Prime Minister Netanyahu quoted the Bible when he said this is a time for war. The first three Gaza wars spared Hamas, but the fourth war triggered a divine prophecy in Amos 1:6 that Yehovah warned: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment.” Even as Israelis observe Hanukkah around the world, the troops are lighting the candles in Gaza. The October massacre was unspeakably evil, yet light shines in the darkness. This time Israel will eliminate the terror base that was Gaza. A new day is dawning for the innocent Gazans who are being liberated from the oppressive terror dictatorship.
Here is a partial quote from an excellent article by Charles Gardner in Israel Today.
Resisting the devil – How Hanukkah prepared the way for Israel’s Messiah. Rabbi Jonathan Cahn asks the question, “Who is the most famous person to attend the annual Festival of Hanukkah?” The answer, as too many perhaps don’t realize, is Yeshua. For in the Gospel of John, the apostle records: “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” John 10:22-23
We are told there was conflict over his claims to be the Messiah, with some opponents even threatening to stone him. But his appearance there was significant.
The feast was inaugurated in 164 BC when the Maccabees finally defeated the much more powerful armies of the tyrannical Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus Epiphanes IV who had tried to impose his pagan idolatry on the Jewish people. He had desecrated the Temple – even sacrificing a pig on the altar – but on December 25 that year (in the Gregorian calendar) God’s holy place was restored and cleansed, and it is said that the menorah burned miraculously for eight days despite having only enough oil for one.
So we remember that stunning military victory with a festival of light, symbolized by a special nine-branched candlestick, with a candle lit on each of eight days by the central Shammas (servant) candle. Jesus came both as the light of the world and as a Servant King, humbly becoming a man and God’s sacrificial Lamb.” Israel Today
One week ago Hamas paraded the hostages in Gaza’s Palestine Square. Today the Square is conquered and under the control of Israeli forces. Many miracles are being reported already, with more to come. You may have heard about 200 Palestinian men in Gaza dreaming the same dream of Jesus the same night. Here is another great miracle of a young soldier attacked with a hand grenade that somehow got tangled in gear and flipped back at the attackers killing them all. The Israeli and his group only suffered minor injuries! Hallelujah!
Pray protection for the troops this Hanukkah, pray that many Israelis and Arabs will turn to the living God and His Messiah, pray for rain, and as always: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
Elisha Vision - Commentary 
What Fruit Does God Want?
17 07 2025Your first answer may be: “souls,” but not so fast. Yes, He wants people saved, but His purpose is to prepare a people for relationship with Him. Salvation is the means to entering that intimacy with the Father through the Son, Jesus. He is the vine and we are branches of Him! I often say that the Kingdom of God is relational and the systems of man are transactional. Getting saved and born again is not the end, it is the entrance. God is working on us to change our character from selfish sin to loving fellowship with the living God. He is holy and we must become holy. We are not, but He is changing us. Ultimately, the fruit He desires is not works for Him, but a radical change of character and conduct. Last Sunday Pastor John Thrift shared the importance of fruit.
As you continue reading in John 15 it is clear that His main emphasis is love. He mentions love seven times. He also promises joy. These are not works, they are character. It is not what, but who we become. I was personally very encouraged by Pastor John’s message. Those who know me now would not believe what I was like before a lifetime of walking with Jesus. I was totally selfish, often rude, crude, and arrogant. When I was young I used language that would “make a sailor blush.” My character has changed dramatically. I still fall short, but I have changed. I like this saying: “I’m not what I could be. I’m not what I should be. But, praise God, I’m not what I used to be.” So, the question is are you changing to become more and more like Jesus? Our works will end, but our character will remain in eternity.
Jesus clearly taught that the fruit He wants from us was beyond preaching, prophesying, deliverance, and healing. People could do those works and still be lost. The fruit He is growing in us is found in Galatians.
God loves us for who we are becoming! These are all character traits of those who have a relationship with God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. I testify to you that I have improved in every fruit listed by the grace of God. Even self-control is not the product of our great will power, but the natural product of abiding in the vine which is Jesus. If you are lacking any of this fruit, get closer to Jesus. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Drink of the heavenly fountain of life. The deeds of the flesh mentioned earlier in Galatians 5 are not present in eternity. Live for eternity now! Allow Him to change you and teach you to walk in His love.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
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Categories : Israel Commentary