Thursday, 12 January 2017 | Israel is facing very real and imminent danger to her very existence; if ever the intercession of her Christian friends was critical it is at this very moment in history. This Sunday, January 15, 2017, has the frightening potential to join the ranks of those historic days that are known as “dates that will live in infamy,” specific anniversaries of events that altered the course of history with often disastrous results. Representatives from 70 nations will convene in France to “breathe new life into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.”
However, Israel, her Christian friends and her allies in the US Congress view the event as a sham forum whose purpose is to force Israel to accept a two-state solution with the Palestinian Authority. Coming on the heels of UN Resolution 2334 which condemned Israeli “settlement” activity as illegal, and demanded that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the ‘occupied’ Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem,” there is little likelihood of any outcome other than the vilification of Israel and global support for the formation of two states based on pre-1967 “borders.” The US Congress has passed its own resolution, by an overwhelming majority of both parties, demanding the revocation of 2334.
There has been much speculation that lame duck US President Barack Obama and his administration were the force behind Resolution 2334, and in a staggering change in policy, the US abstained rather than voting against it at the UN Security Council. Out-going US Secretary of State John Kerry will not only be present at Sunday’s conference, but is making the diplomatic rounds, meeting with leaders of the UK, Germany and Switzerland. In a speech a few days after the passage of the anti-settlement resolution, Kerry outlined again his plan for Mideast peace which Israeli leaders have called “an absolute disaster for Israel.” The speech served only to further inflame the already seething distrust between the soon-to-be-gone US administration and Israel.
There is further concern that the outcome of the Paris initiative will become another resolution to be brought to the UN Security Council next week, potentially securing international support for the implementation of Kerry’s plan just a few short days before President-elect Donald Trump, and his very pro-Israel team, takes office. The results of such an outcome would be devastating, not just for Israel but for the entire world.
Many Christians and Jews worldwide think it no coincidence that there are 70 nations on the guest list for Sunday’s event. Seventy has long been the number that represents all the nations of the earth, based on the lineage of Noah in the Torah (Gen.–Deut.). Thus, they say, we may well be seeing the fulfillment of yet another prophecy as “all nations” are coming out against Israel.
As those who call upon the name of the Lord, we have been set apart as watchmen on the wall for Jerusalem, as those who would fight for Israel in the heavenly realms. As Israel faces the wrath of the nations, it is critical that Christians unite in prayer, calling upon the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to deliver His people from this evil attempt to destroy them. For decades, many Christians have been reaching out to Israel and the Jewish people, working to build relationships of sincerity and respect. We have acknowledged that the Church failed in its mandate to support God’s chosen people during the Holocaust, turning a blind eye to the horror that was befalling them and there are 6 million reminders of that failure. Let us not make that same mistake again! We have promised our Jewish friends that they can count us. Let’s make good on that promise. Pray as often as possible and with great diligence between now and Sunday evening. Join with us and a powerful global army of believers as we storm the gates of heaven, trusting our God to deliver His people once again.
Source: (Bridges for Peace, 12 January 2017)
Prayer Focus
Pray as the Lord leads.
Pray as the Lord leads.
Scripture
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish.
- Isaiah 41:10-11
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