CELEBRATING THE MIRACLE!
Dr. John B. Howarth
In May of this year, there will be a transnational celebration of a miracle that our God has done in the Middle East! On November 29, 1947, after considerable debate, the United Nations General Assembly decided to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem to be an internationalized city. And then, on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion publicly declared the establishment of the State of Israel!
Dr. Charles McVety, the President of Canada Christian College, and the National Co-Chairman of Christians United For Israel-Canada, has stated that this miracle, “the rebirth of the State of Israel, is the greatest event in the last 1900 years!”
Why do Christians refer to this “political episode” as a miracle from God? Because the rebirth of the State of Israel, and the return to the Land by the Jewish people, is a direct fulfillment of predictions declared by the Hebrew prophets, hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem!
The Rebirth Of The State Of Israel
In Isaiah 66:7, 8, the prophet says that, “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.”
The Return Of the Jews To The Land
In Isaiah 11:10-12, the prophet says that, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.”
A Call To Celebrate With God’s Chosen People
Christians United For Israel-Canada is calling God’s people in every city of Canada, to celebrate the rebirth of the State of Israel. On Sunday, May 4, 2008, churches across our land will be hosting a city-wide “60th Anniversary Night To Honour Israel” in their Evening Service. In other towns, individual churches will be taking part, or all, of their Morning Services to hold a “60th Anniversary Celebration To Honour Israel”. Members and leaders of the Jewish community will be invited to attend and participate in all of these Celebrations.
Mr. Amir Gissin, the new Consul General of Israel in Toronto, has sent a letter of invitation to thousands of Christian leaders across Canada, encouraging them to host one of these 60th Anniversary Celebrations! What an opportunity for Canadian Christians to support and stand with Israel, especially during this time of political upheaval, and national uncertainty.
A Call To Obey God’s Word
In Genesis 12:2, 3, God promises Abraham that, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
As evangelical Christians, we want to bless those whom God has chosen to bless—Abraham’s people and his nation--not to get a blessing, but in order to be a blessing.
As well, the Apostle Paul instructs us in Romans 15:27 that, “if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” At each city-wide “60th Anniversary Night To Honour Israel”, you will have an opportunity to participate financially in support of a charitable project in Israel.
To Register your city or church’s event or you as an individual, go to www.cufi.ca Plan now to be a blessing to God’s Chosen People!
Dr. John B. Howarth is the Executive Director of Christians United For Israel-Canada, and a Professor at Canada Christian College in Toronto.
