Recap by Sandi
One of the ministries we visited in Galilee is called The Aliyah Return Center. (Have you heard this term before?) “Aliyah” in Hebrew means “to go up,” for example to an upper room of a house. The first time this word is used in the Bible is in Exodus when it describes Moses going up to meet with God on Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 19:20) This is where he received the Ten Commandments for the people of Israel. So, the purpose of aliyah was not just to go up somewhere, but to go up and meet with God. The Jewish people are returning to the land He promised to Abraham. He is calling them to make aliyah, to ascend and meet with Him.
It's amazing to think that as the Jewish people are returning to the land of Israel prophecy is being fulfilled in OUR generation! Ezekiel 28:25-26 says, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them. I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people. They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the LORD their God.”
On March 2nd we had the opportunity to visit a Messianic church in Mount Carmel which is about 45- minutes from Galilee. The pastor had just gotten back from a three-week trip overseas. He relayed to his congregation a few important points that I’d like to pass on to you. He said the issue of Israel is on everyone’s mind. Though the mainstream news is full of criticism and nations and leaders are trying to redirect Israel – wherever he was he found that there were believers who were standing even stronger in support of Israel. In fact, when it comes to talking to believers in different parts of the world about Israel it seems like it’s a bit easier now. Before there was some kind of attitude – Israel – why is that even important to us? The pastor relayed that he noticed that had changed. People want to know about Israel – how can they pray, how can they help, how can they stand with Israel. But there is a DIVIDE in the world. The pastor went on to preach a sermon called “The Valley of Decision.” Now, don’t worry I’m not going to share his whole sermon from Joel chapter three. But here’s what I got out of it: The day of the Lord is near, and the Lord is coming to judge the nations! All we need to do is read Matthew chapter 24 to see how close we are to all things being fulfilled!
We see the nations being stirred by what is happening in Israel and are in spiritual conflict with God over what is happening in Israel. We are in the birth pangs of the end times. Wars and rumors of wars. Nation rising against nation. Jesus gave us this instruction – DO NOT BE AFRAID! The apostle John encouraged us with this amazing scene in Revelation 5:5, “But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Praise God we know the end of the story! In the meantime, let's continue building the Kingdom!
Here is a recap video of our visit to the Aliyah Return Center:
Beautiful open fields in Galilee
The Jordan River
Flags of the nations
Gorgeous Hibiscus flower
Messianic Church at Mt. Carmel