Grafted In: an Old Testament Concept

20 08 2019
Grafted in MessianicSealAnim

This is an actual symbol of First Century Jewish believers in Yeshua as the Messiah

Christian believers rejoice in the “grafted in” verse in Romans 11, but what if I told you it comes from God’s prophetic promise to Isaiah? This is developed in depth by Nehemiah Gordon in his video teaching: Minding My Own Business. Seriously, you should watch it. Let’s compare the verses.

But Yehovah will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob. He will choose Israel as his special people once again. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many different nations will come and JOIN them there and unite with the people of Israel. Isaiah 14:1 NLT

The King James says: “strangers will be joined with them”. Nehemiah explains that the Hebrew text comes from a root that literally means “grafted” to Israel. Wow! Here is what Paul says in Romans.

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:17-18

Romans 11 is a major hinge of history explaining the breaking off of Jewish branches in judgement. That opened the door for the nations to come in, but don’t forget the ultimate event of the Jews being grafted back into their own tree! Hallelujah!

For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Romans 11:24

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for the latter rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists               (Read more)


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Thieves and Robbers

16 08 2019

550_We-The-People

Please permit just a few simple thoughts about the U.S. southern border issue. Since today’s candidates seem to dabble in Bible references (mostly inaccurately), consider this.

  1. Borders have legal crossings or gates. Anyone coming another way is illegal. Jesus Himself said:

    “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!”  John 10:1

  2. The accusation against the United States of a “lack of compassion for the needy refugees” is a lie against the total history of this country. There has never been such a charitable country in the history of the world. So the condemnation is more like the time that disciples complained about the lavish gift by Mary that “should have been given to the poor.” Sometimes there are higher priorities.

    Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”  Matthew 26:7-8 NLT

  3. Finally, the Bible is quite specific about borders of nations. Who knew that God was interested in such things?

    From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.  Acts 17:26

Politicians should not misuse the Bible, but we all must recognize that the Bible is God’s direct guidance to us about His priorities. All of our “rights” come from our merciful and gracious heavenly Father. It is concisely stated in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain. Also, pray for the United States of America, for God’s grace to shower down on us.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                   (Read more)


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Categories : Israel Commentary

God is Faithful

13 08 2019
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Yeshua Lives! Israel Lives!

The eternal promises of Yehovah God are based entirely on His character of faithfulness. He does not lie, and He keeps His word, even to a thousand generations. I want to look at one promise in Jeremiah that illustrates God’s faithful character. Jeremiah 29 has one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. Yet, it is greatly misunderstood. Christians are quick to jump on verse 11:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yehovah, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

This text is not a blanket promise that things will always get better for everybody. History and life certainly contradicts that interpretation. So what is the message here that is so encouraging to believers? I see three distinct messages in the context of Jeremiah 29.

  1. First, this is written historically to the specific Jews who were taken away from Jerusalem and Judah in the 70 year-long Babylonian captivity. In verse 11, Jeremiah speaks a literal promise that Yehovah God has not forgotten them. They are to live and thrive in that strange land. Notice this verse:

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Yehovah for it; for in its peace you will have peace. Jeremiah 29:7

So verse 11 is a literal promise that God will restore them after 70 years.

  1. Secondly, this promise applies as a general principle of God’s covenant faithfulness, but only to those who believe and follow His ways. In that sense, it applies to us today who love Yehovah and walk in His pathway. However, it cannot be taken as a blanket promise for all people. There is still reaping and sowing and accountability. Judah’s physical and spiritual adultery is why they ended up in Babylon. If you want to claim the promise, you also sign on for the accountability part. So remember that there is a future and a hope….in God!

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

  1. Thirdly, there is a literal application for Israel today! Yes, it applied to historical Judah. Yes, it applies to believers everywhere who call on Him from the heart. They will find Him. But almost like a verse that doesn’t fit, verse 14 speaks of a different historical period that is way in the future.

I will be found by you, says Yehovah, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says Yehovah, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:14

This does not refer to Egypt or Babylon or any limited captivity in a single nation, but to the future great Diaspora (dispersion). It foretells a time when Israel will have been scattered to all the nations of the world. This has been their condition for nearly 2,000 years since the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. BUT GOD! But, Yehovah does not leave them scattered. He has planned one last great regathering of His chosen ones to the PLACE from which they were scattered. We are now eyewitnesses of this great miracle that proves Yehovah’s covenant faithfulness. He is the promise keeping God!

I wrote in my book, Speak To The Dirt!, that God has no Plan B. The church did not replace Israel, we were adopted by the Father and added to the family. If God broke His promise to Israel then we have no logical basis to trust Him to keep His promises to Christians. Ah, but He has kept His Israel promise. He is restoring them to their land, their language, their scriptures, their God and their Messiah. Therefore we trust His promises to us.

Yay God! We are with you. Count us in. We rejoice in the true peace of Jerusalem. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists.     (READ MORE)


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Ninth of Av Explained

7 08 2019

Nazi Arabs boycott

Today’s BDS (boycott, sanction, divest) movement against Israel is nothing new. Here is a news article from 1937 in the build up to WWII. The same tactics are rising today from the same hateful demonic spirit against Jews and against God. This is not about “the West Bank, it is about the Jews and all of Israel. The Palestinian’s main goal is not a state, but the end of the Jewish state. Will the world allow history to repeat itself?

This coming Saturday evening in the Jewish calendar is the start of the ninth of Av, the date in Jewish history that many terrible events took place. Here is just a partial list:

  1. The ten spies with the evil report of the Land to Moses.
  2. Destruction of Solomon’s Temple 587 BC.
  3. Destruction of the Second Temple 70 AD.
  4. Romans crushing of the last Jewish revolt in 135 AD.
  5. Jews expelled from England 1290 AD
  6. Jews expelled from France 1306 AD.
  7. Jews expelled from Spain 1492 AD.
  8. Germany  entered WWI 1914 AD.
  9. Holocaust began (Final Solution) 1941 AD.
  10. Argentina Hezbollah bombing killed 85 in 1994 AD.
  11. Israel withdrawal from Gaza (and Hurricane Katrina began) 2005 AD.
  12. BDS movement (close to that date) in 2005 AD.

COINCIDENCE? Is that enough motivation for us to pray hard this weekend?

Pray especially this week for protection and peace for Jerusalem and for Jews everywhere, because the ninth of Av coincides with a Muslim holiday which often means trouble. Also, please continue to pray for rain in the time of latter rain. The verses below apply to this essay, as well as the terrible shooting in the U.S. recently.

My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. ​​He only is my rock and my salvation; ​​He is my defense; ​​I shall not be moved. ​​In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. ​​Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; ​​God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:5-8

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists          (Read more)

 

 


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“Spontaneous” Gaza riots cancelled for this week

5 08 2019

Gaza riots

This is a true story from our “You can’t make this stuff up” department.

The “spontaneous” Friday riots, where we are told that ordinary Gazans just go on their own to protest (usually) Israeli policies, are being cancelled this week.

The reason given by the National Authority for Return and Breaking the Siege, which was published in Hamas newspapers, is because it is the day before Eid al Adha and they wanted their rioters to have a chance to prepare for the holiday.

These riots have been going on every Friday for over a year with casualties on both sides. They are not spontaneous in any way. “Demonstrators” are brought to the area on busses. Even more horrible is the following United Nations finding:

United Nations: Hamas recruits children for terror activity – Special UN report states “children who work for terrorist organizations are exposed to high-level violence and exploitation.” The report detailed the various terrorist organizations which recruit children, including Hamas and Hezbollah. The report confirmed that children in Gaza and Judea and Samaria have been recruited by Islamic Jihad, Hamas and other terrorist groups.

Finally, last Friday a Nazi flag was raised at the Gaza riots. It was not the first time.

Hama swastikaFlag-1

At the weekly Hamas-led March of Return riots, protesters displayed their true nature when they unfurled a large flag with a Nazi Swastika. 

On Friday, approximately 6,000 angry rioters challenged the security fence protecting Israel’s southern border. The rioters used slings to hurl stones at IDF troops as well as firebombs and improvised explosive devices. The soldiers responded with non-lethal riot-dispersal means. the Algemeiner

Ironically, Hamas issued an English language statement opposing the flags. However, their reason was that it hurt their cause, not that they rejected Nazism. Also, that it was “exploited by the Israeli occupation to distort our struggle for freedom and independence.” Right. Hamas is in complete independent control of Gaza and they are responsible for the lack of freedom of their people. Their “struggle” for freedom refers to taking over all of Israel and the genocide of the Jews. It’s in the Hamas Charter.

For more on the Palestinian connection to Hitler, click on this picture.

Grand mufti mufti-SS

Haj Amin el-Husseini, better known as the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, with Nazi SS officers in November 1943. (Credit: German Federal Archives/JNS.)

They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. ​​They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” Psalm 83:4-5

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain in the right timing.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists               (Read more)


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Israel Defends America

29 07 2019

Dry Bones Israel in Alaska

This cartoon reminds me of a T-shirt I purchased on my first trip to Israel in 1984. It pictured an Israeli fighter jet with the caption: “Don’t worry America, Israel is behind you!”

