"The Spirit of Grace

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications..." (Zechariah 12:10a)

The spirit of grace is already being poured out in a measure in Jerusalem where hungry Jewish hearts are longing for the Messiah.

God miraculously intervened to open this beautiful garden and supply buffet service for a special Israel Fellowship Dinner in Tel Aviv as Morris Cerullo hosted students from the Bible Correspondence Course offered to seeking Jews. In a moving altar call following Rev. Cerullo's prophetic message, nearly 150 stood to publicly acclaim Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

Rev. Cerullo has held a number of services in Israel during his ministry and is reaching thousands more through the printed word in an unprecedented outreach.

Christians are looking forward to that day when God pours out of His Spirit without measure upon that land, when the veil will be torn from their eyes and Jesus will stand fully revealed to all as the Messiah.

"...And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son . . . " (Zechariah 12:10b)

Photos by George Ekeroth

"Sure 'Foundation

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.. "(Isaiah 28:16a)

Several different types of stones used in building the present walls of Jerusalem indicate the different periods in which rebuilding was done.

Leveled in 586 B.C. when the Jews went into captivity in Babylon, the walls were rebuilt during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah ... but were leveled again when Titus led the siege against Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

There is coming a time when the nation will find that true Stone ... the Cornerstone which the builders rejected ... Christ Jesus! May they even now, like Abraham, "Look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God!' (Hebrews 11:8-10)

"Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded:' (1 Peter 2:6)

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3)

"Captured Russan Tanks

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates!' (Ezekiel 38:11)

Captured Russian tanks, captured by the Israelis during the Six-Day war in 1967, roll on display through the streets of Jerusalem.

The 38th chapter of Ezekiel tells of a time when Russia itself will come against the Holy Land with a mighty host ... but God will intervene again, even more gloriously, to annihilate the northern forces.

Miraculous protection of the Jew by God is evidenced in the retention of their national identity even while scattered among the nations and fiercely persecuted for generations, and also in the miraculous rebirth of Israel as a state despite tremendous odds.

Even now, as her Arab neighbors roar against Israel, God's hand of protection and blessing can be seen clearly.

"And they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD" (Ezekiel 39:10b)

"Mount Zion

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." (Revelation 14:1)

Photo shows Mount Zion, the stronghold of Jerusalem, which was taken from the Jebusites by David and came to be known as the "City of David!' It was also known as the "City of God!' Tomb of David is located in Zion.

It was this site that held the Ark of the Covenant until the completion of Solomon's Temple.

Through revelation, John saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 witnesses out of the tribes of Israel as light begins to dawn following the darkest period that man will ever experience . . . the rule of the Antichrist. (Revelation 13)

The fourth chapter of Micah foretells the restoration of Zion:

"For the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2b)

"And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever." (Micah 4:7)

Israel: Land of Prophecy

Israel: Land of Prophecy10

"The Sheep from the Goats_

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." (Matthew 25:32,33)

Black and white difference is graphic in this picture of goats taken on a street in Jerusalem. The reminder is that not only will Christ separate sheep and goat individuals, but also sheep and goat nations.

Nationally blind spiritually for all these years, Israel will yet welcome Jesus as the Messiah as God restores to Himself the people who, despite their many failures and disobediences to Him, have always been known as a peculiar nation unto Him.

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!' (Matthew 25:34)

"A Highway There and a Way...

... Make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3b)

A straight modern highway stretches from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem through former wilderness area.

The real "Way" is Jesus Christ the Messiah, Who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me!' (John 14:6)

One day the Messiah will return and completely restore Israel, setting up the Kingdom Age...

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness;” (Isaiah 35:8)

"Watchman, What of the Night?

"Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalms 127:1)

Armed guards are a frequent sight throughout Israel as Palestinian terrorist attacks are not without incidence. Armed with automatic weapons, they reflect the unrest and fear that accompanies life in Israel today.

More than guards or machine guns, God Himself has been the Refuge of Israel since inception of the race. A miracle of God will yet bring her out triumphant over her enemies.

"Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalms 121:4)

"City of Ruins

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." (Matthew 11:23)

Once a bustling seaport on the shores of Galilee, the entire settlement of Capernaum sits in ruins today, a memorial to the utter accuracy of the prophecies uttered against it by Jesus—Who spent much of His earthly ministry in this area and performed many mighty miracles here.

Ruins shown are of the synagogue where Jesus cast an unclean spirit out of a man, then went next door to raise Peter's mother-in-law from her sick bed. (Mark 1:21-31.) Ruins of Peter's house also may be seen at this site today.

Future prophecies contained in the Bible will just as surely come to pass.

"Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass;

I have purposed it, I will also do it." (Isaiah 46:11b)

"A Closed Gate-An Opening Door

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there." (Revelation 21:25)

The mysterious Golden Gate in Jerusalem has been sealed since the sixteenth century and Jews believe that the next person to come through it will be the Messiah!

