When God Fights for Israel

“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle: … Then shall the LORD go forth, and fights against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” – Zechariah 14:2-3

By Mike Wingfield

While the inhabitants of this world are moving frantically about to fulfill their selfish and sinful desires, God is speaking through the ongoing conflict in Israel. Little does the world know that the hand of God is at work while Israel defends herself against relentless attacks from an Islamic terrorist group known as Hamas.

Yes, we are troubled as we see the graphic images of vio­lence and destruction taking place in Israel and Gaza. But at the same time, these are exciting times for students of Bible prophecy, because we are witnessing sensational testimonies of God’s power and faithfulness to His people.

In this newsletter, I will focus on these exciting reports coming out of the Middle East. First, let us examine the larger context of Scripture to set the stage for grasping how God is being faithful to His chosen people, Israel.

The Bible is the only divine written revelation given to man. When we open this revelation, our attitude should be similar to that of Moses when he stood before God at the burning bush. (Exodus 3) He saw it as a time to hum­ble himself and be still before the “I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) While reading the Bible, we should be in awe and reverence, like taking off our spiritual shoes. We should recognize that we are in the presence of the One and only God. We must never question nor forget that He is the One and only God, and that the Bible is His one and only revelation.

Moses became one of the greatest leaders in Israel’s histo­ry. Many years later, the Lord raised up another great prophet, Isaiah, to remind the children of Israel of this truth. Throughout His great prophetic book, this faithful prophet of God repeatedly thundered forth this truth. “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God be­side me.” (Isaiah 45:5) He repeated this in 45:6, 18, 21­22; and 46:9. One of Isaiah’s favorite names of God was “the holy one of Israel.” (Isaiah 1:4) He used this spe­cial title for God 25 times in his prophetic book. The use of this title for God was a continual reminder to Israel of the holiness of God. This means that God is sinless, and that He alone is set apart from all other pagan idols and gods. He alone is infinite. As the “I am,” He is not de­pendent upon anything or anyone in all of His creation. He alone is the Creator, Ruler, and Judge of all of crea­tion. He is totally sovereign.

Biblical prophecy is a declaration of the sovereign control of the God of Israel. He controls everything and every­one. (Daniel 4:34-35) In Isaiah 46:9-11, the Lord de­clared: “… I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring 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: … I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass: I have purposed it, I will also do it.”

In God’s revelation to mankind, He has repeatedly de­clared the details of His eternal plan. As the student of the Bible examines this divine plan in history and prophe­cy, it is clear that God has uniquely chosen a land and a people to fulfill His divine purposes here on this earth. The Lord has established an eternal covenant with a cho­sen people, a promised land, and a holy city, Jerusalem. Therefore, it is vitally significant for all who want to be blessed by God to join Him in promoting and supporting His eternal plan. Those who willfully oppose Him and go to war with His chosen people and the Holy Land and Ho­ly city will be cursed and ultimately destroyed by Him. (Zechariah 12:1-4)

Let us examine the Biblical answers to four very im­portant questions:

(1) Who is Israel?

If the God of the Bible has uniquely chosen the Jewish people for His eternal purposes, then we must identify who they are. The religion of Islam teaches that the peo­ple of God began with Abraham, Ishmael, and Esau. This is the exact opposite of the message of the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Lord made it clear that the line of di­vine blessing would pass through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God’s “everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:7) did not come through Ishmael, but through Isaac. (Genesis 17) In His sovereign plan, God rejected Isaac’s firstborn, Esau, and declared that Jacob was the son of promise.

(Genesis 25:22-23) Furthermore, the Lord repeated the Abrahamic blessing (Genesis 17:7-8) to Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4) and Jacob. (Genesis 35:10-12)

The identification of Israel as the line of divine choice is repeated in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, one of the most prolific writers of the New Testament, clearly stated in his letter to the church at Rome that God chose Isaac and Jacob, not Ishmael and Esau, for His divine pur­poses. (Romans 9:3-13)

The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and coming Messiah of the Millennial Kingdom, is traced through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Matthew 1:2 and Luke 3:34) It is sad to note that there are certain so-called Christian groups that are attempting to erase the Jewish roots of Je­sus. Their hatred for the Jewish people is so great that they are compelled to openly ignore and reject the clear Biblical teaching of the Jewishness of Jesus. Please note that Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” in Revelation 5:5. In recent years, some Palestinian pastors have been teaching that Jesus was a Palestinian, not a Jew.

In spite of these false teachings, the Jewish people who are returning to Israel today are the Biblical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is true that some, or perhaps, many of them have descendants who have inter­married with Gentiles. However, this has not canceled out their connection with Biblical Israel. Note that in Jesus’s Jewish genealogy, three Gentile women are named: Tha­mar (a Canaanite woman mentioned in Matthew 1:3), Ra­hab (a pagan harlot listed in Matthew 1:5), and Ruth (a Moabite cited in Matthew 1:5). However, this did not hinder Jesus’ mission as the One who would “save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) The angel Ga­briel told Mary that Jesus “shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33)

God has chosen the Jewish people to be a very special people with a divine assignment. In Leviticus 20:26, He said to them: “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, and that ye should be mine.” (Compare with Deuterono­my 7:6-10.) God has chosen the Jewish people to be a unique supernatural sign to the nations of the world. A Biblical sign is a unique supernatural work of God that demonstrates to the world who God is. This sign pulls back the curtain that separates the physical world and the spiritual realm and displays the reality that the spirit realm controls the physical world.

The nation of Israel is at the center of God’s dealings with the nations. The world’s treatment of the Jewish people has been chosen by the sovereign Creator as a test for di­vine blessing or cursing. (Genesis 12:1-3) Those who hate Israel are Biblically viewed as enemies of God. (Psalm 83:1-4)

In spite of Israel’s rebellion, the God of mercy has chosen to demonstrate to the world who He is through His divine protection and blessing of Israel. God is not motivated to do what He does in and through Israel because of who they are, but because of who He is! While declaring that the Jewish people will return to the Holy Land in spiritual unbelief, the Lord declared: “I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake.” (Eze­kiel 36:22)

(2) Does God fight for Israel?

Once we understand the Biblical identity of Israel and their unique divine position and mission, it becomes clear that God does fight for Israel. In this article, I would like to examine four considerations that demonstrate that God does fight for Israel:

Biblical Statements There are a multitude of Scriptures that declare God will defend Israel and fight for His people. Here are just a few of them:

Leviticus 26:8-“And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.”

Deuteronomy 28:7-“The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: They shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.” Psalm 91:7-“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” (See this entire Psalm.)

Also read: Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; 3:22; 20:4; Psalm 121; and Isaiah 29:7-8; 59:19, and Malachi 3:6.

Historical Illustrations In the days of Abraham-After Abraham’s amazing victory over the kings of the east (Iraq and Iran) in Genesis 14, the Lord spoke to Abraham and said: “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield…” (Genesis 15:1)

In the days of Moses-From the time Israel left Egypt until they entered the Promised Land, God fought for Israel against the great armies of other nations. We must re­member that many of these military victories came at a time when God was disciplining the Jewish people during the years of their wilderness wanderings. The impact of Israel’s divine victory over her enemies put great fear in the hearts of its enemies. (For example, read Numbers 22:1-6 and Joshua 2:10-11.)

In the days of Joshua-God knew that dislodging the Ca­naanites from their land would be a long and difficult task for His people. Therefore, in the very first battle at Jeri­cho, He gave Joshua a battle plan that demonstrated to Israel and all of the inhabitants of the land that the battle belongs to the Lord. (Read Joshua 6.)

In the days of the Judges-During this time of Israel’s great rebellion against the Lord, the Lord raised up judges to lead His people to a military victory over their enemies. Most prominent during this time were Gideon (Judges 6­8) and Samson. (Judges 13-16) Gideon is viewed as a fore-runner of the Messiah by the Jewish people. Gideon defeated a massive army of “the Midianites (Saudi Ara­bia), and the Amalekites (an Edomite tribe that eventually settled Mecca in Saudi Arabia) and the children of the east,” who were gathered together in the Valley of Jezreel (Aramgeddon.) (Judges 6:33) Samson, who had many spiritual weaknesses, was divinely empowered to defeat the Philistines (located in the area of the Gaza Strip).

In the days of King David-King David was known as a man of war. With divine help, David was able to defeat the enemies of Israel. David is best known for his person­al defeat of the Philistine giant, Goliath, when he was a teenager. (1 Samuel 17) When David approached the giant he declared: “…I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand … that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

In the days of King Jehoshaphat-During the days of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, a massive army from Moab and Ammon invaded Israel. (2 Chronicles 20) When the re­port of this approaching army reached the king in Jerusa­lem, he and all of Israel called out to the Lord for help. The Lord raised up a prophet who declared to the king:

“Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor be dis­mayed by reason of this great multitude: for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15) 2 Chroni­cles 20:16-30 records how the Lord supernaturally caused the enemies of Israel to destroy themselves.

