“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made,
                  He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of
                  one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” – Galatians 3:16

                  “Also I give to you and your descendants (seeds) after
                   you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land
                   of Canaan as an everlasting possession; and I will be
                   their God.” – Genesis 17:8

Those who see no biblical significance in Israel’s modern day restoration believe that Israel, by virtue of her rejection of Jesus, has forfeited the promises pertaining to Canaan made to her by God in the Abrahamic Covenant. For them all these promises are now fulfilled in the person of Christ and, as proof of their position, they routinely quote Galatians 3:16 and then go on to build a whole theological system that violates the context of this passage and the wider body of scripture.

The truth is:

1. Galatians 3:16 is not in context dealing with God’s promise of the land of Canaan to the Jewish people. It is in fact dealing with the great question of Paul’s day, and indeed of ours, which is, are we saved by attempting to keep the Law or by exercising faith in Jesus’ once for all finished work on the cross? Paul is advocating for the latter.

2. Galatians 3:16 as quoted by Paul is only referring to one aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant and thereby it does not negate the others. So, in this regard it is referring to Genesis 22, where, after Abraham’s obedience to God is confirmed by his willingness to give up his only son Isaac, God promises him that the blessing of salvation will come to the world through one person, “a seed”, and consequently the Law that came 430 years later does not negate this promise (Galatians 3:17). This in no way means that the promises to Israel, “the seeds”, have been removed as some assert and Galatians 3:16 is definitely not advocating for this. Indeed Paul in this very same passage confirms that the Abrahamic Covenant, in all its aspects, cannot be annulled. The writer of the book of Hebrews, writing to Jews, states that it is impossible for God to ever annul the Abrahamic Covenant because God cannot lie and has confirmed it by His oath and character (Hebrews 6:13-18).

3. Galatians 3:16 is therefore no grounds whatsoever to assert that the promises in the Abrahamic Covenant giving Israel everlasting possession of Canaan have been removed. This is no where stated in the text and it is not the context under discussion. This means that Israel’s modern day restoration is evidence of God’s faithfulness to His covenant made with Abraham and has biblical credentials. It is therefore not an accident of history.

4. Galatians 3:16 is indeed a promise, given 4000 years ago, that a Redeemer will come and by His sacrificial work, mirrored in Isaac’s sacrifice or binding, will save those who trust in Him. Salvation is not brought to us by the Law, which came to the world by the “seeds” (people of Israel), but by exercising faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. This is Paul’s point.

5. Galatians 3:16 therefore constitutes a promise that was given in a body of promises that made up the Abrahamic Covenant. None of these promises have failed or will fail because in essence it is one Covenant. If one part fails then all the parts fail. James applies the same principle to the Mosaic Covenant (James 2:10). So, Israel journeyed to the promised land from Egypt, was exiled twice and has returned twice to the promised land because of God’s faithfulness to this Covenant. History is thus a testimony to its efficacy. God has been faithful to the “seeds.” The assertion then that part of the covenant has been annulled is just nonsense.

6. Galatians 3:16 is in every way a prophetic promise that “a seed” or Savior would come into the world to redeem it from sin. This coming Messiah is served by the “seeds” or people of Israel since He arises out of and from them. Jesus acknowledged this when He said that, “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22). Was He by this statement negating His saving work? Definitely not! He was merely asserting the context and world out of which He arose and all because of the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant. This context or “world of His brethren” will shortly, by their present restoration to Jerusalem, provide Him with a platform to again return to the world so as to rule it with a “rod of iron.”

7. Galatians 3:16 does not contradict an amazing body of prophetic literature referring to Israel in the Bible that has yet to be fulfilled. These clearly foresee a time when Israel will be restored to the land of Canaan never to be uprooted or exiled again (Amos 9:13-15). The Jewish people were uprooted in 586 BC and 70 AD and now I believe that they have returned never to be removed from the land again. The Prophet Obadiah speaks of a restoration of the Jews to Canaan whereby, for the first time in history, they will possess al the land promised to them (Obadiah 17). Ezekiel also speaks of a day when Israel will return to the land in unbelief and thereafter be redeemed by the reception of a new heart of flesh and consequently she will live in the land forever (Ezekiel 36:24-28). The Prophet Jeremiah goes a step further by declaring that as long as the luminaries are in place just so long will Israel exist as a nation before God. Notice that the Prophet is not referring to a dispersed people in exile but to the people of Israel regathered in nationhood (Jeremiah 31:35-47). All of these prophetic statements pertaining to Israel’s future are the outflow of God’s promises to the Jewish people embodied in the Abrahamic Covenant. They will not fail and those who assert that Galatians 3:16 negates them are just plain wrong.

All of this brings into focus the following question, ” Was Paul a theological innovator or Bible expositor?” The well known Christological  theologian, James Denney, says that the answer lies in the latter. Paul was no innovator but rather a faithful expounder of biblical truth. He did not change the clear and simple meaning of scripture and certainly did not give himself to innovation when dealing with the Abrahamic Covenant when he penned the words of Galatians 3:16. The Abrahamic Covenant has therefore not been adjusted or abolished in any way and those quoting Galatians 3:16 in order to claim this are not rightly dividing the word of God.

Malcolm Hedding

                                                “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great

                                                 prince who stands watch over the sons of your

                                                 people; and there shall be a time of trouble,

                                                 such as never was since there was a nation,

                                                 even to that time. And at that time your

                                                 people shall be delivered, every one who is

                                                 found written in the book. And many of those

                                                 who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

                                                 some to everlasting life, some to shame and

                                                 everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall

                                                 shine like the brightness of the firmament, and

                                                 those who turn many to righteousness like the

                                                 stars forever and ever.”

                                                                                Daniel 12:1-3

Daniel eleven and twelve are the foundation upon which Jesus built His Olivet Discourse. This is not surprising as it was part of the embodiment of scripture that Jesus knew and hence He quoted from it.  Like Ezekiel’s prophetic vision concerning Gog of Magog and his evil allies, Daniel also envisions in these final two chapters of his oracle a major clash between competing nations with Israel caught in the middle of it. Therefore, the “Abomination of Desolation” is mentioned in chapter eleven of Daniel’s oracle (11:31) and in the context of a coming king from the east who will collide with the king of the South and of the North. In Daniel’s time this was a Seleucid being the name of a dynasty that sprung up from one of Alexander’s Generals after his death. This Seleucid, by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes, placed a statue of Zeus in Temple of Jerusalem as a symbol that Greece’s pagan gods were superior to the God of the Jews. (Note Zechariah 9:13) In fact Zeus, called Jupiter, by the Romans, was the god worshipped by the pagans of Pergamos (part of modern day Turkey), mentioned in the second chapter of John’s Revelation (Revelation 2:13).  The citizens of Pergamos built a huge altar/throne to Zeus, which today can be seen in Berlin, but Jesus refers to it as the, “Throne of Satan.” Zeus or Jupiter embodies everything that is set against the God of the Bible and he is in fact the Devil himself and for centuries he has sought to usurp the God of Israel by enthroning himself on His holy altar site in Jerusalem; the Temple mount! Thus, up until today Zeus has gained a foothold on the Temple Mount four times; in 168 BC, in 70 AD, in 135 AD and in the 10^th century AD. In terms of the year 135 AD the Romans completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem, renamed it Aelia Capitalonia and built a shrine to Jupiter on the holy Temple Mount. According to Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, Jupiter will once more seek to get a foothold on the Temple Mount and again commit the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15). Paul also made mention of this (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

In essence this is an attempt to bring in a global religion by which the world can be unified in obedience to a new world political order. The world will be brought under satanic rule for a short period and this does not bode well for Jews and Christians everywhere (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). John’s Revelation warns of this at great length (Revelation 13).  We must wake up as the signs of this approaching day are everywhere. In fact this new satanic reality is just about to overtake us as global events in this regard are surging ahead at a pace that very few have the insight to cope with and understand. No wonder the Bible warns that deception will be greatest threat to God’s people at this time. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) Huge economic, political and cultural upheavals are just around the corner, meaning that all the things we thought were stable and normal to us will be shaken and removed. This too the Bible warns about in Hebrews 12:26-29:

                “but now He has promised saying, yet once more I shake not

                                 only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, yet once more,

                                 indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as

                                 of things that are made, that the things which cannot be

                                 shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom

                                which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve

                                 God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

At the center of this coming storm is, and will be, the tiny nation of Israel. A small people with a very big God will once again be challenged by Zeus and his dark hordes. It is here that Daniel, in his twelfth chapter, tells us that something unique and unprecedented in history will take place. We should note the following:

1. The God of Israel will set the pace and times of history and not Zeus. (Daniel 12:1a)

That is, at the time of huge global change, plunging the nations toward satanic rule, Michael the great Archangel will stand up. Michael is the Archangel of War and his chief role before the God of the Bible is to defend Israel. When nation after nation has declared its opposition to Israel Michael will “take his stand”; an action by which God is saying, “Enough is enough!” This day is fast approaching

2. The God of Israel will bring nations to a time of trouble never known or seen before. (Daniel 12:1b)

Jesus Himself warned of this coming day (Matthew 24:21) and I believe this day is rushing toward us; especially because, according to Jesus, the restoration of the Jews to Jerusalem after two thousand years of dispersion, is a sign of the approaching end (Luke 21:24).

