During the first twenty years since 1948, when Israel was recognized as an independent nation by the United Nations, their population was very small in proportion to the area of their possession. Being surrounded by numerous hostile armies, the Jews have urged their kinsmen all over the world to emigrate to the land of promise. Thus Ezekiel’s prophecy is fulfilled: “I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men” (Ezekiel 36:37, 38)

The wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973 contributed to the fulfillment of this prophecy. Jews from all over the world arrived by the thousands to help in these wars, and to take residence in the occupied land.

The next twenty years brings us to this day. The Jews’ harassment and hate by the surrounding nations has increased. However, Israel’s population and progress are also increased. The fall of Socialism in the Soviet Union and its allies has opened the doors in these nations for the free, collective emigration of Jews to Israel.

Now the increased population is a problem, just as Isaiah 49:20 predicted: “The children which thou-shalt have … shall say again in thine ears, The place is too straight for me: give place to me that I may dwell.” The time has come, as all events are pointing, for the solution of this problem in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. “Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” (Genesis 15:18)

ISRAEL AND THE PEOPLE ROUND ABOUT

Especially since 1948 the enemies of Israel have declared that Israel must once and for all be driven away. Its enemies both near and far, like the Libyans and Persians, refer to Israel as “a malignant tumor on Palestinian soil that must be forced to disappear’ “ If it were possible to give a full account of all the reasons for hatred that Israel’s enemies claim, there would be no doubt left about their irrevocable intention for Israel’s extermination as a nation and as a seed, regardless of Israel’s submissiveness, concessions, and territorial compromises.

PALESTINIANS-PHILISTINES OF OLD

“Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred, therefore … I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines … I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord ‘ “ (Ezekiel 25:15-17)

The Philistines are today’s Palestinians. They are the ones who fought Alexander the Great in Gaza, for which he devastated it. Since then the name Philistine has ceased to be mentioned, and has been replaced by the name of that area, Palestine. God’s hand has been against them in recent years. Their support for Iraq in the 1992 war turned to their disadvantage, and forced them to a more conciliatory posture, which led to the recent peace accord.

LEBANON, TYRE, SIDON

“Open thy doors, 0 Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled” (Zechariah 11:1, 2). Much of Lebanon seems to be included in God’s promise to Abraham. Tyre and Sidon are ancient cities which Jesus visited and taught in (Matthew 15:21, Mark 7:24, Luke 4:24). They flourished in ancient times in commerce, arts, navigation and other fields.

In modern times Lebanon had become the Switzerland of the Middle East as regards international money accumulation, multi-national business headquarters, especially for petroleum companies, and the crossroads of business activities between East and West, North and South. The cedar and fir trees may symbolize these economic and commercial interests.

But under this economic prosperity flourished a smoldering danger, which has now brought Lebanon to ruin. It was home to goods smuggling, narcotics, weapons, and open to all kinds of propaganda, espionage, religious differences and disputes. It has been written in the press that there exist more than 30 different sects in Lebanon; Christian, Muslim, etc., fanatically hating one another. These differences and antagonisms produced years of violence, leaving ruins behind, and the disappearance of the economic mighty ones. Perhaps the land is getting ready to welcome a Jewish population, in accord with God’s promise to Abraham.

DAMASCUS

“Damascus is waxed feeble, and turned herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her … all the men of war shall be cut off… saith the Lord of hosts” (Jeremiah 49:24-27). The Damascus conditions have only started to appear. It is still a subject of discussion and of watching for us.

A LOOK AT OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Those of us who came to the Truth before World War II studied these prophecies, believed in them, and were waiting for their fulfillment. None of us, however, including the author of Studies in the Scriptures, could possibly conceive through the intellect of our faith the extent of Israel’s pursuit by its hunters, the brutality, the wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973, the strategy involved, and Israel’s resplendent victories.

Who could conceive the mutual destruction of numerous political, social and religious groups in Lebanon, just like the numerous armies “like grasshoppers” of the Midianites and Amalekites upon whom the Lord “set every man’s sword against his fellow.”

We can see how the Lord has exhausted the forces of Israel’s two great enemies, Iraq and Iran, with the destructive 8-year war between them. How the Lord turned Iraqi canons toward Kuwait, thereby turning the nations of earth, even in the Muslim world, against it.

All that the prophets have said concerning Israel will be accomplished. And finally the Kingdom of God will come to earth.

– Hercules Gonos, Greece

 

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