Tag Archives: Aliyah

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Reunited in Love of Israel

What a blessing to reunite with dozens of like-minded friends who love Israel! I’m in Washington DC, joining a couple hundred fellow graduates of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem Leadership Conference.  Those Leadership Conferences, held at the Holocaust Museum and Research Center in Jerusalem, seek to bring together Christian leaders from around the world to study specifically about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.

At last night’s reception, I counted at least 15 of my 27 classmates from 2015, and we had a great time catching up with one another.  Most of us are actively involved one way or another in sharing the truth about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.  We were greeted by Dr Susanna Kokkonen (Director of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem) and welcomed by Shaya Ben Yahuda (Yad Vashem International Relations Director), both very dear friends of ours.  We were also welcomed by Cary Summers from Museum of the Bible, a supporting partner in the Conferences, as well as these Reunion/Refresher events.

During the evening, we were reminded that anti-Semitism is on the rise and, though painted with a different brush, is still the same picture the world ignored prior to the Holocaust.  After that, the world said, “Never again,” yet the BDS movement and Jewish hatred on college campuses (often sparked by radical Palestinian agendas) are rampant.  Friends, as Christians we cannot be silent.

As the evening progressed, we were treated to a special live production of “Portrait of Courage: A Call to Action,” performed by volunteers of Operation Exodus.  This was a depiction of what life was like in Jewish communities in Europe prior to the Holocaust, how covertly things changed, and the life-saving results of a few non-Jews who took action (sometimes at the risk of their own lives) to rescue Jews from the rampage of the Nazi killing machine.  It was quite moving and very well done, and certainly served as a call for us not to be silent in the current state of affairs.

Operation Exodus is dedicated to fulfilling a mission the prophet Isaiah described this way:

Thus says the Lord God,

“Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations
And set up My standard to the peoples;
And they will bring your sons in their bosom,
And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.
~Isaiah 49:22

Indeed, God is calling the nations to bring His sons and daughters home.  Yes, we have a responsibility in that!  Given the current rise of anti-Semitism, there is a growing call for American Jews to return home.  Most seem very happy and content in America (just as they were in Europe), but I wonder…will the same sudden destruction, brought about by American anti-Semitism, overtake them like a storm, as the German version in the 1930’s did?  God forbid!

Those ignorant of past mistakes are bound to repeat them.  Let’s not be part of that crowd.

At the end of the program we saw a short video about a group of young men who individually made aliyah (return to the homeland).  More tomorrow, but I leave you with this:

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Signs of the Times

Greetings friends!  At times, signs are crystal clear, while at other times it seems impossible to navigate in this world!

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Today we’ll begin a mini-series I’m calling “Signs of the Times.”  Scripture often provides clear signs of the end times, and most are not difficult to understand if we are good students of the Word.  In fact, the Lord loves to reveal things to us!

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
~Deuteronomy 29:29

So, let’s examine some things God has revealed to us as His children.

Perhaps the most significant sign of all is the re-birth of Israel, and the re-gathering of the Jewish people to their own homeland.  Known by some as the “super sign,” Israel’s re-birth was essential to the fulfillment of several other end time prophecies, and is at the center of God’s plan for the last days.

Consider for a moment the soon-coming War of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38-39.  Verse 14 of chapter 38 tells us that the invasion from the north will occur when Israel is “dwelling securely.”  Never did Israel dwell securely when they were banished to the four corners of the earth.  However, since returning to their land, Israel has become more and more secure.  It is now possible for that prophecy to occur.

Furthermore, the prophet Daniel speaks of the abomination of desolation in Daniel 11-12.  The New Testament writer, Matthew, harkens back to it in Matthew 24:15.  These passages are clear reference to the Tribulation, when the antichrist will allow a third Jewish temple to be built, only to desecrate it, inhabit it, and demand that the world worship him.  How is building the Jewish temple on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount possible if the Jewish people are scattered throughout the earth, rather than gathered back in their land?

There are other examples throughout Scripture, but you see that end time prophecies such as the War of Gog and Magog and the Tribulation cannot happen without the Jewish people being re-gathered to their Jewish homeland, Israel!  When Israel declared statehood in 1948, the land once more was hers, and Jews have been returning to the land ever since.  (Read about recent plane-loads of French and Ethiopian Jews.)

Incredible signs of the times are falling into place in our lifetime.  Though even early Christ-followers (such as the disciples) were looking for signs of the end (Matthew 24:3), it was prophetically impossible for the end of the age to come between 70 AD and 1948!  Why?   Because Israel was not back in the land as required by Scripture!

We’re living in the season, fellow sojourners!  The Jews are back in their land, and we must be ready for what the Bible tells us will follow.  There are no other signs that must occur before Jesus returns.  Sure, it is possible that other prophetic events may happen prior to that, but none are required.  Jesus could return at any time, now that Israel is re-born and God’s people are being re-gathered!

This is only one clear sign in our day.  Hang out with us over the next few days as we examine other Biblical signs of the times.  Tomorrow, we’ll look at a second sign with current implications, the revived Roman Empire.  See you then!

 

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200 French Jews Made Aliyah on Monday

French olim arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport, July 10, 2017.

French Jews Arrive in Israel on Monday

France has been the scene of numerous anti-Semitic terrorist attacks over the past few years.  Is it any wonder that Jews would seek safer pastures?  For many, it only makes sense to consider aliyah…return to the homeland of Israel.

Recently, I reported on a plane-load of Ethiopians making aliyah, and now we celebrate with a plane-load of French Jews who just arrived in Israel on Monday aboard the largest aliyah transport from Europe this summer.

Aboard the flight of 200 from France were 74 young people and children 18 or younger.  The youngest immigrant was less than 3 months old, while the oldest was a 92-year-old widower returning with his daughter and son-in-law.  All will be offered opportunities to integrate into Jewish society and become productive citizens via Israel’s absorption program.

“Their choice points to the importance of Jewish identity and the sense of belonging that the State of Israel can give to Jews who want to take part in the great Jewish story. We must increase efforts to facilitate their professional, educational and personal absorption and to give them a sense of belonging from the moment they step on the soil of the homeland.”
~Natan Sharansky (Jerusalem Post)

Each report of aliyah is fulfillment of Bible prophecy that God will bring His people from the four corners of the earth back to their own land!  (Isaiah 11:12, Ezekiel 36-37)  Indeed, it is happening before our very eyes!

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Word from Jerusalem – July 2017

The latest edition of Word from Jerusalem is out, and is filled with great articles, particularly relating to aliyah.  The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, who produces Word from Jerusalem, is busy at work, representing Christians from around the world in support of Israel.

You will find articles such as these in the issue below:

  • “Attracting Extraordinary Blessing” – insight into the fulfillment of God’s promise that those who bless Israel will be blessed.
  • “More Ethiopian Jews Arrive in Israel” and “Reuniting Families” – inspiring stories of Ethiopian Jews returning to their homeland.
  • “Jews from All Around the World Return Home” – an update on return of Jews from places such as Ukraine, France, Belarus and Russia.
  • “Inside ICEJ” – a glimpse of some of the ministry happening in and through the ICEJ.
  • “A Joyful Jerusalem Jubilee” – a report from the Leaders Update and Summer Conference, hosted by ICEJ-USA in May.
  • “How Does Israel Treat Palestinians” – a contrast between the lives of Arabs in Israel and in other places

I know you will be greatly blessed (as I was!) by this issue.  Enjoy!