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October 28,2005 25 Tishrei, 5766 Dear Praying Friends,
All that comes to the world goes out from Israel. God’s interactions with the world are first to the Jew, and also to the Gentile. Judgment begins with the house of God. We do not mind to write these same things over again because this principle is key to the salvation of the world. To understand this strategic perspective, to truly lay hold of how God has set the protocol of events, would engage us in a stream of activity that would affect the spiritual climate around the globe and release the Glory of God over the earth. Yeshua made a point of our knowing how to read the signs. We obviously can’t do that unless we see them. Given the nature of the news media, without inside help, it is likely that many outside the Land will never even see the signs. This is the job of the watchmen.
The principles of the State of Israel have been visibly shifting since at least the early nineties. Decisions have been made that were once unimaginable. Psalm 87:1 declares, “His foundation is in the holy mountain.” His foundation is what everything is built on. When the rocks move beneath His mountain, the quake is felt over all the earth. This is not just an intellectual exercise in understanding principles. The cry of the watchman is not just so that we would know what to expect, but also that we would have time to prepare. From the first sighting, the cry goes forth and continues until “it” is upon us. If we wait too long to respond, we lose the advantage of being in a position to help others and eventually suffer loss ourselves. Israel is the place where the physical and the spiritual meet. Here, holding the high ground in the natural is also of great advantage spiritually. Without understanding this point, we won’t make sense out of what is going on in the Middle East and will miss the warning signs.
We’ve already spoken of the foundational shift surrounding the disengagement. Here, those that were once pioneers were cast out as adversaries by the very one that once lauded their courage and faith. As we have said, the manner of their removal and the harshness of their treatment reveal even more of what took place. We have a further word to share on this issue. An article recently appeared delineating the current state of the expelled settlers. The government had committed to prepare temporary homes while new ones were being built. The promise was not only for dwellings, but also that the communities would be able to remain together.
Two months after their removal, there has been no progress concerning either the temporary or the permanent. In the article, the settlers exclaimed that their communities are disintegrating. Families are losing heart and going off to find individual solutions to their dilemma. As I (arni) read this, it was as if a light went on. Of course! This was the plan from the beginning. These people, these settlers, these pioneers, though they have not recognized Yeshua as our Messiah, are still a people of faith … even great faith. Their belief in the Tenach and God’s choosing this land is the very foundation of their lives. They did not move to barren hills seeking creature comforts and natural security. It was an act of deep conviction. Right to the end they have trusted God. And when He didn’t answer as they had hoped, they accepted their fate without losing faith or hope.
The world rulers have determined to divide up the Land. In order for what is in motion to carry through, this group had to be broken up. This is part of the preparation for the antichrist who must come. And what will prepare the way for his coming but the removal of that which stands in his way. The strength of those that stand on the principles of the Word of God must be broken. Only now as we see the depth and fervor of their response before, during, and after, do we see how strong a community they are. We must say that their unity and commitment to their cause and life principles is an example of a poured-out radical life even to the Messianic community. It cannot be that the government’s failure to provide for the needs of these is a mere oversight. Our nation goes through the most extreme measures to recover the bones of our dead soldiers. How much more to preserve the lives and morale of living heroes? By all rights and reason, the timing of the disengagement could have and should have been made subject to the needs and welfare of the citizens of the State of Israel. We must ask ourselves why it wasn’t.
We want to add a word here about the internationalization of Jerusalem. For those that did not read our former writing on this point, in short, the American and Canadian governments, regarding their citizens holding Israel passports and born in Jerusalem, no longer write ”Jerusalem, Israel.” They will write either Jerusalem or Israel. Read the sign! What does that say? When Jerusalem is internationalized, what will the spiritual climate be? There can be no place for “radical” elements. It is no surprise that the establishment of a one-world religion will require that all people of true faith be moved out of the way. The removal (betrayal) of the settlers is part of a great satanic wave that has been released on the earth. It is our belief that though it may be held back some or delayed a bit, it cannot be stopped.
Recently there was a move to expel from Israel gentile believing volunteers and cancel long-standing visas. Much prayer and political pressure momentarily stemmed that tide. The time was not yet. First this group of settlers needed to be dealt with. Take heed and beware. Do not trust in all the handshaking and speechmaking touting Israel’s appreciation of the Zionist Christians. It is in the government’s political interest to secure the friendship of as many Christians as possible in this moment. Perhaps in this way the voice of criticism from the Christian circle might be lessened when the land is divided and Jerusalem internationalized. No doubt many, if not most, or even all, of the Israeli ministers involved are sincere. But they did not set this government’s policy. That comes from a place hidden from our eyes.
What does one do with all this? How do we prepare? We received a word the other day from a prophetic woman traveling with a group from France. God is hiding away groups and individuals in preparation for the time when those with a high profile will have their activities restricted. We have noted for years a move away from large organizations to small intimate fellowships. Invest in community. Build strong relationships. Walk in accountability. Learn to hear the voice of the Lord. Practice waiting on the Lord. Treat every moment as unique. Don’t take yesterday’s wisdom as tomorrow’s solution. King Solomon had great wisdom yet went far, far astray. David knew the fear of the Lord, and though he stumbled and fell, his heart never left the Lord. Wisdom, worldly knowledge, and riches lead to independence and self-sufficiency. The fear of the Lord is the root of Godly wisdom and will keep us dependently listening for His voice.
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We must tell you what happened at the Beresheet festival. It was amazing. Two believing groups, The News Boys and Seeds, played on the main stage. The name of Yeshua and the word of God went forth to the thousands that were there. Aside from a predictable few radical orthodox Jews, there was no resistance to the presence of the Messianic group. The Presence of the Lord is being received by the young generation in Israel...and not only by the young. People are getting more open every year. The festival organizers already want the News Boys back for next year. They said they were the best band ever to be on their stage. People were saved. People were healed. The Holy Spirit hovered over the Messianic camp and coffeehouse. God was openly and publicly worshiped. The hunger for spiritual truth and reality has never been greater.
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Next Friday, November 4th, we set out for Germany and the States. We’ll be in Munich on the 5th & 6th; Geislingen from the 7th to the 9th; Dresden on the 10th & 11th; Berlin on the 12th & 13th; Bielefeld on the 16th’; Wallhausen the 19th; and Tubingen on the 20th. Full details of our schedule and meetings can be obtained through our office in Tubingen (e-mail -- ewgermany@emmausway.org; phone – 07072 923 961). From the 22nd to the 30th we’ll be in the New York area visiting family over the Thanksgiving holiday; and finally we will be in Nashville to be with our dear friends and ministry partners Suuqiina and Qaumaniq. We return home on the 6th of December. We’d surely appreciate your prayers for the team and us during these days. It’s the longest we’ll have been away in quite a while. As much as we enjoy traveling, being away from home is always a sacrifice.
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We have gotten a little taste of the weather in the mountains as the season is changing. There is real winter up here. With the price of heating fuel what it now is, we thank God for our wood burning stove. Please pray for our landlords, Tsvika and Aliza and their son Avi. They have been such a blessing to us. May their hearts be opened to receive the love of God in the knowledge of Messiah. I asked Tsvika how we could pray for the moshav. He said, ” That people would love each other.” May God grant his request. Last Sunday we participated with them in our first olive harvest. Together we picked 150 kilos of olives that yielded about 20 liters of oil. It was great! We’ll soon have pictures up on our website of our new life.
* * * May God bless you from Zion!
Your servants... For the Glory of His Name, Arni and Yonit |