ISRAEL, UPDATEMarch 7, 2004 - On the last day of the 1964 presidential campaign, Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed, “The path of progress is in front of us.” His counterpart, Barry Goldwater stated, “American prestige has been sinking slowly out of sight.”
In Johnson's memoirs, “The Vantage Point: Perspectives of the Presidency, 1963-1969” there were fewer than 17 pages devoted to the Middle East - except for the 17 pages on the intense weeks of June 1967.
Similarly, there was not one mention of Saudi Arabia. . . the nation that has done so much to affect world policy… especially that of America.
1964 was not only the year of the founding of the Palestine Liberation Organization (with the endorsement of that group by Saudi Arabia), but it was also the same year that the Saudis became a pivotal force in the world oil market.
Following the Middle East war of 1973, King Faisal declared that he made the decision to “unsheath the sword of oil.” This attitude has not only brought about embargoes, but also funded terrorists, swayed U.N. votes, and helped rebuild the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak after Israeli jets destroyed it. Multiple reports have been released following the events of September 11, 2001. . . concerning the Saudi oil money propping up the enemies of America, i.e., radical terrorists.
On May 14th 1948, when the United Nations voted to grant the Jews a nation of their own, King Faisal, speaking through an interpreter, made a short two sentence statement that was simple and to the point. He stated one day he would get even, and the policies of Saudi Arabia government continue to do so. They are forcing our nation to one day choose between black gold and G-d's will. Maybe Goldwater was right after all. . .
March 7, 2004 - Throughout the past few years I have heard people use the term “generational curse,” applying it to a broad spectrum of people's problems.
We must ask this question - what were the conditions given by G-d prior to the start of the problems - and use that as a comparison.
For example, Acts 9:15-16 tells us Paul is going to suffer great things for the sake of the name of the L-rd. So was G-d visiting him with problems to humble him and keep him in a continual state of maturity and an example to others?
Then again, the reason the children of Israel were carried off into Babylon captivity was that they had violated the Sabbath. They also did not allow the land to rest, and practiced blatant idolatry. II Chronicles 36:14-21
In contrast to Paul's visiting from G-d - perfecting his life, the children of Israel were gone from their land 70 years. 10 times the amount that they had violated the Sabbath.
The age-old adage becomes very relevant as we compare these two instances. You can follow up others on your own as you compare scripture with scripture.
As Christian believers are flooded by radio, TV, and Internet with all types of teachings, the need to truly know the Word of G-d becomes very real. – so that you may be able to stand in these evil days. Too much information defines our need to rightly divide the Word of G-d.
To be continued. . .