Dear friends and readers,
I cannot tell you how many articles I have written about Israel not to mention dozens of other writers who explain what is really happening with Israel both physically and spiritually. And you know I do fully understand why the "WORLD" does not get it. What I fail to understand is why so many self professing Christians simply cannot or will not believe what the Bible itself says about Israel.
Maybe it will always be that way? I certainly hope not and I will (along with many others) continue to explain the truth. But if this is so utterly frustrating to me, can you imagine how frustrating it must be to people in Israel? You know right about now I could bury this article in scripture from both the Old and New Testaments---every bit of which will support Israel. Fill it full and then some. Painstakingly defend Israel from a Biblical view point and also tell about what is actually happening on the ground over there. But I have learned that people who read about Israel generally fall into two very different camps.
1). Hate Israel and the moment she is mentioned tune out regardless of truth.
2). Love Israel and mostly already know and understand the scriptures that guys like myself include in our articles. Very little middle ground.
So why do I even bother? Why do we who do understand spend hours and hours of research, writing time and even longer in proof reading when it probably will change no ones mind? Maybe it's a heart thing. I know it is for me. I know it is for the Lord because His Holy Word says so---repeatedly! I know it was way back 2000 years ago for the Apostle Paul. I know it was as long ago as about 3,500 years ago for Moses and succeeding generations of Biblical prophets. You know the message about Israel has never changed. Not once but somehow many within the church still do not get the picture.
Fortunately there are increasing numbers of believers who are having their eyes opened to the truth but I have to ask myself a question? If the subject of Israel is so incredibly important to me and many others that I know, how is it that there are a reported 2 billion 500 million Christians on planet earth and still phony outfits like the United Nations can get away with distorting the truth, utter lies and false propaganda that is so completely ridiculous yet so many people suck it up like candy?
You know the Old Testament speaks of Watchmen on the walls. Specifically in the book of Isaiah chapter 62: 6-7. "I (God) have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him (God) no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth". In the New King James edition, chapter 63 is entitled "THE DAY OF MESSIAH'S REVENGE". And revenge someday their most certainly will be. Clearly it is up to every single person who "make mention of the Lord". To do what? To plead the case for Jerusalem in the very throne room of God. No, God doe's not need help. He could do this all by Himself. Yes, He has instructed us to pray. I sometimes wonder if some folks ever think about the fact that God obviously wants a true and loving partnership with His created children? You know, a teamwork effort?
I have one title, Pastor, plain and simple. Can't tell you how many people carry around business cards identifying themselves as an Apostle or Prophet. I generally throw those directly in the pig trough. For you city folk that means the round file---garbage can. If someone needs to tell people they are a Prophet or Apostle I can almost guarantee they are not. Titles are a dime a dozen. I tell you that because I would never dream of naming myself as one of God's chosen watchmen. Still, while I draw breath I am going to do exactly what this scripture says because I do in fact make mention of the Lord every chance I get. Are we as believers not supposed to do that? And I know many more folks who feel exactly the same way but not nearly enough to change the evil tide of misinformation peddled nearly daily by news media around the globe who are in the pockets of corrupt politicians. How about you? Are you ready to stand up for Israel? Frankly, to do otherwise is to stick your finger in God's eye!
Where is the outrage within the church when Israel is targeted for destruction by evil empires? Oh yes, there is some outrage as should be the case when anyone is picked on. Where is the challenge of truth against those who publish outright lying propaganda against God's chosen people and the boarders of land given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who's name was changed to ISRAEL by God Himself. Where are the voices of literally millions of believers who have gone on tours to Israel and say they loved every minute of it? How is it that false teachers have turned entire major denominations against Israel, "THE APPLE OF GOD"S EYE"? (Zechariah 2:8). And why is it that those false teachers can get away with peddling that stuff without being caught "dirty" by all those people sitting in pews with Bibles on their laps?
What we see happening should not surprise us if we really are in the end times because the scriptures clearly state that the nations will turn against Israel. (Joel 3:2, Genesis 12:3, Zechariah 12:1-14, Revelation 16:13-16, Psalm 83:1-18, Malachi 4:1, Ezekiel 38:1-23, Luke 21:24). Shall I go on? Because there are very many more scriptures that any Bible reading believer cannot possibly miss on the subject of God's true love and heart toward Israel and His chosen people? No, it should NOT surprise us but that does not take anything away from this being one of the chief travesties of all time.
