Dear friends and readers,
One of the most commonly asked questions today is "Is what we see in the Middle East, REALLY the Israel that the Holy prophets described in the end times, or is it simply a secular State made by men"?
Before I comment on that I need to make full and complete discloser; I do believe that the current State of Israel is conceived and placed upon this earth by God and I support Israel and the Jewish people 100%.
Having said that, please do not jump to the conclusion that the other peoples of the Middle East are not also important to me because they most certainly are. AND they are a thrust of my prayer life and teaching. Jesus very clearly stated His intention to sacrifice His life on the cross for ALL mankind and that includes Muslims, the various Eastern religions, Mormons, and everyone of millions of other folks who adhere to various religious beliefs (or no religious beliefs) throughout the world.
I also know that the God of the Judeo Christian Bible is the ONLY one who is really God and the only one who answers prayers. As Christians we should all be praying non stop for people (regardless of belief system or portion of the planet upon which they live) and our prayers should be centered upon each and everyone of them discovering that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God and he alone can provide a way to eternal life with our heavenly Father.
Last Thursday evening at our church service, a lady raised her hand with a question that many are wondering today. Simply stated "If the Biblical prophets stated that certain things are going to happen in this world, then how can we pray without messing things up"?
You should know at this point that as a pastor, I teach the entire Bible but that includes past, current and future fulfilled Biblical prophecy.
The prophet Amos stated (chapter 3 verse 7) "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets". That makes it abundantly clear to me that God wants His followers to know what will happen in the future. Unfortunately some Biblical teachers have taken that scripture to extremes and have tried in vain to predict specific dates for future events to take place. That is foolhardy at best and NEVER EVER works!
One last scripture to establish why I believe that the Bible is absolutely true and without fault or contradiction in any way; 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman---my addition) may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"!
So, my answer to this lady's question was simply that while we cannot change what the Biblical prophets were told to say, we can pray for specific people, specific events and specific outcomes. Our God listens and answers prayers. What we pray will not mess anything up. So keep on praying and let God work out the deatils. He is very good at that"!
I have recently read some articles by folks who decry the Bible because "it is full of contradictions, foolish stories that are not possible in the real world and VERY MANY prophecies that have failed".
That leads me to some conclusions; While I am not any persons judge, still I know that true believers in Jesus Christ have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them and He teaches us Biblical truth.
So to the folks who are trying to tear down the oldest and most revered book in the world, you are wasting your time. The Bible is perfect, there are no failed prophecies and there are no contradictions. The problem is your lack of understanding which may well be fueled by a predisposed goal of tearing up something that you obviously do not understand---perhaps? To avoid being placed into the very uncomfortable position of admitting there really is an all powerful God and if that is the case, you would have to begin obeying what He has said.
So for all concerned, both unbelievers and those people who claim to be Christians but who hate Israel, there is ONLY ONE thing that you need to decide. Do you or do you not believe the Bible? If you do believe the Bible then you must support Israel!
The original question however begs to be answered; Is the Israel of today the REAL ISRAEL or just an invention of man?
First a few obvious realities about Israel today;
Israel today is far from perfect and makes mistakes. By and large it is secular in nature but that is changing rapidly as the Messianic church continues to grow both within Israel and throughout the world.
The Jewish people have been an extremely "stiff necked" and rebellious lot since the times of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who's name was changed by God to "ISRAEL"!
The Jews are not a perfect people but the fact is that they were given covenants and promises by God who the scriptures tell us cannot lie and never changes. God chose the Jews as His own covenant people and no one on earth can change that.
The process this old world (and specifically the Middle East) is going through today is for the express purpose of doing two things: 1). To bring Israel and the Jewish people into perfect covenant with their creator. 2). To accomplish the Great Commission of Matthew chapter 28:18-20---having to do with the church which is made up of both Jew and gentle believers in Christ. (full explanation for which is a future article).
For those of you who claim to be "CHRISTIANS" but hate Israel, you are in BIG trouble! You cannot claim to be followers of Christ and hate Israel which is comprised of His natural cultural relatives on this earth. Oh, and by the way, for you who are replacement theology and believe that the church has somehow replaced Israel in the mind and heart of God? And may base that on your belief that the Jews killed Jesus?
WRONG AGAIN! Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 18 "NO ONE takes it (my life---my italics) from me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This command I have received from My Father"!
