|
Chapter 1: Introduction
Let it be Recorded that the Spiritual Gates, the Gates of the Enemy, and the Spiritual Borders that God has called me to Stand in are as Relevant Today as they were when the Bible was Written. Psalm 102:18 teaches that it is important to always keep future generations in mind, to leave a record of God’s faithfulness and His Loving kindness for a people yet to be born that they will Praise the Lord.
Psalm 102:18 18Let this be recorded for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created will praise the Lord. Amplified Bible
Let it be Recorded that the Spiritual Gates, the Gates of the Enemy, and the Spiritual Borders That God has Called me to Stand in Are as Relevant Today as they were when the Bible was Written
Let a Record be Written: This book is my testimony to the Lord for generations yet to come. Let a Record be Written! Hence, this Book is written for the generations to come – it is my testimony and witness unto the Lord of His faithfulness, His Mercy and His Loving Kindness – written down that my sons and daughters yet to be born will Praise the Lord.
I want to leave a written account for my offspring in future generations to come of the Lord’s Mercy and Loving Kindness He has shown me, as well as the Mercy and Loving Kindness the Lord showed to my Scottish Forebears that lived 350 years ago, through all of our trials and tribulations.
A written account of God’s Mercy and Loving Kindness that He has shown me ought to be written down and preserved just as the many books that were written by and about my Scottish Forebears that were written 350 years ago were preserved.
Throughout time man has always kept a written record of the wars and calamities that affected their nations. Even now man is keeping a daily record of the war going on in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas and the barrage of rockets and artillery that Hezbollah is sending over the Borders in the north of Israel including Metulla, the northernmost village in Israel that butts up to the Border Israel shares with Lebanon and where I was when Hamas attacked Israel in the south on October 7, 2023. |
|
|
|
I said that to say this – how much more should we be a Witness unto the Lord and write about the Lord's Mercy and Loving Kindness that He has shown us and our Forebears who endured many trials and tribulations and been persecuted because we obey God’s Commandments. Jesus said if you love Me, really love Me, you will keep and obey My Commandments.
John 14:15 15 “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. Amplified Bible
We should encourage our offspring to stand up for the truth according to God’s Word even in the face of persecution. Because just as the Lord delivered us from our trials and tribulations, He will be faithful and deliver them as well!
Let us be a Witness unto the Lord!
Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NLT
Our Testimony and Witness unto the Lord should not go to the grave with us. Our Testimony and Witness unto the Lord should not go to the grave with us – it should not be forgotten. Jesus told His disciples that they were to be a Witness unto Him. As His witnesses, we are bound to tell others of His Faithfulness, His Mercy and His Loving Kindness. We are to leave a written account for our offspring yet to be born that they too may Praise the LORD
Just as the Memory of my Scottish Forebears who died over 350 years ago, who were persecuted and imprisoned to the point of death because they led blameless lives and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, who spoke the truths of God’s Word from sincere hearts, are a Blessing and are precious to me, may their memory be a Blessing and as precious to my sons and daughters that have yet to be born. And, may my Witness unto the Lord of His faithfulness and Mercy He has shown me be as precious and a Blessing to my spiritual offspring yet to be born – that those yet to be created shall praise the Lord.
The Writings my Scottish Forebears left for their Offspring – for a generations yet to be born is a Blessing: From my own personal experience I understand the reality of Psalm 102:18 that teaches the importance to always keep future generations in mind: Alexander Skene, my Scottish ancestor who lived 350 years ago, kept his posterity in mind when writing from the Toll Booth in Aberdeen, Scotland where he was imprisoned to the point of death because he would not compromise his walk with the Lord.
Alexander Skene knew that just as he, his wife and his son John, who came to America and whose line I came through, that their offspring, who would surely go through trials and tribulations of their own, would know that the Lord God of their Forefathers is full of compassion, mercy and loving kindness and will surely Bless us as He Blessed them.
Hence, this is “Why” I am writing this Book,” my Notes to my sons and daughters that I will never meet that they may Praise the Lord!
Psalm 90:16-17 is an echo of Psalm 102:18
Psalm 90:16-17
16 Let Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! (ESV)
Lord, let the Work of my hands be Established And, just as You called me to carry on the Work You began with my Scottish Forebears let my Sons and Daughters “Carry on” the Work You called me to
Lord let my Sons and Daughters Continue my Work
My Prayer is that just as the Lord Established the work of my hands as well as the hands of my Scottish Forebears that the Lord will Establish the Work of the hands of my Sons and Daughters.
The Second Commandment tells us that God will show His Mercy and Loving Kindness to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. And, I am a witness to the truths of that promise. Because of my Scottish Forebears who loved the Lord with all their heart, with all their Soul, with all their Mind, and with all their Strength – as one of a thousand of their offspring – the Lord has Blessed me with His Mercy and Loving Kindness over and over again in my walk with the Lord. I am only alive to write this book because of the Lord’s Mercy and Loving Kindness – just as the Lord delivered my Scottish Forebears from death – the Lord has delivered me out of the hands of those who have threatened my life on more than one occasion.
John Skene, the line I came through, after surviving the Toll Booth Prison in Aberdeen, came to America because he was told that he would be killed if he did not leave Scotland. So, after being encouraged by William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, to come to America where he could worship the Lord freely John came to America and upon the endorsement of William Penn served as the Governor of West New Jersey from 1684 to April 1692. Today, John’s descendants can be likened to the sands of the sea – his descendants are many.
In the following Email that I sent to myself on August 17, 2023 over a month before I left for Israel and Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, I asked myself the question, if Hezbollah’s terrorists would attack the Galilee and/or be “bold enough” to attempt to cross the border into Metulla while I was still in Metulla?
In response to the question, I asked myself in my email of August 17, 2023, to make a point rather than to elicit an answer, if Hezbollah would attack the Galilee or be bold enough to try and cross over the border while I was in the Galilee: the answer is YES!.
The answer is YES – Hezbollah was that bold – however, to no avail! On October 8, 2023 one day after Hamas attacked Israel in the south, while I was still in Metulla, Hezbollah started to bombard the Galilee with Rockets. And, eleven months later as I am writing this chapter those attacks on the Galilee are ongoing.
And, on October 7, 2023 within hours after Hamas attacked Israel Hezbollah was that bold; however, their attempt to breach the Borders of Metulla were thwarted by the IDF who fired upon them!
According to a news article and video https://twitter.com/i/status/1710654684644389322 posted by “i24NEWS English” and “The Jerusalem Post” a large group of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles tried to breach Metulla’s borders on October 7 while I was still in Metulla. The news article and video confirm my “Word of Knowledge”/prophecy in this email I sent to myself on August 17, 2023 where I ask the question meant to make a point rather than to just elicit an answer, if Hezbollah’s terrorists would be “bold enough” to attempt to cross the border into Metulla while I was still in Metulla? And, the video posted on line by both the Jerusalem Post and X (formerly Twitter) confirms they were that bold but failed in their attempts!
The IDF thwarted Hezbollah’s attempt to breach the border while I was still in Metulla. On October 7, 2023 while I was still in Metulla, Israel, when a Convoy of Hezbollah Terrorist tried to breach Metulla’s Borders on the day Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the IDF thwarted their attempts. Had Hezbollah been successful and breached the Borders of Israel, like all the 2,000 residents of Metulla, my life would have been at risk as Hezbollah would have shown mercy to no one.
This is just one of many examples of God’s Faithfulness and Mercy He has shown me – just one example of many when the Lord protected my life.
A copy of the above mentioned email and image of the above mentioned video posted by the Jerusalem Post and X formerly Twitter follows.
The text box with my notes that I added to my email is for the purposes of connecting the dots. |
|
|
The date stamp on the picture to the left confirms that I was in Metulla, Israel when Israel went to war with Hamas.
Throughout this email I explain “why” I am going to Metulla: to push the Principalities operating behind Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Terrorist Organization, back away from the Galilee. Meaning, they wouldn’t be able to put “boots on the ground” as Hamas did in the South on October 7, 2023. There is no doubt that Hamas believed that Hezbollah was going to attack the north as they attacked the south. According to the following news article and video Hezbollah motorcyclists did try and put boots on the ground but were thwarted by the IDF. |
|
|
|
|
According to a news article and video https://twitter.com/i/status/1710654684644389322 posted by “i24NEWS English” and “The Jerusalem Post” a large group of Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles tried to breach Metulla’s borders on October 7 while I was still in Metulla. The news article and video confirm my “Word of Knowledge”/prophecy in this email I sent to myself on August 17, 2023 where I ask the question meant to make a point rather than to elicit an answer if Hezbollah’s terrorists would be “bold enough” to attempt to cross the border into Metulla while I was still in Metulla.
This video confirms they did try, but were thwarted by the IDF. Spiritually it was because they were pushed back in the Name of Jesus!
A larger and more readable copy of the screenshot follows |
|
|
|
I was blessed to find sellers who had original copies of the books that were written by Alexander and John as well as books written about Alexander, John and Lilias by others who personally knew them. These books were also published online. Hence, why I am posting this book online.
350 years ago, in his writings my Scottish Forebear, Alexander, wrote about leaving his testimony for his posterity. And, like my Scottish forebears, Alexander, Lilias and their son John Skene whose line I came through left books and poems that detail their persecutions and trials and who stood in the gateways of their enemies – I too want to leave a record of my Walk with the Lord for my offspring, which is also their offspring.
Psalm 102:18 18 Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. NLT
Like my Scottish Forebears who knew of God’s presence in their lives – I discern God’s presence in my life every day. I can honestly say that I have been to the mountaintop and seen the Glory of the Lord. He is an ever Presence in my Life.
I never understood myself “spiritually” until I found and read the books and poems written by my Scottish forebears. As I read their books and the poems written by Lilias, it was as though they were speaking directly to me as I could relate to everything they had written. And, I know that I know that God will call many of my sons and daughters to walk in the same gifting that He has so blessed me with as well as my Scottish Forebears.
And, it is because what God’s Word reveals about the “Gates of the Enemy” and the “Borders of a Nation” that were established by God are as Relevant Today as they were when the Bible was written that I am writing this book which are really notes to my sons and daughters that I will never meet because I know that the Lord will call many of my spiritual offspring to stand in the gates of their enemies and stand on the borders of the nations!
