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Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
What America Can (and Can’t) Learn from Israeli Gun Laws - Breaking Israel News
Saturday, March 10, 2018
'I Feel Vindicated' ICEJ Spokesman Weighs In on Trump's Jerusalem Embassy Decision - CBN News Mark Martin
03-09-2018
The Trump administration says it will move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May to coincide with the Jewish State's 70th anniversary celebration, a move that was called for in Washington more than 20 years ago.
In the 1990s, David Parsons, the vice president and senior international spokesman for International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, put together a draft of a bill to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem that had three parts: recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, move the ambassador immediately and then, look into securing a building for the embassy.
The bill became law in 1995.
"The bill got changed by the time it got through Congress; the presidential waiver added delay after delay for 23 years now, but President Trump is doing it in the order that we originally set out in our initial draft," Parsons told CBN News.
"So I feel vindicated all that work in running around the halls of Congress was worth it," he added.
Parsons stands by the importance of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995.
"It's symbolic, recognizing the 3,000, even 4,000-year-old Jewish claim and connection to Jerusalem," he explained. "But there's also substance to it in that the Palestinians have denied any Jewish connection to Jerusalem or the Temple Mount, and we wanted to affirm that."
Parsons went on to say that the ICEJ, where he's worked for the last 20 years, was founded on the principle of Christians standing with Jews in their ancient claim and connection to Jerusalem.
"The wisdom of that bill was shown just a few months later; it passed finally in October of '95," Parsons said. "In December of that year, Arafat took over Bethlehem for the first time, and if you were visiting Manger Square that Christmas season, you were not told about the connection between the birth of Jesus in this site."
"You were handed (an) official PA paper, a document that said that the Western Wall in Jerusalem was an exclusively Muslim site," he continued. "So tampering with history and such, we need to stand for truth that God attached the Jews to Jerusalem even to this day for a redemptive purpose."
Presidents in the past have backed out on their promises to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Parsons weighed in on Trump's decision to buck that trend.
"Other presidents have promised to do it, and once they get in the White House, they get all these briefings that the Arabs are going to be very upset; the whole region will explode," Parsons told CBN News.
"The whole region's already in tatters, and Trump had the courage of his convictions; he said, 'I made a promise here, and I'm going to keep it,'" Parsons continued. "And he's the first one who tested these threats of mayhem and violence, and there were some protests, but it did not turn out as bad as many thought."
"And I think it just shows maybe they were just trying to intimidate us all along, and I think even now, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are desperate to try and stir the Arab street against these embassies coming back, but there's just not enough momentum, and the whole region is in political chaos still, so it just seems the right time to do this," Parsons said.
In addition to taking a stand for the Jewish connection to Jerusalem and recognizing the holy city as the capital of Israel, ICEJ also works to help Jews around the world return to Israel or make Aliyah. The Washington Post featured ICEJ's work in a recent article.
"We've been assisting Jews' return to Israel from all around the world since we were founded in 1980," Parsons told CBN News. "We already had people even in the 70's helping Jews who could come out through Vienna, through Hungary and Austria. That was the only way out before the fall of communism."
"But once Soviet communism fell, we've helped over 140,000 Jews make Aliyah to Israel," he continued. "We helped around 3,000 last year, and if you look during our almost 40 years of existence, nearly every year we have helped about 10 percent of the Jews coming back move into Israel that year."
"We do it because we believe it's the hand of God, that 'Hear O nations, He that scattered Israel will gather him,'" Parsons said. "And there's an invitation in Isaiah. God says, 'I'll beckon to the Gentiles. They will carry you home on their shoulders and in their arms.'"
"We're invited to play a role in this positive side of Bible prophecy, the restoration of Israel," he continued.
Watch here: ICEJ's David Parsons interview
Bob Jones Once Spoke Prophetically That Something Significant Would Occur After 5 Key Leaders Died - LARRY TOMCZAK CHARISMA NEWS
Each year, about 25 senior Christian leaders attend the Roundtable summit facilitated by Rick Joyner to cultivate friendships, dialogue on today's issues and pray how to best serve those whom we influence. I'm honored to join Steve Strang, Michael Brown, (Ret.) General Jerry Boykin, Lance Wallnau, Wellington Boone, Bob Weiner, Francis Frangipane, Ken Blackwell, Ricky Skaggs, Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, Janet Porter, Jim Bakker, Tom Hess and others (Mike Bickle and Cindy Jacobs are also often with us.)
Our experience coincided with the death of Billy Graham, whose home was once on the property. Afterwards, numbers went to the Graham Library to join over 13,000 bidding "goodbye" as we quietly filed past his wooden coffin. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were present earlier; the president and vice president came for the final service; Barack Obama declined any attendance.
The memorial program handed my wife and me at Billy's coffin (crafted by prison inmates), said, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ... that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them" (Rev. 14:13, NKJV).
It's amazing how his legacy permeated everything at the preceding Roundtable. What follows is a distillation of five significant themes.
