans, He also prophesied its restoration: 'Jerusalem will
be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.'
(Luke 19.42-44, 21.20-24).
The present troubles over Jerusalem and the land of Israel are a sign of the
end of this age and the soon coming of the Messiah. In this we agree with
the article mentioned above. Where we disagree is that He is coming again.
The fact that the real meaning of His first coming has been obscured by most
of His supposed followers should not blind Jewish people any longer to the
truth that Jesus is the Messiah of whom the Bible speaks. He is the only
hope for Israel and for the whole world. Think about it.
