The Middle East is in turmoil and world leaders are in great suspense and fear. Fear, not so much of military conflict - which when it starts will be swift and decisive; but of the global economic repercussions. Fear that the oil wells (which supply most of the world's oil) will be blown up, causing untold damage to the environment and world trade. The Bible is not silent on the matter of growing crisis in the Middle East. Indeed thousands of years ago YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Israel foretold current events with an accuracy only the ignorant or foolish will deny. This morning I will point out a few Bible prophecies concerning the Middle East and Jerusalem.

The Bible predicted some 2500 years ago that the city of Jerusalem would be a 'cup of trembling,' an 'awkward boulder,' a 'fiery torch' amidst the nations. Though the name Jerusalem means 'foundation of peace,' it is currently a city of bloodshed and war. Only when the Messiah returns will it live up to its name. So when we 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 22:6), we are, in effect, praying for the Messiah's return.

The prophecy continues, telling first of the crucifixion of Israel's Messiah YAHUSHUA, then the cruel scattering and persecution of the Jews. Next comes the great home-coming and restoration of Israel to the Promised Land. The prophecy then goes on to tell of a national revival in Israel which is compared to a smith purifying silver and gold! When that process is complete, Israel will call on the Name of YaHuWaH which most Jews never use, considering it sacrilegious to utter Elohim's Name).

The Bible records that when the chosen people of Israel rejected YAHUSHUA, the Son of YaHuWaH, they called a terrible curse upon themselves: 'His blood be upon us and upon our children' (Matthew 27:25). A more tragic decision could hardly have been made by any nation. It opened the floodgates of woe for Israel. Not many years later the holy city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army, the Temple was burned to the ground and the people of Israel were scattered to the four corners of the earth. Then followed a period of spiritual blindness for Israel; during which the Almighty gave the Gentile nations the opportunity to accept the Everlasting Gospel. This period is called the Time of the Nations. But alas! the Gentile nations proved no better that the Jews. If anything, they were worse. Gentiles nations have also rejected YaHuWaH's Word, YaHuWaH 's Torah and YaHuWaH 's Son; and were the Savior here on Earth today the Gentiles would be the first to cry 'crucify him!'

We are told in the New Testament that when the Time of the Nations is passed, (and that time has come) Israel's blindness will be removed and the nation will recognize the truth it had rejected so long, long ago.

The prophet Zechariah confirms this end-time revival in Israel when, under inspiration, he writes:

No one need be in any doubt but that Israel's enemies want to rid the Middle East of all Jews: especially those Israelis who base their right to the land of Palestine on the oft-repeated promise YaHuWaH made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And yet, astonishing as this may sound, according to the Bible the Creator of this world did give the land of Canaan to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and to their descendants - forever!

Believe it or not, the feud between Israel and its Arab neighbors is the oldest feud in history. It goes back to the tents of Abraham; to the contempt Hagar, the Egyptian maid, had for Abraham's wife Sarah; and to the subsequent hatred of Ishmael (Hagar's son) for Isaac the child of promise. That feud is about to be settled once and for all - soon! Watch for these events:

This capture and trampling of Jerusalem for three and a half years (42 months, or 1260 days) will be the last time the holy city will be subjected to Gentile rule. Many a time has Jerusalem come under Gentile domination. But this will be the very last time. Indeed just when everything looks forever lost, just when the unbelieving Gentile nations suppose they have gained a permanent victory over Israel, just when the mockery of YaHuWaH 's people and His truth is at a climax, YAHUSHUA the Messiah will return to liberate Jerusalem.

When the Messiah liberates Jerusalem from Gentile rule, the 1000 Year Reign of Peace will begin. Jerusalem will then become the capital city of the world and from its sacred courts the Torah of the Most High will go forth to all nations.

At long last, man's rebellion will be curtailed and all the nations of the world will celebrate the Feast Days of the Elohim of Israel, those eternal Memorials of Salvation!

To help you understand what is taking place in the Middle East I will briefly summarize:

• Because of persistent sin and a rejection of YaHuWaH's Word, YaHuWaH 's Torah and YaHuWaH 's Son, Israel was spiritually blinded in the 1^st century AD and scattered to the four corners of the earth. The Time of the Nations then began.
• In the last days (which have already begun) the Almighty promised that He would re-gather His chosen people to their land. He's kept His promise and they are back in the Promised Land. It's theirs!
• Israel's spiritual eyes are to be re-opened. When this happens expect a great revival in modern Israel. Always remember that the nation of Israel is still the Chosen of Elohim! All nations will then turn against Israel, joining in the current Muslim mood to control, if not remove every Israeli from the Middle East. The Scriptures, however, assure us that every attack on Israel will attract divine retribution! In blind rage all Gentile nations will then totally reject Bible truth and join the Arab world against Israel. The Time of the Nations will then have come to an end. I do believe that these events are happening before our very eyes.
• Jerusalem - even though its permanence is guaranteed - will, nevertheless, be captured; and a 3.5 year Gentile domination will begin. (Revelation 11:2)
• YAHUSHUA the Messiah will then return to Earth and liberate the city. (Zechariah chapter 14)
• A 1000 Year Reign of Peace will then begin.
• Only then will all the nations of the world celebrate the sacred Feasts of the Elohim of Israel.

Sermons, even the very best, are pointless if their lessons cannot be personally applied. What is the personal lesson in this sermon for all of us? The answer is plain: We must not fight YaHuWaH the Elohim of Israel, His Word, His Torah, His Son or His People; because we can never win. Instead, we must repent of our sins, put our faith in the Holy One of Israel, keep (cherish, guard, protect) His Torah and live. That is the path to eternal life. All other roads lead to eternal death!