NeverBeSilent

This column appeared in Israel Today.

Lately I have been aware of an ever increasing criticism towards Israel. Especially after the Gaza conflict the antisemitic sensitivity seems to rear its ugly head again.

…”as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”
2 Peter 3:12

The Bible really says that! You and I can influence the timing of the return of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. How? By looking forward to His return. That sounds ridiculous, however that’s exactly what it says. But how do you look forward to that day, you may wonder. By hoping in Him, the Lion of Judah. It amazes me that as time goes by this hope seems to weaken. Many elderly people still expect the return of the Messiah. But most youths couldn’t care less… Although, recently I spoke to a well-known practiced spiritual leader who confided in me that His return “could wait another 500 years…”.

'gott mit uns...'

Recently I walked on the walls of Jerusalem with a group of German watchmen. An older Jewish man with his family, children and grandchildren as we found out later, walked behind us. He listened closely to the bible verses we proclaimed in German. Usually groups of tourists like them would pass us, but this man was lingering behind us. After a while he approached me and asked me what we were doing. I answered him that we are believers who proclaim promises of restoration, comfort and exhortation to the Jewish people. He looked at me with disbelief.

One of my favorite tours here in Israel is the stunning descent that leads from Jerusalem (Judea) to the Jordan Valley. The desert shows its beauty to the fullest extent over here. Just beyond Jericho we turn left and take the ‘90’ to drive through the valley. Usually this is a quiet road because we are in the so-called ‘West Bank’. Halfway we take another turn left and find ourselves in Samaria, the heartland of Israel.

Ruines Laodicea - current Turkey

In the prophetic book Revelation, the author John addresses 7 different congregations. The letter to Laodicea is remarkable (Revelation 3:14-21). In the original text, the word Laodicea is written in plural form instead of singular form. And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write… You can still find this in the Dutch Authorized Version. This is not a coincidence.

This column appeared in Charisma.

Israel from space

The world doesn't know what to do with Israel. This irritating mini-state in the Middle East won't conform to international standards. Unfortunately, it is not just the world that gets enraged, many believers stare in confusion at the next terrorist attack in Israel. Many can't hide their irritation with regard to Israel. They secretly understand Palestinian terrorists.

Pillar of cloud - foto by Rabbi Rabbi Brant Rosen http://rabbibrant.com/2008/03/07/pillar-of-cloud-pillar-of-fire/

Around the turn of the century, a great event took place. At first sight, this has remained unnoticed. Yet, this event will shake the church.

This column appeared in Charisma.

Mozes (Moshe) parting the Red Sea

Moses was invited by God on the mountain for a personal conversation.

There, he had to wait and the stone tablets with God's laws and orders were handed to him. It took Moses a long time. Aaron was intimidated by the people and decided to make a golden calf, a statue. This foolish act caused God's wrath. And God said to Moses:

You might know them, people that are passionate about Israel. It seems they can't talk about anything else anymore. In and out of season, they try to convince the rest of the congregation that we, "gentile believers", are connected to the Jewish people. They want to exchange the Sunday for the Sabbath and celebrate Jewish feasts. They explain that Jewish feasts are actually Biblical feasts. They are often called freaks.

This column appeared in Charisma.

Bar Mitswa celebration at the Kotel (Wailing Wall)

Every 3 months, we have to leave Israel for a short while. Troubles with our visa. The advantage is that we can see our (grand) children and friends again. And it is quite interesting to keep up with the developments in Christian Holland. It is remarkable how many conferences and activities are organised. If these activities would represent the spiritual prosperity in our country, then that would be very promising.

Israel Today, July 2007.

A couple of weeks ago, we returned from the "long walk" over the walls. The route leads from the New Gate to the Damascus Gate, Herod's Gate and finally the Lion's Gate. We have to descend the wall at this last gate. It is illegal to walk across the brick laid Golden Gate past the Temple Square.

'Don’t let yourself down' is what you often hear when in doubt or when there's a difficult situation to deal with. After all, never show your vulnerable side too much. Hide your true feelings, your real emotions. And especially, never lose your self-control.

We have walked on the walls of Jerusalem each day the past seventeen months. We become more and more convinced of the importance of our daily prayer walks. We can draw the conclusion that we can proclaim God’s promises about Jerusalem and ´the mountains of Israel´ (Ezekiel 36) right at this certain moment in time.

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’”
Jeremiah 31:10

The law of blessing and curse

In the Bible, God explains the works of his Creation to us. He instructs us on how to maintain order and avoid chaos. Most of the 'laws and rules' in the Bible are about believing in God and in Jesus, His Son and our Redeemer. However, there are also a few about Israel, one of which is particularly relevant and important. It is the law of 'blessing and curse'.

God chooses

The God of heaven and earth, the Almighty, is a Redeemer. As the Creator, He refuses to let His creation be destroyed and therefore has a wonderful plan for saving the earth and those upon it.

An unsympathetic little creature

A cuckoo will lay its egg early in spring. However, not in its own nest, but in the nest of a smaller singing bird. Without realising that there is a strange egg in its nest that bird broods the cuckoo egg together with its own. The young cuckoo is generally the first bird to hatch out of its egg and instead of showing conduct appropriate for a guest, it quickly shoves the other eggs out of the nest. A young cuckoo has even been known to push the young of the singing bird out of the nest. What a horrible little creature!

God chooses a land

As the Creator of heaven and earth, all of the earth belongs to God. ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it’ (Psalm 24:1). There is however one piece of the earth that God has a special love for. To us and to his chosen people, God describes this piece of land as: