The signs of the times

Discerning God’s voice in regard to Israel’s security (1980s)

Frances Rabbitts reviews ‘Jerusalem: The Covenant City’ (DVD, Hatikvah Films, 2002).

This feature-length (115 mins) film from the Hatikvah Trust is now a little dated in its presentation, but remains a good cinematic overview of the “unique, eternal and prophetic destiny” of God’s own city, Jerusalem. Presented by Lance Lambert, the documentary is split into two parts – the first looking at the past (just over an hour) and the second looking at the present and the future (just under an hour).

With such a vast period of history – nearly all of it - to cover, the presentation is necessarily concise. However, Director Hugh Kitson does sterling work in weaving together an array of historical events with Scripture references into one coherent narrative, with no sense of rushing. Newcomers to the topic will receive a wealth of information and insight – and those with more experience will be encouraged with the film’s perspective.

Part I: The Past

Part I starts with the question, so popular with the media, ‘what makes Jerusalem unique?’ Contrary to popular opinion that her significance derives from her importance to three world faiths, we find that it actually owes to God’s declaration of ownership over her.

We are then treated to a fly-through of Jerusalem’s biblical history, beginning with Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac on Mount Moriah, through David, Solomon, the descent of Israel into idolatry, the first exile and the first return. Lance then spends some time on the prophecies of Daniel about the coming of Messiah and space is made for viewers to reflect on the work of the Cross.

Newcomers to the topic will receive a wealth of information and insight – and those with more experience will be encouraged with the film’s perspective.

The film then moves through Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, the second destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of 70 AD, then considering the ‘times of the Gentiles’, including the Ottoman occupation and the centuries of Jerusalem’s decay as an imperial backwater. It concludes with an outline of the history of the return, from the early settlers through to the making of modern Israel.

Here archive footage becomes available and Scripture is interwoven with old photographs and film footage of both the 1948 and 1967 wars.

Part II: Present and Future

The second part starts with moving shots of modern aliyah - stories of Jews returning from around the world. Attention then moves to the decades of contention that have plagued Jerusalem since her unification in 1967 – the bills and declarations, the peace accords and the intifadas. Examples and footage are included here which may well either be new to many, or have long been forgotten.

Here the main narrative is supplemented with interviews with political leaders on the subject of the Jewish claim to Jerusalem, and mention is made of Arab historic revisionism and Western media bias.

Looking to the future, Lance notes that true peace will only come to Jerusalem when Jesus returns. Lance explains the spiritual battle raging over Zion today, with further reference to the Book of Daniel, and then looks at the prophetic milestones we are to expect ahead of Jesus’ return, mostly through straightforwardly reading Scripture. The film ends on a high note of hope in Messiah’s return.

Lance explains the spiritual battle raging over Zion today and then looks at the prophetic milestones we are to expect ahead of Jesus’ return.

Scripture from Start to Finish

Obviously there is a limit to the amount of detail that is possible to achieve in a film with such a huge historical scope, however, Hatikvah does an excellent job. In fact, it feels as if the whole film is made up of Scripture from start to finish, and there is a wonderful focus on Jesus throughout. Though it leaves c.15 years unaccounted for, having been made in 2002, its prophetic teaching remains remarkably relevant, while its biblical/historical accounts are timeless.

An excellent and encouraging introduction to the topic that would be perfect for small groups and Christians with little knowledge of the subject.

Jerusalem: The Covenant City can be purchased from Hatikvah Films for £12 or on Amazon (also available to stream online from £3.19).

Sharon and Frances Rabbitts review 'Abraham's Vision' (2011, Hatikvah Films) – previously 'Blessing, Curse or Coincidence? Vol 1'.

Abraham's Vision is a 2-hour long, multi-award winning documentary looking at God's covenant purposes for Israel and their implications for the nations through history. Presented by Lance Lambert, this Hatikvah film was previously published under the title Blessing, Curse or Coincidence? Vol 1, and stands as the first of a three-part documentary, the second of which is entitled Jacob's Tears (reviewed elsewhere on the site).

Tracing God's Divine Purpose

The series traces God's divine purpose for Israel from Genesis to Revelation, mapping this onto the course of world history. In particular, it tracks how God's promise in Genesis to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her has been borne out through various Gentile nations, empires and individuals (given the nature of history, of course, the focus is mostly on those who have come under God's curse for harming His people).

