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Erez Soref - The Land As Bride

December 6, 2025 | 29:0

Erez Soref - The Land As Bride
Join Dr. Erez Soref in Why Israel?—a powerful eight-part journey through the greatest love story ever told: God’s covenant relationship with Israel and His invitation to the nations. This profound love still transforms lives today.
#Israel #LoveofGod #Bible #PromisesofGod #KingdomofGod #Salvation #Messiah #JewishHistory #JewishTradition #BibleHistory #Redemption #Restoration #ErezSoref

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| Erez Soref - The Land As Bride | December 6, 2025
  • This ground is the soil
  • 00:00:01.591 --> 00:00:03.226
  • From which our hope sprang forth.
  • 00:00:03.226 --> 00:00:06.029
  • Just imagine, 2,900 years ago,
  • 00:00:06.696 --> 00:00:09.566
  • But there's no ark of the covenant here.
  • 00:00:09.566 --> 00:00:12.402
  • Even in israel's unfaithfulness,
  • 00:00:13.103 --> 00:00:15.405
  • God has remained faithful.
  • 00:00:15.405 --> 00:00:18.341
  • He lives in this land,
  • 00:00:18.842 --> 00:00:20.677
  • And this land was given to the jewish people
  • 00:00:20.677 --> 00:00:24.214
  • By a promise from god.
  • 00:00:24.214 --> 00:00:27.650
  • I am dr. erez soref.
  • 00:00:28.118 --> 00:00:29.919
  • I was born and raised in the heart of israel,
  • 00:00:29.919 --> 00:00:32.622
  • But i never heard the gospel message
  • 00:00:32.622 --> 00:00:35.091
  • Until, on a journey abroad,
  • 00:00:35.091 --> 00:00:37.360
  • My eyes were opened to the jewish messiah.
  • 00:00:37.360 --> 00:00:40.630
  • From that point,
  • 00:00:40.630 --> 00:00:41.998
  • My life has been dedicated
  • 00:00:41.998 --> 00:00:43.967
  • To bringing this gospel back to my people israel,
  • 00:00:43.967 --> 00:00:47.370
  • Equipping them to reach israel
  • 00:00:47.370 --> 00:00:49.672
  • And the world.
  • 00:00:49.672 --> 00:00:51.040
  • Together, as jews and gentiles,
  • 00:00:51.040 --> 00:00:53.476
  • We are one in messiah, one for israel.
  • 00:00:53.476 --> 00:01:14.164
  • The land is precious to god's heart.
  • 00:01:14.964 --> 00:01:17.734
  • God's love for this place
  • 00:01:17.734 --> 00:01:19.169
  • Is like his love
  • 00:01:19.169 --> 00:01:20.003
  • For a person.
  • 00:01:20.003 --> 00:01:21.104
  • This is the land
  • 00:01:21.471 --> 00:01:22.305
  • That god cares for,
  • 00:01:22.305 --> 00:01:23.973
  • That depends on god.
  • 00:01:23.973 --> 00:01:25.508
  • Why?
  • 00:01:25.508 --> 00:01:26.576
  • Because he chose it to be the center
  • 00:01:26.576 --> 00:01:28.845
  • And launching pad of his kingdom on earth.
  • 00:01:28.845 --> 00:01:32.048
  • Israel is the stage and setting
  • 00:01:32.048 --> 00:01:34.083
  • Of god's love story to israel
  • 00:01:34.083 --> 00:01:36.519
  • And love story for the world.
  • 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:38.988
  • But it's more than just a historical setting.
  • 00:01:38.988 --> 00:01:41.658
  • Yeshua cared deeply about the land,
  • 00:01:41.658 --> 00:01:44.227
  • And the land is still part of god's plan.
  • 00:01:44.227 --> 00:01:47.330
  • Our messiah will redeem the jewish people
  • 00:01:47.330 --> 00:01:50.166
  • And restore the jewish homeland.
  • 00:01:50.166 --> 00:01:52.769
  • Isaiah said:
  • 00:01:52.769 --> 00:01:55.071
  • "no longer will they call you
  • 00:01:55.071 --> 00:01:56.372
  • "deserted, or name your land
  • 00:01:56.372 --> 00:01:58.241
  • "desolate. but you
  • 00:01:58.241 --> 00:01:59.676
  • "will be called hephziba
  • 00:01:59.676 --> 00:02:01.511
  • "and your land beulah
  • 00:02:01.511 --> 00:02:03.313
  • "for the lord will take
  • 00:02:03.313 --> 00:02:04.480
  • "delight in you,
  • 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:05.949
  • "and your land will be married,
  • 00:02:05.949 --> 00:02:08.051
  • "as a young man marries
  • 00:02:08.051 --> 00:02:09.352
  • "a young woman,
  • 00:02:09.352 --> 00:02:10.553
  • "so will your builder marry you;
  • 00:02:10.553 --> 00:02:12.889
  • "as a bridegroom rejoices
  • 00:02:12.889 --> 00:02:14.457
  • "over his bride,
  • 00:02:14.457 --> 00:02:15.825
  • "so will your god rejoice
  • 00:02:15.825 --> 00:02:17.961
  • "over you."
  • 00:02:17.961 --> 00:02:19.095
  • The land is further
  • 00:02:19.095 --> 00:02:20.396
  • Personified in the torah,
  • 00:02:20.396 --> 00:02:22.232
  • When god designated rest not only for the people
  • 00:02:22.232 --> 00:02:25.068
  • On the sabbath,
  • 00:02:25.068 --> 00:02:26.135
  • But also the shemitah,
  • 00:02:26.135 --> 00:02:27.837
  • Seventh year rest for the ground.
  • 00:02:27.837 --> 00:02:30.640
  • The scripture also speaks of the land
  • 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:32.742
  • Expelling people out
  • 00:02:32.742 --> 00:02:34.544
  • Because of its sensitivity to sin.
  • 00:02:34.544 --> 00:02:37.247
  • God said that it does not just belong to the people,
  • 00:02:37.247 --> 00:02:40.750
  • But to god himself.
  • 00:02:40.750 --> 00:02:43.186
  • He has a special relationship
  • 00:02:43.186 --> 00:02:45.355
  • With this land.
  • 00:02:45.355 --> 00:02:48.825
  • So we see god cares personally for this place.
  • 00:02:49.792 --> 00:02:53.529
  • But why this place specifically?
  • 00:02:53.529 --> 00:02:55.798
  • Why israel when he could have chosen switzerland
  • 00:02:55.798 --> 00:02:58.635
  • Or japan as his dwelling?
  • 00:02:58.635 --> 00:03:00.603
  • I see it in the same way god chose to love us.
  • 00:03:00.603 --> 00:03:04.274
  • God didn't choose this land for its inherent beauty
  • 00:03:04.274 --> 00:03:06.976
  • Or resources.
  • 00:03:06.976 --> 00:03:08.311
  • He chose to display his name,
  • 00:03:08.311 --> 00:03:10.647
  • His faithfulness in this place.
  • 00:03:10.647 --> 00:03:12.849
  • The position of the land was important.
  • 00:03:12.849 --> 00:03:15.485
  • The land god promised to abraham
  • 00:03:15.485 --> 00:03:17.353
  • Was at the center of the world,
  • 00:03:17.353 --> 00:03:19.489
  • Between africa, europe, and asia,
  • 00:03:19.489 --> 00:03:22.091
  • Right in the middle of the trade routes
  • 00:03:22.091 --> 00:03:24.360
  • And the birthplace of civilization.
  • 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:27.530
  • God positioned abraham and his descendants
  • 00:03:27.530 --> 00:03:30.700
  • To be a witness in this place.
  • 00:03:30.700 --> 00:03:33.670
  • God's kingdom in this land
  • 00:03:33.670 --> 00:03:35.238
  • Was to be a beacon, that flag on a hill,
  • 00:03:35.238 --> 00:03:38.708
  • Demonstrating god's world, god's way.
  • 00:03:38.708 --> 00:03:42.979
  • When moses was leading the israelites
  • 00:03:42.979 --> 00:03:44.847
  • To the land,
  • 00:03:44.847 --> 00:03:46.149
  • God called them a kingdom of priests.
  • 00:03:46.149 --> 00:03:49.285
  • Priests are mediators between god and the people.
  • 00:03:49.285 --> 00:03:53.323
  • And in this land,
  • 00:03:53.323 --> 00:03:54.457
  • God called israel to be a mediator
  • 00:03:54.457 --> 00:03:56.993
  • Between god and the surrounding world.
  • 00:03:56.993 --> 00:03:59.629
  • To say, this is what god looks like.
  • 00:03:59.629 --> 00:04:03.066
  • This is his word, his way,
  • 00:04:03.066 --> 00:04:05.435
  • His faithfulness.
  • 00:04:05.435 --> 00:04:09.539
  • Less than a hundred years ago,
  • 00:04:10.206 --> 00:04:12.008
  • This land looked hopeless.
  • 00:04:12.008 --> 00:04:14.344
  • Visitors, like mark twain,
  • 00:04:14.344 --> 00:04:16.913
  • Famously said:
  • 00:04:16.913 --> 00:04:18.448
  • "there was hardly a tree
  • 00:04:18.448 --> 00:04:19.916
  • "or shrub anywhere.
  • 00:04:19.916 --> 00:04:21.584
  • "even the olive and the cactus,
  • 00:04:21.584 --> 00:04:23.286
  • "those fast friends
  • 00:04:23.286 --> 00:04:24.487
  • "of a worthless soil,
  • 00:04:24.487 --> 00:04:25.955
  • "had almost deserted
  • 00:04:25.955 --> 00:04:27.256
  • "the country."
  • 00:04:27.256 --> 00:04:28.424
  • I wish he could see
  • 00:04:28.424 --> 00:04:29.559
  • What god has done today.
  • 00:04:29.559 --> 00:04:31.928
  • Many in his day doubted israel
  • 00:04:31.928 --> 00:04:33.830
  • Would ever return as a nation.
  • 00:04:33.830 --> 00:04:35.965
  • It seemed impossible
  • 00:04:35.965 --> 00:04:37.300
  • For this once barren land to flourish.
  • 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:39.836
  • Even more impossible that our jewish people,
  • 00:04:39.836 --> 00:04:42.271
  • Scattered and persecuted in exile,
  • 00:04:42.271 --> 00:04:44.340
  • Could ever return to reclaim this land.
  • 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:47.243
  • But as you look around today,
  • 00:04:47.910 --> 00:04:50.113
  • We have seen this ground bloom and flourish again.
  • 00:04:50.113 --> 00:04:53.282
  • We have seen cities, innovation, technology,
  • 00:04:53.282 --> 00:04:56.085
  • And a blossoming economy sprout up overnight.
  • 00:04:56.085 --> 00:04:59.922
  • And here is the point of it all.
  • 00:04:59.922 --> 00:05:02.291
  • It's for god's glory.
  • 00:05:02.291 --> 00:05:04.227
  • We see part of this prophesied in ezekiel
  • 00:05:04.227 --> 00:05:07.196
  • As he says:
  • 00:05:07.196 --> 00:05:09.098
  • "but you, mountains of israel,
  • 00:05:09.732 --> 00:05:11.801
  • "will produce branches and fruit
  • 00:05:11.801 --> 00:05:13.636
  • "for my people israel,
  • 00:05:13.636 --> 00:05:15.405
  • "for they will soon come home.
  • 00:05:15.405 --> 00:05:17.607
  • "i am concerned for you
  • 00:05:17.607 --> 00:05:19.008
  • "and will work on you
  • 00:05:19.008 --> 00:05:19.942
  • "with favor;
  • 00:05:19.942 --> 00:05:21.177
  • "you will be plowed and sown,
  • 00:05:21.177 --> 00:05:23.045
  • "and i will cause many people
  • 00:05:23.045 --> 00:05:24.447
  • "to live on you -
  • 00:05:24.447 --> 00:05:25.681
  • "yes, all of israel."
  • 00:05:25.681 --> 00:05:28.217
  • "the towns will be inhabited,
  • 00:05:28.217 --> 00:05:29.919
  • "and the ruins rebuilt.
  • 00:05:29.919 --> 00:05:31.554
  • "i will increase the number
  • 00:05:31.554 --> 00:05:32.855
  • "of people and animals
  • 00:05:32.855 --> 00:05:34.023
  • "living on you,
  • 00:05:34.023 --> 00:05:35.191
  • "and they will be fruitful
  • 00:05:35.191 --> 00:05:36.692
  • "and become numerous.
  • 00:05:36.692 --> 00:05:38.761
  • "i will settle people on you
  • 00:05:38.761 --> 00:05:40.296
  • "as in the past,
  • 00:05:40.296 --> 00:05:41.497
  • "and will make you prosper
  • 00:05:41.497 --> 00:05:42.865
  • "more than before.
  • 00:05:42.865 --> 00:05:44.367
  • "then you will know
  • 00:05:44.367 --> 00:05:45.802
  • "that i am the lord."
  • 00:05:45.802 --> 00:05:47.904
  • In our day, we are truly without excuse.
  • 00:05:47.904 --> 00:05:51.441
  • Our generation has witnessed this rebirth,
  • 00:05:51.441 --> 00:05:54.310
  • This restoration,
  • 00:05:54.310 --> 00:05:55.812
  • And god is calling out to the nations.
  • 00:05:55.812 --> 00:05:58.014
  • Do you see my faithfulness
  • 00:05:58.581 --> 00:06:00.149
  • To the hills of israel?
  • 00:06:00.149 --> 00:06:01.617
  • Do you see my faithfulness to my word?
  • 00:06:01.617 --> 00:06:04.620
  • God is showcasing his great power
  • 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:07.490
  • And his great name here,
  • 00:06:07.490 --> 00:06:09.392
  • Through the mountains and fields,
  • 00:06:09.392 --> 00:06:11.160
  • Through the restoration of this land.
  • 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:13.529
  • When i look at the restoration of israel today,
  • 00:06:13.529 --> 00:06:16.165
  • I think of a good principle in prophecy.
  • 00:06:16.165 --> 00:06:18.868
  • Already, not yet.
  • 00:06:18.868 --> 00:06:20.970
  • While israel today is a modern miracle,
  • 00:06:20.970 --> 00:06:23.639
  • This land is still looking for the fulfillment
  • 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:26.843
  • Of what god promised.
  • 00:06:26.843 --> 00:06:28.478
  • There is a greater hope,
  • 00:06:28.478 --> 00:06:30.046
  • A greater restoration to come.
  • 00:06:30.046 --> 00:06:34.383
  • God led the israelites into the land
  • 00:06:35.184 --> 00:06:37.186
  • Through joshua.
  • 00:06:37.186 --> 00:06:38.554
  • They conquered and dwelt here,
  • 00:06:38.554 --> 00:06:40.623
  • But things were never quite settled.
  • 00:06:40.623 --> 00:06:43.059
  • This land is still waiting for its king.
  • 00:06:43.059 --> 00:06:45.795
  • As yeshua entered jerusalem,
  • 00:06:46.395 --> 00:06:48.264
  • The people cried out,
  • 00:06:48.264 --> 00:06:50.166
  • "blessed is the king who comes
  • 00:06:50.166 --> 00:06:51.868
  • "in the name of the lord."
  • 00:06:51.868 --> 00:06:53.436
  • And yeshua said that if those people
  • 00:06:53.436 --> 00:06:55.471
  • Had not said it,
  • 00:06:55.471 --> 00:06:56.672
  • The stones themselves
  • 00:06:56.672 --> 00:06:58.541
  • Would have cried out,
  • 00:06:58.541 --> 00:06:59.675
  • Welcoming the coming king.
  • 00:06:59.675 --> 00:07:02.144
  • The rocks and all creation
  • 00:07:02.144 --> 00:07:04.213
  • Groaned for that day of salvation to come.
