Two recent news stories bear a remarkable correspondence to the biblical prophecies concerning Isreael in Ezekiel 37 and 38. First, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking on the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, cited the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37. Netanyahu believes that the rise of the modern nation of Israel fulfills Ezekiel’s famous prophecy of the dry bones. He said,
“The Jewish people rose from ashes and destruction, from a terrible pain that can never be healed. Armed with the Jewish spirit, the justice of man, and the vision of the prophets, we sprouted new branches and grew deep roots. Dry bones became covered with flesh, a spirit filled them, and they lived and stood on their own feet, as Ezekiel prophesied: “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.”
While I agree with Netanyahu’s statement that Ezekiel 37 is being fulfilled in the regathering of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, I don’t believe that prophecy has been completely fulfilled. Ezekiel 37 predicts a physical return of the people first to the land and then then a spiritual return of the people to the Lord (37:9-10). The Jewish people have returned to their land, but their spiritual return to the Lord is still future (Zech 12:10). Their regathering to the land, however, is the first phase, and we are seeing it fulfilled before our eyes.
The second recent headline is related to the first one. On a recent trip to Israel, Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconia, one of Israel’s stongest allies in Europe, made this startling statement. “My greatest desire, as long as I am a protagonist in politics, is to bring Israel into membership of the European Union.” This is the first I have heard of any desire for Israel to be part of the EU. Of course, no one knows if or when this will ever happen, but the Bible does predict a reuniting of the Roman Empire in the end times in Daniel 2 and 7, and the EU appears to foreshadow that revival. The Holy Land was part of the ancient Roman Empire and could be a part of its end time reconstitution. It would be natural for the reunited Roman Empire to include Israel. If this were to occur, one could easily see how Israel would be under the protection of the Antichrist (the leader of the final Roman Empire) and how he could make a covenant with Israel that brings peace as predicted in Daniel 9:27.
After the Jewish people are regathered to their land in Ezekiel 37, the next chapter predicts an all-out invasion of Israel by a horde of nations including Russia, Iran, Central Asia, Libya, Turkey and Sudan. This invasion occurs while Israel it at peace and living securely in her land (Ezek 38 8, 11). If Israel were to be admitted to the EU at some point in the future, the peace they will experience in the end times with the help of the Antichrist is easy to envision. It’s even possible that the signing of such a treaty could be part of Israel’s requirements for admisson to the EU. No one knows for sure, but we do know that the event that commences the final seven years of this age is a treaty or covenant between the leader of the reunited Roman Empire and Israel. Berlusconi’s desire could be an initial step in that direction.
These recent headlines that point toward the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37 and 38 are further striking examples of how the world stage is taking shape for the coming of Christ.
#1 by Ingrid Keskitalo on February 10th, 2010
I agree with your article. I have been watching the EU for years,
and even made a time-line of thier beginning up to 2008. What
I found interesting is that Nicolaus Sarkozy PM of France made the
EU/Meditterreanen Union come about in 2008, this includes Israel
and the Palastinians. When you look at the EU/Med. Union from a
arieal view you have the Old Roman Boundaries now intact, all
you need is a formal agreement. (See EU/Mediterreanen Union on
line) From the UK all the way down to Mauritania. Amazing!!
#2 by Adrian de Villiers on February 21st, 2010
what we missing is the Holy Spirit calling a fast and for Christians to live the Gospel of spiritual warfare(holiness, non violent unbiased diplomacy, prayer and fasting) and not military warfare, we have the power to change the course the titanic mankind is on away from the iceberg, by boldly standing for the real Gospel of Christ or we’ll sink. Mandela & Ghandi got it right should’nt us Christians get it right also!!!! or are we afraid of been unpopular!!!
#3 by Donni on March 8th, 2010
Thank you for continued education on end time prophesy.
You express your knowledge in an articulate to the point manner which is admired.
#4 by Paul R. on March 8th, 2010
Pastor,
Thank you for your amazing work. Your books help me to better understand the worlds view of things and What Gods view is. You inspire me to continue my bible studies. Could you tell me what commentaries i should have in my library. Iam currently the Youth Pastor at my church in california. And if you know of any Youth books I should be reading.. Thanks! God Bless you.
