Netanyahu Addresses Congress

27 02 2015

We are fast approaching an existential deadline for Israel regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Next Tuesday the Prime Minister of Israel speaks to a joint session of Congress. Incredibly, some Democrats and Vice President Biden are boycotting the speech for petty partisan politics. George Will on Obama and Bibi: “We have a community organizer dealing with a commando; they’re not on the same wavelength”

There is time to take action. Please contact you Senators and Representatives. Appeal to them to consider seriously the case made by Netanyahu. Israel’s very existence is at stake. Ignore the political hype and divisive threats from the White House. Act now! This is a critical time for the U.S. as well as Israel.

Please read the following appeal from a Floridian and then watch the short video of Senator Rubio clearly declaring the issue.

Dear Friends,

Set aside 20 minutes to watch Senator Rubio on the floor of the Senate, pleading with his peers on behalf of Israel. The link is below. Whatever your political persuasion, please, please take the time to contact the senators and representatives for your areas and request they not boycott Bibi Netanyahu’s speech which is to be March 3rd before both houses of congress. There is still some time to do this. Maybe I feel the urgency because I see the faces of the Holocaust survivors all around me where I live and recall how the world stood by while millions perished or were tortured. The synagogue near where I live has it’s own holocaust memorial for the many holocaust survivors who attended there. I think of the growing anti-Semitism in the world and hear Bib’s words to my Jewish people who are still being persecuted to come home to their land. They are welcome there. This is no small thing and I am thankful for the passion of people like Senator Rubio who is not Jewish but understands the seriousness of what is happening. Again, please take the time to make your voice heard in this matter. It is interesting that Netanyahu’s address to Congress will be given the day before Purim starts, which celebrates the failure of an attempt to wipe out the Jews of Persia (modern day Iran) in 721 BC. Some things never change.

Please forward if you can so others may join in this effort and never forget the power of prayer.
http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4527881/senator-marco-rubio-us-foreign-policy
If you need a little more background on the issue please read these articles:

Off the Deep End?

New Tensions Erupt

Netanyahu Furious

Poll: Israeli’s Don’t Trust Obama on Iran Nukes

Pray for truth to triumph next Tuesday at Congress!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)
 

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Tags: Elisha Vision, Israel, Jerusalem, Middle East, Netanyahu
Categories : Israel Commentary

Back from Israel

23 02 2015

This wall in Megiddo has stood for over 3,000 years. It was part of the northern Israel palace of King Solomon. Israel itself is still standing after 3,000 years. Our trip was a joyous discovery of the foundations of the land and the people who Yehovah God chose as His own. We saw with our own eyes the incredible restoration and even resurrection of Israel. Only one hundred years ago it was a desolate “God-forsaken” desert land, as witnessed by Mark Twain in Innocents Abroad. This was the result of 400 years of Muslim Ottoman Turk rule where they even taxed trees, leading to the deforestation of the land. Since the Ottoman defeat in WWI, Jews have planted over 240 million trees. Today Israel again shows signs of the Garden of Eden.

We prayed and proclaimed Yehovah’s purpose everywhere we traveled, from the coast to the Golan and Mt. Hermon, where we played in the snow. We worshiped on the Jesus boat on the Sea of Galilee and held a Mikvah (baptism) as the “preparation of the bride”. We even visited the site where John the Baptist immersed Yeshua, the necessary “preparation of the bridegroom”.

We saw Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We ascended Masada and walked down the Roman ramp. We rode camels in a Bedouin camp, visited Abraham’s well in old Beersheva, and even picked up smooth stones in the stream near David’s victory over Goliath.

Our four days in Jerusalem had too many highlights to list here, but walking on the Temple Mount was unforgettable. We were harassed by Muslims somewhat, but understood the significance of the holy location for Jews and Christians. The Dome of the Rock now dominates the skyline, but check out this scale model of the Temple compared to the scale model of the Dome. What a wonder of the world the Temple would have been.

We read Psalm 133 on Mt Hermon as a declaration of God’s purpose today to bless Israel and Zion with life forever!

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there Yehovah commanded the blessing—Life forevermore. Psalm 133

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

(I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah! (for deeper study click here.)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Elisha Vision, Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Commander of the Straw Man Army

6 02 2015

President Obama is adept at using a “straw man” to shift an argument, from the real issue to one he can easily refute. It is a form of sleight of hand. He has made an international incident over the invitation for Israel’s Prime Minister to address a joint session of Congress on March 3.

A straw man is a common type of argument and is an informal fallacy based on the misrepresentation of an opponent’s argument. To be successful, a straw man argument requires that the audience be ignorant or uninformed of the original argument. The so-called typical “attacking a straw man” argument creates the illusion of having completely refuted or defeated an opponent’s proposition by covertly replacing it with a different proposition (i.e., “stand up a straw man”) and then to refute or defeat that false argument (“knock down a straw man”) instead of the original proposition. Wikipedia

Perhaps my thoughts will inspire someone to produce an analysis of the President’s use of the straw man. Today I want to use the example of PM Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. Speaker Boehner is accused of some horrific “breach of protocol” for inviting the PM without informing the White House. Even if conceding a breach occurred, it certainly did not rise to the level of an international incident (which the President has created). Leaving aside the contentious relationship the President has developed with our closest Middle East ally, there is a simple answer to why he chose this battle at this time.

It is not about protocol. It’s about Iran. The US is forcing a bad agreement that will allow Iran to still end up with nuclear weapons. This threatens the very existence of Israel. Netanyahu will make the case to Congress. Given their recent advances in ICBM technology, now the US is in range.

Congress wants to vote more sanctions against Iran. The Democrats want to postpone the vote till after the negotiations on March 24. The President does not want Congress or the American people to hear the Israeli objections till after the deal is done.

A second straw man was also used. The President says the speech is too close too Israel’s elections. Yet, the National Field Director of the President’s 2012 re-election campaign is now working for the Israeli opposition, in an effort to unseat Prime Minister Netanyahu. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Top Obama Aid Working to Defeat Israeli Right

President Obama, VP Biden and Secretary Kerry all refuse to even meet with the Prime Minister while he is in Washington. Now, Vice President Biden will not even attend the speech, because “The Vice President’s office expects that the vice president will be traveling abroad during the joint session of Congress,” a US official said.

UPDATE! Biden Meets Herzog in Munich A day after announcing he would boycott PM Netanyahu’s speech, Vice President Joe Biden met Israeli opposition leader MK Yitzhak Herzog in Munich. Not influencing the election???

Finally, there is a growing boycott of the speech by Democrats. What in the world is going on with this Administration? Is the Democratic Party turning against Israel?

Dems confront Israel, raising Netanyahu speech stakes

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. In that day,” says Yehovah, “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Yehovah of hosts, their God.’ In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a fire-pan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:2-6

Is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “fiery torch”?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Congress, Iran, President Obama, Pro Israel, Prophecy, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Israel, Here We Come!

2 02 2015

Doreen and I are so excited to bring a small group of 14 to Israel for our 2015 Tour next week! I hope to post updates while we are there. If I am not able to post on this blog, I will try to use Twitter for an occasional Tweet of our progress. You can follow me on Twitter at this address: @TNCLes

We plan to “prophesy to the Land” according to Ezekiel 36, and my first book.

We also plan to visit the Garden Tomb and Golgotha. Please see the updated press release at the “Golgotha” tab on the menu bar above this blog.

Your prayers will be appreciated as we travel throughout the glorious Land of Promise!

For Yehovah has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home. “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired. I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food. I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy. Here I will increase the power of David; my anointed one will be a light for my people. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but he will be a glorious king.” Psalm 132: 13-18 NLT

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Golgotha, Golgotha Foundation, Israel, Jerusalem, Prophecy
Categories : Israel Commentary

Jesus in the Middle

30 01 2015

2011-10-21_12-40-43_148 I was inspired this week by the teaching of Ed Silvoso on Jesus’ promise to be in our midst with two or three. I used to think of that as a convenient excuse for having a small church. It was used somewhat apologetically. “We may only have a few here tonight, but at least Jesus showed up.”

However, I ask you: When are your greatest experiences of church?For me, most of the best have come in the smaller groups. In fact, you could make a case that the more people gathered, the less true church fellowship, communion and connection to God.

Of course it is wonderful to worship with thousands in one accord, but you don’t really have much personal “church”. Let me put it another way. If you had to choose between being at the feeding of the five thousand or having lunch with Jesus and a few disciples, which would you choose?

We need large meetings for teaching and encouragement. Jesus did it. But the real shared life comes with intimacy. The good news is that we don’t have to choose, we can have both. Just make sure you know the difference. My guess is that most Christians are completely missing the best part.

Two or three is not some inadequate minimum or quorum for Jesus to show up. It the optimum situation that Jesus is longing for: real intimacy in fellowship and love with us! He especially loves those times.

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, church fellowship, Elisha Vision, Jesus, Les Lawrence, LOVE
Categories : Israel Commentary

Jesus is a Jew

27 01 2015

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day January 27, 2015. Please take at least a moment to remember all those who perished at the hands of the Hitler death machine. Six million Jews and at least five million others were murdered. Yet, God will redeem and has redeemed their suffering as recorded in Psalm 102 (see below).

Yad Vashem, the Jerusalem Holocaust Museum now has an exhibit by Jewish artist Moshe Hoffman that must be seen. It is the picture above this article. His message is profound for Jews and Christian alike. Jesus was a Jew. If Jesus had lived His earthly life during World War II in Europe, Hitler would have dragged Him down off the cross and taken Jesus to the gas chamber and incineration furnace. Jesus was a Jew. He is still a Jew. Christians believe He is the Messiah and is coming soon. When He comes, He will still be a Jew. He is the seed of David of the tribe of Judah.

Please take a moment to meditate on the first half of Psalm 102, the Holocaust Psalm:

A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Yehovah.

1 Hear my prayer, O Yehovah,

And let my cry come to You.

2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;

Incline Your ear to me;

In the day that I call, answer me speedily.

3 For my days are consumed like smoke,

And my bones are burned like a hearth.

4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass,

So that I forget to eat my bread.

5 Because of the sound of my groaning

My bones cling to my skin.

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness;

I am like an owl of the desert.

7 I lie awake,

And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.

8 My enemies reproach me all day long;

Those who deride me swear an oath against me.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread,

And mingled my drink with weeping,

10 Because of Your indignation and Your wrath;

For You have lifted me up and cast me away.

11 My days are like a shadow that lengthens,

And I wither away like grass.

12 But You, O Yehovah, shall endure forever,

And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion;

For the time to favor her,

Yes, the set time, has come.

14 For Your servants take pleasure in her stones,

And show favor to her dust.

15 So the nations shall fear the name of Yehovah,

And all the kings of the earth Your glory.

16 For Yehovah shall build up Zion;

He shall appear in His glory.

17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute,

And shall not despise their prayer.

18 This will be written for the generation to come,

That a people yet to be created may praise Yehovah.

The correct Hebrew translation of “generation to come” is actually “generation last”, which is the title of my second book. We are the generation that can understand Psalm 102. Selah!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Elisha Vision, Holocaust, Israel, Jesus, Prophecy, Psalm 102
Categories : Israel Commentary

Eyes to See

23 01 2015

What in the world is God doing? Or, more exactly: What is God doing in the world? Can we expect to see from His perspective. Is it possible to see His Hand in the affairs of men? Or are we blinded to His actions?

Today I want to explain why my heart burns for God’s people to have their eyes and ears opened to see and hear what He is doing. I am not speaking of life after death, but being spiritually alive in a world that is dying.

Why do I blog and do video updates every week? The answer is in the name of our ministry: Elisha Vision Ministries. This blog is called Elisha Vision Commentary. My YouTube video is Issachar Forum, but it is under the name of “Elishasees”. I lead a meeting at a local restaurant every Sunday night called: Issachar Forum: A Prophetic Think Tank. But it is all about “seeing”. And it is based directly on the Biblical account of Elisha, his servant, and the Syrian Army.

The Syrian King’s attacks on Israel were known ahead of time and he learned that Elisha was telling Israel where the Syrians would attack. So the King sent his army to capture Elisha. When Elisha’s servant saw them he was afraid until Elisha prayed for his eyes to open:

So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Yehovah, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then Yehovah opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:16-17

This is why I am in ministry. My prayer is for God to open our eyes to see His mighty Hand in the affairs of men. Do not look down in fear and discouragement. Look up to Yehovah God and His Son, Yeshua ben Yehovah. We have read the end of the Book, and we win! If we see the world through God’s eyes and take our stand with Jesus, we will see the victory. God is the one who sees “the end from the beginning”. Don’t get caught in these last days with blind eyes. I pray God will open your eyes and your ears to His purpose in every situation. Shalom, shalom!

”Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ “ Isaiah 46:9-10

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Elisha Vision, Eyes to See, Israel, Jesus, Yehovah, Yeshua ben Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Israel Attacks Hezbollah in Syria

20 01 2015

While You were Watching Football

Israel Attacks Hezbollah in Syria

While America was watching football last Sunday, Israel hit two vehicles on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights in northern Israel. The implication could be grave for the Middle East. It could be the spark that detonates the Psalm 83 War. But there are four aspects to this event of particular interest.

1. First, Hezbollah claims they are not in the Golan Heights at all. Yet, one of their top commanders died, along with several members. You have heard little, if any, news of this attack on Western media because of football and the US President’s State of the Union speech calling for taxes on the rich to create more entitlement program giveaways.

2. Second, a very senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard General was also killed with several of his men. What were they doing on the Israeli border? Some reports suggest they were working on a missile launch site. A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a strike on Hezbollah

3. Third, “An Israeli security official said on Tuesday that an alleged Israeli helicopter missile strike on the Syrian side of the Golan earlier this week that killed a top Iranian general was aimed at what was believed to be a caravan of low-ranking Hezbollah fighters.” Why would Israel say that? They are trying to defuse the inevitable response from Hezbollah and Iran.

4. Fourth, the plot thickens: Amid Rising Tensions, IDF Closes Roads Along Lebanon Border : “Tanks join Iron Dome batteries along Israel’s northern border, following airstrike which killed senior Hezbollah, Iranian commanders.” The threat is so serious that the IDF has closed roads, sent Iron Dome (defensive missile) batteries along with IDF tanks. Time to PRAY!

But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; No one shall make him afraid. Jeremiah 46:27

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, Christian Zionist, Golan Heights, Hezbollah, Israel, Psalm 83 War, Syria
Categories : Israel Commentary

Duke University Debacle

15 01 2015

Debacle:[dey-bah-kuhl ] – noun

a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout:

a complete collapse or failure.

Breaking news this week at Duke University, Durham, NC

Muslim call to prayer to sound at Duke University

UPDATE! Just as I posted this commentary, it was announced that Duke has rescinded its decision. Praise God for this, but you may still see a need for prayer in the explanation here in this article.

A Muslim call to prayer will now sound from the Duke Chapel Bell Tower every Friday for three minutes at 1 pm. This has become a national story because of last week’s Paris radical Muslim massacre of cartoonists who had “offended the prophet.” I offer this background data for awakened Christians desiring prayer points with a punch.

There is a part of the story I have not heard anywhere else. This decision by Duke is a direct contradiction with their historic stated reason to exist as an institution. While the official sanctioning of a religious activity may land them in legal trouble, my interest is the departure from the Christian mandate of Duke University. Let’s compare the 1924 version with the 2014 version of Duke’s aims according to the official by-laws.

Here is the complete 1924 version: (Emphasis mine)

“The aims of Duke University are to assert a faith in the eternal union of knowledge and religion set forth in the teachings and character of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; to advance learning in all lines of truth; to defend scholarship against all false notions and ideals; to develop a Christian love of freedom and truth; to promote a sincere spirit of tolerance; to discourage all partisan and sectarian strife; and to render the largest permanent service to the individual, the state, the nation, and the church. Unto these ends shall the affairs of this University always be administered.”

Here is the complete 2014 version: (Emphasis mine)

The aims of Duke University (the “University”) were originally set forth in a statement that President John C. Kilgo wrote for Trinity College in 1903. Kilgo’s statement, which grounded the University’s purposes in the Christian tradition of intellectual inquiry and service to the world, was adapted for Duke University upon its establishment in 1924. Recognizing its origin in this tradition, its continuing relationship to The United Methodist Church, and the diverse constituency that has developed since its founding, the University is committed to creating a rigorous scholarly community characterized by generous hospitality towards diverse religious and cultural traditions. The University therefore pursues the following aims: to foster a lively relationship between knowledge and faith; to advance learning in all lines of truth; to defend scholarship against all false notions and ideals; to develop a love of freedom and truth; to promote a respectful spirit of dialogue and understanding; to discourage all partisan and sectarian strife; and to further the advancement of knowledge in service to society. The affairs of the university will always be guided by these ends.

So, they have eliminated Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in favor of diverse religious and cultural traditions. Therefore, we should not be shocked by the welcome for the Muslim declaration of faith every Friday blasting over the campus.

If you need more clarity, just look at the actual words in the Islamic call to “prayer.” It is nothing less than Muslim evangelism.

(I remind you that I don’t speak the name of the god of Islam because of four Scripture verses [see below]. However, in this case you need to know they do not say “god is greatest”, but specifically use the personal and unique name of their god. Therefore I make the translation to read as they say it. It is a deadly error to insert the generic “god” in place of the name. Millions of Muslims consider it blasphemy for Christians to say that name.)

Here is a translation of the main part of the Muslim call, the Adhan: “Allah is Greatest. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah. Come to pray. Come to success. Allah is Greatest. There is no deity except for Allah.”

Duke University has fallen from saying that Jesus is the Son of God to now proclaiming publicly that there is no god except for the god of Islam.

Since the Bible many times refers to Yehovah as the Father, and the Koran adamantly denies that their god is a Father, we are clearly talking about two different deities. Derek Prince taught that if Jesus is a Prophet, then Mohammed is a false prophet. Now let me close with pertinent Scriptures.

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know? (Proverbs 30:4)

And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth. (Exodus 23:13).

You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to Yehovah your God, as you have done to this day. (Joshua 23:7).

Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take up their names on my lips. (Psalm 16:4).

For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, and they shall be remembered by their name no more. (Hosea 2:17).

Pray that Duke University will repent and return to her Biblical foundations!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Duke University, Jesus, Radical Islam, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

The Attack on Civility

13 01 2015

ci·vil·i·ty : noun \sə-ˈvi-lə-tē\

polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior

a : civilized conduct; especially : courtesy, politeness

b : a polite act or expression

bar·ba·rous : adjective \ˈbär-b(ə-)rəs\

a: not polite or proper : very rude or offensive

b: very cruel and violent

Synonyms: atrocious, barbaric, cruel, brutal, brute, butchery, fiendish, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton

Antonyms: benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tender-hearted

Who was the first barbarian? I submit to you that Cain was the first barbarian.

And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. Genesis 4:10-11

Chicken or egg? Contrary to revisionist history, I believe God created Adam and Eve as civilized beings. The first murder was the birth of barbarism. Cain refused the civil order instituted by God. I answer the age-old question of which came first, chicken or egg, very simply. God created the creatures and then ordered them to multiply.

