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BREAKING NEWS!
As of Sunday, December 11, 2001, the bridge which connects the Western Wall to the Temple Mount has been closed due to safety issues. According to Jerusalem engineers the bridge is in danger of collapsing. Sadly, this is the ONLY access Jews have to the Temple Mount. [Further, non-Muslim visitors are limited to several hours twice a day Sunday-Thursday.) On the other hand, Muslims have total access to the Mount.
Thus this closure affects only Jews and tourists who are predominantly Christian.
And yet, Jordan has been warning that the closure will lead to “trouble” claiming it is too close to the Mosque. Actually the distance between the entry to the Mount and the Mosque is at least 4 city blocks!
The Israeli paper, YNet reports:
The Waqf director said, “This is a sensitive issue.
”The bridge is so close to the mosque. Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims around the world will not be happy about this.” He said that they think that Israel is trying to hurt their tradition in the guise of safety concerns.” (Emphasis mine)
Again, let me point out that the bridge connects the Western Wall (West Jerusalem, controlled by Israel) to the Temple Mount, which politically also belongs to Israel. The bridge has absolutely nothing to do with Islamic traditions!
THE LATEST: The bridge has been temporarily opened but with continual closures. The decision has been made to rebuild….and that will be an issue for sure!
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“God is not interested in real estate” a friend said to me. I couldn’t disagree more.
God is VERY interested in real estate and it is He who determines the boundaries of the nations.
However there is one particular place upon which His eyes, ears and heart are focused.
While He is omnipresent and indwells the hearts of all those who call Him Lord, there is only one place where He has chosen to reveal His Shekinah glory, to put His name and to build His house. (Isaiah 8:18, 2 Chron 7:15-16)
“But” you say, “look at the context, the preceding verse” (2 Chron 7:14).
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
In response I challenge that the promise of verses 15 and 16 is NOT dependent on verse 14. The first speaks to the promise of healing the land, the following verses are an affirmation of what He already promised.
Look at the prayer of Solomon at the Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:29) and then the Lord’s response:
And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. (1 Kings 9:3)
This piece of real estate is one of the few for which we have a record of the Title Deed, “payment in full” as it were. King David bought the property which had belonged to Araunah (2 Sam 24:21-25).
Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.”
Although the exact location is still uncertain, the Temples of Solomon and of Herod were built on this site. Tradition also puts Abraham’s intended sacrifice of Isaac on this mountain as well. Consequently this piece of real estate is the most holy and most contested in all the world.
Worship is synonymous with Jerusalem, as the Temple Mount is with worship. Therefore when the Psalmist and the people longed for Jerusalem, their focus was the Temple It is the place where the nations have, are and will come to worship the King. (Psalm 27:4, 122; Zech 14:16; Isaiah 2:2-3; Micha 4;1…)
The loss of the Temples and then the Roman destruction of Jerusalem were devastating to the Jewish people, but perhaps more than anything was the defilement by the building of Islamic mosques. ( 637-692)
Furthermore over the years, the Jewish people lost access to the Mount itself.
All that changed June 7, 1968 when Israel won the 6 Day War and regained the entire city of Jerusalem. Like the Maccabees before them, soldiers and politicians raced to the Temple Mount.
For some unfathomable reason, perhaps an attempt at peace after the war, control of the Mount was given to Jordan who then quickly limited Jewish access once again.
When I first came to Israel, the Mount was a high priority on my “to do/see” list. It’s hard to describe the feelings of standing next to the last remaining wall of Herod’s Temple and then looking up to see the gleaming gold dome of the Mosque.
My heart broke for a variety of reasons:
- The fervor yet futility of the prayers at the Wall.
- God’s departed presence where it had once been so manifested.
- Jesus’ love for these people who still deny and reject Him.
- The desecration of the Mount with a Mosque which has written on the inside of the dome: “There is only one god – Allah – and he has no son.
I was struck by the stark contrast between top and bottom.
Crowds of men, women, boys and girls pressed into touch the Wall. Some women found chairs and rocked as they prayed… some sitting for hours. The men were a bit more boisterous as they studied as well as prayed.
The section of the Wall is so small and the crowds are so large.
That was not the case on top. There the huge area was almost empty, devoid of people. Often one just saw guards to prevent the Jews and tourists from praying.
Times have changed!
I recently visited the Mount and activity abounded! All over the paved area, there were small clusters of men and women studying the Koran. One group seemed to be studying the Arabic letters of the Koran.
