March 11, 2023: 2 Peter 1:19 - We Do Well to Heed God's Prophetic Word

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” - 2 Peter 1:19

Dictionary.com defines “prophecy” as: “Something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation” and “a divinely inspired utterance or revelation.” Prophecy confirmed, prophecy fulfilled; it is what sets the Bible apart from any other book ever written. The Holy Bible is God’s sure word, breathed through the Holy Spirit to men chosen by God to write it down for generation upon generation to read and to heed. God’s word truly is a light in the darkness, and that is why many tyrannical rulers seek to ban it from their citizens in order to control them. They don’t want their citizens to believe that they have hope in anything or in anyone but in them, the ruling governments. But as believers in Jesus Christ, He alone is our hope; our hope is not in this world but in Him.

Something happens to the reader, under the leading of the Holy Spirit once a person has decided to seek Jesus, a light is poured out in the words so that the Bible begins to make sense to the reader. Years ago when I had not accepted Jesus as my Savior, I was always seeking to know the truth. Even as a teenager in high school, I wrote a term paper called “Creation vs. Evolution.” I wish I still had that paper as I would like to go back now and read what I wrote, but even then I was interested in knowing about God. After going to several churches during my early years of marriage and it was clear that they were more interested in our money than salvation of our souls, I stopped looking for a church to go to. While I believed in God, and that He held me accountable for my sins, I did not know Jesus.

When I was in my 40’s, I remember taking a class on Evolutionary Anthropology, and I remember the professor speaking of the Christian faith as mysticism, fables, and something that was not real, like he claimed evolution to be. It wasn’t too long after taking that class that I decided I had to know for myself: is God real, and why is Christianity the only religion that is right? Why is it so narrow? Around 2007 I decided, after failing a few times before, that no matter what, I would read the Bible for myself, no matter how long it took. After finally making it through Genesis, pushing through all of the genealogies, which is where I had previously stopped reading, I pushed through. I persevered. During that time, I had started going to church, where I heard God’s word read to me, and on June 27, 2010 I accepted Jesus as my Savior. About four years later, I finally finished reading the Bible on August 29, 2011. While I still did not understand a lot of what was written, I knew with absolute certainty: the Bible is the word of God and salvation from sins only comes from believing in His Son Jesus Christ as one’s Savior. I also knew that it had to be the word of God because there was the same common thread written throughout the entire Bible, even though it was written over a period of approximately 1,500 years by 40 different men who put God’s word down on papyrus scrolls. That common thread could not have happened by human thoughts alone; it had to be inspired by God Himself.

During my time of reading the Bible, it did something to me that no other book had done, it drawn me in and caused me to want to know more and more about God, His word, and His Son. And so I continued to read it, especially the prophetic books, the books that told of things to come sometimes hundreds and even thousands of years before they happened. I was especially interested in the nation of Israel. What was it about this tiny nation that causes such hate towards it all across the world, even today, and not only in the secular, non-believing world, but also in many churches?

I’ve heard it said that Israel is God’s timepiece, with the nation itself being the hour hand and the city of Jerusalem the minute hand; everything centers around Israel, and if you want to know what time it is in history, look to Israel. I absolutely believe that is true. While I have learned much more about the prophecies in the Bible since I believed in Jesus as my Savior, I think one of the main prophecies that convinced me His word is true is the return of Israel to the land that God gave them in the Abrahamic Covenant, as written about in the book of Genesis.

Throughout history, the Jews have been scattered from Israel after being conquered by nations, including the Babylonians, Assyrians, and the Roman Empire. Prior to 1948, most of the Jews had been scattered across the globe but after World War II ended, many came to Israel when the modern state of Israel was formed. “On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation on the same day.” (See: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/creation-israel). This momentous day fulfilled a prophecy by Ezekiel, who was a priest and a prophet who wrote it between approximately 593 - 565 BC. Ezekiel wrote it when Israel was divided into two kingdoms, with the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. During the time Ezekiel wrote it, Judah had been conquered by Babylon and the majority of its people were exiled to Babylon for 70 years. Ezekiel prophesied that though God was judging Israel and Judah, He would restore them and bring them back into their own land, unified. Below are some of the prophecies in the book of Ezekiel of a united Israel returning to its homeland:

“For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.” (Ezekiel 34:11-13)

Ezekiel 36 says it was God Himself who scattered His people among the nations because of the blood they had shed and for their idol worship. Because they had profaned His holy name, He would sanctify His great name by showing the nations that He is the Lord God by bringing them (Israel and Judah) back into their own land, and when He would be hallowed before their eyes:

“So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds.” (Ezekiel 36:19)

“But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you into your own land.” ‘ “ (Ezekiel 36:21-24)

“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.” ‘ “ (Ezekiel 37:21-22)

And this is what happened on May 14, 1948 when the nation of Israel was reborn, and the Jews began returning to Israel from among the nations to which they had been scattered. It continues today as “Aliyah,” meaning immigration to Israel. In fact, immigration to Israel is increasing, likely due to increased worldwide persecution of the Jews and because of the prosperity of the nation of Israel. In an article dated September 19, 2022 by the Jerusalem Post, the number of Jews who immigrated to Israel in 2022 was up 128% from 2021, which had also seen a significant increase (See: https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-717539). After Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948, the following year, 1949, saw the largest number of Jews - 239,954 - immigrating to their homeland. The Jewish Virtual Library has a table showing Jewish immigration from 1948 - 2022 (See: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/total-immigration-to-israel-by-year).

Another prophecy that has at least been partially fulfilled in Ezekiel is from Ezekiel 36:30: “And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.” It is amazing to think that this small country, only slightly larger than the American state of New Jersey, is able not only to produce enough fruit to sustain itself but also to export it to other countries. Per trendeconomy.com (See: https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Israel/08), in 2021, Israel exported “edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons” to countries including France, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Canada, and the USA.

There is a prophecy by the prophet Zechariah that centers around God’s holy city of Jerusalem. Per an article from therefinersfire.org (see: https://www.therefinersfire.org/recent_prophecy.htm), “Zechariah 8:7-8, the prophet said God would bring the Jews back from the east and the west to their homeland (Israel) and that they would be able to live in the city of Jerusalem again. This prophecy has been fulfilled more than once. About 2600 years ago, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took many Jews as captives to Babylon. But many Jews later returned from Babylon. The Jews rebuilt Jerusalem but the city was destroyed about 1900 years ago by the Romans. The Romans killed more than 1 million Jews and forced many more into exile. The Jews did not have control of Jerusalem again until 1967 when the Jews recaptured the city during the Six Day War.” Below is the referenced prophecy from Zechariah.

“Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; 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.” (Zechariah 8:7-8)

While it is true that Israel now has control over Jerusalem and dwells in the midst of it, I believe the last part of this prophecy that states, “They shall be My people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness” is a future prophecy that will happen after the time of Jacob’s trouble and the remnant of the Jews who survive that time will believe on Jesus as their Messiah, as described below.

There is another prophecy of Jerusalem when the world will be fixated on it, and oh, do we see the turmoil in Jerusalem in our world today. To think of all the cities in the world and yet the world is fixated on Jerusalem. This is not by chance or by coincidence; it is the plan of God unfolding right before our very eyes. I do not know if this will happen before, during, or after the tribulation period, but I do know this: God said it would happen and it will happen, in His perfect timing. The prophecy is:

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness [or “reeling”] to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all the nations of the earth are gathered against it…In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them. It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:2-3, 8-9)

We have these prophecies from long ago that have either been partially or entirely fulfilled, and we also have those prophecies yet to be fulfilled. A prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled but which seems to be in preparation is when “Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2) and his alliance of countries attack Israel on the mountains of Israel. Many believe that “Gog” is from Russia. Per an article from gotquestions.org (see: https://www.gotquestions.org/Russia-end-times.html):

“Magog is a land “in the far north,” from Israel’s point of view (Ezekiel 38:15; 39:2). Most Bible commentators interpret “Magog” as Russia—and, indeed, Russia is straight north of Israel, all the way up to the Arctic Circle. According to this view, “Rosh” is a reference to Russia, “Meshek” is either Moscow or the people north of the Black Sea (the area of southern Russia and Ukraine), and “Tubal,” which is always listed with Meshek in Scripture, is identified as a city in Siberia or an area in central Turkey.