Today we watch as barbarians try to take over the world. This is not a clash of civilizations, it is a clash of civilization and barbarity, order and disorder, law and lawlessness. Two reports in today’s headlines show the utter depravity that has befallen this generation:

‘Russian Spies’ Executed by Child Soldier in Shocking ISIS Video (story only, video not shown)

More Young Teenage Girl Suicide Bombers in Nigeria (one or more of these girls may be from the 200+ Boko Haram captives from 2014)

If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win. Thomas Sowell

An article on Daniel Pipes Middle East Forum made this point as early as 2007:

It’s Not a Clash of Civilizations, It’s a Clash between the Civilized World and Barbarians

So my point is that we must awaken to true definitions, not only to name the main source of barbaric behavior as radical Islam, but also to define the big picture. This really is good vs. evil. It is a cosmic level fight that will not be won only in physical battles, but must see final triumph of righteousness. Truth is not relative: “your truth and my truth.” Truth is absolute. Our founding fathers understood this and conveyed it clearly 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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

Two phrases are particularly powerful here. These truths are “self-evident” and they are “endowed by their Creator.” These are absolute truths, above discussion or modification. To deny these points would be to reject civility and choose barbarism and lawlessness.

Civilization depends on mutual agreement and recognition of universal truth, the self-evident obvious observance of absolutes. Most of such truths are recorded in the Judeo/Christian Scriptures. But not only the reading, but the practice of these principles has yielded the progress of civilization. Those nations and Peoples who have followed this heritage have prospered. Those who reject this truth suffer national consequences. Even those who earlier believe and then suspend the practice of the same will equally suffer the dire effects.

These truths have been endowed (gifted) to us by the God of the Bible. He has established order, and we reap the benefits of his benevolence. If pagan faith believes that cows and rats are gods, there will be no meat and the rats infest the granaries. Famine results. It matters what you believe.

Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,

Whose mouth speaks lying words,

And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—

That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;

That our daughters may be as pillars,

Sculptured in palace style;

That our barns may be full,

Supplying all kinds of produce;

That our sheep may bring forth thousands

And ten thousands in our fields;

That our oxen may be well laden;

That there be no breaking in or going out;

That there be no outcry in our streets.

Happy are the people who are in such a state;

Happy are the people whose God is Yehovah! Psalm 144:11-15

Yehovah brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of Yehovah stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is Yehovah, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalm 33:10-12

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, Barbarians, Christian Zionist, Civility, Radical Islam, Truth, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

God of the Possible

10 01 2015

Here is a recent devotional from Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham Lotz.

Change Is Possible

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

Psalm 63:3, NKJV

No means of measure can define God’s limitless love . . .

No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply . . .

No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings . . .

He forgives and He forgets.

He creates and He cleanses.

He restores and He rebuilds.

He heals and He helps.

He reconciles and He redeems.

He comforts and He carries.

He lifts and He loves.

He is the God of the second chance, the fat chance, the slim chance . . .

Just give me Jesus! He makes change possible!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz (Angel Ministries)

I love this! And there is one more dimension to her closing: “He is the God of the second chance, the fat chance, the slim chance . . .” Our God is also the God of no chance!

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Anne Graham Lotz, Attack, forgiveness, Jerusalem, Jesus, LOVE, nothing is impossible
Categories : Israel Commentary

Red Sea Sunrise

5 01 2015

Turquoise water — tan sand — and a tangerine sun! It was without question one of the most beautiful and indescribable sights of my 45 years. Words fail to adequately portray the splendor on that exquisite shore of the timeless Red Sea. My friend, Duane Trochessett, and I had just come from Jerusalem in January 1990. We had participated in the most powerful prayer conference we had ever attended. After speaking to a congregation in Tiberias on Shabbat, Israel’s Sabbath, we traversed Israel from Galilee in the North, to the southernmost Israeli seaport of Eilat. This modern city is located at the northern tip of the Red Sea. From there, we endured a rickety Egyptian public bus ride five hours further south through the Sinai Peninsula to a spot near its southernmost point. We lugged a two-man tent with us, which we pitched on a deserted stretch of Red Sea beach, a few miles north of Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

We heard that the Red Sea had some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world along these shores and we were not disappointed. We walked up the pristine beach two or three miles, seeing no one else and feeling alone in the world. We then drifted and snorkeled, swimming with the current back to our tent location among picturesque rocks on the tan beach. The underwater beauty of the Red Sea had never occurred to me before. The Bible does not refer to it, except for Pharaoh’s chariots and army ending up there.

Our greatest sight occurred the next morning at first light. The setting was already surreal; just being in such an exotic location at a time of personal renewal with God. We opened the flap on our eastward facing tent and were stunned with the view. Rising out of the turquoise sea was the largest sun we had ever seen, almost close enough to touch. It was the most incredible shade of color; the closest I can come is tangerine! It was perfectly round as it rose on the horizon, resurrecting out of the water. The lack of pollution in the cloudless blue sky eliminated the sun’s rays, making the stark contrast more amazing between that brilliant reddish-orange sun, the blue sky and the turquoise sea. The only slight comparison I can make, is to the occasional beautiful orange harvest moon I have seen a few times in New England. But this was the sun, a thousand times deeper in that surreal tangerine color, and a million times more radiant! Duane and I worshipped the Creator on that beach in a depth of personal connection with Him unlike any previous experience. We were not worshipping the creation, but the One Who had created. As you read this book, please try to rise above the history and logic of the words to see the God of the Bible Who is the Faithful God of history. Modern Israel has risen out of the sea of nations like that tangerine sun. (Excerpt from the Introduction to my first book: Prophesy To The Land!)

Pray for the complete restoration of Israel.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Elisha Vision, Israel, Jerusalem, Red Sea
Categories : Israel Commentary

Psalm 83 Answer to Prayer

29 12 2014

For years I have proclaimed the truth of the Psalm 83 War. The first section of the Psalm describes the circumstances leading up to the war, which we can see is now the case in real-time. This is the next war in Israel and the countries attacking are specifically named in middle third of the Psalm. This war is distinct from the Gog and Magog War of Ezekiel 38-39 which also names countries involved. These two lists are of different countries with no overlapping. These are two separate wars. Once you grasp the difference it will settle the issue very easily. Another difference is that Ezekiel says Israel is living in peace in un-walled villages at the time of that invasion, which is certainly not true today.

“You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’— “to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations,” Ezekiel 38:11-12

So what is the answer to prayer from Psalm 83? You will find it in the last third of the Psalm.

Deal with them as with Midian,

As with Sisera,

As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon,

Who perished at En Dor,

Who became as refuse on the earth.

Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb,

Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

Who said, “Let us take for ourselves

The pastures of God for a possession.” Psalm 83:9-12

The prayer request was simple, that God would deal with Israel’s enemies the same way He did with the Midianites in Gideon’s victory. Yehovah God caused the enemy of 135,000 soldiers to fight and kill each other till they were routed by only 300 men of Israel.

This is exactly what is happening today in the Middle East. Shia fight Sunni, Egyptian against Egyptian (Isaiah 19), civil war in Syria and Yemen, and of course the ISIS barbarians in Iraq and Syria.

ISIS executes 100 of its own foreign fighters

ISIS executes “Extremist members plotting rebellion”

Therefore, we must live the lesson of Gideon. This battle will be won, not by our might or power, but God Himself will fight for Israel. We must pray to Him for the victory. He is the victory!

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, ISIS, Israel, Jerusalem, Prophecy, Psalm 83 War, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Why Christmas? or, I Feel Your Pain

23 12 2014

This is a well-worn cliché, but allow me to expand the concept to its maximum meaning. There is no pain known to man compared to this pain. Physical pain in a workout or a sport doesn’t register. Sickness, psychosis, famine, war and even death are each experienced singly by each of us. But imagine taking all that pain, heartbreak and death and then internalize it into just one person who literally feels all of that pain at one time.

Now you begin to grasp what it was for Yehovah God Himself to be formed in the human body of a Jewish carpenter. But not as an adult, rather starting miraculously, supernaturally as a tiny totally Divine sperm uniting with the egg of a natural young Jewish woman. This tiny union then kept dividing and growing and multiplying cells for nine months inside a vulnerable womb. It has always amazed me that this Messiah, both God and man, was birthed through the normal birth canal process of any human. This was complete with the blood and the water and the pain, and then the utter dependence of a new-born infant. (This is known as the incarnation, God in flesh.) Thirty years would pass before the full purpose of His visitation would begin. Then after only three more years or so it would end, or more precisely, it would be finished!

Yeshua haMeshiach, Jesus the Messiah, came with a purpose. It was not His purpose, but the Father’s. He came to reveal the Father, Yehovah. He said: “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

So, when Jesus died on the cross, He then felt the ultimate pain as He literally experienced our sins and sicknesses in His own human body. He submitted to His eternal place in God’s Plan, that Jesus would take all of our pain and sin on Himself, as the sacrificial LAMB OF GOD. He defeated not only death, but sickness and pain for all eternity for every single person on this planet who looks to Him for salvation.

So the next time you hear someone say they feel your pain, lift up your eyes and heart to the ONE who truly bore all of it for you and for me. Praise God. Thank you Jesus!

(I just quoted one verse from John 14 please read the rest at this link.)

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: God became man, incarnation, Jesus, LOVE, Yehovah, Yeshua ben Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Why Hanukkah?

16 12 2014

Hanukkah begins today at sundown. Why should this be of interest to Christian Zionists? Protestant Christian tradition usually says the 400 years between the Old and New Testament are the “Silent Years”. That is a shame because the entire account of the Maccabees happened during that period. Whether you believe their story is Scripture does not eliminate the historical value of the documents. Did you know Jesus went to Jerusalem during Hanukkah just a few months before His death and resurrection?

Now it was the Feast of Dedication, and it was winter. John 10:22

Most people relate Hanukkah to the miracle eight-day supply of oil for the Temple menorah, but the reason for the season was the re-dedication of the Temple after the victory over the Greeks. That is where the real name came from. When Jesus was there that year, He had just earlier proclaimed Himself as the Light of the World during the Feast of Tabernacles. His full Hebrew name is Yeshua ben Yehovah. Here is an excerpt from my book, Generation LIGHT:

Jesus and Hanukkah

There was a moment in the life of Jesus when He sent his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem for one of the feasts. This period of ministry is found in John’s Gospel, chapters 7-10. After they had gone up, He also went up, but secretly. This was for the Feast of Tabernacles. This particular year was His last during His earthly ministry. He apparently stayed and ministered in the Jerusalem area from the Fall Feast all the way to winter. The next Passover would be His last. John 7:2 identifies Tabernacles as the beginning of His last autumn visit to Jerusalem, and John 10:22 reveals the extent of His stay.

There is good evidence that Jesus went up to the temple in Jerusalem for the three major feasts of Yehovah every year. These feasts (from Leviticus 23) are still observed today in Jerusalem. They are not called the Feasts of Israel or the Feasts of the Jews. They are the Feasts of the LORD (Yehovah). Passover is in the spring, Pentecost (or Shavuot) in the summer and Tabernacles in the fall. Jesus went up to these feasts in peril of His life which is validated in the first few verses of John chapter seven. Indeed, it would be the Feast of Passover, the following spring when Jesus would be crucified. This was not hidden from Jesus; He knew the times and He knew the appointed time. So it is no small thing that He chose to go up to the Feast of Dedication.

It is very meaningful that He stayed for the Feast of Dedication, the one we now call Hanukkah. While it does not elevate that feast to the level of the prescribed Feasts of Yehovah, it does lend credibility to Hanukkah. Why is this timing interesting? Throughout this two or three month period there was a particular recurring theme of Jesus’ ministry. Over and over He had declared Himself to be the Light of the world.

Yes, it was Hanukkah that was observed at this particular point in Jesus’ ministry. This feast is also called the Festival of Lights, because of the story in the Book of Maccabees when the temple was saved from destruction, dedicated after being defiled and the miracle of the oil occurred. The proclamation kept ringing in the ears of the Jews as they prepared to celebrate once again the miracle of light, an event that had occurred only some 200 years earlier. At the dedication, although there was only enough oil for the temple menorah for one day, it lasted eight days until more oil could be sanctified for temple use. This explains why a normal menorah has seven candles while the Hanukkah candelabrum (called a Chanakiah) holds nine candles. Eight candles represent the eight days it took to sanctify the temple. The ninth is the servant candle and is used to light the other eight. One of the eight is lit the first night and then one and two the second night, and so on until all eight are lit on the eighth night. Christians recognize the servant candle as Jesus. The ninth candle is the source of the light. It is no stretch to see this ninth candle as Jesus the servant and source of all Light.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

My wife, Doreen, has published a children’s book telling the story of the Festival of Lights in the context of two young friends, one Jewish and one Christian. How Hanukkah Saved Christmas makes the point that if Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed during the time of the Maccabees, Jesus could not have literally fulfilled many

prophesies. If the Jews had been utterly destroyed there could have been no legitimate King to reign on David’s throne. Only a Jew, a true descendant of David could be the Messiah King. Jesus fulfilled that requirement. If the temple had been destroyed, Jesus could not have entered the Temple as the Messiah must, and Jesus could not have entered Jerusalem on a colt as declared in Zechariah 9:9. We must be truly thankful to God and celebrate the courage of the Maccabees.

It was during the Feast of Tabernacles that year leading up to this unique Hanukkah Feast (according to John 10:22) when Jesus stood and gloriously proclaimed twice that He was the Light of the World.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” John 8:12

“I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” John 9:4-5

This is one of many claims that sounded clearly like blasphemy to the Pharisees. Every time Jesus claimed attributes of Deity, it further convinced the Pharisees of His guilt and their obligation to kill Him. Even today, we must come to grips with this seemingly outrageous claim. Jesus was either the most egotistical liar ever, or He actually is the Light of the world!

Happy Hanukkah! (however you want to spell it.)

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Hanukkah, Jerusalem, Jesus, Middle East, Yehovah, Yeshua ben Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

I Am a Wealthy Man

9 12 2014

Today I will proclaim the abundance of my faithful God. I am a wealthy man. My bank account is modest, but my cup runs over with the abounding grace of Jesus. My Dad’s family was following a false god in the 1920’s when he was saved and charted a new path for himself and now three subsequent generations. I was raised to know Jesus from birth as have my children and grandchildren. In each one of them I see the light of Jesus.

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly. Proverbs 13:22

My father and also Doreen’s father left us indescribable spiritual wealth. It was the best inheritance one could receive. We live by faith for our finances, but walk in daily peace and security of our salvation. If you did not have believing parents, I encourage you to chart that new path for your future generations. Each of our three daughters show the faith of Jesus in their own life and family. Our youngest daughter, Andrea Updyke, expresses her faith in words that often make me envious (in a good way). Here is her latest offering from her popular blog.

Joy has risen. Hope has come.

December 9, 2014 by Andrea

The other day I was feeling particularly whiny. I couldn’t really put my finger on it, but as I talked through some things with Jerry, I realized that I just needed to let some air out of the tires, so to speak. It’s the holiday season, which I fully embrace, but it can be full of opportunities for stress. And not just because of the ever-present gift buying and over scheduling.

There’s a darker side of the holiday season that forces us to see the bad things, the loss, and those who are hurting. It’s hard to see those things in the face of all the jolly music and happy themes, but they are still there whether we take the time to see them or not. I have been there and in those difficult times and all I wanted was to be seen and heard by people. But I realized that what I really needed to do was focus on God’s promises to me. He never promised me a life of justice and ease. But he did promise to love me, to be the hope and joy that I couldn’t find in this world.

Angry and forgotten, I would cry myself to sleep wondering what I had done wrong, asking why me? But in this searching for why me, I lost the meaning. Instead of saying, “why are these things happening to me?” I realized the real question was, “why does God care about even the smallest joys in my life?” Because He did. And he does. And it’s not just the joys in my own life. It’s all joy. He is joy. We just need the eyes to see it.

Joy has risen. Hope HAS come.

I spend a lot of my life on the internet. It’s where I do my job, where I socialize, and where I learn. And I have some pretty hard and fast rules for the way I behave. Looking through my feeds, my content may seem pretty light and silly. That is entirely by design. It doesn’t mean I don’t hurt or think about hard things. But when I contribute to the noise, I want to lift people up, not tear them down. Not out of some self-righteous mission, but because my joy, my hope has come and that is what I want to focus on. When I’ve had a bad day at work or the kids are fighting or I get some really bad news, or someone says something hurtful to me, I have to guard my heart. The only thing I can control is my response.

The truth is, joy has always been there.

It came in the form of a baby born in a barn. It came in the form of a living God walking among His people. It came in the form of a revolution transforming thousands of lives with nothing but word of mouth to light an unquenchable fire. It came as a grandfather broke from his family religion and forged a new path of Jesus-following that would be passed down for generations. It comes daily in the lives of those all around me who point me back to truth when I am feeling low and unloved.

My search is not for justice or importance. It’s not for retribution against those who hurt me. My search is for joy. My search is for the ability to love the unlovable. My search is to live it and not just say it. My prayer is that my heart does not harden against the very life God has given me. My hope is that when I am faced with impossible struggle, I would not cry, “why me?” but instead, “God how will you use me here?” It’s when I gave in to anger and hurt that I did the most damage to that heart, slowly and steadily building walls around my joy.

But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! Isaiah 26:19

I will stand for joy and for God’s love, His truth, and His faithfulness as long as I live. Because He is faithful and will never give up on me, even when I feel forgotten. For those who are in the trenches this holiday season, my prayer is that you will see that glimmer of joy through the dark times and be able to cling to it and receive life.

This is the joy. This is the hope. This is the promise. (from Andrea’s blog: Just is a four letter word)

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Andrea Updyke, Christian Zionist, Jesus, Just is a four letter word, Les Lawrence, LOVE
Categories : Israel Commentary

Israel Should Return to 1967 Borders!

4 12 2014

Today is a quick history of modern Israel. Most people are ignorant of the actual maps. President Obama demands that Israel “return to the ’67 borders.” However, he is speaking of the lines BEFORE the Six Day War, when Jordan occupied Judea and Samaria (the so-called West Bank). Those lines were not actually borders but armistice lines from Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. The above map shows the lines AFTER the Six Day War (including both blue and pink shaded areas). I am totally in favor of Israel returning to those lines.

The 1917 Balfour Declaration was legally enacted by the 1920 legal decision of the League of Nations after the San Remo Conference, as seen in the second map. This was given to the Jews as their national home. It is amazing how much land the Jews have given up since then! This map is much closer to God’s promise for Israel. Here is a portion of that agreement:

Confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations on July 24, 1922
Came into operation in September 1923.

“The Council of the League of Nations:

Whereas the Principal Allied Powers have agreed, for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, to entrust to a Mandatory selected by the said Powers the administration of the territory of Palestine, which formerly belonged to the Turkish Empire, within such boundaries as may be fixed by them; and

Whereas the Principal Allied powers have also agreed that the Mandatory should be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on November 2nd, 1917, by the Government of His Britannic Majesty, and adopted by the said Powers, in favour of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,” (San Remo Conference, April 24, 1920).

So, while the world whittles away at Israel’s borders, God is favoring and restoring her to His promised land. The Biblical promise is yet to be fulfilled in total. I believe it will happen at the conclusion of the Psalm 83 War (which I have written and talked much about). Here is the only word that counts for Israel’s future borders:

On the same day Yehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates. Genesis 15:18

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: 1967 Borders, Christian Zionist, Israel, Middle East, Palestinian Flag, San Remo Conference
Categories : Israel Commentary

Israel Election for New Government on March 17, 2015

2 12 2014

Flash News Update!

