We are now in our eighth year of presenting a Prophecy Update. This is #401 in that series.
We talk a lot about prophecy because one quarter of the Bible is devoted to it. One in every four verses is either a fulfilled prophecy, or a future one awaiting its fulfillment.
Eighty-percent of the Bible’s prophecies have already come true. Those that have not come true are all concerned with what we commonly call the end times, or the last days. They, too, must be fulfilled to the letter.
What do we mean by “Prophecy Update?” It is our belief that we can identify trends in the world, and news, that would be expected in light of the unfulfilled prophecies.
We’re not saying that the things we report are the fulfillment of prophecies – only that they are what you’d expect to be happening in the light of what we know about the future.
Something that is, most definitely, the fulfillment of many prophecies is the rebirth of the modern state of Israel. God said He would disperse His people all over the earth but that, in the last days, He would draw them back. And He has.
Zec 8:7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east And from the land of the west;
Zec 8:8 I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.’
The Bible also predicted Israel, and Jerusalem in particular, would be a “cup of trembling,” causing the other nations of the world problems (Zechariah 12:2).
Eventually, all the nations of the world will be against Israel (Joel 3:2; Amos 9:9; Zechariah 14:2; Matthew 24:9).
As you are probably aware, an historic nuclear deal has been struck with Iran. Our Congress still must ratify it; but even if they do not, it is likely that it will nevertheless be approved, due to the numbers Congress would need to veto it.
Is it a good deal? Depends on who you ask:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is against it. He calls it a “catastrophe.”
President Obama, however, says that (and I quote) “99% of the world” agrees with the deal.
Sounds like Israel is about the only dissenter. Sounds like she stands alone. Sounds like what the Bible predicted.
I think you get an idea of who the deal benefits by reading the news headlines that ran after it was reached:
Deal Paves Way For Iranian Bomb
Iran Will Continue Its Nuclear Research and Development
Poll: Majority Do Not Trust Iran to Stick to Deal
Major Concessions Allow Iran to Keep All Nuke Sites
Iranians Party In Streets of Tehran
Iran Airs Obama Speech After Nuclear Deal
Representative Devin Nunes, a California Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said,
I don’t know what information the Obama administration possesses that indicates this deal will actually prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon or will cause the mullahs to reduce their support for worldwide terrorism, but it sure isn’t the same intelligence we’re seeing in the Intelligence Committee. Iran has killed hundreds of U.S. soldiers, tried to conduct a terrorist attack in the United States, and is committed to annihilating Israel. This deal will guarantee Iran the capability to carry out its clear intent.
Millions of Iranians had followed the talks closely for months with the anticipation that Tuesday’s deal would allow the economy, battered by years of sanctions, to stabilize and make their daily lives easier.
You know who’s life is not getting any easier? Saeed Abidini, the American pastor held captive in Iran since 2012. President Obama on Wednesday defended the failure of the Iran nuclear deal to secure the release of jailed US citizens, insisting a suggestion that he was content with their situation was “nonsense.”
Israel is becoming more-and-more isolated. Her allies grow fewer; her enemies are emboldened.
News like this is exactly what you’d expect from reading Bible prophecy.
We don’t expect, or need, to see anything happen, or to be fulfilled, before Jesus can resurrect and rapture the church. It is presented in the Bible as imminent.
Are you ready for the rapture? If not, get ready, stay ready, and keep looking up. Ready or not, Jesus is coming!