Israel's Past and Future

Israel’s Past And Future
  By Derek Prince

    It takes no cleverness to point out the faults of Israel. Somebody showed me a copy of an article published in a Christian magazine pointing out some of the sins of Israel. I could not help reflecting that the prophets of Israel did a much more thorough job! How could anyone add to the recital of sins found in Isaiah? (e.g., 1:1-15; 59:2-8). Furthermore, similar indictments are found in most of Israel’s other prophets.

    This is all the more significant because the same prophets who described in clear detail the sins of Israel also predicted with equal clarity and detail the restoration of Israel. If the prophets of Israel had been blind, sentimental and nationalistic and had overlooked the sins of their people, then we could say that their promises of restoration were merely unrealistic, wishful thinking. But because the same prophets who promised restoration were the ones who uttered the indictments, I see no logic or consistency in endorsing the indictments and refusing the promises of restoration.

Headline for May 1948

Israel’s Restoration Predicted

    The prophets of Israel certainly do make clear, specific promises of a restoration of Israel which will take place in two phases: first to their land and then to their God. I always put it in that order because I see in Scripture that God purposes to bring most of the Jews back to the land unredeemed, not in faith, in order that He may deal with them there. This is stated in Hosea 1:10 – "In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’"

    The place where God said, "You are not My people," was the land of Israel. Consequently, the Jews restoration and acceptance by God has to take place in the land of Israel.

    There is a practical reason for this which is not readily appreciated in our contemporary, Western version of Christianity. Under the influence of secular values, we have made the Christian faith primarily a matter of a person’s individual relationship with his God. Our emphasis is mainly on the word my – my Saviour, my faith, my church, my ministry and so on. But this does not accurately represent the biblical perspective.

    Throughout the Scriptures God deals with individuals in the context of a larger group – a family, a community, a congregation, a nation. This is brought out in the account of the salvation of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:30-31. The jailer asked the apostles, "What must I do to be saved?" In his inspired answer, however, Paul went beyond the jailer’s individual need: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." The salvation which the Lord offered extended beyond the jailer as an individual and embraced his whole household. That is the biblical norm. God regularly deals with the individual in the context of a larger entity.

    Historically, this has always been true of God’s dealings with Israel. He has consistently related to them not just as individuals, but as a single people, joined by a covenant both to God and to one another. This is how God intends to deal with them at the close of this age – as a single people. In order to do this, however, He must gather them once again in one place. The place indicated both by logic and by Scripture is their own land – the land of Israel.

Ethiopian Jews arriving in their homeland Israel after being exiled for hundreds of years

   A further promise of spiritual restoration is found in Isaiah 45:17, 25 – "But Israel shall be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever. In the Lord all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory."

    That is so simple! The word justified means "acquitted, counted righteous before God." In other words, Israel’s righteousness will be imputed to them on the basis of faith, not of works. They will thus become true spiritual descendants of their forefather Abraham, who "believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6).

    Another promise of Israel’s restoration is found in Jeremiah 32:36-37 – 

"Now therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city [Jerusalem] of which you say, ‘It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place [which was the land of Israel], and I will cause them to dwell safely.’"

    This prediction was certainly not fulfilled by the partial and temporary return from Babylon in the time of Zerubbabel. Nor can it be applied in any meaningful way to the church. Yet this passage in Jeremiah 32 is only one of many prophecies that contain the same promise of Israel’s ultimate and total restoration.

    We are therefore left with only two possible conclusions: Either these predictions are to be fulfilled in the destiny of Israel, or God has uttered prophecies that will never be fulfilled. In the last resort, it is not just the destiny of Israel which is at stake. There is an issue of even greater importance that concerns all believers. It is the reliability of Scripture itself.

Click here for printable sunflower bookmark/cards

Israel’s Restoration Described

    In Jeremiah 32:38-42 God continues: 

"‘They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.’"

    God declares that He will bring upon Israel the good that He has promised to them in just the same way that He brought calamity upon them. The calamity that came upon them was a matter of objective historical fact. It was not merely "metaphorical" or "spiritual." Therefore the good that God will bring upon them will likewise be objective history. It will not be merely "metaphorical" or "spiritual."

