Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news, and messages by Steve Martin.
The oldest pictures of Jews at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City date from the 1850s, such as this photo taken by Mendel Diness. (With permission of Special Collections, Fine Arts Library, Harvard University. 1859)
(Credit: Keystone-Mast Collection, California Museum of Photography at UCR
ARTSblock, University of California, Riverside)
In his 1871 travelogue, Travels around the World, former U.S. Secretary of State William Seward described the prayers of the Jews at the Western Wall (Kotel) -- "pouring out their lamentations over the fall of their beloved city." He reported the Jewish population of the city was 8,000, twice the number of the Christian or Muslim residents.
Many of the century-old photos of the Jews of the Holy Land were taken during their prayers at the Kotel. Far fewer were the less formal pictures of their everyday life in Jerusalem. We present such pictures here.
What did everyday life look like?
Close scrutiny of the "Bazaar in Jerusalem" shows Jewish men (and probably Jewish women in the foreground) shopping and walking past a parked camel in the shuk of the Old City. See the enlargement below.
The sign. Interpretations are welcomed.
We were intrigued by the sign above the store on the left, and we enlarged it. We discovered the sign, in Hebrew and Yiddish, was for a bedding store and read:
Smeared cotton (not clear what it was "shmeared" with)
Readymade quilts or covers
Mattresses – Best Sorts
The last line are the names of the store's proprietors, but all that can be easily read is "Chaim Tzvi."
(Credit: Keystone-Mast Collection, California Museum of Photography
at UCR ARTSblock, University of California, Riverside)
The setting inside the Jaffa Gate would again appear in later pictures showing the evacuation of Jews from the Old City during Arab rioting in 1929 and 1936. (Note the tree in the pictures above and below.) In 1948, the Old City Jews were expelled through the Zion Gate.
Jewish evacuationfrom the Old City of Jerusalem, Jaffa Gate, during 1936 Arab rioting and attacks.
The soldiers are British. (Wikipedia Commons)
Click on pictures to enlarge. Click on captions to view the original pictures.
Want to receive In the Line of Fire by email? Sign up here
It is true that the Scriptures often warn us against deception, and it is true that some preach “another Jesus” (who is not Jesus at all) and “another gospel” (which is no gospel at all; see 2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:6-9). And it is true that many false converts will be shocked when Jesus says to them on that great and dreadful Day, “Depart from me” (see Matt. 7:21-23; 25:31-46).
All of us should examine ourselves to be sure that we are “in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5) and all of us should be diligent to “confirm [our] calling and election” (2 Pet. 1:10), and this does mean falling into performance-based religious exercises but rather living out our calling to be God’s children (see 2 Pet. 1:3-11; this is our response to what God has graciously done for us).
At the same time, we need to be very careful about setting ourselves up as the ultimate judge of who is saved and who is lost--meaning, among those who claim to be followers of the Jesus of the Scriptures.
Some have decided that I cannot possibly be saved because I am not a Calvinist (seriously), as exemplified by this comment posted to one of my YouTube debates: “I certainly wouldn't call Brown a brother, he denies the gospel, he denies what Christ did on the cross and denies Jesus has the power to save and keep His Church without man's help. Brown’s God is not God.”
So, according to Tim, because I don’t believe, with Calvin, that some “individuals are born, who are doomed from the womb to certain death, and are to glorify him by their destruction,” that I’m not actually saved. (And yes, I hear from those who assure me that Calvinists are not saved.)
How myopic and wrongheaded can we be?
Most recently, because of my appearances on Benny Hinn’s TV show, talking about the Messiah in the Old Testament and the errors of hypergrace, I am now being damned to hell, along with him.
Benny Hinn and Michael Brown
Responding to a blog article highly critical of me, Denise, wrote, “According to [2 John] v. 11 God counts Brown as guilty of the SAME wickedness as Hinn precisely because Brown not only greets the man, but promotes and endorses Hinn and his pulpit. Therefore he too, is to be just as rejected as the false teacher he welcomes. It is THAT serious to God.”