But beyond this, the ultimate goal is to get viewers to see the course of global history, including the rise and fall of major empires, as a testimony to God's truth and faithfulness to His promises, particularly in relation to His covenant people. We are to see history in the context of Scripture and God's overarching covenant purposes, not the other way around. This it achieves well.

The DVD tracks God's covenant promises to Israel and their fulfilment through time, also joining up the dots between His purposes for them and His Gospel purposes for the whole world.

From Eden to Rome

Abraham's Vision is split into 9 parts, beginning in Eden, but spending the bulk of its time looking at the three major covenants - Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic. It then follows Israel through into exile in Babylon, and then into the dominion of the Greek and Roman empires, during which the New Covenant is given through Jesus Messiah.

It covers the usual ground, bringing the narratives alive with the help of artistic renderings and computer-generated images (some of which appear rather dated now, but which are still helpful for bringing the stories alive), as well as footage of the Holy Land. It also makes time to explore less well-known themes such as the enmity between Israel and the Philistines (and the continuation of this in modern-day Islam). Where it ends – with the fall of Rome – is where Jacob's Tears picks up.

Suitable for Group or Individual Use

The DVD comes with Bible Study notes for individuals and groups, making this an ideal resource for home/cell groups as well as personal use. It is an ideal introduction for those with little or no prior experience of this topic or understanding of Scripture/history, and is paced well for stop-start group discussion.

Each section is well-supported with Bible verses, as well as historical and archaeological evidence, discussed and applied ably by international Bible scholars and teachers, academics and ministry leaders, several of whom are Messianic Jews. Contributors include Malcolm Hedding, Dr Jack Hayford, Chuck Cohen and Ofer Amitai. Together they unpack the significance of the biblical covenants, the fulfilments we are still awaiting today, how they connect into global politics and what to look for in the future. Everything is very clearly explained – but with enough room left for questions and discussion to be inspired amongst viewers.

This is a very helpful, Spirit-filled, encouraging DVD that would make useful grounding for anyone interested in exploring God's purposes for Israel, the world and themselves – especially those who have little or no prior knowledge in this area. Ideal for small group use – and suitable for teens and up.

Buy Abraham's Vision for £15 from Hatikvah Films (who also offer a streaming service). It is also available on DVD as a series of 13 half-hour programmes originally aired on Revelation TV.

Download accompanying resources, watch clips and find out more about the film's history at blessingcursecoincidence.com.

Paul Luckraft reviews three of CFI's handy teaching booklets, each approaching this important topic with a slightly different emphasis.

Praying for Israel: Practical Guidelines (various contributors, 18 pages, available from CFI for £2.50)

This short booklet has been compiled from a selection of articles by various contributors including Lance Lambert and Derek White. As the title suggests, it is mainly a series of tips and hints for those who already see the need to pray for Israel and who are committed to this.

The first section gives a series of bullet points to enable stronger praying regarding the Church and Israel. The aim is to uplift those in the Church who support Israel and teach Hebraic roots, and to pray for a change of heart for those who do not. Each point is backed up with a verse from Scripture.

The second section recognises that praying for Israel is a spiritual battle which requires intervention in the heavenly places. Some 'prayer weapons' are listed, as are some scriptures (mainly verses from the Psalms) to enable the prayer warrior to cry to God from the heart.

The third section concerns praying for Israel in the modern world today. We are encouraged to pray for truth, for those in authority and for the salvation of both Jews and Arabs. Reconciliation and protection are also key issues. We should also not forget those in Israel who are already believers in Jesus.

The final section provides guidelines for corporate prayer. This is the longest section and gives practical advice for leaders of prayer groups as well as for those who are new to intercessory prayer. These final few pages are full of wisdom and good sense, and round off the whole booklet in an excellent way.

For Zion's Sake: Praying for the Restoration of Israel (Carl Kinbar, 12 pages, available from CFI for £2)

This is the shortest of the three booklets but overflows with excellent information and advice. It is a basic prayer guide for those who have a heart for the Jewish people and who desire to see the complete fulfilment of God's purposes for them.

