The
Mystery Of Israel
Part Three - The Call Of The Watchmen
The central focus and key of all end-time Bible prophecy is ISRAEL. Sounds simple don’t it? It should be but for sadly the theology of so many in these last days has taken Israel out of the equation for God’s appointment and calendar for Planet Earth, including the church. If one has a wrong outlook on Israel and her destiny with God, then understanding end time events becomes at the very least frustrating; at the worst many get into error and come up with a myriad of doctrines which are not scriptural. The task of the watchman was to remind God through intercession of His calendar that have not been fully met and fulfilled. It’s not that God has a memory problem but He enjoys hearing His people agree with His own principles and up purposes through the words of their mouths and the cries of their heart. It’s really the summation of the end-time scenario. All the judgments listed in Revelation are released as the result of intercession – either by saints, angels or Christ Himself. This journal is an exhortation to encouragement for the Body of Christ to stand with Israel at all costs during these troubled times. We have seen from events over the past few weeks that our nation does not have the same focus or concern God has for Israel's land. The withdrawal from Gaza of Israel after having inhabited the area since the Six-Day War of 1967 was one of the most heartbreaking things to watch unfold for those of us who truly know the Lord's heart for her and know His deep passion for the salvation of His chosen people. ALL these things are working together for the ultimate good of Israel when one day she receives Christ as Her Messiah in full as a nation. That day is not long off but before that day comes serious trouble is ahead for these precious people of God
By Chris McDonald
TEXT: Romans 11:25 - For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
Zech. 2:8 - For thus saith the Lord of
hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for
he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.
Isaiah 27:6 - He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel
shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
The Holy Spirit through the prophet Zechariah tells us that the one who touches Israel touches the apple of God's eye. Other translations render the phrase "apple of God's eye" as "the pupil of God's eye." So the APPLE of the eye is the PUPIL, and the PUPIL of the eye is the instrument through which one sees. He who touches Israel touches the center of God's eye - the center of God's sight. You must see through God's eyes and then hold dear to your heart the things that are at the center of God's vision.
History records that in 1948 when the late U.S. President Harry S. Truman decided to support Israel's request to become a nation in the United Nations, he did so because he understood the importance of Israel's role and destiny scripturally and prophetically. It's recorded that Mr. Truman read his Bible daily and believed that Israel's restoration as a nation was something very important in the mind of God for future events. He knew that America's future as a nation both economically and as a super power hung in the balance between our acceptance or rejection of the modern state of Abraham's sons.
I must ask this before I continue in part three of this message series on the mystery of Israel. If President Truman, who by all viewpoints was not really a deeply religious man, could recognize Israel's importance in history, why can't Holy Ghost filled preachers recognize this? There is a dearth of understanding today among evangelical Christians about the prophetic importance of the times we're in. Preachers of the gospel have substituted preaching on the end times for a modern day fairy tale that tells people this world is getting better and that ultimately the church will take over governments, schools, city halls and a lot of other things as we "usher" in a utopia to welcome back Christ on OUR terms, not HIS! It's called the "Kingdom-NOW" movement which is built upon a LIE. There will not be an "ushering" in of the Kingdom by the church. ONLY CHRIST can usher in HIS KINGDOM and in His timing that will happen. But the way we see the future and how these things related to Planet Earth is by looking at future events through the eyes of God - His "pupil," if you will - and that "PUPIL" is ISRAEL!
One of the greatest needs of the modern church in lieu of this is to see through the lens of Israel's destiny if we are to see clearly and correctly the things concerning end time events, Bible prophecy, the Second Coming, and ultimately all eternity. This is not an ethnic issue, it's a GOD issue! The primary issue is not about a race of people. This is about a promise-keeping God who is faithful to keep His will and fulfill His plan for a people, a city, a nation through which He has chosen to display His splendor. This is about God's faithful character being on lavish display for all to observe and know.
