For Such a Time is This

*We are so excited to have Amanda Gutierrez come and minister with us through worship this week! 

For Such a Time is This

We live in challenging times and one can't escape the fact when clicking on the news that the world is unsettled to say the least. Once again, we find ourselves looking at the fighting in the middle east and wonder if this is the "wars and rumors of wars" that Jesus talked about as end time signs? I can't say for certain, but it is interesting to see some prophetic connections in modern day events in light of Biblical history. Did you know that modern day Iran serves a big part of Biblical history and has been at the center of Israel's story for a very long time. In the Bible Iran is referred to as Persia or Elam. Here are just some of the connections:

Daniel: Daniel served under Persian kings and resided in the province of Elam within Persia (Daniel 8:2),.

Esther: The story of Esther unfolds in the Persian Empire, illustrating God’s providence for His people and divine protection.

Ezra and Nehemiah: These books describe the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem under Persian rule, guided by decrees from kings like Cyrus.

Isaiah: Prophecies mention Persia in the context of God’s plan to restore Israel (Isaiah 11:11),.

It is also interesting to note that the strikes on Iran happened right around a Jewish holiday known as Purim or feast of lots. This holiday commemorates the story of Esther and the plot of an evil Haman to try to plot against the annihilation of the Jews as a people under the then Persian empire. It was the Persian king Xerxes that ultimately found out about the plot and stopped it from happening due to the brave intercession of Queen Esther who was secretly a Jew. In today's news, Israel returned the favor by destroying Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini through missile strikes and freeing the oppressed people of Iran who opposed the demonic regime, just in time for Purim. 

As the church today we must be like Queen Esther standing in the gap for the Jewish people to pray for peace in Jerusalem and that the Jewish people would accept Jesus as the Messiah. Just like queen Esther we must stay in the anointing (as Esther soaked in anointing oil before presenting herself to the King) and obtain favor from Jesus our King as we stand in the gap. 

Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 

-Amanda

Set List:

Only King Forever - https://youtu.be/FVygdWkcoMc?si=NhOqaCGeN8T-HsWX

Who Else - https://youtu.be/oujEfZie7jg?si=JdcSuvjtwTe2ynKZ

All Hail King Jesus - https://youtu.be/PRugOZ7Iyao?si=aWiOTb0Q7BO-uqQi

I know a name - https://youtu.be/2wJKiOEdUsk?si=a8a2AwKVikq9GIxo