PALESTINE BIDS FOR NATIONHOOD

All Scripture texts are from the King James (Authorised) Version

‘I will gather all nations against Jerusalem . . . .’

Zechariah 14: 2

This terrible prophecy entered a further tangible phase of its fulfilment when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (also known by the Arabic name, Abu Mazen) submitted to the United Nations General Assembly a formal request that it recognise Palestine as an independent nation.

Judging by the ovation from the delegates assembled, the proposal was well received. And despite misgivings expressed by the United States, Canada, France and Britain there’s little doubt that sooner rather than later Palestine will get its wish.

This is not surprising. The making of nations is a sign of our post-Second World War era the maturing of the trees spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24: 32-34.

National independence for any group is a right and proper ambition who would not want to run their own affairs?

But the enthusiastic applause which greeted Mr. Abbas’ request also rang a tocsin for the state of Israel.

For a vote which creates a Palestinian state is implicitly a prospective call to arms against Israel, whether or not that fact is intended or understood at the time by the actors involved.

It is the Lord’s doing (‘I will gather . . .’). In the outworking of prophecy across the ages He causes or allows each interlocking piece of the prophetic puzzle to be added until the end in view is apparent and irresistible.

In many of the nations represented at the U.N. now in a measurable degree including the British population there’s a visceral resentment of all things Jewish. Several years or a couple of decades may elapse before the rest of Zechariah’s prophecy is accomplished (vs. 2b, 3), at which time Israel’s foreshadowed deliverance will come: ‘Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.’ Bible students and observers of prophecy are privileged to live in these interesting times and to watch God’s Plan unfold in plain sight.

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