Nelly Favis Villafuerte By Nelly Favis Villafuerte   Not many know that today there are millions of people all over the world who are standing firm to support Israel. Indeed, it is a mystery why Israel, a tiny nation (about the size of New Jersey) with less than 1/1,000 of the world’s population (Israel’s population as of 2018 is 8,813,680) has always been the focus of world attention and publicity from Biblical times up to the present. Israel has always been identified as the “center of a storm.” Its colorful and unique Biblical and historical background continues to amaze and awe people of various races in various times. *** Let us consider the following:

• Israel has been contributing to the world stunning and awesome innovations and inventions that have tremendously improved the quality of our lives in the fields of science, technology, medicine, culture, entertainment, agriculture, economics, physics, and business. No other people can match this achievement. Danny Danon, Israeli author of the book “Israel – the Will to Prevail” said, “What springs from our minds and hands is more valuable that all the oil in the world.”
• It has so often been said that Israel is the only nation created by a sovereign act of God. Other nations were created by an act or war or a declaration by men. Not Israel. In Genesis 13:14-17 (NKJV), we find the following: “And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

This is God talking to Abram (renamed Abraham by God).

• The Jewish people have managed to survive despite the Holocaust carnage (where about six million Jews were murdered during the Nazi regime of Hitler). No other national group experienced the suffering, persecution, and trials of the Jews from the time they were saved after 400 years of bondage in Egypt sometime In 1400 BC.
• No other national group has been threatened with eviction from their homes. Only the Jewish people. They have always been faced with the possibility of extinction despite the fact that they have a 3,900-year history with the land in dispute. While many ancient people are extinct, the Israelis have retained the same racial and ethnic traits of the Israelis of the ancient world. Notwithstanding going through a 70-year exile in Babylon during the time of King Nebuchadnezzar;
• The sufferings and disasters of the Jews at the hands of various national groups, including the Greeks, Romans, and the Communists, is more than enough to break the spirit of other people. Not the Jews. And as predicted in the Holy Bible, the Jews still exist as a distinct people.
• No other nation has been guaranteed an insurance policy against destruction or extinction as a nation.
• Israel’s existence is the number one sign of the end-day prophecy. And Israel will play a major role in the last days.
• Israel is the land where it all began because Jesus lived all His life in this place; He was crucified and died in Israel.
• No other nation has been the perennial target of attacks from neighboring states. Though outgunned and outnumbered, the Israelis came out victorious. The Israelis, who have been the underdog in terms of military resources, will continue to exist as a people and survive as a distinct, recognizable, and special people in the eyes of God as well as in the eyes of man. Because God has a commitment and promise to defend Israel. This divine protection for Israel is found in the Book of Genesis, the first book in the Holy Bible.

*** Finally, do you still wonder why millions of people worldwide are supporting, endorsing, loving, praying, and uniting for Israel, the nation that God loves and protects! Despite the fact that Jesus is not yet acknowledged by the Jewish people as their Messiah, Israel is special to God; and Israel is the apple of God’s eyes. *** This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 LRV Building, Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.   Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected])