Temple Mount

Last week's message centered around the fatal shooting of two Israeli policemen at The Temple Mount. We mentioned how difficult this is to hear and accept for the Jewish people since The Temple Mount is Judaism's Holiest Site. All of this raises the question . . . Why Is This True?

Following is an outline of the history of The Temple Mount. Important - This will only be an outline as a detailed study of The Temple Mount history would be an in depth study in itself:

2000 BC

Abraham takes Isaac up to Mt. Moriah (Temple Mount) obeying God 

1000 BC

King David sets up the Tabernacle including the Ark of the Covent on Mt. Moriah

950 BC

Solomon builds first Temple with 184,000 workers over 7 years on Mt. Moriah

910 BC

First Temple destroyed by the Pharaoh of Egypt

833 BC

Joash repairs Temple

640 BC

King Josiah continues repair of Temple

586 BC

Nebuchadnezzar burns Jerusalem destroying the Temple

517 BC

Nehemiah and Zerubbabel complete construction of second Temple

70 AD

Roam General Titus destroys second Temple 

All that is left today of The Temples is one retaining wall known as The Western Wall or The Wailing Wall. Jews from all over the world come to The Western Wall to pray believing God's presence is in the wall. Additionally, on The Temple Mount are two Muslim Mosques because in the past there were times when Muslims controlled Jerusalem and built the Mosques. However and vitally important, the day is coming when a third Temple will be present on The Temple Mount!

2Thessalonians 2:3-4 says, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for That Day will not come unless the falling away comes first and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God." That Day referred in these verses is that time frame when Jesus physically comes back to earth to rule and reign from Jerusalem. However, just prior to That Day the man of perdition which is the Anti-Christ will temporally reign at the rebuilt Temple on the Temple Mount. 

As we have looked at the history, present day and future of The Temple Mount it is obvious how any event that happens on The Temple Mount is sensitive to the Jewish people. As a result, it seems vitally important for all of us to pray each day for Our Lord God's Hand Of Protection over the exact spot where the new Temple will be built.

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

"Beyond All Hopes"

"That the Arabs of the land of Israel should willingly come to an agreement with us is beyond all hopes and dreams at present and in the foreseeable future. To think that the Arabs will voluntarily consent to this realization of Zionism in return for the cultural and economic benefits we can bestow on them is infantile."

You are probably curious about the above quotation and its author but at the same time thinking this actually describes the current situation in Israel. Would you believe this quotation was spoken 94 years ago by a Jewish resident of Israel named Zev Jabotinsky. Things have not changed much in Israel in 94 years, have they? 

A prime example of the continuing tense situation in Israel and especially in Jerusalem is an event which just happened last Friday morning when Palestinian terrorists shot and killed two Israeli policemen on the Temple Mount. This is unheard of and definitely could be referred to as "crossing the red line." The Temple Mount is Judaism's Holiest Site as previous Jewish Temples to include the Holy of Holies were located on the Temple Mount.

Now, it would seem appropriate to examine the reaction of both the Israeli government and the surrounding Arab entities. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu temporarily closed the Temple Mount in order to search the area and make sure a second attack was not planned. The Israeli government also increased security measures on the Temple Mount which was then re-opened on Sunday morning. What was the reaction of Arab leaders in and around Israel? Hamas welcomed the assault and staged a celebration. They also called on Palestinians to launch further attacks. Additionally, the Jordanian Parliament lauded the three terrorists as martyrs.

Do you agree things have not changed much in Israel during the last 94 years!  The majority of the Arab world is still intent on destroying Israel. However, be not dismayed God's people and the people of Israel. Our Lord God will defeat all of Israel's enemies!

Zechariah 14:1,2,3,9, says, "Behold, the day of The Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem . . . Then The Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as He fights in the day of battle . . . And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives . . . And The Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be - The Lord is one and His name one."

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

Frank

My Brethren?

"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 shepherd 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 blessed 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 you 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 feed 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.'" Matthew 25:31-40.

The above section of God's Word has been shared from pulpits repeatedly with the theme of, We as Christians are our brother's keeper and we should help in any way we can the poor, the widow and the orphan. Certainly, this is one interpretation of Matthew 25:31-40 but there is another which is often overlooked.  

The past couple of years I have studied the book of Revelation with commentary by four different authors. The two commentaries I valued the most were written by Messianic Rabbis from a Hebrew perspective and by Dr. Raymond Culpepper who was a Pastor for 25 years and then General Overseer of the Church of God. 

What was different and extremely important about these commentaries? Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew illustrate Jesus talking with His disciples after they asked Jesus in Chapter 24:3, "What will be the sign of Your second coming?" Matthew 25:35-38 shows Jesus telling His disciples that you fed Me when I was hungry, you gave Me drink when I was thirsty, you clothed Me and took care of Me when I was sick.

This confused the disciples and they wondered  and asked when did we see You in these conditions? Jesus answered in verse 40, "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." The key question here is, who is Jesus calling My brethren? Jesus' brethren is Israel! 

This whole section of God's Word is titled, "Judgement of the Gentiles." At the Great White Throne Judgement described in Revelation 20, seven judgements by Jesus will take place. One of these judgements will be for the nations and will raise the question of how have they treated the nation of Israel? The answer to this question given by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will determine whether that nation enters the Millennial Kingdom. 

We have just received a very important message from our Lord and Savior. The question now is, "How Do We Respond?"

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

Frank 

 

Christians Zionism

When we initiated this ministry called "For Zion's Sake" approximately five years ago, we used the following three verses of our Lord God's Word as the basis or foundation for its existence:

Genesis 12:3 says Our Lord God will bless those who bless Israel.

Psalm 122:6 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

Isaiah 62:1 says, "For Zion's Sake I will not remain silent."

We believe For Zion's Sake ministry is one of many throughout the world with similar purposes and the result is millions of Christians each day praying for Israel. What has been the result of our Lord God responding to all of these prayers?

An article on the Israel Today website this week was entitled Israel Recognizes Christian Zionism As A Strategic Asset. The article went on to say Israel recognizes the support from Christians as a strategic asset in its struggle to survive.

Recently, the annual Herzliya Conference took place which addressed Israel's security. Two top leaders in the Christian Zionist movement addressed the audience. Dr. Juergen Buhler, Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, challenged the hosts to "Think about the strategic opportunities that the Evangelical World can offer to the State of Israel."

Dr. Jerry Johnson, President of National Religious Broadcasters, also was a main speaker. He added, "The Jewish people have been a blessing for Christianity which came out of Judaism. Israel stands alone in this region in defense of liberty, freedom and the rule of law."

Thirty five years ago when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I purposed in my heart to be obedient to Him each day. The scriptures used as the basis for this ministry illustrate how we can all be obedient in praying and supporting Israel. Be blessed each and every day in your obedience!

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

Frank