A Controversy?

An interesting event happened in the Middle East last week which was viewed as controversial by one group of people but was also viewed as a very positive step forward by another group of people. What was the event? A retired Saudi General actually visited Israel!

For Israel, this certainly was a step in the right direction in attempting to have normal relationships with its Arab neighbors. Israel already has established Peace Treaties with Egypt and Jordan and has recently been taking steps to have stronger ties with Saudi Arabia. 

However, the majority of the Arab world is outraged because of this visit since they are against any steps toward normalization with Israel. They believe Israel is occupying Muslim owned land and do not even recognize Israel's right to exist. The first to express outrage were thousands of Saudis including top Islamic Clerics. Islamic religious decrees forbid Muslims from giving up any part of so-called Muslim owned land to non-Muslims.

This event last week once again illustrates the central issue in the Middle East. It is extremely important that we, who love the one true God and His covenant people the Jews, know and loudly proclaim the truth of God's Word. When God established His covenant with Abraham and his descendants He said in Genesis 12:3-4, "I will make you a great nation; and you shall be a blessing. 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." That Nation Are The Jews Today! Our Lord God also said to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the River of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." That Land Is Israel Today even though they have not occupied all of it yet.

The enemies of Israel can be outraged over such events as the one that took place last week but The Truth Of God's Word Does Not Change!

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

Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av is the 9th day of the Hebrew Biblical month Av. Jewish tradition refers to Tisha B'Av as the saddest day on their calendar because throughout their history terrible tragedies have happened to the children of Israel on the ninth of Av.

This year Tisha B'Av starts at sunset on August 13th. During the next 24 hours the land of Israel is very quiet as they fast and mourn remembering the calamities that have happened on this day. A large crowd gathers at the Western Wall and spends the day in prayer and reading from the book of Lamentations.

Rabbis teach that the tragedies of this date started around 3,000 years ago when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land. God instructed Moses to send spies to check out the Promised Land. Moses sent 12 spies, however, most of the spies reported the land could not be conquered. Our Lord God was very disappointed and decreed that the original generation which came out of Egypt would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. This decree happened on the 9th of Av.    

Approximately 1,800 years later, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his armies into Jerusalem. On the 9th of Av the first Temple was set ablaze and destroyed. Around 100,000 Jews were destroyed in this attack. 

Five centuries later in AD 70, the Roman Army invaded Jerusalem and on the morning of the 9th of Av the second Temple was destroyed. All that was left is what is referred to today as the Western Wall. In this case, one million Israelites were killed.

On the 9th of Av in 1290 Jews were expelled from England. In 1914, Germany entered World War I and on the 9th of Av Heinrich Himmler approved what was called the "final solution" that resulted in the death of one third of the world's population.

Have you ever wondered why all these devastating events have happened to the Jewish people on exactly the same date of the Hebrew calendar? I certainly have! I do not believe there is a way we can answer this question. However, we can be participants in this years 9th of Av by praying with the Jewish people as they pray at the Western Wall asking our Lord God to protect His people Israel this year.  

We can also petition our Lord God that Zechariah 8:19 becomes true, "This is what the Lord Almighty says, 'The fasts of the fourth, fifth (Av), seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah.'"

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

Frank

Prophetic Signs

Two news headlines caught my attention this week and caused me to speculate if they  had important prophetic significance. During the last few weeks we have learned rebels in Turkey attempted to overthrow the Government of President Erdogan but failed. Additionally, Iran's Supreme Leader has called the growing relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia a "stab in the back" to the Muslim world.

Let us first look at the recent events in Turkey. Portions of the Turkish Army, Air Force and Police attempted to overthrow President Erdogan's dictatorial rule. Instead of ending Erdogan's reign, this coup failed and the result has actually strengthened his control to a large degree.

Turkey is one of the nations that will invade Israel as part of the "Invasion From The North" described in Ezekiel 38 and 39. This war is believed to be a pre-rapture event. Ezekiel 38:2 describes Gog as the leader of Russia who is charged to head this invasion of Israel. Verse 6 identifies Gomer, which is modern day Turkey, as one of the invading countries.

