Author: Mike Wingfield

The Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple

By Micah Winefeld

The world’s most valuable piece of real estate is located on a small hill adjacent to the ancient city of Jerusalem. The battle over who controls it will incite a world war. This much-coveted 35-acre compound is known as the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is presently under Muslim control, while the Jews yearn to rebuild their tem­ple on this site. These conflicting agendas will eventually trigger a major war in the Middle East that will have glob­al consequences. Islam, which is the world’s fastest-growing religion with 1.5 billion adherents, considers the Temple Mount to be the third most sacred Islamic site. Muslim tradition holds that the Islamic prophet Muham­mad made his “night journey” to heaven from this loca­tion. Today, this mountain is home to two of Islam’s old­est centers of worship, the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The entire area is controlled by the Palestini­an Islamic authorities, the waqf. The waqf has very strict rules concerning non-Muslim visitation and activities on the Temple Mount. Jews and Christians cannot read from the Scriptures or pray on the Mount. There have been many incidents in recent decades that have brought about an Islamic riot due to violations of these rules. In some cases, rioters have been killed. This illustrates that this area is a very serious flash point in the ongoing hatred that Islam expresses toward the Israelis’ occupation of what Muslims called an Islamic trust – territory that belongs to Allah.

In spite of all of this, many Israelis are committed to the hope that someday they will be able to build the third Jew­ish temple on the Temple Mount. Archeological evidence confirms the Biblical documentation of the previous tem­ples that stood on this mountain. Jews recognize the Temple Mount as “the navel of the earth.” (See Ezekiel 5:5.) It is an ancient tradition that God gathered dust from here to create Adam. They also believe this was the location of Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of Isaac. (See Genesis 22:14.)

Most Jewish scholars believe that the third Jewish tem­ple must be built upon the Temple Mount. In Deuterono­my 12:13-14, the Lord instructed Moses: “Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I com­mand thee.” It is evident from many Scriptures that the Lord chose Mount Moriah, also known as “the mountain of the Lord” or “Mount Zion,” to be the location of His temple. (See Psalm 48.) Therefore, the Jewish people do not have a choice in this matter. If they are to build an­other temple, it must be constructed upon the Temple Mount.

This is an unusual view of the Temple Mount from the north, looking south at the Dome of the Rock. Notice the “Dome of the Spirits” on the left. Many Bible scholars believe that
this dome marks the location of the Holy of Holies of the previous temples. Therefore, the
Biblical temples did not stand where the present Dome of the Rock is located. The entire
Temple Mount is very vulnerable to great destruction due to an earthquake because it was
created with fill-dirt by King Herod, beginning in 20 B.C.

Both Jews and Muslims are passionate about their reli­gious traditions and aspirations that are bound up on this small plot of ground. As we shall see in this article, the day is coming when a very serious war will erupt over the Jewish occupation of the Holy Land and their aspirations to build their temple upon the Temple Mount. This war will pave the way for the world’s final seven years under the rule of man.

I have been following the developments in Israel con­cerning the preparations for temple worship and the re­building of the Jewish temple for over 40 years. During this time, it is safe to say that all of the talk and prepara­tions have involved the efforts of a few Jewish rabbis and their dedicated followers. However, this seems to be changing. In the last year, two Israeli politicians have called for the rebuilding of the temple. Just a few weeks ago, Housing and Construction Minister, Uri Ariel, stated: “…we need to build a real Temple on the Temple Mount.” They recognize that their statements are provocative. However, they believe the time has come for the rebuild­ing of the temple.

The rebuilding of the third temple on the Temple Mount is not a prerequisite for the beginning of the Tribulation Period. However, according to four Scriptures, a temple will be constructed and temple worship inaugurated before the mid-point of the seven-year Tribulation Period. While addressing the disciples’ question about the “end of the age,” in His Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned the future genera­tions living in Jerusalem to be aware of the approaching “abom­ination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…” (Matthew 24:15) A little over 600 years before Christ, Daniel had warned that the final years leading up to the beginning of the kingdom, would feature a political leader who will confirm a covenant with Israel for seven years. We know him as the Antichrist. At the middle of this designated time frame, the Antichrist will cause the temple sacrifices to cease and turn on Israel with vengeful wrath. (See Daniel 9:27.) The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Thessalonica about 20 years after Christ, clarified that the Antichrist will enter the temple and declare himself to be God. Paul wrote:

“Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: Who op­poseth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the tem­ple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalo­nians 2:3-4) Finally, at the end of the first century, about 25 years after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., the

Apostle John mentioned the Temple in the final book of the Bible. While describing events that will take place during the mid-point of the Tribulation Period, an angel commanded John to measure the temple. He also wrote that the Temple compound will be controlled by the Gen­tiles during the last half of the Tribulation. (See Revela­tion 11:1-2) Therefore, the Scriptural command for the rebuilding of Jewish temple during the Tribulation Period has been given by four writers, spanning a period of 700 years.

