If events since 1989 are indeed the direct fulfilment of the Bible-Prophecy of which Isaiah 43:5-6 was part, then what relevance did details in the prophecy have such as:
Babylon, chariots and horsemen, Israel's reticence to offer animal sacrifices, the sanctuary, and Cyrus (who later decreed the reconstruction of Jerusalem's Temple hundreds of years before Christ)?
The prophecy reads instead like more of a prediction of Israel's regathering from decades of captivity scattered across Babylon's many provinces, rather than a description of 1989 and following.
The prophecy went on to mention that in that historical setting, Israel would be justified "in the Lord" - which was Christ. So if the fulfilment of the prophecy did not begin until 1989, then neither did that part of the prophecy - in which case Jesus was too early in history to be Israel's justifier!
Thus by asserting that the direct fulfilment of the prophecy is a contemporary event rather than a past event, we weaken the Christians' case for Jesus as Messiah.
It also implies that the carrying-out of Moses' ceremonial Law as mentioned in the prophecy must again be required in future.
But understanding it as past, establishes the case for Jesus - and also eliminates the need to look for a reinstitution of animal sacrifices in future.
Seeing it as past explains history. Locates Israel. Puts the focus on Jesus and the New Covenant.
Could it be then that the events of 1989 and following was not the direct fulfilment of the said Bible-prophecy, but was more the result of the character of God - which never changes?
Having already fulfilled Prophecy according to His own heart, God never subsequently revoked it explicitly. Israel still was beloved for the fathers' sakes. Therefore events such as those of 1989 and onwards were always going to be possible - in response to believing-prayer!
The difference being that unlike in the past when God fulfilled the said Prophecy, Moses' ceremonial Law and the sanctuary are NOT required now nor will they be in future. The prophecy required those things in the fulfilment of the prophecy back then - but the focus now, seeing we are now on the other side of the prophecy's fulfilment, on the other side of Israel's regathering from Babylon's provinces, on the other side of Israel resuming Temple worship, on the other side of Messiah's coming to Israel, on the other side of His procuring justification for Israel, on the other side of His introducing the New Covenant - the focus now need involve no carrying-out of Old Covenant style worship but is instead squarely on JESUS - on the Gospel - on seeing individual Jews come to faith in Christ as also the Gentiles. Not on expecting a re-establishment of Old Covenant style worship in the land. And all of that without taking away any of God's goodwill towards the Jews and the land.
Good things are happening not so much to FULFIL the said prophecy - but because the prophecy, having already been FULFILLED was never revoked - therefore God's goodwill hasn't changed.
So the sky is the limit for modern Israelis - but on the basis of faith, and without needing to involve modern Judaism.
Could that be a faithful view of God, the Scripture, Jesus, the New Covenant, Israel and history?
It helps eliminate the misnotion that Christians should be observing a mixture of Judaism with their faith.
Babylon, chariots and horsemen, Israel's reticence to offer animal sacrifices, the sanctuary, and Cyrus (who later decreed the reconstruction of Jerusalem's Temple hundreds of years before Christ)?
The prophecy reads instead like more of a prediction of Israel's regathering from decades of captivity scattered across Babylon's many provinces, rather than a description of 1989 and following.
The prophecy went on to mention that in that historical setting, Israel would be justified "in the Lord" - which was Christ. So if the fulfilment of the prophecy did not begin until 1989, then neither did that part of the prophecy - in which case Jesus was too early in history to be Israel's justifier!
Thus by asserting that the direct fulfilment of the prophecy is a contemporary event rather than a past event, we weaken the Christians' case for Jesus as Messiah.
It also implies that the carrying-out of Moses' ceremonial Law as mentioned in the prophecy must again be required in future.
But understanding it as past, establishes the case for Jesus - and also eliminates the need to look for a reinstitution of animal sacrifices in future.
Seeing it as past explains history. Locates Israel. Puts the focus on Jesus and the New Covenant.
Could it be then that the events of 1989 and following was not the direct fulfilment of the said Bible-prophecy, but was more the result of the character of God - which never changes?
Having already fulfilled Prophecy according to His own heart, God never subsequently revoked it explicitly. Israel still was beloved for the fathers' sakes. Therefore events such as those of 1989 and onwards were always going to be possible - in response to believing-prayer!
The difference being that unlike in the past when God fulfilled the said Prophecy, Moses' ceremonial Law and the sanctuary are NOT required now nor will they be in future. The prophecy required those things in the fulfilment of the prophecy back then - but the focus now, seeing we are now on the other side of the prophecy's fulfilment, on the other side of Israel's regathering from Babylon's provinces, on the other side of Israel resuming Temple worship, on the other side of Messiah's coming to Israel, on the other side of His procuring justification for Israel, on the other side of His introducing the New Covenant - the focus now need involve no carrying-out of Old Covenant style worship but is instead squarely on JESUS - on the Gospel - on seeing individual Jews come to faith in Christ as also the Gentiles. Not on expecting a re-establishment of Old Covenant style worship in the land. And all of that without taking away any of God's goodwill towards the Jews and the land.
Good things are happening not so much to FULFIL the said prophecy - but because the prophecy, having already been FULFILLED was never revoked - therefore God's goodwill hasn't changed.
So the sky is the limit for modern Israelis - but on the basis of faith, and without needing to involve modern Judaism.
Could that be a faithful view of God, the Scripture, Jesus, the New Covenant, Israel and history?
It helps eliminate the misnotion that Christians should be observing a mixture of Judaism with their faith.
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