Greetings Everyone:
It is hard to believe that we find ourselves nearing the end of 2023 already! Here in America, we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day this Thursday. For believers in Jesus Christ, every day is a day to be thankful, regardless of our individual circumstances. Every day that passes also brings us one day closer to the day, as followers of our Messiah Jesus, that we are called to our eternal home!
Many are wondering today and asking, “How long O Lord, until you return?” Although most of us are aware that the time is now very short, our Father still has us here for a reason. We are not meant to hide in our closets. Our world is getting darker by the day, but Jesus has placed us, His followers, on the walls of this world, the “earthly city.” It is a fearful thing for the inhabitants within those walls if the owner returns for His reckoning and no one has warned them. What a disgrace if the warning is not given because the watchmen are either asleep — or shirking their duty to be on “Watch” as Jesus commanded.
In the New International Version of the Scriptures, Mark 13:36 tells us: “if He comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping.” This, however, is not the only place Jesus gave this warning. “Watch out” (13:5). “You must be on your guard” (13:9). “Be on your guard” (13:23). “Be on guard! Be alert!” (13:33). “Keep watch” (13:35). “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (13:37).
As we can see, Jesus repeated his command many times because of its extreme importance. We live in an age of increasing deception and also increasing persecution. Jesus’ return is imminent and the devil knows it. We need to prepare ourselves and those around us for His coming. As His disciples, we need to be alert and stay alert. Jesus did not speak this warning multiple times to strike fear into our hearts, but rather to keep us from becoming passive in our Christian walk. We all experience times when we are to wait quietly on Him, but He never intends us to be passive observers as kingdom events transpire before our very eyes. This is why so large a percentage of the Scriptures foretell the future. It was for us to know and live our lives accordingly. After all, we as His disciples are finding ourselves in a hotly contested spiritual war zone — many in a physical war zone as well.
As I spoke with brother Talal this week, we discussed many things, not the least of which was the war between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Hamas terror organization in Gaza. I am sure that readers of this update have differing views on what is happening. One thing we know is that war is ugly. This one, in light of how it began, is particularly devastating. Without getting into the politics of it all, Israel was put in a place where they absolutely had to respond, and do so with the determination to eliminate this evil. The devastating attack on innocent civilians by Hamas terrorists was not just evil, and it was not just “war”, it was demonic. There is no more accurate description in light of what was done to innocent men, women, the elderly, children, and even babies. Israel had the support of most of the Western world, at least for a few days, but that did not last long. Soon, Israel was accused of the very thing that Hamas terrorists and other Islamic terrorist organizations have been guilty of for many years.
There are reports of the horrors the civilians in Gaza are going through. I must say though, Israel’s military probably has the tightest rules of engagement of any military on earth today. Yes, many innocents have been killed. Hamas, however, has a labyrinth of terror tunnels throughout all of Gaza. These were purposely dug underneath hospitals, schools, public parks, and government buildings. Openings have been found into these buildings or in close proximity to them. Israel has tried for weeks to move civilians out of harm’s way, and hundreds of thousands have finally responded, but additional hundreds of thousands have refused. Additionally, Hamas terrorists and rooftop snipers have shot their own people if they attempted to leave through the corridors provided by the IDF. It has also been shown by live video footage that Hamas terrorists have repeatedly stolen diesel fuel, which had been sent to keep hospital generators functioning and the sewage systems operational, for military purposes within the tunnel systems. The same has happened with great amounts of essential aid supplies sent in by truck caravans. Israel has no choice but to respond.
The world today is demanding a cessation to the hostilities, yet, does Israel dare stop before the job is finished? I found some stunning statistics which might give us some pause. The data was collected by representatives of Birzeit University, located near Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian National Authority (the PNA). This survey of Palestinian opinion was asked of thousands of Palestinians throughout Judea and Samaria and at three points in southern Gaza; residents of southern Gaza as well as evacuees from northern Gaza combat zones were included in the study. I have listed statistics that were found below:
- 75% of Gazans support the Hamas led slaughter of October 7th.
- 11% had no opinion (how could anyone not have an opinion on the indiscriminate murder, rape, beheading, and burning alive of innocent civilians — even children, including babies?)
- 75% of Palestinians saw it as a great accomplishment. 75% also seek the annihilation of Israel…from the river to the sea, as millions across the world are chanting.
- Only 5.4% support a “one state” solution, with Arabs and Israelis living together in harmony and peace.
- 17.2% support a “two state” solution, with Israel and Palestinians having autonomous states within existing Israeli boundaries. (13.2% in Palestinian Authority areas, 22.7% in Gaza).
- 76% of Palestinians support Hamas
- 88% Palestinians in Judea and Samaria support Hamas
- 60% Palestinians in Gaza support Hamas
- Only 10% of Palestinians support the Palestinian Authority (which is under Mahmoud Abbas)
- The only groups that have greater Palestinian support than Hamas are terrorist organizations like Islamic Jihad, P.A.’s Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Brigades, and Hamas’ terror cells Izz al-Din al-Quassam Brigades.
