Weekly Update: Israel and Persia
As the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah this week – remembering the miraculous deliverance from the Greek oppressors – the regime in Tehran, dedicated to Israel’s destruction, continues its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.
One of the amazing things about the Jewish people is their commitment to life. Israel was created and is destined to give life to the world, to point the way to the one and only God who made this world. That God created the Jewish people to be a light to the world. He will never abandon or forsake them. That is the essence of Hanukkah.
Biblically, historically and prophetically, the people of Persia have had a deeply positive relationship with the Jewish people. That makes it all the more tragic that their country (today’s Iran) is ruled by a radical minority determined to destroy everything that opposes its ideology. In particular, their brand of Islamist theology hates everything that Israel stands for.
The current situation in Iran is deeply concerning. Let us pray fervently that the Lord God will protect the Jewish people, and disperse their enemies. And that the people of Persia will be freed from this tyrannical regime.
On a different note, Johannes Gerloff reminds us in his teaching this week that all of us – Jew and Gentile – should not seek our own righteousness, but look only to our Creator for our salvation. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The Editorial Team – Israel & Christians Today
Iran stalling in talks as it ups ante on nuclear program, say experts
JNS reports: “Iran could be positioning itself so close to making nuclear weapons that if Tehran chose to break out, countries mighty be deterred from intervening,” said Andrea Stricker, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Iran’s nuclear program a central pillar of its ‘Shi’ite revival’ vision
Back in July, Yaakov Lappin wrote at JNS: “Becoming a nuclear-armed state is a central aspect of Iran’s “Shi’ite” revival program, and the Iranian regime believes that developments are moving in line with its vision, an Israeli expert on the Islamic Republic has warned.” His words remain timely.
Who Keeps Iran Out in the Cold?
Amir Taheri in Gatestone asks: “how true is the “exclusion” theory with regard to the Islamic Republic? The answer is: not at all.”
To Biden Admin: Do Not Give Away US Leverage Against Iran
Majid Rafizadeh at Gatestone argues: “The nuclear deal, rather than preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as it was falsely touted to do, in fact paves the way for Tehran to become a legitimized nuclear state.”
The Spread of Iran’s Malign Activities
Wade Ze’ev Gittleson and Lenny Ben-David write at JCPA: “Iran spreads its revolutionary Islamic doctrine worldwide using invasion, terrorism, infiltration, bribery, and smuggling arms and drugs. In the aftermath of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, the theocratic Shiite regime has spread its influence and control throughout the Middle East and beyond in the hopes of achieving imperialist-style hegemony through the exportation of the Islamic Revolution.”
Iran and Hezbollah in Colombia
Joseph M. Humire writes at Gatestone: “In late June, Colombian authorities neutralized a possible Iranian-backed assassination plot in Bogota that could have killed two Israeli businessmen on Colombian territory. The plot, which began to unravel in April, involved an Iranian operative, Rahmat Asadi, who allegedly recruited two Colombian cutouts to carry out the operation. Thankfully, the assassination plot was thwarted, but it shows that the long arm of Iranian terror reaches Colombia.”
Challenges and Encouragements from the Story and Miracle of Hanukkah
Keith Buxton writes at C4Israel.org: “Hanukkah is an inspiring story of incredible faithfulness to God and a story of awesome courage. This holiday is about a people who refused to give in and go against God’s Word. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple for God’s people as well as their victory against a far mightier enemy, a victory that only God Himself could secure. In significant ways, it is a holiday commemorating God’s miraculous care of His people.”
The Obstacle on the Way to Salvation| Romans 9-11 with Johannes Gerloff #22
Pursuing the one, true, living God and seeking to do His will with zeal is something good. But it is not enough if we as human beings are the ones who define the standards.
Scripture for the week:
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