The center of God's focus is and always has been ISRAEL. His eyes are EVER gazing on them. It is time for the unveiling of the mystery of Israel as the apple of God's eye, the centerpiece of God's prophetic time clock. This journal is encouragement for the Body of Christ to stand with Israel at all costs during these troubled, yet prophetic times ahead. We have seen from events over the past few weeks that our nation does not have the same focus or concern God has for Israel's land. The withdrawal from Gaza of Israel after having inhabited the area since the Six-Day War of 1967 was one of the most heartbreaking things to watch unfold for those of us who truly know the Lord's heart for her and know His deep passion for the salvation of His chosen people. ALL these things are working together for the ultimate good of Israel when one day she receives Christ as Her Messiah in full as a nation. That day is not long off but before that day comes serious trouble is ahead for the precious people of God. There is growing persecution in Israel even as we write this journal in early Fall, 2005 of Messianic believers from both Orthodox Jewish movements, radical Islamic groups inside the territories of Jerusalem and Haifa, and other factions opposed to the true gospel being preached to Abraham's sons. In addition, the clock continues to tick towards the rapture of the church, the Great Tribulation, the rise of Antichrist and the ultimate battle of Armageddon in the valley of Megiddo - in the middle of the land of Jacob.
Joel 3:1-3
For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the
captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, [2] I will also gather all nations, and will
bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there
for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the
nations, and parted my land. [3] And they have cast lots for my people; and have
given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
Before I get into the "meat" of this message I want to make a statement on recent events in America and how they relate to Israel. There are so many voices right now in the Body of Christ laying blame on the catastrophic events in New Orleans totally at the door of the United States' pressure on Israel to withdraw from Gaza a few weeks prior to 8/29. I feel that without a doubt those events had a trickle down effect on America without doubt, but it was not the only reason the nation experienced the discipline of the Lord. New Orleans was a wicked city. I don't say that with rancor or self-righteousness, I say it with tears. So many men, (I'm thinking of Bob Jones, pastor of Bourbon Street) have warned the city time and time again through the years to repent and it has not heeded. Now there is no city left. I shudder a bit when I hear our President predicting billions of dollars will be spent to "rebuild" this city. And at the risk of sounding cold and indifferent let this writer offer this food for thought. Rebuilding a city of wickedness has a historical and Biblical root. Ahab attempted to rebuild the ruins of Jericho only to have his son killed their under its bricks. And when God destroys Babylon in the book of Revelation, there will never be a chance the city will be rebuilt! NOTHING will be left.
I'm not saying we should sit back and do nothing to help those affected by this tragedy. God forbid. We as believers need to open our hearts as wide as we can and our wallets as wide as our hearts! From a spiritual perspective we need to pray right now for revival to come to New Orleans first! The results of the Gaza pullout were part of the issues surrounding Katrina but God was not just dealing with America based on our responses to Israel. The sins of idolatry, homosexuality, immorality and just plain out SIN were destined to be dealt with either sooner or later. God chose sooner.
I just read a prophetic website of a lady I respect deeply - Nita Johnson - who feels the Lord has spoken to her about Nashville and Las Vegas facing similar fates unless deep repentance comes and comes quick. I'll leave that for you to ponder in your heart but whenever a prophet speaks it would do us well to at least listen and see for ourselves what the SPIRIT is saying to the church. All prophetic words are subject to the prophets speaking them. The spirit is subject to the prophet as well. The Holy Spirit is 100% infallible. Men and women in their human flesh are not! We must pray over these type words and ask the Lord to show us the Truth. He IS the Truth! He does not want us to be in darkness.
Having said that, let me return to the message at hand. We need to become watchmen on the walls of Israel through intercession and prayer!! The Jewish people are at such a prophetic and critical time in their history it behooves us as believers to take up a wailing and intercessory travail like we've never done before God's chosen people! There are seven Biblical reasons why we must pray earnestly and take a stand for Israel during these prophetic times. These mandates are given to ALL believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity or ministry. ALL need to heed the warnings in scripture as it relates to Israel, which Paul called one of the great "mysteries" of the Bible!
