Partial Hardening (A visit to Nimrod's Castle)

Nimrod's Castle from a distance. 

Can one be an effective witness to Jews? Many Christians involved in ministries in the land of Israel say it is easier to minister to Arabs. Statistics verify that there are more Christian Arabs than there are Messianic Jews. The Apostle Paul tells us why this is true today: "a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26). Comparing Jews and Arabs would be an error. Arabs are Gentiles and should be coming to know Yeshua at a faster rate than the Jews. Arabs are deceived while Jews are blinded (or calloused) to the Gospel--blinded by God for a season. The good news to those who are called of the Lord to minister to the Jews is that they will come to know the Messiah--all Israel will be saved! That means that our devotion to and loving patients toward Isaac's seed will have great reward; maybe not today or tomorrow or next month, but God will removed the blinders in His time.

For now, the Jews are looking for their Messiah to bring peace in the promised land. Robbie's and my time in the land has let us know how little peace there is. Jews constantly fear rockets and threats. They have to be careful to stay in their Jewish neighborhood as the Arab neighbors are free to express hatred and violence. We have seen it: Arab's are safe in Jewish neighborhoods, but Jews ARE NOT safe in Arab neighborhoods.

 Jesus tells us to take the Gospel to the world so none will go into eternity without the blood of Jesus. For certain--God provided His son for all. So, as His people who are 'grafted in," we must not support anyone who insists that the "replacement" church, Arabs, or any other entity has rights to dispossess Jews from their God-given territory. Arabs would prosper, too, if they would recognize and agree with the authority of God's Word.

Front entrance

A recent visit to Nimrod's Castle (video at the bottom) reminded us of  how far back the hatred goes. An inscription dating 1275 by the Mameluke Sultan gives the intent of their presence in the Land of Israel at that time: "Killer of rebellious deviators, renewer of justice and the whole world." In other words, one had to convert to Islam or be killed. While the castle was amazing, it was a reminder of what true intolerance looks like. It was named Nimrod's Castle after the Bible character who was a hunter. Bible scholars note that Nimrod was a "hunter of men's souls." That same spirit still resides within Islam and those that embrace that religion. They will one day (maybe sooner than we think) turn on the Bride (Christ's true church) as bitterly as they have been against the Jews all these centuries.

Taken from the upper tower

Ruins...destroyed by an earthquake

Nimrod's castle crumbled as will Islam. The evil voice of Islam is strong and insights fear for masses in almost every nation. Jerusalem is the city of the Great King. God's Word is the foundation that will stand through all wars for The Lord is our warrior king. May we ALL bow down and worship at His footstool.

Solidarity Rally in Israel 2012

This was a thrilling day. Hundrends (more like one thousand plus) gathered at the top of Ben Yehuda. There was a super charged excitement in the air to go along with the sand blowing in from the desert. We got to meet Billie Brim, one of our favorite prophecy teachers. Robbie grabbed Pastor Hagee's hand before the security could push him away. We met many other very nice people from Dallas. If it could have been advertised, many more would have participated, but it had to be kept low-key for safety purposes. It seemed to be well received by the response of the onlookers. This rally had many more attendees than "Christ at the Checkpoint." The atmosphere was totally different. This was full of joy, unity, and the presence of the Lord. It was an honor to stand with those who stand with Israel!!

Pastor Hagee at the rally

Robbie and Tommie at the rally.

Robbie, Linda, and Maggie

Purim

Purim is so named because Haman cast lots (Purim) to determine the extermination day of the Jews. This 2 day celebration for the Jews is taken from the book of Ester. It is similar to our Halloween in that many dress up in costumes and give treats. However, there is a huge difference in the meaning: Purim represents deliverance from evil. 

Some of the Jews keep to this spiritual meaning with fasting, Torah readings and celebrating in the Synagogue. To secular Jews, it is a time to celebrate with more of a “party” atmosphere, remembering their freedom from oppressors. (The Jews have had many oppressors!)The video attached is taken on Ben Yehuda at 2:30 the 3^rd day of Purim. Many families, religious and non-religious alike, were enjoying the day. As we were heading home, a religious Jewish man at the bus stop told us it is the one day of the year (Adar 14) that it is alright to drink alcohol—not to get drunk, but to be merry.  I prefer the joy of the Holy Spirit!!

Mordecai (a type of the Holy Spirit) is the real hero of the story of Ester. Resident of Susa (Persia), he kept a watchful eye for the Jews. He also stepped in to save the King’s life. All was well between the King and the Jews until Haman was elevated to a place of authority. Feeling his power, Haman required people bow to him. A righteous Jew would never bow to anyone but God. Furious, Haman found out that Mordecai was a Jew and conspired to not only kill Mordecai, but all of the Jewish people in all of the 127 provinces on the 13^th of Adar. Haman built gallows of which to hang Mordecai and then commanded the citizens of Susa (modern day Iran) to kill the Jews.  Historians and commentators say that Haman was a descendant of the Amalekites who hated Jews. The Jews went to battle many times against their Amalekite enemy throughout their history. Haman had a life-time of hatred toward the Jews and knew it was his time to even the score.

At the prompting of Mordecai, beautiful Ester (Hadassah), Mordecai’s young cousin he raised as his own daughter, was brought into the king’s palace and chosen to be queen. Upon learning the fate of the Jews at the hand of Haman, Ester intervened in her people’s behalf. The evil was revealed; Haman was ridiculed and executed upon his own gallows he intended for Mordecai.

(Read Psalm 35) Israel will be vindicated from all the nations who have plotted to shame and destroy the Chosen people.  The greatest victory is ahead. 

A beautiful truth is that deliverance came right before the greatest potential of destruction. Jews have had many enemies and God has always and will always deliver them. For all of us, Ester is a picture of triumph over the enemy of our soul. Not only was Christ executed in our place, but because he was, we were given authority over all the power of the enemy.

“The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies” (Ester 8:11-12).

Ester (the Bride) who stepped into the King’s presence to intercede for the Jews is a picture of the church who should take their place before the Throne of God, giving Him no rest until He makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth (Isa. 62:7; Joel 3). It is imperative the Church  hear Mordecai’s call for “such a time as this.” 

Sukkot and Living Water

Bank of the Dan Spring

 Robbie and I hiked through the Tel Dan National Park that was once the dwelling place of the tribe of Dan. The Dan Spring, fed by the melting snow of Mt. Hermon as well as underground springs, was roaring all around us as we walked the different paths viewing ruins from ancient civilizations. While standing mesmerized at the crashing water, the words of Yeshua came roaring into my soul, “Rivers of living water will flow from within.”  The picture I was getting was of the power of the Holy Spirit that is to operate within the believer. Christ said He had to go away so He could send God’s spirit to empower us just as the Holy Spirit had empowered Him. It is a well of living joy. The banks around us were full of fragrant foliage that only water can bring--what a picture of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Ancient Canaanite Gate

Wall of the flour mill at Tel Dan

  

In the New Testament, we read that Jesus went up to the temple courts to teach on the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles and loudly proclaimed, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive” (John 7:37-39 and see all of chapter 7 and John 4:14). Jesus used culture and the events of the feast days for his powerful proclamation.

Sukkot is celebrated for 7 days. It is also known as the Feast of Tabernacle and Feast of Booths that is right after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The 3 make up the Fall feasts and is one of the 3 feasts required for Jews to go to Jerusalem to worship. Sukkot was a time of joyful celebration that included a daily water libation ceremony; a law which Moses transmitted but which is not recorded in the Torah. This water was drawn on the evening beforehand, amidst great fanfare and singing. In fact, the Talmud states that "one who has not witnessed the Festival of the Water Drawing has not seen joy in his lifetime!" (Talmud, Sukkah 53).

Debris from the waters

For 7 days, the followers of Jesus and others listening for different reasons had seen the huge water celebration: the going back and forth to draw the water to pour upon the altar and the prayers for rain on the coming planting season.

Then He shouts on the last day, “COME TO ME AND DRINK.” He was saying, “I am the fulfillment. You need me for your planting season. And when you drink, My living water will bring life and you will have strength enough to do the work of my Father” (quotation mine). Oh Church, come to Him and drink. I leave you with the scripture that the Jews use during the water libation: Isa 12:3,

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

Remember the song "The River of God sets my feet to dancing. The River of God fills my heart with cheer..."
Reference:

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14794-water-drawing-feast-of

Bethany and the Passover Supper

Bethany is a village on the Mount of Olives, small in size with huge significance. Yeshua spent a lot of time with His disciples and friends in Bethany. Today, it is occupied by mostly Arabs, but in Yeshua’s time, it was home to Martha, Mary, Lazarus and Simon the Leper. Lazarus was raised from the dead there. Yeshua’s body was anointed for burial there. He and His disciples ate the final Passover Supper there. His last moments on earth before ascending to heaven were spent there in Bethany (Luke 24:50).

The pictures of Lazarus’ tomb (attached to this blog) are of our recent visit to Bethany. I would love to know the house in which the Passover Supper was eaten. But then, we possibly would worship the place. In a recent teaching, I learned I had missed a significance of communion I want to share with you.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.  "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Mark 14:22-26, NIV).

Robbie entering the tomb of Lazarus

First level of steps

The second level of steps

The tomb of Lazarus

“This is the cup” was a phrase of which a Jewish man was very familiar. We need to accept how “Jewish” Jesus really was and that He taught from known culture that His followers could understand.

From the Talmud, we learn that when a Jewish man asked a girl to marry him, he handed his cup to her that symbolized his blood, his life he was offering her—the offer of a new covenant between him and his beloved. If she took his cup and drank from it, she accepted his promise that he would go prepare a place for his bride. She cherished the cup and kept it visible as a reminder, often holding it as she looked out of her window longing for her groom. At the marriage ceremony, they would partake of the cup together sealing that they would never be apart. In Jewish weddings to this day, the cup is broken after the couple drinks of the wine. To the Jewish couple,this is done to remember the destroyed temples. This speaks, to me, that Christ was wounded that we may have covenant with Him forever!!  

The disciples knew he was asking them to marry Him and become His bride.  That’s why Paul warned that we should not take communion lightly, unworthily. His bride should keep His cup in remembrance more than ever—daily. He will “drink it anew” with us soon and we will never be apart again!!

This Shabbat would be a great time to take communion with those closest to you.

Shabbat Shalom,

Tommie

Snow in Jerusalem

This has been a cold winter. The locals say it has been the coldest in 20 years with the most rainfall. This was taken when the snow began at about 7 a.m. Now, at 10 a.m., the snow is picking up and beginning to stick..still no buses. I'm not complaining. We have all we need to stay in and enjoy a quiet white Shabbat.

Lunch Time at CFI

Robbie and I volunteer for an organization in Jerusalem called Christian Friends of Israel. They have been a voice in the community for 26 years. It  is one of compassion, integrity and stability that has gained them respect even among the highly religious Jews.

I am filling in as "cook" until the middle of March. It is hard work, but enjoyable. CFI is truly an awesome place to volunteer. Every one is supportive and encouraging. Here's a short video of a few of our volunteer staff and a link for you to know more about them. If the Lord directs you to invest in the Kingdom of God in Israel, I recommend CFI. I know the heart of the staff is to minister to the precious people in Israel.