One of the most persistent accusations levelled against Israel and the Jewish people is that they “stole Arab land.” This claim has become a cornerstone of modern anti-Zionist rhetoric and is frequently repeated as an unquestioned moral premise in international discourse. Yet when examined historically, the accusation collapses. Far from reflecting the actual sequence of events, it inverts the historical record and obscures a far more complex – and uncomfortable – truth.

We combat lies about Israel with truth and logic. In this case I put forward historical facts; I could also argue from a biblical perspective but will refrain from that in this article.

The narrative of Jewish land theft was largely constructed in the mid-20th century by a convergence of Soviet “zionology,” Arab nationalist propaganda, and later Palestinianist activism. Its purpose was not historical clarity but political delegitimization: to portray the Jewish state as a colonial usurper rather than as the product of indigenous return, legal land purchase, and survival in the face of aggression.

When history is examined chronologically, it becomes evident that the largest and most systematic land thefts in the region were perpetrated not by Jews against Arabs, but by Arab nationalists and Islamist regimes against Jewish communities – both in the Land of Israel and throughout the wider Muslim world.

Jewish Presence and Dispossession Before 1948

Long before the establishment of the State of Israel, Jews lived continuously in cities such as Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed, Tiberias, and Gaza. These were not European colonies or modern “settlements,” but ancient communities rooted in the land for many centuries, and in many cases millennia.

In 1929 – nearly two decades before Israel’s independence and almost forty years before any Jewish settlement activity in what is now called Area C of the West Bank – Arab nationalist violence led to the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Hebron and Gaza. (Ref: https://unpacked.education/video/the-hebron-massacre-of-1929/)  In Hebron, a Jewish community that traced its presence back thousands of years was massacred and expelled. Survivors were forcibly removed, and their homes and property were lost. In Gaza, Jews were likewise driven out under threat of violence.

These expulsions were not the result of war with a Jewish state, nor of territorial disputes over sovereignty. They occurred under British rule and were motivated by rising Arab nationalism and religious incitement against Jews as Jews. The land vacated by these expelled Jewish communities was not “returned” later – it was violently taken by Arabs.

The 1948 War and Arab Initiated Displacement

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War (ref: https://israeled.org/the-arab-israeli-war-of-1948-a-short-history/)  is often portrayed as a story of unilateral Jewish aggression and Arab victimhood. In reality, the war began when five Arab armies invaded the newly declared State of Israel with the explicit aim of destroying it. Arab leaders made clear their intention to prevent any form of Jewish sovereignty in the region.

It was this war – initiated by Arab states – that led to the displacement of many Arab residents of Mandatory Palestine. Some fled active combat zones, some were urged to leave temporarily by Arab leaders who promised a swift victory, and others were expelled while fighting. However tragic these displacements were, they were the result of a war launched by the Arab side, not an unprovoked campaign of ethnic cleansing by Jews.

At the same time, far less attention is paid to what happened to Jewish communities in the territories conquered by Arab forces.

Jordan’s Illegal Occupation of Judea and Samaria

When the Arab Legion of Transjordan invaded Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) in 1948, it completed the ethnic cleansing that had begun earlier. Every Jewish community in the region was destroyed or expelled. Jews who had lived for generations in places such as Gush Etzion, the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, and other towns were forcibly removed. Some were killed; the rest were expelled.

By the end of Jordan’s invasion, not a single Jew remained in Judea and Samaria. Their land, homes, synagogues, and cemeteries were confiscated or destroyed. The Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem – an area literally named for its Jewish inhabitants – was depopulated of Jews, its synagogues demolished, and the area rebranded under Jordanian rule.

This occupation, which lasted from 1948 to 1967, was never internationally recognized as legal. Yet during this period, Jews were barred entirely from living in or even visiting their holy sites, including the Western Wall.

If land theft is to be identified, it is difficult to find a clearer example.

The Mass Expulsion of Jews from the Muslim World

Perhaps the greatest act of collective land theft and ethnic cleansing in the modern Middle East occurred not in Israel at all, but across the broader Muslim world. (ref: https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/the-expulsion-of-jews-from-arab-countries-and-iran–an-untold-history)

In the years following Israel’s independence, approximately 850,000 to one million Jews were expelled or forced to flee from Arab and Muslim-majority countries. These Jews – Sephardic, Mizrahi, Persian, and Babylonian – had lived in places such as Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and North Africa for centuries, often long before the Arab Islamic conquests.

In Iraq alone, Jews had lived continuously since the Babylonian Exile more than 2,500 years ago. A century ago, roughly one-third of Baghdad’s population was Jewish, as was a significant portion of Mosul’s. In 1950–51, the Iraqi government passed laws stripping Jews of citizenship, confiscating their property, freezing their assets, and legalizing their expulsion. Homes, businesses, synagogues, and communal property were seized by the state.

Similar processes unfolded across the Arab world. This was not accidental displacement – it was systematic, state-sanctioned ethnic cleansing carried out as collective punishment for Arab defeat in the 1947-48 war.

The descendants of these refugees today make up a substantial portion – indeed, a majority – of Israel’s Jewish population.

A Telling Demographic Contrast

One fact alone exposes the moral inversion at the heart of the “stolen land” accusation: today, there are more Arab citizens of Israel living with full civil rights than there are Jews left in the entire Muslim world.

Arab Israelis vote, serve in parliament, sit on the Supreme Court, work in every sector of society, and retain citizenship in their ancestral homeland. By contrast, ancient Jewish communities across the Middle East have been virtually erased.

If Israel were truly engaged in ethnic cleansing or systematic land theft, this demographic reality would be impossible.

Conclusion: History Turned Upside Down

The claim that Jews “stole Arab land” is not a conclusion derived from history – it is a political slogan imposed upon it. When the historical record is examined honestly, a very different picture emerges: one in which Jewish communities were repeatedly dispossessed, expelled, and stripped of land long before and long after Israel’s independence.

None of this denies the suffering of Arab refugees or the complexity of the conflict. But historical honesty demands symmetry and accuracy. The Middle East did not witness a one-sided act of dispossession; it witnessed a regional war, followed by the near-total erasure of Jewish life from lands where it had existed for millennia.

To speak of stolen land without acknowledging this history is not merely selective – it is a profound distortion of reality.

Finally, I am a Zionists!  What does that mean?

Simply: Zionism is a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in their traditional homeland of Eretz Israel.

We all should be Zionists.

One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that how we treat Israel directly affects how God deals with us. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is unambiguous: those who bless Israel are blessed, and those who curse Israel come under God’s judgment. This principle is not a relic of the Old Testament but a timeless spiritual law that continues today. I for one do not ever want to be cursed by God, yet some would invoke such a curse on their lives.

God’s Covenant Promise

When God called Abraham, He declared:

“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
— Genesis 12:2–3

This was not merely a promise to an individual but a covenant binding God’s people Israel to His eternal purposes. To curse Abraham’s descendants is to oppose God’s chosen instrument for blessing the families of the earth (and nations) – including the very Messiah, Jesus Christ, who came through Israel.

Balaam’s Warning

The prophet Balaam learned this truth the hard way. King Balak of Moab hired him to curse Israel, but every attempt failed. Why? Because God Himself had blessed Israel:

Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
— Numbers 24:1

Balaam finally declared:

“Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
— Numbers 24:9

Balaam recognised that to curse Israel was to invite disaster upon oneself. The same principle holds today: nations, leaders, and individuals who speak curses or spread hatred against the Jewish people bring spiritual consequences upon themselves.

The Danger of Modern Anti-Semitism

We are witnessing in our own day a disturbing resurgence of anti-Semitic rhetoric—even among influential media figures. Commentators like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson have platformed dangerous stereotypes and conspiratorial attacks on the Jewish people. Such rhetoric is not merely political speech—it is aligning with the spirit of those who have historically sought Israel’s destruction.

Christians must be clear: anti-Semitism in any form is a direct affront to God’s covenant and invites His judgement. As Paul warns in Romans 11:18, Gentile believers must “not boast against the branches,” for it is God who sustains Israel in His redemptive plan.

Standing with Israel: A Biblical and Moral Imperative

On the other hand, there are courageous voices like Charlie Kirk who boldly affirmed Israel’s right to exist and defend itself as the only democracy in the Middle East. Such a stance reflects the heart of Genesis 12:3—those who bless Israel will be blessed.

Supporting Israel does not mean ignoring its imperfections, but it does mean recognising God’s eternal covenant, defending the Jewish people against hatred, and praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

The Choice Before Us

Every believer and every nation stands at a crossroads: bless Israel and align with God’s promise, or curse Israel and invite judgement. Scripture leaves no middle ground.

Jesus Himself affirmed that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). To despise Israel is to despise the very root of our faith. To bless Israel is to walk in step with God’s eternal plan of redemption for all nations.

Please take note that the last supper was shared with Jewish men, Jesus disciples. The new covenant was promised in Jeremiah and was FIRST to the Jews (Romans 1:16). The birth of the Ekklesia (Church) was on the day of Pentecost where120 Jewish believers, waiting in the upper room, received the Holy Spirit; and then Peter preached boldly and 3,000 were added that day.

The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and the people of Judah
— Jeremiah 31:31

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
— Romans 1:16

As Christians, let us reject the poisonous curse of anti-Semitism, stand boldly with God’s people, and be among those who receive the blessing promised to Abraham.

I choose blessing over cursing, life over death, truth over lies, and the Kingdom of God over the kingdom of darkness.  Please pray for repentance in the heart of those who are cursing Israel.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.
— Psalm 122:6

King Jehoshaphat (יְהוֹשָׁפָט meaning ‘Jehovah has judged’; son of king Asa and himself king of Judah for 25 years; one of the best, most pious, and prosperous kings of Judah) visits the King of Israel (Ahab אַחְאָב  a wicked king) and although we know the King of Israel had 400 ‘prophets’ (1 Kings 22:6) Jehoshaphat asks is there a prophet of the Lord!  In other words the 400 prophets that the King of Israel had gathered were useless as they were simply a bunch of ‘yes men’.

Jehoshaphat wanted a true man of God to speak!

1 Kings 22:7 And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?”

The King of Israel says there is one man of God, but he does not like what he says.  The King of Israel wanted his ears tickled, but did not want to face up to the consequences  his own sin and the sins of his people.  He was offended by the word of the Lord because it found him wanting.

1 Kings 22:8 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”

Micaiah (מִיכָֽיְהוּ meaning ‘who is like God’; a prophet of Samaria who predicted the defeat and death of king Ahab of Israel) was a true prophet, not afraid to speak the true word of the Lord regardless of what others thought or the consequences.  The King of Israel hated Micaiah because Micaiah spoke the true word of the Lord.  If the King of Israel had repented and turned to the Lord all could have been made right.

We are facing a plethora of critical issues in Australia (Trans and gay agendas, ‘safe  schools’, euthanasia, abortion, prostitution, people trafficking, etc. ) and it is time we the Church need to be the word of the Lord to a nation desperately in need of salvation.

This is the word I felt for Australia, especially the Church, at this time.  I asked the Lord the same question that Jehoshaphat  asked: ‘Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?’.

I felt the Lord say that there will not be a single person to speak, but He wanted His Holy, Apostolic, Prophetic, Bride – His Church – to speak as one.

Sometime ago I saw a vision of leaders in every pulpit in the nation speaking the word of the Lord with power and truth.  Every congregation were on there knees crying out for His righteousness and truth.

The word being preached was without compromise, it was offensive to sinners and some saints alike, the word of the Lord was also life and salvation through repentance and belief.

As the clear word of the Lord was declared in unity across the nation many were convicted and fell to their knees crying out to the Lord for help and salvation.

Now is the time for all of us to be the prophet that Jehoshaphat had asked for, we all need to declare the truth of the word.  We the Church are called to manifest the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  We will not win any popularity contests, but we will be His voice in a dry and thirsty land.

His Church is awesome and powerful, it is truly apostolic and prophetic.  The Lord is calling all of us to rise up and be His voice of truth in a land that has hundreds of false prophets who speak vanities.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

In hebrew  בְּאֵר  לַחַי  רֹאִי    Bĕ’er la-Chay Ro’iy  is the
“well of the Living One seeing me” so let’s break down the words and understand the meaning of the place name.  Names have incredible meaning in scripture and we often overlook searching into names to find nuggets of truth.

• Be’er = water well (e.g. Beer-Sheva, Abrahams wells, aka well of seven)
• la-Chay = living one (same root as L’Chaim = to life)
• ro’iy = seeing me (similar to Roeh is a seer prophet)

Isaac found his destiny (wife Rebekah)  by coming the way of the “well of the Living One seeing me”.  It is so important that we travel on the heart journey by way of Beer Lahai Roi thus allowing the Lord to deal with deep heart issues.  Until we deal with our deep heart issues it is impossible for us to reach our destiny.

A well is a place of refreshing, spiritually we need to be refreshed on our journey.  It is the Holy Spirit that brings refreshing to us today. The living one seeing me is the process of refreshing when we allow it.  As we drink of Him we open our hearts for the Lord to see into our heart.

In our times of meditation and worship God looks into us, particularly into our hearts.  He is looking for people after His own heart.  We must travel this way often and ideally on a daily basis.

In the context of our heart journey, allowing the Lord to see into our heart is critical to us finding true identity, relationship, purpose and destiny in Him.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Once we understand the need for us to open our hearts transparently to the Lord  we are then in a place where He can sort out the eternal issues of our lives. Issues include sin, loneliness, anxiety, distrust, and doubt etc.

There are examples of journeys taken by those before us. The bible describes Peter at three different points in his life. In Mark 14:26-31 and Mark 14:66-72, we see a fearful, embarrassed Peter (Simon) denying Jesus three times immediately following his arrest in Jerusalem. A different Peter is seen in Acts 4:5-20 after Jesus was crucified. This much-changed, empowered Peter healed the lame and boldly proclaimed Jesus before the Jewish authorities. John 21:1-19 provides yet another view of Peter’s heart journey. In this scripture, Peter and the other disciples encounter the risen Lord on the sea of Galilee, the third time Jesus had appeared to the disciples after being crucified. Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?…then feed my sheep.”  Peter needed Jesus to see into his heart in John 21 to be restored to Peter the rock and not just be the Simon he had been.

King David also knew this and even when he had sinned grievously knew he needed a complete repentant change of heart that only our relationship with the Lord can produce.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

It is when our hearts are open that we can be healed of the orphan spirit that separates us from Abba Father (Romans 8:15).  This is what Jesus did for us on the cross and is what the Holy Spirit is ministering to us right now.

Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

The heart cry of us all is to know Him as God our Father. This is true whether we know Him or not. It is only when we are in true heart relationship with Him we are truly free.  So our prayer for you all today is that you would know the Lord and your heart would be His.  We pray that you would come by the way of Beer Lahai Roi and allow the Lord into your heart so that your heart beats in sync with His heart.

1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 ‘This is the first and great commandment.’ 39 “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’

Harry Bell

16 year old Christian – Harold Wickham (Bell) who gave his life for his mates and for Israel was a young farmer who attended a Presbyterian Church.

John 15.13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Harry enlisted under his uncle’s surname and lied about his age. On the 31st October 1917 he charged Be’er Sheva with the rest of the Australian Light Horse.

He could see little orange flashes and could hear whistling overhead. “I wonder what that is?” Harry thought. His answer came all too soon, as a machine gun round smashed into his leg. He never thought such pain existed – the force of the round threw him from the horse. He bounced along the ground and came to a halt in the dirty, broken soil. The sound of thundering hooves warned him to cover his head as another wave of horsemen galloped over him.

He glanced down at his leg, it lay at a grotesque angle, the result of the bullet shattering his femur. Then things started to blur as he succumbed to the pain, which lapsed him into unconsciousness.

As he struggled to regain consciousness, he felt the warmth of morphine, interrupted intermittently by the sharpness of excruciating pain.

As the padre sat next to him, Harry asked how the regiment had fared. “We took the town Harry, and the blokes and horses are enjoying a good drink.”

Harry lapsed in and out of consciousness throughout the night. In the morning he was still alive but only just. The padre again called on him. “Make sure they get the headstone right,” Harry screamed, and with that the young trooper went limp.

Harry (Harold Bell) wanted his real name on his tombstone.

Exactly 100 years later, to the day 31/Oct/2017, we see the fruit of Harry’s and others sacrifice in the following photograph at the Be’er Sheva street parade held after the memorial service.

Australia and New Zealand win together

The capture of Beersheba (Be’er Sheva in modern Israel) was a turning point in the struggle between the British and Ottoman Empires in the Middle East in the First World War. The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade played a key part in the capture of the town by the Australian Light Horse.

Twice in 1917 the British-led Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) had failed to take Gaza, the gateway to Palestine. Its third attempt focused on Beersheba, on the eastern (inland) flank of the Ottomans’ defensive line. While three British infantry divisions attacked the main Ottoman defences on the outskirts of Beersheba, the Australian Light Horse rode in a wide arc to the east to attack the town from the rear.

On the morning of 31 October 1917 men of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade attacked Tel el Saba (now called Tel Be’er Sheva), a fortified hill 3.2 km north-east of Beersheba. After six hours of hard fighting the New Zealanders captured the hill which was held by 3 Turkish heavy machine gun companies.

Of biblical note is that Tel Be’er Sheva is the ancient Be’er Sheva of Genesis where Abraham dug wells and made covenant.  These wells have been re-dug by the Israeli government and have sweet water once again.

The way was now clear to attack Beersheba itself, but daylight would soon fade. In a daring action, the 4th and 12th Australian Light Horse regiments charged in from the south-east with bayonets drawn, taking the Ottoman defenders by surprise. The town and its important wells were soon secured and the enemy retreated. By the end of the day at least eight New Zealanders had been killed and 26 wounded.

Without the brave action by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade charge would have failed miserably due to withering Turkish machine gun fire.

With time running out for the Australians to capture Beersheba and its wells before dark, Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel, the Australian commander of the Desert Mounted Corps, ordered Brigadier General William Grant, commanding the 4th Light Horse Brigade, to make a mounted attack directly towards the town. Chauvel knew, from aerial photographs, that the Turkish trenches in front of the town were not protected by barbed wire. However, German bombing had forced the 4th Brigade into a scattered formation and it was not until 4.50 pm that they were in position. The Brigade assembled behind rising ground 6 kilometres south-east of Beersheba with the 4th Light Horse Regiment on the right, the 12th Light Horse Regiment on the left and the 11th Light Horse Regiment in reserve.