3. The God of Israel will deliver His people. (Daniel 12:1c)

Israel will be snatched out of this time of great international distress and she will be delivered. This is not simply national/political deliverance but spiritual deliverance. She will recognize her Messiah, mourn for Him as one mourns over the death of a first-born and she will embrace Him.  (Zechariah 12:10) All those entered into God’s great book of life will be saved! Great trial and adversity will drive Israel to the King of Kings even though on her holy mount in Jerusalem Zeus will proclaim himself once more to be god! Elijah’s contest with the Baal priests is looming again. Only this time it will be even more dramatic. Jesus told us that Elijah is coming again and, as in days of old, will restore all things. (Mark 9:12-13)

4. The God of Israel will resurrect His family and damn His enemies. (Daniel 12:2)

The salvation and deliverance of Israel will trigger the resurrection of the dead; meaning that in the end, some will be resurrected to life everlasting and others will be resurrected to everlasting damnation. Jesus Himself spoke of this coming day as recorded in John’s Gospel (John 5:25-30). The difference between eternal life and eternal death is what we do with Jesus. We should mark this well.

5. The God of Israel designates the wise. (Daniel 12:3)

The “wise” are those who live to show others the way to life, by their walking and talking. There is nothing more important and more urgent in life. Jesus said that He was, “The way, the truth and the life” and that “no one could come to the Father but by Him.” (John 14:6) We have a little time and we must now be about our father’s business. Those who embark on this holy calling will, “Shine like the brightness of the firmament.”

My friends this is Daniel’s picture of the times now just ahead of us. You must prepare more than ever for them but most of all you must keep your eyes on Jesus, “The author and finisher of our faith.”

Malcolm Hedding

                        “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore

                         let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put

                         on the armor of light.”

                                                                        Romans 13:12

                        “And at midnight a cry was heard, “Behold the bride-

                         groom is coming; go out to meet him!

                                                                        Matthew 25:6

Jesus, in His Olivet Discourse, spoke of signs heralding His coming that would be evident in the world, the Church and Israel. Israel is the unique validation sign entity because her restoration, spoken of by all the Prophets and Jesus Himself, is unusual and very specific. We have lived through this “unusual” phenomenon!

1. The Signs of Israel

These can be divided up into three areas:

• Restoration

This is both physical and spiritual (Ezekiel 36:24-28). The arrival of Israel on the world scene in 1948 and the return of Jerusalem to her sovereignty in 1967 were unprecedented in world history. But Jesus spoke of it making Him a true Prophet! (Luke 21:24) Since then a new breed of Christian has been raised up by God to demonstrate His love and comfort for Zion. We are part of this miracle. The promise of scripture is that a spiritual restoration will follow this physical restoration. It is this “spiritual restoration” that will usher in the return of Christ! (Matthew 23:39)(Acts 3:17-21)

• Archaeology

In recent days some amazing archaeological finds have been made. These include the discovery of what is believed to be part of the Urim and Thummin (Exodus 28:30). This sardonyx gemstone was kept in the High Priests garments of glory and beauty. In this case the stone is a perfect hemisphere with a Hebrew inscription embedded in it. This is amazing, as we have no technology available to do this! The stone was examined by Professor Moshe Sharon of the Hebrew University and he states that it goes back a thousand years before Christ. Its significance lies in the fact that it validates the ancient and biblical attachment of the Jewish people to the land of Canaan and the Temple Mount; a fact that UNESCO has recently attempted to deny.

In addition a gold bell that was attached to the fringes of the High Priest’s garments was also found near the Temple Mount and so was the outer wall of Jerusalem that the Roman’s breached when they destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. How astonishing, in that, at a time when the United Nations is attempting to deny any Jewish relationship with Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the God of the Bible confounds these anti-Semites by proving them wrong. He does this by the discovery of small but significant things, like the bell that was attached to garment of the High Priest, and his Urim and Thummin.

• Conflict

The decline of America’s interests in the Middle East and the insertion of Russia’s military power into the region are nothing short of astonishing. The Bible clearly speaks of and warns of this in the book of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38:1-8). Indeed, reports have just confirmed that Russia is now establishing a naval and military base in Libya and is strengthening ties with President Erdogan of Turkey. Truly, the latter-day picture painted for us by the Prophet Ezekiel appears to be forming. We must watch and pray.

