April 10, 2007

22 Nisan, 5767

Dear Praying Friends,

 

Having a public platform has its protocols and responsibilities.  To properly discharge the current dictates of our conscience, we need to open this letter with a correction to our last writing.  We made a statement the likes of which should not be spoken by human lips.  And furthermore, it was not accurate.  In relating about the recent thefts, out of the conviction that this was not a message from God meant to get our attention, and in an attempt to emphasize that point, we said that “We are not spiritually insensitive people,” meaning that if God wanted to say something to us He would not have to employ such means.  In the first place, ultimately, the degree of our spiritual sensitivity is a determination that only God has the ability to make; and secondly, in this moment, as I (arni) look back over my life, I can remember many times when I had not been sensitive to people’s states and needs and also when I did not respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  While writing what we did, I was thinking of the times when the Lord sovereignly broke into my consciousness and revealed something in my heart I had no idea was there.  I took this as a testimony of His being able to get through to me…all by Himself.  But at that moment, I was simply not remembering all the times I did not heed the still small voice.  Now, looking at the statement we made, I am amazed at the grossness of the oversight.  We also need to acknowledge that this came to our attention as a result of feedback from someone close to us and not due to our own spiritual sensitivity.  May we be true to the Word and not think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  We ask your forgiveness for speaking what was not truth and offending the Spirit.

 

* * *

 

Two weeks ago, as planned, we met with our Board to discern the mind of the Lord on the matter of our time off from active ministry.  We all felt that God had brought forth significant changes that have continued to affect our state of being and behavioral patterns.  The consensus was that continuing this phase would not likely bring any notable progress or new insights; but that which was accomplished in the last season would be deepened and proven as we walk in what the Lord has called us to.  Consequently, our Board has released us to freely engage in whatever activities and ministry the Spirit sets before us.  We have every intention of remaining close and accountable to the seven brothers and one sister God has given us to walk with, and are so thankful for their wisdom and friendship.

 

* * *

 

In Matthew 25, the Son of Man, seated on the Throne of His glory, gathers before Him all of the nations and separates them as a man would separate sheep from goats.  The Greek word here for nations, ethnos, is used throughout the Scripture to speak of non-Jewish ethnic people groups.  So where are the Jews in this scenario?  They are not absent.  It is them that Yeshua refers to as “the least of these my brethren.”   Oh how surprised so many will be when they realize that treatment of the Jewish people is the very measuring rod by which the Lord will judge the nations. This is not a New Testament concept.  Isaiah writes in chapter 41 verse 15, “Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth: you will thresh the mountains and beat them small, and make the hills like chaff.”  And in chapter 60 verse 12, “For the nation and kingdom which shall not serve you shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly ruined.” 

 

Beloved, the salvation of Israel in and of itself brings about the return of Yeshua to the world!  (See Mt.23:39).  Romans 11:11 tells us that the reason God has brought salvation to the gentiles is in order to make Israel jealous.  The salvation of Israel is the end point and focus of this verse and the focus of God’s calling on the nations.  Verse 25 tells us that the result of the coming in of the fullness of the gentiles is the blindness being removed from Israel.  And verse 15 goes on to say that the salvation of Israel means life from the dead for the world.   When Israel recognizes Yeshua, it will release the glory of God over all the earth. 

 

We realize that many if not most of you are aware of what we have written here.  Nonetheless we are constrained to restate it at this time.  As we read of all the recent calls for the salvation and healing of nations, calls to dedication and worship, and of all the prophetic words and visions of revival, and don’t hear a spoken acknowledgement of God’s revealed intent -- For the sake of Zion (Is.62:1ff) …to fulfill God’s promises to the patriarchs (Rom 15:8) – we are sad for the loss of opportunity and for the missing of God’s heart.  What a pity.  For so many passionate committed believers to invest so much and get so close but miss the target is a grief.  Please pray that those who are organizing and motivating, especially where the youth are concerned, would have the revelation of God’s heart and strategic plans concerning the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the hour we are in.  The Spirit is indeed raising up a mighty army.  Let us pray that they would be sent into the right battle.

 

This year is the 40th anniversary of the reuniting of Jerusalem after nearly two millennia of being divided.  Most also mark 1967as the beginning of a spiritual revolution that turned the western world upside down and birthed a “Jesus Movement” that swept a multitude of our generation into the Kingdom of God.  Beyond recognizing that these two events took place in the same year and are somehow connected, we need to understand that the reunification of Jerusalem caused a breakthrough in society.  The fact is that, from the mid 1800’s right through to today, every time a step was taken toward the establishment of the Jews in the Land, blessing resulted.  And whenever the opposite steps were taken, the result in the world was also opposite.

