Why Will Israel Survive? - Tom Brennan Charisma News

Israel will survive in the end times, but will America? (iStock file photo )

Why Will Israel Survive?

11/6/2015 TOM BRENNAN  charisma news

America is not even referred to in the Bible. Not even as the New Babylon, although it is beginning to resemble it more each day. Sorry to upset anyone, but it's not about us.

Israel has survived for over 3,500 years because of God's covenant and favor. Yes, there has been unfaithfulness, idolatry, dispersion, persecution, diaspora and Hamas, Hezbollah and Obama. Israel will survive. Why? Because God said it would.

So, how can we rescue America and the West in general from impending and brutal domination by Mahdist forces? Syria/Iraq and Iran are fighting for supremacy in bringing about the worldwide Mahdi who will force the world of infidels to submit to their version of Islam. Don't worry, one of these competitors will prevail and the loser will link with them. All the paper, deals and negotiations in the universe won't change that.

Israel has survived the great empires of the past: Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Greece, Rome, Czars and Inquisitors and brutal Nazis and Fascists all tried in vain to eradicate Israel.

Will America and Europe survive assaults on religious freedom, family values and secular humanism that try to eradicate any mention of the Almighty? America is no longer a Christian country or so the President has decreed. Any criticism of Islam is denounced as racist while insults, ridicule and lawsuits are considered the rightly due of Christians and now Jews. "Smiley face" sermons in many churches avoid the increasing persecution for fear of 501c3 penalties.

The cruel reality of an outright war against God's people and His Word are crowded out by the urge to not offend anyone. Denominations are dividing on real Biblical issues such as same-sex marriage. They are also voting to boycott Israel on pretend humanitarian grounds over Palestine. Yeshua said a house divided against itself cannot stand; 60,000 denominations seem to bear witness to that.

So what lessons can we draw from these issues? First, admittance must be made that a war has begun. Christians and Jews are being targeted for suits and discrimination by many sources, atheists are suing daily to remove any mention of the Almighty, statues of Satan are openly displayed, television talk shows regularly criticize believers and have their lies taken seriously. Wars have winners and losers. Where do we stand?

Joshua called the houses of Israel together. He asked about their loyalty and whom they would serve. Yeshua said we can only serve one master. In our Western culture we have divided our societies into civil and faith. Today the civil openly shows disrespect for faith.

Once more, whom will we serve? Our enemies from outside and within our borders seek to divide us even further than we have divided ourselves. We are a part of a spiritual Israel and as long as our loyalty is to the Messiah who will return to that place—on the Mount of Olives—we will survive. 

Note: The opinions of this writer are not necessarily those of Charisma Media.

Tom Brennan has worked in quite a few professions. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he worked as a museum curator, archivist and graphics curator, library administrator, small business owner, animal care worker, sheriff's deputy, rancher, farmer, author, researcher and NewsBlogger. He plans to volunteer for Sar-El next year and see Israel from the ground up. When he's not digging into news, he works with Arabian horses and other breeds in Boise, Idaho.

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Charisma Magazine

November 2015

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Related topics: Israel | Jews

Why Christians Must Fight Boycotts Against Israel

8/13/2015 TOM BRENNAN  charisma news

It isn't enough that many Muslims hate Jews and Israelis, but do Christians have to follow their lead? (Reuters file photo)

Israel has faced many enemies in the past and faces even more today. Muslim terrorist armies such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the malevolent individuals within the Palestinian Authority are in the closest proximity.

The rapidly advancing ISIS and Caliphate forces and the expansion of Tehran and its goal of eliminating the Jewish State and all unbelievers has been moving towards active hostilities in their proxy wars. But the BDS activity has been perhaps as damaging as the violence because it attempts to harm Israel by causing financial harm to the nation of 8.2 million shekkels.

