By Laurina Driesse

On this popular evening of the Roll Call of the Nations, Feast pilgrims enjoyed beautiful worship led by the trio of Aaron Shust, Shilo Ben Hod and Nizar Francis. Colourful flagbearers slowly made their way from the back of the auditorium to the front, carrying their nations’ flags.

“Jerusalem welcomes the nations”, announced ICEJ Prayer leaders, Joshua and Anastasiya Gooding. One by one, the nations represented in Jerusalem were called out as flagbearers walked across the stage, displaying their nations’ flags. Many were beautifully dressed in traditional attire.

Indonesia was noted as the nation with the largest delegation to the Feast, while the Philippines was noted as the nation with the most prayer teams participating in the ICEJ’s Global Prayer Gathering.

Following the Roll Call of the Nations, Ambassador George Deek, Special Envoy of Israel to the Christian World, shared an encouraging message of how Israel still stands.

“You have really taken me on a trip around the world, with all the flags, but what I would like to do is take you on a time travel,” he remarked.  He shared how the survival of the Jewish people can be understood through a striking comparison with ancient Egypt. Egypt sought immortality through building enormous physical monuments, such as the pyramids, magnificent temples, and statues. These structures still stand, yet the civilisation that built them has disappeared.

He reminded the audience that Israel took a different path. Rather than building monuments of stone, the Jewish people built “monuments of memory” through families, communities and traditions passed down from one generation to the next. Through exile, persecution and life in the ghettos, this commitment to memory, teaching and identity enabled the Jewish people to endure.

“Egypt became one of the great civilisations in our history books while the children of Israel became one of the greatest living civilisations of history,” remarked Ambassador Deek. “Tonight, my friends, we are standing right here in Jerusalem; the dream survived, the people survived, and the State of Israel lives.”

Reflecting on the atrocities of October 7, Ambassador Deek said that a home can be strong yet vulnerable, and noted that the Sukkah, with its fragile walls and temporary structure, offers a powerful reminder that physical security alone cannot guarantee a people’s future. True strength lies in identity, character and the determination to rebuild.

Ambassador Deek encouraged the Feast pilgrims to carry something of Jerusalem back to their nations. He called them to stand against hatred and for truth, helping shape future generations. “Thank you for coming to Jerusalem, thank you for standing with Israel.”

Before ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler delivered the evening’s message, he acknowledged the nations with the largest delegations at the Feast:  Indonesia 107 delegates, America 100 delegates, Norway, 89 delegates, Germany 81 delegates, Brazil 75 delegates, and some of the countries with more than 50 delegates like South Africa, Finland, Boliva, and Taiwan, but the largest group in attendance that evening was Israel with more than 150 local believers.

Dr. Bühler delivered a powerful message on biblical prophecy, the restoration of Israel and the spiritual significance of the nations gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles.

Drawing on Joel 3:16 and Hebrews 12, Dr Bühler focused on the Feast theme, “The Lord Roars from Zion,” highlighting God’s judgment on the nations and His purposes for Israel. He identified two significant developments in God’s timing: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh and the restoration of the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem.

Reflecting on Joel 2, Dr. Bühler pointed out that God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. He referred to the wave of the Holy Spirit spreading over the world. In 1906, the Azusa Street revival led by William Seymour was a historic expression of the promised outpouring of the Spirit.

“We are living in days where we see that the Spirit of God has been poured out on all flesh”, shared Dr. Bühler. He encouraged Feast pilgrims to seek God in prayer and believe for fresh spiritual renewal.

Dr. Bühler also emphasised the restoration of Israel, pointing to the return of Jewish people through Aliyah and Israel’s resilience and economic strength despite conflict and challenges. “Israel today has become the head of the nations in many areas,” remarked Dr. Bühler. He described the nations’ treatment of Israel as a significant biblical issue and warned of the spiritual roots of antisemitism.

The message concluded with a call for prayer, spiritual discernment and renewed commitment to God’s purposes for Israel and the nations. Dr. Bühler called Feast Pilgrims to pray not only for personal breakthroughs in health, finances and families, but also for their nations. “Nations matter to God,” he said. He urged churches to take a clear stand for Israel and prayed for a global shift toward the Jewish people.

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