CHAPTER 26

PRESENT DAY, UNITED STATES

Rube hung up the phone and turned to Jill. “That was dad. Sheez, he sounds so happy. Who would’ve thought they’d love Israel. They’re hoping to come as soon as the baby arrives. He says Mom is loving it there, but says her arms are already aching to hold her grandbaby.”

Jill smiled as she rubbed her belly. “Oh, I can’t wait to see them. I’m so happy they love it there and to be there at such a monumental time.” She arched her eyebrows. “Maybe we should go to Israel after this little guy arrives. Jared could transfer you, couldn’t he?”

Rube sat down next to Jill. “So much happening . . . who knows what’s next.” He picked up the remote and turned on the news.

“This is Jace Shepard with breaking news. The third Jewish temple on Mt. Moriah may soon be underway, and it’s causing dancing in the streets.” Jace looked to the side. “Is this right? Yes, that’s it. Dancing in the streets. What a roller coaster Israel has been on the last few months. First, all the attacks, then the earthquake which swallowed up the Muslim mosque and the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. Israel reacted quickly, storming and retaking the area. Now they are rebuilding, and, as I said, literally dancing in the streets.”

Jace walked over to his map. “Okay, take a look at this.” A photo came up on the screen of the temple site. “Now remember, they did not have to clear away debris. The Golden Dome and the al-Aqsa Mosque were literally swallowed up, not demolished. And no lives were lost in the takeover. The Muslim guards swore they saw huge soldiers . . . angels, anyone? . . . and they ran. I guess a few guards returned and some were injured, but this was pretty seamless, and the Jews wasted no time in starting plans to build the new Temple patterned after directions in the Old Testament for the Temple that Solomon built.”

Jace looked at the camera. “Solomon or David? Didn’t David build it? What’s that? Oh, I guess David was going to, but God told him Solomon was to do it. That’s great. Get the kids involved.” Jace smiled. “Now, get this, in today’s economy, the old temple would have cost four billion dollars. So now how does Israel or Jerusalem fund this? Long story here. We reported on the four blood moons and prophecy and all that, but a little-known story connected to it is about a relic that came all the way from Spain with Columbus, as well as the little-known fact that Columbus was at least part Jewish—who knew? Anyway, this relic had a tassel from a prayer shawl along with diamonds and gold rings—what a treasure hunt. It’s brought in millions or at least one or two million and reports tell us that will finance the oil wells in Israel.”

Rube patted Jill’s knee. “We knew that, Jace.”

Jace took a drink. “I hope you’re taking notes. If not, you can go to Metro News online and get the details. Israel now has a huge oil boom . . . I can tell you that helps the U.S. The funds from these oil wells are planned to pay for a big portion of the Temple. In case you haven’t been listening to the news lately, the oil boom was helped by the earthquake . . . yes, the same one that swallowed the structures at the Temple Mount.

“Now this is interesting, too. The Israelis are funding and sending troops to protect the Christians in Iraq . . . Mosul, specifically. I hope you’re recording this program, because this is all so amazing.” Jace sat down at his table. “Let me give you some background. There is an organization that is several years old, called Christians United for Israel. They have lobbied Congress to have policies to help Israel. They have spoken out, loud and clear, their support for Israel to be independent and to be able to protect themselves, and they have worked diligently to stop anti-Semitism. They have a big conference in Washington, D.C., every year to promote Israel by lobbying Senators and Representatives. Many other Christian organizations have also supported Israel. Books have actually been written that when the United States policies have worked against Israel, natural disasters have occurred in the United States. Quite stunning connections.”

Jace took another drink of water. “With all this going on, many Israeli Jews have said that the U.S. Christians are their best friends. They used to say the U.S. was their best friend, but administrative policies of late changed some of that. These same Christians are the ones who began informing us of the blood moons and all the changes that we have seen . . . they told us this would happen.

“Now, back to the Christians in Mosul. Israel said that since the Christians in the U.S. have given them such support, they did not hesitate to help the Iraqi Christians who are suffering unspeakable atrocities. Truth be told, Israel has helped anyone that is injured or in need, no matter their creed, background, or anything. They will work as hard to save the life of their enemy as they will their friends. But this is so special that they are going to the aid of the Mosul Christians.”

Jace put his finger to his ear. “Is that right? Well, who knew? I was just informed that in the Israeli charter they pledge to help and protect any and all Christians within their borders. Hmmm. Now they’re expanding it. I like a charter dedicated to the protection of people not destruction.

“One more thing before we have to go to break. With all the news about the rebuilding of the Temple and the amazing events going on in Israel, you’d think the secular Jews would become religious Jews, but what’s happening is that many Jews, secular and religious, are recognizing Jesus as their Messiah.

“I reported on the Jewish rabbis doing so months ago and now the general populace is doing it. The rabbis announced more than fifty percent of them believed Jesus to be Messiah last April. Anyone know what it is now? Really? They just told me it’s sixty-three percent. I mean if this was an election for Jesus to be Messiah, this would be a landslide. Incredible. You can’t make this up folks, so hold on to your seats. I think a lot more is coming. We’ll be right back.”