Sunday, January 25, 2009

MIRACLES ARE HAPPENING IN ISRAEL!

Dena Gewanter, M.D., Israel
January 19, 2009


"While the media in the West are lambasting Israel for killing women and children, and are saturating their viewers with horrific photos of bloodied corpses, Israel as a nation is undergoing an astonishing spiritual awakening as a result of this conflict. It is a pity that the world is unable to be witness to the miracles that are occurring here daily. Even the most jaded person would be amazed at the transformation of the people in this country. After many years of feeling the underdog and fearful of the approbation of he outside world, Israel is undergoing an absolute renaissance on a personal and national level.

First and foremost, Israel as a nation has finally decided to throw aside the fear of being rejected by the nations and embrace its sovereign right to defend it’s citizens from terrorist attacks. What is so astonishing, for those who know Jews and particularly Israelis, is that a whopping 92% of Jewish Israelis actually AGREE that the war is necessary and just. The adage of 2 Jews, 3 opinions and 4 political parties has vaporized in the face of the national crisis we are in. Not only is there agreement among the populace, but also the left wing and the right wing of the political spheres agree. Even more amazing is the concordance among the various religious factions: Ashkenazi, Sephardic, reform and conservative, Zionists are all joining together in prayer and supplication to the Almighty for salvation, protection and victory over our enemies. There are calls to prayer everywhere, regardless of denomination or ethnic background, everyone is united in looking towards the God of Israel to keep our soldiers safe and help us win against an evil enemy who has sworn never to stop until Israel as a nation is destroyed. The soldiers themselves seem to have a huge spiritual hunger, and are united in not only asking for prayer but also praying themselves, wearing tzitzit (prayer tassles) into battle and carrying the book of Psalms with them. The Rabbis are calling the tzitzit “heavenly flak jackets!” Tent synagogues on the battlefield have no less than 10 sessions every morning, and it is reported that soldiers who never attended synagogue are now praying with tefillim. They have reason to cry out to God, since everyone is aware of the years of preparation of the bloodthirsty Hamas militants, their desire to kill, maim or kidnap Israeli soldiers is greater than their desire to live; they have been financed by Iran and supported by Syria and Hezbollah. Yet, we are defeating them, and there are reports daily of amazing miracles of protection and Divine direction during the battle.

The following are just a few examples: A Hamas map was found, with booby-traps, landmines and sniper positions clearly spelled out. The IDF was able to counter each installation due to the information given. A large platoon of soldiers not realizing they were resting in a school that was booby-trapped, (discovered by a soldier relieving himself in the night), disarmed the bombs with no one hurt. A single soldier successfully fought off several Hamas terrorists trying to drag him into a tunnel, and all were captured. Hundreds of tunnels, hidden in homes under beds and kitchen cabinets, all full of live explosives and ammunition, yet none have exploded with IDF soldiers inside.

While there have been soldiers wounded, there are miracles there as well. A young man who moved here alone from England less than 2 years ago to serve in the army was in an explosion, and thrown into the air. After being carried off the field by other soldiers and transported on a tractor to helicopter and then to hospital, the doctors were utterly stunned when they saw that a piece of shrapnel that went completely through his neck, missed the carotid artery, the jugular vein and the spinal cord by millimeters. After they removed it, he needed only stitches. Another soldier was shot through the back but the bullet missed his spinal cord and exited from the front. A young newlywed, in grave condition, inexplicably turned for the better and will recover to go home to his wife.

On the ground level, bombs continue to fall, but here again, miracle after miracle is reported even on the local news. One hears the word “nes” (miracle) over and over by the reporters and the bystanders. A bomb heading toward 4 apartment buildings goes into a sewer pipe and explodes underground, damaging nothing above ground. An elderly woman caught in an apartment completely demolished by a bomb, walks out with scratches on her ankle. The mayor of Beersheva felt he should cancel school one day, and a rocket completely destroys an empty kindergarten. The elder housing complex that was hit in Nahariya had the sleeping quarters destroyed, but everyone had just gone to breakfast, so no one injured. A man leaves his car with his young daughter, and the car is blown up moments later after they entered a bomb shelter. If they had taken a few more seconds, he and his daughter would have been burned to a crisp. He was televised saying again and again it was a miracle.

