Page 57 - Signs of the End

THE SIGNS OF THE END 21

considers itself to be secure in its boundaries. It has established
peaceful relations with its neighbors and has every reason to
believe in its security.

But at just this point the enemies of Israel strike. It is not the
immediate neighbors who attack, but the more distant nations:
Russia with European allies, Persia, Ethiopia and Libya. So, it is
not surprising that peace is breaking out all over the Middle East,
and is part and parcel of the prelude to the fulfillment of the
Ezekiel prophecy, the succeeding Tribulation and the rise of the
Antichrist.

PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH!

Hay-co-nu Le-bi-yot-Ha-ma-shi-yach

There are other developments in Israel that point to the end
time. One is the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. We
were surprised to have a glimpse of this Messianic expectation at
the Western Wall.

We were able to visit the Western Wall several times while
we were in Jerusalem, including the large anti-peace agreement
rally. When one turns around from facing the Wall, he sees
across the large plaza the beginnings of the "Jewish Quarter,"
with its numerous apartment buildings and condominiums.
There, stretched over the side of one of these buildings, we saw
an enormous sign with Hebrew letters in black on a bright
yellow background: "Prepare for the Coming of the Messiah!"

What a remarkable sign, visible from the most sacred place
in the world to the Jewish people! What does it mean? Is it an
evangelical message from believers in Christ, something like the
John 3:16 signs we sometimes see displayed at American football
gam es? Is it the pious hope of orthodox Jews, much like the
longings for the Messiah that were found in Israel in New
Testament times? We asked our local producer-guide, and he
explained the real purpose of the sign.

The Messiah in New York City?

In the comer of the sign, in much smaller letters, is the name
of the organization that placed it there. It is a group of very