As the offspring of Forebears who loved the Lord and kept His Commandments I can honestly bear Witness to the Realities of the Second Commandment. As one of a thousand of my Scottish Forebears offspring the Lord has shown me Graciousness and Steadfast Loving Kindness.
Exodus 20:5-6 5 You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments. Amplified Bible
Mark 12:30-31 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’ Amplified Bible
Psalm 102:18 18 Let this be recorded for the generation to come,That a people yet to be created will praise the Lord.
Let it be Written! Hence, the following Book.
The Gates of the Enemy and Spiritual Borders that God has Called me to Stand in Are as Relevant Today as they were when the Bible was Written
Psalm 102:18 18 Let this be recorded for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created will praise the Lord.
Let the Following be Recorded for the Generations to come that a People yet to be born will Praise the Lord who is Worthy of Praise!
God told Abraham his offspring would possess the Gates of their Enemies – Genesis 22:17. And, God told Moses to teach the people that the Borders were Established according to the “Angels of God” – Deuteronomy 31:19 and Deuteronomy 32:8.
This Book is about the “Spiritual Truths” that God’s Word reveals about the “Gates of the Enemy” that as the offspring of Abraham we are to possess and the “Spiritual Truths” about the “Spiritual Borders” of all nations that God established and how they are both as Relevant today as they were when the Bible was written.
This Book covers Events that happened over a period of time all at three different times in the history of the Galilee; however, all three time periods have a bearing on each other spiritually as well as here on earth.
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 is a good reminder that History merely repeats itself and there is nothing new under the sun. And, all too often people forget what happened in the past – verse 11.
Ecclesiastes
1:9-11 9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done
before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10
Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it
is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We
don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one
will remember what we are doing now. NLT The Three Time Periods in the History of the Galilee that give insight into Present-Day Israel are as follows:
Event #1: Events that occurred in the Galilee as recorded in both the Old and New Testament that give insight into the events happening in present-day Galilee.
Event # 2: Events that occurred in the Galilee during parts of the 19th, 20th and 21st Century that have a bearing on why there is War at the Borders that Israel shares with Lebanon and Gaza.
Event #3: Events that occurred in the Galilee in 2022 when Israel and Lebanon signed the “Historic Maritime Agreement and in 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 while I was still in the Galilee, specifically the town of Metulla, Israel’s northernmost Border town that shares a Border with Lebanon.
Hence, the Lebanon Conflict, between Israel and Lebanon that began in 1982 when Israel crossed over the Border into Lebanon and lasted until May 2000 when they withdrew from the Security Zone in south Lebanon that the Israeli Defense Forces used as a buffer to thwart the cross-border attacks from Hezbollah.
In 1982 the Israeli Defense Forces crossed over the Border into south Lebanon to drive out the PLO who attempted to assassinate an Israeli Diplomat and who was constantly shelling northern Israel. It was not until May of 2000 that the Israeli Defense Forces withdrew from the Security Zone in south Lebanon they manned alongside the South Lebanese Army, a Christian Militia, who like Israel were being persecuted by both the PLO, then after the PLO was driven out of south Lebanon, persecuted by Hezbollah.
The South Lebanese Army (SLA) was a Christian Militia who were being persecuted by the PLO and later Hezbollah simply because they were Christians. In time, the SLA came to the aid of the Israelis who were being persecuted along the north borders and in response the IDF came to the aid of the SLA and their families who were being persecuted. And, the IDF allowed the SLA soldiers who had been wounded by the PLO and later Hezbollah to come through the “Fatima Gate” and seek medical attention in Israel. And, their families were allowed to cross through the “Fatima Gate” and find work. Hence, the “Fatima Gate” was known by the Jews and Christians who lived in Lebanon and crossed though this gate as a “Good Gate” because of all the goodwill between the IDF and the SLA.
In May 2000, the Israeli Defense Forces withdrawal from south Lebanon was in accordance with Security Council Resolution 425 to withdraw its military forces from Lebanon. Nonetheless, to this day, Hezbollah claims that the Israelis have not fully withdrawn from the “Borders” of Lebanon and continues to attack Metulla and other communities along the Border Israel shares with Lebanon. Lebanon and Israel remain officially at war!
The root of this conflict goes all the way back to when Sykes and Picot redrew the Borders between Lebanon and Israel. When the Borders were redrawn – then there was War!
The particular events that happened in one specific period of time is not limited to any particular chapter as one period of time has a bearing on the events in another period of time. And, for that reason, to illustrate how all three time periods have a bearing on each other, I include more than one time period in the same chapter as they all relate to one another. And, for that reason there are times that I repeat myself throughout this book. However, there is another reason for repeating myself apart from the above mentioned reasons.
Keeping Ecclesiastes 1:11 in mind that people don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, that no one will remember what we are doing now, like the Apostle Peter, I want to take every opportunity to remind the readers of the specific truths of certain things that I felt the Holy Spirit stressed in my spirit. Given that the spiritual truths of gateways of the enemy are not well understood within the Church, repetition also serves as an effective way to help the reader to “connect the dots” between the Gateways of the Enemy, and the spiritual importance of Spiritual Borders as defined in God’s Word and the major themes presented herein.
2 Peter 1:12-21 12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. 14 For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, 15 so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. 16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when He received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. NLT
The Gates of the Enemy and the Borders Israel Shares with Lebanon both located in the Galilee are as Relevant Today as they were when Jesus Stood in the Gates of the Enemy at Caesarea Philippi where He confronted Satan at the “Gates of Hell” and when Jesus crossed the Border into Tyre and Sidon into Lebanon that is the same Border that Israel shares with president day Lebanon. Matthew 16:12-19; Mark 7:24
I said that to say this, it was not just happenstance that when Hamas attacked the State of Israel on October 7, 2023 that I was at the border in Metulla that Israel shares with Lebanon. |
|
And, it was not just happenstance that on October 6, 2023 I was standing in the “Gate of the Enemy” (The Fatima Gate) at the Border Israel shares with Lebanon on the very same day, after ten years of making plans to attack Israel, the five leaders of Hamas made the decision to attack Israel on the next day – October 7, 2023.
Later in the Book I explain why the “Fatima Gate” is a “Gate of the Enemy” and include an image of the Preview Page in Windows File Explorer as shown above that documents the day and time the above video was made while I was standing in the “Fatima Gate” on October 6, 2023.
And, the Fatima Gate is not the only Gate of the Enemy I stood in while I was staying in Metulla, Israel. The “Gates of Hell” are approximately a 30 minute drive from Metulla.
Like Christ, on September 28, 2023, just ten days before Hamas attacked Israel, I Stood in the Gate of my Enemy at the Gates of Hell: As a descendant of Abraham Jesus stood in the Gateway of the Enemy at the Gates of Hell (Matthew 16:13-20) and declared that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. Like Christ we are to “Spiritually Possess and Stand in the Gates of our Spiritual Enemies” and Turn Satan’s Battle against the Church Away from the Church. Like Christ, I stood in the Gates of Hell at Caesarea Philippi as well as the “Fatima Gate” in Metulla where Israel shares a “Border” with Lebanon. Both are Gates of the Enemy. Following are two pictures of me standing in front of the “Gates of Hell.” |
|
|
|
|
Genesis 22:17 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. KJV
As the Spiritual Seed of Abraham we are to Stand in the Gates of our Spiritual Enemies. In the Name of Jesus, who gave us the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, we have the power and authority to spiritually bind our spiritual enemies and what we bind and lose here on earth is bound and loosed in heaven. As Satan and our spiritual enemies are bound, the Kingdom of Heaven continues to gain ground – and Satan’s Kingdom continues to lose ground. Satan’s kingdom is forever falling from the heavens where the spiritual battles are fought – Genesis 22:17; Matthew 16:13-20; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:1-11; Revelation 20:1-10
What God’s Word reveals about the “Gates of the Enemy” and the “Borders of a Nation” that were established by God are as Relevant Today as they were when the Bible was written
And, that is why anyone, who reads this book will notice that I stress “Gates” and “Borders” over and over again in my writings and it is because of the utmost spiritual importance that the Church understands that what God’s Word teaches about Gates and Borders is really relevant today and will be relevant long after we are gone. And, I know this because of my own personal experiences which I share in this book – with documentation that cannot be refuted.
It’s a teaching that we need to leave for our spiritual offspring as well as others who God calls to “Spiritual Warfare” (Ephesians 6; Revelation 12) because it is not being taught in organized Christianity.
Hence, this is “Why” I am writing this Book” which are really Notes to my sons and daughters that I will never meet. Again, over 350 years ago my Scottish Forebears, who were imprisoned to the point of death because of their testimony unto the Lord, left books and poems as a witness unto the Lord for their posterity.
And, like my Scottish forebears Alexander, Lilias and their son John Skene whose line I came through left books and poems that detail their precautions and trials and who stood in the gateways of their enemies – I too want to leave a record of my Walk with the Lord for my offspring which is also their offspring.
Psalm 102:18 18 Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. NLT
I never understood myself “spiritually” until I found and read the books and poems written by my Scottish forebears. As I read their books and the poems written by Lilias it was as though they were speaking directly to me as I could relate to everything they had written. And, I know that I know that God will call many of my sons and daughters to walk in the same gifting that He has so blessed me with as well as my Scottish Forebears.
Like the Spiritual Poems written by Lilias, my writings are directly related to my own spiritual experiences as well as to the historical events that have taken place in America and Israel during my lifetime. My thoughts would constantly go back to the Biblical accounts of the Galilee where Jesus spent 30 years of His life and like Lilias, the only way I can convey my personal experiences in the Galilee is through the use of Scripture.
And, it is because what God’s Word reveals about the “Gates of the Enemy” and the “Borders of a Nation” that were established by God are as Relevant Today as they were when the Bible was written that I am writing this book which are really notes to my sons and daughters that I will never meet because I know that the Lord will call my spiritual offspring to stand in the gates of their enemies and stand on the borders of the nations!
