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Shalom from Jerusalem, Israel's eternal capital!
Last year ended with political fireworks! On December 6th US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, advancing the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:2-3. Having often cited these verses, we were not too surprised, but it is imperative for us to remember that it is not Trump, or Israeli Prime Minister [PM] Bibi Netanyahu, or religious Jews or Christian Zionists, who make Jerusalem a target; it is our Creator God (12:1). He brings His plans to pass in His time, regardless of man's plans. (Ps. 33:10-11)
Behold, I, [YHWH], make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the peoples all around…
Most of Israel's Arab neighbors despise Jerusalem remaining under Jewish sovereignty. In that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples. All who lift it shall be cut to pieces, though all nations of the earth will gather together against it.
(Zech. 12:2-3) Today, this is occurring in the geo-political realm; in the future in actual combat, yet note God's decree: And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to utterly annihilate all nations that come against Jerusalem.
(Zech. 12:9)
Jerusalem as God sees it
Israel's reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 was God using His city to challenge the nations and spiritual powers. This is the place where He has set His name (Deut. 16:11; 1 Ki. 8:29; Isa. 18:7) and where God the Son, the King of the Jews, died for the sins of the world (Luke 13:33). Here He was buried and resurrected. From here He ascended to heaven, and to here He will return (Acts 1:9-12). God's indwelling Spirit shows us why the god of this age hates this city. As God's enemy, Satan hates all that God loves – which includes Zion (Ps. 87:2), the nation of Israel and the Jewish people (Deut. 7:7-8), the true Church (Gal. 2:20; Eph. 5:2) and the unsaved sinner (John 3:16).
Satan, who knows God's Word, knows that Messiah's return to the Mount of Olives spells the end of his pseudo-reign over the affairs of man (Zech. 14:2-4; Rev. 19:11-16; 19:21-20:3).
Ultimately, New Jerusalem will descend from heaven as God's capital city on a new earth. From there King Messiah will reign with His Bride, the Overcomers (Rev. 21:1-11). That is a surety. How we get from here to there is one of the reasons He calls us to pray – so that His kingdom comes and His will is done, with as much mercy as possible (Luke 11:2; Ezek. 22:30).
US President's recognition of reality re: Jerusalem
Most of this Watchmen issue deals with the huge global, political and prophetic effects of Trump and his "Jerusalem decision."
Why was world reaction so vehement? Trump made no decision on the city's final borders, but left that to be decided by Israel and the Palestinians. Still, the demonic realm was stirred up. There is nothing new under the sun (Eccl. 1:9b). When Sanballat…and Tobiah…heard, it grieved them greatly that a man came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
(Neh. 2:10)
We rejoice at Trump's words, yet as faith without works is dead, so are words without actions. We pray for Trump and his team to follow-up his words with actions in line with God's Word.
Senior US administration officials told reporters before his speech that Trump's recognition of "Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," is recognition "of the historical reality that Jerusalem has been the center of Jewish faith for thousands of years," and is today where all "government ministries, the Supreme Court and central authorities" are located.
They told the Palestinian Authority [PA], "Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for seven decades now…This recognition of reality should not affect the peace process." ("Trump to recognize Jerusalem, order embassy move," Arutz 7, 6 Dec. 2017)
Jordan's King Abdullah warned Trump of "the danger of taking any decision outside the context of a comprehensive solution that establishes a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem." So he has his mind made up. He added, "Jerusalem is the key to achieving peace and stability in the region and the world." While this is not true geo-politically, it is true biblically! ("Trump tells Jordanian King US embassy to be moved," Arutz 7, 6 Dec. 2017)
Trump's speech relating to Jerusalem
Some excerpts from his speech, with our main comments in brackets: "In 1995, Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act, urging the federal government to relocate the American embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize" that city as Israel's capital. Since then every "president has exercised the law's waiver," thinking that by delaying this, it "would advance the cause of peace." Yet today "we are no closer to a lasting peace agreement…It would be folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better result.
"Therefore…it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel…This is a long-overdue step to advance the peace process…" [We pray this becomes the death of this anti-biblical "divide-God's-land-for-peace" process.]
"Israel is a sovereign nation with the right like every other sovereign nation to determine its own capital." [Amen! Yet it is not Israel who has chosen Jerusalem; this is God's city which He has given to His people (2 Chr. 6:6; Psa. 132:13; Zech. 3:2).]
In 1948, the US was the first nation that "recognized the State of Israel." Since then, Israel has declared Jerusalem as its capital, "the capital the Jewish people established in ancient times."
[Trump said Jerusalem is "the heart of three great religions," yet only Judaism and Christianity see it as central to their faith. To Islam, it is the 3rd holiest city and not named once in the Quran.] "Jerusalem…must remain a place where Jews pray at the Western Wall, where Christians walk the Stations of the Cross, and where Muslims worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque." [Someday it will be free from the anti-Christ spirit that rules in Islam and over the Temple Mount.]
"Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more, or less, than recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do."
He ordered the US State Dept., to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, stressing that this "is not intended… to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a lasting peace agreement…We are not taking a position of any final status issues, including specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders. Those questions are up to the parties involved." [Since Trump clarified his intentions, so there was no reason to riot, or have UN resolutions, or threaten the US or Israel. Yet touching this city's prophetic fulfillment draws an immediate response full of rage from the Adversary (Psa. 2:1-6).]
"The US remains deeply committed to helping facilitate a peace agreement," and will "support a two-state solution if agreed to by both sides." [As the Palestinians have already rejected this, efforts towards this goal are in vain (Job 35:13; Psalm 2:1; Eccl. 1:2).] ("…Trump's announcement on Jerusalem and ME peace," JP, 6 Dec. 2017)
Israel Hayom's Nadav Shragai recalled that Israel's first PM David Ben-Gurion decided that Jerusalem was modern Israel's capital. While he viewed international recognition as important, yet he said to another government minister, "If we face a choice between leaving Jerusalem and leaving the UN, let us leave the UN." He also said that no law or declaration was needed for Jerusalem to be declared Israel's capital, as the "work was done for us by King David 3,000 years ago." ("Trump's Jerusalem," N. Shragai, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 8 Dec. 2017)
What has actually changed?
The main fruit from all this is the potential demise of the 25 year old Oslo "peace" process, as the PA now refuses to have America involved. In the US government there is resistance from the State Dept. to accept Trump's move, as it still maintains "its policy regarding government documents provided to US citizens born in Jerusalem," listing the place of birth of these Americans as "Jerusalem," with no nation listed. ("Despite Trump's declaration, State not recognizing Jerusalem," Arutz 7, 14 Dec. 2017)
US Secretary of State Tillerson said the embassy was "unlikely" to move during Trump's first term, and that "completing the move in even three years would be 'ambitious'…" ("No embassy move during Trump's first term, Tillerson says," Arutz 7, 15 Dec. 2017)
So the embassy is not moved, passports are not changed, the Jerusalem law is being waived, threats to cut finances from nations who voted against the US in the UN and to the PA for paying terrorists' salaries while in Israeli jails – are still only threats. Also, the US supplies the Lebanese Army, thus Hezbollah, with weapons; and the US sells Saudi Arabia billions of dollars of arms. This portrays Trump as a businessman turned president whose goal is to "make America great again" by making America first in all his policies.
And while Israel will survive because our help comes from the Lord (Psa. 121:1-2; 124:8) – yet we all need to cry out for God to help Trump make geo-political decisions that are only in line with His will (Prov. 21:1).
This is Jerusalem! Global outrage to be expected
Why do the nations rage and the people imagine vanity? Kings of the earth set themselves, and rulers take counsel together, against YHWH and His anointed, saying, 'Let us tear off their shackles, and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens mocks: YHWH derides them. Then He speaks to them in His wrath, and terrifies them in His fierce displeasure.
[Note His answer to this:] Yet have I set [lit: poured out; by implication "anointed"] My king upon My holy hill of Zion.
