Messiah and the 9th of Av

17 07 2021

nineth of Av 1200px-Francesco_Hayez_017

The day of mourning for the destruction of the first and second Biblical Temples began at sundown July 17, 2021. For Jews it is a day of fasting and remembrance, not only that the temples were destroyed on the exact day over 650 years apart, but also many other Jewish tragedies were on the 9th of Av. We need to intentionally pray and stand with Israel this weekend. But, beyond the mourning is the belief that only the Messiah coming will end Jewish persecution. Here is a quote from a Jewish website making this very point.

Mourning the Temple: Tisha B’av at the Western Wall – On Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, the First and Second Jerusalem Temples were destroyed. Jews from all sectors mourn the Holy Temples at the Western Wall, with prayers and lamentations.  The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, sending the Jewish into a 70-year exile. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, and Judean independence was lost following the fall of the city of the city of Beitar, the last stronghold of the Bar Kochba revolt. After the destruction of the Temple, the Jews lost their spiritual center and were exiled from their homeland. This is the exile which the Jewish People suffer from to this day, and it will be resolved only with the coming of the Messiah.

Days of mourning for Jews usually brings up the long awaited arrival of the Messiah. Anti-Semitism also reminds of the hope of the Messiah. My observation from a distance is that there is a notable increase of interest in the Messiah almost year by year. When I first visited Israel in 1984 more than 50% of Israeli Jews were atheists. Even though there is a strong secular segment in Israel, more Israelis are softening toward God. There is a growing number who now believe in Yeshua haMashiach. Jesus the Messiah. It is still only a remnant, but Yehovah God is turning hearts toward Him. Pray for hungry seeking hearts for Jews everywhere.

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:24-26

Notice this is the re-gathering after being exiled to all the nations, which we now see in current events. God will give them a new heart and a new spirit after they return to their “own land.” Christians who have received the Messiah have had this very same experience of a new heart and a new spirit. I long for the glorious day when His chosen ones recognize Messiah and enter the joy and true Shabbat rest of the God of Israel. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for seasonal rain.

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

 


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Categories : Israel Commentary

Exactly What is Being Rebuilt in Jerusalem?

11 09 2019

O Jerusalem

(I write this blog on 9-11, eighteen years after the twin towers attack, but Amos 9:11 is a prophetic glimpse of God at work today in Jerusalem.)

Many are waiting for the third temple to be built in Jerusalem, but what if I told you God has a better idea? I am not saying there will not be a third temple, but simply that Yehovah God has a higher goal.

Do you think God wants to re-establish the Tabernacle of Moses? How about the Temple of Solomon? Actually, Yehovah has openly declared His rebuilding project, the Tabernacle of David. Do you understand the difference between these structures?

​“On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; ​​I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; ​​That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” says Yehovah who does this thing. Amos 9:11-12

When King David recovered the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines, he erected a tent on the threshing floor of Obed which he had purchased. Astoundingly, he allowed all of Israel to come in before the Ark, which was forbidden before and after David. He appointed singers, dancers and musicians in shifts 24-7 to worship Yehovah God openly! This lasted nearly forty years. Equally astounding, was that God allowed it. Not only that, but we find out that it was actually God’s desire. Our Father in Heaven desires our intimacy with Him!

‘​After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; ​​I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; ​​So that the rest of mankind may seek Yehovah, ​​Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, ​​Says Yehovah who does all these things.’ Acts 15:16-17

Acts makes it clear that the reason God allowed the Tabernacle of David historically was a hint of His prophetic bombshell that the Gentiles would be welcomed into relationship with the God of Israel. Wow!

Finally, I love the fact that the throne where Messiah Yeshua reigns is called “the throne of David.” God honored David by naming the eternal throne of Jesus after him. Yehovah God is faithful!

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33

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

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)

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


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Priesthood of Believers: OT Concept

24 08 2019

LOLMy last commentary explained that being “grafted in” was an Old Testament concept. Today I will show how the “priesthood of all believers” is also an Old Testament concept. Most modern Christians have replacement theology in their spiritual DNA and mistakenly think everything we need to know is only in the New Testament. The benefit of discovering our Jewish roots deepens our intimacy with God the Father through Yeshua. He came to show us the Father. Understanding Yehovah God’s restoration of Israel is necessary for the fulfillment of “one new man.” Jewish and non-Jewish believers are joined into one through the Messiah. Jesus is not an end in Himself, but the way to the Father:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

The Messiah comes to complete the Father’s will. If you miss this truth you miss intimacy with the Father. Some Christians read the Old Testament to see Jesus there, but my hope is that you see the Father in the New Testament because you know Him in the Old. Most Bible believing Christians know about Peter’s declaration of our priestly calling, which agrees with John in Revelation:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 (also Rev. 5:10)

But, here is the “shocker” for most Christians. Yehovah tried to institute the priesthood of all believers in Exodus. When Moses first went up the mountain, God told Moses what He wanted to do with Israel:

“And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:6

However, when Yehovah God came down upon the mountain in all His Glory, the people were so terrified that they refused God’s intention to speak directly to them in intimacy.

Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”Exodus 20:18-19

Even today most Christians believe God does not speak to them. Yet, He has always wanted to speak intimately to us, but we refuse. Through Jesus, our Messiah, we once again are invited to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Are you ready? Are you willing?

One final thought. The idea that Moses was to hear God for them and then tell them what God said led to a great judgement. It was the beginning of religious hierarchy that still prevails today in both Judaism and Christendom. It is not His will. He wants us all to be priests, not  a special class of just a few leaders of pastors and priests. We are all His ministers, no exceptions! He desires intimacy which each one of His children. He desires to speak to us and with us, so we can speak to the lost world. Now is the time to listen to His voice. Go to Him yourself. Go directly to Him through the blood of the Lamb. Sit with Him. Enjoy Him. He is still waiting… Enjoy this great Chris Tomlin song.

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

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                   (Read more)


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