Rapture, Revelation, and the End Times - Conscious Evolution TV

obin-bobinJewish–Christian Relations 143In 1980 almost all countries with embassies and consulates inJerusalem moved their diplomatic staffs to Tel Aviv. This evacuationprovided a dramatic point at which the Jerusalemite evangelicalgroup announced the creation of the InternationalChristian Embassy. 24 In its effort to become an internationalorganization, mustering support for Israel all around theChristian evangelical globe, the ICEJ opened branches in theUnited States, Europe, Latin America, East Asia, the formerSoviet Union, and South Africa. The embassy chose as its logotwo olive branches hovering over a globe with Jerusalem at itscenter. “This symbolizes the great day when Zechariah’sprophecy will be fulfilled, and all nations will come up toJerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles during messiah’sreign on earth,” the group’s leaders announced. 25In addition to sparking interest in Israel among evangelicalsworldwide, the embassy has promoted various philanthropicprograms in Israel, such as providing welfare services inJerusalem and distributing money and goods to new Jewishimmigrants as well as other needy Israelis. Aware that many Jewsare suspicious of Christian charitable enterprises, ICEJ often hasdistributed its parcels through Israeli public agencies. 26The embassy’s international work focuses on lecturing,mostly in churches, about Israel’s role in history and the work ofthe embassy on behalf of Jewish immigration and settlement inthe Holy Land. The embassy’s branches distribute ICEJ journals,brochures, leaflets, and cassettes of “Davidic music” and sermons.Embassy representatives also recruit pilgrims for theannual Tabernacles gathering and collect money for the embassy’sphilanthropic enterprises in Israel. The day-to-day work of theembassy in Israel is devoted to this international mission. TheJerusalem headquarters supervises the work of the representativesin various countries, administers the finances, maintains publicrelations and publications departments, and oversees the productionof videocassettes and audiocassettes in a number of languages.The radio department prepares a special program,A Word from Jerusalem, which is broadcast to evangelical radiostations, mostly in North America.robin-bobin