"Never Again"

A statement on the wall of a Nazi death camp read, "He who does not learn from the lessons of history is doomed to repeat them." Could this statement be a prophetic word for the modern day Christian church? Most people are aware of the horrendous results of the Holocaust in which Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich murdered 6 million Jewish people. However, few people realize that official policies of Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders helped birth the Holocaust. Also, most Christians in Europe knew what was happening but simply looked the other way.

The Holocaust is the most severe form of persecution of the Jewish people but there are other examples. In 1095, Pope Urban preached a sermon that urged people to liberate Jerusalem. He also said, "A journey to Jerusalem will be a substitute for all penance." This resulted in fifteen Crusades to Israel,12,000 Jews were killed in Europe during these journeys. Jerusalem was captured in 1099 with an additional 10,000 Jewish people being killed.

After the Crusades most European countries became closed to the Jewish people except for Spain. However, the Spanish Inquisition started in 1480 outlawing the Jewish religion. The church required Jewish people to be baptized as Christians or become slaves. This resulted in 50,000 Spanish Jews losing their lives.

Presently, God's Covenant People upon greeting each other or in conversation make the following proclamation, "Never Again!" They are proclaiming that they will "Never Again" allow events such as the Holocaust, the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition to happen again. However, as Anti-Semitism is growing around the world there are terror attacks, Israeli products banned, anti-Israel bias at the United Nations and Iran threatening to destroy Israel.

Why have God's Covenant People become the most persecuted group of people in all of history? Satan knows the Jews are God's Chosen People and that the Savior of all the world is indeed Jewish. He also knows God's plan to bring Jesus back to earth to rule and reign from Jerusalem. Satan's goal is to destroy God's plan by eliminating the Jewish people and Israel so he can rule the world.

What can we do as part of the modern day Christian church? Most important, we need to ask our Lord God to forgive the sins of the early church toward the Jewish people. Also, we need to know for sure that our church is not anti-Semitic in any form. Lastly, we need to defeat our enemy everyday for ourselves, our family, Israel and the Jewish people by putting on the Whole Armor Of God as illustrated in Romans chapter six. Hallelujah!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

The Israel Awakening - Continued

Last week's message announced a spiritual awakening that has been happening in Israel and among God's people since 2007. James Goll, founder of the Prayer Storm Ministry, wrote a book called The Israel Awakening and shared in the book about an angelic visitation in December of 2006 which proclaimed the start of the Israel Awakening. This God ordained awakening is based on Ezekiel 36:23-26 where our Lord God says, "He will vindicate His great name; He will bring His people back to their own land and He will give them a new heart and a new spirit.

One of the most important spiritual truths I have learned after knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior for 36 years is when our Lord God repeats a message numerous times . . . WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION! When we study Ezekiel 37, we find our Lord God stressing these concepts ten more times. I believe He wants to get our attention!

Let us examine Ezekiel 37 for the continuation of our Lord God's message about the Israel Awakening:

Verse 12 "I will bring you into the land of Israel"

Verse 13 "Then you shall know that I am The Lord"

Verse 14 "I will put My spirit in you"

Verse 14 "I will place you in your own land"

Verse 21 "I will take the children of Israel from among the nations"

Verse 23 "I will cleanse them"

Verse 23 "They shall be My people and I will be their God"

Verse 25 "They will dwell in the land I have given to Jacob"

Verse 26 " I will make a Covenant of Peace with them"

Verse 27 "My Tabernacle shall be with them" 

Hallelujah! Our Lord God has spoken very clearly of what He will do for His Covenant People and is now in the process of doing all of this. We have the privilege and honor to be part of this movement of God in prayer for Israel and His Chosen People. 

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

Frank

The Israel Awakening

James Goll, who is the founder of the Prayer Storm Ministry, wrote a book in 2009 entitled "The Israel Awakening." He described a visitation of an angel during a church service when he felt a stiff breeze across his face and suddenly an angel appeared in front of him looking directly at him. The angel was wearing a white robe with a gold sash with the words "Israel Awakening." The angel blew a shofar right in his face and then vanished.

