Do you look at today's headlines and get a little nervous? Do you ever wonder if we are in the last days? What does the Bible say about world events as we approach the second coming of Jesus Christ?
Pastor Ray Bentley, of Maranatha Chapel in San Diego, speaks right to you in his book, "The Holy Land Key: Unlocking End Times Prophecy Through the Lives of God's People in Israel". He is a seasoned man of God, trained up under Pastor Chuck Smith (the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement). He has led his church to love and honor the nation of Israel, and has developed significant personal relationships with those in its leadership, such as the late Ron Nachman (founder and mayor of Ariel) and the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. He lives Genesis 12:3, that those who bless Israel will be blessed. The pastor of my church has similarly close friendships with Israeli leadership, and I had the privilege of hearing Ron Nachman speak at my church. I find everything Bentley represents about these national leaders to resonate with what our experience as a congregation has been through the years.
The Holy Land Key discusses prophecies that have already come to pass, such as the regathering of the Jewish people back into the land in 1948. It also examines prophecies being fulfilled in our current days. Then it takes a look at prophetic signs through the culture of the Jewish people, such as seasons and feasts. Bentley takes an in depth look at the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel's 70 weeks. The book also examines God's pattern of revealing prophecy in layers--first in the natural world, then in the spiritual. All this is done in context of the position of the Jews throughout history. The testimony of how the Ninth of Av has been connected to no less than 12 hugely painful events in Jewish history is compelling--and chilling.
The most interesting portion of this book to me is the upcoming significance of the blood moon "tetrad" in 2014 and 2015. This is an occurrence of a total lunar eclipse (hence the term "blood moon", as the moon appears red) on both the day of Passover and the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, two years in a row. Read about why this is biblically significant, and what kind of things might be upcoming for Israel--and the world--this year and next.
This book is sobering, and yet soothing. To be reminded that we are in the palm of God's hand through such "interesting times" gives me peace, "even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:2).
I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for review purposes.
To learn more about the author, go here.
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