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Light for the Last Days.
A series of studies in Scripture concerning the character
of the closing days of this age.
#14. The Rebuilding of Palestine.
An approximation to prophecy, though not a fulfillment.
pp. 15 - 19
It is a mistake to look upon the various movements of the nations at the present time
as being equivalent to the budding of the fig tree referred to in Matt. 24: or Luke 21:
One has only to consider the context of the parable to see that this cannot be true.
Matt. 24: 33, 34 speaks of "these things", referring to the tribulation and signs in the
heavens (Matt. 24: 29). The same phrase is used in Luke 21: 31, where the reference
is to the encompassing of Jerusalem with armies, and signs in the heavens. These things
have not yet taken place, and therefore much that is being done in Palestine may yet be
overthrown and destroyed. Nevertheless, there is an undoubted movement in the "valley
of dry bones". There are certainly approximations to prophecy, even if the fulfillment is
yet future. No one can consider the rapid developments in the land of Palestine that are at
present taking place, without realizing how they confirm the fact that all the prophecies
of Israel's restoration shall be literally fulfilled.
Among the many evidences of an awakening of national consciousness is the new
Palestine coinage. The name "Palestine" occurs on the coins in three languages, English,
Hebrew and Arabic. The most significant feature, however, is not always noticed, even
by those who have handled the coins. After the Hebrew word for Palestine come two
letters in brackets, Aleph and Yod. These two letters stand for "Eretz Israel", meaning
"The Land of Israel". The same abbreviation occurs on the postage stamps and all
official documents, and its use is sanctioned by the British Government.
---Illustration---
(BE-XXVIII.16).
Another noticeable change is the revival, after many centuries, of the Hebrew
language as a living tongue. Until recently Hebrew was known only to the scholar, the
spoken language being Yiddish. A number of years ago a well-known Jewish leader,
E. Ben Yehuda, initiated a movement to make Hebrew the language of the people in
Palestine, and to-day the ancient language of the O.T. is the national language of the Jew
from one end of the land to the other. Books and papers in Hebrew are now issued and
circulated in Palestine, just as English books and papers are here.