The Middle East: More than a Headline
Ron Ross
BFP News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com
13th September 2006
I live in Jerusalem. My work is to write and present a regular news service for an international audience. There is no more relevant place for world news than in this ancient, historical city.
Whether the people of the world understand it or not, Jerusalem remains significant to their daily lives. It has an imposing role to play today and in the future..
When Christians declare "He will reign forever and ever" what are they singing? What's the context of these words?
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." (Rev 11:15).
Christ will then be seated on His throne in Jerusalem. How significant is that bible truth? I can't imagine it being an Islamic location then!.
In the past few weeks the last of the foreign embassies in Jerusalem were closed. Now every nation in the world has located their representatives in Tel Aviv rather than risk the ire of Arab countries who now claim Jerusalem as theirs. Not one nation stands with Israel's claim to Jerusalem as the Jewish capital. Not one!
Dr Albert Sabin was the creator of the oral polio vaccine. His worked focussed on alleviating suffering. But he once said, "I keep looking for some as yet unforeseen event that will change the present progress of relations among big powers, a change that is absolutely necessary if we're not to face catastrophe." It well may be that the coming days will see catastrophe on the earth. Do we need yet another wake up call? .
We have become almost blasé about the promises proclaimed in Genesis 12: 3 "If you bless Israel, you will be blessed; if you curse Israel, you will be cursed." When Jesus returns to Jerusalem will He not find one foreign embassy in the city? He once wept over Jerusalem. This time He may have something to say about the way His church caused Jerusalem to weep.
Gaza Ready for War
I've been reporting on disturbing news events this week. One headline said "Gaza ready for War!" The story goes Hizbollah, the Iranian resourced and inspired terrorist group are transferring their operations from southern Lebanon to Gaza. They have begun moving heavy weaponry, missiles and rockets to Gaza and have combined with Islamic Jihad to prepare Gaza for strong confrontation with Israel..
The Israel security believes Hizbollah will continue its campaign against the Jewish nation, but this time from the Palestinian territories.
In the midst of this pending crisis, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair will arrive in Israel this weekend for a series of meetings. Today (Friday) the emphasis was that Blair should be welcomed to Jerusalem as `a true friend.' Many Israeli intellectuals and journalists have openly described how Blair has suffered .
politically for his loyalty to Israel and the Jewish people. Members of his own Labor Party have begun calling for his departure from 10 Downing Street.
There was another more frightening thought they considered. What will be the relationship between the United Kingdom and Israel after Blair steps down? Mounting anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom is already a major concern. The mayor of London is a self-proclaimed anti-Semitic and the police in Great Britain are investigating thousands of would-be terrorists who are committed to `holy war.'
Holy War or Spiritual Warfare
Although `holy war' is an Islamic term, Christians need to see the spiritual `holy war' which involves Jerusalem and the plan of God. We call it spiritual warfare. Recently I listened to Rabbi David Friedman teaching on Psalm 122: 6 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
He challenged the English translation which settled for the word `pray.' He said the Hebrew actually means `energise, check it out, consult, be involved as well as pray.'
We do not complete our responsibility to God and to Jerusalem by a simple prayer. That verse calls on each one of us to have an active interest in Jerusalem and its `peace.'
That is why the absence of any foreign embassy in Jerusalem is a stark indictment on how we have all failed to stand up to the bluff of the enemy. Our nations ran away instead of making a stand. How sad our leaders fear man and not God?
"Now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7,8)
Will He find `faith on the earth?" Right now, He will not find a foreign embassy in Jerusalem.
On May 26, 1967 President Gamel Abdel Nasser (Egypt) said, "Our basic objective is to destroy Israel."
Take No Rest for Yourselves!
He summarised the dream of Satan. That same agenda has been repeated by many leaders right on to the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today. The challenge Christians must face is whether we agree with that evil plan. How many Christian pastors, teachers and theologians have written off the Jews and Israel while God has declared His plan for His city and His people `from this time forth and forever."
"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever." (Psalm 152: 2)
Instead of agreeing with those who call for the destruction of Israel and the degradation of Jerusalem we have a call which is politically incorrect. "On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; And give Him no rest until He establishes And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Isaiah 62: 6,7)
God has a ministry for us. He instructs us to give Him no rest `until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.' We have a calling and it is clearly shown. He even says `Take no rest for yourselves.' This is an active, energetic, time consuming work for us to do.
Do not ever say, I do not have a ministry. Take hold of this one. I write and read the news and I have never known a day when I could not find something to pray about concerning Israel, Jerusalem and the plan of God for His land and His people.
Maybe like Tony Blair we will fade on the popularity charts with some. But we will find ourselves on the side of our Saviour who was crucified because the mob was displeased with Him.
If you have a problem with Israel and the Jewish people start reading the Bible. You will quickly learn that they have never been perfect but their God knows how to care for His own. Hopefully He is doing that great work of grace with you. You can be sure He is about to do a mighty work with His people Israel. You know it, because He said so.
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Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com |
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