By Detri McGhee and Jon Simmons

On the two-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas invasion of Israel, a large crowd gathered at the Garden Tomb to attend the Communion service to remember, worship, praise, and pray.

At 10:00 a.m., the worship music rang into the big blue skies overhead the tranquil garden outside Jerusalem’s city walls, and people from over 70 nations raised their hands, hearts, and voices to acknowledge that “I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES.”  We were reminded that victory looms near and encouraged by hope that the war may soon end. 

Excitement abounds in many languages.  The faces are filled with joy, love, wonder, and a little fatigue from travelling on long flights to reach Israel, but the same answer is given to the question “how are you?”, “I am blessed!” or “I am better than fine!”

The Trumpets Sound!  Praise rings again as the crowd sings “Worthy is the Lamb.” 

Boker Tov! Is the greeting quickly returned, and we read Psalm 133.  Behold how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity.”  And we pray for the unity of Israel, and the unity of Jew and gentile, and the unity of all nations of God’s children. 

We are in the place where our Messiah arose from the grave.  Here we are reminded to “Be prepared.  The time is short.  Satan is angry.  The war is NOW.  We are being refined.  Purified.  God seeks a pure bride.” 

Elihana Elia brings her testimony of God’s miraculous healing from stage 4 cancer, which sought to consume her whole body.  God healed.  Her beautiful and powerful voice filled the entire garden with worshipful praise, and she led us in healing prayers for others and ourselves. 

Local Jewish pastor Oren Lev Ari and Arab pastor Hanna Eid shared at the Table of the Lord and prayed for each other. “Christ is the only hope for every Jew and every Arab,” said pastor Oren.

Rev. Malcolm Hedding from the United States brought a powerful message reminding us of personal accountability to answer God’s call to salvation.  His question remained for all to ponder: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”  And a reminder:  Those who are saved must be careful not to leave our first love.   Jesus loves us so much, and the question to meditate on is how much we really love Him. “The heart of Jesus cries out to you today, ‘How much do you love me?'”  said Malcolm.

As the service closed, many pilgrims stayed to tour the tomb, and they left challenged, hopeful and encouraged to walk closely and bravely with the Lord. 

The second evening of the Feast of Tabernacles 2025 filled Jerusalem’s Teddy Hall with a powerful sense of unity and reverence, as thousands of pilgrims across continents and denominations gathered in worship and intercession for Israel. The nation with the largest number of pilgrims would not surprise you, of course, the United States, with the nation in second place being Finland, succeeded by only one person, 171 to 170 pilgrims.

Renown local Israeli artist Joshua Aaron led the congregation in heartfelt praise, pausing to pray for an end to the war and the release of the hostages. His stirring declaration of faith, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” echoed across the hall, drawing Believers into a deep moment of worship and hope.

The evening opened with a moving performance by Vesna Bühler, whose song carried a spirit of peace and restoration. She was followed by her daughter, who played the harp with grace and purity.

The President Dr. Jürgen Bühler, then addressed the full house, placing the Feast in a prophetic and geopolitical context that Israel has endured and largely succeeded. He noted that the United Nations has passed 173 resolutions against Israel, a striking reminder of the growing opposition the nation faces. Yet in the midst of these challenges, Dr. Bühler declared that “God’s time to favour Zion is now.”

He shared that applications for Aliyah have doubled since the attacks of 7 October 2023, a clear sign of God drawing His people back to their homeland. “The nations of the world will pay attention to what is happening to the body of Messiah in this land,” quoting Isaiah 2:3 he said. “The Word of the Lord will go forth from Jerusalem.”

As the evening drew to a close, Dr. Bühler invited pilgrims to bring their prayer requests before the Lord in an altar call. The nations joined together at the altar in prayer, worship, and renewed faith that light will shine from Zion once again.

Watch the highlight video of Feast Day 2.

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