Another commenter wrote, “I would hope that God grants Mr. Brown repentance not only of his charismatic heresies but also the arminian (remonstrant) heresy and that by God's gracious Holy Spirit, He would convert him to the True Gospel which we are to contend for.”
So, I’m doubly damned, being both a charismatic as well as a non-Calvinist--actually triply damned, because I appeared on Benny Hinn’s TV show too.
But it gets worse. According to Brad, “I know it is the will of God that none perish, but it is also his will that men who teach little ones to sin would have been better off not to have been born. These men love mammon and hate God. I’m hoping Brown repents, leaves the ministry, and serves in a local church after his salvation. It would be better off for Hinn had he never been born. If either of you [referring to the bloggers] get the opportunity to plead with Brown to come clean, do so. It may not be too late for him.” (He actually wrote some stuff that was even more rancid, but this quote is sufficient.)
Worse still, a brother on Twitter was so upset with me appearing on Benny Hinn’s show, that he not only decided I was a charlatan but also claimed that God was not my Father. I had tweeted out to my Twitter followers, “What a longsuffering, merciful Father we have!” He responded by calling God my “imaginary friend”--in other words, he can’t be my Father.
This is nothing less than pathetic.
Others have come out of the woodwork with comments like, “What part of, ‘be not unevenly yoked together with unbelievers’ was optional for you all at Brownsville?” (I’ll be sure to let Steve Hill and John Kilpatrick know that they’re not saved either!)
Or this one, stating, “This is the ‘gospel’ Brown is now defending [with a link to a service at the Brownsville Revival]… Sorry, that looks a lot like satanism.”
And this one, which followed a YouTube link to the one of the most powerful altar calls I ever witnessed in my life: “Brown, repent of all your Charles Finney type emotional manipulation and semi-pelagian errors and learn to preach the true gospel.”
And how about this comment to my debate on cessationism with Dr. Sam Waldron, “Dr Brown claims to be sola scriptura [meaning, that the Scriptures alone are our authority for doctrine and practice] but how can I believe him, knowing he is an Arminian and a trinitarian, worse he is a charismatic.”
It looks I’m in really big trouble, being an Arminian (rather than a Calvinist), as well as believing in God’s triune nature (what a crime!) and--perish the thought!--being a charismatic.
To be perfectly clear, I’m not hurt by these comments, nor is this persecution for the gospel. (Obviously.) But I do hurt for the body of Christ and I do hurt for these misguided individuals (on all sides of the debate), and I long to see God’s people--those who are truly is--unite around his Son.
Because of that, I am truly blessed when readers of my Authentic Fire book post reviews stating that they were moved by my heart of reconciliation and honor towards those with whom I differ--and this truly is the expression of my heart.
So, let us all humble ourselves before the Lord, let us search our own hearts prayerfully, let us address clear error where we see it, and let us be careful whom we damn.
I for one am very glad that you are not my final judge, and I’m sure you’re quite glad that I am not yours.
Michael Brownis author of Hyper-Grace: Exposing the Dangers of the Modern Grace Messageand host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire on the Salem Radio Network. He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience. Follow him at AskDrBrown on Facebook or at@drmichaellbrownon Twitter.
Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.
Love For His People Editor's Note: I loved seeing Michael on Benny Hinn's program! It was great! (The week of Jan. 13-17, 2014). Here is the link: Benny Hinn TV Steve Martin
Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hamad marked the anniversary of the December 2008-January 2009 "Gaza War" with Israel by telling Palestinians that they would fully liberate the entirety of "Palestine" within eight years.
According to Hamad, Islamic prophecies foretell that Israel will be replaced with a Palestinian state. This goal, the destruction of the Jewish state, "will take eight years," he explained.
Hamad insisted that there was a reason past Israeli military operations, like the 2008-2009 Operation Cast Lead, had failed to quell the Palestinian movement to eliminate Jewish sovereignty.
