For a small nation that had its rebirth only recently in history, Israel has made tremendous progress. The Jews have transformed the land into a fertile agricultural region, built impressive cities, and have grown their economy into one of the greatest success stories of modern history. In 2012, Israel was ranked 22nd out of 142 countries by the World Economic Forum for their Global Competitive Index. In 2013, Israel was ranked 25th in the world by the International Monetary Fund for per capita GDP (gross domestic product). The vibrant economy of Israel has resulted in a high growth market that routinely out-performs the U.S. in percent GDP growth. They are also a vigorous exporter of a broad range of products, including electronics, telecommunications equipment, military equipment and weapons, pharmaceuticals, machinery, diamonds and jewelry, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, and clothing. All of the largest multinational companies in the world now have offices and facilities within Israel. In particular, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries are major growth engines for Israel with all of the major drug companies developing new products within the country. The Jews have created a spirit of intense innovation which is driven by top tier academic and corporate research. Their drive toward greater and greater success has created the most vigorous economy in the Middle East region. Unfortunately, all of this prosperity is actually teetering on the brink of disaster due to the forces that surround Israel and want to destroy them.

This dichotomous situation was clearly predicted in the Bible thousands of years ago. On the positive side, Isaiah prophesied that when the Jews returned in the last days, the land that had laid barren and waste for centuries would bloom abundantly and would fill the world with fruit:

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

“It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.”

Isaiah 35:1-2

“He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.”

Isaiah 27:6

Although these verses definitely have application to Israel during the Kingdom Age after Christ returns, they also reflect what has happened to the nation since their rebirth. Israel’s ingenuity and determination has made them essentially self-sufficient in building toward one of the most highly developed nations in the world today. Their consumer-driven economy was created with very little outside help and in the most adverse conditions imaginable. In recent years, the discovery of vast oil and gas fields in the Levant Basin and the Jezreel Valley have provided Israel with energy reserves that rival those in the Arabian Peninsula in total quantity…[read entire article]