Israel's arsenal of nuclear power

This interactive map of Israel's strategic weapons program showing air bases, strategic weapons plants and missile facilities is based on interviews with U.S. Intelligence Officials and Nuclear experts.

However, I do have to wonder how this much information on supposedly "secret" sites is so readily available, and if it's complete or accurate.

Israel's arsenal

On the map, click on a symbol or location for specific information. Then, click on up/down arrows to view full description.


Don

Urgent Prayer for the Mid East

Israel has finally said, "Enough" to the constant, daily, barrage of rockets on its southern borders. In retaliation, the IAF has strategically targeted Hamas security and military installations and weapons depots. Since Hamas, a terrorist group, uses the Gazan people to camouflage its operations, there have been civilian casualties. Hamas refuses to give in, and, in defiance, continues to launch rockets...today, they killed an Israeli and wounded others.

This is a crisis!! The world, already sympathetic to the Arabs, is condemning Israel for defending its citizens. Nothing at all was reported about, nor was there heard an outcry among any of these nations concerning the thousands of rockets that have fallen in Israel just since the beginning of 2008. Nothing was heard about the violation of the cease fire by Hamas. Only have we heard about Israel's lack of compassion for closing the border crossings into Gaza in response to the relentless attacks by the terrorists.

We need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for wisdom for Israeli leaders as they try to end the madness by those who instill hatred for Jews and call for their annihilation. These militants do not want peace...you can not negotiate with terrorists and anyone who thinks you can, is deceived.

60 Rockets on southern Israel Christmas Eve

I'm sorry to disturb your Christmas celebrations, but something is happening in the land in which Jesus was born, and to the people God chose to send Him to, that I really believe you should know about.

Normally you would have been notified through the regular email service; and I would have posted about this on the Jerusalem Watchman website. Problems with the site have forced me to take it temporarily offline, however, leading me to resort to this form of a special announcement instead.

In the past few hours, as millions of Christians have been gearing up for Christmas, many turning their attention to the story of Jesus' birth and what it means for mankind, rockets have been raining down on Israeli communities in the south. At least 60 missiles fell today - Christmas Eve - some pulverizing bedrooms and falling just meters away from playgrounds - sending tens of people into shock and distress.

Thanks be to God no Israelis were killed today. There could so easily have been.

Tonight, as I write this, Christian children around the world are lying in bed, many wide awake with excitement at the thought of what tomorrow may bring.

Here, in the Israeli cities of Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheba, and in all communities within 30 km from the Gaza Strip, thousands of Jewish children are lying awake in fear and dread of the next Red Dawn alert that will send them scurrying for shelter.

Angels came to Bethlehem's shepherds heralding peace on earth and bringing glad tidings of great joy that a king, the King of the Jews, had come. But for the Jews of southern Israel - and indeed of all Israel - Christmas promises no joy, no let-up from the violence and hatred they have known for so long.

"Oh, it serves them right. For after all, they rejected Jesus."

This the callous response of some who call themselves Christians, but who in their hearts completely lack the compassion and love of they One they claim to follow.

Thousands of years and thousands of miles removed from what Israel's people have gone through in the past and are going through today, the Christian world - whose faith was born in the Land and among the People of Israel - is quite capable of enjoying "its" Christmas Day and laying plans for "its" New Year without any reference whatsoever to Israel.

Christmas Day promises no cheer for Israelis in the Negev. And 2009 holds little apparent hope for Israelis, wherever they may be, as the world, with a new American leader at its head, comes against Israel in an effort to wrest away from the Jews the land and patrimony of their founding fathers.

If I may impose on you, dear Reader, please consider giving Israel and Israelis just a few minutes of your thoughts and prayers before you get swept up in the festivities.

May God bless you and yours in the coming year. May He be glorified in Israel. And may the Lord bless His people with peace.

Amen!

Stan Goodenough

Answer to: Those who Bless/Curse Israel will be Blessed/Cursed

I was led to another website where the author debunked the bless/curse Israel promise that Christians point to today. I think this is important enough to answer:
Here's what this person says: "In Genesis 12:3, God said to Abraham, I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you, and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Notice, the direct "bless-curse" line concerned Abraham alone, not Israel, and "all the families of the earth" were to be blessed in Abraham, which meant through "his seed," which was Jesus Christ (see Galatians 3:16). In order to receive that very blessing, individuals must be willing to be "turned away" from their sins by God's grace (see Acts 3:25,26)."

However, if you read just a bit more in Genesis 27:29, you will find that Issac blesses Jacob with this: "Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you." Jacob was Abraham's seed through Issac!!
It might sound like a personal blessing, BUT, if you compare that with Hebrews 11:20, Paul says: By faith, Issac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."

Consider, also, these scriptures:
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you... (what shall be the end of those who don't?? Look it up!!)

Isaiah 49 is the Messianic chapter, but read verse 16 to 26 about Zion (Jerusalem-Israel) God says in verses 15 and 16 that a nursing mother cannot forget her son, so He will not forget Zion... she is written (engraved, as in permanently) on the palms of His hands...her walls are ever before Him.

Jeremiah is full of promises for Israel and punishment for those who come against her: Read chapter 31... it ends with this: In the latter days you will consider it.

And Chapter 32 has this promise: 35: Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
who disturbs the sea and its waves roar (the Lord of Hosts is His name)
36: If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before me forever.
37: Thus says the Lord: if heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the Lord

In Zechariah 12, God will make Israel a cup of drunkeness and Jerusalem a burdensome stone to those who come against her...I would call that a curse to those who come against Israel.

None of this in any way diminishes the preeminence of Jesus Christ, or those believers (wild olive branches) who are grafted in the true olive tree, Israel. It is true that in Christ shall all the Word of God be fulfilled. Until His return, Jerusalem, Israel, and His believers are all important. When He does return, His feet shall touch Mt. Zion and Jerusalem will be raised up -- the New Jerusalem doesn't come down until after the 1000 year reign of our Lord on the earth!!Zechariah 14:4-21

These are just a FEW of the verses that indicate we are blessed if we bless Israel, no matter what her state, especially since God does, even though she has rejected His Son. For He promises that one day He will pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on the house of David and all of Israel, and they will look upon Him whom they have pierced. Zechariah 12:10

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS: Read the scriptures by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It takes more than degrees in theology to understand what the Lord has written. Anyone who desires understanding and trusts the Lord, will be led by the Spirit to know what God is saying to His people. I John 2:26,27 Get a good concordance and reliable translation of the Bible. Compare Scripture with Scripture. It is my hope and prayer that more people will search out the Word and walk in the Truth.

Consider These Deceptions...

I want to bring your attention to something I have gained a perspective on from my research on my latest novel, Barriers. My heart is knit with Israel. My love for this country and its people couldn't be stronger. But for those of you who feel as I do, I want to issue this caution: Keep a right perspective on all that is happening there. Israel and her current government and policies are far from perfect. They exploit, oppress, torture and exterminate at will, those whom they will, often without regard to human decencies for their own people or for those Arabs living within Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Keep in mind that, except for Messianic Jews, Israelis and Jews around the world have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Son of God--Christ--Messiah. Contrary to what some popular preachers are proposing now, Jews absolutely do need to accept Jesus as their Messiah, in order to be saved. The scriptures spoken by the Lord, Himself, say as much. No amount of twisting the Word of God in either the Old or New Testament can make this truth say that they can go on in their unbelieving state and still be saved. Not Hagee, not anyone else who holds services in support of Israel and tells Jews they are fine, spiritually speaking, especially when they deny the deity of Christ.

Don't be deceived. This is an age old deception put forth by the father of lies, satan, in order to keep Jews from hearing the truth and believing on Jesus Christ. Don't rob these people who are the apple of God's eye. They have a special place in His End Time Economy, but they still must hear the truth.

Stay focused as more and more deceptions infiltrate through the "church". New Age meditation or contemplative prayer and music, Eastern practices and beliefs that all roads lead to heaven...replacement theology...that believing in Jesus is narrow minded and Jews don't have to believe in Jesus...that solid basic truths and values put forth in the Old and New Testaments are outdated. Homosexuality is a sin, just as surely as murder, lying, cheating, stealing, gluttony, adultery, denying the deity of Jesus, and the list goes on. We are living in an age that was prophesied by the Lord; As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so shall it be when the Son of Man is revealed: Luke 17:26- Think about it!!