Why are these recent events in Turkey important prophetically? If the coup was successful, Turkey probably would have become a Democratic free society and would not take part in an invasion of Israel. On the contrary, Erdogan, who patterns his leadership style after Hitler and with heavy Muslim influence, will be an active and willing partner in the "Invasion From The North."

The second significant prophetic event involved comments by Iran's Supreme Leader who was upset with the developing Israel and Saudi Arabia relationship. We need to realize Iran, referred to as Persia in Ezekiel 38, will also be part of invading countries. Their stated goal expressed many times is the total destruction of Israel. Any co-operation by an Arab country with Israel does not fit this narrative.

Our Lord God says in Psalm 137:5-6, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth - if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy." He will not forget His covenant relationship with the Jewish people and to protect their land. He wins the battle of Gog and Magog for His covenant people. Ezekiel 38:21 says,

 "I Will Call For A Sword Against Gog 

Throughout All My Mountains."

 Hallelujah!

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

Frank

Unity . . . Pleasing To God

"Behold, How Good And How Pleasant It Is 

For Brethren To Dwell Together In Unity!" 

Psalm 133:1

I would think all of us, who love our Lord God, work each day toward wanting to do good in order to please Him. The above verse however, says it is good and pleasant in God's eyes to live in harmony with our brethren. In this verse brethren means all mankind. As a result it is our Lord God's good and perfect will for all of mankind to "dwell together in unity."

All we have to do is listen to the news each day to ascertain that all of God's creation is not dwelling in unity. This raises the question, why has this been a major problem throughout all of history? A very important reason for this is our evil adversary Satan roams about the earth seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

However, we will concentrate our message this week on the continuing conflict in the relationship between the Jewish people and their enemies. When our Lord God established the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:2 He said, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." The "you" referred to in this verse are the descendants of Isaac. In Genesis 18:19 God says, "I will establish My Covenant with Isaac for an everlasting Covenant and with his descendants after him."

A primary reason for the conflict between Jews and their enemies is the false interpretation of God's Word in Genesis 12:2 and Genesis 18:19. The descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son through Hagar, believe God established the Abrahamic Covenant through Ishmael and his descendants. This is not the truth of God's Word!   

The truth for all mankind to know is our Lord God loves all of His creation including the descendants of Ishmael. He desires for all mankind to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We hear of Arab men having visions of Jesus and instantly being saved. Bless and praise His holy name! The unity of faith leads to the unity of the brethren.

What can we do to facilitate God's desire for "brethren to live in unity?" Of course, we need to pray fervently but also share the Gospel message with boldness. Romans 10:14-15 says, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'"

Let all of us share the "Good News" with all the brethren!

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

Frank

Co-Existence

Most commonly the stories of Jews and Palestinians living side by side in the communities and settlements of Judea and Samaria give the impression of tension and even hatred. This is because the land itself appears to be disputed in the eyes of Israel's enemies and the world media.To settle this so-called land dispute, the land was given to Abraham's descendants in Genesis 15:18. There is no land dispute, it belongs to the Jewish people!

In Judea and Samaria or the West Bank as the world media calls it, Jews and Palestinians live side by side. How does this unique and tenuous arrangement work in the majority of situations? Overall, pretty good. Yes, occasionally there are terror attacks similar to those happening all over the world. However, in the majority of scenarios, we should be thanking our Lord God that the two camps appear to be co-existing. As a word of encouragement our message this week will illustrate examples of this positive co-existence.

This month saw a Palestinian terrorist shooting attack in which Rabbi Michael Mark was killed and his family wounded. The first person on the scene was a Palestinian who rescued the children of Rabbi Mark from the wrecked vehicle. Next on the scene was another Palestinian Dr. Sharach and his wife, a nurse, who administered first aid to all the wounded. As a result, two Israeli Medical Organizations have publicly thanked Dr. Sharach for his actions. Praise The Lord for this courageous and merciful act.