The Australian Light Horse was to be used purely as cavalry for the first time. Although they were not equipped with cavalry sabres, the Turks who faced the long bayonets held by the Australians did not consider there was much difference between a charge by cavalry and a charge by mounted infantry. The Light Horse moved off at the trot, and almost at once quickened to a gallop. As they came over the top of the ridge and looked down the long, gentle open slope to Beersheba, they were seen by the Turkish gunners, who opened fire with shrapnel. But the pace was too fast for the gunners. After three kilometres Turkish machine-guns opened fire from the flank, but they were detected and silenced by British artillery. The rifle fire from the Turkish trenches was wild and high as the Light Horse approached. The front trench and the main trench were jumped and some men dismounted and then attacked the Turks with rifle and bayonet from the rear. Some galloped ahead to seize the rear trenches, while other squadrons galloped straight into Beersheba.

Nearly all the wells of Beersheba were intact and further water was available from a storm that had filled the pools. The 4th and 12th Light Horse casualties were thirty-one killed and thirty-six wounded; they captured over 700 men. The capture of Beersheba meant that the Gaza-Beersheba line was turned. Gaza fell a week later and on 9 December 1917, the British troops entered Jerusalem.

And one of the things that is very interesting is that the Light Horse had the highest number of Indigenous soldiers in any regiment within the AIF in WWI.

Fighting Mac (Chaplain)

In August 1914, war was declared and Fighting McKenzie (William McKenzie, Chaplain thanks to Warwick Marsh) was one of 416,809 volunteers who served in the Armed Forces. The population of Australia was fewer than 5 million people at the time. On a country by country basis, Australia had more troops at war per head of population and suffered higher death rates and casualty rates, than any other country that fought in the first World War.

Fighting Mac personally buried hundreds of young Anzacs, often in the middle of a hail of bullets. During this period, he developed a life-long hatred for war. He wrote:

“Many of the bravest and the best are gone… War is nothing short of insensitive folly. It is inconclusive in its results and devastating in its ultimate consequences.”

Other soldiers described the duty and demeanour of this humble but courageous chaplain:

“Among the duties of this Anzac chaplain – dubbed ‘Anzac Mac’ or ‘Fighting Mac’ by the men who had grown to love and respect him – was searching for the wounded and dead, as well as identifying bodies and giving them a decent burial and advising relatives by letter. Although officially forbidden from remaining in the front lines or from taking part in battles, Mac had no intention of standing idly by while, ‘my boys fight’.”

Prayer

The mateship, self-sacrifice and bravery, in the face of impossible odds, shown in the battlefields of World War I, exemplifies the values that have made Australia great.

May the Anzac and Light Horse anointing of God, mateship, honour, strength, service, bravery, and self-sacrifice rise in Australia for the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

We pray that these eternal values rise again in Australia, that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ stand and proclaim the truth of the Gospel, that this nation of Australia repent of its sins and fully turn back to the Lord.

We also call forth the Joseph calling and anointing that Australia will fulfil its God given call to provide to the nations, both physically and with Christian mission.

Father in heaven, we ask that you be the head of this nation of Australia, and that you bless us your sons and daughters in service for your Kingdom.

Lest we forget.

Photos from October / November 2017 Israel trip.

Background

As a bit of background, we will quickly look at Malachi 4:2. Once we understand this passage, we will be able to see the basis of the woman’s faith that caused her reach out and touch the hem of His garment.

Malachi 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings;

First, the translation of ‘sun’ can also be translated ‘servant’ as it is the same word (shin mem shin) with different vowel pointings (which were added around 600AD).  This then renders as the servant of righteousness which is clearly Yeshua or Lord.

Secondly, the word wings in Hebrew is kanaph and can be translated corner or skirt, as well as the wings of a bird. The knots of the tassels at the corners (wings) of the prayer shawl, were called tsiytsiyt, or fringes.

Refer to Ancient Hebrew Research Center – The Tsiytsiyt and the Sun of Righteousness this for a detailed look at Malachi 4:2.

This prophecy of the Messiah from Malachi was fulfilled when the woman who had the issue of blood touched the ‘hem of his garment’ which can also be translated from the Greek as fringe or corner.

So when the woman reached out to touch Yeshua’s tsiytsiyt, she was acting on the word of God. It was not just a random idea, but a purposeful, faith based action based on scripture.

Daughter

I have been looking at these passages of scripture over the last few weeks, and came to an amazing revelation!  All sermons I have ever heard on this story focus of the woman’s faith, yet miss a key word. The faith message is true and powerful but misses something much more important.

They key word of this passage is the word Daughter!!  Let me explain…

Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Due to her condition, this woman was continually ceremonially unclean.  This meant she was disconnected from her family and community. She was ostracized, rejected, shunned, treated as unclean, and unable to attend temple or synagogue to worship for 12 long years.

Further, if she touched a man such a Pharisee, especially if that happened in Jerusalem, she, under the Pharisaical interpretation of law could have been whipped and possibly stoned. So when she touched Yeshua’s tsiytsiyt she was taking a huge risk as she technically made Yeshua unclean until sunset. The Pharisees could have had her whipped, yet she knew she would be healed if she acted on His word.

Yeshua’s first word to her was Daughter (Hebrew: בַּת (Bat) ) !!  In that one word every rejection, every hurt, all loneliness, all pain, and all disconnection was made whole.  Yeshua did not call her woman, but the intimate family word Daughter.  Such freedom, such deliverance, such life came from using that one word.  Her relationship with God changed in an instant. This was and is an eternal miracle that completely transcended the physical healing she received.  Yeshua was 100% representing Abba (Father) when He called her Daughter and recognised her as part of the family of God.

Understanding

The change of perspective of this amazing account is quite revolutionary. It leads us to see again that the basis of faith is relationship – i.e. not something we work or strain for but something we live in due to who our Abba is.

Often we hear ‘just have faith’, or ‘only believe’  etc. yet this, for some, leads to some sort of works in terms of something we seem to need to do.  Once we know we are sons and daughters we believe without struggle as we know and trust our Lord.

At anytime we can just touch His tsiytsiyt and be made whole.  Healing is the children’s bread, and again children trust their mums and dads.  We trust Abba as children for all of our needs.

What was her name?

The scriptures do not explicitly tell us the lady’s name. However, let me share a story from a trip to Israel. We were hiring a car from El Dan car rentals in Jerusalem and the young  lady serving us had a name tag that said בַּתאֵל, and in English ‘Batel’ , that was her name. It stuck with me as it literally means Daughter (בַּת Bat) of the Lord Almighty (אֵל El) . I thought that was a wonderful and awesome name, we even chatted about it briefly.

My name for the woman in the scriptural account is Batel, Daughter of the Lord Almighty!  It is easy to infer this name, at least as a new name for her.   I’m sure this is a good extrapolation from scripture that is part of her story of healing and restoration. No longer the unclean woman, but instead Daughter of the Lord Almighty. In an instant, with one word from the Lord she is transformed.

Prayer

Papa God I come to you as your son/daughter and receive your love afresh at this time.

I reach out and touch your tsiytsiyt and receive Your healing for all my needs.

I thank you for the power released to me, and see that I am made whole.

You are awesome, and I love being in Your presence. Let me go out and bless others with your healing word, your love, and your power.  Amen!

Does the anointing break the yoke?
Absolutely YES!

Yes, the anointing of the Spirit of God does break the yoke of captivity! As Jesus powerfully declared in the synagogue at Nazareth, the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him because the Lord had anointed Him to “proclaim good news to the poor … to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” ( Luke 4:18-19 and Isaiah 61:1-3 ).

The Spirit’s anointing brings liberty to captives, and that means breaking yokes (see also Acts 10:38 Jesus anointed with power). At the same time, it is a mis-translation in the King James Version of Isaiah 10:27 that gave rise to the saying “the anointing breaks the yoke.”

In the KJV, the end of the verse reads, “and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

Transliterated from Hebrew to English , the passage reads, “The yoke shall be destroyed because of shamen” (pronounced Sha-Meyn).

What does the word shamen mean? The KJV translators understood it to be the equivalent of shemen [oil], which seemed to lead them to think of oil for anointing, and then to the anointing of The Spirit itself.

Nowhere in the Hebrew Bible where the word shemen [oil] by itself means “anointing”. (it is okay for the KJV translators to equate shamen with shemen as they have the same shoresh (root) but different vowel pointings; the error is when they translated it “anointing”)

So what is the correct translation?
It is best to understand shamen  ( שָׁמַן )  here as “fatness” (pronounced Sha-Meyn), which would produce a literal translation of, “The yoke will be destroyed because of the fatness.”

The New International Version expresses it well:
“In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.”

So what does this look like?
Here we see an ox with a yoke on its neck, enslaving it to the will of its master, forcing it to a life of servitude.
But eventually, it gets so healthy, strong, bulked up, and fat that the yoke simply bursts from off its neck. That ox is now completely free! This is the freedom that Christ has bought us.

Another illustration is the Marvel comics character Bruce Banner, who transforms into the Incredible Hulk. Imagine Bruce Banner trapped in a yoke, and then he transforms into the Hulk and absolutely smashes the yoke into pieces.

And that is a picture for each of us when we find ourselves bound or oppressed or beaten into submission by the enemy.

We need to feed our spirits with the living Word of God day and night, we enter into His courts with praise, we continue in worship, we pray in faith, and share communion; and little by little we get so healthy, strong, full, and “fat” that suddenly the yoke of oppression has to be shattered. The fatness destroys the yoke!

Three things we need to action to be fat in the Spirit.

First, Psalm 100, especially verse 4 also Ephesians 5:19-20.  We enter His courts with praise and thanksgiving. This is so essential that we praise and give thanks. We need to sing and shout His praises.  Maybe read a Psalm a day if you need help in praise and thanksgiving.

Secondly, we need to feed on His word. John 6:51, 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-14 all show us the need to be full of His word. We graze on His word, chewing it over and over by mediation on His word.  This is how we become fat and strong.

Thirdly, we need to speak the truth in faith. Matthew 17:20 tells us how mountains are moved by faith.  We also need to persist, hang in there, keep knocking, even when circumstances don’t align with His word. Matthew 7:7-8 (ask, seek, knock).  He is faithful and true and we put all our trust in Him.

Now we have the full revelation of this verse we can put it into full action in our daily walk. As we do so we are blessed.

It is time to smash the yokes that are holding us back!

It is a time to see Australia turn around and thousands come to Christ and be set free from the yokes of unbelief, humanism, and materialism.

There is much spiritual warfare in this season. This is evident by assassination attempts, Israel fighting for its survival, fraudulent elections, abhorrent laws being put forward by godless politicians (late term abortion, babies surviving abortions left to die, euthanasia, gender issues, legalising prostitution etc.).  We need to be able to fight, not flesh and blood, but in the heavenlies.

Habakkuk 3 – A Hymn of Faith

Let us look at Habakkuk 3 – a passage entitled ‘A Hymn of Faith’ and in particular v19.  Verses 17 and 18 are well known and a great statement of faith.

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labour of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls –
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

To the Chief Musician (or Chief Singer) . With my stringed instruments. ESV

A while ago Nel and I were discussing v19 and Nel quoted Habakkuk 3:19 from the Septuagint:

The Lord God is my strength, and He will perfectly strengthen my feet; He mounts me upon high places, that I may conquer by His song.

We also looked and v19 from the OJB:

Hashem Adonai is my strength, and He will make my feet like the feet of a deer, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

Let’s look at the last part which is an instruction (don’t ignore the instructions like ‘selah’ etc.) – ‘To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.’ which comes from two Hebrew words:

נָצַח natsach to excel, be bright, be pre-eminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring
a. (Niphal) enduring (participle)
b. (Piel) to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief

and

נְגִינָה nĕgiynah music, song, taunt song
a. music (of stringed instrument)
b. song
– taunting or mocking song

From drilling down we see idea of going to high places (where our authority and victory are). This is done via a song and music from the chief singer which in itself carries the idea of authority.  We have the ability to be the chief singer in our lives and metron (the realm of authority we are given by the Lord). This is worship (thanks and praise) which we know is key of Da’vid.  All the time we spend in worship brings forth His agenda and entering into His authority.

We also have the powerful idea of mocking our enemy.  As we worship the Lord the enemy is mocked!  We are seated in heavenly places with Christ! We enter into our rest, power, authority, all the promises we have in Christ when we are in Him; we connect via worship.  We are independent of our circumstances!

This is the word for this season.  We mock the enemy with a song of faith, thanks, praise and worship.  By doing so we mock the enemy as we overcome in Christ!

Eight Keys to Standing Strong in God’s Steadfast Authority

Psalm 144:1 Praise be to the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle

1. Abide in Christ – As you abide (rest), you are able to pray the things that are on God’s heart (agenda).  This is our starting point.
2. Mix praise and thanks and prayer together – Worship is the atmosphere where truth dwells. There is power released in worship warfare. God is greater than all enemy attacks.  This is the key of Da’vid.
3. Be steadfast in prayer and ready for battle – Know that you are in enemy territory, and you are here to fight for God’s Kingdom in prayer. Watch for those fiery darts, hold up your shield of faith, and put on the armour of God (Ephesians 6).  Hang in there!  The Lord is with you.
4. Stand upon the promises of God – Do not listen to the enemy. Speak God’s promises over your family, neighbourhood, city, and nation.
5. Know and Pray God’s Word – The Bible is filled with Scripture you can pray. Declarative prayer is a key way to exercise your authority in prayer. Try praying Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3-19.  Declare the promises from the Pauline epistles.
6. Focus on God during times of warfare – The enemy will try to discourage you as to your authority. Focus on God instead of the things you see happening in the world. Remember, we have all authority in Christ.
7. Practise fasting on a regular basis – Fasting gives us spiritual power and strength to steadfastly stand against the enemy.
8. Let God’s peace rule in your heart – Come in the opposite spirit of the world system. An attitude of peace and joy in the midst of darkness is powerful (Colossians 3:15).  The shalom of the Lord comes as we spend time with Him.

This is how we battle, this is how we are victorious, this is how we prevail in prayer!  Singing our high praises and worship to the Lord.

We win by changing our focus from the issues to focussing on the Lord Jesus and our standing in Him.  We also must do this both individually and corporately as the Ekklesia.

Join Together for Prayer

If you do not have a good regular corporate prayer connection please consider joining us on the regular Canberra Declaration Zoom prayer meetings. Normally Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday nights 8.00pm AEST (Sydney Time) and other special prayer times.

It is really important that we pray together – the Kingdom is not about lone rangers; but that we should be one together.  This is where we gain power in prayer especially when dealing with major community and national issues. We support and encourage one another when we are family.

[Updated September 2024, Hebrew Elul 5784]

As requested, here is a copy of the blessing plus some explanation of the Awesome Power of Blessing (a book by Richard Brunton https://www.richardbruntonministries.org/  , bulk order here https://ruach-hakodesh.com/book-order/ ).

Richard writes in his book about the French words for cursing and blessing; ‘malediction’ (bad speaking) for curses and ‘benediction’ (good speaking). He says if ‘bad speaking’ was powerful, then ‘good speaking’ should be at least as powerful and, with God, much more powerful!

We know this is true from the bible which tells us to watch what we speak. It is best understood from Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Also Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

As Dads what we say matters, our words impact our family especially our children.  Controlling our words helps us control all aspects of our lives.

In Genesis chapter 25 Jacob gets Esau to sell his birthright, and in Genesis chapter 27 Isaac blesses Jacob.  I will not go into the details, but Jacob valued his father’s blessing and Esau traded it for a pot of red lentil stew. Blessing matters and has power! Jacob later becomes Israel.

I asked the group at the Men’s Leadership Summit if they had ever been blessed by their own fathers.  Only a few put their hands up, which was to me quite sad.

I asked a couple of Fathers with their sons to stand with the fathers’ hands on their sons’ shoulders as an example (thanks Warwick & Nathaniel, Rodney & Luke). We then declared a Father’s blessing over everyone and recommended they then bless their children individually when they got home.  This was an impactful moment for many.

Here is the blessing we declared over everyone; please take it, adjust/adapt it personally for each of your children, and use it to bless each child separately.  As you speak this blessing over each child in faith expect the Lord to answer this prayer and see what God will do. You can also pray a blessing over your wife!

I pray that our Father in heaven blesses each one of you who blesses others.

The Father’s Blessing

My child, I love you! You are special. You are a gift from God.
I thank God for allowing me to be a father to you.
I am proud of you, and I rejoice over you.

And now I bless you….
I bless you with overflowing peace, the peace that only the Prince of Peace can give.
I bless your life with fruitfulness: good fruit, abundant fruit and fruit that remains.
I bless you with success. You are the head and not the tail; you are above and not beneath.

I bless the gifts that God has given you.
I bless you with wisdom to make good decisions and to develop your full potential in Christ.
I bless you with overflowing prosperity, enabling you to be a blessing to others.

I bless you with spiritual influence, for you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
I bless you with a depth of spiritual understanding and a close walk with your Lord.

You will not stumble or falter, for the Word of God will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.

I bless you with good friends. You have favour with God and man.
I bless you with vision, direction, protection, health, healing, compassion, care, love, fulfilment, prosperity and all that God has for your life.
I bless you with an abounding and overflowing love, from which you will minister God’s grace and Gospel of salvation to others. Many will hear of the Lord from your mouth.

You will minister God’s comforting grace to others.

May you have intimacy with the Father in heaven and that this will lead to knowing His heart in all matters.

You are blessed, my child!

You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.

I bless you with all of these good things in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen!

Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

Genesis 18:18 – “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.”

Genesis 22:18 – “..and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Genesis 26:4 – “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,..”

Genesis 28:14 – “Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.”

Exodus 9:16 – “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Joshua 4:24 – “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

1 Kings 8:43 – “..then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.”

1 Kings 8:60 – “..so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.”

1 Chronicles 16:23 – “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.”

1 Chronicles 16:24 – “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.”

2 Chronicles 6:33 – “..then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.”

Psalm 2:8 – “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”

Psalm 22:27 – “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,..”

Psalm 33:8 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.”

Psalm 47:1 – “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”

Psalm 48:10 – “Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.”

Psalm 64:9 – “All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.”

Psalm 67:2, 3 – “..that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”

Psalm 67:7 – “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.”

Psalm 72:11 – “All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.”

Psalm 72:17 – “May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.”

Psalm 82:8 – “Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.”

Psalm 86:9 – “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”

Psalm 96:1 – “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.”

Psalm 96:3 – “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Psalm 97:6 – “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.”

Psalm 98:3 – “He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”

Psalm 102:15 – “The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.”

Psalm 117:1 – “Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.”

Psalm 145:21 – “My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.”

Psalm 148:7, 11 – “Praise the Lord from the earth, …kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,..”

Isaiah 2:2 – “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.”

Isaiah 25:6 – “On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines.”

Isaiah 25:7 – “On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;”

Isaiah 34:1 – “Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it!”

Isaiah 40:5 – “And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 42:10 – “Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth…”

Isaiah 43:6 – “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 45:22 – “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”

Isaiah 45:23 – “By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.”

Isaiah 49:6 – “(The Lord) says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Isaiah 52:10 – “The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.”

Isaiah 56:7 – “..these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Isaiah 61:11 – “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”

Isaiah 66:18 – “And I, because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory.”

