Shalom from Jerusalem

This week has been very intense - both nationally and personally. The Intercessors for Israel leadership was not sure whether to pray for Israel to invade Gaza or for a cease-fire with Hamas. Many of the IFI team could themselves be involved, or have sons who would be involved in any ground attack. We wrestled all week in prayer. We wanted to see Israel win an overwhelming victory against the demonically-inspired terrorist groups in Gaza who shoot at Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians. That was our thinking, yet our hearts wanted to see our children back home with their families.

Israel ended up with a cease-fire and so far it is holding. Was this God's will or a mistake on the government's part? Only time will tell. As we then gathered for the IFI Friday morning prayer meeting, we realized that our God is still on the throne (Psa. 103:19). So we began with heartfelt praise and thanksgiving.

Hamas has said the cease-fire is a 'victory for Allah'. We heard similar remarks at the end of the 2^nd Lebanon War, when Hizbullah bombastically declared 'victory'! But for years after, they avoided provoking Israel.

While Hamas lives to fight another day - and they will - Israeli Prime Minister [PM] Bibi Netanyahu has bigger issues in view. For over 20 years he has focused on the existential threat to Israel of an Iranian nuclear bomb. He knew that if the IDF entered Gaza in a ground-operation, the support from most of the West for Israel's right to defend itself would have evaporated. With this cease-fire, the West is actually praising Israel for how they fought. Compare that to the world's unanimous condemnation of Operation Cast Lead, when the IDF did enter Gaza in 2009, or when it defended itself against the Turkish flotilla trying to break Israel's legitimate sea blockade of Gaza. But now, if and when Israel attacks Iran, maybe the West will be slower to bash her.

Another factor is the January 22^nd Israeli elections. If the IDF went in and many Israelis died, Bibi and his party would be voted out of office - but with Obama having been reelected, that would be disastrous for Israel. Of course, if the cease-fire is broken, that also will be used against Bibi. He needs our prayers.

We prayed much into all this and came to Gethsemane: Abba, not our will, but Yours be done. We trust that He answers whatever we pray in line with His will (1 John 5:14-15).

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Prophecy on God's 'to do' list

How do we respond to some Christian Zionists who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture followed by 'Jacob's Trouble' - when millions of Jews would be slaughtered - which would then leave a remnant who cry to Yeshua to save them? First, since we are talking about the future, we admit that no one knows how God will fulfill His prophetic word in detail before He does it. We can agree to disagree about this topic and not be divided because of it.

We believe in 'the rapture', but are not convinced it will happen before the great tribulation of Matthew 24:21. Yet, we pray to be ready, and if it happens that way - hallelujah!

Do the Jews go through another holocaust before they believe, or was 'Jacob's trouble' (Jer. 30:7) the Holocaust, which only served to harden many Jewish hearts to God's very existence. Why would another holocaust bring different results? Paul said it is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance (Rom. 2:4), so why would His overflowing judgment do a better job?

Multitudes of Jews, in Israel and in exile, are embracing God's Messianic King today. This is at a time when in His mercy, He is restoring His land and Jerusalem, His city. You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor [Heb: give grace to] her, yes, the set time, is come. (Psa. 102:13)

We just cannot balance the following two prophetic promises to Israel (out of many that say the same thing), with a scenario in which Israel experiences another Holocaust. I will rejoice over them to do them good, and… plant them again in this land with all My heart and all My whole soul. For thus says YHWH: As I have brought all this great evil on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. (Jer. 32:41-42); I will multiply men and beasts on you [mountains of Israel]; they shall increase and be fruitful… and I will do better to you than at your beginnings, and you shall know I am YHWH. (Ezek. 36:11)

And why should we assume that 'Jacob's Trouble', mentioned once in scripture, is also the Great Tribulation? 'Jacob's trouble' is specifically prophesied upon the Jews, while the 'great tribulation' comes on the whole world. In fact, we see signs of that now.

