Shalom Partner and Friend of Israel,

We live in the last days of the ‘Last Day,’ in the days of the dawning of the "bright Morning Star" mentioned in Revelation 22:16. Watching for the coming of the Messiah is the most mentioned aspect of the twenty aspects of watching presented in chapters 5 and 6 of this last Book of the Bible. Truly Yeshua (Jesus) is coming soon, at which time the world will be totally transformed as He will reign as "King of the Jews" and all nations from Jerusalem. This is probably the most focused place on earth to watch for His coming, as it will be the place His feet will touch and we are called to prepare for His feet even in amidst of what is happening in Israel with the Arab conflict (Isaiah 60:13).

"On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem." Zechariah 14:4

"Look (watch), He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the people’s of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelations 1:7, 8

Two thousand years ago, Yeshua (Jesus) said He is coming soon…  We continue to watch two thousand years later than when He personally said He was coming soon. Now we most probably live in the generation of His coming. He may come for His bride any day and hour… and any minute.

If we are watchmen we will not be unprepared but will always be watching, waiting and longing for His appearing. "There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day and not to me only not also to all who have loved His appearing."  2 Timothy 4:8 (emphasis added)

The Book of Revelation is the Book of Completion… This is confirmed by the many times the number seven, the number of completion is mentioned in this book. It mentions seven beatitudes, seven spirits of God, seven golden lamp-stands (the seven churches) stars (the angels of the seven churches), seven ways or keys to be over-comers, over seven blessings of overcoming, over seven times the Spirit says, "He who has ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying," seven seals, seven trumpets, seven plagues and bowls filled with the wrath of God. Ten times the number of fullness (seven things or more) are mentioned that apply to the fulfilment of God’s purposes in the last days to prepare us, as His watchmen, to be His glorious church, Bride, Wife and Temple throughout eternity. The Book of Revelation… is a Revelation of Jesus Christ. The days between now and Yeshua’s return will be very difficult, probably the most difficult in the history of the world.

The only hope for peace is found in the One (Yeshua) who was born in the Middle East 2,000 years ago!

There are Hebrew words used to describe "watchmen." In Isaiah 62:6 and Psalm 127:1 the word "shamar" is used, which means "to watch, keep or observe" and another Hebrew word "tsaphah" is also used and means "to look out." The Hebrew word "mitspeh" used in Isaiah 21:8 and often used today means…"watch tower." The Hebrew word in Psalm 90:4 "ashmurah" means "a watch." It shows the multifaceted aspects of "watching" that are prevalent in the Holy Scriptures, and in the mind of God, our chief watchman! "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

Many breakthroughs are coming as watchmen are on the walls individually and collectively…  However, the God of the "Breakthrough"… is not only using our "watches" to prepare the way for the Lord by bringing breakthroughs for individuals and nations. But, God is also using many ‘watchers’ worldwide to prepare us as obedient… worshipping watchmen and help us develop intimacy with Him to be His bride forever!

God "watches" over us… as we "watch" Him…! In our love relationship with the Lord, He watches us in a special way and we begin watching Him.

May God give us His revelation that He is watching us and may we recognize and understand, day by day, that He is omniscient, He is all knowing, and His eyes are going over the whole earth! He knew us before we were conceived in our mother’s womb. He is watching over every aspect of our lives. It is interesting that in Psalm 121, the Lord said He’s watching over us and also watching over Israel. When Jacob met the Lord his name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:27 – 28). We read in Psalm 121, "He who watches over Israel will NEVER slumber NOR sleep."

God’s "watch" over Isaac – Jacob…. God was watching over Isaac when he was being offered up by his father, Abraham. God continued to watch over Isaac throughout his life. God was watching over Jacob when the Lord said to him…"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land (Israel). I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you." When Jacob awoke from his sleep, realizing that God had appeared to him, he said; "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!" Then Jacob vowed that, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey… then the Lord will be my God." (Genesis 28:15 - 17, 21) Again God was watching over Jacob, who was wrestling with Him, and Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me!" God blessed him and said, "’Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel’… So Jacob called the place Peniel (meaning ‘Face of God’), saying ‘It is because I saw (was watching) God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’" (Genesis 32:24 – 30)

The ever watching invisible God is also the "Chief Watchman over Israel..!" In these last days, and in a special way, God is watching over Jerusalem and Israel, the apple of His eye. And, He is watching over His Church that He is calling to stand with Him as watchmen in prayer… first for Jerusalem, as well as for the nations. (Psalm 122:6; Psalm 121) Again, in Deuteronomy 11:12, God says; "It is a land that the Lord God cares for, the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end." God is continually ‘watching’ over Israel and His eyes are continually looking over His Land… all year round!  God is ‘watching’ over NOT only the people of Israel… but also over the land of Israel – the Jewish people would serve as "stewards" of the land. "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." Isaiah 62:67

Our awesome God, the "Chief Watchmen," is watching to see that His Word is fulfilled! (Jeremiah 1:12)

When did He begin doing this? We believe that He began doing this in the beginning of creation… God always existed… so He was always watching! All around the world God is watching over His Word to perform it, to bring His people home. He’ll return their land even if they try to give it away! And. The suffering that He allows will bring them salvation. God’s Word will NOT return void… but accomplish what it has purposed… "But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped…" (Ezra 5:5)

Ezra and Nehemiah were rebuilding the temple and their enemies tried to stop them… But the eyes of the Lord were watching over the Jewish people… and they were NOT stopped. We can also take encouragement from this … If God’s eyes are watching over you then… He’ll stop your enemies too! As our hearts are turned towards the Lord we can be assured that He’s watching over us more closely!

