Welcome back, fellow sojourners!  If you have yet to get over the blessing of the Gospel going forth to the Gentiles, join the club!  I hope we never get over it.

But, while we live in the joy of that, we must also recognize that we too are a uniquely-called people.  Remember our lesson in week 2, lesson 5 regarding the two silver trumpets?  During that study, there were questions asked about who those trumpets represent, and we looked for hints in Isaiah 43:10 and Acts 1:8. Let’s go back to that question and those verses.

Isaiah 43:10 is best studied in full context, so beginning in verse 1 we find the Lord addressing Jacob and Israel. It might sound odd, but they are one in the same. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, had a wrestling match with God and ended up with a name change…to Israel (Genesis 32).  Thus, we know Isaiah is speaking of Israel in chapter 43.

Throughout the chapter, the prophet speaks of God’s redemption of Israel, but notice what He says in verse 10: “You [Israel] are My witnesses…”  Indeed, God called them to be a witness unto Him.

But what about the other silver trumpet, called to be His witness?  Acts 1:4-8 gives us that clue.  Following the resurrection of Jesus, He was about to ascend into heaven, but promised a great power that would befall them very soon.  According to verse 8, what is that power?

Again, our diagram from week 2 should come to mind, and we should identify this coming of the Holy Spirit as the birth of the Church Age.  In other words, time for Christians to ignite!

As a side note, these things took place around 33 AD.  So, between then and the destruction of the Temple and dispersion of Jews around the world in 70 AD, the two trumpets (Israel and the church) were ignited, and the Gospel spread like wildfire.  It was during that first century that the New Testament was written and evangelists such as Peter, Paul and their traveling cohorts lit the Gospel flame throughout the region.

Once Jews were dispersed (70 AD), Israel was no more.  Prophetically, they had to be brought back to their land before the Messiah could return because Scripture clearly tells us He will return to Jerusalem!  So, in fulfillment of prophecy, Israel was reborn on May 14, 1948, and once again the two trumpets could sound in unison.  We live in that time frame!  Israel is reborn and, whether they know it or not, their land and their heritage scream “Jesus is Messiah!”  Hopefully, we as the church do likewise!  These are prophetic days the Bible describes as necessary for the Second Coming of the Messiah.

Is there any doubt God is ON MISSION?  Where is He working?  All over the place.  But we know He has a special task for His uniquely-called people.  To activate their calling to the fullest, they must see and know the Messiah.  It is our job, as the body of Christ, to fulfill our own calling.

Now, go back to Acts 1:4-8 for a special instruction we bypassed earlier.

Study tips:

• Jesus is addressing His followers, the Holy Spirit is about to fall, and the church is about to be birthed.  Once the Holy Spirit falls upon a believer, what are we commanded to do?
• Where are we commanded to do it?
• Where are Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria?
• Do you believe God is at work in Israel?
• If so, what should we do?
• Matthew 28:16-20 provides a different angle to the same command.  Read that passage.
• As Spirit-filled believers, what three things are we commanded to do?
• To whom are we commanded to do so? 

One thing of note regarding Israel: While most Israelis will feely engage in conversation regarding the Bible, it is an extremely difficult (almost impossible) place for Gentile Christians to evangelize.  There are many reasons for that, not the least of which the worst atrocities imaginable (such as the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, etc) were all done in the name of Christianity.  Certainly, it wasn’t Christianity as we know it or practice it, but a form of Christianity they do not trust.

That is not to say we cannot speak the name of Yeshua (Jesus) when clear opportunity presents itself (and it might). But the idea of going there with the express objective to verbally convince them they need Jesus will likely end in lack of trust on their part and disappointment on ours. 

I don’t know who first said it, but Rich Mullins (a deep thinker) used to say, “Preach the Gospel always…and if necessary, use words.”  When we have the attitude of Christ and we serve with His love, compassion and grace, it preaches a greater message than our words ever will.  If, in the midst of preaching with our lives, the Lord opens a door to share a testimony, a verse or something about Jesus, please do!  Just avoid turning it into a sermon.

If you are not traveling to Israel with us, will you please partner with us in prayer?  We need your prayer support to effectively be ON MISSION with God where He is at work. 

Prayer points:

• That God will keep us healthy while we are there. Sickness is a huge disrupter and we want to be fully focused and fully committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus.
• That our lives will speak volumes and we will be sensitive to speak only as God guides.
• That eyes, ears and hearts of Israelis would clearly see and know that our only motivation in doing what we’re doing is to share the love of Jesus.
• That we will be bold enough to walk through doors the Holy Spirit opens for us, without knocking down doors God shuts for a reason.

You are a treasure to us, and we so appreciate your prayers!

PS: God is no respecter of time.  If you are studying this after our actual trip, pray anyway!  God knows your heart, and He is able to work in any way He wishes…even retroactively!  See you back here tomorrow, my friends!