The Cross of Christ

26-27 July 2023 / 9 AV 5783 / Tisha B’Av

The following passages are foundational to our faith for those of us who are Christians. God’s word is a source of strength, hope, and endurance in the midst of this dark and dying world that is only getting darker and more wicked, just as God has foretold in the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Daniel 12:10 “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”

The preaching of the cross of Christ is foolishness to those who hate God, and have rejected His dear Son who gave His life so all men could have a chance to be saved. The seeds of the Wicked One are full grown and flourishing these days, but one day it will all come to an end!

Psalms 92:7-8 “When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

But Thou, LORD, art Most High for evermore.” Amen!

This evening is Tisha B’Av / 9th of Av, the saddest day on the Hebrew calendar, which marks the commemoration of the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem. The Jewish nation as a whole do not yet recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah, but they will One Day!

Zechariah 12:9-11 “And it shall come to pass in that Day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.”

The Judgment Day is coming, and on that “great and dreadful day of the LORD,” all men will see the Messiah of Israel at “the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!”

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

However, it’s not only the Jewish people who are blinded, but so many Christians have been deceived by the Deceiver, and are walking with the Enemy unawares! I pray for the Day when God opens the eyes of those who are walking in darkness, yet know not where they are going!

I have great compassion for those who have been led astray, whether they be Jew or Gentile, and I pray that God will use my testimony to shine His True Light on the evil deeds of the Devil!

Excerpt from “Walking With the Enemy: A Testimony,” by C. Read.

“The deception that I was in could happen to anyone, anywhere in the world. In fact, it is going on at an alarming rate! The only consolation is that God has warned us about it in the Holy Scriptures.

Since my “translation” from darkness into His glorious Light, I see that dates and events are important to God, despite the fact that my enemy tried to get me to believe otherwise. Looking back, I see how significant they really are.

The Ninth of Av (5759), aka Tisha B’Av, became very meaningful for me in the course of writing this book. According to tradition, the enemies of Israel destroyed both of the Jewish temples in Jerusalem on the ninth day of Av.

Reportedly, the first temple was burned down by the Babylonians in the year 586 BC, and the second temple was completely destroyed by the Roman Army, under the command of Titus, during the Jewish revolt in 70 AD.

These temples represented God’s presence in the midst of His chosen people, but praise God, we don’t need a man-made building for our heavenly Father to reveal Himself to us today.

And if you will allow the Lord God to purify your heart, He may choose to make His habitation with you! But it can only happen through Emmanuel, the Messiah of Israel.

We are at a turning point in this battle for the souls of men, and it won’t be long before Jesus “will swallow up death in victory!” Praise the precious name of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ—the Anointed One!

If you happen to find out that you are on the wrong side, my sincere hope and prayer for you is that this testimony will encourage you to get on the side of the Lord, while there is still time.

And if you are one who is truly seeking God with all your heart, my most earnest prayer for you is that you will come away from here with more of a love and a deeper appreciation for God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit of the Most High God!”