Gaza Again?

This is the title of an article in the Bridges For Peace website this week. The article's first sentence states, "Gaza is ramping up for another war with Israel and openly says so." Our message today will revolve around this startling declaration and its possible prophetic implications.

Israel believes Hamas has as many tunnels now as it had at the start of the war in 2014. It is believed Hamas has spent $140,000,000. per year in preparation for the next war with Israel. Last week, seven Hamas members were killed in tunnels that collapsed from heavy rain in Israel. 

Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh said at the funeral, "We are preparing for a confrontation with the Zionist enemy. Heroes underground are digging into rock building tunnels and experimenting with rockets everyday for the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem." Israeli families who live near Gaza say the floors of their homes shake as tunnels are being built underneath. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu responded, "If we are attacked from tunnels in the Gaza Strip and Israel, we will take very strong action."  

Prophetically, what does all this mean? Israel is already threatened in the North by Syria and Lebanon plus the threat of ISIS in the Sinai. End times Biblical scholars seem to disagree as to whether Israel will be involved in three or four wars before the King Of Kings and Lord Of Lords returns to earth to rule and reign over all nations. {Revelation 20:4,6} Either way, with Israel threatened on almost all of its borders, what is referred to as the Psalm 83 War or the Inner Circle of Enemies War appears close at hand.

Revelation 6:9-11 say, "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'how long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?' They were told to wait a little longer." Our prayers for Israel and the unsaved need to continue in earnest a little while longer.

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

Frank                  

Some Good - Some Bad

Possibly you are thinking that the title of our message this week is unique. Yes, it is! However, our message will totally deal with some of the bad and some of the good messages coming out of Israel. Let us deal with the bad news first.

In preparation for the January 27th International Holocaust Memorial Day, the government of Israel shared a report of world wide anti-semitism in 2015. The boycott of Israeli products in Europe has gained strength and now they are even boycotting Jewish events. The majority of Jewish students in United States colleges have witnessed or experienced anti-semitism. In London there has been a 61% rise in crime against Jewish residents. Half of European Union residents believe that Israel is trying to destroy the Palestinians. In Russia, anti-semitism is allowed to grow without control from the government. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated, "It is unacceptable that seventy years after the Holocaust anti-semitism is still in full swing."

Now, for the good news! Last week, we reported there has been positive contacts between Israel and some Sunni Arab States. Netanyahu believes this could actually resolve the Israel Palestinian conflict. Saudi Arabia is beginning to see Israel as an ally since they are seeking relationships with those who can help them with the threat of Iran. 

Additionally, Egypt has returned its ambassador to Tel Aviv and Jordanian pilots have recently trained with Israeli pilots during military exercises. Even Turkey and Sudan are working toward normalizing relations with Israel. In response to all this, Netanyahu recently said, "When Arab and Israelis agree it is worth paying attention."

The reports of increased anti-semitism is a reminder for all of us to keep praying for God's protection in Israel and throughout the world. I view this as a responsibility, not as an option. (Psalm 122:6) The reports of contacts between Israel and moderate Arab countries is definitely prophetic. Isaiah 19:19, 23, 24, 25 state, "In that day there will be an altar to The Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar to The Lord at its border. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom The Lord of hosts will bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands and Israel My inheritance.'" 

The day is coming when Egypt will know and serve The Lord and will worship Him with Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. We live in exciting and very prophetic times. Praise The Lord!

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

Frank

News Concerning Israel

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu presented his annual "State Of Israel's Union" address. There is an opinion among the Israeli press that Israel is becoming more and more isolated from other countries. Netanyahu commented, "The opposite is the reality as calls from nations seeking to collaborate with Israel are increasing in number, it is a big change and one which gives great promise for Israel."

Netanyahu gave two important reasons for these responses. First, the rise of militant ISIS affects almost every country on earth. They are seeking advice from Israel who has dealt with Islamic terror from its founding in 1948. Second, countries look at Israel and see the growth of its technology in numerous areas. "They want to partake in the promise of the future," said Netanyahu. Many of these countries contacting Israel are moderate Arab countries in the Middle East. Praise The Lord!

Anti-semitic attacks in Western Europe are at an all time high resulting in European Jews immigrating to Israel. Last year, almost ten thousand Western European Jews moved to Israel with eight thousand coming from France who had the third largest Jewish population in the world. Jewish leaders in France are asking Jewish men not to wear yamulkes in public. 

At approximately the same time, some ominous signs and events are happening in Germany. Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kamph, revealing his anti-semitic approaches has just been made available to the public after seventy years under lock and key. This event appears to coincide with Germany opening its borders to one million Syrian refugees. This does not appear to be a coincidence and is not a positive sign for Jews living in Germany. 

A special word of encouragement to end our message this week. A report out of Israel from David Lazarus shares about a group of prominent Rabbis who are calling for a "Renewed Look At Jesus." Zechariah 12:10 says, "I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn."  This report from the Rabbis is very encouraging illustrating the event in Zechariah 12:10 is possibly much closer than we think. Keep Praying And Be Encouraged! 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Each Day,

Frank       

"Heirs According To The Promise"

Last week's message was a word of encouragement for all of us to speak THE TRUTH as our God gives us opportunity. THIS TRUTH reveals to us  that our God established everlasting covenants through Abraham and this is illustrated in 1 Chronicles 16:15-18, "He remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant He made with Abraham, the oath He swore with Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: 'To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.'" These Abrahamic Covenants were established at Shechem, Hebron, Beth El and Jerusalem where Abraham built four altars.