    The land in which God says He "will assuredly plant" His people can be interpreted in no other way than the land of Israel. And if God does this with all His heart and soul, who can undo it? Surely not a Palestinian leader! Nor even the United Nations!

    In Jeremiah 50:19-20 God further unfolds His plan to restore Israel: 

"But I will bring back Israel to his home...‘In those days and in that time,’ says the Lord, ‘the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve.’"

    The last word, preserve, might well be rendered reserve. God is committed to pardon the remnant He is going to reserve by His grace.

    The closing words in verse 20 also agree with the promise already quoted from Isaiah 45:25 – "All the descendants of Israel shall be justified." For those who have been justified by faith in the Messiah, there remains no record of iniquity or sin.

    In Ezekiel 36:22-23 God reveals one main purpose of Israel’s restoration: His own glory. 

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord," says the Lord God, "when I am hallowed [or sanctified] in you before their eyes."’"

    God’s promise to restore Israel is not based on anything good they have done, but only that God may be glorified through it. If Israel deserved pardon and preservation, they would not need God’s grace. But it is only through receiving His grace that they can restore to Him the glory which their sins have robbed from Him.

    People have often said that unrepentant and unbelieving Jews will not be allowed to return to their own land. But God says that He will bring them back first and then begin to cleanse them from their sinfulness.

    "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:24-26).

    I believe God has already begun the process of changing their stony hearts into hearts of flesh. It is happening right now! I have been privileged to witness firsthand some aspects of it.

    In the 1940s many Jews would express their contempt for Jesus by spitting at the mention of His name. They also refused to spell His name in its correct Hebrew form. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, however, a remarkable change in this attitude began to manifest itself. Many Jews are now ready to acknowledge that Jesus really was Jewish and seem eager to hear of the impact He has had in the lives of Gentile Christians.

Fellowship of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ in Israel

    Since 1967 a whole new movement has grown up consisting of Jews who have personally acknowledged Jesus as their Messiah, while retaining their identity as Jews. The name by which they have become known is Messianic Jews. Worldwide, they now number in the hundreds of thousands.

    God reveals that this change of heart will prepare Israel to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit: 

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God" (Ezek. 36:27-28).

    There is no doubt as to the land which God gave to the forefathers of Israel. Only one land answers to that description: the land which is now again known as Israel. I must emphasize that this promise describes a literal, historical return of the Jews to their land. There is no way to "explain away" this promise. The Bible is God’s Word, and this promise must be fulfilled!

    But physical restoration to the land is not the final goal. It is only a necessary prelude to the climax which is God’s ultimate purpose: restoration to God Himself. "You shall be My people, and I will be your God." All the events currently taking place in the Middle East are being divinely orchestrated to bring about this supremely important objective: the reconciliation of Israel to their God.

    A little further on in Ezekiel 36 God again reminds the Jewish people that they have done nothing to deserve their restoration: "‘Not for your sake do I do this,’ says the Lord God, ‘let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!’" (Ezek. 36:32).

    Ultimately, the whole human race has no hope of good apart from the mercy and grace of God. By definition, these can never be earned. This is equally true of Jews and Gentiles. God has chosen, however, to make His restoration of Israel a grand, historical demonstration of this truth to all nations.

    Taken from The Destiny of Israel and the Church by Derek Prince

Daily Bread, You Are What You Eat

It Is Written

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone

But By Every Word Of God

Luke 4:4

(KJV)

It is written

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone

Luke 4:4

(NIV)

Is there something missing from your daily bread?

Does it matter what Bible version I use??

My first Bible, bought by my Mum from a charity shop, was a KJV. Though I struggled at first with the 'Thee's and Thou's' I soon got the hang of it. My second Bible, given to me at my baptism by my church was a NKJV, and while I appreciated that the flow seemed smoother between words, I couldn't help but notice that there was a lack of authority behind it. I was a new believer though, so maybe it was just in my mind. However, within less than a year, I was back to my first KJV and settled with it for good.

