When the time came for the Jews to return to Zion, God awakened the spirit of Cyrus and the Jews (Ezra 1: 1,5). Not all were willing to leave Babylon, having settled down, but others inspired with a pioneering spirit were willing to return home and clear the way for those who would eventually follow (Jer. 29: 4-7).
The Jews who remained in Babylon were encouraged to help those heading to the front. Their consequent generosity was on record and revealed how eager and eager they were to get involved in such a holy mission and historic project. This association, based on mutual respect, in GOD’S WORK OF RESTORATION, They revealed that they understood how some are COMMISSIONED to build with the materials that others are contracted to provide. It is very encouraging to know that others are behind you and that God hurts everyone’s genuine efforts (2 Corinthians 9:10).
Now God’s time has come RESTORE THE TRUE GOSPEL IN JERUSALEM! The Church of God began in Jerusalem and was prophesied to return just before the end of this dark age and the dawn of the Wonderful World of Tomorrow (Matthew 24:16). The Jews were the first to be offered salvation and will now be the last to receive it, but they will receive it (Zechariah 12:10). Everything has come full circle (Matthew 23:39).
Read here what Mr. Armstrong taught:
“How are we preparing the way for the Messianic coming of Christ? In three ways:
1) proclaiming and publishing throughout the world the gospel of the Kingdom of God …
2) preparing a town for his coming … and
3) something that even I didn’t realize until recently that we were also OFFICIAL what to do – clean up the dirt and debris in that area that was the original Jerusalem and the City of David … Why is that important? Because Christ has said that He will still choose Jerusalem … His throne will be there. Don’t you think it will be in the same place that He chose for the throne of David? Where was David’s throne? It was in this very place that we are now cleaning and dragging the debris of century after century of accumulation … That is the place we are cleaning!
So there is a physical preparation, as well as a spiritual one, in preparing the way for the Coming of the Messiah! Also, God says we should SHOUT [not shut up], with amplified power, at CITIES OF JUDA the joyous message that the Messiah is coming soon “- Herbert W Armstrong Autobiography, Volume II, pages 469-470 (emphasis mine).
Isaiah 40: 9
9 Oh Zion,
You who bring good news
Climb the high mountain;
Oh Jerusalem,
You who bring good news
Raise your voice with force,
Pick it up, don’t be afraid;
Tell the CITIES OF JUDAH, “Behold your God!”
And during my reading of the Bible last night, this stood out:
2 Samuel 10:12
12 Take courage and let us be strong for our People and for the CITIES OF OUR GOD. And may the LORD do what seems good to him. “
God says, and His apostle taught, we must share the GOOD NEWS WITH JUDA. None of the congregations of the Church of God have done this! What are we waiting for?
We must sound the alarm from Zion (Joel 2: 1). What is spoken in Jerusalem is heard throughout the world (Joel 3:16). We have the unique opportunity, and responsibility, to warn Judah that a German-led Europe is about to enter the Middle East! We could do this through full-page newspaper ads.
The crusader spirit of Europe is restless. Soon, the “Roman troops” will reoccupy the Holy Land (Isaiah 40: 9). Who else can warn them? Who else can help restore Israel’s identity (Isaiah 49: 5) and tell Judah, “I am Joseph your brother”?
And doesn’t God’s Word imply that an apostle will be sent to the Middle East (Isaiah 41:27)? Could not such an apostle of Jerusalem and the Jews – bring the Word of God to the cities of Judah – something that Herbert Armstrong wanted to be and do but had no power – be the main spokesman (in the spirit of Elijah to the NATION) between the Two Witnesses and, as an envoy from the House of David, an anointed DAVID MESSENGER, be like GOD before the Jews in Jerusalem (Zechariah 12: 8)? Has not God now shared with us the possibility of such a revelation? (Isaiah 48: 6). Will we prepare the way?
In the meantime though, shouldn’t we do all we can and work together with Jewish friends in Israel, either by sponsoring Yair Davidiy, author and founder of Brit-Am Israel in translating information about “the Ten Lost Tribes” into Hebrew and publicizing it, encouraging the Temple of Faithful Mount In every way possible, plant a forest or create a garden in honor and memory of Herbert W. Armstrong, and help faithful Jews living in pioneer communities (“settlements”) with whatever they need? Who else has a plan of action for the Jewish homeland? Let’s do at least SOMETHING.
May the Church of God be open to suggestions and seriously consider our options. Time is running out!