It opens with an outline of God's basic plan for Israel based on passages from Ezekiel, highlighting the three main aspects of the prophetic promise; namely their return to the land, their restoration to God and then the reign of Messiah. These serve as the foundation for intercessory prayer on their behalf. Kinbar is clear that Jews are "restored to relationship with God in exactly the same way non-Jews are saved, by the grace of God through faith" (pp 3-4). The barrier of sin must be removed and a spiritual cleansing take place. Only then can they walk in God's ways and fulfil their destiny as a nation.

The rest of the booklet contains seven specific areas of prayer that arise from the prophetic pattern and which are shaped by God's promises. One area is to pray for believers and congregations already in the land. Another is to pray for the attitude of the Church and that it would fulfil its God-given role of making Israel jealous. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is explained in two ways, external and internal, covering both protection against enemies outside the land and reconciliation between factions inside the land.

The overall conclusion is that one day "God will capture the heart of Israel and possess her as a people who worship and serve him fully" (p13). Those who pray "For Zion's sake" have a part in that restoration.

Intercession: Called to be Watchmen (Lance Lambert, 28 pages, available from CFI for £2)

This longer booklet is obviously a transcript of a talk given by Lance back in 1987. Nevertheless, the principles it contains remain the same even though the final section on certain specifics of the time is now outdated.

Lance's first point is that interest in Israel must lead to intercession for them, rather than obsession with them. He asserts that 'watch and pray' should be a key instruction for all who love Israel.

He warns that intercession is the deepest form of prayer. It is not a light or easy thing. He gives details from the biblical examples of Moses, Samuel and Daniel to back up this point. Anyone wanting to be a watchman needs to feel called to this. He or she doesn't need special education but does need vision, someone who sees the Lord and what he is doing, not so much with physical eyes but with the eyes of the heart. Lance explains that the "function of a watchman is to guard the interests of the king and of the city" (p9).

He must see not only what is coming from outside, but also what is happening inside the city. His job is not only to see enemies coming from afar but also look for betrayers within.

Lance goes on to explore the mystery of intercession, including why God requires it at all. He also helpfully outlines common misconceptions regarding intercession. With the help of real life stories that are both amusing and alarming, he explains the errors and pitfalls that he has come across in practice, and warns of the dangers of entering into this ministry without the leading of the Spirit.

He ends with the costs and rewards of being an intercessor. Intercession requires "your whole being, spirit, soul and body for twenty-four hours of every day of every week of every year" (p20). This might seem rather daunting, even off-putting, but it is as well to be aware that intercession is a constant burden and not for Christians of 'minimal maturity'.

Taken together these three booklets provide a comprehensive set of teaching on this important topic of praying for Israel.

There are many more teaching booklets available through CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) – just click here.

Last week we re-printed part of an interview with Lance Lambert, in which he gives a Messianic perspective on the future of the Jewish people. Interviewed by Gary Clayton, he concludes by assessing the significance of lsraeI's fortieth anniversary in the light of scripture and world events.

I believe that in many ways the fortieth anniversary of modern IsraeI's history has to be deeply significant. Indeed, there has hardly been a phase in the past forty years that has not been of significance.

It is surely noteworthy that most of the political and military analysts examining the Middle East situation in 1946 and 1947 — before the State of Israel was created — found it hard to believe that Israel would survive. Even after her first year it still seemed incredible that she could have lasted so long. There have been five wars in the forty year period, three of which could easily have seen the liquidation of both state and nation. lt is remarkable that every war has ended not only in Israeli survival, but in triumph — including the first, a war of independence.

Triumph and survival

People tend to attribute this survival to Jewish intelligence and ingenuity, but as someone who is both a Jew and an Israeli, living in and being part of the nation, I realise what a miracle it is that we have come through. But this is not the only miracle. Anyone examining the economy of Israel can see that it has been disastrously managed. Red tape and bureaucracy have caused enormous problems, which is surprising when we remember that throughout the world Jews are regarded as shrewd and successful businessmen.

Yet forty years on, despite such mismanagement, Israel has a viable economy. This to me is as great a miracle as the one of political stability. It is truly remarkable therefore that Israel has reached her fortieth year.

The question we need to ask is what this new phase actually signifies. Some believe that IsraeI's wars and troubles are over and that she is going to move into a period of peace and establishment, but l cannot subscribe to that view. My intuition and understanding of the prophetic word tell me that Israel faces further war and suffering in the years immediately ahead. I expect that this will herald the beginning of a much greater fulfilment of God's purposes for the nation. The fortieth anniversary is just the start.

