The God Of Israel

Jehovah God brings a message of hope and restoration for Israel in the chapters 41-48 in the book of Isaiah. The basis for this hope is The Sovereignty And Majesty Of God. Of the 216 verses in these nine chapters, 115 speak of God's Greatness and Power. As we know of the current tenuous situation in Israel, we feel it appropriate to start a series of messages illustrating God's love, comfort, compassion and protection for His people Israel from chapters 41-48 of Isaiah.

Chapter 41 is entitled, "Comfort Because Of God's Greatness." Isaiah 41:8-10 says, "But you, O Israel, My servants, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham My friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'you are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

In verses 8 and 9, Jehovah God starts His message of hope by confirming that the Jewish people are His Chosen People. He chose them to be His Covenant People at Mt. Sinai to spread His love to the rest of the world. He encourages them by saying He had not cast them away; He is with them; He will strengthen them and He will help them.

 Certainly This Is A Message Of Hope! Hallelujah!

Currently, Israel is surrounded by enemies and has enemies living within its borders. However, Jehovah God brings an encouraging and hopeful message in verses 11-13 which says, "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am The Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you."

In closing, this message of hope for Israel is a present and future time message. However, it can also apply to past events. Observe the following list of past enemies of Israel which Jehovah God has eliminated:

The Roman Empire . . . The Greek Empire . . . Nazi Germany . . .

The Babylonian Empire . . . The Spanish Inquisition . . . 

The British Empire . . . Russian Pogroms 

We Serve A Mighty God!

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

Frank

        

"Watchmen On Your Wall"

Isaiah 62:6-7 says, "I have posted Watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on The Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." Today, there is an urgent need for millions of Watchmen over Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. Our message this week is to look at this need and the role of Watchmen.

Worldly conditions for the Jewish people has become tense and dangerous. Recently, worshippers at a Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were attacked by a gunman and a number were killed. Anti-Semitism worldwide was 37% higher in 2017 than 2016. Jewish college students in the United States feel threatened on a regular basis. Recently Hamas in Gaza fired 400 rockets into Southern Israel destroying an apartment building. Iran and Russia have troops on the ground in Syria.

We now know the need for Watchmen. What is their function? A Watchman "Watches Over" and thus protects a certain group of people. Isaiah 62:6 says Jehovah God has posted Watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. When Jerusalem is mentioned in this manner, I believe it includes not only the people of Jerusalem but the Jewish people worldwide. 

How does a Watchman watch over the Jewish people worldwide? The Watchman upon learning of pending danger or that the Jewish people are under attack immediately petitions Jehovah God for His hand of protection over His Covenant People. When we study the history of Israel and the Jewish people we notice that God has protected His people over and over again. Watchmen play an integral part in this process. Hallelujah!

Looking further at verses six and seven, we learn the Watchmen are watching continually - they give themselves "No Rest." This  is not a part time calling from God, it is full time! Notice also the Watchmen give God "No Rest" until He establishes Jerusalem as the Praise Of The Earth during the Millennial Reign of Jesus.

Are you a Watchman on the walls of Jerusalem? If so, are you giving yourself "No Rest?" Are you giving God "No Rest?" Bless His Holy Name!

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

Frank          

Jesus Rules And Reigns - Continuing

Recently our messages have concentrated on looking at worldly conditions during the reign of Jesus Christ for a thousand years and into eternity. This week our message will study Jesus Ruling And Reigning Currently. Bless His Holy Name!

A number of Psalms proclaim Jesus reigning Currently:

Psalm 9:7 "The Lord Reigns Forever"

Psalm 93:1 "The Lord Reigns, He Is Robed In Majesty"

Psalm 96:10 "Say Among The Nations, The Lord Reigns"

Psalm 97:1 "The Lord Reigns, Let The Earth Be Glad"

Psalm 99:1 "The Lord Reigns, Let The Nations Tremble"

Psalm 146:10 "The Lord Reigns Forever"

Also, Philippians 2:8-11 proclaims Jesus Ruling And Reigning Currently, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ Is Lord, To The Glory Of God The Father." The name of Jesus is above every other name and every knee should bow at the name of Jesus today!

