FOR THE LOVE OF JERUSALEM

 Holy worship of the Messiah was a sweet, sweet sound in His ears as newly converted believers raised their voices in praise to King Jesus. Such rejoicing and awesome adoration is reminiscent of the day two thousand or so years ago when Yeshua Hamashiach entered through the gates of the city into Jerusalem, riding on an ass. His adoring followers celebrated His entry by waving palm branches in welcome and laying their clothes on the ground as a carpet for Him. 

However, the recent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jerusalem has caused her enemies to focus even more intently on the destruction and total annihilation of Israel. The Light shone in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. The darkness raged in jealousy and rebellion against the God of Israel, the God of Isaac, Jacob and the God of Christendom. 

Atrocities committed against innocent babes, women, children and the elderly sent shockwaves throughout Israel and the world. How could human beings behave this way? In fact, these terrorists behaved more like animals than human beings. Or, maybe that's an insult to animals. 

But this was not an impulsive attack nor crimes of passion. No indeed. These deeds were planned out in detail. A booklet was found on one of the perpetrators that outlined the methodology of such torture tactics. Can you imagine? This is a deeply entrenched hatred that underlies a desire to completely rid the world of all Jews. It's a planned genocide against Israel. 

Now, some might say (even some Christians) that God is using the hand of Hamas to punish Israel for their backslidings and worship of false gods. They might look back into Jewish history and note that in the past, Israel not only burned incense to false gods, but they offered up their own babies to be burned as sacrifices on the alter of Balam aka Balak. Of course, God was very angry and upset about this to the point that He allowed Israel's enemies to attack Jerusalem, destroy God's temple and take most of the Jews captive. 

The main point to note is that God "allowed" it. In other words, He removed His protection from His people and their enemies did the rest. That doesn't mean that God wanted it to happen. Neither did God want the Jews to offer their babies as burnt offerings. But that happened. 

What I'm saying is that we cannot and must not blame God for bad things that happen. WE KNOW WHO TO BLAME. So put blame where blame belongs: to Satan and all his demons of hell. They like to bring hell on earth. We can see that Satan exists BY HIS FRUIT. We can see his demons exist IN SOME PEOPLE. But that doesn't mean it's God's will.

GOD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH. Not even the people who have dedicated themselves to terrorize innocent people. 

2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Repentance is not a difficult thing. It only requires that one turn away from their evil actions and turn toward God, ask for His forgiveness and also ask for God's help to do what is right. Jesus is ready and willing to forgive and even totally forget ALL OF OUR SINS. Just like that! It's a miracle. Once we turn to Christ and receive Him as our Messiah, it is FINISHED. IT'S DONE. We are completely forgiven forever by faith. That's how easy salvation is. And, ANYONE can be saved. Take a look at that previous scripture. It says God is "not willing that any should perish". That means even YOU. Even members of Hamas. Even all of Israel.

Jesus loves Israel as a nation. He loved the temple in Jerusalem. He knew that the Spirit of God His Father had once filled the temple. It grieved Him that the Pharisees were misrepresenting His Father and making merchandise of men's souls. So, He braided a whip and threw the merchants out of the temple, overturning their tables and dumping their money out on the floor. Of course, they had to kill Him after that.

Jerusalem has a long, long history. Ever since Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, they have longed for the "Land of Milk and Honey" that God promised them. And that land did not come to them easily. They had to fight battle after battle to defeat their enemies and possess the land one inch at a time. On some occasions, they were forced to fight because their enemies would not allow them to pass peacefully through their land. At other times, God gave direct orders and Israel walked into the land by faith. When God sent them into Jericho to take it, the angels of God went with them and pushed down the walls, terrorizing the inhabitants (many of whom were giants!) so that they fled. So, you see, these were not ordinary battles born out of greed and lust like most wars. When God sent Israel into battle, it was to defeat spiritual strongholds over the land and deliver the territory back into God's hands.

Then we see that Israel turned her back on God and went "awhoring after other gods" which really broke God's heart. After all He had done for them. So sad. They began to worship the things they made with their own hands. Idol worship. Human sacrifices. What a bad example to the world.

They showed God that they could not obey Him. They could not obey even the first commandment God gave them to keep them out of harm's way. It was not a difficult request. God asked them to worship Him and Him only. What was so difficult about that? But, they couldn't do it. Why not?

Because they (just like us) were living in a FALLEN WORLD where the FALLEN ANGEL had taken over as much as he could get away with. The rebel Satan was constantly trying to thwart every step Israel took to obey and worship her God. And, it seems like he succeeded quite often in deceiving them. 

