But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
~Matthew 24:8

Thanks for stopping by…I’m glad you’re here!  Over the past few days I’ve attempted to keep you abreast of the latest events in Israel.  Certainly that’s not the only place where we see Biblical prophecy being fulfilled, but it is a hot spot at the moment.  Israel is a volatile place right now and we are wise to view what is happening through Biblical glasses.

Only a couple days before Jesus was to give His life as a ransom, He sat with some of His disciples on the Mount of Olives.  That account is recorded in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21.  The disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of the last days.  Jesus expounded on those signs, but one key sign is that “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

In Israel today, we’re seeing kingdom rise up against kingdom as tension continues to increase between Jews and Arabs (primarily Palestinians).  Conflict between Jews and Arabs goes all the way back to Isaac and Ishmael, and has never rarely ceased to be an issue.

Today’s turmoil was triggered by continuous rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel, and by nationalistic kidnappings and murder.  On the Gaza front, the IDF continues to respond to Hamas attacks by successfully targeting rocket launchers and other strategic  targets.  On the kidnapping/murder front, news broke earlier today that 6 Jewish nationalists have been arrested for the brutal murder of a Palestinian teenager.  This is thought to be retaliation for the kidnapping and murder of 3 Israeli teenagers by Palestinian/Hamas militants.

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rightly condemned the murder of the Palestinian youth and vowed to punish the murderers, Palestinians are rioting all over Israel.  Netanyahu is calling for restraint and civility, stating:

“That is how we are different from our neighbors.  Their murderers are hailed as heroes and public squares are named in their honor.”

Dear friends, these are “birth pangs” that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24:8.  While we don’t know the day or the hour, Jesus went on to share the parable of the fig tree (verses 32-41) in which He warned that when the fig tree (Israel) puts forth its leaves (independence on May 14, 1948), you know the season is upon us!  Verse 34 says, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”

Are we living in that generation?  I believe it is very possible.  So, as we see turmoil break loose around the world…pray!  But also be ready…for the Lord’s coming is at hand!

Keep looking for the Blessed Hope!