Glorious Consummation Of History

This has been an important and historical week, President Trump has visited Saudi Arabia and Israel. A sitting United States President has never before visited these two countries back to back. While in Saudi Arabia, President Trump addressed a gathering of leaders from seventy Arab countries. He encouraged them to work with the United States to eradicate Islamic terrorism worldwide.

While in Israel President Trump met with President Rivlin and Prime Minister Netanyahu. He also became the first sitting United States President to visit the Western Wall. Following his visit to Israel, President Trump met with Palestinian leader Abbas. During the visit with Abbas, he exhorted him to stop paying money to the families of terrorist martyrs.

Yes, this was a historical trip by President Trump and we trust it will bring forth positive results in combating terrorism in the Middle East along with stopping the goals of world domination by Iran and ISIS. However, the most important question is what does our Lord God have planned for the Middle East and the whole world?

Possibly you are intrigued by the title of this week's message which is the title of Isaiah 66, the last chapter of Isaiah. The first 39 chapters are filled with God's judgement while the final 27 chapters are a message of hope highlighted by the following: (My comments follow the quoted bible verse)

Isaiah 66:5 - "Hear the word of The Lord, you who tremble at His word; your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name's sake, said, 'let The Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy.'  But they shall be ashamed."

There is hope for those who tremble at God's word but the evil ones will be ashamed.

Isaiah 66:10 - "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her, rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her."

We who love Jerusalem should rejoice and be glad with her.

Isaiah 66:15-16 - "For behold, The Lord will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword The Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of The Lord shall be many."

The Lord will judge all flesh!

Isaiah 66:18 - "For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory."

All the nations will see God's glory. This verse corresponds with Zechariah 14:2,3,16 in which our Lord God comes to rule and reign over the whole earth! Hallelujah!

I am thankful for President Trump and his new administration for working toward peace in the Middle East and the whole world. This is appropriate and important BUT we know who is really in control of all this and we know the future. Keep praying, saints of God, keep praying!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Each Day,

Frank

The Effects Of God's Word

Zechariah 2:7-9 says, "Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus says The Lord of Hosts: 'He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for He who touches you touches the apple of His Eye. For surely I will shake My hand against them and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that The Lord of Hosts has sent Me.'"

The above verses show our Lord God speaking to the Israelites while they were still in bondage in Babylon. He encourages them to flee from Babylon because He will "Shake His Hand Against Those Who Have Touched The Apple Of His Eye." History reveals The Lord doing just as He said since Babylon does not  exist today.

This type of message is critically important in the world in which we live since anti-Semitism is on the rise and could be the most dangerous in history. The remainder of this message will be historical examples of our Lord God dealing with those countries who have Touched The Apple Of His Eye.

Today in Italy there is a 10% income difference between those living in Northern Italy as opposed to Southern Italy. In 1503, Southern Italy expelled Jews from their country while Northern Italy accepted the financial role of the Jews which provided a line of credit leading to Italy's first banks. Today, Northern Italy has strong banking with credit functions while Southern Italy has a depressed economy.

In 1492 a royal edict by Spain's Catholic rulers said that all Jews must convert to Christianity or leave the country. The majority of the Jews left Spain taking with them the financial base of the country resulting in a decline in prosperity. Looking again at the year of 1492, Christopher Columbus, who was believed to be Jewish, left Spain August 2nd since the deadline for the Jews to leave Spain was August 3rd. We all know the result of this important voyage.

Currently, we hear about a group of countries who on a daily basis experience these consequences. I speak of the plight of most of the Arab world. Most Arabs have an all-consuming hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. An overview of the Arab world shows sub-standard education services, sub-standard health services and sub-standard scientific research. Youth unemployment is high and there is little freedom of thought or speech.

