god's truth, searching Gods word, friday church, life to the full,is there a god, ecumenicalism in england, biblical fundamentalism, stan earle

Guest Comment:   Whose God is Winning?   - Dena Gewanter

Ezek 20:5-6 On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of the house of Jacob and revealed Myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, 'I am the Lord your God'. On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands
Jer 23:8    As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where He had banished them. Then they will live in their own land.

After the cease fire of the defensive "Cast Lead" military operation in Gaza, there has been an outpouring of anti-Semitic demonstrations throughout the world that is so unprecedented in modern history, it actually takes ones breath away. Tens of thousands of people mobilized with placards, flags with swastikas imposed on Israeli flags marching in countries from New Zealand to Sweden, England to Argentina, even the United States: hate filled demonstrations calling for the Jews to 'go to the ovens', and other such murderous slurs. It is all horrifically visible in the news, on YouTube and other news sources. The contrast with the opinions and attitudes of the outside world with those in Israel is becoming more and more obvious. Israel as a nation, and Jews as a people are seeing with sober clarity who are our friends and who are our enemies. Unfortunately, many who probably cared little about the situation in the Middle East, and certainly didn't care that Israel had 8 long years of bombs sent into their sovereign land by terrorists have now been galvanized to action by the movies and photos of wounded children and the slanted news reports from a media that never seemed to have anything good to say about Israel. Now there are thousands of well meaning people who feel the need to call out for war tribunals in order to prosecute Israel and the Israeli Defense Force for excessive reactions to terrorists who hid behind schools, mosques and women and children.

The extreme emotionalism one sees in these demonstrations is remarkable, since there were, if one inflates the figures, less than 1,200 people killed. Hamas unfortunately wants it both ways. In their posturing as having stood up to Israel and 'won' the conflict, they want to minimize their casualties. Somehow, the Hamas army (who was supposed to defend their populace), was hiding somewhere so only women, children and non-combatants were in the range of the firepower of the IDF. On the other hand, they want to maximize the evidence of carnage in order to make Israeli soldiers look like heartless war criminals. The solid evidence of Hamas using non-combatants as human shields and forcing families to stay in houses where they were firing from is well documented, but the world doesn't want to see it. While Hamas lost the actual battle, it won the media war, and the reporters from the West took the lies and ran with it.

Where does all the energy and will-power to denigrate Jews and Israel come from? I have been glued to the internet, reading and watching various commentators either defending or decrying these demonstrations of hate and violence towards Israel. The real truth of the matter is, there is no logical reason for it. If logic and heartfelt concern for human suffering was behind these demonstrations, people would have been out raging against the genocide in Rwanda, Sudan, Darfur, and many other African countries, but they did not. When thousands of innocent Chechniyans were killed by the Soviets, no one demonstrated. When NATO killed civilians during the conflict in the Balkans, or when the US killed innocents in Afghanistan, no one was out on the street calling for war crime tribunals. Why do people seem to selectively hate Israel and by extension the Jewish race?