People...read your Bibles!! Don't be led astray and miss the purpose for which you were created... if you don't know what that is, then you really do need to read God's Word, and not some new twisted version either, that strips it of its original content and meaning.

Be strong and steadfast as the Day of the Lord approaches--Jesus said those who do His will and remain faithful will be hated by the world, even by their own families, but He then says... He who endures to the end shall be saved!! Matthew 10:22
May we all be found faithful when that day comes suddenly upon us!

The Interview With God

This is a beautiful and powerful presentation. You will enjoy the breathtaking photographic images and inspiring messages in this video. Please turn up your sound.

"The Interview With God"

Start video here

Don

"I Will Glory In The Cross"

After a long difficult week, someone shared this song with me this morning. Listening brought tears to my eyes as I focused on the words written of the glory, power, and majesty of my Savior and Lord. Just imagine...He died on that cross for you and me, bearing the burden of your sins and mine that we might have life - eternal life through Him, for He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life.

Quiet your heart and mind now, close your eyes and focus on Him.
Turn up your sound and listen here

"I Will Glory In The Cross" sung by Allison Durham Speer

Don

Aftermath of the Election ~ Israel

This morning, when I was reading from the Bible in Romans 11 and 12, two things stood out as I reflected on the outcome of the election: One is the importance of Israel in God's End Times Economy, and the other is the attitude of Christians toward the president elect.
Romans, chapter 11, clearly, unmistakably, deals with Israel, and how GOD views this nation of people. Israel has NEVER been cast aside...she has been blinded temporarily, and IN PART. Verse 1 says: "I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid!" Paul goes on to to quote Elijah's cry to the Lord and His reply. Then in verse 5 he says,"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Paul continues to show how the Jews have fallen, and have been cut off from the olive tree, so that Gentiles could come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but he warns in verse 25: "but I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." Verses 26-29 then go on to say: "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There Shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes, but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance." Pretty self explanatory. You simply can't make that say anything else. You are ignorant in your own conceits if you think differently.

As for the election of our president this year, many Christians are being quite vocal about their disdain for this man they voted against. I stand guilty. Romans, chapter 12, is an amazing exhortation to believers on how they are to conduct themselves as representatives of Jesus Christ! Verse 2: "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God." compare that with Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the Father, which is in heaven."
Read the entire 12th chapter of Romans; if you are not convicted as to the state of your heart, whoever you are, you have a hardened heart. Paul covers how we are to deal with the actions, thoughts, and emotions we encounter as members of the Body of Christ and ends with, "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Couple that with the many exhortations to pray for those in authority and you have God's will for His people as it pertains to Israel and to this nation's leader! My prayer is that you will seek the Lord with all your heart and let Him show you His will, through His Word, for your lives. We are living in critical times...Look up~for your redemption draweth nigh!

Sack Cloth and Ashes~ A time of mourning...

Many of you may feel like the title suggests; you may even want to wear black or put on black armbands to visually show how you feel on this November 5th. BUT, I'm here to encourage you to put off the sack cloth, wash and anoint your heads with the Oil of Gladness... God is STILL God!! Jesus is STILL Lord, and He is STILL coming back for His own... Feel more like rejoicing now? I do!!! However, stay in prayer for this country...things are going to change all right...but not for the better for true believers, for the unborn, for family values, for Israel. Instead of mourning, why not make a difference while you can?!! Seek the Lord as to what He would have you to do and don't worry, Persecution WILL come as you do what is right...even so, Jesus said to rejoice when you are persecuted!! There's that word again...REJOICE!! ;)

Obama win will lead to America's demise~not Israels

FromStan Goodenough
Barack Obama’s platform, his policy agenda, his world view, his religion, his associations, his immaturity, his carefully-hidden depths - all comprise a clear and present danger to the security of the United States and the security of the world.

Conservative Americans - Christians and Jews - are rightly fearful of what an Obama victory November 4 will mean for their great nation.

And I would want to blast it as loudly as I could in the ears of every true American: It’s good that you are afraid. Be very, very afraid. And get everyone you can to get out to vote on November 4.
As Ann Coulter said on the Fox News Channel’s O’Reilly Factor last night. If Obama becomes president on November 4, things will never be the same again. There will be no going back.

Will an Obama win lead to Israel’s destruction? The biblical answer is a resounding “no!”

A more immediately important question for Americans should be: “Will an Obama win lead to the demise of the United States?”

For the answer to that one, see Isaiah 60:12

Oldest Hebrew Text Discovered at King David's Border Fortress

(IsraelNN.com) Archaeologists have discovered what they say is the oldest Hebrew text ever found, at a site they believe was King David's front line fortress in the war against the people of Pleshet, also known as the Philistines. The site overlooks the Elah Valley, where the young David slew Goliath, the Philistine giant, with a well-aimed shot from a sling.

The text is written in ink on a pottery shard. It is made up of five lines of text in Proto-Canaanite characters separated by lines. The discovery, by archaeologists Prof. Yossi Garfinkel and Sa'ar Ganor of Hebrew University, is being hailed as one of the most important
finds in Israel since the Dead Sea Scrolls.
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Carbon-14 dating as well as chemical analysis of the pottery found at the site shows conclusively that it dates from between 1,000 and 975 B.C. – the time of King David's reign. David – who wrote the Psalms, unified the tribes of Israel and made Jerusalem the capital of the Israeli nation – is considered to be Israel's greatest King, whose reign ushered in the period in which the First Temple was built.

The writing therefore predates the Dead Sea Scrolls by about 1,000 years.

Full story here

Don

Palestinians Calling America to vote for Obama

PA daily reports that Gaza residents are randomly calling American homes trying to convince Americans to support Barack Obama for president

by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, Oct. 27, 2008

The following is the story in the PA daily:

"23 year old [Palestinian] Ibrahim Abu Jayyab sits by the computer in the Nusairat refugee camp [in the Gaza Strip] trying to call American citizens, in order to convince them to vote for the Democratic candidate for president, Barack Obama...
Most of the Palestinians feel hatred towards USA, whose administrations have always stood by Israel...

Abu Jayyab's idea is to make telephone calls to American citizens through Internet sites that allow making free calls... in order to use them [to make phone calls] for the campaign supporting Obama. Abu Jayyab says: We dial random numbers and try to call people without knowing their identity or their affiliation...

He said that a large number of Palestinians dislike their activity... [those] who do not see any difference between the American politicians, because of the hostility that they feel towards America. But his hope is that their activity will have some impact [in support of Obama]."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Oct. 26, 2008] From: Palestinian Media Watch

One Vote ~ YOURS ~ Can Make a Difference!!!

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW!! Embed code is on the bottom of the video at the end... Click on the "up" arrow...copy/paste

Under His Wings

Awesome Cardboard Testimonies

All who have been washed clean by the precious shed blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary, all who have been redeemed by God's amazing grace, and all who's lives have been changed forever through victory in Jesus will find their personal testimony displayed on at least one of the "Cardboard Testimonies" shown in this video.

Turn up your speaker volume.

click here for video

Don

Trust in the Lord

May the Lord be your covering... Trust in Him, especially as the world around you falls apart!!

Once and For All...

I've met a wonderful sister in the Lord and her blog, Fan Into Flame, is such a blessing. This last post really resonated with my spirit and I think you will be just as blessed:

"Once and For all:
"God presented Him
as a sacrifice of atonement,
through faith in His blood ..."
(Romans 3:25)

At sundown today, the observance of Yom Kippur begins in Judaism. Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is the most solemn and important of the Jewish holidays. The Ten Days of Repentance, which began on Rosh Hashanah, culminates on the tenth and final day with Yom Kippur.

For 25 hours, practicing Jews pray and fast, seeking atonement for their sins. Historically observed on the tenth day of Tishrei (the tenth day of the seventh month as outlined on the Hebrew calendar) in accordance with Leviticus 23:27, Yom Kippur 5769 begins this year at sundown on October 8th and continues through the evening of October 9th.

