EU PRESSURE TO DIVIDE JERUSALEM

BATTLE INTENSIFIES TO DIVIDE JERUSALEM
By Joel C. Rosenberg

(WASHINGTON, D.C., December 7, 2009) -- The battle to divide Jerusalem is intensifying this week. Sweden is pushing hard to pass an initiative this coming Sunday to persuade 27 foreign ministers of European Union states to endorse a plan to recognize unilaterally East Jerusalem as the capital of a new Palestinian State. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, is doing everything he can to counter the Swedish effort.

The Bible teaches that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob loves Israel's neighbors, but has specifically chosen Jerusalem to be the capital of the Jewish people and His own prized possession. It is not to be carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey.

In Psalm 132:13-16, we read, For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. 'This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her with bread.

The Bible also teaches that the Lord will judge the nations who seek to divide Israel and Jerusalem. In Joel 3:1-2, we read, When I restore the fortunes of Jerusalem [in the last days] I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance Israel whom they have scattered among the nations and they have divided up My land.

Full details, links to key news stories, and prayer points on the weblog. There's also a link to Natan Sharansky's first-rate organization, One Jerusalem, with specific ways you can take action to protect Jerusalem.

MORE UPDATES:
Please be praying for The Joshua Fund as we seek the Lord to provide an additional $1 million in end-of-the-year giving this month. These funds will help us buy a forklift and truck for the new TJF warehouse in Israel, and accelerate our ability to stock food and other relief supplies in the new facility. Such funds will also allow TJF to help Magen David Adom -- Israel's emergency care organization -- purchase two new ambulances.

Lord willing, The Joshua Fund will hold our first Epicenter Conference in Asia next month in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The goal will be to teach some 3,500 Asian pastors and ministry leaders about God's love and plan for Israel and her neighbors, and mobilize them to join a global movement to learn, pray, give and go. More details coming soon. Please keep all the organizational details in prayer.

Also, the Christian Broadcasting Network did an extensive interview with me last month in Jerusalem about the threat of war between Israel and Iran, how evangelicals can and should respond, and tensions between the U.S. and Israel. CBN just aired that interview in three parts. Links to all three on-line video clips are available on the weblog.

Thanks and God bless.