They remained a ‘non-nation’ for almost 2000 years. In 70 AD Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews scattered ‘to the four winds’. They remained a ‘non-nation’ for almost 2000 years. Could the fulfillment of prophecy actually happen in our time?

Could the fulfillment of prophecy actually happen in our time? Some prophecy has already been fulfilled. - The ‘budding of the Fig Tree’. Luke 21:29 ¶ He told them this parable: "Look at the fig-tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Could the fulfillment of prophecy actually happen in our time? - The Israel that will exist in the ‘millennial’. Jer 30:18 ¶ "Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound, And the palace shall remain according to its own plan. They will be gathered to the land. They will have security and happiness. 19 Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

But between “being gathered” and “security” is a process. It started with the re-birth of the nation in 1948. They were apportioned land according to division choices of the UN. As you can tell on the map, this did not include any part of the city of Jerusalem. Immediately, the new state, with no army to speak of, was attacked by five Arab nations who objected to the formation of the state of Israel. A war ensued. The end result was Israel not only getting to keep the land apportioned to them by the UN, but more land was gained, including the west half of Jerusalem.

Israel lived within these boundaries until 1956 Israel lived within these boundaries until 1956. At that time Egypt nationalised the Suez canal and threatened to block any ships headed for Israel via the gulf of Aqaba. Israel objected to this and launched an offensive that resulted in their occupying all of the Gaza strip and all of the Sinai peninsula. After a UN peacekeeping force was put in place Israel withdrew from some of the land they had occupied, but the end result was, Israel was now a much larger country than they had been before launching the offensive.

In 1967 Egypt, Jordon and Syria, (so Israeli intelligence determined), were banding together against Israel. On June 5th Moshe Dayan, sensing that an attack was imminent, decided to strike first. This started the six day war. I believe the prophet Nahum includes the six-day war in chapter 2 of his book.

The land they were given looked like this.

Nahum 2:1 ¶ He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort Nahum 2:1 ¶ He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily

2 For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches.

3 The shields of his mighty men are made red, The valiant men are in scarlet. The chariots come with flaming torches In the day of his preparation, And the spears are brandished

3 The shields of his mighty men are made red, The valiant men are in scarlet. The chariots come with flaming torches In the day of his preparation, And the spears are brandished

4 The chariots rage in the streets, They jostle one another in the broad roads; They seem like torches, They run like lightning.

4 The chariots rage in the streets, They jostle one another in the broad roads; They seem like torches, They run like lightning.

He remembers his nobles; They stumble in their walk; They make haste to her walls,

They stumble in their walk; They make haste to her walls,

And the defence is prepared.

6 The gates of the rivers are opened,

6 The gates of the rivers are opened,

And the palace is dissolved.

And the palace is dissolved.

The Palace, (The Mosque of Omar) is the palace that will eventually be dissolved to make way for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple. According to Nahum’s prophecy this will be next in the sequence. Years have gone by since the ‘opening of the river gates’. We simply obey the words of Jesus … watch.