As Christians, how should we acknowledge this Jewish high holy day?" Read Kathryn's enlightening post here: Once and For All

URGENT~ Prayer for America Wednesday, October 8th

Please pray for America this Wednesday, October 8th. Get the word out to everyone! The Lord is calling us to galvanize America into corporate Prayer. Read the first Five Psalms, but especially Psalm Five and the last two verses. Now, more than ever, we need to be in intercession for this country. Correction: The feasts of Ramadan are over and Wednesday marks the beginning of Yom Kippur. Rise up, Christians, it's time we take the Kingdom by storm!! Matthew 11:12

Psalm 5: 11,12
But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.

Significant "Signs of the Times"...

The following are excerpts from Signs of the Times, by Gary Kah Hope for the World. I invite you to read all of his enlightening articles, but first read his profile, as he has significant credentials.

"Virtually all of our most powerful leaders, including Tony Blair and George Bush, appear to be falling for the lie that a one-world economic, political and spiritual system will somehow solve our most pressing problems and bring peace. Through their naivety, Satan is tightening his grip on the institutions of this world – including the compromised elements of the church."

..."While in Israel, President Bush also met with Arab leaders at a special summit to promote his Road Map for Peace. This plan, if it remains in tact, will force Israel to give up a large portion of Judea and Samaria, while dividing Jerusalem. The goal of the Bush Administration is to have the plan finalized by November 12th of this year.15 At this point, both Shimon Peres and Ehud Olmert are “on board.” It appears that Israeli citizens are being betrayed by their top two leaders who are prepared to surrender their country to international interests in exchange for a promise of peace."

..."A few weeks after Bush’s trip to Israel he traveled to Rome for what would be his third meeting with Pope Benedict. On Friday, June 13th, Benedict and Bush held 30 minutes of private talks inside a medieval watchtower on the Vatican grounds. ...“Several Italian newspapers cited Vatican sources suggesting that Mr. Bush may be prepared to convert…He has repeatedly made clear his admiration for Benedict and has even claimed to have read some of the pope’s theological books.”19 ...(Jeb Bush, the President’s brother, has already converted to Catholicism.)"

..."Where are all the disturbing events of our day leading us? Ultimately, we know from Scripture (Matt. 24, II Thess. 2, Rev. 19-22, etc.) that Jesus Christ will return in power and majesty to defeat the forces of Satan and establish His reign. What an incredible day that will be! However, I’m afraid that between now and then things are going to “get ugly.”

"I believe, based on Scripture and current world trends, that persecution against the followers of Jesus will soon increase."

..."Therefore, our sacred duty and calling in these last days as we recognize the signs of the times is to stand firm on behalf of the Lord. In I Corinthians 15:58, Paul urges, “…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Again in I Corinthians 16:13, Paul emphatically states, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”

..."It is better to stand alone in the truth and remain obedient to the Lord than to fall with the majority for the lies of Satan and be subject to everlasting punishment. The prophet Daniel and the three Hebrews stood firm and would not compromise before the king of Babylon. They risked their very lives for the Lord, not knowing if they would be spared. Putting everything on the line in courageous obedience, they believed that no matter what happened their eternity would be secure in Him. They had an enduring trust in the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God; and so must we!"

...“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
— James 1:12

Read the entire article: Signs of the Times

Amazing Arab Conversion...Must Read!!!

WASHINGTON – When Taysir Saada served as a trained assassin for Yasser Arafat's Fatah organization in the late 1960s, he admits he hated Christians.

If he found a home belonging to followers of Jesus, he would sometimes throw a grenade inside and shoot it up with bursts of machine-gun fire.

He has no idea how many people were killed and wounded in such attacks.

Today a non-uniformed Saada, now known as Tass, patrols the dangerous Hamas-dominated streets of the Gaza Strip – no longer hunting down Christians or bearing arms; the Palestinian-American has traded in his automatic weapons and grenades for the Bible, humanitarian service and apologies to Arab Christians he once persecuted.

His transition from Islamic terrorist to Christian missionary is recounted in a new book, "Once An Arafat Man: The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life."

The rest of his story is truly riveting and a testimony to the Grace of God!! Arafat Sniper now Christian

A "Guided" Encounter

As I have found day in and day out, nothing that happens to me is by "chance", it is, rather, by Divine Guidance. Such was the case when searching the internet for anything pertaining to Israel in September 2006. I happened upon an article by Lisa Loden. The particulars escape me now, but her attitude so impressed me that I wrote her via the link provided, which apparently was one used by her church. It was forwarded to her, and she wrote me back as a result. That was two years ago to the month!
Today, when reading an article by Francis Frangipane, I followed a link to another article by Donna Diorio, and clicked on the link to her website, Israel Prayer On it, I found a page with information on Lisa's church founded by her husband, David Loden! Beit Asaph I have provided links to both sites under Friends and Be Informed in the side column as well. Check them out and be blessed!
Please be in prayer now, more than ever, for Israel's land and for Jerusalem, but even more importantly, for the Jews and those who labor to bring the Truth about Yeshua HaMashiach to them.

The Origin of the Name Palestine: Truth is Stranger than Fiction

By Mark Ledbetter

Since the defeat of Israel's third rebellion against Rome in 135 AD the land of Israel has been dubbed "Palestine." It is a name that been perpetuated in both secular and biblical history. Most have assumed that then Emperor Hadrian intentionally renamed the area Palestine to had insult to injury to the Jews. Supposedly, the name Palestine is derived from Israel's ancient arch-enemy, the Philistines.

Present-day Palestinians, especially those living in Gaza, lay hold of this assumption citing ancient history gives them a right to the land, and as descendents of the Philistines they have a legal right to the land, just as Israel stakes their claim on ancient Biblical history. It is interesting to note that, however, that the Philistines as a people group ceased to exist 3000 years ago as they were assimilated by local cultures.

When Palestine Meant Israel

In his article, "When Palestine Meant Israel," (Biblical Archaeology  Review, May/June 2001, Vol 27, No. 3, pp. 42-47), David Jacobson brings some interesting insight into the argument regarding the origin of the name Palestine. In the article, he admits the "phonetic similarity between Palaistine and Peleshet, the Hebrew word for the "land of the Philistines." But that is as far as the comparison goes.

He points out that in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, The Septuagint (or LXX), we find a transliteration of the Hebrew and is rendered Philistieim. So, the question that begs to be asked is, how or why did the name Palaistine (Palestine) become the common reference to the Land of Israel, or 'Eretz Yisrael? The answer is surprising and has interesting implications.

The origin goes back to the story recorded in Genesis 32:22-32 where Jacob wrestled with a "man" (or an angel). After the wrestling match, God gave Jacob a new name, Israel. In verse 25 we read, "When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him."

Again we read in verse 28, "He said, 'Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed."

In each verse a different word is used to indicate a struggle. In verse 25 the word "wrestle" (Hebrew, 'abaq) and is only found in connection with Jacob's wrestling with the Angel of the Lord. In verse 28, the word "striven" is from the Hebrew sarita, which comes from the root sarah, which means "content." The name Israel is from the compound sarita-el, or Yisra'el (Israel). Again, the Hebrew is found only in connection with Jacob's encounter with the angel (see Hosea 12:4). The emphasis is upon contending, or wrestling with God.

In verse 25, the Greek word used in the LXX for "wrestle" is epalaien, "he wrestled." The Greek for "wrestler" is palaistes. Comparing this with Palaistine

• Palaistes [wrestler]
  
• Palaistine [Palestine]
  

Jacobson makes the following observation: "The striking similarity between the Greek word for 'wrestler' (palaistes) and the name Palaistine – which share seven letters in a row, including a diphthong – is strong evidence of a connection between them." He continues:

Hadrian officially renamed Judea Syria Palaestina after his Roman armies  suppressed the Bar-Kokhba Revolt (the Second Jewish Revolt) in 135 C.E.; this is commonly viewed as a move intended to sever the connection of the Jews to their historical homeland. However, that Jewish writers such as Philo, in particular, and Josephus, who flourished while Judea was still formally in existence, used the name Palestine for the Land of Israel in their Greek works, suggests that this interpretation of history is mistaken. Hadrian's choice of Syria Palaestina may be more correctly seen as a rationalization of the name of the new province, in accordance with its area being far larger than geographical Judea. Instead, Syria Palaestina had an ancient pedigree that was intimately linked with the area of greater Israel.