#5 by dorys petersen on March 17th, 2010
I agree that these events are upon us. There are many things that point alarmingly at the signs. I have lived my life always believing in Christ the Lord. I am now 50 and every fiber of my body tells me that the signs are there and that I may be alive during the most exciting times of the human race. The ultimate battle between good and evil. So much do I believe that I am dispensing with my pagan ways (I’m no puritan) and joining the good fight, and I am willing to go the course.
Israel is key in the whole armageddon and the last days thing. Is it not a holy war being fought with the palestinians for the holy land? Once Israel reclaims the holy land, does it not, according to prophecy, mark the beginning of armageddon? Is it prophesy in the Bible in the Book of Revelations? It is important to keep an eye on current events in Israel.
What’s up with the USA? The Book of Revelations mentions the eagle. Is that symbolic USA? Is USA the New Babylon?
What about Obama. How did he become President if he was not born of American parents and was not considered American at birth? And consider his popularity. What about the mark (I know I am getting ahead of myself)? Are we not testing the chip in our pets? Is this the modern day ‘mark of the devil’?
So, Sir, I will continue to read your blog searching for answers as well as continue to
#6 by dorys petersen on March 17th, 2010
#7 by Allan on March 22nd, 2010
All this conveniently forgets that EPHRAIM, Ezekiel says in chapter 37, is to be joined to JUDAH, some time AFTER the prophesying of Ezekiel, which has never happened ethnically, and CANNOT, and so can only happen as the Rabbi Saul /Paul said it had, in Christ’s pan-ethnic Body of faith.
#8 by Thomas Brown on March 23rd, 2010
Although the Roman Catholic church has been very anti-Semitic down through the centuries they have a large investment in Israel in terms of the Holy sites. It wouldn’t be a surprise that part of their future deception to bring all nations and faiths under rule of the Vatican would include a political relationship with Israel, for a time.
#9 by Dacio on May 18th, 2010
You have a lot of guesses and suggestions,lucy
#10 by Bill Derham on July 7th, 2010
There are those who will not recognise restored Israel as prophetically significant at all until they have turned en mass to Yeshua as Messiah. There are others who see the prophecy fulfilled already. But the revival of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 takes place in stages. First the bones come together and then flesh comes on the bones. They are still dead bodies at this stage. From a born again Christian point of view, most of Israel seems to be at this stage at the moment but the number of born again Messianic Jews inside and outside Israel is multiplying very rapidly, so we are starting to see the breath come. The rest will follow as the day follows night but we are seeing Ezekiel 37 taking place before our eyes although it is not yet complete.
#11 by Gary Lee Fennimore on November 18th, 2010
I have read many articles and commentaries about the Ezekiel 38-39 prophetic wars that have never happened to Israel. They will occur because GOD said they would occur. My problem with many of these scholarly articles is that in the prophecy the Iraqis or Chaldeans (i.e. Babylonians) are never mentioned in the attack against Israel. This would be one time I would expect the great enemy that once enslaved Israel (ie. books of Daniel, Ezekiel, etc.) would be very prominent. And yet they are totally absent from this Ezekiel text. And yet, Babylon (i.e. in Iraq) is exceedingly active through-out the prophetic book of Revelation even being the potential capital of the Anti-Christ. WHY?
Speculation drives me to consider the fact that Iraq is currently a non-entity government that has no effectual military. Their entire presence is currently only predicated on the United Nations charities and waffling authorities that are attempting to rebuild this ironically defeated nation. Could today or even in the very near future could this prophetic Gog, Magog battle take place since Iraq, currently being rebuilt, is and would be absent militarily? These current conditions in the hotbed of the Mideast would seem to fit this Ezekiel 38-39 prophetic scenario perfectly. How close are we? Any comments about this possibility?
#12 by Robbie on December 8th, 2010
The one world government will either be the EU, or UN. The Antichrist is Matrieyu. Already he has a following and is endorsed by the UN. (Rev13 1:7 the first beast gave power to the second beast) How many will be deceived is with NASA’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPAYbbGLYlE
Blue Beam Project where holographic images of the messiah are shown in the sky and people of all nations will be communicated to using ELF, in the dominant religion of that country. West will hear Jesus, Middle east Allah, East will be Buddha etc. Rev16:2 …those who worshiped his image.
When the worlds economy falls and there is food shortages, power outage and utter chaos, then people will be desperate for a savior and that will be when Blue Beam is launched.