Shame . . . Shame . . . Shame

The end of last week, just prior to Christmas Eve and the start of Hanukkah, the United Nations Security Council performed a shameful act. They had the audacity to believe they had the right to prohibit Israel from building homes for Jews in their own land. I say again and with emphasis - shame . . . shame. . . shame!

The Resolution adopted by the U.N.S.C. claims that Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem are "Occupied Palestinian Territory." Let us look at the truth of our Lord God's Word concerning this land. Genesis 15:18 says, "On the same day The Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: 'to your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.'" There is no Palestinian territory and there never has been. The land belongs to our Lord God of Israel, Jerusalem is the City of David and the Temple Mount is the Mountain of The Lord.

Will this equation ever change? No! Jeremiah 31:35-36 says, "Thus says The Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who disturbs the sea and its waves roar,'if those ordinances depart from before Me,' says The Lord, 'then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before me forever."' Only if the functions of the sun, moon and the stars were eliminated by God who created them would the land of Israel cease to exist. Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem are part of the land of Israel!

Will there be God's judgment and even curses for those who created and voted for this resolution? Yes! In Genesis 12:3 when God is establishing His covenant with Abram and his descendants He says, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you." Obadiah 1:15 says, "For the days of The Lord upon all nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head."

This week and next week many of God's people make commitments concerning areas of their lives which they would like to change as they enter the new calendar year. I personally have committed to pray more earnestly than ever before for our Lord God to protect and maintain the land of Israel for His covenant people. I trust you will do the same!

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

Frank

  

  

Jesus The Messiah

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; 

and the government will be upon His shoulder,

 and His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:6.

Each year at Christmas time I meditate on this verse for it describes the most important birth in all of history. Jesus Christ, true Son of the true God, came physically to earth to offer salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life through His death and resurrection. Hallelujah!

This year as I studied Isaiah 9:6, three revelations came forth:

Jesus is part of the Triune Godhead, Jesus existed even before creation and Jesus physically appeared to men in the Old Testament proving He is the Jewish Messiah. We will examine these revelations further in this our Christmas message.

Jesus Is Part Of The Triune Godhead - Isaiah 9:6 says Jesus will be called "Mighty God." This is a clear indication that Jesus is God in the form of man. Isaiah 7:14 says Jesus will be called Immanuel which means "God With Us." 

Jesus Existed As The Son Of God Before Creation - John 1:1-2 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." Jesus was with God in the beginning and played an important part of creation. Micah 5:2 says in referring to Jesus, "Whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." Jesus has existed "From of old."

Jesus Physically Appeared In The Old Testament - Exodus 23:20-21 Reveal that our Lord God says about this angel "My name is in Him." Joshua 5:13-14 show that Joshua referred to this angel as "My Lord."

Jesus Is The Jewish Messiah - Isaiah 53:8 says, "For the transgressions of My people He was stricken." Jesus shed His blood as the sacrificial lamb to forgive the sins of all of God's People.

I pray this week as we celebrate this most important birth of all history that we celebrate with humble and thankful hearts. I also pray especially for God's original covenant people that this will be the time that they recognize Jesus as their Messiah.

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

Frank     

A Season Of Miracles

On the evening of December 24th, Jewish people begin remembering the miraculous account of Hanukkah. There are two versions of the miracle of Hanukkah. The first one recalls a miraculous military victory over the Seleucid Empire.   

The second version remembers when the Temple was reclaimed from the Hellenists but they found only one jar of Pure Oil to light the Menorah in which to restore the Temple Service. However, our Lord God miraculously caused the Menorah to stay lit for eight days. During Hanukkah an additional candle on Menorahs world wide are lit for eight consecutive days.

Hanukkah is referred to as a Season of Miracles. However, I believe we can look at the history of Israel and accurately refer to their history as a Season of Miracles. Our Lord God has performed miracle after miracle for Israel and the Jewish people. For our message this week, we will look at just a few of these God ordained miracles.

Isaiah 66:8 says, "Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once?" Yes, a nation was born in a single day in May of 1948 - Israel. This event is a miracle of God's word coming true before our eyes as every miracle that follows.

