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August 26, 200521 Av 5765Dear Praying Friends,
We want to say something more about what is taking place in Israel. The essence of what has happened is betrayal. None of the natural arguments about how hard or how costly it is to defend and protect a few Israelis amidst a sea of Palestinians take away from the fact that this government said it would not do what it is doing. An even larger issue is how Israel’s actions affect the rest of the world.
God’s Kingdom and the kingdoms of this world are founded on the principle of authority. It is the province of a ruler to allow or forbid whatever he deems fitting and proper for his domain. Limits and borders are prescribed by those in authority. The spiritual climate over a nation is determined by its leaders. Israel’s call to be a channel of blessing to the world and a light to the nations sets it up to also be “a darkness” to the world and bring a curse on the nations. We read in John’s Revelation about a time when spirits are released over the face of the earth. God has positioned Israel as the spiritual gateway to the world. Because of God’s word and promises, Israel is in a position of influence over all the nations.
There is another people that has authority. Those grafted into the commonwealth of Israel have likewise come to a place of authority. Theirs is primarily, if not only, in the spirit realm. It doesn’t replace the physical people, but is called to stand alongside. Wisdom is calling for the Israel of the Spirit to hold up the arms of natural Israel, with whom they have been made one, and clear the air of the oppressing darkness so that they (natural Israel) might have victory against the evil in the Land.
Israel’s first battle, against the Amalekites (Exodus 17), says it all. Moses had the rod of authority. He was called to the mountain to raise his hands to God while Joshua fought in the valley. His two brothers were enlisted to lift up his weary arms. The strategy for the battle (in addition to the troops, of course) required a worshipper, a chief warrior, and two others...intercessors, who were called to make up for (stand in the gap for) the strength the one in authority lacked. This moment in the life of the newly birthed nation of Israel teaches us about the relationship between worship, warfare, and intercession. Though the heart of the battle was fought in the spirit, the battle was nonetheless for possession of the Land. Air supremacy without physical occupation is an exercise of power without God’s Kingdom coming to earth.
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The purpose of this writing is to help us understand the nature of the battle -- the players and the tactics -- and find our individual place and part. This is not a new word. Continuous worship must be established all throughout the Land of Israel. The mountains, valleys, deserts, plains, cities and beyond groan for the name of God to be lifted up. Once Moses’ hands were securely raised, Joshua was able to handle things just fine. It is no different today. If the vertical issues are covered, the horizontal will be no problem. The local body simply cannot do this alone. Beloved friends, we need your help. The critical nature of this matter is hard for people to get hold of. The enemy is fighting for his life. When God’s Presence fills the Land, it will affect the spiritual climate around the world. This is the hour to press in. Everyone that hungers after the revelation of God’s glory and has heard the Spirit call for continuous worship must look first to the Lord’s interest and then to his own. The eyes of the Lord are on Jerusalem and Israel.
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We have shared the miracle of how the Lord brought us to the place we now in. As the vision and situation is unfolding, we want to bring you up to date. The property is two adjacent parcels owned by father and son. Altogether it is about two acres (8 dunams). But effectively it is infinitely more because it sits on the edge of a nature reserve. The son built the house we are in (which has four apartments right beneath us yet to be completed) and has plans for another identical dwelling of 500+ meters, plus four “vacation cottages” with kitchenettes. The father’s part has six dwellings and possibility for a seventh. There is a chicken coop that sits on about a third of an acre at the corner of the property and is ideally suited for the Worship Center complex, a cafeteria, and a separate outreach facility where believers can interact with seekers through the medium of music.
Eight years ago, over a period of six months, we visited about 35 moshavim in search of a suitable facility for a worship center. We found one place that we thought would be suitable. It had one house of about 200 meters with adjoining land for a worship facility. It was directly bordered by neighbors with similar properties. (It was not even fractionally comparable to the current property). If the Lord hadn’t stopped the transaction at the last minute, we would have bought it. At that point, as most of you are aware, the Lord chose to take us to Tel Aviv instead.
There are certain restrictions on the amount of building that can be done on moshavim for use as dwellings. Now we know that no one property would provide enough living space for the team and guests. Two next to each other would be able to fully meet our needs. The available living space is approximately 1600 meters with another 800 meters (to be built) for the Center complex. The father has quoted a figure that was so reasonable we could hardly believe it. The son, who would prefer to rent for 10-20 years, has yet to give us a price for purchase. In the short term, rental is good. But after fifteen years, we would have paid the worth of the property with nothing to show for it. We didn’t mention how lovingly the place is cared for. The buildings are interspersed with olive groves, manicured gardens and fruit trees. It’s got to be seen to be believed.
The father’s part is straightforward and without any time pressures. The son’s, however, is different. Because of the many disengaged people without homes, the government is looking to take over built and even unbuilt units. They promise to speed up the lengthy permissions process and begin paying rent to the owner even before the dwellings are occupied. A friend of the son works for the government agency and can get him in at any time. Consequently, the other day he wanted to know if we are interested in the four apartments beneath us and the yet-to-be-built house. I reiterated that we could not commit to anything before the Lord’s provision was actually manifested. I recounted for him how the Lord had brought us this far and that we have good reason to think that He wants us to purchase it. Accepting our reasoning, he wanted to know how long we would wait. I expressed my assurance that God would let us know one way or the other in a reasonable amount of time. I suggested to the end of December as being a long enough period. Without hesitation he agreed to wait the four months.
From our perspective there is not one element missing from the picture. God sovereignly moved us from Tel Aviv and miraculously brought us here. The place is magnificent in every way. It is a one-in-a-million facility exceeding anything we had imagined. The owners, though not believers, freely acknowledge God’s hand, fully accept us...even as family, and are excited about our vision. The father, a former local politician, is able to open doors for us to serve other settlements in the region.
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As I was writing this letter, a car stopped in front of our driveway. A couple and a single man got out and walked a bit down the road. He was a member of the moshav committee and was showing the couple the location of a new neighborhood to be built right to the side of us. He said that the bulldozers would be coming in starting December/January. If things go as they are expected to, and more settlements are turned over to the Palestinians, land prices in Israel will skyrocket, perhaps even by the end of the year. The timing of our arrival is amazing!
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Beloved, there is no time to waste! The time is short. We must be about our Father’s business. In Yeshua’s discourse recorded in Matthew 24, He said that when these things come upon us and we see the abomination of desolation, “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (vs.16.) We believe that God is positioning us for that day. There is even land for us to grow our own food. Might it be that the facilities will first be to house worshippers from the nations but eventually be for believers fleeing the cities?
Beyond whether the disengagement proves to be a good or bad decision, the government has gone back on its word and betrayed the trust of the people. In anticipation of this spirit being released throughout the world, it behooves us to make adequate preparation. Now is the time to set up the infrastructure. With the events taking place around us, given the prophetic understanding we hold to, it would be (for us) irresponsible to not move in the direction we have spoken of here. Please pray that what the Lord desires on this moshav in the Judean Hills will be accomplished.
We are so thankful for your heart, your prayers, and your support for us. May God bless you from Zion!
Your servants... For the Glory of His Name, Arni and Yonit |