Boycotts are being staged in nations which have large Christian majorities and many are adopted by church denominations. Academic and professional groups adopt resolutions that use boycotts to support pro- Palestinian positions. The Palestinian Authority and other Muslim activists promote their position with a sophisticated social media campaign that utilizes outright lies, fraud and a willing media which follows any story that puts Israel in the worst light. The mainstream media has abandoned any semblance of balance, due diligence and fact checking to get attention from a gullible public.

The most distressing participants in this betrayal are the churches, colleges and even clergy. To be sure, a Christian element of compassion for downtrodden Palestinian refugees and residents of Gaza is admirable. However, fact-checking and research quickly will disclose the foundation for the circumstances of their condition.

Last year's Gaza war was an outright instance of aggression by Hamas using sophisticated tunnels to enter Israel. They used Iran-supplied and locally manufactured rockets fired from civilian villages, school and hospitals and placing combatants within villages.

Using human shields who were told to stay put as martyrs was openly admitted to by several spokesmen. In addition, BDS harms Israel's Muslim and Christian Arab citizens because the companies that are selected for boycotts  hire and employ them and their wages are much higher than any earned in the neighboring Muslim countries. Check the issues regarding Soda Stream and how this Israeli business has been a major factor in the economic lives of many non-Jewish citizens.

The partition into Israel and Jordan resulted in evacuations of Jews and Muslims both. The Muslim refugees became pawns in a merciless game of anti-Israel politics. Arab nations refused entry and kept up only meager support for these unfortunates. Israel welcomed back those would share the duties and laws of Israel citizenship. Today the coalition government of Hamas and Mahmoud Abbas' followers continues to conduct daily terrorist attacks in Israel. Last summer saw the use of cars, knives and kidnapping as weapons against victims as young as infants and as old as rabbis saying Morning Prayer.

Can Christians participate even passively in boycotts? Are we obliged to speak out against these anti-Semitic acts? The Holocaust of the 1940s was aided by the passivity of most churches in Germany and Europe. The writing of Pastor Bonhoeffer witness beyond his hero's grave to what a true follower is obliged to do.

Here are some direct and personal steps a Christian can follow to combat this modern day anti-Semitic aggression.

If your denomination is discussing Israel, Palestinian nationhood, the two-State solution or any issue that would involve BDS you can present a well-researched position paper documenting facts about these issues. Use dependable sources, and follow Biblical the rule of two independent and authoritative sources. Measure all against Scripture (the Berean process). Ask to participate in the discussion as an advocate for Israel and present your findings in a firm and confident manner. Call in others who share this viewpoint as additional witnesses and make your position known. The Biblical evidence for Israel, its borders as declared to Abraham, its primacy in Scripture from Abraham to Revelation, cannot be denied, changed or substituted. Should your position be rejected and the church vote to continue, you should declare your intention to withdraw from the church and d so publicly until that decision is nullified.

Academic groups are a similar case. Here you have an edge: finances. Colleges and universities draw much of their support from alumni gifts, bequests and planned giving. Usually student or alumni factions are involved in BDS movements. Today, many faculties in leading positions have taken a '60's and '70's radical series of positions. They have been able to influence students into positions that have carry out their agendas and these vulnerable individuals have fallen victim to many lies and intentional personal agendas of atheist, agnostic and anti-Semitic professors whose misuse their authority.

When a movement to boycott Israel makes news contact your college administration, the President or Chancellor and make know in writing your intention to postpone any intended annual gift, donation, planned giving or trust process etc., until the proposed BDS is cancelled. Also state that you are contacting other alumni via social media that they will do the same. Realistically money talks, most faculties are in very privileged positions and are out of touch when it is fundraising time. Seeing their jobs, research or tenure affected by their anti-Israel activities will move them more closely to objectivity. So far several US universities have voted down BDS moves for reasons that have "No money" written all over them.

