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December 15, 2005 14 Kislev, 5766 Dear Praying Friends,
One of the cries of our heart, especially in the face of the days ahead, is that everything hidden be revealed...whether hidden by design or otherwise. We pray for it in our lives, in the body of Messiah, in Israel, and in the nations. In our last letter we noted a number of things taking place at home that we considered of great magnitude. We view the goings-on in the government of Israel as more than about Israel only, but as a harbinger of things to come for the world at large. We have made mention of a spirit of betrayal having been released. Since our last letter, the events in the political arena have (in our opinion) made a quantum leap downward into a depravity heretofore unseen in Israel. We refer to two events in particular: first, the acting Chairman of the Likud (after Ariel Sharon’s departure) joined Sharon; and second, the Defense Minister, only days after issuing harsh words for Sharon and declaring he would not consider leaving Likud to join Kadima...did just that. It seems that this new party, which has at least double the mandates of any other, is filled with people who have no problem departing from longstanding fundamental beliefs in a moment. To understand why they are doing it is a matter that we don’t need to delve into. It is enough to say that they have demonstrated a lack of integrity and can no longer be trusted to uphold any promises made to anyone. This is a serious blow to the stability of the country and our ability to trust our leaders. What is most telling is that there is no real outcry from the people about it. (This is reminiscent of the aura surrounding former President Bill Clinton and how people just accepted him regardless of what he did).
The quantum leap is the degree to which the “spirit” of betrayal is unconcerned about being seen. Our thought is that when politicians are unconcerned about what people might think or say about them, it is because they see their position as so secure that nothing could get in their way. Such is the devil’s bravado. So let us be wise and read the signs that we be not surprised when this spirit sets up shop in our backyard. We must pray and ask the Lord how to minimize the amount of frontage we have exposed to be attacked by this force, which relates to how much we are dependant upon and connected to the world system...be that of a religious or secular nature.
We cannot overemphasize the import of what is happening here. Oh, that we would shake ourselves awake before we are forcibly awakened by the thunder of the next disaster.
* * * Israeli tourism officials announced that they plan to turn Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world. An Israel Hotel Association official said, "Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit, “ and that he believes gays will go anywhere for a good party. The idea was born when IHA Director-General Eli Ziv visited London recently to participate in the 2005 World Travel Market exhibition. This is a most serious development. The enemy is moving on both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem at the same time. We are concerned that if our government gives Tel Aviv over in this way, the end result could be far worse than would at first appear. It may sound like a strange question to ask, but where is God in all of this? How can He allow such a thing to come to His Land? In order to answer the question, we must consider what God is really after. He wants inner purity and not just a form of godliness. No doubt He is concerned about the Land and His Name, but Yeshua died to redeem more than stones and trees. Just before the Lord told us last April that our time in Tel Aviv was over, we had begun to sense a change in the atmosphere. Since our move, when we have returned for one reason or another, our perception of encroaching darkness has increased with each successive visit. The Spirit of God is moving in this hour to reveal the depth of what is hidden...as we noted above. He is in search of and preparing a bride for His Son. How many of those who have heard His call have come out of the world system only in part? Please pray that the body of Messiah in Tel Aviv will band together and cry out to God for mercy. Please pray that the body in the rest of the nation would know how to respond to this impending abomination. We recently read something in Rick Joyner’s book “The Harvest” that gives revelation to the roots of this matter. We have excerpted some portions here below: “Like immorality and abortion, homosexuality is a symptom of a much greater spiritual disease.… As Paul explained in Romans Chapter One, homosexuality is the result of having fallen from worshipping the Creator to worshipping the creature. Because the church is called to be the ‘salt of the earth’ and the ‘light of the world,’ often the prevailing sins in the world are a reflection of the church’s own spiritual sin or failures, which is the case with homosexuality.… So how has the church departed from true worship? Basically by starting to worship the church of the Lord rather than the Lord of the church.… This is the root of the sectarian spirit that has divided the church and perverted worship.… ”Spiritual homosexuality” is also the desire to have relations only with our own kind.… Sectarianism is self-centeredness, self-seeking, and self-preservation that is the result of self-worship…. If homosexuality goes unchecked, it will become one of the greatest threats to religious freedom in the world. The church will be nearly defenseless against this spirit until she repents of her own sectarianism.… The removal of homosexuality will come when we have returned to true worship, which will itself remove our sectarianism.” * * * Let us remember that the activities of the enemy are always connected to what God has done or is about to do. Yeshua commanded satan to “get behind him,” and that is where he must stay. The enemy is not the initiator…God is. This should encourage us as we see the increasing evil all around us; it is a sign that God is moving powerfully in the earth! Consequently, we have every reason to expect an outpouring of grace that will capture the attention of the world and the hearts of those that are seeking after truth, love and real peace. The light will shine in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. That does not mean we should ignore the encroaching evil and not stand against it, but that in the face of it all we must remember who is chasing after whom. Be aware of the devil’s devices, but be filled with the promises and Presence and joy of the Lord. The victory is ours and our homegoing grows closer by the hour. * * * Last week I (Arni) attended a yearly overnight retreat for Jerusalem-based congregational and ministry leaders. (Twenty-four were present). Brethren from the city have been meeting together like this and in monthly gatherings for eight years. Praise God, the time was outstanding. So much happened in just one short day. We went into the Word together, and the Spirit spoke to us. There was a time of passionate free-flowing prayer for Jerusalem and all that concerns her. We had opportunity to pray for one another and cry out to God with one voice. We sang old choruses from the 70’s, played games, and told jokes. It was the closest to being of one heart and soul I have experienced in the Land with a group of that size. One brother’s closing comment set the capstone in place. He said, “We need to think as though we are all one ministry.” When this comes to pass --and we are on the way -- the glory of God will return to Jerusalem. What a day that will be. * * * May God bless you from Zion!
Your servants... For the Glory of His Name, Arni and Yonit |