Jonathan Bernis | Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel
Summary
Rabbi Jonathan Bernis continues teaching from his new book, Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel.
Image
URL
The President’s decision sets in motion plans to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to that most holy of cities. But it’s also likely to spark further tension in the region. Some pundits say it will delay or derail the peace process, while others believe it may level the playing field and encourage the two sides come to the negotiating table.
“Today, we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital,” the President said from the White House. “This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.”
The President’s announcement reverses nearly seven decades of American foreign policy. Since Israel’s founding in 1948, the United States and almost every other nation in the world has declined to recognize Jerusalem as the capital.
That policy, Trump said, has brought us “no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.” He continued, “It would be folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better result.”
Recognizing Jerusalem, he added, was “a long overdue step to advance the peace process.”
The President cautioned that his decision should not be construed as the United States taking a position on whether, or how, the city might ultimately be shared.
The announcement was eagerly received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on other countries to join the United States in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. “The President’s decision is an important step toward peace, for there is no peace that doesn't include Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said.
President Trump is reported to have called the leaders of major Arab nations in the region ahead of time to tell them of his decision, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi and Saudi King Salman.
During his call with Trump, Abbas apparently warned that the action will have “dangerous consequences,” said an Abbas spokesman. He added that “the Palestinian stance is determined and steadfast there will not be a Palestinian state without East Jerusalem as its capital, according to decisions by the international community.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah also warned Trump of the decision's repercussions on Middle East security and stability. He pledged he would thwart any American initiative to renew the peace process and would encourage resistance among Muslims and Christians alike.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman told Trump that moving the embassy is a dangerous step that will inflame Muslims.
In the West Bank, Fatah, the controlling party of the Palestinian Authority, is said to be preparing for marches and rallies. Other Palestinian factions called for three days of rage in response to the announcement.
While the President’s announcement fulfills a campaign promise, it also puts him at odds with many international leaders – and not just those most obvious in the Middle East. Many of our allies, including Germany, for example, have expressed serious concerns.
Eight countries have called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, including France and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Bolivia, Egypt, Italy, Senegal, Sweden and Uruguay make up the remaining nations requesting that the meeting take place by the end of this week.
But, in his announcement, Trump acknowledged that little progress has been made to advance peace in the region, saying “We are no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians” than two decades ago.
The President’s strategy may not be simply, What have we got to lose? But also: What do we do to strengthen the alliance with our most steadfast ally in the region?
This is the right thing to do. And the right time to do it.
We decided as a country to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move our embassy there way back in 1995. Since then, for more than 20 years, each President has signed a delay order every six months.
President Trump did not decide to move the embassy. He decided not to sign the delay order any longer. So this is a huge day for America. And I believe it will result in unprecedented blessing for our nation.
Jerusalem is clearly important to God. In the gospels, we read of Yeshua (Jesus) weeping for this city. It’s the place where He was crucified, buried and rose again to bring eternal life to those who believe in Him. In Psalm 122:6, we’re asked to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
I hope that, as this internationally important news story develops further, you’ll pray for Jerusalem. But please also pray for the Jewish people all across Israel…for their safety and, most of all, their redemption in Jesus.
Thank you for your concern to stay up-to-date on the Middle East. As this situation continues to develop, particularly the responses from Arab nations, we’ll definitely keep you posted.
Thank you also for your friendship with Jewish Voice Ministries. Through your love for God’s Chosen People and your support of this ministry, you are having an eternal impact on lives around the world. From humanitarian aid to the all-important Gospel of Yeshua, your compassion and generosity are transforming lives.
Friend, could you use your gifts and talents to help transform the lives of Jewish people in Zimbabwe?
Do you …
If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you in 2018!
Jewish Voice's weeklong Medical Outreaches provide medical aid and spiritual care to thousands of people in poverty-stricken African Jewish communities. The only time many of these people will see a medical professional all year will be during our Outreach Clinics.
In April 2018, you could join us on a life-changing adventure during our Medical Clinic in Zimbabwe, where impoverished Jewish people are desperate for help.
You could be a part of bringing critical medical care to these suffering people, as well as the life-changing Good News of Yeshua (Jesus).
Watch this short video to see how JVMI Outreaches change lives.
For more details about the upcoming Medical Outreach in Zimbabwe, click the button below.
Can’t make it in April? There are still a few spots left on our 2018 Medical Outreach to Ethiopia in March.
I’ve always loved heroes.
That’s perhaps why Chanukah is my favorite time of the year.
Chanukah is the season when we celebrate how, centuries ago, God’s people were willing to make enormous sacrifices – to fight against great odds – and do what’s right. They became heroes through their obedience to God.
I’m sure you know the story …
Alexander the Great conquered most of the known world but died without an heir, so his massive new empire (which included Judea) was divided among his generals.
This was fine for the Jews of Judea at first – until 175 BC, when the Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes invaded and tried to outlaw worship of the one true God, the God of Israel. Antiochus banned circumcision, outlawed the Hebrew Bible and even sacrificed pigs on an altar to Zeus in God’s Holy Temple.
This prompted a Jewish uprising – the Maccabean Revolt – led by a Jewish priest named Mattathias and his sons.
After ten long years of guerilla warfare against a much larger and better equipped Seleucid army, the Jewish rebels did the seemingly impossible, pushing back their enemies, recapturing Jerusalem and cleansing and rededicating the Temple.
That’s why those Jewish Maccabean warriors were heroes – they did impossible things, against impossible odds, because it was right and because God told them to.
Their heroic actions are the basis for the celebration of Chanukah. Especially important was the miracle of the oil. During the rededication of the temple, they found only enough specially prepared oil to relight the lampstand in the Holy place for one day.
But miraculously, God kept the lampstand burning for eight days until new oil could be prepared! This is why we celebrate Chanukah by lighting candles for eight days. All because the heroes of that day had faith that God could do the impossible.
When I look at the ministry of Jewish Voice – at all the people who work so hard to serve Jewish people around the world through this organization – I include them in my list of heroes.
The volunteers who serve with us provide Jewish people in India, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Israel with critical medical, dental and eye care who otherwise would not have such services.
Heroes who work so hard to provide impoverished and often persecuted Jewish people with clean water, education and – most important of all – with the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) who loves them, died for them and wants them to receive the gift of eternal life.
Because of the faith and efforts of these many heroes I regularly have seen God do seemingly impossible things through the ministry of Jewish Voice.
But the heroes in this ministry are not only those who often go to the remote places where Jewish Voice works.
Our heroes, and the people I admire, include those partners (like you) who give so generously to make this ministry possible. Remember that Romans 10:15 asks: “How will they go if they are not sent?”
Overcoming opposition, accomplishing heroic things and sometimes achieving miraculous results are possible only because of your generous support.
I truly mean it when I say you are one of our heroes (and one of MY heroes) when you join with Jewish Voice, in obedience to God, and give to provide care for impoverished Jewish people, and to share Yeshua with them.
Will you continue to be a hero by standing with Jewish Voice to serve Jewish people and their neighbors in need?
Will you help us be obedient to God’s call by giving to provide physical care and spiritual hope in Yeshua to people around the world?
May your heart overflow with praise as you reflect on God’s goodness and His great love for you.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise – dwell on these things. —Philippians 4:8
A blessed holiday to you!
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua.
―1 Thessalonians 5:18