So, regarding Israel, first and foremost, Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel. Secondly there are so many Biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled through the establishment of Israel as a Nation on May 14, 1948, that it would take a dozen articles to cover them all. But here are just a few to whet your appetites!
1). 85 Biblical prophecies regarding ALIYA (The Jewish people going back "UP" to Israel after two thousand years if diaspora). Click here.
2). For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure (Psalm 135:4)
3). "But you oh mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they are about to come-----------This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited"! (Ezekiel 36:8-9, 34-35)
4). I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of valleys;--------I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the olive tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together; That they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it"! (Isaiah 41:18-20).
5). I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them;
They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them, says the LORD your God"! ( Amos 9:14-15).
6). The State of Israel will become a nation once more (Isaiah 66:7-8) (Ezekiel 37: 21-22).
7). The Jews once again to re-ocupy the City Of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:4-8).
8). The Hebrew language will be revived from the dead (Zephaniah 3:9).
9). Israel reborn in one day---May 14, 1948 (Isaiah 66:7-8).
10). Israel to be re-established as one united nation (Ezekiel 37:21-22).
11). The second Israel to be more impressive than the first (Jeremiah 16:14-15).
12). Ezekiel predicts the timing of the re-establishment of the current Nation of Israel (Ezekiel 4: 3-6).
(mathematical calculations available upon request)!
13). The people of Israel to return to their own land ( Ezekiel 34:13).
14). Israels new army will be disproportionately powerful (Leviticus 26: 3, 7-8).
15). The returning peoples of Israel would have their fortunes restored (Deuteronomy 30: 3-5).
16). FUTURE---starting as we speak! ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD will come together against Israel over the control of the City of Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:1-3).
So there you have it folks. If you doubt that the current State of Israel is the one given by God then I suggest to you that all the evidence one could ever want or need is already in the Bible and in many cases theses scriptures were given by inspiration of God as long ago as 1400 B.C.
For you Christians: A word of advice. Don't put yourselves at odds with the God of creation. Not a wise move on your part.
Psalm :121 6-9 " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: MAY THEY PROSPER WHO LOVE YOU. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, peace be within you. Because of the house of the Lord I will seek your good".
God bless,
Pastor Rance.
One of the most commonly asked questions today is "Is what we see in the Middle East, REALLY the Israel that the Holy prophets described in the end times, or is it simply a secular State made by men"?
Before I comment on that I need to make full and complete discloser; I do believe that the current State of Israel is conceived and placed upon this earth by God and I support Israel and the Jewish people 100%.
Having said that, please do not jump to the conclusion that the other peoples of the Middle East are not also important to me because they most certainly are. AND they are a thrust of my prayer life and teaching. Jesus very clearly stated His intention to sacrifice His life on the cross for ALL mankind and that includes Muslims, the various Eastern religions, Mormons, and everyone of millions of other folks who adhere to various religious beliefs (or no religious beliefs) throughout the world.
I also know that the God of the Judeo Christian Bible is the ONLY one who is really God and the only one who answers prayers. As Christians we should all be praying non stop for people (regardless of belief system or portion of the planet upon which they live) and our prayers should be centered upon each and everyone of them discovering that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God and he alone can provide a way to eternal life with our heavenly Father.
Last Thursday evening at our church service, a lady raised her hand with a question that many are wondering today. Simply stated "If the Biblical prophets stated that certain things are going to happen in this world, then how can we pray without messing things up"?
You should know at this point that as a pastor, I teach the entire Bible but that includes past, current and future fulfilled Biblical prophecy.
The prophet Amos stated (chapter 3 verse 7) "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets". That makes it abundantly clear to me that God wants His followers to know what will happen in the future. Unfortunately some Biblical teachers have taken that scripture to extremes and have tried in vain to predict specific dates for future events to take place. That is foolhardy at best and NEVER EVER works!
One last scripture to establish why I believe that the Bible is absolutely true and without fault or contradiction in any way; 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman---my addition) may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"!
So, my answer to this lady's question was simply that while we cannot change what the Biblical prophets were told to say, we can pray for specific people, specific events and specific outcomes. Our God listens and answers prayers. What we pray will not mess anything up. So keep on praying and let God work out the deatils. He is very good at that"!
I have recently read some articles by folks who decry the Bible because "it is full of contradictions, foolish stories that are not possible in the real world and VERY MANY prophecies that have failed".
