December 18, 2001

We, unlike other world religions and ideological structures, have a glorious, compassionate, powerful, and all wise high priest who knows the frailty of our human flesh first hand, and who has been tempted in all things, yet without sin. This holy, kingly priest, overcame not only sin and death, but He defeated the devil as well, and can therefore not only sympathize with our pain and weakness, but is also qualified to justly guide and ultimately judge the affairs of all mankind.

Jesus our Champion, having once been offered as the ultimate sin offering, fulfilled the entire Law of Moses and satisfied the Father's immense compassion and uncompromising righteousness, and is now sitting on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, from there to rule and reign over all creation. Today, as the predicted shaking is gradually overtaking the entire earth, reverberating throughout all stratum both near and far, we must not lose sight of our glorious Priest and King who guides the entire world into the greatest harvest the earth has ever yielded for God.

Now that the last day of the Ramadan Islamic fast is over, we can say with confidence that the Lord has answered the prayers of His servants and accepted our intercessions on behalf of the spiritual and earthly battle with the forces of radical Islam. In fact, what has emerged during these last weeks is nothing less than the humiliation and defeat of one of Islam's key strategic strongholds in the earth.

The Taliban regime that has oppressed Afghanistan for years, imprisoning millions of souls in spiritual darkness, poverty, and hopelessness, while providing shelter to one of the worst terror networks Islam has ever produced, is no more. Its remaining survivors are fleeing in fear, hiding in caves, and surrendering in tears. The snake is not yet beheaded, but is de-fanged and neutralized. And while the war against militant terror-breeding Islam is not over, a major battle has been won. Thank you for persisting in prayer.

And, when was this battle won? Right during the month of Ramadan, the very season sanctioned by Islamic clerics for spiritual empowerment and victory over the "infidel nations" that must be (according to pure Islamic doctrine) subdued into submission to the great Allah. How awesome and how righteous are God's ways. Yet, do not let down your prayer guard, dear friends, since the battle for the souls of those Afghans delivered from darkness has only just begun as the entire society has to be reformed and reeducated.

Let us remember, again, the Lord's teaching regarding the man who was delivered from a demon, only to be later possessed by seven worse demons since his soul, though swept clean, was not filled with light and truth. The freshly purchased freedom in Afghanistan must be followed with Christian workers and ministries, well prepared and divinely commissioned, in order to complete the task and satisfy God's heart. He loves these people, and for His sake their present freedom should be used for Kingdom purposes.

I have no doubt that God's Spirit is speaking to many these very days, calling them to this strategic arena where Islam has been militarily humiliated and can be gradually replaced through a genuine spiritual revolution. As the Lord Himself implored us, "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Luke 10:2) And again, as we have reminded you last week, in your season's many activities, remember the international harvest that is at our doorsteps here in the USA and the West, in our colleges, schools, work places, and communities.

Remember the lesson of Japan. Liberated from the tyranny of Emperor worship and paganism after their military defeat of WW2, the nation was never the less not filled with the knowledge of God. As some have said, instead of sending missionaries and Christian workers, the West sent businessmen and industrialists, and Japan, in her humiliation, accepted the new "gospel" and indeed became an empire of business and industry. Could we have done better?

How serious is the church about the Islamic world? Not wanting to repeat the errors of our fathers during the crusades, we, nevertheless, must have a viable strategy of love and truth toward these one billion souls. The nature of this aggressive Islamic religion is such that unless it is confronted by the truth of God, it will develop, like a weed, and seek to overtake every good field of soil it can. In the absence of good, evil spreads as thistles and other noxious weeds, taking over the land. We were given authority to cultivate and work the garden for God, not to leave it for chance.

Thank God for America that, once again, has stepped up to the plate and has taken responsibility to rid the world of another menace. Not perfect by any means and actually forced into action by being cornered and attacked herself (as was the case in WW2), still her call as a protector of freedom and guardian of liberty is once again shining with confidence and resolve. God bless America, her president, her civil and military institutions, and guide her down the path of His perfect will.

In Israel, meanwhile, time is running out for the game of charades that the Palestinian leadership has been playing, and the "chicks will eventually come back home to roost". Chairman Arafat is running out of options as his desperate dance between reasoning with the West as a statesman and maintaining his image as a freedom fighter in the Arab world is daily losing momentum. Before too long he will be forced to reveal whether he has changed his nature and agenda, or whether he is still enamored by the militant, irreconcilable Islamic hatred toward the existence of the Jewish state of Israel in the Middle East.

As time slips through the hourglass like grains of everlasting sand, the Spirit of the Living God continues to lead more and more Israelis toward their Messiah and coming King. The name of Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew), His teachings, works, and legacy are not as distant and strange as they used to be. The historical and spiritual veil is being removed gradually from the eyes and hearts of many, and your ongoing prayer and financial help enables the young Body of believers in the land of Israel to build itself up in our most holy Faith and present to the Israeli society a Jesus that they can relate to, believe, in, love, and worship once again.

Watch and pray with us for the Peace of Jerusalem.

In His love, Reuven Doron

Embrace Israel Ministries
PO Box 10077
Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0077
USA
Voice: (319) 393-1096 / Fax: (319) 393-2912
E-Mail: mailbox@embraceisrael.org
Internet site: www.embraceisrael.org

SPECIAL PRAYER INITIATIVE We are asking intercessors to join in a special prayer initiative: "One Million Hours of Prayer for Israel." Please contact Liz Rhodes and request your prayer card today. You may contact Liz directly via e-mail at mailbox@echad.org or visit the Echad Ministry web site at www.echad.org on the Internet. Please include your name and address in your correspondence.

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