  • 00:07:04.213 --> 00:07:07.617
  • It is no coincidence that yeshua came to jerusalem
  • 00:07:08.651 --> 00:07:11.554
  • During the time of passover.
  • 00:07:11.554 --> 00:07:13.789
  • The biblical feasts are linked with the land
  • 00:07:13.789 --> 00:07:16.826
  • In a powerful way.
  • 00:07:16.826 --> 00:07:18.528
  • In order to find out
  • 00:07:18.528 --> 00:07:19.529
  • More about these feasts,
  • 00:07:19.529 --> 00:07:21.264
  • We offer a book
  • 00:07:21.264 --> 00:07:22.498
  • That uncovers the connection
  • 00:07:22.498 --> 00:07:24.700
  • Between each feast
  • 00:07:24.700 --> 00:07:26.235
  • And god's plan of salvation
  • 00:07:26.235 --> 00:07:28.004
  • In yeshua.
  • 00:07:28.004 --> 00:07:29.138
  • Get your copy
  • 00:07:29.138 --> 00:07:30.406
  • At oneforisrael.org/feasts.
  • 00:07:30.406 --> 00:07:41.004
  • At oneforisrael.org/feasts.
  • 00:07:41.004 --> 00:07:47.627
  • This land is unique in many ways.
  • 00:07:48.395 --> 00:07:51.064
  • It's in the middle of three continents,
  • 00:07:51.064 --> 00:07:53.199
  • The cradle of civilization,
  • 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:55.135
  • And the epicenter of history.
  • 00:07:55.135 --> 00:07:57.404
  • But the significance of this land
  • 00:07:57.404 --> 00:07:59.172
  • Goes much deeper.
  • 00:07:59.172 --> 00:08:00.840
  • When god was bringing
  • 00:08:00.840 --> 00:08:01.975
  • The israelites up from egypt,
  • 00:08:01.975 --> 00:08:04.077
  • He told them:
  • 00:08:04.077 --> 00:08:05.445
  • "the land you are entering
  • 00:08:06.012 --> 00:08:07.047
  • "to take over is not like
  • 00:08:07.047 --> 00:08:08.648
  • "the land of egypt
  • 00:08:08.648 --> 00:08:09.516
  • "from which you have come,
  • 00:08:09.516 --> 00:08:10.884
  • "where you planted your seed
  • 00:08:10.884 --> 00:08:12.152
  • "and irrigated it by foot,
  • 00:08:12.152 --> 00:08:13.954
  • "as in a vegetable garden."
  • 00:08:13.954 --> 00:08:16.323
  • Egypt has this enormous river flowing through it,
  • 00:08:16.323 --> 00:08:19.359
  • The nile,
  • 00:08:19.359 --> 00:08:20.527
  • With all its tributaries
  • 00:08:20.527 --> 00:08:21.928
  • And streams.
  • 00:08:21.928 --> 00:08:23.029
  • It was easy to irrigate
  • 00:08:23.029 --> 00:08:24.364
  • Their gardens and crops.
  • 00:08:24.364 --> 00:08:25.966
  • They could carve channels and build farms.
  • 00:08:25.966 --> 00:08:28.602
  • They could do it on their own.
  • 00:08:28.602 --> 00:08:30.704
  • Even though they had been slaves,
  • 00:08:30.704 --> 00:08:32.505
  • Some of the israelites idolized these days.
  • 00:08:32.505 --> 00:08:35.508
  • But god said:
  • 00:08:35.508 --> 00:08:36.576
  • "the land you are crossing
  • 00:08:36.576 --> 00:08:37.544
  • "the jordan to take
  • 00:08:37.544 --> 00:08:38.478
  • "possession of
  • 00:08:38.478 --> 00:08:39.546
  • "is a land of mountains
  • 00:08:39.546 --> 00:08:40.647
  • "and valleys
  • 00:08:40.647 --> 00:08:41.715
  • "that drinks rain from heaven.
  • 00:08:41.715 --> 00:08:43.583
  • "it is a land the lord your god
  • 00:08:43.583 --> 00:08:45.218
  • "cares for.
  • 00:08:45.218 --> 00:08:46.286
  • "the eyes of the lord your god
  • 00:08:46.286 --> 00:08:47.721
  • "are continually on it,
  • 00:08:47.721 --> 00:08:49.389
  • "from the beginning of the year
  • 00:08:49.389 --> 00:08:51.224
  • "to its end."
  • 00:08:51.224 --> 00:08:52.125
  • This is that land
  • 00:08:52.125 --> 00:08:53.493
  • That god cares for,
  • 00:08:53.493 --> 00:08:54.961
  • That depends on god.
  • 00:08:54.961 --> 00:08:57.030
  • If god doesn't send the rain,
  • 00:08:57.030 --> 00:08:58.732
  • There will be no harvest.
  • 00:08:58.732 --> 00:09:00.333
  • They couldn't do it on their own,
  • 00:09:00.333 --> 00:09:02.068
  • They needed him.
  • 00:09:02.068 --> 00:09:04.137
  • It was actually a blessing for the israelites
  • 00:09:04.137 --> 00:09:06.473
  • To be absolutely dependent on god.
  • 00:09:06.473 --> 00:09:09.009
  • If you look at tel dan,
  • 00:09:09.009 --> 00:09:10.877
  • In the northern border of israel,
  • 00:09:10.877 --> 00:09:13.346
  • You will see a beautiful climate,
  • 00:09:13.346 --> 00:09:15.582
  • An excellent environment,
  • 00:09:15.582 --> 00:09:16.983
  • With water springs bursting forth,
  • 00:09:16.983 --> 00:09:19.185
  • Growth and vegetation,
  • 00:09:19.185 --> 00:09:20.854
  • A place of abundance.
  • 00:09:20.854 --> 00:09:23.123
  • Compare that to jerusalem.
  • 00:09:23.123 --> 00:09:24.624
  • While beautiful,
  • 00:09:24.991 --> 00:09:26.126
  • You don't see streams and rivers,
  • 00:09:26.126 --> 00:09:27.861
  • Grass and growth.
  • 00:09:27.861 --> 00:09:29.362
  • To the superficial eye, you may say
  • 00:09:29.362 --> 00:09:31.765
  • That dan is more blessed than jerusalem.
  • 00:09:31.765 --> 00:09:35.268
  • Yet in the bible, it was the tribe of dan,
  • 00:09:35.268 --> 00:09:38.304
  • With all its self-dependence and abundance,
  • 00:09:38.304 --> 00:09:41.408
  • That was the first to abandon the god of israel.
  • 00:09:41.408 --> 00:09:45.245
  • Dependence can be a blessing,
  • 00:09:45.245 --> 00:09:47.881
  • And sometimes abundance can be a curse.
  • 00:09:47.881 --> 00:09:50.917
  • We're speaking with danny the digger
  • 00:09:50.917 --> 00:09:53.219
  • To learn more about tel dan in northern israel.
  • 00:09:53.219 --> 00:09:56.790
  • We'll see from archaeology how self-dependence,
  • 00:09:56.790 --> 00:10:00.160
  • Outward prosperity,
  • 00:10:00.160 --> 00:10:01.594
  • And isolation from god
  • 00:10:01.594 --> 00:10:03.430
  • Led to unfaithfulness
  • 00:10:03.430 --> 00:10:05.231
  • And ruin in the northern tribes.
  • 00:10:05.231 --> 00:10:10.036
  • This is truly one of the most amazing
  • 00:10:10.837 --> 00:10:12.939
  • Archaeological sites in the holy land.
  • 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:15.608
  • I'm at tel dan.
  • 00:10:15.608 --> 00:10:18.144
  • My name is danny herman,
  • 00:10:18.645 --> 00:10:19.979
  • But everyone knows me
  • 00:10:19.979 --> 00:10:20.880
  • As "danny the digger",
  • 00:10:20.880 --> 00:10:22.182
  • As i'm an archaeologist
  • 00:10:22.182 --> 00:10:23.316
  • By education,
  • 00:10:23.316 --> 00:10:24.417
  • And hence the nickname.
  • 00:10:24.417 --> 00:10:26.019
  • In the days of solomon,
  • 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:28.354
  • The kingdom is united,
  • 00:10:28.354 --> 00:10:30.056
  • But towards the end of his reign,
  • 00:10:30.056 --> 00:10:32.058
  • One of his servants, jeroboam,
  • 00:10:32.058 --> 00:10:33.827
  • Rebels against him and establishes in tel dan
  • 00:10:33.827 --> 00:10:36.730
  • A rivaling cultic center.
  • 00:10:36.730 --> 00:10:39.232
  • The archaeological excavations
  • 00:10:39.232 --> 00:10:40.967
  • Not only uncovered a very significant
  • 00:10:40.967 --> 00:10:43.369
  • Religious center here at tel dan,
  • 00:10:43.369 --> 00:10:45.371
  • But also at its sovereign end,
  • 00:10:45.371 --> 00:10:47.507
  • A very impressive, complete gateway complex
  • 00:10:47.507 --> 00:10:51.211
  • For the first time ever.
  • 00:10:51.211 --> 00:10:52.879
  • To this day, it's also the only time
  • 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:55.248
  • That an archaeological discovery
  • 00:10:55.248 --> 00:10:56.883
  • From the iron age
  • 00:10:56.883 --> 00:10:58.251
  • Actually mentions david.
  • 00:10:58.251 --> 00:11:00.854
  • And here i am
  • 00:11:01.221 --> 00:11:02.288
  • At the site that was abandoned
  • 00:11:02.288 --> 00:11:04.124
  • A long time ago.
  • 00:11:04.124 --> 00:11:05.592
  • Archaeologists stepped in,
  • 00:11:05.592 --> 00:11:07.327
  • And what do they find?
  • 00:11:07.327 --> 00:11:08.561
  • The very religious center.
  • 00:11:08.561 --> 00:11:10.997
  • In the back, the stairway leads
  • 00:11:10.997 --> 00:11:12.999
  • To the foundation of where the temple
  • 00:11:12.999 --> 00:11:14.701
  • Used to stand,
  • 00:11:14.701 --> 00:11:15.969
  • And here they reconstructed the size,
  • 00:11:15.969 --> 00:11:17.804
  • The dimension of the altar,
  • 00:11:17.804 --> 00:11:20.073
  • Where animal sacrifice was conducted
  • 00:11:20.073 --> 00:11:23.109
  • By the northern israelite kingdom.
  • 00:11:23.109 --> 00:11:24.944
  • Here is partially reconstructed foundation wall
  • 00:11:24.944 --> 00:11:28.081
  • Of the altar enclosure,
  • 00:11:28.081 --> 00:11:30.150
  • And look how it includes ashlar stones.
  • 00:11:30.150 --> 00:11:32.719
  • This is definitely phoenician influence.
  • 00:11:32.719 --> 00:11:35.321
  • The bible tells us the altar should be
  • 00:11:35.321 --> 00:11:36.856
  • Of unhewn stones,
  • 00:11:36.856 --> 00:11:38.158
  • And we know that the northern kingdom
  • 00:11:38.158 --> 00:11:39.759
  • Had special ties with phoenicia.
  • 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:41.594
  • Ahab was married to jezebel.
  • 00:11:41.594 --> 00:11:43.496
  • So you can see how her and the royal house
  • 00:11:43.496 --> 00:11:47.000
  • Of the phoenicians
  • 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:48.268
  • Introduced also architecture
  • 00:11:48.268 --> 00:11:51.304
  • And also religious behavior
  • 00:11:51.304 --> 00:11:53.406
  • That is strange to the kingdom of jerusalem.
  • 00:11:53.406 --> 00:11:56.376
  • The main advantage of tel dan
  • 00:11:56.376 --> 00:11:57.911
  • Is that unlike jerusalem,
  • 00:11:57.911 --> 00:11:59.245
  • It's not up in the mountains
  • 00:11:59.245 --> 00:12:00.814
  • With limited water resources.
  • 00:12:00.814 --> 00:12:02.916
  • We are along a very significant
  • 00:12:02.916 --> 00:12:05.985
  • International highway,
  • 00:12:05.985 --> 00:12:07.320
  • The so-called via maris,
  • 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.756
  • The international highway
  • 00:12:09.756 --> 00:12:10.857
  • That in antiquity connected
  • 00:12:10.857 --> 00:12:12.392
  • The two edges of the middle east,
  • 00:12:12.392 --> 00:12:14.194
  • Pharaonic egypt on one hand,
  • 00:12:14.194 --> 00:12:16.029
  • And all the kingdoms of mesopotamia
  • 00:12:16.029 --> 00:12:18.298
  • On the other.
  • 00:12:18.298 --> 00:12:20.700
  • Just imagine 2,900 years ago,
  • 00:12:21.334 --> 00:12:24.404
  • A priest walking up on the same stairway
  • 00:12:24.404 --> 00:12:27.841
  • In order to reach the temple,
  • 00:12:28.474 --> 00:12:31.344
  • But there's no ark of the covenant here.
  • 00:12:31.344 --> 00:12:34.147
  • Here, according to the bible,
  • 00:12:34.147 --> 00:12:35.548
  • Jerobam installed a golden calf.
  • 00:12:35.548 --> 00:12:39.953
  • The worst form of idolatry
  • 00:12:39.953 --> 00:12:42.155
  • You could think of was actually placed here.
  • 00:12:42.155 --> 00:12:44.991
  • One can only wonder its size,
  • 00:12:44.991 --> 00:12:47.560
  • But this was the nature
  • 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:49.562
  • Of the israelite kingdom.
  • 00:12:49.562 --> 00:12:51.497
  • And the bible is very illustrative
  • 00:12:51.497 --> 00:12:53.466
  • In telling us how he created
  • 00:12:53.466 --> 00:12:55.501
  • A religious center for pilgrimage, for offering,
  • 00:12:55.501 --> 00:12:58.938
  • But what does he place there?
  • 00:12:58.938 --> 00:13:00.874
  • In jerusalem, you have the ark of the covenant.
  • 00:13:00.874 --> 00:13:03.309
  • At tel dan, the bible tells us
  • 00:13:03.309 --> 00:13:05.078
  • He places a golden calf
  • 00:13:05.078 --> 00:13:08.047
  • In a pure act of idolatry.
  • 00:13:08.047 --> 00:13:10.917
  • Imagine the priest ascending up the stairway.
  • 00:13:10.917 --> 00:13:14.020
  • The sacrifice is given over there,
  • 00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:16.522
  • And perhaps on this very stone
  • 00:13:16.522 --> 00:13:19.359
  • Stood the feet of the golden calf,
  • 00:13:19.359 --> 00:13:22.161
  • The main item of worship.
  • 00:13:22.161 --> 00:13:24.564
  • We actually have here also evidence
  • 00:13:24.564 --> 00:13:26.165
  • Of a hellenistic temple.
  • 00:13:26.165 --> 00:13:27.967
  • We found a greek inscription
  • 00:13:27.967 --> 00:13:29.135
  • Indicating there was worship here
  • 00:13:29.135 --> 00:13:31.137
  • For the god of dan.
  • 00:13:31.137 --> 00:13:33.139
  • It doesn't label it,
  • 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.107
  • But there was some sort
  • 00:13:34.107 --> 00:13:35.008
  • Of worship here also later
  • 00:13:35.008 --> 00:13:36.676
  • In hellenistic times,
  • 00:13:36.676 --> 00:13:37.677
  • Perhaps by the ituraeans
  • 00:13:37.677 --> 00:13:39.913
  • Who lived around the corner here.
  • 00:13:39.913 --> 00:13:41.147
  • And yet they prosper, they succeed.