What looks like a passageway through the gate is in reality a door to a chamber within the wall. The adit could be indicative of the hearts of the Jews slowly opening to the real Door, Jesus Christ, through Whom all people, Jew or Gentile, may enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jews also believe that the Messiah's judgment seat will be located in the chamber area. The two arches of the gate are said to indicate the two types of people who will go forth from His Presence after judgment ... the righteous and the wicked.

The closed structure is also a reminder of the city to come, the New Jerusalem, in which the gates will never be closed and where there will be no night.

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture!' (John 10:9)

No Wore Tears.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

Jews crowd into Wailing Wall area to utter their prayers to God. Many write their requests on pieces of paper and slip them into chinks in the stone.

Access to the wall was denied the Jews until they took the entire city of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War.

Denied access to salvation by their own refusal to accept Christ as Savior, Jews one day will realize Who He is and turn to Him.

One day their long national suffering will be over and God Himself will wipe the tears from their eyes.

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)

"Dwelling in Cities...

. . . I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded." (Ezekiel 36:33b)

The bustling city of Tel Aviv, first capital of the new nation of Israel until Jerusalem was recaptured, is emblematic of the vigorous growth of the new nation which seemingly sprang up overnight.

The God Who kept Israel as a people despite the Diaspora, true to His word, has brought them home again and caused them to dwell in unwalled cities.

Despite the many afflictions that have dogged the race, there are now three million Jews in Israel with more immigrating every day.

"As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 36:38)

"And Behold a Candlestick-

"  I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof." " (Zechariah 4:2)

The giant Menorah, replica of those traditionally used in Jewish worship, stands outside the Knesset, a gift to Israel from the country of England.

Under temple worship, a fire had to be kept burning before the Lord day and night. Tradition has it that once only enough oil remained for one day, but that this miraculously sufficed for eight days until more pure oil was prepared. From this came the practice of lighting one candle each day for eight days during the Feast of Hanukkah.

The temple light actually went out for the last time in 70 A.D. when Titus desecrated the temple and destroyed Jerusalem. Temple worship will be restored when the "time of the Gentiles" is finished.

The real Light which stands before God and goes not out day nor night is the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I am the light of the world." (John 8:12)

"Blossoms in the Desert

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." (Isaiah 35:1)

Fruit trees send forth their fragrant blossoms in one of many land reclamation projects under way in the land of Israel which is bringing to pass the prophecy in Isaiah 35:1.

The industry and tenacity of the Israelis, coupled with the abundant blessing of God on this little land, has brought forth a nation of surprises in the midst of wilderness.

In some places, barren soil has been cleared out and hauled away with healthy new soil moved in to replace it to a depth of as much as ten feet.

Rich agricultural resources of Israel are reflected in the abundance of fruits and vegetables to be found in the market places of Israel.

Plenteousness of the harvest brings to mind the land flowing with milk and honey which was promised to Israel when they went forth from Egypt under the leadership of Moses (Exodus 3:8) ... and speaks also of the coming day of unprecedented peace and prosperity promised in the times of Israel's restoration.

"And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden..." (Ezekiel 36:35)

"As a Grain of Mustard Seed...

Jesus said unto them... verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

A sprig of mustard shooting picturesquely from a crevice of rock wall in Jerusalem illustrates graphically the ability of that tiny seed to find rooting even in scant soil and bring forth largely and rapidly.

The seed of faith is constantly being sown in Jewish hearts through Morris Cerullo's worldwide Jewish outreach, one of the efforts leading toward that time when Christianity will be the national religion of Israel as that nation realizes Who the Messiah is.

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,

The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” (Matthew 13:31-32)

"Where His Feet Shall Stand...

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south." (Zechariah 14:4)

The historic Mount of Olives, a favorite retreat of Jesus, is the site of the Garden of Gethsemane, was the beginning of Jesus' triumphant ride into Jerusalem on the eve of His crucifixion, and was the point from which He ascended into Heaven following His resurrection. The gospels tell us that He was "wont" to go there.

A beautiful scene today, this peaceful hillside will know the fierce anger of the Messiah when He returns, as noted in the scripture above, to do battle with the enemies who have risen against Jerusalem.

"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen!'(Luke 19:37)

"The Rivers of Judah Shall Flow

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim." (Joel 3:18)

The beautiful Jordan River, in whose depths Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, is a favorite visiting place for Christian pilgrims while in Israel—many of them also choosing to be baptized here.

However, the beauty and serenity of the Jordan will in no way match that of the River of Life which shall flow through the New Jerusalem when all prophecy is fulfilled!

"AND he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Revelation 22:1)

"O Jerusalem..

How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning" (Psalm 137:4-5)

Beloved city of prophecy ... Beloved by Jesus Who sat on the hillside overlooking it and wept, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37)

... Beloved by Jews everywhere throughout the Diaspora whose continual greeting one to another was, "Next year in Jerusalem" ... Beloved by Christians everywhere who pray for its peace ... "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psalm 122:6)

Its long and stormy history will be complete in that day of which John the Revelator spoke in Revelation 21:2.

"AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:1-3)

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