My intuition and understanding of the prophetic word tell me that Israel faces further war and suffering in the years immediately ahead. The fortieth anniversary may herald a much greater fulfilment of God's purposes for the nation.

Hakhel: The Solemn Convocation

An event took place in Israel last year during the Feast of Tabernacles which went practically unnoticed by the outside world, yet it was one which I feel has great significance. This was the re-enaction of a ceremony which had not been held in Jerusalem for over 2,500 years, not in fact since the time when the last kings of Judah were in the land. It is called the Hakhel, a solemn convocation. This was always summoned in the Sh'mittah, or seventh year, when the land had to lie fallow.

During this ceremony the high priest would gather the people in the Temple and ask the king to read the law from the book of Deuteronomy. For the first time in two and a half millennia, the two chief rabbis gave notice that they were going to hold this ceremony at the western wall, and asked President Chaim Herzog if he would represent the king while they took the place of the high priest. I was present with a group of Messianic believers. It was a most moving and remarkable event with more than thirty-five thousand people present, the largest crowd I ever seen at the western wall.

In 1987 during the Feast of Tabernacles, the Hakhel ceremony was re-enacted in Jerusalem for the first time in over 2,500 years.

Unearthly Sounds

It began with a fanfare of military trumpets to announce the arrival of the president, and then a strange, unearthly sound suddenly filled the air. I wondered what it was, but looking up l saw seven men on the western wall dressed in the garb of Levites, blowing seven silver trumpets. From the south-west corner of the temple wall came the sound of a further seven blowing similar instruments, and the two groups echoed one another back and forth. These silver trumpets were being blown for the first time in thousands of years so as to call together the meeting, the solemn convocation.

The law was read and there was much prayer, which I found very moving. There was a strong sense of the Spirit of God and there could hardly have been one Messianic Jew present who was not deeply moved, even to tears. The prayer was for Israel to be given the gift of repentance; for her to return to the Lord and for the Lord to renew her so that she would be able to walk in his ways, forsaking all unrighteousness.

Moving prayers were said for Israel to be given the gift of repentance, for her to return to the Lord and for the Lord to renew her so she would be able to walk in his ways.

We all felt it was a most important event, and coming at the beginning of the new Jewish year of 5748, the fortieth anniversary of Israel, we could not help but wonder what it might herald. It could indicate the beginning of a movement of the Spirit of God to establish the Messianic community and turn the nation towards the Lord.

On the one hand this new phase in Israel's history may see even more war and suffering, on the other it may see the establishment of the nation in new and deeper ways than ever before, particularly on a spiritual level.

Prophecy of Conflict

Looking at Israel and the global situation, I recollect that it is now 14 or 15 years since I first began warning people that we could be in the run-up to the fulfilment of the prophecy in Ezekiel 38 and 39 concerning war against Israel:

In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land (Eze 38:7-9).

Viewing the Middle East through Israeli eyes, it seems clear to me that events are being moved into place in readiness for this prophecy to be fulfilled.

Reflections on the Gulf War

The Ayatollah has received something of a setback in the Gulf as a result of the involvement of Western powers, with lraq's re-arming by the French, the West Germans and the British naturally prolonging the war. The involvement of the United States in bringing its navy into the Gulf with 14 of its warships and the re-flagging of Kuwaiti ships under the Stars and Stripes have likewise prolonged the conflict, as has the Soviet Union's own massive military assistance to Iraq.

It is hard to believe that this war has gone on for more than eight years, resulted in over a million deaths and continues with still no sign of an end in view. Israeli intelligence believes that there will be at least another two years before there is any outcome. Had Iraq and Iran been left to themselves, lraq would probably have collapsed long ago. Her economy is in ruins and her second-largest city practically a ghost town, with no ships able to get in or out of her port. The oil fields in the north have been partially wrecked and Baghdad has been under continuous threat of bombardment by missiles. The Iranians number about 70 million people and are determined to win this war. Morale is quite high and although the economy has suffered it is still functioning.

Iraq, meanwhile, is in colossal debt. She numbers just under 16 million people and suffers from poor morale. I believe Iran will win this war, and so far every month that passes makes it seem even more likely. The other Arab and Islamic leaders are all afraid of Iran. An American intelligence report based on a three and a half month's study stated that it did not matter if there were forty American ships in the Gulf or a hundred, Iran would still win. Not long ago a number of unofficial delegations comprising high-ranking Soviet officials went to Tehran. This may be significant since the American presence in the Gulf is quite likely to trigger a Soviet response.