  • 00:13:41.147 --> 00:13:43.716
  • The northern kingdom seems to be doing better
  • 00:13:43.716 --> 00:13:46.653
  • Than the kingdom of judah,
  • 00:13:46.653 --> 00:13:48.154
  • With jerusalem as its capital,
  • 00:13:48.154 --> 00:13:50.189
  • But not for long.
  • 00:13:50.189 --> 00:13:51.357
  • In the 8th century,
  • 00:13:51.357 --> 00:13:52.392
  • The assyrians,
  • 00:13:52.392 --> 00:13:53.927
  • From iraq of today,
  • 00:13:53.927 --> 00:13:55.161
  • Come and give the final blow.
  • 00:13:55.161 --> 00:13:57.096
  • Tel dan will be completely destroyed.
  • 00:13:57.096 --> 00:13:59.499
  • They were sinners, and they were exiled.
  • 00:13:59.499 --> 00:14:02.035
  • But most fascinating,
  • 00:14:02.035 --> 00:14:04.037
  • In the excavations of the courtyard around here,
  • 00:14:04.037 --> 00:14:07.373
  • 1993, archaeologists found the actual stela,
  • 00:14:07.373 --> 00:14:12.412
  • The victory stone placed by hazael,
  • 00:14:12.412 --> 00:14:15.014
  • The king of aram,
  • 00:14:15.014 --> 00:14:15.949
  • After he conquered tel dan
  • 00:14:15.949 --> 00:14:17.450
  • One more time in 835.
  • 00:14:17.450 --> 00:14:20.286
  • And he tells us that he not only defeated
  • 00:14:20.286 --> 00:14:22.789
  • And killed the king of israel,
  • 00:14:22.789 --> 00:14:24.991
  • But also killed the king of judah,
  • 00:14:24.991 --> 00:14:27.493
  • Except that he doesn't label him
  • 00:14:27.493 --> 00:14:28.928
  • As king of judah,
  • 00:14:28.928 --> 00:14:30.063
  • But as king of the house of david.
  • 00:14:30.063 --> 00:14:33.766
  • Jeroboam went in a different direction
  • 00:14:33.766 --> 00:14:35.802
  • For political reasons mostly,
  • 00:14:35.802 --> 00:14:38.371
  • But abandoning the god of jerusalem
  • 00:14:38.371 --> 00:14:41.140
  • Led him only for temporary prosperity.
  • 00:14:41.140 --> 00:14:44.377
  • And eventually, tel dan suffered
  • 00:14:44.377 --> 00:14:46.279
  • From repeated attacks and conquests,
  • 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:48.982
  • And a final blow by the assyrians,
  • 00:14:48.982 --> 00:14:51.317
  • Which led to the complete abandonment
  • 00:14:51.317 --> 00:14:53.386
  • And exile of all the israelites living here.
  • 00:14:53.386 --> 00:14:56.522
  • I'm a result of generations
  • 00:14:56.522 --> 00:14:59.692
  • Of early israelites,
  • 00:14:59.692 --> 00:15:00.793
  • The specific tribe of judah,
  • 00:15:00.793 --> 00:15:03.196
  • That has followed its god,
  • 00:15:03.196 --> 00:15:06.366
  • Has suffered a lot,
  • 00:15:06.366 --> 00:15:07.700
  • Has been exiled from this land twice,
  • 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:11.137
  • The second time for nearly 2,000 years,
  • 00:15:11.137 --> 00:15:14.140
  • And yet we are back.
  • 00:15:14.607 --> 00:15:16.509
  • There are so many fascinating links
  • 00:15:16.509 --> 00:15:18.211
  • To what the bible tells us,
  • 00:15:18.211 --> 00:15:19.312
  • And to think that archaeology
  • 00:15:19.312 --> 00:15:21.114
  • Will actually find the traces
  • 00:15:21.114 --> 00:15:23.816
  • In such convincing amount
  • 00:15:23.816 --> 00:15:27.553
  • Of what the bible tells us
  • 00:15:27.553 --> 00:15:28.988
  • Of a worship center for a golden calf
  • 00:15:28.988 --> 00:15:31.190
  • Of the israelite northern kingdom,
  • 00:15:31.190 --> 00:15:32.525
  • It's mind-boggling.
  • 00:15:32.525 --> 00:15:34.327
  • And it's still one of the most significant
  • 00:15:34.327 --> 00:15:36.329
  • Finds ever made
  • 00:15:36.329 --> 00:15:37.663
  • In the context of biblical archaeology.
  • 00:15:37.663 --> 00:15:41.667
  • When we go through trials
  • 00:15:42.268 --> 00:15:43.903
  • Or times of lack,
  • 00:15:43.903 --> 00:15:45.338
  • Sometimes we look at them as a curse.
  • 00:15:45.338 --> 00:15:47.640
  • But maybe we need to look at these seasons
  • 00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:50.343
  • As an invitation to be totally
  • 00:15:50.343 --> 00:15:52.111
  • Dependent on god.
  • 00:15:52.111 --> 00:15:54.080
  • Yeshua warns us
  • 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.214
  • How difficult it is for a rich man
  • 00:15:55.214 --> 00:15:57.083
  • To enter the kingdom of heaven.
  • 00:15:57.083 --> 00:15:59.385
  • Why?
  • 00:15:59.585 --> 00:16:00.586
  • Because it's so easy
  • 00:16:00.586 --> 00:16:01.687
  • To trust in riches and influence
  • 00:16:01.687 --> 00:16:03.322
  • When we have them.
  • 00:16:03.322 --> 00:16:04.690
  • It's so easy to get self-dependent.
  • 00:16:04.690 --> 00:16:07.260
  • It's like the parable of the seed
  • 00:16:07.260 --> 00:16:08.861
  • In the thorny soil.
  • 00:16:08.861 --> 00:16:10.263
  • The cares of this world
  • 00:16:10.263 --> 00:16:11.731
  • Can choke out your very life.
  • 00:16:11.731 --> 00:16:14.400
  • Abundance can be an idol.
  • 00:16:14.400 --> 00:16:16.335
  • We are not advocating for poverty,
  • 00:16:16.335 --> 00:16:18.371
  • But it's important to see god's heart and presence
  • 00:16:18.371 --> 00:16:20.973
  • In every pressing trial.
  • 00:16:20.973 --> 00:16:22.975
  • The first time god exiled the israelites
  • 00:16:22.975 --> 00:16:25.411
  • From the land of israel,
  • 00:16:25.411 --> 00:16:26.879
  • The prophet hosea said:
  • 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.681
  • "god was leading her
  • 00:16:28.681 --> 00:16:29.916
  • "into the wilderness
  • 00:16:29.916 --> 00:16:31.217
  • "to allure his bride,
  • 00:16:31.217 --> 00:16:33.019
  • "to speak tenderly to her."
  • 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:35.154
  • Our trials often are not punishments,
  • 00:16:35.154 --> 00:16:37.990
  • But opportunities.
  • 00:16:37.990 --> 00:16:39.692
  • It may be god trying to restore relationship.
  • 00:16:39.692 --> 00:16:42.528
  • And in the place of this restored relationship
  • 00:16:42.528 --> 00:16:45.465
  • Is where true abundance comes.
  • 00:16:45.465 --> 00:16:48.101
  • James said:
  • 00:16:48.101 --> 00:16:49.836
  • "consider it pure joy,
  • 00:16:50.336 --> 00:16:51.971
  • "my brothers and sisters,
  • 00:16:51.971 --> 00:16:53.606
  • "whenever you face trials
  • 00:16:53.606 --> 00:16:54.974
  • "of many kinds,
  • 00:16:54.974 --> 00:16:56.442
  • "because you know
  • 00:16:56.442 --> 00:16:57.143
  • "that the testing
  • 00:16:57.143 --> 00:16:57.910
  • "of your faith
  • 00:16:57.910 --> 00:16:58.778
  • "produces perseverance.
  • 00:16:58.778 --> 00:17:00.947
  • "let perseverance finish
  • 00:17:00.947 --> 00:17:02.281
  • "its work
  • 00:17:02.281 --> 00:17:03.149
  • "so that you may be mature
  • 00:17:03.149 --> 00:17:04.517
  • "and complete,
  • 00:17:04.517 --> 00:17:05.685
  • "not lacking anything."
  • 00:17:05.685 --> 00:17:12.001
  • "not lacking anything."
  • 00:17:12.001 --> 00:17:16.268
  • This land longs for her king.
  • 00:17:16.902 --> 00:17:19.738
  • The kingdom of god
  • 00:17:19.738 --> 00:17:20.772
  • Is both spiritual
  • 00:17:20.772 --> 00:17:21.874
  • And physical.
  • 00:17:21.874 --> 00:17:23.475
  • As yeshua said,
  • 00:17:23.475 --> 00:17:24.443
  • The kingdom of god
  • 00:17:24.443 --> 00:17:25.344
  • Is among you,
  • 00:17:25.344 --> 00:17:26.578
  • But the kingdom of god will also come
  • 00:17:26.578 --> 00:17:28.647
  • In a visible way.
  • 00:17:28.647 --> 00:17:30.382
  • Yeshua taught us to pray,
  • 00:17:30.382 --> 00:17:32.184
  • Your kingdom come on earth
  • 00:17:32.184 --> 00:17:34.386
  • As it is in heaven.
  • 00:17:34.386 --> 00:17:35.754
  • We must not explain away the promises of god
  • 00:17:35.754 --> 00:17:38.590
  • Just because we don't see them yet.
  • 00:17:38.590 --> 00:17:40.592
  • He's not just god of the invisible,
  • 00:17:40.592 --> 00:17:43.262
  • But also the visible,
  • 00:17:43.262 --> 00:17:45.297
  • Not just the spiritual,
  • 00:17:45.297 --> 00:17:46.632
  • But also the physical.
  • 00:17:46.632 --> 00:17:48.500
  • We're here in the studio
  • 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.635
  • With pastor saleem shalash
  • 00:17:49.635 --> 00:17:51.870
  • To discuss what yeshua spoke
  • 00:17:51.870 --> 00:17:53.839
  • And prophesied about this land
  • 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:55.941
  • And the continued relevance
  • 00:17:55.941 --> 00:17:57.376
  • Throughout the ages,
  • 00:17:57.376 --> 00:17:58.877
  • Today and in the future.
  • 00:17:58.877 --> 00:18:02.147
  • Pastor saleem, shalom,
  • 00:18:02.648 --> 00:18:03.882
  • And thank you for coming to talk to me again.
  • 00:18:03.882 --> 00:18:06.585
  • It's an honor, as i said always.
  • 00:18:06.585 --> 00:18:08.687
  • We want to talk today
  • 00:18:09.188 --> 00:18:10.355
  • About the land of israel,
  • 00:18:10.355 --> 00:18:13.292
  • The land itself.
  • 00:18:13.292 --> 00:18:14.459
  • My late grandparents,
  • 00:18:14.459 --> 00:18:16.828
  • When they came to israel from europe
  • 00:18:16.828 --> 00:18:20.666
  • As young adults
  • 00:18:20.666 --> 00:18:21.967
  • In the early part of the 20th century.
  • 00:18:21.967 --> 00:18:24.436
  • My grandfather was studying to be a lawyer in europe,
  • 00:18:24.436 --> 00:18:27.673
  • And his sister, who had already come here,
  • 00:18:27.673 --> 00:18:29.942
  • Wrote to him and she told him:
  • 00:18:29.942 --> 00:18:31.443
  • "who needs another jewish lawyer?
  • 00:18:31.443 --> 00:18:32.744
  • "there's so many jewish lawyers.
  • 00:18:32.744 --> 00:18:33.812
  • "come and work the land."
  • 00:18:33.812 --> 00:18:35.247
  • So he came here and he started working
  • 00:18:35.247 --> 00:18:37.282
  • In the fields kind of thing.
  • 00:18:37.282 --> 00:18:38.984
  • And that was the beginning,
  • 00:18:38.984 --> 00:18:41.720
  • The pioneering period
  • 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.088
  • As it's called in jewish society.
  • 00:18:43.088 --> 00:18:44.790
  • We live in a period
  • 00:18:44.790 --> 00:18:46.325
  • Where more than 50%,
  • 00:18:46.325 --> 00:18:49.528
  • More than 50% of all the jews in the world
  • 00:18:49.528 --> 00:18:53.565
  • Reside in the land of israel.
  • 00:18:53.565 --> 00:18:55.200
  • This has not been the case,
  • 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.035
  • At least since the time of jesus.
  • 00:18:57.035 --> 00:18:58.737
  • So i guess what i want to ask you,
  • 00:18:58.737 --> 00:19:00.839
  • You know, there's a lot of debate,
  • 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.474
  • Not only in the middle east,
  • 00:19:02.474 --> 00:19:03.942
  • But around the world.
  • 00:19:03.942 --> 00:19:05.310
  • Is the fact that the jews
  • 00:19:05.877 --> 00:19:07.312
  • Are coming back to israel,
  • 00:19:07.312 --> 00:19:08.413
  • Is it something that somebody,
  • 00:19:08.413 --> 00:19:10.349
  • Some council of jews planned,
  • 00:19:10.349 --> 00:19:14.086
  • They were sitting in poland or somewhere
  • 00:19:14.086 --> 00:19:16.855
  • And they're planning this?
  • 00:19:16.855 --> 00:19:18.323
  • Is this something that is
  • 00:19:18.323 --> 00:19:20.926
  • A historical mistake
  • 00:19:20.926 --> 00:19:22.694
  • Or is it something else?
  • 00:19:22.694 --> 00:19:24.730
  • I mean, again,
  • 00:19:24.730 --> 00:19:26.431
  • It's important for me to ask you also
  • 00:19:26.431 --> 00:19:27.466
  • Because you're an arab,
  • 00:19:27.466 --> 00:19:29.568
  • You were born here, your family lived here
  • 00:19:29.568 --> 00:19:31.036
  • For years.
  • 00:19:31.036 --> 00:19:31.870
  • How do you see that?
  • 00:19:31.870 --> 00:19:33.238
  • Understand what happened
  • 00:19:33.238 --> 00:19:34.373
  • In 1948
  • 00:19:34.373 --> 00:19:35.707
  • And you can hear
  • 00:19:36.074 --> 00:19:37.476
  • Different opinions.
  • 00:19:37.476 --> 00:19:39.077
  • Understanding the bible,
  • 00:19:39.077 --> 00:19:42.080
  • The reestablishment of the state of israel
  • 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:44.916
  • In 1948, it's not a coincidence.
  • 00:19:44.916 --> 00:19:48.353
  • So if you read your bible,
  • 00:19:48.353 --> 00:19:50.355
  • We are not in the real borders, dr. erez.
  • 00:19:50.355 --> 00:19:52.858
  • If you read the book of joshua,
  • 00:19:52.858 --> 00:19:55.394
  • You understand... -not even 20%
  • 00:19:55.394 --> 00:19:57.296
  • Of the promised land. -exactly.
  • 00:19:57.296 --> 00:19:59.164
  • So what is happening today in the middle east,
  • 00:19:59.164 --> 00:20:01.600
  • It's not a human decision, it's god's plan
  • 00:20:02.501 --> 00:20:06.805
  • And it's going to be fulfilling his plan.
  • 00:20:06.805 --> 00:20:09.508
  • The gospel started from jerusalem,
  • 00:20:09.508 --> 00:20:11.810
  • Through a macedonian man to europe.
  • 00:20:12.544 --> 00:20:15.280
  • Europe adopted the word of god
  • 00:20:15.280 --> 00:20:17.316
  • And the word of god moved to the u.s.
  • 00:20:17.316 --> 00:20:19.418
  • From the u.s. where?
  • 00:20:19.418 --> 00:20:20.819
  • To asia. look what is happening now
  • 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.554
  • In china, taiwan, india,
  • 00:20:22.554 --> 00:20:25.724
  • All these areas.