I soon noticed at Bible studies, or when checking scriptures during a message, that when people were using other versions, the message of the text was very different from what my KJV was saying. I couldn't understand, when all translations of the bible were supposed to be taken from the original Greek and Hebrew, why the overall message had changed. 

Why is this so??

Is the Bible version I read for my daily bread, a matter of personal preference, or is there more to it than that? Is there a difference worth noting, or does it not really matter about a few word changes here and there? It's still the word of God after all, isn't it??

After some research and prayer, I came to see that there is a surprising comparison between modern bread and modern bible translations.....both lack nutrition and have unhealthy additives and negative side effects....

There are many modern translations of the Bible out there, complete with footnotes and commentaries, but when choosing we need to make sure we are getting the true word of God. 

The NIV for instance......

Notice the comparisons in the heading scripture of what's in the KJV, and what's NOT there in the NIV??
Well, you may be utterly amazed to know that over 64,000 words are missing from the NIV (What's left??)
As well as single words, sections of sentences are removed, and in some cases whole scriptures are simply not there.

In some instances, specific words have been replaced with something else. For example, did you know that the word 'Saint' for example appears in the KJV 96 times, yet has no mention in the NIV? It is instead replaced with phrases like 'Holy People,' 'Lord's People,' and 'God's People.' Why is this?

Also, did you know that in the NIV the word 'Sodomite' in every instance has been changed to 'Shrine Prostitute?' 


I have a little experiment for you here. If you have an NIV Bible, try this test out, if you don't have one, you could use an online version. Then after the test, compare with the KJV, worth a few moments of your time.

This was taken from Chick Tracts website, great for cartoon tracts, and also the Battle cry magazine.....

Try Answering These From Your NIV

By Rex L. Cobb
INSTRUCTIONS:
Using the New International Version Bible, answer the following questions to this NIV quiz.
Do not rely on your memory. As the Bible is the final authority, you must take the answer from the Bible verse (not from footnotes but from the text).

1. Fill in the missing words in Matthew 5:44. "Love your enemies,__________ them that curse you, ______________ to them that hate you, and pray for them that __________ and persecute you."


2. According to Matthew 17:21, what two things are required to cast out this type of demon?


3. According to Matthew 18:11, why did Jesus come to earth?


4. According to Matthew 27:2, what was Pilate's first name?


5. In Matthew 27:35, when the wicked soldiers parted His garments, they were fulfilling the words of the prophet. Copy what the prophet said in Matthew 27:35 from the NIV.


6. In Mark 3:15, Jesus gave the apostles power to cast out demons and to: ____________


7. According to Mark 7:16, what does a man need to be able to hear?


8. According to Luke 7:28, what was John? (teacher, prophet, carpenter, etc.). What is his title or last name?


9. In Luke 9:55, what did the disciples not know?


10. In Luke 9:56, what did the Son of man not come to do? According to this verse, what did He come to do?


11. In Luke 22:14, how many apostles were with Jesus?


12. According to Luke 23:38, in what three languages was the superscription written?


13. In Luke 24:42, what did they give Jesus to eat with His fish?


14. John 3:13 is a very important verse, proving the deity of Christ. According to this verse (as Jesus spoke), where is the Son of man?


15. What happened each year as told in John 5:4?


16. In John 7:50, what time of day did Nicodemus come to Jesus?


17. In Acts 8:37, what is the one requirement for baptism?


18. What did Saul ask Jesus in Acts 9:6?


19. Write the name of the man mentioned in Acts 15:34.


20. Study Acts 24:6-8. What would the Jew have done with Paul? What was the chief captain's name? What did the chief captain command?


21. Copy Romans 16:24 word for word from the NIV.


22. First Timothy 3:16 is perhaps the greatest verse in the New Testament concerning the deity of Christ. In this verse, who was manifested in the flesh?