James believes this experience was the start of The Israel Awakening based on the following prophetic scriptures in Ezekiel 36:22-25, "Thus says The Lord God: I will sanctify My great name . . . I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land . . . I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you."

How is our Lord God vindicating or making His Name Holy again among His Chosen People? The book illustrates a well educated Jewish man in Guatemala who noticed a number of people entering a house and decided to follow them. Inside he saw a man dipping something like a cracker into a liquid he could not identify and then the cracker was put on people's tongues. He accepted one and went back to his seat and suddenly the power of God fell on him and he shook for 30 minutes.  This Jewish man accepted Jesus as his Messiah. Another story in the book shows a well known Rabbi in Israel who died at the age of 108 but just before his death told his followers he had met his Messiah and shared this message on Yom Kippur. During his last days he spoke continually about the coming of the Messiah. Hundreds of Messianic congregations now function in Israel and world wide.

Our Lord God also said He will bring His people back to their own land. This is a movement of God which has been happening for many years. In fact, there are over 700 references in The Word of God about this miraculous movement. In 1948 when Israel was founded only one million Jewish people lived in Israel, today, there are 7 million. This is a powerful movement of God and a fulfillment of His Word!

Then Our Lord God said He will give His chosen people a new heart and put a new spirit within them. This is the bottom line or the completion of the Spiritual Awakening among the Jewish people. Romans 11:26 says, "All Israel Will Be Saved" meaning all those who were brought back to Israel will receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or their Messiah. It is believed this will happen in conjunction with Jesus physically returning to earth at the end of the Tribulation Period. Hallelujah! 

Ezekiel 36:22-25 is currently happening and is a true God Ordained Spiritual Awakening among God's Chosen People. Our role is one of continual prayer supporting this awakening and even asking for its acceleration. Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

For Zion's Sake . . .

For the last five years, I have had the privilege to oversee this ministry called "For Zion's Sake" which is based on Isaiah 62:1-7. Toward the end of 2012, I believe our Lord God touched my heart to distribute His message to people all over the world. This message is one of support for Israel encouraging continual prayer and financial support. Over the past five years, For Zion's Sake has a readership of  over 9,000 people who have read 248 messages. BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!

As we start this new calendar year, people are making resolutions  but let me suggest instead to make new or continuing commitments unto our Lord God. One of these commitments could be to continue or start being a participant in our Lord God's exhortation of Isaiah 62:1-7. For the remainder of our first message of 2018, we will study these very important verses of scripture as a word of encouragement for this new year. 

Isaiah 62:1 says, "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns." This is the most important theme verse and encourages God's people to speak out on behalf of Jerusalem until righteousness and salvation shines forth from her. This will happen during the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth.

Isaiah 62:2 says, "The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings Your Glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of The Lord will name." Gentiles will see the righteousness and Glory of Jerusalem and some will be saved during the 1,000 years.

Isaiah 62:5 says, "For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your son marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." God's people will be married to the land of Israel and The Lord will rejoice over them.

Isaiah 62:6-7 says, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of The Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till again He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." We who love and support Israel are meant to be watchmen over Jerusalem until God makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Watchmen pray continually for Israel not giving our Lord God any rest.

Be blessed in 2018 as you speak out and pray continually for Israel!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

  

Jerusalem - Past, Present, Future

Jerusalem has been in the news frequently over the last few weeks. President Trump's announcing Jerusalem as Israel's capital has caused much turmoil. All but eight of the nations represented at the United Nations voted against President Trump's declaration. In reality, this vote is meaningless since Jerusalem is the capital of Israel - has been in all of history, is currently and will be in the future. Even more important is that Jerusalem is the earthly dwelling place of our Lord God - 2Chronicles 6:6 says, "But I Have Chosen Jerusalem, That My Name May Be There." 

Why all this turmoil revolving around Jerusalem? The answer is very simple, All Worldly Events Revolve Around Jerusalem! This is a very bold statement! Let me explain . . . Historically, Jerusalem has been conquered and reconquered 48 times and is mentioned 811 times in the Word of God. It was in Jerusalem where our Lord God established His unconditional blood covenant with His Chosen People as stated in Genesis 15:8-18. King David reigned from Jerusalem and Jesus was crucified and resurrected in Jerusalem. The government of Israel known as the Knesset is located in Jerusalem.

Currently, Jerusalem actually houses some of its enemies. The Temple Mount is where all of the Jewish Temples were located and is considered the most Holy Place on earth by Jews and Christians. However, today two Muslim Mosques occupy the Temple Mount. This was the result of past Muslim conquests of Jerusalem and causes continual tension in Jerusalem. Jerusalem's enemies do not understand our Lord God gave Jerusalem and almost the whole Middle East to His Covenant People in Genesis 15:18 which says, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the River of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates."

Now, let us look at the future of Jerusalem when all this tension and turmoil will end. However there will be a war. Just prior to the second coming of Jesus to earth, the nations of the world will gather to fight against Jerusalem as mentioned in Zechariah 14:2, "For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem." The good news is our Lord God will defeat their enemies and shortly thereafter Jerusalem will be the center of the world during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ on earth as stated in Zechariah 14:16. 

As we enter a new calendar year, allow me to challenge you to daily keep Psalm 122:6 which says, "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem. I believe this is a mandate from our Lord God, not a suggestion. Have a Christ centered and most blessed New Year!

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

Frank 

A Christmas Message

Hebrews 10:8-10 says, "Sacrifice an offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them, then He said, 'behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Possibly within the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus we might overlook the primary reason why the Son of God needed to come physically to earth. As illustrated above, Jesus came to take away the first blood covenant and replaced it with a new and better blood covenant.  Our Lord God did not take pleasure in burnt offerings of animals which did not take away sin. Only through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ, once and for all, was forgiveness of sin and salvation made available to all of God's creation. We serve a loving, merciful and giving God! Hallelujah!

Following are some insights into the story of the birth of Jesus: 

"After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit." {Matthew 1:8} One of the first verses of the New Testament illustrates a miracle of God - Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly." {Matthew 1:19} Joseph, not understanding how Mary was with child, was an honorable man and desired not to humiliate her.

"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of The Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.' Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of The Lord commanded him and took to him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus." {Matthew 1:20,24,25} Joseph, a God fearing man, knew the angel was from God obeyed and took Mary as his wife and named him Jesus.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn." {Luke 2:7} Jesus, who came to become the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in the most humble of surroundings. This is an example for us to function always in humility and not in pride.

"And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a manger. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told them." {Luke 2:16,20} We should glorify and praise God in all surroundings and circumstances.

Have A Most Blessed Christmas!

Frank 

 

Prophecy Fulfilled?

Zechariah 12:3 says, "And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surly be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it." 

Last week President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. This has caused strong negative reactions in many countries especially those who proclaim themselves as enemies of Israel. As we look at Zechariah 12:3 we see our Lord God stating, "I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples."

As a result, the question is being raised by many prophetic peoples - Is this a sign that this prophecy is being fulfilled? Notice this verse says that this prophetic event will happen "In That Day." What does In That Day mean? This phrase is found numerous times in God's Word and is believed to be the culmination of all necessary events just prior to the time of Jesus coming back to earth.

So, now, we ask again - is President Trump's declaration a key prophetic event? Jerusalem has always been a place of tension and conflict. President Trump's declarations adds to this tension. However, we must notice that Zechariah 12:3 says "all peoples" will consider Jerusalem a Heavy Stone in that day. We are not at that prophetic moment yet but certainly we need to watch and pray concerning events in Israel and especially in Jerusalem.

Let us conclude our message by highlighting how our Lord God will react to those "who heave Jerusalem away" meaning they verbally or physically attack Jerusalem. Our Lord God's reaction is to "cut these people and nations to pieces." Additionally, Zechariah 12:9 says, "It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." In these days in which we live, we all need to be certain that we are those who bless Israel and not curse Israel. Genesis 12:3.

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Each Day,

Frank