In preparation for Messiah’s return, one of our first missions was to visit Israel to deliver prophetic messages about preparing for His return, to encourage and support the Messianic ministries in Israel that are faithfully preparing the Land for her King, and to awaken prophets in Israel to stand as watchmen on the walls. Through God’s divine hand, we were able to fulfill this mission in Israel and Jordan in August 2009.
Sara and I spent the first night in Jerusalem at the Olive Tree hotel. The name of the hotel was so meaningful to us, considering the mission for which we had been sent (Rom. 11:11-24). There was a wonderful spirit of unity in this hotel as well. As at many places in Israel, the US flag flew right beside the Israeli flag. This prompted me to pray that the US would not turn her back on Israel, as it seems we are starting to do.
After a restful night, our first order of business was to drive into the desert from Jerusalem to Eilat. Though the area was dry for miles (a 4-hour drive), we happened upon vineyards and groves of palm trees. God can truly make something out of nothing!
Dead Sea
In Eilat, we stayed with Kad-Esh MAP Ministries. We arrived
On Sunday, Sara and I fellowshipped with a congregation of American Messianic believers living in Jordan (which borders on Israel at Eilat). At the command of God, they moved from the US to Jordan with their families. What devotion to service! While I prophesied to them, one person asked what I was told to do when I return home to the US. I replied, “I have to
gather the nations and bring them here” (meaning Israel, because Jordan was originally a part of the nation of Israel). Another believer then presented me with a staff (
will be the sign to you that you will bring the nations here. Tomorrow, you will worship on a mountain.” Before leaving Jordan, prayed at the border of Saudi Arabia as well.
We prayed also at the border of Egypt and for revival in Eilat, and for it to spread to the border nations (Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia), all of which can be seen from the banks of the Red Sea in Eilat. I saw a vision of the Red Sea parted for this revival to spread. Then Bishop Dominiquae shared their prayer focus for just that to occur.
After prayer, I accompanied Bishop Dominiquae to the Red Sea for her weekly swim. With my staff in hand, I entered the edges of the Red Sea and prayed again for revival for all of the border nations and for all Israel. The Red Sea truly is beautiful. The water is so clear and the temperature so mild, that fish travel from various places to swim there and you can see them. They come right up to the shore to swim.
Before leaving the desert of Israel, we visited the tabernacle replica. It truly reflects God’s glory and serves as a foreshadow of our Messiah Yeshua. Before departing, I did worship God on the mountain pictured behind me. Being in the desert was truly a transforming experience. God said to me, “I always lead my people into the desert first. It is in the desert that I woo you and draw you to myself. It is in the desert that I reveal my glory and make you dependent on me alone. The desert is the place of preparation. Only after a time in the desert are you truly prepared to enter into the place of the promise.” Then I recalled that Moses, the children of Israel, David and even Yeshua had desert experiences BEFORE walking into God’s promise for them.
On our return trip to Jerusalem, we stayed at a guest house in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City! The Lord showed me that He sent us much like the Crusaders on a trip to liberate Jerusalem, but through prayer and encouragement for the believers who are on the wall in Israel, preparing for Messiah’s return. While there, we saw the menorah. I had seen a
We attempted to visit the temple mount before leaving Jerusalem. However, we were redirected (clearly by the hand of God) to Oskar Schindler’s grave. His name had been mentioned while we were in Eilat, and here we were. As God would have it, I just happened to have a bag of rocks with me that I collected from strategic locations in the US prior to our trip. I was told to bring rocks from the US to Israel to connect us to the Land. Because God had us to place them here, I understand that believers in the US (and worldwide) must prepare to stand with the children of Israel at all costs. A time of great persecution will soon come upon the children of Israel. Believers everywhere, but especially in the US, must prepare our hearts, homes and finances to stand with Israel! We can begin by visiting the Land, being taught to connect with the Jewish roots of our faith and blessing Messianic Jewish ministries in Israel today. Contact us to learn ways you can stand with Israel.
Exodus 3:11-15 reads, “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’ Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, “The LORD, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.” This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.'” (NIV)
Pillars from the 2nd
Temple period
The Olive Tree
The Wailing Wall
Men praying on the left, Women and children praying on the right with a dividing wall between them.
Please Note: Believing (Messianic) Jews are greatly persecuted by Orthodox Jews in Israel, with threats of losing their citizenship, jobs and homes for their beliefs in Yeshua (Jesus). Christians in Jordan face similar persecution. For this reason, we have not included photos of believers in the Land, though we fellowshipped with many while in Israel and Jordan. Remember this when giving money to Israel. Give only to Messianic Jewish ministries, or your money will be used for their persecution!