Isaiah 66:20 – “And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD — ..”

Isaiah 66:23 – “‘From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,’ says the LORD.”

Jeremiah 3:17 – “At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.”

Jeremiah 33:9 – “Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.”

Ezekiel 39:21 – “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them.”

Daniel 7:14 – “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

Zephaniah 2:11 – “The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.”

Zephaniah 3:9 – “Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.”

Haggai 2:7 – “‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Zechariah 8:23 – “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.”‘”

Zechariah 9:10 – “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Malachi 3:12 – “‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..”

Mark 11:17 – “And as He taught them, He said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations“? …’” (Isaiah 56:7)

Mark 13:10 – “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.”

Mark 13:27 – “And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”

Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’”

Luke 2:31, 32 – “‘which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’”

Luke 3:6 – “And all mankind will see God’s salvation.”

Luke 24:47 – “..and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

John 17:23 – “…to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Acts 1:8 – “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”

Acts 2:17a – “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people.’”

Acts 3:25b – “He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’”

Acts 10:35 – “…but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

Acts 13:47 – “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Romans 1:5 – “Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.”

Romans 14:11 – “It is written: ‘”As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.”‘”

Romans 15:11 – “And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.’”

Romans 16:26 – “..but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him– …”

Galatians 3:8 – “The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’”

Philippians 2:10, 11 – “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

1 Timothy 2:3, 4 – “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

1 John 2:2 – “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Revelation 5:9 – “And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”

Revelation 7:9 – “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”

Revelation 12:5 – “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.”

Revelation 14:6 – “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth– to every nation, tribe, language and people.”

Revelation 15:4 – “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Understanding the Gaza Conflict means acknowledging an unpopular truth: Palestinians are responsible for everything that is happening to them.

Up front I am a Zionist! To some this maybe a controversial statement for a Christian leader to make.  Let’s consider what it means: A Zionist is simply someone who supports the idea of a Jewish nationalist movement that has as its goal the creation and support of a Jewish national state in the ancient traditional homeland of the Jews (Hebrew: Eretz Yisraʾel, “the Land of Israel”).

It is time to get the facts regarding the root of the Israel Gaza conflict. So here is a short summary that hopefully will clear up some misconceptions.

Palestinians are still whining about a war they lost 75+ years ago (1948/1949) and are unable to move on. Imagine if Germany would still bombard Russia and Poland daily out of spite for losing WWII. Every nation moved on from losing wars, even Egypt and Jordan, but not Palestinians.

Theodor Herzl – Father of Zionism

Theodor Herzl talked about returning to the homeland of the Jewish people, and he advocated doing this by buying land from Arab sheikhs, which Jews did.

This is what Theodor Herzl said: “It goes without saying that we shall respectfully tolerate persons of other faiths and protect their property, their honour, and their freedom with the harshest means of coercion.”

Now what did the Arabs do? They committed multiple massacres against Jewish immigrants, which naturally led to radicalisation from the Jewish side which is why militias like Haganah and Irgun emerged. Did Palestinians really think they could get away with murdering and massacring Jews for decades? What happened in 1948 was very much a story of reaping what you sow.

But what about the Balfour Declaration?

Nothing in the Balfour Declaration implies or suggests that there was any kind of colonization master-plan to expel Arabs. Also it was literally just a letter, and this is what was written: “It being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed in any other country by such Jews who are fully contented with their existing nationality.”

The state of play in 1967

Now fast forward to 1967 the “Palestinian” land is controlled by Egypt and Jordan, Palestinians never owned the land or had sovereignty. Israel won again and legally annexed territories (from Egypt and Jordan) just like any other country during a war. Now pro Palestinians would like you to think that Israel has been brutally occupying, oppressing, and killing Palestinians between 1967 and 1987 (the year Hamas was founded) which is false, there is zero evidence that Israel was targeting Palestinians during this period. These are just lies common in muslim nations to demonise Jews.

Occupation?

There’s no occupation. They have their own governments (albeit dysfunctional and corrupt). In the Judea/Samaria (West Bank) and Gaza. They are not living in a prison. The wall around Gaza is on Israeli soil and it was built in response to terror attacks, and Gaza receives millions of dollars each year and Hamas leaders are billionaires. Not to mention they have 5 star hotels and resorts. They have schools, hospitals, they have everything. It was possible to turn Gaza into another Dubai but they chose not to do this. The people in Gaza chose and voted for Hamas, a group that is hell bent on destroying Israel and the genocide of the Jews.

Palestinians are responsible for everything that is happening to them. Israel should not be blamed for the bad choices that the Palestinians have made.

Further we must consider the historical Arab attempts at colonising from the 7th century onwards.   Refer: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1061707164860545

It is worth considering Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin’s comments on the subject.

“Until 1967, Israel did not hold an inch of the Sinai Peninsula and the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or the Golan Heights. Israel held not an acre of what is now considered disputed territory. And yet we enjoyed no peace.

Year after year Israel called for pleaded for a negotiated peace with the Arab governments. Their answer was a blank refusal and more war.

The reason was not a conflict over territorial claims. The reason was, and remains, the fact that a free Jewish state sits on territory at all.”

The question of Genocide?

Right now Hamas are the genocidal ones. A ceasefire enables Hamas who will continue to attempt to kill all Jews (which is their well published manifesto). Israel must end Hamas once and for all for everyone’s security.
Reference:  Israel is not committing genocide, but Hamas is.

To quote the article:

The crime of genocide, coined in 1944 by the Polish-Jewish jurist Raphael Lemkin to describe the systematic extermination of Jews by the Nazis, is one of the most serious accusations that can be leveled in international law. Today, it has a very specific definition under Article II of the Genocide Convention of 1948, meaning committing acts, including by killing, that are intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

It is important to underscore that the commission of genocide has nothing to do with the number of civilian casualties; the key element of the crime is the need to possess relevant “intent.” Whatever criticism one may have of Israeli policies or Israel Defense Forces (IDF) actions in Gaza, Israel is not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people, whether in whole, in part, or in any manner.

During a Nov. 20 briefing, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby eviscerated the inappropriate use of the term genocide to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, forcefully stating:

“Israel isn’t trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map. Israel isn’t trying to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So, if we’re going to start using that word, fine. Let’s use it appropriately.”

Whose land is it anyway?

Israel owns the land legally!
While there are some disputed territories; pro-palestinians saying ‘”From the river (Jordan) to the sea (Mediterranean), Palestine will be free” is in fact calling for the genocide of the Jews. The phrase is a rallying cry for terrorist groups and their sympathizers, from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to Hamas, which called for Israel’s destruction in its original governing charter in 1988.

Here is a detailed documentary by Hugh Kitson explain in great detail why Israel own the land legally:

Here is a much shorter presentation that also answers the question:  Melanie Phillips explains Israel’s right to the land.

In addition, this article (PDF) adds light to the subject.

How do we pray?

Please pray for peace by all means. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). But, we must also pray that Israel prevails and that they will quickly put and end to Hamas which will help stabilise everything in the long run. Any long term peace deal must include Israel’s right to exist.

Finally עם ישרעל חי Am Yirael Chai – the people of Israel live.
All Israel will be saved Romans 11:25.

We are coming to a time of transition into a greater authority and visible victory. We will see people and situations set free by the hand of the Lord. We will see the Lord in His Glory.

Let’s look at the scripture directly.

2 Chronicles 20:22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

We (prayer networks/Ekklesia et. al. in the region and nations) have been praying, interceding, repenting, and above all worshipping in 2022.  The Lord is using that high praise as a weapon on our behalf.

The battles over life issues seem to have been difficult. Abortion laws, euthanasia, the rainbow and gender bending ideologies, and the agenda to destroy families and especially vulnerable children via confusion and lies has been plainly evident. At times things have looked grim.

Ablaze

We have not been idle, the Gospel of John project (thanks Jane B and Marty W and all who have helped) has got the word out (1.25 million and growing) and this continues. The ACL also with their distribution of the Gospels have been wonderful.  The Northern Rivers outreach with the 72 hours of continual prayer and worship was a model of prayer covered evangelism.

I want to thank all of the Canberra Declaration zoom prayer team – you are mighty worshipping warriors. Let’s also thank the Australian Worship Network (Josh and team), The Worship Connection (Charlotte and team) and all who have led worship. Your leadership before the throne of grace has been awesome.

For all who have been politically active, expect fruit from your labors, we are in for the long run to  see Godly righteous government.

The good news is that many humbly have cried out to the Lord, spent time in worship and prayer; and the Lord has heard our cry.

2 Chronicles 20:23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

The Lord will cause His enemies to destroy each other!  The battle is the Lord’s. 2 Chronicles 20:17

I see a year [2023] of breakthrough, turn around, especially in the proclaiming of the Gospel of His Kingdom, planting of local Ekklesia, the Ekklesia rising in authority, a voice of hope for the lost, a voice for the downtrodden and helpless, a voice for life.  We need to expect to see the agenda of death be overturned.  This is an ongoing process.

Sadly, many will keep trying to bring the agenda of the enemy. Why? John 3:19-20 – people choose darkness. But! We prevail when have the Lord’s agenda and strategies.

Our job is still to pray and proclaim the Gospel, to worship the Lord, and to take authority over principalities and powers in the awesome name of Jesus as we worship and pray.

We do this as the family of God, His body, His Ekklesia that Jesus is building.  Our strength is in Him and being His family.  I cannot over emphasize that we need to build relationally, connect as family (not just meetings), and really trust and love each other.

Being grounded in His family that we are born into by the Holy Spirit is the foundation of our authority.  It is who we are, not what we do that gives us authority to pray.

So for 2023 be encouraged, don’t waiver in your faith, but continue to look to the Lord for he is our salvation and victory.

Notes:

Ekklesia: The word translated “church” in the English Bible (“gathering of those summoned”). Ekklesia in ancient Greece was the assembly of citizens in a city-state with authority. Jesus said I will build My Ekklesia. Matthew 16:18

Canberra Declaration  – Regular National Prayer on Zoom
8.00pm Sydney Time (AEDT) Regular: Sun, Mon, Wed
ZOOM 776 881 184 LINK: https://zoom.us/j/776881184

Yesterday I had a very interesting discussion with Papa Gideon Chiu regarding Ephesians 3, especially Ephesians 3:9-11.  These are my thoughts on this passage and contextual verses.

Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [Paul establishes his credentials, recognising his past, the saving grace of God, and his call to proclaim the good news]

9 and to make all [yes that is you and me] see [perceive, understand, comprehend, have revelation of] what is the fellowship [this is the family of God] of the mystery [what is the mystery? We are one family! see ^#1 below], which from the beginning of the ages [since creation, it has always been God’s plan] has been hidden in God [in God, we are in Christ and Christ is in us; this the mystery is revealed] who created all things through Jesus Christ [this mystery is revealed 100% through the work of Jesus on the cross];

10 to the intent that now the manifold [complete and multi dimensional] wisdom of God might be made known [revealed and understood] by the church [Ekklesia, family of God, body of Christ] to the principalities [rulers] and powers in the heavenly places [Ref: Ephesians 6:10-20, this is the basis of our authority, that we the family of God (Ekklesia and body of Christ) that are in Christ have all authority to deal with principalities and powers, so that Gospel will be proclaimed and the family will increase, people set free and healed],

11 according to the eternal [beyond this age, the 5 fold ministries has a time limit, but the family of God is eternal] purpose [this purpose is not ministry or our works which end when He returns, but is the creation and building of the family of God] which He accomplished [already done through the cross] in Christ Jesus our Lord [we are in Christ, this is a crucial understanding of who we the family of God are],

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him [Not because of what we have done, but who we are as family, sons and daughters of the most High].

13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. [Ref John 17:22 The glory of God manifest that we would be one]

When we understand the mystery and it’s purpose from the perspective of the eternal family of God everything makes complete sense.

It is as family we have authority and the call to proclaim the full gospel of the Kingdom, that people can be saved, delivered, and healed; and as a result the family of God increases.

The family of God, i.e. who were are as sons and daughters, is the basis of our existence, and the power and authority we have to do the will of the Father.

^#1 Mystery

Ephesians 3:4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body [family, also Ekklesia], and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel [we are one family]

1. Agenda – are we in the Lord’s plans or our own?

Joshua is confronted by the Lord and comes to see that he needs be on the Lord’s side, i.e. it is not whether God is on our side but that we are on God’s side of things.
It is His agenda not ours that matters.
Joshua then worshiped on holy ground which is where we come to hear the Lord’s agenda on issues.
The Lord is calling us into deeper relationship, worship, and holiness.; from this place we have divine alignment for divine assignment.
We cannot hold on to our own agenda and goals, we must hear the Lord in all things and go with His plan, calling, and His purposes.

Joshua 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

2. The battle is the Lords, and He gives us the victory.

Good news: we are not David !!! {I have shared this point previously}
Ref: 1 Samuel 17
We are taught to identify with David and his overcoming of Goliath.
But in reality often we don’t beat the Goliaths in our lives, whether they be sickness, poverty, depression, opposition etc.
This leads to disappointment, sometimes on a grand scale.
When we realise that David is a type of Jesus and that He fights for us we have victory.
We can identify with the Children of Israel and see that David fought on their behalf and that Goliath is truly dead.
In the new testament it is Christ in us the hope of glory that enables us to overcome.
Bottom line it is only Jesus that brings victory.
We have hope as He has overcome the world.
It is time to come to the Lord and let him rule our hearts and minds so He can fight for us.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

3. Perseverance in faith and trust.

2 Kings 13 relates the story of Elisha and King Joash and how Elisha asked Joash to strike the ground with the arrows, which he only did three times.
If he had persisted Joash would have had a complete rather than partial victory.
Too many times we only see partial victory when the Lord wants us to win completely.
Sometimes we go through difficult times, trials, and tribulations.
The Lord is always with us and even carries us in the most difficult times.
His love for us is endless.
Nothing we can do will make Him love us more than He does already.
We just need to persist is loving and trusting Him; again allowing Him to reign in our lives so He can fight for us.
Putting our trust in Him is an act of faith, we choose to trust Him in all things.
Abba Father is there for us at all times – He is completely trustworthy.
He is love and loves us.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Did you know the term ‘pure blood’ is completely demonic?

It comes directly from the J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter witchcraft books and movies.

The phrase was picked up by some extreme anti-vaxxers and has gone viral. Sadly Christians are using this phrase without grace or humility or concern for the Body of Christ.

Roots of the phrase ‘pure blood’

In the Harry Potter series, wizards and warlocks with the most magical progeny assigned as ‘pure bloods’ or ‘half bloods’; as opposed to ‘muggles’ who are mere humans who practise magic.

The character of Lord Voldemort in the book series was inspired by the same ideologies that gave rise to Adolf Hitler’s crusade during World War II.

Lord Voldemort’s ideology is centred around the superiority of ‘pure blood’ wizards, and his desire to rid the world of Muggle-born wizards and half-bloods; like Hitler who wanted to rid the world of Jews and non-Aryan ‘lesser races’.

According to Hitler, ‘blood purity’ would ensure the survival of the Aryan race and the ‘1000 Year Reich’. Laws were introduced to ensure blood purity within Nazi Germany and anyone who acted outside of these laws was deemed to have committed the crime of ‘rassenschande’, which translates roughly as ‘racial pollution’ or ‘racial crime’.

Refer to https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nazi-germany/blood-purity-and-nazi-germany/ for more information.

Inspect the Fruit (Judge rightly)

The fruit of this language is, sadly again, division in the Ekklesia, the Body of Christ.

Many Christians have very strong views either way; debates on this issue are fruitless and bring deep division in the body. Please read Romans 14 and understand the division issue.

By using such language Christians are opening up curses and attacks on themselves and their brothers and sisters in Christ.  This grieves me, and more importantly grieves the Lord.

God hates division!

These bible verses need to be prayed with a humble heart if needed.

Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him … especially 19b … And one who sows discord among brethren.

This division, is again, from the pit of hell and has no part in the Body of Christ. If you are using this phrase I humbly ask that you repent for the damage you are causing and potential curses upon yourself.

Jude shows us how to deal with these sorts of words. In verses 20 and 21 Jude calls us to pray in the Holy Spirit, keeping love central, and recognising the Lord’s mercy.

Jude 1:16-21 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual (fleshly) persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Freedom

We stand for freedom of choice, recognising that many Christians in good faith and good conscience before God have had vaccinations and others are against them. Each person must be able to choose for themselves and their children.

Please don’t conflate the two issues and have abundant grace for others point of view and convictions.

The question of why we sacrifice is one that confronts Christians as we go forward with the Lord.  It is often difficult to see why sacrifice is needed, or even the benefit of the sacrifices we make.

We see the example Jesus set in Hebrews 12:2 which explains why He suffered and died for us.  This is the most awesome example of pure sacrifice of a innocent, pure, and holy person.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The photo at the top of the article is of the Be’er Sheva war graves memorial in Israel representing the sacrifices made in WWI for what would become Israel.

When imperfect people sacrifice

We see what Jesus did, but what happens and why do we need to sacrifice? Although we are not perfect of ourselves , we do willingly sacrifice. There are many expressions of sacrifice in the Christian walk, some much more consequential than others. Some examples:

• Giving of time and finances (e.g. volunteering and serving our local community)
• Serving in difficult situations (Doctors and Nurses come to mind, especially those on the missions field)
• Putting your life a risk for others, even unto death (I know persecuted Christians in several countries who follow the Lord faithfully)
• Speaking the truth when people hate and revile you (Cancel culture etc.)
• Prayer and Fasting

Why do we do these things?

We sacrifice because of the Love of God, 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. Also John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. It is clear the the Love of God drives us to love without measure, and love sometimes requires sacrifice.

Harry Bell – Sacrificed and we see the Fruit

Here is the account of a 16 year old Christian – Harold Wickham (Bell) who gave his life for his mates and for Israel. He was a young farmer who attended a Presbyterian Church.

Refer to https://www.lighthorse.org.au/harold-thomas-wickham/ for more information about Harry.

He could see little orange flashes and could hear whistling overhead. “I wonder what that is?” Harry thought. His answer came all too soon, as a machine gun round smashed into his leg. He never thought such pain existed – the force of the round threw him from the horse. He bounced along the ground and came to a halt in the dirty, broken soil. The sound of thundering hooves warned him to cover his head as another wave of horsemen galloped over him.

He glanced down at his leg, it lay at a grotesque angle, the result of the bullet shattering his femur. Then things started to blur as he succumbed to the pain, which lapsed him into unconsciousness.

As he struggled to regain consciousness, he felt the warmth of morphine, interrupted intermittently by the sharpness of excruciating pain.

As the padre sat next to him, Harry asked how the regiment had fared. “We took the town Harry, and the blokes and horses are enjoying a good drink.”

Harry lapsed in and out of consciousness throughout the night. In the morning he was still alive but only just. The padre again called on him. “Make sure they get the headstone right,” Harry screamed, and with that the young trooper went limp.

