Prime Minister Ariel Sharon seems to be quite encouraged by the public response to his recent “bombshell” political announcement that he is leaving the Likud Party to form a new party that was initially called “National Responsibility.” It is now being called “Kadima.” PM Sharon now states that he intends to change Israel’s laws regarding to political parties and their influence. Sharon has stated that he will follow the US-backed “Road Map” to its final phase.

In the meantime, the Palestinian Authority which has taken over the control of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt – has now admitted that various sites in Gaza that were obtained from the removal of Jewish families are now being used as “training camps” for the terrorist organizations of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hizbullah, and others.

Also, a large group of Rabbis have voiced their opposition to the Gaza withdrawal and are now calling for PM Sharon and the Israeli government to take back these Jewish towns and put all of Gaza under Israel’s control. They have cited various Biblical passages and commands regarding the dimensions of the land. They have pointed out that since August, there have been at least 40 rockets and missiles shot into Jewish cities from these former Gaza communities that were given to the Palestinian Authority.

Recent polls reveal that if elections were held today, Sharon would win by a landslide. Apparently, the secular-minded Israelis living in this land are willing to give up more land and to establish a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. The European Union has voiced opposition to Israel’s claim to Jerusalem, and were it not for Italy’s objections, the EU would have taken serious steps and measures to oppose Israel’s commitment to the city of Jerusalem.

Bible prophecy students are well aware that the matters predicted in the Bible about Jerusalem and the Land of Israel in the end times are unfolding right in front of our eyes while millions of Christians are either unaware of what is happening or attend churches that do not teach Biblical prophecy or who believe that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s prophetic program so that what is happening now in Israel (in their minds) has nothing to do with the future of God’s plans!

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! God is fulfilling His Word in amazing and detailed ways in our lifetime! It is time to study Bible prophecy and take these matters seriously. The call of our churches should NOT be to make non-believers more comfortable, but rather to urge them to repent and believe the true gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ before it is too late! YESHUA IS COMING SOON!

If you are an observer of the news concerning the Middle East, you are aware of recent events that were publicly announced this week by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel. He has formally turned in his resignation from the Likud Party leadership to President Moshe Katsav. Sharon has asked that the Knesset be dissolved and early elections held. It was a “shock” to most political observers since it was Sharon himself who founded the Likud Party in 1973. However, he did not have much of a choice. Many Likud Party members are still upset over the “disengagement plan” that took the Jewish residents out of Gaza (read Zephaniah 2:4-7 for a Biblical prediction about Gaza at the time described as “the day of the LORD”). There are several candidates now vying for the leadership of the Likud Party. Sharon intends to establish a new party.

The main challenge to Sharon’s leadership of the Likud Party has been the former Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who intends to run again for the Likud leadership.

According to Israeli law, elections must now be held within 111 days of Sharon’s resignation. He has 21 days to see if an alternative government can be formed. Initial comments suggest that the election for Prime Minister will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 – unless the Knesset dissolves itself which might cause a further delay.

The political turmoil adds to Israel’s concerns at the present time. This week the terrorist organization Hizbullah has launched a vicious rocket and missile attack against cities in northern Israel. Residents (especially school children) have returned to the bomb shelters so often used in the past. The United States President George Bush has urged Israel to show “restraint” in any act of retaliation. Interestingly, nothing was said about the other side – the terrorists themselves. Once again, the blame and responsibility was put upon Israel.

Bible believers are thankful in the midst of all the confusion that the LORD God of Israel is still on His throne – and is actively involved in the unfolding of events in the land that He Himself watches over continually. Events are moving quickly toward the grand and glorious climax of history as we have known it – we are moving toward the “blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior” (TItus 2:13) – Yeshua HaMashiach – Jesus the Messiah! We praise the Lord that He continues to reign and is NOT a passive observer to the events taking place in our world. Our Messiah is greater than all and above all and rules over all! Praise the Lord forever!

Once again the United States is pressuring Israel to do that which harms its security and threatens its citizens. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has “brokered” a “deal” between Israel and Palestinian officials concerning the Gaza/Egypt border crossing. Secretary Rice made this incredible statement: “As Palestinians move back and forth to the outside world, as they trade with their Israeli neighbors, the lives of ordinary people on both sides will change for the better.” Easy to say if you do not live there!

Under this new “deal” the border would open next week – November 25th – construction on a Gaza seaport would begin, and Palestinians would be able to travel between the “West Bank” and Gaza in bus convoys through Israel. This new arrangement gives the Palestinian Authority control over a border for the first time and will provide a much-needed “boost” to the shattered Gaza economy – at least that is what is being proposed!

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly criticized this “deal” for its obvious dangers. He said: “The biggest danger is that the Palestinians would be able to transfer the Strelia missiles, which are already in Gaza, to the area overlooking Ben-Gurion Airport and threaten planes landing and taking off.” Netanyahu warned that these “access links” would enable large quantities of weapons to be transported from Gaza, including Qassam rockets and mortar shells, to Judea and Samaria where they could be fired at Israel. He went on to say: “You can’t treat the Palestinian Authority like a properly run state. It’s a failing regime that does not fight terror, and the security ring around it cannot be loosened.”

Knesset Member Yuval Steinitz said: “The government must ward off the American pressures and refuse to sign the agreement in its present form.”

What happened to the US promise that none of these “deals” would take place until terrorist attacks are ended? The terrorist groups in recent days have increased their efforts and have publicly threatened the State of Israel with annihilation and destruction. The goal of Islam remains the same – DESTROY THE NATION OF ISRAEL COMPLETELY!”

