And the Lord said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
Genesis 18:20-21
We have witnessed the ending of the seven year agreement. From September 1993 to October of 2000, according to the Hebrew calendar, the Rabin agreement lasted seven years. The prophets of Israel were right. It was not a six and a half year agreement nor an eight year agreement. It is the only seven year agreement in the history of Israel and it matches what the prophets told us would happen, right down to Paul's admonition, "While they are saying Peace and Security, sudden destruction will come."
As I sit and write today, Israel, the Palestinians, and world leaders are still trying to figure out what to do with the temple mount and Jerusalem. Pressure is building. According to those leaders, it is now or never. The American congress will adjourn before the elections in November. Clinton won't be able to buy the Middle East off with U.S. taxpayer dollars without an appropriation from the congress. The Israeli Knesset (assembly) will reconvene after the fall holidays (October 22). Barak's government is facing certain collapse with the Knesset's call for new elections. Barak will have no authority to make any agreement with a no confidence vote. Even Arafat is running out of time. He has delayed the announcement of the Palestinian state to the very last and it is still not a sure thing.
The world's attention is now focusing on Jerusalem to complete the Middle East Peace Accord. September 13 has been set as the date by all parties to complete the 7-year agreement. At stake, is the very heart and soul of Israel. The Palestinians want to control it all including the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. The Israelis want to access the ancient mount to pray. President Clinton wants the Nobel Peace Prize and a legacy.
The problem is Jerusalem. The problem has always been Jerusalem. You can go back and ask previous world empires such as the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Turks, and the British Empire. Each of them have attempted to hold and control Jerusalem. Each of them have given up in frustration. Only when Jerusalem has been in Jewish hands has there been peace. You would think that the world would understand this by now and come to terms with it. However, we still live in the days when the world thinks that anyone can have Jerusalem, except the Jews of course.
A father speaks to his two sons and gives direction and instruction to them. The first son is obedient in his heart, desiring to do his very best. He regards the words of his father to be instruction and training, an opportunity to do well and please his father. On the other hand, the second son is disobedient in his heart and wants to avoid any requirements. He wishes to do his own will and strives to evade the duties and responsibilities given by his father. He regards the words of his father to be commands, ordinances, statutes, and law. Simply said, they are things he has to do. He thinks there is nothing to learn or to benefit in keeping them. The disobedient son holds his father's words in disdain and seeks only to avoid and evade his influence. On the other hand, the obedient son is thrilled to seek out the father's teaching. The lesson is simple: To some, the Torah, the word of our Heavenly Father is law. To others, the Torah means "teaching." Most New Testament translations and church leaders do not believe that you should obey the Torah. Therefore, they call it "Law." But to those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might it is "." As David said in the 119th Psalm, "Thy Word is sweeter than the honey comb."
Yeshua the Messiah was going up to Jerusalem for the last time. For nearly three and one-half years, He had taught of the Kingdom of God. He had given sight to the blind; He had made the lame walk; He had cleansed the leper. His closest followers knew He was the Messiah; that is, they believed He was about to establish the Kingdom. They believed that Yeshua would take control of Jerusalem and then all Israel. He would surely kick out the Romans and all the pagans. Expectations were running high. The crowds were growing. It was just a matter of time. But then something strange happened. He taught another parable.
Gardening is one of my favorite activities to relax and enjoy my home. It is not that I grow incredible plants with numerous fruit, nor is it that I amaze and delight the horticultural world. I don't have a “green thumb.” But I do have a small “victory garden” on the side of my house and a 12×20 ft. greenhouse in the back. This is more than enough area for me to grow some tomatoes. Tomatoes are my thing.
Last September, a group of Messianic believers (Messianic Jews and non-Jews calling themselves Ephraim) joined together in fellowship, calling themselves Messianic Israel. Such a meeting has not happened in more than 2700 years. For me personally, it was a momentous occasion. Dating back more than fifteen years ago, I named my son Ephraim Judah in the hope that he would be part of the rejoining of Ephraim and Judah to become one in the hand of the Lord.
A wedding ring is a special symbol of the covenant relationship between the bridegroom and the bride. Its circular construction speaks of a never ending relationship. The precious metal speaks of the vows that formed the marriage. The ring is worn as a reminder. The Messiah is our Bridegroom; we are His Bride. But do you know about the wedding ring He has given us? Do you know what He has given us as a reminder.
Waiting on the Lord is one of the most difficult things a believer must do. For some reason, waiting is very distasteful. Experienced believers have learned to never pray for patience. However, waiting on the Lord is one of the truest measures of our faith. As we have been waiting for this winter with Y2k anticipation, the Middle East negotiations, the Pope's visit, and our changing world, God has been measuring us to see who will truly look to Him. In searching the Scriptures for encouragement, I came upon clear evidence of others having to wait on the Lord. At this strategic moment, let us review how waiting on the Lord can be a measure of our faith.
So here we are. It is the winter of 1999-2000. It is Y2K “Ready or Not” time. It is the new millennium. It is a time of change and apprehension for many.
Lion and Lamb Ministries has tracked the Middle East Peace Accord from its 1993 beginnings. We believe that the peace agreement is the one spoken of by the prophets Daniel and Isaiah. We believe that anything happening in Israel today is prophetically significant, but a seven-year peace agreement is particularly noteworthy. The prophets tell us that a seven-year agreement will be the foundation and start of the Great Tribulation followed by the return of the Lord.
