ISRAEL UPDATEJune 1, 2003 – Watch for Jerusalem to be another key factor in the breakdown of the latest “peace plan” called the Road Map.
Zech 12:2-3 states, “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 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.”
The land of Judah would include much of the controversial area inappropriately called the West Bank.
But Jerusalem, or Al Quds (in Arabic), is the target… as Arafat has stated for years… and now Mahmoud Abbas has joined the chorus.
In December 2000 while in Israel, I was part of a dinner group that heard a presentation by the Vatican representative to the Palestinians.
During his speech, we were emphatically told twice that the “International Jerusalem” we had heard about would be a Jerusalem under Arab sovereignty.
The last time the Arabs had sovereignty over Jerusalem was from 1949 to 1967. During this period, 53 synagogues were destroyed, Jewish graveyards were desecrated, and there was no unlimited access to all facilities.
Since the Oslo accords, the Palestinians have destroyed several Jewish holy sites, as they occupied the area. As recent history proves what was prophetically foretold… the blood will continue to flow in Jerusalem… in the name of internationalism. Unfortunately, Israel will be squeezed for more and more concessions.
June 1, 2003 - If you remember "The Sound of Music", before the song “Doe-Ra-Me” is sung, the statement is made "Let's start at the beginning, a very good place to start."
The Gospel of John does just that, as he starts off defining Jesus as “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with G-d, and the Word was G-d." John 1:1
This beloved Apostle sets the tone here - different from Matthew, Mark or Luke - more theological in his presentation – as the other Gospels are more historical in their context.
John's presentation defines sharp, distinct differences between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, life and death, and love and hate. In fact, the words “light” and “life” appear more than twice as often in John than the other three Gospels combined!
John frequently uses the verbs: knowing, seeing, and believing – as well as “witness”, “testify”, “glory” and “truth”.
The presentation of Jesus in the Gospel of John is one of keen insight and understanding – a perception that exceeds any abilities of mortal man. At the end, Messiah is "Risen with healing in His wings" as described in Malachi 4:2
The concept of three historical Gospels bridged by one of theological nature sets the tone in the New Testament. The historical book of Acts is followed by the theological book of Romans. John's Gospel therefore fits uniformly into the context and plan of G-d's word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!
To be continued…