  • 00:20:25.724 --> 00:20:27.259
  • And it's coming back where?
  • 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:29.127
  • To jerusalem.
  • 00:20:29.127 --> 00:20:30.762
  • Now, you are from nazareth. -yes.
  • 00:20:30.762 --> 00:20:33.565
  • When you come to visit nazareth,
  • 00:20:33.565 --> 00:20:35.567
  • You're going to visit mary's house,
  • 00:20:35.567 --> 00:20:37.436
  • You're going to visit the workshop
  • 00:20:37.436 --> 00:20:38.837
  • Of the carpenter, joseph.
  • 00:20:38.837 --> 00:20:40.906
  • And if you read your bible,
  • 00:20:40.906 --> 00:20:43.141
  • You'll understand.
  • 00:20:43.141 --> 00:20:44.476
  • If you just stand in that area
  • 00:20:44.476 --> 00:20:46.845
  • And remove all the walls today
  • 00:20:46.845 --> 00:20:49.147
  • And see the synagogue,
  • 00:20:49.147 --> 00:20:50.449
  • About five minutes walk from his home,
  • 00:20:50.449 --> 00:20:53.118
  • Seeing all this,
  • 00:20:53.485 --> 00:20:55.087
  • Understanding that he lives in this land
  • 00:20:55.087 --> 00:20:58.490
  • And this land was given to the jewish people
  • 00:20:58.490 --> 00:21:02.027
  • By a promise from god.
  • 00:21:02.027 --> 00:21:04.329
  • So it's not me, it's not you,
  • 00:21:04.996 --> 00:21:07.399
  • It's not anyone else.
  • 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:09.301
  • It's the plan of god
  • 00:21:09.301 --> 00:21:10.969
  • And he's going to fulfill his plan.
  • 00:21:10.969 --> 00:21:13.572
  • But staying in nazareth,
  • 00:21:13.572 --> 00:21:15.674
  • You know, my family,
  • 00:21:15.674 --> 00:21:17.142
  • They're basically from tiberias
  • 00:21:17.142 --> 00:21:18.477
  • And they passed to nazareth.
  • 00:21:18.477 --> 00:21:21.079
  • All what is happening, it's not about me,
  • 00:21:21.947 --> 00:21:24.216
  • It's not about you, it's not about anybody else
  • 00:21:24.216 --> 00:21:26.585
  • Or human decision.
  • 00:21:26.585 --> 00:21:28.186
  • It's about god's plan.
  • 00:21:28.186 --> 00:21:30.055
  • It's his plan for the salvation of israel.
  • 00:21:30.055 --> 00:21:33.992
  • And the bible said in the book of romans,
  • 00:21:33.992 --> 00:21:36.294
  • "and all of israel will be saved."
  • 00:21:36.294 --> 00:21:38.330
  • There's a lot of prophecies,
  • 00:21:38.330 --> 00:21:40.465
  • Both in the hebrew bible and in the new testament,
  • 00:21:40.465 --> 00:21:43.402
  • That talk about the return of the messiah.
  • 00:21:43.402 --> 00:21:46.304
  • Amen. -and you know, of course,
  • 00:21:46.304 --> 00:21:48.840
  • There's in zechariah that his feet
  • 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:50.709
  • Are going to be on the mount of olives,
  • 00:21:50.709 --> 00:21:52.344
  • In the prophecy of daniel,
  • 00:21:52.344 --> 00:21:54.312
  • And we see that in revelation,
  • 00:21:54.312 --> 00:21:56.214
  • And jesus himself is talking about it
  • 00:21:56.214 --> 00:21:57.916
  • In the gospels
  • 00:21:57.916 --> 00:21:58.784
  • That there's going to be
  • 00:21:58.784 --> 00:22:00.285
  • The temple and this very evil figure
  • 00:22:00.285 --> 00:22:05.323
  • Called the antichrist in revelation
  • 00:22:05.323 --> 00:22:08.527
  • Will go into the holy of holies,
  • 00:22:08.527 --> 00:22:10.595
  • The abomination, right?
  • 00:22:10.595 --> 00:22:12.631
  • So that assumes that one day
  • 00:22:12.631 --> 00:22:16.301
  • There's going to be a temple.
  • 00:22:16.301 --> 00:22:18.170
  • We don't know how it's going to happen,
  • 00:22:18.170 --> 00:22:19.871
  • But it also assumes for that to happen,
  • 00:22:19.871 --> 00:22:24.042
  • Jewish people have to have control
  • 00:22:24.042 --> 00:22:25.477
  • Of the land of israel
  • 00:22:25.477 --> 00:22:26.344
  • And especially jerusalem.
  • 00:22:26.344 --> 00:22:28.013
  • Now, if you would have looked at it
  • 00:22:28.013 --> 00:22:29.314
  • And as this was looked upon
  • 00:22:29.314 --> 00:22:31.049
  • In church history,
  • 00:22:31.049 --> 00:22:32.150
  • It didn't make any sense.
  • 00:22:32.150 --> 00:22:34.286
  • I mean, the jews are spread all over the world,
  • 00:22:34.286 --> 00:22:35.854
  • They're persecuted, they're not speaking
  • 00:22:35.854 --> 00:22:37.189
  • The same language.
  • 00:22:37.189 --> 00:22:38.924
  • I mean, hebrew is a language of prayer,
  • 00:22:38.924 --> 00:22:41.026
  • But nobody speaks hebrew.
  • 00:22:41.026 --> 00:22:42.727
  • It can't be, right?
  • 00:22:42.727 --> 00:22:44.896
  • That's right. -but here we are.
  • 00:22:44.896 --> 00:22:46.698
  • You know, we live in a country,
  • 00:22:46.698 --> 00:22:48.400
  • We live here, majority of the jews
  • 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.868
  • Live here. -yeah.
  • 00:22:49.868 --> 00:22:50.802
  • Hebrew is the living language,
  • 00:22:50.802 --> 00:22:52.070
  • We speak hebrew,
  • 00:22:52.070 --> 00:22:53.738
  • And if you and i didn't have to speak english,
  • 00:22:53.738 --> 00:22:55.607
  • We would speak hebrew now between us.
  • 00:22:55.607 --> 00:22:57.609
  • But... so it's happening.
  • 00:22:57.609 --> 00:23:00.011
  • It is. -and so
  • 00:23:00.378 --> 00:23:01.980
  • The land itself is important to god.
  • 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:04.716
  • For sure.
  • 00:23:04.716 --> 00:23:05.817
  • And this is one of the
  • 00:23:05.817 --> 00:23:07.552
  • Two important things that we talk about,
  • 00:23:07.552 --> 00:23:09.554
  • The land and the salvation,
  • 00:23:09.554 --> 00:23:11.623
  • The descendant of abraham.
  • 00:23:11.623 --> 00:23:13.825
  • And you can't, you know, separate them.
  • 00:23:13.825 --> 00:23:15.627
  • Separate them. -no way, no way.
  • 00:23:15.627 --> 00:23:18.029
  • If you separate them, you are, you know,
  • 00:23:18.029 --> 00:23:20.232
  • Creating your own theology,
  • 00:23:20.232 --> 00:23:22.801
  • Not the bible theology.
  • 00:23:22.801 --> 00:23:24.569
  • And we can discuss it for hours and hours,
  • 00:23:24.569 --> 00:23:26.805
  • But what i think that god is protecting this land
  • 00:23:26.805 --> 00:23:29.608
  • Because the lord is coming back physically
  • 00:23:29.608 --> 00:23:31.510
  • To the land of israel,
  • 00:23:31.510 --> 00:23:33.245
  • To mount of zion.
  • 00:23:33.245 --> 00:23:34.513
  • And wherever, everywhere that, where i travel,
  • 00:23:34.513 --> 00:23:37.516
  • I found the places and i found the history
  • 00:23:37.516 --> 00:23:39.818
  • And i found the historical places
  • 00:23:39.818 --> 00:23:44.723
  • That show me the old testament and the new testament.