As you read this book, hopefully it will become clear why I stress “Gates” and “Borders” over and over again in my writings! I repeat myself for the same reason the Apostle Peter did: like the Apostle Peter I will always remind others about these things. That is only right that I should keep on reminding others as long as I live – so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. 2 Peter 1:12-21
And, it is because of my sons and daughters and a people not yet born that will be called by God to be “Spiritual Warriors” (Ephesians 6) and stand in the Gates of the Enemy that I want to record the Biblical Truths about the “Gates of the Enemy” and the Boundaries that God Determined for all nations and peoples.
These are my Notes that I leave to my Sons and Daughters and others yet to be Born Who God will Call to Stand in the Gates of their Enemies and Stand on the Borders of the Nations
These notes are my Testimony unto the Lord because it is by the Blood of the Lamb and the Testimony of the Believers that Principalities are Dislodged from the Heavens. Revelation 12
Psalm 149:6-9 6 Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, 9 to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the LORD! NLT
God’s Word is a Living Word and from my own personal experiences Spiritual Gateways are as relevant today as they were when God told Abraham that his sons and daughters would possess the gateways of their enemies (Genesis 22:17) and Jesus confronted Satan at the “Gates of Hell” in Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:18-19).
And, from my own personal experience the Gates of the Enemy and Spiritual Boundaries are as relevant today as they were when Moses revealed that God established the Boundaries of every nation according to the “Sons of God” (Deuteronomy 32:8) and we know from Job 2:1-2 that the Sons of God is a reference to angels – see Chapter 1.
This is my Witness and Testimony unto the Faithfulness and Goodness of the Lord that the Generation yet Unborn shall Praise the Lord!
To each of us who God has called – to the great host of those who have a ministering spirit – let us be a Witness unto the Lord God Almighty and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and publish the good news and greatness of God’s works.
Psalm 68:11 11The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Psalm 102:18 18 Let this be recorded for the generation yet unborn, that a people yet to be created shall praise the Lord. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
And, how could I possibly write this book without mentioning Grover, my Beloved Brother?
In Memory of Grover Skeens, my Beloved Brother. Seven months before Grover went home to be with the Lord, in October 2009 Grover went with me to the Sea of Galilee. |
|
|
|
And, just as the Lord Calmed the Stormy Sea of Galilee so that its waves were still (Mark 4:35-41), on the day of Grover's death the Lord our God Calmed the Stormy Sea of Grover’s Life. On April 5, 2010 it pleased the Lord our God to bring Grover, a long tossed about vessel upon the waves of many afflictions to the sweet harbor of His everlasting rest where Grover, a man like King David who was after God’s own heart, exchanged the sorrows of time for the joys of eternity. Psalm 107:23-32
I was evacuated to a safe harbor by the Sea of Galilee on October 8, 2023. Psalm 107:23-32. On October 8, 2023, which was the Second day of the War with Hamas, I was evacuated to the Selina Kinneret located by the “Sea of Galilee” away from the Border in Metulla where Israel shares its Border with Lebanon
And, it was here by the Sea of Galilee where Christ Jesus calmed the Sea that God took me to a safe harbor. This is the area where Jesus lived for 30 of His 33 years of life here on earth and where He performed His many miracles. On foot, the Hotel is just minutes away from the Sea of Galilee. The following four pictures are of me at Selina Kinneret by the Sea of the Galilee. |
|
|
|
|
I am standing on the shore of the Galilee which was within walking distance of my room |
|
|
|
|
|
In the picture to the left the two men holding weapons are IDF soldiers who were sent to the Selina Hotel where I was staying by the Sea in case Hezbollah, who was threatening to invade the entire Galilee, was able to infiltrate that far into the Galilee. |
|
|
Jesus the Galilean
Matthew 26:69 69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” NLT
Jesus the Galilean is the very reason why the Galilee is as significant today as it was when Jesus lived in the Galilee and where He performed miracles for 30 years of His life when He walked on the earth. It was here in the Galilee that those walking around in spiritual darkness in the Galilee were the first to see the Great Light of Jesus who said I am the Light of the World.
Isaiah 9:1-2 1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them. Amplified Bible
The Prophet Isaiah prophesied that those Living in the Galilee that were walking around in darkness were the First to see the Great Light of Jesus Christ who is the Light of this World – Isaiah 9:1-2.
John 8:12 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” NLT
The Events in this book in 2023 took place in the Galilee. The present-day events in this book took place in the Upper Galilee by the “Way of the Sea” in the Borderlands of the “Galilee of the Gentiles” in the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (Isaiah 9:1-2) where Jesus lived and began His ministry. Hence, Jesus was known as the Galilean (Matthew 26:69).
Seven hundred years before Christ was born, the Prophet Isaiah Prophesied that the identity and mission of the Messiah were liked with the geographical area of Galilee – specifically, the “Borderlands” of the Galilee of the Gentiles in Upper Galilee – the tribal land of Zebulun and the tribal land of Naphtali that God had held in contempt.
Isaiah’s Prophecy about Jesus the Galilean is key to understanding present-day events in the Galilee and the Church worldwide. The geographical location where the events in this book that occurred at the “Gate of the Good Fence” in Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town is in accordance with Isaiah’s Prophecy that Christ’s life and ministry would be tied to the Galilee where He spent His life and where His public ministry began at the age of thirty. For those reasons we need to keep in mind the many Scriptures in the New Testament that echo Isaiah’s prophecy which tells us that Christ was a Galilean and keep Isaiah’s Prophecy in mind when reading this book as Isaiah’s Prophecy is still relevant not only to the present-day events in the Galilee but the Church, worldwide, as well.
Reading Scripture from a “Geographical” Perspective: Again, seven hundred years before Christ was born the Prophet Isaiah Prophesied that the identity and mission of the Messiah were linked with the geographical area of Galilee – specifically the “Borderlands” of the Galilee of the Gentiles in Upper Galilee – the tribal land of Zebulun and the tribal land of Naphtali that God had held in contempt.
Isaiah 9:1-2 1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them. Amplified Bible
The “Fatima Gate” located in Metulla, Israel, which is a Gateway of the Enemy, was once the “Official Border Crossing Between Israel and Lebanon: The point that I want to make is that it was not just happenstance, but rather by divine appointment that the events in this book, including the 1982-2000 Lebanese Conflict, took place in the geographical regions of the Borderland of the “Galilee of the Gentiles” – By the Way of the Sea because this is where the “Fatima Gate,” named Fatima in honor of her father Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam, by the Muslims living in Lebanon, is located at the border Metulla, Israel shares with Lebanon – hence the “Gate of the Enemy.”
And, even though the IDF withdrew from the Security Zone in May 2000 – and signed the “Historic Maritime Agreement” that settled a maritime border in the Mediterranean Sea between Lebanon and Israel in 2022. Lebanon and Israel remain at odds over the land border – thus they remain “Officially” at War.
Nonetheless, God used all their affliction and trials; all their persecutions and calamities to which the SLA, their families and the IDF and citizens in the north were exposed to and used them for good and brought down the hostiles between the Jews and the Gentiles. Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 2:14-18
God can use all our affliction and trials; all our persecutions and calamities to which we are exposed to work together for good – Romans 8:28
The following explains why the “Fatima Gate,” a Gate of the Enemy, came to be considered a “Good Gate” by the Jews and the Gentiles:
The Lord was able to use all the afflictions and trials; all the persecution and calamities that the SLA, their families and the IDF and those Jewish people living in the north of Israel were suffering at the hands of the PLO and Hezbollah, even though they were numerous and that seemed to last forever – God used them for good.
During the “Lebanon Conflict” that latest from 1982 until 2000, when going back and forth the IDF and SLA would have to cross through the Fatima Gate, which was the Official Border Crossing between Northern Israel in Upper Galilee and Lebanon.
The South Lebanese Army (SLA) was a Christian Militia who were being persecuted by the PLO and later Hezbollah simply because they were Christians. In time, the SLA came to the aid of the Israelis who were being persecuted along the north borders and in response the IDF came to the aid of the SLA and their families who were being persecuted. And, the IDF allowed the SLA soldiers who had been wounded by the PLO and later Hezbollah to come through the “Fatima Gate” and seek medical attention in Israel. And, their families were allowed to cross through the “Fatima Gate” and find work as well as seek medical attention for their families. Hence, the “Fatima Gate” was now the “Good Gate,” at least from the perspective of the IDF and the SLA and their families.
God was able to use all the afflictions, trials, persecutions and threats of death that the Lebanese Christians and the Israelis living in the Galilee were faced with to bring down the walls of hostilities between them and the Jewish people (Ephesians 2:14-18). The Lord will use those things meant for evil for good. For those who are willing to suffer and die for Christ and the South Lebanese Army, a Christian Militia that came to the aid of the IDF were willing to die for Christ – and God used their hardships for His good as well as for the good of the Church.
And, that’s how the “Fatima Gate,” a Gate of the Enemy, came to be known as a “Good Gate” by the Jews and Christians who lived in Lebanon and crossed through this gate. It was the goodwill by both the Jews and the Christian Militia who came to the aid of each other in their time of need. The people of the “State of Israel” will never have a more faithful ally than Christians like those who served in the South Lebanese Army!
Back to Isaiah’s Prophecy: Isaiah’s prophecy was confirmed by the Testimony of the Apostle Matthew. The Apostle Matthew, who like Christ, was a Galilean, echoes Isaiah’s Prophecy and confirms that the identity of the “Great Light” that the Prophet Isaiah spoke of was indeed Jesus Christ. Matthew 4
Matthew reveals that Jesus left for the Galilee and began His Ministry in the regions of the Galilee (Matthew 4:12-16) after His Victory over Satan and John the Baptist had been arrested.
Matthew 4 8Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them;9and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”11Then the devil left Him; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him].
12Now when Jesus heard that John [the Baptist] had been arrested and put in prison, He left for Galilee. 13And leaving Nazareth, He went and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the country of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
15“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee [in the district] of the Gentiles— 16 “The people who were sitting (living) in [spiritual] darkness have seen a great Light,
And for those who were sitting (living) in the land
and shadow of [spiritual and moral] death,
17From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Amplified Bible
In this passage Matthew confirms that Jesus of Nazareth is the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God whose light would dispel the darkness of those living in the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the Galilee and the Galilee of the Gentiles that the Prophet Isaiah spoke of. The mention of the “Galilee of the Gentiles” highlights the fact that the Gospel message is not just for the Jewish people but is for the Gentiles as well.