You might be thinking there are people today who do not bow at the name of Jesus or confess Jesus as Lord. This is true! Why? The current rule and reign of Jesus must be applied to our daily lives. However, Satan does all he can to prevent this from happening. This will not be the case during the Millennial Reign of Jesus since Satan will be bound.

How can we Rule And Reign with Jesus today? Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us how to put on "The Armor Of God." Most importantly, verse 14 says we should have "The Belt Of Truth around our waist." Verse 17 says we should use the "Sword Of The Spirit which is the Word Of God." When we know the Word Of God and apply it to our daily lives, we Rule And Reign each day with Jesus.

Be those victorious overcomers each day as you Rule And Reign with Jesus!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank    

Jesus Rules And Reigns - Continuing

The month of November and December are always special times of the year. November is when we thank Jehovah God for all the blessings He provides. I am always curious as to why one Thursday each year is the time to give thanks. Should we not give thanks everyday to our God? I have made it a habit to start each day with this prayer of thanksgiving: "Jehovah God, Thank You For Your Plan Of Salvation; Jesus, Thank You For Obeying This Plan; Holy Spirit, Thank You For Guiding And Directing Us As Our Counselor Every Day."

As we continue our study of Jesus ruling and reigning during the thousand year millennial period, there are two prophetic scriptures about the birth of Jesus clearly describing His upcoming rule and reign. Isaiah 9:6,7 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." Notice the government will be upon the shoulders of Jesus. He will have total control and the responsibility for all in existence. This will be a Theocratic Kingdom, exactly the same as when Jehovah God ruled and reigned before the Israelites decided they wanted their own king.

The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary in Luke 1:31-33, "You will be with child and give birth to a Son and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of The Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end." This message explains Jesus will reign forever and His kingdom will have no end. Hallelujah!

The month of November is always special since it is the anniversary month of For Zions Sake Ministry. Over the last 6 years, 19,111 Saints of God have read 300 messages in 10 countries. For Zions Sake Ministry is honored, humbled and blessed to be a vehicle by which God blesses Israel and the Jewish People each week. For Zions Sake Ministry blesses and praises the Holy Name Of Jehovah God.

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

Frank  

Jehovah God Protects His People

Recently, we have published a number of messages illustrating worldly conditions during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ on earth. We will continue this series but feel it is important to remind God's people to be in earnest prayer after learning of the horrendous terror attack on God's Covenant People in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We also want to illustrate  Jehovah God Protects His People! 

Past - Shortly after Israel was declared a nation in May of 1948, five Arab armies attacked Israel which was short on manpower and resources. Miraculously, Israel survived this attack and even gained ground. On June 1, 1967 Israel again was about to be attacked by five Arab countries. June 5th Israel's Air Force launched a surprise attack on Egypt and destroyed their airplanes. October 6, 1973 during Yom Kippur 500 Israeli soldiers faced 600,000 Egyptians and 180 Israeli tanks faced 1,400 Syrian tanks. Israel survived these attacks and pushed the invaders back across their borders. Jehovah God Protests His People!

Present - We hear of rockets and missiles being fired by Hamas from Gaza into Southern Israel. Miraculously, we do not hear of any Israeli citizens being injured or killed. Israeli leaders also announce that hundreds of prospective terror attacks are prevented in Israel each year. Jehovah God Protects His People!

Future Illustrated In Zechariah 9

Verse 1 "The Word of The Lord is against the land of Hadrach and will rest upon Damascus."

Verse 2 "And upon Hamath too which borders on it and upon Tyre and Sidon."

Verse 5 "Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.

In explaining the above, Jehovah God will be in judgement against all of the areas mentioned including Syria, Lebanon and Gaza which are all current enemies of Israel. Jehovah God Protects His People!

