“Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” (Exodus 32:26b) *
Israel’s 2014 war against Hamas in Gaza is only a forerunner of what is to come – for Israel, for the Muslim-Arab world, for the nations, and for every Christian on earth.
We should be ready. There is not much time. The hour is very late and preparedness is paramount. What lies ahead will make Operation Protective Edge and the international reaction to it seem like the most flippant of clichés: A walk in the park; a Sunday-school picnic.
Yes, what is coming will be the furthest reality from a cliché that we can imagine. It will be unavoidable, frightening and something we cannot ignore. It will push Christians worldwide to the very edge.
God has a plan. He has had it from the beginning. It is an arrangement He is all ‘caught up’ in, and He is bringing it front and centre, making it impossible to disregard what He is doing.
In the outworking of this plan, there is a decision to be made before God. He asks it of each one of us. If we have not determined our response by the time events reach a level of intensity yet unseen in the course of human history, we will be hard put not to make the wrong one.
By then it may be too late.
Concerning Israel, and speaking to its future, the Bible says:
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. (Isaiah 9:2-3)
And, with glorious hope and promise:
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3)
But the same Word warns:
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
And it instructs Christians:
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)
At the very heart of God’s purpose lies a small piece of real estate – Israel. So it has always been, so it will always be. From time immemorial – and to the end of the age – this land has been and is center stage for the outworking of God’s redemption of mankind.
Too many Christians have lived their lives with Israel pushed into the background, events surrounding her sitting on the periphery of their faith, unheeded, unimportant.
Until 10 short weeks ago, it may have been easy for many to live this way, with Israel off the radar.
Not anymore.
Suddenly – since June 12, 2014 – Israel is in your face for a multitude of Christians. She is in the world’s face, and she is in the enemy’s face (where she has always been).
To a number of observers, the kidnapping and murder on that day of three Jewish boys – Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrach – saw a weighty shift take place in the heavenlies – in the realm of principalities and powers over Israel, the Middle East and the world.
On that tragic day, God’s prophetic timepiece ticked over.
In the first weeks after the kidnappings, not knowing that the three were already dead, a remarkable thing happened – Jews united in prayer. Hundreds of thousands inside and outside of Israel joined their cries to the worldwide appeal to God: “Hashem, bring back our boys.” The song went viral.
The night before the discovery of their bodies, their parents stood on a stage and spoke to tens of thousands of upturned faces as Jews gathered from across the country, united in solidarity, to stand with them.
These three couples, hurting yet steadfast before the Almighty, expressed their unshakeable faith in the God of their fathers – the Lord God of Israel – echoing a version of that faith-filled prayer Jews in trouble have sounded down through the centuries, all the way to the gates of their worst nightmare – “though He tarry, yet will I believe; and though He tarry, yet will I believe.”
Job once sounded similar words when he said concerning God, in the face of calamities that claimed his entire family and livelihood and could easily have broken someone of lesser faith, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust him.” (13:15)
Instead of dropping the country into depression and gloom, the terrible news of the boys’ murder crested the wave of faith and concord that had been generated by the kidnapping. This wave carried the nation, strengthened and united – from the echelons of political and military leadership, to the streets of its religious and secular cities and towns – into combat in Gaza. Older Israelis said their country had not been as one in this way since the Six Day War.
Touching on a profound, Bible-based truth, a Christian observer expressed her deep yearning and prayer that God might use this wave of national unity in the midst of suffering to gather Israel into His arms and reveal Himself to them once again.
This revelation of God to His people Israel will come. Gentile believers living in this land sense its imminent and glorious advance; we have our faces turned expectantly towards God, watching for it. But it represents only one aspect of the unfolding, most critically important, story of our time.
You see, dear readers, what we see materialising at the center of the global arena is a two-sided tale of eternal light on the one hand but never-ending darkness on the other.
On the positive side – the national drawing together of Israel signifies like the first lightening of the eastern skies, the dawning of the longed for, unending day of joy and celebration for the Jewish people, who since 1882 have been being gathered from 120 countries back into their own land.
The people of Israel believe that the destruction of their temple 2000 years ago and their banishment into exile was the consequence of fratricidal hatred and bitter division. Being bonded together as one, even through painful experiences like they are experiencing now, points to the glorious future to come.