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired part of his ruling coalition today. This will lead to new elections on March 17. At this early moment it appears that the conservatives will benefit most as the leftist parties look to lose Knesset seats. Netanyahu has had strong resistance to his platform from the left leaning members of his own coalition. Livni and Lapid were fired for undermining the Prime Minister from within.

Here are a few links to this fast breaking story, followed by my observations.

Elections Likely

Bibi Accuses Lapid, Livni of Leading a ‘Putsch’; Calls Elections

Netanyahu Fails to Save Coalition, Early Elections Expected Opposition parties have already submitted a motion for the dissolution of the Knesset, and party officials say Netanyahu’s Likud faction will support them, thereby accelerating the process of early elections, which would presumably be held by mid-March (17th) of next year.

Current polls suggest that Netanyahu and his Likud will handily win the election, and that the right-wing overall will benefit, while leading centrist and left-wing parties will almost all lose mandates.

While the prospects for Bibi Netanyahu continuing as Prime Minister look good, it is not without possible pitfalls. Put simply, Bibi represents Biblical Zionism and the leftists represent the humanist compromise for peace at any cost. They will keep trading land for peace until Israel would be destroyed “piece by peace.” In the end it will be the promise of Yehovah God that will determine the future for Israel.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud… so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55: 10-11

“Yehovah has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.” Isaiah 34:8

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and begin now praying for the new elections.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Biblical Zionist, Israel, Israel Elections, Jerusalem, Netanyahu, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

The Lone Wolf Myth

24 11 2014

Calling an Islamic terrorist a lone wolf is perhaps the most miss-leading media narrative. Today’s journalists seem too lazy to think for themselves and so they just repeat all the other writers ad nauseam with little originality or research. Today I will contradict the lone wolf narrative. It was applied to last week’s massacre of four Rabbis in Jerusalem during morning prayers in their synagogue. Three were dual American-Israeli citizens.

On October 22, I spoke of another false narrative, the idea that terrorism is senseless violence. Here is a quote from that essay, which included my comment about the lone wolf idea.

Aren’t you getting sick of the weak clichés describing terrorism? Again today after the terrorist murder in Canada’s capital city, the vapid news commentator condemned the “senseless violence” of the Muslim terrorist murderer. I don’t object to the phrase simply because it is a cliché, but because it is WRONG!

It makes perfect sense in the mind of a Muslim literalist. It is what Mohammed did. It is what the Koran, Sunnah and Hadith teach….These “lone wolf” actors are NOT “becoming radicalized,” they are becoming converted. They have adopted a complete belief system and follow it as their deadly sincere faith! It is a death cult, and the diametric opposite of Jesus and the Biblical God of love and life, Yehovah. (Elisha Vision Commentary 10-22-14)

The lone wolf myth is dangerous because it minimizes the motivation of the terrorist and divorces him from the underlying ideology that justifies his barbaric actions. I urge you to read a column from Israel National News that really nails this lone wolf myth. Here are a few quotes, but please click on the link and read the entire piece. It is well worth your time.

The perpetrators of Arab/Muslim and Palestinian terrorism are not “lone wolves”, as they have been described, but by-products of a centuries-old intolerant ideology, supported today by educational and religious indoctrination….

At 7:01 am on Tuesday, November 18th, two Palestinian terrorists, Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal, entered the Kehilat Yaakov synagogue in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem where about a dozen people were praying. The two were carrying a gun, a meat cleaver, and an axe. Seven minutes later (to the cries of “Allahu Akbar!”) four of the worshippers were dead, a Druze police officer who tried to rescue them suffered mortal injuries and several others were severely wounded….

In response to the gruesome axe murders and shootings, Palestinians in Gaza and the ‘West Bank‘ erupted in spontaneous celebrations by handing out cookies and candy, dancing in the streets, honking horns, flaunting axes, setting off firecrackers, cheering, holding up posters “honoring” the two “martyrs”, and displaying V-for-victory signs just as they did in the celebrations that followed the September 11th terror attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15th, 2013. The Palestinian Authority referred to the slaughter as a “heroic operation at a religious Zionist institute”….

The Kehilat Yaakov terrorists and others like them were not driven by socio-economic or human rights issues, but by a fanatical worldview which loathes civil liberties and considers Western freedoms to be an abomination. They were motivated and educated by the belief that their murderous actions against Jews would bestow upon them the honorable title of “shahid” (martyr) and that they were fulfilling a holy Islamic mission by murdering Jews and advancing the commandment of jihad….

The Palestinian Authority’s 7th grade textbook “Our Beautiful Language” states: “We shall sow Palestine with shahids (martyrs), skeletons and skulls; we shall paint the face of Palestine with blood. … We are returning home to the plains and mountains (of pre-1967 Israel) led by jihad flags, by bloody struggles, and by the willingness to sacrifice ourselves as martyrs.” (Israel National News – Debunking the “Lone Wolf” Myth)

“So do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel,” says Yehovah. “For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them. Jeremiah 30:10

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, Elisha Vision Commentary, islam, Israel, lone wolf, Middle East, Palestinian Flag, Radical Islam, senseless violence
Categories : Israel Commentary

I Joined the Dry Bones Family

17 11 2014

I just joined the Dry Bones family and you can, too. This has been my favorite Israeli political cartoon since my first visit to Israel in 1984. It was in the Jerusalem Post daily paper. Yaakov Kirschen makes a compelling case for fighting antisemitism with cartoons in what he describes as “a post literate world.” (Click here to join!)

The Problem: Israel is being boycotted, delegitimized, and defamed!! There is now a massive rise in antisemitism world-wide. Support for Christians and Jews in the Middle East has collapsed. Western campuses are hostile to our younger generation. We are shocked and frustrated. The situation is dire, urgent, and obvious, but an effective response seems to elude us.

Let’s Begin:The beginning of an effective response needs to be an understanding of “post literacy”. This was once a bi-polar world. People were either literate (they could read and write) or they were illiterate (they were unable to read or write). That world is gone. The targets of our messages are now post literate. (they can read and write but they prefer not to). Letter writing has disappeared. Emails beyond a few lines are ignored. Texting, tweeting, and the rise of the Instagram are the evolutionary result of this post literacy.

Dry Bones:The increase in importance of the cartoon is yet another step in this evolution. . . . And, in part, explains the wild popularity of Dry Bones cartoons in the digital world. If you are a Zionist you have probably shared or received Dry Bones cartoons.

We Are The Answer:The time has come to organize and expand the Dry Bones response. We want you to join and support us. Whether you are a young student or a concerned retiree, join us. Whether you are Jewish or not we offer you a way to fight back. Join us. We are the answer. Yaakov Kirschen, Dry Bones

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, Dry Bones, Elisha Vision, Hamas, Israel, Middle East, Palestinian Flag, post literate world, Prophecy, Radical Islam
Categories : Israel Commentary

Hamas’ Goal and Yehovah’s Response

14 11 2014

During the summer Gaza conflict, I wrote about the goal of Hamas. Today I am re-posting that blog. But this text from Zechariah tells Yehovah God’s response to those who would destroy Israel.

This message concerning the fate of Israel came from Yehovah: “This message is from Yehovah, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit. I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves. On that day,” says Yehovah, “I will cause every horse to panic and every rider to lose his nerve. I will watch over the people of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of their enemies. And the clans of Judah will say to themselves, ‘The people of Jerusalem have found strength in Yehovah of Heaven’s Armies, their God.'” Zechariah 12:1-4

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HAMAS?

genocide (jĕnˈə-sīdˌ) noun

The systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group. (definition)

Here is a quote from the Preamble to the Hamas Charter: ″Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it″.

No further comment is necessary. But please let me suggest a different way to view the “death toll” statistics that keep rolling across our TV screens. Roughly 70 Israelis and 1700 Gazans were killed in the last four weeks. The emphasis was on civilian deaths. Israel was charged with genocide by many accusers.

However, what if you measured these statistics by actual intent?

Note the definition of genocide: “planned extermination.”

Israel’s goal was to kill zero civilians. Hamas’ goal was to kill as many civilians as possible, including their own (by human shield strategy and by errant rockets of their own).

Hamas Sermon from the Gaza Strip: Our Doctrine Entails Exterminating the Jews

Using a relatively modest desire to kill 10 civilians per rocket @ 3,000 fired in four weeks, Hamas hope to kill 30,000 Israeli civilians. Does the fact that they were bad at it, or that Israel had great defense change their intent?

Israel’s goal was zero civilians killed. Do you think for one minute that if Israel wanted to kill all Gazans that they could not do it in four weeks? Mercifully, it appears that this round of war is ending. We thank God for that. But the motive of Hamas has not changed. They would kill all Jews if they could. That, my friends, is genocide.

“Because you have had an ancient hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Israel by the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, when their iniquity came to an end, therefore, as I live,” says the Lord Yehovah, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; since you have not hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.” Ezekiel 35:5-6

Golda Meir (fourth Prime Minister of Israel): “Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.”

Benjamin Netanyahu (current Prime Minister of Israel): “The truth is that if Israel were to put down its arms there would be no more Israel. If the Arabs were to put down their arms there would be no more war.”

I would like to call today’s post, “News you can use!”

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Hamas, Jerusalem, Middle East, Radical Islam, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Temple Mount in Focus

6 11 2014

Palestinian supporters of the Islamist movement Hamas, hold a placards with the slogan written in Arabic, “we are all your defenders Al-Aqsa,”, and “Al-Aqsa is the compass for my life” during a protest against recent Israeli restrictions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in the West Bank City of Ramallah, Friday, Oct. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

We have now entered the countdown to the clash of civilizations over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. With US elections over, much attention will now turn to Jerusalem. But even more specifically, the focus is that 32 disputed acres of flat mountain top where the glorious temple of Solomon stood over 3,000 years ago. Today it is claimed by Islam and administered by the Wakf Muslim religious authority (under Israeli sovereignty). Christians and Jews are not allowed to pray there! This is enforced by Israeli police even though freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Israeli constitution.