However, knowing their weaknesses all too well, God provided a solution. He provided a Lamb that was sacrificed once and for all for all of humankind throughout history so that no matter how far they had fallen, there was a way out. That was called SALVATION. No more punishment for sin, no more judgement, no more Hell. Salvation is a GIFT OF GOD.

Today all of humanity is blessed with the sacrifice that Yeshua Hamashiach made when He died on the cross of Calvary. We have the Jews to thank for that. THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING PERFECT. If the Jews had not been wayward and sinful, maybe God would have chosen ONLY that nation to be saved. If they had had the faith of their father Abraham, perhaps God would have hemmed them in as a people and destroyed all their heathen enemies round about them so that only Israel would be saved. But, thank God, the Jews were SINNERS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. So, God had to come down here on earth in the form of a man and put HIMSELF on the alter of sacrifice in JERUSALEM for ALL OF  US.

We say HALLELUJAH! HOLY IS THE LAMB! Amen?

What a God! What a good God He is. 

So, you may ask, "Why is Hamas being allowed to torture Jews now, burn their babies alive, cut off their heads, and take children hostage? ETC."

And, not only that, but why are the Palestinians shouting their lies so loudly that the entire world can't help but have their ears filled with the lies? Why is Israel being maligned, tortured, misrepresented, lied about, and falsely accused before the entire world? Haven't they suffered enough down throughout history being chased out of country after country? 

Let's pull back the curtain and take a look at what's going on right now in the spiritual realm. Let's take a look in the Word of God. (King James Version).

Revelation Chapter 12:

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.

These scriptures are pretty much self-explanatory and it's not hard to see that the woman is Israel. Her baby is Jesus who came of the seed of Judas, the son of Israel. The great red dragon is some version of the devil or Satan, the fallen angel who used to be God's Right Hand Man, believe it or not... But, he, in trying to devour Jesus, caused Him to be miraculously resurrected. I guess the devil didn't know WHO he was up against. 

And yet, he's dumb enough to keep trying to destroy Jesus by attacking His children and by attacking even the unregenerated children of Israel. (Now, I say that in love because if any person does NOT receive Jesus Christ as their Messiah, well, the Bible says they are going to hell. That is what the Bible says, folks.) Here's some scriptures on it:

John 3:

17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

So, as we know, God gave us choice. We get to choose. Of all the decisions we make throughout our lives, this one is the most important, don't you think? You can choose to serve God or you can choose to serve the devil. He's a hard taskmaster. But, if you choose to serve him, you get all the benefits of serving him. Namely Hell, misery, darkness, and death. If you serve sin and self, you reap the whirlwind. Satan is the master of destruction, violence, torture, and murder. 

On a lighter note, if you decide to serve Jesus Christ, the wonderful Creator, Lamb of God, Messiah, Good Shepherd, and King of Love, you will reap the benefits. There are so many benefits, you'll just have to read the Bible to discover them all! Here's one:

John 14:

2 In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.

SWEET. If Jesus is preparing a place for you, it's going to be the most amazing place you've ever seen because He knows what you love. In fact, He knows you better than you know yourself because He created you. So, if as He says, He is preparing a place for you, be prepared to be dazzled. 

Here's a little caveat on Jerusalem. Back in the days of King Saul and King David, God instructed Israel to destroy all their enemies even down to their cattle. He also told them not to intermarry with other races. However, Israel did not obey. They intermarried with other races that were idol worshippers and they had "mercy" on some of their enemies such as the Philistines who are known today as the Palestinians. (It's in the Bible, I'm not making this up.) 

I know one thing that if I haven't learned anything else in my life, I have learned this: It's a whole lot easier to obey God than to disobey Him. There's no need to try to figure out "why" or reason out things with God. When He tells you to do something, you'll be a whole lot better off in the end and a whole lot happier if you just OBEY. 

RELIGION VS RELATIONSHIP

 If you're a person who loves Jesus and regularly reads the Bible, you may have been told that you are "religious". For most people, it may feel like a compliment. However, when used in certain contexts, the word "religious" can have a very negative connotation. That's why I don't like to have that label put on me. 

To me, religion is something that zealots practice. I think of the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus's day. They were anything but the example of humility and faith that God desired of His people. In fact, they were the direct opposite. Jesus told them that they were of their father, THE DEVIL. And that's what I think of when I hear the word "religious". I think of legalism. I think of condemnation, judgement, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, an innocent Man who died because of religiosity of the worst kind. 