Important Implications

This conclusion suggests, therefore two important thoughts. One, this position undermines the widely circulated myth that Palestine is derived from the word Philistine. Two, Arab Palestinians are actually claiming to be heirs of Jacob and are Israelites rather than Arabs. Arab Palestinians are a myth! Further, the name Syria Palaestinia almost encompasses the entire land area that God promised to Abraham and his descendants (see Genesis 15:18-21).

Prior to 1948, the British Mandate called for two "Palestines" – Jewish Palestine and Arab Palestine.

Jewish Palestine was a tiny sliver of land while Arab Palestine included present day Jordan. Before there was an Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, there was the Palestine Symphonic Orchestra. Similarly, before there was The Jerusalem Post, thee was a Palestine Post. Ironically, Syria objected to referring to the name Palestine because it was "too Jewish."

A Pseudo-Palestinian Movement

Who then, are the Palestinians? Initially, Palestinians were the 750,000 Arabs that left their homes in Israel as a result of the Arab invasion in 1948. The departed for three reasons: One, they were warned to flee because their Arab brothers warned them to remove themselves from harm's way when they invaded Israel; two, Arab intellectuals and businessmen left for Europe and America because they felt that the war would be disastrous if the remained; and three, Arabs remaining behind and proved hostile had their homes confiscated and were expelled from the land.

Arabs fleeing to neighboring Arab nations found themselves unwanted and found themselves as refugees. Through the years they were forced to live in squalid conditions in a hostile environment while living among their own. Meanwhile, many of the 650,000 Jews forced from their homes, livelihoods and fortunes in Arab nations found a home in the new State of Israel.

The designation "Palestinian" did not come into vogue until the 1967 Six-Day War. Three years prior to the '67 war, the Palestinian Liberation Organization was formed to liberate "Palestine," which included both Israel and Jordan. Arafat led the Jordanian "Palestinians" in a revolt against the Jordanian government. When defeated, he took his PLO to southern Lebanon (sound familiar) and moved to Israel in the 1980s.

Truth is at times, stranger than fiction.

 
 

Information is taken from Mark Ledbetter's book, The Road Map to Armageddon.

Psalm 83: Conspiracy, Conspirators, and Prayer

Pastor Mark Ledbetter from Sylacauga, Alabama, shared this in August, 2006; it seems even more pertinent today since we have a clearer picture of what is transpiring….

Several years ago, while still serving as pastor in Winfield, AL, I preached a message regarding the prophetic possibilities found in Psalm 83. What I said then seems even more so today. Following is a review and update in light of recent events that are currently taking place:

The Conspiracy, vvs. 1-4

Since the Psalm is ancient, then the intent of Israel's "neighbors" is ancient, as ancient as Ishmael and Esau. The call for Israel to be "wiped" off the landscape of a predominantly Islamic Middle East is something many have witnessed in modern and now post-modern era.

In 1947, Israel's Arab "neighbors" rejected the U.N. declaration establishing a small sliver of land as a home for Israel. Immediately, surrounding Arab nations engaged in a campaign to "push the Jews into the Sea." It was a war of "extermination" that was launched against a heavily out-manned, out-powered, and ill-equipped people that somehow miraculously prevailed. Ben Gurion's declaration of independence in May 1948 held.

Twice repeated has been the call for Israel's destruction, each with the same results. Israel's enemies were remarkably defeated in 1967 and 1973. Now, with the current crisis in Israel, the call for Israel to be removed from the land is a chief focus of Islamic nations.

The Conspirators, vvs. 5-8

It is easy to identify the identity of Israel's enemies in terms of current events: Syria, Lebanon/Hezbollah, Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinians. This band is enlarged as both Ishmael and Japheth's descendants are united through a common bond – Islam. So, the conspiracy grows in Ezekiel 38 and 39 as Iran makes a stand.

Recently, Iran's Ahamadinejab, has once again called for the Israeli state to be replaced with an Islamic republic – the goal Hamas and Hezbollah have for Israel and Lebanon, respectively. But this time Jordan, Egypt and Turkey failed to object to the inflammatory rhetoric of Ahamadinejab.

Gog and Magog, Tubal, Cush, etc., are all Islamic nations, many are remnants of the former Soviet Empire. Nations under Islamic influence include the southern border of the Mediterranean, or northern Africa, as well as Sudan (Cush) and other African nations. It would be hard for anyone to miss, unless they simply choose to close a blind eye, or be so caught up in the cares of this life that they don't care.

The Prayer, vvs. 9-18

The Psalmist mixes no words regarding how he wants God to respond! He calls for God to respond with force, and by doing so, revealing that the war that Islam proposes is a war against God Himself, and will end in God's ultimate glory. This will be the result in the battle between Jehovah and Allah in Ezekiel 38 & 39.

^"Fill their faces with dishonor, that they may seek Thy name, O LORD. Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever; and let them be humiliated and perish, That they may know that Thou alone, whose name is the LORD, art the Most High over all the earth." (Ps 83:16-18, NAS)

© Mark Ledbetter 2006

Ancient vs Modern Day Israel

I found the following information to be an amazing parallel between the Judges and Kings of ancient Israel vs the Prime Ministers and coming Kings of modern day Israel. Note the numbers in each period of history, the 4th entry in each period, and the final King entries in both periods.

The original source of the material could not located, nor has its accuracy been verified. Use for general informational purposes only.

Don


Beginning of the nation of Israel [1897 BC]

Abram… a great nation… Abraham; for a father of many nations

There were 13 judges:
1) Moses
2) Othniel
3) Ehud
4) Deborah – Only woman
5) Tola
6) Jair
7) Jephthah
8) Ibzan
9) Elon
10) Abdon
11) Samson
12) Eli
13) Samuel

Then came Kings. The first 2 were:
1) Saul (Was a type of anti-christ – did things not unto the Lord)
2) David (Was most after God’s heart – did things unto the Lord)


Modern Israel

First Zionist Congress – Theodore Herzl [1897 AD]

Who has been Prime Minister since then:
1) David Ben-Gurion (1948-1953, 1955-1963)
2) Moshe Sharett (1954-1955)
3) Levi Eshkol (1963-1969)
4) Golda Meir (1969-1974) – Only woman
5) Yitzak Rabin (1974-1977, 1992-1995)
6) Menachem Begin (1977-1983)
7) Yitzak Shamir (1983-1984, 1986-1992)
8) Shimon Perez (1984-1986, 1995-1996)
9) Benjamin Netanyahu (1996-1999)
10) Ehud Barak (1999-2001)
11) Ariel Sharon (2001-2006)
12) Ehud Olmert is acting PM until elections
13) Could this PM could be the one to sign the agreement with the AntiChrist?

The next 2 Kings?
1) The Antichrist (Saul like qualities)
2) Lord Jesus Christ

The Real 'Right of Return'

By Arlene Kushner
FrontPageMagazine.com | Wednesday, September 17, 2008

It is perverse, if not altogether surreal, that the international community persists in treating with seriousness the negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel that deal in some considerable measure with the “key issue” of return of refugees.
Perhaps we can attribute this to a political correctness that makes it impossible for many to challenge a concept that the Palestinians are advancing with great passion. But if there is ever going to be peace in the Middle East, self-deluding perceptions based on political correctness must be abandoned.

It’s time to get real: The “right of return” does not exist.

UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for those Palestinians considered to be “refugees,” premises the existence of the “right” rather tenuously on the lead sentence in UN General Assembly Resolution 194, paragraph 11: “the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date…”
But a closer look at this sentence and its broader context exposes the fatal weaknesses inherent in advancing it as the legal basis for “return”:
read the rest of the article: Right of Return

Bozrah the Sheep Pen of the Messiah

The Location of the Coming of the Messiah According to the Hebrew Scriptures

The link below provides a study showing where the Second Coming of the Messiah will take place. This subject is often misunderstood by even the most noted scholars. There is much confusion concerning the timing of the Second Coming and the Rapture of the Church, and the term Battle of Armageddon is also an event that is often misunderstood. This will detail the scriptures indicating the return of the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus).

The main error about the Valley of Armageddon is that it is incorrectly named. From the Hebrew Har-Meggido or Mount Meggido. Meggido is an ancient city near the Valley of Jezreel. There is no battle here only a gathering of the Gentile armies of the Anti-Messiah against the nation of Israel. This gathering is very much like the gathering of the Allied Forces in Ryad, Saudi-Arabia in Operation Desert Storm 1 in the early 1990's. Bozrah is not the same Bosera in southern Iraq. (Both meaning sheep pen but are different locations.)

The armies are gathered, and Israel will learn of the passage:

Matthew 24:15-16, "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

They heed this prophesy and flee to the mountainous wilderness in Southern Jordan (Edom) to a city called Bozrah. Bozrah is an Old Testament city in Edom whose name translates as sheep pen. The city that closely resembles a sheep pen in Southern Jordan is the ancient Roman city called Petra. A rock fortress that is highly defendable with the surrounding mountains. The remnant of Israel flees Jerusalem as foretold in Isaiah.

More at link...

full story here

The link will show a continuation of the story, photographs, Scriptures, history of Petra and so much more. This is a must read!

Don

Land Boundaries Given To Abraham

Genesis 13:14,15
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

Genesis 15:18-21
On the same day the LORD 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— the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

Map of the land boundaries:

see map here

Don

Remembering September 11, 2001

I have a tribute to Capt.Thomas Farino on my personal blog: Midspoint

Someday, Peace…

Pain unspeakable, taking emotions prisoner
Battering the soul with images tender hearts cannot endure.
The enormous depth of anguish cannot at length be fathomed,
Nor the mount of sorrows scaled within a single lifetime.

Outcries hide in caverns of unrequited silence,
Tears flow unrestrained into streams of mass frustration.
Sleep comes not, for the vigil, held amid the devastation,
Burning eyes with hallowed cinders of the cherished…lost.

Yet echoes of a faith not buried, nor crumbled underneath the rubble
Bring unrelenting waves of peace surpassing comprehension.
And with it springs up courage, molding heroes from the ashes,
Who, despite the dangers hidden, care beyond their lives.

Still, vengeance is but God’s alone, in perfect judgment executed,
Bringing hatred to its knees beneath the blue of freedom’s skies.
Released from shackles of oppression, the wounded heal in Love’s embrace,
And in the face of hope rebuilt…fades the battle cry.

© Mid Stutsman 2001

The Third Temple

Rice Urging Division of Jerusalem

by IsraelNN Staff
Last Update: 09/02/08

(IsraelNN.com) Aaron Klein, Jerusalem Bureau Chief for WorldNetDaily.com, reveals that multiple reports on Thursday in official Palestinian Authority media outlets insist that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pressed Israel in her visit here earlier this week to sign a document that would divide Jerusalem by the end of the year.

Interviewed by Israel National Radio's Tovia Singer, Klein stated that the proposed deal would offer the Arabs a state in Israel's capital city as well as in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza Strip.

More at link...

full story here



I have said that I believed Jerusalem was God's line drawn in the sand, so to speak - and that if it was crossed, He would bring swift judgment down on all who would seek to divide her. In light of the current situation there regarding relentless attempts to split Israel's God given land, this Scripture promise for Jerusalem may be significant for today: (Note the surveyor's line over Jerusalem)

Zechariah 1:16-17 NKJV
Therefore thus says the LORD:
"I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy;
My house shall be built in it," says the LORD of hosts,
"And a surveyor's line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem."'
"Again proclaim, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts:
"My cities shall again spread out through prosperity;
The LORD will again comfort Zion,
And will again choose Jerusalem.'"

These Scriptures describe the judgment that will come for dividing the land:

Joel 3:2 NKJV
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.

Zechariah 14:2
For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

I believe if the land is divided as we are seeing today - crossing the line God has established, He will bring His swift judgment on all who tread on it as He has promised.

I also believe there's only just a few more grains of sand remaining yet to drop down into the bottom of the hour-glass of time as we know it.

Don

God Will Never Forget Thee, Zion!

(Isaiah 49:14-16)
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
And my Lord has forgotten me."

"Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me."

The Lord has tatooed Zion/Jerusalem on the palms of His hands...
her walls are continually before Him. No matter what unbelieving, corrupt government tries to sell out Israel to her enemies, Israel/Jerusalem is ever before the Lord. He has wed Himself to her. He is her bridegroom. She will always be in His heart. The enemies of Israel have her destruction in mind, even those enemies within, whose hearts are not Jewish, those who call themselves Jews but are not and love not the land that was specifically given to them by the Creator of heaven and earth, but God says He will defend her.

We may yet have our faith tried in this respect, if the Lord allows the unthinkable to happen in order to bring Israel to her knees so that her people will acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah. We may think as others undoubtedly will, that God has forsaken His Beloved... but stand strong when these things happen, for God is not a man that He should lie... what He has said He will bring to pass.
Never doubt for a minute that God's Word is true, and that He is orchestrating all that is happening--for Israel's future benefit~never cease to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!!!

Wall dating to Second Temple unearthed

The Jerusalem Post
Sep 3, 2008
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220444319782&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The remains of the southern wall of Jerusalem that was built by the Hasmonean kings during the time of the Second Temple have been uncovered on Mount Zion, the Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.

The 2,100-year-old wall, which was destroyed during the Great Revolt against the Romans that began in 66 CE, is located just outside the present-day walls of the Old City and abuts the Catholic cemetery built in the last century where Righteous Gentile Oskar Schindler is buried.

The sturdy wall, which is believed to have run 6 km. around Jerusalem, was previously exposed by an American archeologist at the end of the 19th century, the state run archeological body said.

The Israeli archeologist who started the ongoing excavation a year-and-a-half ago also uncovered the remains of a city wall from the Byzantine Period (324-640 CE) that was built on top of the Second Temple wall at a time when ancient Jerusalem reached its largest size after its southward expansion.

"In the Second Temple period the city, with the Temple at its center, was a focal point for Jewish pilgrimage from all over the ancient world, and in the Byzantine period it attracted Christian pilgrims who came in the footsteps of the story of the life and death of their messiah," said Yehiel Zelinger, the excavation's director.

He said the builders of the Byzantine wall were unaware of the existence of the earlier structure, yet they placed their wall precisely along the same route due to its advantageous location for the defense of the city.

Full story at link...

Moslem 1925 pamphlet claims Temple Mount Jewish

"The widely-disseminated Arab claim that the Temple Mount isn't Jewish has been debunked - by the Supreme Moslem Council (Waqf), in a 1925 pamphlet." See the pamphlet and read the article here: Temple Mount

The fact that the Jewish government never saw this part of Jerusalem important enough to keep it under Israeli control, speaks volumes about the spiritual state of this nation so important to God!! As Christians, we may yet be surprised at what will have to happen to this country to bring it to its knees and acknowledge the sin of pride and self-reliance to the end that its people accept Yeshua as their Mashiach(Messiah).

Galilee Arabs Could Declare A State Now

This, from: The Jerusalem Post

"If the Israeli government doesn't make sure there is a Jewish majority in the Galilee, the Arab majority could declare independence and [demand] international recognition based on the precedent of [breakaway Georgian provinces South] Ossetia and Abkhazia," Danny Ayalon, former ambassador to the US and current co-chairman of Nefesh B'Nefesh, said at a political gathering in Carmiel Sunday evening.

This, from: World Net Daily
By Aaron Klein
© 2008 WorldNetDaily





JERUSALEM – After months of denials the status of Jerusalem is on the table during negotiations, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office today confirmed to WND that a mechanism has been created to deal with the issue of the holy city in U.S.-backed Israeli-Palestinian talks aimed at creating a Palestinian state by the end of the year.

