The Language of Love

By Jim Fletcher

Language is one of the greatest gifts God has given man. And language is most beautiful when it is clear. That’s why Hemingway and Steinbeck are two of my favorite writers. I have an aversion to flowery writing; that’s just a personal preference.

So I am reminded of all this whenever I get into a conversation with someone who misses (or refuses to see) the obvious fulfillment of predictive prophecy. And just like Georgia was on Ray Charles’ mind, Israel is always on my mind.

The beautiful country, the nation of destiny. Through the language of the Bible, we see that God has loved Israel with an everlasting love. We find this in Jeremiah 31:3. And just before that, the last sentence of Chapter 30 states:

“The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he has done it, and until he has performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.”

The context of all this is the latter days. Israel will be reborn.

Today, I visited with a friend via email; she lives in an Israeli community near Ariel. Her home is near the ancient dwellings of the Hebrews.

The Jews are back in accordance with the prophecies that place them where they are, in the last days.

Why is this so difficult for preterists and skeptics to grasp? What is difficult about the language?

Earlier in Jeremiah 30, I read one of my favorite verses: 14. It is the chilling declaration that in the last days, all the friends Israel had — such as they were — would be gone, abandoning the Jews.

We see this exact thing happening today. As noted in Israeli media this past week, the Obama administration’s incredibly stupid and shortsighted marginalization of Israel has emboldened the Tinkerbells in Europe, who become brave when everyone else does something; then they follow. If the world’s only superpower (fading) gives the cold shoulder to the Jewish state, so will Europe.

But this plays into the Lord’s hands, because He has most certainly plotted His revenge against those who hunt His people, the Jews.

In Jeremiah 30:16, He declares that all who had sought to devour the Jews would themselves be devoured. Do you have any idea how many terrorists the Israel Defense Forces has pulverized? The IDF sends its sons deep into enemy territory to strike at psychotic enemies.

And if it isn’t IDF Special Forces popping up out of nowhere to surprise a roomful of greasy terrorists, it is the IAF or army doing the job. Believe me, the Arabs fear the Israeli army.

So God’s language on such matters is clear. He said the Jews would come back to their ancestral land, not without opposition, and that He would protect them. My friends, all these things are happening at this very moment.

A preterist critic of Bible prophecy/Israel will attack only on select points on the battlefield: a personality quirk of a prophecy teacher, or an ill-advised prediction made by a prophecy teacher. Things like that.

But if you point out a very simple, straightforward verse — and can back it up with a specific instance of Israel being planted again in the land (think Shiloh built on ancient Shiloh!), well, you’ve at least given the old boy something to think about. Remember, preterist criticism of Bible prophecy personalities has zero to do with real predictive prophecy.

And let’s back up further to reflect on how the language of God’s love in the books of the prophets continues to confirm the supernatural quality of predictive prophecy.

In Jeremiah 24:9, we read:

“And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.”

What do you think the dispersions from the land of Israel in the first and second centuries were all about? The Romans booted the Jews out of the land, and within a fairly short time, they had moved from the countries around the Mediterranean basin to literally fill the earth. There were Jews in Madrid, Japan, Alaska, Australia…

What is this if not the use of heavenly language to communicate truth to people on Earth?

I’ll tell you this: when I see how God has loved His people with an everlasting love, I know that He also loves me. It becomes a personal thing.

God’s promises to the Jews — irrevocable because they were promised during an unconditional covenant (Genesis 15) — are truly the language of love.

One day all the Replacement theologians and preterists and skeptics will find that out.

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