For those living in the Galilee and the Borderlands of Galilee of the Gentiles that God had held in contempt came the Promise of Salvation for both the Jew and the Gentile.
Understanding the geographical references as well as the historical circumstances at the time Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 4:12-17 were written is key if we want to understand the point both Isaiah and Matthew want to make concerning the life and ministry of the Messiah, which the Apostle Matthew identifies as Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:12-17).
On Earth as in Heaven: As Christians we know that there is always a spiritual dimension to earthly things. One is not inconsistent with the other as one cannot exist without the other. Anyone who has read the Bible starting with Genesis all the way through Revelation knows that from the beginning of time, geography has played an important part in determining the world as we know it today. Without a doubt, our Biblical past has and continues to have a bearing on the history of mankind. Therefore, geography is fundamental to our understanding of the Bible, otherwise the Prophet Isaiah would not have placed the focus on the geographical areas where Jesus would live and minister throughout His lifetime.
Geographical Prophecies
Geography plays an important role in the life of Christ as it fulfills Geographical Prophecies
Following are four examples of Prophecies that specifically linked Christ to a specific geographical area that were fulfilled in His lifetime.
Matthew 2:13-15 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son. (Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him and called My son out of Egypt.) KJV
Matthew 2:23 23 And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. KJV
Matthew 4:12-17 12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. KJV
Matthew 4:14 is a reference to Isaiah 9:1-2.
Matthew 2:1-6 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” NLT
In Micah’s prophecy as recorded in Micah 5:2-5, both the geographical location and the nature of the Messiah are defined.
Jesus' Galilean Ministry was a Fulfillment of Prophecy
The Apostle Matthew reveals that Christ’s move from Nazareth to Capernaum was in fulfillment of Messianic prophecy – Matthew 4:12-17. Yet, because of their disdain for anyone from the Galilee – the Religious leaders in Jerusalem failed to accept Isaiah’s prophecy as recorded in Isaiah 9:1-2.
Elijah: And, it’s Significant that Elijah’s Life and Ministry was tied to the same Geographical Regions as Christ: Like Christ whose life and ministry is forever tied to the Galilee, so it was with the great Prophet Elijah. The Transfiguration of Jesus is an example:
The “Mount of Transfiguration” is the mountain upon which Jesus was Transfigured – when His face shone brightly and His clothes became dazzling white. While Scripture remains silent as to whether the mountain was “Tabor” or “Hermon” we know that the Mount of Transfiguration was located in the Galilee – both home to Jesus and Elijah!
In the New Testament, the Gospel writers reveal that along with Moses, Elijah appeared alongside Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration where they spoke with Christ about His death, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Matthew 17:4; Mark 9:5 and Luke 9:33
No doubt that Christ was very well aware of the rich Biblical history of each and every geographical place He went to in His life. Surely, Christ was well aware of the fact that Elijah’s life and ministry, like His, took place in the Galilee. Surely, Christ knew that it was not just happenstance that Elijah’s life and ministry like His were closely aligned to the “geographical regions” that the Prophet Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 9:1-2.
When Geographically linked passages of the Bible like that of Elijah and Jesus build on one another we find that there is a specific lesson that God wants to teach us. Those of us who seek to understand the meaning of the Bible know that to correctly interpret a passage we have to interpret the passage in the context it was written – both its historical and geographical context. The more we understand the geography of Israel the more we will understand the lives of Christ and that great cloud of witnesses that have gone on before us. Hebrews 12:1-2
Later in this book there is a more detailed account of the geographical aspects of Elijah’s life and ministry and the “profound” parallels between the geographical aspects of both their lives and ministry. See the Table of Contents for the Chapters that give a more detailed account of the geographical aspects of Christ’s life and ministry in the Galilee as well as Elijah.
Both the lives and ministry of Elijah and Christ left its mark on the Galilee. Like Jesus’ forebears who travelled through the regions of the Galilee and the Israelites who crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land at the end of their forty years in the wilderness, the lives and ministry of both Elijah and Christ have helped shape the Galilee as to what it is today.
The “Spiritual Journey” that still has an Impact on the World began when God Commanded Abraham (one of Jesus’ Forebears) to leave his Native Country and go to the Geographical Regions of Canaan: The Lord said to Abram… Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever” (Genesis 13:14-15).
God gave Canaan, the Land of Promise, to Abraham and “his descendants” and it was here that Christ a descendant of Abraham spent His life and Ministry in the Promised Land that God Promised Abraham on Oath. The Spiritual History of the world is forever connected to the geographical boundaries of the Galilee and the Promised Land – spiritually speaking – the land from which all the events in history occurred and continues to occur. And, the geographical journey that began when Abram left his native country to go to Canaan still has a profound impact on the world today! Just ask the international community as well as anyone in Israel.
Ezekiel 5:5 "Thus says the Lord GOD: 'This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. NKJV
From God’s point of view Jerusalem is located in the “Midst of the Nations” and is at the center of the whole earth. Ezekiel 5:5 reveals the “Spiritual Status” and the “Spiritual Location” of Jerusalem in the geography as well as the history, of the ancient Middle East.
The Spiritual Aspects of Geography: For many, religion and geography seem to have little in common with one another. However, quite the contrary! Upon a closer examination of the Scriptures, since the creation of time beginning with Genesis when God created the “Heavens and the Earth,” God has been weaving His Kingdom purposes and plan of salvation into the geography of the world – hence, the spiritual aspects of the historical events that take place inside each particular geographical area.
Again, Isaiah’s prophecy will forever tie the ministry of Christ the Galilean to the Galilee of the Northern Kingdom in the Galilee. Isaiah laid out the geographical areas – and in the New Testament the Apostles reveal the events that took place within those specific geographical areas.
Just as Genesis 13:14-15 has a bearing on the boundaries of Israel – the geographical areas of Isaiah 9:1-2 have a bearing on Christianity today.
God is Creator of Heaven and the Earth: Genesis 1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth: From the beginning God made a connection between the “Spiritual” (the heavens) and “Geography” (the natural features – the characteristics of the earth).
Genesis 13:14-15 14 After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD. NLT
Genesis 12-13 reveals that just as the Lord told him – Abram left his native country and set out on a journey that is still making history and will continue to make history until the Lord returns. It was not just any piece of land – it was the land that the Lord showed Abram – specifically the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:1
Genesis 12:1-3 1 Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. 3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
It was not just any piece of land – it was the land that the Lord showed Abram – specifically the land of Canaan
Jewish Identity has and always will be tied to the Land: We know from Genesis 12 through Genesis 13 that the geography of the land of Israel is central to Judaism. For example, according to Jewish Law – the Jewish people are commanded to go up to Jerusalem every year to celebrate the “Feasts of the Lord” Deuteronomy 16:16. Every student of Scripture knows that the law and its traditions as outlined in Scripture were tied to the land of Israel.
It is important to understand that God gave Canaan, and only Canaan, to the Israelites as the Promised Land. More to the point, there was no other geographical area that the Israelites could build the Temple or offer sacrifices. The Temple and the worship of the Lord was and is tied to Canaan and that is why the third Temple that is yet to be built will be in the exact same geographical area as the other two temples. (Ezekiel 40-48)
Present-day Israel: The Israelites continue to believe in the Promise that God made to Abraham thousands of years ago and have fought many battles over the very land that God showed Abraham in Genesis 13:14-15 and that Jesus walked on.
Israel Declared its Independence on May 15, 1948: Hence, “Israel’s War of Independence.” Israel fought against five Arab nations to win their independence and to be set free from the British whose mandate they were under to become what is now known as the Nation of Israel. They fought for their Independence in 1948 because they believed that they were fighting for the land they knew God gave to their Forefathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
And, there is no doubt that the Geographical Areas that the Prophet spoke of in Isaiah 9:1-2 are still Relevant Today – just ask anyone in the International Community or anyone living in that region.
Let us rejoice in His presence and sing praises to the Lord who causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them. Let us publish the good news and tell everyone about God’s sovereignty and power over Israel – how He used the 1982-2000 border war between Israel and the Terrorist Organizations, the PLO and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, that were operating from inside south Lebanon to attack both northern Israel and the South Lebanese Army, a Christian Militia to turn the battle away from the South Lebanese Army who became one of Israel’s Greatest Christian Allies in the “Borderlands of the Upper Galilee” by the “Way of the Sea” to break down the walls of hostility between the IDF and Lebanon’s Christian Militia.
The relationship between the Jews and the SLA (whose Founder and leaders were Christians) is an incredible story of divine intervention. It is a story of a love and unity between the Jew and the Christian SLA that brought down the walls of hostility that took place in the “Borderlands of the Upper Galilee” by the “Way of the Sea,” a place dear to the heart of Jesus Christ who spent His life in the Galilee and who brought down the walls of hostility between the Jew and Gentile living in the “Galilee of the Gentiles”
Spirit-led Christians will always be Israel’s Greatest Spiritual Ally because Christ’s death on the Cross broke down the Dividing Walls of Hostility making us one Body. Spirit-led Christians like SLA leader Major Haddad and his Christian Militia will always be Israel’s Most Trustworthy, Unshakable and Devoted Spiritual Allies. Ephesians 2:14-18
Each of us who God gives a Word – to the great host of those who have a ministering spirit – let us be a Witness unto Him and publish the good news and greatness of God’s works.
Psalm 68:11 11The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Hamas and Israel: Concerning the present-day war between Hamas and Israel I want to go back to the Biblical Principles of Spiritual Gateways and Spiritual Borders as it relates to Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
On Earth as in Heaven: Again, the “Spiritual Gateways of the Enemy that we are to Stand in” (Genesis 22:17; Matthew 16:18-19) and both the “Spiritual and Earthly “Borders” that God established for each nation (Deuteronomy 32:8 and Acts 17:26) those Biblical Principles are still relevant today and had a bearing on why Hamas attacked Israel on the Border Gaza shares with Israel.
Hence, the Border Wars in Israel between Gaza and Israel who share a border in the south of Israel and between Lebanon and Israel who share a border in the north of Israel.
