PITP #04

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph... Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens... And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. (Exodus 1:7–22)

A weekly Torah portion read in Exodus becomes a prophetic mirror of a new ruler, Israel's cry, and the deliverer who comes with plagues before deliverance.

Profiting in the Prophets, Even in Exodus

Tonight we continue our Wednesday study, Profiting in the Prophets. When we mention the prophets, our minds usually go straight to the major and minor prophets. But the Psalms, the Proverbs, even the Song of Solomon carry a prophetic word for God's people. We're going to look at a passage you may not associate with prophecy, but I believe the Lord has a word for us in it.

Those who understand Judaism know that Jews worship not on Sunday but on the Sabbath. In synagogue they read portions of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, working through the year. This coming Sabbath, the Torah portion is Exodus chapters one through five. Many Jews and rabbis believe these weekly readings tie into what is happening in the world—they have a historical and a prophetic tie-in. And as you read Exodus 1–5, it has some very interesting parallels to our day.

From Genesis to Egypt

Genesis shows God creating man, mankind turning against Him, then God calling Noah and his family through the flood. From Noah the nations are rebuilt, and again they depart from the Lord. So God calls a single man, Abraham, in Genesis 12, to be His people set apart. Through Abraham came Isaac, through Isaac came Jacob—renamed Israel—and Jacob's twelve sons became the twelve tribes.

By the end of Genesis the family ends up in Egypt, where they remain over 400 years. At first one of them, Joseph, had done awesome things to save Egypt through a great famine. But four hundred years later, at the beginning of Exodus, there is new leadership in that foreign land—a new king who does not know Joseph and does not look upon Israel with favor.

A New Leader Who Does Not Know Joseph

This is the beginning of the very portion that will be read in synagogues this weekend: Israel in a foreign land under a new leader who has a different view of them. And isn't it interesting that in less than a week our own nation, this foreign land, will see a new leader come into power? Next Tuesday is the inauguration of the 44th president, Barack Hussein Obama. From much of what he has said, it is clear he does not hold the same favorable position toward Israel and the Jewish people that the current administration does. As you read this Torah portion for the very time we're in, it lines up remarkably with what's going on in the world—just as Jewish rabbis have observed for centuries.

Unrighteous Decrees and Heavy Burdens

Several things stand out. First, a new king comes to power over Israel in a foreign land. Second, this leader brings unrighteous decrees and heavy burdens. His unrighteous decree was to command the midwives to kill every male child being born—infanticide, abortion as the baby is delivered. But the midwives feared the Lord and refused. When Pharaoh saw Israel still multiplying mightily, he became more enraged and decreed to his entire nation that every son should be cast into the river.

It may not be politically correct to point out that our incoming president holds a different view than the outgoing one on abortion. In July of last year, speaking before Planned Parenthood leaders, he said one of the first things he plans to do in his first hundred days is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That act would override nearly all the recent pro-life laws. Notice, too, how the language has been turned: those of us who believe abortion is against the law of God are now called "anti-choice," while those for abortion are "pro-choice."

The Catholic Church has said that if the Freedom of Choice Act becomes law, it will force every hospital in our nation to provide abortion on demand. The Catholic Church runs about 30% of our hospitals, and because it's against their doctrine they may have to close their doors. There are those in the Christian community who, like the midwives, will say, "We will not do what you ask." My own wife is a nurse, and during nursing school she learned that nurses can presently step away from abortion on religious grounds. The Freedom of Choice Act would remove that protection. The procedure hasn't yet gone through the standard legislative protocol, but many expect it to reach the president's desk in February or March, and he has already said he will sign it.

The Children of Israel Cry Out

Just as Pharaoh laid heavy burdens of brick and mortar on Israel, placing taskmasters over them and even removing the straw, I believe we will see more and more distancing from Israel, the land, and the Jewish people in our nation. With this new administration, that is something you'll see, just as we see in this passage.

But as those decrees and burdens fell, for the first time the children of Israel began to cry out to God—and that is always a good thing. Until that new leader arose, Israel had it pretty good in Egypt. They multiplied and prospered, with little reason to call out to the Lord. Have you noticed that the Jewish people have had it pretty good in America?