We who love and support Israel and the Jewish people need to pray daily for our Lord God to protect them each day but we also should pray for their enemies asking The Lord to totally change their hearts and minds. Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank   

The Presence Of God

Psalm 132:13 says, "For The Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place" and Joel 3:17 says, "So you shall know that I am The Lord your God, dwelling in Zion my Holy Mountain." These verses clearly illustrate that our Lord God has chosen the Temple Mount to be His Dwelling Place. He even refers to the Temple Mount as My Holy Mountain.  

Well, you might be thinking what about the Presence of God today? The Holy of Holies does not exist today since there is no temple on the Temple Mount. All that is left is a retaining wall which is referred to as the Western Wall or the Wailing Wall. 

This wall is very important to the Jewish people since they believe God's presence dwells in the wall. They have the highest respect for the wall and spend much time before the wall reciting the Torah, worshiping The Lord and in prayer. They even insert prayer requests in the cracks between the very large wall stones.

I have had the privilege to visit the wall a number of times. The humbleness and total reverence of God by those before the wall has always caught my attention. On one trip a father and a little boy were singing together to their Lord which brought tears to my eyes. Additionally, all those before the wall wear head coverings and never turn their back to the wall. Jewish men pray three times a day all over the world and face toward the Western Wall.

How does all this apply to us as Born Again Christians? We can learn from these examples of how the Jewish people love and respect The Lord. Extremely important, we should continually be thanking our Lord God for the broken body and shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ. For under the New Blood Covenant, we can come boldly before the very Throne of God  and be in His Presence at any time. Hebrews 4:16. We also have the very Presence of God living within us in the form of The Holy Spirit. Bless His Holy Name. 

Let us all be thanking The Lord each day for these supernatural blessings but at the same time not forget the Jewish people. We are actually called to make them jealous. Romans 11:11. We should at all times be about doing our Lord Gods business!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank       

Thank You Jesus!

After receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior 36 years ago, I have made it a habit to start each day with a thankful heart acknowledging all The Lord is doing and providing for me and my family. This is in addition to spending time in prayer, repentance and studying His word.

In addition to my personal testimony, an interesting outward sign of faith in Jesus Christ is happening in the Raleigh, North Carolina metropolitan area. Signs on front lawns proclaim Thank You Jesus. It seems like you see more and more each day. I Praise The Lord for His people becoming bold in their faith confessions.

Our message this week is also a Thank You Jesus proclamation. News headlines have revealed a number of events where the United States government is taking steps to bless Israel following the exhortation of Genesis 12:3. The following is a list of these events and I share them as a way of saying Thank You Jesus: 

All 100 United States Senators signed a letter to United Nations Secretary General Guterres demanding an end to anti-Israel bias in the United Nations. The letter urged the U. N. to treat Israel the same as all other countries. The letter also stated that recent treatment of Israel is unacceptable. 

President Trump declared May "Jewish American Heritage Month." He declared during Jewish American Heritage Month we celebrate our nation's strong American Jewish heritage which is rooted in the Jewish ancient faith and its traditions.

President Trump is also visiting Israel toward the end of May and it is believed during his visit he will announce the relocation of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This was a promise during his presidential campaign. It has also been reported by an Israeli newspaper that President Trump will officially recognize all of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 

Again I say . . . Thank You Jesus! 

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

Frank

    

Jacob And Esau

Two weeks ago we brought a message of why the Jews are God's Chosen People. This week we will continue this message but with a different approach and one which some do not associate with God's Chosen People or even misunderstand the meaning of the story. I refer to the story of Jacob and Esau.

The story is an illustration of God's unconditional love for Israel and the Jewish people. According to Jewish tradition, Esau as the firstborn was entitled to Isaac's birthright and should have received preferential treatment. He also was a hunter and a hard worker while Jacob was a schemer.

However, God chose Jacob! Even before they were born, our Lord God said to Rebekah, "The older will serve the younger." Genesis 25:23. God did not choose Jacob because he deserved it and our Lord God even said, "I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated."

