Messianic Perspectives

Guest (Female): On May 14th, 1948, the Jewish National Council proclaimed the birth of the modern state of Israel. Was this unprecedented event foretold by the ancient prophets, or was it merely an accident of history? We'll find out today, right here on Messianic Perspectives.

Liz Aiello: Shalom, and welcome to Messianic Perspectives, a daily program where we look into the scriptures from a distinctively first-century Jewish point of view. This is Liz Aiello. Today, Gary Hedrick is leading our discussion about whether or not the modern state of Israel is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. I'll be back a little later with information about a special offer, so have your pencil and paper ready. And now, with today's installment, here's Gary.

Dr. Gary Hedrick: Welcome, listening friend, to another edition of the program. It's good to have you with us today as we continue our series of studies dealing with the question of whether or not the rebirth of Israel in 1948 was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. And we've said that the issue of whether or not the establishing of the state of Israel in 1948 was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy is really part of the larger issue of whether or not prophetic signs apply to the church age.

Some people say they don't, but do they? Well, we've been finding some interesting things in this remarkable passage in Matthew chapter 24 where Yeshua Hamashiach outlines a series of prophetic trends that will signal the approaching end of the age. We said the first of those prophetic trends is that of widespread, latter-day religious deception. "For many shall come in my name saying, 'I am Christ,' and they shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:5).

Then the second prophetic trend enumerated here in Matthew chapter 24 is that of global warfare. Then the third trend is that of famines. Then number four is plagues or pestilences; those are both found in verse seven. And then trend number five is earthquakes. Look at the end of verse seven; he says, "and there shall be earthquakes in divers places." And we said last time that there's been a noticeable increase in the frequency and intensity of earthquakes in this century.

In this century alone, there have been 24 major earthquake-related disasters. In other words, there have been more in this century alone than in all previous centuries combined. And the Lord told us in Matthew 24 that one of the signs of the approaching end would be a noticeable increase in the frequency and intensity of earthquakes. So there can be little doubt that we're seeing this trend take shape in our generation.

Scientists have pinpointed several geographic areas that are likely to experience severe earthquake activity, that is 6.5 or above on the Richter scale, during the next several years. And on the last program, we discussed Japan, which is the first of these areas that the experts are predicting will experience a major earthquake disaster, and we talked about the repercussions of such an earthquake.

Then the second area where seismologists are forecasting a major earthquake disaster is the United States. Do you know where they're saying these earthquakes will happen? Well, in 1811 and 1812, three earthquakes shook the area around New Madrid, Missouri, reaching 8.6, 8.4, and 8.7 respectively on the Richter scale. The devastation was so great that the Mississippi River changed its course in two places and several lakes were formed.

Scientists are predicting another major earthquake disaster of equal magnitude in the same region. The states most likely to be affected include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The Central Earthquake US Consortium has received a $300,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund the planning of an emergency response plan in anticipation of a major earthquake disaster in that part of the country.

Still another potential US danger zone is along the San Andreas Fault in California. It stretches northwest for about 600 miles from Imperial Valley in Southern California to Point Arena, north of San Francisco on the northern coast. A lot of our friends who hear the program live in this area, and they know what I'm talking about. And again, the reason it's considered a high-risk area is that it's where two tectonic plates, the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate, come together. And when they move against each other, the result is earthquake activity. Residents of this region are bracing for "the big one" that's been predicted to hit the coastal area in California.

Now, sometimes people say, "Well, don't you think the reason there are more earthquakes today is because we're better at detecting them and recording them than they were in ancient times?" And there's no question about the fact that there were probably many, many earthquakes in ancient times that went undetected or just unnoticed. That's true. But even taking that into consideration, there is still little doubt that earthquake activity is more widespread and more intense and more frequent today than at any other time in history.

We obtained a computer printout of the listing of worldwide earthquakes from a two-day period, courtesy of the United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior. Data for each earthquake includes the date, its rating on the Richter scale, and where it happened. This was just over a period of two days, 48 hours, and here's the list from the US Geological Survey: December 2nd, 4.8, Taiwan. December 2nd, 5.0 on the Richter scale, Romania. December 2nd, 4.1, Iran. December 2nd, 5.0, New Britain region. December 2nd, 4.8, Tonga Islands. December 2nd, 4.4, Kuril Islands.

December 2nd, 5.1, Peru and Bolivia. December 2nd, 4.9, Flores Island. December 3rd, 4.7, Honshu, Japan. December 3rd, 5.9, Fiji Islands. December 3rd, 4.3, Volcano Islands. December 3rd, 4.5, Nicobar Islands. December 3rd, 4.9, Sunda Strait. December 3rd, 4.8, Papua New Guinea. December 3rd, 4.8, Baja California. And December 3rd, 4.5 on the Richter scale, Kuril Islands.

