Peace, peace, but there is no peace. It is a peace that “the world” tries to give. Thank God for Yeshua/Jesus, who gives us an everlasting peace that surpasses all understanding!
Remarkably, Monday morning, all of the hostages — living and dead — that Hamas claims to “know where they are” will presumably be released back into Israeli hands and hospitals, and to their desperate longing families. All Israel is glad! For the expected 20 living hostages, and the still imprecise number of “not-known-where” dead Israelis, Israel will release 2000 of the 2050 (!) terrorist and terror-related prisoners. As the remaining dead bodies are found and given back to Israel, Israel will release the other prisoners on a per returned dead hostage. Tomorrow is the day before the evening of the last “great day of the Feast [of Tabernacles/Booths]”, in Judaism known as Simchat Torah/Joy of the Torah. The day of infamy, Oct 7, 2023, was a Sabbath, and Simchat Torah. The joy of the disciple of Jesus/Yeshua is in HIM, who gives forgiveness through the gospel of the New Covenant, not in the Law of Sinai, which condemns us all as sinners! (Jn 16:19-22; Lk 10:21-24; Jn 15:7-14)
A complete two years on the Jewish calendar, and a week longer on the Gregorian, the present war and nightmare — a prelude to wars yet to come — will halt. President Trump will come, on his way to Egypt for the signing of “the deal”, and be cheered by the nation for his part in bringing about this unexpected end in this way. This particular alliance may or may not be the “confirmation/strengthening of a covenant/treaty/alliance” of which the Prophet Daniel writes. If it is, time will shortly tell; if it is not, the time will shortly come for the actual one. These are the times in which we live, with a realistic expectation to see the Lord’s return. Israel still thinks that they can control and determine their own destiny, and the “partners” for the deal are mostly nations that did not support Israel through the war, and most of them still look to the day when the people and land and city that the Creator and Redeemer has chosen will cease to exist according to the purpose for which God created, chose, and staked His holy Name and His Word of Truth on to fulfill His own heart’s desire.
If it were not for the Lord telling us way in advance of what we might expect in the end-times, we would be as befuddled or deceived or wishfully hoping that this deal for lasting peace would actually succeed. The people and the nations of the world are all conspiring together against YHVH and His Anointed. The Devil has lied to make the world think for centuries that the Jews are conspiring to rule the world. The truth of the matter is quite the opposite: God has a plan that a Jew will rule the world; and His name is Yeshua/Jesus! Hallelu_YAH!
I was very surprised at our recent Nachalat Yeshus/Yeshua’s Inheritance service to hear that some within the congregation believe/d that the rapture will occur this month! I don’t know who they are listening to, but whoever they are, and they that listen, are surely not believing what is written by the Apostle Paul: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for it will not come until/unless the falling away/apostacy comes first, and the man of sin/the Antichrist is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2Thes 2:3-4; 1Thes 4:13-18; 5:1-11) This has not happened yet, and will not until half-way through the last 7 years of the age/3 1/2 years into the 70th week of the prophecy through Daniel. The rapture cannot occur until at least then! The first 3 1/2 years of the final seven is not the wrath of anyone, but for those “in the know”, we will know that the wrath of Satan through the son of perdition — and allowed by God — follows the abomination of desolation. God’s wrath follows Satan’s wrath against human beings in general, and against Jews and believers in Jesus/Yeshua in particular, both in covenant relationship with the one true God. God’s wrath is against His enemies, and the enemies of His people. God’s judgment begins in His own household first. As our Lord and Savior has told us: be watchful and prayerful, and be found doing what He has given to each of us to be doing: enduring in the faith until the end; sanctifying ourselves; preaching and sharing the gospel with whomsoever, being spiritually awake, loving His appearing … until He comes.
There is cautious and nervous joy during this holiday of Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles, an appointed time during which the Jewish people are told to greatly rejoice in the covenantal faithfulness and goodness of YHVH their God throughout their history. Gentile believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into this covenantal joy and expectation through the gospel, and the return of the Messiah to rule and to dwell among His redeemed and holy people. At His birth, He was not known, nor received, and His people were neither holy nor righteous. When He comes again, the fulfillment of Sukkot will be both seen and experienced! The Gentile nations and people groups will rejoice with YHVH’s people for what He has done for them, and praise Him and exalt Him for His covenant faithfulness/lovingkindness to them in the everlasting truth of His word. (Ps 117) Come, Lord Jesus!