What is religion? 

I would say it is a form of godliness but denying the power. It's like dry cracker dust. It's dead men's bones inside of whited sepulchers. It's the opposite of love and compassion. Maybe we could call it narcissism. Narcissism is a personality disorder. Something against nature, or against natural order. A disorder. Not only does narcissism hurt everyone who comes into contact with the narcissist but it hurts the narcissist. 

Briefly, a narcissist has little or no empathy (the opposite of Jesus's example) and is motivated to take control over everyone and everything in their environment either by manipulation, force, violence, or dominance. The outcome is deception, more violence, confusion, fear, and destruction. That's just putting it in a nutshell. And that's exactly what the scribes and Pharisees were up to. So, what did Jesus tell them?

"WOE." That's what He said. I guess He just couldn't do the subject justice, so He rolled it all into one word. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees." Then he told them what they were guilty of. The list is LONG and you can read it in Matthew chapter 23. Here's a sampling:

Matthew 23:3 - 7, "3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."

That's a snap-shot of religion. That's what I picture when someone calls me "religious". It creates a vomiting urge in my throat and I feel insulted to the lowest degree of what Christianity is supposed to stand for. 

Why? Because in the same breath that a person might say that to me, I know that they're thinking and quite often will say in the very next breath that "religion is the cause of most of the world's wars down throughout history", which, by the way, is simply not true. Most wars have been caused by greed. Be that as it may; if religion has caused wars, I don't want to be associated with any of their wars. I do not believe in any particular organized religion --chief of which is the Roman Catholic Church. 

I could be wrong but I do believe that the two main religions on this planet today are: Islam and Catholicism. Ironically, the Pope has been very busy uniting the two into one "religion" called Chrislam.

With the adoption this week by the 7th World Religions Congress of the Human Fraternity document created by Pope Francis and Mohamed bin Zayed, Chrislam is now the official One World Religion.

It’s official, Chrislam has now been codified and ratified, with the approval at the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, of the Human Fraternity document created by Pope Francis of the Vatican, and financed and promoted by Mohamed bin Zayed of the UAE. Question – Guess who they forgot to invite to the festivities? Answer – Jesus Christ, His Name appears nowhere and is never mentioned. 

It seems, however, that the word "religion" continues to be applied to people such as myself who believe strongly in Jesus Christ, salvation by faith alone, and in the Triune God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If one were to apply the word "religion" to someone like myself, it would be a religion of FAITH. 

"For by grace are we saved through FAITH and that NOT OF OURSELVES, it is a GIFT of God, NOT of works, lest any man/woman should boast." 

We are NOT saved by our deeds. Sorry but our deeds will never be good enough to bring about our salvation. Neither are we saved by taking "Holy Mass" which is quite unholy. Yes, Mass in unholy, unscriptural, unnecessary for salvation, and meant only to glorify the priests and hierarchy of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Mass is nothing like what Jesus celebrated with His disciples the night of His arrest. 

What do you think Jesus would say if He entered a Catholic Church during Mass? Here's what I believe He would say:

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

Read it and weep if you have any of these traits, or if you happen to be a devout Catholic. If so, repent. Turn your back on hypocracy and empty religion and turn your eyes upon Jesus Christ, the Messiah and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb! 

To REPENT means to turn away from the false gods and false doctrines and to make a complete 180 toward the TRUTH. Only then will your eyes be opened to the glory of God and all the blessings He has in store for you. Don't be deceived by religiosity, self-righteousness, and MAN-MADE RELIGION which seeks to destroy your soul and SEND YOU TO HELL.

Jesus Christ has been vastly misrepresented by the religious system and religion of this day just as He was misrepresented by the religious system of His day. 

Read the Word of God for yourself and ask God Himself to show you Himself IN HIS WORD. Allow His Word to come alive in you so that you no longer need to depend on man/woman or man's religion or anyone but God. And these three are One: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God's Representative ON THE EARTH Who is ever and always with you once you receive Jesus as your Saviour. He will answer your questions, direct you, protect you, and lead you one step at a time all the way to Heaven. 

Remember: "THE MAJORITY IS ALWAYS WRONG." Jesus said in Matthew 7:13 & 14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

If you find the gate and the narrow way which leads to LIFE, you are in the MINORITY. And you are safe from the broad way that leads to DESTRUCTION. BE OF THE FEW. GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST. If you haven't already done so, you will be very glad that you did. You will have made the correct decision --possibly for the first time in your life. Ask me how I know!