m; that at the entering in of the gates
of Jerusalem land should be bought and sold and speculation become
rife.

To-day there are more Jews in Palestine than at any time since the
return from Babylon. Land is bought and sold at the gates of the
city, and speculation in real estate values is running high. There
is the hum of expectation in the sacred city. Palestine is being
colonized by Jews. The Turkish government has taken off the ban, the
Jew is owned as a citizen and may become a representative in its
administration. The deserted cities are being occupied. Millions of
Mulberry trees are being planted, the desert and the waste places
cultivated. The lowing of cattle and the bleating of sheep are heard
once more. In Jerusalem, the wailing place of the Jews is more
crowded than ever. The penitential psalms are recited, tears are
shed and the cry goes up with keener lamentation that the city,
beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, has become the
prey of the Gentiles; that the walls are broken down, the holy
places laid waste, "our holy and beautiful house," they cry, "where
our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our
pleasant things are laid waste. Wilt thou refrain thyself for these
things, O Lord? Wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?"
And the prayer ascends with ever-increasing supplication that
Jehovah will again make bare his arm in the sight of the Gentiles,
build up the place of the holy assemblies, beautify Jerusalem and
establish his people. Synagogues are built within the shadow of the
sacred rock, the one-time threshing floor of Ornan, which David
bought and whereon the holy temple stood. The latter as well as the
former rains are falling. Everywhere it is evident that the land is
reviving, and the thought of Judah as a kingdom and power among
nations, finding utterance on the lips--both of Gentile and Jew.

And all this activity and Zionward movement taking place with the
Jew in a condition of spiritual blindness, unbelief and godless
materialism--as foretold. The very leaders of Zionism (some of them)
the most outspoken in their repudiation of our Lord Jesus Christ as
Messiah of Israel.

The Bible foretold that the Jews as a people would never receive the
Gospel: "As concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sakes"
(the Gentiles). On the other hand, it was announced that the
Gentiles, who despise the Jews, should receive the Gospel, accept a
rejected