Let's see, what did that say again in Isaiah 62? "You who make mention of the Lord do not keep silent"! I wonder what will happen at the judgement seat of Christ if that question is asked? Oh, well maybe the Lord will forget or leave that one out? Do I sound frustrated? I am only a pleb (common person) when it comes to Israel. We have only been there 9 times. But do you know what I saw with my own eyes there? Israel supplying electricity and water to Gaza. Israel passing through truck loads (literally tons) of food and other supplies to them every single week.
Arab/Muslim cab drivers personally telling me that they would much rather live under Israeli sovereignty because their kids can go to school, they can have businesses, they are respected as citizens of Israel. Did you know that the Israeli's nearly ALWAYS send relief and medical teams to other countries experiencing floods, earthquakes, plagues and food shortages? Did you know they even send teams to countries who hate them? Just last month Israeli teams were helping in Mexico during the big earth quakes (not that the Israelis are hated by Mexicans because that would be a real stretch of the truth). But you get my point---I hope! It is simply NOT the way it is portrayed in the press.
Does Israel sometimes make mistakes? Certainly as do all nations. Are they eating Palestinian children (as is taught in many of the PA schools)? No that is so ridiculous it is not even worthy of discussion.
Did you know that leaders of Hamas and other terror organizations frequently send their own family members to Israeli hospitals? Did you know that the Israeli hospitals treat these people with respect and give them the same level of care they give their own citizens? And then guess what? Those same leaders turn right around and preach hate toward Israel and encourage bomb attacks, rockets flying toward Israeli schools and people walking down the street peacefully to suddenly be struck down with a knife in their back?
The anti Israel rhetoric worldwide is at an all time high and becoming a mega blast, a literal cacophony of ugly hate filled, violent and threatening Anti Semitic verbal flotsam that is becoming dangerously close to starting a war that no one wants but few make any effort to avoid. A great portion of this is being generated within the hallowed halls of the United Nations. A totally worthless organization if I ever saw one. It amazes me that the UN human rights commission actually has members on it from Muslim nations that openly practice female genital mutilation, will not allow women to attend school nor go shopping without a male family member in attendance, practice honor killings of female family members who cannot even legally drive a car. What an awesome example to the youth of the free world.
In the Old Testament days King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines plus a torrid affair with the infamous Queen of Sheba. (At the risk of cracking wise during a very serious article, can you imagine having 1000 wives telling you where to move the couch?). Until the 17th century early tradition had it that Solomon housed his many wives and concubines on a small hill called the "HILL OF EVIL COUNSEL" which is still located south east of Jerusalem and just south of the Valley of Hinnom. If you recall this great and wise King was slowly drawn into idol worship at the end of his life by all these women, many of whom were from foreign Kingdoms. Ergo---EVIL COUNSEL!
Additionally, It is believed to be the very last meeting place between Judas and some of the Pharisees while making a pact for Judas to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. After Judas killed himself, those same 30 pieces of silver were used to purchase a plot of ground also believed to be part of the site of the Hill of Evil Counsel. On that same general topographical hill was supposedly located, the house of the Priest Caiaphas who was instrumental in proclaiming the intended death of Jesus. Not an awesome history for that particular plot of dirt.
As a final evil turn of fate, guess what is located on the Hill of Evil Counsel today? United Nations headquarters Jerusalem!
This is either the worst possible slap in the face to Israel or depending upon the way you look at it, a major act of somewhat dark heavenly humor on the part of God Himself.
Folks, the Lord Jesus Christ was a Jew. He still is a Jew and always will be one. The very roots of Christianity began in Jerusalem and a large portion of the first century church were Jewish. There have always been Jews who recognized Christ as their Messiah albeit few in numbers until the rise of the current Messianic church which is now thriving and growing in Israel. Romans chapter 11 is an in depth focus by Paul the Apostle regarding exactly what a follower of Christ is in relation to Israel. It is impossible to read that chapter and come away as an enemy of Israel. But somehow that either happens or Romans is not being taught.
Coming into the end of time as the church knows it, Israel will have no other friends than true followers of Christ. It is time for our voices to be heard. It is time for all of us to be watchmen on the wall.
God bless,
Pastor Rance.
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