Jesus, The Revelator

Revelation 4:1 illustrates Jehovah God saying to the Apostle John, "Come up here and I will show you things which must take place after this." John first notices as he observes the Throne of God is that God is not alone. Revelation 4:4 says, "Around the Throne were twenty-four Thrones and on the Thrones I saw twenty-four Elders sitting, clothed in white robes and they had crowns of gold on their heads."

Who are these Elders sitting around the Throne of God? Some believe they represent the church while others believe they represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles of the church. There are still others who believe they are ministering angels.

John continues describing what he is observing before the Throne of God in Revelation 4:5 which says, "And from the Throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne which are the seven Spirits of God." Please notice the lightnings and thunderings around God's Throne are the same Moses experienced as he approached Mt. Sinai illustrating the might and power of God.

John also sees "Seven Lamps of Fire" representing the seven Spirits of God who is The Holy Spirit. These Spirits are mentioned in Isaiah 11:2 as follows:

Rest . .  Wisdom . . Understanding . .  Counsel . .  Might . .  Knowledge . .  Fear Of The Lord

The last four verses of Revelation 4 describe John seeing four Living Creatures that look like a lion, a calf, a man and a flying eagle. These four living creatures do not rest but proclaim day and night:

"Holy, Holy, Holy

Lord God Almighty

Who Was And Is To Come"

We, who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, will also spend a major portion of our time worshiping before the Throne of God similar to the twenty-four Elders and the four creatures as illustrated in Revelation 4.

Hallelujah . . . Hallelujah . . . Hallelujah . . . Hallelujah!

Blessings,

Frank    

Jesus, The Revelator

 At the closing of our previous message, we shared that the church was not mentioned in Revelation beyond Chapter 3 believing the church was Raptured at that time. We know that some people say the word Rapture is not in the Bible, and that is a true statement. However, Rapture means being "Caught Up." 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, "For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be Caught Up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with The Lord."

Revelation 4 speaks about the Apostle John being "Caught Up." Revelation 4:1-3 shows Jehovah God saying to John, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in Heaven and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance and there was a rainbow around the throne in appearance like an emerald."

One moment John is on the island of Patmos and the next moment he is standing before the Throne Of God. All of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior will someday experience this glorious event! Hallelujah!

There are only a few people in Biblical History who stood before the Throne Of God or saw a vision of the Throne Room:

Stephen while being stoned by persecutors said, "Look! I see the Heaven's opened and the Son Of Man standing at the right hand of God!" {Acts 7:56}

Isaiah said, "I saw The Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up and the train of His robe filled the Temple." {Isaiah 6:1}

Daniel had a vision of the Throne Room of God, "I watched till Thrones were put in place, and the Ancient Of Days was seated." {Daniel 7:9}

Possibly, you have read this message and now desire to spend eternity before the Throne Room Of Jesus. Today, you can be assured this is your destination when you pass away. Please pray this prayer:

Jesus, I know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins

I Confess Jesus Is Lord And God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come And Live Within My Heart As My Savior

Thank You Jesus

Blessings,

Frank      

Jesus - The Revelator

In our last message we announced the start of a study of the Book of Revelation. We will continue to look at Chapter 1 and include an overview study of Jesus' messages to the seven churches.

Chapter 1 is certainly curious and challenging in trying to understand God's purposes in sharing this message. We believe He is preparing all people to be sure they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior before He pours out His wrath on those who have rejected Him. 

Following are statements by Jesus declaring He is:

"Him Who Was, Who Is And Is To Come"

"The Faithful Witness"

"The Ruler Over The Kings Of The Earth"

"The One Who Washed Us From Our Sins"

"The One Who Made Us Kings And Priests"

"Coming With The Clouds And All Will See Him"

"The Alpha And Omega"

"Son Of Man"

"Holder Of The Keys Of Hades And Death"

Chapters 2 and 3 illustrate Jesus sending corrective messages to the seven churches of that period. We believe they are also meant for churches of today. Jesus' words of correction were as follows:

"You Have Left Your First Love", Ephesus Church

"I Know The Blasphemy Of Those Who Are Not Jews", Smyrna Church

"Those Who Hold The Doctrine Of Balaam", Pergamos Church

"You Allow Jezebel . . . To Teach", Thyatira Church

"You Have A Name Of Being Alive But You Are Dead", Sardis Church

"You Have Kept My Word", Philadelphia Church 

"You Are Neither Cold Nor Hot", Laodicea Church

In closing, the church is not mentioned beyond Chapter 3 because most Bible Scholars believe the Rapture takes place following Jesus' messages to the churches. Stay Tuned!

Blessings,

Frank

       

Jesus - The Revelator

For Zion's Sake Ministry has been distributing messages almost every week for 10 years with the primary theme of encouraging people to bless Israel {Genesis 12:3} and to pray for Israel {Psalm 122:6}. Jehovah God has blessed our efforts since 47,000 people have received our messages.

While celebrating our tenth anniversary, we sense that God desires for us to change the focus of our messages and to study the last book of the Bible, the Book Of Revelation. Numerous Bible scholars believe we are living in the End Times. You might be thinking "What Does Revelation Have To Do With Israel And The Jewish People?" It has everything to do with them! The Tribulation Period, The Millenium Period and The New Jerusalem all take place in Israel. Also, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, is the author and judge of the Book of Revelation. Bless His Holy Name!

For the better part of this year, For Zion's Sake Ministry has been studying the Book Of Revelation using the following three books: 

"When Christ Appears" Author, David Jeremiah

"Revelation" Author, Amir Tsarfati

"Lost In Translation" Authors, Rabbis John Klein & Adam Spears

Let us look at a small taste of what is coming. Revelation 1:1-3 says, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants - Things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ and to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

There is no question that Jesus Christ is the author or revelator of the Book of Revelation receiving it directly from Jehovah God. Jesus then shares the message of Revelation with John The Apostle through an angel. Very important, and this applies to all who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, Revelation 1:3 says "Bless Is He Who Reads And Those Who Hear The Words Of This Prophesy." The Lord desires for all His people to read and study Revelation and all who do will be blessed by Him.

