Pastor Francis Frangipane's Weekly Message August 25, 2003
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WHEN GOD RESPONDS TO ISRAEL'S REPENTANCE
For the most part, I've been silent and simply prayerful concerning Israel, the "Road Map" and the future. Now, however, as terrorism and reprisals again escalate, let me offer some thoughts.
First, both the Old Testament and New Testament reveal that God's purposes are irrevocably intertwined with the return and restoration of Israel (Ezek. 37-39; Rev 7). For those who believe the church has replaced Israel, the Bible tells us that the Jews are God's covenant people, and that as long as the sun, moon and stars exist, the Lord's covenant with Israel shall stand (Jer. 31:35-36). Of course, through Jesus Christ, Christians receive a better covenant with better prom! ises, but God has not broken His covenant with Israel. Nothing will thwart the promises of God, as centuries of persecution, Hitler's ovens and, in time, Muslim terrorists will all testify before God in eternity. Be assured, Israel's full restoration will come to pass in its time.
While we fearlessly rest in our Father's sovereignty, we are not excused from prayer. During Israel's first restoration in 538 B.C., the prophet Daniel concluded that Israel's seventy year exile was fulfilled (Jer. 29:10). Yet, knowing Israel had entered the season of her return did not stop Daniel from prayer (Dan. 9:2-3). His intercession was then multiplied by the prayers and actions of Ezra and Nehemiah, as well as the restoration prophets. Eventually all of the returning Jews embraced the call to humbling themselves in prayer--and we must assume even among those Jews that remained in exile, prayer was offered.
Beloved, when the Alm! ighty desires to bring revival, He first inspires intercession. All things wonderful and powerful begin in prayer: first with perhaps just one person, then several, and then an ever increasing crescendo of voices, all crying to God for His word to come to pass in the season of its fulfillment. As intercession multiplies, miracles of provision and grace emerge, as well as breakthroughs and favor that were previously unimaginable.
Divine Expectations
At some stage, however, the people for whom prayer is offered must themselves
repent and turn to God. Israel's restoration, to be complete, must include
a point when, in answer to prayer, the Jews renounce the sins which caused
their exile in the first place. Indeed, consider Solomon's prayer, "If
Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against
You, and they return to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication
before You! in this house, then I will hear from heaven and forgive the sin
of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You have given
to them and to their fathers" (2 Chron. 6:24-25).
If the Lord allowed hardship, pestilence or drought; or if He allowed strong enemies to plunder Israel's land; if He exiled the Jews to other nations because of their sins against Him, in His love He provided a means for their restoration. His promise is familiar and has become, by application, universal to all men. However, remember that this promise was first spoken to the Jewish nation as the only means offered by God for Israel's national security and healing.
"If . . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chron 7:14).
The principles proclaimed in 2 Chronicles 7:14 represent heaven's pat! hway to restoration and healing. Whether we pray as individuals or nations, to know divine protection, blessing and prosperity, we must sincerely return to the Almighty. If I fall into sin, but then humble myself, confess my sins and return to God, I will find personal revival in my life. In prayer for the USA, I confess our national sins, humbling myself with other intercessors on behalf of our nation. Yet, while the Lord may delay wrath because of intercession, not until government and community leaders confess our national sins as well, and not until they seek God's help to change our society, will His presence be restored in a true national revival.
If repentance is necessary for personal and national revivals, why should Israel now be exempt from seeking God in repentance? Please understand, I know there are many godly intercessors in Israel, and perhaps even a greater number of godly Jews already crying out to God for His help. Just as i! n America, we certainly have a strong beachhead of prayer in Israel. This prayer is keeping Israel alive, but we must also admit Israel is just as sinful as our western nations. Israel suffers under the weight of legalized abortion, immorality, gay parades and perversion, prostitution and many other vices. These sins are not only tolerated and protected by law but, just like the West, are flaunted by many in the Holy Land.
