1-31-20 Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem :: By Dennis Huebshman
Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem); Shalom ‘b Yeshua Hamashiakh (Peace in Yeshua – Jesus – the Messiah); Ahava B’Shem Yeshua (Love in the name of Yeshua – Jesus). (all emphasis mine)
Before anyone asks, I am not Jewish that I know of. I have seen the victim’s list from Auschwitz, and there were Hubschmann’s (proper German spelling of my name) on it; one was a 10-year-old named Otto. My father immigrated to America from East Germany in 1929. I do have a special place in my heart for God’s chosen people, not only because I am commanded to do so, but I truly have a deep respect for all the Jews worldwide. More on this later.
By command, I will refer everyone to Genesis 12:2-3: “And I (God) will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you; and him who dishonors you, I will curse, and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
God gave Abraham these “I will” blessings and His covenant that will be forever. There is never an expiration date to God’s promises; it’s as if He made them this very day.
God has never totally cut off Israel, but there have been times He exercised discipline over them to let them know they are to worship Him, and no other. He has always tried to redeem them after the discipline; and most of the time they repented – for a while. He is reserving the ultimate discipline for the 7-year Tribulation.
Today, the total world Jewish population that accepts Jesus as Messiah (Messianic), is approximately 1% – 2%. After checking several online resources, the consensus is there are about 175,000 – 250,000 U.S. Messianic Jews, 350,000 worldwide of which approximately 10,000 to 20,000 are in Israel. This is from a total population worldwide of approximately 6.5+ million.
This is not news to the Father, and Paul explains that God will turn His full attention to them again at the end of what is now called the “Church Age” (Believers).
Romans 11:25-29, “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers; a partial hardening (unbelief) has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Rapture). And in this way, all Israel will be saved as it is written; the Deliverer (Jesus) will come from Zion; He will banish ungodliness from Jacob (Millennial Reign), and this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins. As regards, the gospel, they are (now) enemies of God for your (believers) sake. But regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David). For the gifts and the calling of God (covenants) are irrevocable.”
Another command to pray for Jerusalem is found in Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure (blessed) who love you.” Jerusalem itself has “peace” within its name. Jeru-“salem”- shalom – peace, wholeness and completeness.
There are numerous places in the Bible that tell about God’s people being back in their own land. Deuteronomy 30; Amos 9; Ezekiel 34 and 37; Isaiah 66; Jeremiah 16, and many more. When Israel declared itself a full-fledged nation on May 14, 1948, it became a mega-sign of God’s faithfulness. Israel has become America’s best ally; and up to a short while ago, America honored Israel as a friend.
Immediately, God went to work protecting His promise. Israel was attacked at almost the instant the announcement was made. The forces coming against Israel were overwhelming; however, Israel was the victor in the first war and has been successful in all major altercations since then. Militarily, they accomplished the impossible, which could have only been by the hand of the Father. They know if they ever lose a war, the outcome would be total annihilation.
In 1967, from June 5 through June 10, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria started a “war” against Israel, and the results were amazing. I was in the U.S. Navy at the time, and we followed the news of this conflict carefully. The ability of the Israeli forces to overrun their enemies was almost unbelievable. They actually outran their own supply lines, and used captured enemy armament to keep the battle going. It was very obvious they had “divine” protection, and I gained a whole new respect for that country. That respect has only grown stronger as the years have passed.
Satan is trying to blind the world toward Israel because he knows how dear this land is to the Father; and he also knows his time is getting shorter. As I said earlier, Israel has been America’s greatest ally, and we used to have great respect for them. Starting several years ago, there were actions taken by our government and some others that were not respectful of Israel. Anyone who does not see all the changes taking place in our country is blind. Our society is spiraling downward at almost all levels of evil, and except for our current President’s respect for Israel, we might have already gone under.
America is not in any end-time prophecy, which leads one to believe we will have fallen before the Ezekiel 38 war. Several scenarios are given; one being the Rapture causing great havoc and the country imploding. After all, no believers will be here, and evil will run amok even more than it has today.
Another possibility is we are attacked by outside forces that overrun us. Trump is trying to rebuild our military after the neglect of the past, but may not be able to make it strong enough fast enough.
At any rate, we still have people in so-called “high places” that openly disrespect Israel. Satan is definitely involved, and the warning of Genesis 12:3 is being ignored. However, God is not ignoring it, and I believe this country is about gone right now. Not only for the total disrespect of Israel except for a few in our country, but the attitude of the population about accepting what God called “abominations.” The Bible says there is “man” and “woman,” and no other specifications are given. It’s almost to the point of being in the same condition as it was at the time of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah. He will not put up with this much longer. The depravity gets deeper and deeper.
We are told in God’s word what the last 7 years of this earth will be like. It will be the most miserable time ever, and everyone – Jew and Gentile – that is left will definitely suffer.
The bright side is all believers are promised that we will not be in that wrath. Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men; who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “…and to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
If we’re delivered from the wrath (7-year Tribulation), then we’re not here. It’s enough to cause you to consider right now where you want to be. Here with the antichrist, or in Heaven with Jesus. It’s completely your choice. This is for everyone: Jew, Gentile or whoever. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). All who do not have Jesus as their Savior – Jew, Gentile or whoever – will be lost. It’s as plain as that. Forever in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15) with Satan and his demons is something you can avoid by asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and to be your Savior. Today would not be too early to call on Him.
Shalom B’Ahava (Peace with Love)
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