Although not yet 10 AM, there was a continual stream of mothers and children with picnic baskets and soccer balls, obviously preparing for a full day.
Tragically the Waqf (the Islamic trust controlling sites determined to be religious to Muslims) permitted the underground building of a mosque. Jewish archeologists were not allowed to see the unearthed relics. Initially the ancient ground along with its treasures was dumped in the back of the Mosque, but after a bitter fight was taken to a nearby dump and made available to Jews. Many wonderful “finds” have come from these mounds of “dirt.”
Furthermore, this third mosque on the Mount, now denied Jews access to the underground cavern which goes back to the days of King Solomon.
This was a blatant attempt to totally destroy evidence of the Jewish presence on the Temple Mount. Heaps of this valuable “garbage” was piled in the back where the tourists and pilgrims would not notice.
As I walked along this “burial ground” a casual glance resulted in finding pieces of ancient pottery, just laying on the ground. I wonder just how many treasures are buried under these piles?!
Near this dump were two men in the process of burning a dilapidated copy of the Koran. While Jews bury their old books, the Muslims burn them. Quite a contrast with the way we/they honor holy books.
One said to me,
“The Mosque belongs to us, everything else up here belongs to the Jews!”
That statement is correct and also explains the sudden activity. Call it occupation or squatting, this is an attempt to “prove” the Temple Mount belongs to “Palestine.”
I also saw two caravans which my friend correctly realized were for ventilation. Obviously there are plans for more buildings.
I expect all this is preparation for this most holy site to Israel and Messiah Yeshua to be claimed to be the site of the “Capitol of Palestine.”
GOD FORBID!
Here are other pictures from my morning on the Mount:
The entry from the now closed bridge is to the left in front of the trees. You can see the distance!
 Another view of the Temple Mount Plateau
Ancient Olive Tree
Below: Ancient Marble Pillars
 
 Capitol from Herod’s Temple
 Sitting on the remains of the Wall of Separation
THE GOLDEN GATE FROM INSIDE!
The Golden Gate, also called, The Gate of Mercy (rachamin) is the entrance to be used ONLY by the Messiah (Ezek 44:2-3) . So as to prevent His entry, there is an Islamic cemetery on the other side of the Gate. Also you note that the Gate has been boarded up until His appearing, but the area is used by Muslims for parties and special events!
 
 
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Once again I find myself embroiled in discussions which actually border on arguments regarding the appropriateness of Believers (Jewish or Gentile) celebrating the feasts of the Lord.
For some the celebrations are responses of obedience, for others it is a matter of tradition.
Tradition! The word itself makes me want to sing along with Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof! As he so correctly said, “Traditions tell us who we are and what is expected of us.”
I even suggest that in my book, “Celebrate Jesus!” I write, “Holidays bind us together as we share memories. They unite us as families, communities and even nations.”
However it’s important that we understand what the word actually means.
It comes from the greek word (παραδίδωμι) which means “giving up or giving over into the hands of another, surrender.” In the New Testament is is mostly used in a negative sense, as in giving Jesus over to the authorities. It also carries with it the idea of being held in bondage as to give over to power of another.
In view of this negative connotation consider the words of Jesus to the religious,
Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? Matthew 15:1-3
Religious Jews are not the only ones in bondage to tradition…even today. Is there a church or a denomination that doesn’t have traditions? The way we do so many things, is usually based on traditions established by loved or respected ones.
So you say, “Are traditions wrong?”
I answer “YES, when they separate us from others. YES when we are identified more by our traditions than as followers of Jesus. YES when our traditions intimate others. YES when we elevate our traditions over the Word of God.”
Man’s traditions bring bondage and division.
The very reason Tevye considered his traditions valuable, Jesus considers them destructive. The traditions which keep the Jewish people protected and separate are actually walls of imprisonment keeping them from hearing and receiving the Gospel.
Most Jewish traditions are based on what is called “The Oral Law” as opposed to the written Law contained in the Torah. It is believed that Moses received both the Oral and the Written Law at the same time on Mt. Sinai.
Actually the Oral Law began with the expulsion of Israel to Babylon when they were separated from the Temple and the Priestly rituals. Later, when they returned to Israel, they were confronted with challenge of Hellenism, they developed more traditions to protect and defend themselves from assimilation.
Sadly the walls of these traditions not only keep the Jewish people inside, but it keeps the Gospel out!
The traditions of men pervert, defile and disguise who God is. They divide and not unify. They glorify men and not God.