In contrast, the Islamic world is pro-life, Muslim women dress modestly, Muslims are forbidden to drink alcohol or use drugs, and they must bow in prayer daily. Israel's permissive society is one of the reasons the Muslims hate the Jews (and hate America). The flagrant sinfulness of Israel and the US has earned us in the Muslim world the titles of the Great Satan (America) and the Little Satan (Israel). This moral lawlessness is a legitimate core problem in seeking peace with the Muslim world. If we in the ! West, with Israel, were not such a threat culturally, Muslim clerics would not demand their sons die to keep our sinfulness from their culture.
May History Repeat Itself
Please do not read this as though I am saying that Israel deserves the ongoing
heartache of terrorist attacks. This is not about what Israel deserves, but
what God Himself will provide as the Jews return, not only to the Land, but
to their God. My hope is to guide us in prayer toward the only breakthrough
that can ultimately last: a national repentance in Israel embraced by both
government and citizens alike. I am not speaking as one whose own nation isn't
desperately sinful in many ways. But as we look for a solution to the Palestinian
conflict and Israel's peace, I am saying that, from a historic, biblical perspective,
the only peace solution offered by God is God. The adversaries surrounding
Israel are allowed by the jealousy of the Almighty to goa! d Israel into His
arms.
However, until the Israeli government, together with Israel's business and religious leaders, determine to seek the favor of God, hardships will continue to exist. In my opinion, the current peace plan will try, but fail, to realize its full objectives. I do not see it as evil, but as an international attempt to remedy both Jewish and Palestinian suffering. But I also believe that, when Israel returns to God, it will not need American protection or political solutions to its problems. God Himself will surround and protect the Holy Land.
Some argue that this present aliyah (return) of the Jews to Israel is unique and separate from other biblical times, that the Spirit of God is somehow obligated to restore all of Israel's land without Israel's heartfelt national repentance. Consider: the very prophecies we use today to celebrate Israel's aliyah, were all initially fulfilled in 538 B.C., when the Lord brought the Jews ba! ck from Babylon. During the Biblical account of Israel's restoration, the Lord provided a living pattern, so we would understand His expectations today. Read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah; study of the prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi and behold how often the call to repentance came, and was embraced, during their rebuilding period. The Lord did not restore Israel to her ancient borders without times of repentance deepening their commitment to Him along the way.
Let me also remind you that, during this time, God Himself stirred up several Persian kings (Cyrus, Artaxerxes and Ahasuerus, etc.) to protect, as well as help fund the return of the Jews, and even help rebuild the temple (see the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther). God used the prevailing world power, Persia, to protect the rebuilding of the Holy Land. Not every nation was arrayed against Israel during the return. The strongest nation in the world was a defense and! supply for the Jews. Given that we do not see a national repentance in the Holy Land, current American efforts to bring peace to Israel, in my opinion, are a compassionate provision, perhaps orchestrated by God, to temporarily minimize Jewish suffering until full repentance comes.
Let us, therefore, continue to pray for Israel. Let us not believe, however, that the Road Map mirrors God's final plan. The world will stand in awe when the Lord purifies Israel. A repentant Israel will initiate a time of peace, a season when Israel will "live securely . . . without walls and having no bars or gates" (Ezek 38:10-12). She will still face her greatest challenge, but first, He who has brought the Jews back to their land, will work all things until He brings her back to Himself.
Let us also pray that God will raise up an anointed Jewish voice (or a chorus
of voices) that, with great mercy and tender compassion, shall call Israel
to ! God and repentance. Yes, and let us pray that our eyes will see the time
when God Himself responds to Israel's repentance.
Important News!!
ICI TRAINING CENTER is now accepting registrations for the July 3rd term. Our vision is to have 100,000 Christ like interceptors standing before God for our Cities and our Nations. For more information visit our website.
Thanks, Francis Frangipane
Join Us at River of Life Ministries for this years EMBRACE ISRAEL 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE June 18 - 21, 2003 " Israel , The Church and Islam"
Speakers include: Francis Frangipane, Rev. Dr. Emil Boktor, Rick Lunsford, Marcel Rebiai, and Ofer Amitai.
Listen as Marcel Rebiai, a former muslem, who was trained as a child to be a terrorist, share his love for Jesus Christ.
Go to http://www.embraceisrael.org for registration and details.
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