23. In the second part of First Peter 4:14, how do [they] speak of Christ? And, what do we Christians do?


24. Who are the three Persons of the Trinity in First John 5:7?


25. Revelation 1:11 is another very important verse that proves the deity of Christ. In the first part of this verse Jesus said, "I am the A______________ and O___________, the _________ and the _______:"

To find out more about what's not in the NIV and why it matters, click here to watch a video by Bible researcher Gail Riplinger


Also....What's not in your Bible??

Corrie Ten Boom

Shortly after I had been baptised in 2002, one of the ladies in the fellowship we were part of kindly loaned me a precious book of hers to read. It was to become precious to me too. I read it in 2 days, not able to put it down, and cried for most of the second day's reading. The book was a true story written by a Dutch lady who survived the horrors of a concentration camp, after being arrested for hiding Jews in the family home during WW2. The whole family was betrayed, her elderly father died within days of the arrest, and her elder sister died also in the camp. But the book is really a story of triumph over darkness, of the power of love over hatred, and of the supernatural hand of God in a place where evil seems to be prevailing.

This was the among the first contacts I had with testimonies about the supernatural power of God, and His personal dealings with individuals in a tangible way. Up until then, I had believed in God, knew He loved me and heard my prayers, and had experienced Him in a very real way when I was younger. But now that I was on a whole new journey with Jesus, where He was to be involved in everything in my life! I had so much to learn about who He is, how He helps us, and why He allows things to happen, and this book was perfectly timed to help answer some of these questions.

The book is The Hiding Place, and the lady is Corrie Ten Boom.

Here is a snippet from another book of hers, called Clippings from my Notebook.

I Was in Prison, but He Was With Me

Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Do you ever feel alone? What a question! Of course you do. But I know from my own experience that the worst loneliness is that of solitary confinement. 

Years ago I was alone in a cell for four months. One day for the first time a beam of sunlight shone through the window. I jumped up and stood so that the sunshine touched my face. Slowly it moved on, and I moved too, just to enjoy that beam as long as possible.

That was one of the moments when I realised my loneliness as never before. I cried to the Lord and He answered: 'Have you forgotten that there is always, under all circumstances, the sunshine of My love? Have I not said "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20)? I am your peace. I can give you joy now also.'

I started to sing, softly at first, later more loudly.

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear.

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

I waited a moment, and then I heard from another cell....

What a peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

It was an answer from a woman who also was in solitary confinement. Her husband had been shot before her eyes, then she had been put in prison. But she too knew Jesus as her friend and Saviour. I answered her by singing....

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful?

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

A guard banged on the door and shouted: 'If you do not stop singing, I will take you to the dark cell.'

I stopped singing and threw myself onto my dirty bed. The guard did not know when I sang so softly that only my Saviour could hear:

Are we weak and heavy-laden

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge 

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friend despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Not only in solitary confinement can one feel alone. Often in the company of many others with who you have no real fellowship you can be lonely. But Jesus is with you also. Have you asked Him to come into your heart? Then you can talk to Him without saying a word aloud. He hears and He loves you. You are very precious in His eyes!Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Quotes by Corrie

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.

Someone said to me, 'When I worry, I go to the mirror and say to myself: this tremendous thing which worries me is beyond solution; especially it is too hard for Jesus Christ to handle. After I have said so, I smile and am ashamed.'

I looked at Jesus and the dove of peace entered my heart! I looked at the dove of peace......and lo, off it went!

Page 15

CORRIE TEN BOOM April 15th 1892 - April 15th 1983

Corrie Ten Boom went home to be with the Lord aged 91, on her birthday. She had a love for the Jewish people, and in Jewish tradition it is a very special privilege to 'die' on your birthday! After her miraculous release from prison, she spent the remainder of her years travelling the world sharing her experiences with whoever would listen. Another amazing book of hers is called Tramp for the Lord, where she shares her experiences of her travels with God. She lived by faith, trusting God for provision, only settling in her last five years, where she rested after suffering from a stroke.

Know Jesus, Know peace

Pendle Hill on a beautiful spring day

By the grace of God, (and by surprise!!) I've just enjoyed a wonderful week in my home county of Lancashire, visiting precious saints who are my eternal family, and meeting news one who are also my eternal family! We left this beautiful neck of the woods in 2013 when The Lord called us to sell up and cycle across Europe, then to Israel. We were away for a year, then 'settled' in Weymouth and have been there since, making a visit to Burnley once a year to visit fellowships and spend time with our beloved eternal family. 

We had an extra day and went to a great Prayer for Israel meeting at Shekinah Christian centre in Pendle, where we were able to join with our dear sisters interceeding for the Jewish people and the land of Israel. What a blessing! Afterwards we had a lovely drive around Pendle Hill, the sun was shining, and it was just stunning. Even though I had been raised in this area and knew it well, I was still taken aback with how beautiful it was. Mind you, the sun was shining, which helps!! It had rained most of the week!

We couldn't resist pulling over to take photos of these lovely lambs........

We were not the only ones, as a lone car also pulled over with the same idea. So tranquil and serene, we took pictures as man joined us with his camera.

"It's awesome isn't it?" said Mark to the man.
"Wow yeah" came the reply.
"Where are you from?" says Mark.
"London. Oh it's so peaceful here." Man says.
"You know you can have peace where ever you are? Would you like to know how?"

(Who would say no??)

Mark then went on to share with this man about the peace that comes from knowing Jesus, a peace that this world cannot give because it doesn't possess it. It's supernatural from God.....

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: 

not as the world gives, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be trouble, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

During the week, many wonderful things happened as we visited people who needed ministering to. We saw deliverance and healing, and new starts in relationships. We had the privilege of witnessing a lovely baptism of a young lady. At the service we (Mark and I) had an amazing encounter with a French woman who was passionate for Jesus and had an incredibly testimony. I heard only a very brief part, and I'm keen to see how The Lord will use it to bring hope to peoples lives when it has been written.

Many a testimony has encouraged me, and taught me the faithfulness of God in real lives today, not just in the Bible stories! Jesus Christ is alive and all of His promises are true. I praised God with the French sister as she told me how God had rescued her from an abusive life as a Nun in a Catholic Convent. She, now full of The Holy Spirit and the freedom that comes with being in the light of Jesus, is reaching out to others who are searching for a peace that this world cannot give. 

As I listened to this lady, I thought of a similar testimony I'd listened to years ago, also of an ex Catholic Nun, which I'd like to share a bit of. This account is not entertaining of light hearted, but is the reality of what many ladies have experienced when their desire to honour Jesus was preyed upon by the satanic religion of Rome. 

If you are a Roman Catholic and wish to know what the bible says about this religion's practices, please click here.

To listen to Charlotte tell this story herself go direct to this youtube video

First of all I always like to tell folk I’m not giving this testimony because I have any ill feeling in my heart toward the Roman Catholic people. I couldn’t be a Christian if I still had bitterness in my heart. God delivered me from all bitterness and strife and delivered me out of all of that one day and made himself real to me, and the power of the Holy Spirit. And so, when I give this testimony I’m giving it because after God saved me he delivered me out of the convent and out of bondage and darkness. 

The Lord laid the burden upon my heart to give this testimony that others might know what cloistered convents are. And so, as you listen carefully this afternoon, I trust I will not say one thing that will leave any feeling in your heart whatsoever that I don’t carry a burden for the Roman Catholic people. I don’t like the things they do, I don’t agree with the things that they teach, but I covet their soul for Jesus. I’m interested in their souls. I believe Jesus went to Calvary. He died that you and I might know Him. And their souls are just as precious as your soul and my soul. So I’m interested.

First of all, as we slip into this testimony, having been born in Roman Catholicism, not knowing anything else, not knowing the word of God because we didn’t have a Bible in our home, we had never heard anything about this wonderful plan of salvation. And so, naturally, I grew up in that Roman Catholic home as a child, knowing only the catechism, knowing only the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. And, because I loved the Lord, and because I wanted to do something for Him, I wanted to give Him my life. I didn’t know of any other way for a Roman Catholic girl to give her life to God other than entering a convent, and to going to the confessional box where, naturally, I’m under the influence of my father-confessor, the Roman Catholic priest, his influence over my life.