 

There is a connection between what happens to natural Israel in the physical plane and what happens to the church in the spiritual realm.  As Jerusalem and the West Bank were taken from the enemy, it had a weakening effect of the forces of darkness.  As the enemy had been engaged in holding the ground, suffering such a major defeat had to affect his position in the unseen realm as well.  The liberation of Jerusalem in 1967 resulted in the spiritual liberation of a multitude of captives and brought increase to the Kingdom of God.  (This brings up an interesting side note.  Conversely, as we give up ground in Israel, we strengthen the enemy.  Consider the growth of Islam and terrorism that has taken place alongside the futile land-for-peace initiatives).  So we suggest that the resultant salvation coming to the nations is meant to have an effect on the spiritual condition of Israel, i.e. to make Israel envious.  Israel’s natural victory released a spiritual blessing and increase for the church.  God’s intention is that this spiritual increase among the church in the nations would in turn produce a spiritual increase for Israel.  So here we are forty years later and relatively few leaders in the church really understand these spiritual dynamics and out of ignorance miss getting in sync with God’s heart and plan.  This is really a matter for prayer.  (This is not to minimize that God is bringing light in this area to more and more in the church, and salvation is breaking out in Israel more than ever before).

 

It is the right and proper time, especially for those that came into the Kingdom as a result of Israel’s natural military victory in 1967, to return in gratitude and dedication to bless the youth of Israel even as they were blessed 40 years ago.  Here we must add a note of caution.  You among the nations will not be the primary ones to care for or raise this generation in Israel, even if you do have a major role in their coming to faith.  So as you consider the harvest, please consider no less those in the Land that must be prepared and equipped for the task ahead so that the harvest will neither spoil in the field nor grow stale in barns made of old wineskins.

 

I’m concerned that the things I’ve been reading have assumed that just because it has been 40 years since Jerusalem’s reunification, it will be as it was with ancient Israel and we will now simply enter the Promised Land.  We rather think that this season has been a time to test the hearts of peoples and nations to see what they would do with the least of His brethren.  May we not miss the hour of our visitation.

 

* * *

 

As a continuation of the last section, we want to let you know that the outcome of the Passover outreach at the Boombamela new age festival was awesome.  The youth were hungrier and more prayed to receive the Lord than ever before. (Benni, our German volunteer who was there the entire time, told us that the reports from the camps of the 200 believers who went are that between 20-30 souls entered the Kingdom at the festival).  People prayed and worshipped around the clock as others went out into the field.  Several even insisted on being immersed immediately, saying that they were tired of the search and were prepared to wholly give themselves to God.  The water keeps rising.  The salvation of Israel draws nearer.  Praise God.  Please pray for all of them to be discipled and find their place in the Body. 

 

* * *

 

We are happy to announce that we plan to hold a School of Worship at the Center from June 17th-28th.  For details and applications, please contact Michael@emmausway.org.  A number of people had sent in applications in the past and had already been accepted for the February school that was cancelled.  When my (arni’s) computer was stolen, most of those files were lost.  So could we ask all of you that this applies to, according to your desire, please re-send your information to Michael.  You can get a taste of the teaching from our website on the “Media Messages” menu.

 

We would also like to extend an invitation to individuals and groups for personal prayer, intercession, and being before the Lord in worship, as well as for focused gatherings at the Center.  We can accommodate approximately 14-20 persons.  This is an ideal setting to come before the Lord at the onset of a trip to worship, wait and hear from the Spirit. It is also ideal at the end of a trip to debrief, give thanks for all the Lord has done, and be refreshed in His Presence.  For information and reservations, please contact Michael Harish at Michael@emmausway.org.

 

* * *

 

Right on the heels of the last two points, we would like to issue a passionate call for volunteers to help care for the practical side of managing the Center and grounds.  The areas of service are hospitality, housekeeping, cooking, gardening, and maintenance. Our preference is for a couple with a commitment for one year, but we are also open to consider individuals both male and female for shorter periods. Interested persons should contact arni at arni@emmausway.org.  Please pray for God to send the right people.

 

* * *

 

From April 10-19, arni will be in Germany taking part in the “March of Life” organized by TOS Ministries in Tubingen.  It will be along the route the Nazis marched Jews interred in work camps in Swabia to their death in Dachau in Munich.  We believe that this act of repentance will bring healing along the way and actually deposit a living seed in the womb of Munich to be birthed out into all of Germany.  There is a saying in Germany, “As goes Munich, so goes Germany.”  It was so in the past; may it be so today for the purposes of God.

 

* * *

This last Saturday night, the other tenant on the property where we live, the believer that prayed us here, had her car stolen ten meters from her doorstep.  She is a very special woman pouring herself out in the hardest places for the glory of the Lord.  The enemy is determined to hinder the believers any way he can.  We have installed bars on our ground floor windows and have ordered an alarm system to be installed in the coming days.  Please increase your prayers for God’s protection over us and our property.  “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”  (Ps.127:1b)

 

* * *

 

And finally, we want to give a huge thank offering to the Lord—Qaumaniq came through her surgery with no complications and the lab report confirmed that there was NO CANCER!!!   Thank you all so much for praying!  Qaumaniq has written a wonderful letter of testimony that she will be glad to send to anyone who requests it (it’s very inspiring for all of us who pray).  You can write to her at ndigenus@cs.com to request her testimony.

 

* * *

 

We can’t say it enough…we are so grateful for your prayers, your support, your love, and your steadfast friendship.  We truly know we are not alone.  Thank you.

 

May God bless you from Zion!

 

Your servants…

For the Glory of His Name,  

   Arni and Yonit  

 

Invest what is temporal and passing away while on earth

and reap an eternal reward in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

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Emmaus Way is a faith ministry dependent upon the support of God’s people.