Finally, how is Israel to be 'slaughtered' when many prophecies say that as the Jews return, God makes them a mighty army, and uses them to wreak havoc on His enemies? (Deut. 33:26-29; Isa. 41:10-16; Ezek. 37:10; Mic. 4:11-13; Zech. 9:13-17; 12:6, etc.)

We believe Yeshua's return is closer than many think, so we heed this word: All you inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see when He lifts up a banner on the mountains; and when He blows a trumpet, hear. (Isaiah 18:3)

The US elections and prophecy

We were praying for hope and change - hoping that God would change the man in the White House. Yet our ultimate desire was for God to be glorified. That can happen through the worst of men, like Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:26-30; 4:2-3), or Cyrus, whom God called 'My anointed' and yet there is no proof he was other than a pagan ruler (Isa. 44:21-45:6). So God will also use Obama for His purposes.

This election will not bring 'peace and prosperity' to America or to the world. Obama has moved the US farther away from its calling as a nation. Though God has often used the US to halt the march of evil political systems, nations are less obliging to this 'superpower' today, especially as its President does not believe America has a right to determine right from wrong. This is the fruit of a mindset permeating the US educational, political and media arenas which ignores, even disdains, God's Word and instead views life through secular humanistic lenses.

David Weinberg said an exit poll of American-Israelis in Israel who voted, showed 85% chose Romney. Obama has not exactly won over the Israeli Jewish public… which stands in sharp contrast to the love and adulation US Jews express towards him. Since they are mostly, historically, instinctively, reflexively, and ideologically liberal, Obama is one with them on many social issues. One would hope America's leadership in the world and its defense of Israel is also a very important consideration, yet 70% of American Jews voted to re-elect someone whose net record on Israel amounts to opening the largest gap… between the US and Israel since its rebirth in 1948.

Moreover, the opening of that gap was purposeful. Obama said so himself. No president before has ever snubbed the Israeli prime minister the way Obama has humiliated Netanyahu. No US president has ever dismissed as 'noise' protestations of an Israeli prime minister on the most existential security issue [i.e., Iran]. No US president has ever declared the 1967 lines as the basis for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations - without any coordination with Israel. No president has ever made Jewish development of our capital city, Jerusalem, an issue.

Today, when a strong, confident US global posture is critical to confronting the growing power of Iran, of radical Islam and of Russia, Obama gives the world the impression that under his leadership America suffers from strategic fatigue… that it has no… stamina for truly confronting a nuclear Iran; that it suffers from strategic confusion and has no clue how to deal with the ME… Obama's mix of embarrassed self-doubt and strategic weariness makes the world a very, very unruly place for Israel, and for the rest of the civilized world. ("Letter to my American Jewish brothers," D. Weinberg, Israel Hayom Op-ed,2 Nov. 2012)

Chaos and anarchy will increase. Mankind will urgently seek an answer, a savior, and Satan has one ready - the prophesied final Anti-Christ (2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 13:1-18 and all other references to the 'beast' in Revelation). Yet will believers who are dogmatic about a pre-tribulation rapture recognize him, especially as they assume that they will be 'caught-up' before the Anti-Christ is revealed? If it does not work out according to our prophetic charts, will we be able to see the reality?

Regardless of our prophetic outlook, we must be sober-minded about this word. Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is… Watch, for you do not know when the lord of the house is coming… lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you, I say to all -watch. (Mark 13:33-37)

On the eve of the US elections a surprise rain shower covered all Israel. As Israel considers rain a blessing, we think God was saying, "Despite what happens in America, I've got you covered!"

Israeli elections - January 22, 2013

Prime Minister [PM] Bibi Netanyahu announced new elections, which 'just happen' to fall on the first full day of Intercessors for Israel's 2013 International Prayer Conference in Jerusalem! We are aware of the intercessory burden and privilege this places upon us. Please be standing with us to ask God's will be done.