The conflict at the Lebanese-Israeli Border between Hezbollah and Israel isn't just about Gaza. The conflicts between Lebanon and Israel are multifaceted and complex. For the purposes of this book the conflict I want to focus is the conflict between Israel and Lebanon from 1982 to 2000 when the IDF withdrew from the Security Zone in south Lebanon where alongside their Christian Allies, the Lebanese Christian Militia they manned the Security Zone in an effort to stop Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks against Israel’s civilians living in the northern communities.
In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon after the PLO whose stronghold was in south Lebanon attempted to assassinate Shlomo Argov, Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
After many years of the PLO’s cross-border attacks on civilians living in the Border Communities in the north the assassination attempt was the last straw for Israel.
The assassination attempt on Israel’s diplomat to the United Kingdom led to the 1982 Lebanon War and this led to the defeat of the PLO who then withdrew from south Lebanon. However, the PLO’s withdrawal from south Lebanon only opened the door for Hezbollah to establish their stronghold in south Lebanon that shares a Border with Israel, which they hold to this day.
To this day, Lebanon and Israel are “Officially at War.”
Even though the IDF withdrew from the Security Zone in Lebanon in 2000 and a 2006 U.N. resolution 1701 that calls for Hezbollah to pull further back from the Israeli border, Hezbollah refuses to so. Hezbollah and Lebanon claim that Israel is still occupying land that belongs to Lebanon and they are determined to reclaim land near the border they believe is occupied by Israel and part of that land is Metulla.
The Gates of Hell will not Prevail against the Church
We are to “Possess the Gates of our Spiritual Enemies” and Turn the Battle against the Church away from the Gate. While standing in the “Gates of Hell,” Jesus told His Disciples that the “Gates of Hell” would not prevail against His Church and whatever is bound and loosed on earth is bound and loosed in heaven. Genesis 22:17, Isaiah 28:6, Matthew 16:13-20
Open up you Ancient Gates and let the King of Glory Enter Who is the King of Glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies – He is the King of Glory! Psalm 24:10; Amos 4:13; Romans 9:29
Beginning with God’s Promise to Abraham that his descendants would possess the Gates of their enemies, Gates are mentioned throughout Scripture. Matthew 16 records one such account. Matthew reveals that Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, boldly walked up to the “Gates of Hell” in Caesarea Philippi in the Upper Galilee and declared to His spiritual enemies and the spiritual forces of evil that reside in the spiritual realm that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church that had its beginnings in the Galilee. As a descendant of Abraham, Jesus took possession of the gates of His spiritual enemies just as the Lord told Abraham. Genesis 22:17.
Like Christ we are to “Spiritually Possess and Stand in the Gates of our Spiritual Enemies” and Turn Satan’s Battle Against the Church Away from the Church. And, like Christ, I stood in the Gates of Hell at Caesarea Philippi, which I discuss in another Chapter.
In other chapters I provide documentation of the time I stood in the Gateway of the Iranian Embassy after Iran’s diplomats had been asked to leave the United States and the Iranian Embassy was then rented out to a Christian Ministry. On May 22/23 as the IDF “unexpectedly” withdrew from the Security Zone back onto Israeli soil I stood in the Gateway of the Iranian Embassy as the IDF literally crossed through the Fatima Gate, the Gate of the Enemy, in Metulla, back onto Israeli soil. As I stood in the Gateway of the Iranian Embassy the Lord instructed me to bind the principalities operating behind Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Terrorist Organization from attacking the IDF as they “unexpectedly” withdrew from Lebanon back into Israel through the Fatima Gate. It was only years later after classified documents were declassified that we found out why the IDF “unexpectedly” withdrew while I was standing in the Gate of the Enemy here in America praying for their safe withdrawal. On the morning of May 22, 2000 the IDF’s intelligence found out that Hezbollah was planning an inferno at the Fatima/Good Gate as the IDF withdrew on what they thought would be July 7. Their plans were thwarted by the Prime Minister of Israel after he received an intelligence report on the morning of May 22, 2000 concerning Hezbollah’s plans and began the withdrawal on May 22, 2000 while I was standing in the Gate of the Enemy at the Iranian Embassy. Needless to say, it was not just happenstance that the Lord had me standing in the Gateway of the Iranian Embassy on May 22, 2000. Details and documentation are included in another chapter.
Since, May 2000, I went to Metulla in 2022 and in October 2023, literally stood in the Fatima Gate at the Good Fence on October 6 2023 – the very day that it was reported that Hamas planned to attack Israel on October 7, 2023 – the very gate that the IDF withdrew through in May 2000.
As the Spiritual Seed of Abraham we are to Stand in the Gates of our Spiritual Enemies. In the Name of Jesus who gave us the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven we have the power and authority to spiritually bind our spiritual enemies and what we bind here on earth is bound in heaven. As Satan and our spiritual enemies are bound the Kingdom of Heaven continues to gain ground – and Satan’s Kingdom continues to lose ground. Satan’s kingdom is forever falling from the heavens where the spiritual battles are fought – Genesis 22:17; Matthew 16:13-20; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:1-11; Revelation 20:1-10
Until his final defeat, every time we stand in the Gates of our spiritual enemies and take possession of that gate and in the Name of Jesus take authority over the devils or cast out a demon, heal the sick or lead someone to Christ, the power of Satan and all our spiritual enemies in the heavenly realm is weakened. Every time a Christian takes authority over the Kingdom of Darkness we know that Satan falls as a Flash of Lightening falls from heaven and he will continue to fall out of Heaven where the spiritual battles takes place. Until his final defeat Satan is continually falling. As we gain ground – Satan looses ground. Genesis 22:17; Luke 10:1-20; Ephesians 6
As already mentioned, as a spiritual descendant of Abraham I stood in the “Fatima Gate,” the Gate of the Enemy, in the Galilee where the “Gates of Hell” are located and where Christ lived throughout His life here on earth. I Stood in the Gate that our spiritual enemies call the “Fatima Gate” in honor of Mohammad’s Daughter at the Border Israel shares with Lebanon where God brought down the Hostilities between the Jew and the Gentile when the IDF, with the help of their Christian Allies the South Lebanese Army (SLA), maintained the Security Zone inside Lebanon’s Borders.
In 2000 a Christian Ministry was Occupying the Iranian Embassy that the State Department had rented to them after the Iranian Diplomats had been told to leave the United States – and that opened the door for me to stand in the Gateway of the Enemy as the Embassy was still owned by Iran. In my book I provide a copy of the formal invitation to come to the Iranian Embassy, now occupied by a Christian Ministry, on May 22, 2000. In addition I have included a picture of me standing in the doorway of the Iranian Embassy on that date, as well as newspaper articles documenting that the IDF and members of the SLA who were expected to withdraw from the Security Zone in Lebanon on July 7, 2000 “unexpectedly” withdrew from Lebanon on May 22 while I was at the Iranian Embassy interceding for their safe withdrawal. And, the “unexpected” decision to withdraw beginning on May 22, 2000 was not made by the Prime Minister of Israel until the morning of May 22.
These documents all support and confirm that when we stand in the Gateways of our Spiritual Enemies, when and where God identifies for us to stand, that He will move on behalf of the Church and that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. And, that is why God opened the door for me to go to the Iranian Embassy on May 22, 2000 – to advance against Satan and bind Satan and the devils operating through Hezbollah the Iranian-backed terrorists “Before” they could attack the IDF as they withdrew from Lebanon on what the international community believed was July 7, 2000.
On May 22, 2000 as I literally stood in the Gateway of the Iranian Embassy in Washington, D.C. in the Name of Jesus I bound the spiritual enemies of the Church operating through Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist group, from attacking the IDF and SLA, Israel’s Christian Ally, as they withdrew from Lebanon’s Security Zone in what the international community believed would be on July 7. However, after the IDF received intelligence reports on the morning of the day that I was at the Iranian Embassy that Hezbollah was planning on creating an inferno as the IDF withdrew on July 7, the IDF much to everyone’s surprise, including the IDF, Unexpectedly” withdrew from southern Lebanon as I was interceding in the Gates of the Iranian Embassy on their behalf that God would thwart Hezbollah’s and Iran’s plans. Only God could have placed me at the Iranian Embassy as the IDF was literally withdrawing from Lebanon because not even the Prime Minister knew until the morning of May 22 of Hezbollah’s plans. Yet, the postmark on the copy of the envelope and the invitation to the Iranian Embassy included in my book will verify that the invitation was mailed to me over a week before the IDF learned of Hezbollah’s plans to create an inferno as the IDF crossed through the Fatima Gate.
Since the days of John the Baptist the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing withstanding the violent assault against the Kingdom of Heaven. As Christians, when God identifies a Gateway of the Enemy, like Christ, we are to take the initiative and advance against Satan and the Gates of Hell and bind Satan and his devils “Before” they advance against the Kingdom of Heaven. Before they can attack the IDF and their Christian Allies the South Lebanese Army (Matthew 11:12)
And, on October 11, 2022 the day Israel and Lebanon unexpectedly signed the “Historic Maritime Agreement” the Lord opened the door for me to literally go to Metulla, Israel located in the Galilee and stand at the “Good Fence” on the Border that separates Israel from Lebanon and speak a creative word into the spiritual realm. The portion of the “Good Fence” where I am pictured standing is within walking distance of the “Fatima Gate” named in honor of Mohammad’s daughter – hence, the Gate of the Enemy at the Border. And, on October 11, 2022, once again a war between Israel and Hezbollah was thwarted. |
|
|
|
|
It wasn’t until October 2023 that the Lord opened the door for me to speak a creative word into the spiritual realm at the “Fatima Gate” on October 6, 2023, which was the same day that Hamas attacked made the decision to attack Israel on October 7, 2023 that would dislodge principalities from within the dominion of the Prince and Kings of Persia (modern-day Iran).
|
|
Before examining the spiritual aspects of the many Gates mentioned throughout Scripture beginning with God’s promise to Abraham that his offspring would possess the gates of their enemies to the twelve gates mentioned in Revelation 21:10-21 that will come down from heaven that only the righteous can enter, I want to begin with a brief account of the spiritual aspects of the Gate located between Israel and Lebanon that served as the official border crossing that separated the portion of the Galilee in northern Israel from southern Lebanon from 1982 until May 2000 when the IDF left the Security Zone in south Lebanon that they were maintaining because it continues to be of great spiritual significance in the world as we know it today.
