Antisemitism

Antisemitism is another trend we can expect to see in the time leading up to the return of the Lord. A friend pointed out to me that Pastor Mark Blitz in his latest newsletter believes God raised up a volcano to shut down tourism in the U.K because the British government is attacking tourism in Israel. The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) criticized Israel for including pictures of the Western Wall in a tourism advertisement, claiming that the holy site is technically not located within the country's borders.

Now I know a lot of skeptics will simply say this is a coincidence; but I don't believe there are coincidences with an Almighty God who is in control of His creation. Despite immediate repercussions for "touching the apple of God's eye" (Zechariah 2:8), antisemitism will increase as we get closer to the Lord's return because all nations will seek the demise of Israel... "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 nations of the earth are gathered against it" (Zechariah 12:3, NKJ).

Israel is being backed into a corner by the world and so it is just a matter of time before they will be forced to respond decisively. It amazes me that most people don't see this trend or are just content to put their head in the sand denying what is happening so that they can go about pursuing their own personal agenda that excludes any recognition of God. Of course the Bible tells us why there is such spiritual blindness in 1 Corinthians 2:14.

I get the sense that we are on the cusp of some dramatic changes among the nations of the world. Habakkuk 1:5 says, "Look among the nations and watch-- be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you." God is allowing the evil of antisemitism to grow so that Israel will be forced to take action. The chain of events this triggers will plunge this world into the Tribulation.

I don't look forward to the Tribulation, but I do look forward to the Rapture that has to precede it. Let the grand adventure begin!