Dear friends:

David Dolan is an outstanding news correspondent who reports from Israel and the Middle East.  In his October 2005 ISRAELUPDATE NEWS REVIEW, David summarizes the latest news about the Israeli-Palestinian situation, the new violence, and the possibility of a wider war, as "any significant Hizbullah action could spark a new Mideast conflict pitting Israel against the outlaw Lebanese militia, and with Syria and the Palestinians, which could easily draw in other countries."

He ended his October report with these profound words:

"October’s disturbing Mideast developments should serve to remind us that the Lord’s return to Jerusalem is drawing closer every day.  May His people all around this troubled planet look upwards and declare with the saints of all time: 'Come Lord Jesus!' (Revelation 22:20)."

Today, may we "amen" David, look upwards and pray this prayer with him and saints around the world, “Come Lord Jesus!"

Let us pray that prayer every day.  God's people should yearn for Jesus' return, and pray for it.  It is not just a theological construct, but a future reality, and according to many signs, a very near-term reality.

If you truly long for the Lord's return, God promises a special reward for you.  Paul wrote: "There is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8, NIV).

But for those who do NOT long for His return, Jesus gave a special warning, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Jim