The Israel news is narrowing its focus more and more on this tiny hot-spot. Jordan is threatening to end its peace treaty with Israel. Even Egypt is calling for regional deterioration. Of course the Palestinians are calling for an uprising (intifada) to defend the al-Aqsa mosque which occupies the south end of the mount.

The Lord Jesus gave me a simple illustration of the prophetic timing we have now entered. Israel became a nation in 1948. Viewing this wonderful prophetic restoration through a camera would require a wide-angle lens. The scope was the return of land itself, a modern miracle.

Then, in 1967, Israel won the Six-Day War supernaturally and regained the Old City area of Jerusalem. That camera view would use a normal lens. It was the direct fulfillment of Jesus’ own prophetic words: From 70 AD till June, 1967, Jerusalem was ruled my Gentiles. From that date till now it is under Israeli sovereignty.

And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24

We have now entered the third and last change of our camera lens. We now need a zoom lens because God’s focus is directly on the temple mount. Recent events are piling up with escalating frequency. One of the more serious was the attempted assassination of a vocal Israeli activist, Yehuda Glick, who was known for praying on the mount defying the ban.

This is even more evidence that we are in the end times. We should react with prayer and enlist as watchmen on the wall for Jerusalem. One thing is certain. God is in control and His purpose will be accomplished. Not one promise He has spoken will fail to come to pass:

Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which Yehovah your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. Joshua 23:14

Personal Note: My friend, Dale Suggs, asked me to share a request for help in publishing his newest book, Jesus is NOT in the Quran Volume 2. Here is the link for supporting him: http://www.gofundme.com/gqj1rc

Also, you can check out Dale’s site of the same name on my list of Favorite Sites in the column on the right of this page.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: freedom of religion, Intifada, Jerusalem, Jesus, Radical Islam, Temple Mount
Categories : Israel Commentary

Never underestimate the power of your voice

4 11 2014

Never underestimate the power of your voice

November 4, 2014 by Andrea Updyke (from her blog: Just is a four letter word)

I stood in line at my local polling place this morning. In North Carolina, there is a strict no cell phones rule when inside the voting area, even if you are just standing in line. As such, I had the rare opportunity to look around and even communicated with some of the other voters in line. The volunteers were clearly anxious that there were such long lines, but to me it was thrilling.

Look at all these people here to vote! I just wanted to thank them all for showing up. And even though I don’t know every single detail of every single candidate on my ballot, I was overwhelmed with pride and gratitude that I showed up and would have my vote counted.

After a few minutes, a soldier in full uniform stood in the A-K line. I was in L-Z so we inched up at about the same pace. For a few minutes I let my mind wander throughout history, remembering those who fought for my freedom to use my voice, for those who continue to fight and for those who support them. I looked at his boots. They looked new. Had he been deployed yet? Would he be off somewhere soon? Is the woman with him his wife? Or his mother? I felt my cheeks start to warm and my eyes began to water. What a privilege. What a glorious freedom this man is giving to me. Me! That I get to have a job where I can work from home and care for my family. That I can own a home and learn about many other cultures just from my neighbors alone. That I get to have an impact on the leadership of this amazing country is just stunning when I sit back and consider the depth of what that means.

As a writer, I often use my words to express my feelings, my excitement and my random thoughts. For me, words tend to come naturally. Sometimes they touch others and sometimes they provide a needed release for me. Sometimes I stay quiet because I begin to wonder if my words are just noise. Sometimes I wonder if my voice matters.

Standing in that place today, I was reminded of true freedom. Freedom to think, freedom to act and freedom to disagree. It is an honor to cast my vote. It is my joy to use this voice.

As I left, the frazzled volunteer apologized again for the long wait. I simply said, “not a problem at all. It was worth it.” She replied, “I’m glad you feel that way. See you next time.”

And she will.

Don’t miss out on the chance to use your voice. You have all day!

(Okay, so I am a little biased. This article is from my youngest daughter’s blog. But I could not have said it better myself.)

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Elisha Vision, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, Just is a four letter word, politics, Vote!
Categories : Israel Commentary

Good News/Bad News

31 10 2014

The world looks better when you mix in a little humor with the truth. Here is what my favorite Israeli cartoonist (Yaachov Kirschen) added as a comment under his Oct 28 cartoon titled: King Solomon and His Advisor.

“Yikes! According to Biblical Prophecy, in the latter days, all the nations will come against Israel because of Jerusalem.” Dry Bones

He is right of course as repeated many times in the Bible. Here is just one.

I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. Joel 3:2

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain in the Promised Land.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, Christian Zionist, Israel, Middle East, Pro Israel
Categories : Israel Commentary

Free Speech Chilled

28 10 2014

Christians gather to pray for Houston pastors. ((Pray for the Pastors of Houston Facebook page))

Everyone has heard about the Houston Mayor Parker who subpoenaed pastors sermons and emails for a lawsuit in which they have no part. It certainly crosses a red line of the First Amendment. So a friend on Facebook (thanks, Jane) asks if the policy will be expanded. Should Imams be forced to submit their sermons in the mosque? How about university professors? Maybe their lectures should be reviewed as well.

Anne Graham Lotz wrote a great note to the Houston Mayor. Here is a portion:

“So…I have written a note to Mayor Annise Parker, City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002, telling her that God loves her, that I am praying for her, and urging her to read the Bible I included with my note. Although I am not a pastor, I also sent her a copy of the “speech” I delivered at the Official Observance of the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC. , calling on people to repent of their sin, cry out to the Lord…for the Day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Joel 1:14-15

I agree with Eric Metaxas. The red line has been crossed. Persecution of God’s people has begun. In response to the question the Lord voices in Psalm 94:16, I want to answer clearly, I will! Will you? ” Charisma News

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Psalm 94:16

My heading today uses the word “chilled”, perhaps it should say “killed”. We are at crossroads in our nations history. Christians must wake up, stand up and speak up. There is no time to lose. Start by voting in this critical mid-term election. Pray and compare candidates and indeed parties on how they stack up to Biblical values. This is no game, folks. If you do not vote, you can’t complain about the direction our country is headed. VOTE!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Egypt elections, First Amendment, freedom of religion, freedom of speech
Categories : Israel Commentary

NOT Senseless Violence

22 10 2014

Chaya Zisel Baron, baby murdered by a Jerusalem terrorist

It makes perfect sense in the mind of a Muslim literalist. It is what Mohammed did. It is what the Koran, Sunnah and Hadith teach. And it also happens to be the most sensational form of Islam today. It’s “what’s happening” if you want to prove your Muslim masculinity and supremacism. It you happen to hate women, this is the cause for you.

I don’t need to hear about moderate Muslims. First, we don’t hear from them much. Second, they are not the Muslims driving the bus. The percentage distribution is irrelevant. A call has gone out around the earth: “The Caliphate is rising! Come join the Caliphate!” However premature it may be, this call has drawn radical Islamists from 80 countries to join Isis in Syria. (I believe this is premature because the real Caliphate will actually look good and peaceful, at first, to most folks, yet with the same foundational intent to conquer the world for Islam and establish Sharia everywhere.)

Also today, a Hamas terrorist intentionally drove his car into a crowd of Israelis in Jerusalem, wounding eight and murdering a 3 month old baby.

Senseless is not the right word. It empties the heinous act of intent.

These people have not lost their minds. They know exactly what and why and who they murder. It creates terror. It advances Islam. They are honored as holy warrior martyrs. And, by the way, they get to go to heaven, claim 70 virgins and guarantee the salvation of 70 family members. To them it’s a no-brainer. I mean it is completely logical to them.

So let’s stop minimizing terror. It is evil. It is horrible. And it is institutionalized. It is a political/religious system of supremacism. These “lone wolf” actors are NOT “becoming radicalized,” they are becoming converted. They have adopted a complete belief system and follow it as their deadly sincere faith! It is a death cult, and the diametric opposite of Jesus and the Biblical God of love and life, Yehovah.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:7-10

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Attack, Jerusalem, Jesus, Radical Islam, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Faith Response to Ebola

18 10 2014

While the political system sputters with errors and indecision, Christians are already on the ground in Liberia bringing hope to the Ebola ravaged country. Operation Blessing (founded by Pat Robertson of the 700 Club) is in full gear operating in country with practical support. They are providing food and chlorine cleaning supplies to families who are in 21-day quarantine. Their efforts have been noticed by The Blaze.com in this excellent article:

The Inspirational Thing Liberian Christians Did Before Heading Out to Battle Ebola on the Front Lines

Please click on the link, read the article and watch the video. You will truly be blessed. One of my favorite Bible promises declares that when everyone around us is dysfunctional, those who know God will still be functional.

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32

The word “exploits” is actually not in the Hebrew text. The point is that the people who know God will be able to act or function at a time when others are stuck in confusion or indecision, like a deer in the headlights, so to speak. Believers will do what is needed when others suffer from “the paralysis of analysis.” (Click here for the Hebrew text and definition.)

Praise God for Operation Blessing!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Ebola, Ebola crisis, Fear Not, Jesus, Operation Blessing, Psalm 91
Categories : Israel Commentary

Ebola in Prophecy

14 10 2014

AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh

FEAR NOT!

Do you think Ebola is in the Bible? There are many references to pestilence and disease. Ebola is not there by name, but in principle. God has often allowed pestilence to come into a people, even His chosen people, when they defy Him with their abominations. It is His judgement against their incorrigible sinfulness and rebellion. Yet, He also offers a way out through repentance, a turning back to His ways. My concern is in this context for America. Here are my thoughts on the Ebola crisis.

