“And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. But, it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 49:38-39
Iranian Christians
It is often a great blessing to meet brothers in the Lord, who are from Arab countries; especially, when they have a clear view of scripture of Israel’s restoration in the last days. Then, a miracle happens: hatred vanishes, love blooms, and fellowship is restored. What a demonstration of the power of God!
While visiting a congregation in Germany recently, I met several Iranian brothers in the Lord. The encounter was wonderful, and it became especially significant with one of them.
German congregation
Although I had been in this congregation once before, I learned only this year that the pastor comes from a family with Nazi background. His grandfather was a driver to some of the highest officers in the Reich, and even long after the war, continued to display much pride whenever he showed him photos with these high ranking Nazis.
Several years ago this dear pastor began to get revelation about Israel’s place in God’s economy. To make things more interesting, this past year has brought refugees— some of them from Iran— to his congregation. The congregation is being transformed into a multi-cultural fellowship.
After I spoke, four or five of the Iranian brothers approached me. They hadn’t met a Jew before, let alone an Israeli believer. It’s hard to describe the happiness we felt, meeting each other at the feet of Yeshua; there was such a release of joy!
A special moment
One of those young men, quieter than the rest, waited for an opportune moment, and began to speak with me about his nation. He was sorry, he said that Iran harbors such hatred for the Jewish people. “We should be like Cyrus, who was used to build Israel up, and not plan to destroy you,” he said. “We should protect you and help you. Please forgive us,” he continued.
This was totally unexpected and moving, but then, he asked to wash my feet.
After getting over a bit of reticence, I agreed. We went over to the side, where the youth pastor joined us. Instead of water, oil was brought and this young Iranian, put a few drops on my feet, laid his hands on them and began to pray. Softly and tenderly he prayed, tears falling from his eyes; he was doing this unto the Lord and I was just standing in for my people.
As he prayed, I laid hands on him and prayed for him. As I prayed, I began to sense that the Lord had placed a burden on this young man, and that he was called to prayer and intercession; for his nation and for mine.
I asked him whether I could pray for him and anoint him with oil. He agreed and I was led to anoint him in the way it was done in the tabernacle of old. Oil was placed on the right ear, and the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right foot. Ex. 29:20-21
After anointing him thus, I prayed that the Lord would open his ears to hear His voice, direct his hands to do His will, and guide his feet to bring good news. I prayed he would be a blessing to my people and to his. Above all, I prayed that the Lord would draw this young man’s heart to Himself and that he would grow to be a mature man of God.
What a joy flooded our hearts at this divine encounter! Here we were, an Iranian and an Israeli praying for each other in a German church.
The Kingdom of God
Now, none of this may seem as such a “big deal”, not enough anyway to change realities on the ground and to stop a nation like Iran from its mad pursuit to destroy Israel. Yet, for a moment there, I could see, by inspiration, the Stone Daniel spoke of. The Stone that smashed the image of the world ruler, and became a “great mountain, which filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:34-35
Even now that ‘Stone’ is growing in Iran; many have secretly found Yeshua the Messiah, as their savior. To be sure, there seems to be no end to the trouble ahead, and it may very well be that we are heading for a terrible confrontation with Iran. But, I have seen the ultimate future in the face of this young man.
The Word of God confirms this:
“And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. But, it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 49:38-39
The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary, explains these verses in the following way. (Emphasis mine).
“God will soon set up His throne on earth (Jer 49:38), and make all men to know that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The issue of the conflict between light and darkness is not doubtful. All the events of history and politics are, in spite of the intrigues of ambitious and unscrupulous men, and the commotions of earthly affairs, being overruled to the grand end of setting up the throne of Him to whom the kingdom of right belongs.”
The writer’s advice in this commentary should be carefully heeded.
“Let us see that we are decidedly on the Lord’s side, and, amidst all the clouds that obscure the vision now, let us by faith see Him who is invisible to the men of the world, and look for the blessed day when His people shall see Him in glory, and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.”
