I Sometimes Disagree with Israel

8 07 2026
American and Israeli flags flying outside a government building

As a loyal and committed Christian Zionist I don’t always agree with Israel’s actions and policies. My faithfulness is to the Biblical promises that issue from the immutable character of Yehovah God. By the way, He often disagreed with Israel’s choices, so I am in good company. Standing with Israel does not include blind submission but rather the responsibility to be a prophetic voice declaring the purpose of God.

At the end of the Holocaust it was clearly difficult to see God’s hand, but three years later was the miraculous rebirth of the ancient nation in their own land! God turned the page from the terrible judgement after the Romans destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in 70 AD. For the last 78 years God has moved from judgement to restoration. The enemy has not stopped trying to eliminate God’s chosen, but Satan is on the run. (Click HERE for 100 verses about Israel’s restoration.)

Having said that, my concern is for America. We are at another crossroads moment regarding Israel and the Jews. With anti-Semitism exploding even among conservative Republicans. I have no doubt that Israel will prosper, but U.S. peace and safety is tied to our stand with Israel as it has been for 250 years. If we move away from that relationship we will fall. It is not because Israel is good, but because God is good.

I have a similar view of President Trump. Of course no one should follow him blindly, but he has turned our country around. Moving our Embassy to Jerusalem was a prophetic act. Right now he needs our prayers more than ever. Satan has laid a trap for him with Iran. He must not lose sight of His God given calling fit into God’s plan for Israel. God will bless and restore Israel with or without Donald Trump, but our own nation hangs in the balance. I believe God raised him up “for such a time as this,” but it requires obedience to Heaven’s purpose. It cannot be all about him.

It is encouraging to see him beginning to pull back from the fake peace with the Islamic Republic of Iran. This week’s visit to NATO may be a turning point. I believe he sincerely wants a negotiated peace, but it is impossible to find agreement with terrorists and the world terror sponsor. Remember to view geopolitics from Heaven’s point of view. Remember what God said to Jeremiah.

“I will set My throne in Elam (Iran), and will destroy from there the king and the princes, says Yehovah. But it shall come to pass in the latter days: I will bring back the captives of Elam, says Yehovah.” Jeremiah 49:38-39

Notice this prophecy happens in the latter days. The most accurate translation literally reads “the last days.” I totally believe regime change is God’s plan for the people of Iran. They will be delivered from the evil Islamists. Please review my explanation of Jeremiah 49. Trump’s Iran Timeline.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for Iran’s deliverance from the Islamic occupation.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)

Watch my video prophecy podcast on YouTube HERE.


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What is Issachar Forum?

28 05 2026

For 25 years I have been writing this Elisha Vision blog. All along I have also held weekly meetings for open discussion called: Issachar Forum: A Prophetic Think Tank. That is admittedly a bit pretentious but it is what we really do each week, based on this verse:

“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

Issachar Forum is based on Israel’s tribe of Issachar who “understood the times” and knew what God’s people should do. We look at current events in the light of Biblical prophetic promises. Just as Peter recognized “This is that prophesied by Joel,” we connect the dots with events and the Biblical prophetic decrees. We have discovered multiple prophesies being fulfilled in our time, such as Jeremiah 49:344-39, which I have also previously shared in this blog. I call myself “a voice of Christian Zionists” simply because God Himself gave the Holy Land to Israel. We meet at 6pm every Sunday at Milton’s Restaurant in Wake Forest, NC and 6pm every Friday in the lobby of Capital Church in Garner. Come join us.

“​​But as for me, I trust in You, O Yehovah; ​​I say, “You are my God.” ​​My times are in Your hand; ​​Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, ​​and from those who persecute me. ​​Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies’ sake.” Psalm 31:14-16

“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.” Matthew 24:6 NLT

Don’t panic. If we only watch the news we may be tempted to fear. But if we go by what God says in the Bible we have faith, because He is in control. We recognize that current events are unfolding just as He promised. An old joke says: If you don’t watch the news you are uninformed, but if you do watch the news you are misinformed. We must go higher and listen to God’s voice through the Holy Spirit, the author of the Bible.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16

“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

“This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know
That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” Daniel 4:17

Every Sunday afternoon I post my Issachar Forum podcast, which is a 20 minute version of the public meetings. You can view it by clicking on the YouTube logo below. Please subscribe and especially please pray for us. Thank you!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)

Watch my video prophecy podcast on YouTube HERE.


