Gog On Their Doorstep

As we all are experiencing the possibly prophetic month of September, 2015, another possibly prophetic event is taking place in Syria. Gog, in the form of Russian troops, are moving in next door to Israel.

Syria has been involved in a Civil War for the last 55 months that has claimed 250 thousand lives. Segments of the population have been attempting to overthrow the dictatorial Assad government. Recently, multiplied thousands of Syrians are fleeing their country looking for safety and a new home in Europe.

Russia has been providing the Assad regime with supplies, guns, grenades, fighter jets, etc. Now, we learn Russia has set up an air traffic control tower and is constructing housing for one thousand military personnel. 

Why is all this prophetically significant especially to Israel? Ezekiel 38 & 39 describe an invasion of Israel by five nations, including Iran, led by a leader called Gog who is believed to be the leader of Russia. This invasion from the north WILL TAKE PLACE according to the above scriptures.  The only question is when it will take place? Will it be just before the Rapture, which appears to be this current time, or will it be just before the Battle of Armageddon?

"Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says The Lord God: On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the later days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.'" "I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains . . . Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am The Lord." Ezekiel 38:14-16, 21, 23. 

Those living in Israel desperately need our prayers! We know the outcome of this battle - a victory for our Lord God and His people Israel but they need our prayers in the process.

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

Frank

Rosh Hashana

At sundown this Sunday and for 24 hours the Jewish people throughout the world will take part in the Fall Festival known as Rosh Hashana. This Festival is the Jewish New Year and the beginning of their civil cycle.

There are two portions of scriptures read during Rosh Hashana in the synagogues. The first portion details the birth of Isaac and the second portion is called the "Akedah" which means binding. The readings are from Genesis 22 and records the long journey of Abraham and Isaac ending in the binding of Isaac for the requested sacrifice from God.

God's revealed name in this story of Abraham is Adonai - Yireh which means "God Will Provide." Abraham worshiped God even knowing what was required from him. He also bowed low before The Lord in submission. Bowing is considered a posture of deepest worship and total submission to God. Abraham responded in this manner knowing he would lose his only son putting in jeopardy God's promise to bless the people of the earth through him and his son.

As the Jewish people look again at this very important story in God's word, we as Gentile Christians can also learn a great deal from reviewing this story. Abraham's response to God's requirement revealed how to hear the voice of God, how to respond to the voice of God and how to worship when all within us would want to turn the other way and not obey.

As we approach this weekend and the whole month of September and beyond, we all face some unsettling and possibly difficult times. The question is - how are we going to respond?  During the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur many prayers are said in synagogues.

The following is one example, "And therefore, Lord our God, cause all that you created to remember fully all that you have done; cause all Your creatures to revere Your doings and to tremble in Your presence; cause them all to act as one to do Your will wholeheartedly. For we know Lord our God, that the strength of Your hand, the power of Your right arm and the awesomeness of Your name rule over all creation. And therefore, Lord give honor to Your people, praise to those who revere You, hope to those who seek You, confidence to those who await You, joy to Your land and gladness to Your city, triumph to the horn of David Your servant and light to the lamp of Messiah. And therefore, the righteous will see and be glad, the upright will rejoice and the faithfully loving celebrate in song while evil is silenced and all wickedness vanishes like smoke - for you will erase the tyranny of arrogance from the earth." 

Prayers like this accomplish much in expanding the Kingdom of God, let us all be about praying similar prayers in the days ahead.

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

Frank 

September, 2015 - A Time To Pray

Well, this month has finally arrived. We have been hearing about this month for a long time, even years. Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Rabbi, has been alerting anyone who would listen about possible judgments and/or movements of God during September, 2015. He even wrote two books - The Harbinger and The Mystery Of The Shemitah.

Probably, nothing more needs to be said about the upcoming events of this month. As a result, our message this week is a Call To Pray! Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Israel and the United States are in a time of need, we are all in a time of need for God's grace and mercy. 

A brief word of encouragement for your prayers. If you have not seen the movie "War Room," make an effort to view this God - ordained message. The power of prayer, the effectiveness of prayer and the importance and need of prayer are illustrated to perfection. A timely message for today!

With all that is scheduled for this month, two of them lay heavy on my heart and both will take place at the United Nations. The 70th session of the U.N. General Assembly convenes September 15th. It is believed France will present a resolution to recognize a Palestinian State. This proposal would bypass any involvement or talks with Israel. Previously, the United States has always vetoed such resolutions. However, that action by the U.S. appears to not be a certainty this time.

Additionally, the U.N. on September 25th will launch discussions of a new Development Agenda for the whole world. This includes provisions for economics, agriculture and education. Is this in preparation for The New World Order? The Pope will give a major kick-off speech for this session.

Our Lord God says in Isaiah 41:10-13, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them, those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, The Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"    

Let us all be those bold prayer warriors who "Fear Not" especially during this month of September!

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

Frank

A Prodigal Son Story Analogy

Part of this week's message is taken from an editorial on the Israel Today Website that reviewed the Parable Of The Prodigal Son and then applied it to the relationship between Jews and Christians - very thought provoking.

In this parable of Luke 15, the older brother is not very happy with his father as he warmly welcomes home his rebellious younger son with a homecoming celebration. The older brother pointedly shows his father he had served him faithfully his whole life and had never received from his father such a celebration.