Stay Tuned! We Have Just Begun This Wonderful Journey . . .

Blessings,

Frank      

Jesus, Our High Priest - Part Four

Hebrews 9:11 says, "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come." This is the final message in our mini-series about Jesus, Our High Priest. Please notice in Hebrews verse 11 we learn that Jesus is the High Priest of "Good Things To Come." 

The Following Is A List Of The Good Things To Come:

"For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with The Lord." 1Thessalonians 3:16-17

Jesus instantly appears in the clouds and brings all saved people to Heaven to abide with Him for eternity. Hallelujah!

"And I will give power to My two witnesses and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and 60 days clothed in sackcloth." Revelation 11:3

Jehovah God places two witnesses in Jerusalem during the Tribulation in order to proclaim His Word and perform miracles bringing people to salvation in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

"Then I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war . . . Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron." Revelation 19:11,15

Jesus comes back to earth and defeats all the nations gathered to destroy Israel. Hallelujah!

"He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years . . . And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." Revelation 20:2,4

Satan is bound in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years and the saints will reign with Christ for 1,000 years. Hallelujah!

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of The Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. "Revelation 19:7

All the Saints in Heaven dine with their Groom Jesus at the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb. Hallelujah!

"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God . . . And I heard a loud voice from Heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men.'" Revelation 21:2,3

The New Jerusalem comes to earth where all Saved People will live for eternity with Jehovah God. Hallelujah!

Thank you, Jesus, for all the "Good Things" You will bring forth as our High Priest.

Frank   

   

   

Jesus, Our High Priest - Part Three

We are learning about Jesus becoming our High Priest when He ascended into Heaven and sat on His Throne at the right hand of The Heavenly Father. To date we have learned Jesus has opened direct access to Jehovah God and we can actually know God through the guidance and direction of The Holy Spirit. 

Hebrews 8:12 says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." When Jesus died and was resurrected, the New Covenant was established and God said in Hebrews 8:12 that as a result "I will remember no more" their sins. The New Covenant established forgiveness of sins for all people once they receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Bless His Holy Name!

How did this happen? We first need to understand how the sins of the people were addressed under the Old Covenant. Hebrews 9:22 says, "And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood and without shedding of blood there is no remission." When they sinned, people living under The Old Covenant brought animals to the Priest for the shedding of blood resulting in the covering over of their sins. However, this was not forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 10:4 says, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."

Jesus Came As The Mediator Of A Better Covenant 

With Better Promises

One of the Better Promises is the Forgiveness of Sins. "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many." {Hebrews 9:12-14,28}

Jesus, Our High Priest, Remembers Our Sins No More. Hallelujah!

Blessings,

Frank

    

Jesus, Our High Priest - Part Two

Hebrews 8:3 says, "For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices." We learned in our first message of this new series that Jesus became our High Priest upon His ascension into Heaven. Hebrews 8:3 says that high priests offer gifts and sacrifices. This theme could be a series by itself.

Without any question the most important gift and sacrifice Jesus offered to both Jews and Gentiles was the establishment of a new and better Covenant. Hebrews 8:6 says, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant" and Hebrews 8:8,10 describe the New Covenant as "Behold, the days are coming, says The Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah . . . I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts."

Jehovah God says, "He will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts." This describes one of the primary differences between the Old and New Covenants. Under the Old Covenant, God's Chosen People attempted to obey over 600 laws which was impossible.

However, the New Covenant provides the opportunity to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord and develop a relationship with Him through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This New Covenant creates a relationship allowing the Holy Spirit to enable a "Saved Person" to please the Heavenly Father in all that they say and do. Let Us Always Bless His Holy Name!

Obviously, the new relationship developed through the New Covenant between God and "Saved People" is effective because Hebrews 8:11 says, "None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'know The Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them."

All "Saved People" Through The Shed Blood Of Jesus 

Shall Know God!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Blessings,

Frank       

Jesus - Our High Priest

Hebrews 8:1 says, "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying; we have such a High Priest, 'Who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens.'" We are starting a new series entitled Jesus - Our High Priest taken from Hebrews Chapters 8, 9, 10. Please notice Hebrews 8:1 says, "We have such a High Priest." When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He became the High Priest of all those who know Him as their Lord and Savior.

Jesus also sat down on His Throne at the right hand of God Almighty. No priest in the line of Aaron ever had a chair in the Tabernacle where they could sit down because they were too busy with their priestly duties. Jesus sat down because His task on earth was finished. Jesus declared from the cross just before He died "It Is Finished." Hallelujah!

Jesus, as our High Priest from Heaven is "A Minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which The Lord erected and not man." The Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Temple in Jerusalem were man-made. Conversely, Jesus ministers in a Tabernacle in Heaven that He created.

Most importantly, we who know Jesus as our Savior now have total access to our Heavenly Father. The Tabernacle of the Old Testament was composed of an outer court where animal sacrifices took place; the Holy Place where Priests performed their duties and the Holy of Holies where Jehovah God was present. Only the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year before God to ask for atonement for the sins of the people.

However, the moment that Jesus died on the cross, the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn apart. In effect, at that moment Jesus became our High Priest and we now can come boldly before the Throne of God at any moment with our Worship, Prayers and Requests. Jehovah God desires to be our Intimate friend.

Thank You Jesus For Becoming Our High Priest!      