A primary focus of For Zion's Sake Ministry is to encourage God's people to pray for "The Peace Of Jerusalem" especially now after the attack in Pittsburgh. Be Encouraged God's People And Keep Praying!

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

Frank     

Jesus Rules And Reigns - Continuing

Recently, our messages have focused on worldly conditions during the rule and reign of Jesus Christ during the Millennium. Our primary source has been the book of Isaiah but now we will continue these messages using the book of Zechariah, another prophetic book. Notice the following titles of sections in Zechariah Chapters 8 - 10 which we will study: 

The Lord Promises To Bless Jerusalem

Judgment On Israel's Enemies

The Coming of Zion's King

The Lord Will Appear

The Lord Will Care For Judah

Zechariah 8:2-4 says, "This is what The Lord Almighty says: 'I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her . . . I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the Mountain of The Lord Almighty will be called The Holy Mountain . . . Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.'" 

Our Lord God Almighty says "I Am Very Jealous For Zion." A person who is jealous will do whatever is necessary to prove their love. Jesus says He will return to Jerusalem. As a result, Jerusalem will be a city of truth and holiness. Additionally, Jerusalem will be a city of total peace with seniors peacefully sitting in the streets and children playing without fear. Even So, Come Quickly Lord Jesus, Come Quickly!

Zechariah 8:20-23 says, "This is what The Lord Almighty says: 'Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, let us go at once to entreat The Lord and seek The Lord Almighty. I myself am going and many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek The Lord Almighty and to entreat Him.'"

We previously learned that all nations will come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles and those who do not attend will experience famine. The above message is similar but somewhat different because it shows peoples of many nations desiring to go to Jerusalem. Why? They want to seek The Lord because they have learned that Jehovah God is with His Covenant People and they desire to experience God in a similar manner.

"That At The Name Of Jesus Every Knee Should Bow, 

In Heaven And On Earth And Under The Earth, 

And Every Tongue Confess That Jesus Christ Is Lord,

 To The Glory Of God The Father." 

Philippians 2:10-11

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank       

Jesus Rules And Reigns - Continuing

Psalm 102:12-17 says, "But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servant; her very dust moved them to pity. The nations will fear the name of The Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere Your glory. For The Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in His Glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea." Additionally, Isaiah 25:8 says, "The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth."

We are continuing our series of messages that describe Jesus Christ ruling and reigning from Jerusalem during the Millennium Period. Psalm 102 illustrates Jesus reigning as King and declaring it is time to have compassion on Zion. Jesus also declares it is time to rebuild Zion. All of this will take place during the thousand year reign of Jesus.

However, the message we will concentrate on this week is Isaiah 25:8 that says God's Covenant People will not be DISGRACED anymore around the world. What does it mean that God's Covenant People have been disgraced? Shortly after God gave to Abraham and his descendants the land of Israel, the Jewish people were driven from their land.

The Assyrians forced them into exile in 722 BCE, the Babylonians in 587 BCE and the Romans in 70 CE. While in exile, the Jewish people were subject to political, economic and social discrimination. They were forced from their homes to live in "Jewish Ghettos." In Spain they were forced to become Christians or they lost their lives. The most severe period of discrimination was the Holocaust in Germany where six million Jews lost their lives. God's Covenant People have been disgraced and are still being disgraced to this day.

Jehovah God will remove this disgrace and this removal will be in effect throughout the Millennial Period and into Eternity. How? Jeremiah 29:14 says, "I will be found by you," declares The Lord, "And will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you." Also, Ezekiel 20:34 says, "I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered." These are just two of over 700 verses of Scripture showing Jehovah God bringing His people to their land. Their Time Of Disgrace Will End! Hallelujah!

In reality, the return of the Jews to Israel has been happening for over a century. At the beginning of World War I Jews living in Israel numbered 90,000. When Israel was formed in May 1948, 800,000 Jews lived in Israel. Today, 14.2 million Jews live in Israel. This is 43% of the existing Jews in the world.

Jehovah God Keeps All His Promises! Bless His Holy Name!

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

Frank