  • 00:23:44.723 --> 00:23:48.727
  • So can you imagine that losing this land,
  • 00:23:49.594 --> 00:23:52.063
  • Losing the history?
  • 00:23:52.063 --> 00:23:53.865
  • And i do believe that god is still protecting
  • 00:23:53.865 --> 00:23:56.468
  • This land
  • 00:23:56.468 --> 00:23:57.502
  • And he is coming back
  • 00:23:57.502 --> 00:23:59.604
  • To the mount of zion.
  • 00:23:59.604 --> 00:24:01.273
  • I know that some people don't like the word zion,
  • 00:24:02.274 --> 00:24:04.409
  • But it's okay.
  • 00:24:04.409 --> 00:24:05.710
  • He's coming to this place.
  • 00:24:05.710 --> 00:24:07.579
  • Pastor saleem, thank you so much.
  • 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:09.447
  • It's been a pleasure.
  • 00:24:09.447 --> 00:24:10.448
  • Very encouraging to talk to you.
  • 00:24:10.448 --> 00:24:11.683
  • Thank you for sharing.
  • 00:24:11.683 --> 00:24:12.617
  • We appreciate you.
  • 00:24:12.617 --> 00:24:14.152
  • God bless. -thank you very much
  • 00:24:14.152 --> 00:24:15.153
  • And god bless you.
  • 00:24:15.153 --> 00:24:17.422
  • After yeshua rose from the dead,
  • 00:24:18.156 --> 00:24:20.325
  • His disciples asked him:
  • 00:24:20.325 --> 00:24:22.627
  • Are you at this time
  • 00:24:22.627 --> 00:24:23.795
  • Going to restore the kingdom to israel?
  • 00:24:23.795 --> 00:24:26.464
  • Is this the time we're going to see
  • 00:24:26.464 --> 00:24:28.266
  • The physical kingdom in this land?
  • 00:24:28.266 --> 00:24:31.202
  • He answered them by saying
  • 00:24:31.202 --> 00:24:33.038
  • That it was not for them
  • 00:24:33.038 --> 00:24:34.639
  • To know the times or dates
  • 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:36.441
  • That the father has set by his own authority.
  • 00:24:36.441 --> 00:24:39.511
  • Does this mean that god was never going to do it?
  • 00:24:39.511 --> 00:24:42.948
  • Has the land lost all significance?
  • 00:24:42.948 --> 00:24:45.984
  • Absolutely not.
  • 00:24:45.984 --> 00:24:47.319
  • He was saying
  • 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.053
  • That there is a time
  • 00:24:48.053 --> 00:24:49.521
  • And a date for this,
  • 00:24:49.521 --> 00:24:50.789
  • Just not that time.
  • 00:24:50.789 --> 00:24:54.593
  • Now, he said,
  • 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.227
  • Was the time for the holy spirit
  • 00:24:56.227 --> 00:24:57.696
  • To empower them,
  • 00:24:57.696 --> 00:24:59.164
  • To be his witnesses in jerusalem,
  • 00:24:59.164 --> 00:25:01.232
  • Judea, samaria,
  • 00:25:01.232 --> 00:25:02.601
  • And the ends of the earth.
  • 00:25:02.601 --> 00:25:04.169
  • The kingdom had to expand to the hearts of mankind
  • 00:25:05.203 --> 00:25:08.773
  • Before we see it return in an exterior way.
  • 00:25:08.773 --> 00:25:12.177
  • This concept was a stumbling block
  • 00:25:12.944 --> 00:25:15.146
  • For the disciples and many today.
  • 00:25:15.146 --> 00:25:18.283
  • We want god to fix our situation,
  • 00:25:18.283 --> 00:25:20.518
  • Bring peace and justice to the world.
  • 00:25:20.518 --> 00:25:22.854
  • If yeshua is the messiah,
  • 00:25:22.854 --> 00:25:24.556
  • Why don't we have peace on earth?
  • 00:25:24.556 --> 00:25:26.224
  • That day will come.
  • 00:25:26.691 --> 00:25:28.560
  • But yeshua stated it's important
  • 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:30.762
  • To clean the inside of the cup and dish,
  • 00:25:30.762 --> 00:25:33.264
  • Then the outside will be clean also.
  • 00:25:33.264 --> 00:25:36.601
  • We understand the concept with our dishes,
  • 00:25:36.601 --> 00:25:39.204
  • But we forget when it comes to our lives.
  • 00:25:39.204 --> 00:25:42.040
  • God starts first with our hearts,
  • 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:44.809
  • But will surely also come again
  • 00:25:44.809 --> 00:25:47.746
  • To restore israel and the nations.
  • 00:25:47.746 --> 00:25:50.382
  • There are promises in the hebrew bible
  • 00:25:50.382 --> 00:25:52.484
  • That are yet to be fulfilled,
  • 00:25:52.484 --> 00:25:54.352
  • That can't be spiritualized away.
  • 00:25:54.352 --> 00:25:56.821
  • Isaiah, ezekiel, jeremiah,
  • 00:25:56.821 --> 00:25:58.990
  • And the book of revelation
  • 00:25:58.990 --> 00:26:00.659
  • All see the same picture
  • 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:02.193
  • Of god's restoration of our people
  • 00:26:02.193 --> 00:26:04.129
  • And land.
  • 00:26:04.129 --> 00:26:05.330
  • At the very end of days,
  • 00:26:05.330 --> 00:26:07.032
  • When john foresaw a new heaven and a new earth,
  • 00:26:07.032 --> 00:26:10.235
  • He also saw a bride coming down from heaven.
  • 00:26:10.235 --> 00:26:13.672
  • And what was that bride?
  • 00:26:13.672 --> 00:26:15.306
  • It was jerusalem,
  • 00:26:15.306 --> 00:26:16.741
  • A city, people, and a land,
  • 00:26:16.741 --> 00:26:19.444
  • Heaven and earth.
  • 00:26:19.444 --> 00:26:21.780
  • So we've discovered what it means for land
  • 00:26:21.780 --> 00:26:24.382
  • To be married to god.
  • 00:26:24.382 --> 00:26:26.484
  • His attention, its dependence,
  • 00:26:26.484 --> 00:26:28.853
  • And the home base of his kingdom on earth,
  • 00:26:28.853 --> 00:26:31.856
  • His stake in the ground.
  • 00:26:31.856 --> 00:26:34.092
  • God's relationship to this land
  • 00:26:34.092 --> 00:26:36.094
  • Proves that his faithfulness
  • 00:26:36.094 --> 00:26:38.229
  • Extends beyond spiritual relationship
  • 00:26:38.229 --> 00:26:40.765
  • To physical realities.
  • 00:26:40.765 --> 00:26:42.500
  • His covenant with abraham
  • 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.035
  • Concerning this land
  • 00:26:44.035 --> 00:26:45.503
  • Cannot be broken.
  • 00:26:45.503 --> 00:26:47.305
  • He cares about it.
  • 00:26:47.305 --> 00:26:48.840
  • And we should care about the things
  • 00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:50.575
  • That god cares about.
  • 00:26:50.575 --> 00:26:52.477
  • But god's choice of israel
  • 00:26:52.477 --> 00:26:53.978
  • Was never meant to exclude everyone else.
  • 00:26:53.978 --> 00:26:58.583
  • Next time, we'll explore
  • 00:26:59.184 --> 00:27:00.785
  • How a moabite woman named ruth
  • 00:27:00.785 --> 00:27:03.288
  • Shows us god's heart
  • 00:27:03.288 --> 00:27:04.756
  • To include all nations
  • 00:27:04.756 --> 00:27:06.257
  • In his covenant family.
  • 00:27:06.257 --> 00:27:08.026
  • Her beautiful love story with boaz
  • 00:27:08.727 --> 00:27:10.695
  • Reveals how god grafts outsiders
  • 00:27:10.695 --> 00:27:12.731
  • Into his people
  • 00:27:12.731 --> 00:27:14.132
  • And how that includes you.
  • 00:27:14.132 --> 00:27:14.132