{"product_id":"israel-in-bible-prophecy","title":"Israel in Bible Prophecy","description":"\u003cp class=\"FirstParagraph\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: #0070c0;\"\u003eIsrael in Bible Prophecy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eDuring Operation Desert Storm, America and her allies defeated Saddam Hussein\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e by using\u003c\/span\u003e the brilliant strategy of diversion. The allies built up their forces just east of Iraq in the Persian Gulf. Saddam assumed an assault was coming from the east. But then the allies attacked from the west. The allies defeated Saddam by \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003efooling him into looking in the wrong direction.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eCould a similar tactic be misleading millions today?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThe nation of Israel may seem tiny in the midst of many Arab neighbors. But for countless Christians, it looms large. They believe Israel will be the center of action when biblical prophecies are fulfilled. Prophecy-minded pastors contend, “If you want to know where big events will happen before Jesus returns, fix your eyes on Jerusalem and the Jews!”\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eNumberless books, online videos, websites, conference speakers, \u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eseminary professors, \u003c\/span\u003eand radio\/television programs express similar views. Apparently, the ancient Jewish temple will be rebuilt. A mysterious evil person called Antichrist will then defile it. Finally, enraged nations under Antichrist's sway will engage in a bloody, Middle East battle. This battle, called Armageddon, will be against Jerusalem and the Jewish State.\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eDoes the Bible really teach this?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: #0070c0;\"\u003eAbraham's Descendants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eLet's begin to unravel this mystery. First, the Old Testament Scriptures refer to \"Israel\" as \"the seed of Abraham\" (\u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eIsaiah 41:8\u003c\/span\u003e, KJV). Israelites were Abraham's descendants. God also made numerous promises to Abraham's seed that remain valid today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eYet in the New Testament, a stunning and inspired twist occurs. \"Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made,\" Paul wrote to the Galatians (\u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003e3:16\u003c\/span\u003e). Then, Paul emphasizes the singular word \u003ci\u003eSeed\u003c\/i\u003e. He writes, \"He does not say 'And to seeds,\" as of many, but as of one, \"And to your Seed.\" In other words, \"the Seed of Abraham\" is not\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e Abraham's many physical\u003c\/span\u003e descendants. Instead, \"the Seed\" is one Primary Descendant--the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul finishes his sentence this way: \"one..., \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003ewho is Christ\u003c\/i\u003e.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eAccording to Paul, \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eGod's promises to Israel apply primarily to Jesus\u003c\/i\u003e. Then at the end of Galatians 3, Paul adds another unexpected twist:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; margin: 0in 0in 0in .3in;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003eAnd if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: red;\"\u003eGalatians 3:28-29\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eNow, anyone who belongs to Jesus Christ is \"Abraham's seed.\" And that makes them an \"heir\" to the Old Testament promises God made to Israel!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: #0070c0;\"\u003eThe Book of Revelation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThe Biblical book of Revelation is the greatest work on prophecy ever written. John, an elderly Jewish disciple of Jesus, wrote it. As one might expect, John wrote about Jerusalem throughout that book. He also included the holy temple, temple activities, and an end-time battle called Armageddon. But like Paul, John also inserted several unexpected twists. He \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003ealways\u003c\/i\u003e focused on the heavenly Jerusalem, not the war-torn city on earth. He described a heavenly temple, not a rebuilt one on earth. Armageddon would be a global battle, not a Middle-East-centered conflict.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eSee for yourself:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; margin: 0in 0in 0in .3in;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThen I, John, saw the holy city, \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003eNew Jerusalem\u003c\/b\u003e, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 21:2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; margin: 0in 0in 0in .3in;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThen \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003ethe temple of God was opened in heaven\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003ethe ark\u003c\/b\u003e of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e(\u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 11:19\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eNotice that the \"ark\" is inside the heavenly temple. In the Old Testament, the ark was a golden box that housed the Ten Commandments (see \u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eDeuteronomy 10:4-5\u003c\/span\u003e). \u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003eSignificantly,\u003c\/span\u003e after the ark is seen in the heavenly temple, a group of \"saints\" is pinpointed\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \"who\u003c\/span\u003e keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus\" (\u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 14:12\u003c\/span\u003e).\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eIn other words, the focus of Revelation is the New Jerusalem, a heavenly temple, a heavenly ark, the Ten Commandments, and a final group of saints who keep God's law by His grace. See \u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 12:17; 14:12; chapters 14-16\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: #0070c0;\"\u003eArmageddon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThe word \u003ci\u003eArmageddon\u003c\/i\u003e appears only once in the Bible--in \u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 16:16\u003c\/span\u003e. But when we examine its context, there is no mention of Israel, Jerusalem, or Jews. Instead, the context reveals a heavenly temple. It shows a global, cataclysmic showdown between God and \"Babylon.\"  In \u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 16:14-16\u003c\/span\u003e, John describes how earth's leaders gather together at Armageddon. Notice what immediately follows:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; margin: 0in 0in 0in .3in;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; margin: 0in 0in 0in .3in;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eThen the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003ethe temple of heaven\u003c\/b\u003e, from the throne, saying, \"It is done!\" And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003ethe cities of the nations fell\u003c\/b\u003e. And \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003egreat Babylon\u003c\/b\u003e was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003eThen every island fled away, and the mountains were not found\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 16:17-20\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eBabylon (see also \u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 14:8; 17:5; 18:2-4; 18:23\u003c\/span\u003e) represents various religious organizations. These groups, led by Satan, are now deceiving humanity. On God's side are His saints. These saints are Abraham's spiritual descendants composed of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ. They \"keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus\"(\u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eRevelation 14:12\u003c\/span\u003e). In these end times, Jesus is acting as our great High Priest in His heavenly temple. He is seeking to prepare His people for Armageddon and for His soon return (see \u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eHebrews 8:1-2; Revelation 11:19; 12:17; 14:12; 15:5; 16:1; 16:15-17\u003c\/span\u003e). \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eThis is the true focus of Bible prophecy and the book of Revelation.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: #0070c0;\"\u003eLook to Jesus \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eIn these last days, Satan is using the same strategy that tricked Saddam Hussein. As Biblical signs thicken around us, people everywhere are seeking information about the end times. Satan is deceiving millions by focusing their attention on the Middle East, Jerusalem, and the Jews. In so doing, he is diverting inquiring minds from the New Jerusalem (our heavenly home). He's distracting them from our great High Priest who ministers His blood for us in His heavenly temple. He's redirecting them from the importance of obeying the Ten Commandments in preparation for Christ's soon return. Babylon, which means confusion, is Satan's agency spearheading this diversion.\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eAs planet Earth rushes toward Armageddon, our focus should be \"looking to Jesus\" (\u003cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003eHebrews 12:2\u003c\/span\u003e), not the Jews. Jesus is in His heavenly temple. He loves us. His blood dripped from His battered body for each of us when He died \u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003efor our sins \u003c\/span\u003eon the cross. Now, in His heavenly temple, He offers us full forgiveness of our sins. He extends His purifying grace to enable us to keep the Ten Commandments now nestled inside the heavenly ark.\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eDon't let Lucifer divert you from your loving Savior and from God's truth. Choose Jesus today! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e---\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 125%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"\u003eFor resources and more information on this topic, visit glowonline.org\/israel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;\"\u003eUnless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;\"\u003eScriptures marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Giving Light to Our World","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47297835008183,"sku":null,"price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0631\/6553\/0295\/files\/Israel-Cover-web.jpg?v=1775149360","url":"https:\/\/glowcentral.org\/products\/israel-in-bible-prophecy","provider":"Giving Light to Our World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}