That leads me to some conclusions; While I am not any persons judge, still I know that true believers in Jesus Christ have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them and He teaches us Biblical truth.
So to the folks who are trying to tear down the oldest and most revered book in the world, you are wasting your time. The Bible is perfect, there are no failed prophecies and there are no contradictions. The problem is your lack of understanding which may well be fueled by a predisposed goal of tearing up something that you obviously do not understand---perhaps? To avoid being placed into the very uncomfortable position of admitting there really is an all powerful God and if that is the case, you would have to begin obeying what He has said.
So for all concerned, both unbelievers and those people who claim to be Christians but who hate Israel, there is ONLY ONE thing that you need to decide. Do you or do you not believe the Bible? If you do believe the Bible then you must support Israel!
The original question however begs to be answered; Is the Israel of today the REAL ISRAEL or just an invention of man?
First a few obvious realities about Israel today;
Israel today is far from perfect and makes mistakes. By and large it is secular in nature but that is changing rapidly as the Messianic church continues to grow both within Israel and throughout the world.
The Jewish people have been an extremely "stiff necked" and rebellious lot since the times of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who's name was changed by God to "ISRAEL"!
The Jews are not a perfect people but the fact is that they were given covenants and promises by God who the scriptures tell us cannot lie and never changes. God chose the Jews as His own covenant people and no one on earth can change that.
The process this old world (and specifically the Middle East) is going through today is for the express purpose of doing two things: 1). To bring Israel and the Jewish people into perfect covenant with their creator. 2). To accomplish the Great Commission of Matthew chapter 28:18-20---having to do with the church which is made up of both Jew and gentle believers in Christ. (full explanation for which is a future article).
For those of you who claim to be "CHRISTIANS" but hate Israel, you are in BIG trouble! You cannot claim to be followers of Christ and hate Israel which is comprised of His natural cultural relatives on this earth. Oh, and by the way, for you who are replacement theology and believe that the church has somehow replaced Israel in the mind and heart of God? And may base that on your belief that the Jews killed Jesus?
WRONG AGAIN! Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 18 "NO ONE takes it (my life---my italics) from me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This command I have received from My Father"!
So, regarding Israel, first and foremost, Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel. Secondly there are so many Biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled through the establishment of Israel as a Nation on May 14, 1948, that it would take a dozen articles to cover them all. But here are just a few to whet your appetites!
1). 85 Biblical prophecies regarding ALIYA (The Jewish people going back "UP" to Israel after two thousand years if diaspora). Click here.
2). For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure (Psalm 135:4)
3). "But you oh mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they are about to come-----------This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited"! (Ezekiel 36:8-9, 34-35)
4). I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of valleys;--------I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the olive tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together; That they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it"! (Isaiah 41:18-20).
5). I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them;
They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them, says the LORD your God"! ( Amos 9:14-15).
6). The State of Israel will become a nation once more (Isaiah 66:7-8) (Ezekiel 37: 21-22).
7). The Jews once again to re-ocupy the City Of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:4-8).
8). The Hebrew language will be revived from the dead (Zephaniah 3:9).
9). Israel reborn in one day---May 14, 1948 (Isaiah 66:7-8).
10). Israel to be re-established as one united nation (Ezekiel 37:21-22).
11). The second Israel to be more impressive than the first (Jeremiah 16:14-15).
12). Ezekiel predicts the timing of the re-establishment of the current Nation of Israel (Ezekiel 4: 3-6).
(mathematical calculations available upon request)!
13). The people of Israel to return to their own land ( Ezekiel 34:13).
14). Israels new army will be disproportionately powerful (Leviticus 26: 3, 7-8).
15). The returning peoples of Israel would have their fortunes restored (Deuteronomy 30: 3-5).
16). FUTURE---starting as we speak! ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD will come together against Israel over the control of the City of Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:1-3).
So there you have it folks. If you doubt that the current State of Israel is the one given by God then I suggest to you that all the evidence one could ever want or need is already in the Bible and in many cases theses scriptures were given by inspiration of God as long ago as 1400 B.C.
For you Christians: A word of advice. Don't put yourselves at odds with the God of creation. Not a wise move on your part.
Psalm :121 6-9 " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: MAY THEY PROSPER WHO LOVE YOU. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, peace be within you. Because of the house of the Lord I will seek your good".
God bless,
Pastor Rance.