2. The Salvation of Israel

While in Israel this time I was called to a meeting with an ultra Orthodox Rabbi who told me an amazing story. He said that hundreds of spiritual leaders like him believe that Jesus is the Messiah but they are waiting for the right time to declare it. He told me much more that I cannot repeat, but it is amazing and affirms the words of the Prophet Zechariah as recorded in his twelfth chapter (Zechariah 12:10-14). We live in amazing times!

3. The Meaning and Warning of Israel

• Jesus is at the door!
• Jesus is calling His Church to repent, follow Him and embrace its first love (Revelation 2:4-5). We must become a people of prayer.
• Jesus is highlighting the parable of the Ten Virgins, recorded in Matthew 25. This is no time for the followers of Jesus to become lazy and spiritually inactive. Remember Jesus is coming, “when you think not.”
• Jesus will defend Israel! (Zechariah 12:8-9) The conflict in the Middle East is becoming more desperate with every passing day and now we are witnessing other regional powers like Iran, Turkey and Russia getting involved. All of these would love to see Israel dismantled and removed from the Middle East. Israel, though strong, is certainly not strong enough to take on these emerging threats. That which began with God in 1948 will now have to end with God and it will. Of this you can be sure.                                                                     

Malcolm Hedding

On the morning of the 20th October at 4:30 I was awakened suddenly and experienced these words flooding my mind and heart. I cannot quite describe it as it was as if I was detached from them and was gazing at them as they rolled by in front of me. Still more amazing was the fact that they were etched on my memory immediately meaning that I could write them down some hours later word for word. That evening at the final plenary event of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, I declared them over the assembled delegates. Scripture states that a prophetic word should be tested so I share this with you for your testing. I personally believe that Jesus gave me these prophetic insights. So, here they are:

“I say unto you, a great darkness, indeed a thick and heavy darkness, is coming upon the earth …….but, I will give you light, a light that will penetrate the darkness and overcome it. Be not afraid because this will be an hour of testing for many in My Church, and even one of persecution, but be faithful in your sufferings for I have overcome the world. Truly those whom I call to walk this road share in the fellowship of My sufferings,. This My people is a privilege!

Moreover, a great light will come from My throne upon Israel. Those who have despised My people will be put to shame, says the Lord. But you will rejoice because you have been faithful to me for them. Therefore, for you who have borne My name, a great joy will flood your hearts, indeed a joy that will rise up within you like a great tidal wave. It will be your strength, it will give you courage and it will fill your hearts with peace.

Above all know this, I am coming quickly, yes I am coming quickly and my reward is with Me and therefore hold fast what you have. Moreover, lift up your heads heavenward for I stand at heaven’s door and shortly it will open and I will come forth with great glory and, as My feet stand upon the Mount of Olives, I tell you, My glory will fill the whole earth.

Go forth then with joy and have in your hearts this blessed hope!

Malcolm Hedding

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make
Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all
  who would heave it away will surely be cut in
  pieces, though all nations of the earth are
  gathered against it.” – Zechariah 12:3

This week UNESCO decided to rewrite history and thereby assert that the Temple Mount and Western Wall in a Jerusalem have no significance for Israel and the Jewish people. Indeed, according to UNESCO, these are Muslim heritage sites only. This is a day of great shame for the world, and especially for the western nations, that quietly abstained at large from voting while this fiasco was played out. The truth is, this is not only antisemitism in bold display but in fact the demonstration of evil. To think that a people who have had an unbroken relationship with Jerusalem, and particularly with the Temple Mount, for three thousand years can be disinvested of these by a United Nations agency is breathtaking. It is unbridled hatred on display, and in fact the same sort of hatred that was nurtured and unleashed by the Nazis!

There can be no other conclusion, as the decision was so utterly ridiculous, that the reason for it can only lie in the perpetual hatred that this United Nations agency has for Israel and her people. Ignoring all historical facts they went ahead and unashamedly laid bare their racism and hatred for all to see. For sure this also says a lot about the United Nations because it brings into question its sense of judgement and fairness that it is supposed to dispense on behalf of the nations. For some years now the UN has been under suspicion because it routinely sanctions Israel more than it does any other nation in the world. The UNESCO vote proves that the UN is riddled with the evil of antisemitism. It’s time for this monster to be shut down as it can no longer with any sense of fairness and decency further the interests of peace in the world. Indeed, a decision like the one coming out of UNESCO only ferments conflict and war.

The Bible warns that a day will come when the nations of the world will endeavor to wrestle Jerusalem from Jewish control. The vote by UNESCO does just this. The Bible also warns that those who attempt this are inviting the anger of God and He will see to it that they rupture themselves. That is, their heavy lifting days will be over indicating that they will be weakened, lose their influence and be rendered powerless.

The days of UNESCO are numbered.

Malcolm Hedding