Harry (Harold Bell) wanted his real name on his tombstone and so it is.

Exactly 100 years later, to the day 31/Oct/2017, we see the fruit of Harry’s and others sacrifice in the following photograph at the Be’er Sheva street parade held after the 100 year memorial service.  This is an amazing demonstration of the fruit of sacrifice as Harry and others sacrifices eventually led to the restoration of Israel in 1948.

For reference here is some information about the Australian Light Horse Charge  https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/the-charge-of-the-4th-light-horse-brigade-at-beersheba

Summary

We are called to sacrifice.  It is part of our normal Christian life. Sacrifice is not always a popular sermon topic, but is very important to the Lord.

During this month of May we are praying and fasting for the federal elections, and the GO Movement (please sign up https://www.gomovement.world/en) to support the proclamation of Jesus in this region and the nations.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Let my life be a living sacrifice to You. Take me, make me, mold me and use me for You Kingdome purposes. Let me be salt and light to a sick and dying world. Amen.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Let this Keith Green song help you pray

His Journey on that day was an incredible prophetic statement about everything that was about to transpire.  Let’s look at the journey Jesus took on that day.

We sang Hosanna to the Lord this morning in church and it was a wonderful time of worship.  The Lord reminded me of His complete journey and to reflect on what it meant.

Bethany

Jesus was staying in Bethany, which means house of figs, and it was the town where Lazarus was raised from the dead. They key understanding is that Jesus started in a place of fruitfulness and new life which is where He normally lives.

This is a good place to be; but is also only the start of bigger things.  We should always start from a place of peace, rest, and blessing.

Bethphage

He asked the disciples to get a young colt from the next town, Bethphage meaning house of unripe figs.  We see that this represents Jesus’ humility as He is lowering Himself as a man on earth to be our Saviour.

The photo above shows a donkey in Israel. The photo was taken on the Jericho road.  Jesus was humble and this is how He entered the Holy City. He did not ride a great white steed or wear Kingly robes, but came in humility to show us God’s love.

Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives is, of course, where Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords will soon return.  This is where the people cried out “Hosanna in the Highest”. This symbolically speaks of Jesus’ ultimate triumph and His eternal reign.  This is also a place where we worship Him as our Lord.

The people of the day were expecting someone to rid them of the Romans and allow Israel to stand as a free people; they missed the greater eternal issue of Jesus dealing with out sin once and for all.

This is the place and time we look forward to. It is a place of celebration and declaring final victory.  But we also look at the journey to achieve this victory.

Down into Kidron Valley and through the Garden of Gethsemane

The next part of our Lord’s journey was to descend into the Kidron valley and  pass through the Garden of Gethsemane.  This speaks of passing through the valley of the shadow of death.  It is also where Jesus prayed in agony sweating blood on the night He was betrayed. Jesus knew what was coming, but still He pressed on.

We need to recognise that sometimes we do pass through the valley of the shadow of death. We all face major issues from time to time. But, as we read John 16:33,  we know we will come through in triumph. Our ability to overcome is based 100% in His grace.

This is a place of holy consecration where we pray ‘Not my will but thine‘. We must not fear the valley or the garden, but recognise we are transformed through these experiences to be more like the Lord.

East or Golden Gate a.k.a Mercy Gate

The Mercy Gate is critical on Jesus’ journey. We refer to Psalm 24:1-10 and ask the question ‘Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place?’ The answer is Jesus!

This gate represents both His mercy for us and His resurrection and His ascension.  We see that Jesus has left the travail of the Garden of Gethsemane and now goes forward to His full purpose and destiny.

The Temple

This is the place from which Jesus will rule and reign! It is a consecrated and holy place representing the manifest presence of God. It is easy to see that this is where we all end up.

This is symbolically both Jesus and our final destination, our final place of rest and also our eternal purposes of ruling and reigning with Him.

Understanding

It is good for us to reflect on Jesus’ journey on Palm Sunday. I have only briefly covered the elements of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Please take some time to reflect on what the Lord has done for us and how this journey showed what was to come (and is still coming).

Scripture

The Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

All photos © Kym Farnik.

During WWII many B17 bombers returned from missions with flak and machine gun damage.

The USAAF decided to analyse the damage patterns and increase armour/protection for the damaged areas.

Before the planes were modified, a Hungarian-Jewish statistician named Abraham Wald reviewed the data. Wald had fled Nazi-occupied Austria and worked in New York with other academics to help the war effort.

Wald’s review pointed out a critical flaw in the analysis. The researchers had only looked at bombers who’d returned to base.

Missing from the data? Every plane that had been shot down.

But the research wasn’t a wasted effort. These surviving bombers rarely had damage in the cockpit, engine, and parts of the tail. This wasn’t because of superior protection to those areas. In fact, these were the most vulnerable areas on the entire plane.

These areas were not obvious but had much greater damage which caused a loss of aircraft and crew.

The researchers’ bullet hole data had created a map of the exact places that the bomber could be shot and still survive.

With the new analysis in hand, crews reinforced the bombers’ cockpit, engines, and tail armor. The result was fewer fatalities and greater success of bombing missions. This analysis proved to be so useful that it continued to influence military plane design up through the Vietnam war.

How we deal with battle scars and wounds

It is not the obvious battle scars we carry, but the hidden ones that need attention.

The Lord is bringing deep healing to the deepest wounds. He is healing the most broken parts of us.

We need to see the depth of some wounds and welcome Holy Spirit healing.
Trust the Lord with your most vulnerable issues, a bruised reed He will not break nor a smoking wick will he extinguish.  Isaiah 42:3

His deep love makes whole again, rest in Him, allow His healing balm to come and flood you with His Power and Love.

One of the most insidious effects of the coronavirus pandemic that has held our world in a vice like grip for nearly 2 years has been an incredible spirit of fear.

Fear of the virus, fear of global agendas, fear of vaccines, fear of not being vaccinated, fear of Government overreach, fear of others with a different view, fear of authority, etc.

The fruit of fear is division and a complete lack of trust in the Lord. The level of fear, vitriol, and distrust between fellow Christians astounds me! So many spend more time chasing conspiracies (see below) than seeking and worshipping the Lord. We must not live in fear, but live in the love and fear of the Lord !! The fear of the Lord brings His peace.

We are exhorted on how to live in Romans 12 and the essence of this is God’s family love to Him and one another. Coronavirus fear has taken so many away from this core message. It’s time to repent from fear and start loving !!

Fear – Here is the cure

I understand the phrase, “Fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible – one for every day of the year.
It appears numerous times in the Psalms and was the anthem of Jesus’ ministry.
That phrase implies we have some control over the level of our personal fears.
Maybe we can ease the torment by guarding the information we ingest.

We can minimise and eliminate our fears by changing our focus and dwelling on the Lord and His word !!
We do this by praise and worship, reading the word, and spending time in His presence.
The victory over fear and situations is well illustrated by the account in 2 Chronicles 20:20-24 where the worshippers went out in front of the army and brought a massive victory without Israel having to fight.

A child may awaken in the night terrified by a nightmare or a scary noise outside the window.
They cry out to their father, who would come sit on the edge of their bed and reassure then that everything was all right.
Knowing he was there beside them, they feel secure enough to fall back asleep and rest in peace.

The answer to our fears is the presence of our heavenly Father.  He is with us even before we pray.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jonah 2:2 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 

Romans 8:35, 37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

John 13:34  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Romans 8:39 Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Conspiracies

While conspiracy theories often have some elements of truth, upon which supposition and lies are built, there is a bigger question…

How do we as Christians respond?

1. Don’t re-post them !!!
2. Point people to the truth of the word of God and especially the Gospel
3. Minister Truth, Love, Hope, Faith, Healing, Provision and above all the message of Salvation
4. We have the answer and His name is Jesus !!!
5. Our focus is the Kingdom of God
6. Our security is completely in Jesus Christ, crucified, raised, and ascended
7. We carry the word of God to a sick dying world !!!

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. *See that you are not troubled*; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “*All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth*. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 8:12  Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

You are the Prince of Peace. You came to give us your peace. It’s nothing like the world gives. It is peace born in the freedom we have in you, a gift to all God’s children—to guard our hearts and minds.

I can’t escape the troubles of this world. I may face financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, a health crisis—so many scary challenges. But you tell me to “take heart,” to be encouraged, because you have overcome the world. You have overcome all the things that would discourage and defeat us. I am grateful for your peace that is beyond all my circumstances.

Elul is the month, Teshuvah is repentance, also the King is accessible, Also this is a time a charity.

The four letters of the name Elul (אלול) are an acronym for the phrase in “Song of Songs” (6:3): Ani l’dodi v’dodi li – “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.”

Jews read Psalm 27 daily.

It’s the 6th month, and is preparation for the 7th month (Tishrei), which has Rosh Hashanah (religious new year, yes there are 4 new years in Hebrew)

Rosh Hashanah is biblically Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה‎), literally “day of shouting or blasting”, and is also more commonly known in English as the Feast of Trumpets.

Then follows Yom Kippur the Day of Atonement.

Now (Elul) is where we are called to pray and repent, but God (the King) is accessible (in the field), this is to get our hearts right for the high holy days in the next month.

Of course this is Old Testament thinking, We have access all the time through Jesus.

Also Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is at this time. Beginning on the eve of the 15th of Tishri and commemorating the shelter of the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. aka: Feast of Booths, Succos, Succoth, Sukkoth, Tabernacles.
This models God dwelling with us.

FYI The number 40 is mentioned 146 times in the Bible and most often refers to a period of testing or trial.

Here are a few examples:

– Yeshua (Jesus) fasted for 40 days in the Judean wilderness following His mikvah (baptism) by John.
– The Hebrews wandered for 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33–34).
– Moses tended sheep for 40 years for his father-in-law, Jethro, before he was called to lead the Jewish nation from captivity in Egypt. He also fasted on two separate occasions on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights while receiving the law from God (Exodus 24:18; 34:1–28).
– Jonah gave the people of Nineveh a 40-day warning: “Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ (Jonah 3:4)” In this case, the 40 days was a period of warning that allowed the people of Nineveh to repent and turn from their evil ways.
– In Noah’s day, during the Flood, the waters poured out for 40 days and 40 nights, judging the people of the earth.
– Both Moses and Yeshua fasted for 40 days as they communed with God during times of testing. The 40 years spent by the Israelites in the wilderness was a judgment of God.

So, we see, therefore, that God uses the number 40 to represent a period of testing or of judgement, and for that reason this next 40-day period is taken very seriously.

It is God’s presence that made the Israelites distinct from those nations around them. Without God, they were lonely, lost wanderers. With Him, they were following their Mighty Leader in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

It is God’s presence that makes the journey of life not just bearable but victorious! Our God knows us personally! He knows our names, cares for our every need, and enables us to do exploits for His Glory. Why would we want to go anywhere without Him?

During Moses’ conversation with God, Moses asks to see God’s glory. I love God’s response:

Exodus 33:19 (a) Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.”

Exodus 33:20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”

Can you imagine this scene? It’s amazing! Moses asked and God granted.  It gets better for us. Because of the work of the Cross we can behold His face 2 Corinthians 3:18 .

We carry the very presence of God as the Holy Spirit indwells us.  Colossians 1:27 tells us that Christ is in us, the hope of glory.

As carriers of His presence, we worship, pray, declare His name, preach the Gospel, and perform miracles.  2 Corinthians 4:6

Without the Lord we can do nothing, in Him we can do all things. My challenge and prayer is that we should be so full of Him that we shine His light to a dying and corrupt world.

The deep longing and desire for us to have a significant and meaningful relationship with God and each other is a major driver for our lives.  This is a God given call in our lives.  When we have genuine connections with God and each other there is real joy.

We then (sometimes) play at church; we sit in a pew looking at the back of someone’s head, sing a few songs, shake hands and say God bless you. But! How often do we walk with people through their troubles, how often do we get to heart issues and really carry each other? 

Derek Prince stated that the central purpose of the local church (local ekklesia) is fellowship supported by these 4 points:

1. 1 Corinthians 1:9 — We are called to the sharing together of Christ.
2. 1 John 1:3 — The New Testament was written to bring us into the fellowship of the apostles, sharing with them the fellowship of the Father and the Son.
3. 1 John 1:4 — This fellowship brings full joy (compare 2 John 12).
4. John 3:6 — Out of this fellowship the Holy Spirit brings to birth the purposes of God (compare Acts 2:1; 13:1–4). Without fellowship there can be no spiritual birth.

Local church is great! And a good worship service and a good preach is great value; but if we do not have real relationships then it is a game.   If we don’t open our homes, wallets, and hearts then we are missing the true purpose and connection between Christians.  When we get it right then there is purpose, life and joy.
Ref Matthew 7.

Obviously the level of relationship with people will vary, it can’t be the same for everybody, but if we don’t have some deep connections we are in big trouble.
If all our Christian relationship is contained within formal meetings then we are missing God’s love.

If we do not really know some of our brothers and sisters journey, including the ugly bits, then we are not living as Jesus has called us to.
If we have no-one to share our journey with, including the ugly bits, then we are missing a fundamental foundation.

We need to have people to speak into our lives, people to share our lives with and people we are speaking into.  Over the last few years Nel and I had the privilege of spending time with some global leaders including some from the Chinese underground church.

What made all of these leaders different was the very genuine heart relationship that was obvious and opened up for us.  There were true fathers and mothers in the faith and lived a reality that we in the west desperately need.

Above all we need to have the foundation of our Father’s love underpinning all our relationships. We love because He first loved us.

So why don’t we have these sort of relationships? This is the pressing question of modern western local churches.

In a word, fear!

We fear rejection and emotional pain!  It would seem we are scared to be open, because it means from time to time we will be hurt.
We need to take a risk! And be open and even allow being hurt.
When we get hurt, we learn to forgive and heal. It is (in part) how we grow.

Not having pain means not growing.  This is the price of maturity.  When we take relational risks we find that there are people we can share life with and our calling and purpose become manifest.

When we are hurt, we have a healer – the Holy Spirit who carries us when needed; we also have good people that God has put into our lives to help in the healing process. But if we don’t have the right relationships we are alone – which is so wrong.  But in relationship we have the life of God and things really start happening.

John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has to do with punishment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

Being alone is the worst situation we can be in; we have been designed to be in relationship.  We need to build our relationship with the Lord and each other.  This is not a chore but fun!

Fellowship is not just church meetings, it is about just hanging out and being together. We need to make time for each other beyond formal meetings.
It is the only way we can build meaningful relationships!  We have real relationships with several small groups and in turn connect with the wider Church in this city and nation.

Once relationships get real, Papa God will enable a whole bunch of fantastic things to happen!

On to fathers and mothers in the faith

Being fathers and mothers in the faith is where we all need to get real.  This is the natural outworking of relationships in the body of Christ.  Without this relational base to our walk with the Lord forget any aspirations to revival etc.

1 Corinthians 4:8 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

I would have one real father than 10,000 teachers/instructors!  We are privileged to have some genuine fathers in the faith.  In our most difficult times and when we need these fathers are there for us.  Also they celebrate our good times and we theirs.

This blog is a call for fathers and mothers in the faith to rise and turn their hearts to their children.  This is the imperative of the last verse of the old testament.  Without the reconciliation of generations, reconciliation of intercessors and church leaders, reconciliation of first nations in the land and so forth we cannot really progress.

Malachi 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

When the Lord’s reconciliation comes, and we pray, He will move in our land and the nations!  Now is the time Malachi 4:6 is being fulfilled.  The age of the Church, the Bride without spot or wrinkle is here!

How do we make this happen?

It is very simple!  We can start by spending regular time with other Christians, have a meal, or a tea/coffee, talk with each other, and even pray together.  Just be real with each other.  As Danny Silk said “If you minister to someone they might feel loved. If you love someone they will be ministered to”  In other words don’t try to be ‘spiritual’ just be a friend first.  Everything else will flow from loving each other.

The word Moed (Hebrew: מועד, “Festivals” also “appointed time”) provides specific instructions for the rituals, observances and laws related to holidays and festivals. It also carries the idea of God’s dynamic powerful appointed time. Kairos is an Ancient Greek word meaning the right, critical, or opportune moment.

This Pentecost has been such a time and represents at launch pad for the Ekklesia (Church). We are in a Chronos time by calendar but also Moed / Kairos appointed dynamic God time!

Which raises the question of what is this specific Moed / Kairos time?

It is HARVEST TIME!

Pentecost (feasts of weeks) celebrates, among other things, the end of barley harvest and the start of wheat harvest. In Bible times, barley was much more widely cultivated than now and was the main food of the poor. It was always valued less than wheat (2 Kings 7:1 ; Revelation 6:6).

Biblically wheat is associated with rebirth and resurrection. It is also used to describe the harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into My barn (Matthew 13:30)

God greatly values this wheat, which is how he sees the lost right now, as valued people! So valuable He sent Jesus for us all. It is the appointed (Moed / Kairos) time for us to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, of The healer, The deliverer, The provider, and above The Saviour Jesus Christ, Yeshua Hamaschiach.

We prophecy that this wheat harvest is a rich harvest, a quality harvest, a bountiful harvest! In the parable of the sower our Lord speaks of grains of wheat which in good ground produce a HUNDRED-FOLD. So, we pray for both good soil and workers to be sent into the white harvest fields. There has been much preparation in prayer, equipping via initiatives like https://go2020.world , online outreach via the #hopestory hashtag with 60 second testimony and much more. It is time for the reaper to overtake the sower and see this end time harvest come into its fullness.

To bring in this harvest requires us all to be activated as ministers of the Gospel. It will be in the streets and shops the harvest will come in. Large meetings/rallies may happen, but the bulk of the harvest is up to us to reap in the form of every believer evangelism. Every believer is a witness.

We are already getting daily reports of new converts via hope stories and others just sharing Jesus with people in their daily lives. This is being multiplied over the planet, but is somewhat hidden as we don’t see mega meetings. Hundreds of millions of people have heard the Gospel in May this year alone.

We are launching into a great season of harvest. Those that recognise and understand the times and seasons are seeing this now and going forward this year and beyond.

The threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. (Joel 2:24)

Notes: Pentecost 5780/2020 (Shavuot – Feast of Weeks) was sunset, 28 May – nightfall, 30 May
Celebrates the end of barley harvest and the start of wheat harvest.
The word Shavuot means “weeks” and it marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer. Its date is directly linked to that of Passover; the Torah mandates the seven-week (49 days) Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover, to be immediately followed by Shavuot.
The Counting of the Omer begins on the second day of Passover (the 16th of Nisan) for Orthodox Jews , and ends the day before the holiday of Shavuot, the ‘fiftieth day’ hence ‘Pentecost’
Ref: Leviticus 23:9–21 and Deuteronomy 16:9–12

God will bring deliverance as His Church (Ekklesia) and the government align with His agenda.

