I was a Tel Aviv, Israel bus driver. I began pulling into a newly constructed bus terminal but hesitated over concerns the station might be bombed. A man told me the area had become safe, so I entered. I pulled forward into a parking stall, then backed up to pick up another man who had just arrived. Suddenly the bus I was driving turned into our white minivan. I stepped out around the front and noticed a U.S.A. license plate, then around the back and noticed an ISRAEL plate. The man had arrived with his two kids in a red Toyota Highlander. He needed a ride to visit his family. He did not look Jewish.
We climbed into our minivan and headed out of the terminal. My wife and children were with me, and being new arrivals in Israel, I wanted my wife to appreciate the glory of God’s country. We headed out, and I saw a confusing sign with a curvy line and a branch to the left showing where to turn onto the freeway. There were gardens, trees, and pergolas everywhere. I accidentally drove past the freeway entrance, and I turned around and asked the other man to drive the car.
He drove us onto the freeway, and we started climbing gradually. I noticed the buildings around the bus terminal as we pulled up and around. They were solid looking and stunning, and I stared at them in wonder. We continued climbing, and I could see the freeway structure was elevated like a viaduct. Suddenly, I could see out in every direction. The scenery was amazing. The entire landscape was one large city. As far as I could see were beautiful buildings with different architecture. No two buildings were alike. They were stunning. I have never seen anything like it in my entire life.
My eyes focused on the minor details. We continued climbing gradually past the most remarkable structure just to the right of the freeway. It looked like two arms, one taller than the other. It glistened with a gold and blue color and looked very irregular. I stared in awe. Because of the hills, I realized that we must be in Jerusalem. I could sense the hand of God protecting the land. Outside in other parts of the world, I knew that awful things were happening, but God was protecting Israel. I felt completely safe and at peace.
There is some task that God has given me. Because of my dual citizenship, God showed me I have my feet in two worlds. God may be using me to bring people to his land, and it may be to escape great tribulations outside Israel.
Isa 2:3 “And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
Isa 4:3 “It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy--everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem.”
Isa 31:5 “Like flying birds so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and rescue it.”
Isa 33:20 “Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; Your eyes will see Jerusalem, an undisturbed habitation, A tent which will not be folded; Its stakes will never be pulled up, Nor any of its cords be torn apart.”
Isa 35:8 “A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it.”
Isa 62:1-3 “For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
Isa 66:20 “Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a grain offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.”