- 98% Palestinians hate the U.S., 97% hate the British
It is very difficult for those of us who see every human as a soul needing to find Jesus Christ as their Redeemer, to find a balance between the need to reach people with the Gospel and the need of a sovereign Jewish nation to defend itself from ravenous enemies that surround them. We have many testimonies that have been included in Mideast Updates over the years of terrorists who have found Jesus as Savior and were baptized. Some of these were Syrian or Iraqi military members. Others had belonged to Al Nusra, Hezbollah, or ISIS. There have been Hamas terrorists who have been reached. Many of these have had miraculous dreams of Jesus appearing to them. So, we keep doing the work of the Kingdom and the Spirit of God continues to rescue the perpetrators and the victims alike. The Israeli military, however, must continue to do its job. This is in fact a Biblical principle. All we have to do is look back at the Old Testament history of Israel and its wars with those who wanted to obliterate them from the earth. Nehemiah and his men rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days, while dividing his men into two groups. One half built the wall while the other half fought the enemies off with their swords.
I read on Joel Rosenberg’s “All Israel News” that he was aware of about 1,000 Christians in Gaza that are divided in their opinions on how they should respond in view of the increasing dangers to them. They need our prayers! It crossed my mind that Pastor Rashid had spent some time in Gaza some years ago, ministering the Gospel to the refugees. Only the Lord really knows the fruit that came of his time there.
At long last, this brings me to the latest from the House of Blessing. In spite of the wars, rumors of wars, and threats of the same, the HOB missionaries are continuing going from tent to tent, sharing the Good News of the Gospel with family after family. Brother Omar has reported that the missionaries are continuing their preaching and teaching at every opportunity. They know that time is very limited and the harvest truly is white and needs harvesting. The HOB missionaries and leadership continue to bind together and pray together for strength and anointing from the Holy Spirit.
Plans are being made to share the story of Jesus’ birth and the significance of the event. Christmas is only a month from now. The HOB missionaries still have plenty of teaching materials that were provided and mass-copied last year for their use at this time. Mufiedah and the Widow Sisterhood are also making plans to teach the women and children the true Christmas story. The response has been overwhelming in past years and they are expecting the same this year.
Communion services continue with sisters Hafezeh, Fatima, Mariam, Feriel, and others going from camp to camp to serve communion to the believers and celebrate the presence of God together. The response to these special service provisions have continued to keep these HOB women quite busy. God is good!
The weather is getting cold again. The people have great needs, and the United Nations relief is pretty much non-existent. The House of Blessing does everything they can to help the people to survive as they share the love of God with them, both spiritually and physically. Sickness and disease increases this time of year and so the missionaries pray for many sick, and help bury those who have died. Thank you all for your prayers and your gifts. Every financial gift is very much appreciated.
I know this update is longer than usual, but I would like to share a quick thought in closing. Question: What happens when you light a candle before dark? The light it produces appears rather weak, in fact, hardly noticeable. That is because it has blended into its surroundings, the light of the day. There was a harmony between the two lights. But, then it gets dark. Now what happens? Suddenly the candle light is not in harmony with its surroundings because the darkness is overtaking the great light of the sun. What changed? The candle light? Not at all!
What does this tell us? The candle in the day represents the believer who shines in the midst of a Christian civilization. Its light blends in with its surroundings. The culture, at least on the outside, appears to be in harmony with the light, and even appears to support it. But, the candle in the dark represents the believer who shines in a post-Christian civilization, an apostate civilization, an anti-Christian, anti-biblical, anti-God society. The culture of the world, even in America, which used to call itself a Christian nation, is no longer in harmony with the light of the Gospel. It can no longer blend in and stands out in contrast to its surroundings. It is this candle of the night that changes the world. You may think that your candle is hardly visible, but just hang on! You were put on this earth for such a time as this! Let that little candle light shine because the darker the surroundings get, the brighter your light shines. There are people swallowed up by the dark that will not be able to see light until they catch a glimpse of your candle light. It is in the dark that your candle light is most needed. So, don’t fear the darkness and never doubt the power of that candle light that you carry. God will use it, just as the lighthouses in past years helped keep ships from running into the rocks and guided them to safety. I hope this helps someone today.
You may be someone who has prayed for HOB for years but hardly anyone knows who you are or your faithfulness to the Lord. God knows! You may have given — even sacrificially, and few if any were aware. God doesn’t miss a thing! I am reminded of one of these individuals. Not many days after Pastor Rashid passed away, one of his longtime faithful supporters, Sister Nancy Heston, also passed away and went to her reward. Only God knows what her faithfulness to the Kingdom has contributed to the harvest here in these last days.
Forever in His Service,
Jake