"Of all the final status core issues, the issue of Jerusalem is probably the most difficult and unlike some of the other issues, we have yet to start negotiating the future of Jerusalem. Therefore in order to not let the process fall victim to its weakest link, we have the establishment of an agreed upon mechanism that would continue to deal with Jerusalem. That mechanism was created in such a way that it would address the concern of both sides," Mark Regev, Olmert's spokesman, told WND.

Regev would not detail which mechanism had purportedly been created to discuss Jerusalem.

Warning signs...

Space Weather News for Aug 31, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

Sky watchers across the USA and Europe are reporting unusually colorful sunsets and sunrises. The cause appears to be the August 7th eruption of the Kasatochi volcano in Alaska's Aleutian islands. The volcano hurled a massive cloud of ash and sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere; high winds have since carried the aerosols over parts of the USA and Europe. "Violet domes," long pink rays crossing the sky, campfire-red aureoles around Venus--these are just a few of the sights documented on Spaceweather.com in recent days. When the sun goes down tonight, look west. You may be in for a treat.

Ongoing coverage of the phenomenon may be found at Space Weather

I put this on my own blog as well, as I think it important for us to be continually aware of what's happening in the world, not just politically, but also with regard to what's going on beneath the earth's surface. The area, known as the Ring of Fire is showing increasing activity, with more earthquakes in China in the past few days as well as in Alaska as noted above, and in Vancover, Canada, where a fairly strong earthquake hit four days ago. You might want to read Isaiah 13 and Joel 3, for these are future predictions made by the Lord, along with a promise: "but the Lord will be the hope of His people and the strength of the children of Israel." Isaiah 13:16

Confirmed: Jerusalem is on negotiating table

This is so sad. They are finally admitting that part of the city is for sale, and are looking for a peace deal by the end of the year. However, they are about to find out that God will have the last word.

Zech. 12:3
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Joel 3:2
I will gather all the nations
And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat
Then I will enter into judgment with them there
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
And they have divided up My land.


Confirmed: Jerusalem is on negotiating table
After months of denials, Israel admits 'mechanism' for 'dealing with holy city'

August 31, 2008
1:35 pm Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

JERUSALEM – After months of denials the status of Jerusalem is on the table during negotiations, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office today confirmed to WND that a mechanism has been created to deal with the issue of the holy city in U.S.-backed Israeli-Palestinian talks aimed at creating a Palestinian state by the end of the year.

"Of all the final status core issues, the issue of Jerusalem is probably the most difficult and unlike some of the other issues, we have yet to start negotiating the future of Jerusalem. Therefore in order to not let the process fall victim to its weakest link, we have the establishment of an agreed upon mechanism that would continue to deal with Jerusalem. That mechanism was created in such a way that it would address the concern of both sides," Mark Regev, Olmert's spokesman, told WND.

More of the story here:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=73965

Dead Sea Scrolls..

God is amazing in that He daily confirms His Word to the just and the unjust... all are without excuse... All can come to the saving knowledge of His Son, Yeshua HaMashiach!

Dead Sea Scrolls Link Past and Present

By Chris Mitchell
CBN News Mideast Bureau Chief
August 24, 2008

http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/431829.aspx

CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - Just over 60 years ago, a Bedouin boy stumbled on one of the greatest treasures in history. He discovered the first of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which constitute the oldest evidence for the Hebrew Bible.

On the edge of the Dead Sea, deep in the heart of the Judean wilderness in a place called Qumran, came some of the most significant artifacts of modern times: the Dead Sea Scrolls.
For two millennia, the scrolls lay hidden in 11 caves throughout the Qumran area. Their discovery marked the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.

To learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls, CBN News hiked up to one of those 11 caves with Stephen Pfann, founder of the University of the Holy Land and an expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

When asked why the Dead Sea Scrolls were so important to us today, Pfann said, "because they confirm the Bible that we have. There's variants, but basically it's [that] you can barely tell the difference between the two texts, [the one] that we have in Qumran and in our Bibles."

The Dead Sea Scrolls provide a 2,000-year-old link between the Scriptures during the time of Jesus and today.

More story at the above link...

The Mediterranean along Israel's coastline

Judean Hills

Eilat Mountains

View of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus

Israel, O Israel, how I long for you. What I wouldn't give to traverse your land and breathe in the sacred air of your past, feel the sands of your present days, and weep at the wall for your immediate future. I long to sit on the Mount of Olives and listen to the ancient trees share about the life of Yeshua, watch the sunrise reverently kiss Jerusalem's walls. I know in my heart of hearts that there is a glorious awakening for you in the coming Messianic kingdom, but for now I close my eyes and reach across the miles in my spirit...knowing someday, when I open them, I will embrace your Holy Land and walk in the ways of the Righteous. Look for me, you who are beloved of the Father!

Someday Israel will trust in the Lord, not in the IDF

Read Isaiah 51 and 55 ~ Someday Israel will trust in the Lord for her deliverance and not in her own strength...



IDF Begins Major Move to the Negev
by Hillel Fendel

A Hercules jet will take off Monday afternoon from central Israel to the new Nevatim Israel Air Force base in the Negev, marking the start of the herculean IDF move to the Negev.

The move marks today's closing of the IAF's main transport base, in Lod, and its replacement in Nevatim. The new base will be formally dedicated later this week in the presence of President Shimon Peres and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi

At the same time, infrastructure work is beginning on the new army city in the Negev, to be called Ir HaBahadim, or City of the Training Bases. Construction was long delayed because of environmental concerns. Defense Minister Ehud Barak is in attendance for a ceremony marking the construction.

The new town is set to be built on an area of 1,065 dunams (263 acres, just over a square kilometer), and and will house the IDF's Armaments School, Logistics Training School, Military Police, and more. Ir HaBahadim will also include an inn for visitors, a shopping mall, a country club and theaters, and is expected to provide a welcome economic boon for the sparsely-populated area - as well as boost for the IDF, technologically and manpower-wise.

The move to the Negev, called "Project IDF Ascent to the Negev," is being termed by security network personnel "one of the largest and most important military projects in the history of the State of Israel." Some 11,000 soldiers, both in the standing army and career officers, will serve on the technological campus of the 4CI Branch - the army's Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Information Branch. Another 9,000 soldiers will serve in other branches there.

Ir HaBahadim (Bahad is an acronym for Bsis Hadrachah, or Training Base) has long been in the planning, and will feature state-of-the-art elements in the training and preparation spheres.

Lost Tribe of Israel making Aliya

1st time: Entire 'Lost tribe of Israel' allowed 'home'
Indian group believes its lineage includes biblical patriarch Joseph
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: August 22, 2008
12:05 am Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

Bnei Menashe men in India reciting traditional Jewish prayer (photo: Shavei Israel)
JERUSALEM – After years of diplomatic wrangling, the Israeli government has given permission to a community of Indian citizens who believe they are one of the "lost tribes" of Israel to move legally to the Jewish state.

This decision, first reported in Israel's Maariv newspaper, clears the way for the arrival here of 7,232 members of the Bnei Menashe. They believe they are the descendants of Manasseh, one of the biblical patriarch Joseph's two sons and a grandson of Jacob.
Read the rest of the story here: Lost Tribe

Preparing the Ornamental Crown for the Brass Laver

The Keter for the Copper Laver

WORK CONTINUES APACE ON THE NEW COPPER LAVER being produced by the Temple Institute, and this past Wednesday, (19 Av, 5768/August 20, 2008), an important step forward was taken: the copper keter, or ornamental crown, which will be affixed to the top of the laver, was completed and delivered to the Acco based factory of Shlomo Buchbut, where the laver is being prepared.

THE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED KETER IS THE WORK OF CHAIM ODEM, renowned Israeli metalsmith. Chaim has taken part in the design and manufacture of many of the metal vessels produced by the Temple Institute, most notably the golden menorah. For months Chaim has been busy at work on the keter, a process which began with his own artistic rendition of a crowning ornament worthy of adorning the Holy Temple-bound copper laver. Once having acheived a suitable design, Chaim then had to create molds and templates, only after which did he begin the painstaking task of hammering by hand the design into the copper sheet.