The negative side of this story? Darkness. Gross darkness. Like speed racing, ground-covering, light-swallowing cloud shadow, night has been descending on the Gentile nations in contrasting correlation to the light rising over Israel.
What we are witnessing is nothing less than preparation for a nation-encompassing revival in Israel, the pouring out of God’s Spirit and His life-giving waters on His elect. It has begun, and so too has His judgment on the nations who spurn Him and who dare to mess with the land upon which He has chosen to put His Name.
It is essential for Christians worldwide to understand that both processes are in place, that we all will be a part of either one or the other.
Both the worldwide anti-Semitic protests and pro-Israel rallies make it very apparent that in the simultaneous outworking of these processes, people are currently making their choices, choosing their side. It is incredibly sobering to watch. It drives home the fundamental truth that where we stand concerning Israel is a point of decision every single one of us arrives at and will be asked before God to finalise.
It has been a long time coming, the global outbreak of the latest epidemic of Jew hatred. For decades, the volatile fumes of anti-Semitism disguised as anti-Zionism have been pumped into the atmosphere across the globe. The loathing has been fueled by a world seduced into believing – or choosing to believe – that the Jews have stolen Arab lands, and that Israel is a serial abuser of human rights, responsible for inflicting deliberate, decades-long suffering on the Palestinian Arabs.
Media trials and UN-appointed commissioners have already declared Israel guilty of war crimes. There are some quarters in which delegitimisation of the Jewish state is in full cry. And calls are growing for Israel’s political and military officials to be charged before the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
These vapours of anti-Israel animus were swirling thick and heavy before the eruption of this Gaza war. Operation Protective Edge, sparking hysterical political responses to distorted media coverage of the conflict, merely lit the match.
From Calcutta to California, Paris to Bonn, London to Sydney, Austria to Auckland multitudes marched, denouncing and condemning Israel. Anti-Semitism at these rallies was naked – calls for gassing Jews and annihilating the Jewish state; the praising of Hitler; vandalising of synagogues, smearing of hate-filled graffiti on Jewish kindergarten walls; abuse spat on Jewish reporters.
A few misguided Jews who attended these events were lauded as heroes. But of particular significance, I believe, was the supporting presence of pro-Palestinian Christian groups.
Thus, addressing between 40,000 and 100,000 (the number varying depending on the claimants) demonstrators In Cape Town, South Africa on August 9, a spokeswoman of the Christian organisation Kairos Southern Africa accused many of that country’s Christians who do support Israel of disconnecting “from the principles of international law and basic decency” when it came to the Jewish state.
“They confuse nostalgia for the biblical Israel with the modern state of Israel. This blinds and deafens them,” was Marthie Momberg’s blanket charge.
Her assertions were supported by attending Liberation Theology champion and former Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu, who declared that they “were against injustice, oppression… everything that is evil.”
Glaringly absent from all these rallies was any denunciation of the evil that is Hamas, only the current most prevalent manifestation of the rancid evil that has laced the entire “struggle” of the Palestinian Arab cause.
Not thousands, but millions of Christians have attached their support to this cause. The position that the Islamic terror war seeking to create a new Arab state called Palestine is understandable and even justifiable, while Israel’s war on that terrorism, and in defense of its God-given land is evil and must be condemned, is pro-actively propagated by that vast interdenominational Christian organization, the World Council of Churches.
And as our television screens have testified in recent weeks, these Christians are in bed with the Islamists and other anti-Semites who call for Israel’s destruction. Indeed this camaraderie has been apparent at many of these recent anti-Israel events.
Conversely, God-fearing Christians who hold to the belief in the Bible as God’s Word have gathered in many of the same cities hosting the pro-Palestinian marches, coming together around local, often embattled and angst-ridden Jewish communities to declare their support of Israel’s right to militarily defend itself, and to express public admiration for the unprecedented humane way in which the IDF fights war.
In numbers, the pro-Palestinian events typically dwarf the pro-Israel ones. And the pro-Israel ones are almost exclusively attended by Jews and professing Christians.
Organizers reported that the biggest rally ever held in Africa in support of Israel – about 10,000 strong – took place on the streets of Johannesburg on August 3. Many of the attendants were Evangelical Christians. On August 5, I attended a pro-Israel rally in Prague’s Wenceslas Square. Christians came from around the Czech Republic, and some even trained in from Germany, to make their support known. Their numbers, however, were small.