Blessings,

Frank 

The Land Of Israel - Part Ten

This will be the final message in our series about The Land Of Israel and it will show our Lord Jesus Christ gaining control of the whole world. 

We have learned in the last message that the Anti-Christ at the end of the seven-year Tribulation Period gathers armies from around the world to invade and destroy Jerusalem. However, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords suddenly appears in the sky and destroys all the enemies of Israel in a single moment. Revelation 19:11,15 says, "Then I saw Heaven opened and behold, a white horse and He who sat on him was called Faithful and True . . . now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron."

The defeat of all the enemies of Israel ushers in the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ over the whole world from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3 says, "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the Lord's House shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come and let us go up to the mountain of The Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of The Lord from Jerusalem."

There will be total peace on the earth and nations will travel to Jerusalem to learn of the ways of Jehovah God who will also be their Judge. Zechariah 14:16 says, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations who came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship The King, The Lord of Hosts, and to keep The Feast of Tabernacles." Also, all the Saints of God in Heaven at the start of the 1,000 years will reign with Christ. {Revelation 20:6}

The Land of Israel and specifically the current Jerusalem will be the location of The New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:2,3 says, "Then I, John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from Heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men.'"

We trust you have been blessed by our series on The Land of Israel and it has been an educational process for all.

Blessings,

Frank  

    

 

The Land Of Israel - Part Nine

We are in the closing stages of studying the Land Of Israel as we look at its future when the next major event will be the seven-years known as the Tribulation Period.

Shortly after Jesus gathers all those who know Him as Lord and Savior, the Anti-Christ will be identified. He will come as a Deceiver as identified in the First Seal in Revelation 6:2. The Anti-Christ's forms of deception in the first three and a half years are as follows: 

He Temporarily Brings Peace To The Earth

He Allows The Jewish Temple To Be Rebuilt

He Appears To Be The Jewish Messiah

He Temporarily Develops A Peace Agreement With Israel

At the end of the first three and a half years, the Anti-Christ reveals his true intentions toward Israel and the Jewish People. His goal is to destroy both of them. He starts by shutting down all daily worship activities in the Temple and declares "I Am God." The last three and a half years of the Tribulation period are extremely difficult and challenging for the Jewish People.

However, Jehovah God has not forgotten His Covenant People! He seals 144,000 Jewish men selecting 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel protecting them from all harm. Also, Revelation 14:4,5 says, "These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes . . . for they are without fault before the Throne of God." 

Revelation 11 describes the "Two Witnesses." Verses 3 and 5 says, "And I will give power to My two witnesses and they will prophesy . . . and if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth." These two witnesses illustrate how God has not forgotten Israel and illustrates the power of God because they are able to perform miracles.

Our next message will show our Lord God defeating the enemies of Israel and establishing the one-thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ. Stay Tuned.

Blessings,

Frank 

  

 

 

The Land Of Israel - Part Eight

This message is the first of a number of messages looking at the Future Of The Land Of Israel. Between now and when Jesus physically returns to earth, Israel will take part in three wars.

Psalm 83 in verses 2-4 says, "For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, 'come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'" This is a very clear indication that the enemies of Israel are working together to destroy Israel. Verse 6 actually identifies some of these nations to include Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

The Battle of Gog and Magog will be an invasion of the Mountains of Israel and it is believed it will take place before the seven year Tribulation Period. Our Lord God talks to Gog, who is believed to be the leader of Russia in Ezekiel 38:15-16 saying, "Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you . . . You will come up against My People Israel like a cloud." Gog will lead a coalition of nations surrounding Israel in an attempt to destroy Israel. However, Jehovah God responds to this invasion saying in verses 21 and 23, "I will call for a sword against Gog . . . Thus I will Magnify Myself and Sanctify Myself."

The final battle for Israel happens at the end of the Tribulation Period and is called The Battle of Armageddon. However, this battle centers on Jerusalem but will happen throughout Israel. Armies from around the world will gather in the Valley of Megiddo which is Armageddon in Hebrew. Once again, Jehovah God intervenes and wins this final battle for Israel but also for all the peoples of the earth. {Zechariah 14:3}

What A Mighty God We Serve!

What A Mighty God We Serve!

Angels Bow Before Him,

Heaven And Earth Adore Him,

What A Mighty God We Serve!

Blessings,

Frank

     

   

The Land Of Israel - Part Seven

In our last message we raised the question "What Would It Be Like To Live In Israel?" The most blessed part of living in Israel is wherever one might live could be a place where "Jesus Walked." Jesus was born in Bethlehem; He healed people and raised the dead in Judea and Samaria; was crucified and raised from the dead in Jerusalem. Also, He ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem residents and tourists can visit many Biblical Sites such as the Hill of Golgotha where Jesus died; the tomb where Jesus was laid after His death and from where He was Resurrected and the location of the Last Supper.

Geographically, Israel is a Miracle! A visitor to Israel in the early 1900's would have found desert and swamp land. Today, the swamp land has become beautiful towns and cities plus the desert is farmland. Fruits and vegetables produced by Israeli farms are desired around the world. Israel has become a global leader in the technology and medical fields. Jehovah God said in Genesis 12:2-3 that He will "Bless Israel" and this Miracle is evident every day. Bless His Holy Name! 

In addition to the joy and excitement of living or visiting the Holy Land, it is one of the most beautiful nations in the world. The Western Coast has beaches to compare with any other beaches. At the Northern tip is Mount Hermon with a breath-taking view and downhill skiing. The Sea of Galilee is located just south of Mount Hermon and one can see fishermen similar to the days of Jesus and can ride in boats patterned to the days of Jesus.

Last but certainly not least, Jerusalem is a beautiful city since most buildings are white made from Jerusalem Stone. Visitors and residents experience numerous languages and religious practices since residents of Jerusalem have moved there from around the world. One can visit the Western Wall believed to be the only wall remaining from the Jewish Temples. Additionally, on the Sabbath, visitors will notice Jewish families gathering throughout the city.