Scripture

“Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.”
—2 Chronicles 32:22

See also 2 Chronicles 31-32 and 2 Kings 18.

Reflection

Hezekiah was a great and godly king who led the Kingdom of Judah. He saw a revival in Jerusalem as the hearts of Israel were once again turned back to the Lord their God. This is exactly what we are praying for in Australia. Opposition to Hezekiah and to God’s people came suddenly as the full might of the Assyrian army rose against Hezekiah. Let’s have a look at how we can deal with intense pressure by aligning with God’s purposes.

First, Hezekiah brought God’s holiness back to Israel. He started with repentance and cleaning up the spiritual state of his nation. Bluntly, Australia is a sinful nation. We murder babies, kill our sick and elderly, sell our children on the streets, defile family values, and have a corrupt morality. We must start here in humility and repentance for our nation, praying for leaders, and then that the people repent and turn to the Lord. This is our first step in aligning with the Lord’s agenda. (See 2 Chronicles 31:1).

Secondly, Hezekiah brought the people back to thanksgiving, praise, and worship of the Lord. This is how we continue in holiness. This holy life is a sustained journey, not a one-off event. As we continue in these things, we remain aligned with the Lord’s purposes. It means that we are in a place to be able to hear His heart so that we can pray and prophetically declare His word. (See 2 Chronicles 31:20)

Even though Hezekiah and Israel were right before God, an attack still came against them via Sennacherib, the evil king of Assyria (2 Chronicles 32). The people were dismayed at this situation, as many people are also dismayed today as world totalitarian agendas are being played out. Hezekiah declared encouragement and truth to the people (2 Chronicles 32:6-8), and the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah.

So was this the end of the attack on God’s people? Not quite. Sennacherib started rumours and began writing letters against Hezekiah and his prophetic word. It was an evil undermining spirit that brought fear, uncertainty, and doubt to God’s people. This is exactly what is being carried out today. Matthew 24 tells of wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, earthquakes, lawlessness, and deception. It is obvious that these things are happening, and that the time is short. We (the ekklesia) are the answer, because we have the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is time to declare that Gospel.

We also recognise that we are not dealing with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. We have all authority, given by Jesus, to declare and overcome against these things for Australia. 2 Chronicles 32:22 shows that deliverance came as the secular (Hezekiah) and spiritual leadership (Isaiah) were aligned with the word of the Lord. To bring this about we must pray with humility and repentance, and speak, declaring the word of the Lord — His Gospel. As we do these things, we will see the Lord move in Australia. I am convinced that this is a ‘kairos’ time for Australia and that we are stepping into our calling as a nation to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The key to overcoming is alignment with the word of God and with His Kingdom purposes. Through prayer and outreach initiatives like the GO 2020 campaign, the church (ekklesia) is arising with Jesus’ authority to proclaim deliverance, provision, healing—and above all, salvation. We can also speak to and lobby our Government and leaders on issues of righteousness, as an outworking of our prayer.

Prayer

Lord, I praise You for sending Jesus into the world to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We know it is Your will that we should not perish but come into repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Today we repent of all our sins and of not following Your ways. We declare the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and we speak Your deliverance, provision, healing, and salvation over Australia.

There are seven main feasts in the old testament and three of these have a requirement to go up to Jerusalem. Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot are the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Shalosh Regalim) during which the entire population of the kingdom of Judah made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Moedim (Appointed Times) of the Lord are often called the “Jewish Feasts,” but they are not solely for Israel. There are instructions for the “sojourner among you” to be able to participate along with Israel in the Feasts of God. Any follower of the Lord is eligible (but not obligated) to participate. We all will participate in the Olam Haba (the Age to come); see Isaiah 66 and Zechariah 14 when all of these feast are fulfillied in Christ.

The Moedim are divided by season. Those which start the Biblical year, i.e. the Spring Feasts, were brought to fullness during Messiah’s first coming, and those which start the Civil year i.e. the Autumn Feasts and Fasts, look forward to the Messiah’s return, when He shall come to permanently “tabernacle” among us.

This article is a simple comparison of the feasts and a brief explanation their fulfilment in Yeshua in the new covenant.

1. Pesach (Passover) (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that evening (John 19:14).
2. Matzah (Unleavened Bread) (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah’s sinless life (as leaven is a picture of sin in the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus’ body was in the grave during the first days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.  The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a feast that is generally mistaken for Passover. Passover however is only one 24 hour period while Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for seven days.
3. HaBikkurim (First Fruits) (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah’s resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous. Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to him in 1 Corinthians 15:20 as the “first fruits from the dead.”
4. Shavuot (Feast of Weeks aka Pentecost) (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew and Gentile, who would be brought into the kingdom of God during the Church Age (see Acts 2).
   The Church was actually established on this day when God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter’s great sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel.
5. Yom Teruah (Trumpets) (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall/autumn feasts. Many believe this day points to the Rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus will appear in the heavens as He comes for His bride, the Church. The Rapture is always associated in Scripture with the blowing of a loud trumpet
   (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
6. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (Leviticus 23:27) – Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the Second Coming of Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they “look upon Him whom they have pierced,” repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:1-6, 25-36). This is also fulfilled in as much as we no longer need to offer annual sacrifices because Jesus is sacrificed once and for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
7. Sukkot (Tabernacles or Booths) (Leviticus 23:34) – This feast day points to the Lord’s promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all the world (Micah 4:1-7).  This feast is also fulfilled immediately for believers by the infilling (indwelling) of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4)

As we can see each of the feasts are already fulfilled, or will be soon fulfilled  (i.e. Trumpets). There is no obligation to observe the feasts for new covenant believers (refer Acts 15).  We do, on the other hand, learn from them and recognise the prophetic significance that all of these feasts point to the Messiah, Yeshua Hamashiach

We learn from the feasts, we also enjoy the freedom we have in the Lord. The fulfilment of these obligations is a message of freedom to the Jewish people.

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
(Colossians 2:16-17 )

Let’s consider what the true Passover is. First, it is the story of the final plague of Egypt (Angel of Death) passing over the Israelites who were captive in Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13) All who had the blood of a sacrificial lamb painted on the door posts were saved from the death plague. It is in the Passover Lamb we are delivered.

Secondly, we need to also understand Yom Kippur ( יוֹם כִּיפּוּר ), the Day of Atonement. It is the most solemn religious fast of the Jewish year. Yom Kippur held on the last of the ten days of penitence that begin with Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year). It is the day when a lamb, and other blood sacrifices, were made by the High Priest to cover the sin of the Jewish people.

Our understanding starts in John 1:29 where John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Lamb of God.  John was the final Old Testament prophet, the son of a priest, and as the chosen forerunner of Christ. He declared Jesus as the Passover Lamb of God. This is an absolutely powerful, complete, and transforming truth. Think of the awesome sequence of events God had planned just on the day of Christ’s crucifixion. On the day Christ died on the cross for our sins, it was the fourteenth day of Nisan, A.D. 33 (best understanding).

At the third hour (9:00 AM), Israel’s High Priest placed the paschal lamb on the altar for sacrifice. At that exact moment outside the city walls of Jerusalem, Jesus, the Lamb of God, was nailed to the cross.

For six hours both the paschal lamb and Jesus the Lamb of God, awaited death. Finally, at the ninth hour (3:00 PM), the High Priest ascended the altar in the Temple and sacrificed the Passover lamb.

God the Father allowed the total sin of the world to descend upon His Son Jesus and it was at that exact moment, from the cross, Jesus Christ’s words cried out over Jerusalem and echoed to the whole planet, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

Passover the most pivotal moment in all of history, as it is the work of the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice that frees us from sin and death.

Three days later, after burial, descent into Hades setting the captives free, and His resurrection; that we have healing, deliverance, provision, and above all salvation in Christ Jesus.

This is our prime focus, His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. He is the Lamb of God. It is from this place we have been given eternal life and all the benefits of the Cross which include healing and healing of the nations.

Our response is simple: recognise our wretchedness, sin, and our need for God’s forgiveness; then we repent from our sin believing in Him, receiving His grace through faith.

We proclaim the incredible Good News of God’s forgiveness to all the world, lifting up the Name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ.

With all this in mind and celebrating Passover (aka Easter) in a few weeks, we pray that the current plague will pass over.  We (the Ekklesia) stand in the gap and repent for the sins of our nation, and as grievous as those sins are, we ask for God’s mercy and grace at this difficult time.

We declare Passover for Australia.

We call Australia to repentance, faith, and salvation.

We call Australia to its Joseph anointing, a provider of things physical but more so a nation sending the Gospel of Jesus into the region (South Pacific) and to all nations.

This is the time for us, the Ekklesia (body of Christ), to shine, because we are salt and light, we have the answer to all the world’s issues, and that answer is complete in Jesus Christ, the crucified Lamb of God.

Matthew 24 tells of wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, earthquakes, lawlessness, and deception.
It is obvious that these things are happening, and time is short. The key to navigating all of these things is in Jesus’ words in verse Matthew 24:6 ‘See that you are not troubled’.

Also Luke 21 speaks of the end times. We need to especially focus on Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

Jesus gives us a key to life in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace (Shalom). In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
We must live in the truth of Jesus’ words.

All of the bad things that are happening in the world (and especially wild rumours i.e. conspiracy theories etc.) bring fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). FUD is not the fruit of the spirit!
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Let’s apply this verse to overcome FUD.

We must not focus on the things happening as much as we should be lifting up the name of the Lord, worshipping Him, praying for one another in love, and preaching the gospel of His Kingdom.  Psalm 100 As we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise we will see His salvation.

Let’s pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters, many of whom have been praying for Australia in regards the drought and fires, the following verses:
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… My God, in Him I will trust.
Psalm 91:9-10 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.

We declare our love and the love of the Lord over our Chinese family and all affected by the virus. We pray that through these situations people will turn to the Lord and find Him and His salvation.  We humbly ask for healing of the people and the nations.

Update: Christian Family in Wuhan report that persecution has reduced and there is an increased ability to share the Gospel due to the virus.

Thank you God our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all your gracious blessings. We look to You the Author and Finisher of our faith for all strength, life, Shalom peace in the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus.

Amen!

Here is a video from our Chinese family in Wuhan:

It is all about our daily walk with the Lord and Him outworking His purposes in our lives.

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength Luke 10:27
2. Love your neighbour as yourself
   …then flowing from those two…
3. Preach the Gospel, making disciples of all nations Matthew 28:18-20

All these predicated on the fact we love because He first loved us !!!  1 John 4:19
In fact I see that ALL of our Christian activity must be based in the big three commands.  If our activity does not reflect at least one of these then why are we doing it?

We also need to fully understand that love is holy, i.e. to love requires holiness, and holiness requires love. They are inseparable.  We are called to both love and holiness.  This is in direct opposition to the spirit of this age.

“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15

The words of Jesus are self-explanatory. This is an outworking of His grace.  As Danny Silk says “Keep your love on” #KYLO

Of course, we are made righteous in Him by His grace. But grace, as we well know, is not licence to do what feels good, as the spirit of this age would try to impose on the Church.

We are called to repent, where we receive His grace through faith. It is His love that calls us to repentance and faith.  Repentance, often seen as a negative, is the door to fulfilment in Him.  When we have a clean heart He can do anything through us.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8 and Galatians 5:22-23

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30

As the year ends it is a time to reflect on His goodness in the last year and also look forward to the new year walking with the Lord and living out the Big Three Commandments through his love and grace.  As we do He will do great things.

As we enter the next year, be strong in the Lord, walk with Him, and expect Him do do mighty things.

Let’s pray:

Dear Papa God

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank You for all that you’ve allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need You and rely on Your presence filling us every single day.

We pray for Your Holy Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that You will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire You above all else.

We ask that You will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that You would help us release our grip on the things to which You’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.” We ask for help to pursue You first, above every dream and desire You’ve put within our hearts.

Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for You, living independent of Your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following Your ways and for living distant from Your presence.

Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own.

May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of Your spirit be evident in our lives – Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Shine your light in us, through us, and over us. May we make a difference in this world, for Your glory and purposes. Set Your way before us. May all Your plans succeed. May we reflect Your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs Your salvation, presence, and healing.

To You be glory and honour, in this New Year, and forever.

In the mighty and wonderful name of Yeshua HaMashiach, Amen !

The challenge of the drought, strength of the Church and the humility to ask for rain relying on God’s grace.
Refer here to Canberra Declaration 

Key Scriptures

• 2 Chronicles 7:12-16
• Ezekiel 22:30
• Acts 14:17
  

  Reflection

We, in Australia are a nation of sinners who have sinned against God; including murdering our children and elderly, ignoring God’s moral law, and all manner of other actions against the Lord and His word.

So, do we have a right to pray for rain? Quite simply we do not deserve rain or any of the blessings we have from living in this amazing land called Australia. It is only by God’s grace that we have life and all the blessings of this land. It is His grace that allows us to ask for rain.

We the Ekklesia^#1 can stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) in identificational repentance for Australia. Unlike Ezekiel there are people willing to say we will pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 and we are so grateful to all who stand with us for Australia during this month of prayer and fasting.

When we pray on behalf of someone else (the nation in this instance), we are standing in the gap on behalf of that person/nation before God. We are engaging in spiritual warfare on behalf of that person/nation.

Standing confidently in His grace and love enables us to pray effectively in faith. We have no other right than the shed blood of Jesus to ask for anything. But! What a right His sacrifice has won for us in that we have open free access to His throne.

Paul preaching to the pagans in Lystra Acts 14:17 says “He (God) did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness”.

So, we can ask for rain as a blessing and also ask for repentance and renewal in this land of Australia. In fact, it is incumbent upon us as believers to pray for the nation.

^#1 Ekklesia – Jesus used the Greek word Ekklesia to describe the Church. The word means “assembly, congregation, council”, or “convocation”. It carries a meaning of governmental authority. Jesus said Matthew 16:18  “on this rock I will build My Ekklesia, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Prayer

Lord God, revive and renew your Ekklesia (the Church) beginning with me that we may stand in Your righteousness and grace.
Forgive us our sins and the sins of this land of Australia.
Heal our wounds, give us joy in our faith, draw all to share your life, and use us all in your service.
We humbly ask for rain in the time of rain; we give thanks for this land of Australia and all the good gifts you give us.
For Jesus Christ’s sake, Lord of the Ekklesia, build us the Ekklesia together in unity and oneness in You, that we may declare the gospel of Your Kingdom.
Amen.

Daily Prayer Points for October

1. REPENTANCE – Father, give us the grace to repent as a nation in Jesus’ Name. Acts 3:19
2. RENEWAL – Lord, we pray for renewal in our hearts, in the church, in the community and in the nation. Numbers 14:17-20
3. RAIN – Father, we pray as we unite together to pray the first two prayers, that You will give us the rain because of Your abundant mercies. Matthew 5:45

• אֲדָמָה Adamah – out of the earth God created  Genesis 2:19
• אָדָם (aleph, dalet, mem) Adam – man
• אָדַם Adam – the red (i.e. red earth) [same spelling, one different vowel]
• דָּם (dalet, mem) Blood (dam) – contained in the name Adam

Did the Lord God give a random and meaningless name to his first creation?  Of course not!  The combination of both ‘bloody’ and ‘earthly’ aspects form the original components not only of Adam’s identity, but of the Lord’s message to His creation: this ‘flesh and blood’ man.  We know that the Bible shows the significance of the blood ‘dam’ of living creatures, but it all starts here, in the name ‘Adam’.

What struck me was the idea that salvation through the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) was embedded within the very beginning of our creation.  It is only by the shedding of blood there is forgiveness and salvation (Hebrews 9:22).

When Esau traded his bloodline birthright for some red lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34). Esau traded that which was holy (his bloodline birthright) for that which was from the earth (literally give me the red (ha adam)).  This answers the question raised in Roman 9:13 as to why God hated Esau.  We must never trade what is holy for earthly flesh.  There is nothing more holy or precious than the shed blood of Jesus.

Leviticus 17:11 tells us that life is in the blood, and atonement comes by  blood sacrifice.  Hebrews 9:11-15 reveals that the blood of Christ sacrificed once and for all is our eternal redemption.

Let’s consider seven times Jesus bled for us, His blood was shed for all of us and for all our needs.

1. Luke 22:44 It was in the Garden of Eden that Adam lost his authority over earth when he sinned and ate fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It was also in a garden, the Garden of Gethsemane, we find the first shedding of Jesus’ blood for us.
2. When Jesus acknowledged that He was the Son of God they spat in His face and beat and slapped Him with their fists (Matthew 26:67-68 ref Isaiah 50:6). From Psalm 133  we know that the beard speaks of unity. It is through this we come together as one.
3. Matthew 27:26 The Roman Governor, Pilate, ordered Jesus flogged. Jesus paid for our healing from all disease. Isaiah 53:5
4. Matthew 27:29 The crown of thorns was mockingly pressed onto Jesus’ head and so he bled. This precious blood gives us the pathway to a renewed mind and Godly decision making, healing of depression and other mental illnesses.
5. Jesus bled when they drove spikes through his wrists/hands into the cross. Again, this is reflected at the beginning in Genesis 39:3.  We are also the recipients of this blessing: for with our hands we have the power of Jesus to bless, heal and take authority over all things in the name of Jesus.
6. Jesus bled  when they drove spikes through his feet into that Golgotha cross. With our feet we can take dominion over every place the sole of our foot touches (Deuteronomy 11:34) and with our feet we can exercise the Great Commission of Mark 16:15 where we are commissioned to go into all the world.
7. Finally, Jesus bled when the soldier drove a spear into His side to make certain he was dead as John 19:34 shows that blood and water poured out. By this time Jesus was dead. He had given up His spirit and laid down His life to redeem us, being made a curse hanging on a tree. He died in physical pain and agony.  But he also died in unbelievable suffering under the weight of our sins, for the first time in His life, he felt the total and absolute separation from His Father.

We can truly sing there is power in the blood of Jesus!  From the very beginning of creation of man (Adam) the blood has been embedded into history where ultimately it was God’s own blood that bought us out of hell itself.

Here is a wonderful worship song by Joshua Aaron in Hebrew and English which we hope you will sing.

Oh the blood of Jesus, Oh the blood of Jesus It washes white as snow
Ho damo shel Yeshua, Ho damo shel Yeshua K’sheleg malbeen

There were many prayer initiatives around the nation. Many groups, congregations, and individuals have prayed for the  election and the issues surrounding it.  A cry for the innocents killed by abortion, moral issues, and a cry for righteous Government.

There has been more prayer by more Christians in unity for this one main issue than ever before in this nation.  Coupled with things like the Graham Tour and Awakening Australia there is a spiritual change in the nation.