“Others see “Magog” as a general term used in Ezekiel’s day to identify barbarians living near the Black and Caspian Seas. Regardless of the exact locations of Magog, Tubal, and Meshek, there is no doubt that the general area includes portions of Russia and the former Soviet Union, and possibly some Arab countries.”

Per Ezekiel 38:5-6, the countries that align with Gog to invade Israel are:

• Persia, which is the former name of Iran

• Ethiopia, referred to in some Bibles as “Cush”

• Libya, referred to in some Bibles as “Put”

• Gomer, believed to be modern day Turkey

• Togarmah, believed to be the countries of Turk-speaking peoples.

Ezekiel prophesies:

“…and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am coming against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all you army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.” ‘ “ (Ezekiel 38:3-4)

“You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:16)

As Ezekiel prophesied, all of the nations that come against Israel will be utterly destroyed:

“‘And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘that My fury will show in My face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken:

“Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ ”

‘I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Every man’s sword will be against his brother. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’ “ (Ezekiel 38:18-23)

The book of Ezekiel prophesies that Israel will not only be reborn physically but also spiritually, through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, as their prophesied Messiah. While Israel has the blessings of God who brought them back into their own land, they are still living in unbelief with rampant sin against God, just as any nation that rejects Jesus. However, the time is coming when the unbelieving Jews and the rest of the unbelieving world will go through a time of hell on earth that will last for seven years. This period of time is known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. It is also known as Daniel’s 70th-week prophecy (see Daniel 9:27, 12:1-3) and the tribulation period (see Matthew 24:1-28). It is a time when God Himself sends a series of judgments upon a wicked world that Has rejected His Son, giving them time to repent and turn to Him before Jesus returns to earth to righteously judge all peoples and begin His 1,000-year reign on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Jews who survive the tribulation period will finally turn to Jesus as their Savior. Zechariah prophesies of the time when Israel will recognize Jesus as God’s Son, the One sent by God to save all who believe in Him, and they will mourn for Him:

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Zechariah also prophesies of the then-future first coming of Jesus Christ, referred to in the Scripture below as the “Shepherd,” His death, followed by the scattering of the Jews and the still future prophecy of the 7-year time of Jacob’s trouble, when at the end of it one-third of the Jews will survive and will be saved:

“‘Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ says the LORD, ‘that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “This is My people”; and each one will say, “The LORD is my God.” ’ ” (Zechariah 13:7-9)

Ezekiel had also made a similar prophecy which has yet to be fulfilled (bold text added for emphasis):

“Therefore says the Lord GOD: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name - after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 39:25-29)

These are just some of the prophetic Scriptures that I think are absolutely critical to be aware of in the days to come. Every single thing that is happening in our world today is pointing to the time when the world as we know it will collapse. I believe that immediately before the collapse, the rapture of the church will occur, when Jesus calls all believers in Him, both dead and alive, up to Himself in the clouds (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), Then, a strong man - the antichrist - will step onto the scene and shall as Daniel said in Daniel 9:27, “…confirm a covenant [treaty] with many for one week [7 years; the final week of Daniel’s 70-weeks prophecy in Daniel 9].” Antichrist will sign this “peace” covenant with Israel and many nations, and halfway through, he will break the covenant. Once antichrist signs it, the 7-year tribulation period will begin.

Why then do I tell you all of this? Because I believe that we are living in a time like no other and that time is oh, so short for unbelievers to turn to Jesus and be saved before that time that Jesus said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22) All of the prophecies of Jesus’ first coming were fulfilled, and all of His second coming will also be fulfilled, as well all of the prophecies of Israel. I ask you this: if you haven’t turned to Jesus and accepted Him as your Savior, what makes you think you will be courageous enough to turn to Him during the tribulation period when it will most likely cost you your life? The antichrist will demand that all worship Him and if you do not, you will be killed. If read this devotional stirs anything in you, that causes you to consider what is happening in the world today and how it relates to Bible prophecy, I strongly urge you to pray to Jesus to save you from all your sins, before it’s too late and you die in them, forever sealing your fate in hell, apart from Jesus. As Peter said in today’s Scripture verse, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place…” ✝️