Those of us who know and have seen the hand of God operating here in Israel can only understand that He is here, and is watching over this land. There is simply no other explanation how we have survived ten wars in 60 years, survived each one against all odds, massively outnumbered, and continued on as a nation to become one of the top technological powers in the world. Israel has produced more start up companies and created more inventions that have benefitted society than any other country besides the United States. We have a thriving stable economy despite all the resources spent on military defense. How does Israel not only survive but prosper against all these odds? There is only one answer, and that is the God of Israel has chosen to bless and protect this land. It is because He said He would in the Holy Scriptures and He is not afraid of world opinion that the Jews don't deserve it. It is for His Holy Name, not according to the choices made by society at large. He told Moses to tell the Pharoah to release the Jews so that they might be able to worship Him in their own land. This is what we are now seeing, that the God of Israel is blessing us, sustaining us and was present with the IDF soldiers during the incursion into Gaza. I have spoken to and read reports from the soldiers who went into Gaza. They were told ahead of time that there would be many casualties. They all went into combat facing death, serious injury or possible kidnapping, like Gilad Shalit, who has not been allowed any visits from the Red Cross or diplomats, completely against the Geneva Convention. These wonderful young men, ranging in age from 18 to early 20's, carrying 40 kilo packs on their backs crawled on the ground into enemy territory, through mine fields and booby trapped houses with unbelievable courage and valor. They are the kind of heroes that the world wants to see, but cannot because of the brainwashing of the media. These young men knew that they were protecting their homes and their loved ones, and that this was worth sacrificing life and limb. Amazingly, they arrived in Gaza to find Hamas militants terrified and running for their lives. It was as though a Divine Hand was guiding them, many report feeling God with them, protecting them. Bombs and grenades shot at groups of soldiers didn't go off. Soldiers weren't hit by flying bullets. They would make decisions to enter houses through windows, only to find that the doors had been booby-trapped. They were amazed and gave thanks to God who saved them from death and injury over and over.

It is sad to hear that there are many non-Muslims (i.e. professing Christians) are demonstrating against Israel and showing obvious signs of anti-semitism. A friend wrote that a professor of New Testament theology at Wheaton College is saying that the group "Christians United for Israel" is supporting terrorists (Israel, not Hamas!!) and is calling to have them banned from the College, but wants to invite Palestinians to speak on campus. I myself received a very angry letter from a Christian volunteer in Jerusalem that I shouldn't write such 'triumphant' articles about Israel when there were still bodies being found in the rubble of Gaza. Many of my community who live in Israel are being rejected by friends of many years, receiving angry letters and requests to be taken off of mailing lists because of the Gaza conflict. We are finding out who is for us and who is against us, painfully.

What is obvious to us who are witnessing the Hand of God on this land, and seeing the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, is that there is no turning back. The opinions of the world will continue to turn against us. The generation of heroic young people who faced death and the rancor of the world to defend their homeland are the future leaders of Israel. We are being pulled together as a nation by an Unseen Hand. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is helping us fight for our very existence against millions and millions who want to destroy this country. Those who seem to despise us as a people have an irrational hatred that can only be inspired by an evil spiritual power, there is no other explanation. It is very reminiscent of the stories in the Bible, the irrational hatred of Amelek, the ancient enemy of Israel that also desired to destroy us. It is understandable to have Muslims demonstrate against Israel; what is most painful is to see Christians, who say they believe in the Bible, turning against us. Don't they realize that if Hamas, Fatah, Iran, Syria or any other Muslim nation prevails over Israel, that all the glory for the victory will go to Allah and Mohammed? Don't they realize that it is not because Israel deserves to be the victor, but the Holy Name of God that will be defiled if Israel is defeated? It is written clearly in the prophets:   "It is not for your sake O House of Israel that I do these things, but for the sake of My Holy Name….Then the nations will know that I am the Lord when I show Myself holy through you before their very eyes"
Ezek 36:22,23

Christians and other well meaning humanists who feel compassion for the people of Gaza, who were victimized by their terrorist leaders causing many to lose their lives, need to realize that their opinions of what is right and wrong may not be the same as the opinion of the Creator of the Universe. Thankfully, the god of Islam, who is called upon as suicide terrorists blow themselves up, killing hundreds of innocent people, did not prevail in this conflict. All those who are hoping for a Palestinian state, one that divides and destroys the fabric of the Jewish State of Israel will have to realize that they are coming between two diametrically opposed spiritual forces. Both cannot succeed, it will be one or the other. If the Islamic agenda succeeds, then the god of Islam will be proved to be more true and powerful than the God of the Jews and the Christians. The Koran and all that it stands for will be validated, and all the promises of the Holy Bible will be discredited and negated.

