“And in this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees” (Isaiah 25:6).

What a glorious end-time vision the Lord gave the prophet Isaiah! Against a background of gloom, devastation and terror (see verse 5: “the shouting of the terrifying ones shall be humbled”) the Lord of Hosts (angelic armies) will make a feast of His presence, His abundance, His anointing and His Word. During this Feast of Tabernacles, even as deadly violence has again broken out in Jerusalem, we have been experiencing here on Mount Carmel a foretaste of this feast prepared by the Lord, as continuous groups of worshipers from Israel and the nations participated with us in lifting up the name of Yeshua above every other name, proclaiming “to the principalities and powers of darkness the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph. 3:10).

In his revelatory book Destined for the Throne, Paul Billheimer makes the following profound observation:

“The missing element that is necessary to energize triumphant faith is praise – perpetual, purposeful, aggressive praise.  Praise is the highest form of prayer because it combines petition with faith… Praise is the detergent which purifies faith and purges doubt from the heart… The secret of faith without doubt is praise, triumphant praise, continuous praise, praise that is a way of life.  This is the solution to the problem of a living faith and successful prayers.

The secret of success in overcoming Satan and qualifying for the throne is a massive program of effective prayer.  The secret of effective prayer is a massive program of praise” (p. 18).

This is what we are endeavoring to build on Mount Carmel – with more praise, more prayer, more proclamation – feasting on His presence as a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9).

Removing Veils
“And He will destroy on this mountain… the veil that is spread over all nations” (Isaiah 25:7).

As we have increased praise and prayer and the proclamation of God’s Word we are beginning to see more veils fall off the hearts of unbelievers here in the Land. Curious Israelis have been showing up unexpectedly at the worship center, just dropping in to see what’s going on and then being touched by His presence.  Down the mountain at Kerem El Congregation in Central Haifa (at Beit Yedidia) every week Israelis are meeting their Messiah.  Immigrants from Russia and the Ukraine are flocking to Bible studies at Hadar HaCarmel (“the glory of Carmel” –  where Elijah’s Cloak and the Raven’s Basket ministries are located).  We are witnessing an unprecedented openness among our people, as they begin to say with astonishment:

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and he will save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:8).

Let us continue to press in together in faith with fervent praise and prayer, feasting every day in His Word and worship. Surely we will see His presence manifesting more and more, drawing many out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 

- DD.