Professional associations follow a similar track. Most depend on memberships and gifts, grants etc. BDS generates very bad PR. They get news coverage and a rising alternative media can focus attention on the group that MSNBC, NBC, CNN will not. Add social media and firestorm of criticism will ensue. Social media cannot be underestimated as a message carrier and influence when used properly. Affiliate audiences, peripheral audiences of similar groups can mobilize comments and actions that any administrators will not be able to manage. Social media page administration is a very time consuming duty and virality can put things beyond the energy required to put out the "fire." Presenting your position within protocols of the group, presenting evidence and acting promptly on your intent with withdraw support will make serious impression with savvy administrators and membership committees.

We have seen how the recent Orange situation had very immediate effects on how France deals with BDS threats. Direct, firm and unified actions led to apologies and a personal visit to mend fences from the Company's CEO. Israel's stature as the "Start-Up Nation" and its stature as a high-tech R&D leader had its effect right where it could hurt companies the hardest: being shut out of Israel's intellectually rich resources.

BDS is unbiblical, un-Christian and we are obliged to not be passive. We must witness and do this to prevent any anti-Semitic moves by our churches, colleges or corporations.

Tom Brennan has worked in quite a few professions. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he's worked as a museum curator, archivist and graphics curator, library administrator, small business owner, animal care worker, sheriff's deputy, rancher and farmer and author and researcher and NewsBlogger. He plans to volunteer for Sar-El next year and see Israel from the ground up. When he's not digging into news, he works with Arabian horses and other breeds in Boise, Idaho.

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This is the Very Reason Christians Should Stand With Israel

7/28/2015 TOM BRENNAN  charisma news

The Jews' isolation from the Temple Mount is not biblical. (Wikimedia Commons)

Israel is a deep well of history. The Land has been dwelt in, conquered and invaded, ruled by many kingdoms and empires and the dust and rocks give up secrets daily.

Bible doubters have their work cut out for them. Every time a self-publicizing critic declares the Bible to be fraudulent, a name a place or artifact calls foul.

Perhaps one of the most noted discoveries involves a people known as the Hittites. The Hittite script was first discovered in 1884 by an Irish missionary, William Wright. Later in 1906 German archaeologist Hugo Winckler uncovered more evidence. By 1912, the Royal Archives at Hattusa, the Hittite capital, had been discovered and excavated.

Over 10,000 tablets disclosed the day-to-day workings of an empire referred to in the Bible which deniers had used as an excuse to criticize the Book. Today, Uriah the Hittite is known and understood, the large number of references to this empire and its people in Biblical times are verified en masse by other discoveries and records. Evidence for Israel and the Bible outside Israel are found in monumental amounts.

Israel itself holds the solid evidence of its past, despite denials by Muslims. The Temple Mount is the most visible, historic and conflicted holy place in the world today. Mount Zion is considered to be where Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, born of Sarah. It is considered to be the place where David was told the Temple was to be placed, the Temple he was not permitted to build. Solomon built the Temple and its size made it a landmark in a region full of huge temples. What made it stand apart was the absence of idols: it was the place where One God came upon the Mercy Seat.

Conquests by Babylonians and Romans, reconstruction and repair by Zerubbabel and Herod made their mark on the mountain. The final Roman destruction of the rebellious city and its Temple to the One God in 135 CE left only a wide platform and a monumental retaining wall, the Kotel. Herod had expanded the territory of the Temple that it overflowed the mountaintop.

Other smaller structures occupied the site later until the Muslim conquest and the building of two Mosques. The narrative of Muhammad's night journey to heaven from this place is the only real connection made by Muslims to Jerusalem. The site is off limits to Jews, although within the boundaries of the reunited Jerusalem.

Israel permits the Waqf, a Muslim non-profit that maintains the site to govern its maintenance. Photographs from early days show what a noted archaeologist  has determined is the place where the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies. The Waqf also excavated the site to construct walkways for Muslim worshippers.

In doing so, they removed tons of earth and dumped it outside the boundaries. Buried in the dirt is a treasure trove of the Temple's history. Israeli archaeologists secretly began sifting the earth and wonders appeared.