I for one will stand for the promises of the God of Israel, and have nothing but sorrow for those who think they can put themselves in the judgment seat, in opposition to the Word of God, against the Land of Israel. They not only are missing an amazing triumph of good over evil, but are standing in opposition to the God of Israel Himself.

The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel. Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for our son Jordan, and all of his fellow soldiers in the IDF.

Shabbat Shalom ....    David & Josie.

Malachi 3:6 I am the Lord they God and I do not change !

It is amazing to me the statements that people make to me in their emails or verbal statements, or even from the pulpit, about God, or about what God does or thinks. I can understand non-Chrisitans having an unscriptual concept of the nature and character of the God of Israel, as they are deceived by other gods, and ignorant of the way YHVH describes Himself in the Bible, but there is no excuse for people who call themselves "Believers" in the God of the Bible to be deluded about Him, or to mis-quote him.   But sadly many 'Christians' are guilty of that very thing, and they make statements on His behalf that are totally opposite to what God as told us in His Word. In Genesis chapter 1 the Bible clearly teaches us that man was made in God's image, but seems these days the God of the Bible is not politically correct enough for many people, so they re-create God to be how they, or others think He should be. For instance   .......

There are the people deceived by Replacement Theology into believing that God has finished with physical Israel and the Jewish people, when He says that before the sun or the moon cease from giving their light, will Israel cease from being a nation before Him (Jer 31:35 - 36). In Romans 11:1 when Paul asks the direct question, " I say then, has God cast away His people ?" and his immediate reply is "CERTAINLY NOT !"   or "GOD FORBID !" or MAY IT NEVER BE !"

I heard of an Australian pastor who said that God sees Israel just as a country like any other country. But that is not what God says in his Word. He says that Israel is His 'first-born son'. (Exodus 4:22)   He said that Israel is the 'apple of His eye' (Zech 2:8)

I heard of a NZ pastor who said to a young man in his congregation who was leaving for a tour of Israel "why do you want to go there ? the Lord has left the house !"   According to God, not only has He not, nor ever will forsake Israel,     He is rebuilding the house (Ezek 36:8-10, Jeremiah 30:3)

Many times I heard it say the God does not have favorites. But God says otherwise ... Deut 7:6   "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (NKJ)

Then there are the people who say that God has done away with the Torah - well what did Yeshua say about that ?   Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.    "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (NKJ)

How many times have you hear people say that Yeshua came to bring peace ? Nice thought, but again that is not what He says ..... Yeshua said "Dont think that I came to bring peace - I did not come to bring peace but a sword !" And when Yeshua returns, He is coming back to viciously destroy the nations who have made themselves the enemy of His Father. (Rev 11:16)

And of course there are multitudes of people who do not believe that God would send anyone to Hell, when Yeshua spoke about Hell more than He spoke about Heaven. And if there is no Hell to avoid, why did Yeshua have to die in such a agonising, shameful way ?

Most people like to imagine God as a 'nice old gentleman with a long beard and lots of grey hair - kind of like your grandfather or Santa Claus. Yes God is very definately good, but He is also a consuming fire, a jealous God and a man of war. (Deut 4:24 & Heb 12:29)

Is that the image of the Father and the Son that we have ? Does that offend us ?    Does it clash with our theology ?   Are we ready to meet Him ?

According to 2 Corinthians 5:20 we are called to be Ambassadors of the Messiah - a good ambassador must speak on behalf of who they represent. We represent the God of Israel and we must proclaim His Word and His Word only.

Lets be sure that when we speak the God of Israel we say exactly what He says, and lets be bold enough to sensitively correct others who in private conversations or even from the pulpit, mis-represent Him.

Forget about being PC ( politically correct ) - we need to be BC (Biblically correct)

These are the Days of Elijah - Time to Declare the Word of the Lord and as another Jewish preacher said ..... " If the preacher doesn't line up with the book, change the preacher !!! "

The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel. Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for our son Jordan, and all of his fellow soldiers in the IDF.