ISRAEL UPDATEJune 9, 2002 – Every year the State Department releases a publication called “Patterns of Global Terrorism”. It defines predicted, politically motivated actions perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents – usually intended “to influence an audience.”
All this really means is that these acts are planned in advance and strike non-military people to sway opinion on an issue. This can be very successful on people who are uninformed.
As people read newspapers and watch cable network news that is constantly focused on Israel and the Palestinians, we should review this past year relevant to terrorist activity.
There were 348 terrorist acts in 2001, 178 (of 194 in Latin America) were carried out against a multinational pipeline in Columbia, followed by 29 in the Middle East, 33 in Africa, 68 in Asia, 17 in Western Europe and 4 in North America.
Even as I write, India and Pakistan are “rattling their sabers.” Experts are saying that up to 12,000,000 dead and many more millions affected by radiation from fallout, if nuclear weapons are used in their “turf war.”
If we are to see the problems for what they are, we must realize that terrorism is not geographically contained to the Middle East. Yasser Arafat has personally trained terrorists from at least 30 countries of the world. Al-Queida is in 68 of the world’s countries… so who and where do we target next?
I believe the most frightening thing about terrorists is that they now know their ABC’s – Atomic, Biological and Chemical. Only a true faith in Almighty G-d will sustain us in these uncertain times.
June 9, 2002 – There is a key to understanding Bible prophecy so as we will know and understand what appears to be a major interpretation that seemingly cancels out G-d’s plan.
For instance, as Jacob prepares to die, he prophecies over his twelve sons, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering (obedience) of the people be.” Genesis 49:10
Here G-d establishes the rule of the nation of Israel, through not just Jacob’s descendant Judah, but the specific location is identified as Bethlehem in Micah 5:2. – “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
The kingship and rule of the tribe of Judah was to designate a King for David and continue on forever. This was to be consummated with Messiah, the coming Son of David.
During the Roman occupation of Israel, the Senate took away the Jews the right to carry out the death sentence according to Territorial Law.
Many men took to the streets of Jerusalem wailing and moaning with dust and ashes on their foreheads… believing that the sceptre had departed, never to return.
But while the system of kingship over Israel was interrupted, it has not ceased. Rather, it has been waiting as the Church Age comes to a climax, so count on Messiah, the Son of David, to rule over Jerusalem.
One noted scholar of a generation ago said that the western mind has to think in a logical sequence, but the Oriental mind understands that interpretation is but a part of the entire plan – thus, the scepter will return and Jesus will rule forever – just as the prophets foretold.
To be continued…