Similar stories like these were heard during the second Lebanon war, reported on Israeli radio and television, but no one in the west ever heard; only negative propaganda from the terrorists was reported, whose aim was to malign Israel and make us look like a nation of bloodthirsty killers.

One has to grieve over the terrible destruction of the cities in Gaza and the horrific human tragedy going on there, but the responsibility for the suffering and death is directly on the doorstep of the Hamas leadership. These deluded people think that their god, Allah, will give them victory, and have entered into a battle with the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We are literally living in times like those of the Scriptures, when the Lord told Elisha all the plans of the enemy, until the enemy began to wonder if there was a spy in their ranks.

There is hope here and unity of resolve, not despair. Even the parents of Yoni Natanel, killed by friendly fire, were quoted as saying that their son died “for the sanctification of God’s name,” and forgave and blessed those who accidently fired at his unit. There is such heroism and courage here, one wishes that the world could see it, but as one of our journalists said, the media have left
their brains at the door of Ben Gurion Airport. They are many miles away from the actual battle, wear flak jackets and helmets for the cameras, and then take them off to have cappuccino at the local restaurant!

Fortunately, Israelis are accustomed to being misunderstood and maligned by the outside world. At this point, everyone knows we have a job to do, and we are becoming more and more aware that there is a greater Power than us is on our side.

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chron 7:14)."

Dena Gewanter, M.D.
Kiriat Yam, Israel


(The above article is from ISRAPUNDIT)

9 comments:

Greg said...

That whole situation in the Middle East has been a real mess for many centuries. I cannot understand how those people simply cannot get along and live in peace. While Hamas, Hezbollah, and others around them have been provoking them over and over, they're not making any friends overreacting the way the way they do.

I also cannot help but go back to several place sin the New Testament, where it says that Jesus is the only way, and that those who reject Him are rejecting God. In that sense, the modern country that is called Israel does not have God's protection or blessing any more than any other heathen nation.

Maybe I'm being too critical, but that's the way I understand the Word of God.

Jeff said...

Thanks, Greg.

And just think: it's all due to the fact that Abraham and Sarah doubted God, and tried to do things their own way.

I am sure that the actions of Israel are not always right. However, I do see in the Old Testament where God did indeed give Israel that land.

According to Walid Shoebat, a former PLO Islamic terrorist who is now a Christian, the real goal of the Muslim people in the Middle East is not just to take the land, but to wipe out all Jewish people.

As a nation, I believe that Israel is still God's Chosen People in one sense, and I also believe that the 144,000 spoken of in Revelation will be Jews accepting their Messiah. For years now, there have been Messianic Jews and organizations such as Jews for Jesus, but I have read reports of massive numbers of Jews in Israel who are accepting Christ Jesus as their Messiah. The Bible says that the Jews rejecting their Messiah caused the gospel to then be offered to the Gentiles, partially so that the gospel could be offered to all, and partially to make the Jews jealous, so that, in the end, many Jews would accept Christ.

"But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding." And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." (Romans 10:16-21)

"I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day." And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever." Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!" (Romans 11:1-12)

Jeff said...

I have also read reports of massive numbers of Muslims in the Middle East coming to Christ. So, both among the Jews in Israel, and the Muslims in the Middle East, there is massive revival going on.

Greg said...

Totally agree, Jeff. There are people from all religions, geographies, and walks of life, who are coming to the Lord. But as Paul said, there is no longer Jew or Gentile [or Muslim, or Hindu, etc...], for all are under Christ. That's what bothers me about folks who claim to be Jews, but profess Christ, and vice-versa, Christians who embrace Jewish customs. In Revelation, Jesus calls us to come out of all those religions and be separate.

I was born in Romania, to Romanian parents, but when we came to the US, I called myself American. More than a piece of paper, my citizenship is a state of mind, which ties my alliegance to the country that has adopted me, and in which I live; I cannot serve two masters.

Likewise, when a person is born again, in Jesus Christ, they are called to leave their old life behind and not look back on it. Jesus said that no man who sets himself to the plow, but looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God. I think it's an issue of commitment, like those who retain dual citizenships.

On a totally different topic, Blogger's verification word this time is "undie". Would that be "undie" as in "a cute way to call underwear" or "undie" as in "undoing death, or being born again"? Discuss. ;)

Jeff said...

Greg,

Yes, we are all one in Christ Jesus.

That's what bothers me about folks who claim to be Jews, but profess Christ, and vice-versa, Christians who embrace Jewish customs.

Yes, and even in the New Testament, they had problems with that! Paul and Peter had a falling out over that same issue.

I was born in Romania, to Romanian parents...

Interesting. I never knew that.

...but when we came to the US, I called myself American.

Most U.S. immigrants are that way, I think. However, in my hometown of Miami, the Cubans are very proud of their country and their heritage, and most of them do not consider themselves Americans. Of course, many of them have not even gotten their citizenship, so maybe that's part of the reason. But most of them call themselves "Cubans," not Americans. Then again, since many of them were born in Communist Cuba, they were taught to hate America, and maybe that is part of the reason as well. And maybe that is partially why some of them refuse to speak English, and almost all of them speak Spanish most (if not all) of the time.

Many African-Americans are also proud of their heritage, despite the fact that most of them have never even been to Africa, nor have their parents or grandparents (which is why I find that PC term silly; applying that same logic, I should then be called a British-American).

Anyway, my point is that not all people embrace their new identity as well or as easily as you do.

I once visited a Messianic congregation, because I thought that would be really cool. I was very disappointed, however, to find that they taught that Christians, and especially Jewish Christians, are commanded by
God to still practice all the old feasts and ceremonies and holidays described in the Old Testament. They did not get the fact that Christ has fulfilled all of that.

On a totally different topic, Blogger's verification word this time is "undie". Would that be "undie" as in "a cute way to call underwear" or "undie" as in "undoing death, or being born again"? Discuss. ;)

LMHO!! I don't know if I can even begin to reply to that. You caught me totally off-guard on that one. But I like your idea of 'undoing death.' We were once dead in trespasses and sin, but are now alive in Christ Jesus! Nice creative application of the verification word!

Greg said...

Hi, Jeff. That's interesting about the Cubans in your area. Romania was still very much Communist, when we left, but my parents never joined that party and were very much against those principles, which is why my dad chose to leave. I had a very good image of the US, even at that young age (9), and was looking forward to seeing NY and the Twin Towers, which my dad had visited when they were still in construction.

I guess that's part of why I'm critical of folks who come here, but do not bother to learn the language or think of themselves as American. I suppose it's harder when you're older.

Jeff said...

Greg,

Yeah, that was in Miami (South Florida) where I was born and lived until about 7 years ago. Here in Ocala (Central Florida) it is very different. The weather is different, the bugs are different, the traffic is different, the people are different, and the language is different. We have a good number of Mexicans here, as well as people from all over the world and all over the U.S., but its very different from Miami. However, as Ocala grows, it is changing. Ocala is very different from what it was 20 years ago, as far as many, many more businesses here, and the people becoming less friendly, and drivers becoming more rude and crazy, as people from the bigger cities move here. 20 years ago, everybody used to wave to you (or so I'm told by my brother, who was here then), but that is becoming much more rare now.

And yeah, it is harder to learn a new language when you're older.

Farrah said...

Until the Jews accept Jesus as the Savior and trade the Old Covenant for the New, they are going to be persecuted. The Holocaust, the constant warring in the Middle East. Jesus would have gathered them under his wing, but they refused. How sad He must have been all these years to see their troubles.

If these things are true, if miracles are happening and more are coming to Christ, then that is good news indeed. :-)

Jeff said...

Farrah,

I agree with you. Throughout the Old Testament, when the Hebrews/Jews turned away from God, God often used other nations to chastise, punish, defeat, enslave, and persecute them. This was, at least in part, for the purpose of turning the Jews back to Him. I, too, see the Holocaust as another such event.

Jesus would have gathered them under his wing, but they refused.

Yes, and I realize you are referring to this:

"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)

"For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:39)