"I Am Zealous For Zion"

Unfortunately, Iran is back in the news and, as expected, it is not good news for Israel. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, exclaimed on November 8th "This barbaric, wolf-like and infanticide regime of Israel which spares no crime has no cure but to be annihilated. The only means to confront a barbaric regime like Israel is arming the Palestinians."

This is the anti-Israel rhetoric coming out of the East but there is also negative news about Israel coming from the West by way of the European Union. The European Union's new Foreign Affairs Chief, Federica Mogherini, visited Israel this weekend. She insisted on the urgent need for a Palestinian State with the Eastern half of Jerusalem as its capital. "This is the position of all of the European Union," she proclaimed. Since when does the European Union determine the borders of Israel? 

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu responded once again stating that "Jerusalem is our capital and as such is not a settlement. The neighborhoods in which we are living and we have been building, have been there for close to fifty years. Everybody knows that in any Peace Agreements they will remain part of Israel." A majority of Jews insist Jerusalem must never again be divided.

Our Lord God proclaims in Zechariah 8:2,3,7,8,15 "I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her. . .I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. . .behold I will save My People from the land of the East, and from the land of the West; I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. . .I am determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do Not Fear."

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day,

Frank       

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . ."

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem Lift Up Your Gates And Sing, Hosanna In The Highest, Hosanna To Our King." This is the start of a glorious worship song about Jerusalem and when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns to earth and stands on the Mount of Olives, Zechariah 14:4. Jerusalem is the holiest of cities on earth for the Jewish people and Christians and the third holiest for Muslims and is always a center of turmoil especially within the last couple of weeks.

A Palestinian last week shot and nearly killed Rabbi Glick in Jerusalem. Glick advocates for the right of Jews to pray atop the Temple Mount. He is the head of Halica the Initiative for Jewish Freedom on the Temple Mount. They are for religious freedom for Jews and non-Muslims on the Temple Mount not pushing for the removal of Muslims.

As a result, an emergency meeting was held by the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee on November 2nd in which the Chief of  Police said "Even if we have to bring a large number of forces, we will protect the right of those going up to the Temple Mount." Jerusalem Mayor Barkat added "We will not tolerate the throwing of stones, we must protect the status quo on the Temple Mount and we must fight against those who want to disrupt it. 

Continuing the current narrative about Jerusalem especially the Temple Mount, Israeli Representative to the United Nations Ron Prossor addressed the U.N. on October 29th. Following are excerpts from his remarks, "The people of Israel are not occupiers and not settlers. Israel is our home and Jerusalem is the eternal capital of our sovereign state. The Holy City is named more than 900 times in the Bible. The Temple Mount is Judaism's Holiest Place. Today a Jew who wishes to visit the sacred site is threatened with violence." 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11. We, as born again Christians, need to fight the spiritual battle every day but also can stand strong for Israel and Jerusalem at the same time. Amen!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day,

Frank          

The Battle Continues

The Gaza War has been over for a number of weeks and unless we have been keeping up with events in Israel on a daily basis, we could be deceived into believing Israel's enemies are quiet for the time being. Nothing could be farther from the truth! 

"Jerusalem is under attack," declared Israeli's Prime Minister Netanyahu the day after a terrorist plowed through a crowd of Israelis at a light rail station last week. The attack was carried out by a Palestinian who was a supporter of Hamas. A baby just three months old died two hours later and an Ecuadorian woman, age 22, also died. Eight others were injured.

Equally disturbing, Palestinian riots have been raging in Jerusalem since last May; there has been numerous cases of vandalism to Jerusalem's light rail trains; plus continuous cases of stone throwing, Molotov cocktail attacks and sniper fire on cars, buildings and people. Riots have become frequent on and around the Temple Mount. During the same period, 107 Israeli policemen have been injured and just this week there is a report of a Rabbi being attacked. 

No, Israeli's enemies are not on vacation and their goal of destroying Israel and its people has not changed. However, Isaiah 2:2-4 declares, "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. He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

Our Lord God's Word Validates

The Day Of The Lord Is Coming When Our Lord Will Reign Over All The Earth Resulting In True Peace. Come Lord Jesus, Come, Come Soon!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank    

Israel's Support Around The World

Jerusalem's Watchmen Prayer update last week included encouraging reports from around the globe of large groups gathering in support of Israel. "A Day Of Prayer For The Peace Of Jerusalem" was announced and two hundred nations responded. Thousands of people took Genesis 12:3 seriously and literally, stating that we are to "Bless Israel." Hallelujah!

Witness The Following Reports

Denmark - For the first time, prayers for Israel were lifted up in the capital.

South Africa - Day Of Prayer For The Peace Of Jerusalem was celebrated in Johannesburg.

India - A prayer gathering in Samalkot included a Jewish dance.

The Philippines - Representatives of the Israeli Embassy addressed the crowd.

Czech Republic - Prayer meeting was transmitted live throughout Czech radio. 

Zambia - Six hundred believers prayed for prosperity for Jerusalem.

Tanzania - 1,650 Christians in one accord prayed for Israel.

Papua New Guinea - Believers marched to church with banners proclaiming Psalm 122:6.