Lastly, traditions often turn into witchcraft. Witchcraft?!!
Witchcraft is ascribing feelings and experiences to things or actions and therefore seeking and expecting a repetition of the feeling or action.
How quickly our prayers and traditions morph into religious rituals.
O God, keep me pure to love and obey. Arguments regarding traditions are senseless. Purge out all vain traditions or magic. Your grace through my faith in Jesus has set me free from the traditions of man. My identity is found in You. I lay aside all religious rituals, prayers, objects to come to you as a child, in simple humility and love. Search my heart and see if there is any wicked or deceptive way. Thank you for freedom!
As I watched the live stream from the UN it felt that God was watching as intently as I was.
I thank him that someone had the good sense to change the schedule and Bibi spoke about 2:30 rather than 9:00.
Abbas
Tumultuous applause greeted Mr Abbas and he rose to the occasion. He flung his accusations against the “occupier” Israel into the air where they mixed with the thunderous approval of most of the delegates.
He played an emotional tirade making his appeal to grant the Palestinians rightful address for the horrors of the past 64 years. And yet, he kept pointing to the settlements as the reason why there is no peace. (His rhetoric is better than his math as the settlements began in 1967!)
When he held up the bid for statehood, the chamber exploded. Bibi
The contrast was stark. Bibi entered a half full chamber and the applause was more polite than warm.
He looked so tired and almost defeated. I loved his obvious comfort in speaking to such an assembly.
There were no accusations, but rather recriminations against the absurdity of the institution itself.
Bibi confronted only some of the myriad of lies told by Mr. Abbas.
- The Palestinians are armed with rockets, missiles and bombs and not simply “hopes and dreams”
- The basic issue is NOT the settlements which began in 1968, not in 1948! Unless, as Bibi pointed out that Abbas was claiming that the “Palestinian land that Israel occupied was Haifa, Tel Aviv, Joppa and Be’er Sheva.
- Abbs consistently refused to respond to the continual peace initiatives Bibi offered.
Like an elementary school teacher Bibi rehearsed the historical record of a Jewish Jerusalem. He did not need to further challenge Abbas’ claim that Israel occupied “Palestinian ancestral land.”
Over all Bibi was NOT in his best form. I would have liked to hear him address Abbas’ speech point by point. It was as though he had already given up.
While the applause was constant, it got smaller and smaller.
It’s a sad night indeed.
God is in control, but…
Yes, indeed the God of Israel is in control. I rest in that reality especially on this Shabbat eve.
Nevertheless to deny the dangers and tribulations that lay ahead of all of us, here and throughout the world, is just plain denial.
The real question is, “Are we prepared?”
How will I, how will you, how will our countries face God’s judgment which MUST follow this blatant division of His Land?
Trials and tribulations will prove the genuineness of our faith. They also give us opportunities to share the Gospel.
Recently I asked the question on Facebook, “What is mankind’s most urgent need?” I was astounded that NO ONE responded, “salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.”
As for me, I will continue to prepare
- my home to be a refuge
- my spirit to know Him better
- my neighbors and countrymen to meet Jesus, their Messiah
For the salvation of Israel,
joanie
Mr. Abbas awarded “Head of State” recognition by speaking at noon Friday to General Assembly. PM Netanyhu given 9:00 PM slot, which is his Sabbath, and guarantees an almost empty chamber and little news coverage.
Also that means 4:00 AM here in Israel and the religious and newspapers will not cover the speech.
Insult to injury.
I am praying for God’s strength and grace that Bibi will rise above them all and stand in God’s peace and power.
For the past year, the PM of the non-existent country of Palestine has been promoting his desire for the UN to recognize an Arab Palestine as a member state. He wants the UN to issue a resolution and bring it to the Security Council for a vote. His second step, if the Security Council rejects the resolution is to bring it to the General Assembly for a lesser status of a permanent observer state, similar to the position that the Vatican currently holds.
Note: An almost humorous twist to this is the disagreement between Hamas and the PA who are “unity partners” in the proposed new state of Palestine The disagreement focuses on the size of the territory; Hamas wants “all of Palestine, including that which is now Israel” and Abbas is [temporarily] “settling for the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza.”
Despite all attempts to stop him, Abumazin (Abbas) has remained resolute although he continues to meet with a myriad of international leaders to “find a solution.”
Actually, in the natural, his move is brilliant. He is forcing the international community to step in and push Israel into accepting his conditions. He is forcing Israel to either succumb to the powers of the nations against her or go to war.
