Recently two of my friends asked me why I am going to Israel next week. I thought I would share some of the reasons why here. First of all, I have always wanted to go to Israel, just because it's where Jesus was born, lived, died, rose and ascended. I mean, really isn't that enough? No other place on the entire earth can say that Jesus walked there. Of all the land on the planet, God chose the land around Israel as the place where all the biblical action happened, from creation to the end of Revelation!This land has always been and still is today, the epicenter of the world. There are many things happening today around this land that have not been happening in years, and there are signs that the end of the Bible, Revelation, could be approaching prophetic fulfillment! What an exciting time to be alive!
The people of Israel trace their origin to Abraham. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all lived in the Land of Canaan, which later came to be known as the Land of Israel. The people of modern day Israel share the same language and culture shaped by the Jewish heritage and religion passed through generations starting with the founding father Abraham. Jews have had continuous presence in the land of Israel for the past 3,300 years! After the exile by the Romans, the Jewish people migrated to Europe and North Africa. This was called the Diaspora, meaning scattered outside of the land of Israel. Jewish people established rich culture and economic lives and greatly contributed to societies where ever they lived. However, they always continued their attachments to the land of Israel and prayed throughout the centuries to return. In the first half of the 20th century there were major waves of immigration of Jews back to Israel from Arab countries and from Europe. During the British rule in Palestine and during Worlds War II, the Jewish people were subject to great violence and massacres. About 6 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust alone!
In 1948 the Jewish Community in Israel reestablished sovereignty in their ancient homeland! They became a nation on May 14, 1948. Before Israel became a nation, people would describe the land of Israel as desolated desert land. Since 1948, the land has began to "bloom" just as Scripture prophecies in Isaiah! And every year more and more Jewish people return proudly to the nation of Israel for permanent residence!
Jesus was Jewish but yet when He began His ministry, many Jewish people did not recognize Him as The Messiah. They did not feel Jesus fulfilled all the qualifications for the Messiah and are still waiting the Messiah's arrival. Gentiles (non Jews) who receive Jesus as their Messiah and Lord are "grafted in" the vine. I am thankful that Gentiles are received into the Kingdom of God! But let's not forget the Jewish people. These are God's chosen people, the apple of His eye (Zech. 2:8). They are beginning to see Jesus, Yeshua, as their Messiah! Remember the Gospel message is "to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile" (Rom. 1:16)
We should love and bless Israel because firstly, the Bible says that God will bless those who bless the people of Israel. I am so thankful to the Jewish people for the blessing we have received form the. John 4:22 states that "Salvation is form the Jews." Through Israel the promises and the covenants were given! God will never abandon His people Israel, no more than He would ever abandon the Church. We should not abandon Israel either. God has promised to restore the nation of Israel in the last days and we are seeing this right before our own eyes now! The fact that Israel has been regathered to their ancient homeland after nearly 2,200 year in the Diaspora is a sign and a wonder to the world that shows God's faithfulness.
Israel will be a focal point at the return of Jesus, since He will return to set up His Kingdom there.
The Lord has not cut off His people of Israel and neither should we.
The nation of Israel is small, about the size of New Jersey. It is surrounded by nations who hate Israel and some who plot to destroy it. Currently the nation of Syria, which is right above the nation, is in the middle of a civil war. It literally is destroying itself from the inside out and the violence comes extremely close to Israel's northern borders. It is also interesting that a Biblical prophecy concerning the destruction of Damascus in Isaiah 17 has yet to come to pass, and there is extreme violence and uprising in this city currently. Iran, Israel's chief enemy, has joined forces with Syria's leadership and aims to infiltrate the country. This places Iran's forces on the northern border of Israel. Israel is likely surrounded on all sides with countries that would not mind if they weren't there anymore. Christians should show unconditional love and unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people as Israel is increasingly isolated internationally. This is not a time to abandon the Jewish State. To the contrary, we should do more to show our unconditional love and unwavering support to the people of Israel, no matter what happens.
