"Never Again" Part II

This week I feel it necessary and appropriate to continue our message from last week concerning how the Jewish people say to each other "Never Again" as a commitment to never again allow such atrocities such as the Holocaust to ever happen again. Last week's message also encouraged us, who love and support the Jewish people, to have a similar attitude.

Today, we will learn from Corrie ten Boom, now with The Lord, why she showed such kindness to the Jewish people. Corrie was a Dutch women who was imprisoned in a concentration camp 10 months for protecting Jews during World War II.

When asked why she took such risks to help the Jewish people, Corrie referred to Matthew 25:31-40 which says "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shephered divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blest of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and fed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And The King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"

Notice Jesus mentioned, as you treated my brethren (the Jewish people), you did it also unto Me. We can learn much from Corrie and her treatment of the Jewish people which according to Jesus was also treatment to Him.

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

Frank   

"Never Again"

The above expression is commonly used among Jewish people as a focus of their converstion or as a way of saying goodbye. God's covenant people are expressing to each other their determination to "never again" allow the atrocities of the Holocaust or similar events.

The following story illustrates such an event in which numerous countries refused to help the Jewish people in their time of need. Before Hitler began his genocide campaign, the Jews were pressured to leave Germany. In the spring of 1939, with little money or clothing, 930 Jewish refugees boarded an ocean liner called M.S. St. Louis. The initial destination for the ship was Cuba. Upon arriving at their destination, the Jews found that the Cuban authorities were not so kind. The Cuban authorities turned away 907 of the refugees.

The next destination was the coastline of Florida with high expectations of God's covenant people. However, to her shame, America also turned her back on these needy people. President Roosevelt refused to intervene on behalf of those 907 Jewish refugees. When the Jewish passengers were told that the American people had refused to give them asylum, panic gripped their hearts.

After being refused entry to America, the St. Louis sailed to Canada, only to be denied refuge once again. Anti-semitism was flourishing even in the office of Mackenzie King, the Prime Minister of Canada.

As a last resort, the St. Louis sailed near the coast of England. Finally, the countries of Britain, Belgium, Holland and France agreed to give asylum to the Jewish passengers. On the surface, this appeared to be the solution for the refugees. However, shortly thereafter, Hitler's armies conquered Belgium, Holland and France resulting in 600 of the 907 refugees perishing in concentration camps.

The St. Louis event and the Holocaust itself plus many other similar events are the reason the Jewish people are determined to "Never Again" allow similar events to happen. Are we willing as supporters of Israel and the Jewish people to "Never Again" allow similiar events to happen now or in the future? Continue Praying!

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

Frank  

The Judgement Of God

A thought provoking article appeared in the editorial section of the Jerusalem Post last week. A group of Rabbis wrote a letter to John Kerry who is attempting to "Divide God's Land" known today as Israel. This land was given by our Lord God to His covenant people through Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Notice in Genesis 15:18 The Lord says to Abraham "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates."

This land encompassed from Egypt to the River Euphrates in modern day Iraq which included a major portion of the modern day Middle East. Additionally, The Lord says to Abraham in Genesis 17:8 "Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possesion; and I will be their God." There is no question as to the size of the original land given by our Lord God to Abraham and his descendants. THE WORD OF GOD IS VERY CLEAR.

Well, why is current day Israel so much smaller in size? History and the Word of God illustrates this God-given land has been divided into parcels many times as different entities have conquered Israel. How does our Lord God respond to all this? The Lord God says in Zechariah 1:14-17; Zechariah 2:8-9; and Joel 3:2; "I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. . .I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My House shall be built in it. . .The Lord will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem. . .for He who touches you touches the apple of His eye. . .for surely I will shake My hand against them. . .and I will enter into judgement with them there. . .they have also divided up My land."

The letter written by the Rabbis was warning John Kerry and other world leaders of pending judgement and punishment by our Lord God if they mistreat His covenant people or divide their land. Again, all one needs to do is study history and observe empires which mistreated Israel and learn they do not exist any more - the British Empire, the Roman Empire and Nazi Germany to name a few examples. 

Please pray, pray and pray again for our Lord God's hand of protection over Israel and guidance for all world leaders.

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

Frank   

A Loving, Protecting, Forgiving God

The situation in Israel concerning the land, that was given to Abraham and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob, continues to appear to go from bad to very bad. The latest announcement in world media outlets states that if Israel does not accept the latest proposed "plan for peace" Israel will be boycotted. Is there any limit to the evil plans against Israel and the Jewish people?

As always, we who love our Lord God and Israel plus the Jewish people themselves, can take comfort from how our Lord God responded to similar situations in the past, and will react in the present and future all based on His Word. Jeremiah 32 reveals that because of their sins the children of Israel and Judah were sent into exile in Babylon and their country detroyed. "And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild. . .I will cleanse them from all their iniquity" Jeremiah 33:7-8. Our Lord God said He will bring them back, rebuild their land and cleanse them from their sins.

Today, Judea and Samaria are under attack with plans to turn them over to Israel's enemies. However, Ezekiel 36:24-25 says "For I will take you from among the nations. . .then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean." Our Lord God is consistent in His promises to His covenant people.

Romans 11:26-27 reveal the future of Israel "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." Let us pray fervently and regularly for the manifestation of our Lord God's Word today and in the future. "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36

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

Frank