One day I made up my mind through his influence and one of my teachers in the parochial school that I wanted to be a little sister. At that time I thought of being a sister of the open order, but as I went on into this, up until the time I took my white veil,  sixteen and a half years of age, everything was beautiful. I really didn’t have any fear in my heart whatsoever. Everything that was taught to me was seemingly along the line that I had been taught in the church before I entered the convent. And so one day, after having been, uh, after making up my mind to enter a convent, I remember that particular day, two of the sisters came home with me from school. They were my teachers. And when we arrived at my father’s home that afternoon our Father-confessor was in the home likewise. 

I often say when I was a little girl children were seen and not heard. You didn’t talk when you was a child, at least in my family, in my home unless you were spoken to. And I remember I listened to them carry on a conversation, and then I moved over close enough to my father and I asked him if I could say something. And that was a bit out of the ordinary. And he permitted me to talk and I said, "Dad, I want to go into a convent."  And I will tell you that priest took it up quickly. He had already been influencing me. My father broke down and began to cry, not because he’s sad, but he’s very happy. My mother came over and took me in her arms and she, too, wept tears. She’s very happy. Those were not tears of sadness because to think her little girl was giving her life to the convent to pray for lost humanity. And naturally my family were very thrilled about it, and I was too.  But, anyway I didn’t go for a year after that and then the time come when I got myself ready and my mother prepared things for me. And so I entered the convent.

This is just the introduction to her story, so if you would like to read the rest, please click this link.

My Husband's testimony

Around this time of year, in 2001, my husbands life and mine was to change completely. Seems appropriate to remember it and celebrate it by sharing the events that led to us saying Yes to Jesus. I hope you enjoy this shortened down version.....I've taken it from Marks book which thankfully I still have on my computer files from when editing, so I haven't had to retype it for the blog, woohoo! Isn't 'copy and paste' a marvellous thing?

   

AUTHORS TESTIMONY

I was 41, recently married to Ruth, and I was bleeding internally. Every time I went to the toilet I noticed blood coming from behind. Having lost an uncle through stomach cancer, I was convinced that the same was going to happen to me. Out of fear I buried my head in the sand and hoped that the bleeding would stop. It didn’t.

Over the weeks I became weaker and weaker until one day I couldn’t walk up the stairs. My heart was pounding and fear consumed me. I rang the NHS helpline and a doctor was sent immediately. He took one look at me and said I needed to get to the hospital as I had lost so much blood. He was very calm but I could see the fear in his eyes.

I began to panic. Not thinking straight, I grabbed my car keys and drove with my wife to the hospital four miles away. I realise now that by not waiting for an ambulance, not only did I endanger my own life by driving, but I could have collapsed at the wheel with my wife in the car too.

We arrived at the hospital A and E, my heart still thumping in my chest. The lady at the counter was asking for my details, unaware of the severity of my condition. She told me to walk around to the rear of the building, which I couldn’t believe, but did anyway.

My wife supported me as we made our way to the other entrance, and I suddenly said to myself,

“Where would I go if I were to die right now? Heaven or Hell?”

An overwhelming fear came over me and made my heart beat even faster.

We finally found the entrance to the correct ward but to our astonishment security had locked all the doors to the hospital as it was late in the evening. I couldn’t believe what was happening, I was dying at the closed doors of the hospital.

I saw a nurse outside having a cigarette and asked if she could help, it seemed as though time was standing still and everything was going in slow motion. I realised in my heart that if I died here, now, I would go to Hell. Past sins were flashing through my mind and the fear of God overwhelmed my thoughts as I stood there and prayed “Jesus, save me!” I cried and repeated this prayer over and over whilst asking forgiveness again and again.

After what seemed like an eternity, finaly the doors slid open and we were able to get in. As we stepped into the corridor a group of doctors and nurses were waiting and shouted “Are you Mark?” I wearily said yes, and in moments I was on a bed trolley travelling at vast speeds through different corridors.

