Christmas is Coming - Afrikaans

April 1, 2025

Die Hebreeuse woord vir Kersfees is: “Hag Ha nolod,” letterlik: “Die Fees van die Geboorte.” Romeine 14:4-6 sê vir ons dat ons nie mense moet oordeel vir geestelike fees dae wat hulle vier nie, en met dieselfde trant sê Kolossense 2:16-18 vir ons dat niemand ons moet oordeel in die hou van dae nie. Dit is geval van kultuur en verband wat streng tussen jou en die Here is. Vir my maak dit nie saak of iemand kersfees vier nie, maar wat baie saak maak is die teologie van kersfees, “Christmass”- en die Geboorte van Jesus. Wanneer is Hy gebore? Wie weet? Maar dat Hy gebore is, is ‘n feit en ons almal weet dit. Omdat my familie Israeli’s is, vier ons Hanuka. In Joh. 10 vier Jesus Hanuka, die fees van die tempelwyding, toewyding en dit is baie belangrik om onderandere die opkoms van die Antichris te verstaan deur Antiochus Epiphanes en die Makkabeërs. Ons het ‘n Hanuka geselligheid waarheen ons ongeredde Jode nooi, en weereens, in ons huis vier ons nie kersfees nie, ons gedenk die Geboorte. Ons gaan na ons gemeente toe en ons woon ook ‘n sang geselligheid by maar niks meer as dit nie. Kersfees of Christmass is vir ons iets wat met die Kerk te doen het, ons vier Hanuka.

Kersfees en die Laaste Dae.

Wat het kersfees, die Geboorte, te doen met die Laaste Dae? Dit gaan jou verras, want die antwoord is: - Alles. Ons sal nooit die Wederkoms van Christus verstaan voordat ons nie die eerste koms van Christus verstaan nie. Wat met Christus se eerste koms gebeur het gaan basie weer met Sy tweede koms gebeur. Jesus was gebore in die tyd van die Roomse Keiser Augustus, voorheen Octavius. Hy was die eerste Roomse heerser wat in sy tyd vergoddelik was. Dus, toe die Here Jesus die eerste keer gekom het was daar ‘n Roomse

Keiser wat oor die Roomse Ryk geheers het en wat as ‘n god aanbid was. Hierdie heerser het ‘n volkstelling gehou, hy het nommers, getalle aan mense toegeken, alhoewel hy nie die nommers op hulle gesit het nie, het hy nommers aan elke mens in die bekende wêreld toegeken. Daar was eintlik twee volkstellings deur Augustus gehou, beide vir die doel om finansiële beheer oor die wêreld te verkry.

Wanneer Jesus terugkom gaan dieselfde dinge weer gebeur: Ons gaan weer ‘n opgestane Rooms Ryk sien met iemand aan die hoof wat as ‘n god aanbid gaan word. Hierdie halfgod sal mense se hoofde nommer om sodoende ekonomiese beheer oor die wêreld te verkry. Wat met Jesus se eerste koms gebeur het gaan ook met Sy tweede koms gebeur. Kersfees is nie net iets van die verlede nie, dit is ook iets wat in die toekoms weer gaan gebeur, dit is profetiese gebeurtenis.

Die Boek Joel, Openbaring en die Berg Rede vertel vir ons van tekens in die lug en in die kosmos wat Christus se koms sal voorafgaan. Met Christus se geboorte was daar tekens in lug en in die kosmos wat die Geboorte voorafgegaan het. Die Jode was in hulle eie land, maar onder die beheer van ‘n Roomse Keiser. Hoe het hy daar gekom? Deur misleiding, die Roomse generaal. Pompeii het die Jode mislei en in die Allerheiligste van die Tempel ingegaan.

Wanneer jy sien dan iemand anders as die Hoëpriester op die Dag van Versoening in die Allerheiligste ingaan, dan is dit die een of ander beeld van die Antichris. Wat met Pompeii in Rome gebeur het, sal weer gebeur. Al hierdie dinge wat in Europa en die Midde Ooste gebeur is alles dinge wat besig is om die verhoog op te stel.

Jochanan ha Matbiel, Johannes die Doper het gekom in die gees en krag van Elia. Hy was net voor Jesus gebore en hy het ook net voor Jesus sy verskyning gemaak. Die profeet Maleági het dit op ‘n manier geprofeteer, Elia gaan weer kom, die Here Jesus bevestig dit.

Daar was baie valse profete in Israel toe Jesus die eerste keer gekom het, en daar sal weer baie wees wanneer Hy weer kom. Die algemene afvalligheid van die geloof van die mense wat die eerste keer in Hom moes geglo het, is in baie gevalle dieselfde as die afvallige toestand waarin die Kerk nou is.

Die Eerste Koms van Christus.

Kersfees is nie hier nie en ook nie daar nie, maar die Geboorte is baie belangrik. As ons nie verstaan hoedat die Here die eerste keer gekom het nie dan sal ons ook nie die Wederkoms verstaan nie.

Natuurlik is daar verskille, maar die een is ‘n beeld van die ander. Ek het in die laaste twintig jaar baie van my tyd as ‘n evangelis onder die Jode gespandeer aan een vraag:

Hoe was dit moontlik dat vir die laaste 2000 jaar van geskiedenis van voorbereiding vir die Messias se eerste koms, en in ‘n verbond verhouding met God, met al die Skrifte tot hulle beskikking. Hoe het dit gebeur dat so min Jode gereed was vir Jesus se eerste koms?

Paulus sê vir ons dat die duiwel hulle oë verblind het. Daar was 2000 jaar van voorbereiding vir die koms van Jesus, Israel het ‘n Verbond verhouding met God gehad, en hulle het die Skrifte gehad, maar tenspyte van dit was daar net ‘n oorblyfsel wat gereed was vir Sy koms? Dieselfde dinge gaan weer gebeur wanneer Hy weer kom, maar hierdie keer sal dit nie net Israel wees nie maar ook die sogenaamde Kerk. Watter soort Christene gaan in die Laaste Dae gereed wees vir Jesus se Wederkoms? As jy wil weet kyk dan na die soort Jode wat gereed was vir die Here se eerste koms. Die Here sal egter nie weer as ‘n baba kom nie, Hy sal nie weer uit ‘n aardse moeder gebore word nie. Daar is verskille tussen die twee komste, maar die een is ‘n beeld van die ander.

Die Soort Jode wat Nie Gereed was nie.

Wanneer ons verstaan watter soort Jode nie gereed was nie, dat sal ons ook verstaan watter soort Christene ook nie gereed sal wees nie. Blaai na Mattheus se verhaal oor die Geboorte: 2:1: “En toe Jesus te Betlehem in Judéa gebore is, in die dae van koning Herodes, het daar wyse manne uit die Ooste in Jerusalem aangekom en gesê: Waar is die Koning van die Jode, wat gebore is? Want ons het sy ster in die Ooste gesien en gekom om Hom hulde te bewys. En toe koning Herodes dit hoor, was hy ontsteld en die hele Jerusalem saam met hom; en hy het al die owerpriesters en die skrifgeleerdes van die volk bymekaar laat kom en by hulle navraag gedoen waar die Christus gebore sou word. En hulle het vir hom gesê: Te Betlehem in Judéa,

want so is daar deur die profeet geskrywe: En jy, Betlehem, land van Juda, is volstrek nie die geringste onder die vorste van Juda nie, want uit jou sal 'n Leidsman voortkom wat vir my volk Israel 'n Herder sal wees.”

Die Magi, Wyse manne:

Dit is hulle wat niemand verwag het nie, wat gereed was. Wat ons hier sien is dat sommige mense wat gereed was vir Jesus se eerste koms, mense was waarvan hulle dit die minste van verwag het.

Hierdie wyse manne het van Persië af gekom, hulle was veldpredikers van die ou tyd se Mede en Perse. Op ‘n manier was daar in die ou tyd se Persië ‘n godsdiens wat oor die eeue verander het, wat genoem was Zoroastrianisme. Hulle was monisties en hulle geglo dat daar net een God is en dat die mens verantwoordelik was vir sy eie sonde. Hulle het geglo dat daar ‘n stryd was tussen die seuns van die lig en die seuns van die duisternis, hulle het met ander woorde basies dieselfde geloof gehad as die Esseners en die Christene. Gedurende die Babiloniese gevangenskap toe Persië Babilon oorgeneem het volgens die profesie van Daniël, het sommige van die Persiese konings tot die geloof van die Jode se God gekom en hulle was alreeds monisties. Daar was ‘n langsame Joodse invloed in daardie gebied. Ons lees byvoorbeeld daarvan in Ester, en van Darius die Meder, sowel as die profesie oor koning Kores deur Jesaja die profeet, meer as 200 jaar voor die geboorte van Kores.

Ons lees in Esra en Nehemia wat daar gebeur het. Al die pad deur die Hasmoniese tydperk tot in die tyd van Jesus het die Perse van die Jode gehou. Tot met die val van die Sha van Iran (Persië) was hulle nog Israel goedgesind. Ek twyfel vir geen oomblik daaraan dat die Prins van Persië, waarteen Daniël gebid het en vir twee weke lank gevas het, dat hy vandag nog daar is in die vorm van Shai –Islam, die Islamitiese fundamentaliste in Iran. Mense in die moderne Christen sirkels hou daarvan om hierdie demone “gebied geeste” te noem wat natuurlik nie ‘n goeie vertaling of ‘n vertolking is nie. Die Griekse woord is “arche,” die Hebreeuse woord is “shadeem.” ‘n Beter woord kan miskien: Gebied heersers of vorste wees, dit beteken ‘n demoniese krag wat oor nasies heers. Daar is vandag baie dwaal

leraars met hulle “binding and loosing” idees wat natuurlik ‘n hoop strooi is, maar wat egter ‘n feit is, is die bestaan van bose magte wat oor volke heers, die Boek Daniël bevestig dit. Die duiwels het ook vir die Here gevra dat Hy hulle nie uit hulle gebied moet wegstuur nie. (Die Gergeséners) Gebied geeste bestaan, as jy die term wil gebruik. In Belfast (Engeland) sien jy oral afbeeldinge va die ou tyd se Keltiese oorlog gode in beide die protestantse en Rooms katolieke woongebiede. Die wyse manne het verstaan hoe om die tekens van die tye te vertolk. Dit is so jammer dat wedergebore Christene vandag nie die belangrikheid van wêreld gebeure en in die Midde Ooste kan verstaan nie.

Hulle is verblind en hulle nie kan sien nie, so as of die Boek Sagaria nie in die Bybel staan nie. Hulle kan nie sien wat in die EEC gebeur nie, hulle verstaan nie die globalisering van die wêreld ekonomie nie, die verwoesting van die omgewings, of enige van die tekens wat die wyse manne verstaan het nie.

Die hele Jerusalem was ontsteld.

Die wyse mane het gekom om die Messias te sien en hulle was nie Jode nie, mense van wie jy dit die minste verwag het, omdat hulle die Ster in die Ooste gesien het. Hulle het na Jerusalem toe gekom, dit is waar Herodes van hulle gehoor het en dit het hom en die hele Jerusalem ontstel. Dit is die stad waar Dawid gesê het die Messias sal kom, dit is ook waar die Tempel was, dit was die fokus punt van hulle identiteit en Messiaanse hoop, maar tog wou niemand wat daar gebly het gehad het dat Hy moes kom nie. So sal jy vandag baie kerke kry met dieselfde houding, ry maar so met die pad langs en kyk na al die kerke wat jy sien en vra jouself, hoeveel van hulle wil regtig hê dat die Here Jesus moet kom? Die Hele Jerusalem was in beroering, O’ ja, hulle het hulle rituele, liturgie, hulle feeste en vakansie dae gehad, maar toe dit begin lyk asof die Here sy verskyning gaan maak was hulle onrustig. Maar die nasionale en godsdienstige leiers was baie meer onrustig. Dink daaraan, en dit gaan nog slegter gaan. Hierdie mense het die Skrifte geken en Herodes wou weet waar die Messias gebore sou word en hulle vertel vir hom wat Miga 5:2 gesê het dat Hy in Betlehem gebore sou word.

Hulle het baie kop kennis van die Skrifte gehad maar geen hart kennis nie. Toe die Here gebore is was dit die laaste ding in die wêreld wat hulle verwag het of wou gehad het. Dink jy dit gaan anders wees met die Wederkoms van die Here?

Satan se Wip: Afvalligheid.

Omtrent elke leuen van Satan wat vandag in die kerk bedryf word is ontwerp vir een doel, en dit is om God se mense se hoop op hierdie lewe en in hierdie wêreld te vestig, per definisie is dit wat afvalligheid beteken, dit is om jou hoop op hierdie lewe en die wêreld te stel.

Die Koninkryk Nou teologie, gebied heersers, die segetog ridders, Calvinistiese herbouers, wat probeer hulle doen? Hulle probeer om die Koninkryk nou op te rig, hulle stel hulle vertroue in hierdie lewe. Voorspoed geloof, geld predikers wat die sonde van Hebsug preek wat hulle geloof noem, hulle noem die aanbidding van Mammon die aanbidding van God! Waaroor gaan dit? Geloof en vertroue in hierdie lewe!

Gerald Coates en Rick Joyner sê die wegraping is ‘n fantasie en ‘n mite, hulle spot daarmee, hulle vergelyk dit met Star Trek se: “Beam me up, Scotty”. Wat is hulle doelwit? Hulle wil die Kerk laat vergeet van die Wegraping en hulle wil mense se hoop op hierdie lewe stel.

Waaroor dink u gaan die ekumeniese beweging? Dit is die oprigting van die broederskap van die mens, weereens ‘n vertroue en geloof in hierdie lewe. Die hele Jerusalem was onrustig met die Here Jesus se eerste koms en dit gaan weer in Jerusalem gebeur wanneer Hy weer kom, en nie net Jerusalem nie maar die hele Israel. Hulle nasionale en godsdienstige leiers wat die Skrifte geken het, wou nie gehad dat Hy moes kom nie, vir 2000 jaar het God hulle voorberei vir Sy koms, die hele doel vir hulle bestaan as nasie en ‘n volk was die Koms van die Here, maar net ‘n oorblyfsel wou gehad het dat Hy moes kom, en dit sal weer so wees met die Wederkoms.

Hulle wat gereed was.

Watter soort Jode was gereed vir die Koms van die Here Jesus? Mirjam: Die bekendste vrou wat nog ooit gelewe het. In Lukas 1:46- 55 het ons die Lied van Verheerliking wat as jy dit in die Grieks lees, sal dit ‘n letterlike herhaling wees van die lied van Debora wat ons in Rigters 5 van die Septuagint kry. Die engel Gabriël, wat die “Magtige van God” beteken. Het gekom en vir Maria gesê dat sy die grootste vrou is wat nog ooit gelewe het. “Die Here is met jou; geseënd is jy onder die vroue. Vers 31: “En kyk, jy sal swanger word en 'n Seun baar, en jy moet Hom Jesus noem.” Haar naam was nie Maria nie maar Mirriam, (Mirjam) dieselfde as Moses se suster. Sy het nie blonde hare en blou oë gehad nie, sy was donker en van ‘n Semitiese afkoms. Sy was ook nooit in plekke soos Medjugorje, Guadalupe, Fatima, of Lourdes nie. Haar naam was Mirjam en sy was ongeveer in haar middel tiener jare toe Gabriël vir haar hierdie verstommende boodskap gebring het.

Wat het hierdie grootste vrou wat nog ooit gelewe het gesê toe daar aan haar gesê is wat sy is? Vers 46-47: “En Maria het gesê: My siel maak die Here groot, en my gees is verheug in God, my Saligmaker;” Hierdie vrou noem God haar Saligmaker, haar Redder, sy erken dat sy gered moet word van haar sondes. As die beroemdste vrou wat nog ooit gelewe het ‘n Redder nodig gehad het, waar kom ek uit? Nie een is regverdig nie, nie een nie,- want almal het gesondig en dit ontbreek hulle aan die heerlikheid van God-” (Rom. 3:23)

Die woord: “Theotokos- Moeder van God,” is nie in die Griekse Nuwe Testament nie. Daar is aan haar gesê dat sy die moeder van die Messias, wat Sy mense van hulle sonde sal red sou wees, waarop sy gesê het: Ek verheug my in God my Saligmaker. God Almagtig sou in haar Vlees word, en al wat sy kon sê is dat sy gered moes word. As hierdie beroemdste vrou wat nog ooit gelewe het gesê het dat sy ‘n Redder nodig het, dan glo ek haar. Ek glo nie sy sou gelieg het nie, maar al het sy ‘n leuen vertel dan sou God nie hierdie leuen in Sy woord gesit het nie, so wie sal ek glo? Maria self, of die leuen van die Sondelose Bevrugting waar daarop aanspraak gemaak word dat Maria ‘n sondelose vrou was? Wat hier gebeur het is dat daar ‘n verchristeliking van Minerva, Diana van Efese ens. plaasgevind het, en die toepassing daarvan op Maria in die vervulling van die

profesieë van Esegiël en Jeremia.

Die Madonna met die baba was oorspronklik afgelei van die Tammus aanbidding met wie Esegiël betrek was. Jeremia waarsku ons teen die aanbidding van die Hemel Koningin.

Die betekenis van ‘n “Persoonlike Redder.”

Mirjam sê sy het ‘n Redder nodig. God het ‘n Mens geword en Hy neem my sondes en plaas dit op Sy Seun, die Messias, en God neem Jesus se regverdigheid en plaas dit op my.

Hoekom het God ‘n Mens geword om my plek in te neem? Toe ek ‘n jong Christen was het ek hierdie uitdrukking van: Jesus is my (persoonlike) Verlosser, gebruik. Ek het nie verstaan wat dit alles beteken het nie. Ek het gedink dat Hy my persoonlike Redder was omdat ek persoonlik Hom aangeneem het, maar dit is net die helfte van wat dit beteken.

Wat dit in totaliteit beteken is dat al was ek die enigste persoon wat nog ooit gesondig het, dan moes Hy nog deur Mirjam gebore word en na die kruis gaan en uit die dood opstaan net vir my. Vir my alleen; Hoekom moes God vir my sterf, ek wat ‘n kokaïne verslaafde was?

Hoekom moes God ‘n Mens word en vir my sterf? Hoekom het Hy uit die dood opgestaan om vir my die ewige lewe te gee? Miskien kan ons dit van Mirjam verstaan, maar tog sê sy, sy het ‘n Redder nodig. Die godsdienstige mense dink nie hulle het ‘n Redder nodig nie, hulle het mos hulle rituele en feeste. Die duiwel kry meer mense in die Hel met godsdiens as met al die verdowing middels en immoraliteit, dobbel en alkohol saam. Per argument was die twee mense wat die meeste invloed op mense gehad het albei Jode. Carl Marks en Jesus Christus.

Daar is ‘n groot verkil tussen hulle en dit is dat beide op die teenoorgestelde ente van die spektrum is behalwe op een punt: Godsdiens is die grootste bedrog wat nog ooit in die geskiedenis teen die mensdom gepleeg is want die Evangelie is nie ‘n godsdiens nie maar ‘n verhouding, ‘n leefwyse. Maria het gesê sy het ‘n Redder

nodig. Sy was ‘n tiener meisie wat nie behep was oor Brittany Spears' se video’s, of oor haar persoonlike voorkoms nie, haar uitroep was dat sy ‘n Redder nodig het. Dit was die soort Jood wat gereed was vir Jesus se eerste koms. Ek hou van Mirjam, ek is lief vir haar en ek dink sy is wonderlike mens en ek kan nie wag om haar te ontmoet nie. Maar ek wil niks te doen hê met die blonde leeghoofdige meisie wat Maria geword het deur die sogenaamde Kerk nie.

Sagaria en Elisabet.

Mirjam het ‘n familie en ons lees daarvan in Luk. 1:5-6: “Daar was in die dae van Herodes, koning van Judéa, 'n sekere priester met die naam van Sagaría, uit die afdeling van Abía; en sy vrou was uit die dogters van Aäron, en haar naam was Elisabet. En hulle was altwee regverdig voor God en het in al die gebooie en regte van die Here onberispelik gewandel.”

Nou, onthou dat die Sanhedrin, die leiers, was korrup, dit was ‘n bedrogspul. Dit was Hinn, Copeland, en Hagen. So was dit met die eerste koms van Christus. Maar tenspyte van al die populêre verdorwenheid en die skynheiligheid van die leiers, was daar enkelinge tussen hulle wat regverdig was.

Ek ken enkele pastore in die Assemblies of God wat baie hartseer is oor wat in hulle denominasie gebeur. Ek ken Anglikaanse leiers in Engeland wat baie hartseer is oor wat in die Kerk van Engeland aan die gebeur is, ek ken ook Baptiste wat deur dieselfde dinge gaan. So sleg as wat dit is en wat dit nog gaan word, gaan daar mense soos Sagaria wees wat nog regverdig, toegewy en opreg gaan wees. Dit maak nie saak hoe korrup die stelsels en die leiers gaan wees of gaan word nie, hierdie mense gaan nie saam met hulle stem nie.