Once the Muslims have their final victory, Hamad said the "Hittin" principle would prevail. It was a reference to Saladin's conquest of the Holy Land from the Crusaders beginning in 1187 with his victory at the Battle of Hittin in northern Israel. Saladin's forces either enslaved or put to death all non-Muslims.
Many Israelis and Israeli officials say Western peace brokers are naive, at best, and willfully ignorant, at worst, to believe Hamas and its long-term goal can simply be ignored in the course of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Want more news from Israel? Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates
NBC will air a sequel to 'The Bible' next year. (Joe Alblas/The History Channel)
Fans of last year’s record-breaking The Bible have reason for celebration: Major network NBC will air a sequel next year.
Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey, will produce A.D.: Beyond the Bible as a follow-up to their hugely popular miniseries, which aired on the History Channel last spring.
The Bible premiered to 13.1 million viewers, and the 10-hour miniseries beat almost everything else on television. It was the third most-watched cable series or miniseries of the year. NBC is hoping to break that record with the sequel.
“We are firmly in the ‘event’ business and nothing has more event potential than A.D. as it continues immediately after the The Bible ended,” NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement.
The 12-hour miniseries is expected to take up the story of the New Testament after the crucifixion of Jesus, and will contain other elements as well, Burnett told TV Guide Magazine.
“You’ve got parts of the Bible,” Burnett said when asked what will be used as source material for A.D., which is a working title. “Josephus was Jewish and wrote one of the most incredible historical documents [in the first century]. There’s also great archeology and a lot of writing to mine.”
NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke added: “Everyone’s lives were completely altered in an instant and the immediate aftermath of Christ’s death had an impact on his disciples, his mother Mary, and key political and religious leaders of the time. In the first episode alone you see the last moments of the Crucifixion, Judas taking his own life after betraying Christ, Peter denying Jesus three times, and then the miracle of the Resurrection.”
Burnett spoke of series like The Tudors and The Borgias, which both “weave fiction and history, as inspiration,” explained TV Guide Magazine. The magazine asked if this means A.D. will contain some fictional elements and perhaps original characters. Burnett said yes.
“Much the way HBO's Rome did. With the spirit of history. Clearly A.D. is not predominantly Bible stories. This goes beyond that. But we spoke to all our advisers and our huge network, NBC, and they can’t wait for this.”
The producer said A.D. will likely last more than one season.
“It could run in the same way as Game of Thrones, 12 hours year after year. I don't think for a minute that A.D. lasts for just a season,” he explained.
Burnett, who produces The Voice for NBC, also talked about why he picked the network to air his next project.
“I chose NBC because I believe they could turn this into an enormous event,” he said. “This is more than TV for us. When you have the amount of passion that Roma and I have for a subject, you're willing to do anything it takes to launch and make it happen.
According to the Los Angeles Times, British playwright and screenwriter Simon Block will write the series. A director and star have not been set.
In addition to the sequel set for next year, an edited-down movie version of The Bible will be released in theaters Feb. 28. Click here to watch the trailer for Son of God.
2014 will be a year where the body of Christ walks into the manifest goodness of God. The Lord spoke to me that He was closing old doors and opening new ones.
The doors of your past, He is closing and sealing with the blood, never to be opened again. And He is opening a new door in front of you, a door that will lead you into the goodness of God. This year will be a year where you not only believe by faith to see the negative turn for your good, but you will walk into the manifestation of it. This will be a year where the goodness of God is manifested in your life.
Let Go of Offenses
It is vital to let go of all offense and unforgiveness and have a clear heart and spirit. The enemy seeks to stir up offenses to clog you up and hinder you from receiving the blessings God has for you. Choose to release and wipe the slate clean. You will be free to enter the new doors God opens.
An Invitation That Requires a Response
God is extending an invitation that requires a response. He is inviting us to the banqueting table in 2014. In Luke 14:16-23, a man is giving a great supper and inviting many to come. But those invited begin making excuses why they can’t make it. They are distracted by things such as land, possessions, and family. These are all good things!