Modern Testimonies The modern nation of Israel bears the fingerprints of the God of Israel from its inception until now. When Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948 at 4:00 p.m. in Tel Aviv, the armies of seven Arab nations were poised to attack. Humanly speaking, there is no logical explanation for the ultimate amazing Israeli victory in the face of great odds. Israel was outnumber 100 to 1. They were gravely unprepared for the war. However, it is very obvious that God fought for Israel in their War of Independence. Many stories of miracles have been confirmed. Here is one astonishing account: “At Safed, near the Sea of Gali­lee a small unit of Israeli defenders were holding off thou­sands of Arabs. A sudden tropical storm broke loose. The Israelis, in desperation, took their remaining gasoline, poured it over 50 empty drums, set them afire and rolled them down the hill. The flaming barrels flying down the slopes, the rumble of hollow barrels striking rocks— together with the tropical storm—created such an illusion that the bewildered Arabs imagining some sort of secret weapon took to their heel and fled.” (www.bible411.com/nationofmiracles) – bad link

In June 1967, Israel was attacked by her Arab neighbors on three fronts. In six days, Israel defeated her enemies.

In the process, Israel captured the Sinai, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The entire world was stunned by this amazing Israeli victory. Once again, many stories of miracles are told about the intervention of God on behalf of Israel. A secular newspaper in Israel, Harretz, openly admitted: “Even a non-religious person must admit this war was fought with help from heaven.” (http://ottersandsciencenews.blogspot. com) – bad link

In October, 1973, on the most holy day on the Jewish cal­endar, Israel fell victim to a sudden tank attack by Syria on the Golan Heights. While Syria was attacking from the north, Egypt launched an offensive in the Sinai from the south. Within a few hours, it appeared that Israel was about to be defeated. The opposite occurred, however, and the story of how the Syrians and Egyptians were de­feated and repelled is filled with accounts of incredible bravery on the part of Israeli soldiers. However, many tell stories of divine intervention. Here is one such story: “An Israeli military historian recorded that during the 1973 Yom Kippur war, an Israeli soldier in the Sinai took cap­tive an Egyptian column and led them to where the Israeli troops were. The Egyptian commander was asked why he and his men gave themselves up to the lone Israeli soldier. He responded with surprise; ‘One soldier? There were thousands of them.’ He said that as they neared the Israeli lines, the ‘soldiers’ began disappearing. The Israeli soldier reported that he was by himself when the Egyptian com­mander and his men surrendered to him. He was totally unaware of the ‘thousands of soldiers’ the Egyptian sol­diers saw with him, since he himself did not see them.” (http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=104343) page no longer available, sending you to the front page

In the last few weeks, as Israel has battled Hamas in Gaza, secular Israeli soldiers have witnessed divine interven­tions. It is amazing that only a few Israeli civilians have not been killed by the 4,500 missiles that Hamas has fired against Israel. It is even more amazing that the Israeli military has suffered minimal casualties during the incur­sions into Gaza.

Israelis are reporting about many miracles in this war with Gaza. Israel Today gave the following report on one of these miracles: In remarks relayed to an Israeli news site, an Iron Dome battery commander recalled: “A missile was fired from Gaza. Iron Dome precisely calculated [its tra­jectory]. We know where these missiles are going to land down to a radius of 200 meters. This particular missile was going to hit either the Azrieli Towers, the Kirya (Isra­el’s equivalent of the Pentagon) or [a central Tel Aviv railway station]. Hundreds could have died.

“We fired the first [interceptor]. It missed. Second [inter­ceptor]. It missed. This is very rare. I was in shock. At this point we had just four seconds until the missile lands. We had already notified emergency services to converge on the target location and had warned of a mass-casualty in­cident.

“Suddenly, Iron Dome (which calculates wind speeds, among other things) shows a major wind coming from the east, a strong wind that…sends the missile into the sea. We were all stunned. I stood up and shouted, ‘There is a God!’

“I witnessed this miracle with my own eyes. It was not told or reported to me. I saw the hand of God send that missile into the sea.” (Israel Today, August 3, 2014)

The Times of Israel reports another miracle as told by a senior Israeli infantry officer, Givati Brigade commander Ofer Winter. Winter claims that he has never seen any­thing like this in his military career. “He said that a pred­awn raid that was intended to make use of the dark as con­cealment was delayed, forcing the soldiers to move toward their objective as the sun was about to rise. The soldiers were in danger of being revealed in the light but, Winter recalled, a heavy fog descended to cover their movements until the objective was achieved.