Our awesome God… Our Chief Watchman:

"For the Lord ‘watches’ over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish," Psalm 1:6 Also; Psalm 101:6; Psalm 101:6 God says He will destroy the wicked but will watch over the righteous. If we are faithful, we will dwell with Him as His priests.

"He rules forever by His power, His eyes ‘watch’ the nations." (Psalm 66:7) The God of Israel is watching over all the nations. He puts down one king and lifts up another one. God is watching and He has everything under control.

"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep ‘watch’ over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3) The Lord is watching the words that we say and we have to give an account for all the words that we speak, including idle words. May God help us to speak words we should as He watches over the door of our lips.

"My Son, keep your Father’s Commands… when you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you" Proverbs 6:20, 22. Also see Jeremiah 24:6 The Lord and His Commandments are watching over us when we walk … and when we sleep!

Watching on Earth as it is in Heaven – in the Last Days… When Ezekiel and Isaiah saw into heaven, they saw what was taking place. Those in the tabernacle, the temple that was established by David and Solomon, saw what was happening in heaven. Recorded in the Book of Acts, the disciples touched upon the events in heaven when they were in the Upper Room. Again in the Last Days, God wants us to touch what is going on in heaven. The Lord wants us to be worshipping and interceding 24 hours a day as it is happening in heaven just as Yeshua (Jesus) prayed to His Father on the Mount of Olives: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Revelations 4:11)

Messiah’s Watch on the Mount of Olives during years 1200’s – 1500’s… In Temple times, a procession circled the altar each day of the Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), saying: "Pray! O Lord, save, I pray! Pray! O Lord, give success I Pray!" On the seventh day, Hoshana Rabba ("the great Hoshana"), seven circuits were made around the Altar. Beginning in the 13^th Century, when there had been no Temple for hundreds of years, the Jewish people would climb the Mount of Olives and circle its summit in a great procession of song and ceremony during each day of the Feast of Tabernacles. On the seventh day, the day of Hoshana Rabba, the procession would circle seven times around the summit of the mount, with its beautiful view of Mount Moriah and the temple site. They were; believing for… "watching" for… and preparing for Messiah’s coming!

It was a widespread custom for the Jewish people to stay up during the night before Hoshana Rabba and read the whole Penteuch (the first Books of Moses) or Books of Deuteronomy and Psalms. This was to ensure that those who did not complete the required reading during the year would do so at this time. It was also a time just after Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Announcements were proclaimed, communities received blessings, and public excommunications were issued. The people also prayed for rain and the New Biblical Year.

Hoshana Rabba was thought to be the last day a man could receive forgiveness for his sins.

They believed that the verdict of a man passed on the Day of Atonement, was sealed. The prayer of this day opened with the words; "the power (or, the truth) of Thy salvation cometh," which dealt with the splitting open of the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4) and the resurrection of the dead.

"On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west," Zechariah 14:4

The Jewish people were watching and longing for the coming of the Messiah that He would descend from the upper heavens and sit upon His throne in Jerusalem. A legend of Jerusalem is that the Holy One would blow the trumpet seven times and reminiscent of Ezekiel 37:1 – 11 ...the following seven things would happen:

At the first blast… the whole world will quake.

At the second blast… the soil will crumble.

At the third blast… their bones will join together.

At the fourth blast… their limbs will become warm.

At the fifth blast… their skin will cover them.

At the sixth blast… spirit and soul will enter their bodies.

At the seventh blast… they will stand on their feet, clothed in their garments.

In ancient times the word Hosea Na (Save, we pray!) were linked into one word; Hosanna (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9). The word served as a response or call after every section of prayer. The Jews carried willow branches, similar to the palm branches carried by Messianic believers in the first century (first church – The Way). In our time, believers also celebrate with palm branches proclaiming; "Hosanna to the Son of David!"

The observance of Hoshanna Rabba continued for hundreds of years and then stopped. Along with many Jewish Messianic believers, we are believing for and preparing for the "Son of David," Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah to come back to the Mount of Olives to bring true peace and redemption to the world. As Jews and Gentiles, may we have our sins forgiven through Messiah, and watch and work together as "One New Man" in Messiah… for His coming to the Mount of Olives and to His City of Jerusalem. Hosanna to the Son of David!

Our first commitment toward the Jewish people should always be that they be comforted and prayed for!

"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins." The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Isaiah 40:1 – 3

Our prayer watch should always include Jerusalem… "I have posted "watchmen" on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be SILENT day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves NO rest and give Him NO rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth," Isaiah 62:6 – 7. God’s love for Jerusalem is so deep and when we comfort and support Israel we are touching His heart and He will comfort us too; "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem!" (Isaiah 66:13) We are also called to; "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all who mourn for her! (Isaiah 66:10)

Our awesome, loving God cares about Jerusalem and Israel and is watching! God will fight for Israel when nations and people try to divide or bring hardship on His people… "For the Lord has said to me, as the lion or the young lion growls over his prey – and though a large band of shepherds is called out against him, he will not be terrified at their voice or daunted at their noise – so the Lord of Hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and upon its hills. Like birds hovering, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem, He will protect and deliver it, He will pass over and spare and preserve it." (Isaiah 31:4 – 5)

There are two cities for which God has called everyone to pray… One of these is Jerusalem, "’Pray for the peace (SHALOM) of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the LORD our GOD, I will seek your prosperity!" (Psalm 122:6 – 7) God has called everyone to pray for another city; "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile (your city). Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper!" (Jeremiah 29:7) God may call people to pray for many cities or nations… but we must first pray for the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel, as well as the city or nation where we live!

Watching signs of End Times…! As Yeshua taught His disciples about signs of the end of the age, He told them this parable: "Look at (watch) the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near!" (Luke 21:29 – 31) The "fig tree" symbolizes Israel. We can see this throughout the Old Testament. The Lord is saying that when the "fig tree" (Israel)… and "all the other trees" (all nations) blossom, when they shall be sprouting leaves, we know that the coming of the Lord is near!

In 1967, three things started happening that were signs of the end times. For the first time in 2,000 years, Jerusalem came under Jewish rule as Luke 21:24 says would happen; "Jerusalem will be tramples on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." 

Just like the wall in Berlin later came down… so did the wall in Jerusalem! This happened during the Six Day War, and the Jewish people went to the Western Wall of the Temple for the first time in many years as they were weeping.

Yeshua (Jesus) was speaking in Luke 21 to His disciples about the "signs of the end of the age." The first twenty-four verses, in one sense, are directed more towards believers before 1967… the remaining verses, towards believers in our generation. It’s all applicable, however, because the Word of God is applicable to everyone, but much of what is mentioned in the first twenty-four verses happened in the first century. Then, verse twenty-four is transitional; "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled!" Yeshua (Jesus) goes on to talk about the last days. Some people say that the last days began with the time of Yeshua, but we believe that Yeshua was speaking about the last generation starting in 1967.

The disciples asked Yeshua, "Teacher… when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" (Luke 21:7) Yeshua (Jesus) responded, telling them to "watch" for the following signs:

"Watch that you are not deceived…" (Luke 21:8) We need to be watchmen’s making sure everything is based according to God’s Word and holding fast to Yeshua Himself.

"Watch for wars and rumours of wars…" (Luke 21:9 -10) Nation against nation… and there has not been one day in the last 250 years when there hasn’t been a war going on… and in fact with television today we get to see it taking place while in our living rooms. Incredible!

"Watch for earthquakes…" (Luke 21:11) We believe that great shakings are yet to take place and that everything that can be shaken will be shaken… in the spiritual as well as the natural as we approach the coming of our Lord. Zechariah 14:4 tells us that when Yeshua’s feet touch Mount of Olives it will be split in two from east to west!

"Watch for signs in the Heavens…" (Luke 21:11, 25) It is the fifth sign to ‘watch’ for and amazingly we have the 2014 / 2015 - Blood Moon’s predicted by NASA that will fall over the Feasts. It cannot be regarded as coincidence that all four blood moons of 2014/15 occur on religious festivals of Israel, together with two eclipses of the sun also on important days in 2015. (See our March N/L)

"Watch for persecution and Martyrdom…" (Luke 21:12) We don’t hear people preaching on this but it was predicted by Yeshua that even brother will betray brother… "Watch for betrayal and Hatred…" (Luke 21:16 – 17) We can see this happening across the nations as Satan knows his time is short!

"Watch for the times of the gentiles to be fulfilled…" (Luke 21:24) – The last generation! "Watch for the roaring and tossing of the Sea…" Like the signs in the Heavens these are signs on the earth; floods, tsunami’s etc. "Watch for terror and apprehension…" (Luke 21:26) Terrorism is happening in inconceivable ways and is on the increase… especially against Israel!

The Lord has shown us that we need to pray, stand with and support Israel more than ever before! All nations of the world are going to come against Israel and against Jerusalem. It’s the land of the Bible, where our Messiah is coming back.  Watch and Pray!

We hope that you enjoy and become more informed by our work. We serve an awesome God and we are humbled by this opportunity to bring you this information. With Shalom to you and your family always,

Alf & Julie Saunders

15th October, 2013

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