A model of the Second Temple of the First Century

There are several preparations that must take place be­fore a temple can be constructed on the Temple Mount and temple worship reinstituted. Let us examine these preparations.

Israeli control of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount

The Scriptures indicate that after the Jewish temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. there would be no temple in Jerusa­lem throughout the remainder of the Church Age. The prophet Hosea, writing about 100 years before Daniel, wrote about an amazing prophecy concerning the absence of a temple in Israel’s future. He wrote: “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and with­out a prince, and without a sacrifice … Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king: and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.” (Hosea 3:4-5) These words perfectly describe the political and religious reali­ties of the Jewish people as they were scattered among the nations for over 19 centuries. Jesus proclaimed that Jeru­salem would be “trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)

The first half of the 20^th century witnessed amazing events that created the perfect opportunity for the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland. Finally, on May 14, 1948, the nation of Israel was reborn. However, Israel would not control all of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount until the defeat of her Arab enemies in June 1967. Only days after this victory, the Israeli government an­nexed East Jerusalem, uniting all of Jerusalem. However, due to the threat of a major Islamic war over the Temple Mount, the leaders of Israel decided to return control of the Temple Mount to the Muslims. So, Israel is not in complete control of the Temple Mount. Something in the future must change this status, thus allowing Israel to build a temple on the Temple Mount. But, that will once again be interrupted by the Antichrist at the mid-point of the Tribulation. In Revelation 11:2, an angel told John that the Temple compound would be “given unto the Gen­tiles, and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Therefore, the Bible indicates there will be a struggle for the control of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount in the last of the last days. (See Zechariah 12-14.) Zechariah 14:2 indicates half of Jerusalem will be under the control of the Israelis until the end of the Tribulation Period. In light of the developments in Israel over the last few decades, all of this indicates we have arrived at the end of the Church Age. It is apparent that the Lord is about to revive His final plans for His chosen people. At the center of all these activities is the rebuilding of their temple in Jerusalem.

The Attitudes in Israel about a Temple

For 2,000 years now, Orthodox Jews have prayed three times a day for the following 5 things: (1) The return of the land of Israel to the Jews. (2) The return of the Jews to the land of Israel. (3) The rebuilding and reuniting of all Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (4) The restoration of divine temple worship. (5) The rebuilding of the temple on the Temple Mount. An examination of these requests in­dicates that the first three have been fulfilled and the prep­arations for the fourth item are now under way.

Orthodox historian, David Solomon, says about the re­building of the temple: “It was the essence of our Jewish being, the unifying force of our people. … No one can say how, and no one wants to do it by force. Sooner or later, in a week or a century, it will be done. And we will be ready for it. … Every day’s delay is a stain on the nation.”

Preparations for Temple Worship

Since my first trip to the Holy Land in 1985, I have been following the exciting preparations for temple worship. My tour groups have made many trips to the Temple Insti­tute in Jerusalem. We will be visiting the new facilities of the Temple Institute on my next tour in March, 2014. Plan now to join us!

Many in the Islamic world stubbornly refuse to recog­nize the historical Jewish connection to the Holy Land, Jerusalem, and especially the Temple Mount. No excava­tions have been allowed on the Temple Mount. However, several years ago, Islamic authorities of the Temple Mount brought in heavy earthmoving equipment and re­moved tons of soil from the Temple Mount to expand their prayer facilities. They dumped the soil in a ravine near the Mount of Olives. Realizing this soil contained clues to Jewish history of the area, a team of Israelis gained per­mission to move the soil to another location. With the aid of thousands of volunteers, they have been sifting through this soil. This very meticulous effort has already yielded several historical items from the first and second temple periods. Those in charge of this project claim that it will take another 15-20 years to sift through all of the soil. If you are interested in this, I recommend you visit the Tem­ple Institute website at www.templeinstitute.org. Also you can check out the Temple Mount sifting project at www.templemount.wordpress.com.

Another fascinating development in recent years has been the training of young Jewish men for the priesthood. Through DNA analysis, the priestly tribe of Levi has been identified and some are being trained as priests. Jimmy DeYoung, a Christian journalist living in Israel, writes: “A group of religious Jews who live in the Jordan Valley near the ancient city of Jericho are taking practical steps to pre­pare for the building of the third temple in Jerusalem by preparing descendants of the Kohanim, the priests, and the Levites for service in this next temple. These Jewish lead­ers have established a training center where temple priests can learn exactly how to conduct the daily temple services and offer the required sacrifices as dictated by the Jewish laws from the Biblical book of Leviticus. The training center will include an exact replica of the temple where the student-priests can learn to do their duties which are required and this training center, the organizers believe, comes at an historic time marking the beginning of the work for the third temple.” (Jimmy DeYoung, Watchman Newsletter, October 12, 2009)

A visit to the Temple Institute quickly reveals that much research has been completed concerning the future temple and its construction. Models of the temple to be con­structed are on display, along with many of the vessels and instruments of worship that are necessary for temple worship to begin. When you ask the folks at the institute how long it will take to construct this temple, they smile and simply say: “Not too long, we have been waiting for almost 2,000 years.” Some at the institute have com­mented that when permission is granted for temple con­struction to begin, they are prepared to erect a Tabernacle on the Temple Mount, much like the one that served Israel for hundreds of years until the temple was completed by King Solomon. With priests prepared and everything in place, they will begin to offer sacrifices while the temple is under construction. The leaders of the institute remind us that the second temple of the first century was under continual construction while temple worship proceeded in the unfinished temple. Therefore, it is highly likely that Israel will at some point begin to worship in the temple during the Tribulation Period while it is still under con­struction. We can rest assured that the leaders of this con­struction and worship will have divine insight and instruc­tion. According to Revelation 11:2-6, two very special Jewish witnesses, probably a resurrected Moses and Eli­jah, will return to proclaim the gospel and give direction to the construction and Jewish worship at the temple. Je­sus declared that Elijah would come before Him and “re­store all things.” (Mark 9:12) From a Jewish perspective, this would seem to include the rebuilding of the temple.

When Will Temple Construction Begin?

What stands in the way of the building of the Jewish temple? Physically, the presence of Islamic worship cen­ters on the Temple Mount – the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, prevent the construction of a Jewish temple. History demonstrates that any movement of stones or dirt around the Temple Mount brings the region to the brink of war. One cannot begin to imagine what would develop should Israel decide to remove one or both of these structures. For centuries, Muslims have ex­pressed hatred and mistrust of the Jewish people. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, and especially the Jewish occupation of Jerusalem, this Islamic hatred is at an all-time high! Therefore, it would appear that Israel is waiting on divine help to clear the way for the building of its temple.

In my opinion, this divine assistance will come during the future Gog-Magog war mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39. In this war, Russia and Iran, along with Turkey, Libya, and Sudan will come against Israel. As they are poised to attack on the northern border of Israel, the Lord will su­pernaturally defend His people with a massive global earthquake that will destroy the armies amassed on Isra­el’s border. (Ezekiel 38:18-23) This earthquake in Israel will cause “every wall [to] fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:20) This would include all structures on the Temple Mount. The most radical of the Muslim armies will be defeated and their people humiliated. The Temple Mount will be in ruins. It seems to me that this will create the perfect opportunity for the Antichrist to seize the moment and confirm a covenant with Israel. This treaty will pos­sibly include permission to build their temple on the Tem­ple Mount.

It is very important to note that the stage is rapidly being set for the Ezekiel war. Russia and Iran are close allies and it is apparent they aim to control the future of the Middle East. A surge of radical Islam is currently re­shaping the Middle Eastern landscape, creating new foes and alliances. Thanks to the Obama administration, the U.S. is now supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and ig­noring alarming developments in Iran. Many who have studied Ezekiel 38-39 have concluded that something must happen to the U.S. – Israeli relationship that will make the world’s only Jewish nation vulnerable to attack, since it will be without the support or defense of its great ally.

In my opinion, current events will bring about a radical change in the Middle East and spark the Ezekiel war. This will lead to the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusa­lem. As these events unfold, the Lord could come at any time for His bride – the church of Jesus Christ. Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

The Approaching Economic Tsunami

As the stock mark continues to reach record highs, au­thor Micahel Synder has released a best-selling book on the U.S. economy. In The Beginning of the End, he writes, “Is the global economic downturn going to accel­erate as we roll into the second half of this year? There is turmoil in the Middle East, we are seeing things happen in the bond markets that we have not seen happen in more than 30 years, and much of Europe has already plunged into a full-blown economic depression. Sadly, most Americans will never understand what is happening until financial disaster strikes them personally. As long as they can go to work during the day and eat frozen pizza and watch reality television at night, most of them will consid­er everything to be just fine. Unfortunately, the truth is that everything is not fine. The world is becoming in­creasingly unstable, we are living in the terminal phase of the greatest debt bubble in the history of the planet and the global financial system is even more vulnerable than it was back in 2008. Unfortunately, most people seem to only have a 48 hour attention span at best these days. They don’t have the patience to watch long-term trends develop. And the coming economic collapse is not going to happen all at once. Rather, it is like watching a very, very slow-motion train wreck happen. The coming eco­nomic nightmare is going to unfold over a number of years. Yes, there will be moments of great panic, but mostly it will be a steady decline into economic oblivion. And there are a lot of indications that the second half of this year is not going to be as good as the first half was.” This writer agrees with these observations and comments. We must remember that according to Revelation 6:5-6, the Tribulation Period will begin with a time of global hyper­inflation.

When one begins to look at the big picture, it is evident that the world is spiritually, morally, politically, geologi­cally, and economically ready for the most difficult time for the family of nations in the history of mankind. Jesus said: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world, to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are the only ones on the planet that have any hope. Read Romans 8:28-39 and thank the Lord for His everlasting love and the home He has prepared for us in heaven. (John 14:1-3) If you are not saved, now is the time to give your soul to the Lord. Repent of your sins and receive the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Read Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; and 10:9­-13. Now is the time to believe upon and receive the Lord Jesus. (John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 4:12)

Moving Toward the Great Judgment of God

In my opinion, recent events in the U.S. undoubtedly indicate that our nation is perilously close to the spiritual point of no return. Following the pattern in Scripture, this means that our beloved nation is ripe for divine judgment.

The recent decision by the highest court in the land to give same sex marriage the same recognition as the Bibli­cal mandated view of marriage between one man and one woman is a clear warning that divine judgment is about to fall upon America. God performed the first marriage in the Garden of Eden. He created man, then woman. Then, He then declared: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Thousands of years later, while answering His critics’ question about divorce, Jesus repeated the Genesis declaration concerning mar­riage: “Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asun­der.” (Matthew 19:4-6) A few decades later, the Apos­tle Paul, while writing about marriage repeated this: “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31) Therefore, it is obvious that the mar­riage between one man and one woman is the mandate of Scripture, and was supported by all the writers of the Bib­lical books, both in Old and New testaments.

Furthermore, these same godly men, under divine inspi­ration, declared that same sex affections and relations are an abomination to God. The Bible makes it clear that He will carry out divine judgment upon any culture that open­ly accepts this deviation from His holy mandate. (Read Leviticus 18:19-30.) Some homosexual groups claim that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not due to their homosexual lifestyles. However, this does not agree with the Genesis account and the New Testament writers’ comments about God’s judgment upon these two cities.

In the Old Testament account, the Bible focuses on how the homosexual lifestyles of men in Sodom and Gomorrah brought about their destruction. Notice that according to Genesis 19:4, the men who surrounded the house of Lot demanded that he release the two angels because they thought they were young men. The Bible tells us that these men represented all the men of the city when they cried out to Lot: “Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us that we may know them.” (Genesis 19:5) The Hebrew word translated “know” plainly indicates they wanted to have sex with these men. Notice that Lot’s response indicates this. He called their request “wicked.” (Genesis 19:7) In his des­peration, Lot offered his two virgin daughters to the mob for sexual exploitation. (Genesis 19:8) Also, in the previ­ous chapter of Genesis, the Lord stated to Abraham as he was revealing what was about to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah: “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now…” (Genesis 18:20)

The New Testament sets forth Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s judgment upon any generation that dares to ignore the Biblical warnings about the acceptance and permeation of homosexuality in a culture. Jude 7 de­clares: “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to for­nication, and going after strange [different] flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” While writing about the divine judgment that will come upon the ungodly, the Apostle Peter wrote: “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes con­demned with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly.” (2 Peter 2:6)

Also, in writing about God’s wrath against ungodliness in Romans 1, the Apostle Paul warns that the open prac­tice and acceptance of homosexuality is a clear indication that a society is morally bankrupt, and has been given up by God and subject to His divine judgment. (Read Ro­mans 1:24-27.) Please notice that in verse 27, God warns the men who commit sex with other men that they will receive in their bodies a due penalty because of their per­version. This is exactly what is taking place in our world today. Please go to www.cdc.gov and examine the statis­tics given by the Centers for Disease Control and Preven­tion. They state that it is believed that about 4 percent of the American population practices same sex. However, the statistical data collected demonstrate that about 92 percent of those who contract HIV (aids) have had some connection with the homosexual community!

The homosexual community would read this article and claim that it is hate speech. However, that is not the intent behind God’s laws, standards and mandates. God loves them enough to tell them the truth, and we should too!

The God of Jacob

By Micah Winefeld

Through His own sovereign will, the God of the Bible has attached Himself to the Jewish people – the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As part of His eternal design, He has chosen to reveal Himself to the world through the Jewish people, in general, and the nation of Israel, in particular.

Israel, and its place in history, provide living testament to the reality and power of the God of the Bible. Like the wind, God is invisible to the human eye, but we can see and experience His power. I base these statements on the irrevocable covenant the Lord made with His chosen people, Israel. (Romans 11:29) You are in a minority if you truly believe that God has not finished working through His chosen people. Most pastors in the American church are systematically teaching their people what is known as replacement theology. This false doctrine simple states that the Lord has divorced the Jewish people from His covenant and replaced them with the church. As they teach this, pastors twist direct statements of Scripture to fit their false doctrine. Many of them interpret the Bible literally as they look at some doctrines – but when it comes to eschatology – the doctrine of last things, they reject any role assigned to Israel. They simply believe that God has divorced Himself from the Jewish people because they have rejected the gospel and refuse to believe that Jesus is their Messiah and Savior.

This false doctrine is both tragic and very misleading. My research has led me to conclude that the early church fathers, such as Augustine, who arrived at this conclusion, were motivated by anti-Semitism. They hated the Jewish people. In some cases, they called for the death of the Jewish people and the destruction of their homes. How can this be? How could they hate the people that Jesus calls “my brethren”? (Matthew 25:40)

Recently, I had a dear brother approach me after one of my speaking engagements. He asked me to help him give answers to a friend who believes that Jesus is not Jewish. I gave him several Scriptures to prove Jesus was and is Jewish (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38; Revelation 5:5). As I drove home that night, I reflected upon the real issue in this man’s heart and why he refuses to believe that Jesus is Jewish. In my opinion, this man has probably been taught replacement theology. For him, his Jesus cannot be Jewish because he hates the Jewish people.

I have given much thought and research to disprove the false doctrine of replacement theology. However, the most tragic observation about those who cling to this false teaching is their wrong view of God. They really do not understand the nature of God. In essence, they have concluded that God cannot forgive the Jewish people because of their historical rejection of Jesus. They have concluded that God cannot be patient to wait for His divine promises with Israel to be fulfilled. Therefore, their view of end-time events is twisted and distorted. They cannot fathom how Scripture plainly teaches that Israel has a prominent role in God’s plan to bring this world to its climax.

In this newsletter, I would like to focus upon one of the most powerful considerations that prove God’s unfailing love to His chosen people – Israel. In the Bible, names are very important. Names reflect the character of the person or something significant about their life or divine calling. For example, God named the first man “Adam,” which in Hebrew means “man.” This name comes from another Hebrew word that means “land” or “ground.” This was a very fitting name for the first human being because the Bible states: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) When an angel informed Joseph and Mary about the birth of the Messiah they were told that He must be called “Jesus.” The angel said to Joseph: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) The name “Jesus” is the same as the Old Testament name “Joshua.” The name “Jesus” or “Joshua” comes from a Hebrew noun which means, “the Lord saves.” Therefore, the names of Adam and Jesus, as well as others in the Bible, have a direct link to their nature or divine calling.

In light of this, it is very revealing to examine the self-appointed names of God in the Bible. Obviously, the Lord has intended for these titles or names to reflect His divine character and eternal plans. In the Bible, the Lord repeatedly calls Himself “the God of Israel,” “the Holy One of Israel,” “the God of Abraham,” “the God of Isaac,” and “the God of Jacob.”

“The God of Jacob” is one of the most revealing names that God assigns to Himself. By doing so, He clearly illustrates His choice and His eternally binding covenant with Israel and the Jewish people. Jacob is the father of the Jewish people. The Bible repeatedly refers to the children of Israel (Jacob) or the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacob). The life of Jacob mirrors the lives of the Jewish people in their many generations. Their lives are uniquely intertwined. To understand Jacob is to understand the Jewish people and the reasons why God chose them from the nations of the world.

I have concluded that when God calls Himself “the God of Jacob” there are at least five things He wants us to know about His divine nature and eternal plans. Let us explore these powerful insights into the very nature of our God.

1. The God of Jacob is a God of sovereign grace.

It is very important that we understand that the Lord did not choose Jacob or the entire Jewish race because He saw something good, noble, or great in them. In Deuteronomy 7:6-8, Moses reminded his people why the Lord chose them: “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number that any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers…” With these words Moses reminded his people that they were divinely chosen as an act of God’s sovereign grace. They were not worthy of God’s choice. Throughout their generations, God reminded many of the godly Jewish leaders of this powerful reality. For example, the prophet Isaiah communicated to his people during a time of great spiritual apostasy that they were the chosen people of God. (Isaiah 41:8-20) However, he warned them that they were nothing more than a “worm” in the sight of God. (Isaiah 41:14) In essence, the Lord reminded Israel that they were totally helpless and vulnerable, like a worm, without Him!