(Psa. 2:1-6)
Russia's President Putin, at a press conference with Turkey's President Erdogan, said Trump's move "destabilizes the already difficult situation in the region," and may "finish prospects for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process."
Erdogan then accused Israel of using Trump's move "to ramp up oppression against Palestinians," claiming, without proof, that over 2,000 were injured by the IDF. Erdogan's venom against Israel has exploded recently. Netanyahu responded, "I am not used to receiving lectures about morality from a leader who bombs Kurdish villagers," in Turkey, who jails reporters, who helps Iran skirt "international sanctions, and who helps terrorists, including in Gaza, kill innocent people." ("Putin says US Jerusalem move may 'finish prospects' for peace deal," TOI, 11 Dec. 2017)
Lebanese and Palestinians at a Beirut rally heard Hezbollah's leader Nasrallah vow to focus his group back to "fighting Israel after years of fighting in Syria…" He hoped Trump's "foolish decision" marks the "beginning of the end" of Israel. ("Hezbollah: US Jerusalem decision beginning of the end for Israel," Israel Hayom, 12 Dec. 2017)
Iran's Defense Minister also said Trump's move "will hasten the destruction of the Zionist regime," and Maj. Gen. Soleimani, head of Iran's Quds Force that operates outside Iran's borders, pledged "support for Palestinian Islamic resistance movements…" ("Iran: … Jerusalem move will hasten Israel's destruction," Israel Hayom, 12 Dec. 2017)
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation [OIC] umbrella group of 57 Islamic nations gathered leaders and top officials in Turkey to devise a "unified Islamic position" against Trump's "illegal decision." OIC's current president Erdogan called "world powers to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," and declared that Jerusalem "was a red line for Muslims."
He criticized "feeble Arab reaction," saying some Arab nations are "scared of angering" Trump. While many nations were vexed by this move, only a few responded as strongly as Turkey, which said this will plunge the world "into a fire with no end." ("PA leader: Jerusalem is & always will be capital of Palestine," Israel Hayom, 13 Dec. 2017)
Palestinians overreact; what else is new?
At the OIC summit, PA President Abbas, whose term of office ended in 2009, labeled Trump's move the "greatest crime," "a flagrant violation of international law," and added, "Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine." He said the PA rejects "any role for the US in the ME peace process," as it is "biased in favor of Israel." ("PA leader: Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine," Israel Hayom, 13 Dec. 2017)
The White House responded, saying Abbas' "volatile rhetoric and his regime's ongoing incitement against Israel is what's really preventing peace." ("After Backing Israel, Trump Admin Engages in War of Words with Palestinian Leader," Israel Today, 14 Dec. 2017)
Palestinians are "disappointed with their Arab brothers," as all they have gotten so far from Arab leaders and nations are street protests and words of condemnations. As they do not expect much more, they feel betrayed. In their protests, Palestinians are calling "Arab and Muslim leaders and regimes as 'traitors' and 'puppets'," controlled by Israeli and US hands, and accuse Arab leaders of cowardice. "Welcome to the Palestinian mindset, where an Arab leader who talks about peace with Israel is a traitor," yet one who wants Israel destroyed is a hero. So Saudi Crown Prince M. bin Salman and Egypt President el-Sisi are traitors, collaborators, while Hezbollah's Nasrallah and his Iranian masters, are heroes.
Yet an insightful Palestinian political analyst said, "Anyone who expects weary Arab regimes to defend Jerusalem is living under an illusion," as they are too "busy shedding the blood of their people." ("Palestinians: Arab Rulers are Traitors, Cowards," Khaled Abu Toameh, Gatestone Institute, 14 Dec. 2017)
Council on Foreign Relations ME expert Elliot Abrams saw Abbas' reaction as "poisonous." In his OIC speech, Abbas "made numerous false, inflammatory statements about Israel, Jews, and Jerusalem," like this, "Israel continues to violate the identity and character of the city of Jerusalem," with its "excavations and settlements…" What he really objects to "is that archaeologists keep finding more and more aspects of a Jewish past in Jerusalem, in the Biblical period."
Abrams labeled Abbas' speech as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic because he accused Jews of being "excellent in faking and counterfeiting history and religion” and said "if we read the Torah it says Canaanites were there before the time of our Prophet Abraham…" Islam sees Abraham, and all biblical heroes, as Muslims. Abbas added that the Quran says the Jews "fabricate truth," but that Palestinians have been in Jerusalem, "for thousands of years." To him, Jerusalem is "a Christian/Muslim city whose only connection to the Jews is that they are lying about and defiling it."
So did Trump's speech threaten the peace process? Or does Abbas' speech force us to ask, "What peace process?" ("Abbas & Jerusalem," E. Abrams, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 17 Dec. 2017)
Israel Hayom columnist Dror Eydar said, "Jerusalem has always been a kind of litmus test of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It forces us to confront the mythical, religious aspects that the West," tries so hard to reject. "It touches on issues surrounding the identity of the Jewish people, who have returned to Zion," which has been both the root and goal of the Jewish nation's "2,000-year longing to return home…"
He then used the Quran to reject Abbas' claims, quoting Sura 5: "Recall that Moses said to his people,…O my people, enter the holy land that Allah has decreed for you, and do not rebel, lest you become losers." Thus the Quran tells "the Jews not to retreat but rather to inherit the holy land." ("The Palestinian masquerade," Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 29 Dec. 2017)
What did Trump just tweet?
In early 2018, the US President threatened to cut off financial assistance to the Palestinians, as "they were not interested in making peace with Israel." He tweeted, "It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing," but other nations as well, for example, "we pay the Palestinians hundreds of millions of dollars a year and get no appreciation or respect."
Concerning peace talks, he added, "We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more." Trump continued, "But with Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?" ("Trump rails against Palestinians on Twitter, threatens to cut aid dollars," JP, 2 Jan. 2017)
It's not clear what he meant "by having taken Jerusalem 'off the table'," since when he declared Jerusalem Israel's capital, he said this "did not presume the final status of the city…"
There is also a question as to what "Israel…would have had to pay more" actually means. If he meant that without American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the cost to Israel would have been greater in blood and global condemnation, then that is good. Yet he never did commit to Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided" capital.
On the other hand, if Trump was saying that if the Palestinians would have remained in the "peace" talks, he would have required from Israel a high price for this recognition of Jerusalem, then that is bad. Yet whatever Trump meant, once again God watched over Israel in hardening Abbas' heart to totally reject these talks under America's cover (Psa. 121:4).
The Times of Israel's Raphael Ahren says these tweets "provide fascinating insights" on how Trump views global relations "and the application of his 'America First' foreign policy in the ME. It's all quid pro quo, a system of bilateral transactions in which the strongest player dominates weaker ones."
His "threat to withhold financial aid from the PA," worries the Palestinians and some Israelis. Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, warned that the US could stop "funding the UN's Palestinian refugee agency," aka UNRWA, if the PA refused to negotiate with Israel. Despised as UNRWA is, it still "provides vital services to the most vulnerable Palestinians."
And if Trump implied that Israel will "'pay more' because of his Jerusalem declaration," it is a concern that if the PA decides to rejoin US-sponsored talks, Bibi "will be asked to be especially forthcoming." Yet this should not surprise those who see Trump's logic. He's always seen this Israeli-Palestinian conflict as solvable "by a good negotiator who knows how to get both sides to give and take. It's the art of the deal…" ("Trump's ME policy: Diplomatic Darwinism in the quest for ultimate deal," R. Ahren, TOI Analysis, 3 Jan. 2017)
Answers to intercession?
Most of our prayers for Israel are not answered quickly – some not even in our lifetimes. They require "faith and patience" to see answers (Heb. 6:12). Recently, there were some encouraging signs for which we praise God and press on in prayer for the fulfillment.
