Two years ago, I put together a post entitled “HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL.” It hit my top ten posts last year and has done so again this year. I guess I should probably update that post a bit.
In that first post, I gave a brief history of what this time of year means to Israel. Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement,” is perhaps the most important holiday of the Jewish year.
Second, I shared a few reasons why I didn’t think it was a very happy new year in Israel.
Third, I shared a little about the future of Israel.
I will not go back over what I covered in “HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL.” If it is not in “Top Posts” at the right, click on the four words preceding this sentence and you will see how I covered these three items two years ago.
“The custom on Rosh Hashanah is to tell everyone you see “L’shana Tova.” That means “have a good new year.” Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on September 16, 2012 and lasts until nightfall on September 18, 2012. It is followed by the fast of Yom Kippur and the holiday of Sukkot. This entire period is called the ‘High Holiday’ season.” (1)
So what are the headlines out of Israel in 2012 as Israel prepares to celebrate?
Hezbollah aiming 60-70 thousand rockets at Israel
Intelligence committee chairman: Israel doesn’t believe Obama and ‘neither do the Iranians’
Can Israel still surprise Iran?
Muslim Brotherhood official shuns Israelis at international conference
Peres Warns That ‘Time is Limited’ On Tackling Iran by Non-Military Means
Romney: ‘Iran is Greatest Threat’
Disappointing Israel, Clinton says US won’t set deadlines for Iran
The headlines of the last two days go on and on. If you want to read any of these articles, just click on the one you would like to read. I could have pasted 30 more.
At the end of “HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL” I asked, “What will happen after the war that’s coming?”
“I’ll save my opinion on that for an upcoming post” was my response in 2010. That “upcoming post” never appeared.
I now think that Israel will expand its territory after the coming war. This, of course, doesn’t mean the end of the world’s problems. I think the great tribulation of Matthew 24 will begin soon after the war. What does “soon” mean? You won’t pin me down on that one. A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day in God’s timetable.
And what about America?
The Bible says that those who bless Israel will be blessed.
Are we blessing Israel? I leave that question to you.
And while you ponder that question, I will wish Israel “L’shana Tova.”
Chris Reimers
(1) http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/blog/2012/09/08/rosh-hashanah-for-kids.html
Wings of the Wind 
Chris, the Church blesses Israel everytime she says the Mass: check this out from from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1096,
” Jewish liturgy and Christian liturgy.” : “A better knowledge of the Jewish people’s faith and religious life as professed and lived even now can help our better understanding of certain aspects of Christian liturgy. For both Jews and Christians Sacred Scripture is an essential part of their respective liturgies: in the proclamation of the Word of God, the response to this word, prayer of praise and intercession for the living and the dead, invocation of God’s mercy. In its characteristic structure the Liturgy of the Hours originates in Jewish prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours and other liturgical texts and formularies, as well as those of our most venerable prayers, including the Lord’s prayer, have parallels in Jewish prayer. The Eucharistic Prayers also draw their inspiration from the Jewish tradition. The relationship between Jewish liturgy and Christian liturgy, but also their differences in content, are particularly evident in the great feasts of the liturgical year, such as Passover. Christians and Jews both celebrate the Passover. For Jews, it is the Passover of History, tending toward the future; for Christians, it is the Passover fulfilled at the death and Resurrection of Christ, though always in expectation of its definitive consummation.”
For me, these are wonderful parallels. Everytime the Gospel is carried in procession I think of the Old Covenant scrolls. In the Jewish liturgy , when the scrolls are placed in the sanctuary I think of the Eucharist. So you see, Israel is covered in prayer. It was Augustine who said, “The New Covenant is concealed in the Old Covenant, and the Old is revealed in the New Covenant. ” Isn’t that cool? Blessings, brother
Hey Kassey (your name says “Kassie,” Kassey),
Having grown up in a protestant church (Missouri Synod Lutheran) that has a service that is perhaps closer to a mass than the majority of protestant worship services, I understand the point you are making. Even though the parallels that you have described are there, I find no specific covering of Israel in prayer.
Now, I will admit that I have a terrible memory, and it has been a while since I have been to either a Lutheran service or a Catholic Mass, but in all of the Lutheran services I attended, I don’t ever remember praying specifically for Israel, although I’m sure we did at times.
I think parallels are different than specific prayers. If you see the parallels and feel you are in prayer for Israel, I think that is wonderful. For me, the parallels are not enough. I must pray for Israel directly.
I appreciate Augustine, particularly the way he dealt with the age-old “Problem of Evil.” Who am I to question the great theologian?
My answer would be: just some curious guy.
And my question would be something like: “I’m with you, Mr. Augustine that the New Covenant is concealed in the Old Covenant, but I don’t understand how the Old is revealed in the New. Maybe you can shed some light on this for me, Kassey.
God’s blessings…
For Augustine’s take on the problem of evil, one can go here:
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5124
Chris,
I think we are thinking about different things. Maybe we need to get our terms clarified. When I refer to “prohecy”, “fullfillment” or “prophecies..” I do not speculate about, or get even close to interpreting “end time prophecies” nor does my Church. I am referring in this post specifically to Messianic prophecies.
So, In regards to the Old being revealed in the New, this is by no means an exhaustive list: Remember Jesus referred to Isaiah 61:1 in Luke 4, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” and, John 5:39 “You search the scriptures…it is they that bear witness to ME” the Old was fulfilled in JESUS. It is HE, not world events, that will bring about things to come. It is about JESUS, Chris..It is all about JESUS. IT is HE we focus on and have our being…Augustine also said, “we will not rest until we rest in Thee,”
but sorry if I seem judgmental. out of it or digress…. perhaps I should withdraw from these kinds of discussions..we hold different views and that is ok… but GOD…..
, in regards to “covered in prayer”:
Click to access Prayers.pdf
I have read Augustine’s piece about evil as the “privation of the Good.” I was a phil major after all.
finally, I am proud to be counted among the “curious guys.” I include you in that group.
shalom, Kassie
Hi Kassie.
I think it would be a shame if you withdrew from making comments. I consider you a deep thinker and your type is in the minority these days (and perhaps it has always been).
You are so right about definition of terms. When you wrote Augustine’s words, “Old is revealed in the new covenant,” I think it was the “revealed” that got me. I think the words “completed” or “fulfilled” would have been better choices. I only think Augustine phased it in a confusing way because the Old Covenant had already been revealed.
I am in complete agreement that Jesus fulfilled all messianic O.T. prophecies. The scriptures you refer to are perfect examples.
In discussing this subject, I was not thinking about end times prophecies. I was only thinking about the Old and New Covenants.
I also believe it is all about Jesus. Without Him we would be lost. I too think that God will bring about the things to come. However, I cannot discount the many scriptures that refer to world events and the great Tribulation. It is Jesus’ main topic in Matthew 24.
I think that a person can focus on end days subjects so much that it can get in the way of one’s relationship with God. I also think that, in its proper perspective, the study of eschatology can be a great blessing. An example, off of the top of my head, is the last section of the Bible (Rev. 20-22). As I take that section of scripture literally, it is a great comfort.
You do not seem judgmental at all, Kassie. You are only being honest about what you think. I surely do not think you are out of it. I only wish more people were as serious about God as you are.
I have yet to find two Christians that agree on everything. I know we have our differences but I find discussions like this enriching. Thank you for your comments.
God’s blessings…
Beautiful…thank you for the refresher!
You are welcome, Barbara. So glad you stopped by!!!