If you have not visited Israel, make it a priority! You Will Be Greatly Blessed And Will Desire To Return. The future of Israel messages will start next week.

Blessings,

Frank   

          

The Land Of Israel - Part Six

What type of life would we experience if we lived in Israel? When we started our study of the Land Of Israel, we stated we would look at Israel past, present and future. Present day Israel is now our focus.

Psalm 122:6 says, "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem." Israel has been in a fight for its very existence since the day it was formed, May 15, 1948. Very few nations around the world support them. The world media criticizes them when they defend themselves. Israel is literally surrounded by enemies. Hezbullah is a terror group in Lebanon, Russia and Iran have troops in Syria plus Hamas controls Gaza firing rockets and missiles into Israel on a regular basis. Internally, terror attacks on Israeli citizens occur almost daily.

Israel is attacked verbally on a consistent basis by The United Nations. The U.N. General Assembly adopted 202 Resolutions criticizing countries of the world and Israel was the subject 81% of the time. Is the United Nations the correct name for this organization? Should it be called "Nations Against Israel?"

However, there has been a shift in the attitude of some of Israel's neighboring countries. When Donald Trump was President of the United States, he worked with Israel and established the Abraham Accords. This means Israel now has an alliance with four Arab countries - The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Tourists now travel between these countries and business ventures are in evidence.

All these countries realize they have a common enemy in Iran. Iran has been developing a nuclear weapon for many years and continually threatens to destroy Israel. One of Iran's military leaders recently said, "It is time for a ground war against Israel." Conversely, an Israeli military leader said, "Israel should attack Iran within a year."

Please pray Psalm 122:6 "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem" on a daily basis and encourage others to join you in this prayer. Our next message will look at the joy, excitement and blessings of living in Israel. Stay Tuned.

Blessings,

Frank             

The Land Of Israel - Part Five

In our last message we learned exactly how the Nation of Israel was established. However, this act of Jehovah God was not accepted by all the countries surrounding Israel. In reality, the forming of Israel expanded the conflict over this plot of land that continues to the present day.

Our message today will outline the wars and their results that Israel has fought to protect their God-Given land:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

Immediately after Israel became a nation on May 5, 1948, five Arab States invaded Israel but this war to destroy Israel failed. In 1949, peace agreements were formed with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

The 1949 peace agreements failed because in 1951 Israeli bound shipping was blocked in the Suez Canal. After an eight-day conflict, Israeli Defense Forces captured the Suez Canal and the Sinai Peninsula.

On May 16, 1967, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia combined forces to invade Israel. On June 5, 1967, the entire Israeli Air Force in less than two hours destroyed 300 Egyptian aircraft ending this conflict.

During Yom Kippur 1973, which is Israel's Holiest Day, Egypt and Syria conducted a surprise attack against Israel. Syrian tanks totaled 1,400 plus there were 80,000 Egyptian troops. The battle lasted 16 days and Israel prevailed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Israel won each of these wars against over-whelming odds only with the help of The God of Israel. What A Mighty God We Serve! 

Most Muslim nations are committed to the elimination of Israel and the Jewish People. Revelation 21 describes the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven over the current day Jerusalem. Israel will survive and be even larger than it is today.  Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Our next message will examine the Land of Israel today. Stay Tuned.

Blessings,

Frank 

      

Land Of Israel - Part Four

Our message this week is a fulfillment of Bible Prophesy. Yes, Jehovah God does exactly what He promises, He keeps all His promises! Our Lord said to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." God repeated this same message numerous times in Genesis. Bless His Holy Name!

How did the actual establishment of the State of Israel take place? The United Nations called for the establishment of Arab and Jewish States in Palestine on November 29, 1947.This plan was rejected by the Palestinian Arabs and most of the surrounding Arab Nations. Following the UN proposal, Arab militants launched attacks against the Jewish communities trying to stop this planned establishment of a Jewish State. However, Jewish Defense Forces took control of the land proposed for the Jewish State. 

When the British Mandate ended on May 14, 1948, the Jewish Government declared the formation of the State of Israel. The Israeli Government immediately declared full civil rights for those living in Israel whether Jew or Arab. The Jewish population at that time was 650,000. Across the Jordan River, Transjordan opposed the new State of Israel and commenced with warfare against this new state. 

At the same time, United States President Harry S. Truman had a very difficult decision to make. An American Jewish businessman named Eddie Jacobson was a friend of President Truman and shared with him how the Jews were being mistreated in Germany. Jacobson also convinced President Truman to meet with Zionist Leader Chaim Weizmann. However, President Truman's advisors in the American Government had various opinions and the Secretary of State objected to the State of Israel. President Truman was taught as a child by his mother about God's plan for the formation of a State of Israel. As a result, the United States recognized the new State of Israel 11 minutes after it was formed. What A Mighty God We Serve!

In our next message we will start learning that the New State of Israel was not received well in the Middle East. Please Stay Tuned.

Blessings,

Frank

        

The Land Of Israel - Part Three

As part of our study of the land of Israel, in the previous message we learned that two British men in the early nineteen hundreds felt that the Jewish People should have their own land and nation. Lord Balfour made a declaration called The Balfour Declaration saying, "Palestine should become the home of the Jewish People." We will study in this lesson how this declaration was received.

In July 1922 the League Of Nations empowered Great Britian with the Mandate for Palestine in which Great Britian was charged with establishing a Jewish home in Palestine. The land allocated to the Jewish People by the League Of Nations had Syria as its northern border, Transjordan as its eastern border, Egypt as its southern border and the Mediterranean Sea as its western border.

