According to the this Jerusalem Post article, thanks to the growing trend of countries wanting to move their embassies in Israel out of Tel Aviv and into Jerusalem, the building of an entire new quarter is being planned within Jerusalem to house the employees of those embassies.
So far, the U.S. embassy in Israel is planning to move to Jerusalem in May. And afterwards, so is the Czech, Romanian and Honduran embassy. That’s a total of four, embassies, so far, with more expected to follow suit soon.
According to Israeli Construction Minister Yoav Gallant, “There is an apparent pattern of embassies moving to Jerusalem, and we have to start getting ready now. We might have to build dozens of embassies, and we would need new land ready for that purpose. I asked my ministry to vigorously take action as fast as possible.”
Dozens of Embassies, or Only Ten?
I suppose the move of dozens of embassies to Jerusalem would indeed be possible. After all, there are some 86 foreign embassies in Israel, most of them located in Israel’s former political capital, Tel Aviv. But my suspicion is that there will ultimately be only ten of them moving to Jerusalem, in fulfillment of the Scripture in the great book of Zechariah:
Zec 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Regardless of whether or not the above verse refers to the current trend of foreign embassies moving from Israel’s capital city, Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem, it does refer to global political power becoming centralized in Israel, specifically at Jerusalem.
This specific prophesy is not something we’ve yet to see come to pass. But it might be beginning to come to pass in the new trend of foreign embassies in Israel moving from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Only time will tell.
The 10 Kings of Revelation?
Many Bible students believe Zechariah 8:23 above refers solely to the “ten kings” of Revelation 17:12, of which the Scripture tells us “have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.”
In other words, it’s the ten kings ruling over the one-world “beast” system under Satan’s command when he arrives as the false Messiah, which Christians today know as the antichrist.
Those ten kings are supernatural beings – fallen angels of the highest order – whom Satan will bring with him when he arrives. They ruled with him in the first age (i.e., for documentation compare Rev. 12:3, Rev. 13:1 and Rev. 17:2). And they’ll rule with him again when he arrives to this earth to pull off his great deception as the “Messiah of God.”
But carefully note the difference between Zechariah 8:23 above and Revelation 17:2. In Zechariah 8:23 above, the ten men “take hold…of the skirt of him that is a Jew” out of “all languages of the nations.”
In other words, these particular ten men are not necessarily supernatural, but instead appear to be human political leaders. Each one of the ten men speaks the language of their own nation.
So it’s quite exciting indeed to think we might be watching more Bible prophesy being fulfilled right before our eyes in this growing move of multiple national embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Named After Donald Trump?
According to the Jerusalem Post article, “Gallant suggested a couple possible names for the area where the embassies would be located. He initially called it ‘Embassy Town,’ but then said he may decide to instead call it ‘Trump Town,’ after US President Donald Trump, who initiated next month’s move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem.”
While that makes me wonder if Mr. Gallant was having a little bit of fun with the journalist interviewing him, the Israeli love affair with Donald Trump is nevertheless clearly growing. As an example, in December Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz announced that he would name the train station that will be built in the future near the Western Wall after US President Trump.
These news stories come on the heels of another recent news story in which a famous Israeli rabbi claimed that President Trump, being a builder by trade (i.e., Trump Tower, etc.), is “destined to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple before the coming of Messiah.”
While I don’t believe that particular building project will ever take place (see my commentary at the above link if you’d like to know why), it’s nevertheless exciting to see so much global focus on Jerusalem.
Regarding the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem scheduled for later in May, Jerusalem City Council member Fleur Hassan-Nahoum had this to say:
“I am thrilled that the US Embassy move has been the catalyst to other countries to finally recognize the reality that Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Israel.”
I’ll bet he’s thrilled indeed. After all, it’s been since December 1949 that Israel moved their capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But that controversial move has not been recognized by the nations of this world until now, because the Palestinians consider East Jerusalem to be their “universal capital.”
President Trump has clearly been the prime force behind this growing global recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
As serious Bible students know, Jerusalem is the barometer of the end times. That’s where we’re to watch for prophesy to unfold in the final days of this flesh earth age. That’s where the deadly wound of the book of Revelation will take place when the surrounding Islamic nations attack. And that’s where the antichrist himself will arrive and form his seat of government.
So keep your eyes open and your powder dry, as the old saying goes. Things are getting very interesting, indeed.
Regards in Christ,
Steve Barwick
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