Isaiah 11:12 says, "He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Over the last 100 years, Jews have returned to Israel from Asia, Russia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Hebrew is one of the world's oldest languages. It ceased to be spoken around 250 BC. However, Zephaniah prophesied that God would return to His people a pure language, Hebrew was reborn as their language in the 19th century.

Israel has defeated her enemies in no less than four major wars. Each time they won against tremendous odds. A current example happened during the war with Hamas in Gaza. A missile was fired from Gaza toward Tel Aviv and the Iron Dome Defense System failed three times to shoot the missile down. Suddenly and miraculously a huge wind blew the missile off course and into the sea.   

When the Jewish people started returning to Israel they found swamps and barren deserts. Isaiah 35:1 says, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." Today, Israel is one of the world's leading fresh citrus producers and exporters. Additionally, they produce enough food for their own citizens but also export 20% of their produce.

Yes, our Lord God is a miracle working God for Israel but also for all of His people. This very special time of the year, I pray for all to be praising our Lord God with thankful hearts for we all live in a Season of Miracles.  

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

Frank

  

Jesus Rules And Reigns

Our message this week is the last of a four part series outlining the 16 events that will occur "On That Day" or "The Day Of The Lord." Typically, it is believed these events will take place at the end of the Tribulation Period.

There Are Five Themes Which Are An Integral Part Of These End Times Events

Israel's Enemies Attempt To Destroy Jerusalem

Our Lord God Intervenes And Wins A Mighty Victory

Jesus Physically Returns To Earth

The Jewish People Recognize Jesus As Their Messiah

Jesus Rules And Reigns From The Rebuilt Temple In Jerusalem

The last three events show just a small picture of what it will be like living under the Eternal Kingdom of Jesus when he rules as King of Kings and Lord of Lords:

Zechariah 14:13 - "On That Day, men will be stricken by The Lord with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other." 

The enemies of our Lord and His people will actually attack each other. Is anything too difficult for our Lord?

Zechariah 14:20 - "On That Day, Holy To The Lord will be inscribed on the bells of horses and the cooking pots in  the Lord's house will be like sacred bowls in front of the altar."

The smallest of details will illustrate the control and holiness of our Lord.

Zechariah 14:21 - "On That Day, There will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty."

Lineages and nationalities will not be important during the reign of Jesus Christ. These are replaced by two important questions for all people and the questions are . . . Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? 

I trust this series of messages were enlightening and encouraging as they illustrated what lies ahead for Israel but also for all who know Jesus as their Savior. If you realize you do not know Jesus as your Savior or are not sure, please pray this prayer with me: 

"Jesus, I know I am a sinner! I ask you to forgive me of my sins, to become my Lord and my Savior and to grant me eternal life. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

"At The Name Of Jesus Every Knee Should Bow In Heaven And On Earth And Under The Earth, And Every Tongue Confess That Jesus Christ Is Lord, To The Glory Of God The Father." Philippians 2:10-11

Blessings! Frank

"His Feet On The Mount Of Olives"

This week's message is the third in a series of messages outlining the sixteen events which will occur "On That Day." Bible scholars believe "On That Day" will occur at the end of the Tribulation Period when the spiritual and physical world that we know today changes dramatically. At that time, Jesus Christ physically returns to earth to rule and reign as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!  

All of these sixteen events are outlined in Zechariah 12-14 and we will look at events 10 -13 today:

Zechariah 14:4 - "On That Day, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives East of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives will split in two from East to West, forming a great valley with half of the mountains moving North and half moving South."

Jesus will physically return to earth to stand on the Mount of Olives. After the Jewish people recognize Him as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:11), He will cross the Kidron Valley and enter the rebuilt Temple on the Temple Mount to rule and reign setting up His Eternal Kingdom here on earth. Praise His Name!

Zechariah 14:6-7 - "On That Day, There will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime - A day known to The Lord. When evening comes,  there will be light."

A day like no other!

Zechariah 14:8 - "On That Day, living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the Eastern sea and half to the Western sea, in summer and in winter."

Half of this anointed water will flow into the Dead Sea bringing it to life. This is a preview of our New Life when we spend eternity with our Lord God illustrating how we will also be totally changed.

Zechariah 14:9 - "On That Day, there will be one Lord and His name the only name."

Jesus will reign as the King of ALL kings and Lord of ALL lords!

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

Frank