Oh clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves (Ps. 47: 1-4).
Dear Friends of Israel,
After a fierce twelve days of warfare, Israel and Iran agreed last week to a ceasefire. President Trump helped turn the tide of battle in Israel’s favor by ordering an airstrike from America’s B-2 bombers against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran capitulated soon after, and stopped firing its ballistic missiles. Yet, its Islamic regime under the Shi’ite Ayatollahs is still in place, the enriched uranium may be hidden, and its sponsorship of terror attacks against Israel and the U.S. is intact.
The cost to Israel in deaths of civilians, destruction of property from Iranian missiles has been heavy. Twenty-eight Israelis were killed from ballistic missile explosions: men, women, and children. Explosive damage from incoming Iranian rockets included the Weisman Cancer Institute which was destroyed along with its research files, a wing of Soroka Hospital in Beersheva was wrecked (thankfully, all the patients were removed just the night before), two mosques in Haifa built in the 1700’s were damaged, an oil refinery was hit, and numerous high rise apartments and office buildings destroyed. Yet Israel, in spite of Iran’s rain of missiles, was quickly able to achieve air superiority and knock out much of that nation’s offensive missile sites and decimate its Islamic Revolutionary Guard leadership, as well as a number of scientists engaged in developing nuclear weapons.
A Sudden Peace
Yet this sudden onset of a ceasefire has seemed surreal to many in Israel: One day you find yourself running at 4 AM to your bomb shelter for the third time that night and the next, the malls and schools are open. Many Israelis are dealing with trauma, fatigue, and PTSD. Close to 700 Israelis are still hospitalized, and some 3,000 are homeless, their apartments and houses destroyed. And then there are many Israelis stranded overseas, although repatriation flights have returned thousands. Ben Gurion Airport opens for flights this week even though El-Al is the only airline flying to/from Israel, at this point. Please pray for the health and well being those affected.
A few Israelis reported feeling “a comforting presence” during the darkest hours when the nation was under constant missile attacks; a knowing that Someone greater then the IAF, Iron Dome, and America was watching over them. Many read Psalms. A group of believers made Israeli headlines by choosing to worship and pray inside a bomb shelter while missiles exploded overhead. Children who had been frightened moments before joined in and started singing. Israelis, both secular and religious, were present also but found themselves moved by the unity. A young Israeli woman named Emily said she felt something special in that shelter. “Joy and the peace of the Lord because I know that God protects Israel and that He’s with us and He’s for us,” she explained. Fear had no place where faith filled the space.
Iranian Persecution
Shortly after the ceasefire, reports started coming from Iranians of increased persecution. Those who were Jewish or Christians were arrested, tortured and either disappeared or were imprisoned. A “purge” of other Iranians considered not loyal to the Islamic Revolution is also taking place, with summary executions (Amir Tsarfati reports).
Please pray for Iran and the dissolution of this Islamic Regime. Pray for Iranian believers and for those who are Jewish that remain in this nation.
The 12th Mahdi
Key to the religious system imposed by the current Islamic regime in Iran, is a belief in the return of the 12th Mahdi or “Chosen One.” This so-called Shi’a Islamic savior is currently in “occultation” (being hidden) since 931 A.D. Shi’ites believe that the more chaos and war that occurs, this Muslim savior will appear and usher in a time of peace and stability. The current 86-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei has assumed powers to act sovereignly in the Mahdi’s absence. Israel and the United State are seen as great enemies which must be destroyed before the Mahdi can appear.
Sunni Muslims do not believe in a Mahdi but look for the return of Muhammed and Isa (Jesus) who will “break crosses, eliminate pigs and do away with Jizya,” the religious tax on non-Muslims (see Hadith: Sahih Al Bukhari #2476).
Jesus Christ is the true Messiah. He is not the falsely promised Mahdi. Jesus will return to separate the sheep from the goats, judge the living and the dead and give worthy crowns to His servants. The Savior is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29). The Savior will not return to “break crosses” as He rather counseled His disciples to each “deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mt. 16:24). His words bring life.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards
The development of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also is part of an effort to make a pure Islamic State. Unlike the Iranian army, whose task is to defend the borders of Iran, the IRGC is dedicated to protecting the Shi’a clergy in Iran and elsewhere, as well as advancing the Islamic Revolution in Iran and in other countries.
The focus of the Islamic Republic and its private army (the IRGC) on the destruction of Israel and the Jews also explains why Israel has consistently highlighted the Iranian regime as its number one existential threat in the region – and why it took matters into its own hands with Operation Rising Lion (All Israeli News).
Ongoing Conflicts
Despite Israel’s dynamic victory over Iran, there is still an ongoing war with Hamas. The Trump Administration, Egypt and other parties are pushing for a ceasefire where the Israeli hostages will be set free. Israel is against any agreement that will leave Hamas in power. Yemen is still a threat with the Houthis launching ballistic missiles against Israel. Iran is also declaring that they will not stop their nuclear enrichment programs and will yet destroy Israel.
A Religious Fatwah against Trump and PM Netanyahu
A fatwa or religious decree calling for the killing of Israeli PM Netanyahu and President Trump, has also been issued by Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of Iran’s most senior Shi’a clerics. This fatwa under Islamic law, calls for all Muslims worldwide to oppose these leaders, and if able “to execute” them (Israel National News).
Please pray for the defeat of Iranian sponsored terror groups. Pray that the Israeli hostages be set free. Pray for the safety of the IDF in Gaza as they seek to overthrow Hamas. Eight IDF soldiers were killed last week in Gaza. Pray for the protection of President Trump and PM Netanyahu from plots and plans to harm them.
The Month of Tammuz
This new month on the Hebrew Calendar is Tammuz, a time of fasting and reflection for religious Jews. The month of Av follows it, when the Temple was destroyed and a time when Israel has been attacked (Tish b’ Av). The name Tammuz comes from a Babylonian god. Yet, the rabbis say this name was chosen because it reminded them of the judgment that comes from practicing idolatry.
Jewish history notes that five tragic things happened during the month of Tammuz:
- Moses broke the Tablets when he saw the Jewish people worshipping the Golden Calf.
- During the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, the Jews were forced to cease offering daily sacrifices due to the lack of sheep.
- Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig in the Temple.
- King Manasseh placed a carved image of Asherah in the Temple (II Kgs 21:1-8).
- The walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 69 CE, after a lengthy siege.
Tammuz 17
Tammuz 17 (July 13th) starts three weeks of mourning known as “The Three Weeks,” or either “The Dire Straits” or “Between the Straits,” during which joy is tempered and spiritual sensitivity is heightened, as Jews recall the tragedies of the past. Tish b’ Av (Sundown August 2nd) commemorates not only the day when both Temples were destroyed but the Jewish expulsion from Spain, Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) that ushered in the Holocaust, and other tragedies. Pray against any surprise attack on Israel and/or those who are Jewish.
O Clap Your Hands All Ye Peoples
Despite all of Israel’s trouble and pain, I pray Israelis can take strength in their God and rise up and declare to each other: “What great things God has done.” A little nation of nine million brought defeat to a nation of 90 million. A small nation overcame the Ayatollahs and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. I pray Israelis can rise up and give God the glory for their salvation and credit this victory to the LORD.
Thank you for your prayers for us and support. Marylois and I look forward to returning to the House of Peace in late September, ready for another season of ministry and fellowship.
“Am Yisrael Chai” (The people of Israel live)!
Gene and Marylois
House of Peace, Jerusalem