That's 16 earthquakes registering four or more on the Richter scale during one 48-hour period just picked at random. In the 1980s, an average of more than 2,000 people per year perished in earthquake-related disasters around the world. Routinely, 60 or more earthquakes registering 6.5 or above are reported each year, and the number is continually increasing.

So those are five basic prophetic trends outlined by our Lord here in Matthew chapter 24, and each of those five indicators are things that we see converging in our generation. And they are increasing in frequency and intensity in our generation. They are signs of the approaching end of this age. Now let me show you something that points out the uncanny accuracy and the consistency of the New Testament.

You know, in our work among Jewish people, we find that many of them have been told that the New Testament is full of all kinds of errors and contradictions. And the tragic thing is that most of these Jewish people who are so absolutely sure that the New Testament is full of mistakes have never actually read the New Testament for themselves. In fact, the vast majority of them don't even own a New Testament. Some of them have never even seen one.

But let me show you how amazingly consistent the New Testament is. For the past few days, we've been going over these five prophetic indicators given in Matthew 24. Now let's compare Matthew's prophecy in the book of Matthew with John's prophecy in the book of Revelation. Let's look at how the prophetic indicators of Matthew 24 correspond to the prophetic seals of the book of Revelation. Watch this: Matthew 24:5 says the first prophetic indicator is the coming of false Christs. In Revelation 6:1-2, the first seal is Antichrist.

Matthew 24:6 says the second prophetic indicator is wars and rumors of wars. And in Revelation chapter 6:3-4, the second seal is warfare. Matthew 24:7 says the third indicator is famine. And in Revelation chapter 6:5-6, the third seal is famine. Matthew 24:7 says the fourth indicator is deadly pestilences. And in Revelation chapter 6:5-6, the fourth and fifth seals both have to do with death. One is death and the other is martyrdom. Then Matthew 24:7 says the final indicator is earthquakes. And in Revelation chapter 6:12-14, the sixth seal is an earthquake.

The same five prophetic indicators are found in almost exactly the same sequence. Perfect agreement. Two documents written almost half a century apart by two different disciples, and they both agree down to the smallest detail. Jewish friend, let me encourage you to read the New Testament for yourself. Let me challenge you to do it. If you don't have one, we'll be happy to send you one free of charge if you're Jewish, completely confidential. No one will visit you or call on you unless you ask for them to. We have New Testaments in Hebrew, in Yiddish, in just about any language you can imagine. So just call us or write to us and we'll send you one without cost or obligation if you're Jewish. Well, that's all of our time for today. Take care. Bye-bye.

Liz Aiello: Thank you, Gary, and thank you, listening friend, for tuning in today. You know, with everything that's been happening recently in the Middle East, it's vital that Christians understand what the Bible says about this important piece of real estate. Has God given up on his people Israel like the replacement theologians would have us believe? Is God finished with the Jewish people as some people claim? Absolutely not.

In fact, nearly 2,000 years after the destruction of the Temple, God is now beginning to deal with his people Israel in a very specific way. All the information you need on this timely subject is right here on one convenient CD. It's available for a gift of just $6 or more to the ministry of Messianic Perspectives. Just ask for series number GT12. The title is simply "The Rebirth of Israel in 1948: Was it a Fulfillment of Prophecy?"

Just visit our secure online store at MessianicSpecialties.com to place your order. If you would prefer to order by mail, just address your request to Messianic Perspectives, P.O. Box 345, San Antonio, Texas, 78292. To order by phone, use our toll-free order line. The number is 1-800-926-5397.

Let me remind you that when you order the materials we offer here on the program, you're not only enabling us to remain here on your station, but you're also helping us take the good news of Yeshua Hamashiach to Jewish people and Gentiles all over the world. Even if you're one of our regular listeners, you still may not know that we're much more than just a radio program.

Messianic Perspectives is sponsored by CJF Ministries, one of the largest missionary organizations in the world. We currently have missionary families serving the Lord all over the world, including the United States, Canada, South America, England, France, and of course, Israel.

So when you write, consider helping us with a gift above the suggested amount. We'd be very grateful. And as always, when you're in touch with us, please mention the call letters of this station. If you're listening to our webcast or podcast, we need to know that too. This is Liz Aiello. Join us next time, won't you, as Dr. Gary Hedrick continues our series on "The Rebirth of Israel in 1948: Was it a Fulfillment of Prophecy?" right here on Messianic Perspectives.