While tragically multitudes of Christians are being seduced into opposing God’s purposes with Israel, it is also clear that there are Believers who have chosen to stand in the light with these purposes, and to be part of the blessing.
Thankfully there is evidence that, even as darkness moves to engulf the countries that oppose Israel, and as God’s judgment begins to fall on these nations, fingers of light will still shine through the gloom where there is a coming together of Believers to stand in support of His people and His land.
The Bible indicates that in some nations, should such light outshine the darkness, it could yet turn away the wrath of God.
Christians need to know the facts, to gird themselves with the truth, and they can. Instead of educating and informing themselves via a media that is overwhelmingly hostile to the ways of the Almighty, we encourage you to go to Christian sources – the most important of which is the Bible – the Word of God Himself. Its pages are packed with particulars about the plan He purposes to complete with and through the people and the land of Israel.
And don’t be deceived into ‘spiritualizing’ the Bible – too many churches do. When you read about God’s future plans for Israel, you are reading about His plans, spelled out through the ancient Hebrew prophets concerning Israel of today. Israel is Israel is Israel. Likewise “the elect” refers to Israel and to the Gentiles who are grafted in.
As well as your Bible, other valuable teaching materials on Israel which are recommended for their clear explanations, some for ‘beginners’ as it were, (and we are all somewhere on that road) others for those further in this journey of understanding, are:
“The coming Third World War” – A message delivered to Norwegian Christians in July 2014 by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director of the Israel-based International Christian Zionist Center.
Teachings by renowned veteran British Bible scholar David Pawson
Information put out by Christians For Israel International
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* NB: It is not a question of the Lord being on one side (Israel) or the other (Arab). It is a question of God’s side, or the enemy’s, and whose we choose to be on.
I stand with Israel, and I love the Jews. I believe every word that God said he will do. God is going to fulfill the plans he has for our “Kinsmen Redeemer” . He will evict the evil doers off of his land, and take it back, and usher in the Kingdom for his beloved son, Yeshua, the Messiah. May all draw near to God. He has marvelous plans! God Bless Israel, and God Bless the Jews.
Thru a friend I received your letter. In 1982 I was given the word “dome” in prayer for Israel and to my joy I learned of the Iron Dome! I have found the strangest thing has happened , when I intercede for Israel now, I get the feeling that I should relax , trust and praise because He is in control and not Satan.
For Those who wish to bless Israel, the work of God’s Hands, the branch of His planting, we need, as Christians, in the name of our Messiah, to stand in and while the nations are withdrawing their support for Israel, we need to step in with ours.
If anyone should so much as give a drink of water to His chosen, it shall not be forgotten in this life and that which is to come.
Bring your tithes into the Lord’s House, the Lord’s Work, and God will open the windows of heaven for all of us, Jews and Christians alike, for we are joint heirs.
God is bigger than the street corner churches, he is doing a work in our day in the eyes of all the nations. The street corner churches will be blessed and revived when we bless God’s Work with Israel.
God’s chosen will see the Messiah when we do what we are commanded to do, to comfort and stand with His people, spiritually, and materially.
Jesus said, when I return, shall I find faith on the earth. We may be the minority, but God’s math is above our math. He says the weakest among us shall be like King David…, He will multiply our efforts and our offerings. It’s not by our might, but His Spirit says the Lord. He is dealing with hearts and would not want us to be luke warm.
I am on the side of Adonai, Lord of Israel. Israel is relatively isolated, and it is growing larger in its isolation day by day. Those who represent the “Palestinians” constitute the more immediate threat daily to Israel, as rockets and missiles continue dto rain down on Israel.
Even though a “Ceasefire” was just announced a short time ago, the battle will continue, here is why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NbRUXIXZOI
In this video, you hear the word “Khaybar” used… Here is why:
The Muslim massacre of Jews occurred in the oasis town of Khaybar in northwestern Arabia in 628 CE.
After the attack, some Muslims, including Muhammad, took surviving women as wives.
The Muslim conquerors charged the Jews a 50 percent dhimmi tax on their crops and in 637 CE after Muhammad’s death, the Caliph Omar expelled the remaining Jews from Khaybar.
In Islamic tradition, the chant “Khaybar Khaybar, ya yahud, Jaish Muhammad, sa yahud,” which means, “Jews, remember Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning,” is used as a battle cry when attacking Jews or Israelis.