Another encouraging and uplifting story talks about a Jewish soldier and his attitude toward Palestinians. Hananya Naftali stated, "I believe in peace even as a Jewish Israeli soldier, I love the Palestinians." Let us pray and believe that the majority of Jews and Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria have a similar mindset. 

I know you all believe our Lord God hears and answers all our prayers. Psalm 122:6 exhorts each of us to pray for "The Peace Of Jerusalem." Most Bible scholars believe Jerusalem in this case refers to all of the people living in Israel also including the Jewish people worldwide. Being faithful to this exhortation will honor and please our Lord God and Savior! 

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

Frank  

"You Shall Love . . ."

News headlines this past week were not of the type to make one feel very good about what is happening worldwide. Last Friday in Dallas, Texas five policemen were murdered trying to restore order during an anti-police demonstration. We also learned from Iran that they along with Hezbollah have 100,000 missiles ready to use during an attack on Israel. Iran made this announcement as their own "final solution" for the problem of Israel. 

Additionally, 50,000 young people are attending a summer camp in Gaza. When we think of summer camps, we normally think of swimming, playing games and bonfires. No, not in Gaza which is under the control of Hamas, a terror organization. These 50,000 young people are being trained to be terrorists in this summer camp.

How do we who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and love Israel respond to all this negative news? Mark 12:30-31 says,

"And you shall love The Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. 

This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this; 

you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no

 other commandment greater than these." 

There is a very uplifting story as part of the events in Dallas which I believe illustrates "Loving Your Neighbor" in very difficult circumstances. The Dallas Chief of Police approached a long line of demonstrators and said the following, "Instead of standing in a line shouting anti-police slogans, why don't you join us and become policemen to help solve these difficulties? We will even send you back to function in your own neighborhood." This was a response of love in a very challenging environment.

Our Lord God also declares in Deuteronomy 6:4-9,

Here, O Israel; The Lord our God, The Lord is one! 

You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart,

 with all your soul and with all your might. 

And these words which I command you today 

shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently 

to your children, and shall talk of them when 

you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, 

when you lie down and when you rise up. 

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand 

and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of

 your house and on your gates."

Our Lord God gives to all of us a clear format of how to function in a challenging world. He desires for us to love Him first with all our heart, soul and strength. Then He desires for us to teach these principles to our children and to all people as He gives us opportunity. What a different world we would live in if God's people practiced Matthew 12:30-31 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

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

Frank 

   

Israel's Next War!

The main theme of last week's message was for all of us to "Know The Truth And Proclaim The Truth." Part of the truth concerned the land of Israel, defining the land given to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 15:18. We also learned God's Covenant People have never occupied all of this land but will occupy it in the future. Obadiah 1:19-20.

Our message this week will define what is believed to be "Israel's Next War" and as a result how the land of Israel is dramatically expanded. Psalm 83:2-4 shows us how the nations surrounding Israel plan for its destruction as a nation, "For behold, 'your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate you have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'" 

Current headlines validate these plans against God's People. The Syrian Civil War has crossed their border into Israel causing Israel to respond. Hezbollah in Lebanon is storing thousands of missiles for a future war with Israel. Hamas in Gaza continues to build tunnels even into Southern Israel as preparation for their next war with Israel. As part of Ramadan, there has been numerous Palestinian terror attacks against Jewish people living in Judea and Samaria. It certainly appears the Psalm 83 War is close at hand.

However, we Praise Our Lord God for His continual hand of protection for His Covenant People. Israel has never lost a war and they do not lose the Psalm 83 War either. The book of Obadiah verses 15 to 18 is called the Judgment On Edom. Who is Edom? Edom is current day Arabs who are descendants from Esau and who comprise most of the populations of the current Middle East. The above verses show how our Lord God responds to the Edomites (Arabs) for their mistreatment of Israel. Hallelujah! 

Lastly, Obadiah 1:19-20 is a detailed description of Israel expanding and occupying the rest of the land given to them by God in Genesis 15:18. Be encouraged, Psalm 125:1-3, says, "Those who trust in The Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so The Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous." 

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

Frank