Historic Synagogue Depicts Biblical Sites

The Hurva Synagogue reopened Monday to the public after an extensive four-year construction project in the Old City of Jerusalem. Built in 1864 atop ruins of an earlier synagogue, the Hurva Synagogue was the largest and considered the most important synagogue in Jerusalem.

It was destroyed in 1948 during Israel’s War of Independence. After the city was reunified in 1967, a 52-foot arch was erected on the site to commemorate the giant dome of the destroyed building, and this arch has been incorporated into the dome that is the centerpiece of the new building.

Finding Christ in Palestine

It was another one of those 13-hour days, lots of hard, but good work. By the end of the day we had brought 1,500 bars of olive oil soap from the West Bank to the apartment of my friend. Mahmoud is an ex-Palestinian Muslim who lives in Israel with permission from the Israeli government. In 2000 he was tortured and imprisoned by the Palestinian Authority (PA) for two years because he left Islam and became a Christian.

Christians Tell White House to End Israeli Crisis

Christian supporters of Israel flooded the White House this week with e-mails urging the Obama administration to end what some have called a crisis in U.S.-Israel relations.

Some 20,000 e-mails calling on the administration to “end this unnecessary crisis, return to a more productive approach, and stand with our ally Israel” had been sent in the first 24 hours after Christians United for Israel (CUFI) launched the initiative Tuesday.


Israel’s Compassionate Response

It has been two months to the day that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti, leaving scores of people dead and thousands wounded. Within days of the quake, an Israeli medical team of doctors, nurses and other personnel arrived in the region and erected a state-of-the-art field hospital that the media called the “Rolls Royce” of emergency medical care. Israel’s readiness comes from experience. Being the victims of war has taught Israelis how to respond to crisis. Watch the video below.

The Peace of Jerusalem

Without question Israel, and its capital city, Jerusalem, are of paramount importance in the plans and purposes of God. And we know God uses believers to work with Him in prayer for the carrying out of His plans, His mysteries, on the earth (see 1 Cor. 14:2).

That’s why He commands us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6, NKJV). But this does not mean we are to pray simply for the absence of war. It also means we are to pray for Jerusalem to fulfill its prophetic destiny.

Keeping Covenant With God

It was customary in ancient times to seal a covenant deal with a meal. This ritual dates back to ancient empires and tribes long before the Torah. Some primitive tribes would prepare an animal, or more primitive groups would literally mingle the blood of the covenant parties in a cup of wine and both parties drink from it.

Called Out to Work for Messiah

Moishe Rosen spends a lot of time resting now as he copes with the effects of prostate disease that metastasized into bone cancer. Last fall, he nearly died after surgery for an intestinal blockage.

Although outlasting the doctor’s prediction in January 2008 that he wouldn’t live past Thanksgiving, soon after that surgery Rosen considered hospice care. Ultimately, he rejected it, reasoning he didn’t want it until he was unable to get out of bed.

Help the Jewish People of Israel

In Genesis 12:3, God makes a promise to Abraham: ‘”I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'”

In my own life I have seen proof of this promise; when I have blessed Israel and the Jewish people, God has showered His blessings on me. That is why we have set up the “Bless Israel” fund through Christian Life Missions.

The God Who Answers by Fire

Author June Volk grew up in a Jewish family in New York City and married a well-off Orthodox Jew. But when the family denounced her brother-in-law for proclaiming, “Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah,” she too wanted to know Christ. When she called out to the Father, she said He revealed Himself to her in the form of fire. To hear her testimony, watch the videos below.

God’s Covenant Sealed With Blood

God promised Abraham that his seed would create a new nation. But there was a problem—Abraham had no children because his wife, Sarah, was barren. At age 75, he left Ur and journeyed to Canaan with his 65-year-old wife, Sarah. It is interesting that God never revealed the visible sign or token of His covenant to Abraham until Abraham was 99 years old.

Peace in a Private Pavilion

David knew the secret of the quiet place, and he had to constantly focus to remain in this quiet place. He writes, “Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies” (Ps. 23:5, KJV). David had many enemies. However, he knew he was not fighting against flesh and blood. He knew his true enemy was Satan. David knew the secret to overcoming Satan.


Son of Hamas Leader Shares Faith Journey

The son of a Hamas founder whose Christian conversion made international headlines released the complete story of his faith journey Tuesday in a memoir brimming with spy-novel-like drama.

Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef details a six-year-long conversion process that originated with a Bible study in Jerusalem and resulted in his departure from the Islamic terrorist organization. He was baptized in 2005 near Tel Aviv in a ceremony performed by a San Diego woman visiting the church that Yousef attended.

Ancient Walls Date Back to Solomon Era

A section of ancient walls recently uncovered in Jerusalem dates back to the time of King Solomon and supports the existence of the first temple, according to Israeli archaeologists, who call it “the most significant” find from the era of the first temple.

“This is the first time that a structure from that time has been found that may correlate with written descriptions of Solomon’s building in Jerusalem,” said Eilat Mazar, director of the excavation team for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem .

A Courageous Confrontation

Queen Esther saved her people from destruction when she petitioned King Xerxes to spare her life and the lives of the Jewish people. Esther 9:24 says Haman had “plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them” (NKJV). But God gave His chosen people victory over their enemies, and today Jews around the world celebrate Purim in recognition of Esther’s courageous confrontation. But will modern-day forces rise up and once again attempt to destroy Israel? Watch the video below.

King David’s Confession

David is described as a man after God’s own heart. He was not perfect by any means, but there was something in him that attracted God. It was his heart. David had a contrite and humble heart.

The Bible tells us that God will not despise a contrite heart. David had just committed adultery when he wrote this psalm, and this psalm instructs us how to confess our sins. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (KJV).

Thirsting for Armageddon?

Time and time again one hears the accusation that Christians view the restoration of Israel as a stepping-stone to the final battle of Armageddon in which countless Jews will perish. Supposedly, this is what motivates Christian Zionists to side with Israel at present, while ultimately wanting to accelerate ‘the end’ and with it the second coming of Jesus.

The Prophetic Destiny of Ethiopian Jews

More than 20 years ago, many Ethiopians left their poverty-stricken country as the result of a secret rescue mission. Today thousands call Israel home, drawn to the land by their Jewish heritage. Some trace their lineage to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, but regardless of their roots, many call Yeshua Lord. This is foretold in the Word, which says Ethiopia will one day reverence the Father with worship.

Zephaniah 3:10 says, “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones shall bring my offering.” To see prophecy fulfilled, watch the video below.

How J Street Policy Took a Wrong Turn

The founding of J Street in 2008 sparked much debate in the pro-Israel community. Many were concerned that the group would be overly critical of the Jewish state and thus erode the pro-Israel consensus in the United States.

Others and I disagreed and welcomed J Street’s stated desire to “broaden the public and policy debate in the U.S. about the Middle East.” It disturbed me that there were those who would seek to preclude any reasonable voice from competing in the marketplace of ideas.

Pentecostal Denomination Declares Support for Israel

One hundred and twenty-eight leaders from the Pentecostal Church of God Sunday pledged support for Israel and an undivided Jerusalem when they presented Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat with a signed a declaration.

General Bishop Charles Scott said the group’s visit represents more than symbolism. “Understanding the theology of the situation is paramount,” Scott said. “We intend this to be a juggernaut,” he added.

Bishop Charles Scott (left) and Mayor Nir Barkat

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