The two sides have come to the end of negotiations. Each has drawn a line in the sand over which they will not cross, and in my opinion Israel cannot cross. They are diametrically opposed and there simply is no way to compromise.
So the nations are scrambling. America seems to be standing firm in its decision to reject the proposal if it comes to the Security Council. That will successfully stop Palestine from becoming a Member State. But the result will be twofold:
- The end of President Obama’s desire to ‘make nice’ to the Muslim world. Only God knows what that will mean to America.
- The guaranteed success of Palestine in the General Assembly. That could have far reaching negative consequences for Israel and for the nations.
So in either case, it is bad news for Israel and for America.
What the world seems to be ignoring is the truth that since 1920 there has been a two state solution: Palestine would be under Jewish sovereignty and Jordan under Arab.
The unreality of this situation defies understanding, (except from a Biblical perspective). Why?
The United Nations has no power to bestow legitimacy on any group of people who want to be a state or sovereign country. Only treaties made between consenting parties have legitimacy in International Law.
From a spiritual perspective, God is allowing the nations to choose which side they are on…and there are only two choices: with or against the Lord God of Israel and His Messiah Yeshua, Jesus.
So let’s take a closer look at some of the issues.
THE ISSUE OF LEGITIMACY OF ISRAEL
The below referenced link is excellent (despite its title) in a review of International Law in regard to Israel. Here is a summary of the salient facts. (Almost everything I’ve written comes from that video and at times I’ve directly quoted from it. )
- After World War 1, the League of Nations met at San Remo, Italy to deliberate the outcome of what was formerly the Ottoman Empire. Britain, France, and Turkey were key players.
- Only representatives with powers to make binding decisions on who would get what attended:
- The San Remo Resolution of 1920 signed by: The United States, representatives from the Zionist Organization of Paris, representatives from the Arab concerns and what was then the European Union.
- This is the key paragraph in regards to Palestine “The High Contracting Parties agree to entrust, by application of the provisions of Article 22, the administration of Palestine, within such boundaries as may be determined by the Principal Allied Powers, to a Mandatory, to be selected by the said Powers. The Mandatory will be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on November 8, 1917, by the British Government, and adopted by the other Allied Powers, in favour of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.
- Note: Jews were soon expelled from every Arab nation, without regard to their land or possessions. Israel reimbursed Arabs who chose to leave Palestine!
- In 1922 the League of Nations approved the Palestine Mandate which affirmed the San Remo Resolution and gave recognition to the “historic rights of the Jewish people to reconstitute their national home.”
- Note: This language is crucial to combat the claims of the Muslims that the Jews had no historic claim to the land, insisting that the Bible is a perversion of history. These words reflect that the pre-existing rights of the Jewish people in Israel (aka Palestine) were recognized by the world powers. The events this week at the United Nations prove that the nations either have short memories, or something much more sinister.
- Both the Jews and the Arabs were “chosen to be beneficiaries of a trust or mandate;” the Jews in respect to Palestine, the Arabs in respect to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon
- The civil and legal rights of individual Arabs were protected in Palestine, but the collective political rights were reserved for the Jews, exclusively. The Arabs were given the same collective rights, exclusively, in the neighboring countries.
- Note: There are 21 Arab countries and 1 Jewish state!
- In 1946 the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations. The final resolution of the League specified that the rights of people and nations from previous resolutions be protected by the UN. Furthermore, there was nothing in the UN charter which changed those rights.
- Immediately after Israel’s “independence was affirmed by the UN, she was attacked by the five neighboring countries. During the war, Jordan annexed east Jerusalem and part of Samaria (called the West Bank of Jordan) but the annexation was never recognized by the UN.
- After the 6 Day War of 1967, the UN passed Resolution 242 which is often referred to. It declares that there MUST be an end to the belligerency between the parties so there can be a just peace.
- The charter of the PLO and of Hamas still do not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
- Article 1 of the Resolution calls for the “withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict.” Namely the very territory Jordan annexed in 1947 – east Jerusalem and Samaria- territories originally given to Israel. Israel NEVER surrendered or relinquished their rights to that territory.
- The Oslow Agreement of 1993 had a clause, article 31 which specified, “Neither side shall change the status of the West Bank and Gaza prior to the completion of permanent status negotiations.
- Bowing to pressure from the US and EU, Israel withdrew from Gaza. In so doing, she has suffered from thousands of missile and rocket attacks all emanating from Gaza.