Romans 11:19-25 - Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. [23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graph them in again. [24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Mysteries of Scripture
Most of the occurrences of the word
mystery are in the Pauline Epistles. Mystery refers to the revelation of God's
plan of salvation as that plan focuses in Christ. The gospel itself is a
"mystery which was kept secret since the world began" <Rom. 16:25>. This mystery
was revealed by God through the prophetic Scriptures to Paul and the church <1
Cor. 2:7; Eph. 6:19; Col. 4:3>. Mystery also refers to the future resurrection
of Christians <1 Cor. 15:51>, the summing up of all things in Christ <Eph. 1:9>,
the inclusion of Gentiles in the church <Eph. 3:3-9>, the future salvation of
Israel <Rom. 11:25>, the phenomenon of lawlessness <2 Thes. 2:7>, and the
godliness of Christ <1 Tim. 3:16>.
ALL things we as the Gentile church
do in the name of ministry must always have the future salvation of Israel in
mind! The scope of God's Word centers around three main things:
1. Man's creation, fall and redemption
2. End time events
3. Israel and her rejection of Messiah but ultimate salvation where she accepts Him once again and enters into full covenant blessing based on God's promise to Abraham!
As stated already, OUR PRAYING must be in line with God's heart. Many pray just to pray without any idea of what or why they are praying the things they are. The Holy Ghost, or Ruach KoDesh, MUST take control of our praying and travail through us. I can guarantee you two things about this experience. Number one, if Chris McDonald is doing the praying, I'm more than likely at some point praying selfishly. Number two, if the Holy Ghost is praying through Chris McDonald, then I'm sure I'm praying self-LESS-ly, and the will of God!
1 John 5:13-15
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name
of the Son of God. [14] And this is the
confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we
know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Romans 8:12-17 - Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to
live after the flesh. [13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if
ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [14] For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye
have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children,
then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:27-29 - And he that searches the
hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for
the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to
his purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom
he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified. [31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who
can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for
us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall
lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies. [34] Who
is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. [35]
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep
for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things
to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It's a REAL simple pattern. The Holy
Spirit prays the will of God for us. When we pray the will of God, God hears us.
And if God hears us- HE ANSWERS US! Praise God. I want to say it again. The Holy
Spirit prays the will of God for us and through us and in us. When HE prays the
will of God for us, then we KNOW God hears us. And if God hears us, HE ANSWERS
US. And friend, God is able to do exceedingly ABOVE ALL that we could ever ask
and dream for. God is a big God. The Holy Spirit is a BIG Holy Spirit. He wants
to show us His power and grace as to show us that we are not able in ourselves
to bring about ANYTHING. But through CHRIST and Him Crucified, ALL things are
possible to those who will just believe! That is how we pray! That is why we
pray! That is why praying "IN THE SPIRIT," is the most vital excercise one can
ever do as a believer.
In
this context, we must focus our prayer upon several aspects concerning Israel as
we become WATCHMEN for the sons of Abraham. It is a unique place the Gentile
part of the church finds itself in in these latter times. We're called to have
compassion for Israel without question. But that compassion must be turned into
intercession and travail and provoke us to cry out to God for Israel's
salvation. Why? Because when Israel comes back to God, revival is coming to the
Gentile part of the church - ALL over the world! The Church is in this pivotal
hour recovering the lost weapons of fasting, prayer, intercession, and travail.
But all these things can never be accomplished in man's strength. Even our
utmost best efforts will always fall short. We MUST have the HOLY SPIRIT do this
for us and He WILL as long as we keep anchored in the Cross of Christ and have
our hearts in focus with what God has HIS focus on - ISRAEL!
Let's take a look at seven principles of Israel and how she relates to the Gentile's role as watchmen on the walls for her.
1. Israel Is Still The Apple Of God's Eye and His Inheritance
Zech. 2:8
For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the
nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his
eye.