Blessings from Jerusalem,
Ofer Amitai
Iranian Christians
It is often a great blessing to meet brothers in the Lord, who are from Arab countries; especially, when they have a clear view of scripture of Israel’s restoration in the last days. Then, a miracle happens: hatred vanishes, love blooms, and fellowship is restored. What a demonstration of the power of God!
While visiting a congregation in Germany recently, I met several Iranian brothers in the Lord. The encounter was wonderful, and it became especially significant with one of them.
German congregation
Although I had been in this congregation once before, I learned only this year that the pastor comes from a family with Nazi background. His grandfather was a driver to some of the highest officers in the Reich, and even long after the war, continued to display much pride whenever he showed him photos with these high ranking Nazis.
Several years ago this dear pastor began to get revelation about Israel’s place in God’s economy. To make things more interesting, this past year has brought refugees— some of them from Iran— to his congregation. The congregation is being transformed into a multi-cultural fellowship.
After I spoke, four or five of the Iranian brothers approached me. They hadn’t met a Jew before, let alone an Israeli believer. It’s hard to describe the happiness we felt, meeting each other at the feet of Yeshua; there was such a release of joy!
A special moment
One of those young men, quieter than the rest, waited for an opportune moment, and began to speak with me about his nation. He was sorry, he said that Iran harbors such hatred for the Jewish people. “We should be like Cyrus, who was used to build Israel up, and not plan to destroy you,” he said. “We should protect you and help you. Please forgive us,” he continued.
This was totally unexpected and moving, but then, he asked to wash my feet.
After getting over a bit of reticence, I agreed. We went over to the side, where the youth pastor joined us. Instead of water, oil was brought and this young Iranian, put a few drops on my feet, laid his hands on them and began to pray. Softly and tenderly he prayed, tears falling from his eyes; he was doing this unto the Lord and I was just standing in for my people.
As he prayed, I laid hands on him and prayed for him. As I prayed, I began to sense that the Lord had placed a burden on this young man, and that he was called to prayer and intercession; for his nation and for mine.
I asked him whether I could pray for him and anoint him with oil. He agreed and I was led to anoint him in the way it was done in the tabernacle of old. Oil was placed on the right ear, and the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right foot. Ex. 29:20-21
After anointing him thus, I prayed that the Lord would open his ears to hear His voice, direct his hands to do His will, and guide his feet to bring good news. I prayed he would be a blessing to my people and to his. Above all, I prayed that the Lord would draw this young man’s heart to Himself and that he would grow to be a mature man of God.
What a joy flooded our hearts at this divine encounter! Here we were, an Iranian and an Israeli praying for each other in a German church.
The Kingdom of God
Now, none of this may seem as such a “big deal”, not enough anyway to change realities on the ground and to stop a nation like Iran from its mad pursuit to destroy Israel. Yet, for a moment there, I could see, by inspiration, the Stone Daniel spoke of. The Stone that smashed the image of the world ruler, and became a “great mountain, which filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:34-35
Even now that ‘Stone’ is growing in Iran; many have secretly found Yeshua the Messiah, as their savior. To be sure, there seems to be no end to the trouble ahead, and it may very well be that we are heading for a terrible confrontation with Iran. But, I have seen the ultimate future in the face of this young man.
The Word of God confirms this:
“And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. But, it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 49:38-39
The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary, explains these verses in the following way. (Emphasis mine).
“God will soon set up His throne on earth (Jer 49:38), and make all men to know that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The issue of the conflict between light and darkness is not doubtful. All the events of history and politics are, in spite of the intrigues of ambitious and unscrupulous men, and the commotions of earthly affairs, being overruled to the grand end of setting up the throne of Him to whom the kingdom of right belongs.”
The writer’s advice in this commentary should be carefully heeded.
“Let us see that we are decidedly on the Lord’s side, and, amidst all the clouds that obscure the vision now, let us by faith see Him who is invisible to the men of the world, and look for the blessed day when His people shall see Him in glory, and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.”
Blessings from Jerusalem,
Ofer Amitai
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