From the Desk of Jeff King

Marvelous in My eyes

One day, peace will come to the Middle East. But it won't be won by the Bush administration, European Union, Hollywood elite or United Nations. It will come when Messiah Yeshua descends from heaven, sets foot on the Mount of Olives – splitting it in two – and strikes the nations that wage war against Israel. Tyranny and terrorism will cease as the Lord rules from Zion with an iron rod. Living waters will flow from Jerusalem to the eastern and western seas, refreshing the land and its inhabitants.

Old Testament prophecy paints a glorious picture of a restored and flourishing city during the millennial reign of Messiah. Zechariah 8:4-6 describes this time period:

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.' Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, will it also be marvelous in My eyes?' "

Those who view God as uncaring and uninterested in the affairs of men should consider this passage. He looks upon us with the love and affection of a doting father, which He is. What parent isn't warmed by the sounds of children at play? Who can resist their sweet, innocent laughter? Today cries of anguish and pain echo through the streets of Jerusalem. Jewish men, women and children are targeted for assassination in their own capital. Politicians will toil in the coming months to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it will be futile. The violence will only escalate. Some believe the road map to peace is a ruse, that globalist leaders are conspiring to destroy Israel. In the end, only the Prince of Peace will bring true deliverance. The Lord says in Revelation 22:20 that He is coming quickly. Even so, come, Adonai Yeshua!

Addendum – Bible scholar David Baron (1855-1926) points out in his book Zechariah: A Commentary on His Visions and Prophecies that the name Lord of hosts is repeated 11 times in the first 17 verses of chapter 8, which includes the passage above. "The object and reason for it," he writes, "is to strengthen our faith, and to assure us at the very outset that, however incredible from a natural or human point of view the fulfillment of these things may be, they will most certainly come to pass, because the Name of the infinite, eternal, and faithful Jehovah, with Whom nothing is too hard or impossible, stands pledged to their accomplishment." Born in Russia, Baron was raised in a devout Jewish family and studied Hebrew in rabbinical school. After completing his own study of the Scriptures, he converted to Christianity and devoted himself to a twofold ministry: explaining Christianity to the Jews and explaining the Jews to Christianity.