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Dayenu: It Would Have Been Enough

16 04 2026

Profound lessons can come from simple songs. A traditional song at Passover (Dayenu – lyrics) is repeated every year by Jews (and by some Christian Zionists) all over the world. It has been especially sweet this week as my wife and I have been realizing how overwhelmingly blessed we have been. At each milestone we could say it would have been enough, but God keeps blessing. It is undeserved, but we are so thankful. As we enter the last third (from 80-120) of our lives, we face the inevitable issues of later life. Growing old is not for sissies, they say. Yet, our eyes are on Jesus, our Messiah.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

We are reminded of being thankful for the little things, and also the big blessings. It matters what you believe. Living with faith in God makes a difference! We live in a dysfunctional world of fear foreboding. Confusion, deception, and detachment haunt most people today. But when we count our blessings compared to what we actually deserve, our cup “runneth over.” There is a hidden revelation in a familiar verse in the prophet Daniel.


“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

Interestingly, the last two words “great exploits” are not in the Hebrew text. The Hebrew for “carry out” is simply translated as “do” or “act.” In other words, it is not so much about doing great things, but simply being functional in a dysfunctional world. Some in our day are cowering in fear and dread. Put your hope in God! The sky is not falling. Do not panic. Trust in God. He never fails. We who know God will be strong and functional. The contrast, with those who have no faith, will draw them to the light of God. Historically, the greatest revivals come at times of great stress. Let your light shine. Candles are for dark places.

Are you a moth or a cockroach? When you turn on a light, moths are drawn to the light, but cockroaches scurry away to find a dark place to hide. Come to the light! Jesus is the light of the world. Don’t be dysfunctional. Live in the grace of God.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; ​​You anoint my head with oil; ​​My cup runs over. ​​Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ​​All the days of my life; ​​and I will dwell in the house of Yehovah forever.” Psalm 23:5-6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)

Watch my video prophecy podcast on YouTube HERE.

Why  do I use God’s literal covenant Name: Yehovah? Here is a link to the explanation in my book: The Hebrew God Who Has No Name. And here is a link to a great visual from my friend Keith Johnson.


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God’s Throne in Iran

5 03 2026

What is God doing in Iran? The war news is full of bombs and explosions that make for must-watch TV. But this is not your typical war. As I have explained the last few weeks, this is a major historical turning point when viewed through Jeremiah 49. Today I want to zoom in on God’s purpose in verse 38. So far, the extremely low number of casualties is nothing short of miraculous. Americans are understandably concerned, but I believe this is a short war that will see amazing success.

“I will set My throne in Elam, and will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says Yehovah.” Jeremiah 49:38

For several years now we have seen reports of three million or more Iranians turning from Islam to Jesus. Iran has the fastest growing church in the world, in spite of meeting underground. This verse predicted the destruction of the king (ayatollah) and his princes (IRGC). We have already seen the “king” destroyed and the IRGC is being destroyed day by day. (By the way, IRGC is “Islamic” Revolutionary Guard Corp, not “Iranian.”)

The great promise of Yehovah God through Jeremiah is to establish His throne in Iran (Elam). Of course, He is not moving His physical throne from Jerusalem, but He is being enthroned in the hearts of Iranians as each person chooses the God of Israel. This will also necessarily lead to a great relationship between Iran and Israel. Also, most Arab nations will join the Abraham Accords, including Saudi Arabia. My opinion is that the Iranian Crown Prince will lead a transitional government and elections for leaders chosen legally by vote of the Iranian people.

Once again God manifests His faithfulness to keep every promise in His Word. God is faithful and never breaks His covenant, from salvation to His presence, every promise made is fulfilled in His perfect timing.

“Not a word failed of any good thing which Yehovah had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 2:9

Don’t fear the outcome of this Iran war. God is establishing His throne! Pray for the Iranians that they will see their Messiah and turn from pagan Islam to the living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for President Trump and PM Netanyahu for wisdom and courage to do the right thing.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)

Watch my video prophecy podcast on YouTube HERE:


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God is the #1 Zionist

11 12 2025

A Zionist is simply one who believes that God gave the land of Israel to the Jews. Yehovah God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is the top Zionist in the universe. It is His idea and His will that Israel live on the particular geographical location He chose for them. His enemies have tried to complicate the definition, but in the end it about the land and God’s everlasting promise. You can see His love and even His zeal for Zion in this quote.

