ISRAEL UPDATEJanuary 26, 2003 - It would seem that the nation of Israel is being held to a completely different set of standards than the rest of the world when it comes to dealing with terrorism.
As the war of attrition known as the Intifadah - or uprising, as the world calls it - enters its third year, the loss of Israeli lives is staggering when compared in proportion to their population.
Yet nearly a decade into the Oslo Accords peace process, it seems the whole world demands that Israel disarm its military and stop the retaliation for the mass murders of its innocents.
So when we think of Arafat’s Ramallah compound being surrounded, the crisis over the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, or the near incursion into Gaza, we realize that Israel has acted with surprising, but expected restraint.
Recently, we read the horrible headlines of 116 terrorists killed in a Russian theater. We should ask ourselves, “What if the Israelis had responded that harshly… or as quickly as the Russians did… and with such lethal weapons…?”
While the Russian situation was a crisis that did require action, we need to look carefully at the brutality that has been unleashed upon Israel, especially this past two years. We need to tell the United Nations, the European Economic Union, and the anti-Semantic news media – Enough is enough!
Rest assured, unless all terrorists and their evil deeds are dealt with swiftly and securely – as the Israelis do – the problem will only get more out of hand, waxing worse and worse…
January 26, 2003 – The Jews of the intertestamental period referred to this age as “haOlam haZeh”, while the age to come was known as “haOlam haBa” – so we can understand the language of the scriptures much better and easier.
Jews and Christians alike understood that one age or world, coming to an end, would then be replaced by another age or world to come.
The Hebrew expression for the latter days is “beaharit hayyamin”. This was spoken of by Moses in Deut 4:30 and 31:29, regarding Israel's return to G-d during this time. Other references include Hosea 3:5, Jeremiah 23:20, 30:24, 48:47 and 49:39. Ezekiel spoke of these days in Ezekiel 38:16 as a time when Israel would be invaded by a coalition of nations.
As we read the words of Paul stating "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" I Tim 4:1, we then understand that there are but two ways to look at the world we live in.
First, our world appears to be a hopeless mess, with only gloom and depression, and times that present hardship. But secondly, the world also creates opportunities for ministry and the rich fulfillment of G-d's Word.
Events according to G-d's timetable are supposed to look bad now - because we are nearing the Return of our Messiah, along with a time of a new heavens and new earth. It will also be a period of spiritual and physical restoration for Israel, and a time of renewal for the Church.
So the question is… how do we view these "latter days" and what are we doing to help fulfill G-d's plan in these troublesome times?
To be continued . . .