The Times in Which We Live. By Faith We Understand.

The Times in Which We Live.
By Faith We Understand.

“None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” Dan. 12:10. This is a fact when it concerns interpreting the times in which we live. Only Noah understood in his days, and only Lot, who was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds, was saved in his days. It will be the same when Jesus returns. The others will be so occupied with their earthly tasks that they will understand nothing. Jesus Himself compares the days of His return with the days of Noah and Lot. Noah and Lot were saved completely from God’s wrath precisely because they believed and were pure from the sin in which the others lived. Col. 3:6-7. This is how we, too, will avoid being judged together with the world. 1 Cor. 11:31-32.

The wise are those who come together, exhorting and encouraging each other to love and good works, and so much more as they see the Day approaching. Heb. 10:23-25.

Now we can see the day of our redemption approaching, but only those who believe understand it. Jesus has given us the sign of Jerusalem, and He has said that it will be trampled by the Gentiles until their time of grace is over. He asks us to look at the fig tree (Israel), when it is budding. Then we shall know that our redemption is near. Luke 21:24, 28-31.

Now Israel has been declared a sovereign state in the Holy Land. The newspapers write about it and are amazed over what is happening. People read it, but they do not understand that all this is happening so that prophecies might be fulfilled. Under the headline “The Jews Just Want the Deserts” written in large letters, the newspaper Verdens Gang describes how the Jews cultivate land that could not be cultivated, and transform deserts into thriving orange groves. But who understands that this is a fulfillment of Ezekiel 36 and that Verdens Gang is only saying what is written in verse 35?

Stockholms-Tidningen writes a long article about the Negev desert and is surprised that it has been lying untouched until the present time in spite of the fact that it is the only land bridge between Asia and Africa. For millennia it was the boundary and at the same time the crossroads of several great civilizations. Only now have the Jews managed to break the isolation of this area. They have established more than thirty colonies there. Nowhere else have the journalists eaten more succulent watermelons and seen larger tomatoes and asparagus plants than in the Negev. There the Jews have found oil, Solomon’s copper mines and smelters, etc. While the newspaper is amazed that all this was hidden for two thousand years they don’t understand that this has happened so that Isaiah 45:3 and 6 might be fulfilled.

In Israel they have established something called “The Flying Carpet.” It consists of six airplanes that daily fly seven hundred Jews to Israel. When people read this in the newspapers, who of them understood that this was a literal fulfillment of Isaiah 60:8? We could continue like this. Miracles upon miracles—but only those who believe can see it. When Israel opened its first Parliament, it was done in Jerusalem. Each member, one hundred and twenty in all, received a copy of Isaiah 40. It is amazing to read this chapter when we imagine ourselves in their position—a small, newly established nation of seven hundred thousand surrounded by seven enemy nations with a total population of thirty million. Besides, the Arabs were favored by Great Britain with British officers. In that situation it was good for these Members of Parliament to hear the voice that called out that all flesh is grass and the nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust in the balance. The isles are like fine dust that is scattered by the wind.

This is also how events transpired, for it is God who has taken possession of Judea, the Holy Land, and He gives this advice to all flesh: “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!” Zech. 2:12-13. Then we know that something is going to happen; just follow along. However, you must cleanse yourself and believe if you are going to understand anything.

After Israel had opened its Parliament, it was moved to Tel Aviv, awaiting a resolution by the United Nations regarding Jerusalem. On December 11, 1949 the United Nations resolved to put Jerusalem under international control. (This tells us that the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:2-3 is quickly approaching.) Then the foreign minister of Israel stood up and said that this was a dark day for the United Nations and that there was no way for them to enforce their resolution. On December 13 Israel began to move its Parliament to Jerusalem and made it the capital of Israel. They acted as it is written in Isaiah 52:1-2, and we who understand the times rejoice, for the time of our redemption is near. “I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.” Isa. 60:22. The saints have been looking for these signs for centuries, and many of them have possibly thought that it has taken long enough; but now we have come to that time, and the Lord says that it will happen quickly.

All these signs cry out: “Behold, the bridegroom is coming!” Therefore we must prepare ourselves and exhort one another more than before, for darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the nations, but light will arise over Israel. We can also see that. All of Israel’s undertakings succeed, but darkness keeps increasing for the Gentile nations. As soon as they agree on something and sign a treaty, they break it right away. They are in darkness. Now it is vital to follow Jesus who is the light of the world. He said not to seek the world or the things in the world; seek God’s kingdom first. Watch and pray unceasingly so you can escape all the things that will come upon the earth! Who is among the five wise virgins????