Isaiah 11:12 He will raise up a banner for the nations
and gather the exiles of Israel;
He will assemble the scattered people of Judah
from the four quarters of the earth.

I don’t think most people have any awareness of the fact that Jews from all over the world are continuing to move to the nation of Israel. It’s called “making aliyah,” and people arrive regularly. I get a newsletter from the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem that keeps me updated on such things. (Incidentally, it was the “gather” in this verse that caused this passage to come up in my search for things related to “harvest.”) The thing is, the prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled all the time, but very few people are aware of it. It’s rather like how so many of the details of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection were prophesied, but even His disciples didn’t recognize it until after the fact. Events in America have certainly been in a turmoil, but that doesn’t mean God has lost control. In many ways the mask has come off, which is ironic considering all the corona virus business. People are being exposed for who and what they are, and that in itself isn’t a bad thing. Connecting current events to specific Biblical prophecies can be risky, but we need to remember that God is never surprised by anything, much less be at a loss for what to do. The re-creation of the nation of Israel in 1948 was a fulfillment of prophecy that shocked the world. The reason the devil and those controlled by him are so adamantly against Israel is that its very existence is a proclamation of the sovereignty of God. As I brought up a few days ago, God said it and that settles it. That doesn’t mean that we are to let down our guard and not fight for truth and righteousness, but it does mean we never have to be anxious about the final outcome. Things won’t be smooth along the way – Matthew 24:21 and Revelation 7:14 both refer to a time of “great tribulation” – but the final outcome will be glorious.

I have never been much of an “End Times preacher,” but that may change. A lot of what I have heard in that area has tended to stoke panic and distract people from faithful obedience here and now. I certainly don’t want that. However, I do want the believers to recognize that God is very much in control, no matter how much the devil and those controlled by him thrash around. (Revelation 12:12) I have had my own moments of considerable depression over the past few months, so this is something I need to take to heart myself! As I told someone just yesterday, I will be delighted whenever my Lord tells me, “Come on home,” but until then I will live here fully, delighting to serve my Lord however He directs, participating in His plans, His kingdom, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for anointing my lips yesterday, just as I had asked. I pray that Your words through me would sink into the heart of the person who heard them and produce the rich fruit of faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!