By Way of History:
I want to add the following to the above regarding the Lebanon Conflict that lasted from 1982-2000. As already noted the Lord used the Israeli Defense Forces alongside Lebanon’s Liberation Army, a Christian Militia and Israel’s Christian Ally to Turn their Battle with the PLO and Hezbollah away from Israel’s northern border they share with Lebanon’s southern border. The PLO and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, enemies of both Israel and the Christians living in south Lebanon, were operating from just inside south Lebanon to attack both northern Israel and the South Lebanese Army under the leadership of Major Haddad, a Christian who led his Christian Militia. And, it was here at the “Gate” of the “Good Fence” in Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town in the Galilee where the IDF and the SLA would meet that the Lord used the IDF, who with the help of the SLA set up a “Security Zone” inside south Lebanon, to turn the Battle between Israel and the Terrorist Organizations, the PLO and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah away from both Metulla and the South Lebanese Army became one of Israel’s Greatest Christian Allies.
Again, Metulla is Israel’s northernmost town located in the Upper Galilee and it was here in Metulla at the “Gate” of the “Good Fence” the Official Border Crossing between Northern Israel and South Lebanon where the IDF and SLA would meet that the Lord used the 1982-2000 Conflict between Israel and the Terrorist Organizations operating from inside Lebanon to attack both the Galilee, specifically the town of Metulla, in northern Israel and the South Lebanese Christian Militia to bring down the Walls of Hostility between the Jews and the South Lebanese Army, a Christian Militia made up of Gentiles, living on either side of the “Fatima Gate” in the Borderland of the “Galilee of the Gentiles” – By the Way of the Sea where the Prophet Isaiah prophesied that the people living in darkness would be the first to see the great Light of the promised Messiah – Isaiah 9:1-2; Ephesians 2:14-18
The “Fatima Gate”: Again, even though the Fatima Gate was a Gate of the Enemy – from 1982-2000, this gate of the enemy, located at the “Good Fence” that separated Lebanon from Metulla, Israel was used by the Israelis and Americans ministering in the area for good – according to God’s will. Again, the “Fatima Gate” was named Fatima by the Lebanese Muslims living on the other side of the border from Metulla in honor of the Prophet Mohammed’s favorite daughter – hence, the Gate of the Enemy.
Given that the followers of Islam believe that Muhammad was a descendant of Hagar’s son “Ishmael” the slave son born to Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s handmaiden, who was sent away because he persecuted Isaac, Sarah’s son who was the son of promise we know the Fatima Gate identifies a gateway of the enemy because Scripture tells us that the offspring of the slave woman (Hagar) will always persecute the offspring of the free woman (Sarah) and will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son. And, history as well as current events bears witness that the offspring of Ishmael has and continues to persecute both the Jewish people as well as all Christians.
George Otis and Major Haddad: two remarkable Christians who preceded me that God called to stand in the Fatima Gate. As you read further into this book you will find the most amazing account of two men who God called to stand in the Fatima Gate, the Gate of their Spiritual enemies, at the border crossing that Israel shares with Lebanon: George Otis, a Christian from California and Major Haddad, the Christian leader of the South Lebanese Army who led the Christian Militia that fought alongside the IDF to defend northern Israel and the Christians living in south Lebanon.
Their friendship was life-changing and even though both men have gone home to be with the Lord, the work they sowed into the kingdom still has an effect on the world today. The account of these two remarkable men is found in several chapters of this book.
The gate of the enemy at the Good Fence, known as the Fatima Gate, is an example of “Why” we are to stand in the Spiritual Gates of our Enemies. God can use the Gate of our enemies as a “Good Gate” for His eternal purposes when we stand in the gates of our enemies as God reveals to us where the gates of our enemies are located.
Both Jesus and the Prophet Elijah left the Galilee and Crossed over into the Borders (Gates) of Biblical Tyre and Sidon: And, that brings me to Jesus and the Prophet Elijah who also stood in the Gates of Ishmael’s offspring who lived in ancient Lebanon during the time the Bible was written, specifically Tyre and Sidon the hometown of Jezebel, the daughter of the King of the Ziodonians who also served as the priest of the pagan goddess Ashtaroth. Jezebel became the wife of King Ahab who, according to Scripture alongside Jezebel, did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him (1 Kings 16:30-33)
According to 1 Kings 17 it was God’s will for Elijah to leave the Galilee and go to Sidon, the hometown of Jezebel, Elijah’s mortal enemy. And, while standing in the Gate of Israel’s enemy Elijah met the widow of Zarephath who, according to God’s will, would care for Elijah until the three year drought was over.
Jezebel, who had been killing God’s Prophets above all others, wanted Elijah dead. However, just as God used the Fatima Gate for good – God used the Sidonian Gate for good because that is where Elijah met the Sidonian widow who according to God’s will would hide and care for Elijah throughout the drought. It was in Jezebel’s home town of Sidon where Elijah first encountered the widow of Zarephath standing in the Gate of his Enemy, Jezebel. It’s ironic that God hid Elijah in the last place that either King Ahab or his wife Jezebel would look for Elijah and used a woman from Jezebel’s own home country to protect and provide for Elijah.
Mark 7:24-31 reveals that like Elijah, Jesus left the Galilee and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon to the same region that God had sent Elijah where he met the Zarephath widow in the Gate. Considering that Tyre, a town on the Mediterranean coast is only 12 miles north of the border Lebanon shares with Israel and 20 miles south of Sidon, it is entirely possible and more than likely that when Elijah and Christ left the Galilee and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon that they travelled through modern-day Metulla when they left the Galilee and crossed over into the borders of Tyre and Sidon.
And, that begs the question, did Elijah and Jesus cross over into the borders of Tyre and Sidon through the same geographical crossing where George Otis and Major Haddad crossed when going back and forth from the Galilee to Lebanon through the “Fatima Gate” at the “Good Fence?” The same Gate that I stood at on October 11, 2022 when Israel and Lebanon signed their “Historic Maritime Agreement;” the same Fence and Gate I stood at on October 6, 2023 the same day that the leaders of Hamas made the decision after ten years of planning to attack Israel the next day on October 7, 2023; and again, the same Fence and Gate I stood at on October 7, 2023 when Hamas actually attacked Israel?
Did Christ cross over from Israel into the Borders of Lebanon through the same geographical location where the “Fatima Gate” is today – that the Lord had me to stand in? Considering that the Lord would direct the Patriarchs as well as others to retrace the footsteps of their forefathers it is entirely possible and more than likely. |
|
|
Today, the Fatima Gate looks quite different than the “Fatima Gate” that George Otis, Major Haddad and the IDF went through while the IDF occupied a “Security Zone” inside the borders of Lebanon from 1982 until 2000 when they withdrew from the Security Zone. The structure of the Gate may look different however the Gate I stood in is located in the same geographical location where the “Fatima Gate” was located from 1982-2000.
|
|
|
It was not happenstance that I stood on the Border that Israel shares with Lebanon on October 11, 2022 – the same day that Israel and Lebanon actually signed the Historic Maritime Border Agreement after ten years of negotiations. No one knew they were going to sign the agreement on October 11 until after they actually signed the agreement.
It was a Divine Appointment according to God’s Perfect Timing that I travelled all the way from America to stand at the “Border” that Israel and Lebanon share. I could not have known beforehand that Israel and Lebanon would actually sign the Histroic Maritime Border Agreement on October 11, 2023. Until October 11, 2023 not even Israel or Lebanon knew! The Stamp on the picture confirms that on October 11, 2022 on the same day when Israel and Lebanon signed their Historic Boundary Agreement I was in Metulla at the Border that Israel shares with Lebanon.
In this picture Metulla, Israel is in front of me and you can see Lebanon behind me just on the other side of the fence.
|
|
The Voice of Hope: It was here on the war-torn battlefields of Lebanon, against all odds, that George Otis and Major Haddad built a radio station that broadcast “The Voice of Hope” – the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout south Lebanon that is now heard on every continent in the world – fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
The Voice of Hope is another good work God began in George Otis and is continuing to this day down by the Sea of Galilee where the Voice of Hope is being broadcast.
The “Voice of Hope” – the good work God began in George Otis is continuing to this day: The “Voice of Hope” is another Prophecy being Fulfilled in the Galilee of the Gentiles by the Sea of the Galilee: The “Great Light” that the Prophet Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 9:1-2 is once again shining bright in the Galilee of the Gentiles!
In an “Unprecedented” decision made by the Israeli government in 2017 the Israeli government decided to support the reestablishment of the Voice of Hope by granting a radio broadcast frequency to an evangelical Christian network. This is the “first” time the government of Israel has granted anyone to broadcast the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Israeli soil.
The radio station is a continuation of the Voice of Hope, which was established in 1979 by George Otis, and was broadcast from southern Lebanon for nearly 20 years until 2000 when the Israeli Defense Forces left Lebanon. At the time, the Israeli government would not allow the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be broadcast from Israeli soil, so George Otis built his radio station on the war-torn battlefields of Lebanon.
Scripture tells us that God will complete a good work – and that good work God began in George Otis is now continuing and will continue until the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. NLT
The “Voice of Hope” radio station founded by George Otis in Lebanon is now located on the “Shore of the Sea of Galilee” where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is continuing to be heard throughout the Middle East. The people walking about in darkness in the “Land of the Shadow of Death” are now seeing the “Great Light” of Jesus Christ that the prophet Isaiah spoke of.
Isaiah 9:1-2 reads
Isaiah 9:1-2 1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
According to an article published by the Jerusalem Post on April 2, 2017, “This radio station exemplifies the deep connection and unique bond that Israel has with the American people and between Jews and Christians.” Just as the “Voice of Hope” brought down the dividing walls of hostility when operated by George Otis – so it is today.