The Bible teaches that Jesus will return one day and set up His Kingdom in Jerusalem. There will be a major way, the war of God and Magog near the end of time, and then as well the last battle, the battle of Armageddon which will be fought in the Valley of Megiddo in Israel. All these Biblical prophecies are nearing us. If you do not follow Biblical prophecy, now would be a good time to start! Your faith in the Word of God will be strengthened and you will gain a greater sense of urgency to win the lost and an eternal perspective!
I feel the Lord told me to go to Israel. I remember hearing His voice back in December. I was hesitant to tell Husband because we have talked before about it not being safe in the Middle East. Also, I knew we couldn't both go and leave our five children, so I new deep down that I would be going without him. Also, the cost... When I finally told Husband, he prayed about it a few weeks and then knew that I was indeed supposed to go. My sister also received a confirmation in a prophetic dream that my trip was ordained by God. I have a perfect peace about going and know it is in God's plan for my life. When Phoebe expressed desire to go one day, I knew instantly that it was supposed to be that way! Husband having to raise around $12,000.00 for our trips and airline tickets and spending money was steep, but people have helped out so much by supporting Phoebe's trip! We are so grateful!
So Phoebe and I leave Tuesday to go to Israel! I cannot hold by my excitement!!! We will be going with The Joshua Fund, which is a non-profit organization which exists to minister to the people of Israel in many ways, as well as care for the poor and needy Jewish people in Israel. Not only will we get to tour all the incredible sites of the Holy Land, we will also be working with The Joshua Fund to serve the people of Israel! As well, there will be a conference in Jerusalem we will attend which Joel Rosenberg directs, that will inform us of the current situation of Israel and the Middle East, and inform us of ways to pray for Israel.
I believe we are living in the last days. I believe we could see the battle of God and Magog happen in our lifetime. I believe the Rapture of the Church could happen any day now or within our lifetimes. The many signs Jesus gives in the New Testament to look for His return are happening all around us! These are exciting times!!!
These are also crucial times. The condition of the Church in America is not strong. There are many nations rising up against Israel and Iran is building a nuclear bomb to aim at Israel. They want the Jewish people "wiped off the map," and they want the city of Jerusalem for their religion. I don't think there is time left for us to be indecisive or cool about our relationships with God.
I feel like there are major things happening in the supernatural realm. The devil sees the signs and knows his time is running out. To stand with Israel is something I feel called to do and delighted in doing! My heart breaks for the precious Jewish people who do not receive Jesus as their Savior! I want to go there and learn all I can, how to love, how to pray, how to live and walk in a way that I can do all I can to bring about God's Kingdom purposes for the Church and for Israel! I want to see Jewish people love Jesus!
Phoebe will turn 14 in Israel, the day we get baptized in the Jordan River, the same river Jesus was baptized in. Phoebe is such a good daughter. She is precious and loves people and Jesus with all her heart. I know that going on this trip will have profound impacts on her life and her relationship with God. I am also praying she will develop a heart for the Jewish people that she might not ever would've except for going there.
I will be posting updates on this blog while we are there. My heart is that you reading this will develop a strong love for the people of Israel. Also that you would ask God if these are the last days we are living in and surrender yourself to His purposes for your life and not your own desires. Soon we will be with our Creator. He is my King, my Savior, my Lord. I love God with all my heart and am ready to be united with Christ in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! These are not wacko things I am talking about. These things are in the Bible. I fear that too many people quit reading their Bibles. When we look to the world and pop culture to define our values, dreams, and lives, we are living in a dangerous place. God is stirring up His people, both in the Church and the Jewish people! Keep your eyes open for ways you can share the life of Christ with others. Keep your ears open concerning what is going on with the nation of Israel! Time could be very short. If you knew it was short, how would you live your last days or months on Earth. Make it count!
**For those of you interested in more detailed information on the current state of the Middle East and the relationship between Iran and America and Israel I highly recommend this documentary by Joel Rosenberg. You will be so informed!