Before Jacob was born, the Scriptures make it clear that God had a divine plan and calling for him. Read Genesis 25:19-28. The Lord has determined that His purposes would be clear to us about Jacob and the entire generations of the Jewish people who would follow him. In Romans 9:6-13, the Apostle Paul plainly declares that before the birth of Jacob or Esau, He chose Jacob “that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.” (Romans 9:11)

God’s selection of Jacob was an act of total sovereign grace. Jacob was a liar, cheater, and manipulator. He was selfish, scheming, and deceitful. In many ways, he was a control freak! While commenting about the name “the God of Jacob,” John Phillips, writes: “The God of Jacob is a God of compassion and care. There was nothing deserving about Jacob. He was a scheming, crooked arm-twister, crafty cattleman not a bit above lying and cheating if it served its turn. Yet God met Jacob, mastered Jacob, molded Jacob, magnified Jacob, and multiplied Jacob. The God of Jacob is the God who loves us in spite of our faults and failing.” (John Phillips, Exploring the Psalms, Vol. 1, p. 155)

God’s choice of Jacob and the Jewish people is an act of divine sovereignty. God, in eternity past, has made eternal choices. All of prophecy demonstrates this! God is in complete control and is moving all of human history to an end for His glory. “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isaiah 14:24)

We must not forget that our personal salvation is also a work of the amazing grace of our God for His glory! We are saved, kept, and blessed because of His grace and for His glory! Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

2. The God of Jacob is a God of incredible patience.

For most of his life, Jacob, spiritually, and one time physically, wrestled with God. He must have known he was the chosen one over Esau, yet he was not willing to wait on God’s perfect timing. In this struggle, his life was filled with trouble.

He and his brother were opposites and sibling rivalry was sharp between them. Eventually, he was manipulated by his mother to deceive his father to steal his brother’s birthright. As a result, his brother, Esau, planned to murder him. Consequently, his father sent him away to his father-in-law’s house to find a wife among the daughters of Rebekah’s brother, Laban.

Jacob spent 20 long years working for his uncle Laban, who was equal to him in deception as a swindler and cheater. While there, he married his two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Rachel, being his favorite and original choice, was withheld from Jacob, forcing him to work a total of 14 years for both sisters. Following that 14 years Jacob worked for Laban an additional six years. During this 20-year period Jacob experienced numerous problems. His two wives were jealous of each other, and in their competition to provide sons for Jacob, they convinced him to have children by their handmaids. In all, Jacob fathered 11 sons and probably many daughters (remember the girls were usually not mentioned in the Biblical genealogical records) by these four women during this difficult time in his life. One cannot begin to imagine the heartache that must have existed in this fractured home! Furthermore, Laban attempted to cheat Jacob in his business relationship as Jacob was in charge of their shared flocks. In spite of Laban’s ways, God blessed Jacob.

Following this, Jacob, his family and all his flocks fled from Laban. Unknown to Jacob, his favorite wife, Rachel, stole her father’s idols, putting them all in danger of Lagan’s vengeance. However, once again the Lord protected Jacob and his family. After this Jacob physically wrestled with God and as a result, probably walked with a limp the rest of his life. It was at this time that the Lord changed his name to Israel. Next, came a very critical reunion and potential confrontation with Esau, who Jacob was sure was still nursing a 20-year grudge. Jacob feared that Esau would kill him and all of his family. However, God once again delivered him and gave him grace in the eyes of his brother Esau.

Eventually, Jacob suffered a great tragedy when Rachel, died while giving birth to Benjamin. After several years, the animosity and hostility between Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, and his brothers escalated, causing them to hate Joseph. They nursed their hatred and jealousy and were ready to kill him. Finally, they sold him into slavery. They lied to their father, telling him Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob lived for 22 years thinking that Joseph was dead.

Finally, Jacob was stunned to discover that Joseph was alive in Egypt. He was 130 and Joseph was 39 when he made his way with his family to join Joseph in Egypt. It is my opinion that this was the spiritual turning point in the life of Jacob. He saw Joseph and heard the testimony of God’s gracious work through all of Joseph’s trials and troubles. He saw the spiritual difference in himself and his son. He had wrestled with God in all of his troubles instead of trusting the Lord. Joseph had not done that. He had walked with God during the times of his trouble. And, to Jacob’s surprise, Joseph also walked with a limp. It was at that point that Jacob surrendered to God and became the man that the Lord wanted him to be. The testimony of Psalm 105:17-23 seems to support this conclusion: “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: … Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.”

God waited for 130 years to bring Jacob to a place of total surrender. Consequently, the Lord wants to be known as the God of Jacob because He is still waiting for the entire nation of Israel to come to salvation. The God of Jacob has displayed incredible patience with the Jewish people for over 4,000 years, and He is not done with them yet! Those who believe that God has divorced the Jewish people from His future plans need to be reminded that the God of Jacob is a God of incredible patience.

3. The God of Jacob is a God of transforming power.

Jacob’s life was one of heartache, fear, disappointment, tragedy, and rejection. Much of what happened to him was the result of his own sin and the sins of his family. Jacob happened to be at the center of the whirlwind of all of these problems. Yet, in the midst of all of this, God, in His grace, met with him and spoke to him on seven different occasions.

As mentioned before, we can safely assume that his mother, Rebekah, must have told him that the Lord informed her before he and his brother were born that he would be the son of promise. He was to be the physical heir of most of his father’s wealth. But most importantly, he was destined to be the spiritual head of his family and the chief person in whom God would bless and work to create the nation of Israel. However, Jacob was continually frustrated and impatient, and did not wait on God to do it God’s way and in God’s time. Instead, he attempted to manipulate things to make it happen in his own time.

As previously mentioned, God transformed Jacob into the godly man he wanted him to be when he came to Egypt and heard the testimony of his son Joseph. Joseph told him of the 22 years of trouble in his life and how he accepted these trials and matured as a godly man. As a result, God put Joseph in a place of blessing and power, just as he had revealed to him in his dreams 22 years earlier. (Genesis 37:5-11) I am convinced that Jacob saw that Joseph had come to the place of blessing and surrender to the Lord in spite of his troubles because he was trusting in the Lord. He must have realized that he had failed to do this. So, Jacob turned all of his troubles over to the Lord and stopped wrestling with God.

All of this seems to be evident when you read about the words and actions of Jacob after his arrival in Egypt and the testimony of his life for his last 17 years in Egypt. Notice that when Joseph escorted Jacob into the presence of Pharaoh in Genesis 47:7-10, that he spoke of life from a heavenly perspective. He viewed life as a spiritual journey, being a pilgrim on earth. (See Hebrews 11:8-16.)

Years later, when Jacob was blessing the sons of Joseph, he spoke of God as the One who “fed me all my life long unto this day. … which redeemed me from all evil …” (Genesis 48:15, 16) Now, Jacob looked back over his life and rejoiced in his trials, rather than being overcome with fear or worry concerning the same trials.

In the final days of his life he gathered his sons around him for his final blessing. This blessing is recorded in Genesis 49 and is an incredible prophetic revelation concerning the tribes of Israel. This proves that Jacob was not looking at the moment, but as the Spirit of God directed, he was looking at the lives of his sons from God’s perspective, rather than his own. He was resting in God’s will rather than wrestling with God’s will. In Genesis 49:18, he expressed the passion of his heart when he said: “I have waited for thy salvation.” Finally, Jacob had arrived. He was waiting on God, instead of running ahead of Him to make things happen.

After many long years, God finally transformed the life of Jacob. This is one of the reasons why God wants us to call Him “the God of Jacob.” This name should remind us that the Lord has promised the nation of Israel that a most incredible transformation is coming in the future for the entire nation of Israel. “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” (Romans 11:26)

This simply means that every living Jew at the end of the Tribulation Period will place their personal trust in Jesus the Messiah for their salvation. The prophet Zechariah wrote about this amazing time when the entire nation of Israel will be saved. Read Zechariah 12-13. The Lord has promised: “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for his firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10) According to Zechariah, one-third of the Jewish nation will physically survive the horrors of the Tribulation Period and be saved. He wrote: “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” (Zechariah 13:9)

The God of Jacob has waited for a very long time for His ultimate purposes for Israel to come to pass. He waited on Jacob, and now He is still waiting on the entire nation. It will come to pass!

4. The God of Jacob is a God of mighty deliverance.

A study of the passages that refer to God as the God of Jacob are filled with references to the mighty deliverance of God in the life of Jacob and ultimately, the entire nation of Israel. In Psalm 132:2, 5 He is called, “the mighty God of Jacob.” Psalm 46:7, 11 declares that in the midst of life-threatening conditions, “the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

It is important to notice that God continually delivered Jacob during his life even though he was not where he spiritually needed to be. In the times of his lack of trust, the God of Jacob still delivered him from those who wished to harm him.

The same must be said today for the God of Jacob and His mighty deliverance of the Jewish people living in the land of Israel. There are a multitude of divine promises given to the re-gathered nation of Israel concerning their divine protection. (Psalm 121:1-8; Isaiah 41:8-16; 54:17; Jeremiah 30:10-24) A consideration of the last 65 years for the modern nation of Israel gives strong testimony to their mighty deliverance by the God of Jacob.

The God of Jacob will defend His chosen people who have gathered back in the Promised Land, not because they deserve it, but for His honor and His eternal purposes revealed to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Bible has declared that the Tribulation Period, especially the last half, will be the most horrific period of time any nation has ever faced in all of human history. (Daniel 12:1) Jeremiah 30:7, referring to the latter half of the Tribulation declares: “Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Notice that this horrific time for the nation of Israel is called “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” Also, note that God has promised: “…but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jeremiah 30:7)

5. The God of Jacob is a God worthy of all praise.

The Jewish people were uniquely created to bring praise and glory to the God of Jacob. (Ezekiel 36:16-24) In Isaiah 46:9-13, the Lord reminded Israel that their past and future are in the hands of the One Who declares: “…the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. … and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”

It is very precious to read the last thing recorded in the Bible about Jacob: “By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph: and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:21) Jacob died while he was worshiping the Lord! What a way to enter into the presence of the Lord!

In spite of some of his character flaws, God in His grace met with Jacob and at times Jacob responded with heart­felt worship. Perhaps one of the most moving experiences of His life was his encounter with God in Genesis 28:10­-19. While he was fleeing from the wrath of his brother, Jacob was all alone. God gave him a heavenly vision of the angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder set upon the earth. The Lord stood at the top of this ladder and said to Jacob: “I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” (Genesis 28:13-15) When Jacob awoke from that dream the next morning, he declared: “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” (Genesis 28:16) Jacob was moved to worship the Lord. He renamed the place “Bethel,” which in Hebrew means “the house of God.” (Genesis 28:19)

The Holy Spirit has connected this name of God, “the God of Jacob,” with worship. Psalm 81:1 declares: “Sing aloud unto the God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.”

In light of this, it is a blessing to note that direct worship of the King at His holy temple on the holy mountain in the holy city of Jerusalem will be connected to “the God of Jacob.” Long ago Isaiah wrote: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above all the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)

Furthermore, in the heavenly and eternal New Jerusalem, the names of the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacob) will be written upon the 12 gates that provide entrance into the presence of the Lord. (Revelation 21:12-13) The God of Jacob is worthy of our eternal praise.

Jacob was a rascal. He certainly had his share of problems. Yet, God met Jacob while he had nothing and deserved nothing, but gave to him everything! That is real amazing grace!!

The next time you meet a person that hates Jews, or refuses to believe that Jesus is a Jew, or dares to think that God has divorced the Jewish people from His future plans – tell them about the God of Jacob. As the God of Jacob, He has chosen their end and is patiently waiting to transform them with His mighty power by His amazing grace. That will never change because He never changes. He has said: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)

The Lord does not save people from their sins because they deserve to be redeemed and blessed by Him. We are all like Jacob. We are all spiritual rascals! “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) When we get to our heavenly home, the New Jerusalem, every time we go out one of those gates and we see one of the names of the sons of Jacob, we will remember these five things about the God of Jacob: He is a God of sovereign grace. He is a God of incredible patience. He is a God of transforming power. He is a God of mighty deliverance. And, He is a God of all praise. Let us all praise the God of Jacob.

Major Confrontation in the Middle East Brewing

As we go to press with this newsletter, tensions in the Middle East over the developments in Syria are rapidly escalating. The conflict between the radical Islamic rebels and the Assad regime is reaching a very critical point. The rebels have gained control of the area of Syria that borders Israel, causing grave concern in Israel that the 46 years of relative peace on their northern border, the Golan Heights, may be coming to an end. Israel is rapidly building a security fence along this northern border, like the one on the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and the Sinai border with Egypt. Israeli forces have been placed on alert and the government has ordered gas masks for all of its citizens.

To make things even more complicated, the European Union and the United States are openly supporting the rebels in their effort to overthrow the current Syrian government. This is of great concern to many because the rebels are radical Muslims made up of elements from Al-Qaida and the Muslim Brotherhood (the same group that now controls Egypt). In firm opposition to this effort, Russia and Iran are firmly supporting the Assad regime, with direct ties to supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Furthermore, Russia has committed to providing Assad with the latest long-range surface to air missiles. Israel has warned Russia that if these weapons are delivered to Syria, Israel will destroy them.

Israel’s minister of defense, Moshe Yaalon, recently stated “that Israel would not tolerate the transfer of advanced weapons from the Syrian government to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia; a loss of Syrian government control over chemical weapons; or a heating up of the Golan frontier and a spillover of the fire into Israeli-held territory.” (Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog, June 5, 2013)

We live at a very significant time. Developments in the Middle East and around the world signal that the Lord is coming for His church. Are you ready? God’s salvation is available to all who are willing to repent of their sins and surrender their life to Him. Read Romans 6:23 and 10:9-13.

Get ready for the shout that will take us out!