(Luke 21:24 NKJV) "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled
(Zec 14:4 NKJV) And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks on 26 Nov 2008, one of the most touching scene in the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, was the reported miracle escape of 2 year old Moshe Holtzberg in a daring move by his nanny as he stood crying beside a cold blooded murdered body of his parents, Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivka of Nariman House, a Jewish Centre. At the memorial service that followed, the wrenching scene of baby Moshe crying "Mama, mama" was played over and over again on Israel television deeply touching the hearts of a nation. The fact that the terrorist hated Israel even in a foreign land is a reflection of the struggles of the nation of Israel whose great city, Jerusalem has become in the last 60 years, the focus on the battle for control.
Indeed, the control of Jerusalem was the main reason for the 1st Crusade of 1095, where the Catholic Church even though having control of Rome, and of Europe could not be said to be God's chosen and mandated authority, until they had control of Jerusalem, the City of God. Rome wanted to forced its way to supplant the Jews as God's chosen and priveleged religion and people. However, the Arabs won the day, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque built before the crusade remained until today. It stands where the location of the Temple Mount - the ancient Jewish Temple. It is also the most sacred for the Jews, who believed that the Messiah will come when the temple has been rebuilt.
One of the few items that the City Harvest Church and New Ceation Church in Singapore seem to agree upon, is that the times of the seasons in the End Times will be seen in the events surrounding Jerusalem. The founding of Israel as a nation in 1948 signifies the possible start of the prophecies concerning the return of Jesus. The return of Jerusalem to the Jewish rule in 1967 was a big milestone as Jesus was said to be returning to Jerusalem. The days of the Gentiles in Jerusalem seem over (apart from the Mosque that sits on the location of the Temple).
The Christians look eagerly for the signs and news of the happenings in Israel as reflective of the end time events. Many of the news do reflect or concerns Israel. For example, the recent Mumbai bombings, the terrorist targeted the Jews again. The Middle East Peace Plans have revolved around the issue of Jerusalem. The return of Israel and Jerusalem to the Jews has indeed been a mighty work of God's grace and Mercy, once thought impossible. The victories in the 1948 and 1967 wars against incredible odds again reflect God's supernatural hand. God in the midst of Israel is mighty.
One of the great moves of God which has thus far unnoticed is the increasing freedom given to Gays. It appears that God in His mercy is reaching out and releasing the Gay community in a Year of Jubilee where they receive full freedom and rights again and no longer be put into bondage by the religious zealots. Singapore is about 30 years behind Israel, where in 1953 and again in 1972 an instruction was issued was not to actively persecute Gays for same sex activities. Several key events happened thereafter:-
- 1988 - Homosexuality is decriminalised
- 1992 - Workplace anti-discrimination laws instituted to protect gays
- 1993 - the Israel Defence Force allows Gays to serve freely without restrictions.
- 1994 - Same sex partner benefits recognised in the private sector
- 1997 - Same sex partner benefits recognised in the public sector
- 2000 - Same age of consent for sex for sraights and gays
- 2000 - Recognition of same sex parents for adoption
- 2006 - Gay marriages abroad recognised in Israel.
Whilst the like of Rev Derek Hong can without any conscience claim that gays have much about the same rights as Heterosexuals, Singapore is obviously at least 50 years behind of the mark set by Israel unless the Government can take quick action to remedy this. For Christian leaders such as Moses Tay and Derek Hong, Gays just does not exist much the same as the position of the Iranian President. However, they do, whether we admit it or otherwise, and God is starting a move from Jerusalem for the year of Jubilee for the Gay community, the year of rejoicing and freedom. It is more than two decades since Homosexuality is decriminalised in Jerusalem, and I believe that in the next 20 years, there will be a move like never before amongst the nations.