Our President said it would not come here. He was wrong.
Our President said it would not spread. He was wrong.
He refuses to stop incoming commercial flights from West Africa. He is wrong. Twenty other nations have already done this. The CDC reason is ridiculous; saying that we could not send helpers to Africa. Of course we could. And we should. They would travel on supervised charter flights and be quarantined for 21 days upon their return.
Ellis Island. Hello? Isn’t that what we did in the early days?
Early astronauts returning were quarantined to protect against any space germs.
One proposal would have an Ebola unit in every state. (I thought it is not going to spread in the US.) This would involve astronomical costs in money and personnel, that would possibly bankrupt some hospitals. Even now, the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas has converted its ICU to Ebola and sends their own patients to other hospitals.
So, here’s an idea. Let’s fight this disease at its source (10,000 new cases each week) and stop importing 150 potential Ebola carriers per day to the US!

FEAR NOT! Why should we be afraid if God is with us? Here is just a sampling of encouragement from the Bible:

When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”). Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded. So Moses cried out to Yehovah for help, and Yehovah showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that Yehovah set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of Yehovah your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am Yehovah who heals you.” Exodus 15:23-26 NLT

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about Yehovah: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Psalm 91:1-7 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Ebola, Fear Not, Prophecy, Psalm 91, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Rejoice for Seven Days

10 10 2014

“Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yehovah for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yehovah your God for seven days. You shall keep it as a feast to Yehovah for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yehovah your God.”

So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of Yehovah. Leviticus 23:39-44

Four Points

The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day celebration of the great joy of harvest and intimacy with our God.
It is and everlasting feast.
We dwell in booths or tabernacles to remember the desert wanderings, but also to look forward to Yehovah making His home among us!
All seven feasts are His feasts. They are not called the feasts of Israel, but the feasts of Yehovah.

Please take the time to listen to my radio interview explaining the seven feasts:

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Feast of Tabernacles, Israel, Prophecy, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

The Second Blood Moon

6 10 2014

Blood Moon (Holy Tetrad)

As many of you are aware, we are in the middle of what I call a Holy Tetrad. A tetrad is defined by NASA as when four consecutive total lunar eclipses occur (see http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/27mar_tetrad/). When all of the total lunar eclipses fall on the High Holy Days (as defined by YHWH in Leviticus 23 & Deuteronomy 16), I call it a Holy Tetrad.

During a total lunar eclipse, the moon will turn dark red and it is often described as a “blood moon”. This terminology is used in Scripture (Joel 2:31, Acts 2:20, & Rev 6:12).

The four blood moons of the 2014-2015 Holy Tetrad are 04/15/2014 (Pesach/Passover), 10/08/2014 (Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot), 04/04/2015 (Pesach/Passover), and 09/28/2015 (Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot). So far, we had the first blood moon of the Holy Tetrad on the most recent Pesach/Passover and will have a second blood moon coming up this Wednesday. (Quoted from a report by George Pappas)

I like the phrase George used: “Holy Tetrad.” The timing of these eclipses on holy feast days cannot be understated. God is definitely telling us something. Signs in the heavens point us to the coming of the Messiah. We are in a season of accelerating signs. Even the world events are centered on the geographical center of the earth: Jerusalem, Israel and the Middle East.

We must not continue with business as usual. The winds of change are blowing. There is a stirring in the air and a feeling deep in the inner man confirming cosmic change of Biblical proportions. This is not a time for burying your head in the sand or sleeping on your watch. Wake up! Be alert, discern the times. Be ready to act for God’s purposes.

Two verses mean a lot to me right now. One describes our readiness and the other our action.

the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 1 Chronicles 12:32

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:32

Get ready now because there won’t be time when the trumpet sounds. It is better to be ready than to have to get ready at that time.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: blood moon, Christian Zionist, Elisha Vision, Jerusalem, Les Lawrence, Prophecy
Categories : Israel Commentary

Why?

2 10 2014

There are some things that are beyond contradiction. In these days of spreading terrorism, it is self-evident that no one fears Christians and many fear Muslims. Why? Could it be that the basic philosophies are opposite? The Bible clearly calls the God of Christians and Jews, the “God of Love.” But the Koran nowhere calls their god a god of love. He is a god of war. In fact, the word love only occurs 87 times in the Koran and one-third of the usage is negative, as: “He does not love the infidel.” Yet, Yehovah God loves the whole world.

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. … And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:8, 16

Who is a terrorist? Are you frustrated that President Obama refuses to label terrorism? Let me make a simple point. Anyone who intentionally terrorizes others is a terrorist. The administration parses words, demanding an organizational connection to a terror group. That does not work anymore. The “lone wolf terrorist” operates simply by the internet. That does not make his actions any less threatening, especially when yelling “Arabic sayings” as he slays the innocent. Yes, they no longer refer to his cry as the Islamic confession that their god is the greatest, now it is simply “Arabic sayings.” REALLY? GIVE ME A BREAK! Let’s get real people.

We need to wake up, stand up, and speak up; before it is too late.

Pray for truth to triumph!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Christian Zionist, Fort Hood, Homegrown Terror, LOVE, Terrorism
Categories : Israel Commentary

Trumpets Sounding

24 09 2014

Shana Tovah! That is Happy New Year in Hebrew. Sundown tonight was the beginning of 5775 in the Jewish calendar. But it also signals the start of the Fall Feasts; namely Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Atonement), and Feast of Tabernacles. For more detail please listen to my radio interview (Audio: The Feasts of Yehovah) to the right of this column, in which I teach ten minutes on each feast.

But, the most exciting anticipation for me each year in this season, is the Day of the Sounding of Trumpets (Yom Teruah). This evening in Jerusalem and literally around the world, the trumpets announced the great harvest feast. Not only does it speak of end-time harvest of souls, it is the warm-up for the most important sounding of trumpets in all of history. The Messiah comes at the blast of trumpets!

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Yet, there is an even greater clue in Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Notice the mention of the trumpet announcing His coming, and then at the end of the selection notice the reference to “that day and hour no one knows”.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven but My Father only. Matthew 24:30:36

This is one of the most exciting facts I know from studying Jewish roots. Jesus was not making the timing obscure, He was actually giving the answer. The Day of Trumpets Fall Feast was commanded to begin on the sighting of the new moon. If clouds or other weather blocked the view, they would have to wait for the next night. The trumpets could not be sounded until the physical sighting. If it was cloudy early and cleared up later the trumpets were released to blow. So, the entire high holy days season could not commence until the trumpets sounded. Here is the amazing fact. Jews of that day used a common expression as a sort of slang reference to the Feast of Trumpets. They said it was the feast that no one knows the day or hour! It was a literal description of the timing issue. Wow! So Jesus was very likely referring to that when He used that expression. He was letting them know to look for His return at the Fall Feast of Trumpets! Now you see why I have an extra reason to enjoy this season. Shana Tovah, Happy New Year!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Generation LAST, Jesus, Prophecy
Categories : Israel Commentary

Days of Elijah – There is Hope!

19 09 2014

America’s wonderful men and women in uniform participating in worship, lifting their voices to Almighty God as they sing “Days of Elijah.” Love the energy and camaraderie as they praise the God of Psalm 91.

Lord we pray that You continue to protect each and every one of our men and women on the front lines, and You bring comfort and peace to their families.

CLICK HERE IF THE VIDEO DOES NOT APPEAR

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, Elisha Vision, freedom of religion, Psalm 83 War, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Words That Kill

16 09 2014

For many years of ministry I have emphasized choosing our words wisely. Our faith anchors our confession based on actual words: “believe in your heart and confess with your mouth.” I also teach that words carry blessings or curses and we must intentionally use that power to bless. But the 21st Century arena has moved from spiritual principles to life and death confrontations in the political real world. People are beheaded for their faith or for refusing another’s faith. For Islamic terrorists, it really does come down to demanding a few words from us, capitulating our faith with a confession to follow Islam instead of Jesus. Some forsake their faith to literally “save their neck.” Are you ready for this? We have now entered the true “war of words” between the righteous and the wicked:

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 11:11

There is striking example of this just over our Texas border where the cartels ruled. Juarez, across the border from El Paso, was called the murder capital of the world by CBS News in 2010. Today it is becoming a peaceful town through a revival, not through large evangelistic meetings, but through marketplace ministry where everyday believers practice Proverbs 11:11 and “pastor” their own sphere of business, school and government. Watch the video of this exciting transformation by Jesus. Transform Our World with Ed Silvoso.

Nowhere is this more obvious than the forceful declarations of the wicked terrorist groups, now reproducing as a metastasized cancer around the world today. The recent beheading videos of two Americans and one Brit are a tragic evil. But what is the goal of the terrorist? It is fear and terror. Kill two Americans and evoke terror in 300 million Americans? That is a highly efficient strategy. And it is nothing new. The devil has always used that method. Threats and accusations and horrible images spoken into the mind of man. The devil must be beside himself with the opportunity presented by actual video images instantly sent around the globe via the internet.

Anti-Semitism is another example of words that kill. False blood-libel accusations have incited mobs to kill Jews for centuries. They are called Christ-killers and accused of killing Christian children for blood to use for Passover. These untrue taunts have led to the deaths of millions of Jews in history, culminating in Hitler’s holocaust. Yet, today there is a new wave of Islamic anti-Semitism sweeping the world, especially Europe; and rising in America. There were 302 incidents in the UK in July alone!

