ISRAEL UPDATE

 February 12, 2006 – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad just held meetings this month in Syria with terror groups Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) along with Syrian president Bashar Assad. 

 Knowing Russia’s involvement with both Iran and Syria and these two nations bolstering of these radial terror groups one must conclude that the nation of Israel, the entire Middle East, even the world is looking toward some very dark days ahead.

 Obviously Israel stands to loose so much as there groups tighten the noose around the tiny Jewish state but what about the United States?  Each of these terror organizations are vehemently anti American and books could be filled with documentation as to the danger these groups pose to U.S. interest at home and abroad.

 What is so preposterous is the fact that groups such as the Taliban and al Queida have gotten all of the attention while there groups draw little if any coverage let alone condemnation.

 I have quoted I Thessalonians 5:3 so many times but once again it is relevant, “For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape.

 Father, open our eyes that we fear not man but that we put our whole hearted trust in you in these trying times.

 

 February 12, 2006 – When you hear a message on the rapture of the church one of the primary references used is I Thess. 4:16-18, which is fine.  However, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul spends verses 1-12 addressing sexual immorality, brotherly love and orderly living before his dissertation in verses 13-14 on the blessed hope of the rapture.

 While it is true Paul was addressing the teaching of the rapture because false teachers regarding this matter had invaded the Thessalonian church, we cannot just focus on the hope of the rapture, lest we address the need to be ready for this event according to how we live.           

 How fitting that nearly 2000 years later the writings of Paul not only point to the rapture which is certainly closer than it was in Paul’s time, but there is so much more.

The Holy Spirit is sending out a message not just to the sinner to repent, but to the believer as well to make the necessary corrections in preparation for Christ’s call for the church.

 As we look forward to this blessed hope let us remember how many there are not just those that need the gospel, but all believers need to do a check up, in order for us to be ready to meet the L-rd in the air, what a day that will be!

                                                                  

 To be continued…