OPINION:
Four significant prophetic passages are being fulfilled in Israel before our very eyes. They are Ezekiel 36:24-28, Jeremiah 16:15-16, Zechariah 12:3-4, and Jeremiah 49:34-39. These four passages give us a glimpse into God’s divine plan with Israel and provide a unique perspective for His chosen people, the Jews.
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First Fulfilled Prophecy: Israel will become a nation
Over 2,800 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel prophesied these words about Israel:
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God (Ezekiel 36:24-28).
Upon examining Ezekiel’s historical and contextual background, it is evident that the prophet was not discussing the Israelites’ return to Canaan under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. However, in an incredibly historic and prophetic event, Israel regained its sovereignty on May 14, 1948, which was previously unforeseen. This event fulfilled Ezekiel’s prophecy, but only halfway.
Ezekiel’s prophecy also alludes to a final and complete restoration under the Messiah in the end times. During this time, Jesus will establish His kingdom in the holy land and reign supreme.
Second Fulfilled Prophecy: From “Diaspora” to resettlement
From Ezekiel’s words that God will take Israel “from the nations” and bring her into her own land, Jeremiah adds more detail on how God will do just that. Jeremiah 16:15-16 reads:
“’As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers. Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the Lord, and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.”
The word “diaspora” was coined to describe the migration of the Jews coming out of the Babylonian captivity. Since that initial dispersion, the Jewish people have faced many more upheavals and resettlements from the times of the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, and during World War II (at the hands of Hitler).
So, how did God bring back His people? According to Jeremiah, God used Israel’s enemies to drive His people back to the holy land. Although there are an estimated 7 million Jews who have returned to Israel — they, however, do not possess the entirety of the land promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:18-21; 17:7-8. That day, many prophets tell us, will come soon.
Third Fulfilled Prophecy: Jerusalem is an intoxicating drink
In Zechariah 12:3-4, God declares: “I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.”
If you notice, many larger nations seem to be intentionally stirring up conflict with Israel. But why? Why are Iran, Russia, and Turkey all targeting Israel?
According to Zechariah’s prophecy, Jerusalem would become a “cup of trembling” for the surrounding nations, leading to the Battle of Armageddon. Yet, despite the ongoing conflict, God will protect Israel from defeat at the hands of her enemies.
Fourth Fulfilled Prophecy: Iran’s growing threat to annihilate Israel
Deep in the pages of Jeremiah, we find this insulated passage:
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. And I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven. And I will scatter them to all those winds, and there shall be no nation to which those driven out of Elam shall not come. I will terrify Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger, declares the Lord. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them, and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials,” declares the Lord. “But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam,” declares the Lord (49:34-39).
Currently, Iran is the largest sponsor of state terrorism. The same place where the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the “Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to erase Israel from the map of the region.”
According to Jeremiah’s prophecy, “Elam” or modern-day Iran, will have nuclear power. Still, God will cause supernatural chaos and destruction to the Iranians – preventing them from destroying Israel and the world.
Witnessing prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes in Israel is incredible. This should prompt us to pray fervently for the salvation of both Jews and Arabs alike and to anticipate the imminent return of Jesus Christ eagerly.
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Jason Jimenez is the founder and president of Stand Strong Ministries and is a respected Christian-worldview speaker, and faculty member at Summit Ministries. He is the best-selling author of “Hijacking Jesus: How Progressive Christians Are Remaking Him and Taking Over the Church,” “Challenging Conversations: A Practical Guide to Discuss Controversial Topics in the Church,” and “Parenting Gen Z: Guiding Your Child through a Hostile Culture.”
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