Possibly, you are thinking this is all well and good for the Jewish people but how does it affect or apply to a Gentile Christian? Good question! Galatians 3:28-29 say, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

What does this mean? Ephesians 3:11-22 is an enlightening section of our God's Word entitled "Reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles." Verses 13, 14 and 18 go on to say, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of division between us. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."

As a result, Gentile Christians through Christ Jesus, have become one with the Jewish people and co-partakers of the Abrahamic Covenants and heirs of the promise. Additionally, through the shed blood of Jesus, we also know who our Savior is and through this relationship receive salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

These are THE TRUTHS to be shared with all people. Our Lord God established His everlasting covenants through Abraham proclaiming He is their God and Israel is their land. Additionally and extremely important, under the New Blood Covenant, Jesus is The Son of God and shed His blood to save all who believe in Him. (John 3:16) Be encouraged to go forth and proclaim THESE TRUTHS with boldness and clarity.

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

Frank     

Commitments

As we start a new calendar year we might be tempted to make some New Year's Resolutions as a custom or tradition. However, a valuable lesson I have learned during the past 34 years in knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior, is in January of each new year to make commitments to Him as to how I can obey and serve Him. Much better than resolutions, don't you think?

May I suggest a commitment we all, who love and support Israel, can set as a goal for this new year. This would be a commitment of speaking The Truth With Boldness And Clarity When We Know False Statements Have Been Spoken. The enemies of Israel for many years have been trying to destroy the foundations of Israel and cause the Jewish people to break covenants with their God in the very locations where God made the covenants with them.

On the mountains of Israel in Beth El, Israel was born when Jacob's name was changed to Israel. There, God promised the heartland of Israel known as Judea and Samaria and all the land of Israel to the Jewish people. "The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, 'Lift up your eyes from where you are and look North and South, East and West. All the land that you see I will give you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breath of the land, for I am giving it to you.'" Genesis 13:14-17.

From Beth El on a clear day one can see to Mount Hermon, to the Mediterranean Sea, to Jordan and to the hills of Hebron. Beth El is the center of what is now being proposed for an Islamic Palestinian State by the nations of the world. However, our God says to Abram, "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God." Genesis 17:7-8.

The definition of what is referred to as The Big Lie is, "If you keep telling the same lie over and over again, eventually some people will think it is the truth." The enemies of Israel keep telling The Big Lie. However, we know The Truth and we can and should commit to telling The Truth over and over again in the New Year. Praise The Lord!

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

Frank

The Year Of Release

My wife Carole and I have been blessed and active members of Cary Church of God located at Cary, North Carolina for the past eleven years. Our church, who for over twenty years, has sent approximately 200 missionaries per year to Ecuador every summer. They have constructed numerous churches, dispensed free medicine, ministered in prisons and schools, shared the Gospel in neighborhoods and conducted large crusade meetings. These anointed outreach trips were initiated and led by Pastor Richard Dial who is now with the Billy Graham Association.

Under the leadership of our current Pastor, Patrick Jensen, Cary Church of God has declared the year 2016 "The Year Of Release." This declaration, approved by church members, is patterned after Deuteronomy 15:1-11. Part of the Cary Church of God Resolutions for 2016 state: "That As A Year Of Release, We Will Dedicate Our Financial Resources To The Nullification Of Our Own Debt" and "That As A Year Of Release, We Will Not Harden Our Hearts To The Cry Of The Poor And Those In Need."      

As a result, Cary Church of God is dedicated in 2016 to reducing and cancelling debts and then allocating these increased resources to helping the poor among us. They are also encouraging their membership to do the same.

Carole and I for many years have helped the poor in Israel through the Bridges for Peace Ministry. We will continue this outreach along with participating in the Cary Church of God's Year of Release Ministries. Already, our Lord God in the last month of 2015 has released us from an ongoing debt. As we approach a new calendar year, let me encourage all of you to pray about and consider participating in similar ministries as we serve The Lord with a grateful heart.

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

Frank

"Make Israel Envious"

Last week's message illustrated a critically important movement of God in Israel where Jewish people are recognizing and accepting Jesus as their Messiah. Testimonies are even being made available on Israel's second largest media outlet and responses have been extremely high. Additionally, an article today on the Israel Today web site was titled "Orthodox Rabbis bring Jesus home for Christmas," which is being referred to as a miracle. Praise The Lord!

What can we as Gentile Christians do or can we  be part of this movement? Yes, we can! Romans 11:11 says, "Salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious." Of course, this is not the only reason salvation is available to Gentiles, but it is one and it is important.

How has the Christian Church responded to this call for action from our Lord God? Not very well. In fact, Gentile believers in Jesus have done more to provoke the Jews to anger than to envy. All we have to do is study the Spanish Inquisitions, the Crusades, the Pogroms in Europe along with the Holocaust.

What is the primary cause of these actions by the Church? Probably, the primary reason is the teaching of Replacement Theology in the Church for the past two thousand years. This false Theology teaches that the Church has replaced Israel as God's people. The Apostle Paul clearly corrects this false Theology twice in Romans 11 - verse 1, "Did God reject His people? By no means" and verse 11, "Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all."

Possibly, you are thinking this is a heavy message for Christmas Eve, but let us think together for a moment. Christmas is a message of God's love in giving His Son to become our Savior. In similar manner, we can share God's love with the Jewish people and show them the respect and gratitude due them. This would be a worthy goal for all of us in the new year.  

Yes, all of this could "provoke them to jealousy" leading to salvations  in Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Hallelujah!

Christmas Blessings!

Frank