But in this story they keep people from responding to the master’s invitation. So the master has his servant go into the streets to compel the blind and lame into the supper because he wants his house to be full. The issue with those who had temporal possessions was they lacked a felt need and their attention was taken by other things.
The poor and lame have a very strong felt need and they are the ones who respond to the invitation. It’s an invitation to sit at the supper table and feast. At a table you relax, fellowship and eat. It’s a place of communion with others. God is inviting us into a deeper place of fellowship with Himself. He’s inviting you to recline at His table. God’s inviting us to the table of goodness. But it requires a response.
A Table in the Presence of Your Enemies
Psalms 23:5-6 declares, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place” (AMP).
God is going to set a banqueting feast of His goodness before you this year. And it will be right in the presence of your enemies. God doesn’t always remove your enemies. Sometimes He leaves them there so they have to watch you get blessed! There will be nothing the enemy can do to stop it. The only things following you will be God’s goodness, mercy and love!
A fresh anointing is being released. God’s presence will be your insulating dwelling place. As God’s goodness, mercy and love overtake you, you will also be overtaken by His presence. You will not have just enough. But you will know God as the God of More than Enough! You will overflow with His anointing and you will be able to help those around you.
A New Infilling of God's Glory
As God manifests His goodness in your life you will also receive a deeper revelation of His glory. When Moses cried to see God’s glory in Exodus 33:19, God responded by saying He will make all His goodness pass before him. He also said He would proclaim His name and in doing so reveal His true character and nature to Moses. God reveals His glory, His very essence, which includes His mercy, grace, loving-kindness, truth, forgiveness and holiness. (Ex. 34:6-7) God’s glory is His goodness. His goodness is His nature.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
True worship attracts the glory of God. In 2014 God is aligning our perspective to accurately perceive the true nature of God. Circumstances will not dictate to you who God is. You will know God through His word. You will align your perspective and thoughts up with the reality that God is good. As you exalt His goodness and true character, you will also attract the tangible glory of God to your life.
In 2 Chron. 5, the priests lift up their voice in unity with the instruments and declare three specific things about God. God is good. His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. Right after they make this declaration of worship, the house of God is filled with the tangible cloud of God’s glory. Exalting God’s true nature accurately will attract His glory and you will be a habitation!
Five Manifestations of God's Goodness for 2014
Psalms 107:1-2 declares, “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!”
God’s goodness will bring the following 5 things.
Psalm 107:9: He will satisfy the longing soul and fill your hunger with GOOD. God will satisfy and fill the hungry with His goodness.
Psalm 107:16: He will break the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron apart. Deliverance is coming in 2014. This will be a year of God setting the captives free!
Psalm 107:20: He sends forth His word and heals and delivers from the pit and destruction. God’s goodness brings healing and deliverance. Align your thoughts and belief systems with God’s goodness and see His healing and freedom breakthrough.
Psalm 107:29: He hushes and stills the storms. God’s goodness causes the storms of distraction, conflict and turmoil to be calmed in your life. You will enter into a season of God’s peace and rest.
Psalm 107:35: He causes the wilderness and dry ground to become pools of water. God is sending His presence in a fresh way that will cause the dry grounds to be saturated with His living water. Every dry area of your life will be refreshed.
In 2014 God is making all things new. He is causing our faith, our vision, our experience of His presence and anointing, our prayer lives, everything. He’s causing it all to become like new!
Matt Sorgeris a prophetic revivalist who ministers the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit in conferences, prophetic healing-revival services and miracle crusades throughout America and around the world. He hosts pastors and leaders conferences to train and equip leaders in the power of the Holy Spirit and is the host of his own television program.
He is also an author; his newest book, Power for Life, releases this month from Charisma House. Learn more about him and his ministry at mattsorger.com.
Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.
Want to receive Prophetic Insight by email? Sign up here