Obama's win makes it absolutely vital that Netanyahu and his Likud-Yisrael Beteinu joint list receive the mandate to lead Israel. No one else seems as capable - one who can withstand the world's pressuring Israel to go against God's will and divide this land and Jerusalem. Listen to the resolve:

The JP asked Netanyahu about his and Obama's differences on Iran. He said that Israel's leader sometimes has to speak up for things that are seen in a different perspective from Washington. Not because Washington harbors anything but friendship for Israel, but because it is 3,000 miles away, it is much bigger and far less vulnerable. We have a duty, a responsibility and a right to sound the alarm. Iran is constantly threating to annihilate Israel; it spreads the worst anti-Semitic statements in half a century; it threatens to dominate the world… and it's building nuclear weapons to that effect… ("PM to 'Post': Clear lines must be set on Iran," Herb Keinon, JP, 16 Sept. 2012)

In September, he addressed the UN's annual General Assembly. [We] have lived in the land of Israel for thousands of years. Even in exile, we never gave up the dream of returning to our ancient homeland. Defying the laws of history, we… gathered in our exiles, restored our independence, and rebuilt our national life. The Jewish people have come home, and we will never be uprooted again… (see Amos 9:15)

He boldly declared that militant Islam is rooted in the bitter soil of intolerance… directed first at their fellow Muslims, then at Christians and Jews, Buddhists and Hindus, secular people and anyone who doesn't submit to their unforgiving creed…

It must be defeated, but at what cost? Some 70 years ago, the world saw another fanatic ideology bent on world conquest [Nazi fascism]. It went down in flames, but not before it took millions of people with it. Those who opposed that fanaticism waited too long to act. In the end they triumphed, but at a horrific cost. My friends, we cannot let that happen again.

Concerning Iran: To understand what the world would be like with a nuclear-armed Iran… Imagine their long range missiles tipped with nuclear warheads, their terror networks armed with atomic bombs… Who would be safe anywhere?

There are those who believe a nuclear-armed Iran can be deterred like the Soviet Union. That's a very dangerous assumption. Militant jihadists behave very differently from secular Marxists. There were no Soviet suicide bombers. Yet Iran produces hordes of them.

Deterrence worked with the Soviets, because every time they faced a choice between their ideology and survival, they chose survival. But top Middle East [ME] scholar, Prof. Bernard Lewis said that for the Iranian ayatollahs, mutually assured destruction is not a deterrent, it's an inducement. They believe that the Shiite messiah will reappear in the wake of a devastating Holy War, thereby ensuring their brand of radical Islam will rule the earth…

Sanctions have not stopped Iran's nuclear program. The only option left before military action is to place clear red lines on Iran's nuclear program. Red lines don't lead to war; red lines prevent war… ("PM Netanyahu's speech at the UNGA," 27 Sept. 2012)

Recently, Netanyahu reiterated that he is not eager to wage war on Iran, but is willing if needed. When we didn't have a state or an army, our enemies threatened us and then carried out genocide. We Jews begged help from others. Today, we don't beg; we prepare. ("… on Iran: 'We don't beg; we prepare',"Israel Hayom, 6 Nov. 2012)

Netanyahu loves God's Word, His land and His people, yet he is not the Messiah. Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses hands while the Israelites fought (Ex. 17:11-13), Bibi needs our bible-based protective and supportive prayers every day.

Division, division everywhere

The American election results show that the United States strains to remain 'united'. Michael Freund writes that in Europe almost every major nation faces defiant secessionist movements which could eventually redraw the map of the entire region. He lists Catalonia's demand for independence from Spain, Scottish nationalists again trying to break free of English rule by a referendum in 2014 that could divide the United Kingdom, Belgium facing growing calls for Flanders to go its own way, and France's decades long struggle with Basque and Corsican separatism. These efforts scare the heck out of European leaders, who rightly see them as threatening the… territorial integrity which has enabled their countries to flourish.

Freund says these nations have only themselves to blame by creating a dangerous precedent in 1999. NATO launched military strikes against Serbia to compel it to grant independence to Kosovo. Whatever one's opinion of the Serbs, Europe and the US forced a sovereign state to relinquish part of its territory… - a blatant act of interference in another nation's internal affairs. The (mostly ethnic Albanian Islamic) Kosovo Liberation Army was running a campaign of terror against the province's legally-constituted administration. By what right did Washington and Brussels step in to try and impose a settlement to their own liking?

In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence. Over 90 nations, including the US and most of the EU, recognized it. Now they face their own secessionist movements. ("From Kosovo to Catalonia," M. Freund, JP Op-ed, 19 Sept. 2012)

Then there is the deadly division in the ME between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. It is fought openly in Syria, and Iraq, and not so openly in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and most other Arab nations. Iran is head of the Shiites, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia lead the Sunnis. And there is division among Palestinians - with Hamas vehemently opposed to the PA/Fatah/PLO.

We regularly ask God to confound Zion's foes (Psa. 129:5), and Yeshua said that before He returns, nation would rise against nation - literally 'ethnic group vs. ethnic group' (Matt. 24:7).

A biblical principle is at work here. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap. (Gal. 6:7) These nations have pressured Israel to divide her God-given land, and are now reaping a harvest of division, God's judgment being applied to them. For, behold, in those days… when I will bring again Judah and Jerusalem's exiles, I will also gather all nations… into the valley of Jehoshaphat [YHWH judges]. And I will judge them there for My people and for My inheritance Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and divided My land. (Joel 3:1-2)

Unless believers see that as the main reason for national judgment, and stand in the gap, judgments will only increase. God warned Israel, His example nation, of a seven-fold increase of God's judgments if it did not respond in confession and true repentance. His threat was repeated four times (Lev. 26:18, 21, 23-24, 27-28). Now in these last days look at God's judgments upon the world (1 Cor. 10:11) just before His Son returns: seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven bowls - four times a seven-fold judgment!

This is what we are seeing in all nations which are trying to thwart God's plan for Israel. Does this apply to your nation? Will you stand for His will to restore His land and people to Himself? If so, then you will be a conduit of mercy for your nation (Ezek. 22:30). Will it be enough so that your nation survives? Only God knows. But at least He will find you faithful and will give you the rewards of your labor (1 Cor. 15:58).

Prophetic signposts

To weaken Israel is now a Russian interest because of natural gas reserves found off the coast of Haifa, which threaten Russia's monopoly on supplying fuel to Europe and reduce its power to influence [EU] policies. ("Beware the Egyptian illusion," Ze'ev Jabotinsky, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 22 Aug. 2012) This could explain the 'spoil' that entice Gog and Magog to come against Israel (Ezek. 38:8-13).

At the Non-Aligned Movement Conference in Tehran, Iran's real power-broker, the Ayatollah Khamenei said Israel is a state of bloodthirsty Zionist wolves that controls the world media. No one walked out - not even the UN Secretary-General. ("NAM meeting's chilling message," JP Analysis, 30 Aug. 2012)This is another sign of Zechariah 12:2-3 gradually being fulfilled now.

Bibi called this summit, a disgrace and a stain on humanity… 70 years ago, six million of my people were exterminated in an act of genocide. The world pledged never again; it passed treaties against genocide; it formed the UN… [Yet] over 120 countries are in Tehran, saluting a regime that not only denies the Holocaust but pledges to annihilate the Jewish state, brutalizes its own people, colludes in the murder of thousands of innocent Syrians and leads millions in chanting, Death to America, death to Israel. ("NAM… a stain on humanity… " Israel Hayom, 30 Aug. 2012)

The religious leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood [MB] made a public plea for a jihad, a holy war, against Israel. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights NGO, said this confirmed their long-held view that Egypt's MB is the most dangerous anti-Semitic organization in the world today("Wiesenthal Center urges US to condemn MB," Israel Hayom, 14 Oct. 2012")

Coincidences are often instances of God's sovereignty. The timeline of the tragic events in Libya that left the US ambassador and three other Americans dead is very sobering. God often judges by removing His protection. Is that what we saw there? All ME-related news in the US had been focused on the "conflicting reports" of whether Obama had rejected Netanyahu's request for a meeting when both were at the UN.