Ephesians 2:14 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. NLT |
|
Voice of Hope station to broadcast to entire Middle East
Evangelical radio gets Israeli go-ahead. By BENJAMIN GLATTAPRIL 2, 2017 20:51 The Israeli government allocated a radio broadcast frequency to an American-Christian evangelical radio network that will broadcast across the Middle East. In an unprecedented decision last week, Communications Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, finalized the deal to put the radio on the air.“This radio station exemplifies the deep connection and unique bond that Israel has with the American people and between Jews and Christians,” he said. “We are certain that the message of hope that will be brought by the station will be an uplifting tool and a benefit to our neighbors. “The State of Israel supports any message of peace to the people in neighboring countries and this is why we decided to support the reestablishment of the Voice of Hope.”This is the first time a Christian broadcast frequency has been granted in Israel and the first domestic radio station with international purpose.The evangelical radio network will broadcast messages of hope and peace to the people in Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Jordan, and will have expanded night-time coverage into Turkey and Egypt.The Voice of Hope – AM 1287 will have broadcasts in Arabic, as well as some in English, which is meant to help the region’s Arab population, much of which is in a dire situation in the countries surrounding Israel and who are under religious persecution in Syria.
The radio station is a continuation of the Voice of Hope, which was established in 1979 by Christian businessman George Otis, and which broadcast until 2000. The new Voice of Hope is owned and operated by Strategic Communications Group, a global Christian Evangelical radio network with radio stations reaching Latin America and Africa.“I am excited that this powerful Christian radio station was licensed by the State of Israel to deliver a message of hope and encouragement to the people of the Middle East,” John Tayloe, the founder and president of the Strategic Communications Group said. “The Voice of Hope is established in support of Christians of the Middle East and is a gift of love from Christians in the United States and Canada.”The Voice of Hope broadcast studios are located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,. The programming will include Christian-Arabic presenters, Arabic Christian music, news, education, drama and inspirational messages.
End of Article |
|
The Prophet Isaiah reveals that at one time God held the Galilee in Contempt However, according to Isaiah the day would come that God would bring honor to the Galilee And those walking about in Darkness in the land of the “Shadow of Death” would see a “Great Light”
And, that day has come!
The Slogan for “The Voice of Hope” Broadcast is,
“From the shore of the Sea of Galilee to all the Middle East … This is the Voice of Hope.”
The “Voice of Hope” is being broadcast from the shores of the Sea of Galilee – not from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. The Honor belongs to the Galilee of the Gentiles where Jesus lived for 30 years of His 33 years of life here on earth.
From this unlikely region, the despised Galilee, would come a light – the light of Jesus Christ (Matthew 4). It was in the despised Galilee that Christ chose to publicly begin His ministry here on earth. It was here in the north of Israel, on the borderland of Israel in the Galilee of the Gentiles where Christ began His ministry
Jesus Revealed Himself as the “Light of the World” – that those who followed Him would not walk in darkness – but shall have the Light of Life
John 8:12 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. KJV
Acts 13:46-48 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. KJV
From the Shores of the Galilee – Prophecy is continuing to come to pass via the “Voice of Hope” Broadcast: For the “first” time in their history, in 2017 the Israeli government assigned a radio broadcast frequency to an American Christian evangelical radio network that will broadcast the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Middle East in Arabic and English. Here from the “Shores of Galilee”, where Jesus lived and taught for 30 of His 33 years here on earth and where the Gospel was shared for the first time – the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is once again being heard from the “Shores of the Galilee.” According to Israel’s national security expert, Communications Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, “This radio station exemplifies the deep connection and unique bond that Israel has with the American people and between Jews and Christians.” He went to say that this radio station is “the reestablishment of the Voice of Hope.”
The Slogan for “The Voice of Hope” Broadcast is,
“From the shore of the Sea of Galilee to all the Middle East … This is the Voice of Hope.”
And, we know from Scripture that Jesus Christ IS the “Voice of Hope.”
First and Foremost Christ IS the “Voice of Hope”: The radio station that was given a Broadcast license in 2017 is a continuation of the Voice of Hope, which was established in 1979 by Christian businessman George Otis, and which broadcast until 2000 when the Israeli Defense Forces withdrew from Lebanon. The new Voice of Hope is owned and operated by Strategic Communications Group, a global Christian Evangelical radio network. How fitting it is that that both George Otis and the Strategic Communications Group both named their radio broadcast the “Voice of Hope” because Christ Jesus IS the “Voice of Hope”!
Hope in Christ Jesus is the Anchor of the Christian’s Soul: "Hope” is a fundamental aspect of how we as Christians live our lives. Our “Hope” that is in Christ Jesus is the anchor of the soul.
Hebrews 6:19 19 This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], Amplified Bible
Hebrews 6:19 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, NKJV
Christ; He is the object of our Hope, and Christ is the anchor of the believer's Hope.
Romans 5:5 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. NKJV
Romans 15:13 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NKJV
Christ is the object of the Believer’s Hope and it is in His second coming that the “Hope of Glory” will be fulfilled.
Titus 2:13 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, NKJV
Romans 8:24-25 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. KJV
In 2000 the “Voice of Hope” Broadcast by George Otis was taken off the air after the Israeli Defense Forces left the Security Zone in Lebanon in 2000. Now, in 2017 the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the “Light of the World as well as the “Word,” is once again being Broadcast from a Christian Radio Station in the Galilee. Their Slogan:
“From the shore of the Sea of Galilee to all the Middle East … This is the Voice of Hope.”
The “Voice of Hope” broadcast from the Shores of the Sea of Galilee is a fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecy coming to pass:
Isaiah 9:1-2 1But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them. Amplified Bible
Isaiah 9:1-2 1 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. HCSB
Matthew 4:12-17 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went to Galilee. 13 But instead of staying in Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum. This town was beside Lake Galilee in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 So God's promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had said, 15 "Listen, lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, lands along the road to the sea and east of the Jordan! Listen Galilee, land of the Gentiles! 16 Although your people live in darkness, they will see a bright light. Although they live in the shadow of death, a light will shine on them." 17 Then Jesus started preaching, "Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here." CEV
Matthew tells us that the thirty years of His life that Christ spent in the Galilee was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-2. And, we know from Matthew 4:12-17 that Christ was the “Great Light” that those walking about in darkness in the land of the “Shadow of Death” in the Galilee of the Gentiles saw.
John 1:1-5, 14 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ….. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ESV
In the context of John 1:1 “Word” is a Title of Jesus Christ: The Apostle John reveals that the “Word” that became flesh and dwelt among us existed in the beginning with God. The word “was” suggests a continuous state. The Word was in existence before the beginning of time here on earth and before Creation. The “Word” was “before all things.” Jesus Himself spoke of the glory which he had with the Father – that in the beginning Jesus – the Word of God was with God in the beginning. John 17:5
We know from Scripture that Christ is the “Light of the World” as well as the “Word”
Isaiah 9:1-2 1But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them. Amplified Bible
Those living in the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali in the Galilee who had been oppressed and taken captive by the Assyrians (2 Kings 15:29) are now being honored – the Sea of Galilee is the only geographical region in all of Israel that has a Christian Radio Station. It wasn’t only the Assyrians who oppressed those living in the Galilee. Even King Solomon looked down upon his brothers living in the Galilee. 1 Kings 9:11 reveals that King Solomon gave 20 cities of the Galilee to King Hiram of Tyre who refused the gift as even Hiram considered the land cursed.
1 Kings 9:10-14 10 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house, 11 (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. 12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not. 13 And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day. 14 And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold. (KJV)
What! King Solomon didn’t consider the Land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali part of the “Promised Land.” King Solomon didn’t consider the “Galilee” where Christ spent 30 of His 33 years of life spreading the Good News, healing the sick and setting those under demonic oppression free.
Even those during the time of Jesus questioned whether anything good can from Nazareth (the Galilee). The so-called educated living in Jerusalem looked down on those living in the Galilee as uneducated men.
John 1:43-46 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. 45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. NLT
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:14-16, quoting Isaiah 9:1-2).
Isaiah reveals that the time was coming when God would honor those living in the geographical regions of the land of Naphtali and Zebulun in the Galilee of the Gentiles.
And, the Radio Broadcast of the Gospel of Jesus now being broadcast from the Sea of Galilee is a manifestation of this honor. Over 2,000 years have passed since Christ Himself shared the Gospel and now once again where it all began – the Gospel is once again going forth.
During His 30 years in the Galilee, the land of Naphtali and the land of Zebulun was looked down upon by the Jews in Judea as a place of dishonor. Those living in the Galilee were viewed as uneducated Jews who lived among the Gentiles. Nonetheless, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied that the day would come when the land of Naphtali and the land of Zebulun would be honored.
This honor came to pass with the coming of Jesus Christ who lived 30 of His 33 years of life on earth in the Galilee. It was here in the Galilee that 11 of His 12 Disciples came from. Only, Judas, who betrayed Christ, was from Judea. It was here in the Galilee that much of Jesus’ ministry took place, where He healed the sick and the brokenhearted and released those from the bonds of the devil.
Truly, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a great light had dawned.
The land of Naphtali and the land of Zebulun once despised was where Jesus chose to begin His ministry. And, what does Scripture say: For our sakes, Christ became “despised and rejected by men.”
Isaiah 53:3 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. KJV
The above was a brief account of the spiritual aspects of the “Gates of the Enemy” and Borders in the Galilee. Later in the book I have included several much deserved chapters that go into a much greater detailed account of the relationship between George Otis, Major Haddad and the IDF who travelled back and forth through the Fatima Gate from 1982-2000 including the thousands of Lebanese that crossed through the Fatima Gate seeking medical aid that the Israelis were more than willing to provide – and it is truly an amazing story that continues to bear witness to the spiritual aspects of those who crossed through the Fatima Gate into the Borders of Lebanon and back into the Borders of Israel in the Galilee “by the Way of the Sea,” the geographical regions that can only be fully understood when seen through Isaiah’s Prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2. It was here the people walking about in spiritual darkness were the first to see the Great Light of Jesus who brought down the dividing walls between the Jews and Gentiles.
