Chapter-by-Chapter Synopsis
Israel, Us and Our Date with Destiny
Intro
Part I
Growing Up with Israel
Chapter 1 New Vines
How Ariel, the controversial West Bank city was founded;
planting new vines in Ariel, and staying in a hotel that
boasted a large crater in the front lobby, the result of a
suicide terrorist attack that did not quite succeed in
demolishing its target. Meeting the John Wayne of Israel.
Chapter 2 Clock on the Wall
As I flew home from the Middle East, the realization that
Israel was no longer just a prophetic “clock on the wall”
struck me. I had fallen in love with her people and longed to
know them and reach out to them. All this, just hours before
9/11 struck and everything changed—now the central issue
facing the world revolved around Islam, Arab nations, and the
Jewish state. Israel was the key.
Chapter 3 Get Ready
How a straight, clean-cut kid from El Cajon found Jesus in a
movie theater and longed for revolution. My music hero was
Larry Norman, one of the original Jesus people, a true poet
and rocker. He sang, “I wish we’d all been ready” and I felt
like I needed to pull people out of a burning building.
Chapter 4 House of Psalms
I become a Nazarene/Wesleyan/Jesus Freak, living in a hippie
commune, populated by a counter-culture new to me. I watch
Chuck Smith stand up to the “establishment” and find my
revolution.
Chapter 5 Where the Cowboys Live
My first trip to Israel during the 1982 Lebanese war; I saw the
violence, unrest, danger and the hostility between
Palestinians and Israelis. I realized that the roots of modern
terrorism and war are buried deep in centuries old sibling
rivalry, marriage problems, conflicts between generations,
love stories, political intrigue—and a spiritual battle, waged
with righteous motives and deadly zeal.
Chapter 6 A Tale of Two Brothers
The real story behind the Mid East conflict is the story of two
brothers, Isaac and Ishmael, vying for their father’s affection.
It is also the story of the prodigal son: the descendents of
Isaac, the Jews, are the chronic backsliding and rebellious
prodigal; the descendents of Ishamel, the Arabs, are like the
older brother, seething with resentment that the Father
would still love the errant prodigal.
Chapter 7 An Unlikely Prophet
Robert Mawire: how a former Communist revolutionary
became a preacher, prophet, friend, and counselor to
Benjamin Netanyahu.
Chapter 8 Are We Friends?
I am invited to speak to a Jewish congregation and tackle the
question: are we friends? This chapter examines the history
of the church and the Jews—controversial and disturbing.
Why did Martin Luther become the “theologian of the
holocaust?”
Chapter 9 Setting the Stage
I send two scouts to Israel to find Ron Nachman during a very
turbulent and dangerous time. How they met Benjamin
Netanyahu and set the stage for an historic event.
Chapter 10 Pioneers
Meeting Ron Nachman and his wife, Dorit, true pioneers,
changed my life. The story of how he founded Ariel, the
controversial city on the West Bank.
Chapter 11 The Second Prophecy to “Bibi”
I witness Robert Mawire give his second prophecy to
Benjamin Netanyahu, and how the prime minister reacts—
just moments before Netanyahu spoke to thousands of
Christians at a Ft. Lauderdale church. I am also witnessing
the beginnings of a new relationship between Christians and
Jews.
Part 2
A Covenant with God’s People
Chapter 12 The Abrahamic Covenant: the Foundation of Everything
When men like Benjamin Netanyahu and Ron Nachman and
the long line of Israeli leaders pledge to never give up land
and to fight for Israel’s right to exist, their fervent convictions
are founded in an ancient contract, a covenant, between God
and one man. The contract became known as the Abrahamic
Covenant, which begins with Genesis 12:1-3:
Chapter 13 The Gentiles and the Jews: How Joseph and Ruth Show the
Way
The stories of Joseph and Ruth are examples of how Jews and
Gentiles can relate.
Chapter 14 Restoring God’s Glory
Benjamin Netanyahu and Ron Nachmau show us the
blueprints to the Temple. A brief history of “glory” and what it
means to restore the glory of God.
Chapter 15 Prophecy is Predictions and Patterns
History and prophecy can be understood by recognizing that
patterns repeat themselves and give us a clue to the future.
Chapter 16 Was Christopher Columbus Jewish?
A study of the evidence that points to Columbus’ Jewish
ancestry, which influenced the date of his famous voyage.
Based partially on Christopher Columbus’ own book, “The
Book of Prophecies,” written around 1502.
Chapter 17 Tish B’av, the Day of Sorrows
A study of the annual day of mourning for the Jewish culture,
including a chronicle of the numerous historic events that
occurred on that date. More than a coincidence!
Chapter 18 Aliyah: Coming Home
The story behind Jews immigrating from all over the world to
their spiritual homeland, and the significance of this
movement to the rest of the world.
Chapter 19 Loving Ishmael
The stories of three men who have become my friends and
from whom I have learned the Palestinian side of the issues.
• Joel Rosenberg, author, founder of Joshua Fund
• Butros Mansour, headmaster, Nazareth Baptist School,
Palestinian Christian
• Tass Saada, former PLO sniper, author, “Once an Arafat
Man.”
Part III
Time Keepers/Decade of Destiny
Chapter 20 “Blood Moon Biltz”
Pastor Mark Biltz discovered a fascinating correlation
between NASA’s records of blood moons (total lunar eclipses),
and prophetic events.
Chapter 21 The Story of the Zodiac/Mazzaroth
The Zodiac is discussed in the book of Job, and strong evidence
exists of its connection to Israel and the Gospel.
Chapter 22 Feasts of the Lord
What the ancient Feasts of the Lord, ordained in Leviticus, tell
us about prophecy and Christian doctrine—and how they are
“dress rehearsals” for some very specific events taking place
today.
Chapter 23 Decade of Destiny: What Patterns of Prophecy Tell Us about
Today
Specific ways in which historic patterns are repeated leading
up to events that can be foretold for the future.
Part IV
Step Into the Story
The practical application
Chapter 24 Nehemiah Project
Maranatha Chapel’s ministry to Israel offers numerous
opportunities for individuals to be involved, including support
for Joel Rosenberg’s Joshua Fund.
Chapter 25 To the Jews First
A unique philosophy of missions, based on Romans 1:16 (“For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first,
and also for the Greek.”)
Chapter 26 Exchanging Kids
In a very unique exchange program, students from Ariel,
primarily secular Jews, spend a week with church host
families plus a week at JH Ranch, a Christian youth camp in
northern California. The impact this has had on both Israel
and Christians in San Diego is profound.
Chapter 27 Absorption Center
The stories of individual immigrants and the absorption
centers, which provide a “soft landing” for immigrating Jews
from around the world, and how we got involved.
Part V
Friendship
I end the book on personal note that ties all the stories together, and how
this journey has deepened my relationship with God and His people.
Chapter 28 Our Covenant with God and His People
Ron Nachman battles cancer, and how that fight has
deepened our friendship.
Chapter 29 What I Learned from My Friends
Personal lesson I learned from my friendship with Robert,
Ron, and all these characters, and how it ties into our
relationship with Israel and ultimately, the Lord.
Chapter 30 Great Hope: Occupying!
An exhortation and encouragement to occupy, stay close to
the Lord, and not fear what’s coming. (This chapter might
not be necessary if the previous chapter ends on the right
note.)