Netanyahu and administration officials had verbally sparred for weeks over red lines on Iran, with Bibi saying earlier that day, Those [nations] who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel.

Public attention was focused on the fact that there would not be a meeting. But just as that narrative was taking hold, and the White House was trying to alter it with a late-night phone call that story was drowned by headlines of the attack and deaths at the US Libyan consulate. An anti-Islam film produced… in California had been blamed for the violence, but it is now admitted the attack was pre-planned. It took place on 9/11! ("Will Libya be a game changer?" H. L. Kreiger, JP Features, 13 Sept. 2012) God still judges nations for the way they treat Israel (Gen. 12:3; Isa. 60:12; Zech. 2:8-9; 12:9, etc.).

Dan Margalit wrote, From [Obama's] hasty trip to Cairo to declare his credo about the greatness of Islam right up to [the] attack in [Libya], the US proved that it does not understand how things work in the [Muslim] ME; that in the cultural and diplomatic code that exists in this region, you can cooperate on one thing, and stick a knife in your partner's back over something else at the exact same time.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said over and over, I don't understand, as she noted the US support for the Libyan rebels against Gadhafi. Yet she promised continual support for regimes established through the Arab Spring, even after the murder of Ambassador Stevens… And no Israeli can understand either - understand America, that is. ("Another link in the violent chain reaction," D. Margalit, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 13 Sept. 2012)

If Obama has worsened America's relationship with Israel, we should see signs of God's displeasure. ABC News reports, In a year rife with Southern droughts, Midwest tornadoes and Eastern floods, President Obama declared a record-setting 99 disasters throughout 2011. They note that the weather has been more disastrous during his presidency than in the past 30 years. And this does not include this year's hits - like Frankenstorm Sandy, raging fires, a further increase in the drought and floods and violence and… (See Jer. 30:23-24!) ("Obama Declared Record-Breaking 99 Disasters in 2011," ABC News,abcnews.go.com, 14 Sept. 2012)

The 'Ostrich Syndrome' and the Iranian threat

Bar-Ilan University political science Professor Efraim Inbar, who is also the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies Director, sees the nations afflicted with Ostrich Syndrome.

For example, most states ignore the extreme revolutionary nature of the Iran regime. Since 1979… the mullahs want to export their radical Shi'ite version of Islam, and adopted a jihadist agenda. But we are told they are rational just like us. Iran's leaders are responsible for killing Westerners in [the ME]… Iran plotted to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in the US… Iranian leaders express their desire to remove Israel from the map, yet we are constantly told they are all rational - just like us.

Likewise, the West has ignored for more than a decade the progress in Iran's nuclear program and adheres to the illusion that talks will eventually dissuade them from building a nuclear bomb. Iran was caught lying to the IAEA about its nuclear program, but Israelis were told there is plenty of time to conduct negotiations. Iran built an enrichment facility at Natanz… and we were told there is still time to do something about it. Iran expanded that facility… built a new enrichment plant at Fordow… achieved a 5% enrichment level, then 10%, recently it reached 20%… and we were told each time there is still time. The latest IAEA report indicates Iran is a few months from having enough fissionable material for a nuclear bomb, maybe a year from having enough for 10 bombs… and we were told again there is still time…

Also, most nations belittle the real repercussions of a nuclear Iran. Concerns about Iran [dominating] the oil producing nations in the Gulf and Caspian Basin; nuclear proliferation in the ME; Iranian nuclear terrorism; a security threat for states within a radius of 2,500 kms.; loss of Western credibility after repeated declarations that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable, are all dismissed as Israeli exaggerations or unfounded alarmism.