In the end, Iran may get desperate to conclude the war and so might decide to do some kind of deal with the Soviet Union. I am not predicting that this will necessarily happen, but we should watch out for such developments as they could be significant in the light of Ezekiel's prophecy in chapter 38, concerning the evil scheme of the 'country from the far north' to advance with many nations against Israel.

Agenda against Israel

For many years people have asked what would happen if Iran won the war. The answer is simple, since their oft-stated aim is the 'liberation' of Jerusalem and the liquidation of Israel. I have no doubt that once victory over Iraq is complete they will seek to thrust through Jordan and press on to the mountains of Moab and Gilead.

Iraq is also an enemy of Israel, and this is why the latter has been only too happy for Iran and Iraq to have been at each other's throats for so long. I believe that, once the war is over, the victors' attention will shift to Israel.

I believe that once the Gulf War is over, the victors' attentions will shift to Israel.

Syria, meanwhile, is in a quandary. Her economy is in ruins and she is dependent on Saudi Arabia to bail her out. The Kuwaitis, Saudis and other sheikhs have been pouring large sums of money into Iraq to keep her afloat and Saudi Arabia recently questioned whether she would continue to support Syria in view of the latter's antagonistic attitude towards Iraq. Not so long ago at the Islamic Conference at Amman Jordan's King Hussein tried to bring about a reconciliation between Syria and Iraq. The one thing Syria and Iraq have in common is that both are violently opposed to Israel.

Glasnost: real openness or window-dressing?

In Mikhail Gorbachev the Soviet Union has the youngest and most popular leader for decades. As a result of his glasnost ('openess') policy he has an excellent public image. He appears a much more open, contemporary and compassionate leader, yet it is hard to believe that a man who was for many years a leader in the KGB could ever really be as good as he sounds. I do not know of a single Jew released from Soviet Union who does not regard glasnost as little more than an exercise in window-dressing. Many of them are concerned that the West is being taken in by this new approach.

I believe that the Soviet Union's real plan is to let out some ten thousand or so Jewish activists who are considered to be trouble-makers but keep the remaining three million Jews where they are. There is no doubt, however, that this community will come home to Israel in the end, and that it will be by divine dictate. I am certain of this because of the prophetic words of Isaiah 43:3-6:

For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour...do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you up from the west. I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back". Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

Some good things are happening in Israel and we have to be thankful for them. We live in a country battling for its life, one in which most young people have been involved in at least one war before reaching their twenties, and which has problems no other nation has. If we have special problems, however, we have special promises as well; promises made by God through the prophets. They are promises no other nation has.

If Israel has special problems with conflict and survival, it also has special promises made by God that no other nation has.

'Jacob's Tears', DVD documentary by Hatikvah Films (2015, 1 h 44 mins, available from the publisher for £15, or click here to stream immediately for £9.99)

How does one explain the 'why', 'what', 'where' and 'how' of the greatest catastrophe in Israel's national history (known as the Shoah in Hebrew), which took place less than 100 years ago in a highly civilised, cultured European country, during the twelve year reign of Hitler's Third Reich?

A DVD produced by Hatikvah Films, narrated by Peter Darg and Richard Climpson and presented by the late Lance Lambert, is a thought-provoking, arresting narrative of the Holocaust – presenting both Jewish and German viewpoints.

The Seeds of the Holocaust

The seeds of the Holocaust were planted in the German psyche well before World War II. During the 1930s, Hitler became the most successful politician of his era, uniting the Germans by blaming the Jews for the country's post-WWI political, economic and social woes. This created a climate for virulent anti-Semitism.

In 1930 after re-creating and enlarging 'the throne of Satan' (Rev 2:13), an ancient stone altar in Pergamum, as part of the new Nazi rally grounds in Nuremberg, Hitler used the enormous arena to accommodate the masses, who offered their adulation in raised-arm salutes to their Fuhrer. "Heil Hitler" means 'salvation comes from Hitler'.

This DVD by Hatikvah Films, presented by the late Lance Lambert, is a thought-provoking, arresting narrative of the Holocaust, presenting both Jewish and German viewpoints.

Sister Joela Kruger of the Evangelical Sisters of Mary explains the spiritual dynamic in Germany during that time. Hitler sought to eradicate the Christian witness there and to transfer the peoples' allegiance to himself - hence the conflict of the two crosses: the broken swastika and the true Cross of Jesus Christ.

Tragically the Church was silent, even after the horrific events of Kristellnacht on 9 November 1938. German Jews were set upon by the SS and SR, beaten, their homes attacked and looted and their synagogues burnt to the ground. Some brave Christian leaders - Dietrich Bonhoeffer amongst them - did speak out against Hitler, but NOT (significantly) against his treatment of the Jews.

Looking East

As the gas chambers of Auschwitz and Dachau became the hideous killing factories for European Jewry and other despised ethnic groups, Hitler turned his eyes towards Jerusalem. Being a prominent foreshadowing of anti-Christ, he allied himself with the Mufti of Jerusalem. Both men held an endlessly hostile attitude towards the Jewish people and they signed an agreement for the 'extermination' of the Jews.

By 1942, a German conquest of the Middle East seemed a distinct possibility. The British held the Mandate in Palestine (as it was then known) but the country was very vulnerable, completely surrounded by armed and dangerous enemies. The Germans were strategically placed to overcome the Allies but failed to capitalise on their advantage. The Allied victory at El Alamein secured the national homeland of the Jews – the land of Israel; many saw this as a victory by the finger of God.

Curses and Blessings

Many Germans today acknowledge that the Holocaust left a nation under a curse. Families have suffered generationally from the commitment of their forebears to the Third Reich. But praise God, those who come to Christ in repentance have the curse broken by Christ's work on the cross. What grace has been poured out to all sinners!

Is Germany cursed or blessed? Commentaries by Dr Harald Eckhert, Chairman of European Coalition for Israel and Dr Jurgen Buhler, Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem are emotionally revealing. Some Germans have led the way into deep repentance for their nation's sins against the Jews. The late Basilea Schlink of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Darmstadt was a guiding light, leading the way. The nation has been rebuilt, is prospering and secure. Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Germany owes its nationhood to the State of Israel. Both countries maintain a loyal, reliable and strong alliance. As Dr Eckhart asks with fear and trembling "can we as a nation match up to the grace that the Lord has poured out upon us?"

Some Germans have led the way into deep repentance for the nation's sins against the Jews, and God has poured out grace upon them. But anti-Semitism has not been entirely eradicated.

Sister Joela Kruger says that not all Germans are repentant. There is another form of anti-Semitism taking root there. It is opposition to the State of Israel. God's judgement has nevertheless been suspended to give Germany an opportunity to become a sheep nation (Matt 25:32). But he will have the last word.

DVD

I commend the DVD to all who have a desire to understand the role Germany played on the world stage during the 12 years of the Third Reich. The scenes and images on the DVD are familiar to some but traumatising for others - there is a warning about allowing children to watch it.

God Almighty does not change. He has said that whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, BUT whoever curses Israel will be cursed. Let us too, as a nation, take warning.

A Tribute by the Revd Dr Clifford Hill

Lance Lambert has had an outstanding ministry of huge significance for relationships between Jews and Christians. His father was a member of an aristocratic family in Italy but as a Jew, he feared for his family when Mussolini joined forces with Hitler. He sent his wife and two children to England, where she changed her name in case Hitler won the war and persecution reached these shores. As a Messianic believer, Lance was in a unique position in Jerusalem where he was accepted as a wise counsellor by many in leadership in Israel. He kept a kosher household so that his orthodox friends would always feel comfortable in his home.

Lance Lambert has had an outstanding ministry of huge significance for relationships between Jews and Christians."

I've known Lance since the days of his ministry at Halford House in the Richmond area of London back in the 1970s in the early days of the Charismatic Movement, when he was already an established leader. His ministry at Halford House was always biblical and even in those days showed his interest in the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith - which was long before he made Aliyah to Israel. He also had a considerable interest in the prophetic ministry which grew out of his love for the prophets of ancient Israel and their role in the history of the nation.