THE LAVER IS A SANCTIFIED TEMPLE VESSEL, and as such, it is forbidden to store water in the laver itself overnight. A Second Temple High Priest by the name of Ben Kattin devised a separate reservoir which sat atop the laver, in which the water could be stored, thereby improving the efficiency of the laver, while maintaining the vessel's sanctity. This reservoir was called the muchni. It is upon the muchni's modern-day equivalent that the ornamental crown will sit.

More of the story at this link:
http://www.templeinstitute.org/kiyor-keter.htm

Be sure to watch the entire slideshow presentation from the link. Beautiful workmanship!

Don

Unique Biblical Discovery at City of David Excavation Site

18 Aug 2008

Head archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar:  "It is not very often that such a discovery happens in which real figures of the past shake off the dust of history and so vividly revive the stories of the Bible."

A 2,600 year old clay seal impression, or bulla, bearing the name Gedaliah ben Pashur has recently been uncovered completely intact during archeological excavations in Jerusalem's ancient City of David, located just below the walls of the Old City near the Dung Gate.

The name appears in the Book of Jeremiah (38:1) together with that of Yehuchal ben Shelemayahu, whose name was found on an identical clay bulla in the same area in 2005. The two men were ministers in the court of King Zedekiah, the last king to rule in Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple.

According to Dr. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University  who is leading the dig, this is the first time in the annals of Israeli archeology that two clay bullae with two Biblical names that appear in the same verse in the Bible have been unearthed in the same location. 

"It is not very often that such a discovery happens in which real figures of the past shake off the dust of history and so vividly revive the stories of the Bible," Mazar noted.

The first bulla was uncovered inside an impressive stone structure, which Mazar believes to be the Palace of David, while the second bulla was found at the foot of the external wall of the same structure, under a tower that was built in the days of Nehemiah.

Both bullae, clearly preserved, measuring 1 cm. in diameter each and lettered in ancient Hebrew, were found among the debris of the destruction of the First Temple period (8th to 6th centuries BCE).

Dr. Eilat Mazar recently completed the third phase of her excavation of what she believes to be King David's palace at the City of David site.

More finds are expected as archeologists continue to sift through the rubble from the dig, which was sponsored by the Ir David (City of David) Foundation together with the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Hebrew University, and the Shalem Center.

The City of David is the original hilltop upon which King David dedicated ancient Jerusalem as his capital 3,000 years ago.

Deep underground, the City of David is revealing some of the most exciting archeological finds of the ancient world, while above ground, the site is a vibrant center of activity and popular tourist attraction for families, complete with visitor's center, 3D exhibition and guided tours through the excavations that include Warren's Shaft, ancient water systems such as Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Second Temple Shiloah pool.

During the busy summer and festival periods, the site offers added family-friendly attractions, festivals, concerts, guided tours etc.

www.biblicaldiscovery.jpg

God’s Cleansing Agent

Yesterday our Pastor preached on Ezekiel 37. Very often during preaching, I will read the referenced scriptures in context, often many verses before and after the one being discussed. Yesterday was one of those days. I want to share with you what I "saw" and how it blessed me even though it was not the same context as yesterday's sermon:

Ezekiel 36:24-28
"For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God."

When I read, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols…" I saw a picture of the Israel's Messiah. The Word of God is the cleansing agent – Yeshua IS the Living Word, the Living Torah. It is by the Word that God's people Israel will be cleansed and purified, their stony heart turned to flesh. For Israel, the Word is the revelation of the Messiah.

My prayer, even while sitting in church yesterday, was "Lord, cleanse Your people Israel and make them holy by the washing with water through the Word in order that they may be presented to You radiant and without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish … holy and blameless."

Ezekiel saw this very same cleansing that Paul referred to in Ephesians 5:26. He saw the people Israel, whose hearts had been transformed from stone to flesh, who were cleansed from all impurities and idols, become radiant with the washing with water through the Word…the Messiah.

What a picture of God's passion toward His people Israel. After all that has been said and done, He reaches out to embrace His very own, opens their eyes, transforms their hearts, and cleanses them with the Living Torah, the revelation of the only true and prophesied Messiah, Yeshua haMashiach!

Lord, may it be accomplished according to Your infallible Word! Amen!

Love,
Jan

Unique Biblical Archeological Discovery

I love to see evidence of Biblical history brought to light with discoveries such as this one. More and more it's being proven with hands-on, real life material evidence that God's Holy inspired Word, both the OT and NT, is not just a collection of stories, but the living eternal Truth. Perhaps this will help to cause the nay-sayers to rethink their position.

Don

Unique biblical discovery at City of David excavation site
18 Aug 2008

A 2,600 year old clay seal impression, or bulla, bearing the name Gedaliah ben Pashur has recently been uncovered completely intact during archeological excavations in Jerusalem's ancient City of David, located just below the walls of the Old City near the Dung Gate. The name appears in the Book of Jeremiah (38:1) together with that of Yehuchal ben Shelemayahu, whose name was found on an identical clay bulla in the same area in 2005. The two men were ministers in the court of King Zedekiah, the last king to rule in Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple.

According to Dr. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University who is leading the dig, this is the first time in the annals of Israeli archeology that two clay bullae with two Biblical names that appear in the same verse in the Bible have been unearthed in the same location.

"It is not very often that such a discovery happens in which real figures of the past shake off the dust of history and so vividly revive the stories of the Bible," Mazar noted.

Full story at link...

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Israel+beyond+politics/Unique+biblical+discovery+at+City+of+David+excavation+site18-aUG-2008.htm

Under His Wings - entry #2

Isaiah 43:1-3a NKJV
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

In that Scripture the Lord said, "I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." Wow! What a powerful statement and promise from God to Israel!

Even though Israel was unfaithful, God still loved her and promised her release from captivity. The Holy One of Israel created her, He redeemed her, He promised to be with her through all trials and difficult times, and He will protect her - for Zion is desired as His dwelling place and resting place forever (Ps. 132:13,14).

Just as it is with Israel, we can also claim His promises. When we repent and and by faith alone accept Jesus into our life as Savior and Lord, we instantly become royalty. We become sons and daughters of the most-high sovereign God Who not only made those promises to Israel, but rules today and will rule and reign forever. As a child of the King, we become worthy heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Revelation 3:4 promises that the faithful in Christ will walk with Him in purity and righteousness. The Apostle Paul stated in Galations 3:29, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Can you claim the promises in God's Word as your own? Do you belong to Him? Can you say with absolute confidence and assurance that, "I am His, and He is mine?" If so, then one day soon you will hear Jesus say, "My child, I have redeemed you, your sins once as scarlet are now whiter than snow - you are Mine forever!"

John 10:27,28 NKJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.


Don

Promises

Isaiah 66:8-14

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed , she brought forth her children.
Shall I bring to the birth , and not cause to bring forth ? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth , and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
That ye may suck , and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out , and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck , ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforteth , so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice , and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

More promises for future Israel. Peace like a river with the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Those who align themselves with Israel will be comforted in Jerusalem. Right now there is fear and uncertainty but in that day, God says our hearts will rejoice, and our bones will flourish like a growing plant. We who love Israel and mourn for her will be glad and rejoice...we will know the hand of the Lord, not his judgment reserved for His enemies. Get rooted and grounded in the word now. Let the Lord open your eyes to the Truth about Israel. Beware of emergent church doctrine, replacement theology and those who would put God's promises in the past tense. There is much more to come!! Are you ready for it??

Under His Wings - entry #1

As the Lord leads, I will periodically write and post a series of short devotionals related to God's everlasting love for Israel, including the personal relationship we can have with Him as well. God bless!

Don


Jeremiah 31:35,36 NIV
This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name: "Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me."

Our awesome God of the universe, the One who created all things, the One who is in complete control, the One who never slumbers or sleeps, and the One who has numbered the hairs of our head will never allow Israel to cease from being a nation, nor will He ever turn away from them.

