TOPIC:‌“Israel - God's Prophetic Time Clock”

                  by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌Romans 10:1

 

‌‌“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they

‌‌might be saved.”

 

‌In this series of prophetic messages I want to preach a special sermon on Israel because of the prominent place it has to play in Bible prophecy. Certainly God has a divine plan and purpose yet to fulfill with this Jewish nation. The Bible clearly teaches, I believe, that before Christ comes again, Jewish people throughout the world must be restored as a nation and gathered back in their land.

 

‌Since Israel's six day war with the Arabs there has developed among the nations of the world a renewed interest in this Jewish state. The reason for this is because Israel plays a key role to peace in the Middle East. I believe that peace prospects for this part of the world is not possible unless the Arab countries are genuinely willing to accept Israel as a sovereign Zionist state.

 

‌Let us then in this message come to grips with certain truths about this nation of whom David Ben-Gurion, former Prime Minister of Israel, declared: “There are few countries which have played so central a role in world history as the land of Israel.” How right he was!

 

I.

 

‌Let's begin with this: Think of the SELECTION of Israel. One chapter away from our text the Apostle Paul writes: “I say, then, has God cast away his people? God forbid…God has not cast away his people whom he foreknew” (Romans 11:1, 2). Note the twice repeated phrase: “his people.”

 

‌Israel is indeed a chosen people. Their origin was in the sovereign plan and purpose of God. Isaiah describes Israel's selection by God this way: “But, now, thus saith the Lord who created thee, O Jacob, and he who formed thee, O Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1). He goes on to state: “Yet now hear, O Jacob, my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen. Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from thy womb” (Isaiah 44:1).

 

‌The Apostle Paul writes of God's choosing of Israel in these words: “Who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises…That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise . . .