"WHEN GOD POURS OUT HIS SPIRIT ON ISRAEL"
I. THE TIME OF THIS PROPHECY.
A. "When I have brought them again from the people and gathered
them out of their enemies' lands..."
1. Or when Israel becomes a nation again.
2. Ezekiel 37 - valley of dry bones.
a. "Behold I will take the children of Israel
from among the heathen where they have gone,
and will gather them on every side and bring
them into their own land, and I will make
them one nation in the land."
3. This has been done as of May 14, 1948.
B. "And am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations."
1. This is when God destroys Russia's army that is
invading Israel.
a. Ezekiel 38:8, 18-23.
b. Special note on vs. 23 - "sanctify Myself" -
known in the eyes of many nations.
II. THE PROPHECY - "THEN SHALL THEY KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD THEIR GOD."
A. The vast majority of the Jews in Israel are not religious.
1. They blame the holocaust for their atheism.
2. "Where was God when 6 million Jews were killed?"
B. They were proud and cocky after six day war in 1967.
1. They would not acknowledge God's help.
C. The 1973 Yom Kippur war brought a different attitude.
1. Much of the arrogance was gone.
2. Many began to suspect maybe God was helping them.
D. Once God destroys the vast army led by Russia, there will be no
doubters.
III. THE PROMISES. vs. 29
A. God's time clock has been standing still.
1. Daniel 9 - seventy sevens determined on nation Israel
to finish transgression - to make an end of sins - to
make reconciliation for iniquity - to bring in
everlasting righteousness - to seal up the visions and
prophecies - to anoint the most holy.
2. These 70 seven year cycles were to begin with the
commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.
3. After 69 seven year cycles, or 483 years, the Messiah
would come.
4. The Messiah would be cut off and receive nothing for
Himself.
5. Jerusalem would subsequently be destroyed, and the
people dispersed.
6. That part was all fulfilled.
7. We still have one more seven year cycle determined for
the nation of Israel.
a. It will surely begin when God once more puts
His Spirit on the nation.
b. It will culminate with the return of Jesus
Christ in power and glory.
B. Another prophet foretold God's pouring out of His Spirit on
Israel after their re-gathering in the land. (Joel 2.
1. Drive far off from you the northern army - vs. 20.
2. Restoration in the land - vs. 25.
3. Acknowledgment of God - vs. 27.
4. God's Spirit poured out - vs. 28, 29.
5. Followed by events of great tribulation culminating in
the great and awesome day of the Lord's coming
- vs. 30, 31.
C. What does this mean to us, the church?
1. It means we will be gone.
2. The church is the agency through which God's Spirit
works today.
Be the first to react on this!
Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.