100 years from Balfour to Allenby to Trump
While the world will debate the US President's 'Jerusalem Declaration' the Bible provides the prism for understanding.
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On 3 November 1917 the British Government issued a statement; known as the Balfour Declaration it outlined UK support for the establishment of the modern state of Israel.
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On 9 December 1917 Jerusalem surrendered to General Allenby ending 400 years of Ottoman rule of the city.
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On 6 December 2017 American President Donald Trump declared U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.
The most recent announcement by the U.S. President was and is a contemporary recognition of a situation which has in a ‘de facto’ sense existed since 1967 when Jewish forces, in a war of self-defence, re-captured East Jerusalem from the then-occupiers, the state of Jordan.
However, in a ‘de jure’ sense, Jerusalem was established as the capital of Israel 3000 years ago. And this status has never changed.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said to King David and his son King Solomon: “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My Name forever” (2 Chron. 33:7).
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The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said to King David and his son King Solomon: “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My Name forever” |
In biblical numerology ‘7’ is a very significant number (Gen 2:2); as is 70 (Jer 29:10). And next year, 2018 will be the modern state of Israel’s 70th birthday.
While in political terms there are polarised opinions on Trump’s actions, his declaration is – and the future will surely prove it to be – a spiritually most significant development: perhaps even the most significant development in the last half century.
That is not to say that the future for Israel is all rosy. Indeed the prophetic scriptures relating to the times yet future spell out apocalyptic upheavals (Zech 12:2-3; Matt 24:5-28). But this does not alter the fact that God’s greater plans and purposes will indeed come to pass. He said to Jeremiah regarding a vision given to the prophet: “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it” (Jer. 1:12). And according to His word, Jerusalem will prevail (Zech 12:9; 14:16).
 But whatever the significance for Israel and the Jewish (and Palestinian) people there is a challenge to those who profess to be Christians; to those who claim to believe the infallible Word of God. The choice is to analyse and interpret Trump’s actions in the light of the secular worldview and geo-political pundits, or to see current events through the prism of what the Bible clearly prophesies.
Jesus gave a prayer ‘template’ to his disciples to pray: “The will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” For Christians then the imperative is to understand what God is doing and get alongside and behind His purposes.
Jesus is coming back: he has said so, and with a warning (Luke 12:40). And the Word of God states concerning the return of His Son, the Jewish Messiah: “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east” (Zech 14:4).
For a biblical understanding of Jerusalem order your copy of the above DVD now. This feature-length documentary, presented by Lance Lambert, provides a biblical lens for understanding current events in the Middle East. [It is excellent: Ed.]
Footnote: During the Centenary Year of the Balfour Declaration, Yachad Scotland members distributed a specially-produced 'Balfour Pack' to church leaders throughout Scotland.
The pack included bookets, biblical analyses, maps, etc. and an audio recording on a CD of a messianic Israeli pastor speaking at a Yachad Scotland residential conference.
At the launch conference in October 2016, Stephen Briggs of Hatikvah Films spoke about God's prophetic agenda for Israel and the Jewish people <click here>.
Stephen also shared with Yachad Scotland in an interview with Revelation TV just before the anniversary date of the Balfour Declaration (see below)
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