As many have noted, after the attacks come to the synagogues of the world, the churches of the world will come afterwards.
This is no idle threat, as IS, ISIS, etc. have shown already, in their worldwide conquest to advance to establish a global caliphate.
One extra comment to the video above, and another video to view to under-gird this one final time, British Islamist Abu Sayfullah:
“ONLY ISIS WILL HELP PALESTINIANS, ALL MUSLIMS BELIEVE IN JIHAD AGAINST THE INFIDELS!”
Infidels are Jews, Israeli’s, Christians, and anyone else that is a non-Muslim…
We have 3 choices in their eyes: 1. Become a Muslim 2. Become a Dhimmi 3. Die
http://www.memri.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4444.htm
As for me, I trust the God of Israel to prevail, despite any opposition or aggression to bring a genocidal thrust against Israel.
Thank you once again for an excellent treatise of the real issues facing this people of Israel! 🙂
Sad but very true, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for clearly spelling it out. Sadly, in my country (Ireland) the vast majority believe the garbage they see on tv which is exclusively anti Israeli. My own best friends have dropped me like a hot potato because of my support of Israel.
The great new is the battle has already been won and all we need to do is say “Yes” to God. I’m glad He has shortened these days mind you.
Blessings from Ireland.
Toda rabba Stan.
May Adonai YHVH Eloheinu bless you and your family for all you do for His purposes. B’Shem Yeshua haMashiach.
Stan; my heart is acheing for my brothers and sisters in Israel and all over the world, and my prayer is that the one’s that are in the world will go back home.And when I read prophecy and see what is happening in ISRAEL then I know that time is getting shorter so we better be ready to fave our enemy’s. In America we are in judgement now because our government has turn their back’s to ISRAEL. One day soon this land will be my home forever.
A timely and sobering warning ! Very well written. Thank you, Stan and Franny and your entire precious Family for your outstanding witness to God’s Unchanging Word !
Blessings and SHALOM in Messiah Yeshua’s Unfailing Love,
Brian and Anne
Stan,
God gave you the ability to write and speak truth and we in America would do well to join with you and Israel so we by faith may receive the blessing of Abraham’s seed the Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter told us we too can have part in this eternal kingdom of light. But first we need to realize the darkness that is covering us so we don’t continue in fratricidal hatred, that you so eloquently described.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Shalom Shalom, Wayne & Anna Marie Helmuth
I love God’s word, Isreal, and your blog. Thank you, Stan! Shalom
Thank you Stan. Your beautiful article is truth. I am so grieved by Christians leaving God’s Word for the devil’s lies. We must not lose heart. Pray for our beloved Israel and for the Body of Christ, the true church to stand firm in their faith in God and His Word. Watch and pray. God bless you, Pat
Bravo, Stan! You have spoken my heart….and the hearts of millions! May Yeshua open the eyes of His People ….soon! Love you, my “son”. Shalom.
It is obvious, this is not Israel’s battle. The battle belongs to Jesus and He already won it. All Israel needs to do, is, praise Him and when everything is done, we shall rejoice together. Amen.
Hi Stan
YES – it has started!
ISRAEL TODAY published an article today about a number of Israeli Rabbis calling their Yeshiva students to forego their upcoming holiday plans and to regather and to unite in prayer and supplications before Hashem instead.
The Chief Rabbi of The IDF did a similar thing a few weeks ago on his Twitter site, quoting from the OT Zechariah 12.10. Apparently he ‘only’ used the 1st sentence, the reason for not showing the full scripture was given as Twitter limitations (?)
Nevertheless – and even so – it was a remarkable step to take for a Man in his position.
The Lord – in His Grace and Mercy to me – has been impressing me with the same quiet assurance each time I cry out to Him on behalf of His people ‘to rise up and to show His Might’ so that I always …always …always land up just praising Him, thanking Him, rejoicing in Him for His so very REAL Presence in Israel’s daily battles with Hamas and the world-at-large.
OH!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!
… and a BIG *TODAH RABAH!* to you, Stan – You Blessed Warrior of The Most High!
… and now to distributing your sombre Word of Warning to everyone around me!
I choose to stand with the Light, to stand with God and his plans for the nation of Israel!
Thank you for this timely article Stan.