South Korea - Dr. Young Hoon Lee's church gathering included up to 50,000 people praying for the "Peace of Jerusalem."

These testimonies from all over the world are just a few examples of God's people obeying His word in support of Israel. I pray for all of us to be bold, under The Lord's guidance and direction, to work toward similar events happening in our corner of the world. Praise The Lord!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank 

   

Israel And The Church

Israeli United Nations Ambassador Prosor on October 8th wrote a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council. He pointed out that on Tuesday, October 7th two Israeli soldiers were seriously injured when three explosive devices were detonated in Northern Israel. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the planting of the devices. Prosor went on to state "I cannot be expected to stand by as Israel's citizens are continually put at risk and will not accept any attacks on its territory." The government of Israel holds the government of Lebanon responsible.

How ironic! Just weeks after the Gaza War ended, there have been a number of dangerous incidents on Israel's Northern border where the Civil War in Syria has spilled over into the Golan Heights. We also know Hamas is rebuilding its tunnels and regathering weapons for its next skirmish with Israel. Israel must be on constant alert along all of its borders and constantly contend with the possible threat of a nuclear Iran.

In the October Bridges For Peace Teaching Letter, author Dr. Bill Adams included a section entitled "Israel And The Church: God's Combined Arms Team." Adams stated that non-Jews play a strategic role in the struggles Israel faces every day. Deuteronomy 32:43 states "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people." We, who are Gentiles, are actually commanded to rejoice in what God accomplishes for His people on His land.

It should not surprise us that the Bible believing church has emerged as the primary Gentile ally of Israel today. While Israel commits her sons and daughters on the ground, Christians engage in the spiritual battle and aid the Jewish people as they move back home to Israel. Christian assistance includes praying, providing tangible help and speaking out in support of Israel. By faith, we "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem," Psalm 122:6 while looking forward to the day when Israel will "learn war no more." Isaiah 2:4.

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

Frank

Netanyahu - Standing Strong

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was highlighted in the news a number of times this past week. Netanyahu spoke at the United Nations General Assembly and also met with United States President Obama. A fairly positive meeting with Obama ended on a sour note when the Obama Administration strongly criticized the Jewish State after learning of the approval of construction of 2,610 apartments in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Hamatos.

Netanyahu later suggested to reporters that the Obama Administration's position was being discriminatory against the Jewish people. "Arabs in Jerusalem freely buy apartments and nobody says that it is forbidden. There cannot be discrimination between Jews and Arabs," insisted the Prime Minister. Another government official agreed saying, "Discrimination based on religion, race or gender is illegal." Arabs will be free to purchase homes in Givat Hmatos.

There also is speculation that Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly appears to put the final nail in the coffin of the "two-state solution." Netanyahu stated clearly Israel is not prepared to repeat the mistakes of the Lebanon and Gaza withdrawals in Judea and Samaria. Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely believes Netanyahu had effectively stated there will never be a Palestinian State on Israel's Biblical Heartland.

Equally important, this past Sunday the Israeli Prime Minister hosted in his home his sixth open Bible study over the past two years. Many of the attendees were Knesset members and included some leading Rabbis. Netanyahu noted there are many in the world today who do not accept Israel's divine appointment to their land and deny their birthright.The Education Minister shared a teaching by Jewish Sage Rashi who taught the Bible begins with Creation to demonstrate the whole world belongs to God and He gives land to whom He will.

Surely Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu trusts God and knows and studies His word. Isaiah 49:15,16 states "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?. . .Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." Our Lord God continually has Israel before Him as an avenue of protection. Praise The Lord!

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

Frank     

Anti-Semitism

The United Nations Charter demands "Equality of Nations Large and Small." In reality, the U.N. produces inequality for Jews and the Jewish nation. The U.N. has launched a "Legal Pogrom" against the Jewish State. A "Legal Pogrom" is a license to kill. Modern Anti-Semitism targets Israel's right of self-defense.

Witness the following: 35% of all resolutions of the U.N. Human Rights Council condemn one state - Israel; 50% of emergency special sessions of the U.N. General Assembly over 60 years denounced Israel; The Human Rights Council has a fixed agenda with one item to condemn Israel at every session; 70% of all 2013 General Assembly Resolutions criticizing specific countries were against Israel. The U.N. Division For Palestinians Rights denies entry to public meetings for Jews. This all Anti-Semitism!

In 2004, when Israel targeted Hamas terrorist leader Abdel Aziz Al-Rantissi and there were no civilian casualties, the U.N. still called it a violation of International Law. Yet, Israel had to respond to 8,000 Hamas rockets over ten years and in 2014 Israel responded to 4,382 Hamas rockets and 32 terror tunnels with 14 opening into Israel. Why is the U.N. not having a conference about combating Anti-Semitism? Why is there not an investigation into whether the U.N. is functioning according to its charter?

Isaiah 62:1,7 - "For Zion's Sake I will not remain silent. . .until He establishes Jerusalem as a Praise in the earth." We who love Israel cannot "Remain Silent." During the Holocaust, the Christian church and the government of the United States remained silent. We cannot let this happen again! We must be bold and strong to speak the truth about Israel!

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

Frank