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GOD’S CHOSEN NATION
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
Mark 13:28-30

Romans 11:25-27

 

“Now learn a parable

of the fig tree…”

 

GOD’S CHOSEN NATION
 
Although Israel is one of the smallest countries in the world, it commands worldwide attention. Israel is at the heart of the world, being situated at the crossroads of three continents—Europe, Asia, Africa. What happens in Israel affects the whole world.
 
Why is Israel such a prominent nation? The only answer is God! God chose Israel to be a nation of global importance. Deuteronomy 7:6 says, “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” The very fact that Israel still exists, and is now back in the Promised Land despite all the attempts at her extermination throughout the centuries tells us that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the God of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures is truly the living and true God and He is going to fulfil His plan and promises not only to Israel, but also to His Church, and to the whole world. And He is going to do all this in and through the Lord Jesus Christ—the Saviour of the world. The same Jesus who was crucified and resurrected 2000 years ago, will one day return to restore the nation of Israel to greatness (Rom 11:26), to promote His Church (Rev 20:6), and to bring peace to the whole world (Isa 2:4).
 
When will that happen? We cannot know exactly when, but we can know how near it is. One of the signs that tells us how near it is is the sign of the fig tree (Mark 13:28). The fig tree symbolises Israel. The fruitless fig tree which the Lord had cursed (Mark 11:13,14) will one day become fruitful again (Jer 31:33). When you see Israel back in the Promised Land, and growing as a nation, then know that the second coming of Christ is near, “even at the doors” (Mark 13:29).
 
THOUGHT: Read “Israel a Great Nation” in Timothy Tow, The Story of My Bible-Presbyterian Faith (Singapore: Far Eastern Bible College Press, 1999), 25-34. Download freely from www.febc.edu.sg, see under Publications→FEBC Press→Christian Theology.
PRAYER: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Ps 122:6)

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