You could compare the church with a ship: it keeps a certain course which is indicated by buoys and which will have to be replaced constantly because it is influenced by ever changing weather and water circumstances. Let's be honest, the circumstances around us have changed radically the past years. The Islam dragon shows its true face, anti-Semitism rears its head, Israel gets isolated more and more. It's about time we check the route of our "church ship". Do we have to readjust the buoys? I still hear and read about the same subjects: the inevitable revival that is near, the prosperity gospel that is still winning territory. Meanwhile, fatigue strikes hard in the church. However, the church should wake up. What is going on?

Some time ago, when I was walking on the walls of Jerusalem, I heard the church bells sound of the countless Christian churches that embellish the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion in the Old City. Most churches across Jerusalem firmly support the replacement theology: the unsavoury theory that the church has replaced Israel (with the exception of the curses that apply to the Jewish people). Fortunately, many churches have renounced this theory, even tough there are still many churches and congregations – especially in the more free and charismatic circles – that silently embrace this theory. This chiming arouses painful memories for the Jewish people. Christian chiming reminds them of the inquisition, the crusades and the pogroms.

No, chiming and Jerusalem don't go together. Preachers and church goers should hang up the gigantic church bells inside the church. Sound those bells in the church! What a noise this would make! The herd would awake. If you hang on to the image of a ship, then you could replace the church bells by a ship's horn. Let it 'chime'.

If the church ship continues its present course, shipwreck will be inevitable. The ship's horn will have to wake up the congregation. The buoys have been moved. The ship has to alter course. Where to? Head for Jerusalem, I presume. We'll wait anxiously for the Messiah there. The final battle will take place there. Those who bless Israel will be blessed. You and I, the Gentiles (non Jews) are the only ones that remain and can step into the breach for Israel. We play an indispensable role in the final battle. Isaiah 62 is calling us to

not hold our peace for Zion's sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake not to rest. We can read: I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest.

That is exactly what we do. Each day we remind God of His promises. Like John the Baptist prepared Yeshua's (Jesus') coming, the church will pave the way for His second coming.

I'll see you on the walls of Jerusalem soon!