Often Christian teachers do apply what appears to be double meanings to certain prophecies. For example, there was the literal Jewish temple and the symbolic temple spoken of by Jesus.  John 2:19-20, (NKJV), “Jesus…said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ Then the Jews said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’”

 

Jesus used the picture of the future destruction of the temple as an illustration of His death and resurrection. John 2:21-22 (KJV), “But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”

 

Additionally, the Church is also called the Temple of God. Ephesians 2:19-21 (NKJV), “Now, therefore, you…saints and members of the household of God, …built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord”. Jesus quoted many prophecies that applied to himself and to the Church.

 

We know there is a fleshly Israel and Spiritual Israel. Galatians 3:29 (NKJV), “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Israel is Abraham’s natural seed. Christian believers are Abraham’s spiritual seed – Spiritual Israel. What happened to fleshly Israel can also have its application to Spiritual Israel. 

 

Part 2

It sounds like the preacher was using Isaiah 41:10 as a political message. Many Christians mistakenly believe that a present day (21st. century) world leader can be the antitypical King Cyrus a “benevolent conqueror” of the Old Testament. Cyrus allowed the Jewish people to return to the land and rebuild the temple. 

 

We disagree with this prophetic interpretation. First, the Jewish people established Israel in 1948, many decades before the present. Second, no country, including the USA, has authority over the policies of modern Israel. For example, Jerusalem has officially been Israel’s capital since 1980. The USA moving its embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem did not change the reality that Jerusalem was already Israel’s capital. 

 

One can argue that policies of world powers have been beneficial or detrimental to the nation of Israel, but a political leader cannot take credit for something that happened decades before the leader took office.

 

Prophecies need to be carefully examined and applied and not made to fit the current situation. 2 Peter 1:19-21, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy…Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 

End Times prophecies continue to interest many. At the center of much controversy is the tiny nation of Israel. Hated by many, Israel faces great obstacles for its very survival. This booklet outlines End Times prophecy and how God will one day fight for Israel as He sets up His earthly kingdom.

Download PDF: "Will Israel Survive the End Times?"