Western 'experts' think Iran can be deterred. Yet Iran has yet to be deterred before it goes nuclear! Did the US deter Iranian influence in Lebanon? No. Hezbollah took over the country. Did the US curtail Iranian influence in Palestinian politics? No. Hamas took over Gaza… Did the US deter Iran from turning Iraq into its satellite? No… Did the US deter Iran from assisting Assad to stay in power in Syria? No.

Deterrence works if there is reasonable sensitivity to costs. Unfortunately, the theological outlook of the Iranian leadership prepares it for paying heavy costs in the pursuit of its jihadist agenda. Indeed, Iranian leaders declared their willingness to pay with millions of lives in order to destroy the Jewish state. And the domestic suffering caused by economic sanctions has not changed the regime's nuclear policy.

Inbar concludes, At this late stage, after so many years, nothing will stop the nuclear program except for the use of force… In the absence of a quick recovery from the Ostrich Syndrome, we are doomed to live in a more brutish world. ("Netanyahu's speech and the Ostrich Syndrome," E. Inbar, JP Op-ed, 10 Oct. 2012)

How brutal? Iranian President Ahmadinejad said to a group of ambassadors from Islamic countries, annihilation of the Zionist regime [is the]… key for solving the world's problems. ("Ahmadinejad's 'Most Anti-Semitic Speech Yet'," Arutz 7, 5 Aug. 2012)

In another speech, he said Israel's existence was an affront to humanity… a malignant cancer… Zionists on even one centimeter of Palestinian territory is dangerous. He views confronting Israel as essential to protect the dignity of all human beings. ("Israel's existence 'an affront to humanity'… " Israel Hayom, 17 Aug. 2012)

Iranian leaders speak about a 'new world order', yet their vision is Islamic in all areas on all levels. And Iran sees the waning of America as a sign of the end of the West's leadership role in the world. At that NAM summit, Ayatollah Khamenei said, the rise of new superpowers runs parallel to the collapse of the old ones.

At the UN in September, Ahmadinejad ended his speech by referring to the long-awaited return of the Mahdi (the hidden 12^th Imam according to Shiite eschatology), who promises to usher in the new world order along with the salvation of Shiites. ("New world order - Iranian style," Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 27 Sept. 2012)

Blind Shepherds lead the West

Clifford D. May, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies president, sees Western leaders as blind. Ideas matter. The Nazis had ideas, vile ideas, but ideas nonetheless… Roosevelt and Churchill… were keenly aware that the Nazi threat was at least as much ideological as military. So in January 1943, they adopted a policy crucial to Allied victory and Axis defeat, one whose aim was not to destroy Germany, Italy or Japan's populations but would destroy the philosophies in those countries which are based on conquest and the subjugation of other people.

Islam's jihad ideology is of that same spirit. The late Father R. J. Neuhaus aptly defined jihadism as a religious ideology built on the teaching that it is the moral obligation of all Muslims to employ whatever means necessary in order to compel the world's submission to Islam.

Yet most Western leaders won't even discuss jihadism openly… Some are concerned that to do so will offend Muslims…  Others find it ludicrous that in today's world, there are still those who believe in divinely endorsed wars, have no aversion to violence, and see conquest as the most virtuous of pursuits. Or, as Clinton said, shortly after becoming US Secretary of State, Ideology is so yesterday. Those who view America as Allah's enemy disagree.

Roosevelt and Churchill grasped what too many analysts… do not: To prevail against [the West's] enemies, kinetic warfare is necessary but insufficient… [A] war of ideas also must be waged. And on that front, we have not yet begun to fight. ("Is al-Qaida defeated?" C. D. May, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 18 Oct. 2012)

What about Messiah's Body? Have we realized the demonic nature of Islam and endeavored to wage war on its theological foundations by exposing its lies to the light of the truth of God's Word? If not - why not?

For YHWH has said to me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees.

Isaiah 21:6

Chuck & Karen Cohen