ISRAEL UPDATEOctober 24, 2004 – Many books have been written about the conflict in the Middle East that close with the same paraphrased comment, “If a solution is not found, the Arab-Israeli conflict will trigger the Battle of Armageddon.”
Rest assured, no lasting solution for peace will be found… All of the thought processes, motivation, and actions taken to resolve this issue do not relate to G-d’s wisdom on the matter, therefore man’s attempts are doomed to fail.
While the world tries to paint this picture as a religious, ethnic, financial, or political issue, in reality it is a spiritual matter.
The above mentioned issues are actually by-products of man’s attempts to “fix” the problem. However, the actual problem is that man continues to preempt G-d and His sovereign plan.
Psalm 119:53 tells us, “Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.” How do we know that our religious and political leaders have abandoned godly principles? Just look at the justifications made for abortion clinics and same-sex marriages… and the declining support for Israel while our country bolsters her enemies.
We are literally witnessing the forsaking of G-d’s law on a continuing basis – not just a lapse, but repetitive rejection.
Yes, we are headed for the Battle of Armageddon, but not because of land, oil, water, or politics, per say. It is coming because people are rejecting G-d’s law, dividing His land and scattering His people. Our leaders wage war to further their selfish political ambitions – in doing so, they are utilizing their human intellect, ignoring G-d’s perfect plan…
October 24, 2004 – Does the Bible teach hate against sinners, or does it teach us to constantly attempt to draw them in – until His judgment comes?
In Luke 17:27-30, Jesus describes the conditions of the world prior to His return, “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”
Parallel to that scenario was Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah, where the people so hardened their hearts toward G-d that He destroyed them for their perversions. They ate and drank, bought and sold, planted and built - right up to the time that fire and brimstone fell upon their cities. They were unbelieving, mocking G-d… Very similar to Noah’s building of the Ark - to the hour he and his family boarded.
Noah preached repentance for more than 100 years, but the people rejected it. Abraham begged G-d to spare the cities if just ten righteous people could be found – G-d could not. (Genesis 18:32)
The condition of today’s world is just as it was in those days. Ungodliness and perversions abound – no one wants to hear of or take heed to G-d’s imminent judgment. Of course, those that bear this message become the target of stereotyping and broad stroking; however, we need to remember one principle. If G-d had been able to find ten righteous people, He would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah – so the world should thank G-d for the righteous, and stop harassing them.
Those seeking to live righteous lives before G-d are the only thing that is holding back His judgment – as He waits for sinners to respond to His message of love…
To be continued…