GOD’S PERSPECTIVE
The nations of the world are on a collision course with the God of Israel. So is the Church
He has made His position extremely clear. Yet
- There are many in the Church today who are tired of hearing about Israel.
- Others say that the New Testament has replaced the Old and that all the prophecies regarding Israel are to be applied to the Church. Furthermore they allegorize the imagery losing the literal (and easier) interpretation subject to Israel.
- There are even serious discussions about who IS a Jew and who is Israel.
Before I trusted Jesus, well meaning friends challenged me about the meaning of the prophets. I responded aggressively and arrogantly saying, “It’s easy, I don’t read them!”
Today much of the Church is doing and saying the same – they don’t read the prophets. Thus they remain ignorant of the significance TO THEIR OWN LIVES of the decisions their countries are making in relationship to Israel.
Someone said to me today, “For years we have known this day was coming, but ‘suddenly’ it is upon us.”
Beloved, let us not be deceived or ignorant. God keeps His covenant. Furthermore He means what He says and says what He means. You should know these Scriptures which bring together the future of Israel and you!
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
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. (Gen 12:1-3)
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 2:1-6)
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. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. (Zech 2:8)
“For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will also gather all nations,
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
And I will enter into judgment with them there
On account of My people, My heritage Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
They have also divided up My land. (Joel 3:1-2)
These are just some of the warnings God has given to those who would dare come against Israel.
I realize that the spiritual condition of Israel today is a mess. We too will come under God’s judgment. But woe to the countries who will be God’s instrument of that discipline.
SO WHAT?
I believe that we are truly entering into the time of Ezekiel 38-39. I will not set dates, but our lives are about to change – drastically. It might not be upon the vote of the UN on the 23rd, it might take a year or two. But change it will.
Consider:
The events of the last two years, heck, the last few months have seen breath-taking changes especially in the Middle East. The situation was and remains impossible. The tyrants who held their countries in bondage kept peace with Israel. They needed to be deposed, but consider the existential threat to Israel? Truly it was and remains a no-win situation. Now the Middle East has been prepared for a Muslim coalition whose one aim is the annihilation of Israel.
Remember, as long as Israel, a Jewish state, exists she proves the Bible is correct and there IS a God in Israel.
We have also seen natural catastrophes of Biblical proportions. Who can forget seeing Japanese cities being swallowed up by a tsunami? Or the off the chart snow falls, droughts, earthquakes in America? What about the roller coaster ride of the world’s stock markets? Or who can fathom the reality of the trillions of dollars of our debt? Trillion? What does that look like?!
What does all this mean?
God is being merciful in judgment.
God MUST punish sin. God MUST punish those who touch Israel…just as He MUST discipline Israel. Because of His eternal and everlasting promise to Israel, meaning the Jewish people, He MUST fulfill those promises. Even though we broke covenant, He never did.
All the machinations of the nations will avail nothing in God’s eyes. Each of these attempts at bringing peace will fail. There can be no peace as long as the Jewish people do not retain sovereignty over ALL the land God has promised. Remember, there was a two state solution dating back to 1920 – Jordan and Israel.
What shall I do?
- First recognize we are in a time of God’s judgment. But in that judgment there is His mercy. Psalm 97:2 – righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.
Why do so many pray for God’s mercy rather than His righteousness to be revealed? Because we don’t want to suffer. Neither do I. But beloved, suffering is a gift of God’s grace because through it we are established and are transformed into the image of Jesus. So understand this season and prepare!
- Second it is time to take a spiritual inventory of yourself, your family and your church. God will not be mocked and judgment starts at His house. Call sin sin, repent and RUN to the Cross where you will find abundant forgiveness.
- Third pray and proclaim the truth of God’s justice and love, for Israel and for the nations. This time of judgment will also be a time of great harvest.
- Finally, always remember that a spiritual problem will never be solved politically. The events of this week and what is to follow must remind us of God’s Word:
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me andset me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:1-9)
Lord, may You be glorified in and through our lives. May You be glorified through Israel and through Your Church. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I pray this in the name to which EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess, Yeshua, Jesus!