Of course the U.S. is much more powerful than Israel’s military, but there is a real connection here that must not be overlooked. Even with our mighty power, we will fall as all the other world empires have fallen, if we ever turn our back on Israel.

The cartoon refers to last week’s successful test of the Arrow 3 missile system developed jointly by Israel and the U.S.

Netanyahu lauds joint operation, saying system successfully intercepted ballistic missiles in space “at unprecedented altitudes and speeds. … They were successful beyond any imagination. The Arrow 3 – with complete success – intercepted ballistic missiles beyond the atmosphere at unprecedented altitudes and speeds,” the premier said. Times of Israel

The back story to the name, Arrow, for the new system is interesting. When Eliezer ben Yehuda was resurrecting the Hebrew language in the last century, he was particularly challenged to find Biblical roots for modern words. So for “missile” he chose the Biblical root of the Hebrew word for “arrow.” Now it has come full circle that Israel’s newest missile is named “Arrow.” How cool is that?

There is a great book about the rebirth of Hebrew available free on the internet. It is call Tongue of the Prophets by Robert St. John. It is a biography of Eliezer ben Yehuda (1858-1922).

For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of Yehovah, to serve Him with one accord.

Sing, O daughter of Zion! ​​Shout, O Israel! ​​Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, ​​O daughter of Jerusalem! Yehovah has taken away your judgments, ​​He has cast out your enemy. ​​The King of Israel, Yehovah, is in your midst; ​​You shall see disaster no more. ​​In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ​​“Do not fear; ​​Zion, let not your hands be weak. ​​Yehovah your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; ​​He will rejoice over you with gladness, ​​He will quiet you with His love, ​​He will rejoice over you with singing. I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, who are among you, ​​To whom its reproach is a burden. ​​Behold, at that time ​​I will deal with all who afflict you; ​​I will save the lame, and gather those who were driven out; ​​I will appoint them for praise and fame ​​in every land where they were put to shame. ​​At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes,” says Yehovah. Zephaniah 3:9 & 14-20

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain in the time of latter rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                (Read more)

(Why  do I use God’s literal covenant Name: Yehovah? Here is a link to the best simple explanation I know, from my friend, Keith Johnson. Also, here is a link to my book which explains it in detail, The Hebrew God Who Has No Name.)


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Moses, Netanyahu, and the Rebellion of Korah

25 07 2019

MosesIs there a similarity between Moses and Prime Minister Netanyahu, and for that matter also President Trump? There is an intriguing article in this month’s Israel Today Magazine, an Israeli Messianic based publication.

Korah and his clan recently made headlines in the Israeli media, and not just because of the weekly Torah portion. Korah’s rebellion against Moses is regarded as the first political opposition in the Bible. It is now being compared with the almost obsessive opposition to Israel’s current national leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. “Anyone but Moses” was the rallying cry at that time. Today, it’s “Anyone but Bibi.” Israel Today

The conflict in politics today in the U.S. and in Israel is closer than you may think to the rebellion in Moses’ day. First, a disclaimer: We do not agree with every decision of the PM or of Israel. They make wrong-headed decisions just like anyone else. However, let’s look at the real issue of Korah’s objection to the leadership of Moses.

Korah made a simple “democratic” point. To paraphrase verse 13: “Who died and made you king?” His contention was that everybody is equal and he accused Moses of exalting himself above the people. Was Korah correct?

Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and Yehovah is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of Yehovah?” Numbers 16:1-3

Notice that the 250 leaders were “representatives of the congregation,” sort of like Congress? But the point is that they rejected the legitimacy of Moses and Aaron. So the only question is simple. Did Moses exalt himself or was he placed there by the Almighty Yehovah God? In their case it was settled overnight. Unfortunately, today it takes accusation, litigation, investigation and then it is finally settled by an election. Here is the rest of the story.

And Moses said: “By this you shall know that Yehovah has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then Yehovah has not sent me. But if Yehovah creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected Yehovah.”

Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. Numbers 16:28-33

I dare you to read all of Numbers 16 with a heart open to the Holy Spirit and open to the God who is holy.

Are Netanyahu and Trump better than other men? NO! Are they raised up to their places by the hand of Yehovah? Yes. If true, then watch God defend them and deal with their enemies.

One more disclaimer: I could be wrong. But it will become clear soon. In the meantime, I pray for both leaders and both nations that evil principalities will be bound and their evil plots be exposed for all to see. I pray this in the mighty name of Yeshua ben Yehovah, Jesus, the Son of God.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists              (Read more)

 

 


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