Till We Meet Again Week of 10/28/19
We greatly apologize, but at this time, we are unable to keep up with the blog. The Lord willing, we do plan to resume the last week of December. It is hoped that you all have a wonderful Christmas season, keeping Christ in the center—where He belongs. God bless.
Two Jews, Three Opinions Week of 10/07/19
Zionism—simply put is, the right of the Jewish people to have their own homeland. To some Jews, this was an unattainable dream—to others, it was their life′s work. Around the turn of the last century, many notable Jews around Europe and in Russian provinces called for a Jewish homeland. Among them was a Polish Jew named, Nathan Birnbaum—he lived from 1864‐1908. His efforts were concentrated, mainly through his writings, on awaking within the Jews the possibility of a Jewish State. He was the first to coined the term, Zionism. But, does Zionism have anything to do with the Jewish religion?
From the onset, Zionism was an idea that included all Jews—religious and non‐religious. They all worked together to formed the Zionist movement. Due to those efforts, on May 14, 1948 Israel declared its independence as a sovereign nation, in the land of its ancestors—in the land that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob‐ref Ex 33:1. Jews who had been scattered all over the world now had a place to come where they could be safe. A land where they would not be persecuted for merely being Jewish—is there such a place on earth? As they found out they would have to, as in the days of old, persevere even to sacrificing the ultimate—their life, to achieve this dream. To Bible Prophecy scholars, no prophecy of the latter years of the last days had any meaning until this miraculous event—Israel rebirth happened.
Fast forward to last month, Israeli′s (for a second round) took to the polls to try to decide on a leader for their country. And, for a second time the votes did not declare a clear winner. The tight race is between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Benny Gantz (see our 4/22/19 blog for more details). So what happens next?
All eyes have been on the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, a seasoned politician who is not easily swayed. He wants what all Israeli′s want—a unified government. Last month, President Rivlin began his consultations toward forming a new government. He met with many of the political factions to see where their allegiances would be—with PM Netanyahu or Mr. Gantz. What is needed are people willing to work together for the good of the nation, but, Mr. Gantz has always made a staunch position of never working with the PM. In fact, that was all his campaign was about—Netanyahu out. However, in the days leading up to the election, Mr. Gantz did start to work with other political factions—among them was the Arab bloc. He actually sought out for the vote of those who support jihad terror and refuse to recognize Israel′s right to exist as a Jewish state. And, the Arabs gave him their support (some for just a day), only because they are unhappy with PM Netanyahu′s stance against them and the Palestinians. They are also upset on the PM′s law of last year that stated, Israel belonged solely to the Jewish people; this law seems reasonable seeing that the Arab bloc is becoming a growing threat to Israeli politics (check out our 4/22/19 blog for the dangers). Even though they have supported Mr. Gantz, they made it clear they would not sit in any government that would not recognize a Palestine state. And, as Mr. Gantz in the past has threatened to bomb Gaza back to the Stone Age, he recently has been on record to support a unity government—a government for all Israeli's—whether they be Jewish or not.
As many Israeli′s are tiring of this process, there are still three corruption allegations that loom over the PM′s head. Mr. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and some believe the allegations are just the opposition kicking up dust—dust that could influence an election. In the mean time, interim PM Netanyahu has tried to influence Mr Gantz to join the government, but to no positive results. Make no mistake; Benny Gantz wants a unified government. Before the elections Gantz promised a national unity government—one that would exclude all religious parties, including right‐wing national‐religious factions. However, since the elections one would think the only difference between Gantz and the PM is that Gantz wants Netanyahu gone.
There is much continued division between the other politic parties—some don′t want to work with anyone, while others will work with either the PM or they will work with Gantz; not both. And while this drags on, Israelis are getting more and more disillusioned—who knows, for the opposition that maybe their goal. The question still remains, will Israelis go to the polls for a third election?
Two Jews, three opinions—it is a popular saying in Israel, suggesting that Jew′s argue—it is their nature. Presently, Israeli society is divided between those who support a democratic state, and those who support a Jewish democratic state. The arguing is nothing new, it is a Jewish past time; however, this time the results could be catastrophic. Is Zionism no longer relevant to Israelis? Does what is happening in America apply; do the old ways of the republic (although Israel does not have a republican form of government) hinder the new popular movement of socialism or new world government—out with the old, in with the new?
Many in Israel desire to see the election process resolved so the country can focus on very real situations that surround them—literally. Issues like violence in Gaze and the West Bank. Threats like those from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist group who was responsible for the killing of Israeli teenager, Rina Shnerb (17 yrs old) on Aug 23, 2019. They have promised to “open the gates of hell” if a key suspect in the bombing dies after being seriously injured during an Israeli interrogation. There are also the continued warnings from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who spoke at the U.N. this past month. He said, “Our region is on the edge of collapse, as a single blunder can fuel a big fire. We shall not tolerate the provocative intervention of foreigners. We shall respond decisively and strongly to any sort of transgression to and violation of our security and territorial integrity.” He apparently was particularly addressing the United States and Israel. There were even further threats from, Abbas Nilforoushan, a top commander within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. “If Israel makes a strategic mistake, it has to collect bits and pieces of Tel Aviv from the lower depths of the Mediterranean Sea.” And let us not forget the comments from Hezbollah or any of the other enemies of Israel.
The arguing is important. It will decide the future of the tiny country Israel. What kind of Jewish state will emerge? Bible Prophecy students are looking for an Israeli leader that will make deals with the Anti‐Christ, who will become the leader of the E.U.‐ref Dan 9:27. Check out this link for day one of the Tribulation.
The Tribulation is coming and according to Scripture is in part due to the fact that Israel has forgotten the God of her salvation, and has not been mindful of the Rock of her strength-ref Isa 17:4-11. Check out this link if you would see a fuller list of why the Tribulation is coming.
Are you ready to meet Jesus? You may think you have lots of time to make changes in your life—but do you? You are never promised tomorrow, you only are sure of the present. Commit your life to Jesus. Check out this link if you want to learn how. And, for those who have already surrender to Jesus and are living for Him, it is written, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God‐2 Timothy 1:7‐8 (KJV).
Sources: jewishvirtuallibrary.org-Definition of Zionism; jewishvirtuallibrary.org-Nathan Birnbaum; jpost.com-Gantz on verge of getting more recommendations; jpost.com-Coalition talks between Likud Blue and White end without a deal; jpost.com-Rivlin concludes second round of consultations; cnn.com; gellerreport.com; thenational.ae; reuters.com; hamodia.com; israeltoday.co.il; hamodia.com; coffeeshoprabbi.com; timesofisrael.com; jpost.com-Right from Wrong from the mouths of Mullahs; jpost.com-Jewish millennials drifting from traditional organizations.
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