part0015

It is all so eerily similar to 1948. A president of the United States opposed by much of Washington, DC, the State Department, the news media, and the world, for that matter. The issue is the same: the recognition of Israel’s legitimacy.

The president was Harry S. Truman in 1948. Today, seventy years later, the president is Donald J. Trump. Both men have bucked the rants and ravings of their day. Both were triumphant in their political careers. Truman defeated Thomas Dewey in 1948 to secure reelection. Most say it was a miraculous victory. The photo still stands as one of American news journalism’s most famous: Harry Truman holding up the Chicago Tribune the day after the election and grinning broadly. The headline, of course, read “Dewy Defeats Truman.”

It seemed the forces of the Western diplomatic and governmental world were arrayed against Truman in his decision to recognize the new state of Israel on May 14, 1948. When a meeting was requested by the US State Department leading up to the decision, Truman listened to the argument against recognizing the Jewish state. He listened also to an advisor, Clark Clifford, a proponent for supporting Israel’s nationhood.

Secretary of State George C. Marshall—whom Truman greatly respected—was livid that Clifford was allowed to present his case. Marshall told Truman in that meeting, with all in attendance watching, that if Truman decided to support Israel, he, Marshall, would vote for his opponent in the upcoming election.

Truman decided to support Israel rather than kowtow to his famous secretary of state. Thereby Truman “blessed” Israel.

Many believe this is primary reason for the famous photo of the smiling president holding up the newspaper with the famous headline. It was made obvious that Truman had been blessed with a miracle in being reelected against what many saw as overwhelming odds. Thus, Genesis 12:1–3 was proven true for the whole world to see.

Many of those same people are convinced that Donald Trump’s victory against overwhelming odds are in part due to his outspoken support for Israel. He promised to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in full recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. He followed through and is one of very few leaders on the international scene who champions the Jewish state.

The Israel miracle continues to unfold during its post-seventieth birthday into modern times. President Trump’s triumphs seem to coincide with those miracles.

Intrigues involving the status of Jerusalem are profound beyond any in recent times. A strange setting of the prophetic stage is in process, with Saudi and Israel engaging in unprecedented overtures to each other. A key prophetic player is the chief cause of the strange bedfellows climbing between the geopolitical diplomatic sheets. We get a flavor of this from the following news excerpt:

Imagine an Israeli taking a direct flight on El Al airlines to Riyadh, or the House of Saud establishing an embassy in Jerusalem. Previously unthinkable, rumors abound of a desire by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) to normalize ties between the two countries….

Israel’s relationship with the Saudis appears to be warming, with the countries allied in the struggle against a common enemy, Iran.…

There are a number of reasons Riyadh and Jerusalem may be cozying up, outside of the desire to stop Iran’s expansionism. Both countries agree, for example, that the “Arab Spring” revolutions were destabilizing and unleashed dangerous forces. They likewise believe that a reduction in American influence in the Middle East left a power vacuum that risks being filled by enemies. [119]

Many prophetic observers believe that Sheba and Dedan of Ezekiel 38:13 likely refers to the area possessed by present-day Saudi and surrounding territory. These will not be part of the Gog-Magog assault against Israel given by the prophet Ezekiel.

Instead, they will apparently stand on the sideline and issue a note of diplomatic protest, along with others. Certainly, recent developments, with Iran (ancient Persia) being the chief nemesis of both Israel and Saudi, have the Jews and Arabs coming together. They are doing so, at least, in their desire to promote their common defense.

At the same time, the Arab/Muslim world as a conglomerate body is making sounds of war. The reason: rumors that American President Donald J. Trump has moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Another excerpt framed the situation as it began developing into present circumstance.

The Trump administration has notified U.S. embassies around the world that it plans to formally recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, according to a report published Thursday by the Wall Street Journal . The plan includes the future relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

According to the report, the plan has not been finalized, but envoys were being notified so that they can inform their host governments and prepare for possible protests.…

“The president has always said it is a matter of when, not if, [the embassy will relocate to Jerusalem],” a White House spokesperson said. [120]

It seems that we are about to witness the world’s geopolitical players take a sip from that cup prophesied by Zechariah (12:3). Giving Jerusalem validation as the rightful capital of Israel was a thing that should be done. The president was right to do so. But, doing so almost without a doubt will bring consequences—ones that no American president has been willing to risk since Congress declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel with The Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 1995.