How was the Balfour Declaration and its approval by the League Of Nations received? Unfortunately, it was strongly opposed by neighboring Arab States resulting in violence during 1920, 1921, 1929 and 1936 through 1939. There were attempts to establish talks between Jews and Arabs that never took place. The British Government even proposed dividing Palestine into a Jewish and Arab State that was rejected by the Arabs. As history illustrates, this same conflict continues to the present day!

This conflict led Great Britian in May of 1939 to develop what was known as the White Paper putting restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine. The result of this was it became very difficult for the Jewish People attempting to flee from the Holocaust. However, they developed a network of immigration activities assisting the Holocaust survivors to come back to Palestine. Between 1945 and 1948, 85,000 Jews were brought back to Israel in secret using dangerous routes. Some were caught and sent back to Europe or put in detention camps.

The next lesson will look at the steps taken to establish the State Of Israel! Stay Tuned. 

Blessings,

Frank       

The Land Of Israel - Part Two

Our new series is about the physical land of Israel - past, present and future. In our first message we learned that God spoke numerous times to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob proclaiming that He would give to them and their descendants the land "From the river Egypt to the river Euphrates." This information is found in Genesis 15:18.

How did the concept of the Jewish people living in their own God-Given land actually take place? We need to first realize there is a connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem going back 3,000 years to King David who established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Jerusalem was the center of the Jewish people's faith and identity. King Solomon built the first Temple in the tenth century which was destroyed in 586 B.C. A second temple was built a century later but was destroyed in 70 A.D.

Currently, some of the Jewish people are still dispersed around the world because of their disobedience to God. Even in their dispersion, God's people desire to be back in Israel saying, "Next Year In Jerusalem." This dispersion is still active today but many Jews are moving back to Israel on a regular basis.

Let us go back to the original question for this message - how did the idea of a particular land for the Jews designated by God come into being? Toward the end of the 19th Century dispersed Jewish people started believing they were not safe because of Anti-Semitism. As a result, the concept of a State of Israel surfaced and this became known as Zionism.

A Jewish man, Chaim Weizmann, invented an important material needed for arms production in Great Britain. Two important British government leaders, Lloyd George and Lord Balfour took notice of Chaim and started a Zionism Movement proposing the return of the Jews to their own land. 

As a result, Lord Balfour made a declaration known as the Balfour Declaration stating that "His Majesty's Government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people." Please stay tuned for our next message describing in detail the response to the Balfour Declaration! 

Blessings,

Frank

The Land Of Israel

Today starts a new series in which we will study Israel from the time it was proposed by Jehovah God to Abraham through today. Israel is the most contested piece of land throughout history. In fact, there have been 3,700 terror attacks in 2022. We will look at Israel's history, current day Israel and its future.

How did the concept of a particular piece of land to be given by God to His Chosen People take place? Numerous times in the Book Of Genesis our Lord clearly describes to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He is giving to them and their descendants a particular piece of land.

In Genesis 12:2 God says to Abraham, "I will make you into a Great Nation." It is important to understand that God is talking to Abraham but it is intended for Abraham and his descendants through Isaac, Jacob, David all the way to Jesus. Also, the Great Nation has a twofold meaning referring to the physical land but also to a nation of people who became the Jewish People.

Jehovah God in the Abrahamic Covenant describes the land He is giving to His Chosen People in Genesis 15:18 saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." Please note this is a much larger piece of land than current day Israel. Studying this in greater detail will be in future messages.

Following are messages by God describing the land He will give to His Chosen People:

To Abraham: Genesis 13:14,15 "Look from the place where you are - northward, southward, eastward and westward for all the land which you see I give to you."

To Abraham: 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."

To Isaac: Genesis 26:3 "Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands."

To Jacob: Genesis 28:4 "And give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you, that you may inherit the land in which you are a stranger, which I gave to Abraham."

To Jacob: Genesis 35:12 "The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you."

The Word of God clearly shows He gave the current land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria, to His Chosen People, The Jewish People.  Next week we will start looking historically at how the land of Israel became a reality. Stay Tuned!

Blessings!

Frank   

Ukrainian Support Update

Recently, For Zion's Sake Ministry reported on how Israel was very much involved in helping the people of Ukraine leave their country in a time of war. We desire to update our reporting by showing that Israel is still very much involved.

Our source for this update is a Ministry called Bridges For Peace whose purpose is to help Jewish people who have moved to Israel get adjusted to their new home. Bridges For Peace has been on the ground in Ukraine from the very beginning rescuing Ukrainian Jews plus others and flying them to Israel.

Here is the updated story! Approximately, 20,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived safely in Israel. An average of 251 arrive daily, with over 36,000 waiting to board a plane to Israel. Before the war in the Ukraine, 30,000 immigrants would arrive each year. 

Israeli Government Agencies and Charities are overwhelmed with the need of establishing these new immigrants into Israeli society. Initially, they are housed in a Government sponsored hotel but that only lasts for two weeks. Almost all of them are senior citizens or mothers with young children. The majority of the Ukrainian men have to stay to fight the war.

The Israeli Government provides some financial assistance for one year. Then the immigrants must find a job or receive financial help from a Ministry like Bridges For Peace. Currently, there are 800 refugees in hotels and 1,500 are expected to arrive very soon.

Bridges For Peace has an Adoption Program in which a person can sponsor a new immigrant for one year. Bridges For Peace provides food, a transportation pass for busses and trains, gifts on holidays, meets urgent needs and provides lots of love and advice. The Sponsor learns all about their adoptee and can even correspond with them.

If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor, please check their website at www.bridgesforpeace.com or you can telephone the International Headquarters 972 2-624-5004. 

Jehovah God says in Genesis 12:3 "I Will Bless Those Who Bless Israel."

