ISRAEL UPDATEJune 23, 2002 - Now that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has set his foot down, refusing to return to the pre-1967 borders – many people are upset with him, again accusing him of not desiring peace.
Yet before we began to criticize Sharon or the Israeli government, perhaps each of us should go to the Internet and see what many of the Palestinian people are saying.
For instance, one unbiased report I read this week states that the majority of Palestinians seek the elimination of Israel as their goal, not a peaceful coexistence.
Then the next one I read says that Harvard University loves Jihad and goes on to describe a book written by a Muslim along the same lines as Hitler's "Mein Kampf" ("My Struggle").
In Israel, the suicide bomber who failed in his mission commented from his Israeli hospital bed that he would do it again, knowing that he killed 17 people. This, from a person who is being treated in the same hospital as many of those he injured…
Still another article gave these quotes from several Islamic nations, "U.S. go to Hell” (Indonesia), “Go to Hell USA" (Malaysia), "Death to America” (Bangladesh), “Death to America" (India), "America is the enemy of G-d" ( Oman), “America is the great Satan” (Yemen), “U.S. go to Hell” (Egypt), “Down, down USA” (Sudan).
Apparently the vexing hatred for Israel is parallel to America. That means Osama bin Laden and Yasser Arafat are not a fringe lunatics, but one of just many spokesmen of terror. We in America are not any safer than we were before 9-11. and neither is Israel. . . since giving up so much land for peace…
June 23, 2002 - Two of the most famous Bible stories are found in the Book of Daniel. Chapter 3:23-25 tells us of the Hebrew boys that were tested and came forth as pure gold: “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of G-d.”
The three Hebrew boys in the furnace show Israel going through the fires of the Tribulation and coming out unharmed, thus depicting spiritual and national redemption.
Daniel 6:16-23 tells us the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. Daniel was spared from the roaring lions seeking whom they could devour. He was thrown into the lion's den for an entire night, yet came forth unscathed by the big cats - again to G-d's glory!
This shows us G-d's preservation of the saints until the appearance of the King and the vanquishing of all His enemies.
Both of these instances show that G-d's plan includes both Israel and the Church. We can now see G-d's plan for man coming to fruition as the Church age comes to a close, and Israel begins the times that will bring her into her spiritual and national restoration.
When we review the Bible, we can see that there is no reason to fear the future. Again, G-d's master plan includes both the Church and Israel - and as bad as things may get – REMEMBER - our redemption is drawing nigh. We will soon be with our L-rd for eternity…
To be continued. . .