Isaiah 9:1-2 1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 2The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them. Amplified Bible
Ephesians 2:14-18 14 For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], 15 by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied]; so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thereby establishing peace. 16And [that He] might reconcile them both [Jew and Gentile, united] in one body to God through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility. 17 And He came and preached the good news of peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near. 18 For it is through Him that we both have a [direct] way of approach in one Spirit to the Father. Amplified Bible
More to the point: It was not just happenstance that the events that took place between the IDF and the South Liberation Army, a Christian Militia, took place at the border between Israel and Lebanon that runs through the town of Metulla, Israel’s northernmost town that is located in the Upper Galilee by the Way of the Sea. It was not just happenstance that it was here in Metulla at the “Fatima Gate,” also known as the “Good Fence Crossing,” the former Border Crossing between Northern Israel and South Lebanon where the IDF and SLA would meet that the Lord used the 1982-2000 Conflict between Israel and the Terrorist Organizations operating from inside Lebanon to attack both the Galilee, specifically the town of Metulla, in northern Israel and the South Lebanese Christian Militia to bring down the Walls of Hostility between the Jews and the South Lebanese Army, a Christian Militia made up of Gentiles, living on either side of the “Fatima Gate” in the Borderland of the “Galilee of the Gentiles” – By the Way of the Sea where the Prophet Elijah prophesied that the people living in darkness would be the first to see the great Light of the promised Messiah – Isaiah 9:1-2; Ephesians 2:14-18
Metulla, Israel butts up to the Lebanon Border: Without a doubt, it was not happenstance that I stood at the Border Fence in the vicinity of the “Fatima Gate” on October 11, 2022 in Metulla, Israel on the same day Israel and Lebanon signed the “Historic Maritime Agreement.” Without a doubt, when I travelled all the way from America to stand in Metulla, Israel at the Border Fence that Metulla, Israel shares with Lebanon on October 11, 2022, it was according to God’s Will and His eternal purposes.
On Earth as in Heaven: Without a Doubt there is a connection between Bible Prophecy and Current Events. By turning to God’s Word and Biblical Prophecy, the Lord will bless us with the discernment to understand His purpose for the chaos around us.
Those of us who are led by the Holy Spirit are like the Tribe of Issachar, men with “spiritual discernment.” Their ability to understand the times and what man should do is what the world is in desperate need of and is a gift from the Lord. We know from 1 Chronicles 12 that the men of Issachar understood that Israel ought to make David king of Israel. The men of Issachar, statesmen so to speak, were men of political wisdom who understood the times and knew what to do! Like the men of the Tribe of Issachar we too can find God’s presence in the midst of everyday events.
1 Chronicles 12:32 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; NKJV
Genesis 22:17 17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies [as conquerors]. Amplified Bible
Genesis 24:60 60They blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, Become [the mother of] thousands of ten thousands, And may your descendants possess (conquer) The [city] gate of those who hate them Amplified Bible
Come Lord Jesus Come – Revelation 22: And, Jesus will come when all His enemies have been dislodged from the Heavens (Revelation 12) and His enemies are placed under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
When we stand in a “Spiritual Gateway” Principalities will be Dislodged from the heavens And cast to the earth Where they will find themselves under the feet of Jesus
And Jesus will not return until all the Principalities have been put under His feet
Standing in the Gates
One of the promises that God gave to Abraham was that his descendents would stand (live) in the gates or geographic locations of their enemies. “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” (Genesis 22:17) This, of course, referred to the Promised Land that Abraham’s seed would inherit centuries later. As the spiritual offspring of Abraham, this promise of occupying the enemy’s territory applies to born-again Christians as well. However, Abraham’s descendents, the Israelites, did not occupy the Promised Land without a fight. God gave the Israelites the Promised Land, but they had to forcefully take it. The enemies’ intent is always to remain in a gateway because it is a place of (spiritual) authority.
Therefore, standing in a gateway implies warfare on two different levels: the natural world and the spiritual realm. When a Christian is directed by the Lord to stand in a gateway of the enemy, there will always be a conflict on these two levels, a literal “holy war.” In ancient times, warfare between nations was viewed as warfare between the gods. It was thought that the gods established both geographical and political boundaries. When geographical boundaries were questioned, it reasoned that the national deities were also challenged. Jephthah, a leader of Israel, made it clear (Judges 11:27) that it was the God of Israel that was the Judge over all creation and the gods of the nations, and that it was Yahweh that would decide who the land belonged to. In this context, it is instructive to understand how the Promised Land and its gateway, Jericho, were conquered.
On Earth as in Heaven: We know from Daniel 10:13 and Revelation 12 as the battles here on earth are being fought there is a spiritual conflict going on in the heavens between God’s Armies and the Armies of Satan. Revelation 12:7 reveals that as Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels in the heavens – here on earth the Believers were winning their spiritual battle by the blood of Jesus and their testimony unto Christ. And, because of both battles, the battle in the heavens as well as the one here on earth, Satan and his angels lost their place in the spiritual realm and were thrown to the earth.
Revelation 12:7-12 7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. 10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.” NLT
Until the end of time the spiritual battle is raging in the heavens. And, until the end of time the Christians here on earth will continue to defeat Satan by the blood of Jesus and by their testimony unto Christ – and the fallen angels will continue to be cast out of the heavens – they will be forever falling until the end comes. And, we pray “Come Lord Jesus, Come
We need to keep in mind that even though Christ was victorious at the Cross – Christ will not establish His Kingdom here on earth until after the Gospel has been preached throughout the world and He has put all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). The disciples were instructed to preach the Gospel throughout the world – then the end will come. Matthew 24:14; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Acts 1:6-8
Matthew 24:14 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. NKJV
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 24 After that the end will come, when He will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until He humbles all his enemies beneath His feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under His authority, the Son will put Himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere. NLT
And, when the end comes every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord Philippians 2:11.
Acts 1:6-11 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking Him, “Lord, has the time come for You to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. 10 As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!” NLT
And, that brings me to Ephesians 2:2 and Ephesians 6:12 and those who continue to fight against the purposes of God and His Church and our role in this spiritual battle against the Church.
The Kingdom of Darkness is at War with the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven and all Believers: God’s nature and purposes are multifaceted; however, for the purposes of this study, I want to remind you about what God’s Word reveals about Satan – man’s spiritual enemy. Why? Because Satan, the Prince (political ruler) of this world and the Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) is now at work in the hearts of those who not only refuse to obey God, but who fight against the purposes of God, which means that Satan will fight against us on a personal level (Ephesians 6:12). For this reason Jesus Christ came into this world – to destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8 8 The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. Amplified Bible
Let it be Written: The Apostle Jude wrote to his Brethren out of concern for the Church because certain men who Satan was working through had crept in unnoticed and the Brethren were in danger.
The Book of Jude: The Book of Jude brings to mind what Psalm 102:18 teaches us: “Let it be Written for the Generations to come”: Like Jude I will always share and write about the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that is my heart – to share our common Salvation with other Believers and what Christ has done for us. However we can’t ignore the Biblical truth that Satan and the Kingdom of Darkness exist because Satan will surely work through those who are disobedient and will oppose the Spirit-led Believer.
In the Book of Jude we find that the Apostle Jude wrote to the Brethren out of his concern for the Brethren by committing his thoughts to writing not just for those living at the time – but for future generations. Jude’s Writings gave them permanence – Jude’s Writings that are everlasting and eternal. Our words pass away, but what is written remains – what is written is long-lasting as it was with the Books and Poems written by my Scottish Forebears over 350 years ago. The Book of Judas brings to mind what Psalm 102:18 teaches: “Let it be Written for the Generations to come.”
“This shall be written for the generation to come”:
Jude 1:1-5 1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. NKJV
Again, Jude wrote to his Brethren out of concern for the Church because certain men who Satan was working through had crept in unnoticed and the Brethren were in danger. And, so it is today.
The point I want to make is that like Jude I will always share and write about the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that is my heart – to share our common Salvation with other Believers and what Christ has done for us. However we can’t ignore the Biblical truth that Satan and the Kingdom of Darkness exist because Satan will surely work through those who are disobedient and will oppose the Spirit-led Believer. All throughout the New Testament in their writings the Apostles warned us about our Spiritual Enemies – and the Apostle Paul reminded us that we are in a Spiritual Battle and that we are to put on the Armor of God – Ephesians 6. If it wasn’t so the Apostle Paul, nor Jude or others would have written these things for all generations to come.
The Kingdom of Darkness is at War with the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven and all Believers: God’s nature and purposes are multifaceted; however, and one of the purposes of this Book is to remind the reader about what God’s Word reveals about Satan – man’s spiritual enemy. Why? Because Satan, the Prince (political ruler) of this world and the Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) is now at work in the hearts of those who not only refuse to obey God, but who fight against the purposes of God, which means that Satan will fight against us on a personal level (Ephesians 6:12).
Ephesians 2:2 2 in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. Amplified Bible
Ephesians 2:2 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. NLT
Satan is not confined to being the prince of only the air – the wicked heart of man has proven to be another realm that Satan works in. Just as Satan put it into the heart of Judas to betray Christ (John 13:2; 27), so it is today. Until the end of the age, Satan will use those who refuse to obey God for his evil purposes and work in their hearts.
Ephesians 6:12 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. NLT
It’s not that we don’t have our battles with flesh and blood, because we certainly do have battles with those who refuse to obey God. However, our battle with those that Satan operates through in this world is easy compared with battling and causing the downfall of our invisible enemies who operate through those people that we can see. When we put on the full armor of God and take our stand, we know that Satan and those in his kingdom of darkness will continue to fall like lightening.
We know from Ephesians 2:2 and Ephesians 6:12 that even though Satan’s Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and that the Believers battle is in the spiritual realm, Satan is still able to work through those individuals who, in their disobedience, fight against the purposes of God. Sadly, rebellion against Christ still exists in the world today, not just in the spiritual realm, but in those people who fight against the purposes of God.
Scripture reveals that there are three “spiritual kingdoms:” the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:25-26). Needless to say, the Kingdom of Satan is at war with the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven – hence, the “spiritual battle” that Ephesians 6:12 speaks of.
Standing in Gateways
Gates or gateways in Scripture have both a physical (earthly) and spiritual (heavenly) significance. Spiritual gateways are entryways or portals here on earth where spiritual battles take place. At times, God will reveal to a believer His will for them to physically stand (live) in a spiritual gateway for the purpose of retaking this gateway for the Lord and standing righteously in it on His behalf. This article explores the significance of spiritual gateways and what is required of us if we find ourselves living in a spiritual gateway.
There is a Chapter dedicated to more than just the “Gateway of the Enemy” as there are many other Gateways: For example, the Gates of Heaven
Genesis 28:16-17 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” 17 But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” |