‘Suddenly a cloud protected us,’ he said, make a reference to the clouds that the Bible says protected the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. ‘Clouds of glory.’ Only when the soldiers were in a secure position did the fog dissipate, he said.’ ‘It really was a fulfillment of the verse ‘For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to give you victory,’’ he said, quoting a passage from Deuteronomy. (The Times of Israel, July 31, 2014)

As I heard these stories, I was made to remember a sign that I have seen at the foot of a statue of the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel: “Israel is a living sign in world history that God lives and that His Word is ‘yes’ and ‘amen’.”

Prophetic Promises According to the Bible, some of the most awesome mili­tary miracles of God fighting for Israel will take place dur­ing the Tribulation Period. Ezekiel writes of a war “in the latter days” (Ezekiel 38:16), when Russia and many other Islamic nations will invade Israel. This massive force will “be like a cloud to cover the land.” (Ezekiel 38:9) Be­fore these invading forces can attack Israel, the Lord will unleash a massive earthquake. This earthquake will be so great that it will cause the mountains to collapse and “eve­ry wall [in Israel will] fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:20) This earthquake will trigger an eruption of dormant volcanoes on the Golan Heights, raining down upon these invaders “great hailstones, fire, and brim­stone.” (Ezekiel 38:22) In their mass confusion and fear, the invaders will turn their weapons on each other and kill their allies. (Ezekiel 38:21) This supernatural defeat of these enemies of Israel will have an incredible impact up­on Israel and all of the inhabitants of earth. (Ezekiel 38:23)

The final battle at the end of this age, Armageddon, will feature God’s supernatural work in defense of His chosen people. This will be the most awesome display of the vengeance of God in the history of mankind. Long ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke will flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.”

(Isaiah 66:15-16) The final three chapters of Zechariah features the supernatural work of God in the battle of Ar­mageddon. In Zechariah 12:1-9, God promises that He will destroy all those who come against Jerusalem in this campaign. Zechariah 14:2-3 states: “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle … Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” At this time, the most hor­rific earthquake to ever take place on earth will occur. (Zechariah 14:4-5; Revelation 16:17-20) The armies that fight against Jerusalem will be killed in a most unusual way. “And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusa­lem; Their flesh shall consume [waste away] while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” (Zechariah 14:12) “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)

(3) Why does God fight for Israel?

As we look at all of the evidence that God fights for Israel, we are forced to ask why? Why has God chosen to faith­fully fight for a people who have rejected His Son, His revelation, and have been a rebellious people?

Once again, the Bible student must understand that God has chosen the Jewish nation and promised to bless them in an unconditional covenant in spite of what they do. (Genesis 12:1-3) He has repeatedly disciplined them, but He will never destroy them and break His covenant with them. (Psalm 89:27-37; Jeremiah 30:11) It is not about their performance. It is not about who they are, but who He is! It is about God’s character. In the good and bad days of Israel, God has chosen to display to the world who He is.

God has chosen Israel to display His glory to the nations. In Isaiah 43:7, the Lord said: “…for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea I have made him.” Lat­er in the same context, He said: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.” (Isai­ah 43:21) While rebuking Israel for their past sins and promising to bless them in the last days, the Lord directed the prophet Ezekiel to remind his people why God will bless them. “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the LORD GOD; I do not this for your sakes: O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the LORD GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 36:22-23)

Practically speaking, the Lord has several other reasons for fighting for Israel. First, He wants to reveal Himself to His people and bring them to salvation. “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel…” (Ezekiel 39:7) However, the same miracles that will bring Israel to salvation, will also bring judgment to the nations. “… and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.” (Ezekiel 39:7) The Lord will demonstrate to the nations that He alone is the Crea­tor/Ruler of the universe. All nations will tremble before Him. “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” (Psalm 114:7)

The entire plan of God is centrally focused upon the Jew­ish people. The Biblical revelation came through the Jew­ish people. Our Savior and Messiah is Jewish. Biblical history and prophecy are about Israel. The church’s foun­dation and purposes include the Jewish people. The early church and Great Commission began in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:8) The power of the Gospel is “to the Jew first.” (Ro­mans 1:16) Salvation was poured out upon the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to jealousy. (Romans 11:11) The coming millennial kingdom will be distinctively Jewish. And, the final eternal city is called “the New Jerusalem.”

(Revelation 21:2)

God’s plan on this earth will not reach its intended divine goal until the beginning of the millennial kingdom. The Lord has patiently waited for millennia of time for the Jewish people to finally be a light unto the nations. At the beginning of the kingdom He will announce: “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1) The Lord is passionate about the culmination of His divine plan for Israel. “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth, as brightness, and salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” (Isaiah 62:1)

God will fight for Israel because in doing so, He is dis­playing His character and being faithful to His covenant with them. Furthermore, He will fight for Israel because He must promote, defend, and progress His eternal plan. He cannot do otherwise!

(4) How does God fight for Israel?

God defends Israel naturally and supernaturally. First, the God of Israel has enabled His people to fight for them­selves. He has done this by giving them human strength and wisdom. An examination of the entire modern history of Israel will demonstrate that the Lord has endowed the Israeli people with a spirit of determination, tenacity, and creativity to establish, flourish, and defend their nation. No other nation has been able to accomplish in six dec­ades what the Israelis have done while living on the edge of a desert and in the midst of a sea of Islamic hatred that is determined to annihilate them. The making of the na­tion of Israel is divinely aided. “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee …” (Genesis 12:2)

Within His sovereign will, the Lord gives supernatural enablement to His people. (Zechariah 12:5-8)

In Israel’s recent war with Gaza, even the Israelis have been singing the praises of the Iron Dome system, an anti­ballistic missile defense system that was designed and manufactured in Israel, with the aid of U.S. financial assis­tance. Hamas fired over 4,500 missiles into Israel in re­cent months. Only a handful of these missiles caused any significant damage in Israel and only four Israeli civilians were killed. This is amazing. Israel has many other high-tech weapons. When the right time comes, these weapons will display the wisdom God has given His people.

As mentioned previously in this article, the Lord also di­rectly and supernaturally intervenes in behalf of His peo­ple. He can choose to do this through His creation, which is directed by Him. He may choose to use earth­quakes, volcanoes, winds, clouds, meteorites, asteroids, sun, moon or anything else within His creation. He can also choose to by-pass the use of His creation and simply speak His will instantly upon the enemies of Israel. Noth­ing is more powerful than the Word of God. (Revelation 19:15)

The world has once again witnessed God fighting for Isra­el. In essence, this means two things. First, this is intend­ed to bring about the ultimate salvation of the entire nation of Israel. We are witnessing the beginning of this process that will continue until the end of this age at the Battle of Armageddon. When God miraculously saves Israel in the Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39), the Lord de­clares: “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.” (Ezekiel 39:22) When the final moments of the Battle of Arma­geddon at the end of the 7-year Tribulation come, the Lord will pour out upon His people “a spirit of grace.” (read Zechariah 12:10-13:9) Consequently, all of living Israel will repent and be saved. (Romans 11:25-27)

However, as we witness these “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) involving Israel, we need to know that a horrific time of global judgment is coming upon the na­tions. In this present war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Israel has seen the miraculous hand of God. How­ever, Gaza has experience devastation, destruction, and death by the army of Israel –

God’s “battle axe and weap­ons of war.” (Jeremiah 51:20) In the midst of this, “thewhirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the in­tents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.”

(Jeremiah 30:23-24)

Be ready for the shout that will take us out!

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Making Sure You Will Not Be Left Behind – Part Three

“Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.” – James 2:17

By Mike Wingfield

Biblical truth is no longer being preached from the pulpits of many American churches.

To illustrate this sad, but true reality, let me share one of my recent experiences. After one of the services at the church my family and I attend, a visiting couple came up to me and introduced themselves. They shared that they were greatly disappointed in their local church. They were not hearing the truth and an immoral situation within the church was being totally ignored. They said: “We are looking for a church where our souls can be fed.” They were glad that they had attended our church and heard the truth for a change.

Frankly, I was not surprised by what these people said. My experiences as an evangelist over the last 17 years lead me to believe that there are thousands of couples like this across America. So many people are greatly disap­pointed with their local church because they are not hear­ing Biblical truth. It is very disturbing to realize that we live in a time of great spiritual apostasy and famine.

Even more alarming, there are only a few people in these churches who realize that something is wrong. That is because after several decades of shallow preaching and teaching, our churches are filled with professing Chris­tians, rather than true born-again believers. Most church attenders in America are Biblically illiterate. They have a very unbiblical view of God. They have not heard a com­plete presentation of the gospel. They do not have a hun­ger for Biblical truth. Their lifestyles are no different than those who do not claim to be Christians. To put it plainly – our churches are full of professing Christians who are not really born-again. They are self-deceived. They think they are saved and everything is fine.

How can a person know for sure they are saved? A person should not compare themselves to another person in their church. Too many people have a false sense of security, thinking: “If they are saved, then I am too.” We must never adopt a man-made standard of truth. The only true and safe measuring stick is the Word of God.

How can a person know for sure that they are saved? On­ly the Bible has the answer to this question. In the last two newsletters, we have been exploring nine tests of as­surance of salvation found in the little epistle of 1 John. In this newsletter we will explore the final four tests of salvation. I urge you to seriously consider these tests.

Don’t be like the majority of church attenders who are living in spiritual deception and are not really saved. As I pointed out in the previous newsletters, the Bible com­mands us to examine ourselves to be sure we are saved. (2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10)

Test #6-Do you abide in the truth?

1 John 2:24 1 John 2:24 states, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.” According to the Bible, there is a direct parallel between the physical birth of a baby and the spiritual birth of a child of God. When babies are born, they soon demand something to satisfy their hunger – milk. In a comparative sense, the Bible states: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2) This simply means that when a person is truly born-again there will be a real hunger for the Word of God. Real be­lievers will not depart from the Word of God.

Many of the Psalms reflect this truth. The very first Psalm is wrapped around this truth. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2) “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10) The Word of God is precious to the child of God. It satisfies his soul. It brings comfort, conviction, direction, correction, instruction, and hope. The Bible is where the believer meets his Lord and is empowered by the Spirit. The real believer cannot live without the Word of God.

When the Bible speaks of the Word of God “abiding” in terms of the believer, it means “abide” means “having a home, residing in.” So, you should ask yourself two basic questions: (1) Do I feel at home in the Bible? (2) Does the Bible have a home in me? Real believers feel at home while they are reading or studying the Bible, or listening to someone preach or teach the Word of God. The true believer’s mind becomes a home for the Word of God.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

I can relate to this from personal experience. When I was saved at the age of nine, I immediately developed a hun­ger for the Bible. I was saved in June 1958. That sum­mer, I read the entire New Testament and many books of the Old Testament. That craving for the Word of God is still within me 56 years later. The more I read the Bible, the more I want to explore and rejoice in God’s truth. I can say with the Psalmist: “O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

Many sources indicate that we are facing a major crisis of Biblical illiteracy in the church. My traveling experiences as an evangelist confirm these observations. This is a powerful testimony to the fact that our churches are filled with church attendees who have never really been born-again. This is a revealing test that separates true believers from hypocrites who parade themselves as Christians, while they are not.

American churches are filled with pastors who do not faithfully proclaim the Word of God. The reason these pastors have turned to entertainment instead of preaching the Word of God is because this is what the people want to hear. Some of the largest churches in America have fallen into this trap. This is a sign of the last days. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Because of this, America is living in a land of spiritual famine. (Amos 8:11)

My friend, what about you? Do you have a daily hunger for the Word of God? Are you like so many church at­tendees who never consider the Bible until you go to church the next Sunday? Stop deceiving yourself! Ac­cording to the Bible, if you are really saved you will have a craving for the Word of God and will make great sacri­fices to spend time in it. Real believers cannot live with­out the Word of God!

Test #7-Do you abide in the Son?

1 John 2:26-29

Eternal life is bound up in the person of Jesus Christ.

(John 14:6) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)

Having eternal life is “abiding” in Jesus Christ. As men­tioned previously, the word “abide” means “having a home, or residence.” To abide in Christ is to live in Him, maintain a vital relationship with Him, and live for Him. This carries two basic truths: (1) The genuine believer is at home in the presence of Christ. (2) The authentic Chris­tian will make a home for Christ in his life.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus spoke to His disci­ples and stressed to them the importance of abiding in Him. In His Parable of the Vine and the Branches, He showed how central the application of this truth is to fol­lowing Him. (John 15:1-17) In essence, He said that if they would abide in Him, His word would abide in them. Consequently, they would have their prayers answered. They would have a spiritually productive life. And, they would have real joy. Does this describe you?

When a person is saved, Jesus Christ becomes their Sav­ior, Lord, friend, shepherd, High Priest, and future judge. The believer should be able to identify with the following statements by the Apostle Paul: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) “I am cru­cified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4)

The genuine believer’s life will be wrapped up in the per­son of Christ. He will love Him more than anyone else. He will worship Him, serve Him, pray to Him, and live for Him. He will talk about Him all of the time. He will con­stantly think about Him. He will long to be with Him in heaven. In the words of a chorus from a few generations ago: “Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all. He is my strength from day to day. Without Him I would fall….”

Test #8-Do you have the Holy Spirit?

1 John 3:24-4:6 When a person gets saved, the Holy Spirit comes to per­manently dwell within him at that very moment. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9) The Holy Spirit convicts the sinner of his sin and draws him to repent of his sins and receive Jesus Christ as his Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:3) Without this work of the Holy Spirit, no one would be saved. Romans 3:10-12 describes a person without the work of the Holy Spirit: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

The moment the sinner repents and is saved, he is baptized (immersed) by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) This is not, as some groups teach, a second work of grace. Please notice that Paul was writ­ing the letter of 1 Corinthians to the church in Corinth. This church had a multitude of spiritual problems and struggles. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 5:1-8; 6:1-11; 11:30) Yet, he declared to them they had been baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ. The baptism of the Spirit is not for some believers who have reached a new level of spir­itual maturity. It is for all believers at the moment of sal­vation. It is the means whereby the believer is supernatu­rally and spiritually placed into the one true body of Christ. There is only one body of Christ [church], and all believers are immersed into that body at the moment of salvation.

The Holy Spirit also equips people to serve and function within the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13-31) He gives gifts of service to each believer and places them in the body of Christ to serve Christ and His church. While we are all a part of one body, we are all different in the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-16)

Each genuine believer has been indwelt by the Holy Spirit and baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ at the moment of conversion. However, they must each, as indi­vidual believers; seek to be filled by the Holy Spirit in their service to the Lord and each other. Notice the com­mand in Ephesians 5:18: “And be not drunk [controlled] with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled [controlled] with the Spirit.” The filling of the Spirit does not mean we receive more of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person. You cannot divide Him up as some kind of force. You either have Him living in you, or you do not. The filling of the Holy Spirit is about Him having control of the believer. If we surrender ourselves totally and com­pletely, we will be controlled by the Spirit. That means we will be unleashed to serve Christ and the church in the full power of the Holy Spirit.

I have written all of this about the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer because this is the test of salvation that the Apostle John mentions in 1 John. We can tell we are saved if we see the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit within us. He will empower us to obey Christ and keep His commandments. (1 John 3:24) The Holy Spirit will also use the Word of God in us to help us be able to dis­cern between godly and false teachers (1 John 4:1), and truth and error. (1 John 4:2-6)

While we cannot see the Holy Spirit, we can see the evi­dence of His work in the life of the believer. (John 3:5-8) According to the Scriptures, it is the aim of the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus (John 16:14), and to make us like Christ – which is the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Have you noticed a change in your life since your conver­sion? If there has never been any change, it is evidence that the Holy Spirit does not live in you. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, you cannot be saved. A faith that does not have works [change], is not a saving faith. (James 2:14-26) A person is not saved by a faith that does not work. He is not saved by the works, but by a faith that is demonstrated by the work of the Holy Spirit in him.

Test #9-Do you have faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation?

1 John 5:10-12 1 John 5:11-12 states: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” The message of the New Testament is absolutely clear. Salvation is totally in Jesus Christ. As mentioned before, our faith, in order for it to be a sav­ing faith, must be demonstrated by works. Some have perverted this to mean that faith plus works brings salva­tion. However, this is not the message of the New Testa­ment. Salvation is by grace through faith, plus NOTH­ING!

First, notice that salvation is a gift of God that is received by faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) This salvation [eternal life] has been made available as a gift through God’s Son, who purchased our salvation with His own blood on the cross. “… the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

When Jesus died on the cross, one of the last things He proclaimed was: “It is finished.” (John 19:30) This statement by our Lord simply meant that He had complet­ed the mission of providing salvation with His death as God’s Passover lamb. His sacrifice was for the sins of the whole world. (John 3:13-17) The only way a person can appropriate this sacrifice is by verbally and willfully rest­ing in the payment of Christ on the cross. They must also believe that by doing so, their sins have been washed away and they have been declared righteous because of Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross for them.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we recognize that our total sufficiency is in Christ alone. Outside of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in us, all of our works are finite and filthy. We are saved by the grace of God. Grace and works cannot be mixed. When mixed together they cancel out each other. While demonstrating our salvation by grace, the Apostle Paul compares it to God’s election of Israel by grace. In Romans 11:6, he wrote: “And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

If our faith is not in Christ alone, then we are not really saved! Is your faith in Christ alone?

These tests are very important. Think of the consequences of the millions of professing Christians in the world who have a false sense of security that is based upon something or someone else other than Christ and the Scriptures. When the Rapture occurs, and it could any day now, mil­lions of church members will be left behind. They are living their lives on the basis of church tradition, or what someone has said. My friend, do not let this happen to you. Although it may be very painful, you need to exam­ine these nine tests and face the reality of where you really stand. It is not about how you feel or what you think, but what the Bible says.

There is no doubt that there are millions in hell at this moment who thought that they would go to heaven when they died. Read Matthew 7:21-27. Notice that Jesus comments about those who were deceived, thinking they were saved, is preceded by His teaching on false teachers. (Matthew 7:15-20) Many will be deceived about their spiritual condition and destiny because they were listening to false teachers. The church you attend and the doctrine it teaches are very important. If you continue to attend a church that is not faithfully teaching all of the Word of God, you may be damning your soul as well as the souls of your family and friends. Nothing is more important than where you will spend eternity.

You may be very comfortable in a church that has a lot of entertainment or a high social standing. You may enjoy the social group in your church and all of the wonderful fellowship time. However, if the Word of God is not be­ing proclaimed, it is better to give up the comfort now, than to suffer in eternal damnation.

You do not want to be left behind to face the horrors of the Tribulation Period. I believe that during this time, very few people will physically survive the entire seven years. (Matthew 24:22) Most who receive Christ during the Tribulation Period will be killed for their faith – hunt­ed down, imprisoned, and decapitated! The world will suffer complete destruction. There will be unparalleled suffering due to famine, serious depletion of fresh water, wars, the total breakdown of all organized society, diseas­es, disasters, demonic invasions, and hardships beyond our human comprehension.

When you stand face to face with the Lord, will He say “enter in,” or “depart from Me?” You hold the answer to that question in these nine tests. Please think about it.

If you are not sure you are saved, or you are sure you are not saved, please do not hesitate to lay aside your pride and call out to God for salvation. Repent of your sins and confess the Lord Jesus Christ. Read the following Scrip­tures and call out to Him today. (Romans 3:23; 6:23: 5:8; 10:9-13) Then, watch for the changes to see if your mo­tive and words have come from the work of the Holy Spir­it in you. Only then you can be sure you are saved.

Be ready for the shout that will take us out!

Standing on the Side of Life with God

In recent weeks, I have been watching and praying about the developments in Israel and the surrounding nations. Israel has been attacked with missiles from Gaza, Leba­non, and Syria. It is no secret that all of these missiles and/or their components have originated from the Jew-hating Islamic regime in Iran. While this is occurring, there is a new Islamic terrorist group known as “The Is­lamic State,” (formerly ISIS), taking over Iraq and part of Syria. Their stated goal is to take control of the entire Middle East, including Israel. These developments are not surprising to those of us who know the prophetic Word of God. All of these Islamic nations are mentioned in Psalm 83 (a Psalm about Armageddon). According to this Psalmist, all of these nations hate God and His chosen people, Israel. While referring to them, the Psalmist de­clares: “For, lo, thine enemies make a tulmult [a roar of hate]: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee.” (Psalm 83:2-5)

In the current conflict between Hamas and Israel, it is very apparent who is standing on the side of life with God. Israel is using its military weapons to protect its people. Hamas is using its people to protect its military weapons.

Hamas is not standing on the side of moral justice. Ac­cording to international law, and more importantly, the law of God, Hamas has failed on two counts. First, it is using its missiles to attack innocent Israeli civilians. Sec­ond, it is forcing its own people to serve as human shields to stand in the path of Israeli missiles.

Hamas, which is now an official part of the Palestinian government, refuses to recognize the right of any Jewish presence in the land formerly called Palestine. Because of their Islamic doctrine and mindset, they believe that all of the land that was a part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire is an Islamic trust and must be regained for religious purpos­es, no matter what the cost is. In their eyes, they have the right to attack and destroy anything and anyone who stands in the way of this Islamic goal.

First, Hamas is wrong because they are standing on the wrong side of life and death with God. God stands on the side of justice, righteousness, and life. Long ago, Moses instructed Israel: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) Only a few months after the Lord spoke this to Moses, Joshua led the military of Israel against the Canaanites in Canaan. The Lord instructed Israel to obliterate the population of Canaan. Why? These nations were not standing on the side of God with justice, righteousness, and life. Instead, they were promoting a demonic culture of violence, im­morality, and death. It should be noted that Hamas and other radical Islamic groups are promoting this same kind of culture.

Secondly, according to the Bible, God has given the Jew­ish people the land of Israel in an unconditional promise that will last as long as the sun and moon shines. (Genesis 15:7-21; Jeremiah 31:35-37) Hamas refuses to recognize the Biblical promises and verses in the Koran that state the Holy Land belongs to the Jewish people.

The Bible declares that when the end comes at Armaged­don, the entire world will stand with the forces of the An­tichrist gathered against Israel. (Joel 3:2; Revelation 16:12-16)

As we watch these developments in the Middle East, we should not be alarmed. They are all shaping our world for the final showdown between God and Satan, Heaven and Hell. The Land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem are at the center of this war in the spirit world. It is very im­portant that we stand on the right side with God.

Please join me in prayer for all of the Christians, Jews, and Muslims who are facing violence, war, and death. We stand with our Lord, Who has said that he is “not willing

that any should perish, but that all should come to repent­ance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

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