By Dan Stolebarger/Holy Ground ExplorationsJuly 26, 2017
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What is the big deal about Jerusalem? Jerusalem has no natural harbor. It isn't situated on any major trade route, nor is it a gateway city. It's not a banking, industrial, commercial or medical power. It has no natural resources, no oil!
While it's too hilly for an airport, it also does not command any strategic high ground. It has nothing at all to commend it except for the fact that God chose it for Himself. To Satan, that makes it the most desirable piece of real estate on the planet. The battle that began way back in the Garden continues to rage today!
I have been able to lead many tours to Israel and up until last year, when asked about my favorite place to be, I would always, without hesitation, state that it would be the Galilee.
But now I am wavering ... there is just something about the City of the Great King! With that being said, have you noticed that we are living in the times of which Zechariah prophesied?
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. Zechariah 12:2-3
Not many days pass where Jerusalem is not a front page news item worldwide; whether it be the issue of the imminent move of the American Embassy or the violence on what is truly the bullseye ... the Temple Mount!
One thing is for certain, Jerusalem will maintain its status as the end of days continue to roll out. Everyone needs to understand this battle and ... yes, ultimately take sides!
One major concern in Israel is where will the younger generation side? Jürgen Bühler, the executive director for International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, states: "For many decades, evangelical support for Israel seemed rock solid.
Today, however, many younger Christians in Western churches are hesitant to give Israel the same unconditional support their parents did.
Stories of Palestinian suffering, rather than the struggles and triumphs of Israel, have attracted the sympathy of young evangelicals," not to mention the rise of the BDS and the growing anti-semitism on our college campuses.
Besides these major concerns, many denominations currently have little interest in Israel and believe in various forms of Replacement Theology.
Many churches and denominations are now attacking Zionism, which in turn attacks Israel and puts us all at risk at the hands of Islamic extremists.
This week we had the World Council of Churches declare its support for the Palestinian campaign against Israeli control of Jerusalem's holy sites, describing new Israeli security measures at the Temple Mount as a "corrosive act in the midst of an already-fragile peace."
Last month we have seen close to a million members of the Mennonites and the United Church of Christ cast their votes for the Palestinians over Israel, who is now being referred to simply as the "oppressors."
Unbelievable! The seeds of anti-semitism are being sown in the garden of the evangelical church and something must be done immediately!
We must understand that God is NOT finished with Israel and He has drawn them back to the Land that He promised them!
As Believers in Yeshua, I believe that God has called us to be part of the process of Israel's complete restoration! We are admonished to live our lives is such a way as to make Israel jealous: 'I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy' Romans 11:11.
And lest we forget Paul's exhortation: 'It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things'. Romans 15:27
What can one do in this ultimate battle? We must be educated and, for Zion's sake, we must not remain silent!
When I am asked this question my first response is that YOU need to go and visit the Land where it all began! See it for yourself and listen for three distinct voices: 1) The voice of God; 2) The voice of the people and 3) The voice of the Land.
The Pharisees told Jesus to quiet down His disciples, but Jesus stated that if they were quiet then the rocks would cry out! Go to Israel and LISTEN!
Holy Ground Explorations has led over 50 tours to Israel. This Fall we are offering a tour that we call "Off the Beaten Path." We invite you to go to our website at holygroundexplorations.comand check our all of our upcoming tours. We also have a daily devotional and a weekly Middle East Update which we offer for free. To sign up go to http://holygroundexplorations.com/blog-kfir/kfir-email-signup/.