"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah (Israel) and Jerusalem. 3) And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut to pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it." .. (Zechariah 12:2-3) .... Many prophecies of old were beyond comprehension in their time, this one being no exception. .. One of the great examples of this is the Prophet Daniel. .. When reviewing his writings, we see how he struggled and even wept over them because he could not even begin to understand them. .. In fact, he was instructed to "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." .. (Daniel 12:9). ... But now all these prophecies are being understood! ... And that translates to what? ... The Time of The End! ... In itself, Israel is the most amazing story of all time, and God's time clock for the final countdown to His Son's glorious return. ... Let's look at just a few examples of this. .. To start, the Jews are the ONLY nation that was, was not, and now is again. .. It is prophesied all over Bible as this being the case. .. Just one example of this is in Isaiah 11:11-12 which says, "It shall come to pass in that day (the time of the end) that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left .... 12) He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." ... You can also look to Ezekiel 36-37 (dry bones) & Luke 21:24 to name just a few. .... We know this final 'regathering' began in the very early 1900s, which then evolved into the birth of the Nation Israel in 1948. ... During that time, and since, they have overcome overwhelming odds in several wars, a classic reminder being the 1967 War in which Israel, being greatly outnumbered, went on to victory in just 6 days! ... It was also the prophesied event in which Israel once again gained control of the capital city of Jerusalem. ... And now, we are seeing Zechariah's prophecy coming true right before our eyes! (see opening verses) ... Israel's international isolation is nearly complete. ... Just a few years ago, no one could have even begun to imagine how this was possible. .. After all, America, the world's only super power, was her #1 supporter. .. But now, America, along with most of her other western allies, are pulling away en masse. .. Look at America! .. In just the past 7 years, she has done a nearly complete '180' from where she was. .. And just in the past several days, Canada has swung completely left of center and is joining the mass exodus of nations who are pulling away from Israel. .. As per usual, I must always share a few recent news headlines that support this isolation 'claim.' ... *October 1 - Abbas calls for end of all treaties with Israel ... *October 4 - Jordan recalls ambassador ... - British MP expresses support for 3rd Intifada ... *October 13 - 'The judgement has come - it's here' - Rabbi Amram Vaknin ... *October 15 - German/Palestinian coalition call for 3rd Intifada ... *October 19 - UN backs Palestinians in Israel violence ... *October 20 - Global alarm over Israel ... - UN Secretary Ban visits, says 'Israel occupation of Palestine is problem ... - World turning against Jerusalem in fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Zech. 12:3) ... - Israel being painted as the 'aggressor' in wave of Islamic terrorism ... - Canada swings left - Israel loses one of its last supporters ... - UN Chief: 'Harsh response by Israel won't bring peace ... - U.S. media making martyr of dead Palestinian who tried to ambush Israeli soldier ... - Jordan plays host to Israel 'Hate Fest' ... *October 23 - Report: U.S. spied on Israel, prepared to destroy Israeli bombers to protect Iran (2012) ... *October 24 - Jew hating and Jew denial: Fighting Palestinian terror & the western media .... That's enough for now, but you can clearly see that the world IS turning away from God's chosen people! OK .. So what does this mean to the fate of mankind? ... Just one place in scripture should be enough for even the worst critics ... Genesis 12:3 says ... "I will bless those who bless you (israel), and I will curse him who curses you ... " ... One of the things I love about God's Word is that it doesn't 'beat around the bush!' ... It simply says that those nations and people who turn on the Jewish people will be 'cursed' .. 'cut to pieces' .. and that includes the good old USA! As I stated in the beginning of this piece, many of the prophecies of old would only be understood in the final 'days of the gentiles - the Church age' ... Well, now we can see them coming true right before our very eyes! ... ... It says in Luke 21:28 .. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." .... Simply, the Bible says clearly that WE ARE in these final days just before the glorious and triumphant return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! ... Hallelujah! Get yourselves ready ... pray for those who are not ... reach out to those who might very well miss the call of the Trumpet ... and Look Up! .. Our Redemption Is Drawing Near! ... Hallelujah! Until next time, Red