Deut. 32:9-11
For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. [10]
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him
about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. [11] As an eagle
stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings,
taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
Psalm 148:14 declares:
Psalm 148:14
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of
the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
The Psalmist calls the children of
Israel, a people "near unto Him." The first reason we pray for Israel is not
profound. It's simply because to be close to God's heart, we must be in
alignment with God's sight. We must be close to the things, people, purposes AND
NATIONS that are close to His heart. When we are praying for Israel, we're
praying for the people that are "NEAR" to God! Simple friend, it really is.
2. It Is Time To Have Compassion
Psalm 102:13-14
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the
set time, is come. [14] For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour
the dust thereof.
The time has come to have mercy upon
Zion and to grant favor! God wants us to pray, not with a fist of self-righteous
anger, but with a compassionate heart. We must have our hearts tenderized to see
the plight of the Jewish people as He sees them. These are so incredibly
prophetic times it beggars description. Just 48 hours ago we heard of comments
made by a foreign president that stated he felt the United Nations should be
taken out of the United States and re-opened in Jerusalem! If that is not the
echoes of a coming confederacy of nations run by the Antichrist out of Jerusalem
I don't know what is!
People who pray for Israel always find themselves in a place of weeping,
supplication and compassionate mercy. Every time I go into intercession for
Israel something happens inside. It seems the very heartbeat of God beats within
my own heart and the travail of the Holy Spirit takes over. If you want to feel
the loving heartthrobs of Jesus within your own soul - pray for Israel! God
wants to give His heart to us that we can pray over Israel with compassion. The
times have come for us to receive His heat that our prays will go far beyond
merely saying correct words and on into the pray of the heart - even to the
prayer of tears.
3. God Commands Us To Give Him And Ourselves No Rest Until Israel Becomes A Praise!
Isaiah 62:6-7
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their
peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, [7] And
give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the
earth.
The Scripture tell us to give God no
rest until JERUSALEM is established. He did not say Washington DC, Paris,
London, Moscow or Cairo! he said JERUSALEM. He just didn't say a city, He said
Jerusalem would become a PRAISE in all the earth. News reports today tell us
Jerusalem is far from that but neighbor one day Jerusalem WILL BE A PRAISE! Many
people, INCLUDING the Palestinian Authority, curse Jerusalem and call the Jewish
people names none of us dare repeat. But despite the cursing and despite the
threats and isolation many bring to Jerusalem and Israel, it will become a
praise. We must lift our voices in prayer until this happens. God is wanting us
to come into agreement with HIM over this issue!
This is not for the church's sake, it's for Zion's SAKE! it is not about
convenient, it's about priority! Whatever it takes to intercede and pray for
Israel as a watchman on her walls, we must do it!
4. God Desires to Work Through Us For Israel's Salvation
Romans 9:2-4
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For I could
wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according
to the flesh: [4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and
the promises;
Romans 10:1
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be
saved.
Watchmen over Israel pray that israel will be saved. God wants to give us tears and compassion for israel but those are not His end objective! God wants us to receive His heart so that we can pray with accuracy and discernment for the salvation of israel. The apostle Paul speaks under the Holy Spirit's leading in Romans 9:2-4 and 10:1 that he himself would be willing to separated from Christ so that his brotrhen might know their Messiah. What a sacrifice Paul was willing to make for the sake of israel.
5 God Desires Watchmen Over Israel Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
Psalm 122:1-9
A Song of degrees of David.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. [2] Our
feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. [3] Jerusalem is builded as a
city that is compact together: [4] Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the
Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
[5] For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
[6] Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. [7]
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. [8] For my
brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. [9]
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
God wants to bless Israel with peace
and goodness. David, the warrior psalmist, loved Jerusalem and fought many
battles for her. Wars and heated conflicts still rage today cover this piece of
land in the Middle East. David's exhortation in Psalms 122 must be prayed and
sung today. This Psalm ties into the Lord's heart for the oppressed and poor
stated in many other Psalms:
Psalm 10:17-18
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart,
thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: [18] To judge the fatherless and the
oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Psalm 41:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of
trouble.
