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Land of Israel |
Dear Brethren,
The United States, who has been the longtime
friend of the tiny nation of Israel, has of late been treating
the modern state of Israel like the proverbial step-sister.
Recent events have had the world press and most nations
renouncing the Jewish state of Israel. Where does the centuries
long animosity toward the Jews come from? We have come to the
point where those of considerable reputation do not hesitate to
publicly besmirch the Jewish people. From remarks
like Hollywood personality Mel Gibson's, “The Jews are
responsible for all the wars of the world;” to the
longest-serving White House reporter, Helen Thomas’ remark,
“Tell them [the Jews] to get the hell out of Palestine – tell
them to go home.” She also said that the Israeli Jews should go
back to “Poland, Germany and America and everywhere else…
Remember, these people [Palestinians] are occupied [by Israel] -
and it is their land.”
In actuality, God presented Israel with the
deed to the land of Palestine about 4000 years
ago. “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,
saying, Unto your children [Israel] have I given this
land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the
river Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18) After her remarks went
global, Helen Thomas posted an apology on her personal website
sighting the need for mutual respect and tolerance.
The Jews continue to defend their right to live
in their Middle East homeland. Today we find Israel being
universally accused of crimes against humanity for acting in
self-defense against tens of thousands of incoming deadly Hamas
rockets. It seems that most of the world is united in their
bias against Israel. Where does that hatred come from?
Much of the world justifies their hatred of the
Jews because, “they killed Jesus Christ.” They reason,
“Therefore, they brought persecution on themselves – they
deserve it – it is God’s retribution.” Some will even quote
Scripture about Christ’s crucifixion, saying in effect that the
Jews asked for it. “Then answered all the people, and said,
His blood be on us, and on our children.”
(Matthew 27:25)
Isn’t it ironic that “His blood be on us”
is considered a curse – whereas for those of us who have
repented, Jesus Christ’s blood on us brings forgiveness
and salvation. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9) “In whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
(Colossians 1:14) “Blessed are they whose iniquities are
forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” (Romans 4:7)
Among those who condemn Israel for their response
toward those who smuggle rockets into Palestine, there is not
one who would not take even stronger and more violent action
than Israel has. In the five years since Israel made the
decision to pull out of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians have
properly and officially elected the terrorist group Hamas as
their duly appointed government, and made the territory a haven
for terrorists. Hamas has fired close to 80,000 rockets into
Israel as they continue to improve the range and explosive
capability of their rockets. Hamas is determined to fire their
rockets into Jerusalem itself.
The citizens of Gaza have suffered terribly as a
result of the conflict. Hamas places its installation of rocket
launchers among schools, clinics, and residences. This legally
elected government has been hiding among the citizens of Gaza –
the very people it is supposed to be serving and helping – all
the while knowing that Israel would have to protect itself.
When Israel surgically responds to direct attacks, Hamas cries
to the prejudiced UN and to a naïve world at large as to how
evil Israel is. The spirit which motivated the Nazi Party to
annihilate the Jews in WWII has continued to pervade society
around this world.
Hamas does not have the support of Egypt which
has gone to great effort to destroy tunnels used for smuggling
arms and munitions into Palestine. If Hamas was seriously
dedicated to serving the people of Gaza, it would have obtained
foreign financing in order to build a new society for the
people. Five years ago, the European Union offered substantial
finances to Gaza, provided Hamas formally renounce terrorism,
and recognize Israel’s right to exist in peace. Hamas would not
do that, and as a consequence, was denied financial assistance
from the European Union.
With world opinion turning menacingly against
Israel, what can we expect to happen? Look at history. In
1967, when without warning of any kind, Israel was attacked
simultaneously by its four neighboring nations – Egypt, Lebanon,
Jordan and Syria. Israel roundly defeated all four, taking the
Golan Heights from Syria, and the West Bank including East
Jerusalem from Jordan.
Today Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city with a
population of about three-quarters of a million people.
Sixty-five percent are Jewish, thirty-two percent are Muslim –
with about 2% Christian. The
population of the city of Old Jerusalem is 73% Muslim, 18% Christian and 8% are Jewish.
What you will not hear from the biased news media is that
badly needed municipal services of a steady water supply,
plumbing, and electricity were extended by the Israelis to Arab
homes and businesses in east Jerusalem.
Brethren, live Christian lives first, but then
keep an eye on the Middle East – especially, Jerusalem. The
entire anti-Semitic world cannot rest as long as Jerusalem is in
the hands of the Jews. Notice what is to take place in the last
days – God says:
“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of
trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall
be in the siege both against Judah [the
Jews] and against Jerusalem.”
(Zechariah 12:1-2) How will peace and love come to
Jerusalem? It is going to take the return of the Prince of
Peace – Jesus Christ!
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| Sermon: |
"Land of Israel"
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