The Anglican Global South tried to force their way like their Catholic predecessors of the 1st century to have their anti-gay conference in Jerusalem ahead of the Lambeth conference in 2008. The event location of Jerusalem despite strong misgivings from the local Anglican Bishop, was intended to show that they had God's blessing and that their anti-gay theology was sanctioned from God. Deep in their hearts, the leaders must have known that their interpretation of the bible is flawed but they had no choice with the impending challenge by liberal christians on the bible. They could not back down and admit defeat. If they had interpreted the bible wrongly on an issue which they have made it to become so important, then, are they equally flawed on the real core issues pertaining to the Christian faith.
The Christian Right have forgotten that for the Jews the issue was resolved at AUSCHWITZ at the concentration camps where 6 million Jews died and at least 150,000 Gays died as well. The Jews were sent to the death camps because they were Jews just as the terrorist attacked the Jewish Centre in Mumai, simply because they were Jews. Similarly, Gays were sent to concentration camp simply because they were gays. It was not surprising that after World War Two and with the founding of Israel in 1948, not more than 5 years later in 1953, it was decided not to proactively persecute Gays even though it was illegal. The Jews knew deep in their hearts that they could never persecute their fellow prisoners and if they did, would be no better than the Nazi.
The Gays did not die in vain, so that modern day Christians could persecute and kill them again just like the Christians in Nazi Germany who thought that they were doing od a favor. No, Israel will be a safe place for the Gays, just like it has been for the Jews. In the last 20 years, since 1988, we have seen that Jerusalem has become increasingly a City of Refuge for gays - both Arabs and Jews. The change seem to be at an increasing pace.
The move of God starting in Jerusalem will start to impact the nations, and one nation by one nations, gays will be free and no longer held in bondage. The Christian Right and their Focus on their Family will throw millions to stop this from happening, but few can stop the move of God. We may disrupt it, and slow it down, but the move of God for freedom and justice for the gay community will never be quenched. The tide of change is just too strong for the Christian Right to hold back, just as they have failed to stop Obama from becoming the President of the United States.
Look clearly, and behold at the wall City of Jerusalem, the Lion of Judah stands, and He is raising a flag, it is the Gay Rainbow flag, a symbol of God's Grace and Mercy throughout the Nations. It is the same symbol when Noah arose out from the Ark, for God will not destroy the entire Earth again. It is rising high above Jerusalem. How many attempts have the Arabs tried to take away Jerusalem from the Jews, but they would never succeed. Their Messiah, their defender, their Hope is coming back. The flag would be arising from nation to nation, because Jesus is their champion, to set them free, for the coming Year of the Jubilee. Just like the Jews, no longer would Gays be in bondage and persecuted for being who they are, God is raising a banner, He is declaring the Year of Freedom.
(Isa 56:4-7 NKJV) For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant,Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off."Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants; Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant;Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."
Watch and pray for Jerusalem. For God is doing a new thing in its midst amongst a people most forsaken and persecuted. Out of Jerusalem, will come freedom for the gay tribe just as out of Jerusalem, the light of the Gospel, once shown forth 2000 years ago. Out of this freedom, will bring forth God's Grace and Mercy throughout the nations, and this message will arise and resound for Jesus is coming back to the Mount of Olives, to His people, to the Outcasts and the forsaken, to the humbled who knew their strenght and rigthneousness lies in Christ alone and not in exalting their self righteousness over gays.
Dear Jesus, may I live to see the day when the Gay tribe, marched up to Zion, to welcome You back because You have loved them, and have become their champion and banner, and have accepted them when few would. We have become children of the Heavenly King and be no more rejected here on Earth. Our sorrows will be banished forever in the New Jerusalem, and our cries will be heard no more. Let us march unto Zion and declare along this diificult journey of life, God's Love, Grace and Mercy throughout the Nations.
Jeremiah 31:6
"For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry,
Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God."
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.
Refrain
We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing
Who never knew our God;
But children of the heav'nly King,
But children of the heav'nly King,
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.
Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We're marching thro' Immanuel's ground,
We're marching thro' Immanuel's ground,
To fairer worlds on high,
To fairer worlds on high.