Psalm 140:12
I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of
the poor.
Paul also loved Jerusalem and was
concerned for the city and for the welfare of her inhabitants. In his letter to
the Romans, Paul wrote:
Romans 15:25-27
But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. [26] For it hath
pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor
saints which are at Jerusalem. [27] It hath pleased them verily; and their
debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their
spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
Today, with all of the hundreds of
thousands of new immigrants, tourism on a downturn, tension and pressures,
terrorism, wars and rumors of wars, Israel's economy has been absolutely
devastated. We must pray for the SHALOM, PEACE of God for the city of peace. But
we must do more. Our prayer must be matched by our works and faith. Faith
without works is DEAD. We must minister more than just "words" to the
hurting and dying in Israel. We must minister deeds of love, compassion and
mercy as well. We must give a cup of cold water "to the least of these my
brethren," Jesus' brothers after the flesh.
Matthew 25: 31-46: When the Son of man
shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit
upon the throne of his glory: [32] And before him shall be gathered all nations:
and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep
from the goats: [33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats
on the left. [34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world: [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye
clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a
stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? [39] Or when saw we thee
sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say
unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. [41] Then shall he say also
unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,
prepared for the devil and his angels: [42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me
no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: [43] I was a stranger, and ye
took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye
visited me not. [44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we
thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and
did not minister unto thee? [45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say
unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not
to me. [46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal.
6. Israel's Acceptance Of Jesus Will Bring Life
Romans 11:15
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the
receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
Isaiah 27:6
He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and
bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
When watchmen of Israel pray for the
Jewish people's acceptance of Messiah Jesus, we will see revival worldwide in an
unprecedented magnitude. It is the opinion of this writer that this
unprecedented event will take place in the very near future before the rapture
of the church but find it's total fulfillment during the Great Tribulation
period when Israel turns wholly to God. At the end of this period the Millennium
Kingdom will see one of mankind's most blessed times with universal
righteousness being promoted before the final judgment of man takes place at the
Great White Throne Judgment.
Paul called it "life from the dead."
Isaiah called it a "filling" the face of the world with "fruit." Fruit in
scripture symbolizes several things, none of the least of which are souls.
Millions of souls will come into the Kingdom of God as a result of Israel's
acceptance of Christ. Bob Jones, a prophetically gifted minister, saw a vision
of the Lord not too many years back when he was told that before all of this was
up nearly one BILLION souls would come to Christ, a great many of them YOUTH.
When we pray for Israel to accept Christ, we're praying for revival! When this great event occurs this will create and generate a divine acceleration into a time when Joel's prophecy of the Holy Spirit will begin to be felt all over the world in unprecedented fashion. The whole earth will be filled with the fruit of revival. We must pray toward this end!
7. Jesus Linked His Second Coming To Israel's turning to Him
Matthew 23:39
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
2 Peter 3:12
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens
being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to
Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
Luke 2:25-38
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same
man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy
Ghost was upon him. [26] And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he
should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. [27] And he came by
the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to
do for him after the custom of the law, [28] Then took he him up in his arms,
and blessed God, and said, [29] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace, according to thy word: [30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, [31]
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; [32] A light to lighten
the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. [33] And Joseph and his mother
marveled at those things which were spoken of him. [34] And Simeon blessed them,
and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising
again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; [35]
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many
hearts may be revealed. [36] And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter
of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity; [37] And she was a widow of about
fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God
with fastings and prayers night and day. [38] And she coming in that instant
gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.