Six Million Jews in America

Read 1,900 years of history since Israel was scattered—the diaspora—and you find that in nearly every nation the Jewish people were persecuted, killed, and driven out: the pogroms of Russia, the Inquisition in Spain. But many of America's founding fathers held a favorable view of the Jewish people; some believed this land was a new Jerusalem, a refuge for them. As a result, there are about six million Jews in the United States today—the largest population outside of Israel, which has roughly six million as well. The next closest is Russia, with about a million, though for fifteen years there has been a huge exodus from Russia back to the land. One ministry we've been connected with, For Zion's Sake, helps refugees returning from Russia to Israel.

For some reason, most Jews in America have found it good to stay. Their names are attached to some of the biggest financial institutions, and Jewish families and groups largely run Hollywood. But recently many of those financial institutions have had trouble, and there is a beginning resurgence of Jews leaving America to return to Israel, where they are called home and given favor by the government. I believe in the coming years you will see an exodus, just as in this book, of the children of Israel leaving our nation for their homeland. The economy is part of that trickle, but I believe the bigger cause is a shift in how the people of Israel are viewed here—a shift that is already beginning and will gain momentum under a new administration that does not remember Joseph.

The Gaza Strip and a Shifting Alliance

We see this even in the war that started in Israel nineteen days ago. In August of 2006, on the 9th of Av, Israel was told to leave the Gaza Strip—land for peace. They gave up the land expecting peace, yet since then thousands of rockets have been fired from Gaza and from southern Lebanon into Israel. You may remember the 2006 war when thousands of Katyusha rockets struck the Golan Heights and Israel fought back, leading to a ceasefire and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

Since then, countless rockets have come from Gaza. On December 27th, a Saturday, Israel began airstrikes into Gaza, and a week later, again on the Sabbath, sent in ground troops to stop the barrage. Europe keeps telling Israel to "practice restraint" every time it defends itself. Even this week President Bush said Israel has the right to defend itself and that we support them. But I guarantee that in about six days, that support is going to change. A new king is coming to power, with unrighteous decrees as we see regarding abortion, and with heavy burdens upon Israel, telling them they may not defend themselves as they have.

The Deliverer Comes With Plagues

As their only ally pulls away, Israel will have just one place to turn—and that is a good thing. Even if America withdraws its support, for Israel and for the coming of the Lord it will ultimately be good, because they will be driven to call upon God. We are their closest and biggest ally. Look at the map: Israel is tiny, drivable from north to south in a day, with about six million Jews surrounded by roughly a billion neighbors who do not hold the principle "love your neighbor as yourself"—that is not in the Koran. Every time Israel gives up land, it receives no peace, because many of those enemies do not merely want territory; they want Israel pushed into the sea.

One of the loudest voices is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of Iran, who for years has spoken at conferences titled "A World Without Israel" and "A World Without America." He is intent on bringing war to the West and destroying Israel because he believes that by doing so he will usher in the Mahdi, the Messiah of Islam. Columbia University opened its doors to him to speak, even though it has barred ROTC since the 1960s.

So a new ruler comes to power who does not favor Israel; he brings unrighteous decrees and heavy burdens; Israel's strongest earthly ally withdraws; and the children of Israel cry out to God. And God answered the cry of His people by sending Moses—a type of the Messiah. Remember Deuteronomy 18:15: "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken." Moses was prophesying of Jesus. God still has a plan and purpose for the children of Israel, as Paul tells us in Romans 9 and 11, and He is waiting for them to call out to Him.

But when the deliverer came, what did he bring first, before delivering them out of Egypt? Plagues—ten plagues poured out on Egypt, which is a type of the world, with Pharaoh as the leader of the world. I'm not saying Obama will be the leader of the world, but notice that when he was elected on November 4th, hundreds of nations celebrated. In Kenya, where he has family, they called him not just president of the United States but "president of the world," and Barack is now the most common name given to children there. In Berlin he called himself a citizen not just of the United States but of the world. When the Lord moves, He comes first with plagues upon the world—read Revelation, where the tribulation is described as plagues, and where God warns that those who add to or take away from the prophecy will have the plagues of the book added to them. Does anyone see the correlation to our days?

