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** The battle for Jerusalem is intensifying
6 July 2023
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The current crisis in the “Palestinian territories” is evidence that things are moving and shaking in the spiritual realms. We live in a time that good and evil are coming to their fullness, and the judgment of the nations approaches.

This war in heaven is having its impact on earth - including in the political domain. Satan is mobilising the enemies of Zion to oppose His purposes with Israel and the Church.

The United Nations has become a stronghold of Babel. The tsunami of anti-Israel propaganda is engulfing the nations. Political and legal institutions are being mobilized to destroy the Jewish state, thus undermining all that the Lord has achieved over the last century in restoring His people in accordance with His word.

In other words, the world is on a collision course with God.

Deceived by the enemy, the nations of the world are encouraging the hostile elements in Palestinian society to use violence to exercise their “right of self-determination”. Behind the scenes, Iran is financing and mobilising them, to advance the revolutionary agenda of the regime in Tehran, which established the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in 1979 to ensure the integrity of the Islamic Republic. A massive organization involved in almost every aspect of life in Iran, the IRGC is Iran’s vehicle to carry out its international revolutionary operations. The IRGC is mandated by Iran’s constitution to pursue “an ideological mission of jihad in the way of Allah, that is, extending sovereignty of Allah’s law throughout the world.”

At present, Israel is engaged in a furious fight in Jenin and other hotbeds of Palestinian jihad to confront and eradicate the IRGC-sponsored terrorism.

Israel has no choice. It is an existential battle.

What are we, the church of Christ, called to do in this situation? We are not a political organization, nor a worldly institution. We do not fight with earthly weapons. No, the identity and calling of the church is heavenly and spiritual. Essentially, we are called to fight a spiritual war, and to be a prophetic witness to the nations about the redemption of the world achieved through Christ, and the hope of the coming Kingdom.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains the “mystery” of the restored and redeemed relationship between Jews and Gentiles, achieved through Jesus Christ:

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV)

“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 3:6 NIV

Later, he explains “the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:9-12 NIV

So, we have a spiritual work to do - to fight against all principalities and powers, and to declare God’s will.

But of course this has a practical application. We must, amongst other things, intercede, support, comfort and defend the Jewish people as the Lord plants them in the land.

Given the growing opposition in the world (and within the church), this work is more important than ever.

The Editorial Team - Israel & Christians Today
Please note:
The Israel & Christians Today Weekly Update will have a
summer break for the next 3 weeks.

The IDF is dismantling Jenin’s terror infrastructure

Yaakov Lappin writes at JNS: “The Israel Defense Forces’ intensified security operation in Jenin entered its second day on Tuesday, and looked to be on track to achieving its goal of shattering the concept of Jenin as a terrorist haven out of reach of the Israeli military.”
Read more ([link removed])

US supports Jenin op as Arabs, international organizations condemn it

JNS reports: A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, which advises U.S. President Joe Biden, released a statement on Monday in support of the Israel Defense Forces’ ongoing counterterrorism operation in Jenin. “We support Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups,” it states.
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Palestinians celebrate ‘victory’ after IDF pullout from Jenin

Khaled Abu Toameh writes at Jpost: PIJ Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhaleh said in a statement after the Israeli pullout that “the Palestinian people scored a great victory by defeating the aggression against Jenin and its camp.” […] The PIJ leader, who recently visited Tehran and met with Iranian leaders to discuss ways of increasing terror attacks in the West Bank, called for “national solidarity in order to strengthen the steadfastness of the Jenin camp so that it remains an inspiring address for revolution, defiance, jihad and resistance.”
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Conversion? | The Book of RUTH with Johannes Gerloff #19

Did Ruth convert to Judaism with her commitment to Naomi, to her people, and to her God? At the very least, she became an authoritative role model for many who have followed this path.


** SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:
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** 2 Samuel 7:10-11
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And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

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Israel & Christians Today
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The goal of Israel & Christians Today is to help Christians to take God’s Word seriously, and study current events in the world in the context of the Bible.

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