Shelley
Stan, as usual your articles hit the matters at hand right in the worlds face. We all have Decisions that will effect our eternal place. As Ruth the Moabite spoke to Naomi her mother in law; Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goes, I will go; and where thou lodge, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy Elohim my Elohim:
Where thou dies, will I die, and there will I be buried: YHWH do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
There are 2 choices, only 2. Follow the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or follow the enemy. Those are the 2 choices, there are no other. A confessing Christian should always consider themselves a brother to the Jewish people if they follow their G-d. Remember people Jesus/Y’shua was and is and always will be Jewish.
I believe with a complete belief
In the coming of the Messiah
And even though he may tarry
I will wait for him, whenever he comes
We all must be “Warriors For Christ
I don’t think it was just by an accident that the four year old sweet beautiful Daniel that lost his earthly life has the same name as the Great Prophet Daniel. Everyone should be reading the book of Daniel, it describes the beast that is at work in Hamas today….
Daniel’s first vision of the “Fourth beast”.
Daniel;7 After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
23 The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.
Even so come quickly Lord Revelation 22:20″ The death of the 4 year old Daniel says a lot …..
Wonderfully written article Stan! Without the Lord, none of us have hope to count on. With the murderous actions of ISIS and ISIL against Christian adults and children as well as captive journalists – the world is beginning to see the battle between evil and light more clearly. I pray the various churches and their members will see the importance of standing with Israel. I know Jesus does.
amen
Stan, I often wonder if any of our so called leaders ever read any of you articles.. If they did and read their Bibles they would know what the Lord says about Israel…I remember when people after the war blamed the Jews for everything…I never understood it myself as I was young but I still remember…it was not my family as it was other people who spoke bitterly about the Jews…well I hope and Pray that those people had changed their minds before they died…as for me and my family, I have taught them that they must not hate the Jews as they are Gods People….I do hope and Pray that you get through to people now…Keep Looking Up
Beautifully composed, timely and anointed article to keep us focused with scriptural perspective and with urgency to be prepared for the times to come.
Dear Stan:
As I read what you have so eloquently written, the truths you express echo the thoughts of my heart and soul. I have seen my own country, the Nation that God birthed to be a blessing to His World in so many tangible and intangible ways – from finances to prayer to physical presence – this very Nation God birthed – has turned away from Him and His Word and is in free fall to the depths of all evil we have preached about since our founding. Yet, there are still multiple thousands of us who stand with and for Israel. Sadly, the body that is called ‘the church’ today is sick and dying – at least where I live. Public and Prayerful support for not only Israel – but our very Christian Brothers and Sisters who are being slaughtered around the entire Middle East – is lacking. There is no mention of any of this from the very pulpits that should be shouting the alarm AND support. Regardless, there is a remnant that does want to be found faithful to His Call For His Land and Children. We must keep our back to the plow; and our face to His Heavens. We want to be found faithful. We are sick at what we see and read about the horrific atrocities being committed. We are not in Israel to stand alongside each of you who are there. We CAN Pray; and that we are committed to doing! Please know that you are loved and prayed for often. As Yesha Yahu 54 says: No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Stand! Hear this, Oh Nations! The BATTLE IS THE LORD’S!! May He Come Speedily!
I do not understand how Bible beliveing, Bible READING Christians can possibly be against Israel. I admire Israel as being Gods’ chosen. They are MY brothers and sisters. I pray all the time for the Peace of Jerusalem, ushering in the reign of Jesus/Yeshua. I STAND FOR ISRAEL COME WHAT MAY. If I were younger I would be out there on the streets for Israel. Thank you Stan. Shalom.
A word of encouragement that I read this morning… God sees what is happening and is in control! Psalm 11
1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
Wonderful post, Stan! You are truly living up to your namesake, “Jerusalem Watchman”. Although the hand of Ha’Shem rests on His people and land, I am not too sure about the United States of America in these perilous last days. I am praying for the revival of the true Christian faith in my country and better understanding of the significance of Israel in the lives of believers and followers of Yeshua HaMashiach.
Stan, this is so intensely true in every sense! You have penned my thoughts with precision and passion!
My tears are endless, my heart bleeds, but my hope remains steadfast in the God of Israel ~ in Yeshua HaMashiach, ours and their redeeming Savior. Shalu Shalom Yisro’el
One day . . .