I have written previously on politics and what God is doing.  I am so thankful there is a turn in our nation.
Refer: Prophetic word on elections Israel and Australia (April/May 2019)
and 2019 – A year of conflict, yet great overcoming
and Christians and Politics – a discussion about God’s Kingdom

The Israel Folau saga has shown how our values and freedoms are being assaulted.  The pro-death (abortion, euthanasia, pro-drugs, and corrupt moral  sexualisation of children, gender bending etc.) agenda of the left is tragic.  Identity politics is shouting down genuine discussion.

Even issues like care for refugees have been distorted from genuine people fleeing war to those who want an easy life.   When, in fact, the LNP had increased our intake and stopped deaths at sea; yet lies were told saying they were ‘racist’ and cutting intake.  Such lies form the Labor/Greens/Left agenda and are being told over and over, and they even sound compassionate but are not really.

Personally, I want to keep it simple; I like my Government small, my taxes low, my economy vibrant, my borders strong, and my religion and speech free.

Looking at the The Canberra Declaration/Warwick Marsh/Margaret Court evening Zoom calls 21 Days of Prayer as an example, there are some significant observations.  We noticed that the prayer went through three clear phases.

1. Repentance, travail, and a cry for forgiveness for the sins of Australia
2. A militant powerful declaration that the Lord reigns over Australia and the election
3. A celebration of the Lord, and a change of prayer tone to declare of the Gospel of Jesus and revival/transformation
   * This is God’s endgame; not the election which is a temporary situation; but the Gospel being made clear to the nation
   * Recognising our sin, the need for repentance, and His grace and forgiveness through Jesus and the cross

My feeling is that similar things happened in all the prayer groups/initiatives to one level or another.

It is very important that we recognise we have been given three years of grace and it is not a time to relax.  Australia has a call to be a Joseph nation providing physically and also a place from which to send the Gospel to all nations.  The left agenda is to thwart that calling.

The evening Zoom group started in unity of task and purpose and it quickly became very much a group in oneness (i.e. having the same heart).

There have been thousands praying across Australia in this season, in fact, this election has brought the largest united prayer effort ever in this nation.

What is important now  is how to continue this with a view to the ecclesia rising up to her fullness in Christ and seeing Australia come into a full awakening and national transformation!!

As part of this we must better engage the under 35 NextGen in prayer and spiritual leadership.  We must be fathers and mothers to the NextGen, loving, caring, releasing, and empowering the emerging ministers of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The election outcome is a beginning not an end. There is much land still to possess. I have been reading Chronicles and the story of King Josiah is a key – especially 2 Chronicles 34:33 where he held Israel faithful all the days of his reign.

It is absolutely crucial for all to understand that we are in ‘the fullness of time’, so we can exercise the opportunities and authority we are being given.
NOW is the time.

The Federal election is still subordinate to God’s plans and purposes which are repentance, reconciliation, redemption, restoration, and a ruling Bride. Australia is won in travail, intercession, thanksgiving, praise, worship, and speaking the word of salvation.

We are not alone, there are so many who have prayed and are praying. There is an army, the ecclesia rising into its rightful place as the Bride of Christ.  Sometimes we feel we are alone or just a small group.  It is important to see that the Lord has raised an army.

1 Kings 18.18 “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’

This is a call to continue in prayer, to give thanks and praise to the Lord, to speak up, to engage in society for God’s purposes, and above all proclaim the name of Jesus over Australia.

Here is the relevant part of Chronicles:

Josiah Restores True Worship

2 Chronicles 34:29 Then the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 The king went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests and the Levites, and all the people, great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the Lord. 31 Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
32 And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the country that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not depart from following the Lord God of their fathers.

Some of this word may apply to you or not; we trust that the part the Holy Spirit quickens what you need to hear.

Here is a quick study on the name Deborah and what I felt the Lord is encouraging this generation of women of God to pick up.

Deborah in Hebrew is Dev·ō·rä’ דְּבֹרָה

The name Deborah is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Deborah is: Bee. Deborah was the Biblical prophetess who summoned Barak to battle against an army of invaders.  After the battle she wrote a victory song which is part of the Book of Judges ch 4 and ch 5; please have a read of this mighty account.

The Hebrew meaning of Bee can be:

1. an ordered set of insects
2. a place of order
3. things brought into order.

The shoresh (Hebrew root) of Deborah is Dabar – dä·var’ דָּבַר
which has a complex meaning: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, to lead away, put to flight, or sing.

From this understanding I feel this is what the Lord is encouraging mighty women of God with:

First, each of you has been raised as a commander and are bring order to people with great gifts that don’t have a constructive way to use those gifts. You are ordering things for Kingdom purpose, arranging people so they are in the right place, with the right support, at the right time to fight the battle, but also to build the house of the Lord in an ordered and glorious manner.

Secondly, your song and command has great power.  Understanding the shoresh (Dabar) of the name Deborah is a key. There are hidden attributes and gifts in each of your lives that need to be brought forward. Those hidden promises of the Lord are either ripe and ready or soon will be. It is time to speak His word to people with great power and authority.

Thirdly, you are giving good wise counsel and judgement to people in your care. This is the mother’s heart; you are mothers in Israel. People will come to you seeking advice, you hear from the Lord and always guide them to the Lord. The Lord is looking for hearts open to Him and wants an even more intimate relationship that you can also impart to others on their journey.

We pray your are encouraged and built up in your faith through this word.

Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.  5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgement.

Judges 5:7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel.

The name of the Lord is known theologically as the Tetragrammaton and consists of 4 Hebrew letters יהוה  yod hey vav hey (right to left) and is usually transliterated into English as Jehovah, Yahweh, or YHWH.  In this post we will look at the meaning of this name and also the meaning of the ancient Hebrew characters that name up the name of the Lord.  Typically in some English translations of the bible the form LORD (all uppercase) is used to denote the name of God.

In Judaism the name of God is not usually written (other than the scriptures, i.e. the Torah) and is usually spoken or written as HaShem (The Name) or Adonai (The Lord) out of reverence for the Lord. The meaning of the word is “I am” or “I continue to be” or even more accurately “the self existent one”.
This also explains why some people write G-d for the Lord especially when written by Jewish people.

We know from the ancient Hebrew each character is derived from a pictograph.  See the chart below. As I have studied this and prayed I felt the Lord show me a deep understanding of His name.

The first two characters are yod י and hey ה.
Yod is like a small tick and its ancient pictograph is a hand, especially a right hand help up as a sign of authority, it also can signify a spark or lightning.  This is symbolic of God the Father’s authority.
The pictograph for Hey is that of a man with his arms raised and also has a meaning of breath. This is symbolic of the Holy Spirit of God.
I felt that these two letters together speak of the Genesis creation and the creative nature of God. In Genesis 1 we know the Lord spoke (with complete authority) and His Spirit hovered over creation.  This gives us the idea of God creator of everything.

The second pair of letters are vav ו and hey ה.
In ancient Hebrew vav is shown as a tent peg or nail. We need to always remember that Hebrew words are most always about function so we need to consider the function of a nail which is to join together or to build, and in the case of a tent peg to hold the tent ropes securely.
To me these two letters together speak of reconciliation, i.e. a nail holding or building together in the Spirit. Also, obviously to us today, the nail also speaks of Jesus on the cross albeit the Hebrews did not know of crucifixion until the time of the Romans.  We do know the Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world (John 1:29).  So we have the idea of God who reconciles everyone.

Putting these two ideas together we get the concept that God’s name describes all of scripture, i.e. the Lord who creates everything and the Lord who reconciles everyone to Himself which sums up the whole Bible in His name.  It is incredible that His name, which means, I continue to be who I continue to be, also has in it His complete purpose of creating everything for us to be in reconciled relationship with Him.

So if we consider a verse such as Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you; (and based on the Aaronic Blessing ) can be rendered in an hyper-amplified form as:

Number 6:24 Yahweh (The self existent one, He who creates everything by His Authority and Spirit, and Reconciles everyone by His Spirit) will kneel before you presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection.

WOW!! This so captures the nature of God and His love towards us.

If we consider the third commandment and the meaning of the Hebrew word shem, meaning name, but more fully character and nature; then we see something amazing.

Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name (HaShem) of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Not taking the Lord’s name (His character and nature) in vain means:

You shall not take the character and nature of The self existent one, He who creates everything by His Authority and Spirit, and Reconciles everyone by His Spirit in vain.

We can see this really gives depth to this verse.  It is not about swearing when we hit our thumb with a hammer; but is a guide to how we live.  E.g. If a business man, who professes to be a Christian, but operates his business in a dishonourable manner he is besmirching the very character and nature of God.  On the other hand Jesus taught us how to live in the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10).

When we read the name of God, in our minds we can substitute ‘The self existent one, He who creates everything by His Authority and Spirit; and reconciles everyone by His Spirit’ and mediate on that verse we will have a much deeper understanding.

E.g. Psalm 23:1a can be thought of as:

Psalm 23:1 he self existent one, He who creates everything by His Authority and Spirit; and reconciles everyone by His Spirit is my shepherd (shepherd, ruler, teacher, friend);

We pray this study encourages the reader and allows you to come to know the Lord in a deeper way.

Hebrew Names of God

Here are some well known names of God from the Old Testament.  Thanks to my wife Nel for this table.  This helps us understand how much the Lord loves us and how we enter into such a blessing when we are in Him.

Try reading these names knowing the name of the Lord!

Ancient Hebrew Chart

This chart courtesy of Jeff Benner’s Ancient Hebrew Research Centre.  It is an easy way to get some understanding of the ancient Hebrew alphabet (a.k.a aleph bet).

Aleph Bet (Hebrew Alphabet)

This is a simple block letter version of the Aleph Bet.

I felt the Lord speak to me this morning with a completely different perspective in that the fire is a prophetic sign to The Church (His Body).

These are the thoughts I sensed.

• The destruction of a man made religious edifice shows the Lord does not want our works but our hearts (our best works are are never enough, our heart is)
• Human pride is being replaced with a godly humility and full expression of His love
• The fire is a sign of His fire that He wants us to have; we need to baptised in fire; it is only is His fire that we have strength
• The fire is also a refining fire, burning off impurities and bringing His Church into the fullness of the image of Christ
• It is a time to be available for Him regardless of whether we think we are ready or not; old systems of man are being replaced by those that worship in spirit and truth

I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it… Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily. (Galatians 2:19-21, The Message)

The transformational nature of the Lord’s fire brings a holy and consecrated life.  It is His grace that sets us free.  It also gives us the freedom to take up our cross daily.

Jesus preached the shortest sermon ever “Follow Me” and that is the call now for us to follow Him wholly and holy.  So will you follow Him?

Paul says something that is more true today than ever, we have many instructors (or mentors ^#1) but not many true Fathers (and Mothers) in the Church family.

Let us have a quick look at the difference between a Father and an Instructor (aka teacher/mentor).

Instructors provide information; Fathers give of their heart and lives for their children

2 Timothy 2:2 shows a generation model, Paul loving and teaching Timothy, loving and teaching faithful men; who in turn love and teach others.  God’s model has always been family. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the 12 Tribes etc.

Father’s primary method of teaching and impartation is via modelling Jesus in their own lives for their spiritual children. Fathers live by the saying “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Instructors search for students; Fathers seek sons and daughters

Instructors enjoy nothing more than being in a room full of hungry students that can pull knowledge, information, and insight out of them. Those wired by God to father only view the classroom as an entree to find potential leaders they can have long-term connections with toward a process of aiding them in their journeys of becoming mature sons and daughters of Christ.

Sometimes we also need to seek out fathers and mothers in the faith.  If you don’t have genuine spiritual parents, then find them!

Instructors are motivated by impartation of understanding; Fathers are motivated by transformation of hearts and lives

For the small number of children in the faith God has given to Nel and myself we are motivated to see the teachings bear fruit from personal heart transformation. We walk with them, sometimes correct them, always encourage them, and assist them in their journey so they will attain their fullest potential in Christ. This includes just having fun together, meals, outings and so forth.

We have many instructors; We do not have many fathers

Though there are countless instructors, mentors, and coaches in the body of Christ who can edify all of us, each person is has one or maybe a couple of fathers for their life’s journey.

When Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 4:15, he is also referring to the fact that so few in the church ever continue to mature enough in the faith so as to take on the role of a spiritual father or mother. This grieves me as Jesus was a father and revealed The Father to the disciples. Formal Bible study and education will never take the place of the model of nurturing leadership modelled in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, and the epistles. One of the reasons for so much disloyalty and splitting in the church is because of a lack of fathering between senior pastors and their spiritual children, because children will have resentment and rebel against fathers who do not spend time with them.

Our legacy will be our children in the faith and the exploits they do for the Kingdom.

Instructors enjoy academic success; Fathers enjoy life success

Instructors are thrilled when their students do well in school and become great students of the word. John said that he had no greater joy than to find his children walking in the truth–not in his children merely having the truth (2 John 4; 3 John 4).

Instructors have an intellectual/mental connection with their students; Fathers have a heart connection with their children

Instructors love a debate, discussion, Q&A. They love amen’s to their preaching.

Fathers are driven more by a heart-to-heart connection than an exchange of the minds. Heart-to-heart connections delve into the heart, the mind, the soul, and the emotions of a person; they enable a father to delve deeper beyond the surface into the real life issues of a son or daughter.

Instructors desire the opportunity to teach; Fathers seek opportunity for their sons and daughters to minister

Instructors desire to teach, even for free if needed.  They are always wanting a platform to get out their knowledge through preaching, teaching, social media, books, CD’s, DVD’s, and all other forms of available media. Success is measured by the reach (number of people) who receive their teaching.

Fathers see their success by the changed lives and maturity of their children.  We fathers have huge pleasure being in the background while those they have poured into are sent forth to bear much fruit! To see your children prosper in the Lord and the father others is complete satisfaction.

When our children go out and minister the gospel of the kingdom; and become fathers and mothers in the own right we are filled with joy.

Conclusion

Instructors, teachers, mentors, and coaches are great and needed.  Not every Godly relationship is, or can be, a father/mother and child releationship.  We all need to learn and gain knowledge, be equipped, and helped through our life journey.

We also desperately need at least one father/mother in our lives.  That special relationship of deep trust, a safe and honest relationship where we can go with our deepest needs.

When our son went to be with the Lord in 2015 it was our spiritual Dad that we called first.  It is the one we know we can call in the worst life crisis that is our true spiritual dad or mum.

I pray that all that read this become a father or mother in the faith.  There are so many out there that need a father or mother.  This is His Kingdom truth.

Notes

^#1 As a side note (thanks Graham Taylor) we need to stop using the word mentor and use the word father/mother. Let me explain. Consider the following three models of teaching.

1. Guru/disciple (as in maybe a buddhist or other situation). If the disciple messes up (sins) then they get the left boot of fellowship and the relationship ends.
2. Mentoring. This is a secular business term. If the relationship between the mentor and mentee is strained, then they both just walk away. There is no deep abiding commitment in mentoring.
3. Father/son heart relational. As a father when my child sins I will continue to reach out in love. Consider Luke 15 and the prodigal; the father never stopped looking for the return of his son, and when the son returned he was loved and restored. The son can always turn to the father when things go wrong and be restored. Sons need the input of love and discipline from their fathers. So stop being a mentor and start being a father to those who God has put in your life.

Psalm 40:7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.”

and is quoted in Hebrews 10:7.

Nel and I were discussing the feast of Purim (feast of Esther) which was celebrated earlier this week.  One of the requirements of the feast is to read the megillah, i.e. the scroll or book of Esther.  Jewish people just say to read the megillah at this time, it is understood as to which book to read.

I felt to look at the very detailed understanding of the word scroll.  Esther fulfilled her calling and purpose to see all of the Jews saved from Haman’s evil plan to kill them.  We all have  a unique calling and purpose in the Kingdom.

The word megillah מְגִילָּה is the Hebrew word for scroll . We will look at the ancient Hebrew letter for the word scroll (megillah) and see something very insightful.  You can refer to the full chart at the end of this post.

Psalm 40:7 shows that our lives are written on a scroll (or book).  Using the ancient Hebrew symbols your scroll can be interpreted as having a meaning of:

A mighty walk in authority and worship, taught and bound (connected) with the Spirit of the Lord

While this is not hard doctrine it is a very good way to understand walking out God’s calling and purpose for our lives.

To us the following stand out from this understanding:

1. Our walk is mighty in the Lord, He is our strength, we can do nothing without Him.
2. We have authority to execute our scroll (calling and purpose) via worship. Psalm 100:4 is a key here as well (thanksgiving and praise).
3. We must be and remain connected to Him, we are in Him and He is in us (Colossians 1:27), we are bound by His Love for us; we are His love slaves.  Also we abide in the vine (John 15).
4. We walk in the Spirit, not by sight but by faith and love (2 Corinthians 5:7).

As we commit ourselves to walk out our calling and purpose, the Lord reveals details of things he wants us to do. But we always keep our prime focus on the Lord abiding in Him,  and not the things we do.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 tells us that He is faithful and He will do it.  It is not up to us but the outworking of His grace in our lives.

So what is my specific calling and purpose?

This is the big question for most of us!  The answer is quite simple!  First, we clear blockages by repentance and renewing our minds.  We then enter in through  thanksgiving, praise, and worship; then the Lord will make it clear to us from His word and what He speaks to our hearts.

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Too many of us stress instead of being quiet and waiting on the Lord.  We need time with Him and in His word on a daily basis and when we do this everything becomes clear for our specifics.

The Lord wants to reveal our scrolls and we just need to abide, listen, seek, and wait then He will speak clearly.

We pray that this little study will help you come into the fullness of your calling and purpose in the Kingdom of God.

Ancient Hebrew Chart

This chart courtesy of Jeff Benner’s Ancient Hebrew Research Centre.  It is an easy way to get some understanding of the ancient Hebrew alphabet (a.k.a aleph bet).

• How Australia prays and intercedes for the Israeli elections (9th April) will affect our election in May (Maybe 18th)
• There is a spiritual linkage which is the Anzac spirit and the liberation of the Holy Land in WWI also Tobruk etc WWII
• Australia has supported Israel consistently since 1947 (the original UN vote etc.)
• Now is decision as to whether we Aussies are sheep or goats

Joel 3:14 says, “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”
Many evangelists have drawn from this passage to challenge audiences to “make a decision” for Christ. Others view this valley of decision as a time of judgement when the Lord decides the fate of the nations.
Which is it? An invitation or a prophecy of doom?
Either way it for us to choose and pursue the Lord and His ways.
It is time to pray for both nations and that righteousness reigns in both nations.

The focus of Joel 3 is on the soon coming Day of the Lord. This time will include a gathering of the nations (verse 2), a judgement on wickedness (verse 13), and astronomical signs (verse 15). Joel’s prophecy of the valley of decision finds its counterpart in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and the judgement of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46).

This is a Holy Call to the Church in Australia to seek His face, to stand on the walls, to sound the alarm, and stand in the gap and repent for our national sin. 2 Chronicles 7:14

It is also time to pray from Heavenly places. Psalm 2 is a key understanding.

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom
2:1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”?

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

The battle is the Lord’s however He calls us to participate and to the level we enter into His call is how much we will receive. It is a choice. Choose HIM !!!

The Lord has given us (His Church)  the nations (for the gospel), but we need to appropriate His word, declare His word, and walk it out in prayer, intercession, and even travail.  Our thanks, praise, and worship is our best weapon. This call is more about lifting up the name of Jesus (Yeshua HaMashiach) than the politics going on at this time.

The political landscape will appear to be a moral and ethical bloodbath as people generally keep heading away from God and his righteousness.  Sounds terrible doesn’t it?  Yet in this we (the Church) will rise up glorious as the Lord brings His life and salvation to anyone who will listen. 

Psalm 2 is a call to repentance for the nations.  This is a key passage that shows the truth of what will happen in 2019 and onward. The Psalm is titled ‘The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom’ in the NKJV and is need to navigate our lives in turbulent times.

The first three verses Psalm 2:1-3 talk about the pride of man and kings; how nations rage and plot vain things; how leaders purposefully rail against the Lord.  This is  a clear picture of the anti-God agenda being thrown at us via the media, Godless politicians and the #leftist immoral agenda.

The next three verses Psalm 2:4-6 tell the truth of the power of God in the face of vain earthly kings.  The Lord laughs, holds them in derision; then He speaks to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.  Ooops! How out leaders have it so wrong.

The next passage Psalm 2:7-9 tells of Messiah’s inheritance of the nations and His rule of the whole earth.  How incredible and powerful is He!  These evil rulers will be broken with a rod of iron.  This is also our right as His bride, the Church.

The final passage Psalm 2:10-12 shows His mercy when we repent and the blessing we have in His salvation as we trust in Him fully.

This leads to the obvious question, how do we appropriate the overcoming victory in the mess that our society is at this time?

First, we need to be centred in Jesus and our living relationship with Him. John 16:31-33 gives us the hope we need.

Secondly, we need to pray like Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18 and 2 Kings 19 (these chapters should be read in full).  Hezekiah was facing a huge threat as the Assyrians were planning to invade Judah and destroy Jerusalem.

The Assyrians tried to bribe and threaten the people of God but Hezekiah stood strong and took the letter the Assyrians had sent with its unholy threats to the temple (the main place of worship), the courts of the Lord, and laid that letter before the Lord.  He also called on the prophet of the Lord (Isaiah) who gave Hezekiah God’s word.

So in humble prayer, in the presence of the Lord, acting on God’s word, Hezekiah called out for his nation.  The Lord answered!  2 Kings 19:35-37 one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians were destroyed.  Hezekiah and Isaiah had sought the Lord and had a huge victory.

We need to use the key of David (Isaiah 22:22 and Revelation 3:7), that is we need to worship and praise the Lord; and then we overcome.  The battle is the Lord’s, we just need to obey Him and His word.

2019 will appear to be a bad year from a natural perspective, yet as we stand in Him and on His word there will be awesome breakthroughs, salvation, healing, miracles, and a national transformative work of the Gospel of The Kingdom.

Here is the mechanical translation of verse 25.

He~will~make~LIGHT(Verb) (יָאֵר / ya’eyr) YHWH (יְהוָה / YHWH) FACE~s~him (פָּנָיו / pa’naw) TO~you(ms) (אֵלֶיךָ / ey’ley’kha) and~he~will~PROVIDE.PROTECTION(Verb)~you(ms) (וִיחֻנֶּךָּ / wi’hhu’ne’ka)

YHWH will make his face shine toward you and he will provide you with protection.

The Hebrew word for face is paniym ( פָּנִים ). The word paniym appears several times in the Old Testament in combination with God or the Lord. In most cases, the face of the Lord is a reference to God’s presence. For instance, when Moses asked God to assure him that he, God, would go with the people to the land of Canaan, God told Moses: ‘My face shall go before thee’ (Exodus 33:14 DRA). Most modern translations use the word ‘presence’ to translate the Hebrew word for face, but face is so much more than just His presence.

The root of  paniym is panah ( פָּנָה ) which means to turn towards or away from.  So we have in this case God turning his face towards us in blessing.  We know in the Old Testament people could not look upon the Lord and live. Under the New Covenant Jesus has made a way where we can behold His paniym (face) and worship in intimacy.

In Exodus 33:15 Moses says (my paraphrase) if your presence (face) does not go with us I’m not going anywhere! This maybe the smartest thing Moses ever uttered.  Moses knew that without the Lord’s favour, blessing, and face towards himself and Israel there was no point to anything.

The word for light/shine is ‘owr ( אוֹר ) meaning to be or become light, to be illuminated.   The same word is used in the following verse.

Psalm 119:130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

So we see a connection to his face (presence) shining on us and both His word and us worshipping Him.

It is in the intimacy of worship and meditating on His word we see the Lord’s face turned toward us and we can behold the beauty of His holiness.

The second phrase of verse 25 is ‘and be gracious to you’ which is better translated as ‘and He will provide you with protection‘.  This is such a powerful statement.  As we are in His presence, with His face turned towards us we have protection from all the attacks of the enemy.

This concept ties in with the keys of David and the tabernacle of David which are the ways for us to overcome in praise and worship.  The more time we can spend in praise and worship the stronger we become in Him. We see the manifestation of verses such as  Colossians 1:27 Christ in us the hope of glory.

This blessing which is often used as a benediction at the end of Church services is much more than a way to close a service, it is a direction for our lives!

I close with this verse:

Psalm 21:6 For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.

PS: The photo at the top of this post is the Oasis at Timna in the wilderness of southern Israel.  This is a place of rest in the harsh southern desert.

First, I saw the word stability and also saw a picture of a strong lighthouse in a storm. The lighthouse was firmly anchored on a massive rock and was unshakeable.

I then saw a dawn light come and the words ‘Peace, be still’ … and then the storm fizzled to nothing. Then I saw a glowing light from the heavens as His glory shone onto what had become a glassy sea around the lighthouse.

The sea was teaming with fish. Soon many large boats came guided by the lighthouse and the dawn Glory light. Nets were trawled and soon were full of fish. The boats were then overflowing with a catch like no other and the fishermen are amazed.

In the vision I saw the fish transform into people. Men, women, and children from many nations. The boats transformed into massive troop carriers full of people singing praise to the Lord.

There was great joy in every boat in the fleet.

This vision is self explanatory so I won’t add any discussion.

The SR-71 is capable of Mach 3+ speeds (3x the speed of sound) and a 80,000+ feet operational altitude. It has never been intercepted by an enemy. It overflew the Soviets, Chinese, North Korea, etc. The SR-71 still holds speed and altitude performance records. It carried cameras with incredible resolution so it could detect enemy activity with impunity.

Daryl Crawford-Marshall was preaching on ‘new levels’ last Sunday and I knew why the SR-71 was being highlighted to me.  He had mentioned Mach 1 in his sermon and I felt the Lord saying the new levels would be much more and we were to be at a SR-71 prophetic levels.

The SR-71 flew so high that the crew could see stars even in the daytime as they were flying on the edge of space.  This is symbolic of us being in the heavenlies and seeing things from the Lord’s perspective.  The high resolution cameras on the SR-71 speak of very clear understanding and discernment of God’s word.

The Lord then said that the new levels mean the following changes in mindset in the Church:

• From: ‘God loves me’
• To: ‘God loves the world’

• From: ‘What is God’s plan for my life?’
• To: ‘How does my life fit in God’s great plan and His Kingdom agenda?’

• From: ‘God bless me or God Bless you’
• To: ‘How I be a blessing and release God’s blessing to others?’

• From: ‘How do we grow the Church?’
• To: ‘How do we expand the Kingdom?’

When Joshua was confronted by the Lord (‘The Angel’ is this passage is what is known as a Christophany  i.e. Jesus) in Joshua 5:13-15 he asks if you are for me or his enemies. The answer is astounding He said, ‘No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’  So it is we should not be concerned about God being on our side, but rather are we on God’s agenda.  Our focus changes from ourselves and issues to His Kingdom.

The SR-71 was rare in that it used less fuel at high speed and altitude to to its ability to reconfigure its engine to operate as what is known as a ramjet.  In other words the SR-71 could do more with less effort.

Going to new levels means relying more on the Holy Spirit and less on our abilities and skills. We will be able to do things we thought impossible with His strength and power. Romans 8:26-27 and Zechariah 4:6

It is a season for doing great exploits, we are bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom and salvation to many; we are carriers of healing and deliverance to those that are bound and oppressed.  This only happens when we are in a place of dependence on Him and His power.

Here is an very amusing story about the SR-71  Speed Check which shows how we really are; i.e. powerful in Christ. Colossians 1:27

God reveals a powerful truth in Isaiah 55:8-9.  First, that his thoughts and ways are very different to ours.   Secondly that his thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

How does this work?
We find the answer in all the previous verses of the chapter.  In all that God has promised in free forgiveness and grace, and what he has offered in blessing and love, which is all far beyond our human understanding and experience.

Forgiveness does not come easily to us.   Human forgiveness is almost non-existent even for small offences and transgressions, but God, who has been injured so greatly by us all (humanity), is ready to love us and forgive us and freely pardon us.  How open are the arms of God to all, even the deepest of sinners – Come … Come … Come … Come … is the repeated cry in the two verses Isaiah 55:1-2.

God has opened his arms to us such that there are no conditions which would make it difficult for us to come, and there is no cost which would exclude us.

How wonderfully loving is God in that he has made it possible for our sin to be forgiven without any injustice or denial of his holiness or law.  It is virtually impossible for us to understand high thoughts and ways.

How much higher than our thoughts and ways is this eternal covenantal promise spoken of in Isaiah 55:3, which was God promising Himself to die in our place in the person of his Son, and suffer all our deserved pain. Christ when he went to the cross did not count the cost but set his face firmly to go to Jerusalem. He submitted to the will of the Father without any question even though the cost was an eternity of Hell that He had to suffer.

How high and wonderful is God’s actions that in this way he made himself near to us and able to be found ( Isaiah 55:6 ) and so full of mercy and pardon to all who seek him.

How wonderful is God’s way that to seek the Lord is to find him, because he is ready to be found and is near.

There is nothing in the wisdom of man that could conceive such sure and complete means of blessing; and nothing in the heart of man that could conceive such blessing and love; and there is nothing in the will of man that could act in such self-sacrificing love.

It is Australia’s time to come to the Lord, it is a season of His grace.  We as a nation are morally bankrupt, we are poor in spirit, yet it is an awesome season of grace; it is time for us to repent, believe, and be saved.

It is time! Just just to prophesy and speak the word of the Lord (which we do); but also a time to see the fulfilment of the word.

An Invitation to Abundant Life

55 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
And nations who do not know you shall run to you,
Because of the Lord your God,
And the Holy One of Israel;
For He has glorified you.”

6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

12 “For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

I saw a long line of people standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder, dressed in white but also wearing armour, each holding a large sword.
I then saw the faces and I recognised many of these people being members of our home group, local congregations, and others from the prayer houses etc.
Each looked strong and carried a look of love and joy, faces shining with God’s glory.

Then in front of the line was a dark seething mass of darkness full of demonic activity including dark snakes hissing. This was the most horrible tangled mess of depravity.

Then as one, the line of saints stepped forward, the darkness started screaming. Then another united step forward as one. Each step forward caused the dark mass to recede. On each step forward various scriptures were being declared as if the word was being released over the darkness.

As the line stepped forward there were people trapped in the darkness being set free. They rose up, were cleansed, and came in behind the line and then joined in. Many many people were being set free.

I had a great sense that this vision was an insight into the wave that is happening in Australia (Awakening, Graham Tour, etc.). That we need to stand side by side in oneness prophesying and declaring the word of the Lord. It is a time to stand together as one in Christ.

AMEN

Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה), literally meaning the head (beginning) [of] the year is the Jewish New Year (Rosh = head; Ha = the; Shanah = year)
2018 dates Sunset, Sun 9 September – nightfall, Tue 11 September – start of 5779

Here is a short video explaining the blowing of the Shofar for the new year.

The Jews get a bit legalistic, they end up blowing the Shofar 100 times to make sure they meet the legal requirements, overkill to the max as they only need 30 or possibly 3

The reasons for blowing the Shofar at Rosh Hashanah are:

• It is a time of Judgement. First to confuse and minimise the prosecution satan, secondly, strengthen the mercy of the judgement from the Lord [interesting in terms of the Courts of Heaven]
• It is a time of cleaning our hearts and repentance [to me is also the Holy precursor of REVIVAL]
• It is to remember how Abraham brought Isaac as a sacrifice and that God provided
• It is to celebrate that the LORD (HaShem) is King

Don’t forget we are not under law, but His grace!! We can learn from this but have zero obligation to do it.

Prophetic understanding of this new year

The year 5779 Hey, Zayin, Zayin, Tet – is the end of the 8th decade and here are some thoughts on this year.

There are nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. This will be a year to look and see how genuinely we have produced them.

There are nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Faith, Gifts of hearings, Miracles, Prophecy, Distinguishing between spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of tongues. The will be a major increase in the operation and flow of the gifts in the Church.

This will be a year to look and see how much you believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. A heart that speaks from unbelief cannot declare thy Kingdom come. Let the sound of this year be, “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

This 5779 year will be the culmination of everything God’s been preparing us for to step into the next season – “Pey” (8th decade) the decade of the mouth, speaking and declaring the Kingdom into Earth.

5779 will also be a year of deep revelation. God has been inviting us to “see” what He is saying, and this will increase this new year. We will also have deep understanding of the enemy snake and the Lord will give strategies to enable us to have full overcoming victory. Worship will increase and be the main weapon.

We are speaking and declaring the Gospel, the word of the LORD, new life, blessings, healing, truth, freedom, godly prosperity, and release of captives.
Declaring the Lord and His Kingdom to the nations.
As we speak things happen in the heavens and manifest on earth.

Jeremiah 33.2 Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name):
3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

The word mighty is Batsar in Hebrew meaning inaccessible, hidden, fenced off, cut off.

Subsequently I received the following word during worship this morning:

The LORD is saying He is opening things that can only be accessed in Him.
Doors open that have been closed.
Things legally cut off restored.

Impossible made possible!

In Him in His grace in His purposes all things mighty are normal, open, and free.
We are in the beginning of fresh open heaven.
The wave of His Spirit is increasing.

Amen!

Then both sermons today had a high level of faith teaching and impartation. It is time to grab hold of the things the Lord has promised.

This article takes a different look at politics, neither left nor right, authoritarian nor libertarian, but brings a Gospel Kingdom perspective.

For those who don’t have a deeper understanding of politics I pray this article will help you better understand God’s Kingdom and our role as Christians in politics.

Basic political understanding

Politics is not just left/right but multi dimensional

We need to get some definitions before we can make sense of politics.  See this for a definition of the Political compass which allows us to have a simple model for understanding political ideologies.

Quote: The underlying theory of the political compass is that political ideology may be better measured along two separate and independent axes. The economic (left–right) axis measures one’s opinion of how the economy should be run: “left” is defined as the desire for the economy to be run by a cooperative collective agency (which can mean the state, but can also mean a network of communes) while “right” is defined as the desire for the economy to be left to the devices of competing individuals and organizations. The other axis (authoritarian–libertarian) measures one’s political opinions in a social sense, regarding the amount of personal freedom that one would allow: “libertarianism” is defined as the belief that personal freedom should be maximised while “authoritarianism” is defined as the belief that authority should be obeyed.

While this model is not perfect it does allow us to grasp a basic understanding of various political ideologies.

Where are conservatives and others on the chart?

This chart shows approximate positions of the main ideologies we see today.  Personally I see conservatives less authoritarian and the greens more left and more authoritarian than shown on this chart.  The reasons is that conservatives usually want smaller less intrusive government and greens have been want bigger government.

Extreme groups like Antifa and Nazis are very similar in that they both are authoritarian.  This is proven by the fact that if you disagree with them they get violent. Nazi’s by policy are also socialist so on the left side of the chart.  This is so strange that they yell and scream at each other yet are almost identical by policy and by actions.  Antifa calling Conservatives Nazi’s if quite a joke.

So where do we fit as Christians?

We are not just conservative, or libertarian, or socialist, or left, or right. Instead we bring grace, love, compassion, power, truth, freedom, charity, and holiness in God’s harmony to the world!

Christians don’t (or should not) fit any one world model, but bring the full Gospel of the Kingdom (not just salvation) to the world.  Christianity is a radical change from the world system.

We need to understand God’s values and perspective on the world.

What are Godly values?

Christianity brings the following values (among others):

• Honour, love, and worship for God
• Respect for people, subject to God’s law
• Personal responsibility for sin leading to salvation (repentance from sin, faith, receiving His grace)
• Moral truth (eg. Holy matrimony (marriage), family)
• Work for a living
• Be generous and have compassion

These have a lot, but not all, in common with conservatism.

Social Justice and Political Correctness

Many Christians are deceived by terms like ‘Social Justice’ and ‘Political Correctness’ as they sound good but are fundamentally wrong because in the end they devalue both the individuals and God’s values!

How?

We need to understand Social Justice vs True (legal) Justice in the light of so called progressive identity politics.  I do NOT believe in ‘social justice’, rather I do believe in justice (unqualified justice); Martin Luther King also did not believe in social justice !

 Quote: ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.’

To have justice based on a person’s social grouping (i.e. their group identities, eg. race, religion, etc.) rather than their individual character is a travesty of justice.
Martin Luther King Jr nailed it in his dream speech in the quote above in his phrase ‘content of their character’ which is the only basis a person should be valued.

The whole concept of social justice is based on a false foundation of a notion of group membership defining who you are and your values, rather than the God given individual character, conscience, spirit and soul that we are.

Political correctness is simply legitimising intolerance of the Kingdom worldview.  We need to remember tolerance is not acceptance or celebration of views that are contrary to God’s word.

According to David C. Rose, social justice is a solution in search of a problem. I believe that we should show compassion for all people, but when social justice requires compromise on moral and spiritual issues it is desperately wrong.

Rose says, “Social justice is both misguided and dangerous. It is misguided because it regards observed inequality as prima facie evidence of injustice because of insufficient understanding of how a free market economy actually works. It is dangerous because social justice advocates therefore attempt to solve a moral problem that doesn’t exist and, in so doing, reduce a society’s ability to solve moral problems that really do exist.”

The Social Gospel

Consider the social gospel, which has surreptitiously found its way back into our churches. The social gospel embraces ministries that provide help to the needy – clothes closets, food banks, and health-clinics – almost anything that would contribute to the welfare of society.

Churches should be engaged in these social ministries, but these ministries should not be the primary objective. Every social ministry or act of kindness should create a bridge to share the Gospel.

Good deeds (the works of faith) are very important, but there are countless service organisations that help the public. Christians not only have the privilege of putting a man in a new suit, but putting a new man in a suit as a result of the change wrought by sharing the Gospel.

