The Great Mideast Commission
When the time had come for Jews to return to Zion, God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus and the Jews (Ezra 1:1,5). Not everyone was willing to leave Babylon, having settled in, but others inspired with a pioneer spirit were willing to go back home and clear the way for those who would eventually follow (Jer. 29: 4-7).
Those Jews who stayed behind in Babylon were encouraged to assist those who were headed for the front line. Their consequent generosity went down on record, and revealed how eager and willing they were to be involved in such a historic project and holy mission. This partnership, based on a mutual respect, in GOD'S WORK OF RESTORATION, revealed they understood how some are COMMISSIONED to build with the materials others are contracted to provide. It's most encouraging to know others are
behind you and that God blesses everyone's genuine efforts (2 Cor. 9:10).
Now God's time has come to RESTORE THE TRUE GOSPEL TO JERUSALEM! The Church began in Jerusalem and was prophesied to return just before the close of this dark age and the dawn of the Wonderful World Tomorrow (Matt. 24:16). The Jews were the first to be offered salvation and now they'll be the last to receive it - but they will receive it (Zech. 12:10). Everything has come full circle (Matt. 23:39).
Read here what Mr. Armstrong taught:
"How are we preparing the way for Christ's Messianic coming? In three ways:
1) by proclaiming and publishing worldwide the gospel of the Kingdom of
God...
2) by making ready a people for His coming... And
3) something that even I did not realize until recently we were also COMMISSIONED to do - clean up the filth and rubble in that area that was the original Jerusalem and City of David... Why is that important? Because Christ has said He will yet choose Jerusalem... His throne will be there.
Do you not suppose it will be in the very spot He chose for David's throne? Where was David's throne? It was on this very spot where we are
now cleaning up and hauling off the rubble of century after century of accumulation... That is the spot we are cleaning up!
So there is a physical preparing, as well as a spiritual, in preparing the way for Messiah's Coming! Further, God says we are to SHOUT [not shut up], with amplified power, to the CITIES OF JUDAH the glad message that the Messiah is soon coming" - Autobiography of Herbert W Armstrong, Volume II, pages 469-470 (emphasis mine).
Isaiah 40:9
9 O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the CITIES OF JUDAH, "Behold your God!"
And during my Bible reading last night, this stood out:
2 Samuel 10:12
12 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our People and for the
CITIES OF OUR GOD. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."
God says, and His apostle taught, we are to share the GOOD NEWS WITH JUDAH. None of the Church of God congregations have done this! What are we waiting for?
We must sound the alarm from Zion (Joel 2:1). What's spoken in Jerusalem is heard around the world (Joel 3:16). We have the UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY - and responsibility - to warn Judah that a German-led Europe is about to make their move into the Middle East! We could do this through full page newspaper ads!
Europe's Crusader spirit grows restless. Soon "Roman troops" will again occupy the Holy Land (Isaiah 40:9)! Who else can warn them? Who else can help restore Israel's identity (Isa. 49:5), and say to Judah, "I am Joseph your brother"?
And doesn't God's Word imply an APOSTLE will be sent to the MIDDLE EAST (Isa. 41:27). Couldn't such an apostle to Jerusalem and the Jews - getting God's Word out to the cities of JUDAH - something Mr. Armstrong wanted to be and do but wasn't empowered - be the chief spokesman (in the spirit of Elijah to the NATION) between the Two Witnesses and, as an envoy from the House of David, an anointed DAVIDIC MESSENGER, be
like GOD before the Jews in Jerusalem (Zech. 12:8)? Hasn't God now shared the
possibility of such a revelation with us? (Isa. 48:6). Will we prepare the way?
Meanwhile, though, shouldn't we do all that we can and WORK TOGETHER WITH JEWISH FRIENDS in Israel, whether sponsoring Israeli author Yair Davidiy's translation of Israelite identity knowledge into Hebrew (www.britam.org), encouraging the Temple Mount Faithful in every way possible (www.templemountfaithful.org), plant a forest or create a garden in honor and memory of Herbert W. Armstrong, and help those faithful Jews living in pioneering communities ("settlements") with whatever they need? Who else has any game plan? Let's at least DO SOMETHING!
May God's Church be open for suggestions and seriously consider our options. Time is running out!
About the Author
David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com