Journey to Faith

After he settled in Jerusalem, my wife and I often spent time with him in his home on our visits to Israel. He talked about his family and how his father was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. They never heard from him again. His mother rarely spoke about their Jewish family background. Then one day, there was a tent mission near their home and Lance's sister went with some friends and responded to the call for salvation. She came home full of it and Lance's mother reacted strongly, forbidding her to go again. Lance was so intrigued by his mother's reaction that he went to the mission the following day and he also responded to the gospel which was the beginning of his Christian life. It was only after this that he learned about his Jewish past and it wasn't really until he was pastoring the church in Richmond that he began to take it a particular interest in his family history.

Lance's ministry was always biblical, and even in its early days showed his interest in the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith."

His home in West Jerusalem (near the Windmill) was full of antiques and I remember over the stairs there was a wall hanging that he said was of great historical interest and was of the same era as the Turin Shroud. Having a conversation with Lance in his home was usually in competition with two very noisy parrots but it was always worthwhile to listen to his scholarship and to benefit from his great knowledge of Israel and the contemporary Middle East.

A Word about Syria

He lived in the area where most of the ruling class of Israeli politicians and businessmen lived, so he knew most members of the Cabinet and he was always well-informed on contemporary issues. On one occasion my wife and I were enjoying a Shabbat meal at his table and I told him that I'd had a strong word of warning which I believed to be from the Lord that there was an imminent attack coming from Syria within a few days. It was Friday 13 April 1984, which was just prior to Passover. It was not long after the bombing of the American Embassy in Beirut and most Western forces were being withdrawn from Lebanon, leaving Syria the dominant force in the Middle East.

Lance thought it highly unlikely, as there was no special alert and Israeli military intelligence was usually very efficient. We returned to England the following day and we listened to every news bulletin over the next day or two but there was no incident, so we concluded that I must have been mistaken in the word that I thought I had heard. But a month later Lance came to London and telephoned asking me to meet him. He sounded excited and I arranged to go to Richmond the next day. This is the remarkable story he told me.

Early on the Saturday morning, Lance called to see one of his neighbours who was the Minister of Defence in the Government, who dismissed the suggestion of an impending attack from Syria but promised to check with the military. Two hours later he came to Lance's house and began asking numerous questions about me; who I worked for and questions about my background. The Minister was convinced that I must have high-level contacts in Syria as satellite information revealed the massing of military forces in southern Syria moving towards the Golan Heights with an imminent invasion possible. Within hours Israel was on full military alert so Lance began calling Messianic leaders inviting them to meet in his home on Sunday afternoon. They concluded that if God had revealed this to them they should do something about it.

Saved in the Storm

They began a time of fervent intercession for the protection of Israel. By 6 o'clock that Sunday evening a storm swept across the land and struck Jerusalem with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain. Storms in Israel at that time of year are very unusual and this was a storm of great intensity. Lance said the noise was so great that they had to shout to hear each other praying and he expected a tree in the yard to come crashing through the window at any moment. The storm continued right through Monday 16 April and through to Tuesday 17, covering the whole of Israel, southern Lebanon, southern Syria and parts of Jordan.

On Wednesday 18 Lance met the Minister, who quietly said "Lance, the storm saved us". He reported that intelligence indicated that there was to have been a missile attack followed by a full-scale assault by tanks and troops, but the ground was so soft that heavy armoured vehicles would not have been able to make progress. Once the surprise element was lost the planned assault had been cancelled. He also told Lance that Israeli intelligence had been checking his friend in London but that so far they had been unable to identify my source of information! Lance thought that was hugely funny and he said that he hoped they would soon find out.

Lance was wise, generous and loving. He will be greatly missed for the hugely influential ministry that he exercised."

This incident firmly established my friendship with Lance. I learned a lot from him: he was wise, generous and loving and he will be greatly missed for the hugely influential ministry that he exercised. After that incident in 1984, Lance gladly agreed to be one of the leaders of the prophetic gatherings at Mt Carmel and in Jerusalem, some two years later in 1986. He played an important part in both these meetings. At Carmel he received an important prophecy which is still quoted today (click here for a full transcript). It spoke of the shaking of the nations which he believed began with the First World War and was about to escalate in line with the prophecy of Haggai 2 and Hebrews 12 and the warnings that Jesus gave concerning the end times.

As a Messianic Jew, Lance was in a unique position as a bridge between Christians and Jews in Israel. He was a man with a mission, raised by God at a special time in history. He was surely a forerunner of what St Paul in Ephesians describes as "the one new man" – fully accepted by both Jew and Gentile – a very precious brother.

Long may his influence continue!