©November 2, 2012 Revive Israel Ministries
Holiness: Seeing God
By Asher Intrater
Holiness is the pure and perfect character of God. He is so holy, that He is actually "Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:2)." Isaiah saw Him in that holiness. "My eyes have seen the King (Isaiah 6:5)." While we cannot attain that level of holiness, He does demand us to become holy like Him. "Be holy for I am holy (Leviticus 19:2)".
To be holy we must put a distance between ourselves and the influences in society which encourage immorality (I Thessalonians 4:3, Numbers 15:39-40, Job 31:1). Because of the increased technology in the arts and entertainment, advertising and media, there is a flood of lustful imagery today unknown to any previous generation.
The human heart has the ability to see spiritual things (John 3:3). We have spiritual "eyes" (Ephesians 1:18, Acts 26:18). When pictures of lust fill our imagination, we cannot see the things of the kingdom of God. Purity of heart enables us to see God (Matthew 5:8). Without holiness we cannot see God - "Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)." If without holiness we cannot see God, then with holiness we can.
Holiness is a means to see God. The purpose and motivation to be holy is to see Him. Holiness is simply looking in the right direction. What Isaiah saw in chapter 6 is promised to us all in chapter 33. "Your eyes will see the King in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17)." Holiness is the ability to see God's beauty; it is the desire of our hearts to focus our attention on Him. Let's not let lust rob us of such a beautiful vision.
US Elections
By Daniel Juster
In a recent poll Israeli Jews favored Romney by a 3 to 1 margin. This is the opposite in a poll of American Jews, who favor Obama 3 to 1.
I would ask which candidate and party strengthens the social fabric and which one weakens it.The social fabric of a country is the key to producing strong citizens who create a good quality of life and economic stability. The social fabric depends on the strength of non-government institutions including marriage, family, churches, synagogues, charitable organizations, social services, and schools.
Which party favors policies that strengthen the family, fostering stable marriages with two parent families of a mom and a dad? Which party has more constituents that stand against the classical definition of marriage and family?
Which party embraces the sacred value of every human being created in the image of God? Their stance on abortion would be a telling issue on this point.
Which party has more members who define free expression as including pornography and lewd entertainment?
Which party embraces moral relativism, where there is no basis for judging and comparing cultural practices? This leads to an inability to stand against the threat of Islamic extremism.
Which party fosters quality education with competition, and which fosters the status quo in which standards and quality cannot be enforced?
These moral questions clarify the issues for us as disciples of Yeshua.
Is God for Democracy?
By Asher Intrater
God has sovereign power and authority to place whomever He wants as the head of any government (Daniel 4:17). However, He often respects the free will of the people, even if their choice for government leader is wrong, and even if they are rejecting God's will (I Samuel 8:5-9).
God is interested more in righteousness than democracy; more in integrity than popularity. One of the basic rules of biblical justice is NOT to follow the majority, for the majority is usually WRONG (Exodus 23:2). Moral values, not majority wishes, should be our guide. Integrity (meaning "one, integer") is demonstrated by doing what is right even if one is all alone.
God may give a country a leader which the people want, even when it is wrong. That is a form of judgment. The people will get what they deserve. That is quite scary, and should give us the fear of God. The issue for prayer may not be so much for God to put the right person in power, but for the people of the nation to want the right values. Let us pray for the people in America, Israel, China, and other nations to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19), to have a spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17), to discern spiritually between right and wrong (John 16:8).
Has lust so blinded people not to see that the family structure is disintegrating? Has greed so blinded people not to see that they are sinking hopelessly into debt and financial collapse? Has moral cowardice so blinded people to think that Islam is a religion of peace? May God have mercy!
Chinese Congress
By Ariel Blumenthal
Also in November, there will be a major leadership transition in China, which will have implications for the whole world. The ruling Communist Party Congress will meet, during which 7 of the 9 Politburo members are expected to retire. This is a once-in-ten-year opportunity for newer, younger leadership to emerge at the top of Chinese politics. Let us pray for men of righteousness and godliness to become leaders of this nation with its ever increasing economic, military, and political influence around the world.
Israeli Elections
In a surprise move the Likud and Israel Beitenu parties (Netanyahu and Liberman) have united into a large moderate right wing party which leads in the polls. Labor, the leading left wing party is in second place (likely to lead the opposition after the elections). The rest of the left and centralist candidates remain divided, and into this vacuum has come a new party under Yair Lapid, which is now in third place according to polls. Another major change has been the return of Aryeh Deri to Shas (Sephardic Ultra-Orthodox party) to share leadership with Eli Yishai. A key issue is which party or parties will join the government coalition after the election.
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