Despite blessings that will flow from Trump’s love for and support of Israel, there are prophetic matters of consequence to consider. God said He Himself will make Jerusalem a “cup of trembling” to those who deal treacherously with His chosen city and people. The world today is drunk with hatred for God and the nation of Israel. Perhaps it is this American president who is chosen to be God’s instrument for leading the world to take a sip from that prophesied deadly cup.

Jimmy Carter, despite his seeming dislike for the Jewish state, referred to the Holy Land as having biblical and historical importance according to Israel’s prophets. Ronald Reagan sometimes would refer to the Second Coming of Christ and the reality of Armageddon. Bill Clinton once said that his pastor, Dr. W. O. Vaught, told him when Clinton was governor of Arkansas that if Bill ever became president, he had better treat Israel according to Genesis 12 regarding the blessings or cursing to be given by the Lord depending upon whether one blessed or cursed Israel.

President Donald Trump, in talking about his decision declaring Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital and announcing he was going to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem announced several important reasons for his decision. Then he said: “It is reality, And, it’s the right thing to do.”

One must wonder how much of this president’s declaration is based upon true understanding of why it’s “the right thing to do.”

A considerable amount of the criticism about Trump’s decision comes from a specific, leftist diatribe. These say it’s the crazy evangelical Zionists who base Israel’s right to the land they “occupy” upon the Bible. The word “Bible” is dripping with vitriol, even when read rather than heard. It’s like they are saying “the Bible!… Ugh !”

“Trump is listening to the Bible thumpers and doing it for their votes” has been the rant. Yet, the following is exactly what makes Mr. Trump’s decision the “right thing to do”:

But the Lord said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.

The Lord, therefore, hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built the house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

As stated previously, almost every leader on the world stage is against the decision. Even our closest allies, like British Prime Minister Theresa May, are adamantly against the declaration and the move. Yet this president is unmoved. He seems determined to carry out the promise that presidents preceding him didn’t have the political will or courage to honor. Trump has proven that he keeps promises, even bucking the heavy resistance of opposition from outside his own political party and from within. He forges ahead, despite the world’s opposition to this decision. He doesn’t wither under the fire of the fanaticism of the Islamic world that rages with hatred for Israel.

It is not possible to know for certain, Christian counsel from people such as Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, may have made it known to the president the truth about Israel from God’s perspective. Thankfully, Mr. Trump has wisely listened to such counsel, it appears. America stands in much better stead with the Almighty with this fulfilled, presidential promise.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:32–35)

Despite the seminaries often teaching that Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, addresses only the Jews (Israel), many believe Jesus is speaking not just to Israel but to all, Jews and Gentiles alike, who will accept Christ for salvation down through the ages.

Although there are differences of opinion in precisely what the prophecy means, most agree that the fig tree in Scripture refers most often to the nation Israel. This prophecy is thought by many to be among the strongest scriptural reasons to believe that this present generation will experience Christ’s return Israel, as is said, is God’s prophetic timepiece. The view holds that this generation will see the prophecy fulfilled within the definitive timeline framed by Israel being back in the land God gave them.

Certainly, recent history in combination with current events presents a strong case that gives this view credibility. Consider the following:

1) In Psalm 90, the Bible defines a generation as seventy years.

2) The nation Israel was reborn in a single day, as prophesied, in 1948.

3) We are in the year 2018—seventy years since Israel came back into the land as a nation following World War II.

4) America moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, letting all the world know that we consider Jerusalem the Jewish state’s capital.

5) This happened on May 14, the exact anniversary of the month and day of Israel’s rebirth into modernity.