How does all this apply to events of today? Could we form the analogy of the older brother representing the Jewish people and Jesus in the parable illustrating how they would react when our Lord God brought in the Gentiles to the family? The Jewish people follow God's commandments believing they lead to righteousness while Gentiles claim to be forgiven and righteous by faith in Jesus.

However, our Lord God has intervened and miracles have happened and are happening in the relationships between Jews and Gentiles. Jews and Christians are learning to trust one another realizing they are serving and worshiping the same God and are mutually working towards the restoration and protection of Israel who has realized Christians are their best friends. Our Lord God is about to have a glorious celebration for both believing Jews and Gentiles at the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb. Revelation 19:7-10. Praise The Lord!

"How Good And How Pleasant It Is For Brothers To Dwell Together In Unity." Psalm 133:1 

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

Frank 

  

The Lord Of Israel

Jewish people in Israel today are regularly talking about the imminent arrival of the Messiah. Our Lord God seems to have hidden His face from the Jewish people for a time, but now He is making Himself known for the sake of His name. He also promised a great restoration for His people and that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through them.

What are the signs that the Jewish people are pointing to? What prophecies have been fulfilled during our life time? The following are four prophecies that have been fulfilled right before our eyes . . .

Israel Being Made A Nation In One Day

"Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day?" Isaiah 66:8

Yes, Israel was born in one day on May 14, 1948.

Winning Wars Against Huge Odds

"But thus says The Lord: 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.'" Isiah 49:25.

In all of its major wars since its founding, Israel has faced overwhelming odds and has been victorious each time.

The Jewish People Returning To Their Land From All Over The World

"For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries and bring you into your own land." Ezekiel 36:24

Since 1948, a total of 3.6 million people have made Aliyah or moved back to Israel from 90 countries.

The Ruin Cities Being Rebuilt And The Fruitfulness Returning To The Land

"But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel." Ezekiel 36:8. 

Approximately 240 million trees have been planted in Israel since 1948. Today Israel produces 95% of its own food requirements.

Our Lord God said that first He would regather the Jewish people to their land and then He would restore them spiritually. This appears to be happening in these days and times in which we live. "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual." 1Corinthians 15:46

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

Frank 

Repentance

Pastors all over the United States are calling for repentance in light of the recent decision by the Supreme Court changing the Biblical definition of marriage. Additionally, many church leaders and members are looking forward to September when the fourth blood red moon occurs on the Feast of Tabernacles and the seventh year of the Shmitah ends. All of this is resulting in many believing a time of Godly judgement is about to happen. The prophet Joel prophesied of signs in the heavens, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of The Lord." Joel 2:31

As an Elder in our former church in Charlotte, North Carolina we were taught before we prayed for a church member to ask them if they needed to repent of any sin. Additionally, church services started with all attendees kneeling in a short time of repentance and then it was time to worship The Lord.

In this regard, we can learn much from the Jewish people who are entering the time of Elul. This period of time on their calendar is marked by much heart searching and repentance. During Elul there are forty days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur (Day of Antonement) which starts this week. These forty days are a time of repentance between man and God and between one another. Elul is also the time historically when Moses spent his second forty days on the mountain praying for God's compassion and forgiveness after the sin of the people with the golden calf. Moses was successful in his appeal for forgiveness.

Let us all follow the example of Moses and the Jewish people and spend the next forty days in a time of earnest prayer and repentance. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.

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

Frank 

   

Doing What We Can

In these days and times in which we live, if we are not prayed up and are not functioning close to our Lord and His direction for our lives, we can easily become discouraged. We might think, what can I do, I am just one person. As a word of encouragement for all of us, our message this week will show examples of people individually and corporately who are as the title says, "Doing What We Can."

The horrendous civil war in Syria has claimed 230 thousand lives. However, Lord George Weidenfeld, a Jewish man 95 years young, who is an honorary vice president of the World Jewish Congress, is determined to save Christian lives in Syria. Christians in Syria are very endangered, four years ago numbered 1.1 million but now 700 thousand have fled Syria. Lord Weidenfeld has a goal of rescuing 2,000 Christian families. For him, it is personal. In 1938 as a teenager he was taken from Vienna to London where the Plymouth Brethren took him in and provided for him. He is trying to return the kindness!

We have all heard of the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Shortly after the disaster, the Israeli Defense Forces sent a 747 jet plane carrying medical personnel, medical equipment and search and rescue teams to the area. The medical personnel set up a field hospital to provide emergency and ongoing medical treatment to the wounded. They were able to treat 1,500 patients, perform 85 operations and deliver 8 babies.  

On a lighter side, when David Barashi heard about the earthquake, he filled a suitcase with wigs, face paint and a red clown's nose and boarded a plane for Nepal. Barashi went to Nepal to bring some joy to children and adults injured in the natural disaster. He was accompanied by Yaron Goshen and three other clowns. Asked how do Israeli clowns cope with the stark reality of an earthquake, Barashi says, "We make each other laugh." 

Yes, each of us can Make A Difference. In fact, we are expected to function in this manner. Jesus, when asked by a Pharisee what is the greatest commandment, responded, "You shall love The Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37,38.

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

Frank