Peace Process:
Is this the end of the zombie "land-for-peace" process? Abbas is very clear that he no longer sees the US as an honest, unbiased broker, and has said the PA will reject "any peace plan proposed" by America, even if it is supported by "Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt." ("Palestinians: Arab Rulers are Traitors, Cowards," Khaled Abu Toameh, Gatestone Institute, 14 Dec. 2017)
As of this writing, White House officials said the administration "has abandoned plans to offer a new framework" for peace talks because of the PA's outrageous reaction to Trump's Jerusalem move. An unnamed official said while the US was still committed to this, it would not force either side to the table. ("Report: Trump nixes ME peace plan after PA walks out," Arutz 7, 25 Dec. 2017)
Iran:
At the end of 2017, it was reported that "Israel and the US have devised a secret strategic plan to combat the threat posed by Iran's nuclear and missile programs and its presence in Syria near Israel…" In Washington, "an Israeli delegation secretly met with an American team…to formulate a joint memorandum of understanding on the topic of Iran." The agreed upon document translates Trump's Oct. 13 decertification of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, "into a concrete plan of action…" Some threats that a joint task force will work on include "Iran's growing presence in Syria," with positions close to Israel, "and Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which both Israel and the US view as a clear threat." Also agreed on was continued "covert cooperation" to halt "Iranian aggression" and Iran's support for Hezbollah. ("Report: Israel, US devise secret plan to curb Iran threat," Israel Hayom, 29 Dec. 2017)
The recent upheaval in Iranian society is a partial answer to our persistent prayers for God to shake that Shi'ite nation physically, spiritually, socially and politically. Note the timing: On Dec. 27th, "The Iranian parliament" voted 207 to none, to approve a plan requiring "the government of Iran to recognize Jerusalem as the permanent capital of the Palestinian people…" ("Iranian Parliament recognizes Jerusalem as 'Capital of Palestine'," JP, 27 Dec. 2017)
The very next day protests started in Iran's second largest city, and spread rapidly to other locations, including its capital Tehran, and the holy city of Qom. Iranians were not only protesting harsh economic situations – although that is what most Western media said. Iranian expert M. Amir, former head of Israel Broadcasting Authority's Persian language division, said that in 2009, Iranians protested "fraudulent presidential election results," with rallies confined to Tehran and "suppressed with extreme brutality."
Now protesters openly call "for the leader to be removed and the regime to fall." They want work and food, and also demand a halt to "financial support for Hezbollah, Hamas and the…Syrian regime, while brazenly…calling for the regime's demise," with cries of "'Death to the dictator,' 'Khamenei [Iran's Supreme leader] next,' 'Leave Syria and take care of the Iranian people', 'Let go of Palestine,' and 'Not Gaza, not Lebanon, I'd give my life only for Iran'." ("This time it's serious," M. Amir, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 31 Dec. 2017)
Judea & Samaria:
After decades of rejected peace offers, Netanyahu's "Likud party unanimously urged legislators… [to] annex Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria." The settlements are currently under military law which holds them back from many construction projects. Knesset Speaker Edelstein said, "We are going to stop apologizing and are going to say outright that this land is our land." Instead of giving it away, "we are going to simply build in Judea and Samaria, in the Golan Heights and the Galilee and the Negev." ("In symbolic vote, Likud votes for de facto annexation of settlements," Israel Hayom, 1 Jan. 2018)
The above are partial answers to prayer which embolden us to press on interceding until we see their fulfillment – with the goal being the manifestation of God's glory (Psa. 115:1-3).
UN – a theater of the absurd, a house of lies
A week before Trump's Jerusalem recognition, the UN's General Assembly passed another anti-Israel resolution, denying any Israeli ties to that city, saying "any actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal and therefore null and void and have no validity whatsoever." ("UNGA Declares Israel Has No Ties to Jerusalem," ICEJ News, 1 Dec. 2017)
After a UN Security Council debate on Trump's move, Israel's UN Ambassador Danon told them they could vote repeatedly, yet "Jerusalem is, has been, and always will be the capital of Israel." Every other nation "has the right to designate its capital city," but for Israel, "this most basic national right is questioned and condemned." ("Danon: Jerusalem is, has been, and always will be the capital of Israel," JP, 18 Dec. 2017)
The next day, the US "vetoed a resolution" backed by the 14 other Security Council members demanding that Trump annul his Jerusalem decision. This exposed "the depth of global opposition" to this move and shows how fast end-time events are occurring. America's UN Ambassador Haley called the resolution "an insult," saying "the UN forced the US to cast a veto simply because of its right to decide where to put its embassy," therefore the veto was basically "in defense of American sovereignty…"
Britain's UN Ambassador said, "The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement" and "ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states." So what's to be negotiated if the world has already decided the outcome?
There was a humorous moment when the Russian deputy UN ambassador said with all seriousness, "We are ready to become an honest mediator," between Israel and the Arabs. Seriously?
Afterward, Bibi in a Facebook video said Haley "lit a candle of truth," and compared her with the Maccabees of Chanukah fame, saying, "One defeated the many, truth defeated lies." ("US vetoes UN resolution against Trump's Jerusalem decision," Israel Hayom, 19 Dec. 2017)
Days later, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution rejecting Trump's Jerusalem decision: 128 yeas, 9 nays, and 35 abstentions. World Jewish Congress President Lauder said, "It is ironic that the UNGA has chosen the unusual step of holding an emergency session, of which it has convened only 10 since its creation, to discuss this issue, when there are so many other global matters in need of urgent attention." ("WJC laments UNR: 'Jerusalem is the indisputable capital…'," www.worldjewishcongress.org, 21 Dec. 2017)
US security strategy: Israel-PA not central to ME
Trump's first National Security Strategy document states, "For generations the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has been understood as the prime irritant preventing peace and prosperity in the region. Today, the threats from jihadist terrorist organizations and the threat from Iran are creating the realization that Israel is not the cause of the region's problems."
The text bashes the Iran nuclear deal, saying, "Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, has taken advantage of instability to expand its influence through partners and proxies, weapon proliferation, and funding. It continues to develop more capable ballistic missiles and intelligence capabilities, and it undertakes malicious cyber activities." ("Israel is not the cause of ME's problems, US security strategy says," TOI, 18 Dec. 2017)
Israel Hayom said the document stressed that "America First" does not mean "America Alone," but the US "will protect its interests even if that means acting unilaterally or alienating others on issues like trade, climate change and immigration…"
Trump emphasized that his doctrine will strive to "preserve peace through strength." ("Trump: Iran, terrorism destabilize ME, not Israel," Israel Hayom, 19 Dec. 2017)
EU continues to stand vs. God's revealed will
EU's foreign policy chief Mogherini, and many other EU leaders, rejected Trump's Jerusalem move, saying the only "solution to the conflict…is based on two states with Jerusalem as the capital of both." Again, the outcome has already been decided. ("PM to EU: US recognition of Jerusalem makes peace possible," Israel Hayom, 11 Dec. 2017)
Meeting with EU foreign ministers, Netanyahu disputed two fallacies: "that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at the heart of the [ME's] troubles, and that settlements are at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." He asked if anyone really believed this. "The poor guy who set himself on fire in Tunisia," which sparked the Arab Spring, "did he really care" about an Israeli-Arab agreement? As for settlements, he said "opposition to Zionism started before the settlements and it continues after they're dismantled."
Asked if he accepts a two-state solution, he asked what kind of state would a Palestine be – "Costa Rica or Yemen?" The first is a stable Central American democracy, while "the latter is in a state of war-blighted anarchy."
Confronting these ministers, he asked, "How many times have you…told the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state?" ("Skeptical Netanyahu to EU on Palestinian state…?" TOI, 11 Dec. 2017)
Final thought and personal challenge
God is fulfilling His declared will boldly before the world. Yes, I will rejoice over them [exiled Israel] to do them good, and I will plant them in this land in truth with My whole heart and with My whole soul.
(Jer. 32:41) Verses 42-44 then describe the geographical area, which is all the land west of the Jordan River.
As this is the only place in Scripture where God commits to doing something with His whole heart and soul, how can any of His born-again children resist this, or even be lukewarm over the issue of Israel? This would grieve the Holy Spirit. We urge you to stand with what God is doing – with all of your heart and soul.
Chuck & Karen Cohen