RYAN JONES, Israel Today Magazine —
Using language that mirrors that of “end times” prophecy debates in the Christian world, Israelis are increasingly wondering what the mounting turmoil in the Middle East is ultimately leading to.
A number of prominent rabbis have come forward with their interpretations of what is going on, and the casual observer would be forgiven for initially mistaking their remarks as coming from an Evangelical Christian.
“People have come to me and said that it’s ‘Gog and Magog’. We cannot know. But it’s probable that any unrest that God creates shows that the Messiah is coming,” wrote Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky on the Israeli religious Internet portal Haredim.
Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz acknowledged that current events are a sign of the times, and that the Messiah is likely coming soon, but also stated that the regional unrest is God’s way of humbling the prideful leaderships of Israel and the West.
“God goes and humiliates (those feeling) sinful pride,” Lefkowitz wrote.
He explained that first God dealt with Israel by allowing the recent Carmel Forest blaze. “There was this little fire here, and a state that thought that it is big and strong suddenly needed help from the entire world. Not a war, nothing special, just a small fire.”
But Israel and its allies didn’t get the message, suggested Lefkowitz.
“When they continued to think that they are smart, and see everything and understand what to do and how to do it, God came and disturbed the nations, and here they are, scared again because they could not predict such a big thing,” the rabbi stated.
“God is laughing at them, waiting to see when they will understand and become wiser,” wrote Lefkowitz in clear reference to Psalm 2:
“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? …The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalm 2:1, 4)
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community is a small minority. But being such a small country, the upheavals around are causing just about all Israelis to feel a bit apprehensive about the future. As such, the nation’s largest daily newspapers have been picking up on the rabbis’ explanations of events and broadcasting them far and wide.
Yes the Messiah is coming. Psalm 118 says when. I know you probably won’t read it but please do Mathew 23:37-. And then please read Zechariah 12:10-. He will do this when He comes. When He comes you will recognize Him.
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who would curse you. So I ask the Lord God to Bless you mightely, Ahmen.
Jeff, i think the Lord is leading to you to revelation and understanding by His eternal Word and love. I have had something stirring in my spirit for weeks. II Thessalonians 2:1-3…. regarding the “falling away” shall come first before the return of Christ. This scripture has always been somewhat of a mystery, and its obvious theologians around the world have wide and varying theories as to what the “falling away” means. But if you dive into the Hebrew dictionary, you will find so much definition that nearly mirrors what is happening in our world right now. It even speaks in its many definitions about political rebels.. the overthrow of buildings, it goes on and on… and i wonder on the massive scale of what we are seeing, is this the beginning of the great “falling away”. I would love your opinion on that… but we know the season we are in…. and the biblical significance to the number 11 is exact to what we have seen in the world since this new year began. I am just a humble soldier of the Lord, but I sense He is leading me to a deeper understanding, i just haven’t pulled it all together yet. Maybe you have more on this… if yes, would love to share.
God Bless you… Praises be unto the Lord Almighty!!
Michelle
Shabat Shalom Michelle,
In reply to your letter to Jeff, (I hope you don’t mind), I wish to point out to you Mathew 24;4-10 [4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Take heed that no man deceive you”.
I believe many shall be deceived by seducing spirits and confused by doctrines of devils, this confusion brings frustration, angry hearts waxing cold, falling out of love for one’s fellow believers, because of disillusionments – hatred toward others.
[5] “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many”. herein lies that confusion,
[6] “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars”: we have heard much of this for a good number of years now and it’s getting more intense, “see that ye be not troubled”: praise Yeshua’s Holy Name, “for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet”.
[7] “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places”. We’ve had much of this,
[8] “All these are the beginning of sorrows”. But you aint seen nothing yet
[9] “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake”. This is when many shall be offended and give up
[10] “And then shall many be offended”, because of the persecution they “fall out” of love, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another”. This may well be the “falling away”, they stop believing, they depart from the faith.
[13] “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”. The only way to endure to the end is stay close to God IN and BY His Word, read nothing else; nothing else is worth reading, for man is subject to error, the Lord’s Holy Spirit is your only reliable teacher, develop an ear to His “Still Small Voice. Those that read God’s Word only are not subject to “…strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” 2nd Thes. 2;11.
Do not ever lose your love for the “Brethren”, your spiritual folks.
Strongs Concordance “Falling” Greek #646 apostasia = defection from truth, forsake. and #647 apostasion = something separative, divorce: – (writing of) divestment.
Shalom Uvracha
Yaakov Ariel ben Ezra
what troubles me are all these Jews with the name like Jones. very unnerving to me.
why would you care about names? who are you looking for? and what are you looking for? ohno?