Holocaust Remembrance Day and a Personal Testimony
Eighty years after the liberation of Nazi concentration camps, we are confronting a resurgence of antisemitism which, alongside a political-social upheaval not terribly unlike that of today, led to the murder of 6 million Jews (and an estimated 10 million others). Despite refrains of “Never again,” could it happen again on our watch?
Living eyewitnesses and survivors of the Holocaust are fast diminishing in numbers. Their portentous voices must not be relegated to the dust bins of history. They clearly see and forsee what many others cannot or will not.
Recently, I needed to undergo cataract surgery in both my eyes. My sight had diminished to such an extent that even strong eyeglasses could not fully correct it. But because my vision loss was gradual over several years, I could not or did not notice any significant change. Then, one day, I found I could no longer read road signs on highways or streets. As a result, I did not know quite where I was, where I was going or what would take place just down the road. Everything around me looked foggy, and frightening so.
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember that according to Scripture, cursing the Jewish people leads to a type of spiritual cataract. “Whoever touches you touches the apple of His [God’s] eye. I will surely raise My hand against them” (Zechariah 2:8-9). Those who harm the descendants of Jacob, whether through words or deeds, dare to poke a finger in the eye of the Almighty. As a result, they themselves suffer loss of vision.
Just as a cataract clouds the eye’s lens and blocks incoming light, the light of truth becomes imperceptible to those steeped in bitterness toward Israel or the Jews. Such individuals find themselves in a metaphoric fog, even if they identify as Christian believers. Before long, those given to theologies that lead to antisemitism may be unable to read “road signs” of the times. They can easily lose their way. Angst, bitterness, blame shifting and disdain or hate toward God’s covenant people may enshroud them in darkness. “If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23) They need a surgical fix from the Great Physician Himself.
To be sure, none of us is without sin. None can claim perfectly clear spiritual vision. The Master cautioned us to get the wood plank out of our own eyes before admonishing others to get a speck of dust out of theirs (Matthew 7:3-5). Concerning the Jewish people, the Scriptures speak of a partial blindness that has come on Israel due to our leaders’ rejection of Yeshua (Romans 11:25). Nonetheless, Zechariah suggests a uniquely dangerous loss of sight (perception, knowledge and discernment) takes place when we curse Israel. For those who curse Israel are themselves cursed (Genesis 12:3).
As antisemitism escalates, and as you encounter anti-Israel lies and rants in virtual or real space, we bless you to stand firm and to prophetically voice God’s covenant love for the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Bear in mind that most (yes, most) media reports about Israel have been fabricated, falsified or at best, distorted. This Holocaust Remembrance Day, may God restore our vision, heal our hearts, and shed Zion’s true light upon us. May He draw every Holocaust survivor to the embrace of His saving grace.
Intercessory Perspectives for Israel
Israel’s salvation and spiritual healing. Pray according to Romans 10:1, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they be saved.” Pray also for the strengthening, maturation, protection, wisdom, fruitfulness and love-based unity of Israeli believers in Yeshua.
Iran. We have been profoundly and prayerfully concerned for Iran. Recently we connected with underground Iranian Christians who love Israel and the Jewish people. Based on what reliable information we can ascertain from them and others, we do not know if overt military intervention by the US, Israel or other nations – at this time – would bring about a long-lasting change of regime. Overt military intervention could bring about, however, a retaliatory barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, resulting in massive civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Such a scenario could mean all-out war.
Meanwhile, perhaps you wonder why there are few mass protests in cities around the world against Iran’s slaughter of an estimated 36,500 of its own civilians. Regarding media coverage of sordid international events, it is often said, “No Jews, no news.” Allegations of criminal abuse seem to stoke flames of global fury only when committed, supposedly, by Jews. Moreover, globalist and leftist, anti-Western movements that help resource anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests, dare not impugn their wealthy Islamist comrades-in-arms.
God’s heart and desire is to set the good people of Iran free to worship Him, perhaps in a manner reminiscent of the Exodus account. Is it mere coincidence that weekly Torah readings during the Iranian uprisings have been those of the Exodus?
How to Pray. Pray for wisdom for international leaders in responding to Iran, for protection of innocent Iranians, for the fall of the powerful and corrupt Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and ayatollah dictatorship, for ethical and strong alternate Iranian leadership to be raised up, special protection and anointing of Iranian believers, and divine intervention at all levels. We encourage you to pray, as we have for years, from Jeremiah 49:35-39, that God would set His throne in Elam, which is modern day Iran. Years ago I had a vision of courageous Iranian missionaries, finally released from their nation, taking the Gospel to Islamist groups across the Middle East – even into Gaza. Pray this would soon be so!
