"The Apple Of His Eye"

Zechariah 2:8-9 "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 surly I will shake My hand against them.'" These are very direct and strong words by our Lord God directed against those nations or terrorists groups who do not treat Israel or the Jewish people with proper respect. God will shake His hand against them. Genesis 12:3 shouts a similar message, "Those who curse Israel will be cursed." 

History illustrates numerous examples of God's word, as mentioned above, becoming true. Hitler's Germany excessively abused and mistreated God's people and was eventually destroyed; the British Empire at one time supported a homeland for the Jews but grossly limited the number of Jews who could return to their land and as a result lost its empire. The Roman Empire ruled over the Jewish people both in Israel and in Rome and eventually disintegrated.

Currently, the world of Islam whether in the form of ISIS, Hamas, Hezbullah, Fatah or Iran look each day to kill or maim God's original covenant people and to steal their land. How does our Lord God respond to all this? Zechariah 1:14, 16, 17 and Zechariah 14:3 "I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal . . . I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it . . . The Lord will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Zion then The Lord will go forth and fight against those nations." 

How about the United States which will elect a new president in 2016? I have tried to listen to and observe most of the presidential debates. However, I believe each candidate should be asked whether they will support and bless Israel. Their response would help determine how I would cast my vote but also and more important will affect the future of the United States. Every president since Jimmy Carter has tried to divide up the land that our Lord God gave to His covenant people. (Genesis 15:18) Could this be a factor in the financial and moral decay of the United States? I believe so! 

Let me encourage all of us to continue to "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem" but also pray continually for God's perfect will to be done this election year.

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

Frank

To Do The Will Of Our Father In Heaven

The following statement was released recently by thirty Orthodox Rabbis, "After nearly two thousand years of mutual hostility and alienation, we Orthodox Rabbis who lead communities, institutions and seminaries in Israel, the United States and Europe recognize the historic opportunity now before us. We seek to do the will of our Father In Heaven by accepting the hand offered to us by our Christian brothers and sisters. Jews and Christians must work together as partners to address the moral challenges of our era. Both Jews and Christians have a common covenantal mission to perfect the world under the sovereignty of the Almighty so that all humanity will call on His name. In imitating God, Jews and Christians must offer models of service, unconditional love and holiness. We are all created in God's Holy Image, and Jews and Christians will remain dedicated to the Covenant by playing an active role together in redeeming the world."

These words are encouraging statements by Rabbis from different areas of the world. They illustrate a desire for co-operation between Jews and Christians in working together toward God's similar mission for both groups. Genesis 12:3 says, "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." The Hebrew word for "bless" in this passage means to do or give something of value to someone else. God's mission for the Jewish people is to love their neighbors despite the fact many of them hate them in return but also to share all their innovations, inventions and ideas God has given them with the world. They have done all this effectively if not perfectly.

God's missions for Christians starts with Genesis 12:3 in which they are to bless the Jewish people meaning also as they bless Israel they are blessing Him. Christians are also to love their neighbor as themselves and take care of the poor among them. However, I feel their most important mission from God is to share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ with all people since God desires "That all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

I pray this encouraging message will spur all of us to even greater works in sharing the unconditional love of our God with all people including His original covenant people.

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

Frank             

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