Now, wait a minute! God loves all people, why would He say He hated Esau? I have learned that God did not really hate Esau. This statement is actually an exaggeration to make the point that God in His Sovereignty preferred Jacob over Esau.

Romans 9:11-16 addresses the story of Jacob and Esau and raises the question, is God unjust? It then responds to this question with God responding, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." God choosing the Jewish people as His Chosen People is an example of His acting in His sovereignty!

There is much we can learn from the story of Jacob and Esau. I believe the most important lesson learned is even if we find it difficult to understand the ways of our Lord God, we should always realize that, "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. Additionally, Romans 11:34 says, "For who has known the mind of The Lord? Or who has become His counselor?" Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

  

Anti - Semitism, Past And Present

During last week's message, we learned why the Jewish people are referred to as God's Chosen People. We also learned that our Lord God established a covenant relationship with them resulting in their being "A Light To The World." This week we will look at the continuous plan by Satan to destroy God's Chosen People known as Anti - Semitism.

Sadly, Anti - Semitism came forth initially through the early European Christian Church. Early church theology stated that God had forsaken the Jews because of their sins and replaced them with the church. The Catholic Church promoted this  doctrine known as Replacement Theology as well as the newly formed Protestant Churches. Jews were harassed and even murdered in "Christian Europe." It is interesting to note that the Christian church today in Europe is almost non-existent.

Today, in churches throughout the world Anti - Semitism is still active. This is especially true in Great Britain and other European countries. America has been relatively free from Anti - Semitism. A recent poll indicated that nine percent of Americans are prejudiced against Jews while this same poll showed twenty four percent in Europe. A recent survey revealed the Jews are the most positively viewed religious group in America.

Currently, the largest form of Anti - Semitism world wide is in the form of devout Muslims. The 1.6 billion Muslims throughout the world are born and raised to hate the Jews and Israel. They study the Koran and follow Sharia Law and are taught to destroy the Jews and Israel. In the United States, Muslims who are promoters for Islam and its war against Israel, have become professors, judges and community leaders. Surprisingly, most American Jews are not aware of Anti - Semitism as being part of mainstream Islam.

In reality, hatred against Jews is actually hatred against the God of Israel! So, what can we do and what can be our part in this ongoing battle? Born again Christians and Messianic Jews are the most powerful force that can defeat Anti - Semitism through individual prayer and large prayer gatherings. We must stand firm against Anti - Semitism in whatever form it surfaces. AMEN And AMEN!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank       

God's Chosen People

This week is known as Holy Week for Christians as they respectfully remember the death and resurrection of their Savior Jesus Christ. This week also is important for the Jewish people, God's Chosen People. For ten days they celebrate the Feast of Passover remembering how God delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Notice their dedication to this Feast as it is a ten day celebration.

Why are the Jews called "God's Chosen People?" In the third month after leaving Egypt, they came to Mount Sinai. As God called Moses up on the mountain, He said, "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. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. Then all the people answered together and said, 'All that The Lord has spoken we will do.'" Exodus 19:5,6,8.

Well, how have God's chosen people lived up to this very special calling of God? First of all, we know there is an obedient dedication to studying and memorizing the Word of God. Observant Jewish parents begin teaching their children to read Hebrew at the age of three. At age six, children begin daily study in Synagogue schools. By the time of their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah they are expected to understand and have memorized the entire Torah. As a result, they have better knowledge of Scripture than many seminary graduates.

Additionally, as a priestly nation, God's Chosen People are trained to communicate the Truth of God and to serve as a light to the nations. God has shaped their lives and given them wisdom for success. Romans 9:4-5 illustrates all that God gave to the Jews initially, "Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came?" Praise The Lord, now, through the shed blood of Jesus, we as Christians have also received all these blessings of our Lord God.

This Holy Week, let us thank our Lord God for His plan of salvation but also offer thanks for God's Chosen People and their dedication to the Word of God. Also pray especially this week that many of them will recognize Jesus as their Messiah. 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank