First The Natural, Then The Spiritual

Tom Hess, founder of the Jerusalem House Of Prayer For All Nations, stated in his book Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem "We live in days of restoration, when we are seeing the fullfilment of many of the prophecies of the Word of God. What happens to the actual land of Israel is of vital importance to the fullfilment of the plans for the redemption of the whole world."

This is a bold statement but is validated by scripture in Psalm 102:13,16 where The Lord "Will arise and have mercy on Zion" and "Shall build up Zion." First, the physical Israel or Zion is established and then The Lord spiritually responds with His mercy.

History also reveals numerous examples of this Godly principle. In 1898 Theodore Herzl, known as the father of Zionism, had a vision of a Jewish state when he proclaimed there would be a Jewish state within fifty years. In 1901 at Topeka, Kansas, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is considered to be the birth of Pentecostalism.

Another example - in June, 1967 Israeli paratroopers liberated East Jerusalem and the Old City restoring Jerusalem as a united city. Also in 1967, at Duquesne University God poured His Holy Spirit initiating the Catholic Charismatic Movement.

What is God showing us through this principle of First The Natural and Then The Spiritual? I believe He wants us to always be alert concerning events in Israel generally and in Jerusalem specifically. These natural events will lead to mighty moves of God ending with the physical return of Jesus to earth in Zechariah 14:4. ALL GOD'S PEOPLE SAID AMEN!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank

Israeli Elections

Elections in Israel took place Tuesday to determine their Prime Minister and the nomenclature of their Knessett which is comparable to the United States Congress. Prime Minister Netanyahu has been re-elected, however, the road ahead for ease of government appears more challenging as opposing parties to Netanyahu's party gained more ground than anticipated.

Headlines in the Jerusalem Post outlined the election results but just below these results is a headline "Russian Foreign Minister says any attempts to prepare and implement strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities are a very dangerous idea." Probably the most difficult decision the new Israeli government has to soon make is whether to attempt to disable Iran's nuclear capabilities.

This has been a continuing difficult decision but becomes more urgent each day as Iran draws closer to full nuclear capability. President Obama asked Israel to wait until after the American election to make this decision. Iran has contiually threatned to destroy Israel for many, many years. We also need to realize Israel is surrounded by 18 countries with similar intentions towards them as Iran.

A reminder - 1Timothy 2:2 exhorts us to pray for those in authority but not just for those in authority over our personal lives but "all who are in authority." This newly elected Israeli government desperately needs our prayers for them to continually seek and receive Godly wisdom each and every day.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day!

Exodus II

One of the seven feasts celebrated by the Jewish people each year is Passover when they remember how God miraculously delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. This event is also referred to as the Exodus or Exodus I.

For many years another Exodus or Exodus II has been taking place where our Heavenly Father is bringing the Jewish people back to Israel from all over the world. Jeremiah 16:14-15 reveal "Therefore behold, the days are coming, says The Lord, that it shall no more be said, 'The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but, 'The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the North and from all the lands where He had driven them.' For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers."

How important is this continuing event? First of all, it is God's will and purpose since there are 700 references to it occurring in scripture; second God promises Abraham's descendants they would inherit the land He had given them Genesis 15:18; third, God said in Amos 9:15 He will never again uproot them from the land He had given them; fourth, God declares in Ezekiel 39:28-29 "Then they shall know that I am The Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations but also brought them back to their own land, and left none of them captive any longer. And I will not hide my face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel."

Charles Spurgeon, a spokesman for the Gospel and the Jews, said "I think we do not attach sufficient importance to the restoration of the Jews. We do not think enough about it. But certainly, if there is anything promised in the Bible it is this. . . .You cannot read the Bible without seeing clearly that there is to be an actual restoration of the Children of Israel. . .For when the Jews are restored, the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in; and as soon as they return, then Jesus will come upon Mount Zion."

How can we pray into this vitally important continuing prophetic event? Ask God to reveal His will to all Jewish people to make Aliyah and move back to Israel but also ask for God's protection in this process. May God Bless you and keep you in His care as you continue to pray for Israel.

Why Pray?

As we enter this new calendar year, possibly you realize more than ever we need to be in fervent and constant prayer for our country. Headlines reveal the Fiscal Cliff Deal carries a price tag of $4 trillion and does not address the debt ceiling and high unemployment rates. We also see around us every day the moral and spiritual decay of our country. God's Word exhorts us to pray for our leaders in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3. Let us all be good stewards in this regard.

However, let me encourage you also to pray for Israel which I believe is a directive from our Heavenly Father. In 2 Chronicles 6:6 it says "But I have chosen Jerusalem that My name may be there" and 2 Chronicles 33:7 "In Jerusalem.....I will put My name forever."

Zechariah 14, which is entitled Final Siege of Jerusalem, illustrates Jesus is coming back to the Mount of Olives just East of Jerusalem (verse 4). He will then defeat the nations battling against Jerusalem in verses 2 and 3 and will become "King Over All The Earth" (verse 9). Hallelujah! As we pray Psalm 122:6 we are actually petitioning Jesus to come back to earth soon and establish true peace on earth.

In these days and times which we live, virtually all the nations surrounding Israel are determined to destroy her (Psalm 83:4). This is why the theme of this message and a series of weekly messages to come is Isaiah 62:1, 6, 7 which states For Zion's Sake I Will Not Remain Quiet.....until He makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth.

I have stood with Israel for twenty years; will you join me and bless Israel and yourself? I believe this is vitally important in the Lord's eyes.