“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it,” Zechariah 12:2-3.

* I have a few pulpit engagements here in Kilskeery during the minister’s holidays.

* As the Lord helps me, I hope to speak on subjects that I have felt vitally important during my time of preaching, now in its 60th year.

* Tonight I wish to speak on the subject of Israel. We are commanded of God to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee,” Psalm 122:6.

* Despite what some foolish and arrogant men may say, this command means just what it says. We are to pray for Jerusalem that it may know peace.

That peace will only come when ‘The Prince of Peace’, the Lord Jesus Christ returns again to take control of the government of this world and save Israel out of her present darkness and sin. This is therefore a prayer like that of John’s at the conclusion of the Bible in response to the Saviour’s promise: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus,” Revelation 22:20.

* The return of Christ and the mighty and many blessings which that event will bring, ought never to out of the mind of the child of God. “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

* We cannot love God without showing a “patient waiting for Christ.” Such a “waiting” entails a “watching” for the signs that indicate the nearing of that event.

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come,” Matthew 24:42.

* One of the signs is the gathering of the enemies of Israel together AGAINST her as is set forth in Zechariah 12:2-3. This is a gathering chiefly against the Lord - Psalm 2:1-3

* This gathering of her enemies will take place a very short time before the glorious return of Christ to deliver Israel both physically and spiritually, Zechariah 12:6, 9-10; 14:1-4. That will be the day that true and full PEACE shall be granted to Israel in answer to prayer.

I. TODAY, THERE IS A MOUNTING UP OF OPPOSITION TO ISRAEL

1. It must be remembered that Israel is yet in rebellion against the Lord. It is a rebellion which was specifically manifested by her rejection of the Saviour and the crucifying of Him some 2000 years ago. The blindness manifested at Calvary is still upon Israel, with the exception of a redeemed remnant, 2 Cors 3:13-16.

2. Despite this blindness, the nation is still special to the Lord. Consider what He has said of Israel, Isaiah 1:2-3. In the next verse, the Lord calls Himself - “the Holy One of Israel.” These words of endearment were spoken in a day of God’s wrath against Israel because of their sin. BUT they were still His “children”, His “people”. The chapter ends with the wonderful promise of restoration, Isaiah 1:24-27.

The Lord has encountered Israel’s sins on many occasions and judged them for it. Isaiah states this in chapter 5 of his prophecy, Isaiah 5:1-8.

The crucifying of the Messiah was the ultimate sin of Israel and they have been excluded from the blessing of the Lord and subject to His abiding recompense ever since. HOWEVER, the covenant that the Lord made with the nation of Israel remains! He has not abandoned them. We read of His future plans for them, Hebrews 8:10, 12. We must EVER bear in mind that the Lord said to Abraham: “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee,” Genesis 17:7. Israel has abandoned the Lord BUT the Lord has not abandoned His ancient promise and the world will yet see the fulfilment of it when the Saviour returns.

3. Many of Israel’s actions today show the darkness of their hearts. The Christian cannot but have sympathy and love for Israel for the Saviour’s sake. Sadly, there are Christians who have joined in the animosity of the ranks of haters of Israel because of recent events in Gaza. They believe that many of the actions taken by Israel toward Gaza cannot be supported!

That is but right. However, it is not grounds for joining the ranks of the enemy. Rather, even as Peter condemned the crucifixion of the Saviour but maintained his love for his nation and indicated that the Lord still held them in His heart, Acts 3:12-20. Here is evidence of mercy offered to most rebellious and wicked Israel, a foretaste of the very mercy which will be theirs in its fulness at the return of Christ.

Yes, we do not condone Israel’s present-day sins and wickedness, and neither does the Lord. Israel will yet face the dreadful consequences of her rebellion against the Lord in that spoken of as: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be,” Matthew 24:21. This awful time was foretold by Jeremiah. “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it,” Jeremiah 30:7. Please note the words: “But he shall be saved out of it”!

Additional truths for considerations . . . .

II. THE NATION OF ISRAEL THOUGH PRESENTLY CAST OFF IS NOT CAST AWAY FOREVER

There is a future for the nation of Israel.

1. It is seen in their preservation from destruction. Hated by all nations at some time or other and persecuted viciously, nevertheless, God has preserved the people and prevented them from being absorbed as have many other races.

2. It is seen in their recovery to the land of Israel. Re-instated as a nation in 1948, with the population increasing to its present population of 10 million. It has one of the most modern and powerful armies in the world.

3. It is seen plainly in Holy Scripture. Romans 11:11-12, 15, 23-24. Ezekiel 36:24-27. Their present and future states are seen in Hosea 3:4-5. “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.”

III. THE EVENTS THAT WILL HERALD THE END OF THIS AGE WILL HAVE SPECIAL LINKS WITH ISRAEL

1. There is great apostasy to take place at the end of the age. II Thess 2:2-3.

2. The Man of Sin, the Antichrist will be revealed. He will have links with Israel. Dan 11:36-38, 41, 45. He shall set up his image in Jerusalem, Rev 13:1-18; Dan 12:11; Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14. This event marks the individual as the Antichrist. As Christ was proclaimed first in Jerusalem so it will be with Antichrist.

This particular event indicates the near approach of Christ’s return, Matt 24:15-21, 29-31. This tribulation will last 42 months, Rev 13:5

3. The Lord's purpose in bringing Antichrist to Jerusalem is to destroy him and his armies. Zechariah 12:2-3. The time of Jacob’s trouble is this time of persecution and trial, Zech 13:8-9. It just precedes the return of Christ. Just when Antichrist will be poised to finally destroy Jerusalem, Christ returns to destroy him and deliver His ancient people. Matt 24:29-30; II Thess 2:8; Rev 19:20-21; Zech 14:3-4. Thus Christ will return to the very spot from which He left the earth, Zech 14:4.

While, at this moment, we do not know the day nor the hour, as the day and the hour draws near we shall be able to read the signs and know when Christ will return. There will come a moment when we shall literally know to look up. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh, Luke 21:28.