Blessings,

Frank      

  

God Keeps All His Promises - Part Six

We are concluding our current series about God Keeping All His Promises with a discussion about the most important promise God made and kept. Jeremiah 31:31,33,34 says, "Behold, the days are coming, says The Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah . . . I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My People. No more shall every man teach his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, 'Know The Lord, for they all shall know Me.'"

Jehovah God promised that He would establish a New Blood Covenant! How and when did our Lord accomplish this critically important miracle? He sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to be crucified and to rise from the dead.

God says, "I will put My Laws in their minds and write them on their hearts." This is a declaration by God that when a person receives Jesus as their Savior and Messiah, they also receive The Holy Spirit who comes to live within their hearts enabling them to sin less. Notice also in Jeremiah 31:34 God says, "For all shall know Me." Once again, through receiving The Holy Spirit upon salvation a person receives God to live within them resulting in developing an intimate relationship with God Himself. Bless His Holy Name!

Jeremiah 31:34 also says, "For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more." How does Jehovah God remember our sin no more? Hebrews 9:9,12,17 describe why Jesus came to earth saying, "Behold, I have come to do Your Will, O God . . . After He had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever, sat down at the right hand of God . . . their sins and their lawless deeds I remember no more."

Possibly, after reading these messages about God keeping all his promises, you realize it is time to receive Jesus as Savior knowing your sins are forgiven and you will spend Eternity in Heaven. You can receive Jesus as your Savior by praying this prayer:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins

I Proclaim That Jesus Is Lord And

God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come To Live Within My Heart Granting Me Salvation

Thank You, Jesus . . . Hallelujah!

Blessing,

Frank         

God Keeps All His Promises - Part Five

The Book Of Joshua opens with Jehovah God saying to Joshua in verses two and three, "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them - the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses."

As we continue our series about God keeping all His promises, please notice that He mentions a number of promises in Joshua 1:2-3. Our Lord tells Joshua, "Every place you put the sole of your foot I have given to you." In effect, God is telling Joshua, Caleb and the Israelites to go across the Jordan River and conquer and possess "The Promise Land."

Joshua 1:4 actually outlines the boundaries of the land to be conquered and possessed by God's Chosen People. The Southern boundary is Egypt, the Northern boundary is Lebanon, the Eastern boundary is the Euphrates River and the Western boundary is the Mediterranean Sea. These are the exact boundaries of the land given to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 15:18.

Very important! God promises Joshua in verse 5, "I will not leave you nor forsake you." The remainder of this message will illustrate all the areas of the Promised Land where Joshua "Set the sole of his feet" and the Israelites conquered the land:

Jericho - "The seventh time the priest blew the trumpets and the people shouted, the city was doomed to destruction." Joshua 6:16-17

Ai - "So it was that all who fell that day, both men and women were 12,000, all the people of Ai." Joshua 8:25

Amorites - "Then Joshua spoke to The Lord in the day when The Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel and he said in the sight of Israel: 'sun, stand still over Gideon . . . so the sun stood still . . . till the people had revenge upon their enemies.'" Joshua 10:12-13

Northern Canaan - "But The Lord said to Joshua, 'do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel.'" Joshua 11:6

Joshua 11:23 summarizes all the territory conquered by the Israelites saying, "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that The Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war."

Yes, God Keeps All His Promises! What A Mighty God We Serve!

Blessings,

Frank

    

God Keeps All His Promises - Part Four

We have been studying how Jehovah God keeps all His Promises. In last week's message, God declared at Mount Sinai to the Israelites "I will make you into a great nation." He has kept this promise beyond measure!

At the same time at the base of Mount Sinai the Israelites were worshipping a false god in the form of a golden calf. When Moses observed this activity upon coming down from Mount Sinai, he broke the tablets of God's Law on the ground. God then told Moses to "Cut out two stone tablets like the first ones and bring them to Me." Exodus 34:8-10 says, "So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. Then he said 'if now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.'"

Jehovah God's response to Moses shortly after witnessing His people's disobedience is one of unconditional love and grace. Instead of judging His people He responded by saying in Exodus 34:10:

I Make A Covenant With Your People

I Will Do Marvels Before Your People

I Will Do Marvels In Nations

All The People Of The World Will See My Work

I Will Do An Awesome Thing

He has kept all these promises! God established the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:3. He gave the land of Israel to His Covenant People in Genesis 15:18. Our Lord God has protected His People around the world and made them blessings wherever they live. These are all marvelous, blessed promises kept!

The last promise made by God in Exodus 34:10 says, "For it is an awesome thing I will do with you." He keeps this promise every minute of every day for all His people - Jew and Gentile! Bless His Holy Name!

Blessings,

Frank

 

    

God Keeps All His Promises - Part Three

Our message this week will attempt to answer the question about when and how did God identify the large group of oppressed people in Egypt as Israel? In Genesis 12:3 God said to Abraham and his descendants, "I will make you into a great nation." This critically important statement did not go on to give any details how this would take place.

The first verse of the Book Of Exodus says, "Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt." Please notice this group of people who moved to Egypt were referred to as Israel. Genesis 46:3 also shows God saying to Jacob and his descendants, "I am God, The God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there." As a result, might we conclude that this group of people in Egypt were Israel and multiplied greatly so that they were the great nation of Genesis 12:3?

However, let us explore this question even further. There are also those Bible Scholars who believe Israel became a great nation and God's Covenant People at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:3-6 says, "And Moses went up to God; and The Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel; you have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My Covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'" 

Jehovah God said to the children of Israel who had come out of the land of Egypt, "You shall be a special treasure to Me above all people and a Holy Nation." The people of Israel responded by saying in verse 8 "All that The Lord has spoken, we will do." It is believed the Nation of Israel became a Great Nation at this moment. Whether Israel became the Great Nation spoken of in Genesis 12:3 in Egypt or at Mount Sinai is not that important to determine. What is important: 

God Kept His Promise! Today Israel Is A Great Nation And Will Be Even Greater When Jesus Returns To Earth To Establish The New Jerusalem.