Items thought to date from Solomon's time, sections of the wall including a piece marking "the place of trumpeting," a relic of an ivory pomegranate decoration with ancient Hebrew script engraved, all have come to light.

The very soil of Israel is a witness to the Bible's truth. Christians absolutely have to stand with Israel. The very stones cry out.

Tom Brennan has worked in quite a few professions. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he's worked as a museum curator, archivist and graphics curator, library administrator, small business owner, animal care worker, sheriff's deputy, rancher and farmer and author and researcher and NewsBlogger. He plans to volunteer for Sar-El next year and see Israel from the ground up. When he's not digging into news, he works with Arabian horses and other breeds in Boise, Idaho.

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Israel: Still Open for Business

7/13/2015 TOM BRENNAN  charisma news

Despite all of the BDS movements against it, Israel continues to thrive as a nation. (Flickr )

The last two years have seen a dramatic increase in worldwide stress and pressure on Israel. Last year, riots disrupted business, transportation and commuting.

Shops that employ Israeli citizens of all faiths saw a drop-off in sales. Some tours were cancelled. Still, a bad day in Jerusalem is better than a good week in Chicago or Detroit as far as crime and violence go.

The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movements that uninformed, misinformed and outright malevolent groups attempt to stage are failing, but still there are some effects. Israeli companies are businesses that employ many non-Jewish citizens and their incomes are significantly higher and standard of living better than in neighboring countries of the Palestinian Authority's areas.

Has your church group cancelled a scheduled tour for fear's sake? Did you miss a chance to ride a boat on the Sea of Galilee?

Remember, the Messiah calmed the storms there and walked on water. Each time he said "do not be afraid." Our days are numbered and each day counts. No one knows from the hour they wake until the hour they sleep what will happen. Only the Creator knows. Faith tells us that only He is in charge. No one else, neither friend nor enemy.

If your tour is coming up this year, obey the command of "don't be afraid." There is only one Israel. In the meantime do you have gifts to buy for weddings, birthdays, celebrations? There are many online merchants that operate from Israel. They offer a vast catalog of everything from crafts made in Bethlehem and Nazareth to delicious foods that are pure delights.

Do you know what Kosher means? The Hebrew meaning is "special," set aside. The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, were transcribed by Moses (Moshe' in Hebrew) and contain the instructions and examples that the Creator wanted His chosen people to follow in the Covenant made with Moses. Certain foods were not to be eaten, certain things were not being mixed, and no form of worship the idolaters used were to be used by the Israelites.

His people, His worship and His Word were "Kushra": special, set aside. Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) said "be holy as I am holy." The Hebrew meaning is "be set apart as I am set apart." Be in the world but not a part of it and its ways. "You are mine and I am your God," he says.

Kosher foods are best made in Israel. Fresh ingredients are used (no GMO!) Olive oil, baked goods, these are exported daily. Jaffa (Yafo) oranges are amazing in their size and juiciness. Rabbis certify that foods were prepared and made according to rules and a seal is applied.

Do you know that there are hundreds of certifying agencies in the United States each with their own seal? We all recognize Hebrew National meats; now we see what Kosher really means. Some of us say Kosher means "delicious."

Seeing how ancient traditions are carried into modern day Israel is a real learning experience. Israel combined faith, heritage and fast-paced living into a workable lifestyle that all can learn from. Israel is open for business and ready to welcome you.

Tom Brennan has worked in quite a few professions. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he's worked as a museum curator, archivist and graphics curator, library administrator, small business owner, animal care worker, sheriff's deputy, rancher and farmer and author and researcher and NewsBlogger. He plans to volunteer for Sar-El next year and see Israel from the ground up. When he's not digging into news, he works with Arabian horses and other breeds in Boise, Idaho.

The Charisma Podcast Network is now live. Featuring a variety of programs including news, leadership, inspiring stories, women's topics, sports, and even more.
Subscribe now for free!

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.