FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

“Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

(Ezekiel 36:36)

Dear friends

It is an exciting time to be alive. In the midst of all the turbulences and spiritual upheavals around the world, God is still at work. Israel at its 75th anniversary is growing at an incredible pace. I am convinced that even the Judicial crisis in Israel that still brings people in large droves to the streets every weekend, will be resolved for the good of the country. I believe so because I know that God is watching over Israel and His eternal purposes with His people will at the end be established.

I remember years ago talking to German theologians about Israel’s restoration. As a trained scientist, I encouraged them just to look at the astronomical evidence of fulfilled prophecies in Israel’s restoration. “Even probability theory would make it impossible for this just to be a mere coincidence.” One of the theologians mildly smiled at me and said: “we are not in the business of probabilities but theology.” He stuck to his guns as a replacement theologian.

At the NRB conference in Orlando I had the privilege of meeting Eric Metaxas, the author of the excellent biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Our conversation stimulated me to read his latest book ‘Is Atheism dead?’ In it Metaxas makes the case that Atheism is indeed dead, as science in recent decades has come up with constantly increasing and paramount evidence of what is called the “fine-tuning of the universe”. In other words, our universe is fine-tuned with incredible precision to make life on our planet possible. Be it from the very fundamental forces that hold matter together on an atomic scale, to the size and structure of our planet system and even the universal constants that affect the expansion of the universe. Hundreds and hundreds of findings and new discoveries demonstrate that only the slightest changes in these parameters in one or the other direction would mean life on earth would be impossible. But instead of recognizing an amazing Creator God, who put all things together in His infinite wisdom and precision, many scientists stick to their guns of escapism, stipulating millions of parallel universes that nobody can prove or disprove, just in order to explain the unlikeliness of life on earth. It is the same escapism I experienced by my German theologian friends. While there is an amazing “fine-tuning” of prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes, that shouts to us from every corner of Israel that God is alive, they rather choose to believe in their parallel universe of replacement theology.

The evidence of God’s handwriting is seen everywhere at this 75th anniversary of Israel. Israel is the greatest proof we have today that God is alive. Restored nature in Israel, changed long-term weather patterns, rebuilt cities, a reborn Hebrew language, a mass return from the nations, being a blessing in science and research in every field of science, survival against all odds in multiple wars, and more and more. God without doubt is restoring Zion. And as you will read in this issue, we might well be on the verge of a spiritual restoration of God’s beloved people, adding a whole new and most exciting dimension in God’s prophetic fine-tuning in Israel.

Thousands of believers from around the world will join us again at this year’s Feast of Tabernacles and confess, “we know that the LORD has rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate,” and will give glory to God for it. I hope I can welcome you as you join the multitudes.

What a privilege not only to witness God’s handwriting in front of us, but to be able to partner with His divine purposes in our days.

As you read this issue please prayerfully consider to continue standing with us, as we are your extended hands and feet here in the land of miracles – the land of Israel. Much is to be done!

Yours in Christ Jesus!

Dr. Jürgen Bühler President

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

COVER PHOTO: A Jewish Ukrainian family of three generations make Aliyah to Israel. From left to right: Yuri, Natalia, Ivan, and Valentina

Photo credit: Sraya Diamant for The Jewish Agency for Israel