These factors are not all to consider in thinking about Jesus’ prophecy. Immediately after He talked about the generation that would see all the prophecies fulfilled, He spoke of several conditions that will mark the last generation before His Second Coming. His “days of Noah, days of Lot” prophecy outlines with precision how that generation will be carrying on life in general when He catastrophically intervenes into human affairs. This is all outlined immediately after Jesus said that no one knows the day or hour when His next intervention will take place.

Jesus indicated that life will be going along as usual, with buying, selling, building, etc. Then He would be “revealed,” and the result would be God’s judgment that very day.

America’s quick movement into the global order seemed assured as the 2016 presidential election loomed. Many Christians feared that liberty, especially for the Christian way of life, would be all but ended if the election went as expected. It would be anything but a time like Jesus described in the “days of Noah, days of Lot” prophecy.

Then came Trump. He came out of the prayers of those called by the Name of Jesus Christ who implored the Lord to act leading up to that election. The miracle occurred. The nation was given not necessarily a godly man, but without a doubt, God’s man for the hour, a president who has put in place policies and structure for a profound economic uptick.

President Trump’s involvement brings great expectations to the Jews who look with prophetic anticipation to the future. The following explains:

On Monday, the US Embassy was officially opened in Jerusalem as per the orders of President Donald Trump in what many believe was an integral part of the Messianic process that will culminate in another architectural landmark: the building of the Third Temple….

Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel, the founder of the Land of Israel Network, sees the US Embassy opening in Jerusalem as part of Prophecy and an answer to Jewish prayers.

“The Jewish People have been praying and working toward the day that Jerusalem becomes a praise among the nations,” Rabbi Gimpel told Breaking Israel News , citing a verse in Isaiah to illustrate his point. [121]

Rabbi Zimble said: “Now, we are seeing just the beginning of this prophecy as nations begin moving their embassies from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.” He continued, “This is a step in the prophetic process of redemption.”

Rabbi Kimble offered thoughts on those religious people who were skeptical about a religious basis for Trump’s political decision to move the embassy. “I would encourage those who say that President Trump is not a holy man and therefore can have no place in this Godly process to look to the book of Isaiah and Ezra where the divine plan of restoration was done through a man named Cyrus,” he said. “It would be a tragic mistake to view this historic move as unintentional or a coincidence, coming, as it does, on Israel’s 70th anniversary.”

Rabbi Hillel Weiss, spokesman for the nascent Sanhedrin, an initiative to reestablish the biblically mandated court of seventy-one elders, said Trump’s decision, as part of the “redemptive process, is key to the president’s success.” But, he added a precautionary thought: “The opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem is not the end; it is a means…. It is one step in the Geula process that is moving towards the Temple, which must, by necessity, involve all the nations and even the Temple is merely a means for sanctifying all of creation.”

The following article further elucidates:

Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf, a noted Torah teacher and author, believes the opening of the embassy is explicitly described in Jewish sources as part of the end-of-days process. The rabbi cited Kol Hatur (Cry of the Turtle Dove), written in the 18th century by Rabbi Hillel Rivlin of Shklov, a close disciple of Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, the leading rabbi of the generation known as the Vilna Gaon.

The Kol Hatur laid out 156 steps in the process of Moshiach. One of the steps is called Koresh Meshichi based on King Cyrus allowing and even enabling the Jews to come back to Israel and build the Temple.

This step is the role non-Jews and their leaders play in the Moshiach. It is specifically for non-Jews and as such, is not a mitzvah that Jews are commanded to perform. [122]

There is intensifying chatter among religious elements in Israel that everything that has transpired from Trump’s election portends the soon rebuilding of the Third Temple. The electrifying decision by this unusual president to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem is just part of what has ignited the Temple talk. Again, we can best understand the excitement and all it entails through ongoing Israeli news reports such the following:

US President Donald Trump’s unabashed support for the Jewish state and his public recognition of Jerusalem as its capital have many Israelis electrified.

The current American leader’s positive attitude toward Israel seems nearly illogical, especially after decades of far more hostile trends.

A prominent Israeli rabbi believes the reason for this unprecedented (at least in modern times) shift is that Trump has a big role to play in the building of the Third Temple and the coming of Messiah. [123]