I don’t remember if I fell asleep or into unconsciousness, but I was woken by a nurse gently tapping my face calling my name. As soon as I regained consciousness and realised I was still alive with tubes in both arms, I prayed again.

“Jesus, if you save me I will serve You the rest of my life.”

I must have fallen asleep again, this same thing happened several times throughout the night, and every time I woke up I would pray and was so glad to be alive. I woke the next day with the sun light beaming through the windows, it was Sunday morning.

The surgeon came and stood at the bottom of the bed.

“Good morning” he said, as he lifted my notes from a clip board.

“Good morning” I replied, knowing that something truly amazing had happened to me. I felt so alive and so grateful to God because I knew Jesus has saved me.

The surgeon asked me how I got here.

“I drove, then walked to the back of the hospital" I said.

He looked at me astonished, shaking his head in disbelief.

“If my heart would have stopped, would you have been able to get it going again?” I asked.

“No” he replied. “You didn’t have enough blood to help it to pump.”

Then he made a statement that I’ll never forget.

“I have never seen anyone vertical in all my life as a surgeon with such a low blood count.”

I knew by his puzzled expression that I should be dead in the morgue with a tag on my toe. But God heard my cry and saved me from certain death, and that was how I came to be born again. I was so overwhelmed that I was alive, but knew that I was also spiritually alive for the first time. I asked a nurse what day it was, she replied that it was Easter Sunday morning.

The magnitude of what had happened filled my heart with love and joy for The Lord that I had never experienced before. I wanted to thank Him so I went in my pyjamas to the chapel, not realising that there was a service taking place. I had no shoes on my feet and I didn’t care. I was greeted with a few strange looks, but I was there to thank God. Jesus had resurrected me from the dead on resurrection Sunday.

I knew it was a physical impossibility for me to still be breathing. I am so grateful to The Lord for giving me eternal life. I ask people if they have ever seen a miracle, and most will say no. I always reply, you have now, you’re looking at one.

Jesus died my death, He took my sin, and nailed it to a tree, He took my death and rose again.

Praise be to the Saviour, for all eternity we will thank Him, for all eternity I will praise Him.

All honour, all praise, and all glory belong to My Lord my Saviour.

Mark in Israel during our 2013/14 cycle tour

THE WAY TO HEALING AND SALVATION

I love the account of the thief on the cross in Luke 23:33-43 and recommend that you read it through. What did the thief do to receive complete forgiveness for a life time of wilful sinning against a pure and Holy God? First he knew he was deserving of his punishment, both on the cross, and in Hell.

“One of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If you be the Christ, save yourself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying Do you not fear God, seeing you art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss.”                              

                                                                                        Luke 23:39-41

He wasn’t self-righteous, he hadn’t deluded himself into believing he was a good person. It was evident to all that he was a thief after all, with the accusation hanging over his head declaring it to the world.                        

So what did the thief do to get saved and be assured from Jesus of a place in Paradise? He feared God’s wrath, in sending him to Hell. He admitted what he was. He knew that Jesus was sinless, because he declared that “this man has done nothing wrong.”

And more than this, the thief believed the accusation above the head of Jesus.

“This is The King of the Jews”                                           Luke 23:38

Despite the fact that this King was being crucified amongst criminals, the thief made a surprising confession of faith as they were dying together.

“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”                                                                  Luke 23:42

He believed Jesus was a king and had a kingdom, despite the appalling circumstances. In believing, he was able to put his life and his fate into the Saviour’s hands and his faith into action by asking Jesus a question.

I know that this dear brother is now in Paradise with the Lord because he feared God, admitted his sin, believed on Jesus, and asked that he would remember him.

Dear reader, if you can do the same, you will be saved. Jesus died your death. He took your punishment. He rose again. So that by His stripes we are healed.

The blockage for salvation and healing is sin. Sin is the cause of all suffering and death in this world.

The cure for all sickness and death is the blood of Jesus, and is activated by faith in Him alone.