Blessing and Cursing: Genesis 12

This has implications for our nation. In Genesis 12 God calls Abraham:

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country... and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1–3)

I don't believe it is the only reason, but it is a reason our nation has seen great blessing in its 232-year existence: we have looked favorably upon and blessed Israel. And in the same way, if we turn against and curse God's chosen people, God says, "I will curse you." No one likes the sound of that, and it would be politically incorrect to say. But several books written in recent years show that every time our nation issued a policy against Israel, calamity followed shortly after. When we pushed the land-for-peace deal and called Israel out of Gaza in 2006, that same week brought Katrina—just one item on a long list.

Why did God choose Israel? Not because they were perfect—today they are largely secular, and per capita Israel has been called the nation with the most atheists. Deuteronomy 7 answers it: He chose them not because they were great or many, but because He loved them and because of the promise to Abraham. He still looks favorably on the children of Abraham, even in their departure, because a great number of them—children of Abraham by blood, not only by faith—will turn back to Him, as Revelation foretells. But that will come when the rest of the world turns completely against them.

Ezekiel 38, Russia, and the Nations

When you read the prophetic passages of Scripture, you do not clearly see the United States. I don't fully know what that means or how it comes about, but in Ezekiel 38–39 a great war is described in which many nations gather against Israel and no one stands with her—yet the Lord defends His people.

The list in Ezekiel 38, the account of Gog and Magog, is striking. Among the nations is Persia, which until 1913 bore that name and is now Iran. Many scholars connect Gog and Magog with Russia through the Scythian people. In our day Russia is making treaties and arms deals with Iran—really for the first time in 2,500 years since Ezekiel spoke. The nations listed are predominantly radical Islamic nations, and radical Islam has returned to the forefront.

In Russia, too, there are interesting developments. In 1989 the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall fell, and communism seemed dead. Yet now many believe Vladimir Putin may return to power as president this year. Just weeks ago President Medvedev signed a new six-year term limit into law; many expect Medvedev to step down and Putin to return, potentially in power past 2020. This is a former head of the KGB with clear global ambitions.

Scholars long wondered why Babylon, one of Israel's chief enemies, is absent from Ezekiel 38. Tonight we can answer it: Babylon—Iraq—is no longer against Israel, because of the very work our nation has done there. Revelation tells us Babylon becomes a major player again, and Iraq, with its oil and rebuilding money, will likely rise. But in Ezekiel 38, Babylon is not among those who come against Israel; Iran, Russia, and many Islamic nations are.

The Chess Pieces Positioned

As we sit here, Israel is planning strikes on Iran—an article from January 12th declared, "The time clock has run out; Israel is ready to strike Iran," and some believe they may strike before the inauguration. Why strike Gaza if they intend to strike Iran? Because they need Gaza under control first, lest their number one problem flare up behind them. They also face Lebanon and Syria. Just hours ago, another article reported rockets hitting Israel from Lebanon, and Israel sent automated phone calls warning southern Lebanon not to fire.

Israel has said that if struck by its neighbors, its first strike will be at Damascus. Interesting, because Isaiah 17 declares that Damascus will become a ruinous heap. A short study shows Damascus tops the list of longest continuously inhabited cities never completely destroyed—yet God prophesied its ruin. God has given us a great deal of prophecy, and we are watching the chess pieces being positioned for all of it to come to pass.

