Riots in Jerusalem
Riots in Jerusalem
The recent Arab uprising, East Jerusalem Empty
One thing I am very aware of as a licensed tour guide is that tourists never see the real Jerusalem and they are unaware of just how Muslim the city is! Yes Muslim, and how much power and control they have over this city. This is because, every Friday, tens of thousands of muslim worshipers from all over Israel enter the temple mount through the back door of Jerusalem through the Lion’s gate. We take our groups in through the Jaffa gate, the west side. Our tourists are unaware of what is going on just 400 to 800 meters from them. Just look at the picture.
After the murder of two Israeli soldiers on the Temple Mount, our government decided to set up metal detectors. Muslims refused to be checked and enter into the compound of the Temple Mount. Instead they protested and prayed all around the walls of Jerusalem even on the western side and Jaffa gate. Suddenly we are invaded by thousands of Muslims praying to Mecca in front of our faces.
Last Friday, I walked into a huge crowd of Muslims praying just like in the picture above, but this time it was outside the Jaffa gate. I would have liked to film it but it would have risked my safety and possibly life.
History repeats
I can’t help thinking, in Yeshua’s time the scene for us was reversed. We didn’t like the Romans controlling our Holy Place as it meant their gods were superior to ours.
In Yeshua’s’ day like today, there were many demonstrations and much resentment.
It is a battle of the gods.
In a Muslim’s mind, if his God Allah is superior, how can it be that the Jews with their God control Allah’s holy place?
Prayer,
Please pray for Our Lord’s Name to be glorified in His people, the messianic community, in this conflict we aren’t even on the sideline. Please pray there would be healings, signs and wonders again in the streets of Jerusalem and that the Muslims and Jews alike will see and hear.
Mourn and be Joyful for Jerusalem- Isaiah 66:10
Mourn and be joyful for Jerusalem Isaiah 66:10
“Rejoice for Jerusalem and be glad for her …rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.”
(Isaiah 66:10)
Rejoice and mourn at the same time? What does this mean?
Why is the prophet commanding the Gentiles to rejoice and to mourn?
Observing Jerusalem this very day, it is easy to mourn, but how are we to rejoice?
In verse 11 the phrase “…that they may…”, in the Hebrew, is very strong.
It means “…in order that…”; it is a condition with a promise.
This is the promise “…so that you might suck and be satisfied from her consolations; so that you
may delight in the abundance of her glory…” (Verses 11-13)
The future blessings of the Gentile Church are solidly connected to sharing YHWH’s love and burden for Jerusalem.
Jerusalem determines whether one comes into God’s glory and consolation or into his wrath.
Regarding those who aren’t connected to Jerusalem, verse 15 says he comes swiftly, and the slain of YHWH will be many. (Verse 16)
Jerusalem is surely the dividing line of blessings in these last days.
Today, it is easy to focus on the mourning, but what about rejoicing for her?
I know the Lord is about to inject a new and deeper revelation to all of you who really love and mourn for Jerusalem and who partner with YHWH in not resting until this city is full of “Salvation as a burning torch.” (Isaiah 62:1)
The commandment to rejoice with Jerusalem is indescribably deeper than Israel winning a war with Iran, or driving out the Palestinian terrorists, who lust for her destruction.
It is much more than that Israel should gain all the territory promised to Abraham, or even that Jerusalem becomes the head of the nations, with Yeshua, Himself, ruling physically from His chosen City.
It is about an amazing glory and consolation that is predestined for this city!
YHWH is now calling Gentiles to get a vision of this glory and partner with the Great Creator, in order, with Him, to bring His great plan into reality.
Jerusalem in Snow 2015
Jerusalem in Snow 2015
Enjoy the video and pictures. It is cold and beautiful!
Meeting between Rabbinical Students and Messianic Jews
Meeting between Rabbinical Students and Messianic Jews!
As a result of my two meetings with my professor friend and the rabbinical students, we are planning a first of its kind meeting between rabbinical students and Messianic Jews! The two meetings last week were just a foretaste of more deeper discussions and friendships to come.
As well as sharing my faith we discussed what was in common with Orthodox Jews and Messianic Jews.
They too believe that Israel will be head of the nations; all the nations of the world flowing to the mountain of the Lord, coming to the house of the God of Jacob to worship the Messiah in his temple. They mentioned that a sure sign that we are near the time of the Messiah?s reign in Jerusalem is the American worldwide evangelical interest and support of Israel. Interestingly, they didn?t mention England. They are aware there are 90-100 million evangelicals in America and that some of them are just as zealous as they are for the establishment of Israel as head of the nations.
Please pray for us as we arrange this coming meeting and draw up rules and guidelines.
More breakthroughs!
Last week I became friends with the cultural advisor to the president of Israel, Shimon Perez. Her name is Yael. She and representatives from the ministry of tourism were both so touched by my testimony and presentation that they decided straight away to send me 30 Israeli groups.
Yesterday morning I had a surprise visit from my archeologist friend, Eyal Maron. He brought with him trainee tourist guides. We had a very relaxing and very open two hours together. Many promised that when qualified they would bring many groups.
Our plans with the half way house continues, as well as our contact with orthodox who are showing interest, or are now in the process of receiving Yeshua.
We celebrated Independence Day last Monday. From Isaiah 14:2, we learn that the gathering of Israel back to the land is an ensign for the nations. Ensign means God has set up a sign calling for the nations to come and help. In chapter 14:2 strangers (gentiles) are joined to Israel and they cleave to her.
