The Year of Jubilee

We are well into the first week of the fortieth Jubilee year since Christ.  Among other things the Jubilee is a year of the returning of things to their original owners.  After the conquest of the Promised Land by Joshua, each tribe (and family) received a portion of land for an inheritance.  While these portions could be sold, the sale lasted only until the year of Jubilee; the price of the sale then was adjusted to the closeness to the Jubilee.  All parties understood that on the fiftieth year the sold property would be returned to the original inheritors.  This law has emerged in modern times in relation to the nation of Israel.  

Two Jubilees ago the world was at war… World War One.  On November 2, 1917 (the third month of that Jubilee year) the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour transmitted a letter (the Balfour declaration) to the Jewish community stating that Great Briton would support the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.  A little over a month later (December 11) British General Edmund Allenby walked into Jerusalem as the Ottoman Empire was surrendering to the British forces and the Jewish people received a return of their ancient land.

One Jubilee ago war erupted again, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria were quickly defeated by Israel in what is known as the six day war.  The result of which was the return of Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, the Golan heights, and most significantly the Old city of Jerusalem (East Jerusalem) to the Jewish nation. 

As we enter into this year of “returns” one might wonder what might be that which is returned this time?  In the agreement with Jordan concerning the old city of Jerusalem the “temple mount” was to remain under the “custodianship” of Jordan, while Israel technically has control over it.  Under the agreement (which was a gesture of peace toward the Arabs after the six day war) only Islamic prayers are allowed on the site.  This however, is being contested even as this year of Jubilee begins.  The coming year may prove to be very interesting indeed!  Especially as we see Gog entering into Syria with transports, extensions of runways, and fighter jets… (See Ezekiel 38 and 39). 

There are many ways this may play out, but at the years end (Jubilee) I would not be surprised to see significant changes in the area… in fact, I expect there to be.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!  Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.   For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” 

Matthew 23: 37-39

When the Lord returns to his temple Israel will call him blessed… there will be a temple!