“Thus says Yehovah of hosts: ​‘​I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; ​​with great fervor I am zealous for her.’ Thus says Yehovah: ​‘​I will return to Zion, ​​and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. ​​Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, ​​the Mountain of Yehovah of hosts, ​​The Holy Mountain.’ Thus says Yehovah of hosts: ​‘​Old men and old women shall again sit ​​in the streets of Jerusalem, ​​each one with his staff in his hand ​​because of great age. ​​The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.’ Thus says Yehovah of hosts: ​‘​If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’ ​​Says Yehovah of hosts. Thus says Yehovah of hosts: ​‘​Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; ​​I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. ​​They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’”  Zechariah 1:1-8

Notice that this short passage tells us five specific things about God Himself.

  1. He expresses great zeal; ​​with great fervor.
  2. He will make Jerusalem His dwelling place, His home! 
  3. It will be marvelous in His eyes!
  4. He will bring His people back.
  5. They will be His people and He will be their God, in truth and righteousness.

None of this is delegated to the angels. God does it Himself with great satisfaction and joy. Yehovah reveals His heart in this chapter. He is a hands-on God! This is what He personally wants. He rejoices in performing His promise. No matter how much controversy surrounds Zionism, we must stand in agreement with God. Our own personal integrity issues from that agreement. Align your will with God’s will, even when it is hard. “Integrity is siding with God’s Word against yourself.” Anonymous.

“The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity (or duplicity) of the unfaithful will destroy them.”  Proverbs 11:3

“May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.”  Psalm 25:21 NLT

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                (Read more)

Watch my video prophecy updates on YouTube HERE:


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What Fruit Does God Want?

17 07 2025

Your 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. 

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

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.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.”  John 15:16

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.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

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)

Watch my video prophecy updates on YouTube HERE:

 


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The Kingdom of God is Relational

27 02 2025

The world systems are transactional, but God’s Kingdom is relational. Personal salvation, fellowship with family and other believers, and even business and politics work better relationally than with impersonal transactions. This is now becoming visible even in geo-politics. President Trump’s first cabinet meeting is a striking example. His picks are people he knows and trusts personally. Even better, they know each other and are good friends. The camaraderie around the table was noticeable. They were having fun!

When I first saw this prayer I assumed it was a chaplain, but it was not. It was one of the new cabinet members, Scott Turner, Secretary of HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). What a perfect example of relational government. Please don’t underestimate the broad national awakening that is now appearing right before our eyes. President Trump’s first cabinet was pretty much chosen for him because of his inexperience in that high office. This time he has had four extra years to choose like minded leaders whom he knows and can personally trust. It is about relationships! This is true for all of us across the connections of our lives. Whether in family, business, or community think relationally, not a transaction. “What can I get out of this?” Rather: “How can I serve?”

There is one more example that I must share. When RFK Jr. ran for president his running mate Nicole Shanahan was known for her leftist stance and multi-millions of dollars. Wait till you read this account of her salvation. She had converted to Judaism 12 years ago and then found Jesus the Messiah through a direct experience with demonic evil. She now says she is a Jew for Jesus! God is bringing Jews and Gentiles together around the Messiah according to Ephesians 2.

God Is Working: Days After Trump Took Office, RFK Jr’s Running Mate Came to Know Jesus – President Donald Trump’s political ascendance has coincided with what honest future historians will characterize as another Great Awakening. Moreover, Trump’s successful 2024 campaign revealed some unexpected shining stars, none brighter or more surprising than former Democrat Nicole Shanahan.

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—  that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”  Ephesians 2:11-16

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)

I recently appeared on a podcast: To Life! The Hope Behind the Headlines with Messianic Rabbi Myles Weiss. Seeing the ‘Unseen’ – Elisha Vision’s Les Lawrence  Listen here.

Listen to my prophecy updates on YouTube HERE:


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War and Hanukkah

7 12 2023

Dry Bones Hanukkah 2023

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)


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