ISRAEL UPDATEMarch 17, 2002 – There continues to be a consistent debate over the Rapture – will it happen or not – is there a literal catching away – or will it be just “raptured in spirit” when we see Jesus in the air.
But within the anti-rapture camp, there is a prevailing belief that those who embrace the Rapture are escapists, who in turn teach escapism to others, rather than go through the wrath that is coming upon this world.
Yet if we were to put Bible history on rewind, can you picture Noah and his family saying – G-d put us here on a high mountain because we were not ready enough to go?
Can you see Enoch being ushered into G-d’s presence and saying – Excuse me, Creator of the Universe, there’s been a mistake in your assessment - I am not cooked enough, back to the oven, please?
What if Elijah would have looked to heaven as the fiery chariot arrived and said – Hey G-d, you have worked in my life, but the process is not complete, so send this transportation back until I can get ready?
The Rapture of the Church is not escapism because Jesus guaranteed that as they hated me, they would hate you. Matthew 24:10. Nor it is inactivity until He returns… Matthew 9:37 tells us the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few, so we need to be working until He returns.
But the Rapture is the dynamic that will catch away those who have been faithful in all things and are deserving of reward – not because of being perfect, but rather being children of G-d redeemed by the blood, and soon to be called home from this sin-cursed world by the Trumpet of G-d.
March 17, 2002 – In the Sudan, if a woman is found isolated, soldiers will ask her if she is a Muslim or Christian. If she is bold enough to declare her Christianity, she is gang-raped by 10 to 20 soldiers and then her breasts are cut off to ensure that she bleeds to death.
Most people will say Sudan is an extreme case, but consider a recent poll that revealed that only one in four Muslims have a favorable attitude towards America. Again, people will say it is Iraq, our long-time enemy – or fundamental Iran, who defies the “decadent” America – or perhaps the tiny nation of Kuwait, who was attacked by the madman Saddam Hussein, then rescued by American forces.
In fact, 36% of the Kuwaitis interviewed believe that the 9-11 attacks were morally justified – making this practically impossible for most Americans to comprehend.
As I sat down to write this article, someone showed me a magazine that displayed a highway sign in Saudi Arabia that clearly stated “Arafat Makkah” (Muslims only) and the obligatory “Taif Riyadh” for non-Muslims.
If you will notice within this short article, there is strong anti-American and anti-Christian sentiment in the nations that declare that their religion is one of tolerance and love.
One can’t help but wonder if their average citizen’s sentiment is that strong. So where does that place the attitudes of the leaders of their respective nations?
As problems continue to escalate in Israel and these nations control the oil – where does that put America in U.N. voting and in the oil supply lines? So much for tolerance and moderation…
To be continued …