The Importance of Israel

Much is happening in the Middle East! The troublesome news remind us that we are living in the 'last' of the last days, those last days. Through the prophet Zechariah (12:1-3) God declared that in the last days preceding the Second Coming of Christ, Jerusalem, and certainly all of Israel would be a stumbling stone among the nations. Another prophecy found in Zechariah 12:6-9 describes tiny Israel as being so powerful militarily that she will defeat the surrounding nations that would attack her. This we have seen numerous times since Israel became a nation in 1948.

Israel's history is undeniably the fulfillment of prophecy, exactly as foretold in the Bible. Yet to be fulfilled in the future is the prophecy declaring that Israel will be deceived into making a false peace covenant that will set her up for an attack by all the nations of the world at Armageddon under the leadership of the Antichrist. Most world leaders will accept a false peace treaty, described in Daniel 9:27, This false messiah will be so politically influential and powerful, so militarily strong that he will guarantee this peace agreement. Then, after a few years, he will break that treaty himself, and Israel's "peaceful" neighbors will turn and make war against the Jewish people. That will be Satan's last attempt to destroy the Jews-God's people. History shows that the Jewish people have come under attack from many nations of the world, but God has preserved His people even during those troublesome times. Current events are moving us along to the One World Government, a government in which the Antichrist will control all banking and commerce with his identifying number, (Revelation 13:16-18) a remarkable prophecy which modern day computer technology will provide.

There are thousands of verses in the Bible dealing with Israel. Prophecies pertaining to Israel are a major part of the Scriptures, yet nothing about the great events foretold in the Bible concerning Israel are found in the writings of any of the world religions. Nor do they contain any prophecies concerning the coming of Israel's Messiah; His birth, the place of His birth, His rejection, the very day of His ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, His crucifixion, His rise from the dead three days later. Only the Bible contains these prophecies many written hundreds of years before their fulfillment. Prophecy proves the existence of the true God and that the Bible is His Word. The fulfillment of numerous prophecies in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus cannot be explained by coincidence and proves that Jesus is, indeed, the only Savior of mankind, exactly as He claimed to be. It is difficult to explain how a person can be an atheist or agnostic with such irrefutable proof. But, as Peter points out in 2 Peter 3:5; "For they are willingly ignorant of the Word of God. Sadly, the world is spiritually blinded by unbelief. But true believers trust the Word of God-it is their supreme authority for life and godliness I willingly accept the Bible's claims and its promises... and yes, it's prophecies! 

Jesus is coming soon, are you ready?

Celebrating Our Deliverance

 Exodus 12:41 records the day when the children of Israel left Egypt after 430 years of slavery. After that many years the people felt 'comfortable' in their habitat, and life droned on year after year. Not until God sent Moses to lead them out of bondage, did they see any hope for the future. After that many years of slavery their understanding of who they were was nonexistent. Egypt didn't just control their labor - it shaped their identity. They were born into slavery, raised in opposition and conditioned to believe they were nothing more than slaves. For generations, they had belonged to Pharaoh.

So, when scripture says "on this very day" all the people of God went out from Egypt, it recorded more than a historical date it recorded a divine intervention. God was now beginning to fulfill His promise of a Promised Land. (There are at least 170 references to this Promised Land in the Bible) Genesis 14: 11-12 also records that while their bodies walked out of Egypt, their hearts were still in Egypt. God's work has always been-will always be with the heart of man. While their leaving Egypt was a physical deliverance, the people would never really be free until their hearts and minds belonged to God, just as it is for us today. The wilderness wandering was not just about reaching a new land - it was about learning to become a new people. Egypt had to be left behind - its foods-its lifestyle and yes, its gods. The people would carry the identity of Egypt 'within' themselves until they learned to trust and depend upon God and follow His ways. (Can you see the spiritual application here?)

The Exodus was not just a change in geography - it was the beginning of a change in identity. For centuries, the people of Israel had been defined by their chains. Slavery shaped how they saw themselves, how they saw others and even how they imagined God. So, when God led His people out of Egypt, He began the process of restoring who they were and what they were meant to be. (Again, note the spiritual application)

new We often celebrate the moment of our deliverance. (a memorial) And we certainly should do this, but if we are honest with ourselves, we can often see hints of "Egypt" in our lives. We wrestle with fear, shame, habits, Insecurity or doubt. The patterns of the past life don't change overnight! But our journey of faith produces new lives new thoughts attitudes; all developed by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Some call this 'progressive sanctification,' a theological term that describes the ongoing process of Christians becoming more conformed to the image of Christ; empowered to live a life pleasing to God. It's a lifelong journey. a continuous work of the Holy Spirit. We must allow Him to reshape our thoughts, our hearts and our lives, reminding ourselves continually, that we belong to Him. A life of continual surrender is certainly in order! Have a blessed week! - Pastor Bruce