This time they are led by radical Muslims. But they are not only coming for the Jews, but also for the Christians, and for all non-Muslims. There is a saying in the Middle East: “First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people.” My point today is not to inflame fear, but to stir up the Holy Spirit in you to stand for Yehovah God in these perilous times. Count the cost and make up your mind now to live for Jesus with no fear. We have assurance of our salvation (Yeshua). We do not cower in fear, but rather wake up, stand up and most importantly, speak up for the Kingdom the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the faithful God of Israel! In some ways it may be harder to live for Jesus than to die for Him. Make your decision now. Settle it between you and God and then shout it from the rooftops!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for America in the valley of decision.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Christian Zionist, Israel, Jesus, Radical Islam, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Come Join Our Israel Tour – February

9 09 2014

HE IS NOT HERE. HE IS RISEN

12 Day Israel Tour – Feb 10-21, 2015

Day 1 Tuesday Feb 10

Depart USA (Philadelphia) on US Air 9:10pm

Day 2 Wednesday February 11

Arrive Tel Aviv 3:10pm

Joppa- Jonah’s‘s experience

Overnight – Tel Aviv-Dan Panorama Hotel

http://www.danhotels.com/TelAvivHotels/DanPanoramaTelAvivHotel/index.htm?gclid=CMCoyaDfqrYCFQWxnQoddE8AaQ

Day 3 Thursday February 12

Visit Dugit Messianic bookstore

Caesarea –Cornelius

Mount Carmel-Elijah

Megiddo-Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16)

Overnight- Galilee –Caesar Hotel Tiberius

http://www.caesarhotels.co.il/en/caesar-premier-hotel-tiberias

Day 4 Friday February 13

Mount Arbel overlook

Sail on the Sea of Galilee-Peter’s faith

Capernaum-Peter’s mother-in –law healed

Mount of Beatitudes- Blessed are the”

Peter of Primacy- Feed my sheep-Jn 21

Jordan River

Overnight- Galilee

Day 5 Saturday February 14

Tel Dan- Judges gate & Abraham’s gate

Caesarea Philippi- Peter’s great confession

Golan Heights & Bental- former Syrian bunkers

Overnight- Galilee

Day 6 Sunday February 15

Bet Shean- Saul & his sons 1 Sam 31

Qumran- finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls

En Gedi-David penned the psalms here

Float in Dead Sea

Overnight- Dead Sea – David Red Sea Resort & Spa

http://www.david-deadsea.com/

Day 7 Monday February 16

Masada- King Herod’s Fortress

Walk DOWN Roman ramp
Lunch @ Kfar Hanokdim-and camels
Beersheva-Abraham & Abimelech oath
Valley of Elah-David vs Goliath

Overnight- Jerusalem-Leonardo Plaza Hotel (Short walk to Old City)

http://www.leonardo-hotels.com/israel-hotels/jerusalem-hotels/plaza-hotel-jerusalem

Day 8 Tuesday February 17

Mount of Olives-Triumphal Entry

Garden of Gethsemane-Yeshua agony

Kidron Valley-Absalom’s treason

House of Caiaphas-Peter denied Yeshua 3 x

Afternoon – Bethlehem & Church of the Nativity
Shepherds Field

Olive Wood shopping

Overnight- Jerusalem

Note: All sights will be visited. The sequence of sights can be changed by the tour guide.

Day 9 Wednesday February 18

City of David-King David’s “ palace “

City of David movie

Hezekiah’s tunnel-2 Kings 20:20

(wet or dry tunnel- bring a flashlight)

Pool of Siloam- John 9

Southern Excavations-Jesus taught as a child

Davidson Center & movie

Western Wall Tunnel

Mount Zion-Last Supper/ Passover

Upper Room-Pentecost

Walk thru Jewish Quarter

Overnight- Jerusalem

Day 10 Thursday February 19

Free day to explore the old city on your own. Shop in the ancient bazaars, walk the citadel walls. Visit museums. Enjoy your day

Overnight- Jerusalem

Day 11 Friday February 20

Holy Land Model

Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
Pool of Bethesda–Yeshua healed man-ill for 38 yrs

Antonia Fortress-Herod’s Fortress-

Garden Tomb Celebration

Farewell dinner

Flight departs 11:30pm

Day 12 Saturday February 21

Arrive Philly 5:20am

Full of wonderful memories of Eretz Israel, and Jerusalem, the Land He calls His own, and the “apple of his eye”

Please click on the Menu bar above “2015 Israel Tour” for registration and other information.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Bible, Christian Zionist, Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus, Pro Israel
Categories : Israel Commentary

A Time to Favor Israel

4 09 2014

Raleigh, NC Event September 10

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

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Tags: Christian Zionist, freedom of religion, Golgotha Foundation, Israel, Les Lawrence
Categories : Israel Commentary

Citizen of the Year!

1 09 2014

Here is a great story of an Israeli Messianic Pastor near Tiberias. Pastor Daniel Yahav has long been recognized by the Messianic community in the Land, but this new honor is extraordinary. I was privileged to share in his congregation, Peniel, early in his ministry there in 1990. For years I have recommended an article he wrote: BEWARE THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES with pic

However, now he has been chosen as the Citizen of the Year in his home town in Israel. Daniel Yahav, pastor of the Tiberias-area Messianic congregation Peniel, has received this year’s Honorary Citizen Award in his hometown of Yavne’el, which is a real testimony given the Orthodox Jewish character of the Galilee community. Israel Today

There were times in the nineties when the Orthodox threatened to stone his people at a hillside meeting. There were also later threats to burn down the building they were renting. (Because of the threats they moved out of the building and yet it was still burned down the next month).

So it makes this more than wonderful that his town has honored him, because his town is heavily Orthodox. Thank you, Lord for favor! Let us continue to pray for Pastor Yahav and the Peniel Congregation.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Biblical Zionist, Christian Zionist, Israel, Jesus
Categories : Israel Commentary

Like the Garden of Eden

28 08 2014

Thus says the Lord Yehovah: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, Yehovah, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, Yehovah, have spoken it, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 36:33-36

Israel was desolate a hundred years ago, a rocky barren moonscape. Today it is alive with agriculture, flowers, fruit and most of all trees, 250 million trees planted in 100 years! Israel is one on only two countries on the planet that has more trees than in the past. This is the number planted by the Jewish National Fund. There may have been more planted by other groups.

And there is more to come! The Bible speaks of the desert blossoming like a rose. Israel’s desert is called the Negev, which is also the Hebrew word for “south”, because it is in that part of Israel. Israel’s Negev is indeed blossoming. It is one of only two deserts on earth that is shrinking. All the others are expanding, including the American Southwest. Israel’s desert is shrinking by several meters a year.

Israel’s land primarily consisted of desert until the construction of desalination plants along the country’s coast. The largest percent of desalinated water used in any country is in Israel, which produces 40% of its domestic water use from seawater desalination. The desalination plants, which remove the salt from ocean water, have created a new source of water for farming, drinking, and washing. Wikipedia

This is all the product of science and technology (such as Israel’s invention of drip irrigation). However there is another reason to expect great changes the Negev desert. God has promised the total restoration of Israel. That includes returning the desert to it previous state. What was that? Israel’s Negev used to be a forest! Consider this amazing verse predicting the judgment of the South (Negev in Hebrew).

“and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of Yehovah! Thus says the Lord Yehovah: “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to thenorth shall be scorched by it.’ “ Ezekiel 20:47

So we know why it became a desert, but what will God do to transform it back to forest land?

Ask Yehovah for rain in the time of the latter rain. Yehovah will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. Zechariah 10:1

That is your new assignment!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Christian Zionist, Israel, Israel Rain, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Daniel Tragerman – 4 years old

23 08 2014

Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight. This precious little boy, Daniel Tragerman, was murdered intentionally by Hamas Friday afternoon while at home with his Israeli parents. He was playing in a tent inside his living room when a mortar exploded outside. It was shrapnel from the blast that took his life. I don’t have many words right now.

But it must be understood that Hamas fires their rockets at kindergartens and homes with the goal of killing Jewish children. That is never true of Israel’s Defense Forces. Many precious Palestinian children have also died, as human shields for Hamas, because it needs high death numbers to influence world opinion. Shame on them. Yehovah God will judge!

As we tuck in our little ones tonight, say a prayer for all the little ones on both sides of the clash of civilizations. Yes, it is also a clash of religions, one views life as sanctified by a loving God, and the other worships death as the “highest good”.

Hamas has now admitted that it was their group that kidnapped and murdered the three Israeli teens in June that caused the present escalation of thousands of Hamas rockets fired at Israel’s civilians.

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children,

For blessed are those who keep my ways.

Hear instruction and be wise,

And do not disdain it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at the posts of my doors.

For whoever finds me finds life,

And obtains favor from Yehovah;

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;

All those who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:32-36

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Christian Zionist, freedom of religion, Generation LIFE, Hamas, Israel, Radical Islam, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary

Immigration or Migration?

19 08 2014

Here is more on my concern for America…

Today I am sharing an outstanding six-minute video exposing a myth about immigration. Do you remember the term “bleeding heart liberal”? It carried the inference that some folks used human suffering as a ploy for their political agenda. I need for you to watch this video that proves immigration of poor people to America actually worsens world poverty. It sounds so good that we are helping destitute ones, but wait till you see the effect.

Immigration or Migration? For several years now, I have explained the difference. Immigration involves someone coming to America for the American dream. They are eager to learn English, our culture, our traditions and to generally fit into society. But migration is the opposite. They insist on living here in a sort of parallel universe. This threatens the American way, especially if they happen to be drug cartels or radical Islamists or others intent on the destruction of America.

Should we harden our hearts to a needy world? Of course not, but we should find the best way to help them for the long term. Please watch the video. Here is the link if you cannot see or play the video. Here is another link to a website with more information: Numbers USA has over 2 million members.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: Christian Zionist, freedom of religion, immigration, Les Lawrence, migration
Categories : Israel Commentary

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ci·vil·i·ty : noun \sə-ˈvi-lə-tē\

bar·ba·rous : adjective \ˈbär-b(ə-)rəs\

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Change Is Possible

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WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HAMAS?

genocide (jĕnˈə-sīdˌ) noun

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FEAR NOT!

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12 Day Israel Tour – Feb 10-21, 2015

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Raleigh, NC Event September 10

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