A religious shift took place. I am aiming at the clouds of God’s spirit. We remember this image from the Old Testament: the Jewish people were led from Egypt to the Promised Land and were guided by a cloud during the day and by fire during the night. Each time the cloud of fire moved, the Israelites broke camp and got going, following the cloud (Exodus 13:21). Finally, after a journey of 40 years full of obstacles, the Jewish people arrived in their land of destination. We know this country as Israel.

The Jew Yeshua (Jesus' real name) was born, but He wasn't recognised by his own people. That is because God Himself has given them eyes that won't see and ears that won't hear (Romans 11:8). Why did God blind them? Because through their fall and blindness, the Gentiles (that's us, the non-Jews), could be saved (Romans 11:11). It is unbelievable. God blinded the eyes of His people, so that we would have the opportunity to get to know Yeshua… We know the history.

Not Jerusalem but Rome became the capital of Christianity. To hold on to the image of the cloud: for many centuries, this cloud hung above Rome as it were. Jerusalem, God's city, became an insignificant city in the desert. But it wouldn't remain this way! After all, the Bible is full of prophecies that promise the restoration of Israel and the return of the Jewish people. One day, God will take away the covering of His people. We live in this time of restoration. This scenario of restoration is unfolding before our eyes. Prophecies are being fulfilled these days. God is taking care of His people again! You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come (Psalm 102:13)

60 years ago, in 1948, Israel became an independent state again. It is the convincing start of that promised restoration.

Back to the cloud. I am convinced that the cloud that hung above Rome for centuries and that gave us, the Gentiles, the opportunity to get to know Him, changed position at the turn of the century. This cloud moved, back into the direction of Jerusalem. God is turning to his people again.

then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering.
Isaiah 4:5

Unfortunately, we have missed this impressive moving of the cloud. In this way, we can explain why the church has drifted about in no particular direction since the turn of the century. Naturally, sometimes special things happen here and there, but we haven't heard something shocking/prophetic from the church as a whole for a long time. Meanwhile, the whole world is shaking to its foundations. It is like a nautical chart. If you use old nautical charts when you are sailing, you might find out that the buoys have been moved when it's too late. The church is using nautical charts that have gone out of date. The buoys have been moved. The tide will have to move the ship. The clouds have moved. We will have to catch sight again of Jerusalem instead of Rome. The clouds are above Jerusalem/Israel .

One has to get used to it. God is turning to his people again. He had announced this Himself for that matter: With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you (Isaiah 54:8). God has reserved a very special role for us, "gentile" believers, in this tense period of Israel's restoration. While all countries will turn their back on Israel (Zachariah 12:3 and 14:2), we will be the only ones that remain, to support Israel. We will step into the breach for God's people. At least, that is God;s intent. It is our task as watchmen to prepare the road and take out the stones (Isaiah 62:10). We meet many young adults to whom this appeals.

Preachers, prophets and other church leaders, it is about time to wake up and get up. Get together and seek God's direction. And don't forget the young people. Open a bottle of new wine and take a sip. It will do you go good!

Lechaim (to life).