Gaza. The last hostage kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 has returned to Israel, albeit as a corpse. The occasion has been bittersweet as the country celebrates — and mourns. Some of you may wonder why the return of dead bodies is so important to Israelis. Reasons are founded on Jewish tradition and Israeli culture, with each influencing the other.
The significance of a proper burial in Judaism traces back to Abraham’s priority purchase in the Promised Land of a cave in which to bury Sarah. That priority continues through Joseph’s request that his bones be exhumed from Egypt and returned to Israel after the Exodus. To this day, observant Jews around the world often place a handful of imported Israeli soil into the graves of loved ones buried in the nations. Apart from this tradition, most Israelis view themselves as one very large, extended family–a family that protects its own. The retrieval of human remains, even after death, back into the collective family underscores the cultural unity of our people.
The next planned step for Gaza is that Hamas disarm. This, however, the terror group has steadfastly refused to do. One likely scenario is that Hamas will make a show of turning over a fraction of its weapons cache. But its very raison d’ etre is the elimination of Israel and conquest of Jerusalem through armed struggle. So full disarmament is improbable.
How to Pray. Pray for the salvation of the people of Gaza, including Hamas (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4). Pray concerning President Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace. As we’ve shared in past letters, God allotted the land of Gaza to the tribe of Judah in Joshua 15:47. For this and many other reasons also shared in past letters, we do not expect the Board of Peace to ultimately succeed in its mission. (We cannot fail to mention that Board members Turkey and Qatar have long been at enmity against the Jewish state. President Trump, however, views them as key negotiators in matters pertaining to their fellow Islamists.) Because nothing is impossible for God, He could use the Board of Peace, at least temporarily, to open doors in Gaza to the Gospel of True Peace. For that, we do pray! We also encourage you to continue prayerfully proclaiming Zechariah 9:5-7.
Domestic Turmoil. Once again, the Netanyahu government is threatened with a soon collapse. A national budget must be agreed upon and passed by the Knesset by March 31. If it is not, Israeli law requires that the Knesset (legislature) dissolve, thereby dissolving the current coalition government. An impasse exists in passing the budget as a form of protest, by two major ultra-Orthodox parties, against a proposed bill that would revoke the longstanding exemption of ultra-Orthodox citizens from mandatory military service.
For several years, ultra-Orthodox groups have staged disruptive, even violent protests against efforts to revoke their longstanding military service exemption. Refusing to vote for a budget is their latest form of protest. Unless their demands are met, they say they will bring down the current coalition government.
The large majority of Israelis say the military exemption is highly unjust.They point out this same population, which has the nation’s highest birth rate and usually remains lifelong unemployed, amounts to a disproportionate financial and security burden on the rest of the country.
How to Pray. Pray for righteous wisdom for Israel’s leaders and lawmakers. May Mr. Netanyahu remain prime minister for as long as God wants him in that office. Pray for love-based unity, forgiveness and healing among Israelis based on Ezekiel 37:15-24. In addition to the ongoing dispute between ultra-Orthodox and other sectors of society, pray for continued exposure, uprooting and replacement of internal and leftist, deep state groups that sabotage Israel’s restoration. Reportedly embedded into Israeli infrastructure since the nation’s inception, some groups and individuals align with globalist left, anti-Netanyahu and presumably antichrist movements. Recently, some high ranking defense officials associated with such groups have been implicated for possibly covering up warnings of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. Pray that current and ongoing investigations and inquiries will reveal truths that God wants exposed, uprooted and replaced with righteous systems and individuals according to Isaiah 1:25-27.
Saving Lives This Purim
The joyful holiday of Purim is based on miraculous, historical events described in the book of Esther. For decades, the Purim account has motivated believers around the world to intercede in prayer and deed as Queen Esther. The ancient Jewish royal stood boldly before the Persian (Iranian) King to plead for the deliverance and sparing of Jewish lives.
Today, we plead for the deliverance of God’s people in Iran.
And we intercede for the saving of Jewish lives.
It is not too soon to contribute to our annual Purim fundraiser for the sparing of unborn Israeli babies slated for abortion. For nearly a decade we’ve pooled our resources, with 100 percent of all designated funds we receive from you, for an annual donation to Israeli Messianic pro-life organizations at Purim. Following up with these organizations, we’ve learned that collectively, we’ve spared over a dozen Jewish lives.
You can donate to our Purim fund here. You must indicate “Purim” or “Pro-Life” with your donation.
Traditional Judaism teaches that if one spares a life, it is akin to sparing an entire world.
Thank you for responding as God leads!