Blessings in the name of Yeshua
Israel Head of the Nations
Israel Head of the Nations
“Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her:
Rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her.” Isa. 66:10
Here we have mourning and rejoicing mingled together. This is the experience of many of us who love Jerusalem. Our Creator, through the Holy Spirit, has put in our hearts His will in order to accomplish his purpose. This joy and mourning is not from us.
We are mourning in labor, crying out and not giving YHWH rest until he establishes this city as a praise in all the earth, until her salvation shines as a burning torch. (Isa.62:1) We have joined hearts with our Creator to bring Israel into her place as the head of the nations.
We mourn and cry out concerning the blindness of his people to their true Messiah, and of the Christian hatred and persecution towards Jews throughout the last 2,000 years. We mourn because the Messianic community isn’t the testimony of Christ she needs to be to provoke the Jews to jealousy.
“Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things?
Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?
Or shall a nation be born at once?” Isa.66:8
Was this scripture fulfilled in 1948 when Israel became a nation? Or will it happen after the fullness of the gentiles when all Israel shall be saved?
Isaiah 66 is an amazing chapter, we shall study and see.
Isaiah 60:1 “Deep darkness is over the people but the Lord will shine on you.”
“Deep darkness is over the people but the Lord will shine on you.”
Isaiah 60:1 – Is this promise for the church or the nation of Israel? In context, it is clearly for Israel, but I believe both soon will mingle together.
The church has applied this verse to herself for years. The prophecy of this chapter clearly slides out of our present age into the Millennium when our Lord Messiah is reining on earth, sitting on the throne of David. Here are but a few examples that show this verse and chapter refers to Israel.
Verse 11; the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
Verse 12; the nation or Kingdom, which does not serve you, shall perish.
Look at the context of Isaiah 66, an amazing chapter that, God willing, I will teach more on; v10 commands us to “rejoice with Jerusalem.” Why? Verse 11,“that you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom… that you may drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” Other key verses to note; “you who tremble at His word…your brethren who hated you.” (v5) “You rejoiced, mourned and loved Jerusalem.”(v10) The persecutors shall be ashamed and the persecuted shall rejoice.
I believe that this year, standing with Jerusalem will determine blessings for individuals, churches, states and nations.
Jeremiah 31:31
I ask my Israeli groups this question
Jer 31:31; YHWH made a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. He goes on to say that it isn’t according to the covenant that we made with YHWH in Sinai because we continually broke that covenant.
I ask my groups this question, “Does any one here think that our people ever managed to keep the covenant we made with YHWH in Sinai”?
Never has one person out of thousands I have spoken claimed we kept the covenant we made with YHWH. We have never been able to keep it up to this very day.
Every Christian group in the Old City of Jerusalem claims to exclusively have the truth. We can’t see any community in the Old City, which shines out the New Covenant as was in the days of Acts. Where are we going wrong?
We pray and work daily in YHWH’s strength to bring the testimony back.
Pray for Israel!
Pray for Israel!
Let me explain the political situation in Israel, followed by a prophetic word for the church.
Israel’s leaders have determined that Israel cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran. Israel foresees two options:
1. Either sanctions will force Iran to back down, or 2. Israel will go to war. Israel has been urged time and time again by U.S. President Obama to give sanctions a chance, but it is obvious sanctions are not working because Russia and China are reluctant to back the U.S. in its push to tighten international sanctions on Iran in the face of the U.N. nuclear watchdog report that there is “credible” information that Tehran may be working to develop nuclear weapons.
It is obvious that Israel will not be able to stop the barrage of missiles that the enemy would lob into Israel, and Israel’s home front would suffer severe casualties. Iran has been threatening to wipe Israel off the map and boasts that Iran can launch 150,000 missiles and wipe Tell Aviv off the map in just a few hours. Even Assad of Syria boasted that he could destroy Tell Aviv in 6 hours. One thing we know from our dark history is this: When a despot de facto dictator says that he will destroy Israel and the Jews, we must take him at his word.
The threat of Syria
In our intercessory meetings on behalf of Israel, the Lord has directed us to pray for Syria. If Assad feels boxed in, he could easily lash out in desperation and launch a war against Israel in an effort to cover up the atrocities in Syria. We know that he has in his possession much of Saddam Hussein’s chemical arsenal. While Israel’s eyes are focused on Iran, this desperate man could launch his own surprise on us.
In Jerusalem, a prophetic word was given that “Major decisions will be made concerning Iran on the 6th of March!” We later discovered that on the 5th and 6th of March, Prime Minster Netanyahu, along with President Shimon Peres will fly to America for talks with President Obama and other officials.
Much of the church in Israel has chosen to fast and pray this Purim on the 8th of March.
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 27:12
Our family warned in dreams
Ever since we moved to Jerusalem in 2003, all of my family including the children have had dreams warning us to leave in haste because of missiles hitting the city and country.
After much prayer, Dikla and I believe it is God’s will for us to leave Israel for a period of time until the war is over. In the book of Acts, God warned his people about a coming famine. The writing seems to be on the wall, Israel will go to war with Iran with or without America. Naomi, who is in the Israeli military, tells us that the war will be sometime between April and August and is estimated to last around three weeks.
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7
How do we pray?
My eyes are on the Gospel and opportunities. At times like these, many people are looking for answers and hope in the Bible. I believe we are approaching a tipping point. We must not lose hope, for our hope is only in Yeshua Hamashiach, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Dikla and I also covet your prayers for our family.
“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122.6
Blessings in the mighty name of Jesus (Yeshua).