In closing of this week's message,
the seventh principle of understanding our role as watchmen for Israel involves
the message that Jesus linked His Second Coming to earth with Israel's
acceptance of Him. When we pray that the blinders fall off the Jewish people's
eyes and that they will welcome their Messiah with open hearts we are praying
for the soon coming of the Lord Jesus. John the Revelator through the power of
the Holy Spirit said, "the spirit and the bride say 'COME.' When we pray for
Jerusalem and the Jewish people, we are praying in travail in many ways as the
HOLY GHOST is uttering the words at the end of the Revelation, "Even SO COME,
Lord Jesus!" I can nearly feel the passion and the glory of those words in
heaven and in earth right now. neighbor, when we pray for Israel and set
ourselves as watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem, we are praying for the soon
return of Christ.
I'm not one who believes we can "hasten" the Lord's return in the sense of doing any more or less to make Him come when we want Him to. The Lord is going to come back when HE is ready to return, not when man is. But I DO believe that we can align ourselves with His heart and pray and the Holy Ghost prays, "Even So COME, Lord Jesus," and in doing so, let the Lord know that His Body is eagerly awaiting His arrival. People with that type of expectancy are people who are walking in purity, holiness and readiness. They that have this "HOPE" inside them "PURIFIES" themselves, even as HE is pure!
1 John 3:1-3
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be
called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him
not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is. [3] And every
man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
Show me a church who believes in the rapture and I'll show you a church probably not eat up with divisions, discord and strife! Show me a church who TRULY believes in their hearts that Jesus is coming soon and I'll show you a church DOING ALL THINGS FOR THE GOSPEL SAKE!
Luke records that Anna and Simeon spent their time in the Temple preparing the way for Yeshua's FIRST coming through prayer and intercession. So will it be of our glorious Savior and Lord's Second Coming. Hundreds and thousands of Annas and Simeons will arise across the nations, taking their place in temple ministry of worship and intercession, with watching, fasting, preparation and waiting for the Second Advent of the Jewish messiah, Yeshua.
Luke 2:28-35
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, [29] Lord, now
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: [30] For mine
eyes have seen thy salvation, [31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of
all people; [32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people
Israel. [33] And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were
spoken of him. [34] And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother,
Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and
for a sign which shall be spoken against; [35] (Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
A Cry For Israel's Sake
In closing, God wants us to know His heart for Israel and to be filled with compassion for Israel's condition - both spiritually AND physically. This is not about politics and the geo-makeup of Israel's cabinet. We need to pray for Israel's leaders, but we need to pray MORE for Israel's salvation! Israel shall be saved! ALL of Israel shall be, not maybe, but SHALL be saved, says the HOLY GHOST. To this end, Jesus told us to pray; Isaiah told us to pray; David the psalmist said to pray; and the Holy Spirit is saying to pray today! No matter your reason, we need to become watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem and pray for the peace and blessing of Jerusalem and Israel!
The Jewish people need us Church! They need the church of the Living God to take up a place of intercession and travail unlike we have in the history of what we know today as the Body of Christ. This is not a suggestion, it's an imperative command! It's getting late and the events we witnessed in New Orleans is just a beginning. We've had two major catastrophes hit the world within eight months of each other - Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami of December, 2005. (12-26-05 to be exact). We may very well be seeing the "beginning of sorrows," Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:
Matthew 24:4-8- And Jesus answered and
said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my
name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [6] And ye shall hear of wars
and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come
to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All
these are the beginning of sorrows.
The beginning of sorrows are the
birth pangs of the Great Tribulation upon Planet Earth, a time of trouble so
bad, Jesus said there has never been a time like it in Earth's history and there
never WILL be a time like it in the future of time. Preachers of the gospel may
not talk about it anymore but it doesn't change the fact it's coming! And at the
center point in this coming drama upon Earth is the tiny nation of ISRAEL, God's
chosen people who, through much sorrow, tears, sadness and death brought on by
the Antichrist and God Himself through judgment and direct confrontation once
again with His people, THEY will one day say "BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE
NAME OF THE LORD!" I long to see that day soon. I know if you love Jesus you do
too. Take up the role of watchman for the nation of Israel and allow the Holy
Spirit to reveal the mystery of Israel to your heart today. It's getting late
neighbor and it's harvest time.