Blessings,

Frank 

God Keeps All His Promises - - Part Two

Last week we started a new series revolving around God Keeping All His Promises. We learned while studying the Abrahamic Covenant, that Jehovah God made seven promises to Abraham about establishing Israel and the Jewish People and kept each promise in excess. This week we will look at the story of the Exodus and the promises God made to Moses including the results. 

The first few verses of Chapter Three of Exodus show God appearing to Moses in a burning bush and saying in verses 6-7 "I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob . . . I have surely seen the oppression of My People who are in Egypt." Please notice how God says these are My People and I know about their sorrows. Bless His Holy Name!

Jehovah God continues His conversation with Moses in Exodus 3 explaining how He will bring His People out of Egypt and how Moses will play an important part in this rescue operation. The following statements are seven promises made and kept by our Lord:

I have come to deliver My people from the Egyptians - Vs. 8

I will bring them to a good and large land - Vs. 8

I will send Moses to speak to Pharaoh, release My people - Vs. 10

I will go with Moses - Vs. 12

I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt - Vs. 20

I will give My people favor with the Egyptians - Vs. 21

My people will not leave Egypt empty-handed - Vs. 21

Yes, Jehovah God Kept All His Promises To Moses!

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

ANGELS BOW BEFORE HIM!

HEAVEN AND EARTH ADORE HIM!

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

Blessings,

Frank

        

God Keeps All His Promises

In the days and times in which we live, it is important for all of us to know that Jehovah God loves us unconditionally and takes care of us even when we do not realize or acknowledge it. "God Keeping All His Promises" will be the focus of our new series starting with the Abrahamic Covenant and ending with God saving the world through the death and Resurrection of His Son. Bless His Holy Name!

Jehovah God initiated the Abrahamic Covenant by speaking to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 saying, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Please notice God made seven promises in one short conversation with Abraham. We will examine each promise and clarify how Jehovah God answered each promise.

"I Will Make You A Great Nation" - God was not just speaking to Abraham but was speaking to his descendants to include Isaac, Jacob, David, Judah and their descendants. The Great Nation is the Jewish People and the physical land of Israel.

"I Will Bless You" - Our Lord has blessed His Chosen People by bringing them out of Egypt, taking care of them in the Wilderness, bringing them into the land flowing with milk and honey, protecting them from their enemies and helping them be successful in their daily lives.

"Make Your Name Great" - Israel is one of the smallest countries in the world but has one of the strongest economies and technical climates in the world. Also has one of the strongest militaries.

"You Shall Be A Blessing" - Our last two messages illustrated how Israel is currently rescuing people from Ukraine and how historically they rescue people quickly from disasters. Israel also shares their business and technical successes with the world.

"I Will Bless Those Who Bless You" - This has been true for the For Zion's Sake Ministry Family and all other ministries and individuals who bless Israel.

"I Will Curse Him Who Curses You" - Bible history illustrates continually that empires who tried to destroy Israel currently do not exist.

"And In You All The Families Of The Earth Will Be Blessed" - Zechariah 14:16 says, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship The King, The Lord Of Hosts, and to keep the Feast Of Tabernacles."

Yes, God Keeps All His Promises!

Blessings,

Frank       

 

You Shall Be A Blessing - Part Two

In this mini-series entitled "You Shall Be A Blessing," we learned last week that Jehovah God spoke to Abraham and his descendants, who became the Jewish People, and said "You Shall Be A Blessing To The World." This contact by God with Abraham initiated the Abrahamic Covenant. Israel is currently involved in its largest rescue mission by bringing Jews and others out of Ukraine and flying them to Israel, acting out The Abrahamic Covenant.

We will further examine how Israel has been a blessing to the world, now and in the past. Following disasters anywhere in the world, Israel has shipped aid to 140 countries including Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China, Columbia, Gaza, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Lithuania, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Sudan, Syria and many, many other countries! They send doctors, nurses, rescue workers, medical supplies and equipment. Hallelujah, Thank You For Their Obedience To Jehovah God!

According to the World Health Organization, one third of the population of the world does not have access to safe drinking water. Israel is located in a desert climate with a limited supply of fresh water. However, they have developed ways and techniques on how to develop an ample reservoir of water and they share these techniques with nations of the world. The following is a list of some of these techniques:

Israel recycles 90% of all wastewaters

Solar-powered distillers convert dirty water into drinking water

Israel extracts water out of thin air

Water is placed at the base of plants for effective agriculture irrigation

Techniques are shared for effective tracking of water consumption

Next week we start a new series entitled "God Keeping All His Promises."  Stay Tuned.

Blessings,

Frank  

        

You Shall Be A Blessing

Jehovah God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 saying, "I will make you a great nation and I will bless you . . . and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." God was, through Abraham, initiating the Abrahamic Covenant that predicted the future establishment of the Jewish People and the land of Israel. It also predicted God's Chosen People and Israel will be "A Blessing To The World."

How has Israel responded to this prophetic admonition from Jehovah God? They have responded beyond expectations! History shows that shortly after a disaster happens anywhere in the world, Israel seems to be the first people on the ground to help and provide Humanitarian Aid. 

Is Israel involved in helping the people of Ukraine? They have launched the largest rescue effort in their history to bring Ukrainian Jews and others to Israel. Israeli buses go into Ukraine to pick people up taking them to the border where Israeli officials arrange for their trip to Israel. One Ukrainian Official said, "Only Israel arranges buses for free, it is a testament to the values of Israel."

