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With a population of about six million, Israel has now become the focus of world attention. Geographically and economically, Israel sits at the control center of the world. Its capital, Jerusalem, has been revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims for centuries and the Elohim of Israel, the Creator of the mighty universe, has been worshiped by billions of souls since time began.

Why does this tiny nation exert so great an influence on mankind? The answer is: because YaHuWaH, the Almighty Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with Israel. Through Israel came His prophets. Through Israel came His Torah, and, most importantly, through Israel came YAHUSHUA the King of Israel, the only begotten Son of YaHuWaH. Yes, the Almighty YaHuWaH is with Israel and that is why this tiny nation is so important. To be sure other nations and individuals count in YaHuWaH 's sight; but only as they consciously or unconsciously relate to His Son YAHUSHUA, His Holy Word the Torah and His People Israel. Let us now consider some little known facts about this amazing - almost incredible - nation.

To begin with, no matter what the majority of mankind or even the Christian church may believe, say or do, the fact is - Israel is the one and only nation chosen of YaHuWaH ! Not chosen because she is intrinsically better than other nations, but because of YaHuWaH 's promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Not surprisingly, the Almighty is keeping His promise to Israel's ancestors; a promise He sealed with an oath.

Here is what Scripture says about Israel being the Chosen Nation.

Only two men in all Scripture are referred to as 'friends of Elohim.' They are Abraham and Moshe (Exodus 33:11). As the texts above prove, Israel was chosen because of YaHuWaH 's love for His friend Abraham. And that is why throughout this website, Israel is referred to as the Chosen of YaHuWaH !

Because Israel is the Chosen of YaHuWaH, she became - and still is - the focus of Satanic attack. Anti-Semitism began centuries before the days of Hitler's Germany and can be traced back to the 3rd millennium BC. Believe it or not the Christian church is just as guilty of anti-Semitism as any other religious or political body. Consider these amazing statements about Israel.

"In the rivalry between religions, no other religion in the world makes the accusation that Christianity makes against the Jews, that they are literally murderers of Elohim ... to be a murderer of Elohim means to be the opponent of anything decent, anything humane, anything moral, anything ethical." (quoted, but not agreed, by Richard Rubenstein, Professor of Religion, Florida University)

"A theology was developed claiming that Christians were the true Israel, Elohim's chosen people. Elohim had cast aside the Jews. He had sent them His only son and they had rejected Him. Elohim's chosen people had betrayed Him and had become the false Israel, the Devil's Israel. The Christians were now Elohim's chosen people. The Jews had forfeited everything, including their own past, Abraham, Moshe and all." (The Longest Hatred, A study guide to Thames Television Series on Anti-Semitism, page 5)

In a leaflet entitled The Jews and their Lies, published in 1543, Martin Luther wrote

"Their (the Jews') synagogues are pigsties, they ought to be burned ... they live by evil and plunder, they are wicked beasts that ought to be driven out like mad dogs ... May (we) all be free of this insufferable, devilish burden - the Jews."

Over two thousand five hundred years ago the same hatred against the Jew was voiced; this time because Israel clung to the Torah of her Elohim. Listen to these words spoken by the enemies of the Jews to king Ahasuerus.

In our generation we can plainly see Arab/Muslim hatred of Israel.

How true today are the words of the ancient Psalmist, words that were recorded 3,000 years ago.

Yes, anti-Semitism has been around for thousands of years and all nations and religions of the world, including Britain and the USA, stand guilty before YaHuWaH. Today the eyes of the world are again on the land of Israel; simply because an all-out war in the Middle East could trigger World War 3; a global conflict which would spell disaster for every nation. All the world's leaders know this to be a fact. They also know that Israel's military might is considerable; that Israel is a nuclear power and would fight to the last man.

Being surrounded by enemies bent on her annihilation, Israel is a nation under constant threat and never a week passes but she is in the news. The media of most nations does not favor Israel: for she is, more often than not, portrayed in the worst possible light. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the peoples of the world are being brainwashed against YaHuWaH 's chosen people. But, let me again remind the reader, YaHuWaH is still with his people Israel. He calls the nation - MY PEOPLE!