Worldly view of tolerance

The menacing worldly view of tolerance has raised its ugly head in the church. There was a time when lifestyles (not the people) embodied in the LGBTQ… community were universally condemned.

Today because of the normalising of this deviate behaviour in the media, the propagandising of students in the schools, and the sensitivity training of corporate Australia we are getting too comfortable with sin and tolerant of aberrant lifestyles.

The pulpit must not be silent in this day of tolerance lest our congregations become lukewarm. George Whitefield said, “Congregations are lifeless because dead men preach to them.” Adrian Rogers said, “The sins we once hid in the back alleys, we now parade down Main Street.”

 Economics

Quote: If you are not a socialist when you are young you have no heart and if you are not a free market capitalist when older you have no brains.
This is an old quote that holds some truth.

As a Christian we can have best of both!  Both systems fail in the end for the same reason – greed.  Unfettered, both systems want to take from others.

It is interesting that free market capitalism has set more people free from poverty than any other system in history. Yet greed can also warp this system, especially when God is not in the picture.

Socialism works until you run out of other people’s money and has been a proven failure.

No economic system is capable of saving us or bringing in the Kingdom of God. Nor is any single economic system perfect. Yet one is more compatible with biblical teaching and our imperfect, sinful world.

The Bible as a whole supports an economic system that respects private property and the work ethic. (See especially Proverbs 31; Isaiah 65:21–22, Jeremiah 32:43–44, Acts 5:1–4 and Ephesians 4:28.) Rodney Stark’s definition of capitalism is bionically sound: “Capitalism is an economic system wherein privately owned, relatively well-organised, and stable firms pursue complex commercial activities within a relatively free (unregulated) market, taking a systematic, long-term approach to investing and reinvesting wealth (directly or indirectly) in productive activities involving a hired workforce, and guided by anticipated and actual returns.”

The Christian worldview embraces a form of democratic capitalism that allows for the peaceful and free exchange of goods and services without fraud, theft, or breach of contract as the biblical view. First, the Bible grants us the right to private property and calls us to be good stewards of our resources. Second, a free enterprise system affords the greatest opportunity to steward our resources responsibly by creating wealth and opportunity. Third, the competition in a free market system works according to the principle of comparative advantage, which affirms our inherent worth as individuals.

The thousands of years of experiments with socialist economic systems have resulted in nothing but failure and tragedy—Fascism, Nazism, and Communism relied on the faulty ideas of socialism and Darwinian evolution. Their catastrophic failings are documented in Igor Shafarevich’s The Socialist Phenomenon, Ludwig von Mises’ Socialism, and Joshua Muravchik’s Heaven On Earth: The Rise And Fall Of Socialism.

Socialism’s call for economic equality is countered by capitalism’s call for the biblical requirement of equality before law. The biblical view does not cause the rich to get richer and the poor poorer as socialists contend. Rather, the biblical view encourages the rich to create more wealth, thereby aiding all of society (we are to be generous and giving from the heart not Governmental imposition). Policies of forced redistribution of wealth, including welfare systems, only multiply problems for the poor by creating needless bureaucracies and concentrating too much power in the hands of the government. Capitalism, on the other hand, encourages freedom in the political sphere, minimising the danger of granting sovereignty to the state instead of to God.

We can expect to receive just wages and odly increase from the Lord, while being compassionate and loving. This is sustainable. Only under the Lord’s hand can we truly live in harmony.

The Gospel of The Kingdom

The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life. It is God’s will that takes precedence over everything and everyone (Matthew 6:33).

Secondly, we must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us! Only God can.

The Church’s unique, God-given purpose does not lie in political activism.  This does not mean we cannot lobby and have a voice, just that we have a higher calling and focus.

Nowhere in Scripture do we have the directive to spend our energy, our time, or our money in governmental affairs. We can speak up and vote but if our primary efforts are political not not the Kingdom we have missed the point.

The New Testament gives us some broad principles on how we are to respond to our government. Romans 13 declares that the origin and institution of government is something that God has ordained. I Timothy 2 reminds us that we are to pray for those who have authority over us. If God has established the government for our good and asked us to pray for those who rule over us.

Our mission lies not in changing the nation just through political reform, but in changing hearts through the Word of God. When believers think the growth and influence of Christ can somehow be allied with government policy, they corrupt the mission of the church. Our Christian mandate is to spread the gospel of Christ and to preach against the sins of our time. Only as the hearts of individuals in a culture are changed by Christ will the culture begin to reflect that change.

Kingdom attributes

Jesus preached the Gospel of The Kingdom which includes the following attributes (among others):

• Salvation
• Healing
• Deliverance
• Reconciliation
• Prosperity (as our soul prospers, trusting the Lord)
• Charity and giving
• Transformation of society – to a Godly set of values and behaviours

This means that God rules all spheres of society i.e. the seven mountains:

1. Education
2. Religion
3. Family
4. Business
5. Government/Military/Health
6. Arts/Entertainment/Sports
7. Media

In this is the true authority of God and His word.

God’s authority manifest through the Church

We live in a representative democracy and have the power of the vote. We need to be God’s voice in our community to speak the gospel of His Kingdom.

God transcends all forms of politics. He rules beyond time and space. He gives us His authority, the Authority of the name of Jesus to deal in heavenly places, to deal with principalities and powers. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. He is sovereign.

We are His servants, called in His name. We (The Church) manifest His Kingdom on earth. We are Kings and Priests under the Lordship of Christ. We are His sons and daughters, blessed to be a blessing, made rich by His sacrifice, set free to set others free.

It is from this place we see the corrupt world system and bring His truth, love, holiness, freedom, and deliverance.

So who should I vote for or should I vote?

This is the obvious question.  We have an obligation to vote.

Vote for the candidate who has the values that align best with God’s word and His Kingdom!

Use your preferences wisely.  In Australia we have a preferential voting system so it is easy to vote for a minor candidate and still preference the major parties as you feel to.  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Conclusion

I pray this information gives you a better and different understanding of politics and how we can change our society for the better, i.e. towards His Kingdom.

Gideon’s 300 shouted “the sword (word) of the Lord” and the Lord won the battle for God’s people by turning the enemy on itself.

Today we face battles for our families and nation, and the Lord is saying it is time to be ready and shout and decree His word of the Lord to all these situations.

• We have a shout of victory! and not despair
• A shout of faith! A shout of hope! A shout of His power!
• A shout of deliverance that set the captives free
• A word of wisdom like that of Solomon in confusing situations
• A shout that releases the anointing of the Lord our healer for healing of spirit, soul and body
• A shout of the victory of the shed blood of the Lamb and the work of our Lord Jesus on the Cross
• A shout of resurrection power in the name of The Lord!

Rise up and SHOUT unto the enemy using the sword of the Lord which is His word!

It is time for breakthrough and victory, a time for salvation, a time for healing, and a time for deliverance.

Judges 7:19 So Gideon and the three hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. 20 Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” 21 And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. 22 When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the (ememy) army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.

Prophetic Symbology of my Sword of Solomon

I recently acquired a ceremonial sword that is called the Sword of Solomon. This sword has various symbols on it the I have explained below.  1.22 metres in length (48″) and is quite heavy.

King Solomon was the second son of Uriah the Hittite’s wife, Bathsheba, whom his father, King David, had married after orchestrating his death.

King Solomon reigned in Israel between 970 and 931 B.C.E. and was known and respected as a wise, fair and powerful king. King Solomon raised the Israelite monarchy to the maximum grade of peace and prosperity. King Solomon built the Jerusalem Temple, and a wall around the city as well as cultivated the sciences and the arts.

The bible records that there was a case in which two women were fighting for a child and King Solomon, in order to find out which one was telling the truth, King Solomon gave his sword to a soldier and ordered him to split the baby in two, giving one half to each of the women. The real mother begged the king not to kill the child and to give him to the other woman. In this way, King Solomon knew immediately which one was lying, showing great wisdom and fairness.

The sword is two edged and in the shape of a cross.  We know swords are talked about many times in scripture and generally speak of power, authority, and action.

A sword represents authority. A sword qualifies you to fight. A sword is not a shield. A shield is defensive, but a sword is offensive.  The gospel preached is offensive to a sinful world.

The sword is the only item listed by Paul that serves in an offensive capacity. Even if we have all the rest of the armour equipped perfectly, without our sword, we amount to little more than heavily armoured moving targets.

Spiritually a sword speaks of the word of the Lord and speaking the word of faith.  By this means we fight and have victory in Him.

Star of David on the pommel

The star, or more correctly Shield of David, is on both sides of the pommel.  The shield historically is the shape of six sticks tied together in a star shape that then had layers of wet animal skins stretched over them to make a shield.

This is a symbol of our faith in the Lord and an impartation of the gift of faith. We live by faith and the shield shows the protection the Lord gives us.

The Star of David reminds us that despite our efforts to accomplish in this world, just like God decided that King David would be successful in defeating armies much greater than his own, so too, will God help us accomplish our goals. This is why we say, ‘Blessed are you Lord, Shield of David’.

David took the sword of Israel’s enemy and used it to remove Goliath’s head.  The Lord has given you a sword (His word) and in doing so will strip away the weapons of the enemy.

Menorah

On one side of the cross piece is a menorah ( seven-lamp candelabra) which is a symbol of the Light of God (the gospel) and the seven spirits of God. [Revelation 5:6, Isaiah 11:2-3]

The Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirits of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge and of fear of the Lord. These  are the seven Spirits, which are before the throne of God.

Ark of the Covenant

On the other side of the cross piece of the sword is an image of the ark of the covenant which symbolises the holy presence of the Lord.

The ark also symbolises the mercy seat of atonement which is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world.

The Ark was at the very centre of the Tabernacle. To reach it, the high priest (note: today we all now have access through Jesus) had to walk through the host of Israel and past the Levites. He had to enter the courtyard and past the Brazen Altar, the Laver, the Table of Shewbread, the Candlesticks, the Golden Altar, and through the veil (now rent in two). The coverings of the Tabernacle, the incense of the altar, the blood of the Atonement surrounded or covered the Ark. Holy anointing oil was sprinkled upon it. The Ark was at the centre of the Tabernacle, and the Tabernacle was at the centre of the nation. Almost always the Ark was kept in the very centre of the camp – even when the nation was moving. And the Ark was the place of meeting with the Lord.

The ark is the place we meet the Lord in intimacy.

Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Winged Lions, wearing Kippahs

At the ends of the cross piece of the sword are winged lions with the face of men.  These are a Persian symbol but they are each wearing a kippah.  Jews were a kippah to signify that they are under God’s ultimate authority.  Thus these are a symbol of the world systems being under God’s ultimate authority.

This also symbolises the authority that the believer has in Christ Jesus. Using the sword (the word) by faith we speak with God’s authority.

Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Significant scriptures that speak of swords (reference)

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Revelation 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

1 Kings 3:23 And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ” 24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”
26 Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!”
But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.”
27 So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

Exodus 17:13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Joshua 11:10-12 Then Joshua turned back at that time, and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms. They struck every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was no one left who breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire. Joshua captured all the cities of these kings, and all their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.

Joshua 19:47 The territory of the sons of Dan proceeded beyond them; for the sons of Dan went up and fought with Leshem and captured it Then they struck it with the edge of the sword and possessed it and settled in it; and they called Leshem Dan after the name of Dan their father.

Judges 20:17 Then the men of Israel besides Benjamin were numbered, 400,000 men who draw the sword; all these were men of war.

2 Samuel 24:9 And Joab gave the number of the registration of the people to the king; and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

2 Samuel 23:10 He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.

1 Samuel 21:8-9 David said to Ahimelech, “Now is there not a spear or a sword on hand? For I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s matter was urgent.” Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

2 Samuel 23:12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 1:14-16 Then David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed?” And David called one of the young men and said, “Go, cut him down.” So he struck him and he died. David said to him, “Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’S anointed.'”

1 Samuel 15:33 But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

1 Samuel 17:51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

1 Samuel 22:18-19 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn around and attack the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; also oxen, donkeys, and sheep he struck with the edge of the sword.

1 Kings 19:1 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.

2 Kings 19:37 It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Joshua 6:21 They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

1 Samuel 31:4-6 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me ” But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid So Saul took his sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together.

Acts 16:27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

Genesis 3:24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Numbers 22:21-23 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.

Deuteronomy 33:29 “Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, Who is the shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, And you will tread upon their high places.”

Leviticus 26:6-8 ‘I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. ‘But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword.

Ezekiel 32:11-12 For thus says the Lord GOD, “The sword of the king of Babylon will come upon you. “By the swords of the mighty ones I will cause your hordes to fall; all of them are tyrants of the nations, And they will devastate the pride of Egypt, And all its hordes will be destroyed.

Psalm 45:3 Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One, In Your splendour and Your majesty!

Micah 5:6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, The land of Nimrod at its entrances; And He will deliver us from the Assyrian When he attacks our land And when he tramples our territory.

Exodus 5:3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”

Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

2 Chronicles 20:9 ‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgement, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’

Psalm 7:12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready.

Isaiah 31:8 And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, And a sword not of man will devour him So he will not escape the sword, And his young men will become forced laborers.

Jeremiah 50:35-37 “A sword against the Chaldeans,” declares the LORD, “And against the inhabitants of Babylon And against her officials and her wise men! “A sword against the oracle priests, and they will become fools! A sword against her mighty men, and they will be shattered! “A sword against their horses and against their chariots And against all the foreigners who are in the midst of her, And they will become women! A sword against her treasures, and they will be plundered!

Ezekiel 11:8-10 “You have feared a sword; so I will bring a sword upon you,” the Lord GOD declares. “And I will bring you out of the midst of the city and deliver you into the hands of strangers and execute judgments against you. “You will fall by the sword I will judge you to the border of Israel; so you shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 21:3 and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am against you; and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.

Ezekiel 33:2 “Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman,

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

In the well known chapter 1 Kings 19  we find the account of what happened after fire fell on Mt Carmel in chapter 18.  After calling down fire and seeing God’s power demonstrated Elijah ( אֵלִיָּה meaning my God is Jehovah) started complain to the Lord as Jezebel was after him (1 Kings 19:14).

The Lord then told Elijah to get up and go v15-16 and anoint a couple of Kings (as you do) and also call Elisha  ( אֱלִישָׁע meaning God is salvation) as his successor.  The Lord also told Elijah in v18 that he was not alone as there were 7,000 who had not compromised and bowed to Baal.

In Australia at this time there has been significant compromise on moral issues by the people and sadly many Christians as well.  But the Lord has a significant number who have not compromised to the modern day Baals. We need to be encouraged by this fact.

It is time for this generation Fathers and Mothers to find their Elisha(s); that is their spiritual sons and daughters.

This current Elijah generation is aging.  It is time to go and find our Elishas. That is our spiritual sons and daughters.

There is a generation that God is raising up, an Elisha generation that carries a double anointing, a double mantle, and a double impact.  This is anyone under 40, it is time to start connecting into the Fathers and Mothers in the faith.  This is turning the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and Children to the Fathers.  Be that Father and Mother to empower the younger ones, love them, build them, release them … RELEASE them!

You will need to invest time, not just a prayer in a meeting, but real time, sharing meals, talking, and doing things together.  Encouraging them, hearing their stories, empowering and releasing this next generation, this Elisha generation.

To the under 40’s you are the Elisha generation.  You will come into a double anointing, a double portion; find your Fathers and Mothers in the faith.  1 Corinthians 4:15 says you have 10,000 instructors but not many Fathers.  Find your Fathers and Mothers in the faith, be released by them. Find those that will love you, support you, build you, and release you in your gifts and service.

As a family we should walk together, encourage and build each other, particularly this next generation, that 7,000 that have not bowed to baal. This next generation will reach out to many, many, many others.

The Lord is wanting us to genuinely connect and build, and build, and build.  Because He is building His Church, but this is how He is doing it.

1 Kings 19:11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?‘

14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’

15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.’

And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?’

21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

I received two words “Bigger Vision” then the Lord gave me two passages of scripture… (both are well known)

First Isaiah 54:2-3 (from the Message)

Clear lots of ground for your tents!
Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!
Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep.
You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family.
You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.
Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed.
Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.

Then 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

But as it is written: (Isaiah 64:4)
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Then the Lord said:

Trust Me, know My Love, I have called you all for my purposes.
It is time to stand and go forward, walk then run as I lead you.
Do not go ahead of Me or lag behind, but go with Me and see My Kingdom established in your midst; I am building My Church and the gates of hell have no power.
You are My Precious Loved ones; you are My Army.
Go forward in the victory I have already won.
Show forth My freedom and set the captives free; heal the sick; let the blind see; declare My favour.
Call forth repentance, and show My Love and Forgiveness.
It is time to rise up in My strength and do exploits in My name.

I have a great sense that it is a now Kairos time for expansion of vision and also practical expansion.

Today is the start of new Breakthrough and Breakout.
It is time to push forward and take new territory.
Breakthrough in victory in the name of the Lord (Hashem Adonai)
Breakout of limitations and things holding you back.

As we connect with His Heart and Holiness we will find new strength in Him.
The Lord is present with us to empower us for His purposes.

Even as the lepers went out to find the Lord had already won the victory
(Refer: 2 Kings 7) there is a radical change for the better right now.
The work of the enemy has already been destroyed.
It is time to take the spoils from the enemy and give thanks to the Lord!

I handed Dexter a bottle of anointing oil which he used on Todd and Rachel. The oil was from Bethlehem Israel and scented with frankincense, we had brought it home from our last trip to Israel.

As papa Dexter was praying the Holy Spirit reminded me of the significance of this particular oil and what it meant for Todd, Rachel, and Field of Dreams Church.

First, frankincense is symbolic of things royal, holy, kingly and priestly.  This represents, in part, the calling on Todd and Rachel, also the purpose for the City of Dreams vision.  There is a huge push forward for the Kingdom of God as the body of Christ comes together in the city.  This push will see captive and bound people set free as they come into the power of salvation in Christ.

The release of the captives brings them into a royal, holy, and righteous place where the most downtrodden is lift to a place of honour.

Secondly, Bethlehem (Beit Lechem בֵּית לֶחֶם – House of Bread) is the more significant point of this word.

There was a great sense that City of Dreams was to be a House of Bread and that bread is the Bread of Life (Yeshua) .

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

There will be an abundance of bread to be given freely to those in need under a Joseph anointing of provision in a time of famine. People will come to the Lord’s house to receive abundantly and then go out again to provide to others.   This is both a spiritual and physical provision.  The Lord is calling people to the House of Bread to release and distribute the Bread of Life to the city, nation and the nations.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.

The bread and drink the Lord is providing meets the deep longing people are crying out for; it truly satisfies and is without price.

City of Dreams is a house of bread, a place to eat and drink freely of all the Lord has to give; and then to release this blessing to all in need.