During World War II six million Jews lost their lives because they had no place to flee. As a result, Israel is determined to not let a similar scenario happen again. Under Israel's Right Of Return Policy, any person with at least one Jewish grandparent can apply for Israeli Citizenship. This now applies to 200,000 Ukrainian Jews. To date, 10,000 Ukrainian Jews have arrived in Israel.

However, Israel is not just rescuing Jews. They also have rescued hundreds of Arabs and even some from countries technically at war with Israel. There are Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian citizens on the Israel rescue buses. The goal for Israel is to rescue people, all people!

Once people arrive in Israel from Ukraine they are greeted by Israeli officials and turned over to a ministry called Bridges For Peace. This ministry's main function is to help immigrants who arrive in Israel with only the clothes they are wearing and a small suitcase. Bridges For Peace assists them in finding housing, food, clothes and also assists them in finding jobs.

Yes, Israel Is Indeed A Blessing To The World!

Next week we will look at Israel being a blessing to the world in many other avenues and functions. Stay Tuned.

Blessings,

Frank      

Current Day Israel - Part Eight

We are concluding our lengthy but important series of messages about Current Day Israel. Romans 9-11 was our references and we found them challenging to understand at times. The following is a summary of all that we have learned:

Paul Was Sorrowful As His People Did Not Know Jesus, Romans 9:2

Israel Seeks Righteousness By Works Not Faith, Romans 9:32

Salvation Is By Believing And Confessing Jesus As Lord, Romans 10:9

Israel Has Heard That Jesus Is Their Messiah, Romans 10:18

Gentile Salvation Provokes Israel To Jealousy, Romans 10:19

God Reaches Out To A Disobedient People, Romans 10:21

God Has Not Abandoned His People, Romans 11:1

Israel Is In A Stupor So They Cannot See Jesus, Romans 11:8

Most Important - ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED, Romans 11:26

As we are concluding this series, we believe one verse of Scripture is the most important to remember "ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED" as mentioned in Romans 11:26. Why must this happen? Genesis 12:3 says that Abraham and His Descendants - The Jewish People - will be a blessing to all the families of the earth.

God's Chosen People have continually been a blessing to the world. Currently, they are providing Humanitarian Aid In Ukraine and have also set up a Field Hospital. Even more important, Revelation 7 describes 144,000 Jewish men who have been previously saved, will witness around the world that Jesus Christ is Savior and Messiah! What A Mighty God We Serve! Hallelujah!

Next week we will begin a new series showing how Israel is a blessing around the world. Following that series we will spend many weeks looking at how God keeps all His promises especially for Israel.

Blessings,

Frank

  

        

Current Day Israel - Part Seven

The last six weeks we have been learning about Current Day Israel as illustrated in Romans 9-11. We have learned that the majority of the Jewish People have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah. We have also mentioned most importantly that Jehovah God has planned a glorious ending to this story.

What is this glorious ending for His Chosen People and when will it happen? The glorious ending is "All Israel Will Be Saved" as illustrated in Romans 11:26. Yes, All Will Be Saved! This raises an intriguing and very important question. Does "All Being Saved" mean 100% of the Jewish People will be saved?

There are two approaches to take in trying to answer this question. First, the word "all" in the Hebrew language does not mean 100% but means a very high percentage. Second, Ezekiel 39:28 indicates that Jehovah God will bring back all of His Chosen People to Israel who were scattered around the world for their disobedience. Does Romans 11:26 mean that all of these Jewish People who have returned to Israel will be saved? It appears we cannot answer this question but this we know, a very large percentage of the Jewish People "Will Be Saved." Hallelujah!

When will this happen? Again, this is an important and challenging question. Romans 11:25 says, "For I do not desire, Brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that hardening in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." Many Bible Scholars believe the "Fullness Of The Gentiles" is when God has determined that all the Gentiles who will be saved have come into His Kingdom. Only Jehovah God knows when this will happen.

We will close this message about the Jewish People being saved with Romans 11:26 saying, "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." The closing verses of Romans 11 are important and challenging to understand. But this we know . . .

 "All Israel Will Be Saved."

Blessings,

Frank

Current Day Israel - Part Six

In our study of Current Day Israel, we have primarily learned that the majority of the Jewish People have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah. We even learned in last week's message that Jehovah God opened Salvation to the Gentiles to provoke His Chosen People to jealously. As a result, one might wonder if the Jewish People will ever see and accept Jesus as their Messiah and Savior?

Romans 11:1-2 boldly answers this question with Paul saying, "I say then, has God cast away His People? Certainly not . . . God has not cast away His People whom He foreknew." An Old Testament verse verifies that God has not forsaken His Chosen People but that He is in the process of correcting them. Jeremiah 46:28 says, "Do not fear, O Jacob My servant" says The Lord, "for I am with you; for I will make a complete end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but I will not make a complete end of you, I will rightly correct you."

Additionally, Romans 11:8 illustrates one of the primary reasons why the Jewish People have difficulty accepting Jesus as their Messiah saying, "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear to this very day." In effect, Jehovah God has placed His Covenant People in a physical state in which it is very difficult for them to see or hear about Jesus as their Messiah.

Why would God make it extremely difficult for the Jewish People to see who is their Messiah? This is a good and challenging question. After all, God desires for all people, Jew and Gentile, to be saved! We believe Isaiah 29:13 will help us to understand this important question saying, "Therefore The Lord said; 'Inasmuch as these people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me.'"

Jehovah God is saying in Isaiah 29:13 that His Chosen People are saying words that honor Him but He knows that what is in their hearts does not honor Him! This was an important lesson from God during the time of the Book of Romans but is also an important lesson for us today.

Please notice Isaiah 29:14 says, "Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder." Jehovah God is not finished with His Chosen People! Stay Tuned!

Blessings,

Frank