The Signs of Matthew 24

Turn to Matthew 24, where Jesus speaks of the end of the age:

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? ... ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars... For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:3–8)

Have you heard of wars and rumors of wars? Of famines, of pestilences? Now we call them pandemics. Ask any law enforcement officer or medical professional in our county and they will tell you the government is preparing them for pandemics—bird flu and more. Did you feel that earthquake last week? I was working on my computer in my living room when it came. These things are not the sign, but their pace quickens until the Lord comes.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake... (Matthew 24:9)

We don't see much persecution here yet, but it is happening worldwide and I believe it will come to our nation. Last August our leaders passed a hate-speech law, withheld from President Bush's desk, which President-elect Obama has said he will sign. The "hate speech" such legislation targets is aimed at the church and what we say about sin, especially homosexuality. We'll talk more about its implications another time. Jesus says iniquity will abound and the love of many will wax cold, but "he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." We endure by standing in the Lord, clothed in the armor of God (Ephesians 6).

The Gospel, the Temple, and the Fig Tree

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place... (Matthew 24:14–15)

The Jews of Jesus' day believed the abomination of desolation had already happened in 168 BC, when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple, as Josephus records. But Jesus said that was only a type, a foreshadowing; one is yet to come who will desecrate the temple. You say there is no temple in Israel—you're right, but there will be a third temple. Until May 14, 1948 there was no large Jewish presence in the land; now there is. Until June 6, 1967 there was no major Jewish presence in Jerusalem; now there is. Daniel 9 speaks of seventy weeks determined for Israel, including a seven-times-seven, 49-year period; take 49 years from June 6, 1967 and you arrive at Yom Kippur 2015. Maybe coincidence—but the rabbis say coincidence isn't kosher.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21–22)

He warns that false christs and false prophets will arise with great signs to deceive, "if it were possible, the very elect." But "Behold, I have told you before." God wants us to know what is coming. His coming will be visible as lightning from east to west; the sun darkened, the moon failing, the stars falling, and then the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory to gather His elect.

Then Jesus gives the parable of the fig tree: when its branch is tender and puts forth leaves, summer is near; so when you see all these things, know it is near, even at the doors. In context the fig tree refers to all these signs, but throughout Scripture Israel is often associated with the fig tree. Since Israel became a nation in 1948, many have said "this generation shall not pass," extending the count to 1967 as the generation aged. Israel is in the land, talking of building a temple, while the nations turn against God's people. Just as the prophets foretold, Jerusalem—and most specifically that 40-acre Temple Mount—has become a cup of trembling to the whole world. All eyes are on Jerusalem.

Watch, for You Know Not the Hour

Just as in Exodus 1, a new ruler is coming to power with unrighteous decrees and heavy burdens who does not favor Israel. I believe we will see a new exodus as the six million Jews in America return to their homeland, and as their allies turn against them, they will again call upon the name of the Lord. He will hear from heaven and send His deliverer, who comes with plagues before deliverance. What should our posture be? With Revelation we say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Maranatha. When you begin to see these things, look up, for your redemption draws nigh. I believe the Lord will return in our lifetime. I will set no dates—nor do I know the day—but we are told to take note of the times and seasons and to be watchful.

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be... Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:36–42)

If the master of the house had known when the thief would come, he would have watched. In 1 Thessalonians 5, the Lord comes as a thief in the night—but not for those who are watchful. Paul told the Thessalonians to walk circumspectly, understanding the time, because the days are evil. Church, open your eyes and ears; God is speaking and wants us to know He is on the move. He will come with ten thousands of His saints—that's you, that's me.

We live in a day when much of the body of Christ has grown liberal, no longer believing in the inspired, infallible Word of God. That sleeping, lukewarm, dead church we read of in Revelation will be taken like a thief in the night. Far be it from us that we should not be aware of what is happening.

Closing Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your Word, which is truth. I thank You that You did not want us to be ignorant of these things, but to know what is going on. Lord, help us open our eyes and read Your Word with understanding. Just as You told Daniel that the words of the book would be sealed until knowledge was increased, we live in a day when knowledge doubles every eighteen months, and You have opened this book that we would understand. I pray we would read with understanding as You teach us by Your Spirit, and that we would be watchful and ready. And not only that—that we would preach this gospel of the kingdom, even when people tell us to keep our mouths shut, bold in our proclamation of the truth. Give this church, myself included, boldness to speak the truth wherever we are. For we ask it in Your name. Amen.