As most Christians know, Israel was the name given to Abraham's grandson Jacob when he successfully wrestled all night with the Angel of YaHuWaH at a place called Peniel.

In the course of time the Almighty delivered His people from Egyptian slavery, gave them His law and placed them in the Promised Land with the intention of using Israel as a channel of truth and blessing to all nations. Do remember that through Israel came YaHuWaH 's Word the Bible, YaHuWaH's Torah and YaHuWaH 's only begotten Son YAHUSHUA. But alas! Israel, in the main, failed to obey her Elohim. Israel rejected the Almighty's Torah, slew His prophets and broke the everlasting covenant. The story of Israel's rebellion goes back a long way, long before 'New' Testament times.

Israel's greatest mistake, however, was not that of rejecting YaHuWaH 's Torah, tragic as that error was: it was in rejecting YaHuWaH 's SON - YAHUSHUA their Messiah.

But, before we Christians join Luther in his wild attack on the Jews, when he wrote "May (we) all be free of this insufferable devilish burden - the Jews," the reader should remember that ancient Israel's rebellion has been duplicated over and over again by the Christian church. Modern Christians are no better than those ancient Jews. They too have set aside the Torah of YaHuWaH and by their multiple sins, blaspheme and crucify afresh His Son. Yes, all nations are guilty of lawlessness - of sin. All have come short of the glory of Elohim. So let us not look down on the Jews, because we Christians are no better.

How then did the Almighty respond to ancient Israel's rejection of His Torah and of His only begotten Son? The Almighty carried out the punishments prophesied through His servant Moshe. One of those punishments was banishment from the Promised Land. This happened. YaHuWaH scattered His chosen people to the four corners of the earth. The warning to scatter Israel, if she persisted in disobedience, was made centuries before the scattering took place. Texts about the scattering of Israel are legion. I quote a few:

The Savior also Predicted Israel's Scattering.

Nevertheless, for all her sins, YaHuWaH did not abandoned His people Israel. He is still Israel's Elohim and they are still the Chosen of YaHuWaH ! I repeat, even though ancient Israel sinned grievously and was scattered to the four quarters of the Earth, YaHuWaH the Elohim of Abraham did not abandon His people Israel. To be sure He punished Israel over and over again with war, famine, and pestilence: but the Most High has not abandoned His chosen people. Israel is still the chosen race! Pause awhile dear reader and consider these little-known divine promises.

In other words the People of Israel, for all that they have done, will continue to be YaHuWaH 's chosen people as long as the measureless universe exists! YaHuWaH Almighty has given us that assurance. He even sealed it with an oath! It is therefore absolutely impossible for Israel to be anything other than the Chosen of YaHuWaH !

"But," some will say,"You have only quoted Old Testament texts. In the 'New' Covenant and 'New' Testament you'll find that YaHuWaH has replaced Israel with the Gentile Church; and all the favors and promises He previously made to literal Israel are now transferred over to the Gentile Church, with perhaps a few Jews who accept YAHUSHUA as the Messiah being included. "

Is this the case? Has the Almighty cast off His people Israel, transferred all His favors to the Christian Church and, in the process, inadvertently violated His own oath? The very idea is monstrous, if not blasphemous. For the fact is, the 'New' Testament teaches no such thing. Indeed, the New Testament teaches the very opposite. It quite plainly states that:

That any Gentile believer who boastfully assumes that Elohim has cast away His chosen people Israel in favor of them, is in danger himself of being cut off from YaHuWaH ! That is a stunning warning. Heed it!

To be sure the Most High has cut away some unbelieving, dead branches from the Olive Tree of Israel and in their place grafted in believing nations. But let no one smugly imagine that YaHuWaH has got rid of the Jewish nation and replaced it with the Christian Church. Because that is certainly not the case. I repeat, those who make these boastful, groundless claims are themselves at risk of being cut off from the Olive Tree of Israel. This terrifying 'New' Testament warning should cause all Christians to treat Israel with absolute care; for she is still the Chosen of YaHuWaH !

Yes, the people of Israel are still the Chosen of YaHuWaH ; and will continue to be so as long as the immeasurable universe exists. That is what the Almighty YaHuWaH of Israel says in His Word. We had better believe it!

Even whilst the Most High was predicting the Diaspora (the scattering of Israel) He was also forecasting Israel's re-gathering. Over and over again He said that He would re-gather His scattered people; and bring them back from the four corners of the earth to the land He promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That is why it is called The Promised Land! The re-gathering of Israel is taking place at this very moment. I quote a few texts which tell of this astonishing development.

More prophecies concerning the re-gathering of Israel are found at Jeremiah 29:14, 31:10, 32:34-41, Nehemiah 1:9, Psalm 107:3, Ezekiel 34:12-31, 37:21. Is a re-gathering of Israel taking place? To be sure it is. Consider the statistics of Jews returning to Israel since the nation was declared a State on 14th May 1948.

Currently tens of thousands of Jews, especially from the former Soviet Union, are returning to the land of their fathers.

Yes, Bible prophecies concerning Israel's return to the Promised Land are being fulfilled before our very eyes. The descendants of Jacob are returning in their millions to the land YaHuWaH promised Abraham so long ago: and the Christian church, in the main, stands bewildered at events it doesn't understand, simply because it believes that Israel was abandoned by YaHuWaH and replaced by the Christian Church. Oh what a tragic misconception that is!

What does YaHuWaH plan to do after re-gathering Israel? What does His Word tell us? It tells us that He is going to refine Israel as a silversmith refines silver; with the sole intention of producing an obedient and holy nation, a nation that will reflect His perfect character and obey His eternal law. He is going to do this for His great Name's sake, which Israel by its sinful practices has profaned among the nations. YaHuWaH is about to act, not because the Jews are better than other peoples in any way, because they are not: but to keep His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to clear His slandered Name.

That refining work has already begun! Israel is being purified, refined by fire, persecution and war!

YaHuWaH, the Creator and owner of planet Earth, promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his seed for an everlasting possession. What are the boundaries of the Promised Land? The answer to this question may come as a shock to you; but these are the words of Elohim Almighty!

Later the prophet Moshe recalled YaHuWaH 's words to Israel:

Here we are given the boundaries of an extremely large tract of land; stretching from the Mediterranean sea to the great river EUPHRATES. A land which YaHuWaH promised to Abraham and his seed YAHUSHUA. I have absolutely no doubt but that YAHUSHUA, the King of Israel, will restore the land to its rightful owners the descendants of Jacob when at his return he will liberate Jerusalem.

Over the centuries the Christian church has made many serious mistakes. Let us consider five.

1. The FIRST mistake, as pointed out earlier, was to suppose that because Israel, in the main, had rejected YAHUSHUA the Son of YaHuWaH, and YaHuWaH ABANDONED His chosen people and transferred His favors to the Christian Church. Read again those divine statements listed at Section 6 where YaHuWaH, Elohim Almighty, promised NEVER to abandon His chosen people Israel: and that Israel would be His people as long as the universe exists! How could the Almighty, in the face of such legal guarantees, abandon His people Israel and break His oath to Abraham? I do believe that it borders on blasphemy to suggest that the Almighty would - or even could - break His solemn oath.
2. But Israel was not abandoned. She was only 'temporarily blinded' to the truth of the gospel which she had stubbornly refused to accept. That 'spiritual blindness' is being removed at this very moment as tens of thousands of Jews around the world accept YAHUSHUA the Messiah. This opening of Israel's eyes was prophesied to coincide with the END of the Times of the Nations. That time has come. It has arrived.
3. The THIRD mistake, was the failure to accept that every Believer in YAHUSHUA the Messiah, is considered by the Almighty to be a 'child of Abraham.' In other words, Gentiles who believe in YAHUSHUA the Messiah are Israelites - spiritual Jews! They have been grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel.
4. The FOURTH mistake is to think that the New Covenant is between YaHuWaH and the Gentile Church. The reality is that the new covenant, like the old, is between the Almighty YaHuWaH and House of Israel!
5. The FIFTH mistake is to imagine that the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation are Gentile believers and that Israel, in the main, is not included. The Bible says the very opposite. The prophecy of the Revelation plainly tells us that: the 144,000 are ALL Israelites! No doubt there will be some Gentile converts in this number. But they will be those who do not balk at the idea of being classified with Israel or being called Jews! Bear this vital fact in mind.
   

   Rev.7:4

   And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of ALL the tribes of the children of Israel.

Believing Torah observant Gentiles become Israelites who thereafter partake of the goodness of the Olive Tree of Israel. Jews are not grafted into the Gentile church. It is the other way around; believing Gentiles are grafted onto the Olive Tree of Israel. They become 'Jews,' 'Israelis,' the 'children of Abraham' and 'joint heirs of the Kingdom of Elohim!

In view of these amazing facts, let every Christian treat the people of Israel with great respect. To be sure, some Jews, as in the days of old, are the "children of the Devil" (John 8:44); but the whole nation must not be condemned because of the few. Concerning Israel the Bible says:

How true were the words of the mercenary prophet Balaam, who, in spite of himself, declared this eternal fact as he lifted up his eyes and beheld the camp of Israel:

The word 'Palestine' comes from 'Palaestina' which is Latin for 'Philistia.' Every Bible student knows that the Philistines dwelt mainly in Philistia (known today as the Gaza strip). The Philistines were the implacable enemies of ancient Israel. Times haven't changed: they still are. The modern Philistines (Palestinians) are still bent on Israel's destruction - yea, on Israel's extermination!

What's more, the tide of world opinion is turning against Israel. The world is beginning to favor Palestinian (Philistine) arguments, assuming that they provide an answer to the Middle East problem. Israel's friends are also abandoning her one by one as she clings to territory promised to her centuries ago by the Creator. Mankind does not recognize the promises YaHuWaH made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so is unimpressed with Israel's claim to the Promised Land. The world dismisses the divine promises as religious lunacy.

But mankind - and this includes modern Israel, the Muslim nations and the Christian Church - is about to learn two stunning truths:

• That Israel is still YaHuWaH 's people, the Chosen of YaHuWaH ! (Read Section 6 again in order to fix this fact in your mind)
• And that the Almighty is still in charge of human affairs.
  

  Daniel 5:21

  "And he (Nebuchadnezzar) was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high Elohim ruled in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will)"

The mood of the Palestinians has become increasingly hostile to Israel. Because of economic pressures linked to their dependence on Arab oil, Israel's friends are deserting her one by one. Israel is now looked upon as the cause of the Middle East turmoil. Soon world opinion will be galvanized against Israel. Anti-Semitism will sweep the globe and Jews will again be persecuted in many countries.

This will drive even more Israelites back to the Promised Land. To be sure many noble efforts for peace will be put forth. But they will not produce peace. Peace in the Middle East will only come when YAHUSHUA THE PRINCE OF PEACE, the KING OF ISRAEL arrives. Till then expect mounting hatred, turmoil, violence and war. I will end this section with a divine warning to every nation, religious group or individual who harbors a secret hatred for Israel - the chosen of YaHuWaH ! Pay careful attention to this divine warning! Because you are on extremely dangerous ground!

12. Israel's Future

We learn from Bible prophecy that just before the Savior returns to earth, the city of Jerusalem will be the center of great turmoil. We are also told that the city of Jerusalem will be conquered and dominated by Gentile nations for a period of 42 months; that is 3.5 years or 1260 days. During this time the Most High will send Two Witnesses with a final warning for all mankind. After delivering their 42 month-long warning, the Two Witnesses will be killed by the Antichrist in the city of Jerusalem, "where our Lord was crucified."

During this harrowing period of time the Antichrist will rule the entire earth using as his capital the captured city of Jerusalem. Thanks be to YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Israel, the Antichrist's rule will end at the return of YAHUSHUA the Messiah. The Scriptures tell us that YAHUSHUA will return with the heavenly host and his resurrected saints --- to the city of Jerusalem! The millennial (1000 year) reign will then begin and all the nations of the world will be required to keep the Torah of Israel's Elohim; the same law He gave for mankind through His servant Moshe so long ago. Believe it or not at that time all mankind will also be required to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth)! The Bible is packed with prophecies about the millennial reign when YaHuWaH Elohim of Israel will govern all mankind through His Son YAHUSHUA - and His people Israel! It is a future which no words can describe; simply because no human mind can properly imagine such glory!

More texts concerning this last-day confrontation can be found at Zechariah chapter 12, Hosea 10:10, Micah chapter 4 and Joel chapter 3. See also our lesson on the Signs of Messiah's Return

I urge the reader to pause and take note of what he/she has just read. Failure to heed Bible warnings is a sure way of courting disaster. I will now summarize the points I have raised in this sermon.

1. Israel is an extremely important nation. Why?
2. Because she is the Chosen of YaHuWaH, the Almighty Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
3. Consequently Satan has directed his fiercest attacks against Israel. He has also inspired the peoples of the world to turn against Israel and the Jews. Judah-phobia (anti-Semitism) is not new. It goes back thousands of years. Alas! every nation and every religion, including Britain, the USA and the Christian Church are guilty of anti-Semitism.
4. No one should forget that through Israel came the Torah of YaHuWaH, the Prophets and Apostles of YaHuWaH, the Word of YaHuWaH, and YAHUSHUA the Messiah, the only begotten Son of YaHuWaH. But, sad to say, Israel miserably failed to obey the Almighty. Instead Israel rebelled, broke the everlasting covenant, stoned the prophets and crucified her Messiah.
5. As a result, YaHuWaH scattered His chosen people to the four quarters of the earth.
6. But Israel was not abandoned by her Elohim. She was simply blinded to truths she had foolishly rejected. YaHuWaH has promised, under oath, that Israel would remain His people as long as the universe exists. He is keeping that promise.
7. As prophesied, the scattered people of Israel were to be re-gathered to their land. This prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes. Over 7,000,000 have returned to Israel since Friday May 15, 1948 when modern Israel was born. Israel is being brought back to the Promised Land to be further refined as silver; because YaHuWaH intends to purify His people to clear His reputation and Name, which have been degraded by His followers - both Jew and Gentile alike.
8. According to the Scriptures the Promised Land stretches from the Mediterranean ocean to the river Euphrates! This territory was gifted to Israel by the Creator of the universe, who alone holds the title deeds to this Earth. No doubt this promise will find fulfillment when YAHUSHUA the Messiah, the King of the Jews, returns to earth.
9. Over the years the Christian church has made many serious mistakes. I mention five:
   • Incorrectly supposing that the Most High had abandoned His people Israel and transferred His work to the Christian Church.
   • Failing to recognize the fact that Israel was not abandoned, but merely partially blinded for a period of time, called the Time of the Nations. That time is now over. Israel's eyes are being opened.
   • Failing to recognize that when a convert - from whatever nation - accepts YAHUSHUA the Messiah as Savior and keeps (cherishes, guards, protects) the commandments of YaHuWaH, that person is grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel and becomes an Israelite, a spiritual Jew!
   • Failing to recognize that the 'renewed' covenant which, like the 'old', is made between YaHuWaH and His people Israel; not with the Gentile church.
   • And failing to see that the 144,000 sealed servants of YaHuWaH mentioned in the book of Revelation are, in fact, ALL Israelites!
10. The Palestinian problem is not new. The word 'Palestine' is simply an anglicized Latin word which derived from the word Philistia. The Philistines, as most Bible students know, dwelt in, what is called today, the Gaza strip. The Philistines have been Israel's implacable enemy since the days of Isaac. Times haven't changed. The Philistines (Palestinians) still envy Israel and want to annihilate her. They will win over world opinion and all nations will gather against Jerusalem to battle. The city will be captured and be under the Gentile heel (brutal domination) for 3.5 years.
11. Israel's future, however, is assured. Her King, YAHUSHUA the Messiah, the King of the Jews, is soon to return. When He comes He will liberate Jerusalem and make it the capital city of the world. All nations will then worship the King in Zion and keep the Torah of YaHuWaH ; His Torah they had persistently and foolishly rejected for so long.

May YaHuWaH, the Almighty Elohim of Israel, open your eyes to these eternal facts. Amen.