Links:
Regarding Israel and “Palestine”:
http://www.givepeaceachance.info/
Man was never meant to live in a democracy, Communism, a republic or any other form of government. Man was created to live in a theocracy and under the King of all kings. Considering the description of King Yeshua (Jesus) only a fool would not want to be His subject.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will beno end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
- Wonderful: פלא pele’ [worthy of wonder, marvelous, extra-ordinary] See: Exodus 15:11
- Counselor: יעץ ya`ats [as in English, to advise, to deliberate]
- Mighty: גבור gibbowr [to prevail, to be strong]
- God: אל ‘el [strong, mighty, ram-like in strength]
- Everlasting: עד `ad [perpetuity, forever]
- Peace: שלום shalowm [completeness, whole]
The words for father and prince have the same literal meanings in Hebrew and in English, although our experiences of both may give us skewed understanding, especially of father.
The God of Creation and of the Bible is all knowing, compassionate, just and merciful. There is not a nation on earth nor in history who has known such a ruler. Kings may come and go but only King Jesus will remain.
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 1-6)
Mediation:
There will come a day that EVERY tongue will confess and EVERY knee will bow to King Jesus. He will establish His Kingdom and remove from His presence all the defilement of sin, the influence of Satan. His government shall be perfect because He is perfect. The governments of this world will crumble and disappear as did those nations from of old who would not bow their knee. Only that which is in Messiah Jesus will remain. All the man’s machinations will shown to be vanity.
Prayer:
My shoulders are not strong enough to carry even myself much less the burdens of others. Therefore I will yoke myself with You, Jesus so I can only be led by You! Thus I will partake of perfect peace.Because of who You are Jesus, I can and will trust You to govern my life. I am confident that You will protect and provide for all my needs, now and forever. You have promised to bring to perfection all that concerns me. I will bless You my Sovereign King.
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, ‘Destroy!’ (Dt. 33:27)
The words translated “eternal” and “everlasting” are different in the Hebrew.
Etenal [קדם qedem] means “to meet, come or be in front, go before.” As an adverb it can mean “east, antiquity, aforetime.”
Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me (Isaiah 46:9)
Everlasting [עולם `owlam] means “long duration, forever and ever, not yet done.”
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure.’ (Isaiah 46:10)
The LORD shall reign forever and ever. (Exodus 15:18)
Eternal: קדם qedem:
- The Garden of Eden was planted by the eternal God in the east!
- He is the God of creation (Psalm 55:19)
- He is a covenant keeping God (Psalm 74:2)
Mediation:
Israel’s future, her existence, as is mine, is not dependent on anyone, any nation or system. Our eyes and expectations must come from You. You are eternal, and that must be my perspective of every circumstance. Your word is established and Your mercies endure forever and ever.
Prayer:
Abba, help me to remember that You are an ever present help in times of trouble. No matter what my eyes see and my ears hear, may my heart remember the things of old and trust in Your eternal and everlasting love. Nothing will ever change You or what You have ordained for me and for Israel.
The 9th of Av historically has been a day of devastation and destruction for Israel including the destruction of BOTH Temples! The list of catastrophes is extensive, some historically proven, others suggested by the Talmud.
Nevertheless, in Israel and to observant Jews, this is a day of mourning and fasting.
The book of Lamentations is read at sundown.
I decided to investigate the historical context of the destruction of the first Temple and began my reading in Jeremiah 41-44. I was shocked!
God destroyed the Temple IN RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLE’S PRAYER!
Okay, so let’s back up a bit.
Once again Israel was in trouble and went to the prophet Jeremiah to ask the Lord for direction. So far – good.
Now all the people, from the least to the greatest, came near and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please, let our petition be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, for all this remnant (since we are left but a few of many, as you can see), that the LORD your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do.”
Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard. Indeed, I will pray to the LORD your God according to your words, and it shall be, that whatever the LORD answers you, I will declare it to you. I will keep nothing back from you.”
Now please notice what their response is:
So they said to Jeremiah, “Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you. Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
“True and faithful” or in the Hebrew, “amen and amen”. The people are actually admonishing the Lord God to act according to His character – true, steadfastness, faithful – if they do not obey Him. Thus they were giving God the right to be God in and over their lives. This is quite an act of surrender. Sadly they didn’t mean it!
And it happened after ten days that the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah. Then he called…all the people from the least even to the greatest, and said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: ‘If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the LORD, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’
God’s promise was so very clear. “STAY in your Covenant Land. I will be with you, I will protect you, I will deliver your enemy into your hand. Do not be afraid.” His warning clear was also very clear:
“But if you say, ‘We will not dwell in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the LORD your God, saying, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell’— Then hear now the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah!
Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die. So shall it be with all the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to dwell there. They shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. And none of them shall remain or escape from the disaster that I will bring upon them.’
God’s judgment was fast and furious, not only upon Jerusalem, but would also follow the people into Egypt:
“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘As My anger and My fury have been poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will My fury be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And you shall be an oath, an astonishment, a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.’
“The LORD has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt!’ Know certainly that I have admonished you this day.
For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the LORD our God, and according to all that the LORD your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.’ And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, or anything which He has sent you by me. Now therefore, know certainly that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell.”
Now it happened, when Jeremiah had stopped speaking to all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, all these words, that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.’
And the saddest line of all in the story:
So they went to the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD.
The lesson from Tisha b’Av and the witness of Israel is that God will NOT be mocked. What we sow we will reap. I think back to the people’s promise when Moses delivered the Commandments, written by God’s own hand. “All the words which the Lord has said, we will do.” (Exodus 24:3) Of course they didn’t keep that promise.
And perhaps the most tragic request of all, ” His blood be on us and our children.” (Matthew 27:24)
As I read the fatal promise of Israel I wept. I wept for God whose love and holiness was so mocked as the people continued not only to disobey, but to worship other gods. They blatantly continued to sacrifice to the Queen of heaven even on the sacred streets of Jerusalem. How patient was God!
Eventually the Faithful and True had to respond. He cleansed the Land, He cleansed the people. And most astounding – He came to save them:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Twice in Revelation Jesus is called the Faithful and True. In the letter to the Laodiceans He even uses the word three times:
These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Jesus is the Faithful and True witness of God. He is the Word become flesh. He will answer us according to our prayers, our cries, our vows AND according to His righteousness and justice.
The Psalmist writes: (Psalm 119:71, 75)
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
Note, that the afflicted one understands that his affliction came from God’s faithfulness! What an amazing revelation. Furthermore, the affliction was good because it taught the sufferer to change his ways and follow after God’s word. (Psalm 119:67)
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
The Psalmist as Jeremiah found hope and comfort in the unfailing goodness and mercy also found in God’s faithfulness;
Through the LORD’s mercies [hesed]we are not consumed,
Because His compassions [rachamin]fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness [amen].
Let us pray together that we as individuals and as nations, especially Israel will learn the lessons from Tisha b’AV and begin to comprehend awe-fulness of God’s character as seen in the Person of Jesus our Messiah!
hesed: covanent keeping love
rachamin: maternal love from the womb, often translated as tender mercies
amen: steadfast, true, faithful, secure
God’s word is alive and powerful to accomplish His purposes. Therefore use the word when praying for Israel! God wrote it and He will accomplish it.
[Scripture references and comment suggested by IHOP Missions Base, Kansas City, MO]
Genesis:
- 49:1 Israel’s End Time salvation
Numbers:
- 24:14 Israel’s End Time salvation
Deuteronomy:
- 4:27-31, 30:1, 31:29 Israel’s End Time salvation
Isaiah:
- 11:1016 God will assemble the outcasts of Israel and unify them
- 29:14, 17-24 Revival with signs and wonders
- 30:18-33, 32:15-19 Prayer for release of the Holy Spirit
- 33:2-6, 17 Release grace and power in End Time shaking
- 35:1-10 Revival with grace to make His people holy
- 42:10-17 Prayer for Messiah to stir up His zeal as a man of war
- 43:1-7 Worldwide revival with protection from evil
- 44:1-5 Rivers of anointing will flow on His thirsty people
- 45:17, 22-25 All will bow before Messiah in Israel and the nations
- 51:3-11 God’s power will be demonstrated
- 54:1-17 Revival through God’s love
- 56:6-8 God will build the house of prayer for Israel’s salvation
- 59:19-21 God will be as a mighty rushing stream to His people
- 60:1-62:12 Israel’s restoration and glory
- 63:7-64:12 Intercession for Israel’s salvation
- 66:7-14 & 66:18-21 God will answer prayer for Israel’s restoration
- 66:22-24 All nations will celebrate New Moon and Sabbath in Jerusalem
Jeremiah:
- 3:14-20 Return of the remnant and unity of Israel.
- 16:14-21 Deliverance from the land of the North unto the release of the Great Harvest
- 30:16-23 God will cleans Israel from sin and release great blessing
- 31:1-14 God’s power and mercy released
- 32:16-23 Jeremiah’s intercessory prayer for revival
- 32:37-42 God power and mercy will bring unity and goodness
- 33:6-26 Blessing and power will come when God restores Israel
- 50:4-5, 19-20, 34 Israel will seek the Lord and be saved
Lamentations: Weep for Israel
Ezekiel:
- 11:17-20 God will gather Israel from the whole world to redeem them
- 16:60-63 God will restore Israel and remove shame forever
- 20:33-44 God will purge and cleanse Israel
- 34:11-31 God will fully restore Israel
- 36:22-38 God will fully save Israel
- 37:1-28 God’s covenant and blessing manifested in unity and power
Hosea:
- 2:14-23; 3:5 God will fully restore Israel
- 5:15-6:3, 11 God will release His full grace to Israel
- 14:1-8 God will freely heal and restore Israel
Joel:
- 2:28-32 God will pour out His spirit
- 3:17-20 Israel will be holy and established by God
Zechariah:
- 8:2-8 God will be zealous to restore Israel
- 12:10-13:6 God will save and cleanse Israel
Haggai:
- 2:6-9, 21-22 God will make Israel glorious when He shakes the nations
Zephaniah:
- 3:8-20 God’s glory will be restored to Israel
Malachi:
- 4:1-6 Messiah will be exalted as He heals Israel
PROPHETIC PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL’S SALVATION AND DELIVERANCE:
- Isaiah 63:15-64:12
- Daniel 9:4-19
- Micah: 7:7-20
- Habakkuk: 3:2-19
- Ezra: 9-5-15
- Nehemiah: 1:4-11; 9:5-38
PROPHETIC PRAYERS FROM THE PSALMS:
- 44
- 45:3-5
- 65
- 67
- 79
- 80
- 83
- 85
- 86
- 90:13-17
- 102:12-22
- 110:1-5
- 122:6-7
- 132:11
Romans:
- 10:1 Paul’s prayer for Israel’s salvation
- 11:12-15 The fullness of the Gentiles and of Israel
- 11:25-27 Promise of Israel’s salvation
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds. (Ps 147:2-3)
The move to Jerusalem was more than just a change of address, it was, quite unexpectedly, a major change of life style.
Although I’ve lived in Israel for twelve years and visited Jerusalem many times, the experience of actually living here defies description. In part my reticence is that I don’t really understand the difference. I just know it is.
The fruit is obvious:
- An intense spirit of religion. Black coats on men, women with covered heads (Jewish and Muslim), children with long side locks, and women in birkahs all attest to the bondage of religion.
- A heaviness that weighs one down. Exhaustion has become a familiar friend.
- An obvious lack of integrity.
- An urgency which seems to permeate one’s soul.
- Communication confusion. People blame the lack of understanding English, but reality is that people either don’t hear or lie.
- Difficulty in doing the smallest detail. Everywhere in Israel one faces a seeming endless run-around. Simple tasks can take days…not just minutes or even hours.
- Lack of consideration. This exists throughout the country, but much more so here. There seems to be a sense that if you are not seen (and people don’t look) you don’t exist! Pushing and shoving are the norm.
- Constant call to prayer for the Muslims from the muezzin. Five times a day this haunting but blasphemous chant fills the skies over our holy city. When it begins, I actually find it hard to breathe.
Welcome to the City of the Great King!
Each day I’m learning the basic tools of survival:
- Using the Word of God to bless and not curse. Even at the height of frustration, it’s crucial that the words flowing from my heart are words of faith.
- Seeking the Lord’s presence in all things. If my life is truly in His hands, He WILL work in all things to bring Himself glory
- Hiring an advocate. While my neighbors speak English, the building maintenance don’t. I found a neighbor who (for a fee) will help.
- Praying with cherished intercessors and thanking God for the many others.
- Achieving PATIENCE in and through all challenges
Consider what happens when an ocean wave hits a rock. The rock seems to shatter the wave…but perhaps not so. The resulting collision explodes the water thus surrounding the rock, covering it from every direction. Eventually it is the rock that is worn down.
This is such a good picture of God’s love, exploding over all the boulders in our lives.
For the seventeen days I’ve lived here, there has been a continual stream of workers fixing one problem after another. There are still issues which are the fault of the absentee-owner for which I must wait for resolution. While it’s been hard to settle in with such “balygon” (Hebrew for ‘confusion”) most of the workers have been confronted with the Gospel of Jesus.
That makes all the inconveniences worth it!
 View from the balcony.
Two minarets directly in front. Mt of Olives off to the right. Malcha Mall off to the left. Gilo on hill top and Bethlehem behind Gilo.
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