INTRODUCTION

To document such a major aspect of the Bible narrative is, to say the least, a daunting undertaking.

Frank Nankivell has done so in a most interesting style. The theme is fascinating, the facts historically sound, and the conclusion a revelation.

The reader may query incidentals as a matter of opinion, but the identification of the true Israel and the ramifications of this historical and prophetic plan are startling.

According to the Bible, the world embraces the wrong assessment of Christianity, false systems and an apostate society, let alone a mistaken impression of national identity.

Frank Nankivell, B.Sc. (Hons), was born in the U.S.A. in Eugene, Oregon. He won 1st class honours in Physics in 1947 and emigrated to Australia. He is currently an associate pastor in the Melbourne centre of our international activities. He is a senior lecturer in Bible prophecy with its many facets and a dedicated preacher of the gospel.

L. R. Longfield
Principal Pastor,
Revival Centres International.

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the following:

Brian and Estelle Longfield, who as editors, undertook and succeeded in transforming the original manuscript of this book into readable form.

Anne Hughes and Paul Ryan for the effective artwork in this book.

Finally, special acknowledgement is due to Pastor Lloyd Longfield and the late Pastors Jack Clay and Les Capon who through their clear Spiritual understanding and lucid presentation of God's prophetic word have opened the comprehension of many to the wonder of Almighty God's plan of salvation for mankind.

©Published by
Revival Centres International
275 Middleborough Road, Box Hill Vic

First edition May, 1989

PREFACE

Many people today as they consider the state of the world in which they dwell are filled with misgivings about their future. The nuclear threat, greenhouse effect, continuing destruction of the ozone layer, degradation of the environment, endemic wars, over population, continuing pollution of the oceans, ever-increasing crime and violence, seemingly endless expansion of national indebtedness, abuse of drugs, and horrific new epidemic diseases strongly suggest that  there could be an end to the world as we know it. Nevertheless such a conclusion is instinctively offensive to the human mind. It seems inconceivable that man, with all his innate abilities, can have his survival on earth threatened by his own offensive actions towards his fellows, and abuse of the world’s natural resources.

Multitudes would be very surprised to learn that a readily available book explains that these things were  inevitable and will result in an amazing transformation on planet Earth as the direct result of God's intervention. These writings, known as The Bible, were given to mankind by Almighty God, Creator of all things, expressly for the purpose of revealing His design for making the universe; and in particular His plan for mankind.

Three aspects of this great plan will be considered in some detail in the chapters that follow:

1. The establishment and blessing of a particular people known in Old Testament times as ISRAEL, who descended from Jacob. God gave many great and unconditional promises to this nation, yet today its descendants, although great in number and of considerable influence throughout the world, know nothing of their glorious ancestry nor of the destiny that the Almighty God has determined for them. Nor are they aware that although Jewry occupies a place in God's prophetic plan, they are but a tiny fraction of it. In the text that follows, such promises and identifications peculiar to this nation are numbered and highlighted by the phrase:

"1st (2nd, 3rd etc.) identification of Israel"

When these promises or identifications actually become obvious in history they are again highlighted, only this time by the phrase:

"1st (2nd, 3rd etc.) identification of Israel manifested"

2. The establishment of an eternal throne and dynasty. As with the nation of Israel, so too the existence and whereabouts of the Davidic throne, although guaranteed by God Himself to remain for ever, is unknown by the great majority of mankind, yet it exists in the midst of the ancestors of ancient Israel to this very day. The promises of God relating to this throne, when given, are highlighted in the following text by the phrase

"1st (2nd, 3rd etc.) Davidic throne promise"

When these promises become historical fact, this is indicated by the highlighted phrase:

"1st (2nd, 3rd etc.) Davidic throne promise fulfilled"

3. The existence of a people antagonistic to God’s plan. Because this group, the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, developed an implacable hostility in Old Testament times towards their kindred, they inevitably found themselves opposing God’s plan for mankind. It is the continuing machinations of this now largely hidden group that is mainly responsible for the parlous position that the peoples of the earth find themselves in today. God’s statements concerning this group are highlighted by the phrase:

"1st (2nd, 3rd etc.) identification of Esau"

and when the attributes so declared become manifest, they are noted in the text by the highlighted phrase:

"1st (2nd, 3rd etc.) identification of Esau manifested"

Major events, prophecies and revelations of God’s purpose are highlighted above the relevant paragraph and, when appropriate, preceded by its date of occurrence. A perusal of these dates alone will give an impression of the grandeur of God’s time scale. Many of these events singly would represent a cataclysmic event in a human life time, yet to God they are just one of many in His "days" of a thousand years on humanity’s time scale. "… one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8).

It must be clearly understood that the following text makes no claim to cover the above three segments of God’s great salvation plan exhaustively, but it is hoped that sufficient detail is given to demonstrate that the Creator of heaven and earth does have an infallible overall plan. It will be seen that in spite of the very real threats to life on earth as we know it, the God of Israel has made it possible for individuals to find Him, make their peace with Him, and to become part of His divine family which will continue forever. Truly the great God’s plan is wonderful.