Focal Points
Reflections on Billy Graham
Rejection of biblical absolutes is pandemic yet Billy's personal charge to me four decades ago was recounted for its prophetic significance. He looked me in the eyes and charged me, "Stay in the Book! Stay in the Book!" How relevant in times of Postmodern relativism when "truth is whatever is true for you."
Jim Bakker reminded us of Billy's compassion for the lost, broken and hopeless. "I was in prison for five years, sick, depressed and cleaning toilets when he visited me, threw his arms around me and said, 'Jim, I love you!' Upon my release, Ruth had me speak in their church, then over for lunch with the family."
May our departed "four-star general" stir us up to remain faithful to Scripture and to love others.
Revival of Evangelism
The late Bob Jones once spoke prophetically that something significant would occur after five key leaders died. We recalled four: Oral Roberts, Bill Bright, Kenneth Hagin and now Billy Graham.
Like Elisha with Elijah, there is a "double portion" mantle falling in two strategic areas:
- Billy's statesman/ambassadorial anointing to reach the 170 easily overlooked nations struggling economically. They are receptive to servant leaders proclaiming the gospel alongside balanced biblical principles of governance removing a poverty mentality and assisting in wealth creation.
- Billy's passion for every Christian to be personally involved in lifestyle evangelism. "My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. No more procrastination, fatalism and deception regarding everyone engaged in the Great Commission! "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?' Listen, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest" (John 4:35).
Anne Graham Lotz stated, "You can't leave it up to Billy Graham to share the gospel anymore! That is our privilege and responsibility to be sharing the gospel with others!"
Honoring the Fathers
Rick Joyner said, "The Third Great Awakening will not come unless we honor the fathers!" Recovery of the high calling of fatherhood in the family and the church is a nonnegotiable.
We're painfully aware of the immorality, violence and lawlessness resulting from fatherlessness. It is a cancer metastasizing in our culture from disobeying the commandment, "Honor your father and your mother" (Matt.15:4a).
The "Elijah" church, hiding in the cave but being called forth, "will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Mal. 4:6).
Billy's relationship with Franklin provides a picture of a son rebelling yet rescued by his father's love. Additionally, Billy's outreach to an alcoholic George W. Bush caused him to rethink his relationship with Jesus, stop drinking then later declare Jesus to be "the person I most admire."
Sons in the home and church need to honor their fathers, recognizing they are "blessed seed." For years, Franklin Graham drove an hour each way to spend weekly time with his dad. One of Donald Trump's strongest examples is that of his children loving him and boldly telling it to a watching world.
Pastors as Courageous Leaders
Michael Brown reminded us that Barna Research showed 90 percent of evangelical Christians want to be equipped on today's issues but only 10 percent of pastors are will do so for fear of losing income and members. The Laodicean church ways must be renounced in our day and pastors must lead the way!
Pastors must recalibrate to speak up and prepare people to speak confidently, and charitably on today's issues. This is why the Bullseye Challenge was endorsed by national leaders as a resource.
We cannot pay tribute to Billy Graham while ignoring his courageous example of addressing controversial issues.
In the '50s he personally removed barriers to integrate the seating in his crusades, confronting racism. In the battle for gay "marriage," he and Franklin defended marriage as between one man and one woman.
Rather than ignore abortion, he emphasized upholding the sanctity of life. Finally, to ensure effective outreach to Muslims he dropped the term "crusade" in his ministry.
In critical times, pastors can no longer see their role as simply a Bible teacher, encourager, or counselor. Revelation 21:8 reveals the first group cast into the lake of fire are "cowardly." Let's heed Billy's challenge, "When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."
Consistent Communion With God
We concluded the Roundtable with prayer and singing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" led by Tom Hess. Then Rick Joyner charged us, "To enjoy intimacy with Jesus, hear His voice and receive heaven's blueprint for these critical times, we must abide in Him on a daily basis. Revelation 3 reminds us that He is 'knocking' but to those who 'hear My voice and open the door', He comes to inhabit not merely bless."
Having read Billy's autobiography, Just as I Am, I'm convinced that communion with God was central to his 70 years of fruitful and scandal-free ministry. Can't you almost see him bowing, with hands clasped in prayer, as he did at the end of every sermon when he extended the invitation to repent and be born again?
Ronald Reagan said, "It was through Billy Graham that I found myself praying even more than on a daily basis ... to give me the wisdom to make decisions that would serve God and be pleasing to Him."
From the Roundtable, there are other issues to highlight, perhaps in another article. Maybe it's best to pause and emulate Billy's example, clasp our hands in prayer and simply celebrate the life of this humble servant who now beholds his beloved Jesus face to face.
Larry Tomczak is a cultural commentator of 45 yrs, Intercessors for America board member, best-selling author and a public policy advisor with Liberty Counsel. His new, innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Click (here) for his "Here's the Deal" weekly podcast.
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A Symbol of Peace ✡ "The Highest Mountains Everywhere Under The Sky Were Covered" - Israel365
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