Israel is the apple of God's eye (Zech, 2:8). God will protect, deliver and rescue Israel (Is. 31:5). In Jerusalem, which He has chosen, His name will be there forever (2 Chr. 33:7).

Just as Almighty God cares for Israel, He also cares for you and me - for we are all precious in His sight. Just imagine! He holds the whole world in the palm of His hand, yet He can curl up inside our heart if we just let Him into our life.

Psalm 91:4 NIV
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Prodigal Son~Masab Yousef

This will encourage you like no other article... God is moving among the Muslims today. He is demonstrating His love to all who will abandon their rebellion against Him and believe in and accept His Son, Yeshua HaMashiach as their Lord and Savior. Our God is an Awesome God!!
Prodigal Son

Promises

(Zechariah 12:1,2, 9,10)

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
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 and against Jerusalem.
...
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced , and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

This promise thrills me! It leaves no doubt as to God's heart towards His people. In that day when the world comes against Jerusalem to destroy the nation of Israel, God will turn the tables on them. Then He will remove the veil that has blinded Jews from receiving Jesus (Yeshua) as their messiah and pour out His grace upon them!!

Promises

As often as I can, I am going to post one of God's promises to His chosen people, Israel, and to His chosen city, Jerusalem. Knowledge of the Word is a defense against error and deception. Too many churches today are resorting to the writings of men and changing or placing little importance on what God says, even to the point of abandoning it altogether.

(Isaiah 51:17, 22-23)
Awake, awake!
Stand up, O Jerusalem,
which has drunk at the hand of the LORD
The cup of His fury;
You have drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling,
And wrung it out.
...
Thus saith your Lord,
The LORD and your God,
that pleadeth the cause of His people:
"Behold, I have taken out of thine hand
The cup of trembling,
The dregs of the cup of My fury;
Thou shalt no more drink it again.
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee,
Which have said to thy soul,
'Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body
as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.'"

This is a future promise to the nation of Israel that after she has endured God's fury against her people and her land, she is to awaken and stand up to see Him pour out His fury against those who have come against her and threatened to destroy her.

Israel, God's Passion

The more I read, the more I pray, the more I realize that so many Christians are missing it. The focus is too much on "we" and "us" and not the object of God's passion.

God is committed to His people Israel. He is in covenant with them ... not "was" but "is". Although they have strayed, many are coming back--more and more as time goes on. But even more than that, God's Word says that His relationship with Israel WILL be restored. In fact, the plan of God not only merely includes restoration of His people Israel unto Himself, His purpose throughout the ages leads to full restoration.

Thank you to Don and Mid for sharing your hearts, for keeping us informed and for praying that the Church will see God's purpose for His people Israel. I join you in praying for the Peace of Israel because she is indeed God's Passion!

Love to you both...
Jan

More about the situation in Georgia

Joel Rosenberg has information, pictures and maps of what's happening between Georgia and Russia. This is important to understand in light of Ezekiel 38 and 39, as Don mentioned in his posts below.

War in Georgia: The Israeli connection

For past seven years, Israeli companies have been helping the Gerogian army prepare for war against Russia through arms deals, training of infantry units and security advice. Will Russia retaliate militarily against Israel for her involvement with Georgia? Israel must be alert for that possibility.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6)

Don


War in Georgia: The Israeli Connection
by Arie Egozi ~ ynet news

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3580136,00.html

(below are excerpts from that article)

The fighting which broke out over the weekend between Russia and Georgia has brought Israel's intensive involvement in the region into the limelight. This involvement includes the sale of advanced weapons to Georgia and the training of the Georgian army's infantry forces.
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It was clear that too many unmistakable Israeli systems in the possesion of the Georgian army would be like a red cloth in the face of a raging bull as far as Russia is concerned," explained a source in the defense establishment.
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It's important that the entire world understands that what is happening in Georgia now will affect the entire world order. It's not just Georgia's business, but the entire world's business.

Georgian Jews Flee from Russian Border

Geographically, Georgia separates Russia from Iran, the Middle East, and Israel. In my opinion, it would seem logical that Russia must have control of Georgia in order to pave a clear pathway when Russia, Iran and others come against Israel as recorded in Ezekiel 38 & 39.

The invasion of Israel will happen. Perhaps today we are beginning to see the removal of that 'Georgia obstacle' - preparing the way for Ezekiel's prophesy to be fulfilled very soon!

Don


Russia and Georgia at War
by Hana Levi Julian ~ Israel National News

(IsraelNN.com) As fierce battles that are rapidly developing into a war heat up between Russia and Georgia, approximately 200 Georgian Jews have fled their homes in the Gori area while the two forces lock horns over the separatist region of South Ossetia.

The new refugees, who fled the combat zone at the advice of the Jewish Agency, headed for the comparative safety of the Georgian capital of Tbilisi after Russian jets bombed the city of Gori and oil pipelines in the area.

Georgian soldiers had reportedly retreated Sunday morning from South Ossetia following fierce fighting with Russian troops for control of the separatist region. The two forces had been fighting for control of the city of Tskhinvali, capital of the mountainous rebel region, according to Georgian Interior Ministry communications director Shota Utiashvili. “They have been withdrawn completely because of the heavy civilian casualties Georgia has suffered,” he told the Reuters news agency."

Full story at link...

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/127133

When Churchill Wept... Stan Goodenough

Please read this important article just posted on Stan Goodenough's Website, Jerusalem Watchman. Here is an excerpt:

"Winston Churchill was vehemently opposed to Hitler’s taking possession of “the mountain defense line which marks the ancient boundaries of Bohemia and was specially preserved to the Czechoslovak state as a safeguard of its national existence.”

On learning of the fait accompli, Churchill first wept, then rounded on cabinet members and furiously denounced Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s actions as “sordid, subhuman and suicidal.” It was, he thundered, “the grossest act of bullying treachery” that amounted to not only the sacrifice of England’s honor but the resulting “sacrifice of lives—our people’s lives.”

Forty-eight hours after hosting Chamberlain in his lair, the Nazi leader ordered his storm troopers into the surrendered land. Czechoslovakia lay ripe for the picking. Within months, the fuehrer would swallow it whole.

Instead of securing “peace for our time” (Chamberlain’s ostentatious assertion upon returning from Munich), the sacrifice of the Sudetenland toppled the world into war. With Prague in his pocket, Hitler could threaten, and invade, Poland.

England added shame to shame as Chamberlain fished around desperately for an excuse, any excuse, to not honor Britain’s treaty to come to Poland’s aid.

As he dilly-dallied, two million German troops smashed into the country, the Luftwaffe poured its bombs onto Warsaw, and panzer tanks sliced up the Polish countryside. Tens of thousands were slaughtered in the blitzkrieg.

Trying to convey his feelings of devastation and embarrassment to Polish Ambassador Edward Raczynski, a helpless Churchill (he was not yet prime minister) falteringly voiced his hope “that Britain will keep…will keep its…”

Voice breaking, he began to cry.

...Churchill knew how wrong it was to push Czechoslovakia into paying the price for England’s peace.

Pressuring another people to surrender their land to a mutual enemy for promises of peace was indefensibly immoral then. It is indefensibly immoral now…

The Third Temple

I'd like to delve deeper into the current interest in building the Third Temple in Jerusalem. Israel is God's timepiece for the last days. The Jews, who have a veil over their eyes of understanding concerning the Messiah, recognize the "signs" of our times. That should be a signal to us, as believers, to take notice of what's going on and try to understand it according to Scripture and not in light of man's view points or biased interpretations. To make myself clear on this, I am not inviting debate on the subject...I'm just making some observations in light of Ezekiel's third temple. Please don't be offended if I don't publish everyone's views on this. I understand there are different sides and interpretations...there always will be until Scripture proves Itself. What I find interesting is the fact that Torah-studying Jews think now is the time to build the third temple, which they believe will usher in the appearance of their "Messiah". I'm going to do some independant study, comparing scripture with scripture, devoid of other's interpretations of the matter and post what I come up with as food for thought.

Here are some aspects I find interesting:

Search for the Crimson Worm
The Priest's Garments
Red Heifer
Temple Mount(Moriah