The emergence of the modern state of Israel in 1948 is something of a modern miracle. See what the Bible has to say about this, and what the future holds for the nation, in God\'s purpose.

1. Israel today – is Bible prophecy being fulfilled?

2. Independence since WW2 Algeria - 5 July 1962 (from France) Bahrain - 15 August 1971 (from UK) Cambodia - 9 November 1953 (from France) Dominica - 3 November 1978 (from UK) Equatorial Guinea - 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Fiji - 10 October 1970 (from UK) Ghana - 6 March 1957 (from UK) India - 15 August 1947 (from UK) Israel - 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Etc, etc….. Down to Zimbabwe All nations which have been there for centuries Ruled over by colonial powers Re-asserting their desire for self-rule Except for Israel

3. What’s different about Israel? Ancient people – trace ancestry to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) c2000BC Nation lived in Palestine from c1400BC up to AD70 Scattered world-wide by Romans following AD70 revolt Remained scattered yet distinct until 1948 when they returned in 1000s to their ancient homeland Re-established modern state of Israel 1948 A resurrected nation – unheard of anywhere else Described as a modern miracle

4. Israel – evidence for God Israel’s remarkable history – scattering and re-establishment – all foretold in the Bible Explained as being part of God’s relationship with the nation of Israel

5. Scattering: Deuteronomy 28 v 64-67

6. Scattering Luke 21:20 (ESV) “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.….. v 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

7. Scattering - Jeremiah 16 v 11-13 …and re-gathering Jeremiah 16 v 14-16

8. Re-gathering Jeremiah 30:3 (ESV) For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it." v10-11 “Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. For I am with you to save you, declares the Lord; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

9. Israel Today Re-established against the odds Bible prophecy fulfilled Evidence that there is a God A God who clearly has a plan for this nation

10. Why has God done this? Israel today: secular, not a godly nation The nation doesn’t acknowledge God’s hand in their re-establishment and successes Israel’s survival continues to be a struggle There’s no lasting peace for Israel – will there ever be?

11. Israel – still fulfilling prophecy Isaiah 43 v8-11 - God tells the world that Israel are his witnesses “Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.” ie. people who should be able to see God’s hand in their existence, but fail to Yet their very existence still witnesses to God Even their blindness to God is a fulfilment of Bible prophecy

12. Israel – back in the land because of God Ezekiel 36 v 17-24 God speaks of his scattering of Israel because of their disobedience to him He tells them he will re-gather them too Not because they have turned back to God Because of His name – to vindicate Himself and show that there is a God So that men and women everywhere will see and acknowledge that there must be a God

13. What next? Ezekiel 36 v 25-32 Israel cleansed (spiritually) Nation becomes genuinely responsive to God Blessed with plenty in their land – not just because of clever irrigation v36 – surrounding nations acknowledge God’s hand too Fulfilled yet? No!

14. What will bring about the change in Israel? A change in their circumstances – for the worse

15. Zechariah 12 – warfare in Israel v 1-2 Israel and Jerusalem will be attacked and besieged by their enemies Jerusalem is the centre of the conflict, and of the problem v3 The fight for Jerusalem will only cause more trouble for those involved

16. Tragedy for Israel Zechariah 14 v 1-2 ‘The Day of the Lord’ – part of God’s plan Jerusalem will be attacked by all nations The city will be overrun and atrocities will take place Half the city deported as prisoners of war – which half?

17. Tragedy for Israel Zechariah 13 v 8-9 2 thirds of the inhabitants of Israel will die Those who are left are refined by God – they turn back to him again And God responds…….

18. God responds Zechariah 14 v 3-4 ‘His feet’ on the Mount of Olives is the return of Jesus Acts 1:11 (ESV) – Jesus ascends from the Mount of Olives "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

19. Israel’s full restoration Israel back in their land – but in unbelief God brings them back to the brink of calamity The nation responds and turns to God God sends Jesus back to deliver them Then the nation will be fully re-established, given prosperity and true peace – for ever!

20. Israel’s full restoration Ezekiel 37:25-28 (ESV) They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant (Jesus) shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore."

21. What does this have to do with you and me? How are Israel’s current and future circumstances connected to your life?

22. Israel are God’s witnesses The very existence of Israel today, in their ancient homeland is testimony to God’s existence Past prophecy has been fulfilled – we can be confident that future prophecy will be fulfilled too Events in Israel point to the time when God will intervene by sending Jesus back to the earth

23. How we fit into the picture When Jesus returns he will set up God’s kingdom on earth for ever This is the Christian hope taught in the Bible – to be a part of that kingdom, living for ever (raised from death) To share that hope we need to believe in Jesus Christ and be baptised – become a disciple Mark 16:16 - “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”

24. Time is running out How long before Israel is plunged into a war it can’t win? How long before God intervenes by sending Jesus back to the earth?

25. We need to be ready….. "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning - lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.” Mark 13 v 32-36