ISRAEL UPDATEFebruary 24, 2002 - Last week I wrote to a less than complimentary article about the Olympic games, using the cliché " all that glitters is not gold ".
In the past we have seen athletes stripped of medals for drug use, competitors hiring hit men to disable competitors, representatives attempting to bribe selection committee officials, and now this past week, the corruption of judges.
Suffice it to say corruption is at all levels of operation in all areas, but the corruption shown this week spoke out so clearly of the vision of the image in Daniel 2:31-45.
Starting with a golden head, then each subsequent material being more inferior until reaching to the toes made of clay, shows us the true fallibility of man's nature.
One great sales pitch of the Olympic hype is the bringing together of the world for common causes of peace and unity.
Yet if man's corrupt, fallen nature cannot get past the basic arena of competition, how can we expect to resolve the world's problems of hunger, nuclear arms, terrorism, and potential financial collapse?
The same fallen, carnal nature that corrupts the beauty of athletic competition is the same nature that is trying to solve the lack of peace in the Middle East.
As John the the Revelator wrote, "Even so, come, L-rd Jesus." Revelations 22:20.
February 24, 2002 - Since September 11, 2001, I have written several articles relating to all forms of terrorism and nations of the world needing the ability to identify them for what they are.
In the past week, foreign ministers from Europe and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) met to discuss global terrorism.
Two of the nations asked to share their views on terrorism were Iran and Iraq, nations of whom I have documented so much in the past. I won't waste any more time, other than to say that this is a mockery.
Ismail Cem, foreign minister of Turkey stated, "One of the first interpretations that developed after September 11th was to identify terrorism on cultural and religious lines, pitting one part of humanity against another".
Since Minister Cem wants to identify culture and religion as part of his thesis, perhaps we should go to the first raid listed in Islamic history.
When family and locals rejected Mohammed’s message, he felt the need to impose his will, so six followers attacked a caravan, killing one person, imprisoning the others and helping himself to the spoils.
Not only did the infamous Nakhla Raid begin the financial security of Mohammed and his followers, it also set a precedent that continues to this day.
If we follow history, we can see this pattern of violence, assertion, submission and entitlement embraced by those who follow a culture and religion that is in the direct opposition to Judeo-Christian values, and Western concepts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Minister Cem was right - the lines are drawn by religion and culture, but it is not a temptation, it is a practical evaluation of the scenario.
To be continued. . .