We thank the Lord that He is in charge! History is moving rapidly in the Middle East to the final conflict of all time – the Battle of Armageddon! The only hope for real and lasting peace will be the return of the Messiah of Israel – our Lord Yeshua! The so-called “peace agreement” that will establish a Palestinian State and a divided Jerusalem will be enforced by the nations of the world who will endorse the peace efforts of a leader that Daniel the prophet warned us about (Daniel 9:24-27) along with our Lord (Matthew 24:15), and the Apostle Paul (I Thessalonians 5:1-3). DO NOT BE DECEIVED!

We continually receive questions and comments about our support of the Nation of Israel. The arguments against what we believe fall into the following categories that people express to us:

1. It is a secular nation and NOT a fulfillment of prophecy.

2. Only the church is the true Israel, the real people of God.

3. Israel is the agressor and occupier of territory that belongs to the Palestinian Arabs.

4. Jews have been forsaken by God because they crucified Jesus!

5. Israel forfeited its rights as a nation and to its land because of their sin and disobedience.

6. God judged Israel and destroyed her in 70 AD – the modern State of Israel has NO connection with the Bible!

7. Israel is the main reason why there is no peace in the world!

The criticisms and comments go on and on – there are many more. So, in the face of so much Christian antagonism, why do we continue to support the modern State of Israel?

Let’s start with the fact that ISRAEL is mentioned 2566 times in the Bible – this is not a small subject! Here are the reasons we support the Nation of Israel:

1. ISRAEL is God’s CREATION!

Isaiah 43:1 says: “the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel.” Isaish 43:7 says: “I have created him for My glory.! Isaiah 43:15 adds: “I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”

Interestingly, the word “created” is the Hebrew word “bara” which is used in Genesis 1:1 for the creation of the material and physical universe out of nothing that previously existed – read Hebrews 11:3.

2. ISRAEL is God’s CHOICE!

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 tells us “the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, ABOVE all people that are upon the face of the earth.” Isaiah 41:8 says “But thou, ISRAEL, art My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen.” Isaiah 43:10 and 44:1-2 say the same thing. We might not like it or agree that it should have been done that way, but ISRAEL is the choice of God Himself! It is the most important nation in the history of the world!

3. ISRAEL is God’s CALLING!

Isaiah 43:1 says “I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” Isaiah 43:7 says “called by My name,” and Isaiah 45:3 adds, “I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of ISRAEL.” Isaiah 48 says this truth three times (verses 1, 12, and 15).

4. ISRAEL is God’s CONFIRMATION!

Confirmation of what? Isaiah 44:26 answers: “That confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Juday, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof.” Isaiah 46:10 reminds us “My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure.” Verse 11 adds: “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
Psalm 105:10 makes it very clear: “and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to ISRAEL for an everlasting covenant.”

5. ISRAEL is God’s COVENANT!

Genesis 15:18 states that God made a “covenant” with Abrahm. In Genesis 17:7-8 we learn that this covenant is “everlasting” and includes “ALL the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession.” Psalm 89:34 states that God will not break His covenant. Psalm 105:8 speaks of God giving the land to ISRAEL and says “He hath remembered His covenant forever.”

6. ISRAEL is God’s COMFORT!

God has NEVER forsaken His people, and in spite of their sin and disobedience, He will continue to comfort them, for His promises to them are NOT based on their performance but rather on His love and faithfulness! Isaiah 40:1 begins “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.” Isaiah 44:21 states: “O ISRAEL, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me.” Isaiah 49:11 says, “for the LORD hath comforted His people.” Isaiah 51:3 adds: “For the LORD shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.”

Isaiah 51:12 says, “I, even I, am He that comforteth you.” Isaiah 52:9 adds, “for the LORD hath comforted His people” and Isaiah 66:13 puts it this way: “As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you.”

7. ISRAEL is God’s COMMITMENT!

This commitment is based on the PLAN of God to save them! That is the clear argument of Romans 11:25-36. Isaiah 43:25 speaks of this in a wonderful and powerful way: “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 44:22 adds, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy sins; return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.”

Isaiah 45:17 makes it clear – “But ISRAEL shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation.” Isaiah 45:25 states, “In the LORD shall all the seed of ISRAEL be justified.” Isaiah 46:13 says, “I will place salvation in Zion for ISRAEL my glory.” Isaiah 52:11 states: “Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”

This commitment is not only based on God’s PLAN to save them, but on His PROTECTION for them. Isaiah 41:13-14: “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob and ye men of ISRAEL; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of ISRAEL.” What comfort God gives to His people when He says through the prophet – Isaiah 43:2: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; whey thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Isaiah 49:16 says “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.”

This commitment is based not only on God’s PLAN to save them, and His PROTECTION of them, but also upon the PURPOSE He has to be glorified through them. Isaiah 40:5 says, “and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 43:7 – “for I have created him for My glory.” Isaiah 43:21: “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise.” Isaiah 49:3: “Thou art My servant, O ISRAEL, in whom I will be glorified.” Isaiah 60:21 and Isaiah 61:3 continue to emphasize this great truth – “that I may be glorified.”

This commitment of God to ISRAEL is not only based on God’s PLAN to save them, His PROTECTION of them that guarantees their survival and continued existence forever (Jeremiah 31:35-37), His PURPOSE to be glorified through them, but also it is based on God’s PROMISES to them found in His written Word! Isaiah 46:11 – “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” Isaiah 55:11 adds: “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Make no mistake about it – God has NEVER cancelled His everlasting covenant to ISRAEL and has NEVER forsaken them!

Perhaps after reading this (if you have come this far!) you will understand more clearly why we continue to support ISRAEL! Thanks for reading!