Daar is nie baie van hulle nie maar hulle is daar en dit is die soort Christen wat gereed sal wees vir die Wederkoms. Kom ons kyk verder.

‘n Arm man se Offer.

In Luk. 2:24 sien ons dat Maria ‘n paar duiwe as ‘n offer vir haar gebring het, sy het ‘n arm man se offer gebring. (Lev. 12) Daar is ‘n

leuenprediker in Amerika, John Avanzini, wat vertel het dat Jesus se familie ryk mense was en nie arm mense nie. ‘n Persoon het hom in die openbaar gevra dat as dit die geval was, hoekom het Maria die arm man se offer gebring? Sy antwoord was dat die inleiers haar moes uitlei, sy het die verkeerde vraag gevra.

Simeon.

Luk. 2:25-26: “En daar was 'n man in Jerusalem met die naam van Símeon; en hierdie man was regverdig en vroom en het die vertroosting van Israel verwag, en die Heilige Gees was op hom. En aan hom was dit deur die Heilige Gees geopenbaar dat hy die dood nie sou sien voordat hy die Christus van die Here gesien het nie.” Onder die Ou Verbond was die Heilige Gees net vir sekere mense in sekere tye soos vir hoëpriesters, konings, profete en sekere ander persone. Hulle het die Heilige Gees in ‘n sekere manier ontvang en eers na Pinkster het Hy gekom vir almal wat tot die geloof gekom het. Die Gawes van die Gees het net fundamenteel deur persone gewerk wat die gawes ontvang het. Vers 27: “En hy het deur die Gees in die tempel gekom; en toe die ouers die Kindjie Jesus inbring om met Hom te handel volgens die gebruik van die wet, (Die besnydenis) - het hy Hom in sy arms geneem en God geloof en gesê: Nou laat U, Here, u dienskneg gaan in vrede volgens U Woord, omdat my oë U heil gesien het, wat U berei het voor die oë van al die volke-- 'n lig tot verligting van die nasies en tot heerlikheid van u volk Israel.” Hierdie man, Simeon, was met die Heilige Gees vervul en hy het die belofte ontvang dat hy nie sal sterf voordat hy die Messias gesien het nie.

Simeon was al oud en afgeleef maar hy het geweet dat hy nie sal sterf voordat hy Jesus gesien het nie, volgens die Nuwe Testament het hy die gawe van geloof gehad.

Die Gawe van Geloof.

In die Nuwe Testament lees ons van die mate van geloof. Ons word gered deur genade en geloof en sonder geloof is dit onmoontlik om God te behaag, en alles wat nie in geloof gedoen word nie is sonde maar afgesonder hiervan is daar die Gawe van Geloof en nie almal van ons het hierdie gawe nie. Dit is die kapasiteit om absoluut op God

te vertrou vir dinge wat nie spesifiek in die Skrifte geskrywe staan nie maar wat die Heilige Gees aan jou geopenbaar het.

Die meeste mense met hierdie gawe is voorbidders, dit is hierdie mense wat waarlik deur gebed vir ander kan intree, wat glo en weet en wat nie wensdenkery is nie, en wat ook nie vertrou op die futiliteit van hulle eie denkes nie, maar wat vashou aan die belofte wat hulle deur geloof weet dat dit wat hulle ontvang het waarlik van God af gekom het. Dink aan hierdie ou man, vervul met die Heilige Gees begeer hy die versoening van Israel, en al wat hy wou sien is die Koms van Jesus, dit is al waarvoor hy gelewe het.

Anna.

Nie net was daar hierdie ou man nie, maar daar was ook hierdie ou vroutjie.

In Luk. 2: 36-38 lees ons: “En daar was Anna, 'n profetes, die dogter van Fánuel, uit die stam van Aser. Sy was op baie ver gevorderde leeftyd en het van haar maagdom af sewe jaar lank met haar man saamgelewe; (Vergeet hierdie Britse Israelisme en Armstrongisme. Hierdie mense het hulle stam identiteite behou tot in tweede en die derde eeu.) en sy was 'n weduwee van omtrent vier en tagtig jaar. Sy het nie weg gebly van die tempel nie, en met vaste en gebede God gedien, nag en dag. En sy het in dieselfde uur daar gekom en die Here geprys en van Hom gespreek met almal in Jerusalem wat die verlossing verwag het.”

Vir baie jare is dit al wat hierdie ou vroutjie gedoen het, sy het gevas en gebid, sy het God in Sy huis gedien. Sy kon nie ophou om mense van Jesus te vertel nie, almal wat uitgesien het na die verlossing van Israel. Die wêreld vind jong vrouens aantreklik, maar God sien dit anders, lees die Boek Spreuke- God vind ouer vroue in ‘n geestelike wyse aantreklik. Hier is ‘n ou dame wat haar hele lewe toegewy het aan gebed en om God te dien en uiteindelik vertel sy die mense van Jesus. Dit was die soort Jood wat gereed was vir die eerste koms van Jesus en dit is ook die soort Christen wat gereed gaan wees vir die Wederkoms van Jesus.

Getroue Herders van gister.

Maar dan is daar in Luk. 2:8-11 sommige herders: “En daar was herders in dieselfde landstreek, wat in die oop veld gebly en in die nag oor hulle skape wag gehou het. En meteens staan daar 'n engel van die Here by hulle, en die heerlikheid van die Here het rondom hulle geskyn en groot vrees het hulle oorweldig. En die engel sê vir hulle: Moenie vrees nie, want kyk, ek bring julle 'n goeie tyding van groot blydskap wat vir die hele volk sal wees, dat vir julle vandag in die stad van Dawid gebore is die Saligmaker wat Christus, die Here, is.”

Wat opgevolg word in vers 14 in die Latynse Vulgaat deur: “Gloria in excelsis Deo” - 'Ere aan God in die hoogste Hemele.” Die Hebreeuse woord vir wagter en herder is dieselfde en dieselfde geld ook in Grieks. Hierdie mense was wagters wat hulle kuddes opgepas het, hulle was nie huurlinge nie. Daar kom ‘n groot geestelike duisternis aan die einde van hierdie eeu: “Wagter, hoe ver is dit in die nag?

Wagter, hoe ver in die nag? (Jes. 21:11) “Kom Hy in die tweede of die derde nagwaak? (Luk. 12:38) “Hy kom soos ‘n dief in die nag.” (1 Tes. 5:2) Werk terwyl dit nog lig is want as die nag kom kan niemand werk nie. (Joh. 9:4) Maar daar sal die getroue wagters en herders wees wat al is dit hoe donker, getrou sal bly.

Getroue Herders van vandag.

Ek het eenkeer met ‘n Engels gebore pastoor van Zimbabwe gesels waar vreeslike dinge gebeur, toe ek hom vra hoe dit met hom gaan het hy gesê hy is baie dankbaar vir al die gebede en hy vertel toe vir ons hoe sleg dit in Zimbabwe gaan en dat die meeste geleerde blankes en swart mense besig is om die land te verlaat en die wat nog daar is ook besig is om ‘n ander heenkome te soek. Ek wou hom die volgende dag weer sien maar hy het vir my gesê dat hy terugkeer na sy skape toe, “my skape is daar” het hy vir my gesê. Hier was ‘n wit man wat sy lewe toegewy het om swart mense te help wat besig is om aan vigs te sterf. Ek ken ook ‘n goeie Christen dokter wat ‘n baie goeie lewe in Amerika kan geniet wat saam met hom daar is.

Hoekom vlug hulle nie? Hierdie is ‘n gevaarlike plek en dit gaan nog

slegter word. Hulle is wagters, herders. Daar is twee soorte Jode wat gereed was vir Jesus se eerste koms en dit is die soort Christen wat gereed sal wees vir Hom wanneer Hy weer kom.

Wie is besig om gereed te maak? Herodes was baie ontsteld en die hele Jerusalem saam met hom. Die Sanhedrin was omgekrap. Die teoloë het hulle hare uit hulle koppe getrek. Hierdie soort mense sal nie gereed wees nie, by hulle is dit ‘n rare verskynsel. Maar individuele leiers soos die Sagarias, of Josef die pleeg vader van Jesus, ‘n regverdige man, en ‘n tiener meisie wat sê: “Ek het ‘n Redder nodig,” of die wagters wat waak oor hulle kuddes, of die ou vroutjie wat haar lewe gewei het aan gebed en om die Here te dien, wat mense van Jesus vertel het, of die ou man wat met die Heilige Gees vervul was en wat gewag het op die koms van die Here- dit is ‘n ander verhaal - hulle is die soort Jode wat gereed was vir Jesus se Eerste Koms en dit sal ook die soort Christene wees wat gereed sal wees vir Jesus se Wederkoms. My gebed vir julle en julle families, vir myself en my familie is, wanneer ek na al hierdie Jode kyk wat gereed was vir Jesus se Eerste Koms, is dat deur die Genade van die God van Israel, ons onder diegene sal wees wat gereed sal wees vir die Wederkoms van Jesus. My liewe broers en susters, moet nie ‘n fout maak nie, waak: Kersfees Kom! My geliefde Kers lied is: Hark the Angels Sing. Die musiek was gekomponeer deur Felix Mendelssohn, ‘n Jood, en die woorde is geskryf deur Charles Wesley, ‘n Heidense Christen, dit is een van grootste samewerking waarvan ek van weet. [Hark, the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark, the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

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Circling the Wagons

By David Passmore • July 14, 2026

Circling the wagons Ruben Rothler LLB, LLM Israel is a society riddled with tension and division. It is sociologically, if not politically miraculous that a country drawing Jews from all over the world is able to exist at all. The army affords a degree of integration as a melting pot. But this is only a marginal source of national unity in the overall scheme of things. More so are the myriads of external threats that face this small country. In the former generation the Ashkenazi (Jews of European descent) - Sephardic (Jews of Oriental descent) divide was far more pronounced. The dominant Ashkenazi establishment held the reins of political and economic power which was resented by the Sephardim. However, due to a combination of inter-marriage and political accommodation much of the chasm that separated these distinct groups was forged. Menachem Begin (an Ashkenazi politician) in 1970 successfully ran on the Likud Party ticket with a campaign that brought Sephardic Jews under his conservative political umbrella. Later the immigration of Russian Jews following the end of Communism would add a whole new dimension to the Israeli demographic milieu. The younger generation of these immigrants tended to adapt well to Israeli society and contributed much to the economy. The wider division in Israeli society that crosses ethnic lines concerns that between religious and secular Jews. This can be further bifurcated to the clash between the secular and specifically ultra-orthodox Jews (Haredim) as distinguished from the national religious Jews (Dati Leumi). The Secular and the Religious generally part on what they envisage a Jewish State to entail. Religious Jews desire the State to strictly adhere to the stipulations of Jewish Law (Halacha), while at present Halakhic influence is largely limited to certain areas of Family Law concerning Jewish citizens. Wider considerations of promoting a socially conservative political agenda would also be forefront amongst the religious mindset broadly. Secular Jews view the imposition of such proposed measures as a serious infringement of their civil rights. With regard to the Haredim, the bone of contention looms larger, in that this group is fundamentally opposed to participating in society at large. This is acutely manifested in diminished contribution to the work force and a refusal to be conscripted into the army. The 2023 judicial reform protests posed a significant threat to social civil order. The nation appeared to be bitterly divided into two opposing camps. This split reflected broader divisions concerning visions of how the country should be governed. The judicial reforms would have weakened the Supreme Court's ability to render the Executive branch accountable. However, the Supreme Court was also accused of using its considerable powers to promote a socially liberal agenda. Left wing secular Israelis tended to oppose the proposed reforms while those on the right (which included the majority of Religious Jews) supported the reforms. Every weekend droves of protesters were brought onto the streets causing major disturbances to traffic. The polarising nature of this impasse threatened the future of Israeli democracy. It was the October 7th attack that brought a swift end to this public debate and civil strife. The nation instinctually united in response to this common existential threat. The judicial reforms were shelved for a future point when the urgent security threats subsided. However, as the war dragged on the enduring issue of Haredi refusal to conscript into the army became more pronounced. Mounting casualties combined with ever increasing manpower demands to field troops on the multiple theatres of action on which the IDF is engaged has depleted the ranks, and the army is now in much need of fresh conscripts. Haredi belligerent refusal to participate in the pressing national defence has escalated from being a political debate to a matter of very practical vital importance. Overall we can observe that the challenges to national unity in successive generations since the establishment of Israel has recurrently been ameliorated by the common necessity of defence towards outside threats. Most recently we can see this happening with regard to the global anti Semitism and anti-Zionism that has been raging since the October 7th atrocities. These hostile attitudes have paradoxically acted as a force which promotes nationalism and a sense of national cohesion in Israel that otherwise might not functionally exist. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

A Divided Nation

By David Passmore • July 8, 2026

A Divided Nation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM The Haredi community has had a complicated, paradoxical relationship with the State since its founding. Rooted in a Talmudic precept that the Jews are forbidden to resettle the land of Israel en masse by force before the coming of the Messiah, the secular democratic State of Israel presents itself as blasphemous by its mere existence. Yet due to practical considerations such as the need to obtain funding for its religious academies the Haredi leadership reached a settlement with the State's founders that exempted Haredi men from being conscripted for military service. This was at a time when the Haredi population in Israel was relatively small. Over the past decades this demographic ballooned until the point that soon the majority of Jewish children in Israel will be born into Haredi families. Such a situation is clearly unsustainable. Recently the Knesset's (Parliament's) Haredi parties have pressured their coalition partners in government to codify Torah Study as part of the Country's Basic Laws. This was purposefully done to elevate the status of their institutions to be on parity with service in the IDF. Israel is yet to promulgate a written Constitution, so legislation classed as a Basic Law holds Constitutional status for all intents and purposes. These moves by the religious parties represent a back door power grab to enshrine in law very significant hurdles to prevent the enlistment of Haredi men. The burden of Israel's defence is comparatively massive for a country its size and it is vastly disproportionately shouldered by the secular population. Until now there have been political initiatives to conscript the Haredim. But given the huge manpower shortages emerging in the wake of near continual conflict on multiple fronts since the events of October 7th this matter has become urgent and not merely a theoretical discussion of what is fair and equitable. It is important to draw a distinction between the Haredim and national religious Jews (Dati Leumi). The Haredim adhere to a lifestyle entirely committed to observance of Jewish Law and Talmudic study. This is embraced to the exclusion of gainful employment and participation in wider society. They are either outrightly opposed to Zionism or consider themselves non-Zionist. Conversely, followers of the national religious movement in Israel although being observant of Jewish law and learning would alongside this pursue secular professions. Furthermore, they are ardently Zionist and disproportionately serve in IDF combat units. This is often done within the framework of a program called Hesder Yeshiva that combines religious learning with military service. Efforts to cater a similar model for accommodating Haredi participation in the IDF have so far failed to make substantial gains. Such measures designed to override Haredi objections to service based upon modesty concerns by strict segregation of the sexes in these specially formed units have failed to appease the Haredi leadership. For them, any form of military service is considered a dereliction of their duty to fully devote themselves to a Torah lifestyle. They argue that their Talmudic learning and prayers are in itself a form of national service and act to protect the Jewish people spiritually from enemy attack. It is as if two parallel societies exist within Israel. And the trajectory of separation between the two is only growing. The Haredim are cloistered away in their Yeshivas, immersed in lives devoted to adhering to the stipulations of Jewish law. While the particulars of actually running the State is left to the Secular. The Haredim desire all the benefits of subsidizing their lifestyle without contributing to society. What we really have going on here at source is two profoundly different and opposing ideological visions of what is important in life and what is the purpose of a Jewish State. At the State's founding these divergent perspectives were more manageable. Ben Gurion only had to contend with one religious party –the National Religious Party. Later in 1970 Begin aligned with the NRP to form a coalition government that also brought Sephardic Jews under the Likud umbrella which had the effect of bringing unity to the country by bridging the Ashkenazi-Sephardi divide. However, over time Israeli politics has seen a proliferation of religious parties, gaining further leverage as king brokers in forming governments due to the proportionate representation voting system which secular Israelis not uncommonly view as political blackmail. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

Why Is It Always Israel? | Zechariah 12 Is Happening Before Our Eyes

By David Passmore • June 29, 2026

Pray for South Africa!

By Mea Fredrickson • June 23, 2026

New Paragraph

Disclosure - A Christian response

By David Passmore • June 22, 2026

THE CAPTION AT THE HEAD OF THE POSTER IMAGE FOR THE MOVIE ‘DISCLOSURE DAY’ BOLDLY DECLARES ‘WE DESERVE TO KNOW’ Indeed, we do need to know the truth. But will we find it in Stephen Spielberg’s new movie ‘Disclosure Day’? Could it just as well be entitled ‘DECEPTION DAY’? In an interview with USA Today Spielberg says that evidence of non-human contact has become “overwhelming” to him. He has suggested that his film could raise significant theological questions for Christians. But will it? For us Christians - No, not on our watch! The movie raises no questions for those who accept the proven accuracy of God’s Word, the Bible. The film, which is capturing the imagination of the public, only confirms exactly what scripture tells us about what are in fact extra-dimensional beings. ALIENS OR FALLEN ANGELS? God inhabits the heavenly realm along with a vast array of angels. Because Lucifer, a created angel, wanted to usurp God as ruler of the universe, he was expelled to another realm outside of our time and space, along with one third of the angels who rebelled with him. These fallen angels manifest themselves as demons who can appear on earth and disappear at will. Spiritual hosts of wickedness exist in heavenly places, wherever this realm is, it is not the place where God dwells. ARE ALIENS BENEVOLENT? In the movie, the ‘aliens’ are portrayed as friendly beings who want to help mankind in a time of crisis. If the aliens are really demons, not visitors from outer space, this is a dangerous delusion. Whitley Striber in his book ‘Communion’ writes on encountering ‘aliens’; ‘I felt an indescribable sense of menace. Whatever was there seemed so monstrously ugly, so filthy, so dark and sinister. Of course they were demons. They have to be.’ Many others have reported similar malevolent experiences. During the movie, Daniel claims to have had an encounter with extra-terrestrials during which he received a special gift of empathy, which is regarded by him as the ultimate superpower. However, there is only One who completely understands our human frailty. We read this concerning Jesus: ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.’ (Hebrews 4 v 15). Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11 v 28) END TIMES DECEPTION Before he was crucified, Jesus warned his disciples about these last days in which we are living. The first words he used in this context were: “Watch no one deceives you. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Deception was top of the list! Later, the Apostle Paul wrote about these days: ‘The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.’ (2 Thessalonians 2 v 9) Have you received the love of the truth? Have you received Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life? If not, you are in great danger. Perilous times are here and they are only going to get worse as man turns more and more away from his maker. Things will only change when Jesus returns soon to establish his own Kingdom on earth, where justice and peace will rule. JESUS, OUR ONLY HOPE! The Bible says all human beings are sinners. The message of Jesus is simple; repent and believe the good news, that God wants humanity, his highest creation, to be reestablished in relationship with him. His plan was simple: to give his life in unconditional love for every human being that has and ever will live, by shedding his blood on a Roman cross. In doing this, we can receive forgiveness of sins. Our old life will then be buried with him, giving us new life with the hope of an eternal future of true peace, love and joy, with freedom from pain and tears. Why ignore such a great gift of salvation? If you do, your fate will be sealed for eternity in hell, which is a real place without God, and thus without love, to face only eternal consequences of punishment. We condemn ourselves to such a fate. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! Jesus loves you and asks that you repent and believe in him. It would be the best and safest decision of your life! If you commit your life to him, he will give you a new heart, you will be a new person inside. You will also gain a new desire for all that is right and true. And his Holy Spirit will give you an ability to discern the lies of the age we are living in. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish, but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) FINALLY, A RECOMMENDATION All that is described in this leaflet has been open, in the light for millennia. On the other hand, the theory of extra-terrestrial life has been hidden in darkness, awaiting ‘Disclosure Day’. Which would you prefer to believe, the Word of God, or the word of Stephen Spielberg? I made my choice years ago, and have never regretted it! If this message has spoken to you, just call upon Jesus in a short prayer. Confess to him that you are a sinner in need of salvation. Ask him in sincerity to forgive you and to fill you with his Holy Spirit. You will then become what the Bible describes as being ‘born again’. (John 3 v 7) Then you need to seek a Bible believing church where you can be baptised and become part of a group of believers who can help you get to know Jesus more and more fully. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8 v 32)

Prayer request for Teerth Sond

By David Passmore • June 20, 2026

Prayer request for Teerth Sond Petitioned Prayer-Supplication/Personal Prayer/ Collective Prayer/Thanks Giving Prayer Our Dear brethren in Yeshua, my family & myself Teerth request your prayers in The Spirit that the latest drugs Ramicirumab & Pacilitaxel will destroy the cancer cell in the Authority Of The Lord Yeshua in The Power of The Holy Spirit. Targeted Petition: Please stand with us in prayer & fasting; The Lord will target the 2cm legion & that it will be cast out of my Liver in the love (agape), compassion, kindness, grace, mercy of God. I do not deserve it because of me- but By His Stripes we are healed for His Glory. This will allow the main operation to go ahead (which should have been done 18 months ago). Step by Step in the leading of The Holy Spirit and the in the Lord Step by Step, as our beautiful sister Beryl said, has worked on my Spiritual man- thank you Lord for waking me up. Lord raise me up for your glory forever because of your love to me, the family & fellowship- an unworthy sinner saved by your grace & love. Email sent to my Oncologist & my Local MP: Greetings Natasha & Dr Mano Joseph Hope All Is Well Thank you for our meeting today. At our meeting we discussed my MRI & CT scans which were done in May 2026. We discussed the operation on my oesophagus which I believe is the best option. (This should have been done 18 months ago). My Kidney operation will be done- non evasive- Lord willing within the next month. Will you be talking to Mr Chacravaty about this? The liver must be targeted first- this is wisdom and the latest radiotherapy treatments available- proton therapy-radiotherapy atezolizumab and bevacizumab sorafenib lenvatinib regorafenib cabozantinib durvalumab and tremelimumab At the meeting we discussed the next CT & MRI scans to be held end off July. Wouldn't it be to better to have them in August so by then I've had 4 full treatments on the latest medication. Also we have Zolbetuximab on compassionate usage- all glory to The Lord. After all the past wrongs I have no doubt now Dr Joseph you will pursue the best for me and family. Dear brethren- King Manasseh, David, Hannah, The Church For Peter, James, The Lord Jesus Christ for example made petitions onto the Lord. We pray as one body to cast off the illness in the Power of The Holy & The Authority Of Yeshua. The Great Physician who came for the ill. To lay out raised hands 🙌🏽 upon the head of our Lord. ABBA/Daddy/Lord in your mercy have mercy on us. Love you all in Yeshua our Lord & God. Teerth, Family & Fellowship

The End of an Extended Honeymoon – Are Trump and Netanyahu Parting Ways?

By David Passmore • June 19, 2026

The End of an Extended Honeymoon – Are Trump and Netanyahu Parting Ways? Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM The Israeli public had high hopes for Trump. Unlike his predecessors, he consistently endorsed Israeli measures of self-defence in the different theatres of conflict in which it had to contend. Further to these ends Trump shared in Netanyahu’s determined agenda of preventing the Iranians from pursuing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. During Trump's first term he tore up Obama's negotiated settlement with the Iranians concerning enriched Uranium, echoing Netanyahu’s position that it didn't go far enough. Now in his second term Trump partnered with Israel in a war with Iran that turned out to lack clearly defined goals. The campaign required resolve on the part of America that it wasn't willing to commit. After an initial lightning blitzkrieg that decapitated the Iranian leadership, the Persians dug in and the conflict became a protracted war of attrition hinging on Iran's stranglehold on the straits of Hormuz that could only be realistically lifted by placing boots on the ground or an intensified air war directed against Iranian coastal positions and the destruction of Kharg island, or at least the viable threat to obliterate Kharg island if Iran did not acquiesce. It transpired that Trump and Netanyahu underestimated the resilience of the Iranian regime, thinking that it had already received a near mortal blow during the prior popular demonstrations. So now we are left with a situation where Trump is exasperated with this protracted endeavour and appears to be aiming his frustration towards Netenyahu. A sticking point is Israel's continued occupation of Southern Lebanon. Iran is insistent that Israel withdraw its forces from there as a precursor to fully committing itself to a final status agreement with the U.S. to put an end to its nuclear aspirations. With the midterm elections looming Trump seems to be desperate for an exit strategy from this war. From Israel's perspective the fight against Hizbollah is an inextricable part of the Iranian equation. The IDF has invested massive resources and personnel in the hopes of quashing the Iranian proxy once and for all. Netanyahu is determined to build on the momentum achieved after the spectacular pager attack in 2024. After the catastrophic Hamas massacres of October 7th, the majority of the Israeli public is unwilling to tolerate a capable hostile force on its borders. Trump's proposed solution to this dilemma unrealistically suggests that Syria should take on the role of disarming and removing Hizbollah from Lebanon. In the ultimate reckoning of international relations, America doesn't have iron clad allies, but rather interests like any other nation. If, (as appears to be occurring now) U.S. and Israeli interests fail to align the two countries will cease to act in unison and there may be a rupture in relations on the not-too-distant horizon. Trump has indicated that Israel owes him big time. He has asserted that were it not for his decisive actions they would have been obliterated by Iran's missiles. This is nothing to say of the robust diplomatic support Trump has lent Israel in such forums as the United Nations Security Council and sanctioning officials of the International Criminal Court. Netanyahu is acutely aware of what may be next after Trump. The way public opinion is turning against Israel it is unlikely that the next administration is going to be any way near as friendly as Trump has been thus far to Israel. Trump too of course is mindful of this turning tide opposing Israel. The Iran war has been unpopular to his domestic audience, and the President has been caricatured as Netanyahu’s stooge doing Israel's bidding. Another major consideration for Trump is the colossal impact that the war has had on his other major regional allies: the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. They have received the brunt of the Iranian backlash that has effectively targeted their energy infrastructure and trading routes. They, along with the Europeans have been exerting pressure on Trump to end the conflict and reopen the Straits of Hormuz regardless of whether the most favourable terms of Iranian capitulation are achieved. Israel, however important a strategic asset and technological powerhouse will not override these broader concerns that are endangering global energy markets. An unspoken factor is Trump's propensity for a belligerent severing of his relationship with allies in the political sphere. His public displays of hostility with former political allies such Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Ron Santos and Elon Musk demonstrate a temperament that the same kind of falling out could invoke with strategic allies as well as those political. Both Trump and Netanyahu are approaching the sunset of their political careers and are naturally inclined to deeply consider the legacies they will leave behind. In the international sphere Trump projected himself as a peacemaker from a position of strength. But as many commentators have pointed out, the war with Iran demonstrated the limits of U.S. power. Trump appraised Iran as low hanging fruit that could be swiftly toppled like Venezuela. However, when push came to shove and the only prospect of landing a decisive blow demanded a massive ground offensive on the scale of the Iraq war, he bottled out and sued for a premature peace that will leave Netanyahu in the cold. Netanyahu is anxious to rehabilitate the injury inflicted on his reputation of the greatest disaster to have occurred in Israel's history having happened on his watch. Eliminating Iran as the great regional adversary pulling the strings of its proxies would have done much in this regard. Neither leader is able to craft their legacies as they would have wanted. Trump is choosing the perceived option of mitigating the damage done to his legacy in foreign affairs. He is trying hard to sell his Iran deal as being more than what Obama bargained in terms of guaranteeing a nuclear free Iran. But as further details of his proposal are leaked this is becoming a tall order. Netanyahu is faced with October elections and he may decide to stay the course in Lebanon as otherwise he will seem weak to most voters. Should this happen, we will be in uncharted waters as it will thwart Trump's designs for an immediate end to this affair.

The Battle for Israel's Reputation

By David Passmore • June 17, 2026

The Battlefield for Israel's Reputation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM Israel has enjoyed strong U.S. support since its founding. Within eleven minutes of Israel's Declaration of Independence Truman recognized the Jewish State. Under the Kennedy administration the Pentagon sold advanced missile systems to Israel. However, it was the 1970 attempted PLO takeover of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that demonstrated to the U.S. Israel's regional prowess and indispensability for implementing Washington's agenda. During Arafat's attempted Coup Syria mobilized its forces on the Jordanian border in support of the PLO's bid to dislodge the ruling Hashemite dynasty. Upon Washington's direction the IDF also mobilized its army upon its border with Jordan, thereby deterring the Syrians from taking further action. From then, the Pentagon and U.S. military planners invested heavily in promoting Israel's defence. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War disaster Nixon's massive air lift came to Israel's aid. For decades U.S. diplomatic and military support for Israel was a non-partisan issue. Both Democrat and Republican members of Congress voted nearly unanimously in support of measures concerning Israel. However, in the mid 2010's this began to change. To the extent that now 80% of Democrats hold views in opposition to Israel and this is reflected in how their representatives are acting. It is difficult to praise an exact moment when this turning point occurred. For years Democrat grassroots activist groups across the nation were lobbying their local representatives about their attitudes to Palestine and the mass student protest movements following the Gaza war built upon this momentum. The dual standards by the academic establishment were riddled with hypocrisy as if by the same criteria Israel is condemned for its responsive self-defence counter attacks in Lebanon and Gaza, Britain and America would be similarly indicted for what they did to Dresden, Hamburg and Berlin in response to Hitler. This is facilitated by the funding of Western Universities by Qatar and other Islamic interests associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. There is alienation between Israelis and the traditional left-centre Jewish Diaspora in the U.S. with a third of New York Jews voting for Mandani a vehement anti-Zionist in the New York Mayoral election. This is counterbalanced by a growing Jewish Right in America led by Ben Shapiro, David Ruben, Dennis Prager, Mark Levin and Trump advisor Steven Miller who are in political harmony with the Evangelical Right. The Republicans are also approaching a crossroads. Just as the Democrats have been hijacked by the Woke Left there has emerged a virulently anti-Zionist Woke Right led by Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes and Candace Owen who are also attempting to hijack the Republicans. What is alarming here, is the fact that the majority of young Republicans under forty now hold an unfavourable view of Israel. So, it is very much a matter of fighting for the future of the Republican Party. The growing populist movements in Britain and Europe may counter the anti-Zionist and anti- Semitic political activities of the Muslim vote and their left-wing allies. In any eventuality, even if the least favourable trajectory of U.S. public opinion were to further materialize it is unlikely to dismantle the massive military and intelligence sharing cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. The Pentagon views Israel as far too big of a strategic asset in a volatile region to cut ties with. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).

Urgent prayer request - India

By David Passmore • June 10, 2026

MAJOR PRAYER REQUEST - STEVE MITCHELL MORIEL ORPHANAGE (Andar Pradesh, INDIA) Please read the enclosed missions report from Moriel Missions Branch India: Our children need us and we put a lot of money into buying and then expanding the Moriel orphanage to take in more children. These precious orphan children are coming to Christ and the devil is angry. Until now we had opposition from radical Sheikhs at the Moriel Horeb church we built in Punjab, but the Hindu Authorities in Andar Pradesh have largely until now left us alone. The BJP government is however as wicked as Hamas or Hezbollah - only Hindu (I was in India when radical Hindus burned the Australian missionary family alive in their car; these are the ones who wanted to murder Steve Mitchell when Moriel helped to quickly get him out of the country some years ago). Some pastors have been murdered again in West Bengal. (Samuel, who oversees the Moriel orphanage went to Bible College with one of them). Because our orphan children are Dalet (treated as subhuman 'out casts' by the Hindu caste system), or from Muslim backgrounds, we have largely been been left alone and some of the local officials liked us. This is obviously not a good situation. Prayer is urgently requested. Please pray for Mark Masih particularly that they will not cancel his visa. They are now forbidding us from bringing any more bibles into the country. What would happen if Britain, Australia, or America outlawed Hindus from bringing the Bhagavad Gita into England, Oz, or the USA? MARANATHA Come Quickly Lord Jesus "You Will Be Hated By Men For My Name's Sake" Matthew 10:22

Staying the course amidst isolation

By David Passmore • May 30, 2026

Staying The Course Amidst Isolation Rubin Rothler LLB, LLM Living in Israel one gets the feeling that the metaphorical walls are closing in. Israel's reputation is being tarnished all over social media and the mainstream media, and this is reflected in massive public disdain towards this country. We are constantly told that there is near consensus amongst academics and commentators that a genocide was committed in Gaza. The very legitimacy of the state is brought into question. The majority of Americans are now hostile towards Israel. There is real fear that the next U.S. administration will turn against Israel. Even if this were to happen passively, by the U.S. refraining from exercising its veto power towards Security Council Resolutions condemning Israeli actions this could be catastrophic. Internally it is a fractured society leaning increasingly right wing which further alienates Israel from world opinion. An example in point is how Ben Gvir mocked the most recent participants of a global aid flotilla to Gaza. Such conduct further agitates outrage at Israel. The left-wing media presents the ruins of Gaza as a mortal wound in Israel's side. When the world observes this level of carnage no degree of public relations can ameliorate the sense of indignation towards Israel. We can liken the situation of Israel to that of a depressed person. All he sees is hopelessness and gloom. But this isn't the first time that the Jewish nation has been faced with such darkness. Things change and we don't know how the geo-political map will reconfigure in the future. We need to ride out this storm and keep going. On a historical note, the situation is reminiscent of what our ancestors faced when we returned from the Babylonian exile to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was faced with constant lies and conspiracies designed to entrap him by hostile actors: Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab. They employed deception, slander and ridicule in order to maintain their political eminence. There was also a certain sense of abandonment amongst the Jews in Israel then as in our own day. We read in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah about the anguish of the leadership in Israel concerning the lack of assistance from the Babylonian diaspora towards the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple. Only 20% of the exiles returned to the land. It was largely the poor who returned. Most of the affluent, established Jews remained in Exile. This is a continuing theme in Jewish history. It is also important to observe that from its very beginnings there were bible believing Christians who spearheaded the return of the Jews to their land. The idea of organizing a return of the Jews to Israel began as a Protestant Restorationist objective that can be traced to 17th century Puritan England. The protagonists of the Cromwellian Republic viewed themselves as the new Israel fighting the Papist forces of Satan. Alongside this, interest grew in the notion that biblical prophecies pertaining to the return of the Jews to Israel were a necessary precursor for the return of Christ. The growth of the British Empire in the 19th century lent political clout to Christian Restorationism with specific missions to the Jews established. Although there had been a longing to return to Israel as written in the thrice daily Amidah prayer, Jewish Zionism arose in the midst of mid nineteenth century nationalism and was further fermented by European antisemitism. It was an altogether secular enterprise. Although Israel's situation appears rather stark, we can draw strength from the Providence afforded to our ancestors in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah when they too were faced with defamation. This is also an opportunity to grow closer to our natural allies in the evangelical world who from the beginning of Zionism were steadfast supporters of the project to establish a Jewish homeland in Israel. (Author is an Israeli American lawyer academically qualified in British and in U.S.A. law, and a graduate of the School of Oriental & African Studies, London. He is a Jewish believer in Jesus and is currently based in Israel).